Chapter 18

Hurt

“Nababaliw ka na ba?”

I couldn’t believe it. I just can’t. Hindi pa nga ako tuluyang nakakamove-on sa pamilya ni Francis tapos ito naman? Can’t anyone give me a break even for one second?

“I’m afraid I’m being serious here, Miss Villareal.” His business-like tone came back which had me wondering. Pati na rin ang malamig niyang titig.

And yet here I am actually hoping, slightly hoping, he had stopped being hostile with me as we spent time together. Gusto kong matawa nang maalalang, oo nga pala, kailangan naming magpanggap sa harap ng lahat. What was I thinking? It was foolish of me to think that somehow, he had softened towards me.

I held in my tears, even my anger. He remained serious and unfazed. Maya-maya lang ay unti-unti akong nanghina, nawawalan ng lakas manlaban at pumalag. All these days I have been trying to struggle my way out. And now I am totally drained. I wiped the remnants of tears on my cheek. Matapang ko siyang tinitigan at tumango.

“Whatever you say,” I said out