Kabanata 4

Sa mga ganitong sitwasiyon, hindi ako umiinom ng mahigit sa dalawang baso ng alak dahil alam kong mahina ako sa bagay na iyon. Ngayon lang ako nakainom ng marami.

I stood up and walked sluggishly. I am a bit slurry but I managed to walk my way to the restroom. Walang katao-tao sa loob noon nang makarating ako.

I leaned my head against the cold wall. Mainit ang aking pakiramdam at nahihilo pa. It took me minutes to compose myself and freshen up.

Medyo umayos na ang aking pakiramdam matapos makapagsuka at maghilamos. Bahagyang nabawasan ang pagkahilo ko bagama't namimigat na ang mga mata.

On my way to our table, my phone rang. Dad's name flashed on it. It's already 1 am so its very unusual for him to call this late, I think it's important.

Pahirapan man ay mabilis akong nakalabas sa bar at sinagot ang tawag. Namuo ang pawis sa aking noo at leeg dahil sa pakikipagsiksikan sa mga tao.

"Dad," I called. "It's late. Something wrong?"

He sighed tiredly. "Nothing, hija. Nasaan ka?"

"I'm at the bar with my friends po."

He sighed. " Don't drink too much. Madaling araw na din, Selene. Umuwi ka na. Anyway, I just called to inform you that we'll be gone for a week."

Natigilan ako roon pero hindi na nanibago. "Okay?" Patanong kong sagot. "Business trip?"

"Yes, hija, and some matters. Don't stay up too late, okay?" He reminded me of some things before hanging up the phone. I sighed.

Pabalik na sana ako nang may narinig akong sumipol. My forehead creased. Pasimple kong tinignan sa gilid ko ang pinaggalingan ng boses at nakita ang isang matangkad na lalaki na nakangisi sa akin at nakasandal sa isang sasakyan.

I looked around. Cars are everywhere in this area, madilim at tahimik. Rinig ang malakas na tugtugin sa loob ng bar. Judging the way this guy looks at me, I know he is not up for good.

I tried to look unbothered and walked to the entrance of the bar. Namumuo na ang kaba at takot sa akin dahil alam ko ang kayang gawin ng lalaking iyon. He's massive and tall, alam kong isang hila lang sa akin ay wala na akong laban.

Malapit na sana ako sa mas maliwanag at may taong parte nang may humablot sa aking braso. My chest pounded in nervousness and fear.

I glared at the grinning man. He looked at me nastily. I wriggled my arm at his hold, disgusted.

"Ano ba? Let me go!" I screamed. Nabitawan ko ang purse na hawak. The man laughed a bit, his evil voice lingered my ears that made my insides shake in fear.

"Not yet, honey. Let me have a taste first." He said and leaned his face on mine. His other hand is holding my wrist while the other one went on my exposed thighs. He squeezed it tightly. Mas lalo akong nandiri at nagpupumiglas sa kaniyang hawak.

"Ano ba?! Lumayo ka sa akin! Bitawan mo nga ako! Tulong! " I yelled but to my horror, his lips landed on my ears. I shivered in fear and disgust. Tears formed in my eyes.

"Walang makakarinig sa iyo rito. Huwag ka na kasing magpakipot. Alam ko namang magugustuhan mo rin----" I shrieked in shock when the man fell on the ground. My eyes widened when a man's built suddenly attacked him and punched him hardly. Nakabawi ito at sinuntok rin ang lalaking kakarating lang ngunit sa galit yata ng isa ay walang laban ang bastos na lalaki.

The man punched the pervert non- stop. I cried in relief and fear. I tried to stop the man but he didn't, hindi niya tinigilan ang manyak na iyon hanggang sa halos mawalan na ng malay.

Humikbi ako sa takot. The man is so violent! Kitang kita kong halos mawalan na ng malay ang lalaki sa sahig. Baka mapahamak at madamay pa siya dahil sa akin!

Lumingon ang lalaki sa akin. Humina ang aking hikbi at natigilan nang makita kung sino ito. Lumapit siya sa akin, bakas ang pag-aalala at galit sa mukha.

"Are you alright?" He asked. Hinawakan niya ang aking braso, sinusuri ang bawat parte ng aking katawan kung nagalusan ba. Bahagya pa akong napatalon sa gulat nang maramdaman ang daloy ng elektrisidad sa pagtama ng kaniyang balat sa akin. Hindi niya iyon napansin dahil mukha siyang nag- aalala.

I nodded a bit. He sighed and bowed his head. He looks frustrated at something, marahang pinisil ang dalawa kong kamay.

"Fuck, I'm sorry I am late. Are you sure you're alright?" 

Instead of feeling uneasy, I felt otherwise. His hand on mine felt comfortable. I felt safe at his hold. Maybe it's the situation that made me feel that way.

Tumango ako at suminghap. Nanumbalik sa akin ang sitwasiyon kanina. Nag-init ang aking mga mata sa posibilidad na baka may nangyari nang masama sa akin kung hindi siya dumating.

I looked at Forth with teary eyes. He looked mad, worried and frustrated seeing my weak state. A sob escaped my mouth. My lips quivered. Gusto ko mang magpasalamat at magsalita pa, hindi ko kaya. Iniwas ko ang tingin sa kaniya at tahimik na umiyak.

Takot na takot ako.

This is why I am distant to male species. They take advantage of a woman's weakness. They think they're superior, that they can do whatever they want without being condemned or punished.

My shoulders shake. I bowed my head to hide my face, sobbing loudly. Hindi nawala ang takot ko sa nangyari. Until now, the horrible feeling didn't vanish.

I heard him sighed. He pulled me closer to him and enveloped me in his arms. Marahan ang kaniyang kilos, natatakot na masaktan o matakot ako sa kaniyang galaw.

His embrace felt warm. Suminghap ako habang umiiyak pa rin. Ngunit hindi kagaya kanina, bahagyang kumalma at gumaan ang pakiramdam ko.

"It's okay," he breathed. "It's okay, Cary. You're safe now." He said in a rasp voice and caressed my hair. Magaan ang bawat paghaplos niya roon, tila nanghehele. I breathed heavily, feeling a bit secured.