Chapter 10

Marcus

I woke up with a light heart and a smile on my face this morning kahit na hindi ako masyadong nakatulog kagabi. I had a hard time last night because I can’t sleep knowing that this woman is just inches away from me.

I admit nakaramdam ako ng inis sa kanya when I saw her smiling at my dad. Ngayon niya lang nakilala ang daddy ko pero kung makangiti siya wagas, samantalang ako e kulang nalang bugahan niya ng apoy nung una naming pagkikita.

I looked for Blanca after the event only to find out na umalis na pala ito kasama ang kapatid ko. I called my sister at once and she told me that they are in some bar kaya lalo akong nagmadaling puntahan ang dalaga. She might again do something stupid kaya kailangan kong makarating agad dun.

She’s a little bit drunk when I found her kaya naman I forced her out of the bar at inuwi sa penthouse. I cannot stand it especially seeing some random guys around  gawking and staring at her. The usual hardheaded Blanca at first resisted but in the end nanahimik din siya. Maybe I should practice my ears to getting used to hearing her rants when she’s angry if I really want to be with her.

Nagising ako kaninang madaling araw and I found her in my arms. Her face is buried in my neck while her hand is on my chest. I don’t know how did that happen kasi nakatalikod siya sa akin kagabi.

 It felt heaven though, I mean, this isn’t my first time to cuddle with a woman and it felt surreal. She is the second woman whom I cuddled with aside from Jade, my first girlfriend. My first heartbreak.  The woman who made me into who I am today. A cold and an unloving ass, as they regard me.

Bumangon agad ako ng maramdaman ko na nag-iisa nalang ako sa kama. Panic enveloped my system thinking that she has already left.

 I checked the comfort room pero wala siya doon so I immediately ran out of the room. And there I saw my little witch, standing in the kitchen while busy cooking something. She is still wearing my shirt that looks so sexy in her, I almost want to snatch her and go back to bed to cuddle again.

Agad akong tumalikod at bumalik sa kwarto. I have to control myself. Hindi ako dapat gumawa ng bagay na ikakagalit niya so I immediately took a shower and dress myself up. Baka mamaya kasi maisipan niyang umalis.

“Good morning!” bati ko sa kanya while she is still infront of my stove. 

“Hi! Good morning!” she greeted me back. Her voice was lovely and seem to be music to my ears in this morning. I’m happy she seem to be in a great mood after her nightmare last night. 

I was so worried seeing her in that state. I know it’s just normal to have nightmares but I just can’t stand seeing her shaking and terrified. Kaya naman hindi na ako nag dalawang-isip na tabihan siya when she asked me to stay. I just want her to have a sound sleep, and I guess she did.

“Sorry ha! Pinakialaman ko na ang kusina mo. Upo ka na! You want coffee? “ sunod-sunod na sabi niya habang inaayos sa mesa ang mga niluto niya. May mga plato at kubyertos nadin na naka-set.

I can’t help but smile just by watching her move around my kitchen. She looks lovely na para bang pag-aari niya ang space na ito. Well I really wouldn’t mind seeing her everyday here, I would really love it.

“ Black please. No sugar.”  sagot ko sa kanya kaya agad naman siyang nagtungo sa coffeemaker at naglagay sa tasa.

“Black coffee just like how Mr.Thompson likes it.” she smiled saka nilapag ang mainit na kape sa harap ko

“Thank you!” Napangiti ako. Ganito pala ang pakiramdam ng may nag-aalaga.

 “Sit down, let’s eat” aya ko sa kanya pagkatapos niyang lagyan ng pagkain ang plato ko.

“ Sorry nga pala for last night, medyo nakainom lang ako.” nakayukong sabi niya habang naglalagay ng pagkain sa plato niya

“Don’t do that again, Blanca. Kung hindi ako dumating baka napano ka na.” I warned her and she just nodded.

“By the way where’s your dad? Hindi kami masyadong nakapag-usap kagabi, he looks cool ha!” masayang kwento niya kaya para na naman akong nainis. Ang ganda na sana eh, bakit kailangang siya pa ang pag-usapan namin.

“Nasa mansion siya.” I flatly answered

“Oh I see. Mukha siyang mabait no?” 

Napapikit ako at naibaba ang kubyertos ko. Medyo napalakas pa nga iyon kaya napatingin si Blanca sa akin.

“Are we really going to talk about my dad?” iritang tanong ko sa kanya

“What? I mean what’s wrong with that? I’m just asking.” 

“Seriously Blanca?” Napapikit pa ako 

“Do you like him?” I don’t know what’s gotten into me pero naiinis talaga ako.

“What? No! Oh my God! Ano yun?” tila nainis din niyang sagot

Napahinga ako ng malalim at kinalma ang sarili. I already felt like this before and I don’t want it to happen again, especially kung tatay ko na ang maiinvolve. Hindi ko na ata iyon matatanggap. The feeling of betrayal is too much to take and I don't want to feel it again.

“I’m  sorry. Kumain na tayo.” sabi ko na lang dahil alam kong naguguluhan siya.

After our breakfast ay pinag-ayos ko na siya para maihatid. Ako na ang nag-ayos ng kusina habang nasa kwarto siya. Alam ko na mali ang naging reaksyon ko kanina but I just can’t help it. Pakiramdam ko nagseselos ako ng wala sa lugar. 

It’s as if I am being stabbed in the chest just by hearing her sing her praises for my father.

I can’t stand the thought na may iba siyang hinahangaan at hindi ako yun. 

‘Damn it!’ I cursed to myself saka ko pinatay ang gripo at nagtungo sa sala para hintayin siya. I took my phone and opened my mails para may mapaglibangan ang utak kong praning na ata sa sobrang pag-iisip.

“Are you done?” tanong ko when I saw her coming out of the room.

“Yeah! Thank you ulit.” she said “ Ibabalik ko nalang itong shirt mo, lalabhan ko muna.” 

Agad ko naman inagaw iyon at hinagis sa sofa. No way! Sa akin iyon at baka nga itabi ko pa sa pagtulog mamayang gabi. I’m sure her scent is still there so there’s no way na hahayaan kong iuwi niya iyon. God I really am going crazy.

“It’s okay hayaan mo na diyan!” I said lalo at nakita ko nanaman ang pagkunot ng noo niya

Tahimik lang kaming sumakay sa elevator hanggang sa makarating kami ng kotse. It’s as if we’re both scared to even utter a word.

“May problema ba kayo ng daddy mo?”  she asked to break the silence in the car while we ar moving.

“Wala.” I shook my head “ I’m sorry hindi ko dapat sinabi ‘yun.” I apologized.

“ Wala akong gusto sa daddy mo, okay” she said and that made me turn my gaze to her.

I sighed at saka ko inihinto ang sasakyan sa gilid. 

“I’m sorry” I almost whispered dahil alam ko na na-offend ko siya. “ I’m just scared, Blanca. I’m just scared. “ 

“Scared of what?” malambing niyang tanong. Humarap pa siya sa akin as if saying that she is ready to hear me out.

Tumingin ako sakanya. And I held her hand.

“You remembered the girl that I told you before? My first girlfriend?” she nodded.

“I loved her so much, Blanca. Nagsikap ako para maging worthy sa pagmamahal niya. I did everything to show her how much I wanted to give her the world, pero niloko niya ako.” 

Napa-awang ang labi niya, ang I saw sadness in her eyes.

“I thought we are okay. That we both love each other, but I guess hindi ganon ‘yon.” I shook my head. 

“ I caught her, with my cousin,” sabay tawa ko ng pagak. “ Could you believe it? My girlfriend and my cousin, two people that I love, betrayed me.” 

Naramdaman kong humigpit ang hawak ni Blanca sa mga kamay ko. I somehow felt comfort with it. 

“It’s been a long time since that happened and mula noon, napaso na ako sa salitang 

relasyon. I already surpassed it. Pero naramdaman ko ulit ‘yun kagabi when I saw my father holding your hands and staring at you.”

“Marcus..”

“I’m pissed okay?! I’m f*”***g scared na baka maulit nanaman, and this time? For Pete's Sake, sa tatay ko pa?”

I shook my head..

“Hindi ko kaya Blanca..”