Beneath Her | [R-16]

Chapter Forty One

"The fuck you mean you're leaving? It's graduation na in like two weeks." Pam hysterically reacted to my announcement. We just finished class and I had to sit them down to tell them about the news.

"Hindi naman ako magtatagal, it's just a tiny vacation." I defended myself.

"You couldn't wait for the sem to be over? Paano ka magfa finals?" tanong ni Lance. Tumango ulit si Pam, "It's not like it's important. Final year mo lang naman 'to. Natin." she sarcastically shrugged.

Sa totoo lang, wala akong pakialam kung kailangan kong umulit. Hindi ako mapakali sa bahay, I need a reset button. I don't care if I don't graduate, Ace said I'm talented.

I just pouted as a response. Masasabi ko ba lahat ng issues ko sakanila?

"Alam niyo, it's Natalie's life. She's pretty, has talent and most importantly, mayaman." Jae commented while leaning back on his chair.

My smile immediately grew as I stare at him. Jae has this aura that at first, you'll think is intimidating. In reality, he lowkey supports you. Of course, hindi na totoong mayaman ako. My bank account isn't bottomless anymore. 

Naalala ko tuloy si dad. Hindi pa rin nila alam kung nasaan siya at dahil 'yun saakin.

Napatigil ako agad sa pinto nang makasalubong ko si Kim, papalabas ng bahay. "Andito ka pala. Did you message me? Hindi ko ata nakita." 

"Ah, hindi. Napadaan lang, may meryenda akong dinala." he smiled.

"Alright, ingat sa pag-uwi." I touched his shoulder before walking inside. I washed up and went down to eat the food Kim brought. Medyo nalungkot ako nang mapagtanto ko'ng hindi ko na naaalagaan ng maayos sila yaya. Umabot na sa puntong dinadalhan nalang sila ni Kim ng pagkain.

"Ako na dyan, 'nak." tapik ni yaya sa balikat ko habang naghuhugas ako ng pinggan. Nilayo ko yung pinggan na kukunin niya dapat, "Konti lang 'to, ya. Kaya ko na."

"Matagal ulit bago kita makita eh..." nguso niya. I smiled and stood aside. "Okay lang 'yun, ya. Bayad naman 'yun. It's about time you get some break."

"Sinabihan mo ba si Kim na aalis ka bukas?" tanong niya.

I got uneasy, "Bakit, sinabi mo ba sakanya?" 

"Syempre, hindi. Ano bang akala mo saakin?" kunot noo niya at bahagya akong siniko. Napahinga akong maluwag. "Secret lang ba ulit 'nak? Parang dati? Masasaktan nanaman 'yun, nako."

"I wouldn't call it a secret. Wala naman akong repsonsibilidad na sabihan siya sa mga galaw ko. I'd rather just not hear anyone's opinion right now. Ayaw kong sabihan ako na, wag na umalis o kaya bakit hindi nalang next week, next month. Ngayon ko gusto."

Pahinga ko 'to. Pahinga pero sakripisyo na rin.

I need to protect Drey.

Dahil sa mga kasalanan ko, hinding hindi na makikinig si Drey saakin. Baka hindi pa siya maniwala at sabihing gumagawa lang ako ng kwento.

I need to find Louie. Kung hindi ko makakausap si Drey, si Louie ang kakausapin ko. I'll make sure I'll give Drey a reason to leave that son of a bitch. Even if it would cost me a fortune.

"Ako na maglo lock, ya." kinuha ko sakanya yung susi at sinarado yung main door ng mansyon. Diretso na kasing ihahatid ni manong Ed si yaya sa bahay nila. Kay manong ko nalang ibibigay susi ng gate para maibalik niya yung sasakyan. I trust they wouldn't do anything anyway.