Behind The Bars

Chapter 9

Expensive

I contemplated more about what Markus said. He was right, actually. Siguro pagod na rin siyang makitang wala akong boses kapag ka ang mga magulang namin ang pinag-uusapan.

If only I have the courage to talk back to them like what he always does, siguro mas malaya akong tao ngayon.

Markus speaks up for himself, he knows what he wants and he knows how to defend himself and fight for his right. Siguro dahil nakikita niya sa aming mga nakakatanda niyang kapatid ang pagiging sunod-sunoran sa mga magulang namin. Akala ko nga parehas sila ni Kuya Noah, I thought wrong. Magkaiba sila dahil napapaamo ni Dad si Kuya, maybe because he secretly looks up to him. Markus is different. Isang araw makikita ko nalang ang picture niya sa internet na sumasali sa mga welga, sa mga aktibidad na may isinusulong, sa alam niyang tama, doon siya. Kaya napapahanga niya ako.

Parehas lang kaming lahat na sinusubukang ikulong at ikontrol ng tatay namin, it's just that, the others answered and one chose not to.

Because a part of me chose to believe Daddy can still change.

I grabbed another glass of wine before taking my phone out of my purse. It's 9pm already and I don't want to disturb Pia just to pick me up, kahit si Alonzo ayokong tawagan o itext. I can't find Markus too.

Gusto ko ng umalis sa lugar na to.

My eyes widened when Shawn's name appeared on the screen. He called just in time when I was about to book a grab.

"I know this is sudden but can you possibly pick me up?" Wala sa sarili kong tanong. My eyes widened and I bit my lower lip when I realized what I said.

Late na nang maisip kung baka nasa ibang bansa pa siya. Napasapo ako sa aking noo bago sinubukang bawiin ang nasabi.

"Uh huwag nalang pala, you're in New York right? Sorry for tha---"

"Of course. Where are you?" He asked, cutting me off. Ang lalim ng boses niya.

I told him the address before picking my purse and standing up. I was carefully trying to exit the premises when Caleb saw me. Napahilot ako sa aking sentido nang makita siyang naglalakad na patungo sa akin.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"Oh I-I need to go to the bathroom." I said in excuse.

"Okay I'll go with you." Sabi niya na nagpataas ng kilay ko.

"Seriously, Caleb? Do I look like a kid to you? It's not as if I'll get lost here." Depensa ko. I tried to sound sarcastic rather than defensive so he won't suspect.

Mukhang nagtagumpay naman ako dahil nagkamot lang siya ng kanyang ulo bago tumango.

"Alright." He sound defeated. I rolled my eyes and started walking away.

Lumingon pa ako ng isang beses para masiguradong hindi siya nakasunod. Kumalma ako nang makitang bumalik na siya sa mga kausap niya.

Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa cellphone nang tumawag ulit si Shawn at sinabing nasa labas na daw siya. Mabuti at hindi naman nagtanong ang mga guards kung pasasaan ako kaya agad akong nakalabas ng gate.

Shawnry's car stopped in front of me the moment I stepped out of the gate. He rolled the windows down so I opened the frontseat and went in. I was immediately attacked by his familiar expensive scent. Naka puting hoodie lang siya at itim na pants. Ang fresh niya palaging tingnan.

"I'm sorry I had to bother you, I didn't brought my car." I started while putting my seatbelts on.

"You're not a bother at all, Agatha." He smoothly said before driving away. I closed the windows of the frontseat.