OS #1: Chain Of Restrictions

23rd Restriction

Glass

I asked Carter to take me home. 'Di siya nagtanong pero alam kong nakita niya ang kung ano ang nasaksihan ko. Pagdating ko sa bahay agad akong dumiretso sa aking kwarto. Pagkasara ko ng pintuan, nakasandal na dumaosdos ako pababa ng sahig. Sobrang bigong-bigo. Dama ko ang puso kong mabilis na tumitibok sa pagmamadali at sa hapdi.

Is he... cheating on me?

Kaya ba nung summer break, he would stay out at sa gabi na lang uuwi?

And he's what? Working? Para ano? Para makita ang babaeng yun?

Did he meet her there?

I know I'm jumping to conclusions, but he can't blame me! He's lying on my face! He would always say that he would go somewhere and when I asked him where and what it is. He would just change the topic and tell me about Manong, all over again.

Sa sobrang daming iniisip 'di ko mapigilang mapasabunot na lamang sa aking buhok. Ang dami kong mga tanong pero hindi ko alam kong kaya ko ba ang mga sagot.

Napatingin ako sa bracelet na nasa aking pulsuhan at napatitig, remembering our first week. This is his first gift for me... for us. As a couple.

Tumayo ako at lumabas sa aking pintuan para tunguhin ang kanyang kwarto. I searched all of his cabinets for the screwdriver, pero I unsuccessfully found it. I opened one cabinet below his dresser and accidentally, I saw an old photo. Kinuha ko ito and I examined it.

This is Hugh and by the looks of him. He's around 4 years old? This was before he arrived at our house.

He wasn't smiling in the photo but he wasn't unhappy either. He's wearing this formal attire and is standing while holding the hand of someone. I can't fully recognized it, since the photo was kind of cut off, sa parte ng kahawak kamay ni Hugh.

Since hindi ko nakita ang hinahanap ko, lumabas na lang ako doon. But the photo still lingers on my mind. Sino 'yung kahawak kamay niya? I'm genuinely curious because it's not just me being his girlfriend, I'm curious as his family.

"Sorry about what happened, Carter." I apologized as soon as nakalapit ako sa kanyang kinauupuan. Nagulat siya at agad akong nilingon.

"No, it was okay." He had an understanding smile when he answered me. Nakita ko ang paglampas ng kanyang tingin sa aking likod, may tinatanaw. Naramdaman ko naman ang matiim na titig ng kung sino. But without even looking, to check who it is, alam ko na kung sino 'yon.

"What did you talk about with Carter?" Hugh asks as soon as we arrive at home. 'Di ko siya pinansin and just continued walking.

Bakit ko naman sasabihin, sayo? Chismoso.

"Leigh." I felt my heart squeeze in pain.

So ano, wala ng 'baby'? Dahil may iba ka ng baby?

"What's wrong?" Tila nagtataka niyang tanong while still following me. Nagmamaang-maangan, ah!

"Is this about the call?" I acted like I didn't hear anything from him. Naglakad ako papuntang kusina para kumuha ng malamig na tubig. Kahit hindi pa naman ako may edad, I feel like my blood pressure just went up by just hearing him asking. Pinipigilan'g sumabog ang tampo at galit na kinikimkim ko sa looban.

Shut up, Hugh.

"Leigh... baby." Just hearing him call me that unti-unting nawawala ang tampo ko. Tangina. Ang rupok ko basta siya ang pinag-uusapan.

But I stood up with what I'm doing, still no plans of giving my attention. I got a glass and opened the refrigerators' door to get the pitcher of water. Nilagyan ko ng tubig ang baso at Ininom ito, pagkatapos ay nilagay sa lababo.