EMBRACING ALL THE UNEXPECTED (COMPLETED) PART II

XXII STAY

Kabanata 22

Stay

After that night I and Kieran didn't talk about what happened. He treats me casually and we didn't bother to open what happened that night. I get home safely with my parents.

I didn't contact Art. I didn't reply, nor in touch with him with a call. I need to fix it before it may be a huge problem with my actions.

Hindi lang ako ang masisira. Hindi lang ang pamilya namin maging si Art ay madadamay if ever na hindi ko na naman matiyansa ang mga maaaring mangyari.

I felt secure when I am with Art. I love the way even he doesn't do anything he gives me butterflies in my stomach. I know that I don't have rights over him so I want him to freely do what he wants.

Wala naman siya mapapanghawakan sa akin kaya mas mabuti pa na magpakasaya na lang muna siya ng wala ako. Nang hindi ako kasama, ng hindi siya nadadamay sa mga desisyon ko na palpak at pumapalpak.

"Ms A, nasa labas si kuyang G'wapo."  Natawa ako sa sinabi ni Mickey. "Hindi mo man lang ba talaga kakausapin, Ms?"

"Sinabi mo ba ang pinapasabi ko?" I asked.

"Yes, Ms. Kahit labag sa loob ko. Pabalik-balik na kasi si sir hindi mo pinapansin. Kapag si sir Kieran ang nasa labas, gogora ka kaagad paalis ng kasama siya pero kapag kay Architect Hernandez hindi."

Ilang araw ko na rin kasi siyang iniiwasan. Hindi ko alam ano na namang mukha ang ihaharap ko sa kanya. He's in that parking lot that time, I saw him.

"Hija, just tell me if you have a problem. I can help you will all your needs besides you and my son will get married soon." Ngumiti lang ako sa pinagsasasabi ni tito Kris. "Mauna na kami." Pagpapaalam nila kina mommy at daddy.

Nakahawak si Kie sa baywang ko kaya naaasiwa ako. There's nothing wrong with wanting he wants but why would I need to be connected to his lies? He just running away from the truth. He still can't accept the fact that he's falling in that man.

Vincent is really a nice man. He is easily comfortable with it. He also one of those people who protect me from some such bullies in the school.

"Well get going, hija. You and my son can plan already your soon-to-be engagement party." Napabuntong hininga na lang ako. Ayoko na magsalita at baka may masabi pa akong masama. "Bye."

After makapasok nila sa loob ng sasakyan ay ang siyang paghalik ni Kieran sa pisngi ko. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "Babawi ako sayo. I promise."

When they leave the parking area is the time that I am going inside our car when I saw Art standing near our position. I walk to explain but I decided not to because I am with my parents.

"Andrea, what are you waiting for? Let's go." Lilingon pa sana ako ng makita ko na parang nagtataka si mom na lumingon sa paligid. "Is there a problem?" Umiling ako saka sumakay na sa sasakyan para makaalis na kami.

Nang matapos ang trabaho ay sumabay na ako sa kanila lumabas. Nagulat ako ng nakaabang na naman pala si Art. He grabs my wrist and he forced me to get in his car

"Come on. We need to talk. I'll drive you home, don't worry."

Paglingon ko kina Kesley ay sinabi ko na okay lang ako. Hindi na ako nagpumilit pa total wala naman ata akong choice. Mukhang kailangan talaga naming mag-usap, kung sabagay malabong usapan lang ito kasi I don't know how to explain everything. I promise to Kie that no one will know about what he is.

Bigla na lang umulan ng malakas kaya mas lalo pa ata nainis si Art. Nagpark siya sa tabi saka ginulo ang buhok na animo'y frustrated ng sobra. Paglingon niya sa akin ay saka ko lang narealize eyebags niya. Hindi ata natutulog ng maayos.

"Wala ka man lang bang sasabihin?" tanong niya na ikinangunot ng noo ko. "Ako rin walang gustong sabihin may gusto ako gawin." Bago pa man ako makapagsalita ay kaagad siyang lumapit sa akin at hinalikan ako.

I miss his kisses. I miss his hugs. Damn! w
What am i doing? Baka may makakita sa amin. Itutulak ko na sana siya ng mas lalo niya pang pinaghusayan ang paghalik sa akin. He even bit my lips that made me groaned.

"Art," I said while I am catching my breath. "Let me breathe, will you! Are you going to kill me huh?" I was even more annoyed by his simple laughter and he touched my lips with his thumb. "Damn you!"

"I'm sorry, baby. Nadala lang ng pagkauhaw."

Pagkauhaw? Nakadrugs ata ito. Masyadong high.

"Bakit nakakapawi pa ng uhaw ang halik hah? Nakakbwiset ka!"

"Lunod na lunod nga ako eh." Nagulat ako sa biglang pagpawi. "Pwede bang ganito na lang tayo?"

I'm sorry for being selfish, Art. Kieran is important to me. He helps me whenever I need help that's why I can't say no. t
This is just for now, don't worry.

"Am I still not enough for you yet, baby? I am going to do everything to make you mine, I promise. Hindi na ito yung dating Art," sabi niya habang panay ang kagat niya sa labi niya. "Should I kneel to make you stay? Should I climb the mountain to prove myself? Should I —"

"Wala kang dapat pa na patunayan, Art. Wala ka namang k-karapatan sa akin. H-hindi mo ako responsibilidad," nagmamadali kong sabi. "You can do many things. Enjoy a lot. Back to your old habits."

"The moment I told you about my feelings and the first time your lips meet mine may katapatan ka ng ipagdamot ako. You're like a tressure to me. A treasure I wanna keep beside me until my last breath. I love you, baby. Stay with me. Durog na durog na ako. I want to know why? Why the hell you're with someone else?"

"Art."

He held my hands and kissed them. "Choose me this time, Andrea. Kasi kahit noong nagpapanggap kayo ang sakit na. H-huwag mo na ulitin, baby. Ako na lang."

Bahala na. I grabbed his necktie to pull and I immediately kissed him on the lips. I love you too. Nothing has changed, it's actually even worse. Sakit na ata ito, mahirap na atang malunasan pa. Malubha na.