He Loves Red (A short story)

Chapter 3: Sound

WARNING: CONTAINS MATURED SCENES

How do you know if someone actually cares for you?

My boyfriend saw my ex and didn't do anything. He called me by a cute name but still, he didn't do anything. He told me a bad and a perverted joke but still, he didn't do anything.

Alam ko namang mahal nya ako, pero minsan gusto ko din namang ma feel na ipagdamot. Sometimes an overprotective man makes us feel more loved and precious right?

Kahit medyo nagtatampo ako sakanya. I still texted him pagkauwi ko ng bahay. Pero hindi sya nag rereply. Halos di ako nakatulog kagabi kakahintay ng text nya. I tried calling him pero naka off daw ang phone. Maya't maya akong gumigising hanggang kaninang madaling araw pero pagsilip sa phone wala parin. Nakaka bad trip!

Bumaba ako sa sala nang nakasimangot at binuksan ang TV, nasa news channel ito. As usual puro krimen ang laman ng balita. Patayan dito, droga jan, corruption dito, nakawan jan. Pero isang balita ang nakapagpatayo ng balahibo ko.

"Isang binata ang natagpuang patay sa tambak ng basura sa isang eskinita kaninang madaling araw. Halos di na makilala ang biktima dahil sa pinsalang natamo sa buong katawan. Ayon sa media, ang biktima ay nagngangalang Paulo Sanchez. Para sa karagdagang detalye—" pinatay kona ang TV at dina pinatapos ang nagbabalita.

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa nakita at narinig. I saw the picture of his dead body at the screen, kahit naka blurred yun ay aninag ko parin. Para syang lantang gulay na nakahandusay, sadyang kalunos lunos. Tila namanhid ang buong katawan ko. Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak sa remote at nakatitig sa kung saan. Kasama lang namin sya kahapon. Bakit? Paano? Anong—

Halos mapatalon ako dahil sa biglaang pag ring ng cellphone ko.

I answered the phone without looking at the screen.

"Baby?" tinig ni Red sa kabilang linya

Hindi ako nagsalita at nanatiling nakatulala

"Baby?" tawag uli nya

Hindi parin ako sumagot

"Hey baby wha—"

"He's dead" I blurted

"What? Who?" dinig kong tanong nya. Bakas ang pagkabigla dito

"Paulo" I answered

"Who's Paulo?" he asked again

"My ex! The guy we saw yesterday!" inis kong sabi. Nakalimutan na nya agad? Wala ba talaga syang pakeelam sa ex ko?! Tsk

"That guy? W-wait, how? And how did you know?" tila di makapaniwala nyang sambit

"It's on the news" sagot ko

"I'm sorry I just woke up I wasn't able to watch news" he said

"Where were you last night Red?" I asked

"I locked myself in my art room right after I arrived. Ang daming ideas ang naipon sa utak ko while exploring the art gallery" he explained

"You didn't answered any of my texts and calls!" I said irritably

"I'm sorry baby I usually turn off my phone when I'm painting to lessen distractions" he stated

"I was damn worried!" I shouted. Diko napansin na umiiyak na pala ako. Maybe because with the news I've heard bigla akong kinabahan for Red. Pano kung may masamang nangyari din sakanya kagabi? I can't!

"Hey baby listen okay? Don't stress yourself I'll come there to pick you up. You're frustrated, I'm really sorry" sabi nya at bakas sa boses nya ang pag aalala sa akin. How can his voice sounds so calming even in the middle of this feeling.