Puhon

34

I was horrified to see Ej who just heard everything I said. I bit my lip as I control the incoming tears. Nilagpasan ko siya at nagmamadaling pumasok sa elevator. Narinig ko pa ang pagtawag niya sa akin. I was desperate, I pressed the close button of the elevator. Napabuntong hininga ako at napaupo nang magsara iyon bago pa makasakay si Ej.

When the elevator opened, I got out without thinking of anything. My mind went blank all of a sudden. Papasok na sana ako nang hinila ako ni Ej paharap sa kanya. It looks like he used the stairs.

Napayuko ako at hindi makatingin sa kanya. Naririnig ko pa ang paghabol niya ng hininga niya. He squeezed my hand. Pumikit ako nang mariin at nanatiling nakayuko. Sunod sunod na lumabas ang luha ko. I heard the elevator opened.

"Denise..."

Napatingin kami nang sabay ni Ej kay Miguel. Agad na humarang si Ej sa harap ko.

"Go the fuck home dude." Mariin na sabi ni Ej.

"We will talk." Hindi nagpapatalong sagot ni Miguel. Nanghihina kong binawi ang kamay ko kay Ej.

"I...I want to rest." Humarap si Ej sa akin at agad na pinalakad ako.

"Okay baby." Tumatango pang sabi nito sa akin.

"Denise, I'm so----"

Agad na tinulak ni Ej ang dibdib ni Miguel nang hawakan ako nito at pigilan.

"Damn Jayce! Just let me talk to her!" Miguel exclaimed. Nakita ko ang pag igting ng panga ni Ej at dahan dahang humakbang palapit kay Miguel.

"My girlfriend wants to rest. Fuck, anong hindi mo maintindihan doon?" I can hear Ej's anger. Hinawakan ko ang braso niya para kumalma ito.

"We were not yet done talking!" Pagpipilit pa ni Miguel.

"Come on, Denise. Let us clear things." Pagsusumamo pa niya at pilit na hinahawakan ang kamay ko.

"P-please...." Nauutal na sabi ko habang umiiyak.

"I'm sorry, hm? I am sorry." Paulit ulit na sabi nito. Ej's eyes darkened when he looked at us. Tumingin ako sa kanya habang tuloy tuloy lang na tumutulo ang luha ko.

"Fuck." He cussed and faced Miguel with a closed fist and clenched jaw.

"Ej!" I shouted when he grabbed Miguel's collar and punched him. Napaupo si Miguel sa lakas no'n. He wiped his lip and I saw a stain of blood on it. I covered my mouth with my hand.

"Don't you ever show yourself after my girl." Pinal na sabi ni Ej bago binuksan ang unit niya at hinila ako papasok doon.

"Fuck, Jayce! Let me talk to her!" Sigaw pa ni Miguel.

I saw Ej manipulated his phone. "15th floor, get that man out of the building." Aniya na tinawagan yata ang security sa baba.

Gulat pa rin sa pangyayari ay tulala lang ako nang makapasok sa loob ng unit niya. Seconds have passed when I marched towards him.

"Let me see your hand." Ako at agad na hinila ang kamay niya. Namumula lang iyon, at wala namang kahit anong sugat o pamamaga. He pulled me closer to him and hugged me.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry you had to witnessed that." I can't almost hear his voice.

Hinaplos ko ang likod nito dahil hindi pa rin kumakalma ang paghinga niya. He slowly let go of the hug and looked away. Naalala ko naman ang narinig niya sa parking lot. I don't know if I can open up about that to anyone, not even with Tyron or Nikolai. It's just that....I know it will create another thing, at pagod na ako sa mga ganoon.