Eren Pierce Salazar

Kabanata 4

''You want to buy kwek-kwek?'' mahinahong tanong ni Eren.

Nandito parin kami sa Park. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero mag-iisang oras na kami dito sa sasakyan. Nakatingin lang ako sa bintana sa gilid ko at naghihintay na paandarin niya ang sasakyan pero kanina pa niya ito hindi pinapaandar. Ewan ko ba, pero wala akong lakas para magsalita.

''Maria...'' he called my name and my heart clenched. Naiiyak na naman ako.

I saw his hand reaching me in my peripheral vision. I breathe deeply.

''D—Don't touch me'' malamig kong sabi.

Binawi niya ang kamay at umayos ng upo bago pinaadar ang kotse.

I heard him sigh.

''Let us... just go home''

He didn't talk until we got home. I quietly got out of the car and directly walked to the main door.

Hindi na ako lumingon at alam kong magkakatinginan lang kami. I can sense his gaze at me at wala akong planong lumingon o makipag usap sa kanya. I'm tired. I want to rest, and I need to put cream on my back.

Dali-dali akong umakyat at naligo kaagad. I wore my pajamas and sat on my bed. Kinuha ko ang maliit na paper bag at mula duon ay kinuha ko rin ang maliit na lalagyan ng cream. I took my t-shirt off at inabot ang sugat ko. I was about to put cream on it when I heard a voice.

''Maria, you need to eat—'' Narinig ko ang pagbukas ng pinto ng kwarto.

My eyes widened. Nanigas ako sa kinauupuan ko. Unti-unting lumalakas ang tibok ng puso ko. My body starts to shiver. I know that voice and I don't want him to know about this.

I slowly turned at him, my eyes were still widened. I'm still shock and shivering. Pagharap ko sa kanya ay nakatulala lang ito habang nakaawang ang mga bibig.

He was still in a polo and fit jeans, hindi pa nagpapalit. May dala siyang tray na may mga pagkain.

''W—What a—are you doing here?!'' I hissed. Thank god, I managed to have the strength to shout.

His eyes were still widened as he looked at my eyes, directly to my soul. I was stiffened by that. Kita ko ang pagtataka sa mga mukha niya.

I lowered my head and closed my eyes. I clenched my fist.

''Just...Go out... Please...'' I begged but he was still silent.

I know how shocked he was when he saw my back. Sariwa palang ang sugat sa likod ko at alam kong magugulat siya. Because my family never said or did anything bad about me in front of everyone. Nobody can tell that my father is hurting me.

''What happened, Maria?'' he asked.

Nahugot ko ang aking hininga sa tanong niya. Please not now... I need to rest... My heart is getting heavier so my tears too. Papabagsak na ang mga luha ko at hindi na ako makahinga sa sobrang sakit ng puso ko. I'm too tired.

Mas kinabahan ako nang unti-unti at dahan-dahan siyang lumalapit sa akin. Napaatras ako ng upo.

''Hey...'' I heard him

''Just go!'' I shouted. Nakayuko parin ako. Ayaw kong makita niya akong ganito. Tatawanan niya lang ako.

He didn't listen and sat beside me. Agad kong inabot ang comforter at itinabon ito sa dibdib ko. My heart was pounding fast and faster.

''Maria, what happened to your back?'' masuyo nitong tanong at hinawakan ako.

My eyes widened and threw his hand away from me. I looked at him, breathing hysterically. He was more shocked when he saw my eyes. I am now crying...