SALVATORE #1: Loving the Prostitute

CHAPTER 38

In the first place, I know I shouldn't get closed to Luca. At ngayon baka ilang tulak na lang malalaman na nila ang nakaraan ko. And that's the last thing I want to happen.

What a big coincidence. So this isn't the first time Luca saw me. Nakita na niya pala ako noon. My brain was aching in frustration. I don't remember.

I shouldn't have come back. Sana pala hindi na ako naging marupok at bumalik pa. Ngayon malaking problema sa'kin ito. Hindi ko na alam ang iisipin at gagawin ko. I'm sure this bitch will plan something just to get rid of me. She hates me to death.

She did it once and she can do it twice. Hindi ko sinalubong ang tingin ni Luca. I know he's so confused as well as his cousins. Hindi lang sila nagsasalita.

Tumawa si Rylee pero ibang klase ang tawa niya. She's like a witch laughing.

"Do you know her, uncle?" ang boses ni Adeline ang nagpabalik sa'kin sa sarili ko mula sa malalim na pag-iisip.

"No, little girl. Hindi ko rin siya kilala," mahinang tugon ni Hezekiah sa pamangkin.

"Does tito Luca knows her?" tanong muli nito. Mahina silang nag-uusap at ako ang malapit sa kanila kaya rinig ko.

"Maybe," tipid na sagot ni Hezekiah.

"So what now?" ngumisi si Rylee pero matalim ang tingin sa'kin. "I never thought I'll see you again. I thought you're dead." Saka siya tumawa ng peke.

"Rylee," may pagbabantang ani Luca. Rylee just rolled her eyes at him.

"Fine," sabi niya at umupo sa katabing upuan ni Ezekiel. She's not the only girl here. She's with a gorgeous girl. I'm not familiar with her though.

Umupo na rin kami ni Luca sa kaharap nilang upuan. Walang sinabi si Luca tungkol doon at inayos ang pagkain ko.

They are all complete here. May naidagdag lang. Kasama na sina Rylee at ang kasama niya. Si Brey at Honeylette lang ang wala.

I focused on my food and didn't meet any of Rylee's stares. Ramdam kong panaka-naka ang tingin niya sa'kin at kay Luca.

Namalayan ko na lang na tapos na pala akong kumain. I'm in deep thoughts again. Hindi na ako pwedeng magtagal pa ulit sa puder ni Luca.

I'm not stupid to know things around me. She's Luca's fiancee and I should take my distance from them. But I don't know where to go in case. Kailangan ko munang ayusin kung saan ako pupunta kung sakaling aalis na naman ako. And I should find a job. A decent job.

I can't work in any bar again because I know Luca will know where I am. See, Denise? Problema lang ang dala ng desisyon mo. Nagulo ang tinatawag kong normal na buhay ko dahil sa kanya. I'm not putting all the blame on him because I know I have part on it too.

Hindi ako sumali sa usapan nila at hindi na rin ako nag-abalang makinig pa. Nandito na rin sina Brey at Honeylette pero wala sa kanila ang atensyon ko.

Honeylette was looking at me confused. Iniisip siguro niya kung bakit hindi ako nagsasalita. In the first place, I'm not really a talkative person. Simula noong nine years old ako, hindi na talaga ako nagsasalita.

I kept my mouth shut because of what hell I've through. I couldn't talk before. Kahit isang salita hindi ko maibigkas. Not until I lived in Rylee's grandma.

I learned to speak again but with different language. I shook my head when blurry visions appear on my mind.

Luca is talking with his cousins but he didn't stop glancing at me every minute. I don't know what he's thinking about me right now but I care less.