Kissing the fire

Kabanata 17

Naked

"Don't worry about Byron, I'm just gonna tell him that I saw you went home,"

I nodded at him and focused my eyes on the floor. I'm really shy to face him right now. I don't know what's gotten into me that I hugged him and cried in his chest.

"I'm sorry..."

"For what?" He slowly held my chin up but I averted my gaze from his eyes...

When I hugged him, alam kong maraming nakakita kaya dinala niya ako sa loob ng kanyang sasakyan at inihatid na dito sa condo ko.

"For causing a scene earlier..."

"Whatever it is, your feelings are valid, sierra," he said then he caressed my face using the back of his palm. "Rest for tonight and we'll talk about what happened tomorrow...only if you're ready to talk it out,"

I'm not a crybaby.

I'm not usually hurt and sensitive but today feels different.

It's a different kind of pain.

I took off my clothes and soaked myself into the bath tub.

I inhaled the scent of the bathbomb, thinking that it would take my pain and worries away.

Kahit ilang babad ko pa rito sa bath tub ay alam kong hindi na nito maaalis ang mga maduduming kamay na dumapo sa katawan ko.

"Good afternoon, dad," I knew dad will come into my condo. Sigurado akong dumating na rin ang balita sakanyang magka-sama kami ni Zone kagabi.

"What's the meaning of this?" Napatingin ako sa nilapag na mga litrato ni dad sa lamesa.

It was pictures of Zone and I hugging yesterday.

I gulped because hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko. I was not prepared kasi akala ko wala naman siyang ebidensiya na ipapakita.

"It's edited,"

"We both know it's not,"

"Okay, fine. I feel so lonely yesterday and I just hugged him out of nowhere,"

Dad sighed and looked at me with disappointment in his eyes.

I guess I will never be good enough for him.

"Cut whatever your ties with zone. If ever I see you again with him, I'll move you into Germany,"

Dad left and silence filled my room again.

Kung nandito ang kambal, baka pinagtanggol pa nila ako kay dad pero busy na sila sa kanilang buhay.

They said they'll accompany me until I graduate pero wala na sila rito ngayon.

Napakadaya.

"Zone saw you went home yesterday? Why?! You left me alone?! I hate you!" Nilayo ko ang phone ko sa aking tainga dahil sa tinis na boses ng bakla.

"Byron, I'm tired now. I wanna rest... let's just talk again tomorrow,"

"Wait...I'm sorry for raising my voice. Did something happened?"

"Some...some guys groped me," I heard a loud noise in the other line. It's as if Byron smash something and it broke. His hands bruise easily at mag-rereklamo na naman iyon na baka makaapekto sa beauty niya.

"Oh gosh! They cannot! They cannot!" He kept repeating what he said and also kept cursing, "I'm sorry, era. I should have punched all the guys in our back yesterday kaya pala feeling kong malaki ang puwetan ko kahapon dahil may humahawak pala!"