Fate Be Told

Bonded

I was about to knock when I heard a loud thump coming from the room. I directly got the keys and opened the room only to find out that his arms are bleeding. The room was really messy. The glasses were all shattered. And I saw him, bleeding, broken.

I immediately went to where he was sitting down. Tried to clean the shattered glass near him. There he was sitting hopelessly. Tears strained in his face. Emotionless silence fill out the room. It was deafening silence.

I tried reaching out to his hands. He tried committing suicide. Lines of bloods were on his hands. Bloods on the carpet. Blood on his lips. 

Kinuha ko ang bandage sa kit, as I tried to treat his wounds. He didn't do anything. He's just there.

I cleaned his wounds. Not saying anything. But my heart was clenching. I was in pain.

This man doesn't deserve this.

No matter how people think how fcked up he is.

"You're bleeding"- his strained voice made me realize I was kneeling on some glasses. I didn't feel anything until he told me.

"I'm fine."- tanging sagot ko. This is nothing compared to what he's feeling right now.

"Let me"- he is treating my wounds. My heart was in so much pain. I don't know. How can he be so selfless? He is fking bleeding, he should treat himself first.

"Di, okay lang talaga ako. I- " I just wanted to check on you. But I can't say it directly. I mean, I rejected him.

"I'm sorry. You caught me in this state. Nasugatan ka tuloy"- he smiled at me.

You don't need to pretend you're fine!

"Uhm- do you want to change your rooms?"

"It's fine"

I stand up, got the cleaning materials and started sweeping the floor.

"Martha, you don't need to do this"- he tried standing up and got the broom

"Jace, just don't mind me. Just pretend I'm not here. Promise, I am not here to spread rumors."- I raised my arms to convince him, like a child.

He chuckled. Genuinely.

"I'm just going to call the reception to change rooms. No need to clean 'kay"- he went directly to the intercom and informed the reception desk.

He went back to where I was standing. He looked at me and casually chuckling. He went pass through me and got his leather jacket.

"The room service will be here in a few minutes. I apologize. Naabala pa kita"- he was looking at me like he was reaching for my soul.

Those brown eyes are talking to me discreetly.

"Ha? Uhm- sige bababa na ako."- dali dali kong kinuha yung med kit at dali daling umalis.

I saw him smiling again. God! My heart is racing fast. I think it is going to explode.

--

I was avoiding Jace. I don't know how to react with him.

"Hey"-

"Yes sir, how may I help you?"- I was avoiding eye contact with him.

"I would like to be woken up by 5 am if that's possible?"- request ni Jace

"Sure sir. No problem"-- I replied professionally.

It's been weeks since that incident happened. He acts as if nothing happens. And he is acting strange lately. He's already attending lectures, making reports and presenting as well. Every time we have the same class, I keep on glancing towards his direction. He also cut his hair really neatly, compared to his past haircut and shaved face.

I can  see changes in his built, like mas medyo naging mature yung katawan niya, or maybe just the way he dresses? Or maybe I just spend too much time thinking how he was doing since the last time we interacted. I was curious how he was coping up.

"Beh, sampalin mo nga ako. I mean, ba't ba gumagwapo si Jace ngayon? Ba't ang good boy?"- mejo kinikilig na boses ni Sheena.

I can't really deny the fact that he's handsome. Literally. And the girls in the campus are swooning over him.

Wala akong imik. Wala naman talaga akong masasabi.

"I think ngayon, maraming girls gustong maging babae niyan. Pwede kaya ako? HAHAHAHAH"- halakhak niya

"Miss Sheena, anong nakakatawa jan?"- napabaling samin lahat ng atensyon sa loob ng room. Ito namn si Sheena kasi ang laki ng bunganga.

"Sorry prof peace"- sagot ni Sheena

Nag iwas ako ng tingin kay Sheena at napalingon diritso sa kinauupoan ni Jace. He was staring at me, pouting. My heart skipped a beat. Nag iwas nalang ako nang tingin sa kanya. But I can still see in my peripheral that he still looking at me.

As soon  as the lecture ended, kinuha ko agad ang mga gamit ko at dali-daling umalis. I need to go home early since it's my lola's birthday.

We were in the middle of the dinner when my papa broke the silence.

"How are the Madrigal ma?"

"Well, they are still in shock anak after what happened to Thelma. It was too sudden"

I was busy poking my food when their topic caught my interest.

"I guess they are still in hunt for Antonio."- si papa habang umiinom ng wine

"That's what they get after backing out from the agreement."- sagot namn ni lola

"I'll get more food for you"- tumayo si mama at pumunta sa kusina upang kumuha nang pagkain.

"Ma, can you not open this topic, Edith is here."- pag ismid ni papa

"Well, she can't possibly feel that all the time. She knew before that you are supposed to marry Thelma."

Lola's attention turned to me.

"Martha, how is your school going?"- tanong niya sakin

"Well, it's fine la"

"Hmm. You should do well hija. After all, we can't afford to lose another agreement again from the Madrigals"

Napakunot ang noo ko sa sinabi ni lola. Lose what?

"Ma, don't tell me you approached them again?!"- galit na sabi ni papa

"Yes hijo, Ferdinand and I already talked about this. This is only the right thing they should right after breaking the agreement between you and Thelma."

"Ma! we are in this situation because of them! And now you're telling me to wed off my daughter to their grandson? All the properties are gone! We are dirt poor because of them!"

"That's why hijo, we will get everything back from them"- kalmang tugon ni lola

"Haven't you got any dignity left ma?"

"Dignities don't feed hijo. And I don't want to see my granddaughter live a life like you're living right now."

"Martha isn't marrying their grandson!"

Whose marrying who?

"I am not asking for your opinion! We already talked  Javier! They are going to give back the land they got from us. I mean, I already got the title of the property. The least thing I can do is to give Martha's hand for marriage"- sigaw ni lola

"Why are you doing this ma? Hindi pa ba sapat ang nangyari sakin? You want Martha to suffer too? He's not even Thelma's son! He's the bastard of Matteo! He's not even a Madrigal ma!"