Courting Him (Guillermo Series #1)

Chapter 20

Trigger Warning: Contain talks about abuse, slut shaming and gaslighting

Reminisce

"The anonymous poster on Facebook is a dummy account, obviously. But I know it's my ex," I explained. The choice of his words is so familiar that when he posted that pic of me in the hospital, naliwanagan ako.

When I entered college and didn't know anything, my brother's girlfriend, Hera, helped me adjust. She's a year older than me but we hit it off immediately. She introduced me to her friends - which later became part of my clique. And she introduced me to my ex-boyfriend.

My ex, who I shall not name, is part of the dance team of Devalle. He's quite the catch. He's rich, smart, great at dancing and he's super handsome. Before we even started dating, he's already has a whole fandom supporting him.

I guess I was so naïve since I wasn't expose to red flag people. He was really kind to me when I joined the dance team. He'd teach me techniques and steps and he enrolled me in a class for hiphop dance. So me being a newbie at everything, fell for him hard. He's just a package, really. Then he confessed that he likes me, too.

His friends became my friends. Since I'm dating him, I became famous at school, too. Hera's friends added me as part of their group after they found out about my relationship. They even threw a party to welcome me.

Life was great. I balanced school works, dancing, and partying, too. My parents didn't like the idea of me having a boyfriend but my brother assured them that he is a great guy.

Turns out he's not.

Three months in the relationship, he started showing his real self. I wasn't allowed to go out if I'm not with him, I need to ask him for permission first if I need to go somewhere. If he doesn't allow it, I should not go.

Syempre, dahil nga noob pa ako sa relationship, akala ko normal lang. My parents does that to me although less strict. But my blockmates find it hard to communicate to me - especially the guys - since he's really scary.

We had our first fight on our seventh month. I told him I need to attend a meeting. We have a group project and the group decided to go to one of the members' house since it's near the place we have to conduct a survey.

He didn't let me but I told him I needed to. I'll fail my class if I won't go. Pinayagan ako ng magulang ko, bakit siya ayaw niya? Pumayag siya pagkatapos noon at sinabing siya na ang maghahatid sa akin. Hindi na ako nagreklamo. But guess what he did?

He actually drove us to his house. Akala ko noong una may kukunin lang siya since magkalapit lang 'yung bahay niya sa kaklase ko. But he turned off the engine and looked at me before saying that he'll help me with the damn project just don't meet up with my classmates.

I told him no. I remember being so mad at him that time. Akala ko kasi okay na sa kanya. If I do what he wants, mag-iiba nanaman ang tingin ng mga kaklase ko sa akin. They're already cautious in approaching me, baka pati sa project isipin nila na hindi ako katiwa-tiwala.

I still remember how his eyes changed. He was glaring at me before he went out of the car to yank me off the passenger seat. Naalala ko, 'yun 'yung unang pagkakataon na natakot ako sa kanya. He was gripping my arms so tight that I'm begging him to let go 'cause he is hurting me.

"Why won't you even allow me to go?! It's just for a project! I won't do anything bad!" I cried.

Nahila niya ako pababa ng kotse. Muntik pa akong masubsob sa kalsada bago niya ako muntik kaladkarin papasok ng bahay. I was already screaming because I don't want to go inside. It may sound like I'm over acting, but I was really scared at him that time.