Romancing the Devil

CHAPTER 10

“He can’t be here. He’s mad at me. My husband is mad at me.” then a single tear fell from my eye.

“Hey, wife . . . don’t cry.” His soothing voice filled my ears.

Mas lalo akong naluha nang marinig ‘yon. Samu’t saring emosyon ang nararamdaman ko lalo na nang marinig ulit ang nang-aalu niyang boses.

“No . . . my husband, Callum, is mad at me.” Para na akong batang umiiyak pero wala pa ring pakialam.

“Hush now, baby. I’m sorry, I was just pissed. I’m not mad at you.” Alu niya sa akin bago ako niyakap.

I cried in his chest, not minding if I everybody’s looking at us now. I just want to cry like a baby here.

“My sister is a mess, Callum. You should get her home now.” rinig kong sambit ni Ate Kiana sa asawa ko.

“Thank you for calling me,” sagot ni Callum habang hinahaplos nang marahan ang aking likod. “Let’s go home now, wife.” aniya habang pilit akong inaayos ng upo sa couch.

“No.” Mariin at pinal na sambit ko bago lumayo sa kaniya. Kita ko ang gulat sa mukha niya pati na rin ang galit. “Ate, uwi mo ‘ko. Galit sa ‘kin si Callum. Ayoko umuwi. Baka awayin niya ako, Ate.” parang batang sambit ko at iniabot pa sa kaniya ang kamay ko, nagpapaawa.

“What the fuck, Avery. We should go home.” Tila kulog ang boses ni Callum dahil sa inis.

“See! Ate, galit siya sa ‘kin. Hindi naman niya ako papansin sa bahay, e. Uwi mo ‘ko sa ‘tin. Ate . . .” I tried to reach for my sister’s hand but Callum immediately took my hand and hugged me tight, whispering something I couldn’t clearly understand.

“You’re adorably drunk now, wife. We should go home.” Umiling ako habang isa-isa na namang nagbabagsakan ang luha sa aking mga mata.

“Iuwi mo na ang kapatid ko, Callum. She’s already wasted.” ani Ate habang nakatingin sa aming dalawa ni Callum.

“Hindi ako lasing, Ate! I can still stand and walk properly!” pagpupumilit ko sabay tayo pero parang umikot ang mundo nang tumayo ako dahilan upang matumba ako.

“Fuck!” Callum muttered a curse and made me sit on his lap.

“I said I can still stand!” Galit kong hinampas ang braso niyang nakapulupot sa aking beywang.

“Don’t try because you will get more dizzy if you’ll try again.” Hindi na lang ako nagprotesta pa at humilig muna sa kaniyang balikat habang nakapikit ang aking mga mata.

“Paulit-ulit niyang sinasabi sa amin na galit ka raw sa kaniya. She said you’re not halking to her, iniiwasan mo raw siya dahil galit ka nga raw sa kaniya.” I heard Ate Kiana said while I’m leaning against Callum’s shoulder.

Akala ba nila hindi ko sila naririnig?!

“I really don’t like talking when I’m mad or pissed. I would just lash out if I talk to her if I’m not in the mood to talk.” Ramdam ko ang mararahang haplos ni Callum sa aking beywang at hita habang nakaupo ako sa kaniyang hita.

“That’s good to know that you’re not being harsh or rough to her. My sister is too precious and too innocent. I don’t want her to have a hard life again. Our parents did not gave her enough attention and she’s been always uptight because our parents say so. I want you to take good care of my sister as her husband. Please, don’t make hurt her, physically or emotionally.” Si Ate Kiana sa isang seryosong boses.

Hindi agad sumagot si Callum kaya medyo gumalaw ako dahilan ng paghaplos niyang muli sa akin.

“I will,” he said in a hoarse voice.