When it Rains, it Hurts

1

TW: Sexual Abuse

Love... What is the meaning of love?

"Tangina ka, sis. May asawa naman pala 'yon! Ba't mo pa binugaw?!" Napalingon ang matatanda sa akin na kasabay ko sa jeep.

[Weh?! Meron?!]

"Tanga, bagong kasal.." mahinang sagot ko. "Mamaya na kita kakausapin, bye! Kuya, sa tabi lang po."

Bumaba ako ng jeep at kaagad na ibinulsa ang phone. I held the strap of my backpack tightly. Baka manakawan ako, mahirap na. Umupo ako sa waiting shed at naghintay ng masasakyan.

I glanced at the man who was still wearing his uniform. A psychology student. I noticed some bruises on his face and some wounds on his fists. I sighed before I finally decided to help him. He looked up at me when I stopped in front of him.

"I'm a nursing student. I'll treat your-"

"I don't need your help." I rolled my eyes when he cut my words off. "Miss, please leave me alone. I'm not in the mood, so please..."

"You obviously need help, you just don't want me to help you. Who did this to you? Report natin sa mga pulis." I sat beside him and started cleaning his wounds with cotton and alcohol. "Sorry, naubusan ako ng betadine. Mas mahapdi 'to."

"Fuck... You're so persistent. Fine then, do what you want. What's your name?"

"I'm just here to help you, not to flirt with you. I'm taken, so it's a big no." That was a lie. I'm single now because I just found out that the man I was dating is a married man. When I looked at him, I saw a small smile on his lips.

"Okay, Clara Sage Laurel." Pabiro kong tinakpan ang I.D ko nang makita siyang nakatingin do'n. "Nursing.."

"What's your name?" panggagaya ko sa tanong niya kanina. "Hay, ang daming sugat..."

"Edward Jayce Hernandez." Hernandez... I smiled when I realized that he's one of the owners of the famous Hernandez hospital.

"Yaman mo naman, bossing. Cannot be reached naman pala. Alis na ako, pagamot mo nalang 'to diretso sa ospital n'yo." I stood up and fixed my things. I smiled at him and wiggled my brows before turning my back against him.

"Clara..." Napatigil ako sa paglalakad nang marinig ko ang boses niya. Nilingon ko siya, may ngiti pa rin sa aking mga labi. "Do you want to be my best friend?"

"Huh? Best friend? Agad agad?" Tumango siya sa akin at nahihiyang ngumiti. "Okay... Wala rin naman akong best friend na lalaki. Sure sure, no probs!"

We smiled at each other before I waved my hand and started walking away.

Love does exist.

I fell in love. I thought love wasn't for me but Jerrick walked into my life. Rick changed my life. He became my inspiration and motivation. He's the sweetest guy I've ever known—well, aside from that one man...

"Are you sure about living with Jerrick? I mean, you've been together for just a month. Don't you think you're-"

"Edward, love has no time. You just feel it. Don't worry, I'll be fine. Rick's a good guy. Hey, are you sad?" I went to him and cupped his face. He was sitting on the edge of his bed while I was standing in between his legs. "EJ, nothing will change, I promise. Friends pa rin."