His Virgin Stripper

12

V

3 days had passed since they took me in again. They locked me in my room and would bring me food when needed.

Nakahiga ako ngayon sa kama, walang ginagawa.

"Celestine, honey, come here. Let's talk, please?" bungad ng nanay-nanayan ko pagkapasok niya ng kuwarto.

Huminga ako nang malalim bago naupo sa kama, ramdam ko agad ang bigat ng hangin sa sala.

"Ano po 'yon?" mahina kong tanong.

"Look..." nagsimula siya, halatang hirap bumuo ng dahilan. "I'm sorry sa mga nasabi ko. I didn't mean any of it, you know... I was just—" napahinto siya, saglit na kumurap, "—I was just shocked na buntis ka. And that's okay."

Nakangiti siya pero halatang pilit lamang. Nakasiksik siya sa tabi ng asawa niya, at para bang may hinihinging tumutusok sa lalamunan sa bawat buka ng bibig niya.

"Why—" nilunok ko ang kaba. "Why do you need me back?"

Nagpalitan sila ng tingin ng asawa niya bago siya muling tumingin sa akin.

"Celestine, I was just shocked that you would betray us like that. We already set up something important for you, and you need to be there because you are Celestine and not Valerie. Right?"

Ngumiti siya, pero halata ang pagmamakaawa sa mga mata niya—isang bagay na ngayon ko lang nakita.

"Kapag po ba sumunod ako sa inyo," nanginginig kong tanong, "ay bibigyan n'yo ako ng kasiguraduhan na papakawalan n'yo ako... at ang anak ko?"

Tahimik sila. Para bang natigilan.

"Mom," pinilit kong maging matatag, "I just want my baby to have its own happy family."

"Fuck it, alright," mabilis niyang sagot, may bahid ng pagkairita pero ramdam ko ring sumusuko siya. "I will guarantee you that the child of yours will be living comfortably." Malalim siyang napabuntong-hininga at tumayo.

"If my daughter wakes up soon, you can leave. She's doing well, so it won't take a year."

Lumapit siya at marahang nilaro ang buhok ko. Sa ginagawa niyang 'yon ay ramdam kong may nakatago pa ring banta.

"In one condition, child. No one will know that you're pregnant. Not even the father," bulong niya sa akin.

"If I find out the father knows, I will force you to abort that damn baby of yours." Binitawan niya ang mahigpit na kapit sa buhok at tumalikod.

"So, Celestine, you may go back and rest," bitaw ng madumi niyang bibig at umalis.

Wala na akong nagawa at humiga na ulit.

I decided to go on a walk since I guess we're in good terms now.

I wentto the garden outside then talked with a bunch of flowers. Buti pa ang nga 'to tahimik lang sila, may nag aalaga.

Nang maramdaman kong napapagod na ay umakyat na ako ng hagdan. I found myself walking towards Celestine's room.

Pagkabukas ko ng pinto ay bumungad sa akin ang dalagang nakahiga sa kama.

I guess she really improved. There were fewer wires connected to her body unlike the night before I left.

I couldn't bear myself walking closer to her. The feelings inside me were all messed up, and I'm scared I might do something that may hurt the three of us.

I turned to leave, but then—

A moan.

Isang daing ng sakit.

Napalingon ako at sakto kong nakita ang maliit niyang daliri na gumalaw.

Is this it? Gising na ba siya? Tapos na ba nila akong gamitin?

Please... sana.

I rushed to her side. Kahit mahina pa rin siya, alam kong may lakas na ulit ang mga muscles niya.

Then I heard footsteps.

My whole body froze. I panicked and hid in the closet, like a scared child. Baka pagalitan na naman ako. Baka paalisin. Baka—

"Make sure she's awake before giving that to her," sabi ng isang lalaki.

Sinilip ko ang butas. A Doctor. White gown, face mask. And a nurse beside him.

Wait... she's been awake?

Sumunod na pumasok ang tatay ni Celestine.

"Be late and I'll cut your dicks off."

Napalatak ako nang mahina.

Tangina.

Sino ba 'tong mga to?

"Give it to her now," utos ng doktor.

Nagdadalawang-isip pa ang nurse, pero wala siyang nagawa. Bakit siya nag-hesitate? Masama ba 'yon para kay Celestine?

Pinanood ko silang lahat habang lumalabas ng kuwarto. Si Celestine naman ay dahan-dahang bumalik sa mahimbing na tulog—o baka pinatulog ulit.

Lumabas ako sa pinagtataguan ko, aalis na sana, pero—

She was awake.

And she was trying her best to look at me.

Like she was pleading.

Napaatras ako. Hindi ko kinaya. I left quickly before my knees gave out.

Alam ba ito ng nanay niya? Ano yung tinurok nila? Is she suffering? Or are they keeping her sick on purpose?

And lastly, is it even healthy for my baby kung sobra akong nag-o-overthink?

Ring.

Elijah.

I ignored it. I wasn't in the mood for his games. Hindi niya sinagot tawag ko noong kailangan ko siya. Ngayon tatawag siya?

I sighed and walked to my room.

But instead of a cold, empty space—

May kakaibang aura. Parang may nakatingin.

I scanned the room, there in my bed sitting, I saw a silhouette.

"You're not answering," he said.

"I didn't see your call." I lied. Ang tanga ko minsan.

"Come on, baby, I heard your phone rang outside." He stepped closer, too close, his hand sliding to my hips. I stepped back. I can't tell him about the baby. I'm doing this alone.

I already made up my mind.

"Go home, Elijah. Pagod ako ngayon, please." Umupo ako sa kama, hoping he'd leave.

My room was neat and warm. May bagong furniture.

Soft bed.

Lahat inayos nila habang wala ako.

Weird. Bipolar ba sila?

"No," he said. "Not unless you tell me what happened that made you tired and not answer my call today. It's still early."

"I just need sleep. I've been sleep-deprived lately." Pilit akong ngumiti.

"Hmm. Alright then." He sighed, then leaned forward. "Let me know if you feel alright and I'll hurriedly come to you whatever the circumstance is."

He kissed my forehead.

Liar.

You ignored me the night I needed you. And now you act like this?

I nodded. He opened the window, then casually jumped from the second floor like it was nothing.

Superman lang?