Yakap ko ang magkabilang tuhod habang nakaupo sa sahig, kalapit ng nag-iisa kong single couch. I was staring at space when my phone beeped. Hindi ko 'yon inabot ngunit nakita ko ang message na nag-pop nang nabuhay ang screen.
Cedric:
You okay?
Muling dumilim ang screen nang saktong inilapag ni Terrence ang baso ng tubig sa mini table sa harap ko. Sumulyap siya sa phone kong naroon bago nagbaling ng puno nang pag-aalalang tingin sa akin. He settled on the couch adjacent to where I was sitting. With arms both propped on his legs, he knotted his fingers in front of him.
"You phone's ringing from your mom's call when I saw it on the passenger's car floor. Hindi pa ako gaanong nakakalayo kaya naisipan kong bumalik para mabigay sa 'yo."
Wala akong kahit anong tinugon sa paliwanag niya. After he held me until I calmed down, he answered my door for my landlady and explained what the commotion was about. I didn't know what he said as an excuse because he settled it single-handedly, letting me slowly gather myself in the process.
Fortunately, almost the majority of the borders were home for the weekend. Kung may naistorbo man ay kaunti lang.
I was calm then but I couldn't deny the confusion still creeping within me. Iniisip ko kung sasabihin ko ba kay Terrence ang tungkol sa panaginip ko pati nang nakita ko kanina sa closet. I wasn't sure if he would believe me. At kung malaman man niya, may magagawa ba siya? What if he thought I was crazy? Or worse, accuse me as a murderer?
Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko sa mga naiisip. Sinubukan kong lulunin ang mga iyon kaya't inabot ko ang baso ng tubig na inilapag niya sa lamesa at sinimulang inumin.
"What happened, Cee?" maingat niyang sambit, ang malalim at malumanay na mga mata'y hindi kailanman nawaglit sa akin.
I felt shivers ran down my spine as I remembered flashes of the bloody hoodie guy's face. Mariin akong napapikit at agad natantong ayaw ko na iyong balikan lalong pag-usapan pa.
"Did someone try to break in?" Marahan pa rin ang boses niya kahit ramdam ang pilit niyang pagkontrol doon.
Uminom ako ulit at mabilis na nag-isip ng paraan para tumigil na siya sa pagtatanong.
"Marami ba sila? Tinakot ka? Do you want me to call the police?"
Umiling ako bago marahang nagbuga ng hangin. "It's actually funny. I just freaked out from a flying cockroach on the shower. Medyo OA lang." I tried laughing just so I would sound convincing. But it only turned out forced and lifeless.
His expression hardened. Hindi siya umimik at nanatili lamang nakatitig sa akin.
Right. He wasn't persuaded. That was a freaking lame excuse. Who would scream in panic like that just because of a stupid flying cockroach?
"Eunice—"
"I don't wanna talk about it, Rence," suko ko.
"How else could I be sure you're safe here if you won't tell me wh—"
"Stay, then. So you could check for yourself," was my last card.
Muli akong napabuntonghininga nang natahimik siya at sa wakas ay mukhang titigil na sa pagtatanong.
"I'm worried about you. Mananatili talaga ako rito kahit hindi mo hingin. Though I would prefer if you stay at my place instead," aniya sa seryosong tinig.
Tahimik kong hinintay ang dugtong niya roon ngunit wala na siyang sinabi pa. Para akong nabunutan ng tinik sa relief. Ngunit nang nagtagal ang tingin ko sa kaniya'y halos masapo ko ang noo ko.
BINABASA MO ANG
The Other 'I'
General FictionFed-up with Terrence's cheating on their more than a year relationship, Eunice decided to cool things off between them -- for she can't find the courage to end it in the midst of her indecision and overwhelming emotions. But as she struggled to try...
