When it Rains (Completed)

CHAPTER 22

His grip on my wrist was so tight as he dragged me away from the place until he forced me to get into his car. After he closed the doors, his voice instantly broke the silence between us. "PUTANG*NA NAMAN, RAINER."

He was about to throw his fist against my cheek, but I found him hesitating to do it. "Sige, ituloy mo. Ituloy mo, Kuya."

His fist landed on the steering wheel instead. "What if iba yung nakakita sa 'yo? What if nakita ka ni Trisha? Hindi ka ba nag-iisip ha? Sa'n na ang utak mo, Rainer?"

"As if I was doing something wrong. I just stayed at his condo, nothing else—'

"Nothing else? Pucha naman, Rainer. PUTANG*NA MO. Pa dinedeny mo.Alam kong may namamagitan sa inyo at simula ngayon, hindi ka na makikipagkita pa kay Patrick."

"So you're taking over my life now?"

"That's necessary. Nakasalalay ang kasal ni Trisha at ayokong masira ang lahat ng dahil lang sa'yo. Kung tutuusin, hindi ka naman invited eh. Hindi ka naman parte ng pamilya. Dagdag problema ka lang!"

Now he grabbed my collar and gave me a death glare. "Once I caught you again hanging out with him, ipapatapon kita pabalik sa inyo at sisiguraduhin kong hinding-hindi ka na makakabalik pa rito. Naiintindihan mo ba?"

"No."

He was shocked by what I said. "Whatever goes between us, it's none of and never your business."

I thought he would stop, but his grin even grew wider on his face. "Ayaw mo naman sigurong pandirihan ka ni Patrick at ng buong pamilya kapag nalaman nila ang tungkol sa 'tin."

"F*ck you."

We came home, and I tried to hide my emotions as I greeted Tita and Tito. I went directly to my room, and there, I let out my anger and disappointment with a silent scream. Now that Kuya Alrey knows about us, he's threatening me. F*ck him.

I should've let him ruin my life in the first place. Dammit. No one should know about something that was between me and Kuya Alrey for the whole time. I know, mas nasisira rin siya kung sasabihin niya 'yon. But knowing how manipulative he is, he will change his narrative just to protect himself and at the same time, ruin me.

This is the moment I never wanted to happen.

Ever since that day, bantay-sarado na sa akin si Kuya Alrey. He even broke my phone intentionally and gave me a new one. This is just a glimpse on how cruel he is. Sana mapansin 'yon nina Tita Alice at Tito Renzo, pero nagbabanalan naman siya sa harap nila. Of course, when they found out everything, papanig sila kay Kuya at ako ang itatakwil rito.

I lost contact with Patrick. Hindi na rin siya bumibisita sa bahay. Days have passed by, and I've heard nothing about him. I turned my focus on my studies instead, just to divert my attention. Pero, patagal ng patagal, nawawalan ako ng gana eh. Dagdag mo pa ang mga baseless rumors na kumakalat sa university tungkol sa akin.

I was in the library all by myself and supposed to be studying for the exams, but this sinking feeling I'd felt for days was still bothering me and I couldn't escape it. Just found myself staring blankly at my notebook.

"Hey," a voice whispered beside me.

I turned around and saw Johen, reading his book already. "How's life?"

"I don't know what to answer," I replied. "What made you sit here beside me despite the accusations being thrown at me nonstop?"

"We're still friends, right? The only thing between us that is completely true."

"Baka hindi pa ako tantanan ng ex mo dahil lumalapit ka pa sa akin," I said as I scanned the pages of my notes.

"Well, she transferred because of her behavior. Even the school can't stand her attitude," sabi niya na ikinatawa ko.

"By the way, are you free tonight?"

I gave him a glare. "Why?"

"To unwind, perhaps. I think you needed it," he said.

"Do I?"

He just nodded. Well, I've been sinking for days. Siguro nga, I need to refresh my mind.

When I got home, Kuya greeted me with glaring eyes, as usual. I dressed up for tonight, and as expected, he interrogated me when he saw me downstairs. "Where do you think you're going?"

"You can go with us if you want to. Be our personal bodyguard."

"Ayusin mo pananalita mo ha—"

He was interrupted by a beep from a car outside. Dali-dali akong lumabas at nadatnan ko ang kotse ni Johen. Kuya followed me and he was noticed by Johen. "Hey, gala lang kami ni Flynn."

"No probs. Keep safe!" sabi ni Kuya Alrey at ang laki pa ng ngiti.

Two-faced, huh. Nakakasuka.

"Umayos ka," sabi niya na may halong banta pa.

When I got into Johen's car, I just sighed heavily. Hahabaan ko na lang muna ang pasensya ko dahil malapit na rin ang kasal nila at hindi na ako tatantanan pa niya pagkatapos ng lahat.

"So where are we going tonight?" I asked.

"Somewhere in the city, I think," he giggled.

We drove out of the subdivision, playing music on his radio. There I found myself being comfortable at the moment. He was happy and couldn't take off his smile on his face.

"Sobrang saya mo ata," sabi ko.

"Excited lang naman."

I wonder what makes him so excited like that. After a few minutes of driving, we arrived at an uptown place that seemed new to me—an open grill restaurant. We were still in the parking lot, but I could already smell the grilled scent coming from the inside.

I just followed him as we walked into the place, and there I saw full tables. Since the tables were full, we went upstairs to look for any vacant ones. The number of people here is very overwhelming.

We found a vacant table in the corner and took our seats. Konti lang customers na andito sa second floor.

"I guess, kaka-open lang nito dito," sabi ko.

"Yup. My friends highly recommended this place. I hope their food here is great."

After a couple of minutes, a tray of fresh meat and veggies was served on our table, and we started to grill. Sobrang dami ng food, kaya iniisip ko may darating pang iba.

"May darating pa? Ang dami nito, mukhang di natin to kayang ubusin," sabi ko na ikinatawa lang niya.

"Only the two of us, actually."

Sabi pa niya kanina, unwind raw kami pero dito pala bagsak namin. Nakakatawa rin pala minsan 'tong Johen.

"May I ask something?" sabi niya nang nauna na siyang kumain ng na-grilled namin.

"Yes, of course."

Abala pa ako sa niluluto ko kaya hindi ako makafocus sa kanya.

"Boyfriend mo ba yung nadatnan ko sa labas ng building namin? The day before you left for a vacation."

This time, nawala naman ang focus ko sa niluluto ko dahil sa tanong niya. "Ah, that was my soon to be brother-in-law. We're pretty close. I hope you don't get it wrong."

"Ah. I just noticed the way he looked at you that time. But, now you said it, I guess I was wrong. Sorry."

"You don't have to apologiz—"

Bigla akong may naamoy na nasusunog at nang tignan ko yung niluluto ko, napansin kong nangingitim na yung meat. Nataranta naman akong kunin 'yon.

"I'm sorry. Nawala sa isip ko yung grilling natin," sabi ko at naglagay ulit ng meat sa para i-grill.

Pansin ko namang nakatingin rin ang ibang customers sa table namin. "Siguro naamoy rin nila yung nasunog na meat," aniya.

"Parati na lang kitang napapahamak, sorry ulit."

"Why do you say so?"

"First, sa library. Yung alarm ko na nagpa kick out sa 'tin do'n. Tas dito, baka mapaalis pa tayo dito dahil sa ginawa ko."

"Well, okay lang sa 'kin, as long as kasama kita. I'm all good with you."

"You sound like you're going to court me after this."

"Do I?"

I laughed. "Just kidding."

We had a good conversation while cooking and eating our food. He ordered some drinks for himself, since I don't take heavy drinks. There, he told me everything about his exes, and he admitted, right in front of me, that his last ex was the worst one.

"I guess, I should stop dating someone else and focus on studies like you."

"That's good. You just have to wait for the right time to date again," I replied.

After we finished our dinner, he invited me to go to the rooftop. There I found some couples enjoying the night sky over the city. We walked across the wooden floor and went to see the view. It wasn't even necessary when Johen offered his jacket to me to bear with the cold, windy atmosphere. "Thanks."

I was about to watch the city again when he spoke. "I actually brought you here because..."

He leaned closer and whispered to my ears. "It's my birthday."

I was surprised. I mean, it's so funny to find myself surprised when he said that. He should be the one surprised here. "Really? I didn't know. Sorry, wala akong gift para sa'yo. Tas ikaw pa nagdala sa 'kin dito—"

"Chill, it's okay. Totally fine. It meant a lot to me to have you with me tonight. You don't need to buy me a gift. Your presence is already enough."

There I found him happy. Genuinely happy. "Well, happy birthday!" I greeted him and gave him a warm hug. "That's all I can give you tonight."

"Thanks."

"Did I make you happy? 'Cause if not, we can spend the rest of the night together."

"Well, if you say so, we could watch movies at my house."

We were enjoying our moment that night and about to leave the place, when the sky gave us no warning. A sudden downpour of rain quickly made the couples run back downstairs, but it was too late for me to escape the scene when drops of rain caught my skin.

I have to fight back—resisting the feeling that pulls me back to the past. A sudden flashback in my mind. The rain. The flood. The screams. I remembered everything all over again.

I burst into tears in no time. I can't hold back my sudden emotions of grief and sadness anymore. I yelled for once, and my sight died as I fell into someone's arms.