Maria Victoria

Simula

Nagising ako ng masakit ang ulo. Parang may mga construction workers na nagmamartilyo sa utak ko. God! This is what liquors can do.

Dahan-dahan kong inangat ang katawan ko sa kama. Kasama ba sa pag-inom ang pananakit ng katawan? Naitanong ko ng maramdamang nanakit ang kalamnan ko. When I tried to get up from the bed and stand up... The mattress slowly fell down. Nanlaki ang matang napatingin ako sa katawan ko. Goodness gracious! I am naked! For Pete's sake! I never slept naked in my 26th year of existence. Mas lalo akong nag-panic ng mapansing hindi ito ang kwarto ko at mas lalong hindi ng lokaret kong kaibigan!

Kaninong kwarto 'to? Dali-dali kong sinikop ang kumot at biglaang tumayo. Nakakadalawang hakbang pa lamang ako ng mapahinto at napabalik sa kama ng maramdaman ang pagsigid ng kirot sa pagitan ng aking hita. Mahapdi! Masakit! Sigaw ng magkabilang bahagi ng aking utak ko.

Masakit? And that word triggered my mind then flash memories in an instant. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko.

Ako. Hubad sa ilalim ng matipunong lalaki habang umiindayog sa ibabaw ko! Oh God! But - then I creepily smiled.

Success! Nagawa ko! Nangingiting tumayo at ininda ang hapding nararamdaman. I need to get out of here!

Pagkasuot ng huling saplot sa katawan. I tiptoed my foot to prevent it from making sounds. Bitbit ang sandals na naglakad papunta ng pinto. Dahan-dahang pinihit ang seradura... 1.. 2.. 3..

"Where do you think you're going?" A man's rough voice resonated in the room that halted me. Napapikit ako. Bakit ba kasi dinahan-dahan ko pa ang pagbukas? Sh*t! Now, I'm doomed!

Hindi ako lumingon. "Ahmm. Uuwi?" It's supposed to be a statement but sounded like a question. Dumb! I faced palm mentally."I cooked. Let's eat first." He casually said like we've known each other. Napapikit ako para mag-isip ng sasabihin.

"No. Thank you. I have to go." I said. Pinihit ko ang seradura at dali-daling lumabas. Malapit na ako sa main door nang may nagsalita ulit sa likod ko, "It's locked."

Hindi nag-register sa utak ko ang sinabi nya kaya pinihit ko pa rin. Bakit di mabuksan? Tanong ko sa sarili ng kahit anong pilit ko'y di pa rin mabuksan.

"I told you, it's locked." He said in a flat tone. I wonder how he became cold when he is so hot last night. Is it because of alcohol? Napakagat-labi ako sa naisip. You were locked in this house with a person you barely knew then you will just think perv thoughts?! Really?! I scolded myself.

Napakagat ako ng labi. "Can you please open the door? I need to go home." Pakiusap ko kahit na ang totoo ay gusto ko syang sigawan. Hindi ako pwedeng magsungit magtaray which I commonly does in situation like this. I don't like being manipulated. I don't like being ruled. But for once, I need to remind and calm myself that this is somebody's house, with no any sign of other people which means if this stranger gets mad he can do bad things at me anytime without having a witness or called for help.

"Look at me first." He said, his voice nearer. I let out a breath. What for? Kahit na mukhang inuuto nya lang ako, I let myself follow him. Baka nga naman kasi. Be obedient, Nelle! Humarap ako. Not realizing he is this close. He is just half meter of distance from my position. He looks clean and neat. Exceptional handsome and hot with his damp hair. He is now wearing white shirt and black boxer shorts. Casual na pambahay pero may dating. It's maybe because of his foreign mysterious eyes, his stance or his height. Maybe everything. Urghh! How could this man so sinfully handsome with just standing? Kulang nalang umawang ang labi ko sa pagkamangha. I am staring and hooded with his mysterious green eyes! Oh my god! Ganyan ang magiging mata mo, nak! I mentally smiled talking with my unborn, undetermined whole baby. Yes I know, I'm crazy!