The Gentle Truth

CHAPTER 5

My head was throbbing hard when i woke up. I slowly opened my eyes and my forehead creased upon realizing that I'm not in the same room with Teressa. My blood run cold when i felt myself naked underneath the sheets. I peeked under the blanket only to comfirm my suspicion.

I am naked!

I eventually stiffened when i felt someone moved beside me. He groaned softly before shifting his position on the bed. I froze. As nervous as i can be, i turned my head to my other side. My face turned pale upon seeing who it was.

"Joaquin..." I whispered through thin air. My breathing hitched upon seeing him sleep beside me—also naked!

I sat down on the bed gently, feeling the pang of pain all over my body especially my core. I'm so sore! Waves of memories from last night flashed through my mind. We get drunk. We're on the beach. We kissed. And we ended up here on the bed! Oh my Goodness!

I shook my head. I feel like crying. What did i do? I feel so guilty upon seeing Joaquin sleeping peacefully beside me. He has red marks on his neck, even bite marks. I closed my eyes intently as i looked away again.

We're screwed up! I'm doomed! I shouldn't have drink. We shouldn't have done this! I know i have feelings for him but i don't want us to end up like this actually. This is too much. I bit my lips. What should i do? He'll probably hate me now. He'll probably blame me for everything. I know it's my fault too, i should've stopped him but I didn't. Well as i realized it deeper, i can't feel the sense of regret on this.

I don't feel any regrets for what happened. It's already done. We did it. And we can't undo such things. But I'm scared for his reactions. I don't think i could see that in his eyes. I don't think i can be fine when i saw how upset he is. It's scaring me.

As quietly as i did, i picked up my clothes and dressed up. I was careful enough not to wake him up. After i got dressed, i looked back at him. He's still sleeping soundly. I swallowed the lump on my throat and looked up, fighting back my tears. I stared at him for a moment before i whispered through the air.

"I'm s-sorry, Waki." And then i left him.

I walked carefully back into the room that I'm supposed to share with Teressa. My knees wobble when i finally entered the room. I fell on the floor, staring blankly at the wall. My breathing heave. Noises came to me and then Tere stood there, raising her eyebrows.

"Saan ka galing babaita ka? Pinag-alala mo ako! Hindi ka natulog dito kagabi! Nakakaloka! Muntik na ako tumawag sa DSWD or sa DOJ! Baka kasi napaano kana diba? At least makuha natin ang hustisya—Teka umiiyak ka ba?" Tere immediately went closer to check on me. I covered my face using both of my palms as i can't hold back my tears anymore.

"Alaina? Anong nangyari sa'yo? Bakit ka umiiyak?" She asked worriedly. I can sense confusion in her voice. I started sobbing.

"I'm sorry... I'm so s-sorry." I cried harder. Teressa stilled.

"Lai, kiss marks ba yang nasa leeg mo?" I stopped sobbing immediately. I can't see myself and i haven't seen myself in the mirror. She ran to the bathroom before coming back and handing me her face powder. I looked at my reflection on the small mirror and i saw that she was telling the truth.

I have so many kiss marks! Even bite marks!

"Lai, sino? Sino ang may gawa nyan?" She asked me seriously. I looked up at her. She looked so worried yet surprised. I shook my head but she made me look at her.

"Sino, Alaina? Sagutin mo ako!"

"Si J-joaquin..." Naiyak ako lalo noong binigkas ko ang pangalan ng taong walang ibang hinangad kundi ang kasiyahan ko. Teressa gasped in surprise but she rebutted immediately.