His Virgin Stripper

26

"Where are we going anyways?" I asked as soon as I got in the car.

Kinuha niya lang ang kamay ko at hinalikan ang likod nito.

"Secret," he said simply.

I rolled my eyes. "Ang damot mo naman."

He just chuckled, hindi pa rin binibitawan ang kamay ko habang umaandar ang sasakyan.

Hindi na ako nagsalita ulit. The ride was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Every now and then, napapasilip ako sa labas, trying to figure out kung saan niya ako dinadala.

Maya-maya, the car slowly came to a stop.  

"Elijah..." I murmured, already feeling something familiar.

Pagbukas ko ng pinto, doon ko nakita.

The same old building.

Nanlaki ang mata ko. "This is—"

"The orphanage," he finished, stepping out and walking over to my side.

Hindi ako agad nakagalaw.

Ang daming bumalik na alaala. The younger me... yung mga araw na wala akong ibang kasama kundi ang sarili ko at iba pang mga bata na iniwan ng mga magulang nila.

"You don't have to go in if you're not ready," Elijah said softly.

I shook my head.

"No... I want to. I missed them."

Pagpasok pa lang namin, parang bumalik lahat ng mga alaala na meron ako.

"Valerie?"

Napalingon ako agad.

"Sister JAnette?" my voice cracked.

She was already walking toward me, disbelief written all over her face.

Before I could even say anything, she pulled me into a tight hug.

"Valerie... ikaw ba talaga 'yan?" nanginginig ang boses niya.

Hindi ko na napigilan.

I hugged her back just as tight, my grip trembling as tears started falling.

"Sister... ako 'to..." I whispered, nanginginig na rin ang boses ko. 

Pareho kaming umiiyak, holding onto each other like time never passed.

"Akala ko... hindi na kita makikita ulit. Hindi ka bumisita halos isang taon na ang nakakalipas." she said, cupping my face, looking at me like she was making sure I was real.

"I'm sorry..." I broke down. "Ang daming nangyari... hindi ko alam kung saan magsisimula..."

She shook her head gently. "It's okay, anak... nandito ka na."

We sat down together after, pero hindi pa rin siya bumibitaw sa kamay ko.

Unti-unti, I started telling her everything.

Kung paano nagbago ang buhay ko. Kung sino ako ngayon. Yung mga saki at yung mga bagay na pilit kong kinakaya.

Tahimik lang siyang nakikinig, paminsan-minsan pinupunasan ang luha ko.

"And then... I had a baby," I said softly, my voice almost breaking again.

Nanlaki ang mata niya, pero agad din siyang napangiti, kahit may luha pa rin.

"You've been through so much, ang bata mo pa anak." she whispered, squeezing my hand. "Pero ang lakas mo pa rin."

I shook my head slightly. "Hindi ko alam kung kaya ko pa..."

She reached out, wiping my tears.

"Kaya mo," she said gently. "Kasi nandito ka pa, may  rason pa kung baakit kailangan mong ipagpatuloy ang buhay mo."

Napayuko ako, holding her hand tighter.

For the first time in a long time—

I didn't feel alone.......again.

At a distance, I could feel Elijah watching quietly.

Hindi siya lumapit at hinayaan niya lang kami mag-usap. I love how respectful he is.

Like this moment... was something I needed more than anything else.

"Siya ba ang tatay ng anak mo?" tanong niya sa akin.

Tumango lang ako at ngumiti.

"Ilang taon na ba siya?" bigla niyang tanong.

"Twenty-two po," sagot ko. "Pero mabait po siya."

Napangiti ako nang bahagya, hindi ko napigilan.

"Nung una ko po siyang nakilala, medyo masungit siya," I let out a small laugh. "Pero habang tumatagal... he turned out to be someone I never expected."

Tumingin ako saglit kay Elijah sa malayo bago ulit bumalik sa kaniya ang tingin ko.

"He's the most understanding... and the most reliable person I have. More than my real family."

Tahimik siya sandali, pero kita ko sa mukha niya yung pagkawala ng kaba.

"That means mahal ka talaga niya," she said softly.

Hindi ako agad nakasagot.

Pero deep inside... I knew she was right.

I loved him even when our beginning was rough.... and too intimate.