His Virgin Stripper

27

"So, how was your talk with her?" Elijah asked as soon as I walked back to him, his eyes already scanning my face like he was trying to read everything I wasn't saying.

Huminto ako sa harap niya, still holding onto that moment, parang ayokong mawala agad 'yung pakiramdam na finally may pinanggalingan ako.

"Okay lang..." I said softly, even though my voice still carried a bit of everything I just felt inside.

Tumingin siya sa akin nang mas maayos, parang hindi siya kumbinsido sa sagot ko at gusto pa niyang siguruhin kung ayos lang talaga ako.

"Umiyak ka?" he asked, his voice was softer now.

I let out a small, breathy laugh. "Konti lang," I said, kahit halata naman sa mukha ko na hindi lang 'yon.

He raised a brow slightly, clearly not believing me, his eyes narrowing just a little in amusement.

"Medyo marami," I admitted, giving in with a small smile.

A faint smile slowly formed on his lips before he reached out, gently wiping the corner of my eye like it was the most natural thing for him to do.

"That's good," he murmured, his voice low and calm. "You needed that more than you think."

Tumango lang ako, this time hindi na ako umiwas sa tingin niya, letting myself stay in that quiet moment with him.

"She asked about you," dagdag ko, watching his reaction carefully.

"Oh?" he said, crossing his arms lightly while looking at me with a hint of curiosity. "And what did you say about me?"

Napangiti ako ng kaunti, remembering the conversation earlier.

"That you're masungit," I teased, a little more relaxed now.

He scoffed softly, shaking his head. "Wow, ganon pala ako sa kwento mo."

"But mabait," I added quickly. 

Tumingin lang siya sa akin, quieter now, like he was waiting for me to say more without pushing me.

"And... you're the most reliable person I have," I continued, more honestly this time, without teasing.

For a moment, he didn't say anything, just looking at me like that meant more than I probably realized.

Then his expression softened just a little.

"Good," he said quietly. "At least you're telling the truth."

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't stop the small smile forming on my lips.

"Let's go?" he added after a second, already reaching to open the car door for me like he always does.

I nodded, walking toward the car with a lighter feeling in my chest.

This time, mas magaan na yung pakiramdam ko habang sumasakay, like a part of me  inside had finally loosened.

"Thank you for bringing me here. How did you know about this place?"

"I hope you won't get mad, but your mom reached out to me and asked about you," he said gently. "She wanted to know if I was taking good care of you. Then... she told me how you got adopted, my love."

For a second, I didn't react.

My mom.

The word echoed in my head, but it didn't sit right in my chest.

My fingers slowly curled into the fabric of my clothes as something heavy started building inside me.

She reached out...?

After everything?

Images flashed in my mind—her cold stares, the way she would correct me, control me, make me act like someone I wasn't. The way I had to earn every bit of approval, like I was never enough.

And now... she's asking about me?

Kung nagmamalasakit siya... bakit gano'n?

Bakit niya ako hinayaang masaktan nang gano'n katagal?

My throat tightened, and I felt my vision blur before I even realized I was about to cry.

I let out a small, shaky breath, but it didn't help.

"She... asked about me?" I repeated, my voice trembled.

Another tear slipped down, then another, until I couldn't stop them anymore.

I pressed my lips together, trying to hold it in, but my shoulders started to shake anyway.

"I don't understand..." I whispered, my voice breaking.

I wiped at my cheeks, but it was useless. The tears just kept coming, heavier this time.

"If she really cared..." I swallowed hard. "Why did she treat me like that?"

My hands trembled as I looked away, tears still falling no matter how many times I tried to wipe them.

I didn't even notice when the car slowed down.

Elijah quietly pulled over to the side of the road, the engine still running as silence filled the space between us.

"Hey..." he said softly.

I felt his hand gently cup my cheek, turning my face toward him. His thumb brushed away my tears.

"You don't have to figure everything out right now," he murmured. 

I tried to speak, but my voice wouldn't come out properly.

He leaned closer, resting his forehead lightly against mine.

"I'm here," he whispered. "You're not alone in this anymore."

That only made my chest tighten more.

"I don't understand her..." I cried quietly.

"I know," he said, his voice steady. "And maybe you won't yet. But you don't have to carry that today."

He pulled back slightly, his eyes soft but certain.

"Let's go see our baby."

I blinked, my breathing uneven.

"He's been through enough too," Elijah added gently. "And I think... you need him right now."

My lips parted, but no words came out.

He gave me a small, reassuring smile, brushing away the last of my tears.

"Come on," he said softly. "Let's go to him."

Minsan feeling ko wala akong anak dahil sa lahat ng problema at sakit na umiikot sa ulo ko, but when I try to find comfort it's him that I see.