Shelter in a Storm (Elyu Series #2)

Chapter 35

I think that was the first time I hit someone in my life.

Hindi naman gaanong malakas ang sampal, pero sapat lang para kunin ang atensyon niya na hindi niya ako pwedeng halikan o hawakan kung kailan niya gusto! I was fuming mad, but I didn't say anything because I was too afraid that I'll hurt him with my words again if I didn't shut my mouth.

So, I walked out.

And I kept on walking out on him these days. He looked apologetic and regretful, but I just couldn't take more of him this week! Gusto kong mapag-isa at ma-dissect lahat ng iniisip ko. If Enrique would always be around, malamang ay maapektuhan niya ang desisyon na gagawin ko!

"Sigurado ka bang ayos lang na dito muna ako?"

"Oo naman!" Celeste shouted from the other room. Bumalik ito pagkatapos ng ilang segundo, may dalang kumot at mga unan. "Hindi na nakatira dito sina Mama, si Ate at si Amy nalang. Pero madalas din naman sila sa bahay ng lalaki kaya ako nalang talaga dito."

I nodded gratefully at Celeste. She's only here in La Union to meet suppliers for her wedding and arrange her remaining affairs. Taga La Union si Ravi, pero pumayag itong sa Isabela sila manirahan ni Celeste pagkatapos ng kasal. Isabela is Celeste's mother's hometown.

"Aalis ka na talaga dito, Cel?"

She smiled tightly at me. Even if it happened years ago, remnants of the news infested La Union like a plague. Kilala lang nila si Celeste dahil doon, dahilan na ikinagagalit ng mga kaibigan ko. Dalawang beses nang nakipagsuntukan si Karlo dahil sa mga naririnig naming tsismis tungkol kay Celeste at sa pamilya niya.

"Alam mo namang hindi ako welcome dito, diba?"

I sighed.

"But I'm fine, now. Payapa naman ang buhay ko sa Isabela. Bibisita pa rin naman ako sa inyo dito at kukunin ko kayong ninang ng mga anak ko kaya huwag na huwag kayong magtatago sa akin!"

Natawa nalang ako sa tinuran ng babae. We were sleeping in her childhood room, still full of pictures and posters of Ravi when he was still starting out in the industry.

"Inlove na inlove ka sa magiging asawa mo, 'no?"

She scoffed. "Oo naman!"

I lay the thin mattress and some blankets on the floor. Hindi kami magkakasya sa kama ni Celeste at kahit anong pilit niya ay nahihiya akong ako ang matutulog doon kaya nakumbinse ko siyang sa sahig nalang muna ako matutulog pansamantala.

The lights were already off, but I could feel her breathing softly on the bed. Mayamaya pa ay bigla itong nagsalita.

"You can't have love without sacrifices, Avery," Celeste murmured in the dark. "I hope you get the love that you deserve."

The weeks that followed got me so busy. Palipat-lipat ako sa lab at sa campus dahil sa dami ng gagawin. Minsan ay hindi ko na naabutang gising si Celeste dahil halos madaling-araw na akong matapos. I told Enrique that I needed some time alone and he respected my decision. Pero hindi ko maipagkakailang sa bawat tunog ng phone ko, inaasahan kong makita ang pangalan niya.

Then, something happened with Raya's family. I didn't know the whole story, but when I was told, I was livid. Umiyak pa sa galit si Lulu pero hindi niya ito ipinakita sa kaibigan. She wanted to show up as her cheerful self as we all gathered in Yari's house to console Raya.

"Av, may naghihintay sa'yo sa labas."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi ni Yari. I'm not expecting anyone right now. But I'm not sure if Enrique texted me because I turned my phone off when I was with my friends last night.