Before Descended Afternoons

08

Trigger Warning: This chapter includes SENSITIVE CONTENTS such as sexual assault, inappropriate languages, suicide ideation and self-harm

"Pa, I need to leave."

He turned to me, brows furrowed. I immediately held back. I knew he didn't like what he just heard. But I didn't think of it much. I just had to leave. I don't want to stay here for any longer.

"Aino, ngayon lang 'to. Wait a little bit more. I still have to meet some of my friends." Mahinang sabi niya, ngunit may diin.

Tinalikuran niya ako. I watched him leave me with an ocean of strangers around me to go to his 'friends'. I was left alone standing in the corner left of the hall, with a glass of water on my hand.

I badly want to leave. Nadia might be alone in the house right now. I just hope Ma had gone home already.

Humigop ako ng hangin at bumuntong-hininga. I didn't really like going to parties and social gatherings. The space felt too enclosed. Ang daming tao. Parang hindi ako makahinga.

Pa just had to have me come here with him because he said he was going to introduce me to some of his friends. For all I knew, he's just finding someone to match me up and the next thing I knew, I'm engaged. It's all business. I'm aware of it. It always happens.

Hindi ko na maalala kung ilang babae na ang iniharap niya sa'kin. Anak ni ganito, anak ni ganiyan. Then he'll state what kind of family they're from. They're all big. Conglomerates. Some are from politics.

I don't know why he's doing this. I don't know why I have to do this.

I went out of the hall when I couldn't take it anymore. It was overwhelming me. I need to breathe. My feet took me to the garden beside the mansion.

I flinched when I felt a hand touched my shoulder at pinisil-pisil iyon. Nilingon ko iyon at nakita ang isang middle aged na lalaki. I quickly felt uncomfortable with his presence even though he's smiling at me. Pa-simple kong iniwas ang balikat ko mula sa kamay niya.

"Oh, bakit ka mag-isa rito? Where's your dad? Naku, did he left you here?" He said, still has that grin on his face, shooting me strange glances.

"Y-yes po." I couldn't help but stammer for an unknown reason. I don't know this man. But based on what he said, maybe he's one of those business partners na pinakilala sa'kin ni Pa kanina.

"Ang gwapong bata mo talaga. Gusto mo ba munang maupo? Samahan kita."

I refused and shook my head politely. "No need po... Mauna na po ko." Agad ko siyang tinalikuran at akma nang aalis nang pigilan niya ako at hawakan sa braso.

It quickly made me flinched again. I was flustered. I felt uncomfortable with his touch. Hindi rin talaga ako sanay na hinahawakan ng hindi ko kilala, kahit pa sabihin na kilala siya ni Pa kung sakali.

"Bakit ka naman nagmamadali, hijo? Your father won't like it if he finds out you're treating his friend this way." He chuckled. I slowly turned to him and saw his grin again, nakatingin pa rin sakin nang kakaiba.

"Baka hinahanap na po ako ni Pa."

"Hindi, hijo. I just talked with him. He's still busy with some of our friends. What about you hang out with me for the mean time? Are you allowed to drink?"

He pulled me with him to a secluded area. I was already finding ways in my mind to leave. He was still holding my wrist tightly. Where is this old man taking me? I don't know but I don't like the feeling this is giving me.