Protecting What's Hers

𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧

Felicity Alvarez

Sumilay ang ngiti sa mga labi ko habang nakatingin sa mensaheng pinadala ni Katherine.

"I'm still not used to seeing you with Daniel. I hate how he holds you."

Halos magdadalawang linggo narin ang nakalipas pagkatapos ng interview ni Katherine kaya't unti unti na ring natatabunan ang issue dito.

Nanatili parin ang pag papanggap namin while Katherine, hindi pa din ito bumabalik sa university.

She needs to lay low after that controversy. May iilang interview din ito pero hindi na dahil sa issue kundi sa nalalapit nilang kasal ng lalaki.

I dialed Katherine's number habang naglalakad ako palabas ng campus and she immediately answered it.

"Hi," I muttered and I melted when I heard her voice after a long time.

"Hello, love. Is your class done?"

Tinango ko ang ulo while humming in response as if she'll be able to see me doing it. "So where are you up to?"

"I have work tonight, Ms. Evans. Matagal na din akong hindi nakakapasok so kahit early pa, papasok ako."

I can almost imagine her rolling her eyes. Ilang beses niya na akong sinabihang tigilan ang pag i-entertain dahil delikado daw at ayaw niyang minamanyak ako ng mga manonood.

"You know I have a tuition to pay and a family to feed."

"I know but I can also give you a full scholarship, Felicity. If I could just persuade Sidney to close that damn club ay ginawa ko na. I don't like them watching you sexually!"

"You're not my financier, Kath. Don't worry I'll find another job that can sustain me financially and para narin mawala yang ikinaseselos mo."

"I'll hire you."

"No, please Katherine just let me be okay?"

Ilang beses na naman pinag - usapan ito. She'll keep on insisting na  tigilan ko ang trabaho at sa kanya nalang mag apply.

O di kaya siya nalang ang bubuhay sa amin ng pamilya ko but I can't let that happen.

My family is not her responsibility.

Humugot lang ito ng malalim na hininga sa kabilang linya habang naghihintay na ako ng jeep na masasakyan.

"Whatever, but please let me know if you're clocking out. I'll fetch you."

"Yes po maam."

Pero bago pa man ako makalabas ng university ay siyang pagtigil ng puting sasakyan sa harap ko. The back windows rolled down at masusuring mata ang sumalubong sa akin.

I immediately looked down as I felt his eyes scanning me from my head to toe,  "Ms. Felicity Alvarez, right?"

"Yes po sir."

"I think we have something to talk about."

Nanatiling nakasara ang mga hita ko as my hand keeps on fidgeting on the loose pants that I'm currently wearing right now.