Pay Back (bongleni)

Chapter 5

"I'm protecting what's mine... Hanggang hindi ka pa nakakabayad nyenye" Leni mocked Bong, kicking a stone as she walked. Leni left Bong behind and decided to commute home. She had enough of his attitude.

"Akala mo naman kung sinong may-ari ng buong pagkatao ko! Mabayaran lang kita, tingnan mo!" she said angrily.

“Leni!” a familiar voice called out from behind her.

She turned around, surprised to see Kit, her best friend from high school, pulling up in his car.

Kit stopped and rolled down his window. “Bakit ka nag-iisang naglalakad sa ganitong oras? Ang dilim na. Where’s Bong?”

“Ewan ko sa kanya, nauna na ata,” Leni replied, waving off her frustration with a sigh.

"Sumabay ka na sa akin,” Kit offered with concern in his voice. “It’s late. Saan ka ba?”

“Huwag na, Kit. Magcocommute na lang ako,” Leni said, shaking her head, still fuming from her argument with Bong.

“Leni, ang dilim na. It’s not safe. Just ride with me,” Kit insisted, stepping out of his car to talk to her.

Before Leni could respond, a cold voice cut through the air, “Try touching her, and you’ll see what a real dark looks like.”

Kit and Leni both turned toward the voice. It was Bong. He had been following Leni the entire time, quietly listening to everything she had said.

“I thought you left Leni alone,” Kit said, his voice calm but cautious.

Bong shoved his hands into his pockets and smirked. “Bakit ko naman siya iiwan? Siya ang nang-iwan sa’kin. Right, Leni?” he said, turning his gaze to her.

Leni felt trapped under his stare, sensing the tension in the air. Kit looked at her, waiting for an answer. “Totoo?” Kit asked, hoping for an explanation.

Leni hesitated for a second, her mind racing. She knew she had to calm the situation down. “A-ah, oo... oo pala,” she stammered, trying to sound convincing, though her heart pounded in her chest.

Kit glanced between the two, sensing something was off but choosing not to press further, while Bong’s eyes remained locked on Leni, satisfied with her answer.

Kit frowned, sensing something wasn’t right, but he chose to drop it. “Ingat kayo,” he said, stepping aside as the car rolled up beside them.

Bong wasted no time, opening the door for Leni. “Sakay na,” he said in a low voice, his eyes briefly meeting Kit’s before settling back on Leni.

Leni gave Kit a small nod before sliding into the car. Bong followed closely behind, shutting the door firmly. The car pulled away, leaving Kit standing behind.

Inside the car, the silence felt thick and heavy. Neither of them wanted to speak, but Leni finally broke the tension. “Sumunod ka pala.”

Bong’s voice was sharp as he replied, “Bakit nanaman kayo nag-uusap ni Kit?”

Leni sighed, trying to stay calm. “Huminto lang siya kasi nakita niya akong naglalakad mag-isa. Nakita mo naman, di ba?”

Bong’s eyes narrowed. “Bakit gusto mo pang sumakay sa sasakyan niya?”

“Sumakay?” Leni shot back, her voice rising slightly. “Nakita mo bang sumakay ako? Nagseselos ka ba?"

Bong’s face twisted with anger as he leaned closer to Leni. “I’m not jealous! But why are you always talking to Kit? Nilalandi mo na naman siya!"

Leni’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What the— Ano na namang drama 'to, Bong? You’re bringing this up again? Kakakita ko lang sa tao, bong. This isn't high school! Ilang beses ko bang kailangan sabihin sa'yo? He is my best friend!”

“Then set boundaries with Kit! Kahit ngayon lang kayo nag kita ulit. Ayaw kong kakausapin mo siya ” Bong snapped, his voice dripping with frustration.

Leni’s frustration boiled over. “Bong, we’re not together anymore! You don’t get to tell me who I can and can’t talk to. Just because may utang ako sayo di ko na pwedeng gawin mga gusto kong gawin"

Bong’s eyes blazed with fury, his voice sharp and bitter. “I won’t let what happened before happen again. You and Kit— mag kasabwat kayo noon, di ba? After you took everything from me, iniwan mo ako! You walked away like I was nothing! You did it once, and I know you’ll do it again!”

His words dripped with anger, each one like a punch, as if he was barely holding back from exploding completely. His eyes bore into her, daring her to deny it.

"Dapat hindi na lang ako pumayag na pumunta sa event na 'to," Leni muttered, fighting back tears. Just then, the car pulled up in front of Bong's company building.

Without a second thought, she quickly stepped out and walked away, eager to escape and head home.