GETTING TO KNOW MS. ANGER | MaColet

39 NICO'S SIDE

NICO

"Can you just leave me the hell alone?!"

I shouted, habang itinulak ko siya ng mas malakas ngayon.

"We're not leaving!" he shot back.

"Kuya Dave, ilayo mo na yung mga bote!" sigaw ni Shawn at pilit akong hinihila palayo sa basag na mga bote ng alak.

"Fuck! Everyone's abandoned me!" I screamed, my voice cracking as I stumbled into Shawn's arms, my body trembling violently. "All of them!"

"My fucking father abandoned us." halos pumutok ang lalamunan ko sa lakas ng pagsigaw ko.

Tears burned at the corners of my eyes, but I couldn't stop, couldn't breathe through the fire in my chest. "And my mom-she died and I couldn't do anything! Wala akong nagawa para iligtas siya!" I sobbed, slamming my fists against Shawn's chest as if I could punch the pain away.

Shawn's arms wrapped around me tighter. "And now... and now my girlfriend? She fucking left me, Shawn! Iniwan niya ako para sa lalaki.. Because I wasn't fucking enough for her?"

Mabilis kong itinulak si Shawn palayo, ramdam ko ang panginginig ng mga kamay ko sa galit.

"Was it because I'm not rich like her dad wanted? Huh? Is that it? Because I can't give her the perfect life?" my fists clenched so tightly.

"Nico, calm down!" it's Kuya Dave's voice.

"How the fuck am I supposed to calm down?" I shouted, my voice hoarse from screaming. "Do you even get it? Everyone I've ever loved-they're all fucking gone! They left me! I'm alone-I'M FUCKING ALONE!"

"You're not alone, Nico!" Shawn yelled back, grabbing my arms with force, shaking me. "You have us-me and Kuya Dave! We're right here!"

•

I don't ever want to go back to that place again-the emptiness, the pain that never seemed to end. Not now, not when I've finally learned how to breathe again. I've moved on.

It doesn't mean I've closed my heart, though. I just... I'm not ready yet.

I need time-to figure out what I'm feeling towards Maloi.

For now, that's all I can hold onto. The thought of protecting her, keeping her safe from everything that could hurt her-it's all that matters right now.

Three days had passed since the confession, and things felt surprisingly normal. Shawn and Gwen knew why Maloi was here. We're sharing one bed without any awkward moments.

I woke up to an empty space beside me, which wasn't unusual. Maloi was usually up early, preparing breakfast.

I smiled and got out of bed, stretching before heading to the shower. The warm water helped clear my mind, and as I dried my hair with a towel.

Habang naglalakad ako patungo sa kusina, narinig ko ang mga boses na nag-uusap, kaya't tahimik akong lumapit sa pinagmulan ng tunog.

"Bakit hindi ka nag-culinary? Ang galing mo kaya magluto!" tanong ni Gwen habang nakatingin siya sa niluluto ni Maloi.

Sumandal ako sa doorframe at nakinig sa kanilang usapan.

Maloi chuckled softly. "Let's just say na it's not my forte. I just love cooking because my mom always said a better cooker is a better wife."