RIVALRY [ heesun ]

twenty seven.

"Lower your voice, Sim. Your neighbours might report you from disturbing their night.."

I'm finally inside Simone's condo. Nasaktuhan ko siyang nanonood ng drama while waiting for his pizza. The moment I entered his condo, hindi na siya tumigil sa pagtanong. At first he is so curious about why the hell am I with Aracosa, but when I removed the jacket I'm wearing, he saw the bruises and wounds.

He looked at me with tears in his eyes. Nagtataka naman akong bumaling sa kanya, patting his shoulders.

"W-what's wrong.."

"Is there something going on in your house? Why didn't you tell me.." He is trying not to sob.

Maybe I look pathetic sa estado ko ngayon so it made him emotional.

I decrease the gap between us, asking for a hug. Pati ako ay naluluha na rin. I gently lean on his shoulders and cried. I really need to let this out. Aside from beating up physically, my mental health is also affected.

My heart aches upon thinking why would my own Dad do this to me.

"He is not happy about the election results so he p-punched and kicked me.. I couldn't fight back, Sim.. I'm scared."

Ramdam ko ang pakikisimpatya niya. I suddenly felt weak and unstable, kaya hinayaan ko na lang ang sarili na makulong sa bisig niya. Hinagod niya ang likod ko habang tuloy pa rin ako sa pag iyak.

"I'll make sure Tito Lewis will pay for this.."

"What are you planning to do?" I asked, concerned what could be Simone's plan to get back on my Dad.

"Come on, Ary, you are the kindest person that I know. But can you please try not to be considerate this time? For pete's sake he is already hurting you! I can't let anyone lay a finger on my beloved friend!" Paunti-unting lumalakas ang boses niya. I am a soft person who cries easily when someone raises their voices at me.

I cried once again, but this time, it's because I realized that Simone is one of those people who truly loves and cares about me. He apologized for raising his voice but I shook my head. Pinakalma niya ako at inabutan ng glass of water after.

"But hey, why are you with Keilo nga pala?"

Natigil ako sa pag inom. I looked at him and he is raising an eyebrow at me, parang hindi kami galing sa pagdadrama. I placed the glass on the coffee table before responding.

"He happened to saw me in the dark alley where I hid after I ran away from home.."

"That's a relief.. buti siya ang nakakita sayo."

"Relief? Mabuti? He didn't stop teasing me nga!" I irritably said nang maalala ang conversation namin kanina. Gigil niya ako eh!

"Oh, so nag-away pa rin kayo kahit ganoon na sitwasyon mo?" Simone made a face.

"Well, yeah—that's because he is makulit!"

Kita kong nag roll eyes na lang si Sim at napa face palm sa mga sinabi ko. After that, nagpaalam siyang pumunta ng room niya para kumuha ng first aid kit.

Now I'm alone here in his living room. Napasulyap ako sa aircon niyang nakabukas at nakitang naka set ito ng 16°C.

"Gosh, hindi ba siya nilalamig.." I hugged my body to feel warm. Dala na rin siguro na galing ako sa labas kaya mabilis ako maapektuhan ng lamig.

I was about to get a pillow para yakapin nang makuha ng attention ko ang jacket ni Aracosa. I carefully placed it on top of a pillow. I remembered how he comforted me with his words..

"If there's something bothering you.. or you have a problem, don't hesitate to tell me. It's normal to experience hardships but what's not normal is letting it consume you, especially if it involves abuse."