Splitting Hairs

Eighteen

I didn't want to hate men in general, but it seemed to be in their nature to be unlikable. Bakit ba hindi sila makuntento sa isa? Bakit ba 'yun na lang palagi ang problema nila? Nung ginawa naman si Adan, loner siya 'di ba? Pinagbigyan na nga siya ni God. Abusado pa. Now I know. Eve just tolerated being with Adam. No choice eh. And take note: Eve was the only woman back then.

The next thing I knew Julian and Brad were grappling. Kinuha ni Julian ang lapel ni Brad at binalya. I was too stunned to react. Grabe, para akong nanunuod ng action movie.

"Julian no!" I screamed. Nakita kong pumutok ang labi ni Brad. Syempre kahit pagbali-baligtarin ko man ang pangyayari. Ako ang may sagot kay Brad!

I winced as Brad punched back. Pinipilit kong gumitna pero natabig ako. Sa bilis ng pangyayari hindi ko na alam kung sino sa kanilang dalawa. The woman was just standing there. Gusto ko siyang sabunutan! Sino ba siya? This was all her fault.

"Julian, I said stop it!" Tili ko at gumitna ako. Brad was badly beaten. Nakita kong papatay talaga si Julian. And I was frightened by the look in his eyes. I should have worn Hester's scarlet letter.

Para akong lulubog sa kahihiyan. There were flashes of cameras.

"Julian Sunico's wife was seen kissing his ex."

"God, nakakahiya, ano bang klasing babae 'yan."

"Maganda pa naman, makiri nga lang."

Nasty gossips. Matutuwa na sana ako dun sa 'maganda', dinugtungan pa. I glared at whoever said that. They knew nothing! Mga taong walang magawa sa mundo kundi pagpiyestahan ang latest tsismis.

"Brad, are you okay?" I knelt in front of him. Naawa naman ako bigla sa kanya. Julian pulled me roughly in the arm. At masakit 'yun ha! I screamed when he was about to kick—

"No!" Niyakap ko si Julian ng mahigpit.

He gave me that chilling stare that sent shivers down my spine. Na parang ako pa ang may kasalanan! Na parang hindi ko siya nakitang nakikipag-flirt sa ibang babae! Hinila niya 'ko sa braso. Pakaladkad. I saw Brad's purplish face with bruises.

"Let go of me." I wanted to shout at him.

"Get in." His voice was icy cold.

Pabalyang ipinasok. No. Itinulak!

Yes, itinulak niya ako sa loob ng sasakyan! I gritted my teeth. Naumpog ako sa silya. There was not a bit of gentlemanliness in him. Paikot pa lang siya sa driver's seat ay binuksan ko ang car door para tumakbo. Damn. He was already seated. At na-automatic lock niya na ang buong sasakyan.

"Julian how dare yo—!"

He looked at me coldly.

"You bastard!" Galit kong hiyaw. It was unlike any fury I'd had. Para akong bulkang sasabog. I put all my force and slap him. Once. Twice. I saw the registration of shock. I couldn't get enough. Hampas dito. Hampas doon. Anywhere my hand landed. Kung pwede lang na sipain ko siya. Sinuntok suntok ko ang braso niya. I was even making gurgling sounds. "What the hell are you d—ing." We both gasped. Sa paghampas ko sa sugat niya ay nabitawan niya ang manibela. May paparating na malaking truck.

We both screamed. Pareho kaming napakapit dito. He motioned the steering wheel to the left. Whew. Muntik na kami dun! My heart was thudding loud in my chest.

"You should have killed me and—"

He gave me that chilling look. I did shut up then. Hindi sa natatakot ako.

Okay fine, natatakot ako sa itsura ni Julian. It was as if he would do just that. Without remorse. Naiisip ko pa lang na ipapa-salvage niya 'ko at itatapon ang kagandahan ko sa kung saang ilog. God, it boils my blood. Napatitig ako sa kanya. The muscles on his jaw flexed.