In a Relationship with Dashed (Completed)

C20: Dashed's Compromise.

20: Dashed's Compromise

"Tang ina, Dashed! Uminahon ka nga!"

That shout jolted me awake. It was loud and filled with anger. I stayed still with my eyes closed, feeling the throbbing pain as I tried to move my head.

"How am I supposed to calm down, Kuya?! Damn it! Wala sa plano ang masaktan siya!"

Ang sakit ng katawan ko. I thought what happened a moment ago was just a terrible nightmare. But it wasn't. It was real. Totoong-totoo dahil hindi ako makagalaw nang maayos ngayon dahil sa mga sugat na natamo ko.

"This is your fault, you dumbass! Alam mo namang brutal ang mga nagkakagusto sa'yo tapos hinayaan mo lang s'yang pumasok nang mag-isa?!"

I slowly opened my eyes. Nakita ko siya. Nakita ko sila na ngayon ay nagbabatuhan na nang matatalim na titig. There was complete silence, so I took the opportunity to speak. "D-Dashed," their attention turned to me immediately.

Nakita ko ang marahang pag-igting ng panga niya 'tsaka ako agad na dinaluhan.

I let my eyes meander around the four corners of this white room while waiting for him. I was lying in a soft hospital bed, and I noticed that my coat was missing and my necktie was loosened.

"Fuck... Baby, I'm so sorry..." his eyes were filled with weary. "I wasn't there to protect you..."

I shook my head and tried to remember everything. When I needed help, but no one heard me. When I tried to escape, but they just pulled my hair. When I felt helpless, and they didn't show any sympathy.

Pumikit ako nang maramdaman na namang muli ang mga nagbabadya kong luha. "I didn't think that being with you also meant putting my life in danger," I mumbled. His thumb wiped away my tears. "I'm done, Dashed. Let's end this."

"No..." nawala ang kulay ng kanyang mukha. "Please, baby... no."

"I don't even know why I'm helping you with your own problems, Dashed! But let me tell you, this is too much to bear. Ayoko nang mapalapit pa sa'yo. Everyone hates me now. Tingin nila sa'kin, malandi, easy to get! Lahat ng 'yon ay ugat ng pagpapanggap ko bilang girlfriend mo!"

I thought, after all that had happened, he would agree with me. But I was wrong.

"Let's give it another try, baby. I may have failed you this time, but I promise I won't let them harm you again. Just please, don't leave me hanging like this." I could hear the desperation in every word he spoke. Damn it. I knew this trick very well.

He was melting the ice in my heart.

"I know this is entirely my fault, and I regret everything. I shouldn't have let you go alone. I should have been there with you. I should have been the one to save and protect you. But I wasn't... And I'm really sorry for that. I failed you, yes... but it feels like I failed myself even more."

A wave of desire to comfort him washed over me as our eyes met. I couldn't believe it. Sa isang tingin n'ya lang ay napawi lahat ng inis ko sakanya. Why couldn't I stay mad at him?

I should be mad. He put my life in danger!

"My parents will be angry when they find out about this, especially at you," I sighed in resignation.

God. They would be worried, for sure.  Ayaw na ayaw kasi nila iyong nasasaktan at napapahamak ako. But here I was, covered in bruises because of my fake boyfriend's admirers.

Dashed tucked the loose strands of my hair behind my ear. When his skin touched mine... why did it feel so good?

"Don't worry about it. I talked to them while you were sleeping. And yes, your instincts were right. They got furious and questioned if I was really trustworthy enough to take care of you. I apologized to them countless times, baby. I can't deny the fact that I'm responsible for what happened. But... we made a compromise," he paused for a moment and slowly closed the gap between us.

My eyes automatically closed when I felt his lips on my forehead.

"W-what...." I took a deep breath. "What kind of compromise?"

"If you ever get hurt again because of me, they won't allow me to come near you ever again," he said firmly, his eyes closed.  Sumulyap ako sa likuran niya to see his brothers looking at him with disbelief. "So please... give me another chance to prove myself, baby. Payag ka pa naman diba?"

I saw Dashléy roll his eyes. Nakagat ko ang ibabang parte ng labi ko at muling ipinako ang mga mata kay Dashed.

At a later time, nakita ko na lamang na tumatango ang sarili ko sa sinabi niya.

How stupid, Bronywn. You're such a stupid.