A Suffering Wife

Kabanata 13

Cousin

Kinaumagahan ay sinadya ko talaga na magpatanghali ng gising dahil sa kagustuhan kong iwasan ang mga katanungan ni Guv. Nauna na rin akong umuwi sakanya kahapon. Thinking that avoiding can be an escape.

Buong gabi kong pinag-isipan ang mga sinabi ni Venus. Inisa-isa ko kung saan ako nagkamali. Oo, gusto ko si Eli pero hanggang do'n lang naman yun eh. Hindi ko naman hinagad na mapasaakin siya. Pagsuporta lang naman ang pinakita ko.

"You think you really can escape me?" Magkasalubong kilay na hinarap ko siya. Nakatayo siya ngayon sa pintuan ng aking silid.

Kinunot ko ang noo ko sakanya. Pretending I'm innocent. 

"Ano ginawa sayo ng babaeng yun?"

"Wala? Nag-usap." Kibit-balikat kong sagot.

"Try harder Anne, you're not good at lying." Nanliliit ang kanyang mata.

I rolled my eyes at him. I sighed heavily.

"Fine for your peace of mind." I surrendered.

Pinag-cross niya ang kanyang braso sakanyang harapan. He's waiting for my words.

"Okay, she warned me. She wants me to stay away from her boyfriend." I said briefly. Walang kwenta kung hahaba pa ang usapang ito.

"Then?"

"What? I already told you! That's all!" I shouted.

"She didn't try to slap you?" His right thick eyebrows slightly raised.

My lips formed a perfect 'O'. How did he knew that? Is he right there? Is he hiding? Damn, this man is crazy.

"Yes, cousin. I knew it. I was there standing few step away. So, don't you ever-"

"Oh my goddd! You! You're stalking me?" I exclaimed. Yeah, I know I'm so over reacting.

Napanganga siya sa sinabi ko ay saka niya hinilamos ang kanyang palad.

"No! I mean, uh.. I was about to tell Eli to escort you home but then I saw you with that pretty girl." Kibit balikat niyang wika.

Dahan-dahan akong lumapit sakanya. Nanliliit ang aking kanang mata sakanya. Ano'ng sabi niya? Pretty?

"What did you say? Again?" My voice is full of anger.

"What? Just stating the fact? Everyone is attracted to her." Now, he's panicking.

"Attracted? Really tho. Why don't you court her instead? Since you're attracted to her?" I said in apoplectic sound.

"You sound insecure." He smirked.

"What? I'm not! Why would I?" I denied.

"Tss. Fine whatever Anne. Dress up we're getting late." He declared.

I left standing outside my room. Insecure? Me? I'm not! That girl is not the type who can made me insecure. Ano ba kainggitan ko sakanya? Her red lips? Her wig curly hair? Her face? Her fame? Duh, talo ng matalino ang maganda. Kaya No. I'm not insecure.

"May be you're not insecure about her looks and fashion but with Eli.." He said while his eyes focusing in the road.

I suddenly turned my head to him. He's right. I'm not insecure about Venus I'm insecure because she had Eli. A man who made me worthless.

In the middle of being alone. I admit that I like when Guv nags me. It made me feel that I'm not alone. That I have family to lean on. He's always there to comfort me. He's always there to cure my boredom. If he's not my cousin, I would really fall for him.