In a Relationship with Dashed (Completed)

C46: Confession of Dashed.

46: Confession of Dashed

"She's fine, Dashed," the nurse reassured. "She didn't sustain any internal fractures or injuries. It's normal for her to feel pain because of the impact on her back."

"No. Obviously, she's not fine," I heard Dashed's firm voice. "Are you blind? Why don't you look at her? Kanina pa siya nakahawak sa likod niya. That means there's pain there and you need to address it! That's your job!"

I grabbed the end of Dashed's jersey. He looked irritated, and it seemed like he was about to explode from frustration. "I'm okay, Dashed. Nurse Tine was right. It's natural to feel pain dahil hindi naging maganda ang pagbagsak ko. So please... my first class is about to start. Baka pagalitan ako ni Cher Myka kapag na-late ako."

"Damn it. I'll take you to your first class, then, whether you like it or not," my eyes widened when he kneeled down, facing away from me. "Get on."

"Wait, what? Are you serious?" Nurse Tine asked incredulously.

Tinignan niya ako na para bang nagtatanong kung ano iyong ipinakain ko kay Dashed and why he was so concerned about me.

I saw Dashed furrow his brow. "Do you think I have time to joke about this?"

Natahimik si Nurse Tine kaya nabalik sa akin ang atensyon niya. I had no intention of getting on, and I knew he sensed that, but he still didn't move from his position. Instead, he grabbed both of my legs and stood up. Of course! Mabilis kong naipalupot ang dalawa kong mga kamay sa leeg niya dahil baka mahulog ako!

Jeez. Para lang siyang nagbubuhat ng isang sako ng bigas!

"Dashed, what the heck?!" I protested loudly. But I knew he didn't care even if I shouted. He wouldn't let me walk alone. And I didn't freaking know why! Nakaka-frustrate siya! "Someone might take a picture! Hindi ka ba natatakot na baka makita iyon ng girlfriend mo at magkagalit kayo?!"

"Are you wearing shorts under your skirt?" he sounded panicked.

Nagkasalubong ang mga kilay ko nang hindi man lang niya pinansin 'yong sinabi ko sa kanya!

"What?!"

"Just answer me, damn it!"

"Oo naman! Ano'ng tingin mo sa'kin?! Hahayaan kitang buhatin ako nang naka-underwear lang?!" I replied irritatedly and gave a little kick. "Ibaba mo na ako! I can walk naman e! I'm not paralyzed!"

"If you want, you can just rest your head on my back if you're worried someone might see us. Pero ako?" he gritted his teeth. "Wala akong pakielam."

Lumabas na kami ng clinic. As expected, everyone's attention was quickly shifted on us. So I just did what he offered. I rested my forehead on his back.

His scent made me remember everything we shared together.

"Dashed..." I murmured, my heart pounding loudly. "Why are you doing this?"

"You did not talk to me for the whole week... you didn't watch any of my tune ups... you totally distanced yourself away from me," he breathed as his steps slowed down. "Hindi ba ikaw ang dapat kong tanungin niyan, Bronywn? Why are you doing this? Do you have a plan to send me to a mental asylum?"

I threw him a sharp stare kahit alam kong hindi niya ako nakikita. The nerve of him!

"Stop acting like you really care, Dashed! It's all just a bet, right? Alam ko naman na kahit sumama pa ako kina Mommy sa Spain, wala ka pa ring pakielam!"

Natigilan siya.

"You're planning to leave?"

"It's not yet final."

"You're not leaving."

I scoffed. As if he could do something to change that. "My family hates you."

And that's where he fell silent. I don't know. Maybe I hit a nerve. Maybe he felt guilty for what he did to me.

"I broke up with Ingrid."

I was quite surprised—no, I was really surprised for that revelation. But I composed myself. I tried to act like I didn't care at all. Perhaps, he broke up with her because he found another girl, right?

Nanatili akong tahimik.

"Aren't you going to ask for my reason?" he asked again.

Then I remembered his phrase. "Do you think that I still need to know?"

And he was triggered.

"Bronywn..."

"I don't know why I ever liked you this way, Dashed," I don't freaking know why I ever loved you this way. "Why did you have to do sweet things to me if it was all just a bet?"

Gods. I never wanted to cry when he was around.

But I failed miserably. My tears exploded!

"I'm sorry..." he said as he heard my sobs.

"Bakit ako pa?" my voice was completely cracked but something compelled me to tell him all my grievances. So I did. "Pwede naman sa iba na lang, diba? Iyong willing talaga na maging fake girlfriend mo. Pero bakit ako pa 'yong napili mong sirain? Durugin? Lokohin?"

My tears continued to flow. His jersey was already soaked. I felt so—embarrassed. Here I am, crying, in front of the man I love. Gusto ko mang patahanin ang sarili ko, hindi ko magawa-gawa dahil sa samu't saring emosyon na nararamdaman ko ngayon.

Galit.

Sakit.

Lungkot.

Panghihinayang.

"I'm sorry for being an asshole, baby... but this time, I'll make it up to you," he said suddenly, catching me off guard. Ano na naman ba 'to? Another round of their bets? "Please... let me make it up to you. I know it's hard to believe... pero hindi ko na kayang lokohin pa ang sarili ko."

Natahimik ako habang ramdam na ramdam ko ang pagbilis ng tibok ng puso ko.

"I think..." I wanted to cover my ears right at that moment. I didn't want to hear anything from him. But he said it. He said the freaking words. "I like you."

——

On Twitter...

@DashedCDG: Time to play the real game; winning her back.