His Hired BedWarmer (Enticed Series 1)

HHBW-32

Chapter Thirty-Two
When a Sin Comes to Hunt

Rohan

After a long day of work, I was finally able to go home. Nang makapasok ako sa loob ay may nakita ko ang bote ng alak sa lamesa. I hovered my glares over the window. I saw Rowin standing there while the lights are off.

Naglakad ako palapit sa kanya. But I stopped walking the moment he turned to see me then I saw a cuff on his hand.

Namumula ang mga mata nitong nakatitig sa akin. It's been a long time ever since the last time I saw this hateful face of him.

"When I told you about the case at the party, you remembered something you did, am I right?" napalunok ako at nanatiling tahimik nang magsalita si Rowin.

"There is no other reason for you to meet Gerard."

It was true that I met Gerard because of what I did from the past.

"Inimbestigahan ko ulit ang kasong iyon, dahil isa si Reys sa mga na-rape sa bar na iyon. And guess what? I saw Mia in this case. I was flustered on why would she involve herself in this case..." he walked towards me. Unti-unti ko nang naaninag ang mukha ni Rowin.

"Then I remember how she always clean your mess. It was hard to believe but brother...you did something terrible," nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang masilayan ko ang luhang tumulo sa isang mata ni Rowin.

"Gusto kitang arestuhin, pero hindi ko alam bakit parang hindi ko kaya," napailing siya.

"It's okay, I'm ready for it..." I said non-chalantly. I lent my two hands for him to cuff.

He dropped the cuffs on the floor then he punched me. Parang nahilo ako sa suntok niya sa akin.

"Bakit mo nagawa 'yon!? Bakit?" kwinelyuhan naman niya ako. Mariin ako'ng napapikit. I guess I was too lost or maybe that is just my excuse.

***

Napasinghap ako at napatingin muli kay Gerard "I want to ask you a question...please be honest with me."

"Nang gabing iyon, nang pinuntahan mo ako sa silid kung saan ako nawalan ng malay matapos ko nainom iyong alak na may drugs, nakita mo siguro ang mukha ng babaeng nagahasa ko," napakuyom ang mga palad kong nakapatong sa mga hita ko. Ni hindi ko matignan sa mata si Gerard.

"Can you still recognize her if I'll show you her grown up picture?"

"I think so," sagot naman ni Gerard. Kinuha ko ang isang larawan sa bulsa ng coat ko. ipinakita sa kanya.

Naglakas loob akong pagmasdan ang mukha ni Gerard, unti-unting nanlaki ang mga mata niya at nanginig ang kanyang kamay na nakahawak sa larawan.

"This is her...I'm sure of it..."

I wasn't aware of the tears rolling down to my cheeks. I showed him a picture of Reys.

I knew she was raped, but I got anxious all of a sudden when Rowin told me that somehow she was connected to his case, 10 years ago. That was the time when I committed a sin.

***

Kanina pa tahimik si Rowin at sunod-sunod ang mabibigat na paghinga nito matapos kong ikuwento sa kanya ang dahilan kung bakit nagawa kong gahasahin si Reys. I told him that I intended to set him up to take back Mia. I told him it was all because of my insecurities and my hatered towards him. But I ended up taking the drink with the drugs. I was out of my mind when I raped her.

Gano'n pa man, wala pa ring kapatawaran ang ginawa ko. I wanted to save her so I took her, but I was the one who destroyed her at the first place.

It stings. My heart aches that I really just wanted to disappear right now.

When I took Reys with me, it was like I was distracted at first. But I realized it wasn't just distraction that she's giving me. It was the hope I have been asking for a long time.

I learned to live without the emptiness I had in my heart for some time.

...and then I learned to fall again.

Perhaps the reason why it's almost an unbearable pain to me is because...I wanted to be her man for a long time but I am just the sinful man that ruined her.

I should set her free because I am not the one for her. I am just his long time misery.

"Susuko ako, Rowin. Ayoko nang takbuhan ang mga kasalanan ko," saad ko.

"Is that all that matters to you now? Hindi mo ba naiisip ang mararamdaman niya? Ikaw? Paano ka? Don't you feel something for her other than your guilt?" ini sa sabi naman nito.

"I do..." garalgal na ang boses na pinakawalan ko dahil kusa nang tumulo ang mga luha ko. "I think I love her, Rowin. I always want to be where I could touch her. I always miss her when she left my house. This place became empty and quiet, like how my life used to be. She saved me from falling apart but I am the one who is going to break her."

"She warmed my heart when it was at its coldest..."

***