Obnoxious Oxygen

Chapter Nineteen

The second time I woke up, I was alone. Moana Marie was gone. I'd almost believe it was just a dream, had I not see the glass of milk on the bedside table that she made me drink before I fell a sleep on her, I'd really think that this was all just a dream.

But no, she'd been here. Her arms had been my comfort after the disturbing dream that almost cost me my life. She was here. She stayed by my side until I fall back to sleep. My heart warmed at the idea.

I haven't told her anything, she didn't force me to. All she said is that, once I'm ready, she's got her ears for me.

She said she was a rape victim and I still couldn't fathom the idea that a woman as strong as her has been violated once in her life. Not just that, she married him.

It takes a lot of courage and strength to accept your worst nightmare and to forgive the one that caused it. How much more to marry him? I couldn't picture myself marrying Shaun, I couldn't even get myself to see him, not in magazines and definitely not in flesh. But then, Exodus De Salvo was nothing like Shaun. He loved her. Even the dumbest one can tell it just by the look of his face every time she's around. While Shaun? He knows nothing about love.

My thoughts were cut off when the bedroom door swung open, it was Oxygen. Seeing him coming in made my heartbeat pickup. Through the light coming from the lamp on the bedside table, I was able to see him sauntered inside the room, closing the door behind him. He's wearing nothing but a sweatpants, showing off his skin in a warm, golden-brown tint. I tried not to pay attention to his fine-boned, chunky abdomen and lifted my gaze up to his face. He's staring at me and I can see worry in his eyes.

I pulled myself up to sit and wait for him, he stopped and sit on the edge of the bed, putting enough distance between us. I don't know how to approach him after what happened awhile ago. I wasn't sure if his mom already told him- but, well I haven't told her anything either. And I know, now that it was Oxygen who's with me, I have to say something. I owe him that.

He inhaled softly and looked away, moving over to the bedside table to put the glass of water I didn't notice he was holding. "I brought you some water, just in case."

"Thank you," I said. "About what happened, Oxygen-"

"Okay ka na ba?" His head turned to me, the soft expression on his face did a gentle tug in my chest. The worried frown he had on his forehead made me feel guilty. Did I worry him so much?

I nodded. "About that, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause any trouble-"

"Anong sinasabi mo?" His frown deepened, I couldn't utter another word. I was thinking that maybe my nightmare episode ruined something earlier. Asking his mom about how they found me at my worst didn't come up in my head. His eyes stayed on my face, it was so intense that I had to look away. "I'm sick worried about you, Gabbana. We all are. And you're thinking that you've caused us trouble? Why am I thinking that's unfair?"

Because I am. He's right. That ain't fair. I ducked my head and whispered my answer. "I'm sorry."

"That's not what I wanna hear, Gabby." The concerned in his voice was evident. "Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba kong mag-tanong, kung may karapatan ba ko na mag-tanong. Pero, gusto kong malaman."

My eyes lowered to the sheet that covers the bottom part of my body. I don't think I could look at Oxygen, not when I started hearing pain in his voice. Pain. He's hurting. Why was he hurting? But then I'm reminded that this man sitting in front of me wears his heart on his sleeve. He'd care for anyone regardless of how he's been treated.

"Hindi ako mapilit na tao, Gabbana. But I'd like to know, I want to know because that's the only way I could help you." His voice held an overbearing emotions, the moment he reached for my hand, I know from there that Oxygen got me. The squeeze he made on my hand made me feel the security I have always felt in his presence. "I still won't force you to do something you wouldn't like, although I am hoping that you'll find a way to trust me."