That One Mistake

Chapter 19: Threats

BAGSAK ang mga balikat ko ng makauwi ako ng bahay. Igs made sure I got back home safe and sound kaya sya na itong naghatid sa akin.

The moment I realized the ring's covered with blood, I immediately called Jeserr. Bakas sa boses nito ang galit nang ipaalam ko ang tungkol sa munting regalong natanggap ko.

"Your ring. Where is it?" Tanong ko nang sagutin nya agad ang tawag.

"Why are you looking for it?"

"Basta sabihin mo na lang!"

"Teka nga muna. Nasa mahalagang meeting ako ngayon, Wine. I paused it for now because I thought something bad happened. Nandito ang singsi-- fuck. Where is it?"

"Jeez, Jeserr!"

"Excuse me, everyone." Looks like he left the meeting room. Wala na akong naririnig na bulungan. "My ring's not here. Mukhang naiwan ko sa hotel--"

"Nandito sa akin."

"What?"

"Someone just sent me a box with your ring on it, Jeserr!"

"Ano??" Tumaas ang boses nito. "Teka, nasaan ka? Anong oras na dyan ah? You're not home, are you?" Sasagot na sana ako nang magsalita ulit ito. "Akala ko ba napag-usapan na natin to, Wine? I agreed with you about not having bodyguards but in one condition. You are never going to stay out late!"

"I am with Igon right now. Tumigil ka nga! That is not about that."

"Why is my ring with you, then?"

"Ako ang dapat na magtanong nyan. Nasa Barcelona ka pero nasa akin ang singsing mo. Worst is, it's full of blood! Jeez, Jeserr! What is this? Am I being threatened again!?"

"Fucking shit. Nasaan ka!? Umuwi ka na ngayon din! I'm going back home."

"If this is another threat from any of your women, I swear this. I'll never forgive you."

Kauupo ko pa lang sa kama ng silid ko nang may kumatok. I opened the door and was surprised to see Pytha.

"Tinawagan po kami ni sir. He is on his way home now."

Tinanguan ko lang ito at muling isinara ang pinto. My heart is pounding so much. Bumalik na naman ang takot ko. Ilang buwan pa nga lang ang nakalilipas nang huli akong mapahamak, mukhang ngayon ay mangyayari na naman.

I took his blooded ring off the box and cleanse it with water inside the comfort room. Nang masigurong walang kahit anong bahid ito ng dugo, dinala ko ito pabalik sa kama at nilapag sa mesang nasa gilid.

"Calm down, Winey." Ani ko sa sarili. I lied down and covered myself with the sheets. Sinubukan kong ipikit ang aking mga mata pero hindi ko magawang makatulog.

I've already been threatened, and I know how scary things will be. For some reasons, I have this feeling the next days and months would be a torture.

I WOKE up the next morning feeling weak and dizzy. Someone's sick, jeez! I took my bath and changed to a comfortable dress. Pagkatapos ay bumaba na ako para mag-almusal.

Hindi na ako nagulat nang makitang nakauwi na si Jeserr. Our eyes met but I didn't greet him. He didn't say a thing, too. Kausap nito ang kaibigang pulis na syang nakasama rin nya noong iligtas nya ako. Vari and Pytha are there, too.

Dumiretso ako sa hapagkainan at kumain nang tahimik. Medyo wala akong gana kaya kaunti lang ang kinain ko. Nang matapos ako, nilingon ko ang kinaroroonan nina Jeserr. Nag-uusap parin sila.