Soju Trilogy 1: Tipsy in Jeju (Published under Precious Hearts Romances)

Chapter 44

Itinaas ni Yana ang isang kamay at umiling. "I would have bought that bullshit and take the blame if you are celebrating one hundred-fiftieth day together instead of two hundred. I was supposed to be here five months ago." Ibinuka niya ang palad at tinutok sa mukha nito. "I do know how to count. It means that you had already been cheating on me way before my flight. Even if I went to Jeju five months ago, you were already having an affair with Eu Jin. And that would make me look stupid and pathetic. Would you even tell me the truth, Dong Uk?"

"Mianhamnida," hinging paumanhin nito at yumuko. "I don't know how to tell you. I don't want you to be hurt because I love you."

Kinuyom ni Yana ang palad. Gusto niyang sapakin ito nang mga oras na iyon. She wanted to kick his sorry face. Niloko siya nito pero ayaw daw sabihin sa kanya dahil ayaw siyang saktan at mahal siya.

"Gago at tarantado ka rin e. Gusto mo pala akong gawing tanga talaga. Alam mo ba na nagkasakit pa ako para lang makaipon ng pampunta dito sa Jeju Island at para makita ka. Heto na nga ako tapos makikita ko lang may kasama kang iba. Di ba mukha akong tanga na umasa sa wala? Tapos sasabihin mo sa akin na ayaw mo akong masaktan. Aba! Di ba nakakasakit 'yung panloloko mo sa akin? Galing mong gumawa ng kalokohan at di ka natatakot manloko pero kapag gagawa ng masama duwag ka. Hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit kita minahal at kung bakit gusto ko pang bumalik ka sa akin."

Napamaang ito at umurong. "Yana-ssi, I don't understand."

Humihingal siya. May apoy sa dibdib niya na sumisiklab nang mga oras na iyon. Gusto niyang sabihin dito ang lahat ng galit niya na kinikimkim niya. Parang sasabog siya kung di niya masasabi dito ang nasa loob niya. Pero di nito pwedeng malaman ang totoo - kung paano siyang pumunta sa Korea para dito. Kung paano siya nito nasaktan nang todo. Masisira ang plano nila ni Gideon. Masasayang lang ang lahat ng pinaghirapan nilang dalawa.

Mabilis niyang pinalis ang galit na ekspresyon sa mukha at pinalitan ng matamis na ngiti. "I am just saying that you should be glad. I am not mad at you and Eu Jin and you can go on with your lives. And you should be thankful to Gideon for that."

Nagdilim ang mukha ng lalaki. "He is a traitor. He wanted you for a long time. He just pretended to be indifferent, pretended to be my friend and hate you but he wanted you. He was so jealous when you became my girlfriend. So when he got the chance, he ruined us."

Tumaas ang kilay ng dalaga. "Really? Tell me, did he put you on drugs or hypnotized you to fuck another girl? Did he, Dong Uk." Umiling ito. "My point exactly. It is not Gideon's fault. It was not as if he coerced you or pointed a gun at you so you will cheat on me."

"But he really wants you... manipulated you so he can get you."

"Wrong. Gideon was the one who helped when I was down. He was the one who fixed me when I was torn apart by your betrayal. Stop blaming Gideon or other people for your mistakes. That is so immature. Take responsibility, Dong Uk!" bulyaw niya dito at itinulak ang balikat nito.

Ano ba ang nangyayari sa lalaking mahal niya? Ganoon ba talaga ito kahina? Nasaan na ang pangako nito na magiging totoo sa kanya? Hindi pa ba sapat na nahuli niya ang kataksilan nito? Kailangan pa nitong ipasa ang kasalanan nito sa iba. Gusto lang naman niyang marinig mula dito na nagsisisi ito.

"You don't even like Jin Woo. Why him?" tanong ni Dong Uk sa kanya na may bahid ng hinanakit sa tinig.

"Why not? I like him now. If not for your cheating, I won't find my happiness." At totoo iyon. Di niya makikilala ang totoong Gideon kundi dahil sa kapalpakan ni Dong Uk. He had so many admirable traits.

He scoffed and shook his head. Ibinulsa nito ang mga kamay sa pantalon. "Yana-ssi, Gideon is a playboy. You know that. Of all the men in the world, why him? He has other women before you came..."

"He is faithful now and that's what matters," she uttered with clenched teeth. "And he makes me happy. He takes care of me."

Di makapaniwala siya nitong pinagmasdan. "You changed because of him. You look different. You even talk differently."

"I changed for he better. I am not the moussy and meek girlfriend that you used to know," paglilinaw niya. "Gideon wants to pamper me and treat me like a princess. And in return, I also want to take care of him. I will be his partner. We will support each other." At iyon mismo ang ginagawa nila ni Gideon sa isa't isa. Nagtutulungan sila para makuha ang mga gusto nila.

"I can also take care of you if you let me before." Ihinalamos nito ang palad sa mukha saka isinipa sa hangin ang isang paa. "I offered to take care of you and your family so many times before but you refused. You always let your pride get in the way. And then this..."

"My relationship with Gideon is never about money. I have my own and I have means to earn my keep." Direkta niya itong tiningnan sa mga mata. "He makes me feel secured and protected. He didn't make any promises, Dong Uk. He didn't have to. He is faithful to me now."

"You are making a big mistake, Yana. Gideon will hurt you."

"Gideon is a big mistake? Coming from you, really?" Dinuro niya ang dibdib nito. "You are a hypocrite! You hurt me first, Dong Uk. So why would it bother you if someone else does?"

Mariing itong pumikit. "I know I have no right to worry about you. But I still love you."

Pagak siyang tumawa. Di niya makapa ang ligaya sa puso niya. Kung maisasampal lang ang pagmamahal na sinasabi nito, baka isinampal na niya sa mukha ni Dong Uk. "You can shove your love right up to your ass. I don't need it. I have Gideon now."

"He won't be satisfied with just one woman."

"I know who Gideon is. I know what kind of man he is. But he never cheated on anyone just to fuck other girls. At least we are clear on that. When he committed himself to me, he is really committed. I can't say the same to you, Dong Uk. Go back to your girlfriend."

At taas-noo siyang naglakad palayo sa lalaki nang may matagumpay na ngiti sa labi. Narinig niyang tinawag nito ang pangalan niya pero di niya nilingon.

Hello. Ako nga pala ang sinayang mo. Hanggang tingin ka na lang ngayon.