Wretched Choices

Chapter 21

#WretchedChoicesWP

Chapter 21
Bleeding

Naramdaman ko ang biglang pagbabadya ng aking mga luha na bumuhos. Nagulat na lang ako nang mayroong humigit sa aking braso at bahagya akong inilagay sa kanyang likuran. Unti-unti akong nag-angat ng tingin at nakita kong si Jerome iyon.

I looked at his side profile and saw that his jaw was clenched while staring back at Archer and Hope. His hand was still holding my wrist and tried to keep me behind him like he was protecting me.

"Ayoko na sanang sumali sa gulo dahil ayoko ng drama, pero nadinig ko ang lahat ng mga sinabi nila tungkol kay Keia," mariing sinabi ni Jerome. "They were all pure assumptions, and spreading hate on someone based on those petty reasons, why don't you all take a look at yourselves?"

My lips parted in surprise to see Jerome standing up for me. I never imagine that he would, especially when all I did is to disappoint him. He also loved to tease me whenever he has the chance. And besides, he also knew that I'm a very, very bad girl.

Who would've thought?

"Oh my God, Jerome! You're smart. Bakit ka nagpapaloko sa babaeng 'yan?"

Nagkaroon ako ulit ng lakas ng loob na mag-angat ulit ng tingin. Ipinirmi ko ang tingin ko kay Marga. She looked so frustrated while trying to change Jerome's mind on siding with me.

"You're right, I'm smart that's why I don't make any judgements unless I'm sure about it," he said. "That's what I expected Hope would do and especially you, Archer. Hindi ba't kababata mo siya? Dapat ay mas kilala mo siya, tama ba?"

Tumagal ang titig ni Jerome kay Archer. I bit my lip and didn't bother glancing at him. Pagkatapos kong tingnan si Marga ay yumuko na lang ako sa takot na magtama ang aming mga mata. Natatakot akong baka makita niya ang sakit nararamdaman ko. That's the last thing I wanted to happen. I didn't want him to see me hurting because of him. I wouldn't give him that satisfaction.

"I can't believe you, Jerome! Talaga bang naniniwala ka sa kanya?" Marga frustratedly said.

"Yes," Jerome answered without even hesitating. "You know why? It's because I know she would never lie nor pretend to make herself look good in front of the eyes of other people."

Muli akong napaangat ng tingin kay Jerome. Ang nagbabadya kong luha ay agad na umurong habang gulat na gulat dahil sa mga nadidinig mula sa kanya.

"She would just laugh at me whenever I get disappointed because of her bad attitude and personality. She would always remind me that she's different from the other girls. She's not afraid to look bad. She doesn't even care about the issues spreading about her because she knows that it's true anyway," dire-diretsong sabi ni Jerome na nagpatahimik sa kanilang lahat. "Pero naiintindihan ko kung bakit niya pinili ngayon na magsalita at ipagtanggol ang sarili niya. That's because everything you all said were lies. And to think that you're praising someone who doesn't even deserve it... If I were in her position, I'd speak up for myself, too, because I was being wronged."

"J-Jerome..." Nanginginig na ngayon ang boses ni Hope.

"You're a great girl, Hope," Jerome told her. "Pero mukhang mali nga ang pagkakakilala namin sa'yo."

Before I could even completely process what he said, Jerome already pulled me away from the scene. Ang mga nakapalibot sa aming mga estudyante na nakikiusosyo ay binigyan kami ng daan. I thought we would stop when we were finally out of the cafeteria, but Jerome continued to walk while dragging me with him. Hindi na ako nagpumiglas at nagpahatak na lang sa kanya.

Nang makarating kami sa likod na parke ng campus ay saka lamang siya tumigil. Marahan niya akong binitawan at saka umupo sa bakanteng bench.

He looked slightly stressed as he massaged the bridge of his nose. Somehow, I felt guilty. Even though I don't know him yet that well, I know he's not into drama. To think that he had to step in earlier for me, it felt like I was liable for it.