Bedroom Negotiations Classic (Published)

Chapter 14

I never liked showing weakness but I couldn't stop myself from crying. Naghalong bwisit, galit at sama ng loob ang naramdaman ko but my pride put a stop to my tears. I hated the idea na baka lumabas sa loob ng bahay nila ang mga magulang ni Dustin o yung Tita Freda nya o yung Lauren na bwisit na yun at makita nila akong umiiyak—I would rather kill myself that give them the satisfaction of seeing me hurt.

"I'm fine." I pushed away from Dustin's chest. "Uuwi na ako." I said as I took a wad of facial tissues from my bag and patted my face dry. Buti na lang waterproof na ang usong make-up ngayon kasi iniisip ko pa lang na magmumukha akong impaktita dahil nalusaw ang mascara at eye liner ko ay nanggagalaiti na ako sa galit. But I still took a handy mirror from my bag to check how I looked.

"Ihahatid na kita sa condo mo." Dustin said as I stashed the mirror inside my bag.

"Hindi na. Kaya kong umuwing mag-isa."

"But I insist, Lia—"

"Bwisit ka!" I snapped at him. "May pa-insist insist ka pang nalalaman! Bakit mo ako dinala dito knowing that you have a lunatic for a mother? Why did you make it seem as if your mother wanted to meet me? And why the hell is your ex and her mother eating dinner with us? Ano ito, ego trip? Meeting ng mga babaeng pinatikim mo dyan sa saging mo kaya nandito si Lauren?!"

"Lia, I know this is all my fault and I'm sorry. But I didn't even know na nandito sina Tita Freda at si Lauren. Hindi ko alam na inimbita sila ni Mommy—Lia, let's talk." Umalis ako sa harapan nya. Lahat ng galit ko sa katawan sa kanya nakatuon at alam kong unfair. Alam ko ring illogical pero hindi ko alam bakit inis na inis ako. I did not expect him to yell at his Mom pero sana man lang nagsalita sya at nakuha nya akong ipagtanggol. Even a simple, Mom, stop would have sufficed. "Lia..."

"Tangna mo." I muttered under my breath as I continued walking.

"Lia, babe..."

"Magsama kayo ng nanay mong bruha. Imbitahan mo din si Freda at si Lauren at magpiging kayo habang nagpapakulo ng dugo sa isang kawa. Mga demonyo!"

"Lia naman—"

My phone started ringing at di ko pa man nakikita kung sino ang tumatawag ay alam ko nang si Alexa. May sixth sense kasi ang kapatid ko na yun sa mga kadramahan ko sa buhay. Kapag masama ang loob ko o nalulungkot ako ay parati syang tumatawag. Others would have found it creepy but I loved the connection. Alexa's constant nagging even made me feel cherished. Ang korni ko.

"Hello, Alexa." I said over the phone.

"Ate, nasaan ka? Are you okay?" My sister sounded very worried and I felt the sting of unshed tears when I heard the anxiousness in her voice.

"I'm fine. Wag kang mag-alala. Ano ka ba, ang tanda ko na, ano."

"Kinakabahan kasi ako kaya ako napatawag. I even called Lee Ann at ang sabi nya kasama nya daw si Nick. Ikaw na lang ang hindi ko pa naa-account." She said and I couldn't help but smile. Ang sweet talaga nitong kapatid kong ito.

"I'm fine, Alexa..."

"Why does your voice sound thick? Are you crying?" She asked and I shook my head as I cleared my throat.

"Hindi. Sino naman daw ang magpapaiyak sa akin?" I clenched my jaw kasi naalala ko na naman yung tatlong bruhilda kanina. Dustin was standing quietly beside me and I glanced angrily at him. "Pero, I need a favor from you."

"Ano yun, Ate?"

"I need a ride home naiwan ko kasi ang kots—" Pero hindi ko na natapos yung sasabihin ko kasi hinablot ni Dustin ang telepono ko at pinatay. "Bwisit ka! Ano ba! Leche ka, wala kang manners!"