The Politician: Nicholas Ybarra

Chapter 33

CHAPTER 33

"C-Carter was my ex-boyfriend." Nanginig ang boses ni Yana. "I wasn't allowed to have a boyfriend back then, so we kept our relationship from my parents, but his parents knew and so did a few of our friends . . ." Huminga nang malalim si Yana pagkatapos.

"O-one night, h-he acted really strange. P-parang hindi k-ko na siya kilala. H-he asked me if we could do the . . . the d-deed. I-I refused. N-nagalit siya. It was my first time to see him so mad . . . H-he slapped m-me. I-I didn't expect that. H-hindi naman siya g-gan'on. H-he was under the influence of drugs, but I didn't know. Ipinilit niya. I-I thought . . . I thought," hindi natapos ng dalaga ang sasabihin dahil tuluyan na siyang humagulgol.

It was hard for her to remember the nightmare she tried to bury seven years ago.

Niyakap siya ni Nicholas habang marahang inaalo ang kaniyang likod. Hindi ito nagsalita ngunit hinintay nitong medyo kumalma siya. He even wiped her tears.

"B-buti na lang . . . our friends arrived at the right time. They helped me. They wanted to call the cops to report what happened, but I refused. A-ayoko kasing l-lumaki pa ang gulo. Ayoko ng eskandalo . . ." naiiling na sabi ng dalaga habang humihikbi.

"I told them to keep what happened a secret. They agreed, but they told C-Carter's parents that he was on drugs to protect me. P-para hindi na makalapit si Carter sa akin. Nakipag-break din ako sa kaniya. His parents sent him overseas para ipa-rehab. I thought okay na . . . I thought hindi na siya babalik kaso nandito siya ngayon. N-nanggugulo na n-naman."

Nicholas just hugged her and listened to her story.

"Thank you so much for your trust, Yana. Sharing this story with me is not easy, but you did," anang binata pagkatapos.

Nicholas tucked Yana's astray hair behind her ear. Pinunasan din nitong muli ang mga luha sa pisngi ng dalaga habang hindi iniaalis ang tingin sa mga mata nito.

"H-hindi ka n-nandidiri sa 'kin dahil sa past ko?"

Agad na umiling si Nicholas.

"No. Why would I? You're an amazing woman. Your past should not hold and define who you are. Kung mayroon man tayong dapat pandirihan, si Carter 'yon . . . Don't worry, hindi ka na niya malalapitan simula ngayon. As long as I am here, I'll protect you," he said in the most sincere and gentle tone he could ever say as he kissed her forehead.

Tila natunaw ang damdamin ni Yana nang marinig iyon.

"Thank you . . ." aniya saka muling yumakap sa senador.

Nicholas was too ideal. Too good for her, yet she wanted to keep him for herself.

"I don't know what I did to deserve a man like you . . . I know I'm too much to handle sometimes, but don't leave me, no matter what. Please? Just stay with me. I love you . . ."

Naramdaman ni Yana na mas humigpit ang yakap sa kaniya ni Nicholas.

"You don't have to beg, love. As long as God will allow us to be together in this lifetime, I will always be with you. I love you more than you could ever imagine, Yana. I can't imagine my life without you."

Nanatili silang magkayakap. They enjoyed the comfortable silence and calmness between them as their hearts beat in sync. No words, but they enjoyed each other's company. Ganoon nga yata kapag nagmahal.

It took them a while before they let go of each other's arms. Sandaling nag-ayos si Yana ng kaniyang nagulong buhok habang si Nicholas naman ay kumuha ng bottled water mula sa backseat. Nang matapos mag-ayos si Yana ay iniabot nito ang hawak na bote sa huli.

"Here. Drink this, first before we go."

Yana smiled and took the unopened bottled water. Her face was still red from crying earlier.