Ang Antigo Kong Papable

Pampitong Kagat

I've forgotten how I ended up in the house, and Sam's totally out of my mind. Ang alam ko lang, nakaalis na kami sa beach. Hindi ko alam kung paano kaming hindi nakita ni Lola Mely at Anchita, ang alam ko lang, Alfonso came for me.

I was too shocked to speak, and I'm glad he didn't ask just yet. Natakot ako kay Sam, natakot ako sa pwede nyang gawin sakin, natakot ako because he wasn't the same Sam I used to bully before. I wasn't after the bullying, pero ganon ba talaga ang nagagawa ng pangingibang bansa? I wanted to think na Sam's just playing a prank on me and both of us will say sorry afterwards.

Alfonso was carrying me the bridal style, and I could hear his heartbeat since my face was against his chest. Napatawa ako. Paano ba tumitibok ito? Paanong nangyari ang lahat ng ito? A week ago, my life was really normal. A week ago, I never thought this could all happen.

Ibinaba nya ako sa kama. "Akin na," he said while his eyes are sad.

"A-ang?" I was surprised how my voice sounded so broke. Akala ko hindi ako affected.

"Akin na ang mga braso mo, Anastasia," he sat in front of me. "Mayroon kang mga galos."

Tiningnan ko ang mga braso ko at nakitang kakaunti naman ang mga sinasabi nyang galos. "Hindi na kailangan. Ayos lang ako."

"Anastasia, pakiusap," he put his arms around me, as if careful not to crush anything. "Hayaan mo akong makita. Hayaan mo akong makita kung ilang beses mo akong kinailangan at wala ako sa tabi mo upang protektahan ka."

I cried. I cried in his arms because I never felt so abused until now. I'm a strong woman, I'm sure of it. Ako si Anna, I am eighteen, and even though my Dad used to tell me things that didn't help at all, I knew who I am. Pupuntahan ako ni Mommy tuwing gabi at sasabihing okay lang ang grades ko. Na okay lang kahit hindi ako 'yung top one, na okay lang kahit hindi ako kasama sa dean's list. Kuya Ezekiel would send chocolates to our dormitory and tell me to keep my grades at least high para hindi ako pagalitan ni Dad.

Just then I realized I needed someone who would be there for me, who would admit that it's their fault, not being with me. And who thought it was just a random stranger from the past who happens to be the man in the painting, too?

"Mabuti na ba ang iyong pakiramdam?" Tanong nya pagkalipas ng ilang minuto. Ilang minuto na rin kaming magkayakap. I nodded, but instead snuggled closer. Ayoko pa kasi. I didn't know if it's the Esperanza side kicking in but the hell I care. "Anastasia, mapapatawad mo pa ba ako?"

Natawa ako. "Ano ka ba, hindi mo kasalanang tanga 'yung pinsan ko at manyak."

"Ngunit wala ako sa tabi mo. Responsibilidad kong protektahan ka, at hindi ko iyon maipapakita sa pagdampi lamang ng aking mga labi sa iyong mukha. Kailangan mo rin ng pisikal na proteksyon, Anastasia, at ako  ay -"

"Ssh," I put a finger over his lips. "Nandito na ako, okay? Ayos na ako. Walang nangyaring masama sa 'kin."

"Mabuti naman," he sighed. "Kung may nangyaring masama sa 'yo ay hindi ko na alam kung anong gagawin ko." Napapangiti ako sa bawat salitang sinasabi nya. Shit, ang korni pakinggan pero masaya ako. Masaya ako dahil may nag-aalala pa pala sa akin. "Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko kung mawawala ang kaisa-isang sisidlan ni Esperanza."