Sugar, Spice and Everything Hush: Hush

Chapter Twelve, Part One

HINDI mawala-wala sa isip ni Hush ang itsura ni Angel nang makita ng huli silang dalawa ni JC kanina. Hindi lang dahil magkasama sila ng lalaki, kundi dahil na rin sa ginagawa nila ng mga oras na iyon. Babae rin siya. At alam niya ang naramdaman ni Angel kanina at alam niya ring bawat segundo iyong gagambala sa puso at isip ng babae.

Dahil sa hindi niya makalimutang sakit na naramdaman niya noon kay JC, nadagdagan lang iyon ng isa pang babaeng nasaktan. Naihilamos niya ang mga palad sa kanyang mukha. Hindi makapaniwala si Hush sa nagawa. Hindi niya rin alam kung papaano babanggitin kay JC na nakita sila ni Angel. Nanlambot na lamang siya at hindi na nakapagsalita kanina. Pinaalis na lamang niya ang lalaki at sinabi ditong gusto niyang mapag-isa.

Nanlalambot na tinungo ni Hush ang daan pauwi sa kanilang tahanan dala-dala ang maraming isiping bumabagabag sa kanya. Kung sana lang ay sa tindahan siya tumuloy kanina at hindi sa kubo. Kung sana ay nagpumilit na lamang siyang lumayo sa lalaki. Kung sana ang mga tanong niya sa sarili ay nasagot niya kaagad. Hindi na sana nangyari iyon.

Pagtapak ni Hush sa labas ng bahay nila ay natigilan siya sa kanyang kinatatayuan nang makita niya kung sino ang nasa sala. Napahawak siya sa hamba ng pintuan. Angel was sitting on their sofa.

Napalingon si Angel kay Hush nang mapansin siya nito. She's staring at her blankly. The woman didn't speak a word. Nanatili lang itong nakatingin sa kanya. Naglakas-loob si Hush na pumasok sa tahanan nila. Umupo siya sa sofa at saglit na lumingon-lingon sa paligid ng bahay nila.

"Are you looking for your mom and your brother?" tanong ni Angel kay Hush. "I told them to go and have dinner. Don't worry. It's on me."

"What are you doing here?" tanong naman ni Hush sa babae.

Ngumiti si Angel. "Looks like I don't have to introduce myself. You know me," sabi nito. "You saw me earlier, right?"

"How did you know about that place?"

"I was on my way to see JC. But I saw him walking in that way. I followed him. Then you walked outside this house. He saw you and followed you. I got a little lost while following you two. But I must admit, I was really surprised by what I saw," anito at pagkatapos ay tumawa. "How vexed of you."

"We didn't mean for you to see that," aniya sa babae.

"Of course, you are. You know I am his girlfriend so why would you let me see you sneaking around with my boyfriend."

"What do you really need?" tanong ni Hush rito.

Angel crossed her arms. "Stay away from JC," diretsang sagot nito sa kanya.

Ngumiti si Hush. "Why? So you could bear and then abort his child and leave him again?"

Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Angel. "You're just nothing," anito. "How much do you need? I can give you anything you want."

"Anything I want?" Hush grinned at Angel. "Including anything that's yours?"

Angel got furious. Napansin ni Hush ang mga nanginginig na kamao ng babae. Kung kanina ay hindi siya magkamayaw sa pagsisi sa sarili, ngayon ay hindi niya naman malaman kung pipigilin ang inis niya sa babae. Hindi niya alam na ganito pala ang pagkatao ng babae. She was deceived with her true personality because of her beautiful face. Such a waste.

"Of course, you cannot have what's not yours. Have some manners," sabi nito sabay ngiti. "What is your hobby? Digging up golds? Let me give you an advice. They are not for you. Even silver will run away from you."

Pinipilit ni Hush na panatilihin ang sariling kalmado. "Get out."

Tumawa si Angel at saka tumayo. "Don't be such a baby. You were just a past time for JC. Good for nothing."

"After what you did to him, what do you call yourself?" tugon ni Hush dito.

"Puttana!"

Angel raised her hand and ready to throw it in Hush's face. Ngunit mabilis na pinigilan iyon ni Hush. Sinangga niya kaagad ng kamay ng babae. Tumayo siya mula sa pagkakaupo.

"Glad I stopped that filthy hand of yours from landing to my face," aniya rito at malakas na inilayo sa kanya ang kamay ng babae. "Don't ever do that and prove to me that you deserve the wealth you possess and your position in life. If you're bragging about your wealth, you can eat all of your golds and silvers and at least have some decency!"

"You're talking about decency, huh?" Tumawa ito. "I just can't believe you."

"I also can't believe what you are doing right now after what you have done to JC. Aren't you ashamed of yourself?"

"What is your name again? Hush, right?" tanong ni Angel sa kanya. "You should be like your name. Shut your mouth."

"I'll bring JC back in Italy. So, stay away from him from now on. Or you can get lost. I don't care," ani pa nito at tinungo na ang palabas ng bahay nila.

Sunud-sunod na malalim na paghinga ang pinakawalan ni Hush nang makaalis si Angel. She doesn't like someone dragging her dignity. That's all she has. Sabihin na nila lahat ng gusto nilang sabihin pero hindi niya hahayaang tapakan ang pagkatao niya. Napahawak si Hush sa kanyang noo.

Tumunog ang kanyang cell phone. Dinukot niya iyon mula sa kanyang bulsa. JC's name was registered in her screen. Ibinato niya ang cell phone sa sofa.

She should start a new life from now on and leave everything behind.