Each Time You Fall Inlove

O N E

"Jane, hindi ka pa ba kakain?"

My blocmate,Veka, asked me with so much concern in her eyes.

I just smiled and said, "Tapusin ko lang 'to.Thank you, though."

The last thing I want to happen was being scolded in front of the class for not passing on time. Pero, hindi ko pa naman nasubukan.

I'd like to take my chances.

She nodded. "Okay. Chat mo' ko if you need some help."

I'm editing the draft for my reaction paper. Bukas pa naman ang due nito pero I have to finish it now dahil ipiprint ko pa. Besides, aside from Sir Rocco's class, marami pa akong dapat asikasuhin.

The people around me were starting to disappear one by one.Hindi ko 'yon pinansin hanggang sa ako na lang talaga ang natira mag-isa sa room.

I gathered all my things before heading out. Nakasalubong ko pa ang guard na rumuronda rito tuwing hapon at gabi. We knew each other, so I greeted and gave him cookies. Ako mismo ang nag bake non kagabi pero hindi ko nakain kaya might as well give it to him. He must be hungry.

"Salamat, Rienne," he said with so much bliss. I couldn't ask for more when he smiled. That was enough for me to feel happy. "Mag-ingat ka pauwi."

Tumango ako bago tuluyang nakalabas sa gate. Doon ako dumiretso sa waiting shed dahil doon ko aantayin ang susundo sa akin.

Nagbook lang ako sa grab dahil ayoko na gambalain pa si daddy. It's either he's still at work or nakauwi na siya at pagod. I can manage. Maaga pa naman.

I was patiently waiting when suddenly, my phone kept on vibrating. Nasa loob 'yon ng bag ko. Concern crossed me when I saw multiple messages from tita Coreen.

Mag aalas-siete na, kaya naman nakakapagtaka na ifoflood niya ako. I mean, we text a lot, but this is making me worry. We just met yesterday, what's the difference?

Nang mabasa ko lahat ng text niya,agad kong nakuha ang sinabi niya.

So when my driver arrived, I quickly instructed him to drop me by their house...and not mine.

***

Pag dating ko, tita welcomed me with a hug. She was wearing an apron, obviously preparing their food for dinner. Agad niyang sinabi sa akin kung nasaan ang anak niya.

When I entered his room, reek of alcohol invaded my sense of smell. I couldn't help but wrinkle my nose every second. Masyadong matapang sa ilong, I don't like it.

But I have no choice.

Bottles of liquor were scattered all over his place. Muntik pa akong matapilok kung hindi lang ako napakapit sa study table niya. Sobrang kalat dito, kahit saan bumaling ang ulo ko, nagkalat ang mga gamit.

I caught him mindlessly sitting at the edge of his bed.Sinubukan ko siyang tawagin pero nanatili lang siyang nakaupo, hindi kumikibo.

He wasn't wearing anything but boxers kaya naman dumiretso ako sa closet niya para kumuha ng shirt. Pag balik ko, ganoon pa rin ang ayos niya kaya pinatong ko ang damit sa hita niya.

Finally, he moved. He lifted his head and stared at me.

"Jane..."

My throat ran dry when I heard his voice. It was too painful too see and hear him hurting once again.

Hindi ko na kailangan tanungin kung anong nangyare...I already know.

This look? It's too familiar. Puffy, red eyes, displeasing smell of alcohol, and miserable appearance? No explanation needed.Ofcourse, I've known him for years.