The Battered Wife - COMPLETE

Chapter 8

"Can we talk?" tanong ni Raizen.

Ilang linggo na ang nakalipas mula nang malaman nila Mark kung anong nangyari sa pagitan namin ni Raizen. Hindi nga siya nakalapit sakin, hindi rin niya nakasama ang mga kaibigan niya at nagi-guilty ako dahil don.

Sino ba namang hindi? Sila ilang taon na silang magkakasama, tapos kami isang buwan pa lang dahil lumipat lang naman sila dito sa BES, tapos ngayon ako yung pinili nilang samahan para lang hindi ako masaktan.

Nandito kami ngayon sa parking lot, sinundan niya lang ako dahil gusto niya nga makipag-usap.

Sumandal ako sa kotse ko at tumingin sa kaniya.

Emotionless.

His eyes were cold.

"Anong pag-uusapan natin?"

He smiled, coldly. "Hindi ko alam kung anong nakita nila sayo. We've been friends, for years.. Coleen. And yet they choose you?"

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kaniya. Maski naman ako ay nagi-guilty dahil mas pinili ng mga kaibigan niya na ilayo ako sa kaniya kahit ang kapalit nun ay hindi nila makakasama si Raizen..

"And you think it's my fault.." not a question.

Sumandal din siya sa kotse ko, malayo ng bahagya sakin. He crossed his arms over his chest.

"Right after I kissed you.. I was actually thinking of a reason kung bakit hindi ka pumalag. Bakit nga ba? Maybe because you're used to it? Ilang lalaki na ba ang humalik sayo?" bakas ang pangungutya sa boses niya.

A tear escaped my eyes so I immediately looked to my right side and wiped it.

I feel like ten people slapped me because of what he just said.

Hindi niya directly sinabi pero ang dating sakin ng sinabi niya na 'yon, ay malandi ako.. Am I like that? I didn't stop him from kissing me because I like him.

"You're done? I need to go home.." sabi ko at bahagyang ngumiti sa kaniya.

Umayos ako ng tayo at binuksan ang pinto nang kotse ko pero sinara niya agad 'yon. Umiwas naman ako sa kaniya.

"Why didn't you stop me? Kasi tama ako, diba? You're used to be kissed? Sanay kang hinahalikan ng kung sino lang. You know what.. I regret that I touched those lips.."

I stared at him. "You want to know why I didn't stop you, right? It's because I like you, Rai. Liking you was something I want to regret. I want this to stop."

Natigilan siya sa sinabi ko at nakatingin lang sakin.

"Hindi ko naman ginustong magustuhan ka, Raizen, e.. pero anong magagawa ko? Nandito na 'to.. kahit anong pilit kong itigil at balewalain 'to, hindi ko na magawa.." sabi ko at bahagyang tinulak siya na nakaharang sa pinto ng kotse ko. Pumasok ako at pinaandar agad 'yon at umalis.

As soon as I get home, I saw my Mom obviously waiting for me in the living room. Sinalubong niya ako.

"Baby, I have to tell you something."

I shook my head, "Mommy, please, not now.." I said and kissed her cheek.

"This is important."

"Talk to you later, Mom. I just really need to rest." sabi ko at tinalikuran siya.

"You'll get married, anak!"

That made me stopped from walking.

I couldn't move.. nor blink.

I was just staring at the stairs.. with blank mind.

You'll get married..

At the age of 18.. she will tell me that I will get married?