Splendiferous (Legazpi #1)

Fifteen

15.

"You drink a lot and now you're vomiting again," hinagod ni Xerxes ang likod ko.

We're still in the parking lot and I didn't get to fully understand what Xerxes said last because I suddenly puked. I actually almost puked on his sweater but good thing I got to face the other direction quickly.

"Alis na tayo," I spat. "Ikaw…" suminok ako bago nagpatuloy, "Drive."

He took off his beanie and placed it on my head. "Don't take it off. You might catch a cold because it's very windy at night."

I handed him my purse where my car key was and I slid inside the shotgun seat. He started the engine and handed me back my purse before driving us out of XYLO.

"Mints?" he offered me a small container of mint candies that he took out from his pocket.

Since I just vomited, I might have a foul breath so I took two mints before handing him back the container.

"You still want to talk to your brother about what happened? I can take you there," he asked while driving.

Hindi man niya kita ay tumango pa rin ako. "Siya lang naman kasi ang masasabihan ko tungkol sa lahat at magtatanggol sa akin."

I know I said that I don't want my brother to be in a fight with anyone anymore, but if I'll not tell him what happened to me, I'd end up feeling trapped because of those events or occurrences. I won't be able to move on from it and only my brother can make me feel at ease.

Kung hindi ko sasabihin sa kanya ang nangyayari sa akin, hindi gagaan ang pakiramdam ko. Kaya naman ang ginagawa ko na lamang sa tuwing magsasabi ako sa kanya ay pigilan siyang mapapasok sa away, ngunit hindi naman ako nagtatagumpay dahil kapag gusto niyang gawin, gagawin niya.

Siguro kung wala siya ay hindi ko kakayaning manatili dito sa Pilipinas lalo na't wala naman kaming kamag-anak dito. Mom's in the Netherlands, kasi naandon ang airline namin. Then relatives niya, nasa States, kung saan kami lumaki ni Zent. Dito, si dad at mga kapamilya niya, pero hindi naman nila alam na nag-eexist kami dahil hindi naman nila alam na nagbunga ang kasalanang ginawa ng aming mga magulang.

Si Zent lang ang pamilya kong kasama dito, siya lang ang karamay ko sa lahat kahit na magkalayo kami ng tinitirahan dito sa Maynila.

"I can do the same for you," Xerxes glanced at me and gave me a small smile.

"Okay." Tanging nasabi ko dahil hindi ko alam ang isasagot sa ipinahayag niya.

"Tell me if there's someone who's slut-shaming you or anything. I'll kick their asses."

"Okay." I bit my lip and stared at the buildings outside.

Sa totoo lang, nat-touch ako sa mga sinabi ni Xerxes, pati na rin sa ginawa niya para sa akin kanina. I just don't know how to properly thank him about it. Or maybe I do, but I don't know when's the right time to say it. Humahanap muna ako ng magandang timing.

Minutes later, we arrived at my condo and as we pass through, kuya Gardo suddenly greeted me since my car's roof was taken off.

"Ma'am Arleigne, magandang gabi po!" masiglang bati nito.

"Hi, kuya Gardo!" bati ko dito ng hindi siya tinitignan. Medyo nahihilo kasi ako kaya sapo-sapo ko ang aking noo at mariing nakapikit, nagbabakasakaling pagmulat ko ay hindi na ako nahihilo.

"Sir, magandang gabi po," binati rin niya si Xerxes. "Ma'am sabi ko na nga ba, magiging nobyo niyo itong lalaki!"

Hindi ko inaasahang mapapatawa ako ng malakas. Siguro dahil na din sa epekto ng nainom ko kanina kaya kung ano-ano na lang inaakto ko. "Hindi ko po siya boyfriend…"