Too Classic for Him

XIV. Teenage Dream

Before you met me

I was alright

But things were kinda heavy

You brought me to life

Now every February

You'll be my valentine, valentine

I gave up. Yun agad ang tumatak sa utak ko. Gusto kong umiyak pero mas matindi pa sa sakit ang pride ko. Nanigas lang ako sa kinatatayuan ko habang nakatingin sa kanilang dalawa. It felt like my jaw would break at any moment now. Nakatitig ako sa babaeng naka-bathrobe at maganda pa din. The years did her beauty even more justice.

She's more sophisticated and gorgeous. The kind of beauty that even time wouldn't wither.

I felt Ryan's hand on my elbow.

Luke's hand on my back as if for support. Iniisip ba nilang aawayin ko si Dom at magwawala? Sasabunutan si Rina?

Ang sakit ng panga kong igalaw. My facial muscles wouldn't move. And it hurt like hell. Pero naigalaw ko pa din iyon. I slowly smiled. "Hi Dom."

He was standing there and stared back at me. Hard. Na para ba akong ako pa ang may kasalanan, ha? At kung nakakapatay lang ang tingin, feeling ko mauuna akong bumulagta.

Dahil sa utak ko, pinagpupunit ko siya ng pira-piraso.

"Do you know them, Dom?" Rina asked.

He was standing there stonily.

"Just some friend." I smiled at Rina. Iniangkla ko ang kamay sa braso ni Ryan. "Let's go inside, Ryan."

And I felt a hand gripped my other arm. Napatingin ako kay Dominic. Gusto kong magwala at murahin siya sa mukha niya. Nangangatog ang buong kalamnan ko. I couldn't breathe. There was even ringing in my ears from controlling my anger. It felt like, any minute longer and I would collapse. Lumunok ako para icompose ang sarili ko. "W-What, Dom?"

It hurt not to spit at his face. Pero wala akong karapatan. And it hurt to be some friend.

At bago pa ako makapagsalita ay hinila niya na ako. "Magusap tayo."

My eyes grew wide. "Anong—"

"Dominic!" Sigaw ni Rina mula sa likod.

My eyes grew wide. We were all in shock. Halos pakaladkad niya na akong hinihila.

"Hey!" I hissed at him. Lumingon ako kay Luke at Ryan. Ryan just shrugged. Luke made hand gestures as if saying, hindi ko din alam gurl.

Ni hindi man lang nila ako tinulungan?! I couldn't believe it. "Dominic, stop!" Bulong ko. I tried getting out of his grasp but he was stronger. I angrily pushed him off me. "What the hell are you even doing?"

Galit na lumingon siya sa akin. May mga taong lumabas ng elevator at nagtinginan sakin. "Mamaya." Galit na bulong niya at mabilis akong hinila papasok ng elevator. I could feel his anger. Para akong masosuffocate sa loob ng elevator. Hindi makapaniwalang tinignan ko siya ng masama. I moved far away from him as if to distance myself. And the good thing is... walang taong sakay kundi kami lang!

Makaasta kala mo ako ang may problema?!

Dominic was standing away from me. He was ramrod straight and angry. I could tell.

Nauna akong lumabas ng elevator.

Hinila niya ako sa braso. Gigil na tinitigan ko siya. Hila dito, hila dyan. "Wala kang karapatang magalit." Bulong ko sa kanya. Napapadiretso yung tagalog ko sa bwisit.