Galleria

Chapter 27

Kinuha ko ang aking cellphone sa loob ng aking bag tsaka nag-dial ng numero.

[H-ello Roya?] bungad niya.

[You okay Chaya?] I asked her since she sounds weird.

[Y—eah. I'm f-ine-ah.] It feels like she's catching her breath.

[Can we go out tonight if you are not busy?] I asked her since I badly needed a companion right now.

[Mmmmmmm. S-orry Roya, c—an't.] guess I'm going out alone.

[I see. Just tried my luck. Sorry to bother you Chaya. Take are.] then I pressed the end button.

Nagpaalam ako sa caretaker tsaka nagtungo sa isang lounge.

Pumwesto ako sa may veranda since mag-isa lang naman ako.

I am wearing a silk red spaghetti strap top, black skinny jeans and a denim jacket. I decided to messy bun my hair kanina sa Galleria since medyo humahaba na siya.

I ordered some Weng weng and sweet and spicy mixed nuts.

This place is overlooking the City lights at night.

My order arrived and I took a sip of my cocktail.

Ramdam ko ang pagguhit ng init sa aking lalamunan na dulot ng pinagsama samang spirits sa cocktail na ito.

I removed my denim jacket since medyo nainitan na ako.

I am still thinking of what happened earlier.

Why Rain acted that way.

Parang hindi siya iyong lalaking pinakasalan ko.

Pinapili niya ako kung saan parehong talo ako.

Is he after the Gallery from the very beginning? Is this the reason why Daddy wants to keep the ownership confidential?

He knows that some people might come after the Galleria because of its strategic location.

But I cannot afford to lose the Gallery. Paano ang Bahay Kalinga?

Just a thought of that hurts me so much, idagdag mo pang mismong asawa ko ang nanggigipit sa akin.

I don't think I know him anymore.

"Penny for your thought?" tila gumapang ang napakalakas na boltahe sa aking katawan.

Kilala ko ang boses na iyon. It'll take a decade to forget that voice.

Unti-unti kong nilingon ang pinaggalingan ng boses tsaka unti-unting nag sink in sa isip ko, paano ako mag kakamali.

"It's been a while Roya." Tsaka siya umupo sa tabi ko na akala mo'y inimbita ko siya.

"What are you doing here?" I tried to conceal my nervous voice.

Sobrang tagal na pero bakit ganito pa rin ang epekto mo sa akin?

"I just dropped by to meet my friend who happened to be the owner of this place then I saw you coming in." bakit napaka komportable niyang magsalita na akala mo'y walang masamang nangyari sa aming dalawa.

"I see." Tsaka ako tumango.

"How are you?" he asked with a cracked voice.

"I'm good." I lied.

"S-orry but I have to go." Dali-dali kong kinuha ang mga gamit ko tsaka tumayo.

"One more thing." I paused without turning my head. I can feel his eyes staring from the back of my head.

"I used to adore and love you so much that I forgot to love myself. I used to watch your back as you walk out the door and leave. Now, do me a favor to watch my back as I walk away from you. This way, maybe even for a little it'll hurt less." Saka ko tinuloy ang aking paglalakad papunta sa counter at nagbayad tsaka tuluyang lumabas ng lounge. 

Hindi ako makapaniwalang nakita ko siyang muli.

Ang lalaking pinaglaanan ko ng lahat.

Baste.

Lumipat ako sa ibang bar at muling umorder.

Gusto ko na lamang malimutan lahat ng nangyari ngayong araw. Gusto ko nalang maging masaya ulit. Gusto kong mawala nalang lahat ng problemang dumating sa akin ngayon. Matapos ang ilang shots ay agad akong umuwi. Sa totoo lang ay hindi ko napansin nag oras.

Pagdating ko ng Condo ay dahan dahan kong binuksan ang pinto.

"Where have you been?" naka upo siya sa salas habang hawak ang isang rack glass na may lamang whiskey, naka unbutton ang dalawang botones ng kanyang polo at naka-untucked na din ito.

"I--- w—ent to the Gallery." I lied.

Binaba niya ang baso sa may table tsaka siya tumayo at nagtungo sa kinaroroonan ko.

He pushed the door close and pinned me.

"You went to your Gallery and you smelled like alcohol and cigarette when you came out?" his voice is full of sarcasm. I am starting to shiver, natatakot ako.

"Where. Have. You. Been." He asked again with his unfamiliar tone. Tila ba may pagbabanta at punung-puno ng awtoridad.

"I—visit the Gallery. A—nd I went o—ut f—or some d—rinks." I want to cry, I want to push him away. I am so scared in the way he stares at me.

"Some drinks... With whom?" I can see his jaw tightened.

"I'm A—lone." I can smell the whiskey from his breath. He is so close to me in an uncomfortable way.

"Never lie to me woman!" he shouted.

Then my tears started to fall.

Hindi ko na mapigilang humikbi.

"I'm sorry." The he hugged and hushed me as his expression softened.

"Hush now baby. I'm sorry." He gently stroke my hair and kissed my fore head.

He caressed my cheek and gently wipe my tears away.

He guided my arms and wrap around his body.

Nagulat ako nang bigla niya akong buhatin papasok ng kwarto.

Akala ko'y ibababa na niya ako sa kama ngunit nagtungo sya sa banyo at doon ako binaba.

He started removing my clothes to the very last piece revealing my whole naked body then he started undressing himself.

He guided me to the shower.

"Hmmmm." As the warm water touches my skin.

"Let me bathe you." he whispered in my ears.

He makes me weak in every touch. His skin bring so many sensations to my body.

Ang dami kong gustong maramdaman sa mga sandaling ito. Tila ba mayroong mga nagliliparang paru-paro sa tyan ko.

Ilang sandali pa'y lumabas na kami pareho ng banyo at hanggang sa pag bibihis ay siya ang nag asikaso.

Natagpuan ko na lamang ang sarili kong nakahiga sa kama kasama siya; nakaunan sa dibdib niya habang naka yakap sya sa akin. Pakiramdam ko'y ligtas ako sa mga bisig niya. Taliwas sa naramdaman ko kaninang pagdating ko.

"Good night, Roya." Then he kissed my forehead.

My eyelids feels so heavy. This is a very tiring day.

A flashback from the past and Rain's wrath. Indeed a tiring day.