17 Years of Fucked-up

CHAPTER 5: MARRIAGE

CHAPTER 5: MARRIAGE

"Ano'ng nangyari sa'yo?" Taka kong tanong nang bigla na lamang sumulpot si Gavin sa kuwarto ko.

It was already 3 AM. The hour I was expecting him to appear and so he did.

My eyes drifted to his face down to his body. Sweat was dripping all over him. Mabigat ang bawat hininga na parang tila hingal na hingal. I'd noticed the cut on his forehead, tumutulo pa ang dugo mula roon.

I was about to go down from my bed nang siya na ang kusang lumapit at naupo sa tabi ko. His white T-shirt was painted in red, hindi lang basta pula, dugo mismo.

"Bakit gising ka pa?" His voice was covered with a smug, pero rinig ko ang pag-inda niya sa kaniyang mga sugat.

"Napa'no ka?" My brows met.

Umiwas siya ng tingin at pasimpleng pinunasan ang dugo sa noo na patuloy sa pagtulo.

"Kinagat ka ng aso?"

He'd managed to roll his eyes despite the pain. "There are no dogs in my place, Vanessa."

I pouted. "I've been noticing palagi ka na lang dumadating ganiyan ang itsura..."

He glanced, but his body was still facing the opposite side of my bed.

"And you don't need to worry. Can I borrow a shirt again?" His eyes looked tired.

I nodded and climbed off the bed. Nagmamadali ako sa pagpunta sa closet ko at hinablot ang isang plain na T-shirt na may kalakihan. It was Ellie's. I handed it to him and he'd just given me a reassuring smile.

"Thank you, Vanessa. Would you mind putting ointment to my wounds again?"

Hinubad niya ang damit niya at doon bumungad ang likod niyang punung-puno ng sugat. His wicked father had been whipping him these past few days. It was his punishment for failing to make me cry...

Failing of scaring me.

"A-Ah—ouch," he groaned, eyes tightly shut.

"Dahan-dahan naman ito Gavin..." I murmured.

Nakahiga siya ng patalikod ngayon sa kama at nakaupo naman ako sa bandang puwetan niya. The lamp was our only light that was why I was having a hard time using the cotton balls and identifying which wound was deep.

"Hindi pa hilom mga sugat mo no'ng nakaraan. Are you okay, Gavin?" I asked, concerned. I felt bad for my best friend. Our fathers were the wickedest of all.

"Why are you still up by the way?" He muttered between his groans. "Are you waiting for me?"

I pouted and pressed the cotton on his skin to wipe off the dried blood. "I am worried."

"Tingin nga ng worried."

Napanguso ako lalo. Though his face was buried on the pillow, I could imagine a smirk plastered on his face.

"Basta worried ako." I sighed. "Gavin."

"Hmm—aww."

"Sorry."