Shadows in the Rain | FILIPINO | Completed

- Chapter 5 -

Cliff's car stopped sa harap mismo ng apartment ko. Pareho kami na tahimik lang during the entire ride mula sa house party ni Ronald.

"How are you feeling?" he finally spoke as he powered off the car engine. He turned to look at me.

"I'm sorry. I think nasira ko ang party," I said sa napakahinang boses.

"Ano'ng nangyari sa inyo ni Ronald? Boyfriend mo ba siya?" he asked.

"No. Hindi ko alam. I told you, wala akong boyfriend. Natakot lang talaga ako kanina," I said.

Nakagat ko ang aking lower lip to stop myself from crying. But I eventually broke down. The tears I had held back since a while ago finally fell down my cheeks. I covered my face with both of my hands.

Kinabig niya ako closer to him for a comforting hug.

"Sshh... I believe you. It's alright now. I got you," he said. Marahan niyang tinapik-tapik ang likod ko para tumahan ako.

Binitiwan niya ako nang medyo kumalma na ako. Lumabas siya sa kotse at umikot sa side ko para pagbuksan ako ng pinto. Then he assisted me as I exited the vehicle. Pagkatapos ay hinatid niya ako hanggang sa tapat ng pinto ng apartment ko.

"Gusto mo ba'ng mag-coffee muna? Pwede kang pumasok sa loob," I invited.

He looked at me intently bago siya nagsalita. "May I? I don't think na kaya kitang iwan when you're looking so down like that. I believe you'll need some company. You can talk to me."

I smiled bago ko binuksan ang pinto. Nang pumasok ako sa loob, he was right behind me. Siya na ang nagsara ng pinto. Dumiretso ako sa maliit na living room. I slumped down on the couch then breathed in and out.

"Would you allow me to make some coffee in your kitchen?" he asked.

"Yes, please. Feel at home. Ikaw na ang bahala diyan sa kitchen. I'm sorry, may hangover pa rin ako sa nangyari kanina," I said.

"I understand. I'll make us coffee. Hang in there a bit," he said before disappearing into the kitchen.

Makalipas ang ilang minutes, nagbalik siya sa living room carrying a small tray with two smoking cups of coffee. Inilapag niya ang tray sa center table. Then he handed me a cup and sat down beside me holding his own cup.

He looked at me intently, parang hinihintay niya na mauna akong magsalita. Hinarap ko siya habang umiinom ako ng coffee. The warm aroma of caffeine finally pacified my disconcerted senses.

"Salamat, Cliff. Gusto kong malaman mo na I really appreciate what you did for me back there," I said.

"Don't mention it, bella. Ginawa ko lang ang sa tingin ko ay tama. What Ronald did was awfully wrong as a man," he said.

I sighed before I spoke.

"Si Ronald... matagal na niyang ipinaparamdam na may gusto siya sa 'kin. Siguro frustrated na talaga siya dahil paulit-ulit ko ring ipinaramdam sa kanya na hanggang friends lang kami. I think naiintindihan ko naman kung bakit siya galit na galit. Siguro pinaasa ko siya in one way or another, gave him false hopes and mixed signals," I explained.

Napailing siya bago nagsalita.

"Don't defend him. Kahit na akala niya pinaasa mo lang siya, it was still wrong of him to force you like that. He should have respected your decision," he said.

"Ano sa tingin mo ang gagawin mo kung ikaw ang nasa kalagayan niya?" I asked.

"I will still pursue you... but not in that way. Importante ka sa akin kaya hindi kita ipapahiya ng gano'n na lang sa harap ng ibang tao. No sane guy will do that to the girl they really like," he said.