Those Blurry Lines

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Better

Nanginginig pa rin ako sa galit. Gusto kong magwala pero idinaan ko na lamang sa pag-iyak. Jackson appeared from the kitchen and handed me a glass of water. He's now wearing a white tee.

"Thanks," I whispered and put it on the table.

Nagbuntong hininga siya at umupo sa katapat na sofa na inuupuan ko. Tahimik lamang siya.

His silence was comforting me. He was not pushing me questions about why I was here, or why I was crying like crazy. He's just there. And his presence was enough to comfort me.

He stood up. "Take your time. I'll prepare the guest room."

I nodded and continued to cry silently. Kusang tumutulo ang mga luha ko sa tuwing naaalala ko lahat.

Those were not just papers... At first, I did not realize how important those papers were, but when I saw it lying on the floor, I could feel my heart sinking.

Lalo na nang sinabi ni Mommy ang tungkol sa pag-ayaw niya sa offer ni Dino Merced.

It's my first time to finally choose something that's not meant to annoy other people. It's my first time to choose... for myself.

Wala na akong pakialam kung hindi na niya ako susuportahan. I would find a way. I will prove to her that I don't need her in my life.

"Kumain ka na ba? Kain ka muna," Jackson offered when he came back. "Naghanda na ako sa mesa."

Tumango ako. "Okay."

Nagtungo kami sa dining table. May mga iba't ibang klase ng mga pagkain dun. Mukha siguro akong baliw ngayon.

For sure, my hair was messy. My face was a disaster. I really looked ugly when I cry. Pero I was comfortable with him.

It's as if I don't care anymore when it's Jackson.

Tahimik lang kaming kumain. He just focused on his food and barely looked at me in the eye.

I sniffed. "I know that I am disturbing you at this moment but... I really need a shelter... for now."

He was chewing his food innocently as he looked at me.

"Pansamantala lang naman. Hahanap din ako ng matitirhan after. Don't worry, I'll share the expenses."

Tumango siya. "Sige, walang problema."

Wala naman talaga akong gana kaya nilalaro ko na lamang ang pagkain gamit ang tinidor. I was not crying anymore.

I cleared my voice. "I ran away from home."

"Oo nga, halata naman," he commented.

I rolled my eyes. "Alam mo naman pala, eh."

"Eh, ano na ang plano mo sa buhay?" he asked.

"Magpapatuloy pa rin. That lady won't cut my tuition completely. Alam ko naman na hindi niya ako matitiis. I still have money and it can survive for... two weeks."

Inilapag niya ang mga kubyertos at pumalakpak. "Hanga talaga ako sa katigasan ng ulo mo."

"Ako nga rin, eh," I replied and flipped my hair.

"Wow," bulong niya at napailing.

Inirapan ko lamang siya at ipinagpatuloy ang paglalaro sa tinidor. My eyebrows arched when his shoulders started to shake. Hanggang sa narinig ko na ang mahina niyang pagtawa.

"O, napano ka na?" I asked.

He laughed and looked at me. "Para pala tayong live-in nito."

Kaagad akong nagkunot-noo at gumuhit ng linya sa pagitan namin. "Baka nakakalimutan mo ang linya."