Heart 3: Swollen Heart

CHAPTER 18

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PREIOUS PZRAE’S POV

“Why the heck are you acting like thi—”

“Layuan mo ang lalaking ‘yon!” I wasn’t able to finish my sentence as Tita Ria cut me off. The door behind her banged as she slammed it close, her eyes in a dark aura and the holes for her nose expanding due to her rage.

My forehead creased rather as I took a seat on my bed. “I can’t understand. He’s a good guy—hindi siya gaya ng iba na manyakis. Iyakin nga e,” I uttered nowhere. “I couldn’t see the angle why have you done that, Tita. Are you just mistaking him? Dudoy doesn’t deserve that!”

She ran her palm through her face and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She’s walking side to side na parang tarantang-taranta. “Hindi mo ako naiintindihan, Przae. Sesantehin mo siya as soon as possible. Monterde siya, Pzrae. Monterde...” she said, scare or worry traced on her voice—I can’t read her.

“And? What’s with being Monterde?” I crossed my arms over my chest as I wrinkled my forehead, confused. “He’s a great singer, he’s a good singing buddy. He can invade the YouTube—he has the voice, emotion and look—”

“Makinig ka sa akin, Pzrae.” Tita Ria rushed in front of me and kneeled. “Pzrae...” she held either of my hands, her cold palms enveloping mine, “nakita ko ang birth certificate niya...”

My curiosity grew. “Then?”

“Anak siya ng lalaking... ng lalaking dahilan ng pagkamatay n-ni Dad...” Her tears started streaming down.

My whole system went stunned as if someone batted me so hard. Totoo ba ‘yon?

Totoo?

Of course not!

“Si D-Dad... at si Lolo... s-sa kotse...” she stuttered between her sobs as I tried to comprehend the information. She looked up at me through her teary eyes and muttered, “Ang lalaking ‘yon ay anak ng k-kriminal na matagal n-na naming hinahanap...”

[THROWBACK]

I almost can’t manage to stand up from my seat ‘cause I am just so full. Dang it! Dalawang linggo pa lang siya rito pero kuhang-kuha na niya loob ko sa mga luto niya!

Bawat parte ng mansyon, naaalala ko si Arjo... pero kahit ilang linggo pa lang ang nakakaraan, mas pinili ko na lang na libangin ang sarili ko at hindi damdamin ‘yong ginawa siya. He’s not a loss to me.

“Dudoy, ‘yong kotse ah. Huwag mo kalimutang i-carwash after mo hugasan ‘yan,” I said and stood up. “Tutulog lang ako. Lunes na naman bukas, may pasok na ulit.”

“Okay, Ma’am Dora.”

I faced-palm.

Talagang ayaw magpatalo sa asaran! I even heard a ghost grin through his voice but I just took my way upstairs and buried myself on my bed.

I badly wanna sleep but I can’t do so. I rolled my body and stared at the ceiling... but my memories with Arjo are just flashing through my mind. The way he fucked me... his groans... the way we share our pleasure...

A cheater!

That man doesn’t deserve a time from me. Bakit ko pa siya naaalala?

Frustrated, I stood up from the bed and walked towards the veranda. Sinalubong ng tuyot na hangin ng Maynila ang mukha ko. Buti na lang medyo may mga puno rito sa subdivision dahil kung hindi, baka ang baho ng amoy ng hangin! I miss Canada.