Choosing Zamiel. [SHARDON]

SIMULA.

Tis a work of fiction. Anything that is related to any existing person, things, events and places are entirely coincidental. This is pure imagination based and produced by the author herself.

All rights reserved.

Started: Nov. 15, 2020
Ended:

—

"Ako ang kailangan, pero 'di ang mahal..."

"Bella!" Nilayo ko ang telepono sa aking tainga dahil sa lakas ng boses niya. "I need you..." his voice cracked.

Dali dali akong nag-panic. "What is it?"

"I'm in pain..." I heard him sobbed.

Napabuga ako ng hangin at agad na kinuha ang jacket ko. It's already 1 AM and I was about to sleep when Zamiel called. Of course I immediately picked it up. It's him, eh.

"Where are you?" I whispered. Agad kong kinuha ang car and house keys pati na rin ang wallet ko. Hindi ko tinatanggal sa tainga ko ang telepono habang sinusuot ang jacket ko.

Dahan dahan kong sinara ang pinto ng kwarto at sinigurado ko na walang ingay na mangyayari dahil ayokong may makaalam na aalis ako. I hate lying... so if ever that mom caught me, she'll go nuts because I'm going to a guy friend. And she hates guys.

Dahan dahan din akong bumaba ng hagdan. Hindi ako nagsasalita at gayundin naman si Zamiel. Sobrang lakas na ng tibok ng puso ko dahil una, kinakabahan na ako para kay Zame. Pangalawa, ayokong mahuli.

Finally! The door is almost there... I'm almost there...

"Bella." Napatalon ako sa gulat nang marinig ang boses ni mommy. "Where are you going anak? It's past your bedtime." Yeah, I'm a college student but she still treats me like a baby.

"Uhm..." Napatalon ako sa gulat kaya hindi agad ako nakasagot. Dahan dahan ko siyang nilingon at nakatayo siya sa hagdan. Madilim na kaya hindi ko masiyadong makita ang ekspresyon niya.

Hindi ko tinanggal sa tainga ko ang telepono. Zamiel continue crying and it breaks my heart to hear his sobs. "Ramida called..." I bit my lower lip at bahagyang napayuko... I really hate lying. "She uhm... needs my help daw po with something..." That is a lie, Bella.

"With what? Madaling araw na!" Tuluyang bumaba si mommy habang inaayos ang kaniyang pastel purple na night dress. Dumiretso siya sa akin at inayos niya ang jacket kong hindi pala nakababa sa likod. "Can't that wait?" Malambing niyang tanong.

"Saglit lang naman po 'to mommy... I just need..." Tiningnan ko ang relo ko, "1 hour... 1 hour and I'll be back agad po." I don't want to lie... but right now, that's my only choice.

Nagbuntong hininga si mommy. "Fine. 1 hour lang ha? Hihintayin kita dito sa baba."

"Mom, huwag na po. Sasakit lang ang liko—"

"I will wait for you, hija." She cut me off.

Tumango na lang ako at hindi na nakipagtalo.

Nang matapos ang mahabang mga paalala ni mommy, agad agad na rin akong umalis. Habang nagmamaneho, nanginginig ako. I don't know why... it's not like it's the first time that he called me this late.

It's not like it's the first time he said he needed me...

But...

Why does he never said he loves me? Why is it always... Kailangan kita?

And not... Mahal kita?

"Ako ang kasama, pero hanap mo siya."

I hugged him as soon as I saw him. He loooks so wasted.