A Thousand Wounds

Wound 9

Wound 9

"What?" I asked in disbelief.

My heart is thumping crazily right now. I wanted to believe him, but the rational part of my brain won, telling me that he's just playing with me.

"Do you think I'm that easy? I am telling you, Cleyton, stop messing with me!"

He glared at me before he huffed in surrender. He stared at me with his gentle eyes, as if baring himself in front of me.

"It's true. I really like you, Belle."

I swallowed and averted my gaze. That's when I saw Mara entering the office. Mabilis akong lumayo sa binata at sinalubong ang kaibigan.

"Matagal pa ba, bruha?" I whispered.

Umiling ito. "This will be short. Wait a little bit."

She then turned her back and approached Cleyton

"EIC, nakuha ko na po yung data na pinapakuha ninyo. Saan ko po ito ilalagay?" I heard her spoke.

"Just leave it on my table. Thank you, Mara."

I impatiently waited for my friend, pushing myself to ignore Cleyton's intense stares. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang makalabas kami ni Mara mula sa opisina.

"What's wrong? You seem so preoccupied," she asked.

"Nothing. I'm just tired," I smiled at her in assurance.

Pagkauwi sa bahay ay hindi ko mapigilang mag-isip at mabahala sa nangyayari. Is he playing with me? Why is he telling me he likes me?

I've known for a fact that Cleyton is not a liar, so he might have meant what he had said. But how about my cousin? They are in a relationship, for Pete's sake! Did he fell out of love? Or maybe it's just a phase for him.

Yeah, maybe just a phase. Iyan ang pilit kong pinaniwalaan at isinantabi ang mga agam-agam sa aking isipan.

I spent the following days ignoring Cleyton. I know it's absurd, but I'm just protecting myself and my cousin. I may have felt something for him, but I know it won't do me any good. It's just better to bury and forget it, which I did long ago.

I was busy with my seatwork when my classroom adviser called my name.

"Miss Pacheco, can we talk for a moment?"

Tumango ako kay Ma'am Garcia at lumapit sa kaniya. We made our way towards her office. Upon taking our seats, she smiled at me sweetly.

"Ano po iyon, ma'am?" I asked her politely.

"Linavio's foundation week is already approaching. One of the highlights of that event is the Search for Mister and Miss Linavio National High School. Do you want to join the Search and represent our grade level?"

Marahan akong napakagat-labi at nag-isip.

"Ma'am, alam niyo po naman na dalawang beses na akong sumali sa mga pageantry competitions dito sa campus."

"And you won, right, Miss Pacheco?"

Nahihiya akong tumango sa kaniya.

"Then all the more that you should join this Search! We're confident that you can take the crown once again."

Muli akong napakagat-labi. "Gusto ko po sana pero hindi po ba parang nakakasawa na rin ang ganda ko, ma'am? Not to brag about it, but would I be too overqualified for it?"

Humalakhak ito at ngumisi sa akin. "No, Miss Pacheco. Believe me. Your beauty is timeless."

"That's the point, hija, why you should be our candidate! You can effortlessly rock the stage with that beauty, elegance, and wit of yours."

I was silenced by how she complimented me. Her eyes are burning with so much motivation and faith.

"So, what do you think? Do you want to join, Miss Pacheco?"

Ang mabubulaklak niyang mga salita ang nag-udyok sa akin upang tumango.

"Yes, Ma'am Garcia! I hope that the class will support me throughout the competition po."

Ngumiti ito ng malapad. "Don't worry, Miss Pacheco. Rest assured that you have our full support."

"This will be such a piece of good news. I can't wait to tell my colleagues that they should get ready for you," and there, she winked at me.

That afternoon, I happily told my friends the good news.

"Aba.. Aba.. Matinik ka rin 'no, bruha ka!" kantiyaw ni Sky.

"Siguradong aatras na ang mga kalaban mo! Takot lang nila sayo 'no!" segunda naman ni Reese.

"Oy! Grabe naman kayo! Di naman ako nangangain ah!"

The two burst into laughter. "Nga naman. Di siya buwaya, bruha ka!" hampas ni Sky kay Reese.

"I'm happy for you, bruha," kiming bati naman ni Mara sa akin.

Papalabas na sana kami sa gate nang may maalala ako.

"Oh gosh! I forgot something!" napatigil sila sa aking malakas na pagsinghap.

"Ano?" si Sky.

"Yung puso mo ba, bakla?" si Reese.

Nangingiting umiling ako sa kanila.

"I forgot to borrow the Science book in the library."

"Bukas mo na hiramin. Uwing-uwi na ako, bruha!" sulsol ni Reese habang nagrereklamo.

"Di puwede! May summative assessment kaya bukas. Wait for me. Mabilis lang 'to!" dagli kong pahayag at mabilis na umalis.

Hingal na hingal ako nang makarating sa library. I was busy looking for the book when I felt a presence behind me.

Nakaharap ako sa bookshelf nang may mag-abot ng libro sa aking bandang ulunan. Gigilid na sana ako para bigyan siya ng espasyo ngunit napatigil ako nang dumapo ang kaniyang kamay sa aking kanang balikat.

A small gasp escaped my lips when I sniffed his familiar minty and manly scent. Nanlalaki ang aking mga mata nang makilala ko siya. It's him! I can't be mistaken! That scent belongs to him!

I was about to face him, but his hand moved to my lower back, wrapping it around my small waist. I felt him leaned closer, and I stood in horror.

"Don't touch me!" may diing wika ko at pilit siyang hinarap.

Indeed, I was not mistaken. It's the one and only Cleyton Torres.

"What do you think are you doing?" I did my best to keep my voice softer, despite the brewing rage I have for this man.

"Why are you ignoring me?" he asked back.

Naiinis na umirap ako sa kaniya. I was about to turn my back and leave him, but his left hand clasped my arm. He pulled me back to him, and I was flabbergasted when our distance narrowed.

"Don't you dare ignore me once again, Belle. Not when I gathered my courage to confess my feelings for you."

"What are you talking all about? Yes, I totally understand that you like me."

"You do?" his eyes are shimmering as his lips curled into a bright smile.

Pakla akong napahalakhak sa narinig.

"Cleyton, you like me as a friend, and I know that. I like you too.. I like you for my cousin."

Unti-unting naglaho ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi.

"I don't like you as a friend, Belle. I like you romantically as a woman," seryosong turan niya.

It felt like my brain hanged for a moment. I cannot seem to process what he had said.

He likes me? Like like and all?

"What?" the only thing that I could utter.

I can feel my chest constricting and my rapidly beating heart.

"You like me for real? Like like and all?"

"Yes." His eyes glimmered. "Like like and all," I heard him spoke softly.

Dinungaw niya ako at saglit siyang napakagat-labi. I stared at him in surprise. Gulong-gulo ang isipan na humakbang ako paatras. Nandilim ang kaniyang mukha sa aking ginawa kaya naman marahas akong napalunok.

"Why are you doing this, Cleyton? How about my cousin? Are you fooling her?" magkakasunod ang aking mga tanong.

Umiling siya at inis na ginulo ang kaniyang buhok.

"I.. I don't know.. All I know is that I like you, Belle."

Nagkahinang ang aming mga mata. I saw how his forehead crinkled and his orbs, lost and unsure, while drawn closer to me.