Chapter 17
963 Words
Today is Tuesday, and Veronica didn’t force me to skip school. I still have so much to catch up on, so I’m exhausted. I don’t even have class yet. My next subject starts in an hour, so I’m sitting in the back, still studying. I know Veronica has already gone to work; she said she’ll be busy catching up on all the pending tasks from the wedding.
I was startled when a paper bag from Jollibee landed in front of me. I looked up excitedly, hoping it was Veronica—she’s the only one who’s ever this sweet to me. I already missed her. But it wasn’t her. It was Abcde. I forced myself to return my focus to what I was doing. I could feel him sit in front of me.
“Let’s eat first,” he muttered softly. I ignored him.
“Zyhra, how are you?”
“I’m fine,” I said, though I wasn’t sure if I sounded annoyed or just relieved to see him.
“Abcde, can we talk later? I’m busy; I still have so much to finish.”
“Sorry for bothering you. We can do it next time,” he said with a smile. “Just eat this first, okay?” And with that, he left.
I couldn’t understand why my mood had changed so quickly. I had been missing Veronica, expecting her to surprise me, and then… this. No message, no hint. Isn’t he supposed to be courting me? And she’s my wife. Argh, why am I acting like this? My feelings for Veronica are confusing me.
I noticed some people whispering behind me. I couldn’t tell if they were naturally loud or if my ears were just too sharp.
“That’s her, the one who went after the other girl for money,” one girl whispered.
“Are you sure? But isn’t Zyhra rich too?” another said.
“Anyway, she’s the one who married a woman,” the first girl said again.
“How do they even have s*x? Rub each other?” They laughed loudly.
“Oh my God, what is happening in the world? Isn’t that forbidden, especially by God?” another muttered.
I wanted to scream at them, to pull their hair. Why do people feel the need to judge? As if perfection means being straight. And immediately, when they hear “girl with girl,” their minds jump to s*x. People find happiness in tearing others down. If being gay is bad, why would God make them? They only ask for respect, and even that small request is denied.
I didn’t feel like going to class anymore with all this toxicity around me.
“Hey, cheer up,” I heard, and looked up. Veronica was sitting beside me, gently kissing my forehead.
“Why now?” I teased, half-mocking, half-relieved.
“Didn’t we say we’d see each other today?”
The whispers and stares around us grew louder, but instead of distancing herself, Veronica became even more affectionate. “Go study first. I’ll watch over you,” she whispered. I almost melted from the sheer cuteness, enough to make me weak on the knees.
Minutes passed, and my next class was about to start. Veronica walked me to the classroom. The crowd’s attention on us was unbearable.
“So, at home later?” she asked.
“Wait for ‘manong’ first. I have a lot to do at the office; there’s pending work,” she explained.
“Okay, I understand,” I said, already feeling shy with so many eyes on us. Can’t we just talk like a normal couple?
Then, she surprised me by kissing me on the lips. The crowd’s reactions varied—some disgusted, some clearly enjoying the display—but I was dying from the thrill.
“Why did you do that?”
She smiled before speaking. “So they won’t forget—you belong to me, Zyhra.” Her confidence, even with the public watching, made my heart race.
“Go now,” I said, trying to push her away, but her teasing eyes said otherwise.
Before leaving, she hugged me tightly and kissed my forehead again. Too much… she’s taking advantage of me. I thought. But I loved it. Once I entered the classroom, I sat down. Some classmates approached, whispering and gossiping as usual.
“Hope all,” Leila teased.
“You’re really married, huh? And didn’t even invite us?” Mark said. He’s the classmate who’s always looking for celebrations to crash. All I wanted was food, not fame or wealth.
“Sorry, it was sudden. I was surprised too,” I laughed.
“No cheating, Zyhra!” they said jokingly. “We were known as the “truepas,” this group that always made school life fun.
I laughed along with them, grateful that the topic didn’t turn into something about me and Veronica.
By six, I was home, but Veronica wasn’t back yet. She had a dinner meeting. I don’t want to manage the company; I know it will consume all her time. I admire Veronica—she handles everything so well. Even stressed, she looks fresh and beautiful. Meanwhile, I stress over growing eye bags. At least I’m confident in my own skin.
I didn’t wait for Veronica. I fell asleep without seeing her, dreaming of the moments we shared—the kisses, the gentle touches, the overwhelming sweetness.
Tomorrow is Wednesday. I still have classes to make up because of our wedding, which kept us from school Wednesday through Sunday. But I don’t mind. Somehow, I want to live in the flow of this strange, wonderful, chaotic life with her.
If before, I would have avoided relationships with women, now… I just go with the flow.
- Writer
