His Broken Gem

HBG 19

Stella's POV

"Are you sure na 'di ka lalabas para maghapunan?" he asked as we prepares the bed. It's already 6:45 pm pero hindi pa ako lumalabas ng kuwarto. Ayaw ko lang kasi na ulanan nila ako ng tanong like how am I feeling right now? Nadischarged na ako sa hospital kanina.

I just shook my head. Weird that I'm cool with him being in my room. Parang noon lang ay nag-fe-freak out ako tuwing may pumapasok sa kuwarto na hindi ko kilala. We're sharing the same room for the first time but it doesn't bother me at all.

Nilatag niya ang dalawang comforter sa sahig at ang dalawang extrang unan na nasa closet ko. He placed it in a place where it can not be seen from the door. Nasa right side kasi ang pinto ng kuwarto ko kaya hindi ito masyadong tanaw mula sa side na 'yon.

"Are you sure you'll be fine sleeping on the floor," I asked him as I observe him fixing his bed from my bed.

"Yeah, I'm used to it already," he stated, shrugging his shoulder as if it's just nothing.

I wonder if he's really that poor, I mean he doesn't look like one at all. Naalala ko no'n, when we were applying at our company, he looks professional. His hair was quite longer before pero ngayon ay na-trim na ito, mahaba pa rin pero hindi na gano'n kahaba no'n na lagpas kilay na.

His hair suits him.

"Done judging me?" he mocked. Natauhan naman ako dahil do'n at agad na naparolyo ng mata.

"I'm not judging you," I said, annoyed.

"Then it mean you're checking me out? Why? Am I good looking?" he said proudly while sticking out his thumb and forefinger and putting it below his chin doing that pogi pose.

I grimace at his action.

"Dream on," I hissed and turn my back at him. I scrolled through my phone trying to entertain myself when someone knocks on my door.

"Stella, Sweetie?" Mom called. Agad akong napaupo dahil do'n. Even SEbastian immediately spring up at umupo sa kama.

"She's probably here to bring you your dinner," Sebastian said as he scoots closer to me.

"What are you doing?" I asked him as he keeps on getting closer to me.

"Doing my job." Pagkasabi niya no'n ay bigla niya akong niyakap pahiga sa kama.

"Wait, what job are you talking about?" reklamo ko habang nagpupumiglas sa yakap niya. I was facing him when he push my head towards his chest. He positions his arm below my head like a pillow.

"Shh. Magpanggap ka na lang na tulog kung ayaw mong kumain," he murmured when we suddenly heard the door starting to open.

"I'm coming in, sweetie," narinig kong saad ni mommy. Wala sa sarili naman akong nagpanggap na tuloy at pinulupot ang kamay sa bewang niya. I even heard his low chuckle when the door finally opened.

"Tita," I heard him greet my mom in a low voice as if ayaw niya akong magising mula sa pagkakatulog.

"Oh. Is she asleep?" Mom asked in a soft voice as I felt the bed on my side dip.

"Yeah, katutulog niya lang po."

They were talking in a low and soft voice, afraid that they'll wake me up. Well, hello, I'm actually up.

"How is she? Is she fine? What did she say when she's awake? Ayos lang ba daw siya? O may masakit ba sa kaniya?" tuloy-tuloy na tanong ni mommy.

I mentally sigh as I heard Mom's multiple questions. It's actually a good idea to pretend to sleep, I can avoid answering those questions.

"She's not fine for the meantime, Tita. Let's just take things slowly and let her take her time to heal," he sincerely suggested.

I felt a thug in my heart as he said those words. They use to tell me that before but as time goes by, they'll advise you to open up so they can help me move on. It's easy to say but it's really hard. They just don't know what I felt. They're not there when I experienced those things. They're not there when I'm hurting.

"I'm very thankful to you, Hijo."

Nadako naman ang atensyon ko kay mommy.

"I'm actually not convinced that you and my daughter have a relationship. You know, for how many years, Stella didn't introduce any friends or boyfriend," Mom started. My ears were listening to every word she says.

"She's not comfortable with other people, she's very much an introverted person. She won't let anyone touch her, even a strand of her hair..." She laughs.

"But seeing how you can easily get close and how he let you touch her. I envy you, she's not even that open to me," she added, sadness is visible in her voice.

I was waiting and listening carefully to her, afraid that she might say something funny.

"After that incident—"

She didn't finish her words as I slowly move in my place, I slightly push Sebastian. I need to act.

"Mom?" I asked her in a sleepy voice. Pretending to yawn to put up an act.

"Sweetie!" she said, surprised.

If possible, I don't want other people to find out what happened to me that day.

"What are you doing here?" I asked her, acting like I didn't know that she's staying here.

"Oh. I'll be staying here para mabantayan ka," she declared.

I silently grunt at that response.

"Mom, you don't have to. And also..." I trailed off as I glance at Sebastian at my back who's already sitting and looking at me. "Seb...is here to take care of me," I added, cringing at the pet name I called him.

Seb? That's so common.

"Well, that's true but still, I insist on staying here. I also miss you and we barely got a chance to spend some time together..." she said pouting her lips like a child. "And don't worry, I will not bother your alone time with your boyfriend," she whispered while smirking.

"Mom!" saway ko rito but she just responded to me with a laugh.

"Come on, sweetie. Didn't you miss me?" panlalambing nito.

I sigh in defeat and nodded my head. "Fine."

"Thank you, sweetie. You should go and eat dinner so you can already take a rest," she smiled sweetly. I just nodded my head and she bid her goodbye.

Nabalot naman kami ng katahimikan sa loob ng kuwarto until Sebastian burst into laughter.

"Seb? That's quite common," he ccommented, pertaining to the pet name I called him earlier. "Pero okay rin kasi naiiba kasi Ali madalas ang tawag sa akin." I just rolled my eyes and pushed him off the bed.

It's a good thing that he has two thick comforters below or else that fall would be painful. Tinignan niya naman ako ng matalim dahil sa ginawa ko but I just rolled my eyes at him.

"Hindi naman halatang gentle ka, ano?" he asked with a clear sarcasm in his voice.

"I can be gentle only if you'll stop on annoying me," I said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Ohh... I like it rough, though," he said grinning.

Napakunot naman ang noon ko dahil sa sinabi niya. What the heck is he saying? What does he mean about he likes it rough?

Not wanting to stress over what he said, I just rolled my eyes on him.

The next morning, I woke up in the sound of my alarm clock. I look at the time and found out that it's 5 am in the morning.

I hesitated to look over my left side to see him but when I did, nothing's left there. Even the comforters.

Did he go somewhere? It's still early though.

Napa-iling na lang ako habang tinungo ko ang bathroom. I grab my toothbrush and notice a new toothbrush beside mine. I look around and saw some men's shampoo and other toiletries that are not mine.

Wow. He planned it very well, it makes it looks like it's been there before.

I sigh and did my morning routine. I just choose to where a loose white shirt and a cotton shorts. I don't feel like going to work today.

I put my hair into a messy low bun as I stride towards the living room. It's still quiet, they're probably still sleeping.

Nakaamoy naman ako ng mabangong aroma. I went to the kitchen and found him facing the stove cooking something. Tahimik akong napatitig sa kaniya as he was oblivious of my presence.

I was just observing him when he suddenly moves his head, bouncing it back and forth. I look at his ears to see that he's wearing an earphone and probably listening to music.

He just continue his movements until he started dancing, swaying his hips and his body from side to side. I did read some romance novels before but I just find the situation hilarious as most of these scene are done by woman.

He looks funny from his big appearance. I think he's about 6ft tall with a wide shoulders and big enough build. He was just feeling the music until he face me at muntikan nang mahulog ang frying pan na hawak niya. I caught him off guard.

I cleared my throat trying to get rid my laugh.

"Kanina ka pa?" he asked as he placed the pan in a secured place. He took off his earphone and place it in his pocket.

I shook my head as I said, "Nope. I just got here."

I scoots near the table and took a seat acting cool and pretending that I didn't see anything. Unfortunately, I didn't took a vid of that moment. It would be a great meme for me.

"I cooked breakfast. Gigisingin ko lang si Andy," wika niya.

Kumunot naman ang noo ko dahil do'n.

"Andy?" Who the heck is that? May ibang tao pa bang natutulog dito?

"Si Andy, si Shy, kapatid ko," he mumbled.

Oh, so her pet name is Andy?

Tumango na lang ako sa kaniya bago siya umalis ng dining area. I silently eat my breakfast. A few minutes later ay bumalik siya ng mag-isa.

"Where's Shy?" I asked him looking at his back.

"She's preparing for school," he said as he took a seat in front of me. I shrugged my shoulder and finish my meal.

I was about to clean my plate when he stops me. "Ako na. Magpahinga ka na ro'n," he offered. I shook my head to refused his offer.

"I can manage, let me take care of it," I insisted.

"Ako na nga. Magpahinga ka na lang," he insists.

"I said I can manage."

"Ako na kasi, 'wag nang makulit," he said starting to get annoyed.

I scoffed, if he's annoyed then kindly explain what am I feeling right now?

"Can you please stop treating me like a disable person?" I asked, already irritated.

"Sino bang nagsabing ginagawa kitang disable?" he shot back.

"Then let me do the dishes," I said. He tsked not letting go of my hand.

"If you won't stop then you'll gonna regret it," he warns.

I just rolled my eyes. As if he can do something to my in my territory with my mom sleeping in the other room.

"Or else what?" I challenge him, raising my eyebrows at him.

He pursed his lips as he look away.

"Don't blame me, I already warned you," he muttered.

I huffed and pulled the empty plate towards me but instead of plates, I was the one who's being pulled by him. Our lips met as well as my eyes wide open. Shock at what just happened.

I unconsciously loosen my grip on the plate. He break the kiss, leaving me stunned and bewildered.

What the f**k?

"I told you you'll gonna regret it," he smirk as he pulls the plate away from me and put it in the sink. I'm still in shock when I heard a snicker at my back.

"Good morning Ate Stella. Good morning Kuya," Shy giggles as she took a sit on a vacant seat followed by mom who's already grinning from ear to ear.

"Sweet morning, sweetie," she greeted me peckig my cheeks.

Looks like we've got an audience here. D-mn.