My Atheist Boyfriend

Chapter 16

Naninikip ang dibdib ko ng makita ang duguang ilong ni Peter. I haven't seen violence like this with my own eyes, especially not coming from Josh. It was the first.

I stood there freezing like a zoombie, and when Josh was about to punch him again, I finally called out to him, "Josh tama na!!!"

He stopped.

His hand that was grabbing Peter's collar suddenly released him from the grasp. That was also the time na pumagitna na si Pastor Edgar. "Please, hijo, for Naomi's sake stop this. The Lord is not pleased with this!"

"See? Lumabas na din ang tunay mong kulay, Josh." Komento ni Peter habang tinutulungan siya ng amang tumayo. Naiiyak na nilapitan din ni Pastora Lisa si Peter.

"Peter, stop it. Wag mo ng iprovoke!" Suway ng kanyang ama. Ang lahat ng tao din ay nakatingin na sa amin. Lumapit din si Mike at ang kanyang asawang si Esther.

Nilingon lang ako ni Peter. Sabay sabi, "You can't possibly marry a man like him, Naomi! Siya ba? Siya ba ang pinagyayabang mong boyfriend? No, thanks. A man like him is not worth the price." Diing sabi ni Peter kahit na pilit siyang pinatatahimik ni Pastor Edgar. Pagkatapos nun ay mabilis niya kaming tinalikuran.

"Peter!" Tawag sa kanya ni Pastor Edgar. Nang hindi lumingon si Peter ay sinundan ito ni Pastora Lisa. Kahit nadismaya si Pastor Edgar sa inasal ni Josh, nagawa pa rin niyang kausapin ito at humingi ng despensa.

"I'm very sorry sa inasal ng anak ko. Pero Josh, you didn't have to punch my son. If I were Naomi's father, I'll be very disappointed with you. Naomi, I'll give you the choice to stay with us tonight." Pagkatapos nun ay sinundan na din ni Pastor Edgar ang anak at asawa. Pero narinig ko pa ang bilin niya kay Mike, "Mike, pakiusap ikaw na ang bahala sa mga bata. Ihatid mo na sila kung maaari."

Tumango naman si Mike at agad na tinawag ang mga bata. I was there...still standing.

I'm trembling due to the shock. It's the first time I witnessed Josh's cruel side. How could Josh punch Peter at our engagement night? At sa harap pa mismo nina Pastor Edgar.

"Naomi, I think Pastor Edgar wants to talk to you tonight." Paalala ni Mike.

I look at Josh and my heart is still aching, I feel like I can't breathe. It feels like Josh is a different person right now.

"Nao." Narinig ko ang pag-agaw ni Josh ng aking atensyon. He looks like he regretted what he did. I saw his right hand slowly offering to me, just like what he often do. Nakabukas ang kanyang palad, at marahang nakaangat. Those open hand, those waiting eyes looking at me, and his sad expression.

He's waiting for me.

He wants me to choose.

Ngunit ng makita ko ang dugo sa kanyang kamay, fear suddenly struck me.

"Naomi, hinihintay ka na." Pag-uutos din ni Mike. I glance at Mike and his deep stares. "You can't possibly sleep here tonight."

"Nao!" Ulit ni Josh. I tremble at the sound of my name. I look at his hand and my tears are warming down my cheeks. I take a step back, shaking my head as I cryingly meet his eyes.

I shake my head.

"Come here, Nao." Napatiim-bagang si Josh. Pero ramdam ko ang insekyuridad sa kanyang boses. Ramdam ko ang posibleng kalungkutan.

Nang hindi pa ako lumapit sa kanya, Josh did the initiative this time. Aakma siyang lalapit sa'kin, ngunit ang nabitiwan kong mga salita ay nagpabato sa kanyang kinatatayuan.

"You...scare me."

My horrible tears are flowing on my cheeks when I meet his shocked eyes. I feel like my heart is literally breaking into pieces. Hindi na niya ako nilapitan, at ang kanyang nakabukas na kamay ay unti-unting tumitiklop.

"What are you waiting? Let's go, Naomi." Narinig kong sabi ni Mike at hinila na akong palayo. Mabilisan niya akong nilalayo mula sa lugar na yon. But when I can't helped it, I tried to look back.

Josh is still standing on the same spot. His broad shoulders are dropped down. At nakita ko ang malulungkot niyang mga mata na nakasunod sa'kin. Hindi niya inaasahan ang naging desisyon ko. Hindi niya inaasahan na hindi ko aabutin ang kanyang kamay. Even I...couldn't believe so.

At my final glance, I saw the despair on his face when a tear unconsciously fell down on his right cheek. Nanlakihan ang mga mata ko sa gulat.

Ni minsan hindi ko siya nakitang umiyak. Ni hindi ko nakita ang luha niya ng mamatay ang aming mga magulang. Hindi siya umiyak.

Ngayon lang.

Nasa labas na kami ng gate nang kumalas ako sa paghila ni Mike. "Babalik ako. I can't leave Josh like that." Mangiyak-ngiyak ko pang sabi.

Pero hinablot ulit ni Mike ang kamay ko. "Wag kang foolish, Naomi! That man right there is not worth your tears!"

"Pero ako lang, Mike. Ako lang. I'm the only person whom Josh thinks that is worth for his tears!"

Nabigla siya sa sinabi ko. At napailing siya sa ulo. "You are crazy over him, Naomi. How tragic."

"Naomi!" Narinig kong sigaw ni Pastora Lisa nang tumapat ang kanilang sasakyan sa harapan namin ni Mike. Pinagbuksan pa niya ako ng pintuan. "I know it's hard for you. But we need to talk. Sa bahay ka na namin matulog."

"H-hindi ba pwedeng bukas na lang, pastora?" Nauutal kong tanong. Pero tinulak na ako ni Mike papasok sa sasakyan.

"Any day, Naomi, basta wag kang matulog dito ngayon. Staying at Josh's side will cloud your judgment. I know it because I know you. So pakiusap, dun ka muna kina pastora." Sabi ni Mike habang pilit akong pinapaupo. I was even shocked when I saw Peter sitting on the other side. But he didn't even look at me. Si Pastor Edgar ang nagmamaneho.

"Salamat, Mike." Sanabi ni Pastora Lisa ang mga salitang hindi ko mabigkas.

"Walang anuman, pastora. Naomi's my high school friend. I am deeply concern for her. Sana ngayon matauhan na ang babaeng yan."

Hindi ko na narinig ang sinagot ni Pastora Lisa kasi nabibingi na ako sa aking hagulhol. Hindi pa kasi nauubos ang mga luha ko sa sobrang lungkot at sama ng pakiramdam dahil sa nangyari. At mas lalong sumama ang pakiramdam ko nang maalala ang malungkot na mukha ni Josh.

Suminghot ako. Ngunit nabigla ako sa isang panyong inilahad sa'kin. When I look up, iniabot pala ni Peter ang kanyang malinis na panyo. Pero hindi niya pa rin ako tinitingnan. He's looking outside the windows.

Eventually, kinuha ko ang panyo at tuluyang bumigay sa iyak.

Ang sakit, Lord.