CHAPTER 10
1501 Words
CHAPTER 10
Pagbaba ko ng kotse ni Jaxon ay agad na tinapon ni Ronald ang natirang sigarilyo at inapakan ito. Akma siyang lalapit sa akin ngunit nang makita si Jaxon na bumaba rin sa sasakyan ay napahinto siya. A smirk forms on his face, but I didn’t mind it and approached Jaxon who was extending his hand for me to hold.
I reached for his hand and he held it, intertwining our fingers. “Huwag kang magpapahalata,” bulong pa niya. Imbes na tumango ako ay ngumiti ako sa kanya, nahalata ko pa ang pagkabigla niya sa ginawa ko kaya mas ngumisi ako. Tinalikuran na namin si Ronald at humakbang na para pumasok sa building ng unit namin ni Micah.
“Sophia, pwede ba tayong mag-usap? ‘Yong tayo lang sana dalawa?”
Bumilis ang t***k ng puso ko at naramdaman kong lumamig ang aking palad. I was about to turn and face him, but Jaxon was the first one to answer.
“Ano pa ang dapat niyong pag-usapan? She doesn't have any business to do with you anymore, so back off and know your place,” maotoridad at madiin ang pagkasabi ni Jaxon, his voice firm and commanding as he stepped protectively in front of me.
Ronald's smirk faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. “Sophia, please, just give me a minute. Importante ito,” he pleaded, desperation creeping into his voice.
I glanced at Jaxon, feeling torn. I knew whatever Ronald wanted to say couldn't be good, but part of me felt compelled to hear him out. “Jaxon, b-baka naman...”
“No, Sophia,” Jaxon interrupted gently but firmly, squeezing my hand. “You don’t owe him anything. He’s had his chance.”
Ronald’s eyes flashed with frustration. “Ganito na lang ba? Siya na ang magdedesisyon para sa’yo ngayon? Kung sabagay, madali ka lang naman utuin.”
Jaxon’s grip tightened protectively around my hand. “You don’t have the right to say that to Sophia! You know, I’m thankful that she didn’t choose you because you’re manipulative and deceitful. You’re not the kind of person she needs in her life.”
Ronald’s face turned red with anger, his fists clenching at his sides. “You think you’re so much better? I’ll show you what I’m capable of!” he snarled.
Jaxon stepped forward, blocking Ronald’s path. “Try me,” he said calmly but with a dangerous edge in his voice. “But I suggest you leave before things get worse.”
A tense silence hung in the air, the weight of unspoken words and unresolved feelings pressing down on us. Finally, Ronald took a step back, his shoulders slumping as if in defeat. For a moment, it seemed like he was about to walk away. But then, in a sudden burst of aggression, he lunged forward and punched Jaxon square in the jaw.
Jaxon stumbled back, momentarily stunned by the unexpected attack. “Ronald, tama na!” I screamed, rushing to Jaxon's side as he steadied himself, blood trickling from his lip.
Ronald stood there, breathing heavily, his fists still clenched. “Hindi pa ito ang huli nating pagkikita, Sophia,” he spat, his eyes burning with anger and hurt.
Jaxon wiped the blood from his lip, his eyes cold and unwavering as he faced Ronald. “Get out of here before I call the police,” he warned, his voice low and dangerous.
Ronald hesitated for a moment, then turned and stormed off, his shoulders rigid with unresolved rage.
I turned to Jaxon, my heart pounding. “Okay ka lang?” I asked, my voice trembling.
He nodded, still holding my hand tightly. “I’m fine, Sophia. As long as you’re safe, I’m fine.”
I leaned into him, the adrenaline slowly fading, leaving me shaken but grateful. “Thank you,” I whispered.
“Always,” he replied softly, unconsciously kissing my forehead. “I’ll always be here for you, Sophia.”
“May first aid kit ako sa condo, gamutin ko na muna ‘yang sugat mo,” saad ko na may pag-aalala dahil may dugo pa ring lumalabas sa gilid ng labi niya.
“Nah,” pinahid niya ang sugat gamit ang kanyang hinlalaki. “Malayo sa bituka. You should go and rest already, baka sumakit na naman ang ulo mo.”
“No, I insist. Kasalanan ko kung bakit ‘yan nangyari sa’yo. Hayaan mo sanang gamutin ko ‘yan.” I pointed to his wound.
He let out a weighty sigh and held both of my shoulders, trying to console me. “Okay, sige, payag na ako. But please don’t blame yourself for what happened, wala kang kasalanan.” He smiled and patted my head once again.
***
It’s still seven-thirty in the evening, and Micah usually arrives an hour later. Kaya medyo kampante ako na dalhin si Jaxon sa unit namin. Sana lang bago umalis ang pinsan ko ay naglinis muna siya.
Walang kagatol-gatol kong binuksan ang pinto ng unit namin ngunit nasurpresa ako nang tumambad ang pinsan kong naka-upo sa dining table namin na nakatapis lang at nakabukaka ang legs dahil may lalaking nag-e-enjoy sa ibabang bahagi ng katawan niya.
Tinalikuran ko sila at nagmadaling takpan ang mga mata ni Jaxon na halatang nagulat din sa nakita. I glared at him when he grinned.
“Jherik, get a room,” Jaxon said with a mixture of surprise and annoyance, shaking his head as he interrupted their moment. Wait, kilala niya yung lalaki?
Nakakarinig ako ng kaluskos, “Bwisit ka insan, di ka man lang kumatok!”
“E-eh, malay ko bang naka-uwi ka na ng maaga!” bwelta ko.
“Let’s get out of here,” malumanay na pahayag ni Jaxon na ikina-angat ng ulo ko para tignan siya. Hinawakan niya ang kamay kong nakatakip sa mata niya. “Iwan na natin sila dito, may first aid kit ako sa kotse.”
Tanging tango na lang ang isinagot ko at lumabas kami ulit sa condo. Hindi pa rin niya binibitawan ang kamay ko. Habang nasa elevator kami, magkahawak pa rin kami ng kamay, as if ayaw niyang mawala ako sa paningin niya.
Nang nakapasok na kami ulit sa kotse niya ay binuksan niya ang parang drawer sa harap ko at kinuha ang isang maliit na bag.
“Here,” sabi niya sabay abot sa akin.
Habang naglalagay ako ng gamot sa bulak ay tingin ko ‘di pa rin nawawala ang pagkapula ng mukha ko. Panay kasi ang pagngisi niya, kaya nung ready na ang bulak ay mabilis ko itong dinampian sa gilid ng labing may sugat.
“Ouch,” reaksyon niya na sinamaan ko lang ng tingin.
“Kilala mo pala ‘yong lalaki?” kuryoso kong tanong. Kahit na hindi ko nakita ang mukha, medyo nabosesan ko siya.
“He’s my best friend, ” his eyes are directly at me. “I bet you saw him already—sa charity gala?”
Tama! Sa gala nga, so, siya pala ang lalaki ng pinsan ko. Ibang klase rin. Kumuha na ako ng band aid at nilagay ito sa kung saan may sugat. Nang matapos ay niligpit ko ang mga ginamit at binigay sa kanya.
“Sorry, talaga sa nangyari kanina, Jaxon. I didn’t expect him to do that to you, sumobra na siya. Ayaw mo ba siyang ipa-blotter?”
Itinabi niya muna ang first aid kit at humarap ulit sa akin. “Hindi na kailangan, I’m not afraid of him. What I’m concerned about the most is you and your safety,” aniya, habang pinipilit na ngumiti kahit halata ang pag-aalala sa kanyang mga mata.
Natahimik ako sa sinabi niya. His concern for me was evident, but my mind was elsewhere. Naalala ko ang proposal niya tungkol sa pagpapatuloy ng aming pekeng relasyon. Peke man, alam kong may nararamdaman na akong hindi ko maipaliwanag.
Hindi ko alam kung anong mararamdaman ko sa tuwing naiisip ko iyon. Sa isang banda, parang natutuwa ako dahil sa totoo lang, si Jaxon ang unang lalaki na nagpakita sa akin ng ganitong klaseng pag-aalaga. Pero sa kabilang banda, natatakot akong masaktan at magpakatanga. But for now, it's the best option. Bahala na...
Habang iniisip ko ang lahat ng ito, naalala ko ang regalo niya sa akin noong New Year’s Eve. Hinanap ko ito sa aking bag, at nang makita ko, kinuha ko ito at binuksan sa harap niya. Pagbukas ko, tumambad sa akin ang isang kwintas na may palawit na sunflower. Napanganga ako sa ganda nito.
“Sophia, what are you doing?” tanong ni Jaxon, kita ang pagkabigla at kuryosidad sa kanyang mukha.
Tumingin ako sa kanya, naglakas loob at nagsalita, “Jaxon, can you help me wear this?”
Nanlaki ang mata ni Jaxon sa narinig niya. “You mean... you’re willing to continue our fake relationship?” tanong niya habang inaabot ang kwintas mula sa aking kamay.
Tumango ako, may ngiti sa labi. “Yes, Jaxon. I’m accepting your proposal, let’s do this.”
- Writer
