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1087 Words
There she was...
Slumped on the floor, back against the wall, arms crossed in front of her chest. May apat na bote ng alak sa paanan niya.
Lumapit si Cain kay Ponzu at hinawakan ito sa pisngi. He took away the unlit cigarette stuck between her lips.
"You crazy girl," he chuckled habang patuloy na pinag-mamasdan ang natutulog na si Ponzu. "Just how much have you had?"
Binuhat ni Cain si Ponzu paakyat sa kwarto. Cain was happy that Ponzu enjoyed herself, but he absolutely didn't mean for her to get drunk. He didn't know what the reaction between the alcohol and the medications she's taking would be.
Also, he wanted to talk. He wanted to officially ask for forgiveness and improve their current setup, kaya sinadya niyang bigyan ito ng ilang oras para sa sarili sa pamamagitan ng pag-tatrabaho sa labas.
He was in a hurry to fix things between them, but that didn't mean he would rush her.
Before reaching the bedroom door, Ponzu squirmed a little, grabbing onto Cain's arms. He smiled and lifted her slightly so he could kiss her head. Sobra ang amoy ng alak at sigarilyo sa katawan nito—it reminded him of the days when she used to go clubbing with her friends.
Pero noon, kahit gaano pa siya kalasing, she would always take a bath dahil ayaw na ayaw niyang humiga sa kama nang suot ang damit na amoy alak at usok.
So, he decided to rinse her off in the tub real quick.
Pagdating nila sa kwarto, dinala niya si Ponzu sa bathtub at agad na sinimulang hubaran.
May hiya siyang naramdaman habang inaalis ang mga damit ni Ponzu. s*x was the last thing they needed right now, and he is embarrassed with how much the sight of her is turning him on. Every part of her that was exposed as he removed her clothing one by one was torture.
"Why do you have to be so beautiful?" he muttered, clicking his tongue.
Wala man siyang masamang balak, hindi maiwasan ang malisya sa bawat piraso ng damit na natatanggal. He loved her. She was beautiful. And it had been a while since they had done it.
But he couldn't be thinking about that right now. Yes, he wanted her, but if they were to do it, he wanted it to be after he had clearly told her he forgave her—and that she had forgiven him, too.
Itinuloy na lang ni Cain ang pagtanggal ng natitirang suot ni Ponzu, binilisan niya para wala na siyang oras mag-isip pa. Then, he ran her a warm bath.
Habang napupuno ang tub, unti-unting nagising si Ponzu.
"Ugh..." She retched. Agad naunawaan ni Cain kaya inalalayan niya ito para hindi siya masuka sa loob ng tub.
Just like all those times she would come home wasted, he took care of her. The memory made him smile, but his heart also clenched.
It is bittersweet, because he also remembered how he removed her shine, stopping her from being the life of every party by keeping her in his home.
"You okay?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Cain habang inililigpit ang isinuka ni Ponzu.
She nodded, then slumped back into the tub with heavy-lidded eyes. Bakas parin ang kalasingan sa kilos nito.
"I'm home," he said, sitting on the edge of the tub as he patted her aching head.
"Welcome home," she softly replied, eyes shut, head still throbbing.
Cain wanted to ask her so many things. Why did she drink? Was it because of him? Was she still sad? Depressed? How could he help her? How could he make it up to her? Did she still love him?
But he asked nothing. He hoped she would tell him when she was ready. Wala siya sa posisyong madaliin si Ponzu. He had done too much wrong. He deserved to wait.
"I'm sorry I drank. I planned to be done by 6 PM so you wouldn't catch me," Ponzu chuckled, still drunk. "Pero ang sarap ng soju..."
He smiled, watching her. Her cheeks were flushed—both from the alcohol and the warm water.
"My liver is alive again, Cain," she blabbered.
"Uh-huh?"
"I haven't drunk that much in a while, man. It feels gooooood!" Ponzu giggled, eyes still closed.
"How'd you get in the basement?" Cain asked, amused by how happy she looked.
"I found the key while looking for some cigs. There was a lot of alcohol down there. I chose soju 'cause I never got drunk off it..." She paused and laughed.
"Turns out, it's still pretty strong when you drink many bottles of it," Ponzu laughed before sliding down, her head dipping under the water.
Agad siyang iniahon ni Cain.
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. Tell me more tomorrow. I'll tuck you into bed for now." He kissed her wet forehead before lifting her out of the tub.
Iniupo niya si Ponzu sa isang upuan na may twalya, still inside the bathroom. Pagkabalot niya ng robe sa kanya, sinimulan niyang tuyuin ang buhok nito gamit ang blow dryer.
"That feels good..." She smiled as she watched him through the mirror. Her lids still heavy.
"Buti naman." He kissed her cheek, then continued to dry her hair.
Cain was so focused that he didn't notice Ponzu staring at him through the mirror.
The Cain drying her hair now... looked just like the Cain she knew before she ruined everything. Even though she's still half drunk, she can tell.
He treated her so well. Respected her so much. He used to be so beautiful—before she destroyed him.
Ponzu quickly wiped a tear away as Cain finished drying her hair.
"All done, baby." He kissed her cheek again before putting the blow dryer away.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." He patted her head. "Can you brush your teeth on your own?"
She just nodded and walked toward the sink. Cain didn't help her, but he watched—especially since she still couldn't walk straight.
When she was done, she called for him.
"A-Ano..." Now that the alcohol was wearing off, awkwardness crept back into her body.
"I'm done..."
"Okay, good." Cain smiled at her.
Napaiwas siya ng tingin at yumuko na lang.
"Ligo ka na. I'll wait for you outside." Agad siyang tumalikod at lumabas ng banyo, papasok sa kwarto nila.
Ponzu didn't see it because she turned away immediately, but Cain's jaw fell open, his face turning red.
"She'll wait for me? Does that mean..."
The thoughts in his head were shameful.
- Writer
