Painful Scar

Kabanata 1

Muli kong ibinalik ang tingin sa daan at nagmaneho sa tamang bilis. Hindi ko binalak na kumaripas ng takbo para maiwasang maagaw ang pansin ng mga traffic enforcers. Tahimik naming binabagtas ang daan nang biglang binasag ni Xyrene ang nakabibinging katahimikan.

"Hindi ba mapapansin ni Tita na nawawala ka?"

I took a deep breath and sighed. "For sure, she wouldn't."

She shrugged and shook her head. "How come?"

Tinapunan ko siya ng tingin. "Just trust me. I know Mom, better than you could possibly do."

"Tita wouldn't find you but maybe someone can." Owtomatiko akong napatingin ako sa kanya buhat nang bigkasin niya ang mga katagang iyon.

My pulse was thudding in my ears. It drummed hyperactively under my palm. I twisted around so I could face her. "What do you mean?"

She looked at me while bitting her lower lip and pointed the rear-view mirror. "You'll hate him for this."

Inis kong binilisan ang takbo ng sasakyan matapos ko ngang mapagtantong nakabuntot na sa amin ang sasakyan ni Damon! "But I'll love him for sure." I know it was a piece of joke, but it secretly pissed me off. Wala sa sariling napahampas ako sa manibela saka agad pumihit ng liko.

"f**k! Akala ko ba magpapahinga siya?!"

Muli kong ini-angat ang tingin at nakahinga na nga ako nang maluwag dahil hindi ko na nakita ang sasakyang nakabuntot sa amin. I was about to slow down when I bumped into another car!

"Vali!"

Napapikit ako sa lakas ng impact na halos bumasag sa windscreen ng sasakyan! The head lights were shattered into pieces and scattered all over the road. Naririnig ko pang nagmumura si Xyrene pero hindi ko iminulat ang aking mga mata at pinakiramdaman ang paligid ko. Alam ko kung kanino sasakyan ang nakabangga ko at hindi ko pa yata kayang makita ang pagmumukha niya!

"Alam kong gising kang maldita ka!" pabulong ngunit iritadong asik ni Xyrene. "Paawa ka na naman kay Kia— sa kanya para makaligtas ka. Bulok na naman style mo, Vali. Akala ko ba naka-move on ka na? O 'e bakit parang mahal mo pa?"

"Shut up!" I blurted out. I was about to sue her but she got her fingers fold against the sit.

"Ouch!" Inis na singhal niya pa. "Look at my nails, gosh! Bagong manicure 'to!"

After all, kuko pa rin ang nasa isip niya. I just couldn't believe her!

Mayamaya'y may tumapik sa balikat ko. "Val! V-val! G-gising! Val!" I felt him close to me. Too close that I can even hear his heart beating so loud, so quick. "Damn!" How I wish it would still beat for me.

Wish we could be like this for a little while. I miss his scent, his care, his love, his stare, his— soft lips. I miss all of him! But why do we need to part ways? Why do we need to grow apart?

Bakit ganoon na lang kadali para sa kanila na iwan ako? Ano ba ang mali? May mali ba? The first person who left me was my first love and it was embedded on my soul. The next time around just felt so close. But it didn't work. We didn't last.

I felt nothing so I tried to open my eyes. I suddenly see him standing right next to me, bitting his lower lip while pacing back in forth. He suddenly turned his back and now he's pacing me.

Why am I feeling this way? His bubbly stare, I couldn't deny that I miss that. I told myself that I'm over him but why does it seem to be like I'm getting better at fooling myself? My love turns into severe hatred— or can I even define hate from love?

I was about to step outside when I suddenly heard the sirens coming from another car behind. I look at the wing mirror and I saw a familiar figure running a course; closer to us. He looked so worried 'cause the traced patterns on his face reflects how he feel, quiet well.

"What did you do to her?" I heard Damon's firm and baritone voice took ober the place. "Fucker!" Amba niya na sanang kuk'welyuhan si Kian nang biglang pumagitna sa kanila si Xyrene.

"That's not the right time for that!" Inis na sigaw nito at bahagya pang ipinag-umpog ang ulo ng dalawa.

Now we are gaining sympathy. Oh, they know how much I hated to be on the spotlight!

I tried to stand a foot yet I felt so dizzy. "Vali? V-val, are you alright?" Kian asked, but too much shockness faint me. I lost my consciousness in between his arms, again.

I'm captive in his arms, once more...

NAGISING ako sa kakaibang amoy ng likidong nanunuot sa aking pang-amoy. Unti-unti kong iminulat ang aking mga mata at inilibot ang tingin sa buong silid. Napalilibutan ako ng puting dingding at hindi na nakapagtatakang nasa ospital nga ako. Ini-angat ko ang kaliwang kamay at doon ko napansin ang dextrose na nakakabit doon.

Imbis na magalak ako dahil walang nangyaring masama sa akin ay mas nanaig ang inis sa kaloob-looban ko. Pumalpak ang plano namin ni Xyrene at dahil na naman 'yon sa bida-bida kong kapatid. What's worst? I encountered my ex again!

Owtomatiko akong napapikit nang bigla kong marinig ang pagpihit sa doorknob at paglagitngit ng pinto; senyales na may taong papasok sa kwartong ito. Rinig na rinig ko ang mabibigat na yabag papalapit sa gawi ko ngunit nanatiling nakasara ang mga mata ko.

"Hard-headed, kiddo!" asik ng napakapamilyar na tinig.

Gusto kong bumangon at sampalin siya. Namuo na ang inis sa loob ko at kaunti na lamang ay masusupalpal ko na ang mokong na 'to. Imagine, he's the reason why I'm lying on the hospital bed! I hate him!

"I know you're awake," ani niya. Iyon lamang ang lamang niya sa akin. Magaling siyang makiramdam. While me? I couldn't even sense if I'm hurting someone or not. Not unless, umiyak sila o sabihin nila sa akin nang diretso.

Inis kong iminulat ang mata ko saka ito pinagrolyo. "Darn you, Demon!" buong lakas na asik ko habang nanlilisik ang mga mata sa kanya.

He showed me his most genuine smile. "It's Damon, baby," he corrected me. "And by the way, stop cursing!"

I often call him Damon even if his real second name is Daemien. I was used to it, since when I was little. I find it hard to pronounce so I stick with what's easier. I'm BDO so, I shall find ways. He hates curses but I'm satisfied to see him annoyed, so I often throw more! Since this jerk deserves it!

"f**k you! f**k you! f**k you Demon!!!" Halos hindi na maipinta ang mukha niya sa lalim ng gitla sa kanyang noo. Ang kaniyang kilay ay halos isang tulay na sa pagkakadikit. He looked damn frustrated.

"QUIT IT VAL! Wait for the consequence of your self-built stupidity," kunot noong aniya pa rin saka ako iniwang nakaawang ang mga labi habang puno ng inis.

"f**k you!" buong lakas na sigaw ko kaya't napaligon siya muli sa aking gawi. Unti-unting namungay ang kaniyang mga mata kasabay ng pag-igting ng panga kaya bahagya akong nabahala sabay sigaw ng, "WITH RESPECT!"

He shook his head in disbelief. "Stop cursing! You're not beautiful at all."

"Why?" taas-kilay na tanong ko. "Do you even think you're handsome?" tiim-bagang na tanong ko.

He looked at me with a wide smirk curved on his lips. "Ikaw na lang nagsabi niyan," huling aniya bago ko tuluyang marinig ang yabag niya papalayo sa aking kinahihimlayan.

Inis akong napabuntong hininga saka nagparolyo-rolyo ng mata. Wala sa sarili kong inalis ang nakakabit na dextrose sa kamay ko saka lumapit sa salumpwet at ini-upo ang sarili roon. Doon ko nakita ang aking itim na clutch kaya't inabot ko agad ito. Naroroon ang aking telepono, ilan sa mga credit cards ko at maging ang lisensiya ng aking sasakyan.

Kinuha ko ang aking telepono at muling inihiga ang sarili sa sketcher. Kinumutan ko rin ang aking mga paa sapagkat ramdam ko ang panlalamig ng aking katawan. Nang muli kong ibaling ang tingin sa aking telepono ay nakita ko ang ilan sa mga mensaheng iniwan ni Xyrene ngunit hindi ko na ito pinagtuunang pansin.

I immediately called Kyla to say how sorry I am for keeping her waiting. I was so sorry we promised her that we'll come. I told her what happened and said she understand. Kyla even told me to get better soon. I was relieved. Ibinaba ko ang telepono at inilagay ito sa gilid ng higaan ko.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Later on, five loud knocks were heard on the door and a deep silence ensued. The door went bang and before me, one familiar person came barging in. My eyes widened; as soon as I recognized who it was.