DIRTY NINANG (SPG)

Chapter 9

“So tell me, what’s your plan?”

“You don't have to know, Amara, “ seryosong sagot ni Cleo. Ibinuga niya paitaas ang usok at saka itinaktak ang upos ng sigarilyo sa ash tray.

Tumawa si Amara. The ladies were cousins and bestfriends as well. Alam ng bawat isa ang mga nagaganap sa kani-kanilang buhay, pero paglagay nito’y nag-iba na ang ihip ng hangin.

“Stop laughing, b***h,” sita ni Cleo.

“Ayoko nga!” Tumawa ulit nang maarte ang mahadera niyang pinsan.

“Nakakainis ‘yan paraan ng pagtawa mo. Itigil mo ‘yan.” Inirapan niya ang huli.

“Okay, okay. You’re so pikon talaga.” Amara stood up and strode beside her. Sumandal ito sa glass panel wall balcony at saka tumingin sa malayo.

“I… I think, uh…”

“You what? Come on, Cleo, say it.”

Inisang tungga ni Cleo ang wine at saka humigpit ang hawak sa baso. “I think I'm in love with this guy.”

“And I guess he's awake.” Tumingin sa kama si Amara at napangiti.

“Are you kidding me?” Naiinis na sagot ni Cleo.

“I'm not!” Amara held her by the shoulders and turned her around.

“Eros… You’re not supposed to walk by yourself.” Cleo composed herself, but she could feel her cheeks burning.

“Nasa’n ba ‘ko?” Eros held his head and groaned in pain. “Ahhh… Ba’t ang sakit ng ulo ko?”

“You got into an accident. Don't you remember anything from last night?” Cleo worriedly asked.

Bahagyang tumingin sa kanya si Eros at mabagal na umiling. “Wala… Wala akong maalala. Ang sakit ng buong katawan ko…” Mariin itong pumikit at muling iminulat ang mga mata. “Ano’ng ginawa mo sa’kin?!”

“Don't shout, please. Makakasama sa’yo yan— Oh, no! No, Eros!”

Sa isang iglap ay pinagtatanggal ni Eros ang mga nakakabit sa kanyang braso at saka biglang tumayo. Pero agad din naman itong napaupo ulit dahil sa labis na pagkahilo.

“Ah!” hiyaw ulit ng binata. Mahigpit ang hawak nito sa kanyang ulo.

“Eros, calm down, please…” Cleo held his hand, so light and gentle, like a feather's touch. “Dumudugo ang mga sugat mo. Just, please…”

“Bitiwan mo ako!” sigaw ng binata. “Tangina, sino ka ba?! Bakit mo ‘ko dinala rito? Kinidnap mo ba ‘ko?!” Tinabig nito palayo ang kamay ni Cleo at muling sinubukang tumayo.

“Oh my gosh! Call the doctor… Call the doctor…” Amara frantically dialed on her phone.

“Lumayo ka sa’kin, hindi kita kilala!” hiyaw ni Eros at saka itinulak nang tuluyan si Cleo.

Umagos ang dugo mula sa batok ng binata, gumapang ang likido pababa sa leeg hanggang sa mga balikat nito. Cleo cried quietly. She was not afraid of blood. She was never a softie. However, seeing him in a depressive state made her heart bleed. She felt like dying, yet she had to compose herself.

Niyakap niya si Eros para pigilan ito sa pagpupumiglas. She cried against his muscled shoulders. She had never been protective of anyone… Not even with her ex-husband. But with Eros, she felt responsible.

“E-Eros, honey, please…” humihikbing sabi ni Cleo. She showered small kisses on the top of his head, but Eros remained silent.

She pulled away and looked at him. Wala na itong malay, namumutla ang mga labi, at may naumong dugo sa magkabilang pisngi nito.

**

“The patient is still in shock, that’s the reason why he threw a fit. He needs a lot of rest, and of course, proper medication.” The doctor held Cleo’s hand and continued, “He’ll get by. Don't worry too much. You need some rest, too.”

“Are you sure he's not having…?”

“Wala siyang amnesia,” pagliliwanag ng doktor. “But it will take time for him to recover. Nakita mo naman kung gaano kalaki ‘yung nakuha niyang sugat sa ulo. Plus, he was badly beaten. Kung sa iba ‘yan nangyari, e siguradong nakipagkita na kay San Pedro. He's one tough guy.”

“Is there anything I can do to help him?” Cleo was worried as f**k. Her hands were cold as ice and her eyes were bloodshot. Ni hindi niya magawang tingnan ang sarili sa salamin mula pa noong nakaraang gabi.

“You have to contact his family.” The doctor slanted his head aside and added, “I mean, a worried wife, or a mother looking for his son.

A wife? Cleo mentally hissed. She suddenly felt jealous. Gusto niyang manabunot. She didn't like the idea, but she had no reason to get salty. E, ano naman nga kung may asawa o girlfriend si Eros? Hindi niya ito pag-aari pero gusto niya itong angkinin—sa lahat ng paraang gusto niya.

“Cleo?” untag ng doktora.

Bumaling siya sa huli. “Yeah, of course. I'll take care of that.”

Noon lamang niya napagtantong kakaunti lang ang impormasyong alam niya tungkol sa binata. Nag-s*x na sila’t lahat pero maituturing na mababaw pa rin ang pagkakakilala niya rito. She made a mental note to contact her trusted PI to resolve this matter.

Sabay na umalis sina Amara at ang doktora. Cleo went back to Eros’ room and sat on the edge of the bed. She held his hand tight and kissed his knuckles one by one.

“From now on, I promise to protect you, Eros.” Tumingin siya sa malayo at nagpatuloy, “Magbabayad ang mga gumawa nito sa’yo!”