Trouble

“What?!”

Hindi ko pinansin ang pagmamaktol ni Drake at inayos nalang ang uniporme.

“Your dad is looking for me, Drake. Hind ko pwedeng papaghintayin siya ng matagal.”

I heard him mutter a curse under his breath. He’s having a tantrums like a kid, dahil daw bitin. Napailing ako, this Drake is far different from Drake  I’ve seen on my first day here.

Habang binubutones ang blouse na suot, naramdaman ko ang pagyapos ni Drake sa akin mula sa likod. Nagrolyo ang mata ko ng idiin pa niya lalo ang sarili sa akin. His manhood were pressed on my back, galit na galit. Binaon niya ang mukha sa leeg ko saka hinalikhalikan iyon.

“Let him wait, baby.. I’m sure he will understand.” he said against my skin, full of naughtiness.

I elbowed his stomach making him groan.

“What will I say huh? Tito I’m sorry for keep you waiting, your son and I are fucking are brains out. And oh, he lied to you by the way, I was inside his room when you knocked on his door.”

Pagbibiro ko pero ganun nalang ang panlalaki ng mata ko ng bigla niya akong hinarap sa kaniya. May mapaglarong ngiti sa labi. He cocked his head sideward, eyes dancing with playfulness.

“You could say that, the more they know about us, the better.” aniya saka kumindat.

Iinismiran ko siya saka tinabig ang kamay niyang pasimpleng gumagapang sa loob ng aking saya.

“Magtigil ka, Drake!” mahina ngunit madiin kong saway.

Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata. He then pouted his lips, eyes looks pleading.

“Baby have mercy on me. You can’t just leave me with this boner.” he said frustratedly.

Pigil ko ang ngiti habang pinagmamasda siya. He is all naked in front me, looking devastated. Aba, ang dating eh ang sama-sama kong girlfriend.

Pilit kong kinunot ang noo ng hawakan niya ang kamay ko. Huli na ng malaman ko kung ano ang tunay niyang pakay.

I can feel my cheeks burned when my hands were on contrast with his shaft. My eyes widen at his bold move.

"Drake!" I hissed, his lips twitched in amusement.

Parang napapaso ko itong tinanggal, subalit muli niyang nahuli ang kamay ko saka binalik doon. My breathing labored when his grip on my hand that is on his thing tightened. Mukha na iyong naiipit sa pagitan ng kamay ko.

Mas lumaki yata, at… ang init din nang bagay na iyon.

“See? He is very mad right now, baby. It needs to calm down first.” mahina niyang bulong.

I my cheeks burned, blazing with fire with his vulgarity. Nakaawang ang labi niya sa kabila ng masama kong tingin. It’s as if he is not buying my deadly glare, mukha pang nasasarapan!

Pinilit kong kunin ang dalawang palad but it seems to be a wrong move. He grunted low and mutter a cursed. His  breathing suddenly become ragged.

Nakita ko ang namumuong pawis sa kaniyang noo.

“Mag mariang palad ka na muna, Drake. I need to go.” I said before biting my lower lip.

Damn, he looks sexy as hell!

Nakaawang ang kaniyag labi habang nakatingin sa akin, nang-aakit. I shook my head, move a step backward. Pero dahil hawak parin niya ang kamay kong nakahawak sa alaga niya, pati iyon sumama sa naging galaw ko.

“Tangina!” malutong niyang mura. I gasped at his words.

Ilang beses ko na siyang narinig na nagmumura, but the impact of this one is different. My lips parted, amazed and shock with the word that came out from his mouth and he take that as opportunity to kiss my already swollen lips, again.

He didn’t waste any seconds tho, and enter his tongue inside my mouth. I groaned low.

My protest died in his mouth as he kissed me fervently. I can feel the familiar fire and electricity ignites me. Paulit-ulit kong pinaalalahanan ang sarili na naghihintay si tito. Pero ganun nalang ang panghihina ko ng maramdamang ang paggalaw ng kamay niya. He guided my hands without breaking the kiss, instead mas naging mapusok iyon, mapaghanap.

Okay, I think tito Emmanuel can wait.

Ten minutes won’t hurt right?

* * *

I knock twice on tito Emmanuel’s library. Bago ako pumunta dito, mabilis muna akong nagbihis. I feel sticky with my uniform especially that Drake almost ripped it off.

“Come in.”

Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago humakbang papasok. Tinago ko sa likod ang dalawang kamay saka pinagdaop. My heart is hammering wildly inside its ribcage. Any moment, lalabas na ito sa lakas ng kabog.

What could be the reason why tito Emmanuel wants to talk to me?

Paano kung may alam na pala siya sa amin ni Drake? If that is the case, then I’m.. we’re doomed..

Nakatutok sa laptop ang mukha ni tito, at may ilang papeles din sa kaniyang gilid. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa magkadaop kong kamay habang papalapit sa mesa niya.

“Uh t-tito…” I nervously called his name.

Doon siya nag-angat ng tingin. He looked at me through his reading glasses.

“Have a sit, hija” he replied with his weak voice.

Nangatal ang tuhod ko bago dahan dahang umupo sa visitor chair na nasa harapan niya. He remove his glasses before touching the bridge of his nose. Pumikit si tito Emmanuel bago sumandal sa kaniyang swivel chair.

Mukha siyang stress na stress. Malimit ko na lang din silang makitang naglalaro ng chess ni tita Claries, hindi katulad noon.

“M-May problema po ba tito?” I hesitantly asked.

I pressed my lips together, anticipating for what he will say next. May kutob akong tungkol ito sa amin ni Drake. Pero sana mali ang akala ko..

Maybe we’re not cautious enough for him to find out the truth. Lalo pa’t ang clingy pa naman ni Drake nitong nakaraang araw.

Matagal na tumitig si tito Emmanuel sa akin, as if he is reading what’s running on my head. While I did my best to act accordingly.

No wonder Drake has a god-like attributes. Kay tito Emmanuel na mana ni Drake ang kaniyang mata. The only eyes that captures my interest. So deep and alluring.

At katulad ni Drake, tito Emmanuel’s gaze makes my knees wobble. Sa bawat minutong lumilipas, mas lalong kumakabog ang dibdib ko sa matinding kaba.

Malakas na bumuntong hininga si tito.

“Hija, can you contact your parents?” he warily asked.

I nibbled on my lower lip. Bakit tito? Will you tell my parents about Drake and I?

“Ah, yesterday tito, nagkausap po kami.” mahinang ani ko, nakaiwas ang tingin sa kaniya.

Imbes na tignan siya sa mata, mas pinili kong ilibot ang tingin sa kabuuan ng kaniyang opisina. Malawak ang espasyo at may malaking shelve ng mga libro. May mga couch din sa gitna. Some landscape paintings were hanging on the wall, too.

“Good,” tugon niya saka tumango.

Kumunot ang noo ko, iyon lang ba? Hindi niya ako papagalitan? Papalayasin?

Muling mariing pumikit si tito Emmanuel, na parang nahihirapan.

“I have a very important topic to discuss with you hija. I think you have the liberty to know about this.” sensirong aniya.

Napaayos ako ng po. Judging by his voice, I can sense that this is indeed a serious matter. Napahinga lang ako ng maluwag ng hind tungkol sa amin ni Drake ang usapang ito.

Damn, Drake we’re safe!

Tinukod ni tito Emmanuel ang siko sa lamesa saka niya pinagdaop ang kamay. He place his chin on his hand that is clasped together.

“Angel,hija. Your father is big shi—trouble right now.” he directly said

Mahina akong napasinghap.  Si daddy? Anong ibig sabihin mo tito?

“P-Po?” I hesitantly asked

Halos lumabas na ang puso ko sa dibdib ko. May nangyaring masama ba kina daddy? Pero kahapon, maayos pa naman sila.

“Are you aware of the crisis that your family business is facing, hija?” dugtong niya saka malakas na bumuntong hininga.

Umiling iling ako.

“Ang alam ko lang po ay may problema nga po ang negosyo.” I trailed,

“Very well, pero alam mo ba kung paano sinusulosyunan ng daddy mo ang mga ito?” lumaliman ang gitla sa noo ko.

Sa pangalawang pagkakataon, mabilis akong umiling. My parents is supporting me with all of my needs and caprices, and they never let me meddle on our business. Saka nalang daw kapag graduate na ako.

“Hija, I’d like you to know that your father is not on his right mind at this moment.”

Bakit may paligoy ligoy ka pa tito? Sabihin mo nalang po ng diretso, hindi ako magaling manghula.

Mahigpit kong pinagdaop ang dalawang kamay sa aking hita habang naghihintay sa sasabihin niya.

“The Encinareal Hotel and Resort is slowly sinking, hija.” may himig ng pagkadismaya sa kaniyang boses.

“Huh? Ano pong ibig niyong sabihin tito?” maang tanong ko.

Maayos pa ang negosyo ng pamilya namin. Hindi man kasing sikat ng ibang mga hotel, pero nagagawa naman nun tustusan ang pangangailangan namin. The last time I checked, my parents is doing their best for The EHR to be stable.

“Your father is selling your hotels one by one, he thinks it was the wisest option to save the resort.”

My forehead crease. Hindi makapaniwala sa mga naririnig. No, of course not. Hindi iyon magagawa ni daddy! Dugo’t pawis ang binuhos nila para maitayo ang EHR, hinding hindi magagawang ibenta ni daddy iyon.

“You must be mistaken tito, hindi po magagagawa ni daddy iyon.” I firmly said while shaking my head.

Lumamlam ang mata ni tito Emmanuel.

“I thought so too, I’ve known your father long enough. Hindi siya humihingi ng tulong sa iba kung negosyo niyo ang pag-uusapan, he wants to solve everything on his hand.”

Still, hindi ako kumbensadong magagawa nga ni daddy iyon. We were fine, we wont lose our business just like that..

“If you wouldn’t believe me, asked them yourself hija. I’m sure they won’t lie to you..”

Nanginginig ang paang tumayo ako.. yes, sa kanila ako mismo magtatanong.. Alam ko.. hinding hindi iyon gagawin ni daddy..

Bago ako tuluyang makalabas ng library, may sinabi pa si tito Emmanuel.

“Umaasa akong magagawa mo pang pigilan ang daddy mo, hija.. Your last resort is the branch on Manila, I hope you can convince your father not to sell that one too.”

Para akong nakalutang sa ere habang tinatahak ang daan papunta sa aking kwarto. What in the world?

This couldn’t be true! I know… I know… Nagkakamali lang talaga si tito Emmanuel, my father wouldn’t do such thing!

Nanghihina akong napaupo sa kama. I was starring blankly at the ceiling. I’m one-hundred percent sure, my parent’s could not do this. Maybe tito Emmanuel is wrong..

Mariin akong pumikit, yes.. tito is only mistaken..

Tumayo ako bago kinuha ang cellphone na nasa night stand. With my trembling hands, I dialed mommy’s number multiple times but her number couldn’t be reach at the moment!

I was mercilessly walking back and fort on my room, calling my father this time. Pero ganun nalang ang pagkabigo ko ng hindi ko rin siya ma contact. I run my palm on my face frustratedly.. I need to talk to them right now or else I would be mad and crazy thinking about them!

Paulit-ulit kong tinawagan ang number nilang dalawa, pero ganoon parin, cannot be reached, damn!

Para akong tumakbo sa isang disyerto sa lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko. Inis akong tumihaya sa kama bago muling tumitig sa kawalan.

Napakurap kurap ako ng may maalala. The time when Benj invited me for a dinner, hindi nga nakaligtas sa akin ang pagbabago ng pangalan ng hotel. I.. I thought it was only a part of my parents way to solve whatever problems we have but…

Could it be?

Kaya nagbago na kasi iba naman pala ang may-ari?

Napabalikwas ako ng bangon bago kinuha ang laptop. If that is the case then it would be over the internet. Sa website ng The EHR, lahat ng laman doon ay tungkol sa hotel lamag. Various articles and ads for the benefit of the business.

Nakasandal ako sa headboard ng kama, nasa tabi ang cellphone.

I was waiting for the windows to open when I heard my phone beeped. Agad ko iyong kinuha sa pag-aakalang galing kay mommy, pero hindi pala. Drake’s name appeared on my screen. I swiped it and read what’s inside.

From: Drake

I’m on my condo now. I’ll fetch you tomorrow morning.

I love you, baby.

I pressed my lips together trying to stifle my smile, but I failed. Napanguso ako habang paulit-ulit na binabasa ang panghuling text niya. I’ve heard him saying that phrase to me, countless of time already but the effect is still neutral. Pinamumulahan parin ako ng mukha!

Napailing ako bago mag type ng sagot.

To: Drake

Okay, have a good night.

Which I know he will he really have. I can’t tell him my real feelings yet, I still don’t have the courage to voice it out. Naduduwag ako for I don’t know why..

But I know, I’m getting there… masasabi ko ‘rin sa kaniya ang mga katagang iyoon. For now, I need to find the answers for my questions.

I immediately open the official website of our hotel. Medyo nahirapan pa ako dahil mahina ang net, pero nang lumaon nakapasok din.  I started browsing on the page. It took me an hour but I still can’t see leads that will verify tito Emmanuel’s statement. Walang bago doon, the usual visuals of our hotels is all  that I see.

Nothing suspicious.

Feeling exhausted, I close the laptop and place it back on my study table. Nagsimulang kumirot ang sentido ko sa kakaisip.

The same night, hindi ako sumuko sa pagtawag at paghanap ng mga kasagutan sa tanong ko..

“Angel hija, may ginawa akong sandwich, if you want you could bring this with you.” tita Abigail said as I head my way towards the living room. May dala siyang lunch box na sa tingin ko pinaglalagyan niya ng sandwich.

I weakly smiled at her before shaking my head.

“Thank you, but I’m good tita.” I declined

Tipid ko siyang nginitian. Napansin ko ang pagbagsak ng balikat niya bago itago sa likod ang dala. Nakonsensiya naman ako, pero wala talaga akong ganang kumain..

I was all up last night, thinking about my parents. Doon sa posibilidad na tama ang sinabi ni tito Emmanuel dahil doon sa nakitang pagbabago ng pangalan. Pero may parte parin sa puso ko ang naniniwalang hindi magagawa nila daddy iyon.

I am holding on to that hope.

“Pero hija, hindi ka pa kumakain.. At least bring this with you ng may laman kahit paano ang tiyan mo..” tita Abigail mumbled.

I nibbled on my lower lip. I did escape the breakfast, hindi ko yata kayang kumain hangga’t hindi ko pa nalalaman ang totoo. I need to seek for the truth as it is driving me nuts. Kung pwede ko lang sila sundan ay ginawa ko na, but I cannot leave my studies.

Sa huli, tinanggap ko na lamang ang hinanda niyang pagkain. No matter how disappointed I am for what she did, she is still a family.

“Thank you tita.”

I jolted when she suddenly hugged me. Natulos ako sa kinatatayuan ng magsimulang gumalaw ang kamay niya sa aking likod. Caressing my back.

She’s whispering something, that even we’re close enough, hindi parin umabot sa aking pandinig.

“I need to go, tita. Kuya Drake is waiting for me outside.”

Ako ang unang kumuwala. My brows furrowed when I witness her eyes glistening with tears.

What is wrong,  tita?

“Pasensiya na, hija. I just missed my children so much, that I see her with you.” paliwanag niya.

I weakly smile before nodding my head. Kung hindi po niyo ginawa iyon, hindi mo mararamdaman ito ngayon. You three could be a happy family right now.

“Mauna na po ako.”

Mabilis akong lumabas saka tinungo ang sasakyan ni Drake. He open the passenger seat for me, and I gladly climbed off. Nilagay ko sa dashboard ang styro na pinaglalagyan ng sandwich bago kinuha ang cellphone.

I dialed my mother’s number, again. Kagabi, umabot nalang sa pag-shutdown itong cellphone ko at hindi ko man lang sila na contact.

I jerked a little when Drake leaned in, napasandal ako sa bintana ng sasayan ng mas lumapit pa ang kaniyang mukha sa akin.

“Where is my good morning kiss?” he asked, pouting his lip.

I blinked my eyes repeatedly, nang makabawi agad ko siyang sinamaan ng tingin. Mas lalong humaba ang nguso niya.

I sighed before kissing his cheeks. Hi

“What the?! That should be in the lips, baby!” giit niya,

Tinampal ko ang noo niya, nakasimangot naman siya na bumalik sa pagkakaupo. Doon ko lang na pansin na sinuot niya din pala ang seatbelt ko

“Shut up, Drake! Magmaneho ka nalang.” singhal ko, tumawa lang siya.

We hadn’t talk about what happened yesterday on my room, nakalimutan ko kahapon.

He maneuver the car while I began calling them again. Simula kagabi, hindi ko pa sila ma-contact and it started to freak me out. What If something ill happened? Hindi pa nakakatulong ang mga sinabi ni Tito Emmanuel.

I tried calling my father again, but it was the same as my mother. Wala naman akong numero ng sekretarya ni daddy, so wala akong ibang matatawagan.

I drummed my fingers on my lap looking for my contact list who can I use to connect with them. Pero wala, I only have few list registered on my phone. Wala akong ibang maisip na matatawagan.

I groaned. Hinilot ko ang sentido ng pumintig ito, my head aches for the fact that I was sleep deprived. Wala ding laman ang tiyan ko.

“What’s wrong? May problema ba?” Drake worriedly asked.

Umiling ako saka kinuha ang lunchbox na may lamang sandwich. I need to at least eat or else I won’t make it to my class. Baka pagbaba ko palang ng kotse, mahimatay na ako sa pinaghalong hilo at gutom.

“Gusto mo?” tanong ko sa kaniya.

Inurong ko ang lalagyan since dalawang sandwich ang ginawa ni tita, tig-isa kami. Drake shook his head while eyeing me intently.

“You didn’t eat your breakfast, Angel?” his baritone voice echoed.

Napakagat labi ako. Siguradong magagalit siya kapag sinabi kong hindi, pero malalaman din naman niya at saka ayaw kong nagsisinungaling sa kaniya

In the end, I slowly nod my head avoiding his stares. I chewed the food on my mouth without sound. Nakapokus lang ang tingin ko sa harapan.

Hindi ko siya narinig na magsalita bagkus ay nag-iba ng daan. Nalilito kong binaling ang tingin sa kaniya na sana hindi ko na lang ginawa. His jaw is tightened, at mahigpit din ang kapit ng kamay niya sa manebela.

Drake is wearing button down shirt. Magulo ang kaniyang buhok, pero kahit ganun ang pogi niya pa’rin.

Napanguso ako, kailan kaya siya magiging pangit sa paningin ko?

Muli akong kumagat ng dahan dahan sa sandwich, nang may maalala. Tita Abigail! Hindi siya nagsama ng tubig man lang!

I was shocked when we stopped in front of a coffee shop. Mabilis na lumabas si Drake saka pinagbuksan muli ako ng pinto.

“Why are we here?”

I asked despite of my full mouth. Nanatili akong nakaupo habang nakatingala sa kaniya. The morning breeze makes him more handsome than ever. Kumpara kahapon, medyo maayos na ang panahon ngayon. A little windy but the sun is already on its peak.

“You need to eat a proper meal. So move your stubborn ass here.” nakakunot noong aniya.

Kapansin pansin ang iritadong boses ni Drake sa kabila ng lalim at tigas nito.

Sa halip na sundin ang gusto niya, bumaba ang tingin ko sa pagkaing hawak. I gulped and suddenly went thirsty.

“Okay na itong sandwich sa akin— what the! Put me down!”

I was horrified when he snatched the food I was holding and place it back to the box. And in just a blinked of my eyes, he was carrying me in bridal position taking a heavy steps towards the entrance of the cafe.

“Drake!”

Protesta ko sabay pagpumiglas, ngunit mas humigpit ang hawak niya sa akin.

“See? I can’t even feel your weight, damn kawayan!” he murmured, looking pissed.

Ayan na naman siya sa kawayan na yan! If I remember it right, tinawag niya din akong kawayan noong unang araw ko dito.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin, pero hindi niya ito napansin dahil na sa daan ang kaniyang paningin.

Hanggang pagbuksan kami ng crew, hindi ako binaba ni Drake. Some were looking at us weirdly. I just sighed in relief that there uniform is not the same as ours.

“Alright, hindi na ako tatakbo just put me down!” I hissed.

Pinagtaasan niya ako ng kilay. He is lucky the people around doesn’t know a thing about us, dahil kung hindi baka nasapak ko na siya.

Malakas akong napabuntong hininga ng maabot ng paa ko ang sahig. I glared at Drake but he only shrugged in return.

Humanap ako ng lamesa saka agad na umupo, while Drake settled himself in front. May lumapit na waitress sa amin, asking for our orders. Hindi na ako nag-aksaya ng oras at agad um-order. I took a glance of my wristwatch and thankfully, madami pang oras bago mag alas-otso.

“I don’t want you to skip your meals again, Angel. You’re too skinny already.” sermon niya, “Do I make myself clear, Angel?

Nagrolyo ang dalawang mata ko. Para na naman siyang tatay ko kung masermon..

“Yes, daddy..”

Kumimbot ang labi ni Drake sa naging sagot ko.

“Nice, always listen to your daddy okay? Your daddy would be very mad if this would happen again, baby.” sumama ang mukha ko, habang siya mahina lang na humalakhak.

Pagkatapos kumain, agad kaming tumulak papuntang SMU. I was again back at calling my parents, kahit walang nagbabago at palaging ang pamilyar na boses ang naririnig ko. I can’t miss a second.. I need to reach them out as soon as possible.

Wala ako sa sarili buong klase. All the while my professor is teaching in front, lumilipad naman ang isip ko sa mga magulang ko. Fear and anxiousness started to consume my body. This is not good, mula kagabi ko pa sila hindi ma contact which is very odd.

Morbid thoughts filled my mind the more seconds that passed.

Mommy, daddy ano po ba talaga ang nangyayari?

I was confident that you can’t do that.. You can never let our chains of hotel down. Yun ang pinaka-imposible sa lahat ng imposible.

You invested so much to EHR, to the point that you send your daughter away. I am here because of that, kaya sana..

“Beb, namumutla ka. Okay ka lang ba?.” Benj’s eyes is full of worries.

Tapos na ang klase namin at uwian na. Noong mag lunch break, nanatili lang ako sa room at kinain na lamang ang ginawang sandwich ni tita.

“I’m fine, Benj. Pagod lang.” matamlay ko siyang nginitian, but he looks unconvinced.

He doesn’t buy my lies, pero wala siyang magagawa dahil hinding hindi ko sasabihin sa kaniya ang problema ko..

Magsasalita pa sana siya ng unahan ko na.

“Punta muna tayo sa Lib, may hahanapin lang akong libro.” I suggested

Hinagilap ko ang sariling gamit. Kaya kahit labag sa kaniyang loob, we both headed towards the school library.

My solid perception started to waver. Their sudden disappearance and the change of the hotel name. Posible kaya iyon? Pero bakit?

I have to see it to myself kung totoo ngang iba na ang may-ari ng hotel na iyon. Bago umuwi, dadaanan ko muna ang The Venice.

“You can wait for me here, Benj. Mabilis lang ako.” pigil ko sa kaniya ng marating namin ang library, sakto namang may tumawag sa kaniyang kakilala. Tumango si Benji, agad naman akong pumasok at saka tinungo ang mga shelves ng libro.

Inisa-isa ko ito, I need to find a book for our major, I was absent-minded earlier and maybe on the following days hanggat hindi ko pa natutuklasan ang totoo. Mabuti nalang talaga at may recorder ako.

I sighed in relief when the book is on my hand. Dumiretso ako sa librarian at saka hiniram ang libro. Pagkatapos, nilagay ko na ito sa loob ng bag. Drake is still on his class until five thirty. He is taking Political Science as his pre-law.

If the time comes that he is able to fulfil his dreams, I’d be the happiest person in the world..

I turn my heels to exit when the sight of an irritating man appeared in front of me. Katulad ng lagi kong napapansin sa kaniya tuwing nagkikita kaming dalawa, DenMark has a widen smirk on his face. Nakapamulsa habang gulo ang buhok. Hindi niya suot ang kaniyang salamin.

“What do you need this time, DenMark?” I asked full of annoyance.

Wala akong panahon sa kaniya at may mas mahalaga pa akong dapat puntahan. I should take this opportunity to visit the hotel habang wala pa si Drake.

“Ang init agad ng ulo, Miss A. wala bang ‘I miss you diyan?’” sumama ang mukha ko.

He is really a sick in the head, kung ano-ano nalang ang tinatawag sa akin!

“I don’t have time to play with you, DenMark. So leave me alone!”

Mabigat ang hakbang kong tinahak ang daan palabas. But of course, annoying as he is, DenMark tailed me.

Hindi ko nalang pinansin at mas binilisan ang lakad. Nasa labas lang si Benj, by then he would be gone on my sight. Narinig ko ang mahinang halakhak ni DenMark na lalong nagpainis sa akin.

Napahinga lang ako ng malalim ng nasa labas na ako. Nilibot ko ang paningin sa bungad ng library, ngunit wala si Benj. I walked to the nearest bleacher, hoping to see Benj pero wala doon.

On the other hand, I can hear the annoying laughter’s of DenMark and his footsteps from my back. Hindi parin umaalis!

I need to see Benj as far as possible. Ano nga ba ang ginagawa ng lalaking ito dito sa labas? Hindi pa naman tapos ang klase nila! But then again, he is a jerk so hindi imposibleng nag cut class siya.

Isang lugar lang ang nasa isip ko na maaring kinaroroonan ni Benj, sa  field. Mabilis pa sa alas-kwatrong tinahak ang pamilyar na daan..

I was mid-way when a grasped on my wrist stopped me.

“Ano bang problema mo, huh?”

Nagpupuyos ako sa iritasyon lalo na’t ang lawak ng ngisi niya, na parang aliw na aliw talaga.

“Bakit ba lagi nalang mainit ang ulo mo sa akin, Miss A? Wala naman akong ginagawang masama sa’yo. In fact I want to be your friend.” he looked offended now.

“I am done with your bullshit, DenMark! Wala ka na ba talagang ibang mapag-tripan, huh?!” I scream on the top of my lungs.

Sinibukan kong hilain ang pagkakawahak niya sa pulso ko. When I did, I quickly turn around ready to leave when I halted with his next words.

“Try, move an inch if you want them to know your deepest secret.” I looked over my shoulder, giving him an annoying look.

“What the fuck are you saying?” nauubusan nang pasensya kong tanong.

“Uhuh? So now I’ve got your interest.”

I gritted my teeth. DenMark is really testing my patience, and it's damn working!

I turn around once more. My patience for him is wearing thin, lalo pa’t wala ako sa tamang wisyo ngayon. My parent's case and all! Dadagdag pa siya.

“The mighty soon to be lawyer, Damascus, is fucking his cousin little cunt, huh? What a big scoop of news is that, Miss A?”