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CHAPTER 6

Mahigpit ang isa kong kamay na nakahawak sa kamay ni Davis dahil nakasapo pa rin ito sa aking panga. I keep trying to remove it while my other hand holds my chest because he tore my gown.

"Let me go!" Sigaw ko sa kanya.

He did what I wanted and let go of my jaw and turned away from me. Dali dali kong pinunasan ang aking mga luha at kinuha ang mga pera na basta niya na lang din nilagay sa aking dibdib.

Punong puno ng luha ang aking pisngi at kahit anong ayos ko sa nasira kong gown ay mukhang wala ng pag-asa pa 'yon na maayos. I wiped my tears and slowly stood up while holding the money he had just placed on my chest.

There's so many thoughts running through my mind, especially how I can get out of my current state. Halos makita na ang aking dibdib, I am not wearing a bra, just nipple tape, because my gown is very tight and it must look smooth on my body.
Sinalubong ko ang matalim na tingin ni Davis sa akin at inabot sa kanya ang pera.

"I don't need that, Davis," lumuluha ngunit matapang kong sambit sa kanya. "Kaya kong magkapera ng hindi humihingi sa 'yo."

Nakita ko na tumaas ang gilid ng kanyang labi. I automatically closed my eyes when I saw his hand rise because I thought he would hurt me, but he didn't. Naramdaman ko ang paghawak niya sa aking kamay at ang mahina nitong tawa kaya napadilat ako.

"I don't know where you get the guts and bravery to speak to me that way," natatawa niyang sambit sa akin. "Alam ko na kung bakit, Cheska. It's because Hylo is here, right? You're brave now because you know you have someone on your side, isn't that right?"

Kumunot ang aking noo sa sinabi niya. "Can you stop dragging other people into our problem?!" umiiyak kong sigaw sa kanya.

"No," madiin niyang wika sa akin. "Siya lang naman ang dahilan kung bakit ayaw mo pang magkaanak tayong dalawa hindi ba? Because you love him! You still love your ex!"

"Huwag kang mandamay ng iba!"

I removed his hand from my arm and tried to give him the money, but he refused to take it.

"Mamili ka, Cheska. You will take the money, or should I drag you out of here in your state right now?" His tone was serious as his chest rose and fell with anger.

"Hindi ko nga tatanggapin 'to, Davis. Bakit ba ang tigas ng ulo mo?" naiiyak ko na namang usal sa kanya.

"Oh, baka gusto mo yung pangalawa? Since you want many people to see you like that anyway," hinawakan niya ang aking kamay at hinila ako sa pintuan kaya nataranta ako. "Let's go, I'll take you around the whole hall if that's what you want."

I struggled against his grip because I was nervous about what he would do. Ang aking paningin ay nanlalabo dahil sa mga luha kong nagbabadya na namang tumulo.

"Let me go, Davis!" hindi ko na napigilan na lumuha. "Oo na! Oo na, kukunin ko na 'to," humihikbi kong sambit sa kanya.

Lumuwag ang kanyang pagkakahawak sa aking kamay at hinawakan ang aking beywang para ilapit ang aking katawan sa kanya. I looked at him as he gazed down at me while my tears were rolling down my cheeks. He lifted his hands slowly and gently and wiped the tears on my face.

"Let's go home, Hon?" malambing nitong tanong sa akin.

I silently looked at him and swallowed hard when our eyes met. His dark brown eyes stared at me without emotion—I couldn't read what he was feeling. I just nodded to his question to avoid getting hurt.

"Hindi ako makakalabas ng ganito, Davis—"

"Shh. I have a plan. Don't worry, let's make it realistic," pagputol nito sa sinabi ko at tipid akong ningitian. I didn't like his plan at all, and my heart was beating fast because of him.

I gasped softly when he held my waist and lifted me onto the sink. My forehead creased in confusion when he grabbed my right foot.

"Davis, anong gagawin mo?" I asked nervously.

May kinuha siyang panyo sa loob ng suite niya at hindi ako sinagot. Lumapit siya sa akin at hinawakan ang aking panga  pagkatapos ay pilit na binuka ang aking bibig.

"Bite it!" mariin niyang wika.

"Davis, I'm scared—" naiiyak kong sambit.

"Trust me. Mas makapanipaniwala 'tong gagawin ko sa 'yo para hindi na nila tayo tatanungin kung uuwi na kaagad tayo."

Para akong kakapusin ng hininga dahil sa kaba na nararamdaman ko. He grabbed my right foot again as I bit down on his handkerchief, and my eyes widened when I realized what he was about to do to me.

"Davis, wait—hmp!"

I couldn't finish what I was about to say because of what he did. I don't know if he forcibly sprained my foot or if something might have broken. All my screams were trapped inside me because of the handkerchief covering my mouth. Awtomatik na tumulo ang mainit kong luha ng maramdaman agad ang sakit sa aking paa.

"Perfect," he whispered.

Tinanggal niya ang nakaharang na panyo sa aking bibig at sinunod ang sout nitong black suite at pinatong sa aking ibabaw para matakpan ang dibdib ko. Lumuluha na tinginan ko ang aking kanan na paa at agad kong napansin na namumula 'yon.

"You're crazy," umiiyak kong wika sa kanya at matalim siyang tinignan.

Walang emosyon niya akong tinignan at hindi sumagot. He carried me in a bridal style and walked toward the closed door before he spoke.

"If they ask you about your foot, just say you only twisted it. It's better if you don't say anything, and I'll be the one to answer for you. Nakakaintindi ka ba?"

I took a deep breath and just nodded as a response. When we got out, Davis went straight to our table while still carrying me. Napatayo silang lahat ng makitang karga karga ako ni Davis.

"What happened?" nagaalalang tanong ni Daddy.

"She twisted her ankle while entering the bathroom, Dad. She only got a sprain. Cheska just need a little rest and—"

"Could her sprain be serious?" pagputol ni Daddy sa sinabi nito.

Umiling si Davis at yumuko bilang pag-galang. When I saw Daddy look at me, I just gave him a smile to ease his worries. Because I knew he was concerned about me.

"Please excuse us. Me and my wife will go home now. Cheska needs a rest," pagpapaalam ni  Davis.

Napabuntong hininga ang aking ama at nilapitan ako. He gently stroked my hair, and I felt him kiss my forehead before he spoke.

"Take care, Cheska. Get some rest so your foot can heal quickly."

I just nodded and gave him a small smile. Davis also said goodbye to his parents, and we immediately headed to the parking lot. He helped me into the passenger seat. I stayed silent and ignored Davis until we got home.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

I am carrying Thalestris in my arms while looking at Davis, who is now holding his suitcase because he is leaving for his business trip. We are outside the gate, waiting for him to leave.

Tahimik ko lang siyang pinagmamasdan habang iniinda pa rin ang sakit sa aking paa. Natatapak ko na ito at nakakalakad na ako ng maayos dahil hinihilot hilot ko 'yon, but I still feel some pain.

"Aalis na po kami, Ma'am Cheska," pagpaalam ng driver ng makapasok na sa loob si Davis.

I gave him a small smile. "Ingat po sa pagmamaneho, Kuya."

When the van left, I finally turned around and put Thalestris down to let her walk toward the door. Sinara ko ang gate at nakangiting sinundan siya kahit na paika ika na naglakad.

"Cheska."

I quickly turned when I heard the familiar voice. At the same time, my heart started beating faster, like it was excited for the person who called my name. 

Bumaba ang aking tingin sa hawak nito, may hawak siyang pagkain sa kanan nitong kamay. Nang umangat ang aking tingin ay doon ko lang din napansin ang kanyang sout. He was wearing a white t-shirt that showed his muscles, especially his biceps, and gray camilo shorts.

"Lou—Hylo!" tawag ko sa kanyang ngalan.

Sumilay ang ngiti sa aking labi at inangat ang aking kamay para kawayan ito. My heart beat even faster when I saw him cross the street and walk toward me. He leaned over the small gate and looked down at my foot, making the smile on my face disappear.

"Your feet. It's swollen," dinig kong wika niya, he sounded so worried about me.

"Uhmm," hindi ko alam kung ano ang aking isasagot.

"Can I come in?"He asked.

I nodded slowly. Nilingon ko si Thalestris at nakahinga ng maluwag na nakaupo lang ito sa tiles sa bukana ng pintuan habang inosenteng nakatingin at naghihintay sa akin.

"Stay there, baby," wika ko sa kanya.

Ngumiti lang aking anak at nanatiling nakatingin sa akin. When I turned to face Hylo, I almost stepped back after seeing him kneeling in front of me. Hawak hawak ang kanan kong paa habang tinitignan iyon ng mabuti.

"Strain or sprain?" He asked. Umangat ang kanyang ulo para tignan ako.

"Sprain," sagot ko.

"This is the worst sprain I've ever seen. You need to rest, Cheska. Have you had this checked at the hospital?"

Tumayo na ito galing sa pagkakaluhod at sinalubong ang aking tingin. Umiling ako sa kanya at tumukhim bago magsalita.

"Hindi. May iniwan naman na gamot si Davis, iyon muna ang tinitake ko hanggang sa maging okay yung paa ko," bumaba ang aking tingin sa aking paa. "But I think the medicine doesn't seem to be working. It still hurts."

Nakita ko na kumunot ang kanyang noo dahil sa aking sinabi.

"Bakit hindi ka niya dinala sa hospital? Hindi madadala sa gamot 'yang sprain mo. nasaan ba siya? Is he at his work now?" Sunod sunod nitong tanong sa akin.

I nodded. "Yes. May business trip siya sa London for one month."

Ilang segundo siguro kami nagkatinginan at hindi siya nakasagot sa aking sinabi. Pansin ko na parang nagkaroon ng munting kislap sa kanyang singkit na mata na hindi ko matukoy kung ano iyon. Tumango na lang siya at napahagod sa kanyang bagsak na buhok bago magsalita.

"Okay... I think it would be much better for you if you had a doctor to see your sprain."

I couldn't help but smile at what he said. Kahit na ganyan siya ay ramdam na ramdam ko na nagaalala pa rin siya sa akin. Hylo still cares for me. I just nodded and looked at my daugther.

"Okay. pero walang mag babantay kay Thalestris ngayon kaya baka sa susunod na lang," tugon ko.

Umangat ang aking kamay at sumenyas na lumapit siya sa akin. A smile appeared on my daugther's lips, and she stood up to walk toward me. Thalestris held my hand with one hand and my leg with the other.

"Puwede kitang samahan ngayon. Anong oras mo ba gustong pumunta sa hospital?" bigla nitong sambit sa akin.

Natigilan ako sa kanyan sinabi at bahagyang natulala sa kanya. Him? Is he going with me for a check-up? Napalunok ako at naging malikot ang aking mga mata at hindi makatingin sa kanya dahil parang nahiya ako bigla sa alok nito.

"I think mas maganda kung ako na lang, Hylo," nahihiya kong sambit sa kanya. "Baka magalit girlfriend mo. Salamat sa alok mo—"

Bigla siyang natawa sa aking sinabi. "Silly girl. I don't have a girlfriend, Cheska."

Pakiramdam ko ay parang may kung anong mga paru paro na nagsiliparan sa aking tyan dahil sa kanyang sinabi. Nilabanan ko ang aking sarili na huwag ngumiti dahil wala siyang girlfriend. Pero agad din na nawala ng may maalala.

Masyado agad akong nagiging komportable lalo't na nasa labas kami ng bahay. May CCTV dito at baka makita 'to ni Davis. I feel uncomfortable, pakiramdam ko ay may nakatingin sa akin. I feel like Davis is watching me.

"I'm sorry. I thought you have a girlfriend."

I could slowly hear the fast beating of my heart. I was nervous because I knew Davis would find out that Hylo and I were talking again, at natatakot na baka saktan niya si Hylo.

"Cheska? Your spacing out," wika ni Hylo at hinawakan ang aking braso. "Are you okay?"

Dahil hindi ko inaasahan na hinawakan niya ang aking braso ay nabitawan ko ang kamay ni Thalestris at napaatras. I stepped down with my right foot first, making me sit on the floor and groan in pain.

"Ouch," mahina kong daing.

"Mommy... mommy," maliit ang boses ni Thalestris ng lapitan niya ako.

I gave her a small smile and placed my hand on her head to kiss it. "Mommy is okay, baby. Don't worry."

"Let me help you," nagmamadaling wika ni Hylo at tinulungan akong makatayo.

I placed my hands on both of his shoulders for support. Once I stood up properly, I quickly removed them. I still knew my limits because I was already married. This wouldn't look good to other people.

"Sasamahan kita sa hospital, Cheska. Don't worry. Kailan mo ba gustong umalis? Sabihan mo agad ako para alam ko, okay?" wika niya sa akin sa mababang tono.

I kept looking at him, thinking of something to say to stop him from coming with me, but he really wanted to go with me. Huminga ako ng malalim bago sumagot.

"After lunch na lang tayo aalis. Is that okay?" tanong ko sa kanya.

Pakiramdam ko ay parang natunaw ang aking puso ng makita ang ngiti nito sa kanyang labi. "Of course. I'm free today... and I always make time for you."

We both froze at his last words. He cleared his throat and looked away from me.

"Hylo..."

"I'll just drop this food to them," pagiiba niya ng usapan at muli akong tinignan.

"Okay. Take your time. Thank you, Hylo."

"You're always welcome, Cheska."

Pinanood ko lang siya sa sunod nitong ginawa. Hinawakan niya si Thalestris at binuhat habang inaalalayan na akong maglakad papasok sa loob ng bahay. Nang makapasok ay maingat niyang nilapag si Thalestris bago lumabas.

Bago pa tuluyang makaalis ay tinanguan niya muna ako at ganoon din ang aking ginawa. Nanatili akong nakatanaw sa kanya hanggang sa mawala na ito sa aking paningin.

Napabuntong hininga ako at napahawak sa aking dibdib dahil sobrang bilis ng tibok ng aking puso. It felt like my heart was bursting with joy because of what happened today. I noticed that I was already smiling while sitting on the sofa, still surprised that we talked again.

"Mommy. Happy?" tanong ni Thalestris ng makalapit sa akin.

I laughed softly and carried her. We were both smiling as I covered her face with kisses, and her giggles filled the living room.

"Yes po. Mommy is very happy today," nakangiti kong tugon.

Sa buong oras na 'yon ay nagpahinga lang ako sa sala at nag linis ng kaonti dahil hindi ako sanay ng walang ginagawa. Nagpalipas ako ng oras hanggang sa napag isipan na magluto na ng pananghalian namin. Kasalukuyan akong naghuhugas ng kawali ng marinig na may nag doorbell.

I quickly went to the living room and peeked through the small window to see who it was. My heart instantly started beating faster when I saw who it was. Alam ko naman na siya 'yon... alam kong si Hylo 'yon dahil kanina ko pa siya hinihintay.

He had his hands in his pockets while waiting for me to open the gate. I swallowed hard and glanced at Thalestris, who was quietly playing with stuffed toys in the playpen. Mabilis akong lumabas at pinagbuksan siya.

"Hylo," mahina kong sambit sa kanyang pangalan.

"Hi. Can I come in?" he asked while smiling.

I nodded. "Pasok."

Tipid ko siyang ningitian at ginalaw ang aking ulo para sabihin na pumasok. I entered the house first, feeling his presence right behind me.

"Did you already eat?" tanong nito sa akin at naupo sa sofa ng lingunin ko ito.

Umiling ako. "Hindi pa. I just finished cleaning a while ago."

Kumunot ang kanyang noo. "You had a sprain. Why are you cleaning? You might make your sprain worse."

Hindi ko siya sinagot at umiwas na lang ng tingin. Nagtungo ako sa kusina at naramdaman ko na sumunod siya sa akin.

"Hindi ako sanay na makitang magulo yung bahay," mahina kong tugon.

Napatingin ako sa kanya ng may nilapag siyang brown paper bag sa island counter.

"What's that?" tanong ko.

"Cupcake," mabilis niyang sagot habang nakatingin sa aking mga mata. "Your favorite."

I stopped for a moment at what he said. He still remembers that? I took the paper bag and opened the box with red velvet cupcakes inside. Napalunok ako roon bago inangat ang tingin para tignan siya.

"Thank you for this, Hylo," pagpapasalamat ko. Tipid ko siyang ningitian bago sinarado ang box.

"Naalala mo pa pala na paborito ko 'to."

Ang tipid na ngiti ay nauwi sa malawak habang sinisilip ulit ang velvet cupcake na binigay niya sa akin. Hylo is good at baking, and as far as I know, he planned to open a pastry shop. Now I'm wondering if he ever made it happen.

Nang inangat ko ang aking tingin para tignan siya ay kanina papala ito nakatingin sa akin.

"Cheska, I will always remember you. I hope you realize that you'll always be on my mind."

SHANGPU