Chapter 10

"Kaya nga sinasabi ko sa iyong magtrabaho ka eh!" napatigil ako sa pintuan nang tumaas ang boses ni Mama. She never raises her voice, even when she's really mad kaya sobrang nakakapagtaka. "Mallory is already in college! Nalulubog na ako sa utang, Marco. Hindi ka ba marunong tumulong?"

Huminto ako at nakiramdam. The sound of my stepfather's fist slamming down the wooden kitchen table and the rattling of the utensils startled me.

"Eh hindi ko naman anak ang batang yan ah! Ano bang problema mo?"

"Marco—"

I heard a banging sound inside. Dropping my bag on the ground, I immediately ran inside the house only to see my mother lying on the kitchen floor, clutching her left shoulder.

"Ginagalit mo talaga ako, Vicky?" he raised his hand in the air, attacking my mother again. Ipinikit nalang ni mama ang kanyang mata.

"Stay away from her!" I yelled angrily, stalking towards them. My stepfather angrily snapped his head towards my direction. I clutched on his big arm but he easily swat me away. Losing my balance, I received a hard slap from him.

My mother gasped. This is the first time that my stepfather actually hit me in front of her. The fear that once consumed me is suddenly replaced by anger.

Don't let your stepfather hit you again...

"Wag kang makikialam, Mallory!" galit niyang singhal sa akin.

I took a shaky breath and glared at him. Before he could open his mouth again, I grabbed the kitchen knife that landed on the counter when my mother hit the dish tray earlier.

"Move away..." I gritted my teeth.

"Mallory!" nanlaki ang mga mata ni Mama at napatayo siya sa gulat. Maging ang aking stepfather ay na-surprisa rin sa aking ginawa.

I tried to keep my fingers from shaking and keep an angry expression to give him the hint that I'm not backing down this time. Not my mother...

"Mallory, ibaba mo yan please..."

"No one hits my mother." I said slowly. Nilapitan ko siya nang nakatutok pa rin ang kutsilyo sa kanya. "Do you understand that!"

Umatras nang umatras ang aking stepfather. "Are you going to attack me with that, Mallory? Are you sure you can do it?"

"I'm not going to hesitate in hurting you if you touch my mother again! How dare you..."

When he finally took the hint that I'm not playing games here, ang galit sa kanyang mukha ay unti-unting napalitan ng takot.

"Put the knife down, Mallory."

"I won't!" singhal ko. "Get out!"

Dahan-dahan siyang lumabas ng kusina. My knuckles are turning white form clutching the knife too hard. He cursed under his breath and stumbled out of the kitchen. Nang mawala na siya sa paningin naming dalawa ay saka siya nagmumura. After a while, I heard a loud crash. Fear and anger filled my chest again especially when I heard the baby grand piano groaned. He must've hit it with something.

"May araw rin kayo sa akin! Tandaan niyo yan!" sigaw niya habang papalabas ng bahay.

Nang makaalis na siya ay nabitawan ko na ang kutsilyo. It thud when it hit the floor. Sobrang nanginginig ang mga kamay ko sa takot. I can't believe what I just did.

"Mallory!" niyakap kaagad ako ni Mama.

"I'm sorry..." I sobbed, clutching on her shirt. When my stepfather started hitting me, I swore to myself that I will never be like him. But look at me now, trying to act tough and holding a knife against him just so he would leave my mother alone. "I'm sorry, Mama..." napahagulhol ako.

"Ssh... It's okay, it's okay." She stroked my hair as I cried hard that night.

---

Bumuntong-hininga ako. Sa tuwing pinagmamasdan ko ang mga kamay ko ay sumasagi sa isipan ko ang ginawa ko ng gabing iyon. I still can't believe it happened.

Ganun din ba ang klaseng galit na naramdaman ni Sage nang malaman niyang pinagtangkaan ang kanyang girlfriend?

The anger that would drive you to do anything for the one that you love?

Sigurado akong ganun ang naramdaman ko ng gabing iyon. All I could think is how I could protect my mother from my monster of a stepfather.

Ihinilamos ko ang aking mukha sa palad. Kanina ko pa hinihintay si Leon at Sierra pero hindi pa rin sila dumarating. I glanced at my wristwatch. Kinse minutos na silang wala.

Grumbling to myself, I decided to read a book instead. Gusto kong alisin ang mga pangyayari ng gabing iyon sa isipan ko.

"Mallory!" ngingiti-ngiting nilapitan ako ni Sierra. Sinimangutan ko silang dalawa ni Leon.

"Ang tagal niyo."

"Eh itong si Sierra, ang bagal kumilos." Leon complained. "Tara na, Mallory."

Tumayo ako mula sa kinauupuan ko at isinilid ang libro sa aking bag. Whatever this party may be tonight, I know I'm just going to sit in a corner and read a book to kill time.

"Hindi ka man lang nagbihis nang maayos, ano ka ba!" tinampal ni Sierra ang aking braso.

I glanced down at my ripped jeans and maroon shirt then shrugged. "There's nothing wrong with what I'm wearing, Sier..."

"Ewan ko sa iyo. Isang taon nalang gagraduate na tayo sa kolehiyo pero para ka pa ring manang manamit!" iniling-iling niya ang kanyang ulo. Then she elbowed Leon. "Diba, Leon?"

Ngumiti lamang siya sa amin at sinulyapan ako. "I think she'd still look beautiful no matter what she wears."

"Sus! Sinasabi mo lang iyan kasi gusto mo si Mallory!" humalakhak si Sierra. Both of our cheeks flamed. Walang sumagot sa aming dalawa ni Leon. Ang kaibigan ko lang ang panay salita hanggang sa makarating kami sa villa house ng blockmate kong si Cassie.

I felt uncomfortable all of a sudden. Glancing around the pretty college girls in their bikinis and boys in their board shorts made me feel out of place. I'd rather stay inside my room and read a book than to be here.

Some of my classmates greeted me. Most of them are engaged in a conversation with their group of friends. Anak si Cassie ng mayor namin kaya naman isa siya sa mga kilala sa maliit na community college. Despite her wealth, the girl is friendly and down to earth. She also knows how to have fun by throwing parties like this every after exam.

Humigit ako nang malalim na hininga. Even Sierra slip out of her dress and revelead a daring black bikini underneath. Naghiyawan pa ang iba sa mga classmates ko sa nakita. Over the past years, Sierra had slowly came out from her shell. She started using make-up, change her entire wardrobe, made a lot of friends but still stayed as my best friend. Ganun pa rin ang kanyang ugali at nagpapasalamat ako sa kanya.

"Mallory! Sierra!" bigla kaming inakbayan ni Lysander, a bottle of whiskey on his right hand. "Ang magkaibigang 10. Fancy a drink?"

Inalis ko kaagad ang kamay niya mula sa balikat ko. "Uh, I don't drink." I murmured.

"Akin na nga yan!" Sierra snatched the bottle from him and took a swig. Lysander cheered.

"I feel like a proud mother bird sending her baby bird off the nest. Ang laki na talaga ng ipinagbago mo, Sierra."

Sierra grinned and thrust the bottle back to him. Without another word, she ran into the pool and jump into the water, making some girls shriek in surprise.

Lysander chuckled. "Things change so fast..." iniling-iling niya ang kanyang ulo. "Are you sure you don't want a drink?"

Ngumiwi ako. "I'm fine here."

Lysander ran his gaze over my appearance, making me uncomfortable. "If only you know how to dress like your age, Mallory, I'm sure mas madami pa ang manliligaw sa iyo. You have flesh in all the right places." Nginisihan niya ako at bumagsak ang kanyang tingin sa aking dibdib.

"Stop it." I glared at him. "Can you please leave me alone?"

He shrugged. "Suit yourself." Nakahinga ako nang maluwag when he finally started walking away. I scanned the surroundings to look for a spot where I can sit and read a book. Nasabit si Leon sa kanyang mga barkada kanina sa first floor ng villa at hanggang ngayo'y hindi pa nakakaakyat, so I'm with my own company.

Nilingon ko ulit si Sierra. Nakikipagtawanan na siya sa ilang mga babae na naroon sa pool. Heaving a sigh, I proceeded upstairs and was secretly glad to see that only few people are lounging on the rooftop.

Nang makarating ako sa taas ay naupo ako sa isang puting reclining chair. Papalubog na ang araw. I pulled my battered copy of The Tale of Two Cities and continued reading where I left last night.

Hindi ko na namalayan ang oras sa kababasa. Huminto lang ako dahil dumidilim na at sumasakit ang mata ko. I got up from the reclining chair and was surprised when I suddenly felt a cold liquid running on my back and on the top of my hair.

"Anong—"

My heart sank inside of my chest when I saw Serenity's grinning face. Her cheeks are redder than usual, the drunkness must've caused it.

"Oops." She giggled. "Akala ko basurahan eh, pasensiya na."

I tried to calm myself. Ayaw kong magalit sa kanya. Matapang ang amoy ng alak na itinapon niya sa akin.

"You're drunk." I pointed out.

"And so?" tinaasan niya ako ng kilay.

"I don't want a cat fight, Serenity. Aren't we too old for that?" I turned away from her that made her only angrier because she grabbed my arms and forcely spun me around.

"Huwag mo akong tinatalikuran—"

"Everything okay here?" biglang sumulpot si Cassie, nakangiti sa aming dalawa. Serenity dug her nails on my skin and squeezed me tighter before she finally let me go.

She gave her a fake smile. "We're fine, Cass."

"Oh, okay."

"Bababa lang ako." She said cattily, sending me one sharp look before she headed downstairs.

As soon as she was out of sight, worried look crossed Cassie's face. "Ayos ka lang ba, Mallory? I'm sorry, I really shouldn't invite her..."

"I'm fine." I said tightly. "Pakisabi nalang kay Leon at Sierra na nauna na ako."

"Are you sure—"

"I'm really fine. Sige." Dali-dali akong bumaba mula sa rooftop. Tumutulo pa ang alak sa aking damit. The liquid soaked my shirt, revealing a part of my black bra. Hindi ko na pinansin ang mga tumawag sa akin at tumakbo papalabas ng villa.

I ran as if my life depends on it and when I finally reach the Monterio's rice field, huminto ako at binagalan ang aking paglakad. Hinihingal na ako.

Parties are not really for me. I thought with a sigh. With a heavy heart and mind clouded with sadness, I headed straight to the thick woods. The sound of the silent rustling of ancient trees helped me to calm down. Sinundan ko ang pamilyar na daan patungo sa mansion ng mga Monterio. Whenever I feel sad about anything, I always found myself under the care of their mansion. Even if it's only for the elites, the old pillars and stylish windows are oddly soothing, pushing away the sadness from my chest.

Hoisting myself up over their iron fence, I jumped into their yard, my feet crunching the dried leaves below. Bakit hindi naman nila ito nililinisan? I wondered to myself while walking towards Sage's room.

The familiar quietness welcomed me. His windows are closed tightly. When I opened it, the hot stuffy air bursted to my face. Pinagmasdan ko ang kanyang malaking kama.

Being in this room brought back a lot of memories. It's been three years, Sage. Three longs years. Kailan ka babalik? O babalik ka pa bang talaga?

Pumikit ako at isinandal ang aking ulo sa kanyang bintana. I stayed like that for a long time, letting the sadness consume me. Desperate of any information about him, palagi ko siyang isini-search sa internet. There are no recent news of the young Monterio except when everyone believed that he actually died.

Sage, are you happy with Jasmine now? Are you not coming back here?

With shoulders slumped, I padded towards the window again. I placed one leg over the sill and instantly froze when the door clicked open. My heart pounded inside of my chest wildly but I dared not to move.

"I see you still haven't learned to differentiate the function of a door and the window, huh,"

Abot-abot ang tahip ng puso ko. I turned to the opposite direction and almost died of a heart attack when I saw Sage in all flesh, leaning against the doorway. He's gotten taller and the muscles beneath his grey button down shirt strained. The same intense eyes just the way I remembered pierce through me. Magulo ang kanyang buhok na para bang kakabangon lang niya sa kama.

"Sage..." I said faintly.

His lips curled in a smirk. "Good to see you again, Mal..."