NOT AGAIN (Cruel Reality Series 4) [COMPLETED]

Chapter 31

"DITO NA LANG, Sim." Tapik niya sa kamay ng binata nang makarating sila sa tapat ng bahay nila Braxton at Zavaiah. Nagulat siya nang si Sim mismo ang magtanggal sa seatbelt niya at tsaka siya nito pinihit paharap sa kanya.

Kitang-kita niya ang sakit sa mga mata ni Sim habang tinitignan siya nito. The sadness in his eyes were enough to show her that he was hurting, too. Hindi lang siya ang nasasaktan sa sitwasyon nila.

Slowly, Sim cupped her face using his palms and slowly caressed her cheeks. She closed her eyes to  feel his touch and she let out a small sigh of relief when his thumb reached her eyes. That soothing feeling was still the same. . . he could still make her feel safe just by touching her.

"Everything will be fine, my sunshine," he whispered. She nodded her head and opened her eyes. Nagtama ang mga mata nila ni Sim and a teardrop fell from her eyes. She immediately turned her head to hide her tears but Sim was fast enough to dry her tears. He leaned forward and kissed her eyes after that he kissed her forehead and hugged her tightly. "I promise you, my sunshine. I'll make them pay."

Hindi niya naintindihan kung ano ang ibig sabihin ni Sim sa mga katagang iyon. She just nodded her head and removed his arms that is wrapped around her shoulders. "Sige na." Inayos niya ang damit niya at akmang lalabas na nang magsalita ulit ang binata.

"Are we still not okay?" he asked her. Hindi niya sinagot si Sim dahil hindi niya rin alam ang isasagot niya. Ang alam niya ay nasasaktan siya. Masyadong maraming kaguluhan ang nangyayari sa kanya ngayon.

Noong nakaraan, pinagbabaril siya, nasunog ang bahay niya at nagkakatampuhan sila ni Sim. One after another, her problems were drowning her and she couldn't think straight.

"S-Sim——"

"Bb ko. That's your endearment for me," he cut off her words. He took a deep breath and then looked at her. . . his eyes were showing desperation, guilt and sadness all in one. Something inside her shattered when she saw how pained he was. "But that's fine, baby. I'll stay by your side no matter what, okay? I know, you're hurting too much right now but don't forget that I'm always here for you. I love you." He whispered as he hugged her. Hindi niya alam kung bakit biglang sumakit ang puso niya dahil doon. Hindi niya namalayan na may tumulo na namang luha sa kanyang mga mata at dahil yakap yakap soya ng binata ay hindi niya alam kung nakita nito ang pag-iyak niya.

Naramdaman niya ang paghalik ng binata sa kanyang tuktok at ang paghaplos nito sa kanyang likod bago siya nito pakawalan. Walang imik na lumabas siya sa kotse at kasunod nito ay ang paglabas din ni Sim.

"Message me when you need something, okay? And be safe." He kissed her forehead one more time before returning inside the car. Siya naman ay pinanood lang ang bawat galaw ni Sim. Wala pang isang minuto ay lumabas ulit si Sim at tsaka siya hinawakan sa kamay. He intertwined their fingers and made their way inside Braxton and Zavaiah's house.

"Marky baby!" masayang halakhak ni Zammy nang makita siya nito kaya naman napangiti siya. Nakita niyang nakatingin sa kanya si Sim at tila magaan na ang itsura nito at tsaka siya nito tinanguan.

"Go and talk to her, I know you missed her. I'll just talk to Doc Braxton," he kissed her forehead. Parang batang tumango siya at pumunta sa gawi ni Zavaiah. Si Sim naman ay pumunta sa kusina para kausapin ang asawa ng kanyang kaibigan.

"Zammy," she beamed and hugged her friend tightly. Pakiramdam niya ay para siyang isang bata na nakahanap ng kakampi nang maramdaman niya ang yakap ng kaibigan. May baby bump na ito kaya kaagad siyang kumalas sa yakap niya. "Zam——"

Hindi niya pa natatapos ang sasabihin niya nang isa-isang tumulo ang mga luha niya. Natatarantang pinunasan ni Zavaiah iyon at marahan siyang niyakap. "Pinaiyak ka ba ng jowa mo?" tanong sa kanya ni Zavaiah. She just shook her head and sniffed again.