Behind The Pain (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 13

BTP KABANATA 13

"At saan ka naman pupunta?" Kev asked when I was about to open the door. It looked like my dad caught me having my rebel night.

"Sa tabi-tabi lang," pagdadahilan ko.

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay at tinignan ang buong katawan ko. "Sa tabi-tabi lang pero kung malapit ka parang aattend ka ng kasal?"

I pouted and walked towards him. There's no use in lying to him. "I'll visit Satan lang. It has been weeks since we last saw each other. Bibili pa ako ng xiao long bao, so I decided to dress up nicely na rin," I explained.

Tumango-tango siya at kinuha ang bag niya na nasa sofa. Kumunot ang noo ko. "Where are you going?"

"Sasama sayo," he casually said.

"Dito ka na lang!" I whined.

"Bakit mo pa ako pinapunta rito kung iiwan mo rin naman ako?"

"Para bantayan condo ko," I smiled. "Clean my room na rin. Thank you!" Tumakbo ako palabas ng condo ko. I heard him scream my name, but I didn't look back.

Dumiretso muna ako sa china town para bumili ng xiao long bao. As Satan said, everyone deserves a reward after working hard. And I think he deserves a reward, so I'll give him his favorite food.

Kinuha ko ang phone ko na nasa bag. I dialed Satan's number to ask him if he wanted anything except xiao long bao.

"Are you in your condo?" I asked.

"Yeah..." His voice was husky. He probably just woke up.

"I'll visit you," I informed him. Hawak-hawak ko ang plastic na may lamang xiao long bao palabas ng pinagbilhan ko.

"Do you need anything?" he asked. Napanguso ako dahil doon.

"Hindi ba pwedeng I don't need anything? I just want to see you." I tried to make my voice as sad as possible.

"I'm just kidding," he chuckled. "I haven't ordered anything, so what food do you like?"

Umiling ako kahit na hindi naman niya ako makikita. "No worries. I bought xiao long bao and... uh..." I looked at the small cake I am holding next to the xiao long bao. "Basta don't worry na."

"Okay..." he stopped. "Ingat ka," he said, making me bite my lips to stop myself from smiling.

"Hmm. See you." Pinatay ko ang tawag at pumasok na sa sasakyan na dala ko.

I was humming the whole ride. Sakto pa na puro love song ang nasa radio. Pakiramdam ko tuloy sign na 'to ni Lord.

I walked towards Satan's condo with a smile on my face. I'm in a really good mood today because finally, I'm gonna see Satan again.

For some reason, people around me randomly smile at me. Napapaisip tuloy ako kung wala ba silang problema sa buhay. But then, all of us have battles that we never talked about to someone. We all have a story and it's just amazing how people could help one another.

He truly is a wonderful creator.

"Good morning po," I greeted the guard.

"Magandang umaga rin po, Ma'am Vera. Lalo po kayong gumanda," he said. He gave me a friendly and warm smile.

"Syempre, dahil fresh!" We both laughed at my remark.

We bid our goodbyes with each other. Dumiretso ako sa condo number ni Satan and thankfully wala tao sa elevator. I would feel awkward if ever.

"Pasok ka..." Satan said when I knocked. He was still wearing his school uniform. Sa sobrang pagod siguro niya hindi na niya napalitan damit niya at dumiretso na sa kama.