Professor's Pet Series: Quinn Ellis

XIII. Drunk and In Pain

I ran to the nearest bush before vomiting, emptying all my stomach's contents, consisting mostly of the wine I consumed during dinner.

Suddenly, I felt someone running a comforting hand down my back. Nang maubos na ang laman ng tiyan ko ay may nag-abot din ng tissue, which I used to wipe my mouth with.

Pagtingin ko sa likod, I saw Miss Andrews with her face full of concern. Sa tabi niya ay si Miss Gomez na inabutan naman ako ng bottled water. Nagpasalamat ako dito bago uminom to wash down the unpleasant taste in my mouth.

"Are you okay?" Miss Andrews quietly asked.

Tumingin lang ako sa kanya bago binalingan sina Eli at Kenny na nakatayo lang sa gilid at parehong nakayuko. Napakunot-noo ako.

And, then, a sudden realization came to me.

"You fucking knew about this?" I exclaimed making them flinched.

It made sense now. That explained their weird behaviors kanina pa pagdating ko. I felt anger rising in my cheast.

"You fucking knew, right? And you never
utter a single fucking word about it? You left me in the dark, FUCK YOU!" Sigaw ko sabay duro sa dalawa.

I cannot control myself from lashing out at them. At  sa takot na baka kung ano pa ang masabi ko na hindi ko na mababawi pa ay iniwan ko na sila at mabilis na naglakad palayo.

I can hear Eli calling after me, but Miss Andrews must've stopped her. Hindi ko na rin narinig kung ano pang sinabi nya. I ran as far away from them as possible.

Not knowing where else to go, and not wanting to go back inside the function hall, I went to find the nearest restroom. Inside, I rinsed my mouth before splashing my face with cold water. Pagtapos ay tumitig lang ako sa reflection ko sa salamin.

My eyes were seething with anger. I felt played. I felt betrayed. I'm so furious, but mostly disappointed at Kenny and Eli. Gusto kong umiyak sa sobrang sama ng loob, yet I can't, ayaw pang tumulo ng mga luha ko. I gripped the edge of the sink as I close my eyes tightly. I badly wanted to hurt someone.

Nasa ganoong ayos ako ng bumukas ang pinto. I opened my eyes to see Miss Mendez hesistantly walk inside. Nagtama ang mga mata namin through the mirror's reflection. Napansin ko na medyo namamaga ang mga mata niya, and just looking at me melancholy. Still, I can't help but stare at her beauty.

She's wearing a simple white long-sleeve dress. Her hair was up in a stylish bun, with curly strands framing the sides of her beautiful face. She looked immaculate. But, her face look more of that a grieving widow than someone who just got engaged.

Pinigilan ko ang sariling lapitan at yakapin siya. It's been a couple of days, and seeing her right now is such a sight for sore eyes.

I averted my gaze when she started to take a step closer. She stopped a few inches away from me, my heart was pounding because of our close proximity. Hindi pa rin ito umiimik at ilang sandali pa ay may nilapag ito sa ibabaw ng sink.

I looked down to see it was the promise ring I gave her.

I smiled bitterly as I remember that day, not too long ago. The day we went on a secret date. That was one of the happiest days of my life. Biting my lip hard, I swallowed the lump in my throat before bravely.meeting her gaze once again. She was just standing there, looking at me tiredly.

Hindi ako sanay. She used to look at me with so much unspoken emotions in her beautiful eyes. But, now, she look like a completely different person. Like a complete stranger. I waited for her to say anything, but none came.

What, now? No explanations? No reasons? Basta na lang niya ibabalik 'yong singsing? Ang dami kong gustong itanong pero walang salita na gustong lumabas sa bibig ko, panay lang ang paglunok ko ng mariin para pigilan ang mga luha kong ngayon pa gustong kumawala.