The Love That Destroyed Us

CHAPTER 13

I yawned as I opened my eyes.

Amoy na amoy ko na ang pagkain. Paniguradong si Yohan ang nagluluto.

Agad akong naligo at nagpalit ng damit. After that, I went to the kitchen.

Today.....

I cleared my throat to let him know my presence. Bumaling siya sa akin habang abala sa paghahanda ng pagkain.

"Morning," he greeted with his hoarse voice.

"Morning," lumapit ako sa table.

Hinawakan niya ang baywang ko at inangat sa stool. I let him be. Palagi niya naman itong ginagawa.

"Wala kang gagawin mamaya?" he asked while we were busy eating.

"Cemetery.  Mom's death anniversary," tipid kong sagot.

Umawang ang kaniyang labi.I was thankful that he didn't look at me with pity.

"Samahan kita?"

I shook my head. "Hindi na, baka busy ka."

"I can make time for you.." he stared at me.

I just shrugged my shoulders.

True to what he said, sinamahan niya nga ako papunta sa sementeryo. We used his Mercedes benz. Huminto muna kami sa bahay niya dahil maliligo pa siya at magbibihis. I thought it would take time for him but fifteen minutes and he's already done!

Nakasunod siya sa akin habang naglalakad kami patungo sa puntod ni nanay.

Inilapag ko ang bulaklak at nagsindi ng kandila. I uttered a short prayer. Pinagpagan ko na ang aking damit at nagsimulang maglakad paalis.

"Hindi mo siya kakausapin?" Yohan asked. Nakasunod siya sa akin.

"Wala naman akong sasabihin sa kaniya."

Wala. Wala akong ikwekwento sa kaniya. Naubos na ang mga salita ko.

I was afraid that if I talk to her, I would just be angry. Siguro naiingayan na nga siya dahil paulit-ulit lang ang sinasabi ko tuwing dinadalaw ko siya.

Na sana hindi siya naging ganoon.

I stopped when someone grabbed my arm.

He pulled me into a warm hug.

"Anong kadramahan na naman 'to ,Arellano?" I asked as I felt the beating of his heart.

"Comfort hug?"

"Hindi naman ako malungkot."

He sighed. Nagulat ako nang mag inilagay siyang kwintas sa leeg ko. He caressed my neck. My breathing hitched. Nanatili kaming nakatitig sa kaniya.

"I don't want to greet you a happy birthday because I'm afraid it would make you angry since it's your mom's death anniversary.." hirap na hirap niyang sabi.

I bit my lower lip. "How did you know?"

"I just know."

Nagulat siya nang yakapin ko siya. I wrapped my arms around his waist. Isinubsob ko ang aking mukha sa kaniyang dibdib.

"Thank you.." I muttered.

                                 * * *

"Two iced americano,please."

Nakaupo kami ni Yohan sa isang café. We were silently watching rain drops outside.

"Maureen?"

We were interrupted by a familiar voice. Lumingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses. Kumunot ang aking noo, inaaalala kung sino siya. Yohan was just silently watching us.

"Pablo.." I said his name.

He was my ex- suitor. Isa siya sa mga nagtangkang buksan ang pintuan ng aking puso pero katulad ng iba, nabigo siya.

Ako na mismo ang nagsabing tigilan niya ang panliligaw, and so, he did.

"Oh, I didn't expect to see you here," he scanned me from head to toe. "You still didn't changed."

I chuckled. I extended my arms and he shook it.

"I miss you," biglang sabi niya.

Ngumiti lang ako.

Dumating na ang order namin pero nanatiling nakatayo si Pablo.

"Thank you," Yohan paid the orders.

Pablo glanced at Yohan when he finally noticed his presence.

Bumilog ang kaniyang bibig. "Boyfriend?" he asked.

Bumaling ako kay Yohan. He arched a brow, waiting for my answer.

"No," I answered.

I saw how Yohan's mood changed. His hand that was on the table fisted.

Hindi naman talaga....

Nagpaalam na si Pablo at umalis. Naiwan kaming tahimik. Diretso ang tingin niya sa labas, hindi man lang tumitingin sa akin. I just shrugged my shoulders and took a sip on my drink.

Hindi pa rin tumitila ang ulan. Ang lakas pa.

"Let's go," he said coldly and stood up, leaving his drinks untouched.

Nagtataka akong sumunod sa kaniya. We got inside his car and he immediately started the engine. Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa manibela.

"Okay ka lang?" alanganin kong tanong.

"Yeah.."

Ngumuso ako at hinayaan nalang siya. Problema nun?

We stopped in front of my house.

"Go," aniya, para bang pinapaalis ako.

I arch a brow. "What's your problem?"

He stared at me for a moment. "Nothing," he shook his head. "Uwi ka na."

I opened the door. Bababa na sana ako nang bigla na naman akong tumigil.

"Are we good?" I asked.

"Oo nga," he chuckled. "Uwi na."

I sighed and finally gave up. Bumaba na ako at pumasok sa loob.

I did what I needed to do. Nang mapagod na ay nagtungo ako sa kwarto. Hindi ko alam kung anong pumasok sa isip ko, binuksan ko ang bintana. My lips parted when I still saw his car.

Wth! It's been three hours since I got off the car! Anong ginagawa niya diyan?!

Galit akong lumabas. It was heavily raining but I didn't bother to use an umbrella.

I stood in front of his car, waiting for him to come out. Basang basa na ako dahil sa ulan.

Hindi pa nakakailang segundo ay bumukas ang pintuan. His brows were furrowed while marching towards me.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" pagalit niyang saad.

I glared at him. "What the hell are you doing here?!" I asked back.

He sighed. He frustratedly combed his finger using his hair.

"Ano?" I asked.

"Let's get inside the car first. Umuul–"

"Wala akong pakealam. Ano bang problema mo?!" hindi ko napigilan ang pagtaas ng boses.

He sighed heavily. "May iniisip lang ako, okay?"

"Anong iniisip mo?"

"It's nothing."

He attempted to hold my arm but I took a step backward.

"Ano nga?!"

"Kung ano na tayo!" I was startled when he suddenly shouted. "Kung ano ba ako sayo. I saw how you f-cking smiled and laughed with that Pablo, and you can't even do that to me! Nagseselos ako,Iris! At galit ako sa sarili ko dahil alam kong wala naman akong karapatan.."

Ah. Ito pala ang ikinagagalit niya.

He cursed. "Pumasok ka na sa loob. Basang basa ka na. Don't mind what I–"

I tiptoed and shut his lips using mine. He froze. His eyes widened.

"Assh-le," I said when our lips parted.