The Love That Destroyed Us

CHAPTER 16

"Yohan,gising na.."

He groaned and faced the opposite side. Nakadapa siya habang tulog na tulog. Bahagyang nakaawang pa ang mapupula niyang labi. I fought the urge to kiss him.

Kanina ko pa siya ginigising dahil malilate na siya sa trabaho. Nakaayos na nga ako, papunta sa lawfirm pero tulog na tulog pa rin siya.

"Yohan," I poked his waist.

Nakiliti siya kaya wala na siyang nagawa kundi bumangon. He wrapped me in his arms, still sleepy. He kissed my lips.

"Morning," he greeted with his hoarse voice.

"Morning. Mauuna na ako sa lawfirm, may kailangan akong asikasuhin. Your food's already ready," I kissed his cheek and stood up.

"So this is how it feels," he muttered.

"What?" I stopped.

"Wala," he shook his head. Tumayo siya at lumapit sa akin.

He kissed my lips and muttered goodbye before he went to the bathroom.

"Good morning, attorney," my secretary greeted me. Kita ko ang umbok sa kaniyang tiyan.

Napatingin ako sa tiyan niya. "Hindi ka ba magmamaternity leave?"

She bit her lower lip. "Wala ka pong kasama, attorney," alanganin niyang sabi.

I shook my head. "It's okay. I'll hire a temporary replacement. You may take a leave."

Kailangan niya naman kasing pagtuonan ng atensyon ang kalusugan niya lalo na't buntis siya. Luckily, napapayag ko na rin siya.

Nangingiti siyang nagpaalam. She even presented to find a temporary replacement. I just let her be.

True to what she said, the following morning, may replacement na.

It was a man.

He was wearing glasses with his formal clothes. He was tall, but Yohan's taller than him.

"Good morning,  attorney," he greeted and smiled a little.

"Adonis, right?" I asked and he nodded.

I smiled. Mukhang seryoso ang isang 'to ah.

I showed him the things he needed to do. Thankfully, madali siyang natuto dahil may experience na raw siya sa ganito.

Nang magsimulang dumilim ang paligid ay napagpasyahan ko nang umuwi. I looked at my watch, waiting for a taxi. Hindi ko kasi dinala ang sasakyan ko.

"Want a ride?"

Napatalon ako sa gulat nang may magsalita.It was my secretary. He tilted his head, waiting for my answer.

"Ah, pwede?" I asked shamefully. Kailan ko na kasing umuwi. It's already seven. Baka hindi pa nakakauwi si Yohan. I need to cook us dinner.

Thankfully, he drove me to my house. We were quiet the whole ride. When we arrived, I thanked him and went inside our house.

I smiled and opened the door and didn't expect what I saw.

"Ate.." Maura stood up when she saw me.

My smile faded the moment I saw her.

"What do you want?"

"Ate.." she smiled nervously. "Can we talk?"

I nodded. Maybe we needed this too. Hindi ako umupo at nantiling nakatayo, hinhintay siyang magsalita.

We were both standing at the sala. I could smell the foods at the kitchen. Maybe Yohan was probably cooking already.

"Ate..gusto ko lang humingi ng tawad," panimula niya. "I'm sorry dahil nagalit ako. Patawarin mo ako sa mga masasamang nasabi ko sayo. Hindi ko man lang inalam kung ano ang totoo. I'm sorry ate..I was so blinded by anger.." she cried. "I'm sorry, I'm so childish.."

I gulped. Masakit man para sa akin na ganoon ang sinabi niya noon, I still love her.

I took a step forward and wrapped her in my arms.

"It's okay.." I whispered. "I forgive you.."

She continued crying in my arms. Saktong kumalma siya ay lumabas si Yohan mula sa kusina. He was still wearing his clothes from work. 

He stopped when he noticed our eyes. He remained silent.

"Yohan, tubig," I said.

He immediately gave us a glass of water. I made my sister drank all of it. Nang matapos ay inaya ko siyang kumain.

We ate together while talking about the things we missed. She told me that she's in a happy marriage life right now and she's a nurse. I'm so proud of her.

Umalis din siya pagkatapos. Nahihiya raw kasi siya kay Yohan. She promised to come back some other day, with her family.

Natulog din kami kaagad ni Yohan dahil sa sobrang pagod. He promised to wake up early so that he'll drive me to work.

True to what he said, he woke up earlier than me. He greeted me with kisses until I woke up.

We took bath together and after that, he drove me to work.

"Good morning, attorney," Adonis smiled, with his serious face.

Binati ko rin siya pabalik at naupo sa swivel chair. I started my work that I didn't even notice it was already eight pm.

"Attorney,coffee," Adonis offered me a strong coffee.

Kami na lang dalawa ang nandito sa law firm. May inaasikaso kasi akong importanteng bagay.

I told Adonis to go home already but he said it's okay. Wala raw siyang masyadong gagawin sa bahay nila. I received Yohan's text telling me to go home already but I told him I got some important things to do.

Ten pm came and Adonis offered me another coffee. Pangatlong kape ko na 'to.

"Aww!" Napamura ako nang biglang natapon ang kape sa aking dibdib.

Adonis panicked and he immediately took a tissue. Sa sobrang pagpapanick ay hindi niya namalayang napupunasan niya ang bandang dibdib ko.

His eyes widened when he realized that. Tumikhim siya at yumuko. "I'm sorry, attorney.."

"It's o‐"

Before I could finish my sentence, he was greeted with a punch.

My eyes widened when I saw Yohan, raging mad. Napahawak sa panga si Adonis, dahil sa pagkakasuntok sa kaniya.

"Yohan!"

"How dare you lay your hands on her?!" he shouted, not paying attention to me.

"Adonis, please get out," I said.

He nodded and left silently. May balak pa nga siyang sundin ni Yohan.

Humakbang siya palapit sa kaniya kaya agad kong hinawakan ang braso niya para pigilan siya.

"Look, he was wiping the coffee on my shirt. Hindi niya namalayang nasa dibdib ko iyong‐"

"Shut up," he cut me off. "I'll kill him."

Sinubukan niyang kumawala kaya mas hinigpitan ko ang pagkakahawak sa kaniyang braso. Parang hindi siya nagbibiro noong sinabi niyang papatay siya. I tried my best not to be scared. 

He's not gonna hurt you, Maureen.

He shoved my hand away. Sa lakas niya ay napaupo ako sa sahig.

What the..

"Sh-t," dinaluhan niya ako. Tila ngayon niya lang napagtanto ang ginawa niya.

He was about to touch me but I shoved him away. I silently stood up. I looked at him using my cold eyes.

He pushed me.

"I'm sorry.." he panicked. "I didn't mean to.."

I didn't listen to whatever he will say and I just walked away.