The Merciless Stud (Hot Trans Series #3)

Chapter 46

Pinagmamasdan ko ang paligid habang maingay ang mga taong bumababa at nagdi-diskarga ng mga gamit mula sa bus. Katamtaman lamang ang init ng araw ngunit maliwanag at tila mas klaro ang daloy ng hangin dito. My heart did a backflip when a hand touched my left arm from behind. My knees trembled at the thought of something but when I looked over my shoulder to see who it was, I saw a middle aged man displaying an impatient expression as I stayed standing in his way.

"Tabi, Neng. Hindi ka ba bababa?" Anito. Natauhan ako at napansing naiwan pala akong naka-tayo at naka-tulala sa gitna ng runway ng bus dahil sa pagmamasid at may mga taong naka-sunod sa'kin sa likod.

"S-sorry." Sabi ko at nagmamadaling bumaba.

Mas lalong sumabog ang ingay ng terminal nang naka-labas ako mula sa bus. Nanibago ako sa amoy ng hangin na paniguradong mas malinis kesa sa Maynila. Ang bilang ng mga taong abala na nakapa-libot sa'kin ay nagbibigay ng kakaibang takot at pakiramdam ng pagiging mag-isa sa'kin. My knees continued to tremble but I held on. Especially when my eyes locked in on someone very familiar to me.

"Apple." Tawag nito at ngiti. A warm and comforting feeling was what I felt in my heart after hours of travelling alone. Agad akong nag-lakad palapit.

"Tita Gwen..." pinilit kong tatagan ang boses ngunit medyo pumiyok pa rin ito.

We are not that close. She's a slightly distant relative from my Mommy's side. But I don't know. Seeing her right now makes me want to come to her crying. Especially with the way she looks at me right now, eyes full of pity, I for sure know that Apollo Noli had told her some things already.

"Dumating ka rin! Kamusta ang byahe?" Aniya at niyakap ako. I fought so hard not to shed a tear in the middle of this busy terminal. I nodded at her.

"Okay lang po, Tita. Nag-hintay ka ba nang matagal?" I worriedly asked. She shook her head.

"Hindi naman. Pagka-sabi mo pa lang na nasa San Luis ka na eh tumulak na agad ako." Ngiti niya. I smiled back. I'm just not sure if that was a soulful smile.

"Salamat po, Tita."

"Naku, nakaka-intriga at inis iyang nangyari sa'yo, ah! Halika na nga at nang maka-kain ka na. Nasa bahay sina Sabel at Pinpin." Aniya at hinila ako. Nakalimutang medyo may pagka madaldal pala ang Tita ko na ito.

Nagpa-tianod ako sakaniya patungo sa sasakyan niya. It was a white Innova and it gave me more family vibes. A vibe I never felt the last time I was in my own house. With my own parents.

I shut my eyes tightly and whisked the thought away immediately. Ayoko nang saktan pa nang pa-ulit ulit ang sarili ko. Not now, at least. I need to focus right now.

Nang naka-pasok sa sasakyan ay agad naman nang tumulak si Tita Gwen. She smells like that of Bvlgari Omnia Amethyste. It brought more comfort to me.

As we passed by places in Baler, I couldn't help but appreciate how beautiful the town is. The air smells like freedom. And new beginning. And I silently hoped that I will get it starting from here. And to where I am bound to after here.

"Nagulantang talaga ako kaninang madaling araw sa tawag ni Apollo. I can say that your Kuya really went extra miles to protect you." Tita smiled at the road. I fought so hard not to soften at that.

Just hearing Apollo's name makes me want to cry again. I will never forget the picture of him weeping as he sent me away. My Kuya had always been a strong figure in my eyes but what he showed me earlier was the first time he allowed me to see his emotional side. I love him so so much.

I nodded at her and looked away. I know where she is heading to as well. And I understand that it's normal and it's needed. She's in my first line of support now alongside Apollo and Claire.