Between the Rainbow (Strawberries and Cigarettes Series #1)

Chapter 38

Warmth

Maybe afraid to get more attention, he silently walked back while pulling his luggage. I took it from his hand and pulled it while he was now wiping his tears.

Tahimik kaming naglakad pabalik sa unit. Nakita ko kung paano siya tumingin sa paa ko at tumigil sa paglalakad.

I stopped when he stopped. Pinapalis niya ang luha at gumagalaw ang balikat habang yumuyuko at hinila ang bagahe niya.

Pinabayaan ko siya sa ginawa niya hanggang binuksan iyon. Inilabas niya ang indoor slipper niya at dahan dahang inilapag sa paanan ko.

"Isuot mo," marahan niyang bigkas sa gitna ng iyak at pinagpagan pa ang paa ko.

I nodded weakly and inserted my feet one by one. Isinara niya ang bagahe kaya muli ko iyong hinila.

Using the edge of his long sleeves, he wiped his tears. Tahimik kaming pumasok sa building, at kahit sa elevator ay kitang kita ang kapwa namumula naming mga mata.

I was already on his mercy as I tried to hold everything together just to stop my outburst, not until we went into our unit.

"Don't leave me, please... Don't break up with me..." Halos lumuhod ako at niyakap agad ang kanyang mga binti habang isinusobsob ang mukha sa tiyan niya.

"Brent nandiyan na ba si—" Tyler's words were suddenly blocked as I heard the door creak open as he whispered a few curses.

Siguro dahil nakitang nakaluhod ako. But don't care if they see me at my lowest. I don't fucking care if they find out!

"Bumalik ka dito sa loob," si Mavric.

"Gago? Ba't nakaluhod?" boses iyon ni Ronan.

"Nagdadasal. Balik ka dito! Tsismoso!" si Rick iyon.

"So it wasn't just Con who did the kneeling? What's happening, dude?" si Tyler na litong lito.

I hugged his legs tightly. Gumalaw si Shiloh at nagpupumiglas habang hinihila ang braso ko patayo.

"Tumayo ka nga! Para namang timang!" he shouted in his strained voice while grabbing me forcefully.

Lumuwag ang kapit ko sa mga hita niya at tumayo. This time, I hugged him and buried my face against his neck.

"You are not leaving me... You are not breaking up with me. Please... no... I can't..." bulong ko sa nababasag na tinig at walang pakialam kahit na ramdam kong basa na ang leeg niya.

"Brent... Nakita mo ba ang resulta? Sinasali ka nila dahil sa akin! Kayo! Nadadamay ang reputasyon niyo dahil sa akin!" There was a pain tingling in his shout while pushing me.

Umiling ako. "I told you, I don't care about my reputation. Damn it, Shiloh! Listen please..."

The door creaked more. I wouldn't even get shocked anymore if their heads were all peeping through the ajar door to spy on us and listen to our conversation.

"Pag hindi tayo naghiwalay, makakahanap sila ng proweba sa bintang nila! Na totoo ngang bakla ako dahil...may relasyon tayo! At madadamay pa kayo sa gulong ito! Masisira ang mga pangalan niyo! Tama ang coach niyo—"

"Don't even listen to that asshole! He knows nothing! He only cares about the reputation, fame, and money! At hindi kawalan kung hihinto kami sa paglalaro, Shiloh! I have other goals aside from being a basketball player! I don't care if I won't be recruited anymore to play a game! I don't care if I tainted my name after making a point that you deserve an apology and they deserve to be punished!"

His bloodshot eyes were now looming because of the tears forming as they slowly trickled down his cheek. Umiling ako at hinaplos ang pisngi niya ngunit itinulak niya ako palayo.