Losing Control

Dalawampu't Apat

Ang feeling ni Stephanie ay nasa loob sya ng cloud.  She felt lightheaded and her vision was hazy, her mouth felt dry na parang punong puno ng cotton balls.  She didn't know where she was or who she was with.  May mga naririnig lang syang mga boses pero wala syang naiintindihan.  

"Zo, dali, akin na ang medyas mo..."

"Bro, bakit?  Anong kailangan mo sa medyas ko?"

"Kailangan na magising ni Steph.  Sa baho ba  naman ng paa mo, I'm sure matatauhan ng ang Love ko."

"Gago!  Hindi mabaho paa ko!"

"At nakuha nyo pang magbiruan eh nakikita nyo na ngang walang malay ang bee ef ef ko!  Halikan mo na lang kaya si Sleeping Beauty, Ashton?"

"Good idea."

"Don't even think about it," nagising na si Stephanie at garalgal pa rin ang boses nya.  "I am no Sleeping Beauty.  I'm more of a Maleficent now."

"Love!" Ashton's face came into clear view now that Stephanie's eyes became more focused.  She stood up from the couch she was laying down on.  "Are you okay?" he asked worriedly.  "Bigla ka na lang nahimatay."

"Don't talk to me," malamig na sabi nya kay Ashton.

"Steph naman..."

"I'm serious, Ash...Dan...whatever!  Freaking evil smirking man pansy!" lumayo si Stephanie kay Ashton at siniksik ang sarili sa kabilang side ng couch.

"Love," kumunot ang noo ni Ashton at umusog din para tabihan ang kanyang fiancee.

"Abo, for the love of all that is holy, get away from me!" she screamed at him.  

"Best, nahimatay ka kanina, ngayon naman bad trip na bad trip ka at nagsisisigaw...buntis ka ba?" nakakabiglang tanong ni Rachel.

"No!  OMG, Rachel!  That is the last thing I need right now...to be pregnant with this man's baby!" she said with so much disgust as she poked Ashton on the shoulder.

Nanlumo ang mukha ni Ashton sa narinig.  "Can you guys leave us alone for now?  Zo, pakisabi na lang kina Mommy na okay na si Steph?"

Tumango si Enzo at inalalayan si Rachel palabas ng kwarto kung nasaan sila.  Busy ang both set of parents na pakalmahin lahat ng mga bisita sa ballroom.  Ashton got up from the couch and kneeled in front of Stephanie at hinawakan ang mga kamay nito.  Hindi naman sya tinitignan ng dalaga; she turned her head and looked angrily at the wall.  Pinipilit ni Stephanie bawiin ang mga kamay nya sa pagkahawak ni Ashton sa kanya, pero mahigpit ang hawak ng binata.  He kissed her hands and stared at her.

"Love.  I'm sorry."

"Whatever," matamlay na sabi ni Stephanie na hindi pa rin tinitingnan si Ashton.

"Steph..."

"How long have you known?"