The Queenbee's Downfall (On-Hold)

34: Belfry and PMS

Chapter 34: TOM, Why Now?

"Are you sure you guys don't want to come inside for a minute?", my Mom asked the boys who followed us all the way home.

My lips pursed into a thin line because of what she wanted to happen. I don't want any of them entering our home. It may seem rude, but I don't care. Besides, kakauwi pa lang niya galing business trip with her boss tapos mapupunta lang sa iba ang atensyon niya?

"Caitlyn," makahulugang tawag ni Mommy sa akin bago ako siniko. "Why don't you invite your friends to stay for a bit? Let them drink some juice and eat meryenda just a little while, hmm?"

Nakatalikod ako sa kanilang lahat. Mom is just beside me but she wasn't able to witness how my eyebrows creased in annoyance towards the guys. Kung nakita niya iyon ay siguradong mapapahiya ako sa harap ng mga kaibigan ni Heath.

"Huwag na po Tita, Caitlyn seems tired," himala at parang lumambot ang pakikitungo ni Heath?

Does he have a soft spot for parents? I mentally scoffed.

"Caitlyn," bagaman pinilit niyang tunog enthusiastic para walang mahalata ang mga kalalakihan, kababakasan pa rin ang diin sa tawag ni Mommy sa pangalan ko.

I firmly closed my eyes and silently sighed before staring at our elegant wooden double-door. Saglit lang akong huminga ng malalim ng ilang beses bago nagpakita ng isang pilit na ngiti at humarap sa kanilang lahat. Nung masalubong ko ang malamig na tingin ni Heath, I couldn't help but want to backdown.

However, it was too late. The words escaped my thin, pinkish lips already.

"Mom's right. You, boys, should stay for a couple of minutes, it's embarrassing to not reward all of you for your kindness," mabuti at hindi ako nautal. I let out a silent shaky breath before continuing. "Besides, Christmas is almost near. We should be kind towards each other," makahulugan kong sabi sa kanilang lahat.

Napaiwas ng tingin sina Dante at ang katabi niya. While Heath's and Brad's eyes remained staring at mine.

"My daughter's right! Let's go inside now, boys," why is my Mom even excited?

As soon as I turned my back on them, the plastic smile left my face. Nauna na ako sa kanilang lahat pumasok sa bahay at agad tinungo ang hagdanan. I heard them come in next pero nakaabot na ako sa ikalawang palapag. Hindi ko na alam kung ano na ang ginagawa nila. I just went inside my room and go straight to the bathroom.

Why am I being like this? I should be thankful for them for accompanying us to our home. Hindi na dapat nila kami sasamahan hanggang sa makarating ng bahay. Naiintindihan ko kung bakit ginawa nila iyon, because maybe they were also thinking that those bandits might follow us.

Pero, given the situation of those horrible men, sigurado akong hindi na nila iyon kayang gawin dahil bago kami makalayo ni Heath kanina, I saw how they were beaten up too easily by his friends. And I am pretty sure they are unable to follow us through.

I stripped down and stood under the shower. Sprinkles of droplets touched my naked body. My nerves calmed for a little while when suddenly my body ached in excruciating pain. Hindi naman ako ang nakipag-away sa mga iyon, pero bakit ang sakit-sakit ng katawan ko?

"Cait?", rinig kong tawag sakin ni Mommy sa labas.

"I'll be out in a minute!"

"Okay then. Bilisan mo at may gusto akong itanong sayo!"

Great. This may be too early but I know what she'll ask me. And it's about those boys.

Mabilisan ang pagligo ko, hindi na rin ako nagtagal dahil 'di ko na talaga kaya. Pakiramdam ko ay onti na lang bibigay na ang katawan ko. I don't want my Mom to see me lying on this disgusting floor unconscious. Hindi ko pinangarap ang makatulog sa tiles ng banyo, nakakadiri!