Guard the Heart

Kabanata 23

KABANATA 23

Hopeless

Palipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa kanya at sa sasakyang nasa tabi ko. It looks brand new, no scratch and shiny. Nakaawang lang ang labi ko. Hindi ko alam ano'ng sasabihin. I am too stunned to compose a sentence. I looked at him in disbelief.

"You don't like it?"

"Juancho... it's too much! At... at ano'ng gagawin ko sa kotse? I don't know how to drive!"

"It's not a problem. I will teach you."

Umiling ako. "Hindi pa rin, eh. This is lavish. Sobra-sobra na ito."

I am becoming hysterical. Jusko! I know he is rich pero ang bigyan niya ako ng sasakyan, kalabisan na talaga. Ang mga binibigay niya ngang mga bagay dati kung pwede lang tanggihan, tumatanggi talaga ako. Now, a fucking car?!

"I can't accept this."

Nawala ang ngisi niya. He looked offended. Mas lalo akong nag-panic.

"Juancho, naman kasi, it's a freaking car! Mahal. Hindi mo naman ako kailangan bigyan ng regalo."

"Let's not talk about that here." Tumiim ang labi niya at pinapasok ako sa kotse.

I sat and waited for him, uneasy. Bumukas ang pinto sa driver's seat at umupo siya roon. He started the engine and drive away. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya, he looks mad. Halos panggigilan niya ang manibela. I think he is capable of breaking it. Nagagalit talaga siya kapag tinatanggihan ko ang mga binibigay niya.

Before I knew it, we entered the basement of a condominium, hindi sa condo niya. Saan na naman ba kami?

He shut down the engine and hastily open the door on his side. Umikot siya sa side ko at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto. I went out, eyes fixed on his grim face. Ginalit ko nga pero kasi naman...

He brings me towards the elevator and pressed the floor we are going. I am completely bothered and panicking. Hindi nga nagtagal ay bumukas ang lift. He dragged me out and walked towards the hallway, huminto lang nang nasa tapat na ng isang pinto.

He handed his hand. "Give me the other key."

I gape. My eyes widen. Parang kinalampag ang dibdib ko. Please tell me it's not what I think it is.

He looked at me sternly. Dali-dali kong kinapa ang bag ko para sa hinihingi niyang keycard. So, the other key is for a freaking condo unit?!

Much to my horror, the door unlocked, and he went inside. Nakasunod ako sa kanya.

"Ngayon, mag-usap tayo," aniya.

My eyes flew to the fully furnished place. May luwag na sala at balcony pa! The wide glass window is very eye-catching as you can see the skyscrapers of the metro and the vast sky.

This is crazy! Who gives a fucking car and condo as a gift?

"Is this your second gift?" Asking the obvious, napangiwi ako.

"Yes."

"B-bakit?" Sa nag-uunahang ideya sa isip ko ito lang ang nasabi ko.

"Because I want to."

Gano'n lang? Oh please, help me win this argument.

"I can't really accept this."

"Why?"

"D-dahil..." Damn! I can't even establish my argument.

"Is this still about what will people say, huh?"