Guard the Heart

Kabanata 45

KABANATA 45

Protecting

Tahimik ako mula pa kanina pagbalik ko hanggang sa pagkain namin ng tanghalian sa restaurant. It frustrates me na wala akong mapaghingahan ng nararamdaman ko. Para ng sasabog ang ulo ko sa daming bagay na gumugulo sa akin. And Juancho is to blame for that.

It angers me on how he can play with my emotions. Duwag na kung duwag but I have to stay away from bago pa man tuluyang gumuho ang pader na matagal kong ipinalibot sa aking sarili. I didn't work for this for the past years just to go back to square one.

Wala na akong pakialam what condition he has. I really have nothing to do with him. I don't want anything to do with him. Kung hindi siya ang aalis dito, puwes ako ang aalis! Kami ng anak ko ang aalis.

"Ba, can I take a leave?" sabi ko nang nasa opisina na kami ng hapon iyon. "Sasama ako pag-alis niyo ni Lucky this weekend.

From his laptop, he turned to me, frowning with a questioning look.

"Why? Ano'ng gagawin mo?"

I heaved a sigh. "I have to get away. Hanggang sa umalis lang naman si Juancho rito."

He looked bothered. Nilapag niya ang kanyang laptop at tumayo para lumapit sa desk ko.

"Are you still affected?"

Well, partly, but it's bearable kung hindi lang sana siya lapit nang lapit at kung anu-ano pa ang sinasabi. I am actually loathing him for real now. He is getting on my nerve and to my system! Gugulo na naman ang buhay ko. Ang isip ko! And I don't want that.

"Huwag kang sinungaling," banta niya.

Hindi niya naman kasi alam ang pinaggagawa ng gagong iyon. Mula pa lang noong sa dalampasigan. He was crazy! I can't find a better understanding on his actions. Did the doctor somehow accidentally touch his sanity? Mas gusto kong isipin that he is sewing some scheme again, to fool me, dahil uto-uto ang tingin niya sa akin. He probably sees me as mouse he can experiment, huh? I hate him more for that.

"I just think it's better to never associate with him. Isa pa, he is a nuisance, nakakalimutan ko ang hospitality, nakakalimutan na guest pala siya."

I know I didn't answer his question, but maybe my indirect words give me away in the end. Nakakabobo siya.

"Hindi naman siguro magtatagal. Please?"

Tinitigan niya muna ako bago tumango. "Fine."

"Thank you."

Iyon nga, hindi na ako makapaghintay na sumapit ang weekend lalo na every time I caught him staring intently at me. He is creeping me out. I don't want to mind his threats but it's just bugging me big time. Ayaw ko na rin namang kausapin pa si Lourd. Wala rin akong mapapala.

The lift opened on the third floor. I was a bit surprised when I saw Emanuelle and Kylie. I straightened my back and acted calm.

"Good morning, ma'am." I greeted them as part of our courtesy.

Kylie raised her brow while Emanuelle just nodded. Sumakay sila lift at muli itong sumara. I feel so little in between them. Kylie gave me a head-to-toe look, hindi ko mapigilang mapataas ang kilay.

"You look familiar," aniya.

"I believe we haven't met before, ma'am," malumanay kong usal kahit ang sarap na niyang murahin. Of course, the video I saw is still etched in my mind. But then, I should not be bitter about it, right?

"No..."

Pigil ang pagkunot ng noo ko.

"What's your name?"