CAUGHT (REVAMPED)

5

Elijah Alkie Rivera

      I looked at mamang police who were still busy driving the car. A small smile crept on my lips before I returned my eyes to the window with a light heart.

"Thank you po, mamang police," I thanked him wholeheartedly.

Mamang police may be cold but he's the kindest, understanding, and protective man I have ever met in my life.

"Hm? What's with you suddenly?"

Umiling ako. "Nothing po. I'm just grateful na maka-try ng decent work."

Hindi na siya nag-talk after that. Nag-watch na lang ulit ako sa view sa labas.

"Why?"

My head immediately snapped sa direction niya.

"Po? What do you mean why?" I asked, confused by what he meant by his sudden question.

"Why sell yourself? You seemed to prefer working in those minimum wage jobs so why sell yourself?"

I feel shame trying to creep into me again. I bowed my head down and played with the skin on my arms, picking them, and scratching.

Nahihiya akong mag-tell sa kaniya ng totoo. Sa lahat ng person na kilala ko, si mamang police lang ang hindi ko gusto na mag-mock sa akin.

"Hey."

A large hand grabbed my smaller one and forced me to stop picking on my skin.

Magkasalubong ang mga eyebrows niya habang nakatingin lang sa front. He's still holding my hand kaya napa-stare ako doon.

His hand is so warm.

"What are you doing? Are you trying to hurt yourself?" He asked through gritted teeth as he glanced at my arm na nag-red na.

I looked at mamang police and blinked

Umiling ako. "No, po. I was just..."

I was what? Making up stories para hindi mag-appear na pathetic kay mamang police? To look cool in front of him? Stitching scenarios up para hindi magmukhang loser sa kaniya despite being a lowly whore?

His hand moved from my hand to my arms. He gripped it carefully as if it were fragile.

"You don't need to answer me if you're uncomfortable, Elijah. Learn to refuse and say no when you do not want to.

Don't take it out on yourself. Stop punishing yourself for putting boundaries. Are we clear?"

I suddenly felt so naked and vulnerable after hearing him say that. He had seen right through me and I'm embarrassed na he always witnessed me being so weak and pathetic.

"Elijah." My eyes snapped back pabalik sa kaniya.

The car stopped moving cause of the traffic kaya nasa akin na ngayon ang buong atensyon niya.

"Look, I'm sorry if it made you remember stupid stuff. I was just genuinely curious, Elijah. Believe me."

Namilog ang eyes ko nang ma-hear ko ang sorry ni mamang police. I immediately shook my head.

"It's fine po. Kinakabahan lang po ako sa first day of work ko," I explained. Super makapal na ang face ko to receive an apology from someone like mamang police.

How could someone like him say sorry to someone like me? I feel so undeserving of it.

"You'll be fine. Just trust yourself and be confident," he said genuinely.