Where the Wind Blows

Kabanata 22

TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual Assault

Kabanata 22

Everything happens for a reason. I used to believe on that phrase before but now, I don't know anymore.

I was raised and cherished like an expensive gift that later on I discovered that I was really am. It broke my heart that led me to make questionable decisions.

Tama na hindi naman talaga dapat pagtaguan ang kada pagsubok sa buhay pero wala na akong ibang naisip na paraan sa panahong iyon. I thought I made the right decision but I thought wrong. My poor heart was wrecked by the only man I gave my love.

Akala ko noon ay simpleng pagkagusto o mababaw na pagmamahal lang naman ang naramdaman ko kay Nathan. I once believe that it will just fade as the time went by. But now, I accepted that it wasn't the case because some times feelings do fade and change, yet in rare circumstances, those feelings remain as it stays the same or more likely, it grew stronger than before.

"Thalia!"

A smoke was form as I puffed a breath and looked at the woman who called my name.

"Why are you here? Nagkakasiyahan na kaya sila sa loob," Jessica said as she approaches me.

"Wala lang. Gusto ko lang mag-isa kaya nandito ako."

"It's so cold in here. Kaya mong tiisin ang ganito ka-lamig para lang makalayo ka sa mga ka-block natin?" saad niya pa at ipinasok ang kanyang mga kamay sa kanyang gray coat na suot-suot.

"I just wanted silence, that's all."

"Eh di sana hindi ka na lang sumama rito sa Christmas party natin kung gusto mo lang palang mag-isa," anito at inikot ang kanyang mga mata.

"You forced me to attend, remember?"

"It's because you didn't join last year's!"

"Dahil mas gusto ko pang manood na lang ng Netflix."

"Because you're an old maid."

"I am not," mariin kong sipi.

"Of course you are. Ni isa sa mga suitors mo ay wala kang sinagot. And it only means one thing. You are an old maid, Thalia. Just accept it."

I glared at her but she just laugh at me.

"Ladies, what are you doing here outside? It's freezing in here," Ronan, one of our classmates, said.

"Oh, nothing. Thalia and I will be back inside. Just wait for a few sec, 'kay?"

"Okay." He smiled before he walked away.

"Ano? Tara na?"

Tinanguan ko na lamang si Jessica at pagkatapos ay bumalik na kami sa loob. Our block rented a villa where we could held our mini Christmas party. Our footsteps marked the pristine ground of snow as we walked towards our clique.

"Thalia, have a shot." Perseus handed me a glass of bourbon.

"Uhh..." Napatingin ako kay Jessica upang humingi ng tulong pero ang walang hiya kong kaibigan ay nakita ko na lang na kausap ang ultimate crush niya kaya alam kong hindi ako papansinin no'n.

I give him a forced smile before I accepted the whiskey. Tiningnan ko pa siya at binigyan na lamang niya ako ng isang tango kaya kahit nag-aalangan pa man ay ininom ko na iyon.

He gave me two more glasses that I could almost feel that my vision is starting to get hazy. I tried to stand but my head is spinning that I can't even pull myself up together.

"Would you want me to accompany you to a private room?" Perseus asked that I didn't gave an answer. Nonetheless, he still accompanied me.

It's getting hotter and hotter even in the midst of this winter. Kahit nahihirapan ay sinusubukan kong tinanggal ang suot-suot kong coat. Perseus gave me a helping hand in which we immediately succeed on taking my Santinni coat off. Inilalayan niyang muli ako sa paglalakad upang makarating na kami sa kwartong sinasabi niya.