Consequences

Consequences 017

Flint's POV:

Parang gusto kong magpalamon sa sahig ng mga oras na iyon. T*ng*na kanina ko pa siya pinapaalis, kwarto niya pala ito? Kaya pala amoy lalaki, akala ko naman dahil lang andito rin siya sa loob.

“I’ll do it.” He said with finality. He placed his hands under my arms and carried me like I weigh nothing and made me sit on the bed. He knelt down and opened the kit. Kumuha siya ng betadine at bulak tiyaka humarap saakin. “Don’t move. Lilinisin ko.”

“Aww, look who actually has a heart under the blackness.” I sarcastically said and rolled my eyes. Napaigtad ako nang diinan niya ang bandang pisngi ko, pero nanatiling seryoso ang mukha niya.

“I told you, I’m not that heartless.” He responded as he puts an ointment to my wounds. “A lot of people says I’ve got a great hospitality, darling.”

“Whoever said that makes a great joke.” I countered. He chuckled and continued with what he’s doing.

“Besides, I can’t leave your face all scarred. I can’t let your father think that her precious princess is being treated miserably here with me.” He said, chuckling. But I saw how his expression darkened, his lips tugged upwards when he saw me wince again. “Kahit na gustong-gusto kitang bawian, pero hindi ngayon.”

The way he said that gave me goosebumps. Especially the part where he said he wanted to get even with me. Something flashed in his eyes as he said those words. It’s not just something he wanted to say, it’s a promise. It’s like he wanted to hurt me, but not now.

I watched him get up, that sinister smile still plastered on his face as he stare at nowhere, probably imagining what he’ll do once he gets the chance to get back at me.

“Why do you hate me?” Bulong ko, pero narinig niya iyon. Nawala ang ngisi niya, napalitan iyon ng pag-igting ng kaniyang panga. Nakita ko rin kung paano dahan-dahang kumuyom ang kamao niya. He took a few deep breaths before turning to look at me.

“This is where you’ll stay for the meantime. There’s the bathroom. Dito ako sa kabilang kwarto. Don’t think of doing anything stupid. Remember that your mother’s safety is in your hands.” Aniya at naglakad palayo saakin. Lyle walked towards the wooden cabinet and opened it. Napahawak siya sa bewang niya at nanatiling nakatayo ron. “D*mn it. Ito pala yung nakalimutan kong ihanda.”

“Ha?” Nagtatakang tanong ko dahil hindi ko naintindihan yung ibinubulong niya. Humarap siya saakin at pinasadahan ng tingin ang katawan ko. Maiilang sana ako pero mabilis din siyang tumalikod at kinuha ang cellphone niya sa bulsa ng slacks niya.

“I forgot to ask someone to buy you clothes. Ayun pala yung kulang dito.” Sagot niya nang hindi tumitingin saakin. Nang mapagtanto ko kung ano ang sinabi niya ay ngumiwi ako.

“Gaano niyo katagal plinano ‘tong pagkuha sakin?” Tanong ko uli.

“Hmm, hindi ko matandaan. I think about 2 years?” Sagot niya. Akmang magsasalita ako nang mag-angat siya ng tingin at nagsalita uli. “2 years, 4 months, 1 week and 5 days.”

“Wow, so much for hindi matandaan.” Naiiling na sagot ko. “Parang ang oa naman ng 2 years mo.”

“You’re hard to find, Flint. Kaya laging nababago ang plano.” Casual na sagot niya. Napangisi tuloy ako kahit na hindi naman dapat. It’s like he’s indirectly telling me that I’m good at hiding.

“You planned everything out too well. Baka naman pati kung paano ako mamatay ay plinano mo na?” Sarkastikong saad ko. Natigilan siya sa pagtipa sa cellphone niya.

“I asked someone to bring you clothes. Get some rest. I’ll be in the next room.” Dere-deretsong saad niya at walang paa-paalam na naglakad palapit sa isa pang pintuan. It leads to a whole new bedroom. Pumasok siya ron at napaigtad pa ako nang marahas niyang isara ang pintuan. ‘Did I say something?’ Naitanong ko sa sarili ko.

Napailing na lamang ako sa inasta niya at hindi na pinansin. Why would I stress myself with what he thinks or feels when he didn’t even think about mine? Manigas siya!

Inangat ko ang parehong binti ko sa kama at napangiwi nang malagyan ng pressure ang sprained ankle ako. Kung minamalas ka nga naman! Marahas akong nagbuga ng hangin at sumandal as headboard ng kamay. I closed my eyes as I try to recall everything’s that happened.

I was about to doze off when a knock made me open my eyes. Lumingon ako sa direksyon ng pintuan at nakita ang ulong nakasilip doon. Tumalim ang tingin ko sa taong iyon at tinaasan siya ng kilay.

“I got your spare clothes.” Edrix says as he opens the door and shows his hands carrying the paper bags.

“As much as you look good in that dress, you need to change your clothes, langit. Utos ni boss.” Mas lalong sumama ang timpla ng mukha ko nang marinig ang isa pang boses na iyon. Tuluyang bumukas ang pinto at niluwa niyon ang nakangising si Lucas.

“Tigilan mo ko sa kakatawag ng langit. May pangalan ako.” Inis na anas ko at ibinato ang unan sa direksyon niya. He effortlessly avoided it while laughing his heart out. Pasalamat talaga ‘tong king*nang ‘to na nahihirapan akong igalaw ang paa ko kundi kanina pa siya nakasalampak sa sahig.

“I also heard you sprained your ankle? How do you feel?” Tanong ni Edrix at tuluyang pumasok sa kwarto, nakasunod sakaniya si Lucas.

“Oh, don’t worry about me I feel so good if only I can I would’ve jumped around.” Sarkastikong sagot ko sakaniya. Inilapag niya ang mga paperbag sa paanan ng kama at naglakad palapit sa gilid ko habang kinakamot ang kaniyang batok. “You wanna know what I really feel? I feel like I wanna break that glass over there and use that to slit your throat.”

“Look, I’m really sorry na niloko kita, okay? Hindi iyon sadya. I swear.” Paliwanag niya. I scoffed and raised my eyebrow at him. Hindi sadya my ass.

“Wala akong pake. Lumayas na kayo rito habang hindi ko pa nagagalaw ang paa ko.” Banta ko. Akmang magsasalita pa sana si Lucas pero tiningnan siya ni Edrix bago hinila palabas. Edrix gave me one last look before closing the door. I sighed and sank down to the bed, feeling its softness. Sa sobrang pagod at sakit ng katawan ay ipinikit ko na ang mga mata ko at hinayaang lamunin ako ng kadiliman.

---

I woke up at the sound of footsteps outside my door. Followed by a hushed voices as if they’re arguing. I was about to close my eyes when someone spoke.

“You didn’t change your clothes.”

“F*ck!” I was too startled that I forgot about my injury and hit it with my other foot. My eyes teared up because the pain was too overwhelming. That’s when I noticed that I’m covered up in a blanket, and the room temperature is freezing.

“You were shivering last night.” I turned to Lyle who’s leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed in front of his chest. He looked like he just went out of bed and has been standing there for a few good minutes. He’s still wearing his black slacks from yesterday and of course with no top.

“Ah. Geh.” Maikling sagot ko. Tinanggal ko ang kumot at halos lumuwa ang mata ko nang makita ang malaking umbok sa ankle ko. Nagkulay ube na iyon at talagang bugbog. Ganon ba kalakas ang pagkakabagsak ko?!

“What happened to your ankle?” He asked as he stood straight. Nang hindi siya makuntento ay lumapit siya sa paanan ng kama at mas tumitig pa sa paa ko. “They didn’t treat it?”

“Hindi ko pinagamot.” Sagot ko agad nang makita kung paano sumama ang timpla ng mukha niya. Baka kung ano pa magawa niya ron sa dalawa. I mean wala naman akong pake sakanila, pero kahit na.

“Why?” Nagtatakang tanong niya. He looked down and saw the paper bags Edrix left last night and picked it up. Binitbit niya iyon palapit saakin at nilapag sa tabi ko. “Can you get up? You have to clean yourself up and then I’ll dress your sprain—“

“Ako na.” Agad na putol ko sakaniya dahan-dahang ginalaw ang dalawang binti ko. I couldn’t help but hiss at the pain as I place them down on the floor. Akmang hahawakan niya ako pero mabilis kong itinaas ang hintuturo ko sakaniya.

Huminga ako nang malalim at unti-unting itinayo ang sarili ko. I kept on muttering a curse under my breath as I make my way towards the bathroom. Lyle just stood on the side watching me.

“There’s a towel under the sink, and a bathrobe behind the door. Call me if you need help.” He said when I entered the bathroom. Tumaas ang kilay ko at pumamewang.

“Oh, please. I came from the military, Lyle. Sanay ako sa ganito.” Ani ko at tuluyang ipinasok ang katawan ko. Bago ko tuluyang isara ang pinto ay nagsalita ako muli. “Trust me, I will never need help if you’re the one who’ll provide it.”