Imprisoned Love

. NAPABUNTONG hininga ako at kinuha ang maliit na pulang box sa locker ko, heto na agad ang bumungad sa 'kin pagkabukas ko ng locker ko. It's always like this, everytime na bubuksan ko 'to ay laging may regalo at kung ano ano pa. Last day red rose ang nakita ko rito, and ngayon hetong red box. It looks so romantic tho. "Girl, how does it feel?" napatingin ako sa likuran ko ng marinig ko ang boses ng kaibigan ko. "What do you mean, Abby?" I asked. "Like that," tinuro nito ang hawak hawak kong red box. "Araw araw kang may regalo even now, so what does it feel to have an admirer?" she asked. "Uncomfortable," I answered. People be thinking that it was nice and sweet to have a secret admirer, but for me? I don't think so.. 'yun bang feeling na always may nakatingin sa'yo para bang there's a lot of cameras everywhere but you don't know where and how. Giving gifts like this, sounds sweet but sometimes natatakot ako, because I don't even know who's this guy. "Happy birthday, my teddy bear. From Dam." basa ko sa sulat sa papel na naka dikit sa gilid ng red box. Right, today's my birthday and no one even greet me, even my friend, Abby, I doubt she remember my birthday. And this guy knows my birthday. "Dam." That's the only thing I knew about this guy that keeps giving me this stuff, he's Dam. And teddy bear. Since the day I started receiving this stuff from him his been calling me Teddy Bear. At first I think it's cute but now, slowly I'm getting scared. He knew every little thing about me, and I only him as Dam, I'm not even sure if it's his real name or just his nickname. "So, what's inside?" corious na tanong ni Abby at bahagyang sinilip ito. "Later.." wika ko at nilayo iyon sa kanya. "Bubuksan ko mamaya," saad ko binalik iyon sa locker ko, kasabay naman nito ang pag bell. "Goodness.. what time is it?" tarantang tanong ni Abby. "It's time for second period," I answer. "Right, let's go. I don't wanna be late," excited nitong saad at hinila ako sa kamay. "It's second period.." "Omg.. mas lalong guma-gwapo si professor," "I wanna see.." Iilan sa mga bulong bulungan ng mga students na nadadaanan namin kaya naman dahil sa bulungan ito ay mas lalo lang bumilis ang pag lakad at pag hila ni Abby sa 'kin. "Professor Montes is here," bakas sa boses nito ang excitement. They're just into Professor Montes. "Good morning, Prof." pa cute na bati ni Abby pagkapasok namin ng classroom. Naabutan namin na nakatayo ang teacher sa harapan. "Good morning," sagot nya at binigyan ako ng mabilis na sulyap. The handsome teacher that lured every students and teachers to teach and study here. Every students are admiring him and trying to get his attention pero ang teacher na ito ay tigasin at ni hindi man lang ngumingiti. And I'll be lying if I don't say na gwapo sya, I can't lie tho. He's really handsome and fine, with that body posture of him na bumagay sa maamo nyang mukha at ang uniform nitong puno puno dahil sa malaki ang katawan nito. He's fine tho. But I'm not crazy enough to simp over him like the other students. I have my goal and I'm here to study not to be simp. "Okay, class page 140." tipid nyang saad at sinuot ang salamin. He's handsome but more handsome when he wears glasses. Like a hot nerdy. "Agh.." napa pikit ako at napa iling iling. Not just what the hell did I say? "Ms. Seraphina?" napamulat ako ng mata at nakita ko ang tingin nito sa 'kin. "Do we have problem?" tanong nya at umiling iling lang ako bilang pag sagot. I read too much fiction book that's why I'm thinking like this. "Anyone can read the page 140?" tanong nya at binuksan ang libro. "Prof.." sabay sabay na nagsitaasan ng kamay ang mga babae at tinawag sya. Everyone wants to be picked by him. He's our History teacher, btw. "Ms. Seraphina.." napa kurap kurap ako ng marinig ko ulit ang huling pangalan ko. "P-pardon?" usal ko. "Ikaw ang magbasa," usal nya. W-what? Why me? Everyone raised their hands, why pick me? "Prof, ako na lang!" malakas na sigaw ni Abby na nasa tabi ko naka upo, walang sabi sabi na agad syang tumayo at nagbasa. Abby you save me. "Right, so, in 1521 BCE..." panimula nya at ang mga sumunod nitong paliwanag ay hindi kona napakinggan pa. I'm bored, and I want this second period to end. None of my classmates are listening too, I know. They're looking and paying attention to Sir Montes' face and body, and not the lesson. "Class Dismissed.." napangiti ako at mabilis na inayos ang mga notebook ko papasok sa bag. "Excited, girl?" tanong ni Abby. "Yep, Sebastian been waiting for me." I answer. "Mauuna na ako," dagdag ko at agad na lumabas. Dere-deretso ang aking pag lalakad hanggang sa palabas ng gate ng school. A smile flash on my lips when I saw Sebastian standing in the corner of gate, waiting for me. "Sebastian," malambing na boses na bulong ko pag kalapit ko sa kanya. "Babe.." usal nya at agad na kinuha ang bag ko. "Are you hungry?" tanong nya. "Kanina pero ngayon hindi na," napa ngiti kong sagot. Tumawa sya at inakbayan ako, "I'm serious, I don't want my baby to get hungry." pabulong nyang wika. "Oo na.. gutom na." sagot ko. "Sure, let's eat." wika nya at pininghot ang ilong ko. "Ouch! that hurts," I said. "Masakit?" "Oo nga," saad ko at hinawakan ang ilong ko. "Want me to kiss it, to let the pain go away?" "Che!" bulyaw ko at tumawa. My face are turning red. Sebastian is my boyfriend, we've been in a relationship for 3 months from now. He's my ultimate crush since I was in a high school and who would have thought na ngayong tumungtung na ako sa Second year sa college ay magiging kami. I'm Cherry Vilnius Seraphina, 19 years old. Second year college taking up a Secondary Education major in English. "Anong gusto mong kainin?" agad na tanong nya pag upo namin sa kung saan kami lagi kumakain. "Anything," I answer. Tahimik lang kami at ni wala nag sasalita sa boung pag kain namin dito, I didn't bother to say a single words and I was waiting for him to break the silence. Does he not remember? Today's my birthday. Hanggang sa tapos na kaming kumain at bumalik na sa school ay hindi pa rin nya ako binabati. He didn't remember my birthday. "I'll be waiting here for you at 4:00pm, mamayang uwian." wika nya at binigyan ako ng halik sa noo. Tumango ako at nag simulang mag lakad papasok ng building ng mga educ. Sebastian is also second year college gaya ko, but he's taking up an Engineering. "Ms. Seraphina." nasa hagdan ako pa akyat ng mapatigil ako at marinig ang huling pangalan ko galing sa pamilyar na boses sa likuran ko. "Y-yes?" bumaling ako sa kanya. Napalunok ako ng sumalubong sa 'kin ang matalim nitong mga mata na nakatingin sa 'kin. Why is he looking at me like that? "How's your day?" napaka baritono ng boses nya. "G-good.." pilit ang ngiti na sagot ko sa kanya. The look on his eyes are making me nervous. Tumango sya, "Good. Enjoy your day, Happy birthday btw." saad nya. Mabilis na dumaan ang gulat sa mukha ko, "H-how did you know?" I asked. "I'm your teacher, of course I know such thing." malamig nyang sagot. "Oh I see.." napatango tango ako. "Thank you, Prof Montes." magalang kong wika at binigyan sya ng matamis na ngiti. Right, he's my teacher that makes sense that he knew my birthday. I smile. This is the second greet I received today. From my teacher and the first one is from the guy named, 'Dam'. "You're welcome, Teddy Bear." bulong nya at nagsimulang maglakad pa akyat. I froze and my smile fades away. Teddy Bear.. Parang natahimik ang boung paligid ko at tanging t***k ng puso ko lang ang maririnig. He's my teacher, is it normal that my teacher knows my birthday? He's our History teacher, not our Major subject. It's been 5 months since the day I started my second year college, and he's a new teacher he's been teaching for 5 months here, and It's been 5 months since I received gifts from a well-known man. What was his name again? Professor Montes? What's his first name? I don't know, I never knew. "Vilnius!" napa singhap ako ng hangin ng marinig ko ang second name ko na malakas na tinawag. "Hey! You okay?" Montes.. Dam.. "Cherry Vilnius!" pag tawag nito sa 'kin muli at niyogyog ako sa magkabilang balikat. "A-ah.." parang bigla nabalik ako sa ulit at napatingin sa mukha ni Abby na bakas ang sobrang pag aalala. "Abby.." bulong ko. "Yes, it's Abby. Are you okay?" bakas sa boses nito ang pag aalala. Naghahabol ang hininga na tumango ako. I was schock, nervous, and scared. "Cherry, what happened?" tanong muli ni Abby. Umiling ako, "N-nothing I'm okay." sagot ko. "Are you sure?" tanong pa nya at hinawakan ako sa pisngi. Tumango tango ako at huminga ng malalim, "Anyways I have a question." "Yes?" "Ano yung complete name ni-oh!" hindi ko natapos ang sasabihin ko at nagulat dahil sa biglaang pag ring ng phone ko. A text message. "Who's that, Cherry?" A message from Sebastian. 'Babe, I'm so sorry it's an urgent. I won't be able to wait for you later kasi may emergency lang, but mag deretso ka sa bahay nyo, okay? I'm really sorry, don't worry we have a surprise for you waiting there.' Napakurap kurap ako ng mabasa ko ang laman ng message nya. A surprise? Hindi na iyon surprise kung sinabi na nya agad. Is that why no one greet me because may surprise sila sa 'kin? I see.. "So?" napa tingin ako kay Abby. "I'm okay," sagot ko at ngumiti. 5:00PM 4:00pm ang uwian namin, but because of some task sa school, uuwi ako ngayon ng 5:00pm. Madilim dilim na rin ang langit. "Ganda! Sakay kana dito oh!" yumuko ako at niyakap ang dala kong libro ng tawagin ako ng mga tricycle drivers. Kakalabas ko lang ng gate at naglalakad ako ngayon papunta sa bus waiting, meron pa naman bus para sa students sa ngayong oras until 9:00pm. Nasa bus waiting ako naka tayo ng maagaw ang atensyon ko sa lalaking naka upo at nakayuko sa bangko, he looks like he's drunk. Where's the bus? Damn the bus. Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa mga libro ko ng marinig kong gumalaw ito at humikab. There's a drunken man, I don't feel safe now. "Oh? If it isn't Cherry?" that familiar voice. Mabilis akong lumingon at bumungad sa 'kin ang mukha nyang halata na lasing, may mapupungay na mata na nakatingin sya sa 'kin. What is he doing here drunken? He's a teacher, anong klaseng teacher ang mag papa-kalasing dito? "P-prof Montes." Napa atras ako at muling bumalik ang kaba ko mula sa kanina. "Prof, did you just call me Teddy Bear earlier nung nasa hagdan tayo?" buong tapang na tanong ko. I know it's useless but they say when a person is drunk nagiging honest sila. "Hmm?" napa angat sya ng tingin sa 'kin "What are you talking about?" he asked. "I mean.." "I didn't call you that," he added. "But, I heard you calling me Teddy Bear." I insist. "Why would I call you a Teddy bear? you don't look like one." he said. Wow, I feel insults. "But, Prof-" napatigil ako sa pag sasalita ng bigla syang natumba mula sa pag kakaupo nya. "Prof!" gulat kong hiyaw. Agad akong lumapit at inalalayan sya. He's sleeping. He fell asleep. What am I supposed to do now? It's getting late and darker, and I just can't leave him here. Kinuha ko phone ko para mag text kay Mom, baka nag alala na sya. 'Mom, I'll be really late right now. siguro if possible darating ako ng 7:00pm sa bahay, I'm sorry.' I typed and sent it to her. Bumuntong hininga ako at pilit na gisingin si Prof Montes. "Prof, wake up!" sinampal sampal ko ang pisngi nya. I don't even know where he lives, how am I supposed to help him in this situation? And I can't just leave him here alone. Hindi kona alam kung nakaka ilang buntong hininga na ang pinakawalan ko when suddenly his phone rang. Someone's calling him, this is my chance. Mabilis kong kinuha ang cellphone nya at agad agad na sinagot ang tawag. "Hello?" bungad ko. [Sir, this is the Cab you called for, and I've been waiting for you here outside of the University for almost 15 minutes now.] Oh.. so, he already called for a Cab. Why Cab? I thought this professor is rich. "Hello, Sir, this is Cherry nandito po kami ngayon sa bus waiting area, can I just ask you to come here, please?" I answer. [Ay Ma'am pala, yes Ma'am, andyan na po] Sagot nito at binaba ang tawag. Binalik ko rin agad ang cellphone nya sa bulsa nya after the call, pero hindi ko pa man tuluyang napasok ang cellphone nya ay agad ako nitong hinila at niyakap ng mahigpit. "H-hey," nag pumiglas ako. "Don't go.." bulong nito sa 'kin habang naka yakap. "Please, Mom." he whispered. "I'm sorry, but I'm not your Mom, please." sagot ko at pinilit na umalis sa pag kakayakap nya, pero mas lalo nya lang ito hinigpitan. He's so strong. "Don't.." kasunod nito ay naramdaman kong nababasa ang damit ko sa balikat ko banda. He's crying.. ? "Why of all people, you die?" Napa singhap ako ng hangin at natigilan dahil sa narinig ko. Tuluyan na syang umiyak sa balikat ko habang yakap yakap ako. I feel bad, at niyakap ko sya pabalik. This situation made me think how lucky I am to have my Mom. "Hushh.. Prof.." I comfort him. Ilang minuto pa kami sa posisyong iyon ng marinig ko ang pag busena ng sasakyan. "Ma'am, good evening po." bati ng driver. "Can you help me, here?" pag tawag ko. I can't move right now, he's been hugging me so tightly. Agad na lumapit ang driver samin at tinulungan akong ipasok si Prof si sasakyan. Napa kurap kurap ako at napatingin sa kamay kong hawak hawak nya. Tuluyan na syang naka pasok sa loob ng sasakyan but he's still not letting me go. Napabuntong hininga ako at bumaling sa driver. "I'm pretty sure na alam mo kung saan sya bababa, right?" tanong ko. Tumango lang sya sa 'kin bilang pag sagot. "Right, let's go." wika ko at pumasok. I don't know.. What has gotten into me na sumama ako sa kanya. He just look so miserable right now and I can't just leave him like that. . "Agh!" daing ko at parehas kaming napasalampak sa sahig saktong pagkapasok ko ng bahay nya. Nandito na kami ngayon sa bahay nya. I'm surprised it's not lock at madali lang sa 'kin makapasok. "Hmm.." bumangon ako at naupo ng bigla syang gumawa ng ingay. "You awake?" tanong ko at tinignan ang mukha nya. "Where am I?" tanong nito at dahan dahan minulat ang mata. Nagkasalubong ang mga mata namin, "Now you're awake." I said at tumayo. Napatingin ako sa cellphone ko para tignan ang oras. It's already 5:50pm. Hindi naman ganon kalayo ang bahay namin mula sa kanila kaya makaka abot pa rin ako bago mag 7:00pm. "I'll be going now." saad ko at nag simulang humakbang. Ngunit hindi pa man ako nakakatatlong hakbang ay napatigil ako ng bigla nya akong yakapin mula sa likuran ko. "Hey!" gulat kong usal at hinawakan ang mga braso nyang nakapalibot sa bewang ko. "Stay.." bulong nya. "Even if it's just a dream," he added. "Well, I'm sorry it's not dream." I answered. "Now let me go," I added and keep pushing his arm away. But, a movement from his hands made me shock when his hands suddenly move, touching me from my stomach to my front and my neck. "What the hell?" I yell when he suddenly touch my front. My breast. "Your hand!" sigaw ko pa at hinawakan ang kamay nyang naka hawak sa dibdib ko. Pero napatigil ako at napalunok ng maramdaman ko ang mainit nitong hininga na tumatama sa leeg ko. "P-prof.." I whisper. "S-stop this now.." napapikit ako ng dumiin ang kamay nya sa dibdib ko. Nagpumiglas ako at pilit na inalis ang kamay nya, pero nagulat na lang ako bigla nya akong hilain paharap sa kanya at siniil ako ng mariin na halik sa labi. Napapikit ako at napa atras, kinulong ako ng mga braso nya at pilit ko naman syang tinutulak sa dibdib, but he's just so strong I'm no match to him. "S-stop.." bulong ko sa pagitan ng paghagalikan namin ng bigla nyang ipasok ang dila sa loob ng bunganga ko at nakipaglaro sa dila ko. This is so.. "Oh god," bulong nya at mas diniinan ang pag halik sa'kin. I can feel his tongue plying with mines. So disgusting.. I can even taste the alcohol. Please.. I used a full force to push him away but I still can't get away from his Arms. "Hush.. stay still my Teddy Bear." I froze and a nervous eating me up when I hear him calling me that. Kanina he deny, now he just call me that again. Teddy Bear. Realization hits me that I need to run. RUN! RUN! My mind screams, but my body won't move. Nabalik na lang ako sa ulirat ng bigla nyang hilain ang damit ko at marinig ang pagkapunit ng uniform ko. My front are now reveal. Nanlaki ang mata ko at agad na napatingin sa kanya, I saw a glimpse of a hunger in his eyes when he saw my breast after he ripped my uniform. Inside, I'm only wearing a black two piece. "N-no.." umiling iling ako at naramdaman ang pangingilid ng luha ko. "P-please n-no," I beg him and keep pushing him away. "Ah!" napa singhap ako ng hangin when he suddenly cupped my left breast. Dahil dun ay agad na nakita ko ang tenga nya at kinagat sya roon. Nagulat sya sa ginawa ko at napabitaw sa'kin kaya naman ay walang sabi sabi na tumalikod ako at tumakbo palabas ng bahay nya. Mabilis lang sa'kin ang maka labas since nasa may pintuan pa rin kami banda. I need to run, I need to get away. Umiiyak at nanlalabo ang paningin na tumakbo ako. Pero napatigil ako ng maramdaman ko ang kamay na humila sa'kin mula sa buhok ko. Napapikit ako at napahawak ako sa buhok ko ng maramdaman ko ang sakit sa anit mula sa pagkakahila nya. Malakas nya iyon hinila at pinapasok ako ulit sa bahay. Tinapon nya ako at napasalampak ako sa sahig. Parang bigla ay nawalan ako nang pag asa ng makita ko ang pag lock nya ng pinto at pag hubad nya ng pang itaas na damit. "Don't run away from me, please." he said at nag lakad palapit sa 'kin. "Because no matter what you do," he added and unzip his pants. "I'll never let you go." he continued. I feel a shiver down my spine, especially that looks on his eyes. It's like he's a hunter and he's looking me like I was a prey. Umiling iling ako, "Please you're just drunk, Prof.." I cried. "I'll never let you go, especially tonight." he walks towards me and sit in front of me. "In this dream, you'll be mine and I'll never let you go." his voice were so baritone. He holds my chin, "Teddy Bear.." he whispered and kiss my chin to my neck. Now I remember, just how stupid of me.. How stupid of me to not remember it. His complete name. He is. There's no doubt, he's the one who keeps sending that gift and stuff, he's my secret admirer, my professor is my secret admirer. His nickname is Dam. Now I remember, Professor Damian Sylvester Montes.