Sad to belong (Completed)

Chapter 5

His POV

IT’S a tough week for me, but it was all worth it! Dad was so happy with my report, I knew I made him proud after I presented my proposal.

"Good job, son!" Sarap sa tainga marinig ang mga salitang iyon mula kay Daddy.

I was ev happier when he told me that our client approved my project which is worth a billion pesos!

I dialed Gly's number after I heard the good news. She deserved to know first.

I was so excited while waiting for her to pick up, she played a big part in the proposal I made. She inspired me a lot. After the third ring I already heard her sweet voice on the other line.

I told her about what happened.

“Really? Oh, God! I'm so proud of you, baby! I wish I was there with you. This deserves a celebration!" I could see her happiness over the phone. She's in Bohol right now for work.

"It's okay, baby! Sana ay makahabol ka. I plan to celebrate with my close friends definitely still in A'choholics," I said.

"Please enjoy your day! Congrats, baby ko!" she proudly said.

After saying I love you to each other, we then bid our goodbyes.

"Cheers to Jerick's success!" Justin lead. Sabay namin itinaas ang mga hawak na bote at pinagpingki.

We were celebrating my achievements, just like we always did—hindi lang sa akin kundi sa buong tropa. Ang success ng isa ay parang success na rin ng lahat, we are proud of each other's achievements at ‘yon ang nakapagpa-solid ng samahan namin.

"Sana all billions!" Mig's shouted.

"P’wera usog, pare!" natatawa kong saad.

"Now tell me! Is it worth it?” Justin asked, feeling proud.

"Sobra, bro! Solid!" Hanggang ngayon ay ‘di pa rin ako makapaniwala that I made it! Ginaganahan na tuloy akong magtrabaho, sarap pala ‘pag nakikita muna ang bunga ng mga pinagpaguran mo.

"Sabi ko sa iyo, ‘di ba? This is just the beginning, pare, I tell you!"

"Salamat, pare!" Inakbayan ko siya at magaan na tinapik ang balikat.

Mayamaya ay nagpagdesisyunan naming lumabas sa VIP room, naisipan naming bumaba sa unang palapag kung saan may malaking stage sa gitna. Hinanapan kami ni Adrianne ng p’westong paglilipatan sa unang floor, he guided us sa isang bakanteng couch.

Nagkalat ang maraming tao, naghihiyawan at nagsasayawan.

Mayamaya ay humalo na kami sa mga taong nagkumpulan sa stage. We were dancing, living our life to the fullest.

Inom dito! Inom doon!

Shot dito! Shot doon!

We were shouting at the top of our lungs, singing the song played by the DJ.

Iba't ibang drinks na ang iniinom namin, kung ano-ano na lamang ang ibinibigay ni Adrianne. I wonder if may kita pa ba ito? Luging-lugi kapag nandito kaming mga kaibigan niya, ngunit namamayagpag naman talaga ang A'choholic. Dinadayo ito ng nakararami. Marami na rin itong branch sa iba't ibang lugar ng siyudad.

Naramdaman ko na ang kaunting hilo, my alcohol tolerance lowered nang magsimula akong mag-train sa SDF. Noong araw kasi halos kada araw laman kami ng inuman, but when we got our responsibilities ay minsan na lang kaming nakakapag-inuman.

There were women coming for us, but I shoo them away! I'm done with women! But not my other friends, except na lang siguro kay Nathan, because his eyes were focusing on Gabby's. Laging nakabantay, tinatakot ang kahit na sinong magtangkang lumapit sa best friend nito at si Justin na napaka-protective sa kambal nitong si Jaslen.

Napapatawa na lamang ako when I saw some of my friends already making out with different girls inside A'choholic.

Adrianne roamed around just to give us a shot; he was holding a Jack Daniel in his hand. Every time we visited his bar, he always gave us special attention. Making sure that we did enjoy it.

Natawa ako nang biglang hinarang siya ng isang magandang babae, agad na inikot ang mga braso nito sa kaniyang leeg at tumingkayad upang halikan siya, and Adrianne as Adrianne sinunggaban niya kaagad ito. He got a handful of her hair then kissed the girl aggressively. I saw my old self on him. I was like him before I met Gly. Napapailing na lamang ako habang tinutungga ang hawak kong bote ng beer.

Napagod ako sa kasasayaw kaya naisipan kong bumalik sa couch. I was alone, I was still drinking. Tangina! Naramdaman ko na talaga ang pag-ikot ng paligid. Sinandal ko ang likod sa sandalan ng couch, nakatingala habang nakabuka ang mga hita.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin nang may lumapit na babae sa akin. I already knew what she was up to, I'm ready to shoo her away but to my surprise ay basta na lamang siyang umupo sa kandungan ko. Napatuwid ako ng upo, but she started kissing me and I just couldn't stand and let her fall on the ground. I was still trying to be a gentleman.

"No, miss. I'm sorry, I do have a girlfriend already. " Iniiwas ko ang mukha sa kaniya, tumama ang halik niya sa pisngi ko. She was hot, I admit it, but I am already loyal to my Glyden. She was so persistent to get me, to turn me on. She started to grind on my lap, napamura ako dahil s’yempre lalaki pa rin ako at nakainom, he started kissing me on my neck. "Miss—"

Nagulat na lamang ako nang biglang bumagsak sa sahig ang babae, the next thing I knew nakadagan na si Gly sa kaniya, sinasabunutan at sinasampal-sampal.

"Malandi kang higad ka!"

Tumayo ako para sana awatin si Gly pero tangina nahihilo talaga ako. Nakita ko ang mga kaibigan kong pinaghiwalay si Gly at ang babae. We were now getting the attention of the crowd.

"Bitiwan n’yo nga ako! Tuturuan ko lang ng leksyon ang babaeng ‘yan!" Naglulumingkis si Gly mula sa hawak ni Justine habang si Adrianne naman ang tumulong sa babaeng tumayo.

Pinalayo muna ni Adrianne ang babae at pinakalma muna ni Justine si Gly bago niya ito binitiwan. Nilapitan ko si Gly but she hit me with her palm, malakas, nahimasmasan ako bigla. I stared at her, nagpupuyos ang loob sa galit, she was tearing up.

"We're now off! Asshole!"

Her POV

MIKAEL got himself busy these past few days, but he never lost time for me; he kept on sending text messages or calling me through video call.

Today was our anniversary, so I was planning to cook him his favorite lasagna. I already cooked him once; it was on our 3rd anniversary, and he liked it so much! So now I was going to surprise him by bringing him two of his favorites in his office: me and the one I cooked. I giggled at the thought.

After I had done cooking, I took a shower, did my skincare, and chose an off-shoulder black fitted dress with a little slit on the side ending above my knees. I paired it with my three-inch black sandals. I put on a little powder to complete my look.

I put the lasagna inside my car, started the engine, and drove to his office.

I was smiling the whole time. I played a song in my car.

"Looks like we made it

Look how far we've come, my baby

We mighta took the long way

We knew we'd get there someday

They said, "I bet they'll never make it"

But just look at us holding on

We're still together, still going strong

You're still the one I run to

The one that I belong to

You're still the one I want for life

(You're still the one)

You're still the one that I love

The only one I dream of

You're still the one I kiss goodnight."

I was smiling and singing the whole time. I was really madly in love with the one I had in mind while singing the song.

I parked my car beside Mikael's Range Rover. I went inside the lobby, and with me was my lasagna, which I was holding with both hands.

Again, the staff greeted me. Someone offered to help me bring the lasagna, but I refused and just thanked her. I smiled back and greeted all of them. They were so nice and kind to me, maybe because I am Mikael's girlfriend and future wife.

Sumakay ako sa elevator and pressed the highest floor where Mikael's office was located. The elevator door opened when it reached the floor. The staff there also greeted me, and I greeted them back again.

Dire-diretso ang lakad ko sa hallway patungo sa opisina ni Mikael.

Again, Denise wasn't there. Napakunot ang noo ko nang mabasa ang nakapaskil sa opisina ng mapapangasawa ko, "DO NOT DISTURB", but because I am the future wife and with the thought that Mikael would be surprise and happy if he sees me, I went inside his office.

I didn't knock and just pushed his door with my arm. I was looking down; I was being careful with my step, but when I looked up to Mikael . . .

I was the one who was surprised!

Nabitiwan ko ang hawak kong lasagna.

My heart exploded when I saw the filthiest scene I've seen in my whole life right in front of my face.

Mikael was sitting on his swivel chair while Denise was in his lap, facing him almost naked; all that was left was her skirt piled up to her stomach. My boyfriend was kneading and kissing Denise's boobs while Denise was grinding on his lap; I even heard her moan.

He then glanced at me! It was like he saw a ghost! He was shocked!

I was panting heavily; my hands were trembling! I wish I was dreaming but I wasn't because I could feel my heart aching!

The tears started dripping down my face as I turned my back on them and ran away as fast I could.

People were staring at me; they may have been confused, but I didn't care.

I was running the hell out of him, away from the two traitors. I felt betrayed; my tears kept streaming down my face. I felt like my heart had been ripped out, destroyed, and desecrated.

I felt like I was slapped in the face with the truth, so hard . . . so hard that it made me question my worth.

Putangina! All this time ginagago lang pala nila ako patalikod! Paano niya nagawang iparamdam na mahal na mahal niya ako habang nagpaparaos sa iba?!

I heard him calling my name, but I didn't listen, nor I looked back at him. Mas binilisan ko pa ang pagtakbo. Ramdam ko ang mga mapanuri, mga nag-aalala, at mga nakikichismis na tingin ng mga empleyado niya ngunit wala akong paki!

All I thought of was getting out of this hell! But when I reached the elevator, it was closed. Damn! Someone was using it. I kept pushing the arrow down button repeatedly, but it didn't open! I slammed the elevator door! It created a distracting noise and caught people’s attention. "Tangina! Bumukas ka!" I kicked it hard! I was frustrated! I heard Mikael's footsteps coming closer.

Nagpupuyos ang loob ko sa galit, I was so upset!

Naabutan niya ako, sinubukan niya akong hawakan. "Baby, please list—" But my palm went straight to his face to cut him off! His face twisted as my palm landed hard and loud on his face. I heard some of his employees’ gasp.

"Tangina mo! Tangina mong hayop ka!" I snatched my arm from his grip. I pushed him away with both hands! I slapped him again alternately using both of my palms! Nilabas ko lahat ng nararamdaman na galit sa kaniya! I angrily pointed my finger to him. "Putangina mo! You want me to listen to you? To listen again with all your lies? With all your sweet f*****g words again?! Sige nga, ipaliwanag mo ngayon sa akin ang nakita kong kahayupan niyo ng malandi mong sekretarya! Marasap ba?! Did you f*****g like it? NAKARAOS KA BA?! Sagot!" I sobbed, tears welled up in my eyes again, my heart tightened that I could hardly breath. "Ang galing mo! Ang galing mong magpaikot ng tao hayop ka!" I held on my chest when I felt the pang of pain again. "Binigay ko sa ‘yo ang buong puso ko, minahal kita nang totoo, sinuportahan kita sa lahat ng gusto mo! Naging sunod-sunuran ako sa iyong hayop ka! Alam kong may pagkukulang ako pero pinaniwala mo akong nirerespeto mo ang desisyon ko! Bakit, Mikael?! Bakit mo ako ginago?! Putangina niyo! Ang bababoy niyong hayop kayo!" Walang tigil ang pag-agos ng luha ko sa mga mata, he was staring at my eyes. He was guilty, I saw the sympathy in his eyes, but it was bullshit! "Bakit mo ako niloko?! Sagot! Sumagot ka!" I hit his chest with my fists many times, hindi niya ako pinigilan, tinanggap niya lahat ng suntok ko. He stood still, hinayaan niya akong ilabas ang sakit na nararamdaman ko. "Bakit mo ‘to ginawa sa akin?! Bakit?! Minahal kitang hayop ka! It hurts . . . it hurts so bad." Humagulgol ako sa kaniyang dibdib, I got tired, I felt exhausted. Sinubukan niya akong yakapin ngunit lumayo ako.

"I'm sorry, baby . . . lalaki lang ako. I was just tempted." He cried.

"That's bullshit! So, you mean patatawarin kita dahil ‘di mo napigilang tumayo ang t**i mo nang maghubad siya sa harapan mo?! Gano’n ba?! Dahil lang sa lalaki ka?! Gago ka ba?!" I shouted, I never imagine myself being this vulgar. I was raised well with my parents. Lumunok ako, pinahid ko ang mga luha sa aking mga mata. Tinanggal ko ang singsing na binigay niya and threw it on his face! "I'll cancel our f*****g wedding!"

"No, please, baby. Please, no . . . please give me another chance." He came closer and tried to hold my hands, but I disgustingly pulled my hands away from his grasp.

Insaktong bumukas ang pintuan ng elevator, nagmamadaling lumabas ang mga empleyadong lulan nito nang makita kami sa bukana. Kay bilis ng mga kilos ko, pumasok ako sa loob nito. "Don't you dare come inside or even try to follow me! I'll f*****g kill you, asshole!” He obeyed me; I pressed the close button, and he just stared at me until the door closed and I could see him no more.

My knees trembled, I felt numb, and I held on to the wall so I could stop myself from falling.

The pain that I'm feeling right now is excruciating; it’s unbearable, distressing, and torturing.

Lulan na ako ulit ng aking sasakyan. Kung paano ko nakayang maglakad mula sa elevator hanggang parking lot, ‘yon ang ‘di ko alam. I drove as fast I could. I was scared of death but not until today! Diniin ko ang pagtapak sa acceleretor, gusto ko ng mamatay upang ‘wag nang maramdaman ang sakit na tumutusok sa puso ko ngayon.

My speed rose up ngunit kay bilis kong tinapakan ang preno nang may biglang tumawid na bata, sumasagitsit ang gulong ko sa sementadong kalsada. I heard my wheels growled, mababangga ko ang bata kung ‘di ako iiwas, kinabig ko ang manibela upang ilihis ang direksyon ng kotse ko.

Last thing I knew, my car bumped hard into the tree, and my airbag exploded as I felt stinky liquid dripping down my face before my sight went black.

HIS POV

SINUSUNDAN ko si Gly, mabilis ang mga hakbang nito patungong pintuan palabas sa A'choholic.

Wala akong paki kung may nababangga man ako o nasasagi. I needed to explain to her what really happened.

"Tangina, pare, hinay-hinay naman!" dinig kong angil ng lalaking nabangga ko, ngunit ‘di ako lumingon—ni ang huminto—dahil baka bigla na lamang mawala si Gly sa paningin ko.

Nakita ko itong pinagbuksan ng mga bouncer ng pintuan, nagmamadaling itong lumabas mula sa babasaging pintuan ng bar ni Adrianne. Tumakbo ako upang maabutan ‘to. Pagkalabas ko ay nadatnan ko si Gly lulan na ng kaniyang sasakyan. Mabilis kong tinungo ang kinaroroonan niya.

She quickly turned on her car engine nang makita niyang papalapit ako. She dangerously stared at me. She was seriously mad. Kung nakapapatay lamang ang tingin, nakabulagta na ako ngayon sa sementong kinatatayuan ko.

Hinarang ko ang sarili sa harap ng kaniyang kotse. Bakas sa mukha nito ang pagpupuyos ng loob nito sa galit. Kinabahan ako nang pinatunog nito ang sasakyan. Napalingon ang ilang mga tao sa labas ng bar nang gawin iyon ni Gly. Dumoble ang kaba ko nang dumiretso ang tingin niya sa akin tila balak na banggain ako, ngunit kilala ko si Gly, ‘di niya magawang saktan ako so I stood still. I intently stared at her.

She started to move her car but stopped before she could hit me. I abruptly put both of my hands in front of her car bumper, muli ay nakagawa ito ng ingay. May narinig akong napatili nang masaksihan ang mapanganib na stunt na ginawa ko. I was panting heavily. Aminin kong kinabahan ako sa kapahangasan kong iyon.

I stared at her. I was pleading but I saw no mercy in her eyes, she was really angry, she was hurt.

She let down her car window near the driver seat, nilabas nito ang ulo. "Get off, asshole! Tabi!" she shouted at me. People started to gather in a circle na para bang nanunuod ito ng isang pelikula.

"You got it wrong, baby! Let me explain, please." I've been trying to keep her still. I need to explain, to her the truth.

"Explain your face, asshole! Stop lying! I saw it myself! Cheater!" Nanggagalaiti na siya sa galit. She has no place for my explanation.

"I didn't kiss her back. I wanted her to get away from me kahit na tanungin mo pa mga kaibigan ko!" I explained, hoping she would accept it.

"You all go to hell! Magsama-sama kayong lahat ng mga kunsentidor mong mga kaibigan! Pareho naman kayong lahat, mga manloloko! Get out of my way! Sasagasaan talaga kita! Isa!" I was silently praying that nobody from the crowd are my friends.

"No! I won't! Please listen to me first! Mali nga ang nakita mo! Mahal kita, ‘di ko magagawang magloko sa iyo! Baby, please . . . hear me out first!" I frustratedly said.

"Well, you just did!"

"Mali nga ang nakita mo, ‘di ba?! Pakinggan mo naman ako."

"Hindi ako bulag! ‘Wag mo kong ginagago, Jerick! You just proved to me that once a manloloko always a manloloko!" Napahilamos ako sa aking mukha! I heard laughter from the crowd. Tangina naman kasi!

"I've already changed, baby. Alam mo ‘yan!"

"Change mong mukha mo! You can't even calm down your thing in between your legs!" she shouted at me again! I heard ‘Oh’ from the crowd again.

Napatingin ako sa ibaba ko.

"He is only for you, you alone!" I blurted out! Tumawa ang mga tao sa paligid.

"f**k you!" pagkasabi ay agad nitong pinaandar ulit ang sasakyan. She was so eager to get away from me! Nakipagsubukan ako ng tingin but she was really mad! I surrendered, tumabi ako so she could pass.

Sapo ang ulo ko habang sinundan ko ng tingin ang palayong sasakyan nito.

"f**k!" mura ko sa sarili.