Sweet Nemesis

Chapter 16

#OLASweetNemesis

Chapter 16
Artist

Napatulala ako nang nakapasok sa sasakyan. Tears streamed down my face as I silently cried. Mariin ang hawak ko sa manibela. I could see my knuckles turning white and the veins popping at the back of my hand.

Sinubukan kong kumalma, but my heart wouldn't calm down. Naghahanap ito ng puwedeng gawin upang maibsan ang sakit, and I felt so sorry for it dahil wala akong magawa.

Naghalo-halo na ang nararamdaman ko. Ang natitirang galit sa kanya kanina at ito ngayong sakit na sumasapaw sa lahat ng emosyong nararamdaman.

Tumunog ang cellphone ko. Keno's name flashed on the screen. Siguro'y napansin niya na ang pagkawala ko. I wanted to answer his call right away, but I couldn't do it without breaking down. I didn't want him to hear me crying. I didn't want him to know I was hurting.

Instead of answering his call, I hastily wiped my tears, turned on the engine, and stepped on the gas.

Keno didn't stop calling the moment I started driving. He sent text messages in between that I didn't read. Bago pa magbago ang desisyon ko, mabilis kong pinatay ang cellphone at hinagis sa backseat. I didn't want the temptation right in front of my face or beside me. At least sa likod, mahihirapan akong abutin.

Hindi ako agad dumiretso sa bahay. I saw a convenience store near the club and decided to spend my time there to collect myself and put bandages on my wounded heart. Chineck ko muna ang mukha sa rearview upang masigurong hindi ako mukhang galing lang sa pag-iyak bago lumabas ng sasakyan.

It was probably my first or second time entering a convenience store. Hindi ko rin alam talaga. Kapag may kailangan ako, madalas sa mall agad ang punta. Minsan, secretary ko na ang bumibili para hindi ako mahirapan.

The hot chocolate vending machine caught my attention. I thought I could use something warm and sweet.

Mabilis akong bumili. I bought the biggest size. I was a little disappointed that it didn't get filled to the rim, pero ayos na rin.

There were a lot of vacant chairs and a long table against the window. Doon ako naupo kung saan kita ko ang parking lot. My car was parked on the other side. Bakante lang ang lote sa harapan ko.

Tahimik akong uminom ng hot chocolate. Napangiwi ako dahil medyo matabang. It could use more cocoa or sugar, but I doubted if they had add ons.

Para akong mas lalong nalungkot sa iniinom. I stared at the cup and played with the lid.

Siguro ay tumigil na rin sa pagtawag si Keno. He must be enjoying his precious free time with the woman he likes, while I'm trying to make do with this bland chocolate and hoping I will feel better. I certainly look like a loser now.

Kailangan ko nang magplano kung paano na ako aakto sa paligid niya. What if he has a girlfriend now? Paano kung nagkabalikan sila? Hahayaan ko pa ba siyang lumapit sa akin?

I don't trust myself, and I want to respect whatever relationship he has with that woman. I guess I have to fire him now. Kaya nga lang ay wala akong kapangyarihan para gawin 'yon. Only my cousin could do that.

Huminga ako nang malalim at yumuko. Saka ko na siguro poproblemahin 'yon kapag naayos ko na ang sarili. I should fix things one at a time, and fixing my heart is my top priority. Maybe this is just a phase that will soon pass.

But damn... It really fucking hurts.

"Why did you turn your phone off?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ako nang madinig ang boses ni Keno at maramdaman siya sa tabi ko. I snapped my gaze up to look at him.