I was silent as we ate our dinner. I did not glance at Rael even though I could feel him glancing at me every so often. I just swiftly rolled my eyes whenever I think about our argument earlier.He said they did not fuck. That is bullshit."Is it delicious, Rael? What can you say? Is it salty or a bit bland for your taste?" My mother asked, referring to the kare-kare that she cooked.I glanced at him. He was sitting across me. I noticed that he was eating slowly. Every swallow, he gulps it down with water. My brows furrowed. It seems to me that he didn't like the food.He smiled after he puts down the water."It tastes really good. You cooked it very well," he replied politely.My brows raised up. Liar. I could clearly see that he was just forcing himself to eat it. He was literally shoving it into his mouth and drunk lots of water. But I understand that he did not want to offend my mother.Our eyes met. He held my gaze for a long time but I broke it off. I continued eating."Really?
When I got back in the dressing room, I immediately gathered all my things. I have also changed my clothes. While fixing my bag, I could hear the girls talking about their tip tonight."You are nothing compared to Yula tonight! She got ten thousand pesos in just one night!" That was Danica's voice.I stopped, glancing at them. Danica had a huge smirk on her lips as she watched me. I just noticed that almost all of them were looking at my direction."God! Really?! Is it true, Yula?! Who is it from?" Sofia asked in a shocked voice."Doctor De Guzman!" There was a pride in Danica's voice."Isn't he your sugar daddy, Victoria? When was the last time you went out with him?"I bit my lip as I continued gathering my things. I just wanted to go home and rest."I have enough of that old man. Duh! He is stupid in bed!" Victoria retorted."I think it is better for you to say that Dr. De Guzman does not like you anymore!" One of them laughed insultingly."Who does he think he is to not like me an
Someone was holding my hand. I was certain that it was a man based on the details of the hand. Everything was vague. All I could see clearly was our hands intertwined with each other. The only thing I could remember was his ring.It was a vintage cross chain ring. There was a small version of a chain which I think serves as a design and it connects the two rings that the man was wearing. Bullets of sweats formed on mu forehead when I woke up, gasping for air. I sat on my bed. The ring kept on flashing in my mind like a lightning.Whose that ring is? Why am I dreaming about it? And above all... who is that man?I grabbed the glass of water beside me. I gulped down the half of it. My throat was dry.I ran my fingers through my hair as I shook my head. I do not want to think about my dream which I do not even know if they mean something or not.I checked the time in my phone. It was already four in the morning. I glanced at my mother who was sleeping peacefully beside me. I got off the
"I never expected Dr. De Guzman to do such horrible thing! My god! If Rael was late even a bit, that old man had probably succeed with what he wanted! He is a fucking pervert!" I could feel how angry Danica was on the other line.I received a call from her when I got out from the bathroom. Rael brought some of his clothes at iyon ang suot ko ngayon. I chose to stay in the room while talking to Danica. It seems to me that the people from the bar are already aware about what happened."How are you? Where are you now? Are you home? Do your parents know about what happened?"I heaved a deep sigh as I ran my fingers through my hair. I did not want my parents to know about this. I do not want them to be worried about me. I am sure that they will be very angry."I am fine, Danica. I-I am not home," I whispered."So, where are you, then?"I bit my lower lip. I do not want to tell her that I am with Rael. This woman has a wide imagination. I am sure she will assume ridiculous things."Uhm, I
I was about to close the door when a hand suddenly pushed it. My lips parted when I saw who it was. Rael was glaring at me.He pushed the door and I was left with no choice but to take a step back."Why are you even trying to get away from me?" His voice was low yet full of threat and danger. He had completely entered my room and his eyes were glaring at me with an icy coldness.I took few steps away from him. My heart was beating ridiculously fast inside my chest as I watched his darkened eyes."Y-You can't be here. Get out," I hissed through gritted teeth despite of my trembling voice.My knees wobbled miserably when he took large steps towards me."I won't tolerate this attitude of yours," he studied me with a critical squint as he stepped towards me. "W-What do you need?" My voice was filled with fear.My back suddenly hit the cabinet. He had successfully cornered me. His hands on the sides of my head, completely imprisoning me. He leaned down as he stared directly into my eyes.
I immediately went out of my room as I got the first aid kit. Rael was sitting on the sofa. His elbows were resting on his knees, head hanging low. It seems to me that he was in deep thoughts. When he felt my presence, he lifted his gaze at me and fixed his posture.Clearing my throat awkwardly, I went near him. I do not know what to say as I sat beside him. The ridiculously fast beating of my heart making me weak. I can feel his intense stare but I did not have the strength to look at him. I took a cotton and dropped a little bit amount of betadine. That is when I just glanced at him."Let me," I whispered, reaching his wounded lips. He leaned forward a bit. I can feel his warm breath fanning my cheek. I swallowed as I felt my hand trembled. I did not even recognize my own breathing pattern."I'm sorry..." My voice shook. My hand dropped on my thigh. He has already saved me so many times. I do not even remember that I did something in return to him. Even just a simple way, I did no
"Thank you," I whispered as I handed him his helmet. I saw my mother, sweeping our garden. She smiled at us.I turned my back on Rael and walked towards our gate. But I automatically closed my eyes in embarrassment when I heard what my mother said."Are you courting my daughter, Rael?" Mama asked in a sweet voice as though she was asking a simple question."Ma..." I could feel my cheeks burning when my eyes darted at Rael who was just watching me. He got off his motorcycle."I want to but your daughter does not," he answered politely. My eyes widened, lips parted. I wanted to say something to oppose him but I was too shocked to even move my lips."It is not going to be a problem for me if you will be my daughter's boyfriend," Mama said in a nonchalant voice. "Just be patient, dear. She is just being hard to get. You just have to show her a little bit more of fondness."I was completely swallowed my embarrassment that I just wanted to disappear."W-What are you talking about, Ma? That
Nathrelya...Who is Nathrelya? Why... why did that name flash in my mind...Why didn't I see my mother in those memories?I can already remember my older memories. In a province... But it just made me more confused. This is not my life before...This is not what I have lived before... A woman. I lived in a house with a woman... she is my mother. Her name is Cassandra. Her skin was as white as snow. She was a very beautiful woman. I am sure... she is my mother.But when I tried to remember some details, my brain throbbed painfully.My name is not Yula. But what am I here? Why do people from here call me Yula? How did I get here if this is not the life that I grew up with?"Yula! Come on! What are you still waiting for?" Nessa pulled my hand.That name suddenly became strange to my ears. It was as if all of this is just a borrowed time. I do not own this life. I stared at Nessa but eventually, I just shook my head. I walked towards the terminal of the jeepney with few plastic bags i