Chapter 2

Running away from the stranger.

That's first thought that came to Jillian's mind. She hurriedly fixed her self and look for a cab to ride. Nang may humintong sasakyan na sa kanyang harapan, nagmamadali siyang sumakay at huminga ng malalim.

'Relax Jillian. What happened last night is nothing. That's nothing. It's nothing—'

"Urgh shit! This can't be!" napasigaw siya sa inis at sinambunutan ang sariling buhok.

She can't believe on what she did last night. Kahit mag-aapat na taon sila ni Pablo, nothing happened between them. Just a simple kiss, touching and nothing more. But what happened last night made her more guilty. Yet she didn't gave herself to Pablo but she did on a stranger. A stranger just devirginized her!

'Jesus!' she mumbled in her mind.

Bakit parang ang dali-dali lang sa kanya na ibigay ang sarili sa ibang tao pero sa taong mahal niya ay nahihirapan siya? It was because of that fucking lusy she felt last night! It was all lust and nothing more!

"Ayos lang po ba kayo Maam?"

Nakalimutan niyang may driver pala kaya mabilis siyang lumingon dito at nahihiyang ngumiti.

"Ayos lang ho, Manong."

She closed her eyes and think that it was all a dream. But even how many times she slapped and pinched her self, it wasn't all a dream. It fucking happened! It happened!

Buong biyahe ay tulala lang si Jillian. Hindi lubos mapropreso ng kanyang utak ang ginawa niyang kagagahan kagabi. Nang huminto ang sinasakyan sa harap ng bahay nila, mas lalong dumoble ang kaba na kanyang nararamdaman. And it make her more nervous when she saw a car parking near at their house. Pablo is here, thought of her.

Nagbayad siya pagkatapos ay bumaba. She fixed herself first before sighing so heavily.

She hated Pablo for cheating on her. But look what happened now, she also did the same! But for her it was nothing! It was all a one-night stand, just that and nothing more. She thought that maybe it happened last night because she's drunk and it because of what she saw. 'Just think of it as your pain reliever to Pablo's jerkiness.' she told herself.

"Babe!"

Kung dati ay nasasaktan at kinikilig siya sa tuwing tinatawag siya ng ganun ni Pablo, ngayon ay nasusuka at naiirita na siya. 'Was it because she woke up from the truth? Maybe Lori's plan last night is a bit useful to lessen my stupidness.'

She admit it, she still feel a bit pain in her chest. Reminding her what happened last night, pero hindi na kasing grabeng sakit na nararamdaman niya nung una. Kung saan bulag pa siya sa katotohanan at kung saan nagtatangahan pa siya.

"What are you doing here?" she asked him coldly and brushed her hair using the finger.

Pablo's face became pale. Nababatid niyang nataranta ito sa kanyang tanong pero wala siya pakialam. All she want right now is to asked him what is he doing to their house. Ang katulad niya ay wala na dapat pang magpakita. He cheated on her, yet she did the same too. But it was all a one-night stand, hindi iyong tipo na nakikipag relasyon talaga.

"B-Babe.. A-Abo—"

Pumasok siya sa loob ng bahay. Naramdaman naman niya na sinundan siya nito. Pagdating doon ay nakita niya ang kanyang nakakatandang kapatid at any kanyang ina na magkayakap dalawa. The scene made her heart broke into pieces.

"Where did you came from?" salubong na tanong ng kanyang ina at tumayo.

Her sister gave her a concern look, but she doesn't need it anyway. What's the purpose of being concern?

"You did not go home last night. We are so worried na baka may nangyaring masama sa iyo." Rizle—her eldest sister said gently.

Umupo siya sa sofa at tumingin sa sahig ng walang emosyon "Sleep over with Lori."

Tila nakahinga naman ng maluwag ang dalawa at pati na rin ang kasintahan niya. Nag-angat ng tingin si Jillian kay Pablo at matalim niya itong tiningnan.

"I'll asked you for the second time, what are you doing here?" nagtitimpi niyang tanong at tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo.

Confusion is written all over her mother and sister's face as they stared at them. Tila naguguluhan kung bakit ganun ang inaakto ni Jillian. Sa tuwing pumupunta kasi si Pablo sa kanila, hindi maipaliwanag ang saya sa mukha ni Jillian. But now is different.

Pablo tried to reach her but she avoid it immediately and look at him blankly.

"I-I'm here to explain what happe—" she cut him off.

Pagak tumawa si Jillian at hindi makapaniwalang tiningnan ang nobyo "Magpaliwanag? How dare you to explain! Sa loob ng ilang taon mong panloloko sa akin, ngayon mo pa lang naisipang magpaliwanag?!"

"I-I'm so so—"

"Sorry?! Really?! Yan lang ba ang sasabihin mo pagkatapos ng nasaksihan ko kagabi?! Ano?! Magaling ba siya huh?!" she wiped the tears away that pooled down in her cheeks.

"Jillian.." her sister called her.

"Let's end this, Pablo. Siguro ang gumising na nga ako sa katotohanan. Let's end this, I don't want to be with you anymore.." she said calmly.

May pait at sakit pa rin siyang naramdaman habang sinasabi iyon. They've been for almost four years, and yet it ended that way. It ended. Was that because he's not contented to her to the point that he need to look another woman? Isn't she enough for him? 

Napakurap-kurap si Pablo ay kulang nalang ay lumuhod sa kanyang harapan. Just like her, he was also crying in so much vain. Ang kanyang kapatid at ina ay umalis para bigyan man lang sila ng privacy.

"J-Jill, no.." he pleaded and reached her hand.

"No, Pablo. I learned my lesson. Maybe I'm hurting because yes I did love you. But the pain is bearable, Pab. I can't bear with this forever. Kaya imbes na magdusa ako sa sakit, mas minabuti nalang na maghiwalay tayo. And to make the pain gone. That's what I only wished for, to take away the pain I've longing for a years with you.." she said directly.

And for the last time, she smiled at him "Good bye, Pablo. Take care always..." pagkuwan ay tinalikuran niya ito at naglakad paakyat sa hagdan.

Sapo-sapo niya ang dibdib pagkarating sa kanyang kwarto at umupo sa kama. Finally, she'd woke up. Finally, she'd free from the pain. And hopefully, the pain stops now.

Pinahid niya ang luha at kinuha ang kanyang cellphone ng marinig niyang may tumawag dito. She tapped the answer button and put it on her ear.

"Hello?"

Matagal-tagal pa bago sumagot ang kabila but when she heard a familiar voice, Jillian almost collapsed when she finally recognize who it was.

"Having fun in running away?" said by the baritone voice from the other line.

Her mouth dropped and shock is written all over her face.

'How the fuck he'd knew her number?!'