Chapter 6

Hindi pinaandar ni Davis ang sasakyan. Nakaupo si Isabella sa front seat katabi ng binata. Unang binasag ni Isabella ang katahimikan.

She told Davis about the criticisms, the expectations, and the pressure she felt from her father. She told him about how she felt like she could never live up to his standards, and how it had been affecting her mental health. Davis listened intently, and asked her to tell him more about how she was feeling.

"It sounds like your father is having a hard time seeing things from your perspective," Davis said sympathetically. "But that doesn't give him the right to treat you that way. You deserve better than that."

Isabella nodded, feeling a small sense of relief. It was good to have someone on her side, someone who understood how hard things had been for her.

"What do you think I should do?" tanong ni Isabella sa mababang tono.

"You don't have to put up with that kind of treatment," Davis said firmly. "You deserve to be treated with respect and kindness, no matter who it is. If your father can't give you that, then it's up to you to decide if you want to continue having him in your life."

"What do you mean?"

"Huwag mong hayaan na siya ang kumontrol sa buhay mo."

Isabella thought about what Davis had said, feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders. She knew that Davis was right.

Davis continued to offer Isabella advice and words of encouragement, giving her some perspective on her situation with her father. He listened to her vent and validated her feelings, letting her know that it was okay to feel sad and hurt by her father's words. But he also reminded her that she had the power to control her own destiny and not let anyone else's opinion or actions define her.

"Minsan naiisip ko na wala talaga akong kwentang anak, katulad ng sinabi ni Daddy."

"Everyone has value and worth including you. The most important thing is to believe in yourself and your own worth, regardless of what others may say or think, even if that's your father." Davis said.

"Don't ever forget that, even when the people around you try to bring you down. You are strong and you matter, and you get to choose how you respond to the adversity that life throws your way."

Isabella felt a lump rise in her throat as she listened to Davis's words. It was like he was speaking directly to her soul, and his words felt like a warm blanket wrapping around her heart. She felt safe and seen in a way that she hadn't felt in a long time.

"Thank you, Davis," she said, tears streaming down her cheeks.

For the first time, she felt like she was being heard and understood. She felt like she was no longer alone in her struggles, and that she had someone she could trust and talk to. Davis told her that she didn't need to carry all her burdens by herself.

Hindi namalayan ni Isabella na nakatulugan na niya pala ang pag iyak. Naramdaman nalang niyang parang umangat ang sarili niya at ipinasok sa isang kwarto. Hindi na niya kayat imulat ang mata dahil sa pinaghalong hilo at antok na nararamdaman. Hinayaan niyang makapagpahinga ang sarili sa malambot na kama.

Sinimulang imaneho ni Davis ang kanyang sasakyan patungo sa kanyang condo nang mawalan ng malay si Isabella.

Hindi niya alam kung saan nakatira ang dalaga kaya naman idiniretso niya nalang ito sa kanyang condo. Napatingin siya sa maamong mukha ng katabi. Davis assumed that Isabella has a stable life when he first saw her, but he's wrong.

Inangat ni Davis ang isa niyang kamay at masuyong hinaplos ang pisngi ni Isabella. He gently wiped away the tears on her face, and he was rewarded with a small, faint smile.

Ilang oras ang lumipas at nakarating na siya sa harap ng kanyang condo. Hindi na niya inatubiling gisingin ang mahimbing na pagtulog ni Isabella.

Davis carefully carried Isabella to his room. He opened the light and gently placed her on his bed, making sure she was comfortably settled before covering her with a blanket.

Davis stayed as he watched Isabella sleep. He went went over to Isabella and gently stroked her cheek, his hand light and tender. Gustong gusto niyang haplusin ang pisngi ng dalaga.

"Good night." With those words, Davis stood up and left the room quietly.

Despite only knowing her for a short time, he couldn't shake the feeling that she was someone he wanted to protect and take care of, and he was determined to do whatever he could to help her in whatever she was going through.

Nagising si Isabella kinabukasan sa hindi pamilyar na silid. Sakto naman ang pagbukas ng pinto at iniluwa niyon si Davis.

Mariing napapikit si Isabella dahil parang nabibiyak ang ulo niya sa sakit. She slowly sat up, rubbing her forehead as the pounding ache continued.

"Looks like you have a hangover from last night," Davis said, staring at her with his cold eyes again. Hindi kumibo si Isabella at nanatiling nakapikit ang kanyang mga mata habang hawak ang ulo.

"Nagpaluto ako ng soup kay Manang, let me bring it over for you," He then turned his back and left the room, returning shortly with a bowl of warm soup.

He placed it in front of Isabella and said. "I know it's not much, but I hope this can make you feel better. Pagkatapos mong kumain magpalit ka na rin." Itinuro niya ang isang white shirt at boxer sa tabi ng kama.

Isabella took a sip of the soup and a weak smile spread across her face. "Salamat. This is exactly what I needed," she said with her bedroom voice. Napalunok ang binata dahil sa boses na ginamit ni Isabella.

"Just inform Manang if you need anything," With that, Davis headed out of the room, closing the door beside him.

Isabella enjoyed the soup Davis had brought for her. As she finished eating, she looked around the room, feeling grateful for Davis' kindness. She didn't know him fully, yet he had gone out of his way to help her - it was a feeling that she wasn't use to, but it was a welcome change.

Naisipan nang lumabas ni Isabella pagkatapos niyang magpalit, hindi siya maaaring tumagal dito. Tinungo niya ang kusina, inilagay niya ang plato sa lababo at nagsimula na niyang hugasan ang pinagkainan nang pigilan siya ng isang matandang babae. Ito siguro ang binabanggit ni Davis na kanina.

"Nako ma'am, ako na ang bahala riyan."

"Ayos lang po, isang plato lang naman ito." aniya sa magalang na tono. "Nasaan po si Dave?" Tanong nito sa matanda na nakatingin lang sa ginagawa niya.

"Nauna na siyang umalis ma'am, marami pa raw siyang gagawin kaya ibinilin niya muna sa akin na asikasuhin kita habang wala siya." Natapos na si Isabella sa paghuhugas kaya hinarap na niya ng tuluyan ang matanda.

"Ganon po ba? Sige po, mauuna na rin ako. Wala na rin naman po akong balak na magtagal pa rito," wika nito habang nagpupunas ng kamay.

"Maswerte kayo sa isa't isa ni sir maam. Bagay na bagay talaga kayo," Matamis na ngumiti ang matanda.

"Ano po bang sinasabi niyo manang?" Naguguluhan nitong tanong. "Wala pong namamagitan sa amin ni Davis kung iyan ang iniisip ninyo."

"Nakita ko kung paano ka alagaan ni Sir kagabi. Ingat na ingat siya sa 'yo, ma'am. Pasensiya nga pala kung inakala kong may relasyon kayo ng amo ko, pero sigurado akong espesyal ka sa kanya. Alam mo ba ma'am? Ngayon lang nagdala si Sir ng babae rito. Hindi siya basta basta nagpapapasok, pati nga ang mga kaibigan niya ay hindi niya pinapahintulutang pumunta rito sa condo niya. Kaya ganoon nalang po ang pagtataka ko nang mag uwi siya ng babae kagabi." Mahaba nitong sambit. Parang kinikilig pa ito habang nagkukuwento.

Napailing iling naman ang dalaga sa turan ng matanda. "Naawa lang po sa akin si Davis kaya niya 'yon nagawa," Muling rumehistro sa isip niya ang nangyari kagabi. Mula sa pagkikita nila sa bar, sa pagpunta nila sa kotse ng binata, paglalabas ni Isabella ng lahat ng hinanakit niya at lahat lahat.

"Alis na po ako. At salamat po pala sa niluto niyong soup."

"Walang anuman ija. Sana sa susunod na punta mo rito ay magtagal ka. Siya nga pala, nakalimutan kong magpakilala," Mahinang natawa ang kausap.

"Ako pala si Nora. Nag iisa lang akong tagapag silbi rito." Napatango tango si Isabella.

"Sige po Manang Nora. Mauuna na po ako, may trabaho pa pong naghihintay sa akin." Ngumiti ito sa huling pagkakataon.

"Sige ija, mag iingat ka sa pag uwi."

Bumalik si Isabella sa kwarto ni Davis para kuhanin ang kanyang mga gamit at nang makaalis na siya.

As she turned to leave the condo, she looked back one last time, smiling to herself as she stepped outside to Davis's house.