t/w: slight mention of abuse

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[DIALOGUE]

< UNI/KUBO. MORNING. >

Jachin couldn't look Evie in the eye while she touched his face.

Jachin
Galit ka?

Hindi ito sumagot.

Jachin
Bub. . .

Evie bought a canned drink from the canteen to personally ice his face, which still swelled on some areas.

Evie
Hold this.

His lips protruded in a pout. Mukhang galit nga.

Jachin
Lumala lang itsura ngayon, bub, pero mas less na sakit compared kagabi.

Evie
Hold it properly.

Hinawakang mabuti ni Jachin 'yong can nasa mukha niya habang nakatingin kay Evie.

Nakakunot ang noo nito habang naglalagay ng antiseptic sa cotton ball.

Evie
This will sting.

Hindi pa man nakakasagot si Jachin ay diniin na nito ang bulak sa sugat niya.

He winced in pain.

Jachin
Bub, 'wag ka na magalit, please?

Evie
I'm not mad.

Jachin
E bakit ang diin ng paglagay mo? Sakit kaya, bub. . .

Evie ignored him, her hand wrapping around the back of his head to lean his face closer to her.

Evie
Until 3 pm ka lang? After that, go home.

Jachin
Pinapaalis na ako kaagad. . .

Bumaba ang tingin nito sa kanya at pinandilatan siya.

Evie
Because you need to rest!

Ngumiti si Jachin.

Jachin
I'm really okay, bub.

He gently grabbed her hand to slowly put it down and the tense muscle told him she really was worried.

Evie
You look. . . you look really bad and the bruising. . .

Jachin bent his head down to kiss the back of her hand.

Jachin
Salamat.

Her brows furrowed in confusion.

Evie
For what?

Jachin
Kasi nag-alala ka para sa 'kin. . . kasi nandito ka ngayon.

Evie was quiet for a while.

Evie
W-What happens to him?

Jachin
Sinabi na ni Papa J sa barangay kaninang umaga 'yong nangyari. Para hindi na siya makabalik.

Jachin
Pero. . .

He sighed.

Jachin
Kagabi sabi niya babalikan niya ako. . . kami. . .

Evie felt her blood run cold.

Evie
Bub.

Jachin
'Di ko 'to sinasabi sa marami pero tuwing nakikita ko siya. . . 'di ko mapalampas mga ginawa niya sa 'kin.

Evie
Can I. . . can I ask what those are? You don't have to talk about it if it's hard.

Jachin leaned closer to Evie so he could rest his head on her lap.

He was then greeted by her warm fingers gently brushing the apples of his cheeks.

Jachin
Siya 'yong typical na tatay noon. 'Pag dinidisiplina ako, sinasaktan ako.

Jachin
Kahit lagi silang nag-aaway ni Mama J, gano'n niya ako pinalaki.

Evie's hand clutched his and squeezed it tighter.

Jachin
And it didn't stop there. Nung elementary ako, mas lalong lumala 'yon kasi natuto na akong lumaban sa kanya. Sinasalag ko na mga lumilipad na bagay sa 'kin.

Jachin
Sumasagot na 'ko sa kanya.

Jachin
Sa kanya rin kasi ako naiiwan pag may trabaho si Mama J. . . kahit na hiwalay na sila noon. Wala namang choice.

Jachin
And 'di ko naman 'yon sinusumbat kay Mama. Alam ko naman na sakripisyo niya 'yon.

Evie gently ran her hand through his hair and massaged his scalped.

Jachin
Nung high school na ako, bago siya makulong, doon lang ako nakaalis kasi stable na si Mama at kasama na niya si Papa J. So pwede na nila akong kuhanin.

Jachin
Pero lahat ng ginawa niya. . . may naiwan sa 'kin. Kaya ayoko siyang nakikita.

Jachin
Naaalala ko kasi. . .

Jachin squeezed his eyes shut and heaved a deep sigh. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ni Evie at muling hinalikan ang palad nito.

Evie
Jachin?

Jachin
Hmm?

Evie
You were so brave for enduring and sa pagharap mo sa kanya kagabi.

Jachin smiled a little.

Jachin
May reward ba ako?

Evie
What reward?

Jachin
Kiss.

Evie playfully rolled her eyes and smacked his chest.

Jachin
Kahit sa pisngi lang. Pampawala ng sakit.

Napangiti si Evie nang pumikit ito at itinagilid nang kaunti ang mukha para makita niya pisngi nito.

Evie
Fine. . .

But Evie had other plans.

She gingerly gripped his chin and turned his head up right so she could lay a soft kiss on his lips.

Jachin went rigid for a moment before he quickly relaxed.

He responded by lifting his hand and placing it on top of her head to angle her better. So he could deepen the kiss.

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#ATSWHIwp