Richard

I had a wonderful lunch with Dei and her parents. I stayed for a few more hours, talking to them. I discovered so many things about Dei. As a matter of fact, I was given the chance to see her past. No holds barred. And I can say, mas naintindihan ko why she's always that shy girl that she is. I honestly pity her for the times that she was hurting because of discrimination and bullying. If only I was there. Maybe my Dei would'nt be this way now. But that was all in the past now. And I promised he parents to take care of her. Not to let anyone hurt her again.

Dei was quiet the whole time. Typical Dei. But when her parents left us so that we'll have tim to talk, I asked her so many questions. She reluctantly answered all that she can. I myself told her about myself. It was the start of the getting to know you more stage for us. She asked me to be discreet muna about our relationship until we settled everything. Actually, it was better that way para walang makiaalam muna. Kase I know na nandun pa yun issue on my side about Janeth and Mom being tandem to get in the way. But I won't let them. I want this relationship. No one has the right to interfere. Not even my Mom. She can't decide for me. I'm too old para diktahan ng ibang tao. It was my happiness afterall.

Around 5:30 pm, I decided to go home. Kakahiya naman kung dun pa ako magdinner. But I promised Dei that I will call her after dinner.

When I got home, as usual, andun na naman si Janeth. She's becoming so annoying. Hindi pa ba malinaw sa kanya na I'm inlove with another girl.

"Hi, RJ. Saan ka galing? Kanina pa kita hinihintay. Papakita ko sana yun dress na napili namin ng mommy mo."

Naiirita akong hinarap siya na komprenteng nakaupo sa gilid ng kama ko. See, how Mom gives her all the right na pati kwarto ko e pasukin na niya.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was waiting for you nga, diba."

"But who gives you the right na pumasok sa kwarto ko?"

"Tita Rio told me to wait for you here. Gusto ko kase mag nap muna while I wait for you. Anyway, eventually, we'll get married and I think okay lang na may access na ako sa mga pag-aari mo."

So annoying and assuming ng babaeng ito.

"Janeth, can't you see hindi maganda ang pumasok ka sa kwarto ng lalaki? Wala ka bang hiya diyan sa sarili mo?"

"At bakit ako mahihiya? We've been boyfriend/girlfriend before. And dati naman okay lang sayo na pumasok ako dito. Minsan nga we do cuddles sa bed mo."

"Exactly. That was before. Pero iba na ngayon. How many times do I have to tell you, I'm not inlove with you anymore. May iba na akong mahal. And this, itong ginagawa mo, is like I'm betraying her. Pwede ba tigilan mo na ito! Please get out! May gagawin pa ako."

"RJ please naman. You're just infatuated with taht girl. Ako pa rin ang mahal mo. Nabubulagan ka lang."

"I'm not! Stop putting words into my mouth. I don't love you and please leave!"

"How dare you, RJ! Hindi mo lang alam ang pinagdaanan ko sa Amerika. And instead of pushing me, dapat nga i-comfort mo ako. Alam mo ba kung bakit ako bumalik?"

I just remained quiet. Hinayaan ko siyang maglitanya. I did what I had to do. Proceed with texting Dei. I don't care about Janeth's reasons.

"I was stalked. May mga death threats ang family ko. And I'm scared to death dahil baka masundan niya ako dito. Can't you see, ikaw lang ang inaasahan ko. And I realized, I still love you RJ. Huwag mo naman akong ganituhin."

She was pleading. Pero kapag pinansin ko pa siya, I might give her wrong signals. Kaya I just kept my ground. Ayoko na matali sa kanila ni Mommy. Not now na mas kailangan ako ni Dei.

"RJ, please naman, tignan mo ako. Don't you love me na ba talaga? I love you. I know I made a big mistake leaving you, pero I had to. Yun ang gusto ng parents ko. Pero andito na ako uli. Please love me again. RJ. Please."

I had to say this one last time.

"Janeth, I'm sorry. Wala na akong nararamdaman para sayo. Please let me go. Let this go. May mahahanap kang iba para sayo. And ako, I found my "the one". I love her and only her. I'm sorry. Please go home na."

And then I stood up and went to the comfort room. Nilock ko yun pinto para di na siya makasunod. I heard her say though, bago siya umalis.

Pagsisisihan mo ito, RJ. I won't let you and whoever that girl is na maging masaya. I swear. I hate both of you!

And then she left. Alam kong galit na galit siya. And sa pagbabanta niya, lalo lang ako nawalan ng gana sa kanya. I won't let her ruin my relationship with Dei. Never!

A/N Happy weekend. No proofread but please enjoy. Thanks.