Chapter Six

Straight From Hell

"Dad I didn't know he has a girlfriend. Isa pa, wala naman akong balak na agawin 'yon sa kanya kung sakali. Valeron was my ultimate crush, but that doesn't mean I'll disrespect another girl just to have him! He can go fuck himself, daddy! Wala akong pakialam sa kanilang dalawa ng girlfriend niya kahit na magsama pa sila't tumanda habang buhay! She was the one who attacked me first and it was not my fault she ended up in the hospital! Dapat nga magpasalamat pa siya dahil kung walang pumigil sa amin ay pinaglalamayan na siya ngayon!"

That was the longest speech I've ever made my entire life so that my father could give me some sympathy. Ilang araw kasi pagkatapos kong makalabas ng hospital ay dama kong seryoso na ang mga ito sa pagbibigay ng kastigo sa akin at paghihigpit dahil sa walang katapusan ko nang paghila ng aming pangalan sa iba't ibang klase ng eskandalo.

I was thirteen when I found my father's stash of marijuana and gave it to my friends so we could hit it. Ilang buwan rin iyon bago nila nalaman ang ginawa ko. And since then, nagtuloy-tuloy na ang aking mga kagaguhan.

I know my family loathed me right now. Maging ang mga kapatid siguro ni Daddy dahil maging sila ay nadadamay pero totoong wala akong kasalanan sa nangyari ngayon. If she could've just talk to me and ask me to stay away from her boyfriend then she wouldn't be where she was right now.

Siya ang unang nanakit at kasalanan niya ang lahat dahil ipinagtanggol ko lang ang sarili ko, as I should. Unfortunately, my father was already had enough and it seems like he will not listen to me anymore. Alam ko na ang susunod na mangyayari noong narinig ko pa lang silang nag-uusap ni Mommy pero hindi ko akalaing magiging totoo na ngayon.

Fuck. My mind cursed when I saw that my litany wasn't working.

"That's not the point, Saryna. Your mom was right. You're getting out of hand and you think violence is okay which is not."

"Daddy, ilang mga kaaway at schoolmates mo ang nabugbog mo dati noong nag-aaral ka pa lalo na noong college? Mom even said you punished a guy just because you didn't like how he looked at you! That was violence! And what I did was not because it was only self-defense!"

Napahilot sa sintido si daddy dahil sa aking mga sinabi, mukhang hindi napaghandaan ang mga pagdadahilan ko. Bahagya rin sigurong nagsisisi dahil kahit na anong sabihin niya ngayon ay wala siyang ligtas. I am hundred percent just like him. Maliban na lang sa kasarian ko, but we were exactly the same.

"Saryna, pozhaluysta," dad said, his voice was now pleading. "I want you to understand that I am a guy and getting in trouble like this isn't that bad for us unlike a girl getting into one. It is totally different, baby."

"And that is unfair! Iba na ang panahon ngayon sa panahon n'yo noon ni mommy! Hindi ako basta na lang mananahimik at hahayaang masaktan lalo na kung alam kong nasa tama naman ako! You taught me that so again, respectfully, I want you to understand rin na ipinagtanggol ko lang ang sarili ko at hindi ako ang nagsimula. You've seen me be good this month. kitang-kita namang sinubukan ko kaya sana maniwala ka. It was not my fault, I freaking swear."

"Saryna—"

"You know what? You and mommy should sue that girl for touching me! I almost broke my freaking nose because of her and my hand still hurts! That's what you should focus on and not about grounding me."

Nanatiling tikom ang kanyang bibig. I waited for my father to talk again, but it didn't came. Mukhang wala na talagang maisip na solusyon dahil lahat ay may birada akong balik. Hindi ko na siya hinintay pang makaisip ng solusyon. Nagpaalam na ako kaagad at dumiretso sa aking sasakyan.

All I want right now was to get away from this house even though my bruises were still fresh. Bukod sa nananakit ko pa ring kamao ay may bakat pa rin ang aking leeg ng kamay. Wala na akong masyadong matandaan simula ng mag-black out ako dahil doon pero wala na rin akong pakialam. Ang tanging dapat ko na lang alalahanin ay ang pagbabalak ng mga magulang kong higpitan ako or worst, talagang huwag na akong payagang umalis ng bahay pagkagaling ng eskuwela. That would be the death of me.

"Holy shit Saryna you're out!" nanlalaki ang mga matang hiyaw ni Holly matapos akong matanaw na pumasok sa loob ng coffee shop na aming tambayan malapit lang sa university.

Ilang araw na akong hindi nakapasok dahil nga sa nangyari pero dahil bored na bored na ako ay narito ako ngayon kahit na hindi pa rin ako pinapayagan ng doctor at ng mga magulang kong bumalik.

Nakangiti ko silang binati. I'm glad they're still in Starbucks. Kung saan kami tumatambay minsan kapag sandali lang ang free time.

"How are you? Akala ko ba next week ka pa papasok?" Andrea asked after hugging and kissing me.

"I got home yesterday. I'm okay."

Queeny bought me my favorite green tea drink and a blueberry cheesecake. Prente akong naupo sa couch at hinintay iyon. I pulled my shades up to my hair and then use the screen of my phone to check the bruise on my lips.

"The bitch got me good." Mabagal kong sambit habang sinisipat iyon.

Holly chuckled. "You want me to ask someone to put some bruise on her lips too while she's still in the hospital?"

The side of my lips rose at that.

"Stop it, Holly! Hindi na nga raw makilala ang mukha, eh! Saryna got her good, too!" Andrea interjects.

Inis kong kinuha ang drink na inilapag ni Queeny sa aking harapan.

"What's up? You okay?"

Umiling ako. Nangunot ang mga noo nila. I don't want to talk about the conversation I had with father, but I need to let it all out. Baka kung saan na naman kasi mapunta ang init ng ulo ko at natatakot ako para sa sarili ko kung ano man 'yon.

"I am not. My father is finally mad at me and my mom..." napalunok ako nang maisip siya. "She's real mad."

"That's not good, Saryna."

"I know, Holly. I'll kill that bitch if I see her again."

"Chill naman! Hindi pa nga nakakalabas ng hospital at baka naka-wheelchair pa 'yon paglabas!"

"Any news about Valeron? That son of a bitch."

"You said he sent you flowers while you were in the hospital? He didn't contact you?"

Nag-igting ang aking panga dahil doon. Normal na matakot siya sa nangyari pero imbes na umiwas ay sana nag-effort man lang siya maliban sa putang inang bulaklak na 'yon dahil baka ipakuha ko pa yon sa dumpsite at ipalamon sa kanya. Tangina kumukulo ang dugo ko!

"I'll deal with it, Saryna. Do you want him to end up in the hospital, too? habang naro'n pa ang girlfriend niya?"

Andrea and Queeny laughed at that. Hindi ko na kailangan pang sumagot dahil nakuha na kaagad ni Holly ang ibig kong sabihin. Tumango lang ito.

"I still can't believe someone finally put you on the hospital! Akala ko mapupunta ka lang do'n kapag manganganak ka na." Holly joked after minutes of casual catch up.

"Gago."

We all laughed at that. Wala naman akong masyadong na-missed at kahit na mayroon ay kayang-kaya ko naman iyong habulin. Kung hindi, then I'll make my grades adjust to me. That was just one of the Rozovsky's perks that I haven't used yet.

Sabi ko nga, I am my father's reflection. Kahit na napakasama ko at mas malala pa siguro sa kanya noong siya ang nasa kalagayan ko ay isinasapuso ko naman ang mga payo niya lalo na tungkol sa pag-aaral. Aniya ay magbulakbol na ako't lahat basta huwag ko lang i-take for granted ang bagay na 'yon. He said I should learn everything that I need because that will help me with my future. Dahil nasa linya ng business at corporate world ang aming pamilya ay makatutulong rin talaga ang mga pinag-aaralan ko ngayon sa papasukin kong kapalaran pagkatapos ko sa kolehiyo. And that is putting up my own business or helping my father to run his.

"How did Damien react to that?" Holly asked, interrupting my thoughts.

Speaking of the angel, I haven't heard still from Damien. Isang beses lang siyang bumisita at medyo groggy pa ako no'n kaya hindi ko na matandaan ang mga napag-usapan namin o kung mayroon nga ba bukod sa paulit-ulit kong paghingi ng tawad sa kanya. I just remember bawling my eyes out after seeing him and that was it. Wala na akong maalala.

Bigo akong umiling.

"I saw him yesterday pero hindi naman ako pinansin. Parang natakot pa ngang abutan ko sa paglalakad kaya nagmadali." Si Andrea.

"Same. Nakita ko rin sa cafeteria, nagpa-cute na ako't lahat pero hindi man lang ako nginitian." Nakabusangot na sabat naman ni Queeny.

"Don't mind him. Hindi ko pa rin nakakausap."

"So hindi pa rin pala tapos ang pagbabayad mo sa mga kasalanan? For sure he's pissed."

"I know that already, Queeny. Hayaan mo na. Hindi naman ako matitiis no'n."

"Right. Sino nga bang makakatiis sa 'yo?"

"No one." they answered in unison. Natawa na lang ako.

Wala akong balak na pumasok ngayong araw pero dahil wala akong mapuntahan dahil alam kong dismayado pa rin sa akin si Damien at ang pamilya ko ay minabuti kong huwag na munang umuwi. Auntie Sofia and Auntie Saoirse was worried about me along with my uncles, but I told them I am okay. I even apologized just for the sake of respect, but they said it doesn't matter. Ang importante raw ang okay na ako at hindi naman napaano. May mga paalala lang pero hindi naman galit ang mga ito.

"Grandpa, I am okay. Don't bother flying here just to make sure I am. Totoong maayos lang ako." I explained to my grandfather after the class that I attended. Sakto ang pagtawag niya.

"Saryna, hija, tell me who did that to you? Your parents wouldn't give me names."

Napangisi ako. At least kahit paano ay mayroon pa ring taong handang rumesbak para sa akin nang hindi iniisip kung sino ang nauna at totoong may kasalanan. Nabawasan ang lungkot sa aking dibdib.

My grandfather, Vladimir Rozovsky and one of the best people I have in my life was on my side and that was enough to ease some of the burden in me. He put a smile on my face.

"I got it grandpa. Ako na pong bahala do'n."

"I can't sleep without hearing some punishment, hija."

"It's okay, I swear. You know what we should talk about grandpa? It's my parents. I think they already had enough. I think they will really ground me this time."

"I'll talk to them."

"Thank you grandpa!"

"But please make sure that it will not happen again. Just please... Saryna, please stop making yourself involved with this kind of things. We have people to do the dirty stuff, alright? You are a Rozovsky and nobody should dare to touch even the tip of your hair, you understand?"

"That's the point Grandpa. She didn't know I am a Rozovsky. We were at the club eh. Hindi ako nakilala."

"That doesn't mean she will not be punished because of what she did to you."

"I know and I appreciate it, but I got it grandpa. If there's anything I want to ask you, it's my parents. Please convince them to stop worrying about me so much. Kaya ko na ang sarili ko at totoong hindi ko kasalanan kaya hindi ako ang dapat parusahan."

"I'll talk to them now."

Lumawak ang ngiti ko. "I love you and I miss you, Grandpa! I'll see you soon, alright? And please don't go here just because you are worried of me. I am a Rozovsky and I can take care of myself."

He heave a sigh. Sa huli ay wala na ring nagawa kung hindi ang pakinggan ako at hayaan.

I went to my next class. Lahat ay nakatingin sa akin dahil may benda pa ang kamay ko at talagang halata pa ang mga sugat at pasa ko pero wala ni isang nagtanong kung anong nangyari sa akin. Even my professors were mum about it.

I shifted my focus on my studies. Kahit paano ay nakatakas ako sa pag-iisip. Inasahan ko na rin namang magiging mas maayos na ang lahat dahil tiyak na nakausap na ni grandpa ang mga magulang ko kaya nakalma ako.

I had a huge smile on my face when my last class ended. Kahit na gusto ko pang sumama kina Holly sa club ay hindi ko na itinuloy hindi dahil sa iisipin ng mga magulang ko kung hindi dahil hindi ko pa rin trip ang hitsura ko ngayon. I still looked like a mess and I fucking hate it.

I was peacefully walking to my car when I realized someone was following me. Nag-aagaw na ang liwanag at dilim pero hindi pa bukas ang mga ilaw sa posteng nadaanan ko. I heave a sigh and continued walking. Sa ibang pagkakataon ay baka kabahan na ako at isiping may babalik sa akin para saktan dahil sa ginawa ko sa babaeng iyon, but that was too impossible. Gayunpaman, hindi ko naiwasang kabahan nang sa pagbilis ng aking mga hakbang ay siya ring pagbilis ng mga yapak palapit sa akin. I pulled my car keys and tried clicking it so my car would be open the moment I come near it, but to my horror, my car wasn't around!

Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali! Nobody parked in my space kaya hindi pwedeng mawala iyon o mailipat! I am not that dumb to forget where I parked it, too.

Lumakas na ang kalampag ng puso ko nang wala sa sariling mapalingon sa aking pinanggalingan at makita doon ang isang bultong nakasuot ng pulang suit. The orange sky gave me an impression that he was sent straight from hell. Bukod sa suot niyang pulang-pula ay pati yata ang mga mata niya'y nag-aalab rin habang titig na titig sa akin.

Wala sa sariling napalunok ako nang tuluyang luminaw ang mukha niya't kabuuan sa kanyang paglapit ilang dipa ang layo sa akin.

Wait, was he really from hell or did he came down from heaven and now was lost? Because damn it, he was fucking gorgeous!

Pinigilan kong mapaatras nang tuluyan na siyang makalapit sa akin. My heart pounded more not because of fear, but only because of adoration.

Even with the darkness, I could clearly see his green eyes! Those were fucking rare and it suits him so damn well! Mas lalo pa akong namangha nang masuri ang kanyang kabuuan. He has thick but clean eyebrows, perfect nose, almost red lips and a chiseled jaw. Bukod pa doon ay matangkad rin ito at napakaganda ng pangangatawan! And his scent... that woodsy notes with scents of cacao, damask rose, and sandalwood was making me salivate!

"W-who are you and why are you following me?" nauutal kong tanong at pagbasag sa nakakangilong katahimikang namamagitan sa aming dalawa.

I cursed inside when he didn't deny that the was following me. Mas lalong nangatog ang tuhod ko sa kaba at magkakahalo pang emosyon!

He stepped one more time and when I finally heard his voice, my knees weakened.

"I'm Raglan Hozier. Your new bodyguard, chauffeur, and the man your father asked to fetch you right now to bring you home Miss Saryna Rozovsky."

Literal na nalaglag ang aking panga sa narinig pero bago pa ako makalayo ay agad na niyang nakuha sa kamay ko ang aking mga gamit. His warmth brushed against my skin and I almost closed my eyes and pray at that.

Fuck... He's definitely from hell.