CHAPTER 18: STORMY NIGHTS AND DAYS

“Ouch!”

It’s the nth time he said ‘ouch’ while I was cleaning the wound in his lips. I’m really pissed at him. What he did was embarrassing, he just suddenly punched Xander inside a restaurant.

I shook my head in irritation.

“You’re too old for these scuffles!”

“What are you really upset about? That I got into a fight or that it was Xander I got into a fight with? Why are you so upset about it? Is it because I created such ruckus or because I told him that we are living together?”

This guy is unbelievable. He even raised his voice, too. I’m the only one who can get mad here!

“What I am saying is, that guy did not deserve it. He did not do anything wrong, but you punched him out of nowhere!”

He clenched his jaw. “Didn’t I get punched, too? Look at this, my lips burst because of his fist!” he pushed his face near me. Is he trying to tempt me?

“That was your fault, you deserved it!” I snapped to keep my attention from his lips.

“Thank you, I really feel your concern right now!” he stood up violently and left with heavy stomping strides. He climbed his bed and lied down, turning his back on me.

I sighed. I don’t even know how to make him understand that there is no reason for him to be hostile against Xander. Even back in college, he was like that towards Xander even when he’s not doing anything wrong.

I know I am really the one at fault, because I enjoyed making him jealous before. But that was only because I didn’t know that Xander and I would be really close, too. That guy is fun to talk to, so we kind of just hit it off. I really enjoyed him as a friend since there was no dull moment whenever I talk to him.

Of course, Rev is still the best for me. But as a friend, Xander followed closely. Their only difference is I am in love with Rev, while it was purely friendship for Xander. I don’t particularly feel any attraction towards him even though he is actually handsome and intelligent, too. And that is the part that I don’t know how to make Rev understand without revealing my feelings.

Even back then, we always fight because of Xander. He once punched him when he saw me with Xander. And that was when we ate out because it was Xander’s birthday. And it’s for his childish reason that he is jealous.

It took us a while before we reconciled because in my irritation, I shouted “You’re not the only person in my world! I also have other friends!”

And he said that he was so upset with my harsh words back then. So now, even though I really am annoyed again, I am trying to calm myself. After all, Rev has done so much more for me than I did for him.

Hmm.. Wait, have I ever done anything for him except leaving him alone when he asked me to?

I inhaled deeply and stood up. I followed him on the bed.

“Rev, please don’t get mad anymore. You’re acting childish.”

He did not answer.

“Rev, please forgive me. I’m sorry..”

He suddenly sat up and turned to me. “Do you promise not to meet him again?”

“Huh?”

“You gave him your phone number, you also gave him your social media account.”

“That’s because we did not see each other for a long time and wanted to catch up.”

“So you’re saying that you will see him again??”

“To be honest, yes. If he asks me.”

His eyes glared at me.

“I said I don’t like that!”

“Why are you throwing tantrums?!”

“Why do you keep flirting with that Xander guy?!”

“Watch your words! I was not flirting with him!”

“You’re not?? I saw with my own two eyes, you were almost hugging him! Your chin is on his shoulder! I kept on watching you, and all I see is you flirting with him!”

I closed my eyes tightly as I am losing patience.

“Fine! I am a flirt! I am cheap like that!”

“That’s not what I mean!”

“That is exactly what you mean!”

“He’s the one flirting with you! You just let him!”

Please stop me, I want to punch him.

“You just re-phrased it, but it still means the same thing. And besides, why are you so mad??”

His lips parted but he froze. Then he hesitated and closed his lips. Before I can react, he stood up and left the house, slamming the door in his wake that I almost went deaf. I cringed when I thought how that might have disturbed the nearby unit.

I lied down and played a game on my phone while waiting for him to come back. But hours passed and the night turned to dawn, but no Rev returned. I got worried and tried calling him but his phone rang somewhere inside the room.

I just realized how much I got accustomed to Rev’s presence beside me at night that I couldn’t even get a wink of sleep the whole night just because he’s not here. I don’t want a life without Rev. I don’t want to lose him again.

I curled up into a ball and wrapped in the cocoon of the mattress, I cried myself to sleep.

I woke up at almost eight in the morning. My head is throbbing for lack of sleep but I forced myself to get up. I looked around the pad to see if Rev came home but he is still nowhere inside.

I scrambled on my feet when I heard someone knocking at the door. I quickly brushed my teeth and washed my face, thinking that it might be Rev and he just forgot his key.

But I was surprised when I saw Auntie Eva outside. She walked in without a word.

“Auntie, Rev is not here..” I shifted on my feet awkwardly.

“I know. He’s home, that’s why I know you are alone here.”

So she really knew I was staying here.

“Is there something.. you need from me, Auntie?”

“You know exactly what I want you to do, Reina. I thought we already had an agreement. I thought you were intelligent, but why is it hard for you to understand what I said? I want you out of Rev’s life. But what are you doing?” there’s weight in her words, her eyes are like daggers. I couldn’t bring myself to meet her eyes.

“Auntie, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.” I tried to stop my voice from trembling but it still broke. I knew this time would come, but I am not yet ready. I think I will never be ready to let go of Rev. In the past few weeks, I lived in an illusion that everything will turn out alright. That this set-up could last. That I will not have to be apart from him again.

But Auntie Eva is here right now, reminding me of my reality.

But can I really do it? Can I sleep at night without him by my side and wake up each morning not seeing his face? Last night was hell. How can I live my life like that?

“Leave, Reina. Right now. I will bring you to the airport myself. Here’s your ticket, I booked your flight to Australia. So leave while Rev is not here. I made him drink something to make him sleep longer. He wouldn’t be here for a few more hours. I hope it’s clear to you now. Or do you want me to repeat myself?”

My tears fell down like water in a fall. I dropped on my knees in front of Auntie Eva.

“What are you doing??” she was shocked to see me kneeling.

“Auntie.. I’m sorry.. I’m really sorry. I love him. I cannot leave him, Auntie. I am begging you, please give me a chance. I will try my best so that he will not get hurt because of me again.”

“I want you to leave! Now.”

I shook my head continuously.

“I don’t want to leave, Auntie. Hurt me, hit me if you like. Slap me in the face, pull out all my hair if it can appease your anger, I will take it. But please, I beg you. Let me stay beside him. I love him so much.”

“Get up! Don’t kneel in front of me!” She bent down to pull me up.

“Ma!”

We turned around and saw Rev by the door, panting. He looks like he ran. In few strides, he reached us.

He quickly helped me up and put himself between me and Auntie Eva.

“Rev.” Auntie Eva straightened up.

“Ma, Don’t dare hurt her! I love her, can’t you see that?! No matter what you do, I’ll keep her by my side. Please Ma, I love you, I respect you. But if you touch her..”

I tugged at his hand. He looked at me.

“Are you okay? Did she hurt you?”

“Rev, she did not hurt me.”

“But.. but earlier, she was..”

“I was making her stand up.” Auntie Eva said. “She was kneeling before me and I wanted her to stand up.”

I nodded to confirm it. Rev wiped my tears and to my surprise, he kissed me. Then he faced his mother.

Auntie Eva and I gasped in unison when Rev suddenly dropped on his knees.

“Ma, I’m begging you, stop pushing her away. I love her. I love her and we are already getting married. Even if you don’t approve of it, I will marry her. But I will be happier if you give us your blessing and forgiveness, Ma. Because as long as you don’t forgive her, you and Rein will keep on hurting. And as long as both of you are hurt, I will feel the pain, too. Because I love you, and I love her, Ma.”

I covered my mouth with my hands. We are getting married?? He loves me??

Auntie Eva looked at the two of us alternately.

“I want to talk to you, Rev. Alone.”

“Whatever you’re going to tell me, it’s okay if she hears it.”

“No, I don’t think you’d say the same after we talk. Come with me, let’s talk at home.”

Auntie Eva left without any more words.

“Rev, go ahead and follow her. I think what you are going to discuss is very important. Please remember that she is your mother. Don’t hurt her feelings.”

“Are you gonna be okay here?”

I nodded and touched his face. I saw the bruise at the side of his mouth. To think that he just got hurt again because of me. And I had the gal to promise Auntie that I will not let him get hurt because of me again.

“Go on, Auntie is waiting.”

“Okay. I will be back quickly.”

I watched his retreating back. When the door closed silently, that was when my strength abandoned me. I am scared. What if Auntie still wouldn’t allow us together? What if Rev decides to just let me go? What will I do with myself?

I tried to calm myself by keeping myself occupied with cooking, hoping that Rev will be back before lunch.

I really don’t like cooking, but I know a little bit in the kitchen. I prepared a graham cake and put it in the freezer. Then I prepared ingredients for the pochero. I also cooked cordon bleu before I cooked the rice last.

It was almost lunch time when I finished everything. I prepared the table so that when Rev arrives, we can start eating.

But lunch passed and Rev is still not here. I ate by myself and put all the food that was left inside the refrigerator. I went back to bed and waited.

And waited. And waited.

And it’s already evening again but he is still not here. There was no contact from him, too.

I am confused. What does his absence mean? Did Auntie Eva manage to convince him to leave me? Why didn’t he contact me? I called at their landline and the maid told me that Rev left early on. But why didn’t he return? Does it mean he has no plans to return?

I looked at his phone that is still lying on the side table. It remained silent the whole day.

I embraced myself. The house felt gloomy and I want to cry.

Just like last night, I slept in tears.