Ezekiel's Choice: True Love or First Love? - SPG

CHAPTER 6

When Eliza arrived at the apartelle, she took her time and started searching for her friend’s name on social media. She started by creating her account. Walang time si Eliza sa social media when she was in the US. Aside from the fact that she was hiding and didn’t want to be searched, masyado din talaga siyang busy with work.

Si Marisol Perez ay college friend niya, at ang pinakamalapit sa kaniya. Luckily, Marisol hasn’t changed her name, yet. Dalaga pa din kaya si Sol? Nagtaka din si Eliza kung bakit ganun pa din ang apelido ni Marisol. She wanted to stalk her page but it was set in private.

She tried sending her a private message and added her as a friend. After a while, she waited for a reply. Pero walang dumating na reply and her message was not even seen. When she checked the time, it was almost 8pm. Baka kumakain lang or busy pa.

While she was waiting for Marisol’s reply, Eliza unpacked and carefully arranged her stuff inside the cabinet. Her work leave was only for a month but she brought lots of clothes that will last for more than a month. Sa sobrang engrossed niya sa pag-aayos ng cabinet niya, hindi niya napansin na tumunog ang cellphone niya.

She started undressing dahil naisip niya na maligo na lang muna. When she checked earlier, the tub was already full with water at may naka-ready pang bubble bath. On her way to the bathroom, she noticed na umilaw ang cellphone.

Eliza excitedly sat on the bed and took her phone. It was Marisol. At na-add na siya agad.

Hi Girl! Nasa Pinas ka ba? Kita naman tayo. Was Marisol’s reply to her message. She just sent her a simple ‘hi’ earlier.

Bago sumagot, naisip ni Eliza na mag-stalk muna sa page ni Marisol to check if she’s still staying in Bulacan. While browsing her page, nakita niya ang photo ni Ezekiel. Oh my! It’s Zeke! Kumabog ang puso niya. Ezekiel was in Marisol’s friend’s list. She immediately clicked on his name and she was directed to his page.

Napaka-guwapo niya pa din. In fact, lalo pa siyang gumuwapo. He aged pero bagay sa kaniya ang pag-mature niya. Oh my God, I still love you, Zeke. Please wait for me. Magkikita din tayo. She browsed for more of his photos and lalo siyang napahanga nang makita na matikas pa din ang pangangatawan ni Ezekiel. Sa kahit anong suot nito ay bagay sa katawan niya at litaw na litaw ang toned muscles.

Habang nasa bathtub si Eliza ay binuo na niya sa isip niya kung paano sila magkikita ni Ezekiel. She even imagined na sa sobrang saya ni Ezekiel, he would hug her, kiss her, at baka buhatin pa siya at iikot sa sobrang saya. Eliza closed her eyes and imagined Ezekiel kissing her.

It brought back memories of her and Ezekiel in their passionate moments noong mga bata pa lang sila. They would always sneak inside Ezekiel’s room kapag wala ang parents nito. Ezekiel was so hot in bed, he knew exactly how to turn her on.

While Eliza was reminiscing about their past, she touched herself and rubbed her clits gently. With eyes still closed, she imagined that it was Ezekiel holding her and caressing her folds. One hand pinching her n*****s, her other hand was busy stroking her most sensitive part. She inserted her fingers and moved in a circular motion. She picked up her pace and increased her speed while moving in and out of her warm hole. Sa ilang saglit lang, naramdaman na agad ni Eliza na sobrang sarap na and she would climax soon. Isinagad na niya ang pagbaon sa mga daliri niya and she moaned loudly when she finally felt warm liquid exploded from her. When she finished, lalong na-excite si Eliza to meet Ezekiel. She was looking forward to have real s*x with him.

Kasalukuyang nasa studio si Ezekiel for his evening news. While at it, biglang may pumasok na breaking news, a fire broke out in a slum area in Recto. Pumasok ang video clip ng live news. Habang nagbabalita ang reporter, napansin ni Ezekiel that the place looked familiar. Hindi siya maaring magkamali. Lugar nga iyon nina Lola Fely at Selena.

Ezekiel tried to stay composed while finishing his task. As soon as the program ended, tinawagan agad ni Ezekiel si Lino.

“Hello, Lino?”

“Hello, Sir! Mabuti tumawag po kayo…pauwi pa lang ako sa amin, nabalitaan ko po may sunog daw sa lugar namin. Hindi ko po alam kung anong kalagayan nina Lola Fely doon.” Lino was panicking.

“Lino, calm down. Makinig ka sa akin. Lola and Selena are safe. Nasa condo ko sila ngayon, andito ako sa studio. Iniwan ko sila kanina doon dahil ayaw umuwi ni Selena. God, mabuti na lang.” Ezekiel really felt relieved that Selena wanted to stay.

“Naku, Sir! Mabuti na lang po. Mabuti na lang sir, kasi napaka-traffic, kanina pa ako nag-aalala kung paano ako makakarating agad kina lola.” Tuwang tuwa naman si Lino sa balita ni Ezekiel.

When they hung up, nakahinga na nang maluwag si Lino. Si Ezekiel naman ay madaling umuwi sa condo para tiyakin na andoon nga sina Lola Fely at Selena, at nasa maayos silang kalagayan. He was feeling anxious knowing that Selena’s mind was unstable. Baka sa kalagitnaan ng gabi, bigla pala itong nagyayang umuwi. Paano kung nandoon pala sila sa Recto nang mga sandaling iyon na may sunog? Biglang natapakan ni Ezekiel ang gas pedal at pinabilis ang takbo ng sasakyan. His heart was pounding at hindi siya mapakali.

As soon as he entered the unit, nakita niya agad si Selena na nakaupo pa din sa sofa. Nakaharap pa din ito sa TV. Tahimik lang na nanonood. Wala si Lola Fely sa paligid. Hindi niya alam kung nasaan ito, pero tumakbo na agad siya papalapit kay Selena. He couldn’t hold himself back, bigla na lang niyang niyakap si Selena. Hinagod hagod niya ang buhok nito while he was silently uttering a prayer. Oh my, I’m glad that you’re safe Selena. Thank God.

Dahan dahang naramdaman ni Ezekiel na iniyakap din ni Selena ang mga braso niya sa likod niya. He didn’t know how to react. He felt warmth by her embrace and Ezekiel felt a lump in his throat. Niyakap na din niya nang nahigpit si Selena and for a while, nanatili lang silang ganoon. Ezekiel thought that it was the most precious thing that happened to him. Hindi din niya maipaliwanag ang saya na nararamdaman niya.

From then on, he promised to take care of Selena and do his best na mapagaling ito. He pulled away and looked at Selena’s face. Nakatitig lang si Selena sa kaniya. Walang lumalabas sa bibig pero nangungusap ang mga mata.

“Hi Selene. I’m glad dahil nakita kita dito. I am just happy kaya niyakap kita.” Ezekiel smiled at Selena. “Nasaan si Lola Fely?” Upon hearing Lola Fely’s name, Selene looked in the direction of the bedroom.

Ah, siguro nasa loob na ng kuwarto si Lola Fely. Ezekiel stood and walked toward the room. Nakita nga niya na tahimik nang natutulog si Lola Fely. Binalikan niya sa sofa si Selena. Naupo siya sa tabi nito at hinarap si Selena sa kaniya.

“Ayaw mo pa bang matulog?” Ezekiel waited for Selena to react pero nakatitig lang ito sa kaniya. “Okay, gusto mo ba manood lang ng TV?”

Selena sat straight and faced the TV. Ezekiel understood that she wanted to watch TV. That was her way of telling him that she didn’t want to sleep yet.

“I’ll get some snacks. Samahan kita dito, let’s watch TV.” Ezekiel patted her shoulders bago tumayo at nagtungo sa kusina.

He arranged sliced fruits and chips on a platter and poured orange juice on two glasses. Pag balik niya sa sala ay tutok na tutok pa din si Selena sa TV. Natuwa naman si Ezekiel dahil alam niya na kahit papaano ay makakatulong iyon to stimulate her brain. Ibig sabihin ay may pag-asa pa na gumaling si Selena.

He sat beside Selena and handed her a glass of juice. Kinuha naman ni Selena at tahimik na uminom. Hawak hawak lang niya ang baso at hindi binibitawan. Ezekiel reached for a slice of apple at ibinigay kay Selena. Ibinuka ni Selena ang bibig niya, thinking that Ezekiel was feeding her.

Bahagyang nagulat si Ezekiel sa pagbuka ni Selena ng bibig niya. May kakaiba na naman itong hatid sa kaniya and he thought that it was way sexier than seeing ladies on their lingeries. Dahan dahang inilapit ni Ezekiel ang kamay niya sa bibig ni Selena at pinakagat ito sa hawak niyang apple. Dumampi ang labi ni Selena sa daliri ni Ezekiel. He felt her soft lips against his skin. It brought shivers down his spine. Nag-igting ang mga bagang ni Ezekiel sa pagpipigil ng gigil niya. He had a feeling na masarap sigurong halikan ang mga labi ni Selena. He wanted to grab her face and crush her lips with his lips. Gusto niyang hatakin nang bahagya ang mahabang buhok ni Selena and kiss her neck kapag nakatingala na ito. He wanted so much to take her into his arms and just feel her warm body against his. Agad na nagsikip ang pantalon ni Ezekiel sa ibaba. Mabuti na lang at alam niyang walang pakialam si Selena kahit na makita pa niya ito.

Kumagat uli si Selena sa apple na hawak ni Ezekiel. He was brought back to his senses nang maramdaman niyang hinawakan ni Selena ang kamay niya. Selena was trying to steady his hand dahil hindi siya makakagat nang maayos. Ezekiel smiled and held his hands firmly.

Tahimik nang nanood si Selena. Ezekiel took her glass and placed it on the table. Pagkatapos ay inilapag niya sa tabi ni Selena ang tray para kusa nang kumuha si Selena ng gusto niyang kainin. Ayaw na ni Ezekiel na maulit na subuan si Selena. Kailangan niyang pigilan ang sarili niya.

Unti-unti na ding kumalma ang alaga ni Ezekiel. Tahimik na silang nanood ng TV hanggang sa naramdaman na lang niya na parang hindi na kumikilos si Selena. When he glanced at her, tulog na ito. Nakapikit at nakasandal ang batok sa sandalan ng sofa. Ezekiel carried her to the room at inihiga sa tabi ni Lola Fely. Kinumutan pa niya ito bago tuluyang lumabas ng silid.

Ezekiel was thinking while he was trying to sleep. Bakit ba ganoon ang nararamdaman ko kay Selena? Of course hindi naman pagmamahal ito. How can I fall in love with her? Napakabata pa niya. And she’s suffering right now dahil sa pagkaka-rape sa kaniya. It’s just not right to take advantage of her. Ezekiel convinced himself na naaawa lang talaga siya kay Selena kaya parang napakalambot lagi ng puso niya dito.

The next morning, maaga pa ay nasa kusina na si Lola Fely preparing their breakfast. Selena was still sleeping. Mayamaya naman ay pumasok na din sa kusina si Ezekiel.

“Good morning, Lola Fely.” Bati ni Ezekiel kay Lola.

“Good morning, iho. Gusto mo ba ng kape?”

“La, ako na po.” Alam ni Ezekiel na hindi pa marunong mag-operate ng coffee machine si Lola Fely. At ipinakita niya din dito kung paano iyon paganahin.

“Ang galing! Ganoon lang pala kadali iyan, kanina ko pa tinititigan at kako e baka makasira pa ako kaya hindi ko na ginalaw.”

Tawa nang tawa si Ezekiel. Iginawa na din niya ng kape si Lola Fely at kinain na nila ang hotdog at eggs na luto ni Lola kapares ng sliced bread.

Habang nakaupo, sinimulan na ni Ezekiel na sabihin kay lola ang bad news. Dahil sa tingin niya ay wala pa din itong kaalam alam.

“La, may sasabihin po ako. Huwag po sana kayong mabibigla.”

Tumigil sa pagnguya si Lola Fely. Biglang naisip ni Ezekiel na hindi dapat muna niya sabihin ang bad news dahil baka hindi makakain si Lola Fely. Nang tumigil siyang magsalita, mapilit si Lola Fely na ituloy niya ang sasabihin niya.

“Iho, ano ba iyon? Sabihin mo na sa akin. Maniwala ka o sa hindi, sa edad kong ito, narinig ko na halos lahat ng masamang balita. Wala nang gigimbal pa sa akin kundi ang karumal dumal lang na nangyari kay Selena.”

Tama naman si Lola Fely. Naisip ni Ezekiel na simple lang ang balita niya kumpara sa nangyari kay Selena. Kaya dahan dahan na niyang sinabi na parang wala lang.

“E kasi, La, hindi po makakarating si Lino ngayon. Lalabas po tayo ni Selena at bibili ng mga damit niyo.”

“Ha? E bakit naman? Ang dami naman namin damit sa bahay, huwag ka nang mag-abala iho. Uuwi na lang kami nang ganito.”

“La, kuwan po kasi…may nangyari pong hindi maganda kagabi….nasunog po ang lugar ninyo at isa ang bahay ninyo sa natupok ng apoy.” Finally, Ezekiel spilled it out and he breathed deeply.

To his surprise, tama nga si Lola Fely, nothing would be worse than the news about Selene. She took the news about fire in a very calm manner.

“Ah…ganoon ba iho. Kaya pala hindi nakarating si Lino.”

“Huwag po kayong mag-alala, La, nagtext naman po si Lino kanina and told me na hindi inabot ang bahay nila. So he’s fine at hindi lang makaalis dahil tumutulong sila doon sa mga nasunugan.”

“Mabait pa din ang Diyos, iho. Akalain mong kung hindi nagpilit si Selena na manatili dito, nandoon sana kami sa bahay at hindi ko alam kung nasaan na kami ngayon.” Saka lang nag-sink in kay lola ang nangyari at dahan dahang tumulo ang luha niya.

Nag-abot si Ezekiel ng tissue at pinatahan si Lola. “Tama ka, Lola, mabait talaga ang Diyos kaya hindi niya kayo hinayaang makauwi. Huwag na lang po nating sabihin kay Selena para hindi na makadagdag sa lungkot niya, ok lang po ba iyon, La?”

“Oo naman iho. Pero papaano na kami?”

“Anong papaano, La? E di dito na po kayo titira sa akin!” Masayang pagbabalita ni Ezekiel.

Namangha si Lola Fely at di na naman mapigil na mapaiyak pa lalo. “Napakabuti mo, iho. Pagpalain ka ng Diyos. Napakabuti mong bata.” Tuloy tuloy nang napaiyak si Lola Fely. Ezekiel stood behind her and gently rubbed her back.