Patched Things Up (part 2)

"About Ramil..."

I looked at Mags, and she grabbed my left hand with both of hers.

"... yeah, he's my boyfriend. He's a fourth-year. He courted me last July, and I said yes because, like, I was curious about relationships. I wanted to be in on it like Remalyn and Geraldine who already have boyfriends. Ramil's in a frat and wants me to join, but I really don't want to. I just hang out with them at their frat houses. Remember when I had highlighted hair?"

"What does that mean?"

"Like, it was an initiation thing. It means I'm sort of the frat's property. I can't join the frat, only the sorority. It's like a mark that I'm under their care. Or something."

I just listened to Mags as she told her story.

"We always go to these drinking sessions, but I never drink, even when they try to make me. One time, they gang-raped a girl, and I was there. Ramil was telling me what was happening in the other room while we were drinking in the living room. You could hear the girl moaning. They were all laughing about it. Then they started pushing me to mess around with Ramil. He tried to corner me in the bathroom and whipped it out, wanting me to... you know. I didn't. He just made me hold it. He touched my boobs, but when he tried to pull down his briefs and pants, I bolted out of there and ran until I found a jeepney. They couldn't catch me once I got on it."

"Good thing you escaped."

We kept our voices low. Mags was brimming with emotion, tears welling up in her eyes.

"The problem is, ever since that happened, Ramil thinks he owns me. He's acting like something happened between us."

That's when Mags broke down.

"Enough."

I rubbed her back and wiped the tears from her cheeks with my thumb and the back of my hand.

Her soft cheeks were like my heart, breaking with every tear she shed.

"Enough... I'll walk you home later. I'll take care of you."

When my hands couldn't stop her tears, I pulled out my handkerchief. I always carried one, though I never used it because I wasn't that sweaty at this age. I used it to wipe her face.

"Thanks."

I handed her the handkerchief, and she started fixing herself up.

Our classmates were dead asleep. I don't think they heard Mags' story. She asked me to go with her to the C.R. again, her favorite isolated spot.

It was 1:25 on the classroom clock when we stepped out. I wished time would slow down so I could be with Mags longer. We didn't talk while walking. She spoke again when we got close to the C.R.

"You know, Chris... I want to be with you to erase what he did to me. That's how I feel. But you left me hanging, which was so annoying!"

"Sorry, Mags. I just didn't want to rush things out of respect for you. I didn't think it was right then. It's not that I don't want you or anything..."

"Later, at my place, let's do it."

"Okay... If you say so."

We reached the C.R. door.

"Don't tell me we're going in there again."

Maybe that wasn't the best thing to say, and it probably fueled her plan. It felt eerie because it was so deserted.

"Come on..."

She whispered. Luckily, it didn't smell bad inside, just kind of sandy. She hid near the door.

"Kiss me."

So I did. I leaned in to reach her lips, holding the back of her neck, and kissed her... She was so good at it, even wrapping her arms around me. We eventually pulled away.

"I've been wanting to kiss you. Chris, I hope you won't change. I love you."

"I love you too. Don't worry, I got you. Ramil will be forgotten by the time we're done at your place."

Then I kissed her again, squeezing her breast, only feeling her bra. She bit my lip because of that. We hugged tightly.