CHAPTER ONE
"AHHHH! Ano ba! Ano baaaaa!
Pwede ba Stevan?! Pwede ba layuan mo 'kooooo!" Sa sobrang inis ko kay
Stevan e nagsisisigaw na ako at nagpapadyak na parang bata kahit na nasa public
place kami which happens to be sa restaurant.
Tumawa naman sya ng sobra. Like as
if I'm a living joke! Ugh. How could my brother and my Mom do this to me?! If
they didn't set a freakin' date for me with this guy, hindi naman magkakatagpo
ang landas namin ng kumag na 'to e.
"You know what Ivva? You
should actually be happy because you're the lucky girl Stevan Lacson
like." Saka sya kumindat.
I rolled my eyes. "The famous
drop-dead-gorgeous Stevan Xailo Lacson liked me/you!" Sinabayan ko sya sa
sinasabi nya. Sa dalawang linggong pangungulit ni Stevan sa akin ay nasaulo ko
na yang 'line' nya na halos araw-araw nya na atang sinasabi sa akin.
"Whoa! Kabisado mo na?"
Ngititing-ngiti sya sa akin. Konti nalang siguro e mapupunit na nga yung mukha
nya sa lawak ng ngiti nya.
Hindi ko sya sinagot. Inirapan ko
lang sya at tumalikod saka dumire-diretso na sa kotse ko. Nagmadali talaga ako
nun kasi alam ko, hindi magdadalawang isip si Stevan na sumakay din sa kotse
ko. At ayokong mangyari yun! For heaven's sake, hindi ako matahi-tahimik tuwing
nandyan sya e. Kaya nung pagsakay ko sa kotse, nilock ko kagad at gaya ng
ineexpect ko, humabol sya at balak pa sana nyang pumasok. Just my luck that I
was fast enough para masaraduhan sya. In the end, kinatok nalang nya yung
bintana. He was saying something and if I would base that to his lips, he was
saying something sort of 'Open this. I'llgo with you'. But... isang
nakakalokong ngisi lang ang isinagot ko sakanya na sigurado ko namang nakita
nya dahil di naman tinted yung car ko. Then poof! Nawala na ako sa harap nya.
Pinaharurot ko yung car ko.
Nung mapaharurot ko e nagpakawala
ako ng isang ngiting tagumpay. Hayst. He really is a living stress! Pakiramdam
ko, pagod na pagod ako mentally this past few days dahil panay ang pangungulit
at pagsunod ni Stevan which I find really really weird and annoying.
Nung medyo malayo na ako, tiningnan
ko yung pinag-iwanan ko kay Stevan through my car's rear mirror. I frowned when
I saw that he was about to ride his silver mercedez benz. I bet, he's going to
follow me like what he do this past few days--uh, weeks rather. Ano baaaa! Wala
ba syang balak na patahimikin ako?! For heaven's sake, NAKAKAIRITA SYAAAAA!
Ang bilis magpatakbo ni Stevan nun
at nung nakita kong malapit na sya sa kin e kung saan-saan na ako naglusot para
lang wag nya akong maabutan. Nakihalo na nga ako sa mga kakulay at kaparehas
kong sasakyan but.. I frowned when I remember that he knows my plate number.
During these times na
naghahabulan--or nagtataguan kami ni Stevan -- which I find as a not so fun
game -- naaalala ko si Ivo, ang walanghiyang si Ivo. Paano ba naman, dahil alam
nyang Grade School palang ay gusto na ako ng bestfriend nya which happens to be
Stevan, ngayong nakauwi na si Stevan from USA, sinabi sakanya ni Mommy at ni
Ivo yung address ng condo unit ko!
Ba't ba kasi umuwi pa sa Pinas yung
lalaking 'yun?! He's better stucked-up in USA! Saka ano ba naman kasing meron
kay Stevan at duh? It's been five years since huli kaming nagkita, nung second
year kami, at hanggang ngayon e gusto nya ako? Uggh. Actually, he's quiet fine.
He has the looks, the body, the fashion, the popularity, brain and money like
what he always say. But for heaven's sake! Hindi ko kayang tagalan ang ugali
nya. He was way too bossy, too demanding, too conceited, too irritating,
annoying, talkative---UGH! AT HINDI KO SYA GUSTOOO!
Speaking of gusto, is that... OMO!
Is that my beloved Gerald? As in, GERALD MUECO?! Shucks! May maganda din naman
palang maidudulot ang pagtakas ko mula kay Stevan. Heto, nakita ko lang naman
ang taong talagang gusto ko. He's Gerald Mueco. 20 years old. I met him almost
four years ago during my 9th Grade in my current school. Kaibigan kasi sya nun
ni Ivo. Magkakaklase kaming tatlo nung year na 'yon although di kami ganong
close kasi parati naman syang kasama ng circle of friends nya which happens to
be all guys kaya di rin ako pinayagan ni Ivo na makaclose sila. Overprotective
twin brother kasi. Parehas kami ng school until now but unfortunately, not the
same course although marami akong subjects na kaklase ko sya. He took
Architecture while I took Engineering. It really is unusual for a girl to be
interested with a course which has lots of Mathematical Lessons but I guess,
I'm lucky enough to be one of those very few people who are smart in numbers.
Ipinark ko yung car ko sa tapat ng
TKQ restaurant kung saan rin ipinark ni Gerald yung kotse nya. Actually,
parehas yung name ng restau sa restau kung saan kami galing ni Stevan kanina.
Whatever. Bago ako bumaba e syempre, nagretouch muna ako. I wanna be extremely
beautiful when it comes to the person I like. Pagpasok ko ng restaurant, madali
ko rin naman syang nakita. He was in a table for four with a girl. I frowned at
that view. Hmm. Ba't di nalang sila nag table for two? Anyways, that is
actually fine and in favor of me. Wait.. The girl looked familiar. Parang
nakita ko na sya somewhere.
Kahit na may mas okay namang
daanan, I chose to stride where I'm sure na madadaanan ko sila. I act like as
if I'm clueless about them dating here. Kunwari, coincidence. Kaya pagtapat ko
sakanila e umakto akong kakakita ko palang sakanila.
"Hey! Gerald!" Napalingon
naman sa 'kin si Gerald pagtawag ko sakanya.
Ngumiti sya. "Hey, Ivva.
Nasaan si Stevan?" Tapos lumingon sya sa likod ko like as if hinahanap si
Stevan. I frowned. Gaano na ba karami ang nakakaalam sa nakakabwisit na
pagbuntot-buntot sa akin ni Stevan?
"Hindi ko sya kasama."
Nakasimangot na sabi ko. Baka isipin pa ni Gerald, nanliligaw sa akin si
Stevan, e di hindi na sya mag-attempt diba?
"Huh? But--"
"Can I sit here?" Putol
ko sa sinasabi ni Gerald. E kasi naman, ayokong pag-usapan ang walang kwentang
lalaki!
Ngumiti naman sya at tumango. Kaya
naupo na ako sa upuan na kaharap ng sakanya. Magkatabi kasi sila ni.. nung girl
na blonde at mukha pang Maria Clara sa sobrang hinhin. Pag-upo ko, tumawag na
ako ng waiter at nag-order ng sarili kong food. Pag alis ng waiter ay nilingon
ko si Gerald at yung girl na nakatingin na rin naman pala sa akin.
"Pero magkasama kayo
kanina?" Tanong ni Gerald.
"Ahm. Oo." Sagot ko
nalang kahit na sa totoo lang, nawiwirduhan ako na alam nyang magkasama kami.
"I think, sya na yun."
Biglang sabat nung babaeng katabi ni Gerald at nakatingin sya sa direksyon sa
likod ko. Dahilan yun para sabay kami ni Gerald na lingunin ang sinumang
paparating at napanganga nalang ako nang makita ang bagong pasok sa restaurant!
He was walking confidently with his
sunglasses and a little smirk on his thin kissable lips. He was sweating but
gawd! Pakiramdam ko e ang cool ng dating nya habang naglalakad ng nakapamulsa
at inikot-ikot sa kabilang kamay nya yung car key tas palingon-lingon sa mga
table - which I think, paghahanap nya kung nasaan kami or maybe ako since
sinusundan na naman nya ako. Talk about STEVAN LACSON?!
Nang marealize ko 'yon e dali-dali
akong nagpaslide pababa ng upuan ko in a way na itinatago ko yung ulo ko from
him. But hell! Bigla nalang ngumiti si Gerald at kumaway sabay tawag kay
Stevan! Magkakuntsaba ba sila?! How did I forget na magkakakilala silang tatlo
nina Ivo? Napapikit nalang ako nun. Praying that he won't come near us which is
definitely impossible. Hanggang sa bigla nalang may humalakhak sa right side
ko.
"What are you doing there,
Ivva?" At doon ako napadilat tas nilingon ko kung sino yung nakatayo sa
right side ko. Gaya ng inaasahan kong ayoko naman, nakatayo at nakapamulsa sa
isang pants pocket nya si Stevan at ngiting-ngiti sa akin tas medyo nakabend pa
sya na parang sinisilip ako na pilit ibinababa ang ulo.
Tsk. Sabi ko nga e nonsense ang
pagtatago! Kaya in the end, umayos ako ng upo. Yung may poise saka ko sya
tinaasan ng kilay. "I think, I should be the one asking you that."
Mataray na sabi ko.
Tumawa ulit sya tapos naupo sya sa
vacant seat sa tabi ko! Gawd. Sinamaan ko sya ng tingin pero kinindatan nya
lang ako saka sinabing.. "Diba sabi ko, double date? And that was actually
with 'em." tapos nilingon nya sina Gerald at yung girl na nasa harap
namin.
Nakangiwi nun si Gerald tapos
tinanong ako. "Don't tell me, until now, tinatakbuhan mo pa rin si Stevan,
Ivva?"
"Okay. Hindi ko yun sasabihin
sayo. I'll keep it to myself." nakabusangot na sabi ko na pinagtawanan
naman nilang tatlo. I rolled my eyes. "I wasn't kidding!"
"That explains why you are
late." Nakangiting sabi ni Gerald kay Stevan.
"Ang totoo nyan, akala ko,
yung TKQ Restau na sinasabi mo ay yung nasa tabi ng Magarao Grills. Turns out,
may TKQ pa pala dito." Paliwanag naman ni Gerald.
Tumango lang si Gerald then
inakbayan nya yung katabi nyang girl. Psh! "By the way, she's Janine., my
date. Janine, he's Stevan Xailo and his date, Ivva Laine. My long-time
friends." Si Gerald yung nag-introduce.
Ngumiti lang ako kay blonde slash
Maria Clara Janine-girl when deep down, I want to take her eyes out, stroke a
pen on her tongue, draw on her face using a sharpened knife and lastly, choke
her to death. Gawd! I should be the one sitting beside Gerald. Tsssk!
Nag-order na rin silang tatlo.
Hindi ko nga alam kung mahihiya ba ako o hindi dahil nauna pala akong umorder
which ended up na ako rin yung unang nabigyan ng food. Pero hinintay ko nalang
na dumating rin yung food nila before we finally eat. Ang awkward naman na
kumain ako while they're still waiting for theirs.
"What's the progress between
you?" Nakangiting tanong ni Gerald sa amin.
Ako naman nun e maluluwa ko pa sana
yung sinusubo kong pasta. Progress?! Sa amin?! Like.. eeiww! Ugh. I don't want
to even think of it! For heaven's sake, with Stevan? Bitch please.
"Hindi nya ako pinapayagang
manligaw e." napapakamot naman sa batok na sagot ni Stevan.
Napalingon naman sa akin si Gerald
nun nang nakataas yung dalawang kilay nya which is ginawa ko rin like asking
him 'what?'. Pero wala naman syang sinabi tas nag-iba nalang rin ng topic.
"Sa'n mo balak pumasok, Stevan?"
"Of course to the school where
Ivva enrolled."
This time, nabulunan na talaga ako.
Ghaaad. Is he---UGH! Hanggang sa School ba naman, wala syang balak na
patahimikin ang kaluluwa ko? Inabutan ako ng tubig ni Stevan and he attempted
to hold my back but I glared at him and still managed to say 'don't you dare
touch me' in whisper.
Natawa naman ng konti si Gerald at
Janine sa reaction ko which I actually find not-so-funny. Tapos biglang
sumingit yung babae ni Gerald. "Actually, sikat si Ivva sa school, Stevan.
She's a Queen Bee! Paano, palaging panalo sa mga contests, beauty pageant or
academics. Besides, captain ball din sya ng volleyball."
"You don't really have to tell
him. He already know that. Dun sya pumasok during his seventh and eighth
grade." I told her in my oh-so-usual bitch tone. Mukha naman syang
napahiya which brought a smirk on my lips. Wala lang. Gusto ko lang syang
barahin dahil una, ayoko sakanya, pangalawa, date sya ni Gerald at pangatlo,
ayoko sakanya.
"Ivva." Stevan called me
using his serious tone na parang sinasaway ako.
Nilingon ko naman sya ng naiirita.
"What?"
He didn't answer pero nagtiim ang
bagang nya which has no effect on me. Ibinalik nya yung tingin kina
Gerald--specifically, kay Janine who actually look offended. Nginitian ni
Stevan si Janine. Uh, is he taking her side? "I'm planning to take the
same course I first took in USA." parang nagsisimula sya ng conversation
between Janine to make her at least forget a little 'bout her embarrassment few
minutes ago which seems effective when Janine smiled at him and asked.
"Anong course naman?"
And my eyes literally widened as my
jaw dropped when Stevan answered her. "Engineering.
Gal! It was the same course I took!
CHAPTER TWO
"WAAAAAAAAAH!"
napabalikwas ako ng tayo nung mag-alarm yung clock ko. I was about to turn it
off again when I saw that it is already TEN O'CLOCK!
Tumayo agad ako at kinusot nang
kinusot ang mata ko. Nung tingin ko, hindi na ako liliyo-liyo e dumiretso na
agad ako sa shower. Binuksan ko na agad yung shower pagtapos na pagtapos kong
hubarin ang mga dapat hubarin. Kaya sa sobrang pagmamadali ko, fifteen minutes
e natapos na akong maligo. Pero paglabas ko, I realized something. Why do I
even bother to rush if I'm already hours late? Kaya naman, pa-easy-easy nalang
ako nun.
I had bacon and fried rice for my
breakfast. Tapos nag-ayos na rin ako. I applied light make-up which I usually
do and pick an off-shoulder blue dress for school. Our School doesn't require
uniform for college. Well, at least they don't require us for thrice every week
which is Tuesday to Thursday pero first day ng First Sem ngayon so I'm pretty
sure, civilian attire is allowed. Naghalf-pony din ako tapos may curl strand sa
magkabilang gilid ng mukha ko. Hinablot ko lang yung blue handbag ko and poof,
I'm ready to go!
Ngiting-ngiti naman akong lumabas
ng Condo unit ko. Ba't nga ba ako nalate ng gising? Well, it was because I'm a
party girl! Which also means, I came from a party last night. Inabot ako ng..
uh 1am? kina Lilian - one of my partymates and a close friend of mine. So ayun,
late na rin ako nakauwi. Good thing, hinatid ako nung pinsan nyang si.. ahm,
Jefferson? Jeffrey? Ugh. Whatever his name is.
Good mood na sana ako buong araw e.
Okay na sana e. It is actually possible for me to smile all day long if.. if...
AAAAHHH! Pagbaba ko ng condominium building e nanlaki yung mata ko nung nakita
ko yung sasakyan ni Stevan na nakapark! Waaaaah! What to do?! What to doooo?!
Nagtago agad ako sa isang wall na
katabi lang ng glass door. I don't want to have him around! Kailangan ko na
atang lumipat ng condo unit? Feeling ko, hindi ako matatahimik nito e. Nag-isip
isip ako ng pwedeng daanan kung saan hindi magkukrus ang landas namin ni
Lacson. Ang asim na ng mukha ko nung biglang magvibrate yung hawak kong phone.
Tiningnan ko naman kung ano yun. Text message pala. FROM UNKNOWN NUMBER!
From: +639207802942
Bat di ka pumasok? Papunta ako sa
unit mo. Sunduin na kita. -SXL
Received: 12:08pm
Napapikit ako sa pagpipigil ng
inis. Gaano ba kalakas at karami ang koneksyon nya't malaman ang new number ko?
Pangatlong palit ko na 'to ng number pero nalalaman at nalalaman pa rin nya!
Nilingon ko ulit ang kinaroroonan ni Stevan at nanlaki ang mata ko nang
makitang naglalakad na sya palapit sa condominium. Argh!
Sa sobrang taranta ko, napunta ako
sa gilid ng isang trashbin na nasa main sala ng condominium. Umupo ako doon.
Bale napapagitnaan ako ng trash bin at sofa. Siksik na siksik talaga ako sa sarili
ko wishing that he would just pass by. Teka nga, ba't ba hindi ko nalang sya
itext na nakaalis na ako?! Tsk. Masyado kasi akong nagpapanic eh! Inopen ko
yung phone. Magtetext nga sana ako kaso... ang lapit na madaanan ni Stevan yung
pwesto ko! So I ended up folding myself at the corner. I closed my eyes and
waited for him to pass by. Not breathing. Not moving.
"Pffft. What kind of a sick
joke is that, Ivva?"
Sa gulat ko e automatic akong
napadilat at napasigaw pero bigla nyang tinakpan agad yung bibig ko kaso
kinagat ko agad yung kamay nya kaya napa 'aw!' naman sya tas inalis yung kamay
nya. He glared at me and asked if what was that for pero sinamaan ko lang rin
sya ng tingin. He didn't say anything. Tumayo ako mula sa pwesto ko. I regain
my poise and raise an eyebrow then asked him.
"How did you get my
number?"
"Your brother?"
"Why are you here?"
"To pick you up."
"Do you think I'll even go
with you, jerk?"
"Uh, no?"
"E ba't ka pa pumunta?!"
"Because I'm sure you don't
have any choice but to go with me."
"Wow! Confident much, Mr.
Lacson?"
"In the name of love, Miss
soon-to-be-mine." ngumiti pa sya ng pagkatamis-tamis like as if
nakakainlab sya. Oh I wanna vomit! Korni.
I rolled my eyes. "Fuck off,
Stevan. I don't like you and you know that." Tapos nilagpasan ko sya at
lalakad na papalabas ng building.
"Hey! You're not allowed to
cuss!" Narinig ko pang sigaw nya tapos sumunod sya sa akin at sinabayan
ako sa paglalakad. Nasabi ko na bang ang haba ng legs nya dahil six footer sya
which means, maaabutan at maaabutan nya ako?! "Mas nakakainlove ka pag
nagsusungit, Ivva." Sabi nya tapos kinindatan ako.
Inirapan ko lang sya. Dumiretso ako
sa parking lot. Hinanap ko yung car ko but for heaven's freakin' sake! Nasaan
ang mercedez benz ko?! Inikot ko ng tatlong ulit pa yung parking area but
heeeeeck! Wala talaga dito yung sasakyan ko. Naalala ko naman yung sagot ni
Stevan kanina na no choice ako kundi sumabay sakanya. Nilingon ko sya na katabi
ko lang na naka-half smile at sinamaan ko sya ng tingin.
"You!" dinuro ko sya.
"Pakana mo 'to 'di ba?! Where's my car?!" inis na sigaw ko sakanya.
Lumingon naman sya sa akin na
naka-half smile pa rin habang nakapamulsa. "What?" Nagmaang-maangan
pa syaaa!
"Anong ginawa mo sa sasakyan
ko?! Ilabas mo yun, Stevan!" Inis na inis kong sigaw sakanya to the point
na gusto ko syang paluin gamit ang Chanel bag ko but he doesn't even deserve to
be hit by a precious bag of mine!
Tinaas naman nya yung dalawang
kamay nya like as if sumusurrender. "Whoa. I'm innocent. Sumabay ka na sa
akin papuntang school." He glanced at his wrist watch. "It's already
12:40. We gotta go."
I glared at him. "This is your
plan, isn't it?!" I accused him.
"I told ya, Ivva. I'm
innocent. So I'm probably out of it." Pangiti-ngiti pa sya tapos tumalikod
na sya sa akin ng nakapamulsa. "I'll wait you outside. Alam ko namang
hindi ka marunong magcommute."
Pero bago pa man sya makalakad e
sinigawan ko na naman sya. Nakakainis talaga sya! That car is so important!
That was the last gift I received from my grand father before he died and I
swear, among all the gifts I have ever received, that one was the most important.
"Are you this
desperate?!" Napahinto sya nun na parang natigilan. Pero hindi sya
lumingon. "Ganyan ka ba talaga kadesperado, Stevan?! Pati yung walang
muwang kong sasakyan e dinadamay mo! Jerk! Mas mahalaga pa yun sayo! And to
tell you honestly, whatever kind of set ups pa ang gawin mo, I'll never be
inlove with you!" hingal na hingal ako nung masabi ko lahat 'yun. Ugh!
Those are also words that I badly wanna spit right on his face para matauhan
syang wala talaga syang pag-asa sa akin pero hesitant ako before dahil may puso
pa naman ako. But not this time that I'm totally pissed off!
Ilang seconds din kaming tahimik
nun tapos kahit nakatalikod sya sa akin, nakita ko yung pagyuko nya at
bahagyang pag-iling then parang medyo natawa pa sya. Pero humarap din naman sya
in the end. Sobrang seryoso nga nya nun at hindi ko talaga alam kung anong
iniisip nya at nararamdaman nya. And I don't even bother to think about it
dahil nangingibabaw ang inis ko!
Tumitig sya sa akin for - I think -
5 seconds before he say, "I picked you up last night from your friend's
party. That Jeffrey-guy was supposed to bring you home pero sabi mo nung
tawagan mo ko, binastos ka nya on the way at iba na ang dinaraanan nyo. So I
looked for you and take you from him. You were so scared that you left all your
stuffs at your car excluding your handbag and just entered mine. If you'd ask
where you left your car, it was in the Eastwood, Aguinaldo Street." Tapos
tumalikod na sya. "I'll wait you outside. Although I would understand if you're
still going to take the public transportation."
Natahimik ako. I had an instant
flashback from last night and.. he was right.. I suddenly felt guilt from what
I've said although all of those were true. Nasabi ko nga lang in a harsh way.
Stupid mouth! Words really travel faster than mind.I stared at his back. Akala
ko, aalis na sya pero nagsalita pa ulit sya habang naglalakad palayo.
"And, maybe, I really am
desperate to be love back by someone I love for quiet a long time."
×××
I had a very silent ride with
Stevan. No one attempted to start a conversation. Maybe he's mad. Nakokonsensya
ako na ang harsh ko pero hindi naman ako nakaramdam ng pagsisisi na nasabi ko
nga yun. Totoo naman yun e.
No'ng pag-alis nya sa parking area,
hindi pa ko sigurado kung sasakay ba ako sakanya after what I said or just take
the public vehicle but if I would, baka mabudol pa ako since I never tried to
commute. Hanggang sa makalabas ako ng parking lot na andun pa rin si Stevan sa
labas ng BMW nya at mukhang hinihintay ako. He was so serious that I didn't
have an idea of what's going on in his mind. Nung nakita nga nya ako, hindi sya
nagsalita pero binuksan nya yung passenger seat and I didn't refuse na din
naman.
"LQ?" Napalingon ako kay
Gerald nung nagtanong sya tapos sumulyap sya kay Stevan na nakaupo sa unahan.
"We're not lovers to begin
with." Sagot ko sakanya tapos umirap ako. Ugh. I never even think of that!
Tumawa lang sya which is something
na di ko na rin naman pinansin pa dahil dumating na yung Teacher namin. First
day naman kaya puro orientation lang which is really boring dahil paulit-ulit
lang naman at halos magkakaparehas lang yung sinabi nila.
Pagtapos naman nung subject ko,
lumabas na ako ng room. One hour pa bago next subject ko kaya plano ko nalang
na tumambay sa cafeteria. Hindi naman rin vacant yung friends ko. Not Lilian
and not even, Valerie. Pero nagulat ako nung paglabas ko ng room, may tumayong
lalaki sa bench at lumapit sa akin. It was Jeffrey. Napaatras pa ako nung konti
nalang lapit nya sa akin so he stepped back. Of course, I would be no longer
comfortable around him after he act as one of those pervert bastard just last
night! I don't even think I'll be able to talk to him. For Heaven's sake, he
just attempted to rape me! Geez. Just my luck that I was still able to call
Stevan.
He said sorry and when he was about
to explain, bigla namang may umakbay sa akin and when I look who it was, si
Stevan. Ang angas ng tingin nya kay Jeffrey nun kaya parang naging hesitant nun
si Jeffrey na sabihin ang kung anumang sasabihin nya at tuluyan na nga syang
nagback out nang sabihin ni Stevan na, 'Limang segundo. Uupakan kita dito
mismo'. Gawd! I don't know if I would feel relief when he left. But at least, I
know I'm more safe with Stevan.
Pag alis ni Jeffrey, tiningala ko
sya at tinaasan ng kilay. "I thought, you already quit about your
unrequited love over me?" And smirked.
He smirked back. "Says who?
Didn't I just confess about being desperate over you?"
UGH! I thought, I already got rid
of him!
"What do you want?"
Nakangiting tanong ni Stevan nung makaupo ako sa upuan namin sa isang table sa
cafeteria.
I rolled my eyes. "Totally get
rid of you." I told him using a mere cold tone.
Napakamot naman sya ng ulo at
bahagyang natawa. But he didn't look even a bit affected! Gawd. How toturn him
off?! "I mean, food to eat?"
I crossed my arms. "I won't
eat with you. Ba't ba hindi mo nalang ako iwan? Hindi mo ba pansing naiirita na
talaga ako sayo at never akong natuwa?" Inis na inis na ako pero ngumiti
lang sya at ginulo ang buhok ko saka dumiretso sa counter! UGGGH!
Pagbalik naman nya, may dala na
syang kung anu-anong pagkain. Ang dami nga e. Sa totoo lang, natakam ako sa
french fries. I love french fries! But nooo! Resist the temptation, Ivva!
Resist the temptation! Remember, you're with Stevan, not with Gerald, not with
Justin or even Nick, okay?
"Pangangatawanan mo ba talaga
ang hindi pagkain kasama ko?" Natatawa-tawang sabi ni Stevan saka isinubo
ang malaking burger.
I glared at him and said,
"Yes."
He shrugged and started eating as
hard as he could! Ugh. Nakacross arms lang ako at masamang tingin ang
ipinupukol sa kanya. I don't know what he's up to. Why did he drag me here in
the very first place? Uh, yeah right, His 'I wanna be with you' was the perfect
explanation. But me? What about me? I don't wanna be with him! Ilang beses
akong nagkumawala sakanya pero hindi ko naman magawang tapatan ang lakas nya.
What's the point of trying, right? But.. kumakain sya ngayon. Maybe, this is a
chance? So I snatched my handbag, uncross my legs so as my arms, kind of flip my
hair then stood up. I didn't say anything. Silently hoping he won't notice me
but hell, he did! Hinawakan nya ako sa braso right after I took one step.
"And where---"
"I'm going to leave."
Mariin kong sabi sakanya.
"No. You can't." inangat
nya ang tingin sa akin at ngumiti. "You wouldn't like to miss the thing
after a few minutes."
Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi nya.
The thing I wouldn't like to miss? Oh, please. I like to miss everything that
is affiliated with him! Kaya naman winaksi ko ang kamay ko sakanya at hinawing
muli ang buhok ko at naglakad palayo without saying something.
Pero mabilis syang tumayo at
humarang sa akin kasama ng palad nyang kanyang isinishake. "No no no,
lady! You can't go yet."
Maarte kong hinawi ang side-curly
strands of hair ko kasabay ng pag-irap pero muli kong ibinalik sakanya ang
tingin. "Oh please, Stevan! Can't you just please shut your mouth, take
your seat right at your oh-so freakin' throne and eat until I ask my Rogelio's
to finally hang you in a tree branch infront of our Mansion so that I would
never have to deal with you again?"
Ngumiti naman sya. "Whoa.
You're such a brutal lover, my lady. Can't you just sit right infront of me as
if we're on such a romantic date then I'll give you food which you're going to
eat in peace with me?"
Tinulak ko sya sa dibdib. But man!
He's way too strong to don't even move a bit. "There's no any romantic
with you, Mr. Lacson. Now, let me leave because---" naputol ang sasabihin
ko nang bigla nya akong akbayan. Akbay in a way na ayaw nya kong patakasin.
"Hey!" At siniko ko sya.
He said 'aw' but that was it.
Parang wala lang sakanya. Instead, he get something in his pocket and raise it
up to make me see whatever that is. He smirked. "I don't have any choice
but to use handcuff then." Oh no! He's not going to do what I'm thinking
he would, right? RIGHT?!
Malakas ko syang tinulak saka
iniling-iling ang ulo ko kasabay ng kamay ko. "No no no! Fine. Fine. I'll
sit with you here. We won't fight. We will eat. But no handcuffs. No to
handcuffs!" Ugh. Pwede bang patamaan ng kidlat ang taong ito?
He just chuckled and finally sat
where his chair is. So do I--but of course, hindi bukal sa loob. Kung ipoposas
nya kami, then dude! I'm going to be totally trapped with him! Saan ba naman
kasi sya nakakuha ng posas?! Kung sinumang poncio pilato ang nagbigay sakanya
ng posas ay bibitayin ko. Ghaaad.
"Diba sabi mo kakain ka?"
Sabi nya nang mapansin nyang hindi naman ako nagalaw sa pwesto ko at sya lang
itong lamon ng lamon. Magmumukha na nga akong estatwa dito e.
"I've changed my mind. I'll
sit here with you but hindi ako kakain. I ain't hungry."
Pero nagulat ako nang kumuha sya ng
fries at isubo 'yon sa bibig ko then ngumiti sya. "Masarap diba?"
Naangat ko naman ang isang sulok ng
labi ko at hinampas sya ng purse ko. "I don't like anything from you,
okay?! Quit!" I hissed. Ano ba talagang problema nya?!
Pero ang mokong ay masyadong
maluwang ang turnilyo sa utak. Isang tinidor naman ng spaghetti ang kinuha nya
at talagang pinagpilitan naman nyang isubo sa kin 'yon! I tried to refuse but
as I've said, babae ako at lalaki sya. He's probably stronger than me. In the
end, naisubo nga nya sa akin yung isang tinidor ng spaghetti but kalat-kalat
naman yung sauce sa gilid ng lips ko! Tinawanan pa nya ako at sinabing gusto ko
raw bang ipalinis sakanya yun gamit ang halik. Ugggh! Heck. Kill him now,
please.
Sinamaan ko nga sya ng tingin nun
so he ended up telling me to freakin' chill out. Pero nakatitig pa rin ako
sakanya ng masama nun. Not moving. Hindi ba sya naiintimidate?! Kaasar. But
then, kumuha sya ng tissue at lumapit sa akin saka nya 'yon dahan-dahang ipinunas
sa labi ko saka ngumiti ng hindi kita yung teeth. Cliche na, corny pa! Kukunin
ko na sana sakanya ng pabalang yung tissue but then, biglang may nagsalita sa
kanan ko nung saktong hawak ko na yung kamay nya ng ubod ng diin!
"Whoa. Mukhang nagkakamabutihan
na kayo ah?"
Sabay kaming napalingon ni Stevan
sa nagsalita at napabitaw ako bigla sa tissue nang makitang si Gerald ang
nagsalita. And he was not alone. Kasama nya si Ivo, Justin and Nick.
"It's not what you think it
is." Mabilis na sabi ko pero nagtawanan sila, nakipagbatian kay Stevan and
they all sit with Stevan and I. Okay? Talk about jerks's reunion? Wait.
Exception si Gerald dun. Only the four guys are deserving to the 'jerk' title.
They were my classmates during my high school days and I do know how they bully
students and make girls cry before. Isn't that an enough reason to call 'em
jerk? Good thing, kambal ako ni Ivo, kung hindi, baka isa na ako sa mga biktima
nila.
But wait, is this what Stevan
saying that I couldn't miss? Be with Gerald without his bitch? I smiled at that
thought. Alright. He earned one good point on me. And that good point wouldn't
be waste! Kaya pinaupo ko si Gerald sa tabi ko. Hindi naman sya tumanggi. Oh
maaan! I can smile all day long!
Kaya pala ang daming order ni
Stevan. Akala ko likas na masiba lang sya e. Possible naman 'yon. Oh well. Ako,
ang kinuha ko lang ay yung fries. I can't lose poise when there's a Gerald
Mueco around.
Nakipag-usap din saglit sa 'kin
sina Justin at Nick. Kahit naman bully sila noon, di naman maipagkakailang
medyo naging kaibigan ko rin sila. Paano ba namang hindi e isang row, kaming
anim lang?! I mean, simula grade school, kaming anim talaga ang magsi-seatmate
sa isang row simply because of our surnames. Kamalas-malasan pa ngang seatmate
ko si Stevan nun. Basta ang tanda ko, una si Nick then si Justin then si Gerald
tapos si Stevan. At dahil Lacson sya't Montesa kami, sunod sakanya si Ivo pero
dahil alam nila na crush na 'ko ni Stevan eversince our paths crossed, imbes na
si Ivo at Stevan ang seatmates, ayun, napagitnaan nila ako. Besides, wala kasi
akong kaibigan since then. Simply because I'm maldita. Pssh.
Nagkwentuhan lang naman sila and I
stayed quiet while eating my fries. I'm comfortable having my own world while
they're talking. Minsan ay kinakausap ako ni Gerald but more on, dun sila sa
pinag-uusapan nilang hindi ko maintidihan. Uh, boys talk? Wala naman akong paki
kung di ko sila maintindihan e.
As long as katabi ko si Gerald. Ang
bango nga nya e. Ako kaya? What do I smell? Akmang aamuyin ko pa sana ng
pasimple yung sarili ko nun kaso naman, sinabihan na nila ako na malapit na raw
matapos yung vacant time ko at kailangan ko nang umalis. And if you're going to
ask me how they knew it, Stevan Lacson is the best answer. Parehas kami ng
course diba?! Malamang parehas din kami sa lahat ng schedule. Si Gerald, hindi
naman sya sumabay sa amin. Pa'no, susunduin raw nya yung babae nya. Sus.
Pagbuhulin ko pa sila e.
Nauna--or nagpatiuna na akong
umalis sa table namin at nagpaalam. As I've expected, sumunod agad sa akin si
Stevan. And here we go again! He kept on insisting to bring my bag for me.
Like.. duh? Kayang kaya kong dalhin ang bag ko! Tapos habang naglalakad pa kami
e panay ang salita nya. I didn't really pay attention but it was sort of
something connected with our university basketball team. I think he was saying
he had the chance to be with them in a game. Whatever, I ain't even sure.
Nasa hallway na kami sa unang floor
ng building namin. Naiirita talaga ako sakanya at sa boses nya but I remained
silent. Ayoko nang makipag-argue tungkol sa walang tigil na pagdaldal nya dahil
malamang ay mas lalo lang akong maaasar sakanya at ma-late pa kami. Umakyat na
ako sa stair pataas. I don't really like taking the stairs but elevators are
unfortunately dealing with something I don't know. Basta ang alam ko, may sira
at hindi magamit. No need to elaborate right?
Yung hagdan nitong building ay nasa
pinakagilid which is kind of unfair dahil hassle sa mga students na nasa
kabilang dulo. Basta nasa pinakagilid at paikot pa. Ang kaliwang side ay pader
that separates the stair from a room then dito sa kaliwa ay glass wall. Kaya
yung mga naakyat na students, makikita nila yung nasa labas dahil transparent
at yung heart-shaped na pure bermuda grass ang nando'n na may tatlong bench
which were separated by bamboo trees.
Habang umaakyat ako napalingon ako
do'n. Which is something I should have not done. I was stiffened right at that
moment while looking at them. Para akong nanigas do'n sa pwesto ko as if I
don't have the capacity to take another step up and shift my gaze. God, my
heart hurts. I.. I'm so in love with this guy to feel this way. Gerald.. was
kissing Janine torridly. They are actually almost making out.
"Honestly, I already expect
they would choose me since----"
"CAN'T YOU JUST SHUT
UP?!" yun yung sinigaw ko kay Stevan nung nilingon ko sya dahil daldal pa
rin sya ng daldal. Naiinis na nga ako, dadagdag pa sya.
I think, natigilan din sya dun. I
don't have idea if it was because of the sudden raise of my voice or it was
because of my sudden expression. But I'm kind of relieved when he talked
because if he didn't, I don't think I'd have the capacity to shift my gaze.
Stevan and I stared at each other
for a few seconds after I bursted out a really loud shout. He was just staring
at me with his serious look then dahan dahan nyang binaling ang tingin sa kung
saan ako nakatingin kanina. Oh crap! Now, I'm ashamed. Nakita pa nya na mukha
akong tanga!
I decided to turn my back at him
and hurriedly step up. I think, I have to act normal. Normal as if that
scenario I've seen didn't affect me. Napahawak ako sa diddib ko habang
umaakyat. Oh man, it hurts. How would I act normal? Ramdam ko ang pag iinit ng
mata ko and I definitely know what's that for. I won't cry when there's someone
around. I never would.
Nagpatuloy ako sa pag-akyat pataas
while holding ny chest that hurts. Hanggang sa sumabay sa pag akyat ko si
Stevan. I didn't mind him and kept my focus on maintaining my composure while
he's quietly staring at me. But then, naglabas sya ng puting panyo saka iyon
inilahad sa harap ko. Natigilan ako't napahinto. I-I.. I didn't really expect
that. Dahan dahan ko syang nilingon and he just smiled slightly with eyes full
of understanding as if saying he wouldn't mind if I cry because it's okay.
And that was when a pair of tears
fell from my eyes. Heck..
CHAPTER THREE
"Heeeey!"
Ang ingay talaga ni Lilian. The
moment she sit with Valerie and I, hindi na natigil yung pagbuka ng bunganga
nya kadadaldal. Geez, I rolled my eyes and ate another piece of pizza. Lahat ng
kalapit na table ay napapalingon sa amin and to think na nasa gitnang part kami
ng cafeteria. Great.
"---Gerald and Janine are
officially in a relationship!"
Cough. Cough.
"Uy, okay ka lang, Ivva?"
Nabulunan akong talaga nang malakas
na sabihin yon ni Lilian. Iyon lang ata ang nagpalaki ng tenga ko sa lahat ng
sinasabi nya. Inabutan naman ako ni Valerie ng isang baso ng tubig which I
immediately drink then I glared at her using my bitch look. "Did I look
okay?!" Okay, I think I'm exaggerating.
"Aba, ikaw na nga 'tong
tinulungan ni Valerie, ikaw pa 'tong galit? Gusto mong subuan pa kita ng
bato?" And that was Lilian of course. Magka-wavelength talaga ata kami sa
bitchyness.
I rolled my eyes but didn't answer.
Tama naman kasi sya. Napabuntong hininga ako. So, they are already in a
relationship? Gawd. Is it a 'game over' on my part? No freakin' way. Sa lahat
ng idinaldal ni Lilian sa tatlumpung minutong pagtambay namin sa Cafeteria,
iyon lang ang umagaw ng atensyon ko dahil iyon lang naman ang may saysay. Ewan
ko ba kay Valerie kung paano nyang natatagalan ang mala-machine gun na bunganga
ni Lilian. Well, I guess, kung paano syang nakakasurvive sa kamalditahan ko,
ganoon lang din sya nakakasurivive sa mga dakdak ni Lilian sakanya. In short, I
don't know kung paano syang nakatagal sa aming dalawa ni Lilian sa loob ng
walong taong pagkakaibigan naming tatlo.
The rest of the day was all normal.
It went well. Okay naman lahat except of one thing--nah, scratch that, of one
person pala. Hindi ako pinapatahimik ni Stevan sa upuan namin! Kung itatanong
nyo ang nangyari last week when he gave me a hanky, ghad, I don't want to
reminisce but napaiyak talaga ako. I took his hanky but continued stepping up.
But then, sya pa rin yung lalaking ayaw ko. Ghad. He's sooo talkative for a
guy. Sing daldal ata nya si Lilian, it's just that, puro tsismis ang dinadakdak
ni Lilian. Pero madaldal pa rin si Stevan to the point that he's annoying. Kung
pwede nga lang syang upakan, ginawa ko na e. Hindi matahi-tahimik yung bunganga
nya sa pang-aasar. Lahat ng ginagawa ko e pinupuna nya. NAKAKAIRITA! Kaya nga
sobrang tuwa ko nalang nung uwian na. Kaya lang, may asungot nga palang
susunud-sunod sa akin buong maghapon. Talk about Stevan Lacson?
"I won't think twice para
sipain ka sa ayaw mong sipain ka, Stevan." Matalim ang tingin kong sabi
sakanya dahil kanina pa sya humaharang sa daanan ko. Liliko ako sa kanan,
liliko din sya. Liliko ako sa kaliwa, kakaliwa din sya. Bwisit!
"Ba't ba ayaw mo nalang kasing
magpahatid sa 'kin?" Tanong nya.
"Dahil ayoko nga sa iyo! Hindi
mo ba maintindihan 'yon?!"
"Pero gusto kita."
Nakangiti pa sya nun. "I mean, mahal kita."
I rolled my eyes. "Forget it.
I would never requite that freakin' stupidity of yours."
"Geez. Girls are girls. Yeah,
yeah." Sabi nya na parang sarili ang kinakausap then nagpamulsa at
tumingin sa akin ng may slight smirk. "Don't you remember something?"
tinaas baba nya yung kilay nya. "Hm?"
Kinunot ko naman yung noo ko.
"Remember what thing?"
Ngumiti sya ng nakakaloko.
"You don't have your car. It was stuck up in the Eastwood, ayt?"
Shucks. Oo nga pala! Ilang araw na
yun ah? Si Ivo naman kasi ang naghahatid sa akin at sumusundo e. Stupid, Ivva.
How coud I forget that?! I glared at Stevan even more--well, if that is
possible. Inangat ko ang sulok ng labi ko. "And just because of that,
tingin mo, sasama na ako sayo? Dream on, jerk! I have a brother!" At dahil
nga nakapamulsa sya nun e nagawa ko syang lagpasan. Tumakbo na nga ako nun e.
But not fast as you think. Talk about women heels? In the end, naabutan lang
rin ako ni Stevan. And worse is, inabutan nya ako gamit ang paglalakad! Am I
that bad in running? But at least, nasa harap na kami ni Ivo at ng kotse nya nun
nung inabutan nga nya ako.
"Ivo!" Humawak pa ako nun
sa braso ni Ivo. Yung matindi para di ako magawang hilahin ni Stevan.
Nagtaka naman nun sa 'kin si Ivo.
Kunot noo nga sya e. "Hey, what's the thing?"
"Drive me home." sabi ko.
Then biglang dumating si Stevan na
chill na chill lang habang nakapamulsa. Crap! Nakipagfist bump sya kay Ivo at
sinabing, "I was actually trying to ask her to drive her home but she keep
on refusing. Why is your sister so cruel, bro?" Tanong ni Stevan na
gumamit ng boses na parang batang nalulungkot.
"No! You're not going to give
me to him, brother!" Oh-kay? Am I being hysterical here?
Natawa silang dalawa at bigla
nalang akong hinawakan ni Ivo sa magkabilang balikat and lead me to the car
beside him which I assume as his new. Wow! He's such a savior! Kaya naman
ngiting-ngiti ako nun until... si Stevan ang sumakay sa driver's seat! Holy
mother nature! What in the world is this?!
"What are you doing here,
jerk?!" inis na sigaw ko sakanya.
But then, ngingiti-ngiti lang sya
nun nang biglang may kumatok sa bintana sa side ko at paglingon ko nun e nakita
ko si Ivo. Grr! Can I choke my twin to death? I badly wanna do that! Paano ko
ba nakalimutang eversince e partner-in-crime na sila especially when trapping
me to Stevan? I glared at him. He mouthed, "Goodbye, sis." Then
winked. Sinubukan kong buksan yung pinto but it was locked. Sinipa-sipa ko na
nga sa sobrang inis ko kaya tawa ng tawa si Ivo at Stevan hanggang sa makaandar
na yung kotse.
"AAAAAAHHHH! WAAAAAAAAH!"
sigaw ako ng sigaw sa sasakyan kahit na naandar na kami. Naiinis kasi ako kaya
nagpapadyak-padyak pa ako kasabay ng kamay ko.
"Ano ba, Ivva? Nakakatililing
yung ginagawa mong pagsigaw-sigaw. Stop, will you?" Sabi ni Stevan habang
nagmamaneho at halata nga sa hitsura nya na iritado na sya.
"You don't want to be
irritated? Then stop the car and leave me behind!" Sigaw ko.
"You know I can't do that, my
Ivva." ngumiti pa sya. Eww! Who said I'm his?
"Jerk! AAAAAHHHH!" At
nagpapadyak akong muli.
Nagulat nalang ako nang malakas
nyang ipreno ang sasakyan kasabay ng pagliko sa tabi ng kalsada. Napa 'Ouch!'
pa nga ako dahil ang lakas ng impact. Buti na nga lang at nakaseatbelt ako
kundi baka tumilapon nalang ako bigla.
Nilingon ko sya at binigyan ng
matalim na tingin. "What was that for, jerk?!" Inis na sigaw ko.
Lumingon sya sa akin using a mere
serious look. Oh my, is he already pissed off? "I'm not gonna rape you so
there's no reason to shout as fuck, Ivva. I can tolerate all the kind of
stupidity but noise in a small crammed space is not tolerable. Now, shut your
mouth until we get home before I give you an understanding reason why you
should shout from the top of your lungs." Dire-diretso nyang sinabi iyon
saka walang sabi-sabing pinaandar nang muli ang sasakyan.
Isa iyong sapat na dahilan para sa
akin upang hindi na muling tumili. Pssh. Not a good reason, though. Sino ba
namang hindi mathe-threaten kung sasabihin ng taong kasama mo na manahimik ka
bago ka nya bigyan ng mahusay na rason para tumili? So I ended up silently
casting different curses under my breath. Then, finally, nakarating din kami sa
condo ko. Lalabas na nga sana ako ng kotse nya but then, he spoke.
"Give me your car key."
Napalingon ako bigla sakanya.
"And why would I?" Taas-kilay kong tanong.
"I'll fetch your car."
Sagot naman nya.
"I'll go with you."
Sumama ang mukha nya. "No. It
is already 8pm." It is just 8pm! But then, hindi na rin ako nakipagtalo
pa. Gusto ko na rin namang magpahinga. So binigay ko na nga lang yung susi at
dumiretso na sa unit ko. Pagdating ko nga, diretso shower na ako para makatulog
na rin. Antok na antok pa rin talaga ako kahit na late na ako nagising kaya
ayun, pagsalampak ko sa kama ko, papikit-pikit na ako.
I badly wanna sleep. And I was on
the verge of falling asleep when my phone rang. Inis na inis pa akong hinablot
sa bedside table ko yung handbag ko at nakapikit na hinalukay do'n yung phone
ko. And because Ivva's mad, I didn't bother looking who's the freakin' caller.
Sinagot ko nalang ng isang iritableng 'WHAT?!'
Two seconds. Five seconds. Ten
seconds. Wala pa ring nagsasalita! Peste. Ano? Nang asar lang?! Kaya naman
nagsalita ulit ako sa tonong naiinis. "Hoy kung sino ka man na dakilang
istorbo sa pagtulog ko, kung wala kang sasabihing importan---"
"Pft. Ivva.." natigilan
ako nang tawagin ako ng nasa kabilang linya. Titingnan ko sana kung sino yung
caller dahil di ko kilala yung boses pero pamilyar at nagsalita ulit sya.
"Just wanna say.. goodnight." Goodnight? He again paused for four or
five seconds. He sighed as if he was so sad and trying to get ready for what
he's going to say. Akala ko wala na syang sasabihin dahil wala na akong marinig
na kahit ano kaya naman nilayo ko na ang phone ko para sana i-end pero saka
naman sya nagsalitang muli.
"I love you."
And that was when the call ended.
I held my breathe when I heard his
last words. His voice was so calm and full of emotions and he just sounds
simply.. sincere. Nang marinig ko ang ending tone, marahan kong nilayo ang
phone sa tenga ko at napahawak sa dibdib ko. There was a sudden change of beat
in my heart when he said the last three words. Who was that? Marahan kong
inangat ang phone na nasa dibdib ko at tiningnan ang screen para malaman kung
sinong tumawag.
It was Stevan.
CHAPTER FOUR
Napangiti ako habang nakatingin sa
sarili ko gamit ang full-body mirror ng condo ko. Okay, I'm so pretty with our
school uniform. Umikot-ikot pa ako sa harap ng salamin for times and when I was
finally satisfied, kinuha ko na ang aking Louie Vitton at umalis na sa unit ko.
Habang naglalakad ako papalabas ng
building ay nagvibrate naman ang phone ko. Bubuksan ko na sana ang message only
to see that it was Stevan's number. Ang totoo ay walang pangalan ang number nya
sa phonebook ko at hindi rin ako nag aabalang buksan man lang ang mga messages
nya. Ano nga ba namang kalokohan ang pwedeng sabihin ni Stevan? Anu-ano man
'yon, sigurado lang akong maiinis ako kaya hindi ko nalang sya pinag-aaksayahan
ng oras.
One month na rin mula nang
magsimula yung school year. It was quiet fine of course pwera lang kay Stevan.
Palagi pa rin nya akong binubwisit. Tatabi ako kay Gerald, tatabi sya sa akin.
Hell. Mabuti nalang at hindi na nya ako pinipilit ihatid sundo. Nawawala nalang
kasi sya bigla tuwing dismissal at madalas namang late tuwing first period.
Anyways, wala naman akong pakialam e. Because that is a blessing!
Okay naman yung first period e.
Except for one person. Naiinis talaga ako. Pa'no, kaklase ko sa subject na 'to
si Janine--Gerald's bitch. Tuloy, ang seating arrangement namin ay Janine then
Gerald then me then Stevan. What a wonderful picture! Geez. Hindi ko nga lang
magawang tarayan si Janine dahil ayoko namang ma-turn off sa akin si Gerald.
"Ivva, may ballpen ka?"
Narinig kong tanong ng asungot sa kaliwa ko.
"Wala." Monotone na sabi
ko.
"E ano pala yang blue, black,
black and pink na nasa desk mo?"
Nilingon ko naman sya ng naiinis.
"Nakita mo naman ng ballpen diba?"
"Oh e ba't sabi mo wala?"
"Oh e ba't kasi nagtanong ka
pa kung nakita mo na rin naman pala?"
"Uyyy, ang love birds,
naglalambingan."
Napalingon naman ako sa sumingit at
napataas ang kilay ko ng bonggang bongga nang makita si Janine. Gusto ko pa nga
sanang ngumiti na umalis pala si Gerald. "At kelan pa tayo naging close,
aber?" Mataray na tanong ko. Para naman syang napahiya. Nagsmirk ako.
"Next time, katok katok muna sa usapan ng may usapan okay? Hindi ka naman
kasali, nangingisali ka. Ano? KSP lang? Psh." Saka ako umirap. "And
dear, masyado akong maganda para maging bird. Shut up nalang." At
ibinaling ko nalang ang tingin kay Stevan.
Napailing nga sya sa akin e.
"You're so mean."
Inabutan ko sya ng ballpen sa
pabalang na paraan. "Now, don't disturb me." Saka ako yumuko ulit.
Pero bago ako, magsimula, nagsulat ako sa isang one sheet of paper ng capslock
na 'DON'T DISTURB ME OR ELSE I'LL KICK YOUR ASS' tapos tuwing mag-aattempt si
Stevan na kausapin ako, itinataas ko 'yon. Pero natawa lang sya. Geez.
Pagtapos ng period, lumabas na rin
ako ng room dahil may next class agad kami. Kukunin ko na nga sana yung handbag
at books ko na naisaayos ko na kaso may nauna nang kumuha no'n. Pag-angat ko
naman ng ulo ko, nakita ko si Stevan na nakangiti sa akin ng usual nyang
ngiti--yung slight lang na hindi kita yung ngipin nya before he finally say,
"It's an honah to bring ya bag, mah lady." Okay, what's with the
sudden accent?
The more he's doing things he
shouldn't be doing, the more lang na aasa sya. He should give up before
everything get worse--before I say something that would hurt him. Sabihin pa
nya paasa ako e sya naman 'tong insist ng insist. Pwe! I attempted to snatch my
things but iniwas nya sa 'kin. I glared at him. "Give me back my
things."
"Nah-ah. Wag ka nang
magpumilit. Unless, gusto mong ma-late?" At tinaas-baba pa nya ang kilay
nya.
Mariing naglapat ang labi ko ng
kunot ang noo at marahas na hinablot ang handbag ko sakanya. He was caught off
guard kaya nagawa kong hablutin but di ko na nakuha yung books since masyado na
syang protective do'n. What's valuable about bringing the girl's stuffs? Pero
in the end, pinabayaan ko nalang sya. Ayokong ma-late. Hassle lang 'yon. Isa
pa, terror pa naman ang next class namin. Tsh!
Nagmamadali akong maglakad nun.
Four floors pa above from here ang room ko. And to make everything even worse,
sira pa rin ang elevator! Ghaaad. In the end, all of the students took the
loooong tiriiiing stairs. Naka-heels ako pero keribells ko namang magmadali sa
pag-step up. Napahinto lang ako nung may tumawag sa akin. Kinuha ko yung phone
ko only to see that it was my half-sister. Inend ko yung call. I don't have any
kind of amor with her. I don't hate her but I don't like her either.
"Sa tingin ko, hindi matutuwa
si Gerald kung stolen shot nya ang wallpaper mo."
Napalingon ako nang magsalita si
Stevan at automatic na tumaas ang kilay ko. "And did I say you're allowed
to talk to me?"
Ngumiti sya. "You know he
hates creepy stalkers." And he winked saka naunang maglakad paakyat. Grr!
Napatingin naman ako sa wallpaper
ko. Stolen shot nga 'yun ni Gerald habang nagbabasa sya ng review papers namin.
And I hate to admit that Stevan got a point. Gerald hates his admirers who
keeps on stalking him. Well, I'm not stalking! I'm taking stolen shots! May
pinagkaiba ba 'yon?!
Pag-akyat ko ng floor ng room
namin, nagtaka ako kasi nasa labas lang si Stevan at kausap pa sya ni Prof Lim.
Well, that's a good chance para di mapansin ni Prof Lim na late ako. Kaso
naman, nung padaan na ako at konti nalang e lalagpas na sakanila, bigla akong
hinatak ni Stevan. Automatic ko naman syang sinamaan ng tingin.
"Prof, ito na hinahanap
nyo." Huh? Nagtaka naman ako kay Stevan.
"Ito na pala si Miss
Montesa." ngumiti si Prof Lim sa akin. Binigyan nya ako ng paper which I
assume na parehas nung hawak ni Stevan. Parehas kasi ng borders kaya kahit di
ko basahin ang context, mukha namang parehas nga. "Here, Miss Montesa."
"Uh, not to be rude but what
is this for?" Tanong ko.
"UHG and School Administration
Office has summon the both of you. They are expecting you this 2 o'clock. Don't
worry, I'll excuse you from my class."
Napa 'Huh?' Nalang ako pero ngumiti
lang si Prof Lim at sinabing, "Goodluck, Mr. Lacson and Miss Montesa. You
are MU's pride." Saka kami bahagyang tinulak para papuntahin sa kung saan
man kami dapat pumunta.
Magtatanong pa sana ako pero hinila
na ako ni Stevan kaya sya nalang ang tinanong ko at nakatanggap ako ng isang
napakakomprensehibong sagot na, 'Read'. Wow. Just.. wow. Psh!
Kaya in the end ay napagpasyahan ko
na nga lang basahin ang ibinigay na paper ni Prof Lim habang pababa kami ni
Stevan sa hagdan. Sayang lang yung inakyat ko, kainis! Tapos ngayon, bababa na
naman kami. What a wonderful life!
'Our University Head Government,
and the School Administration are asking for the appearance, cooperation and
performance of the following students to represent their very own department
for Mysterecy University's billboard.
Tourism Department:
Mr. Theo Uy & Miss Krissy
Falcon
Medical Department:
Mr. Leonard Valenciado & Miss
Valerie Concepcion
Hotel and Restaurant Management
Department:
Mr. Marky Villaruiz & Miss
Kristel Perez
Entrepreneur Department:
Mr. Rogelio Falcon & Miss Anne
Malanyaon
Engineering Department:
Mr. Stevan Xailo Lacson & Miss
Ivva Laine Montesa...'
Hindi ko na tinapos ang pagbabasa
nang mahanap ang pangalan namin ng kasama kong kumag. Basta sa dulo e may pirma
ng mga importanteng tao sa university at 'We are expecting you at Mass
Communication Private Auditorium, 2:00, July 12, 2017!'. ARGH. Why us? Scratch
that, I prefer the question, why him?! Of all people! Of all engineering
students! Of all guys! Gawd. Photoshoot lang naman nga but my point is..
makakasama ko na naman sya. Tsh! Tiningnan ko ulit ang pangalan namin sa paper
and... it's unfortunately true.
—
Inis akong bumuntong-hininga nun
nang nakatingin pa rin sa pangalan namin sa hawak kong papel na parang di
makapaniwala habang naglalakad kami ni Stevan na napansin na naman nya at
pinuna gaya ng madalas naman nyang gawin.
"Pati ang UHG at School
Administration ay tayo ang pinagtatambal, Ivva. That only means we are really
destined to---"
"Shut up, jerk!" Singhal
ko sakanya. Aba, hindi maganda ang mood ko.
"Whoa. You're forming a habit.
A habit of calling me, Stevan Lacson, a jerk. That's not really good."
Sabi nya at ngumiti.
Sinamaan ko sya ng tingin.
"Tell me, kelan ka ba titigil sa pangungulit mo?!"
"Hanggang sa mapasaakin ka
na?"
"Dream on, bastard!"
"Whoa. Jerk to bastard, real
quick? You shouldn't cuss at the first place!"
"Stop scolding me like as if
we're close alright?!"
"Close naman tayo ah?"
"Says who?!"
"Says me." At bigla syang
lumapit sa akin kaya napasandal ako bigla sa hawakan ng hagdan. Ghad. He was so
near that he left me no choice but to step backward. "And we are this
close." He winked. Ugh, a definite jerk!
"UGH!"
Tinulak ko sya at nagdabog pa ako
nun pababa sa sobra kong inis sa pagmumukha at pinagsasasabi ni Stevan pero
biglang nagkamali ang tapak ko! WAAAAAAAAAAAH! Shucks. Handa na sana ako sa
pagbagsak pero hinapit ako ni Stevan. Ewan. I don't know what's with me if I
was just surprised or it was just my definite ego. Paano, bigla ko syang
tinulak as if refusing sa ginawa nyang paghapit. In the end, nagkamali ako lalo
ng apak at dumausdos ako sa hagdan pababa ng tatlong step. Hindi ko nga alam if
I should be grateful na hindi ako nagpagulong-gulong but still, ang sakit ng
impact sa butt, back and feet.
Namimilipit ako sa sakit nun nung
lumapit naman sa akin ni Stevan. He was attempting to help me up but ghaaad, it
hurts so I ended up yelling at him 'Don't touch me!'. I just concentrated dealing
with the pain and when it was finally a bit better, hinihingal akong naisandal
yung ulo ko sa gilid na hawakan ng hagdan. I was still sitting. It was kind of
hard to battle against internal pain. You don't have any choice but to endure
it.
"Tsk. Tinutulungan na kasi,
umaayaw pa." sabi sa 'kin ni Stevan at naupo sa tabi ko. I didn't talk
back, tama naman sya e. Nilingon nya ako. "Ano? Okay ka lang?"
Sinamaan ko sya ng tingin at
tinulak sa braso. "Do I look okay?!" Aba, nang iinsulto pa kasi e.
Nakita naman nya kung pa'no akong namilipit kanina and still asked if I'm
freakin' alright. Psh! Talk about stupidity?!
"Ano ba naman kasing trip
nyong mga babae at panay ang suot ninyo ng heels?" napapailing pa nyang
comment. "Ang hirap nyong ispelingin." Tapos binaba nya yung tingin
sa paa ko.. which was reddish. Bumaba sya ng two stair steps in a way na
nakatingala sya sa kin with his half-bend-knee while I'm looking down into him.
Tapos dahan-dahan nyang hinawakan at inangat ang paa ko. "It look pretty bad,
Ivva. Natapilok---"
"Ouch! Careful! Careful,
okay?!" Inis na sita ko sakanya nang ikut-ikutin nya yung paa ko na parang
ineexamine. Grr. Yeah right, natapilok nga ako. And it hurts! I sighed in
frustration. "Pa'no na 'to?! Pa'no na yung pictorial?! E 2:14 na!"
Inis pang pagrereklamo ko.
Stevan chuckled that made me glare
at him. "Ang problematic mo agad e 'no? Chill out. Your foot needs better
than pictorial. Ma-ri-resched naman 'yon."
At nanlaki yung mata ko nang bigla
syang tumayo, lumapit sa akin saka ako binuhat in bridal style. "H-H-Hey!
W-What are you doing?!"
"I'll take you to the
clinic." Chill na chill na sagot nya.
Nilingon ko yung pinanggalingan
namin. Whoa, he's quiet fast. Parang mas mabilis pa ang pagbaba namin ngayong
buhat nya ako kesa kaninang dalawa kami. "Ano ba! Let me down! Look, our
books! Ano?! Iiwan nalang natin?! Pababain mo nga ako! I can walk!"
Sobrang ingay na pagpoprotesta ko. Buti nalang at walang malapit na room kundi
baka kanina pa kami sa Disciplinary Office.
Tumingin sya sa akin and worse,
inilapit nya pa ang mukha nya. Whoa. Inatras ko yung mukha ko. Too close! We're
too close. Medyo napangiti naman sya tas nilayo din yung mukha nya. But still,
malapit pa rin. Napaiwas ako ng tingin dahil ang lapit nga nya. And fine, good
smell. "I'll call for someone who would keep our things." Tapos
ngumiti sya. "And do you think, you can really walk at this point? Kasi
kung oo, ibababa naman kita."
Napatahimik naman ako. Psh! Sabi ko
nga hindi e. We were just silent as we go down and it was kind of awkward for
me. I ain't comfortable with Stevan. And our position made it more
uncomfortable. Psh!
In less than 10 minutes, nakarating
din naman agad kami sa Clinic. Chineck lang naman sandali yung paa ko and said
few do's and don't's. Sabi nga, maya maya na raw ako umalis kasi kung
ma-fo-force raw agad yung paa ko, then, it will be worse--something I don't
want so I'd rather stay. Si Stevan naman, gaya ng sabi nya, he asked for a
person who'd pick up our things at where we left those. Then, he also make
things up with the pictorial. If how did he manage to inform the UHG and School
Administration of what happened without leaving my side, I don't know.
Nakaupo lang ako do'n sa isa sa mga
kama while simply scanning my phone while Stevan was still talking with someone
with his phone. If who is the person in the other line, I don't know. Basta
pagkababang-pagkababa ni Stevan ng phone call, ngumiti agad sya sa akin at
kakausapin nya sana ako pero biglang may pumasok na dalawang babae sa Clinic at
lumapit agad sa akin.
"Oh my! Ivvaaaa!"
"Girl! What happened?!"
"C-Can't breathe.."
nasabi ko nalang nang halos pigain na ako sa higpit ng yakap nina Lilian at
Valerie.
"How's your foot?" tanong
ni Lilian at umupo sa upuang katabi ng bed. Ganun rin ang ginawa ni Valerie.
"It freakin' hurts."
Nakasimangot na sabi ko.
"E ano ba kasing
nangyari?" Tanong naman ni Valerie.
"E kasi.. wait.. paano nyo nga
pala nalamang natapilok ako't nandito ako ngayon?"
"Hello? Duh. Hindi ka talaga
nagbabasa ng maayos. Representative kasi si Valerie ng department nila for the
pictorial of Mysterecy University's billboard. Nando'n sya no'ng i-excuse daw
ang department nyo because there was something happened to your foot and you
were at the clinic." Paliwanag ni Lilian.
"Tapos tinawagan ko naman si
Lilian para sabay na kaming pumunta dito. Then poof." Valerie finished the
explanation.
Magsasalita na sana ako pero bigla
na naman silang nagkatinginan na parang iisa ang iniisip saka ngumiti ng
nakakaloko at tumingin sa akin.
"What?" Tanong ko.
"Girl, who's the cute
guy?!" Sabay pa nilang sabi saka kami sabay-sabay na napalingon sa likod
ko kung saan nakaupo si Stevan. Nakapandekwatro at mukhang naglalaro ng games
sa phone nya. Nung mapansin nga nyang nakatingin kaming tatlo sakanya e tinaas
nya ang dalawang kilay as if asking 'what?'.
Umayos naman ako ng pagkakaupo para
di lang ako kina Lilian at Valerie nakaharap. Then pinagkilala ko sila.
"Girls, he is Stevan Xailo Lacson, a not-so-important guy." I rolled
my eyes. "And Stevan, my friends, Lilian Shoaf and Valerie
Concepcion." Pagpapakilala ko sakanila.
"STEVAN XAILO LACSON?!"
sabay at gulat na gulat pang sigaw ni Lilian at Valerie.
"Why?" Takang-taka namang
tanong ko.
"God, Ivva! You don't call him
as a not-so-important! You don't know him, do you?" Hindi makapaniwalang
sabi ni Lilian.
"Uh?" nakangiwing
napalingon naman ako kay Stevan.
"You're so cruel with your
leading man, my lady." Stevan pouted. Duh, as if he's cute!
I rolled my eyes and shifted my
gaze into the two girls. "What's with him ba?" Tanong ko nalang.
"Well, he's just the top
recruit for Harvard University!"
CHAPTER FIVE
What. The. Hell.
Who would thought that?! Sinong
mag-aakalang si Stevan Lacson ay kinukuha ng Harvard University? Na gusto ng
Harvard University na doon sya mag-aral? I just can't believe it. Harvard
University is such a prestigious school somewhere in America and being a
recruit of that school is a real privilege that anyone couldn't miss! Kaya nga
nung sabihin sa akin yun nina Lilian at Valerie ay isang nakangangang 'Uh-Huh?'
Nalang ang naisagot ko. Pssh.
"Geez. Ba't ba ayaw mo kay
Stevan? Ghad. He's a living gold!" Sabi ni Valerie habang nag-uusap usap
kaming tatlo sa sarili naming table dito sa cafeteria.
"Oo nga. Wait.. wait.. may
naalala ako.." biglang sabi ni Lilian. Tiningnan naman namin sya ni
Valerie as if we're waiting for a very interesting story. "SIYA BA YUNG
SINASABI MONG 'UGLY AND CREEPY ADMIRER' MO SINCE GRADE SCHOOL?!"
Sinubuan ko ng burger yung bunganga
nya. Paano kasi, ang ingay. Nagtinginan tuloy yung mga kalapit naming table
dahil sa bigla nyang pagsigaw. "Oo. Ano naman?" Tanong ko.
"Ghaaad! You don't know what
you're wasting!" parang naghyhysterical nang sabi ni Valerie.
"Kung ako ikaw? Aba, hindi ko
na sya palalagpasin. Gwapo, mayaman, mabait, matalino, sexy, sikat, gentleman,
thoughtful at higit sa lahat, GWAPO!"
Binatukan ko naman si Lilian. Yung
pabiro lang naman. "E ba't di mo akitin? Psh! Naiirita nga ako sakanya e.
Basta, makita ko lang yung pagmumukha nya, naaasiwa na ako." Sagot ko.
"Sa hitsura no'n, naiirita ka
pa?!" Sabi ni Valerie.
"Pwede ba?! Nung Monday nyo pa
nakilala si Stevan at Thursday na diba?! My gosh! Four days already passed! Get
over it! Hanggang ngayon ba di pa kayo nakakamove on?!"
"HINDI PA!" They shout in
unison.
I rolled my eyes. "Leche.
Bahala nga kayo." At napailing nalang ako at bumalik sa pag-iipit ng buhok
ko. Just a plain pony.
It's already 4:14 and all of our
subjects are all done. Gusto ko na sanang umuwi. Turns out, may practice pa nga
pala ako sa Volleyball. Two years akong captain ball e. So I particularly have
to be responsible. I was in 7th grade when I actually discovered my passion
with volleyball. Kaya kasali na ako sa Volleyball team for uh, six years? This
year would be the seventh. During my high school, nung third year ako until I
graduated, I was the captain ball. This time, I already am the captain ball
kahit na freshman college palang ako. Graduate na raw kasi yung captain ball
and sa akin binigay yung title kasi 'I built a name in Mysterecy volleyball'
daw.
Okay din naman sana yung practice
namin. Buti nga, once a week or twice lang ang practice namin unlike nung high
school ako na tadtad kami ng practice. Maganda naman sana yung takbo ng
pangyayari kaso nga lang, may masamang balita ang nakarating sa akin. May
bagong recruit raw sa Basketball. And uh, what's the definition of annoying?
Yeah right, Stevan Lacson is the perfect definition. And to make it worse, sa
sports area nitong university, magkatabi lang ang Basketball Court at ang sa
Volleyball. Nakakainis! Tuloy, pag break ng Basketball Players, nanonood sa akin
si Stevan and he kept on shouting, 'Go my Ivva!' Or 'That's my lady!' Or
'Galingan mo babylabs!' And worst, 'I LOVE YOU!'. Ang lahat ng iyon ay
napaghihiwalay ng sigaw nyang 'WOOOH!'. Take note, sobrang energetic nya to the
point na sinusuntok-suntok pa nya sa ere ang kamay nya. For holy heaven's
glory, sinong hindi madidistract at maiirita?!
Kaya nung kami naman ang nagbreak,
nilapitan ko sya. Mabuti nalang at hindi pa tapos yung break nila.
Ngiting-ngiti sya sa akin paglapit ko na ginantihan ko lang ng simangot saka ko
sya tinulak sa kaliwang balikat nya.
"Ano ba namang problema mo,
Stevan?! Why do you have to freakin' shout my name with random phrases I
wouldn't even dare to mention?!" Yun ang bati ko sakanya.
Tumawa sya. "Hindi ba dapat
matuwa ka? You know. I, Stevan Lacson, liked--I mean, love you?"
"Hindi ako natutuwa!"
Mabilis na sigaw ko.
Nilapit naman nya ng sobra sa akin
ang mukha nya. Talk about two inches apart from kissing?! "And why is
that, my lady?" Nakangiti pa rin sya nun.
Sinamaan ko sya ng tingin at diniin
sa noo nya ang daliri ko saka sya tinulak palayo gamit yon. "If you don't
know, then, I will let you know." Nagcross arms pa ako at inilabas ang
usual bitch look ko. "I don't like you. You know that. Kaya hindi ko gusto
ang pagchicheer mo sa akin. It makes me feel humiliated. Buti sana kung ikaw si
Gerald. But no, you're not and you will never be." Mariin kong sabi
sakanya.
Kumunot yung noo nya sa kin. At
dahil siguro di kami ganoon ka-close kaya hindi ko mabasa ang emosyon sa mata
nya. Basta nakakunot noo lang sya ng seryoso although not so serious na tulad
nung nasa parking area kami. May sumigaw na nga ng pangalan nya kasi tapos na
raw yung break nila at magpapractice na. Akala ko, aalis na rin sya pero
sumagot muna sya sa akin bago umalis. Nawala nga yung pagkakakunot ng noo nya
after seconds instead ngumiti sya. Yung ngiting slight lang. "I wasn't
informed that being cheer up by someone who loves you is now considered as
humiliation." pagkatapos ay ginulo nya ang buhok ko at tuluyang tumalikod
saka naglakad pabalik sa court nila.
U-Uh? Was that supposed to make me
feel guilt? Was he trying to make me feel guilty? Tsk. Tumalikod na ako. If
yes, well, I must say, he succeeded.
"Montesa! Tara na!"
Napalingon naman ako dun sa court namin. It was my team mate.
Sumulyap pa ulit ako sa papalayong
si Stevan saka ako bumalik na sa area namin. Sinalubong naman ako ni Lilian at
Valerie. Oh yeah, they also loved volleyball just like how I love it. To be
honest, they are the reason why I discovered volleyball--I mean, not literal na
malaman kung ano ang volleyball but yung ano bang nakakatuwa at kamahal-mahal
doon na syang nag-impluwensya din sa akin na sumali.
Everything was fine after Stevan
and I talked. He didn't come back in our area after that conversation and I
actually did good during the game. As usual, compliments are heard from
different students--whether my teammates or audience. Oh yeah right, audience.
They are the reasons why the volleyball team member's names are making noise
around the university. Especially mine.
Anyways, I'm already used to it.
Eversince sumali ata ako ng volleyball e kalat na ang pangalan ko. Bago kasi
ako sumali, natalo ko na sa isang one-on-one game ang current captain ball
nun--her name was Reene if I'm not mistaken. E tsamba lang naman ata yung
pagkapanalo ko sakanya kasi inis na inis ako sakanya nun. Ang yabang kasi!
Likas na pagkamaldita ko kaya nung nagkasagutan kami at wala na syang masagot
sa akin, hinamon nalang nya ako sa one-on-one game nga na yun which actually
made me popular. Hoho! Although nung gumraduate sya, hindi ako ang pumalit na
captain ball. Bawal kasing maging captain ball ang second year high school kaya
si ate Ayesha muna bago ako.
Siguro mga 20 minutes or more din
kaming walang hinto sa volleyball practice namin until I declared a dismissal.
Sabay sabay naman kami nina Lilian at Valerie palabas ng court. As usual,
pinapagitnaan nila ako.
"Uy, panay lingon ka sa
bleachers kanina pa ah?" Biglang sabi sa 'kin ni Lilian habang naglalakad
kami papunta sa bleachers.
Ako? Uminom ako ng tubig dun sa
bottled water ko bago ko sya sinagot. "Nalingon ba ako dun? Of course not!
Why would I glance at the first place?"
"Baka may pinaalis kang
hinahanap mo?" Pang aasar naman ni Valerie tapos nilagay nya sa leeg nya
yung white towel nya. Nasa leeg ko nga rin yung towel ko e para mabilis
magpunas. Pawis na pawis kasi kami. Buti nalang talaga naka-pony ako.
"Alam ko yang iniisip nyo e. I
wasn't looking for Stevan, okay? So quit teasing me." Sabi ko then finally
naupo na kami sa bleachers kasabay ng iba naming team mates.
"Wala kaming sinabing Stevan
ah!" Nagtawanan naman sila nun.
Sinamaan ko sila parehas ng tingin.
"Don't make me look like defensive! Si Stevan lang naman yung kinausap ko
dun kanina e. Kaya for sure, iisipin nyong sya yung hinahanap ko when in fact,
I would never look for that guy!"
"Whoa. Chill, Ivva! You're
getting hot!" Tumawa na naman sila.
"Matagal na 'kong hot."
Sabi ko nalang at tumawa na naman sila like as if I just told them a very funny
joke. Whatever. I just rolled my eyes. Sanay naman na sila sa akin na palaging
nakairap e.
Pero pag irap ko, aba'y lumanding
ang paningin ko dun sa court ng basketball. Specifically, kay Stevan. May hawak
syang bola nun at nasa gitna ng court tapos sa akin sya nakatingin kaya nagtama
yung paningin namin. He has no reaction when our eyes met. He was just
completely staring but ngumiti din sya sa akin after a few seconds, yung usual
smile nyang walang teeth and slight lang tapos tinapon na nya yung bola sa ring
which is nagshoot naman. Lumingon ulit sya sa akin at kumindat muna bago sya
pumunta dun sa bleachers nila kung nasa'n naman yung teammates nya.
Napairap nalang ako at pinanood nalang
sina Lizelle na nagpapractice pa rin magvolleyball. Mga new recruits din sila.
Actually, hindi ko naman talaga hinahanap si Stevan sa audience kanina. Why
would I look for a guy I badly want to get rid of? Parang lang kasi nakita ko
si Gerald dun kanina. Kumaway pa nga sya sa akin e. Pero hindi ko talaga sure
kung si Gerald yun. Kumaway at ngumiti lang kasi e tapos paglingon ko, wala na
ulit.
I was juste sitting there while
letting my mind go wherever it wants to go. Hinayaan ko lang magdaldalan sina
Lilian at Valerie--or daldalin ni Lilian si Valerie, rather. Naisip ko lang...
yes, I like Gerald. Sobrang gustong gusto ko sya to the point that I think I
already love him... but I definitely know that he looks at me just like how Ivo
do. A mere sister. So... I wonder, what if.. just a what if... what if I fall
in love with someone who's already deeply in love with me?
What if I fall in love with Stevan
Xailo Lacson?
CHAPTER SIX
Isinubsob ko na namang uli ang
mukha ko sa librong nasa harap ko. At ang mas malala, pinagulong gulong ko pa
sa nakabukas na libro ang mukha ko.
"Ugggh... please, just once,
don't bug me you little freeeeak.." and I keep on repeating the same line
while rolling my face on the open book which is something Lilian and Valerie
noticed. Tumigil din sila sa pagbabasa ng sari-sarili nilang libro at tumingin
sa akin.
"Ayos ka lang?" Tanong ni
Valerie na sa tono palang e alam ko nang nawiwirduhan sa akin.
Inangat ko ang ulo ko at
pinagpalitan ang tingin sakanilang dalawa. Lilian then Valerie then Lilian then
Valerie. Napa-facepalm ako. "Ugghh..." pesteng utak 'to. Ayaw
makisama!
"What's the problem ba,
Ivva?" Nakangiwing tanong naman ni Lilian.
"My mind is freakin'
occupied!"
Sabay silang naglagay ng daliri sa
tapat ng ilong at bibig. "Sssshhh..." at sabay pa silang lumingon sa
kalapit na table na napatingin sa amin dahil sumigaw ako.
But unlike them, tinaasan ko ng
kilay yung mga nerds and geeks na tumingin sa amin. "What are you looking
at?" Nagsiiwas naman sila ng tingin at binalik ang atensyon sa sari-sarili
nilang ginagawa. See? That's how things work with me. Nilingon ko din yung
dalawa. "Don't mind me. Magreview nalang kayo dyan." Sabi ko na
ginawa naman nila.
Bumuntong hininga ako. Puro Gerald
na ata 'tong utak ko. It feels like my day won't be complete without seeing
him. Absent kasi sya the whole day sa lahat ng classes namin. I can't help but
be worried. Instant burado ang 'what if' ko kahapon about Stevan. Naisip ko
lang naman yun dahil... dahil... I just feel hopeless with my romantic feelings
for Gerald. Yung tipong.. I just wanna give up because I'm tired of hoping he
would later notice me. But then, dahil sa pag absent nya ngayon, I realized that
famous quote, 'learn to rest, not to give up'.
Ano na kayang nangyari kay Gerald?
Napabuntong hininga na naman ako. Hindi ako makapagreview dahil sakanya. Ang
sabi kasi ni Janine, hindi raw nya alam. Ang sabi ni Ivo, hindi pa yun nauwi
mula kagabi. They share the same dorm. At ang sabi ni Justin at Nick, he was
kind of weird since the last time they saw him which was yesterday. Si Stevan?
Don't expect me to approach him and iniate a conversation.
Nakipagtitigan lang ako sa
nakabukas na libro ko the whole time na nasa library kami nina Lilian at
Valerie. Oh yeah right! May student spirit naman kami para pumunta ng library.
You know, review is kailangan para no singko and you're pasado! I rolled my
eyes because of what I'm thinking. Hindi naman kasi ako nakapagreview kaya nung
dismissal at nakastandby kami sa isang table sa school, saka naman ako nagtatry
magreview. Hoping that at least may kahit kaunting pumasok sa utak ko. Kaso ang
tagal ko na ring binabasa yung libro, wala din kaya sinara ko nalang at tumunganga
ng nakasimangot sa malawak na school ground.
"Lutang si ateng! Huy!"
Napagitla naman ako nung i-wave ni
Lilian yung kamay nya sa may harap ko. Sinimangutan ko sya't tiningala.
Nakatayo na kasi sila ni Valerie sa harap ko. "What?"
"Magrerest room na kako kami
bago tayo umuwi. Baka gusto mo lang namang sumabay?" May pagkasarcastic pa
nga nyang sabi. Oh so usual Lilian. Girly na sarcastic.
"Pagtapos nyo, balik nalang
kayo. Walang magbabantay sa bags natin." Sabi ko tapos umayos ako ng
sandal like as if showing na firm na yun. Actually, Mysterecy University is a
quiet prestigious school for definitely elites so walang students ang mag iisip
magnakaw ng bag unless they're bullying. But in our case, takot nalang nila.
Besides college na kami for heaven's sake. My point was just simply... Ayoko
lang namang magrest room dahil wala naman akong gagawin talaga. Kaso nakita ko
si Stevan na papalapit sa spot namin tas nakangiti pa kaya bigla akong napatayo
sabay hablot ng gamit ko. Inangkla ko pa nga sa kanang braso ko si Lilian at si
Valerie sa kaliwa. "But we can actually bring our things at the rest room.
Now, shall we go?" Todo ngiti pa ako nun sakanila kaya medyo nawirduhan
sila. Hinatak ko na nga lang kasi baka magtanong pa sila e di naabutan kami dun
ni Stevan? Hay naku.
Pagdating naman sa rest room,
pumasok na sina Lilian at Valerie sa tag isang cubicle at nagsimulang gawin ang
kung ano namang gagawin nila. Ako naman, naghintay lang ako sa labas ng
cubicles na nasa loob ng rest room pa rin pero inayos ko nalang yung
pagkakatali ng buhok ko nun dahil ang tagal naman nina Lilian. Nagpowder na rin
ako pati sa likod tapos liquid lipstick lang then for finale, yung perfume ko.
Habang nilalagay ko na sa handbag ko yung mga gamit ko, saka naman finally
natapos yung dalawa. Pinagitnaan nila ako tapos nagmake up na rin. Saka sila
nag usap tapos sa salamin lang kami nag-a-eye contact.
"Oo nga pala, Ivva. May
gagawin ka ba sa Saturday?" Tanong ni Lilian sakin habang naglalagay sya
ng mascara. Ewan ko ba dyan, pauwi na rin naman kami, maglalagay pa ng make up.
"Why?" Tanong ko naman at
sumulyap sakanya through the mirror infront of us.
"Nag usap kasi kami ni Lilian
kanina e tulala ka naman nun kaya di mo malamang narinig. Sabi namin, movie
marathon sana tayo." ngumiti si Valerie.
Hmm. May gagawin ba ako sa
Saturday? Parang wala naman. "Sure. Sa unit ko nalang." tapos sinabit
ko na sa shoulder ko yung handbag ko.
After naman nilang mag ayos e
nagsipag uwian na rin kami. Ako, nakisabay nalang ako kay Valerie since
dadaanan naman nya yung condominium kung sa'n ako nakatira. Hindi ko kasi
dinala yung car ko this day dahil sinundo naman ako ni Ivo. Actually, nag
insist nga syang ihatid ako pauwi kaso kasama nya na naman si Stevan so wala
akong tiwala. Although Stevan didn't attempt to drive me home, the fact na
ando'n sya at kasama ang twin brother ko, ugh, nevermind, baka mamaya, ulitin
nila yung ginawa nila nung nakaraan. Oh well.
"Bye, sissy." Ngumiti sa
akin si Valerie then nagwave sya pagkababa ko ng car nya.
Ngumiti naman ako. "Yeah,
thanks. Ingat."
Hinintay ko lang makaalis yung
sasakyan ni Valerie bago ako pumasok sa building. Kaso napakunot yung noo ko
nung makita ko yung sasakyan ni Stevan. Nagpapark palang sya at malakas ang
kutob ko na sinundan nya kami ni Valerie pauwi. Or me rather. Ghad. What is
wrong with this guy? Bakit pa nya kami sinundan pauwi? Seesh.
Akala ko nga lalabas pa sya but no,
he didn't. Five minutes na ata akong nakatayo do'n pero di sya lumabas. I was
just staring at his tinted car with my brows knotted. Honestly, there was a
very very tiny part of my mind that wants to ask him why he didn't come and
talk to me like he usually attempt to do. Seriously? He's just really going to
stay stuck in that car? Nababahag na ba ang buntot nya? I rolled my eyes. Why
am I bothering myself to get curious of why he's not going out at the very
first place anyways? In the end, I decided na maglakad na papasok dahil sa
totoo lang, pagod na 'ko't gusto ko nang magpahinga pero siguro mga nakailang
hakbang palang ako ay tumunog yung phone ko. Someone's calling. Kinuha ko naman
yun at tiningnan ang caller.
+639207802942 Calling...
It's Stevan's. Hindi ko talaga
sinisave number nya e. If it's just any another day, I would definitely press
the red circle and turn my phone off. But I think it's different enough to
strike hesitance on me. Napalingon ako ulit sa kotse ni Stevan. It was still
there. Yun lang, there was a Stevan Xailo Lacson standing beside the driver's
seat of the car. Unlike what he usually do, he didn't smile. He was just
serious while looking at me, his hand on his pockets while his other hand was
holding his phone which was against his right ear. Alright, he was serious
enough to be unreadable. I sighed. And then, I found myself putting the phone
against my right ear while I keep an eye contact with Stevan.
"Why?" bungad tanong ko.
"I'm glad you answer my
call." napakunot yung noo ko dun. I doubt that! E habang nakatingin ako
sakanya mula sa kinatatayuan ko, seryosong seryoso lang sya.
"You're weird."
"Because...?" He was
waiting for me to continue his sentence.
"Because you called when
you're just a few meters away from me?" Parang di pa sigurado yung tono ko
nun kasi patanong.
Yumuko sya nun so I didn't had the
chance to see his reaction pero inangat rin naman nya ulit yung ulo nya and
with his, still, serious expression, he answered. "A miracle." Uh?
I rolled my eyes and kinda frowned.
"Connection please?" Di ko kasi nagets yung koneksyon ng sagot nya sa
huling sinabi ko.
"You answered my phone
call." Pinigilan ko naman yung tawa ko nun so I ended up smiling instead.
It was actually the second phone call we would have eversince dumating syang
Pilipinas.
"Si Gerald... diba hinahanap
mo sya?" parang nag aalangan pa sya nun.
Bumilis naman yung heart beat ko.
"What about him? Is he.. Is he alright? Have you seen him today? You know
what happened to him?" nagsunud-sunod nalang yung tanong ko. Nabanggit
nalang rin naman nya si Gerald, might as well ask him.
Nakita kong yumuko sya at matunog
na ngumisi. I can't see his reaction when he lower his head basta sumagot
nalang sya nun nang nakayuko. "He drank with me last night in a club. I
don't mean to hurt you but.. you know, he's.. kind of depressed and as a man,
drinking is our way to forget. And yeah, one night stand." Tapos inangat
na nya yung ulo nya at tiningnan ako. Based on his concern eyes yet serious
expression, I'll assume he's analyzing what I'm feeling by looking at me,
whether through my expression or my eyes.
Meanwhile, napatahimik naman ako
dahil sa huli nyang sinabi but after a while, I managed to answer him.
"Ah." yeah ang galing ng sagot ko. Halatang hindi affected. Geez.
"Are you.. are you
alright?" Parang ingat pa sya sa pagtanong.
"Of course. Ba't naman
hindi?" As of me, nando'n pa rin yung maldita kong tono but I know he
knows I'm calm. At ngayon lang ata kami magkakausap ng walang sarcastic remarks
o sigaw at expression of irritation. We're just plain... calm.
"Sounds better if you're not
lying." Sabi nya habang seryoso pa ring nakatingin sa akin.
"A miracle." Nasabi ko
naman habang nakatingin rin sakanya. Gusto ko ngang mapangiti dahil sa naiisip
ko but I chose to stop myself from smiling.
Kumunot yung noo nya but he
maintain his calm composure and serious expression. "Connection
please?" Ginaya pa nya yung sinabi ko although not the tone. His was
completely manly.
"Hindi ka ata nagpumilit na
ihatid ako ngayon? First time for two months you've been here in Philippines.
And to add, it makes me curious kung ba't di ka lumabas ng sasakyan when I was standing
infront of your car for--uh, five minutes?" I, again, rolled my eyes.
Yumuko na naman sya nun kaya hindi
ko na naman nakita yung reaksyon nya pero nung inangat nya yung ulo nya, mula
nang magtama yung paningin namin ngayong sinagot ko yung phone call nya, ngayon
ko lang nakitaan ng ngiti yung labi nya. A slight smile while he was looking at
me. Pero kahit nakangiti sya, there was still something in his eyes that makes
him still look serious.
A few seconds passed habang
nakatingin pa rin kami sa isa't isa. He was still smiling and he then finally
answered, "Sometimes, it's hard to push myself onto someone who keeps on
pushing me away so I have to stop but that doesn't mean I'm giving up. I just
need to rest for a while." Medyo nilawakan nya yung slight smile nya but..
it looked weird dahil halatang pinilit i-stretch yung labi nya. He continued.
"Sinundan ko nalang kayo ng kaibigan mo. So even if we're not in the same
car, I can still look after you. I can still be responsible for your safety. I
can still protect you." Yumuko sya saglit then tumingin ulit sa akin. His
face became serious again, but this time, I can see a genuine gladness in his
eyes. He then smiled and finally say, "And I'm glad you came home
safe."
And that was when he turned his back
as his last words drew a smile on my lips.
-
ANOTHER DAY. Two subjects lang ang
pinasukan ko ngayong araw pero tig three hours. Sinasabaw na nga ata yung utak
ko e. Two subjects na puro makadugo ng ilong na mga topics at two professors na
mas terror pa sa grandparents ko. Kainis talaga. And to make this day worse,
hindi ko nakausap o nakasama man lang si Lilian at si Valerie. Hindi tugma yung
mga schedules namin kaya pagka-dismissal, umalis na rin ako. Buti nalang gamit
ko na kotse ko kundi walang maghahatid sa akin. May class si Ivo. At wala kasi
si Gerald sa dalawang subject na 'yon dahil sa basketball practice nila. Di ko
alam na kasali rin pala sya. Kasama nya si Stevan kaya walang umaligid na
maingay sa akin.
Pagpasok ko ng unit ko, tulad ng
usual kong ginagawa, nagpalit lang ako ng pyjamas. Dapat talaga, matutulog na
ako but I decided against it. Nagreview muna ako. College life? It sucks. Araw
araw ata e may required dalhin at gawin tapos pag di nagawa, matinding
pagpapahiya na naman ang gagawin ng professors. Geez. Sila kaya maging
estudyante?! Lalo na yung mga minor subjects lang naman pero kung magrequire e
daig pa yung ibang major. Nakakainis lang. Lalo na siguro ang pagiging
engineering. Walangyang mga blueprints. Pasakit sa buhay.
Dahil sa tagal ko ring nagsalampak
sa study table ko e dun na ako nakatulog kaya kinabukasan, nagmala-flash ako sa
pagkilos. Sa pagmamadali ko nga, nadulas pa ako paglabas ng banyo e. Kainis!
Pero worth it naman kasi pagdating ko ng university, hindi ako nalate. Well,
late ako kung oras ang pagbabasehan kaso wala pa yung prof pagdating ko kaya
hindi ako late. Pag-upo ko nga sa upuan ko e parang nawirduhan pa ako kasi wala
pa rin atang umaali-aligid na Stevan sa akin ngayon. Himala. Samantalang dati e
pag upo ko palang, tumatabi na agad sya sa akin!
And to make me feel weirder is
that, mas nauna ko syang hanapin kaysa kay Gerald...
Simula palang ng pagdidiscuss ng
professor e gusto ko na atang matulog. Puyat na nga ako, parang nasa pasyon pa
kung magsalita tapos kung anu anong makadugo ng ilong na terminologies ang
pinagsasasabi. Sinong gaganahang makinig?! I rolled my eyes and my gaze landed
on one of my classmates. Old-fashioned, keeping her books on her chest and big
black rimmed eyeglasses. Uh, yeah right, geeks. They will surely listen. Natuwa
nalang talaga ako nang marinig ko yung pangalan ko nun sa intercom.
"Calling the attention of the
engineering student, Miss Ivva Laine Montesa from Engineering Department, Class
1C, Room 411. You are asked by University Head Government to go to Mass Com
Private Auditorium right now. Calling the attention of the engineering student,
Miss Ivva Laine Montesa from Engineering Department, Class 1C, Room 411. You
are asked by University Head Government to go to the Mass Com Private
Auditorium right now."
Nakangiti pa nga akong nagpaalam
nun sa Professor ko na pinayagan naman ako syempre. Ba't naman kaya ako
ipapatawag ng UHG? The last time I checked, my records are alright. Anyways, I
would soon know what that is. Umalis rin ako ng room para pumunta sa private
auditorium. Kung bakit 'private'? Kasi exclusive only for Mass Comm students.
Para saan pa't tinawag na 'Mass Communication Private Auditorium' kung hindi
para sa MassCom students?! Saka siguro ang pinagkaiba ng private auditorium sa
university auditorium, university auditorium has fixed seats and obviously
wider while private auditorium was designed for MassCom students. Dressing
areas, studio for journalists wanna be, mini stage with few seats for private
audience and such which are really for their course.
Pagdating ko naman sa MSPA,
sinalubong ako ni Mrs. Cascano. Tapos may kasama pa syang ilang students,
staffs, photographers at.. si Stevan? Teka nga..? Sa hitsura nitong auditorium
at sa mga nandito, mukhang may nagaganap na photoshoot.
"Uh, Mrs. Cascano, why am
I---" hindi ko pa natatapos yung sasabihin ko, nagsalita na sya.
"Ikaw nalang ang hinihintay,
Miss Montesa. Hindi mo ba alam na ngayon inischeduled ang photoshoot para sa
delayed photoshoot ng Engineering Department?" She was mad, alright. So,
this is all about the photoshoot for our university billboard? Okay?
"Sorry, Mrs. Cascano but I
wasn't informed. No one told me about the rescheduled date of photoshoot."
tapos nilingon ko nun si Stevan. I can't help but glare at him. E sya kaya yung
nagpa-reschedule ng photoshoot nung natapilok ako! Psh!
"Hayaan na! Andyan na yan!
Let's just start to get over it!" tapos tinalikuran na ako ni Mrs. Cascano
at nauna doon sa area kung saan may dalawang nagpopose habang pinipicturan.
Wait.. VALERIE?!
Lumapit din naman ako do'n sa kung
saan nakatayo sina Valerie at yung lalaking kasama nya. Puting tela yung nasa
likod nila nun tapos nakapang doctor silang damit. May stethoscope pa nga
silang dalawa at nakalagay yung mga kamay nila sa bulsa nung doctor uniform ata
nila. Nakita ako ni Valerie tapos medyo ngumiti lang sya sa akin. Syempre di
naman sya pwedeng basta basta kaway o sigaw dahil pinipicturan pa sila.
"Montesa, pumasok ka na sa
dressing room." utos ni Mrs. Cascano tapos may lumapit sa akin na
nag-assist papunta sa dressing room kaya sumunod na rin naman ako.
Pagpasok nga ng dressing room,
halatang ito rin yung same stuffs ng mga nauna sa aming students. May damit pa
kasi nung tourism students, canvas, yung mga uniform ng cooks lalo na yung
sumbrero ng mga HRM Students na mahaba na puti e hindi ko naman alam ang tawag
do'n. Kakaikot ko naman ng tingin ko para hanapin yung mga dapat sa engineers,
nakita ko naman na may humawi dun sa kulay blue'ng kurtina na tumatakip sa
first cubicle ng dressing room. It was Stevan. I immediately frowned and he
automatically smiled widely.
"Hi Ivva!" ngiting ngiti
sya sa akin. "Na-miss kita!"
Nagcross arms ako at hinead to foot
ko sya ng tingin with oh-so high eyebrow to express my bitchyness. He was
wearing a casual plain blue shirt. I don't think nagpalit pa sya ng damit basta
inibabawan lang yung damit nya ng vest at meron syang suot na helmet na kulay
blue din.
Umayos sya ng postura at ngumisi ng
malapad sa akin. "Done checking me?" Saka nya itinaas ang dalawang
kilay ng nakangisi.
Tumaas agad ang kilay ko.
"Checking you?" I rolled my eyes. "Oh, bitch please."
"Nagdeny ka pa Ivva! You were
drooling over me!" Humagalpak pa sya ng tawa!
"Wag mo nga akong kausapin,
Stevan! Galit pa 'ko sayo! And I'M NOT DROOLING OVER YOU OKAY?!!"
"Whoa, chill, my lady.
Miss!" He called the attention of the make up artist. Lumingon naman yung
babae sakanya. "She was drooling over me a while ago right?" Ngumiti
pa sya dun sa babae. Grr.
Lumingon naman sa 'kin yung babae
at tinaasan ko sya ng kilay. Aba, dapat syang madala sa tingin! Tumingin sya
kay Stevan tapos sa akin tapos kay Stevan ulit then sa 'kin na naman. Nilakihan
ko na nga yung mata ko e. Pero bago pa sya makasagot, humalakhak na si Stevan.
Nilingon naman namin sya.
"How would she answer if
you're threatening her, Ivva?"
Inirapan ko nalang sya at umupo
nalang sa upuang katapat ng salamin. Lumapit naman sa 'kin yung Make-Up Artist
do'n at sinimulan na akong make-up-an. Siguro after 15 minutes din natapos agad
sya tapos may isang babae namang lumapit sa akin at inabutan ako ng
naka-plastic pa na damit. Skin-tone na formal dress ata.
Tiningnan ko yung babae at tinaasan
ng kilay. Nagets naman nya yung gesture ko at sinabing yun raw ang susuutin ko.
So I entered the second dressing cubicle which was covered by a pink curtain. I
don't really understand if whenever kelangan by color ang paghihiwalay ng male
at female, automatic blue for boys and pink for girls. Like.. HELLO?! I HATE PINK!
Pssh. Ako lang ata ang babaeng hate ang pink. Well, maybe the other females
don't like pink just like me but.. they probably don't hate pink the way I do.
Whatever! There's nothing important
to be discuss with blue and pink and male and females! Pssh. I rolled my eyes
and finally went out from the pink dressing cubicle. Ugh, pink again. Gross.
Paglabas ko naman saktong pagpasok
ni Valerie. Naka-doctor outfit pa rin sya at may stethoscope nung lumapit sa
akin. As usual, beso and a hug to greet each other.
"Tawag na kayo sa labas. Kayo
naman raw sumalang sa photoshoot." Sabi naman nya sa akin at sumabay sya
akin na maglakad papalabas ng dressing area nung may maalala ako.
"Uh, I thought Engineering
Department nalang ang may photoshoot ngayon? You know, we were delayed at the
first photoshoot because of..." I rolled my eyes before continuing,
"..that friggin' scene at the stairs I had with Stevan."
"Pssh! E diba nga umalis din
naman ako nun tapos pinuntahan kita sa Clinic with Lilian?" Pagpapaalala
naman nya sa akin kaya napatango ako.
"Oh, right. I'm going."
malapit na rin naman kasi kami do'n sa kung saan nakatayo si Stevan habang
pinipicturan kaya nagpaalam na ako pero napasulyap ako dun sa partner ni
Valerie sa photoshoot na nakaupo lang sa couch that made me grab my
bestfriend's arm and pull her towards me. "By the way, who's that cute
guy?"
Valerie giggled. "Yie. Wait,
papakilala kita. Gwapo 'no? Haha! LEONARD!"
Tinawag nya yung lalaking nakaupo
sa couch. Nakawhite long sleeves lang sya nun kasi tinanggal nya yung
pangdoctor. Nilingon nya si Valerie nung tinawag sya tas nagtaas ng dalawang
kilay as if asking 'why'. Sumenyas naman si Valerie na lumapit sya. Lumapit
naman yung lalaki... in a way na parang bored na bored. Pero ang gwapo pa din.
Nung malapit na sya sa amin, ginrab
na ni Valerie yung wrist nya at hinila palapit dahil ang bagal raw maglakad.
Sus, if I know chumachansing lang ang babaeng 'to or masyadong excited lang
e... although mabagal nya yung paglalakad nitong si lalaki. Pagkalapit ni
Leonard ata, hinawakan naman ni Valerie yung wrist ko din gaya ng hawak nya sa
partner nya at yeah, nasa gitna namin sya.
"Ahm, Leonard, I would like
you to meet my very very very pretty bestfriend--Ivva. And Ivva, the medical
department's hearthrob! Hahaha! Ka-section ko and a friend, Leonard."
Pagpapakilala ni Valerie in a VERY energetic way.
Ngumiti ako kay Leonard at ganun
din naman sya. Oh my. Ang gwapo nya talaga. Hahaha! I offered my hand for a
handshake. "My name is Ivva Laine Montesa."
He accepted my handshake with a
warm smile. "Leonard (le-nard) Villaruiz. Nice to meet you, Ivva."
"Nice to meet you too."
Pero napapitlag kami parehas ni
Valerie nang bigla nalang may bumagsak at nagcreate ng malakas na ingay.
Napalingon kaming tatlo sa flatform dahil do'n galing 'yung impact. At nakita
namin si Stevan na nasa gilid na dahil bumagsak yung background nya kung saan
isinampay yung puting tela.
"Careful, Lacson! Ayusin nyo
yan." Utos naman ni Mrs. Cascano na agad ring sinunod ng staffs.
"Sorry, Ma'am! May
nakakairitang view lang po akong nakita." Sagot ni Stevan kay Mrs. Cascano
na halatang nilakasan nya at sumulyap pa sa akin. Pinaningkitan ko naman sya ng
mata. Was he pertaining to Leonard and I? Well, he's a worse view! Pssh.
Naglean bigla sa kin si Valerie at
bumulong, "Ivva, nakikita mo ba ang nakikita ko kay Stevan?"
Iritable ko naman syang tiningnan.
"Ang nakakairita nyang pagmumukha?"
Humagikhik sya at tinuro si Stevan
na kunot noo sa gilid ng flatform. "His glowing aura of jealousy."
she said in a wizard tone.
Hindi na ako nakasagot dahil
nagsalita bigla si Leonard. "I'm going, Ivva. It seems like your boyfriend
is jealous." Natatawa-tawa nyang sabi.
"Stevan is not my
boyfriend!" Automatic namang naisigaw ko 'yon. Loud enough para mapalingon
ulit sa direksyon namin si Stevan saka umismid.
Tumawa lang naman si Leonard bilang
sagot at umalis na rin. Si Valerie ay natatawa-tawa namang napailing nalang
rin. I sounded so defensive, she said.
"Babalik na ako sa dressing
room, sissy. Magpapalit kasi ako ng pangnurse naman. Umabsent ba naman yung
assigned! Psh." She rolled her eyes. Friends? Hawa hawa ng habit. Natawa
nalang tuloy ako at tuluyang nagpaalam na rin.
Pagtalikod ko kay Valerie,
dumiretso ako sa tabi ni Mrs. Cascano. Nasa bandang likod kami nung
photographer although we're kinda apart. Lahat kaming nando'n e pinapanood lang
si Stevan habang ando'n sa flatform. Nagcross arms ako at parang bored na bored
pa na nanonood. Paano, puro tayo lang naman ang ginagawa nya e. Although,
nagpose din naman syang parang may hawak na blueprint at yung isang kamay nya
naman e yung tipong nagmamando. Ginagalaw-galaw nya yung kamay nyang parang nag
uutos habang sunud-sunod yung flash ng camera. Seryosong seryoso nga yung
hitsura nya nun habang pabaling-baling din yung ulo nya. Iaangat at iyuyuko.
His face was just completely serious. And I must admit that he looks quiet
handsome. Ang gwapo nya. Model na model ang dating.
Pero kahit na gwapo sya o mas gwapo
kay Gerald, I would still choose Gerald over him.
After a few minutes of Stevan's
pictorial, ako naman yung sumalang then kaming dalawa ni Stevan. Formal naman
so no need for touch. Basta yung mga pose na natatandaan kong ginawa namin e
parehas kaming nakangiti sa camera, naka-okay sign kami at yung magkaharap kami
na parang nag uusap. The rest, nalimutan ko na.
Pagbaba namin nung flatform,
nilapitan kami ni Mrs. Cascano. "Oh, Montesa and Lacson, magpalit kayo ng
another formal. Ikaw, Lacson, magbusiness suit ka nalang."
Napakunot naman yung noo ko.
"Akala ko Mrs. Cascano, para lang sa billboard? Why do we have to change
clothes again? Hindi pa po ba okay yung mga nauna?" Tanong ko. And I don't
actually know if I sound rude or disrespectful.
"Late ka kasi kaya di mo
alam." Narinig kong sabi nun ni Stevan sa tonong nang aasar. Sinamaan ko
sya ng tingin pero tumingin nalang ulit ako kay Mrs. Cascano.
"This photoshoot is not only
for the billboard but also for school flyers, Miss Montesa." Ohh. Kaya
pala.
Pumunta naman na ako sa dressing
area. Si Stevan nga, kinakausap ako pero di ko sya pinapansin kaso nung nairita
na talaga ako, nasigawan ko na sya na wag nya na akong kausapin dahil galit pa
ako sakanya. Aba naman, hawakan ba daw ako sa dalawang balikat at seryosong
tanungin kung bakit.
"Ano ba! Don't touch me,
jerk!" Tapos umalis ako sa pagkakahawak nya at sinamaan sya ng tingin.
"E ba't ka nga galit?"
Tanong nya sa tonong parang batang malungkot.
Naningkit naman ang mata ko
sakanya. Seriously? Nagmamaang-maangan ba sya or what? I rolled my eyes.
"You didn't tell me that today was the rescheduled date for the
Engineering Department's photoshoot!" Pasigaw ko pang sinabi sakanya na
inis na inis. And I prefer 'Engineering Department's photoshoot rather than
'our photoshoot'. Nagpameywang ako sakanya at tinaasan sya ng kilay. "Did
you really plan to humiliate me, jerk?!" And I accused him.
Mukha syang natigilan for two
seconds but kumunot din agad yung noo nya tapos after ilang seconds ulit,
ngumiti sya sa akin. His usual slight smile. "How would I tell you if you
keep on avoiding me? How would you know if you're not answering my phone
calls?" Tapos kumunot na naman yung noo nya at tinilt ng kaunti ang ulo
nya. "Hindi mo ba.. hindi mo ba binabasa ang text messages ko?"
I don't really know if he was sad,
disappointed or what when he asked me that. He just sounds and look like an
innocent child. Whatever he's feeling, I decided to turn my back before I
answer him. "No." And I entered the cubicle covered by the pink
curtain. Hindi ko na rin sya narinig na nagsalita.
Paglabas ko ng cubicle, wala na sa
dressing room si Stevan. Nakita ko nalang syang katabi ni Mrs. Cascano habang
pinapanood sina Valerie at kasama nyang lalaki. Nakapang nurse na ngang suot si
Valerie tapos yung kasama nyang doctor, nurse naman na panlalaki. Infairness,
ang gwapo talaga nitong lalaki. I wonder if Valerie know him. Actually,
vinivideohan na sila. Pagdating ko, si Valerie ang nagsasalita habang
nakatingin sa camera.
"----it is worth studying in
Mysterecy University." And then she smiled for finale.
"Good job, Concepcion.
Valenciado, your turn." Pagtapos nyang palakpakan si Valerie, tinuro naman
nya yung kasamang gwapo ni Valerie sa stage then sa amin sya tumingin.
"Montesa and Lacson, read this. Pagkatapos ni Leonard, kayo naman."
Tapos inabutan nya kami ng tag isang papel na based na naman sa mga kulay kulay
at format, alam kong parehas kami ni Stevan.
Pinaupo naman kami ni Stevan sa
dalawang magkatabing leather couch na malapit lang din sa pictorial set. Good
thing, Stevan wasn't attempting to talk to me so I can focus. Basta naupo
nalang kami sa magkatabing leather couch at kahit hindi ko naman sya nililingon,
nakita ko sa peripheral vision ko na nagbabasa na rin sya which I'm also doing.
Sumandal ako sa couch at nirest ang magkabilang kamay kong nakahawak sa papers
sa arm rest ng upuan habang binabasa ang nasa papel. May kailangan kaming
kabisaduhin na siguro isang paragraph din then there was a question that I
should answer. Madali lang naman din. Ikwento lang raw ang stay at struggles
during my days with Mysterecy University.
Nang matapos akong magbasa, ibinaba
ko rin ang papel at tinanaw ang photoshoot kung saan yung lalaki naman ang
nagsasalita habang vinivideohan. Kaso... naramdaman ko at nakikita ko sa
peripheral vision ko na nakatingin sa akin si Stevan. I felt conscious and
awkward at the same time kaya naman nilingon ko sya ng dahan dahan pa dahil
medyo nag aalangan ako.
"B-Bakit?" tanong ko
sakanya. Medyo nakangiwi pa nga ako nun dahil sa posture nya.
Hindi pala sya nakatingin.
Nakatitig sya sa akin. Ang sinasandalan nya ay yung right side na arm rest
habang nakasalumbaba na do'n nakapatong at nakatitig sa akin. Yung isang kamay
nya ang humahawak ng papel nya then nakapandekwatro sya. He was just.. staring
at me. Not moving. Yung expression naman nya nun e yung neutral lang. Pero...
mapungay yung mata nyang nakatitig sa akin.
"I-Is there something wrong
with my face?" Tanong ko sakanya nun ng kunot noo tas medyo hinawakan ko
pa yung mukha ko.
But he remained silent. He didn't
answer me. He just kept on staring at me. And seriously, nacoconscious talaga
ako. Nakatitig sya in a way na inaanalyze ako habang parang may iniisip na kung
ano. Ilang segundo na nung nagtanong ako pero nakatitig lang sya sa akin at ako
sakanya. It's just that, ako nakakunot noo, sya neutral lang na parang
sinusulit ang pagkakataon. Akala ko, hindi na nga sya sasagot at ibabalik ko
nalang sana ulit ang tingin ko kina Mrs. Cascano nang ngumiti sya. Maliit na
ngiti lang kasabay ng pagkurap ng mapungay ng mga mata nya na parang inaantok
tapos niyuko na nya ulit yung ulo nya sa binabasa e.
He's... weird.
"Montesa! Your turn!"
Bigla akong napalingon nung tawagin
ako ni Mrs. Cascano. Ngumiti ako at tumango bilang sagot saka tumayo na rin
para pumunta do'n. Pero bago ako maglakad palayo, sinulyapan ko ulit si Stevan
dahil talagang nawiwirduhan ako sakanya. Paglingon ko sakanya, nakatitig na
naman ulit sya sa akin gaya ng kanina. Neutral expression at mapungay na mata.
It's just that, this time, I can
fully read an enormous amount of pain, sadness and exhaustion in that pair of
orbs...
CHAPTER SEVEN
*DINGDONG! DINGDONG! DINGDONG!*
*BLAAAAG!*
"OUCH!"
Anakngpitumputpitongputingpating
naman oh! Napahawak ako sa kumikirot na pwet at likuran ko. Hinimas himas ko
ang masakit na katawan dahil sa pagkahulog ko galing sa kama. Nang hindi na
gaanong masakit ay napaayos ako ng upo sa sahig na kinabagsakan ko at medyo
kinusot ang noo ko pababa ng mata dahil kagigising ko lang. Hinawi ko ang buhok
ko palikod at saka dumilat ng papungas-pungas. For heaven's glory! Wala ngang
gumising sa aking alarm clock ngayon, nag sub naman ang doorbell! What a life!
Bawal na ba akong matulog ngayon?!
Halos magdikit ang mga kilay ko sa
pagkakakunot ng noo ko nang nagdadabog akong lumabas ng kwarto para gyerahin
ang sinumang lapastangang panay ang doorbell ng pagkaaga aga! I glanced at the
wall clock at my unit's living room. Ghaad, it's just 8 at the morning! Alas
dos ng hapon ang body clock ko every weekend! Whoever that is, dapat lang na
may mahusay na rason ang panggigising nya sa isang Ivva Laine Montesa ng
pagkaaga-aga!
Nakasimangot kong binuksan ang
pinto ng unit ko at ready na sanang bulyawan ang sinumang Poncio Pilato na
nambulabog sa akin pero pagbukas ko ng pinto...
"Good morni----"
*KABLAAAAG!*
Malakas kong ibinagsak pasara ang
pinto ng unit ko nang ang nakangiting mukha ni Stevan ang sumalubong sa akin.
Poncio Pilato nga! Lalo tuloy sumama ang timpla ng umaga ko.
Tinalikuran ko nalang ang pinto at
balak ko na sanang dumiretso sa kusina pero sunud-sunod na doorbell na naman
ang nagpapanting ng tenga ko. Asdfghjkl! Ang sarap sana nyang gyerahin dahil sa
paggagambala ng tulog ko but heck! That is Stevan Xailo Lacson! Of course, he
wouldn't be affected! Naiimagine ko ngang ngingitian nya lang ako ng
pagkalaki-laki kung mag-aala-machine gun ako't ratratin ng kung anu-anong
profanities ang taong yun! At naiimagine ko ring patakbo lang syang tatawa kung
sakali namang hambalusin ko sya. At higit sa lahat, naiimagine ko ring kung
babatuhin ko sya ng kung anu-ano ay sasabihan nya ako ng kung anu anong baduy
na cheesy lines tulad ng 'Oh, is that how you greet your lover, my lady?!' o di
kaya ay 'Whoa! You're still as beautiful as a goddess despite of your hunk mode
this lovely morning' or to make it worse, 'I love you too, my lady! I get the
fact that this is your way to say Iloveyou. Now, lets make a sweet couple
breakfast'. UGH! I rolled my eyes.
Pumunta ako sa living room at
kinuha ang baby blue headphones ko. Isinalpak sa iPad saka nagpatugtog sa
napakalakas na volume para di marinig ang walang hintong doorbell bago
dumiretso sa kusina. I don't know what he's doing here but he's probably going
to force me on a date again. And I wouldn't let that happen ever again! Kung
nung mga nauna e nauto nya ako sa mga pakulo nya, well, this time would be
different. Bahala syang manigas sa labas!
Pagpasok ko ng kusina, naghilamos
at nagtoothbrush na muna ako then itinali ko ang buhok ko into a bun. Hindi nga
maayos nang tingnan ko sa salamin dahil may konting mga nakalaylay pang buhok
sa gilid gilid ng mukha ko. I'm just at home so I don't have any plan to put
make up nor style my hair. Hindi ko na rin binalak na maligo. Siguro ay mamaya
nalang dahil nagugutom ako ngayon. Again, I'm just at home so no need to make
things up! This loose big gray shirt with a printed panda and this denim short
are enough. Oh yeah right, this is what I wear everytime I sleep. Although,
medyo pinapasok ko sa loob ng shoulders ko ang sleeves ng shirt na suot ko
dahil it was really big for me. Hanggang gitna kasi ng hita ko at halos one
inch nalang, matatakpan na yung black denim shorts.
Kumuha ako ng bacon, eggs, hotdogs
and pancakes sa fridge saka binuksan ang stove. Oh yeah right! I have a big
tummy for a lady. Pinagsabay sabay ko nang lutuin dahil kaya ko naman. I'm
actually good at... frying. Yes, frying! I don't have any talents when it comes
to cooking! But I'm trying. Hindi ko rin alam kung pa'no ako nakasurvive sa
almost five months ko nang pag-i-stay sa condo ng hindi marunong magluto. If
it's not easy-to-cook food such as canned goods, lucky me's or fry, I just
usually eat at fast food chains or I'll pick the delivery food. Minsan, pag
nabisita si Mom sya ang nagluluto at pag si Ivo naman, sya ang nagluluto. Oh
yeah, daig pa ako ng lalaki kong kapatid sa pagluluto.
Sina Mommy naman kasi, they want me
to be independent. Sabi nila ni Ivo, I have to be independent. I should be
independent. College na raw ako at 19 years old na. Mom may give me allowance
but... bukod do'n, wala na. I have to cook for myself, I have to wash my own
clothes, I have to gain friends without my family connection and such! Geez.
Kaya simula nung summer which were April and May hanggang ngayong magtatatlong
buwan na ako sa pag aaral, I'm living alone.
Ivo, on the other hand, have to be
independent as well. It's just that, Ivo liked the idea while I hate it. He
started to be independent when we were in our fourth year in high school. And
to add, he also work for himself. Lahat ng gamit nya sa condo nya, it was all
from his own earned money. While me? Lucky enough, Mom didn't cut my allowance.
Gano'n din naman kay Ivo pero hindi nya ginagamit. It was just stucked in his
bank. He use his own money from his own struggle. I admire my twin brother for
that. But I don't have any plan for now to do what he does. Working? Nah-ah!
Not when I'm still in school. That would be hard.
Kumakain ako ng breakfast while
still listening to the music of my headphones when I saw my phone vibrating. It
was on the top of the fridge and it was moving so I assumed na nagvivibrate
sya. Kinuha ko naman at tiningan kung ano 'yon. Three unread text messages. I
unlocked my phone to read those. One from Valerie, one from Lilian and one
from... Stevan which I didn't bother to open like what I usually do. Una kong
binuksan ang kay Valerie.
From: Concepcion, V.
Ivvaaaaa! Rise and shine ~~ ^-^
Saturday is the day! Remember? Movie marathon tayo ni Lilian sa unit mo. :))
We're going there this morning. Wake up early!
Received: 7:12am
Ang aga naman ng text ng babaeng
'to?! Oo nga pala, they asked me for a movie marathon last Thursday. And that
was today. Hindi ko na sya nireplyan, instead I opened Lilian's message. It was
the most recent.
From: Shoaf, L.
IVVAAAA! Ghaad! Why the heck you're
not opening your door? Valerie and I kept on ringing your doorbell nonstop
for.. uh, 5 minutes?! Kelan ka pa naging bingi?! Open the freakin' door now
>:|
Received: 8:43am
I rolled my eyes when I noticed how
Lilian talked sooooo bossy and sooooo demanding. But I decided to remove my
headphones in the end at napangiwi ako sa wala pa ring tigil na pagtunog ng
doorbell. Ang sakit sa tenga! May balak ba silang sirain ang doorbell ko?!
Kunot noo akong nagtype muna ng reply kay Lilian bago ko balaking buksan ang
pinto.
To: Shoaf, L.
Wait. Is Stevan still there?
Paalisin nyo muna or else, I won't open the door.
Sent: 8:45am
Bumalik ako sa pagkain though this
time, I placed my phone on my dinning table. Itinabi ko na rin ang headphones
dahil pagkasent ng message ko e tumigil na rin ang maingay na doorbell. Two
minutes bago nagreply si Lilian. Ang tagal nga e. Binuksan ko naman yung
message.
From: Shoaf, L.
Wala na. Now, will you please open
this freakin' door? =3=
Received: 8:47am
I again rolled my eyes. What's up
with her ba and she's soooo excited?! Pssh. Tumayo muna ako't tinigil ang
pagkain para buksan ang pinto. Nakasimangot pa nga ako nun nang buksan ang
pinto pero nagulat ako nang pagbukas ko ay si Stevan na naman ang sumalubong sa
akin! What the eff?! I thought, he was already gone?!
"NOW, WHAT?!" inis kong
sigaw sakanya.
Ngumiti sya at inihilamos ang kamay
nya sa mukha ko. "I love you too. Good morning ulit, Ivva." WHAT?! I
didn't say 'I love you'!!
"What the hell is your problem
to wake me up early in the morning?!! Give me a valid reason why or else, I'll
kick your ass!" I threathened him which has no effect because he just
grinned.
And before I could even protest,
tinulak na nya ang pinto para makapasok at nakangiting nilagpasan ako. Narinig
ko pa ngang ibinulong nyang, "Nice fashion, Ivva." nung dumaan sya sa
harap ko. Napasadahan ko pa nga ng tingin ang sarili ko nun. What's nice about
loose gray shirt paired with a denim short? Pssh.
Sunod na pumasok ay si Ivo, si
Justin at si Nick! SERIOUSLY?! And then for finale, pumasok na rin si Lilian at
Valerie. Valerie hugged and greeted with me with her usual sweet way while
Lilian hugged me too but with complains because I opened the door late. Me? I
was just... there. In state of shock! Like.. UGH! I was just expecting two
persons but five came! Isasara ko na sana ang pinto but then... may pumasok
paaaa! Dalawang maliit na bata. About 6-7. Isang babae at isang lalaki.
Seriously?! What do these people think about my condo?! Tambayan?!
When I was already sure that no one
would come in anymore, I close---oh--kay?
"Aw! Aw!"
GRR! Kanino naman ang kulay black
and white na mabalbon at malikot na tuta ito?!!
Sinarado ko na ang pinto ng malakas
which caught their attention. Tinalikuran ko ang pinto at hinarap sila saka
nagpameywang. Aba. Aba naman! Mga feel at home itong mga kolokoy?! Nakaupo na
kasi sa sofa sina Justin at Nick at bukas na ang TV. Ivo was infront of my
computer and Stevan was checking my unit. Yung tuta e patakbo-takbo at yung
dalawang bata, chinecheck ang mga figurines at stuff toy na nasa display
cabinet ko. Sina Lilian at Valerie naman ay papasok ng kusina. Nagsipaglingon
sila nung pagsara ko ng pinto so I took the chance to talk.
"Mind to explain why all of
you are here?" Nakabitch look na tanong ko. Nilingon ko si Ivo, "And
you, why did you bring Ivan here?!" then I pointed the seven-years old
little kid--he's our little brother. Our freakin' little brother!
"Mom had a meeting, sis.
Susunduin nya raw si Ivan dito mamaya." Sagot ni Ivo nang hindi man lang
ako tiningnan dahil tutok sya sa computer.
"E ba't kasama mo pa ang mga
ito?!" Saka ko itinuro si Justin at Nick.
"Grabe ka naman Ivva!"
Tumawa si Justin. "It seems like we're not welcome here!"
"Exactly! I didn't invite you
so why come?!" Iritado kong tanong.
Umarte naman si Nick na parang
nasasaktan. "Dude, your twin sister is so mean." Tapos inangat nya
ang tingin nya sa akin. "What friends are for, Ivva?"
I rolled my eyes. "Wait, why
are you here in the first place, Ivo?" I asked my twin brother.
This time, bago sya sumagot sa akin
ay pinalo nya muna ang keyboard kasabay ng pagsigaw ng 'Game Over?!' With cuss.
I yelled 'careful!' which he ignored. Geez. Tapos inikot nya yung upuan nya
paharap sa akin. Nagpandekwatro at nilagay ang magkabilang braso sa armrest
saka ngumiti ng nakakaloko. "Just checking if you're still alive, Ivva.
You know, wala kang alam sa pagiging independent. BWAHAHAHAHA---ARAY!"
Napatigil sya sa pagtawa nang batuhin ko sya ng nadampot kong unan.
"CHE! E ba't isinama nyo pa
'yan?!" and lastly, itinuro ko si Stevan, who was still busy looking
around.
Sabay sabay nag 'awww' yung tatlo
as if they're sad for Stevan then Ivo answered. "Magkakasama talaga kami
sa tambayan Ivva. I already planned to visit you today but not as early as
this. Pero dinala sa akin ni Mommy si Ivan kaya dinala ko na rin si Ivan dito
dahil gusto ka rin nyang makita. At sumama yung tatlo." Itinuro nya sina
Justin, Nick at Stevan.
Tinuro ko naman ang tutang wala pa
ring tigil sa pagtakbo takbo. Nakakahilo. Peste. "Whose puppy is
that?" Iritado na talaga yung boses ko nun nung tinanong ko sina Ivo,
Justin at Nick.
Pero wala sakanila ang sumagot. It
was Stevan who answered. "It's yours." Ni hindi sya lumingon sa akin
dahil busy sya icheck ang made of glass wall clock ko.
"At kailan naman ako nagkaroon
ng pet?!" Inis kong sigaw sakanya.
He looked at me and flashed a grin
then said, "Ngayon." yeah right!
I rolled my eyes heavenwards and
pointed the girl who was sitting with Ivan at the carpet. They're.. sort of
talking. "And who's the kid?" Parang nauubusang pasensyang tanong ko
at pinipilit nalang maging kalma.
Nagkatinginan sina Ivo, Nick at
Justin. They were sooo serious and then... sabay sabay lumingon ang tatlong
mokong kay Stevan at tinuro sya tapos tumingin na naman sa akin saka sabay
sabay na sumagot.
"His daughter."
-
I.. She's... We.. I.. Ahm.. Argh! A
daughter?! His daughter?! I can't imagine! Look, this blonde girl in yellow
balloon-style dress look like 5 or 6. Stevan is in his 20th year of existence
now. And 20 - 5 = 15! FIFTEEN?! He was just fifteen when he.. he.. he had a
daughter! He was probably in third year of High school when he.. argh, I can't
even mention it. At dahil second year ang last year nya sa high school dito sa
Pilipinas, malamang nasa USA sya nung panahong nagkaroon sya ng anak. No wonder
the girl look like american. Stevan probably got an american girlfriend.
Nabalik ako sa reyalidad nang...
umalingawngaw ang tawa ni Stevan sa buong living room at kasunod niyon ay
nagtawanan na rin ang tatlo pang lalaki. You know when it was so silent and
then someone would laugh as fuck? Geez. I glared at him while he was holding
his stomach as he laugh. When he felt my glare, he raise his hands but, still,
laughing.
"Sorry! I can't help but
laugh! Pffft--bwahahahahahahaha! Your face-hahahaha--was just--hahahaha
freakin' priceless! Holy shit! I'd pay a million to see that kind of expression
from you again, Ivva! HAHAHAHA!" And he, again, bursted out his laughter.
Argh!
I removed my flip-flops and threw
it to him. Tudsh! Sapul! Good shot, Ivva!
"Ouch! That hurts!"
"Then that was not true?! Just
a mere prank?! Baka nalilimutan nyong nasa teritoryo ko kayo?!" Sigaw ko
sakanilang apat.
The four guys acted as if they're
scared even if they're not. Napaatras pa nga sila at itinaas pa ni Justin at
Nick ang dalawang kamay na parang sumusurrender. "Whoa." They
commented in unison.
I rolled my eyes. Yeah right,
squad. I crossed my arms and was about to ask what I noticed when we all heard
a shout from the kitchen. "BREAKFAST'S READY!" Liliaaaaaaaan?!!
Punahang pumunta do'n yung apat at
gano'n na rin ang dalawang bata. What the eff?! And I didn't have the choice
but to just simply follow them. Pagdating ko sa kusina, aba, mga nakaupo na. Sa
left side yung mga lalaki at sa right side ang dalawang babae kasama ang dalawang
bata. Then ang pinakadulong upuan nalang ang bakante kung nasaan andoon pa rin
ang naiwan kong kinakain. Great! Pssh!
I had no any other choice but sit.
They were all talking. Boys with their boys stuffs and girls with their girly
things. Bad mood pa rin ako kaya tahimik lang akong kumakain. Geez. I didn't
expect eight visitors. I hate noisy people but I love noisy places--well, a bar
is the perfect example.
"Uy, Ivva. Makakapagmovie
marathon pa ba tayo?" Tanong sa akin ni Valerie at nakangiwing sinulyapan
ang boys.
Mukha namang narinig ng mga lalaki
yung sinabi ni Valerie kaya nagreact si Justin. "Uy, movie marathon?!
Gusto ko yan!" At nagsipag 'oo nga' yung tatlo pa.
I rolled my eyes. "Nasaan nga
pala si Gerald? Hindi nyo sya kasama ah?" Tanong ko sakanila.
Again, nagsipag 'aww' sila as if
malungkot at nilingon pa si Stevan. Inakbayan pa nga ni Justin at Nick si
Stevan habang natatawa pero pinipigil yung tawa. Nagsad face with pout naman si
Stevan pero nag grin din.
"Aray pre. Sakit nun.
Tagus-tagusan ba?" Natatawa-tawang sabi ni Justin kay Stevan.
Sinagot lang sya ng tawa ni Stevan
sabay hawak sa chest at sinabing, "Oo pre. Nadurog ampucha." Tapos
umiling-iling pa sya na akala mo naman e nasaktan talaga.
"Bato kasi puso ni Ivva e. Di
mo malaman kung manhid o sadyang di ka lang trip. Kawawang Stevan!" At
nagtawanan silang tatlo. Suskupo.
"E kung pag umpugin ko kaya
kayong tatlo dyan? Wag kayong malikot pucha! Yung pagkain ko, tinatamaan nyo
mga gago!" Saway naman sakanila ni Ivo.
"Uy may mga bata."
Sinaway sila ni Valerie.
"Ay! Haha sorry!"
"Oy bawal nyong gayahin yung
mga sinabi namin ah?! Kung hindi, ibibitin ko kayo ng patiwarik!" At
nagtawanan na silang apat.
Napailing nalang ako. Wala namang
sumagot ng tanong ko. Pssh! Kaya do'n nalang ako sa anak ni Stevan tumingin.
She was cute alright. Pero hindi nya hawig si Stevan. More on american ang
features nya.
"Hi kiddo." Lumingon sila
ni Ivan sa akin. Okay, I know I'm horrible in terms of handling a kid. I don't
look friendly because I have a resting bitch face but I still asked her,
"What's your name?"
"My name's Stephanie Xylene
Lacson." Ngumiti sya. Alright, so her name was taken from her father's
name huh? At apelyido ni Stevan ang gamit nya. Does that mean kasal si Stevan
at ang nanay nitong si Stephanie? Kasi diba mother's last name ang gagamitin
kung hindi kasal ang parents?
Nilingon ko si Stevan. "She's
using your last name?" tanong ko in a tone that I'm demanding for an
explanation.
"Yeah, of course. Alangan
namang kay Mama diba?" Pilosopo alert? I just rolled my eyes.
Kumain nalang kami ng tahimik. I
mean, ako lang pala. They have their own world. Nag uusap yung dalawang bata,
yung apat na lalaki at si Lilian and Valerie. Therefore, ako lang ang walang
kausap. Seessh. Napalingon tuloy ako sa tuta na nasa kanan ko habang nakaupo
sya sa tiles at nakatingala sa akin habang medyo nakatilt ang ulo. Siya nalang
kaya ang kausapin ko? Geez. Kelan ka pa naging interesado sa pet, Ivva? I
rolled my eyes.
Tumayo nalang ako pagkatapos kong
kumain. Tinanong ako ni Lilian kung saan ako pupunta and I just simply told her
that I'll take a bath. Naglalakad ako paalis nung mapansing sumusunod sa akin
yung tuta. Nilingon ko nga't huminto saka tumingala sa akin. Out of the blue,
kinarga ko yung tuta at sinama. Umakyat kami sa second floor ng unit ko at
dumiretso sa kwarto ko. May shower room naman kasi dito so dito na rin ako
naliligo.
I think, I finished after thirty
minutes or so. I just take showers too long. I wore my robe and wrapped my hair
in a towel before I went out of the shower room. Pero paglabas ko....
Two seconds of staring...
*Crickets*
Three seconds of staring...
*Crickets*
Five seconds of stairing...
"WAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Umakyat
lahat ng dugo ko papunta sa mukha ko at napatili ako nang makita si Stevan sa
kwarto ko. Out of shock, dinampot ko ang kung anong makuha ko sa bed side table
o kama at pinagbababato iyon sakanya. "What are you doing here,
jerk?!"
As of him, he used his arms to
defense himself. "O-Ouch! Hey! That was a clo---Ouch! Can you--whoa! Can
you stop?! Aray! Ano ba, Ivva! Pucha masakit yon ah!"
"No! Get out of my room! You
pervert!"
Tapon lamp!
Tapon telephone!
Tapon notebook!
"I didn't mean to enter
your--ouch! Your room okay?! I thought, this was the--whoa!--the guest room!
Damn! That hurts! Stop--whoa! What's this?!"
Natigilan kami nang marealize
naming dalawa kung anong naitapon ko. I-It.. I-It was... I felt how my face
heat up. HELL! I-It was.. It was my brassiere! My baby blue with cupcakes bra!
Holy mother nature! Wala pang tatlong segundo ay sigurado akong namumula na ng
matindi ang mukha ko. What to do?! What to do?!
He looked at me and we stared for
seconds then he grinned. Seconds later, his grin turned into a freakin'
annoying teasing laughter! ARGH! "Whoa, Ivva! Baby blue cupcakes eh?"
Mabilis pa sa alas kwatrong
nakapunta ako sa harap nya at hinablot ang dapat hablutin saka ko sya sinampal.
I can still feel the extreme blushing of my face when I slapped him. I was
just... embarrassed. "JERK!" At tinulak ko sya palabas ng pinto
kasabay ng malakas na pagsara nito. Kainis! Mapapahiya na nga lang, sa lalaking
yun pa!
Pagsara ko naman ay narinig ko pa
rin ang napakalakas at nakakairitang halakhak ni Stevan. Bwisit! Ano bang
problema nya?! At naiimagine ko ring hawak hawak pa nya ang tiyan nya habang
hinahampas ang kung ano katatawa. "I'LL NEVER EVER EVER LET YOU ENTER MY
UNIT AGAIN! ITAGA MO YAN SA BATO!" I shouted at the top of my lungs.
Gaaaal.
Narinig ko ang malakas at
sunud-sunod na pagkatok ni Stevan sa labas ng pinto. "Hey Ivva! I'm sorry!
Open this door! I didn't mean to offend you okay?! SORRY!" He kept on
shouting though there was still a hint of laugh.
I rolled my eyes. How to totally
get rid of him? Geez. I want him out of my life. Hinayaan ko syang magsisigaw
sa labas habang nagbibihis ako. Aba, bahala sya dyan. Naiinis pa rin ako sa
pagmumukha nya. Kahit anong gawin nya, nakakairita sya. Peste.
Nang matapos akong magbihis ay
napalingon ako sa black and white puppy na prenteng nakapwesto sa bed ko at
nakatingin na naman sa akin. Lumapit naman ako sakanya at pinat ko yung ulo
nya.
"Hi puppy." I smiled as
if this puppy would be able to understand me.
I never really had an interest at
taking care of any kind of pets ever since I was born. I never had a pet. I
never had the chance to take care one. I don't know if I like them or I hate
them because I just simply... don't care. But right at this moment, while I'm
looking at this puppy, I can say that.. I think I'd love to keep a pet.
"IVVA! Hey! Are you mad?!
Sorry na oh?"
I rolled my eyes again when I heard
Stevan from the other side of the door. Akala ko wala na sya dahil bago pa ako
matapos magbihis e hindi na sya nasigaw tapos andyan pa pala ang mokong. Hmp.
Umupo ako sa kama ko at nilagay sa lap ko yung tuta then pinagpatuloy ko yung
pagpapat sa ulo nya.
"Hey puppy. What do you think
of Stevan? Dapat ko ba syang pagbuksan ng pinto? Huh?" Seriously, Ivva? Do
you really think a puppy would understand and answer you?
Ibinaba ko yung tuta sa lapag pero
bago ko alisin yung kamay ko sa pagkakahawak sakanya, I whispered him a risk.
"If you'd go at the door side, I'd open the door for Stevan. But.."
sinulyapan ko ang kabilang side ng kwarto ko na sa bandang shower room which
was parallel ng pintuan, "..if you'd go at the rest room side, I won't."
Then I let go of the dog with a smile.
I stood up and looked down to him,
waiting for what direction he would go. But then...
"Puppy?!"
Geez. I can't help but pout. He
walked straight. Dumiretso sya sa walk-in closet ko which was in the middle of
the rest room side and door side. Meaning, none of the two options! Napahawak
ako sa sentido ko't nagpameywang. "Are you letting the decision to me,
little dog?" I talked with an animal again.
I glanced at the closed door. I can
still hear Stevan's voice at the other side. He kept on saying sorry. Gano'n ba
sya katakot na magalit ako sakanya? Para di lang nasagot e. Nilingon ko ulit
yung puppy. Inaamoy-amoy nya yung carpet pero yung ulo nya nakaside sa... door
side. Okaaaaay!
Nakangiti kong nilapitan ang tuta
at kinarga saka ako dumiretso sa pintuan. Binuksan ko yung pinto at gaya ng
inaasahan, ando'n pa rin si Stevan. His face lightened up when he saw me.
"Hey Ivva! Sorry na kung
na-offend kita. Ikaw naman kasi e. Bato ka ng bato e. Masakit kaya! Hindi ko
naman talaga sinasadyang pumasok sa kwarto mo. Sabi kasi ni Ivo e yung unang
kwarto raw ang guest room. Di naman sinabi kung kaliw--"
Hinila ko sya papasok ng kwarto at
sinara ang pinto. Ang daming satsat e. Tinalikuran ko sya at naupo sa kama ko
saka nilapag ulit sa lap ko yung tuta.
"Ligpitin mo yung kalat mo,
Stevan para bati tayo." Sabi ko sakanya nang hinihimas-himas pa rin ang
ulo ng tutang tinitingnan ko.
"Huh?" Parang nagtaka pa
sya. "Anong kalat? Wala naman ako---"
Nilingon ko sya at sinamaan ng
tingin tapos tinuro ko yung nakasarado nang pinto. "Yung mga gamit ko sa
labas! Kunin mo yun kasi ikaw ang nagkalat nun! BILIS! KILOS!"
"What the---"
Tinaasan ko sya ng kilay at
nagcrossed arms. "Hindi ka talaga kikilos?"
Napakamot nalang sya ng ulo.
"Tsk. Ako na nga ang binato't sinampal, ako pa 'tong nagkalat. Ibang
klase.." pabulong bulong pa, rinig ko naman!
Hinablot ko ang pinakamalapit sa
aking unan at ibinato sakanya yun. Sapul! Sharp shooter talaga ako e.
"Hoy! Kung bubulong ka, yung hindi ko maririnig! Jerk!"
"Ang talas ng pandinig--ANAK
NG!---ITO NA NGA EH! MAGLILIGPIT NA OH!" kumaripas na sya palabas ng
kwarto ko nang hawakan ko yung handbag ko at akmang ibabato sakanya.
Paglabas nya, natawa nalang ako ng
kaunti. Mukhang tanga. HAHAHA! Pero binalik ko yung seryoso kong mukha nung
pumasok ulit sya dala dala yung mga tinapon kong gamit. Nakadalawang balik din
sya matapos nyang maiayos ulit yung mga gamit ko. Yung lamp, tuluyang nasira
kaya nauwi sa basurahan. Pagkatapos naman nyang magligpit, naupo sya sa kama
ko. Dahil nasa dulo ako ng kama, nasa likod ko sya. Pero humarap ako sakanya at
nag indian sit pag upo nya sa kama ko ng nakasandal pa sa headboard.
"And who said you're allowed
to sit on my property?" Taas kilay kong tanong.
"Grabe naman 'tong
baba--Whoa!"
Nagulat kami parehas nung umalis sa
lap ko yung tuta at pumunta sakanya. Dinambahan sya kaya napahiga sya tapos
dinila-dilaan sya nung tuta. Nakakatuwa ngang tingnan e. Galaw pa ng galaw yung
buntot. Si Stevan naman, mukhang nag eenjoy dahil nilaro-laro rin nya but in
the end, binuhat nya palayo at umayos ng upo. Kinuha ko nga sakanya e at
binalik sa lap ko.
Ngumiti sya sa akin.
"Nagustuhan mo?"
Kinunutan ko naman sya ng noo.
"Ang alin?"
Tinuro nya yung tuta.
"Siya."
Binaba ko yung tingin sa tuta tapos
naalala ko yung sinabi nya kanina. Inangat ko yung ulo ko ulit. "Diba sabi
mo sa akin, akin sya?" Tanong ko.
Tumango naman sya't tumango.
"Yeah. You can have him."
"Binibigay mo?"
Nagpoker face sya. "Hindi.
Hindi talaga. Pinapahiram ko lang." Pilosopo alert. Pssh!
I rolled my eyes. Tiningnan ko ulit
yung tuta at hinamas-himas ang ulo. Ramdam kong nakatingin sa kin si Stevan
then maya maya lang, nagtanong sya.
"Anong ipapangalan mo
sakanya?"
Napahinto naman ako sa pagpat ng
ulo nung tuta pero hindi ko sya tiningnan. "Hmm.." nag isip naman
ako. "Siguro... BAW (bo)." Tinuloy ko naman ang pagpapat ng ulo ng
tuta.
Kumunot yung noo nya. "Ba't
naman baw?"
"Pssh. Black and white kasi
sya! Bi. Ey. Dobolyu." And I rolled my eyes.
Nakita ko naman sa peripheral
vision ko na natawa naman sya't napailing pero hindi naman nagsalita. Ilang
segundo kaming tahimik habang nakatingin lang sya sa akin habang hinihimas
himas ko yung ulo nung tuta then bigla kong tiningnan si Stevan at ngumiti. A
genuine one. Dahan-dahang nawala yung ngiti sa labi ni Stevan at halatang
nagulat sya na nginitian ko sya. He turned out idling at me. Para syang
nakakita ng shooting star at nakalimutang magwish dahil once a blue moon lang
'yon kaya namental block sya. Lalo akong napangiti. And I said one of the most
rare word in my vocabulary to the most unexpected person.
"Salamat."
CHAPTER EIGHT
"ANAK NG! Ano ba namang
klaseng mga palabas 'to, Ivva?!" hindi maipinta yung mukha ni Justin
habang hawak yung dalawang CD sa kamay nya na nilalayo rin naman nya sa sarili
nya na parang nandidiri.
"Oo nga. Ang babaduy! Paano
nyo natitiis manood ng ganyang mga palabas? Ha?" Nakangiwing dagdag naman
ni Ivo.
"Yucks pre! Doraemon?
Winnie-the-pooh? Boys over flowers? Pucha! Di ko ata kaya 'tong mga 'to!"
Dagdag naman ni Nick at inurong palayo sakanya yung mga nakakalat na CDs.
"Ang aarte nyo e makikinood
lang naman kayo ah! Mga saling pusa lang kayo dito kaya kung ayaw nyo sa mga
CDs namin, aba! Aba! The door is open!" Natawa kami ni Valerie sa
pagdepensa ni Lilian sa mga CDs namin.
"Anla. Kasali pa rin kami sa
movie marathon pero hindi yang mga corny'ng kalokohan ang panonoorin
natin..." sabat naman ni Stevan at ngumiti ng nakakaloko. At pag sinabi
kong nakakaloko, yung ngiting may... KALOKOHAN! Nagkatinginan silang apat na
mga lalaki at nagsipagngisihan na rin ng nakakaloko tapos nagsipaghagalpakan ng
tawa as if iisa ang iniisip. "BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Nanaki ang mata ko when I finally
processed what they're talking about. "Mga manyakis! LAYAS!" Sigaw ko
sakanila nang magets ko ang tawanan nila at pinaghahampas sila ng unan. Itong
apat na 'to talaga, iisa ang ikot ng bituka pagdating sa kalokohan.
"Oo nga! Mahiya nga kayo! May
dalawang bata dito oh!" Dagdag naman ni Lilian. Nagets rin nya.
"Huh? Ano ba 'yon? Anyare?
Ba't ano.." tanong naman ni Valerie na halata mo sa mukha na gulung-gulo.
Hay naku, ang inosente talaga ng isang 'to!
"Wala yun, Ri!" Sabi ni
Ivo kay Valerie tapos tinap sya sa balikat at nagtawanan na naman silang apat.
"Wala kaming sinasabi ha! Kayo
lang nag iisip ng kung ano! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!" sabi ni Nick tapos nagtawanan
na naman sila.
"Asus! May common sense lang
kami para maka-gets!" Defense ni Lilian tapos umirap.
"Kalokohan! Hahahaha! Kayo ha,
isip nyo! Mga babae pa naman kayo. Kayo ata manyakis dito e.
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!" Suskopo.
"Ang iniisip naman namin e
action movies. Hindi kung ano. Kayo talaga." Aba't 'tong si Stevan.
"Okay! Okay! Para walang
away!" Shinake ko yung kamay ko sa gitna nila. Lumingon sila sa akin. Tinuro
ko yung dalawang bata. "Sina Stephanie at Ivan ang pipili ng panonoorin
natin!"
"OKAY!" sabay sabay
silang sabi. In the end, lahat kami e naglean sa dalawang bata para malaman
kung anong isasagot nila. Tahimik naman sila e. Kung anu ano lang ang pinaggagagawa.
"Stephanie.. Ivan.."
tawag ko sakanila. Lumingon naman silang dalawa sa amin. Si Ivan, nakapoker
face tapos si Stephanie, nakangiti. Ngumiti ako. "Anong gusto nyong
panoorin?"
Nilakihan ko ng mata si Ivan para
i-threaten sya. Aba, ayus ayusin nya ang pipiliin nya kung ayaw nyang sumabog
ang buong katawan nya! Tiningnan lang nya ako na akala mo e bored na bored.
"Steph, sabihin mo, horror
movies dali!" Pabulong lang yung sabi bigla ni Stevan pero dahil walang
nagsasalita, rinig naming lahat. Binatukan ko nga. "Aray naman."
"No coaching!" Sabay
sabay naming sigaw ni Lilian at Valerie.
Tapos binatukan din sya ni Ivo then
si Justin then si Nick. Aray nga ng aray si Stevan e. "Iiskor ka pa
eh!" Sabi ni Ivo. Natawa na naman silang apat.
"Uy, baka matutunan ng mga
bata yang mga mura ano ba. Control naman." And here comes our Valerie.
"Wag nga kayong maingay! Di
makaisip yung dalawa e." Sabi ko naman. "Stephanie, Ivan?" Tawag
ko sakanila. Nakangiti ako sakanila pero nilalakihan ko ng mata si Ivan.
"Ahm ako, gusto ko..."
tumutok kaming lahat kay Ivan. "Gusto ko..." hay naku, pa-tense epek
pa 'to. "ARNOLD SCHWAZERNEGER!"
"Ayyy." Sabay sabay pa
kaming tatlong babae. Anobayan!
"Ikaw Steph?" Tanong ni
Ivo kay Stephanie.
Naglean kaming tatlong babae
sakanya. "Ano, baby?" Sweet pa na tanong ni Valerie sakanya.
Ngumiti ng pagkalaki-laki si
Stephanie. Yey. Samin na 'to! "Barbieeeee!"
"Pa'no ba yan?" Ngumisi
ako sa boys.
"Ibig sabihin, do'n tayo sa
girly movies! Mwahahaha!" Sabi ni Valerie at nag evil laugh.
"Nah-ah." Napalingon kami
kay Ivo.
"Ano na naman?" Kunot
noong tanong ko.
"Lima kaming lalaki oh?"
Tinuro ni Ivo silang lima. "E pano ba yan? Apat lang kayo." Ngumisi
sya at tinaas ang dalawang kamay in a manly proud way. "MEN WIN!"
"WOOOH!"
"T-Teka---"
"Walang teka-teka, Ivva Laine.
Bibili kami ng CDs."
At umalis na nga si Ivo at Justin.
Naiwan kaming lugmok na mga girls. Hay naku! Alas 10 na ng umaga. Tapos na
kaming lahat sa pagkain ng almusalan at ngayon e nakaupo na kami dito sa living
room ng unit ko. Inurong namin--I mean, nina Stevan yung sofa set at yung mini
table dahil sa carpet kami. Nagpa-circle kami tapos sa gitna nakakalat yung mga
CDs. Actually, kung kami lang naman nina Valerie at Lilian, hindi naman makalat
yan dahil maayos kaming magsipaghanap. Pero... may apat na lalaki at dalawang
bata kaming kasama. Geez. Bale ang pwesto, katulad ng pwesto namin sa dinning
table, ako yung nasa mismong harap ng TV. Sa kaliwa ko ang boys then kanan ang
girls with the two kids. Nagluto nga ng popcorn sina Lilian at Valerie tapos si
Ivo at Nick ang bumili ng softdrinks then si Stevan at Justin ang nag-organize
ng sala. Sila rin naglagay ng unan dito. As of me, Ivan and Stephanie...
Hayahay! HAHAHAHAHA! Aba, nasa balwarte ko sila ano!
Hinintay naming dumating sina Ivo.
Sandali lang naman sila tapos pagbalik nila, aba'y wala talaga kahit isang
pabor sa aming mga babae! Jackin Chan! Bruce Lee! Arnold Schwazernerger! Tom
Cruise! At kung sinu-sino pang hindi ko kilala. Basta, PURO ACTION!
Ang una naming pinanood ay yung Day
and Knight. Bida do'n si Tom Cruise. Ang partner nya, si Mandy Moore na
gumaganap bilang Day tapos ang pangalan ni Tom Cruise ay Knight. Ang cool lang
ni Tom Cruise do'n kasi ang kalma-kalmado nga nya e. Tapos ang galing pa nya
magshot! Lagi ding may bubble gum. Si Day naman, sya yung tipong walang
kaalam-alam sa gun life. Protector nya si Knight at dahil kay Knight, natuto
sya ng kung anu ano. Meron ngang scene do'n na hinahabol sila tapos nakamotor
lang sila at nasa likod ni Knight si Day. Ang ginawa ni Day, kahit kumakaripas
ng takbo yung motor e nagawa nyang pumunta sa harap ni Knight pero nakaharap
sya sa mga sumusunod sakanila ni Knight. May baril sya tapos pinatong nya sa
braso ni Knight yung baril at binabaril nya yung mga nakasunod sakanila habang
pinapaandar ng pagkabilis-bilis ni Knight yung motor.
Pangalawa naming pinanood ay yung
kay Jackie Chan na Police Story. Ang galing nga makipaglaban ni Jackie Chan
tapos panay gamit sya sa mga gamit sa paligid. Tuwing naglalaban nga sila ng
mga kalaban, todo cheer kami nina Lilian at Valerie.
Sunod namang movie e yung Eraser.
Movie naman 'yon ni Arnold Schwazernerger. Agent or pulis ata si Arnold tapos
ang codename nya ay Eraser. May pinoprotektahan syang witness kasi gustong
patayin nung suspect yung babaeng witness. Ang galing nga ring makipagbarilan.
Nagsigawan nga kami nina Lilian at Valerie nung binaril ni Arnold yung aquarium
kaya lumabas yung mga crocodiles at kinain yung mga kalaban nila. Yikes, gross.
At ang pinakamalala para sa akin ay yung nasa eroplano sila tapos nagbabarilan.
Bukas yung exit ata kaya hinihigop ng hangin si Arnold. Then sa lakas ng
hangin, nahigop sya pero nakakapit naman! Pero kahit naaaa!
"HALAAAAA! Mahuhulog syaaaa!
Tatalon ba sya?! Ang taas nyan! Mamatay sya!" Tili ng tili si Valerie.
"Nag-aapoy pa man din yung
likuran na---waaaaah! Nahulog yung dapat na bag ng parachute nyaaaa! HALA!
HALA! TATALON SYA PARA SUNDAN YUNG BAG?!" nagpapanic na rin nun si Lilian.
"WAAAAAAAH! TUMALON SYAAA!
WALA SYANG PARACHUTE! STUPIIIIIID! PARANG HINDI NAMAN POSIBLE NA MASUNDAN NYA
YUNG BAG NG PARACHUUUUTE!" At sa lahat ng manonood, ako ang pinakamaingay.
And to add, inaalog alog ko pa si Ivo nyan na katabi ko lang. Gusot gusot na
nga yung kwelyo nya e at iritable na.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! NAKUHA
NYAAAA!" sabay sabay pa kami nina Lilian at Valerie na sumigaw kasabay ng
halos pagtalon talon kahit na nakaupo lang kami dahil sa sobrang tuwa nung
makuha ni Arnold yung bag ng parachute habang nahuhulog sya at bumagsak sa
isang kotse. "ANG GALING NYAAAAAA!"
"Tumahimik na kayo pwede?!
Kanina pa kayo tili ng tili! Basag na eardrums namiiin!" Reklamo ni Ivo.
"Hindi na namin maintindihan
yung kwento dahil ang iingay nyo." Nakapoker face na sabi naman ni Justin.
"And for pete's sake, hindi
nyo naman kelangan isigaw ang nangyayari dahil nakikita naman namin."
Dagdag pa ni Stevan.
"E di next movie e choice
naman namin!" Sabi ni Valerie tapos ngumiti ng pagkatamis-tamis.
Pumayag naman yung apat. E di
tuwang tuwa kami. Next movie, ang pinili naming tatlo ay isang fantasy
story---ang beautiful creature. Story sya ng mga casters tapos yung isang
caster, isinumpa syang maging isang masamang caster kaya yung mga cast ay
pinipigilan ang sumpa. Tutok na tutok kami nina Lilian at Valerie sa panonood
nang....
"Ang boring." komento ni
Justin at humikab.
"Oo nga eh. Tapos ang corny
pa." Dagdag ni Nick.
"Ang baduy-baduy."
"Nakakaantok."
"Walang thrill."
"Ang panget talaga ng taste ng
mga babae."
"Imposible namang mangyari
'yan sa totoong buhay e."
Okay! Napuno na ako! "E
imposible rin namang mangyari sa totoong buhay yung barilan nina Arnold
Schwazernerger ah?!" Sinigawan ko na nga sila.
"Oo nga! Pati yung
patalon-talon ni Bruce Lee at Jackie Chan sa mga buildings at
helicopters!" Dagdag ni Valerie.
"Saka kung ayaw nyo ng movie,
manahimik kayo please! Concentrated kami eh!" And lastly, Lilian.
"E kanina ngang tili kayo ng
tili, hindi naman namin kayo pinansin ah?" Nakapoker face na sagot ni Ivo.
"Anong hindi?! Oo kaya!"
"Pero at least tapos na yung
movie nung sitahin namin kayo!"
"Nag eenjoy naman kasi kami
kahit papaano kaya kami natili. E kayo?! Nagcocomment kayo kasi ayaw nyo yung
movie!"
"Paanong hindi? E wala namang
kalatoy-latoy--"
"Ang mahiwagang karayom!"
Natigilan kami sa pagdedebate nang
marinig namin ang boses ni Doraemon sa TV. Sabay sabay kaming napalingon sa
screen at pati na rin sa magkatabing si Stephanie at Ivan habang tutok na tutok
sa panonood!
"Doraemon! Doraemon! Uwaaaah!
Uwaaah! Inaway ako ni Damulag! Pahiramin mo ako nung gamit na pinakita mo,
Doraemoooon! Uwaaaaah!
Ano ka ba naman Nobita! Hindi
pwede!
Dali na! Bibigyan kita ng sampung
pirasong hopia!
Oo na! Sige naaa! Basta wag mong
sosobra---NOBITAAAA!"
"Sinong nagpalit ng CD?!"
tanong ko kahit na.. obvious na.
Lumingon sa amin ng sabay yung
dalawa. Stephanie with her innocent look and Ivan with his usual poker face
look. In the end, si Ivan ang sumagot. "Debate kayo ng debate. You guys
are wasting the time. Stephanie and I let you watch action and fantasy movies.
Ngayon, it's our turn." Poker face nya yung sinabi at... tinalikuran na
nila kami! Nagfocus nalang sila sa panonood!
Katahimikan. Crickets. Katahimikan.
Crickets. Katahimikan. Ilang segundo kaming tahimik na anim doon until I decided
to stood up. Tumayo na rin si Ivo then si Lilian at nagsipagtayuan na kami as
if we have the same thought.
"Oh ayan. Bata nalang ang
manonood para walang away." Sabi ko. Nagsipag-agree naman sila.
"Maliwanag na usapan
yan."
"Wala nang papalag."
"Yan kasi."
"Tsh! Ang kulit nyo
kasi." Poker face na sabi ni Ivo.
"Panira kayo ng movie marathon
namin e." Nakapout na sabi ni Valerie.
"Tigil na pwede?!" Saway
ko. Then finally, tumigil din sila. Haynaku. Para kaming mga high school! Nag
away away ba naman sa movies? Daig pa kami ni Ivan at Stephanie. Nagkasundo sa
isang palabas yung dalawa.
Si Nick at Justin, aba'y naupo na
sa tapat ng computer ko. Si Ivo, sumalampak sa couch. Tapos si Lilian at
Valerie, pumunta muna sa kusina at kukuha daw sila ng ice cream.
"Oo nga. Anong oras na
ba?" Tanong bigla ni Nick at tiningnan yung orasan. Napalingon din tuloy
ako. "Ay 4:27 palang. Three hours pa, Steve!" Sabi ni Nick kay
Stevan. Hindi ko naman alam kung ano yung pinag-uusapan nila nun. At hindi ako
interesado.
Stevan and I are now in a fine
relationship. Not romantic and not friends. We're just... fine. Well, I guess.
Sana naiintindihan na nyang ayoko sakanya't hindi ako magkakagusto sakanya.
We're fine but I still don't have any interest to know anything that is related
to him so I didn't really bother to ask.
"Sis, diba may chess board ka?
Maglalaro nalang kami para bawas boredom." Sabi sa akin ni Ivo.
"Bored na pala kayo. Ba't di
pa kayo magsipaglayas?" Bitchy na sabi ko. Sanay na naman yan sa kin
eversince.
"Rude! May inaantay kasi kami.
Oh ano na? Asan ba nakalagay?" See? May pinagmanahan naman ako sa rudeness
e. I rolled my eyes.
Tinuro ko yung upper part ng
display cabinet ko. "Ando'n. Kunin nyo nalang. Siguraduhin nyong 32pieces
pa rin yan pagbalik ha. Kundi kayo ang pipirapirasuhin ko." At naglakad na
ako palayo sa living room. Sa kwarto ko nalang muna siguro ako.
Paakyat na ako nung stairs nung
matanaw ko si Lilian at Valerie na nagsasalin ng icecream sa tatlong malaking
glass cup nang sigawan ko sila. "Girls! Sunod nalang kayo sa room ko
ah!"
"Yeah!"
Pag-akyat ko ng kwarto ko,
maya-maya lang pumasok din sila. Sa kama ko kami nagsipag-upo ng magkakaharap.
Binigyan din nila ako ng isang cup ng ice cream and... because we are ladies.
Of course, we spent the next three hours talking and talking and talking and
talking a lot of things until we got into Stevan. Ewan ko rin kung paano sya
naging topic basta alam ko, tinanong na lang ako ni Valerie.
"Hindi mo ba talaga sya gusto,
Ivva?"
I rolled my eyes. "No! If I
like him, sana narealize ko na diba? Kasi grade school palang, crush na nya
ako?"
"Sayang naman. E di... kahit
anong kulit, effort at panunuyo sa 'yo ni Stevan, wa effect?" pang uusisa
naman ni Lilian.
"Wala." Mabilis namang
sagot ko.
"What if kaya bigyan mo sya ng
chance?" Si Valerie.
Hinead-to-foot ko naman sya ng
tingin nun as if saying 'are-you-out-of-your-mind'. Sinimangutan ko sya,
"E ayoko nga sakanya e! I'm certain of that okay?! I get irritated of him!
I get annoyed to every thing he's doing! And I badly want to get rid of
him." Pag aalburoto ko. Ano bang punto ng dalawang ito at pinagpipilitan
ako sa lalaking 'yun?
Nagkatinginan silang dalawa tapos
tumingin sila sa akin. "Paano kaya kung..." pabitin pa 'to si Lilian.
Hinintay ko naman yung sasabihin nya.
"Paano kung ano?" Tanong
ko.
"Paano kaya kung.. turn him
off?"
"Turn him off?" Napangiwi
ako nang ulitin ang sinabi ni Lilian. "What d'you mean, turn him
off?"
"Since he kept on insisting he
likes you, then turn him off. Make him turn off to you. Do things that will be
definitely a 'turn off' for him." Ngumiti ng nakakaloko si Lilian.
Oh. I think, I got her point.
Tinaasan ko sya ng kilay. "By means of...?" sabi ko na sakanya
ipinapaubaya ang susunod.
Pero si Valerie ang sumagot.
"By means of letting him court you!" And she giggled. I rolled my
eyes. Ramdam ko 'to e. Alam kong boto 'tong isang 'to kay Stevan.
"I.. I agree." And Lilian
eventually agreed.
Nanlaki ang mata ko sakanila.
"What?! No way!"
Nagkatinginan ulit sila as if
nababasa nila ang iniisip ng isa't isa then sabay silang ngumiti ng nakakaloko.
Uh-oh. It looks like they've planned something. Their smiles creeps the hell
out of me and I don't like it!
×××
"WHAT?!" Pasigaw na
napaatras pa ako nang sabihin ni Ivo yun.
Natawa sya. "Look sis. I'm not
kidding, okay?"
Nilingon ko si Stevan. He grinned
at me and said, "Yeah. I just bought the unit next to yours. And I'll move
tomorrow."
This is not happening! Oh God!
"Hindi pwede 'yon!"
Protesta ko.
"Pwede, Ivva. I told you..."
napaatras ako nang ilapit ni Stevan sa akin yung mukha nya. He smirked,
"..I won't stop until I have you." Then he winked.
Tinap ako ni Justin sa balikat at
ngumisi. "We'll be going now. Ichecheck lang namin yung kabilang
unit."
And then they finally left.
Pabagsak na npaupo ako sa sofa na parang wala sa sarili at lumapit naman sa
harap ko sina Lilian at Valerie. Napafacepalm ako. "Hindi talaga ako
titigilan ng Stevan na 'to eh!" At ginulo ko ang buhok ko.
Sumubo naman si Valerie ng
pringles. "Gawin mo na kasi yung sinasabi namin."
Tumango-tango si Lilian.
"That's the best way to get rid of him." At sumubo sya ng chips.
"NO!" At tumayo na ako.
"Dito muna kayo. Magpapahangin lang ako." Saka ako umakyat at dumiretso
sa kwarto ko.
Sira talaga ang dalawang 'yun.
Anong klaseng suhestyon ba 'yon? Napailing nalang ako ng maalala. Pagpasok ko
ng kwarto, binuksan ko yung glass door na nagseseparate sa terrace at sa kwarto
ko. I want to be refreshen. Lumapit ako sa railings ng terrace at napahawak ako
sa magkabilang balikat ko as if hugging myself. It is cold. But I can endure
it. Tumingala ako sa langit. Madilim na dahil alas siete na kaya kalat na ang
mga bituin. The sky, it was full of stars. Bright stars. I smiled while staring
at the crescent moon and I let my mind wander.
Ano kaya kung gawin ko nga 'yun?
Will that be effective? Will I'll finally get rid of Stevan? Will he finally
leave me alone? Honestly speaking, Stevan can be any girls' dream guy. He has
the traits. But I just can't make myself love someone. And it would be unfair
to that someone. Besides, I just don't like him. And it would be stupid for him
to still be into me after all those years.
"Good evening, my lady."
Napagitla ako sa pagkakagulat nang
may magsalita. Napalingon lingon ako sa paligid until I looked at my right side
and found Stevan at terrace which was next to mine. Yung katawan nya, nakaharap
sa labas pero nakalingon sa akin yung ulo nya. With half smile, nagpamulsa sya.
Oo nga pala, binili nya ang katabing unit ko. So his terrace is apparently
beside mine. Ngumiti sya sa akin. His usual slight smile. A slight smile but
his eyes would tell a thousand of enormous emotions. As of now, the sparkles of
his eyes shows his happiness.
He seems sincere with his feelings.
But.. I don't like him. I know, I can never like him. Masasaktan lang sya if
I'd keep his hopes up. Masasaktan lang sya kung hahayaan ko syang manligaw pero
hindi ko naman sya gusto. Pero... effective naman raw sabi nila Lilian diba?
Kung sya na ang aayaw sa akin, kung sya na ang magbaback out without me pushing
him away, then problem solve na diba? I would no longer have to deal with him.
I would totally get rid of him, right?
"Drop that." Biglang
kunot noo ba sabi nya.
Kumunot rin ang noo ko. "Drop
what?"
"Drop that kind of look. Sa
paraan ng pagtingin mo, para akong isang unknown specie na ineexamine at
inaanalyze mo." He pouted.
I frowned. Siya kaya yung ganon.
"You know, Ivva. I know, I'm
handsome but.. do you really have to stare at me for so long just like
that?" Sabi nya tas medyo ngumiti ng mas malawak.
Natatawa ako pero pinigil kong
tumawa so I ended up smiling. Inalis ko sakanya ang tingin at tiningala ulit
ang buwan na napapaligiran ng maliliwanag na mga bituin.
"Stevan?"
Nakita ko sa gilid ng mata ko na
nilingon nya ako. "Hmm?"
I inhaled. Then I looked at him.
Straight to his eyes. There was still a very small smile on his lips. I tried
to curve one. And I succeed.
"I'm now letting you court
me."
CHAPTER NINE
"Uggh.." hinilamos ko ang
dalawa kong kamay sa mukha ko. Like... seriously? Nasa tamang pag iisip pa ba
ako?
Kanina pa nga nagtitinginan sa akin
ang iba kong team mates habang nagpapahinga kaming lahat dito sa bleachers.
Sabi nga ni Lizelle kanina, wala raw sa matinong kundisyon yung laro ko.
Pa'nong hindi?! I just let that guy court me! Sina Lilian at Valerie ang may
kasalanan nito eh! Kung hindi nila ako pinrovoke sa Operation: Turn Him Off
a.k.a OTHO nila, hindi ko naman papayagan si Stevan na ligawan ako dahil
simula't sapul, hindi ko sya gusto! At alam kong never ko syang magugustuhan!
At ang dalawang babaitang iyon!
Hindi pa rin nagpapakita sa akin ngayong araw na 'to! Hindi ko na sila nakita
pagkatapos ng 'napakasayang' movie marathon naming walo sa unit ko. Monday na
Monday, wag nilang sabihing absent sila?! Ni hindi man lang nakaisip
magsipagtext! At pati ngayong Volleyball practice namin, wala pa rin sila!
Napalingon ako sa basketball court.
Hinahanap ko si Gerald. Pumasok na sya ngayong araw pero parang wala sya sa
sarili. Kamusta kaya ang lalaking 'yun? Okay lang kaya sya? Kakahanap ko kay
Gerald, si Stevan naman ang nakita ko. Nagdidribble sya ng bola at nung makita
nya ako, ngumiti sya at kumaway-kaway. I just rolled my eyes.
After that night, I told him that
just because I let him court me doesn't already mean I like him. Mabuti nang
maging malinaw sakanya simula palang. Pagkasabi ko nga sakanyang payag na ako,
aba't akalain mo ba namang tinalon nya yung terrace mula sakanya papunta sa
akin. Napaatras nga ako sa gulat e. Di biro ang taas no'n! Yayakapin nga nya
sana ako pero tinulak ko sya although not harsh then ang natatandaan kong
eksakto kong sinabi sakanya nun ay, "Oops! It's not what you think! Look,
Stevan, I'm letting you court me not because I like you but because I don't.
I'll be giving you rules for your courtship."
Umangal naman sya nun.
"RULES?! What the fuck?! Kelan pa nagkaroon ng rules ang ligawan,
Ivva?"
I smirked. "Ngayon."
"You can't do that, Ivva
Laine---!"
Nagcrossed arms ako then I flashed
an I-don't-care look saka ko sya sinabihang, "Take it or leave it.
Whatever you choose, you lose and I win." At nginisihan ko na naman sya ng
nakakaloko.
Kunot noo nya akong tinitigan. Para
ngang inaanalyze nya ako ng mga oras na 'yun at tinitimbang ang mga desisyon
habang iniimagine ang consequence. Weird pero parang ganun kalalim ng iniisip
nya nun habang nakatitig lang sya sa akin then afterwards, he sighed in defeat.
"Fine."
I let out a successful grin then
naupo ako sa upuang nasa tapat ng table ng terrace ko nun. Iginesture ko kay
Stevan ang katapat na upuan. I told him to sit which he did.. nang labag sa
loob. Inilapag ko ang dalawang kamay ko sa table at medyo naglean palapit
sakanya. "Listen." And I gave him a mere serious look. "I made
10 Rules."
His eyes widened. "What?!
Ten?! Ivva?!" His tone was protesting.
Tinaasan ko sya ng dalawang kilay
in a bitch way. Sumandal ako sa upuan ko, nagcross arms at nagpandekwatro ng
pambabae. "And Rule #1 is you are not allowed to complain." Tiningnan
ko sya ng diretso at seryoso. "Rule #2: Never ever ever ever touch Ivva
Laine Montesa." He mouthed 'what?' In protest but tinaasan ko lang sya ng
kilay and I continued. "Rule #3: You should never use a public rest room.
Not even the rest room in your work, in our school or in any of your friend's
place."
"Hey!" And he can no longer
stop himself from protesting. "I can't see the connection of the rest
rooms with the courtship! Can you please explain that?!" uh-oh, the lover
boy gone mad.
I bit my lower lips to stop myself
from making an expression and just continued with my maintained serious look.
"Rule #4: You have to call me and ask for my permission whenever you're
going to the rest room."
"What the fuck, Ivva
Laine?"
"Rule #5: You are not allowed
to ask me questions so as cursing."
"Wait! That should be fifth
and sixth!"
"Rule #6: You are not allowed
to go hang out WHEREVER while you are still courting me. Not even in your
friend's house, family's house and my house. In short, you're just only allowed
to go to four places; your condo, our school, the church and the market."
I told him like as if it was one of the casual things in the world.
Binagsak nya ang kamay nya sa
table. "You want me to be goddamn stucked up in my unit, is that
it?!"
I glared at him. "Rule #7: You
are not allowed to glare nor raise your voice and act violently whenever I'm
around."
Napailing-iling sya at sumandal sa
upuan nya na para bang hindi makapaniwala. "I don't understand this
shit."
I raise an eyebrow to him,
"Just tell me if you're giving up because I'm soooo willing to kick you
out of my life, my man." And I grinned.
"NO! Of course not!" Uh,
over reacting? He looked at me but quickly looked away. "Tsh. Just... Just
continue and let's scrap this bullshit."
I make face. "You are already
breaking the Rule #5! No cursing, jerk!" I hissed.
Nagusot ang mukha nya.
"Whatever. Just keep blabbering." Mukhang pikon na nga sya. Pffffft.
I grinned. "Rule #8; I would
call you whatever nickname I want and you're going to call me boss, queen or
your majesty." And I grinned even more.
And this time, napatayo na sya out
of frustration. "HELL! This is unfair! This is not righteous!"
"Pffft." I covered my
mouth to stop myself from laughing.
Pinasingkit nya ang matang nakatingin
sa akin habang kunot noo. Oh my! I badly want to laugh out loud! His face was
freakin' priceless! Sobrang kunot ng noo nya at nakapout pa! Man, this is fun!
"What???" kunot noong tanong nya na halos magdikit na yung mga kilay
nya. Halata sa tono nya ang pagiging iritable.
"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
That's it! I can't stop myself
anymore. I just bursted out my laughter. Hawak hawak ko pa ang tyan ko sa
sobrang katatawa at pinalo-palo pa ang table. "Oh my! You should have seen
your face, Stevan! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"What the hell?" Iyon
lamang ang naibulalas nya.
Ako naman ay walang humpay sa
pagtawa. Sobrang tagal kong tumawa and I think I wouldn't stop if Stevan didn't
force me to stop. Huminga ako ng malalim at inaayos ang paghinga dahil naubusan
ata ako ng hangin katatawa. Nakangiti pa rin ako nun dahil hindi pa ako totally
recover. His face was just a complete good vibes! Panay ang pagpapatigil nya sa
akin sa pagtawa so I just raise my hands as if surrendering, "Chill out!
Bwahahaha! I was just kidding around, alright? You don't have to panic."
Muling naningkit ang mata nya but
it immediately turned into an upset look. He crossed his arms and look at the
left direction while pouting. Mukha syang bata! Hahahahaha! "That was not
a good joke, Ivva."
Ngumiti lang ako ng malawak na
malawak. "Actually, there is really a rule." And I finally caught his
attention. He looked at me with eyes of a curious child. "One only
rule." At itinaas ko pa ang point finger ko to clear it out.
"And what is it?"
"I'm serious about this rule,
Stevan. So, pay your full attention."
He makes face. "My full
attention was already given to you eversince our gaze met." Cheesy! I
rolled my eyes. "So what's the rule?"
I smiled. A smile that challenges
him. "In the span of 60 days and I still did not fall for you--which is
something I'm certain of, you would no longer bug me, alright?"
CHAPTER TEN
"Hi Mom!" Nakipagbeso ako
kay Mommy pagkasalubong na pagkasalubong nya sa akin sa sala ng bahay nya. Then
inabot ko sakanya yung malaking shopping bags na naglalaman ng sangkaterbang
cocktail dress. "I came from shopping so I thought of buying some for you
too." Nakangiting ani ko.
"Nag abala ka pa. Nasaan ang
kapatid mo?"
I rolled my eyes. "Nandoon pa
sa labas at nakikipaglandian, Mommy."
"Sinong nakikipaglandian?
Ha?" Napalingon kaming dalawa ni Mommy nang may magsalitang pangit sa
entrance ng bahay. And who would it be? My dear twin brother of course. The one
and only. Lumapit din sya kay Mommy at kiniss si Mom sa noo then lumingon sya
sa akin at dinuro pa ang noo ko! "Tsh. Sinisiraan mo na naman ako kay
Mommy." Parang batang sabi pa nya.
I rolled my eyes heavenwards.
"Oh please, Ivo. Everyone in this house knows how you flirt with every
women you meet!" Then tiningnan ko yung mga maids. "Diba?" Pero
natatawang nagsipagtunguhan lang sila ng tingin. Psh! I was asking!
"Naku talaga kayo. Why don't
you just greet your Dad instead?" Nakangiting suhestyon ng aming ina.
Napangiti rin ako. "By the
way, where is he?" Excitement was in my tone.
"Sa usual terrace. Sige na,
pumunta na kayo do'n at susunod ako." sabi naman nya.
Sabay naman kaming pumunta ni Ivo
papunta sa terrace na nasa front part ng second floor ng bahay. We saw him
reading something on his Ipad there while sitting in a chair at the table
located at the center of the wide terrace of second floor's living room. Don't
tell me, business pa rin ang binabasa nya? Gabi na ah. He should be resting.
"Dad!" Tawag ko na
ikinalingon nya. Mabilis na gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi nya nang makita kami. I
waved at him with the same smile. "We visited!" And I ran towards him
then gave him a warm hug. Oh, how much I missed this old man!
Today's Sunday evening. Of course
no classes for every students. As for me, I was actually busy. Nasabi ko na ba
ang linyang 'college life sucks'? Psh. Si Ivo kasi ang sumundo sa akin sa unit
ko kanina. He asked me to visit Mom and Dad. I refused pero mapilit sya at
dahil miss ko na rin sila, I gave up in the end.
"Oh, I missed my Ivva."
Daddy Jack sweetly mumbled as he hug me back.
"I missed you too,
Jackie!" natatawang sabi ko sakanya at inoccupy ang table na nasa kanan
nya at si Ivo naman ang nag occupy ng nasa kaliwa nya matapos nitong magmano.
I used to call my Dad, 'Jackie'
because of two reasons. First, his name is Jack and second, he was always
claiming he was Jackie Chan's teacher in martial arts before and that he was
better than him. That was his old corny joke but that never failed to make me
laugh.
"Really?" tiningnan nya
ako as if nagdadoubt sya. "Geez. Kung hindi ka pa nga raw sinundo ni Ivo
ay wala ka pang balak na bisitahin kami ng Mommy mo." May bahid ng lungkot
na aniya.
And whenever he's acting like this,
I know na simpleng pasweet ko lang ay okay na sya. Gano'n ako kalakas sakanya.
So I pouted. "You know, it was so hard in college, Dad. Especially, hindi
birong course ang kinuha ko. Twas one of the most difficult and I was able to
keep on having 1's. Dahil yun sa sipag at tyaga ko so I think, worth
it----OUCH!" Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Ivo nang hampasin nya ako ng hawak
nyang sumbrero. "What was that for?!" I almost add 'jerk' kung wala
lang dito si Daddy dahil sa inis ko sa pangit na nilalang.
"Ikaw, inuuto mo na naman si
Dad Jack e. Dad, wag ka maniwala dyan kay Ivva. Puro kamaldi---" hinilamos
ko sa mukha ni Ivo yung kamay ko.
"Ang daldal mo ano?"
Nakangiting sabi ko sakanya. Yung ngiting sobrang pilit at halata pa rin sa
ekspresyon ko na naiinis ako sakanya.
"Kayo talaga oh-oh. By the
way, what brought you here?" Nakangiting tanong naman ni Dad.
"As for me, Dad, sinundo ako
ni Ivo sa condo unit ko at MINADALI ako sa pagpunta dito." And I rolled my
eyes.
Dad chuckled then looked at Ivo,
waiting for his words. Sumagot naman agad yung pangit na nilalang. "Di ba
ngayon nyo na sasabihin yung sasabihin nyo Dad? Saka..." ngumisi sya ng
nakakaloko. And I swear! Ayoko ng ganyang ngiti nya. Pero bago pa nya maituloy
yung sasabihin nya, may naglapag ng tray ng dessert sa table. Nung tiningnan ko
kung sino, si Mommy pala. Siya naman yung naupo sa katapat na upuan ni Daddy.
Then my curiosity got into me.
"Ano yung sinasabi ni Ivo na sinabi nyong ngayon nyo sasabihin?"
#sabi
Nagkatinginan naman si Mommy at
Daddy as if pinag iisipan kung ito na ba ang tamang oras para sabihin sa akin
ang kung anumang sasabihin nila. Nagpalit palit sakanila ang tingin ko at
hinihintay ang sasabihin nila. "Hey?" Untag ko.
Mom sighed and looked at me.
Hinawakan pa nya ang kamay ko na nasa table. Napangiwi ako. Ano ba iyon? Dapat
na rin ba akong kabahan? "Darling, hija, you know, you're already 19 this
year.."
"Uh-huh. And..?"
Nakangiwi pa rin ako nun dahil nawiwirduhan talaga ako.
Sumulyap si Mommy kay Ivo then sa
akin ulit. "You know when Ivo started working for himself?"
Nanlaki ang mata ko at inalis ang
kamay ko sa pagkakahawak ni Mommy nang magkaroon ng ideya. "Mom, I think I
don't like where it is going." Nahihintakutang sabi ko.
Humagalpak ng tawa si Ivo kaya
sakanya nabaling ang atensyon ko. "Oh hell yeah, Ivva! You're going to
work for yourself!"
Napalingon ako kay Mommy.
"Mom?!"
Mukha naman syang troubled.
"You know, your Dad and I thought that it would be better if you already
know how to be independent by now. Working for yourself, deciding for yourself,
having no financial support from us---"
"NO!" Pagpoprotesta ko.
Inangat ko ang dalawa kong palad at tiningnan ang mga iyon na parang awang awa
ako. "My precious hands! Oh my precious hands will get dirty! I'd have to
stay under the sun looking for a job! I'd have to inhale lots lots lots of
dust! I'd have to deal with ugly arrogant people without my bitch remarks! I'd
probably have pimples and get sweat! Eeww. And.. and.. oh my! I can no longer
shoooooop." At inub-ob ko ang mukha sa glass table as if it was already
the end of the world. Well, if you'll look at it in other point of view, it really
is the end of the world.
End of my spoiled bitch world.
"You know what, sis. You have
a different perspective in work. Hindi lahat ng trabaho ay gaya ng iniisip mo.
Jeez." Napapailing na sabi ni Ivo.
I glared at him. "Shut
up!" I hissed then shifted my gaze to Mom. "Mommy naman! Why are you
doing this to me?" I pouted then kay Dad naman ako tumingin at humawak pa
sa braso nya. "Daddyyyy, are you seriously requiring me to work for
myself? Like.. uh, are you seriously going to allow your 'only' princess to suffer?"
and of course I used my oh-so sweet sad tone.
"Ivva kasi.." napalingon
ako kay Mommy. "Tingin namin, magiging mature ka kung matututunan mo ang
TOTOONG independence."
I can't help but raise my eyebrow.
"Are you saying that I'm immature, Mom?"
"That's not what she means,
Ivva. Ang sa amin lang, MAS magiging mature ka pa." Singit naman ni Dad.
I rolled my eyes and folded my
arms. "But I don't wanna work." I said, pouting.
"See?" Tinuro ako ni Ivo.
"How can you say na mature ka kung sa ganyang akto mo palang halata nang
ang isip bata mo?" Nang aasar nyang sabi na nakangisi pa. A-Aba 'tong
lalaking 'to ah!
Nakagat ko ang pang ibabang labi ko
dahil sa inis habang nakatingin sakanya ng masama. Then, I automatically took
my notebook (which was on the table) and threw it to him. "Maybe you're
the one who provoked them to this.. to this.. ugh!" Inis kong sabi. I
badly want to say 'to this shit' but Rule #1 in this house is no to profanities
and cursing. Yeah right, my parents must be saints.
"Pikon!" He yelled
laughing while pointing me. Grr!
"Hey, hey, kids, calm
down." Sabi naman ni Mommy.
Naniningkit ang matang tiningnan ko
si Mommy. "Mom, tell me, naghihirap na ba tayo sa negosyo kaya mo ako
pinagtatrabaho? Ha?"
Tumawa lang silang tatlo. Umiling
iling si Mommy. "No, darling. No." Nakangiting sabi nya.
"Then why do I have to
work?!" I asked with the tone of a certified brat.
"Hindi ka naman mahihirapang
makakuha ng trabaho e. Someone would definitely help you." Sabat ni Ivo at
kumindat pa sa akin.
Tinaasan ko naman sya ng kilay.
"And who would that be? You? Oh please---!" Napatigil kaming apat sa
pag uusap usap nang mamatay ang lahat ng ilaw sa buong bahay! Oh geez. Alas siete
na! Ang dilim kahit na andito kami sa terrace. Pati sa gates, nawalan ng ilaw.
And was it just my imagination or Ivo really smiled? Nilingon ko sina Mommy't
Daddy. "Ma, 'Dy, wala na ba kayong generator? Ba't---" di ko na
natapos yung tanong ko nang may marinig kaming tumugtog. It was a slow-rock
song, I guess.
Ngumisi sa akin si Ivo ng
pagkalaki-laki. "I was pertaining to this person." I smell something
fishy.
Magsasalita pa sana ako but then,
yung kaninang tugtog lang, na siguro kasing lakas ng dobleng videoke, nagkaroon
ng kumakanta.
"Uso pa ba ang harana
Marahil ikaw ay nagtataka.."
What the hell?!
Napangiti si Mommy.
"Nanghaharana ba sya? Ang sweet naman ng binatang iyon."
"Sino ba 'tong mukhang gago
Nagkandarapa sa pagkanta
At nasisintunado sa kaba.."
Tumingin sa akin si Daddy ng may
nagsusutpetsa ngunit natutuwang mga mata. "May manliligaw na ba ang aking
prinsesa?"
Manliligaw?! Oh geez! Dali dali
akong tumayo at pumunta sa railings ng terrace kung nasaan kaming apat. And yeah
right, manliligaw nga. I rolled my eyes when I saw Stevan Xailo Lacson at our
house's front yard. Sinong maid ang nagpapasok dyan at sisisantihin ko! May
dala syang purple na gitara na may small bulbs paikot na color violet ang ilaw
at nakasabit ang gitarang iyon sa leeg nya then may microphone syang nakalagay
sa stand na purple din na umiilaw. Nasa likod nya ay si Justin at Nick na may
hawak na malaki at life sized na purple teddy bear na glow in the dark at
boquet of purple roses. Ngumiti sya nang makita nya ako. Oh---kay?!
"Mayron pang dalang mga rosas
Suot nama'y maong na kupas
At nariyan pa ang barkada
Nakaporma nakabarong
Sa awiting daig pa
Ang minus one at sing-along"
Maong na kupas?! I rolled my eyes.
E bagong bago kaya yung pantalon nya and for pete's sake, walang nakabarong
okay?! Ang totoo, naka purple silang tatlo at may mga bulbs na nakadikit sa
shirts nila at naningkit ang mata ko dahil yung bulbs sa damit nila ay bumubuo
ng letters at words. Yung kay Nick ay 'Stevan', tas ang kay Stevan naman ay
'loves' at 'Ivva' kay Justin. STEVAN LOVES IVVA?! Ano na naman bang pakulo ito
ni Stevan?!
Napa 'ouch!' ako nang bigla akong
hinampas ni Ivo sa balikat. At pag sinabi kong hinampas, ibig sabihin, MALAKAS!
Sinamaan ko nga ng tingin pero ngumiti lang at nagpamulsa.
"Yan ang manliligaw,
kambal."
I rolled my eyes as an answer then
biglang nagcling sa arms ko si Mommy. At mas kinikilig pa sya kaysa sa akin! Oh
wait, let me rephrase that---sa aming dalawa, sya lang ang kinikilig. "Ang
sweet naman ni Stevan." I secretly rolled my eyes. Sweet?! BADUY KAMO!
Tapos biglang nagreact si Dad,
"I want to meet this guy." Pag lingon ko sakanya, nakangiti sya. And
oh, hindi nya nga kilala si Stevan. Si Mommy kasi kilala lahat ng bestfriend
namin ni Ivo.
"Puno ang langit ng bituin
At kay lamig pa ng hangin.."
Napalingon ulit kaming apat nang
magchorus na sina Stevan. Pag kanta nga nya nung unang line, napatingin ako sa
langit, maliwanag nga dahil sa mga stars. Then pag pagbalik ko ng tingin ko
sakanya, ngumiti sya sa akin. And is it just me or his eyes were really
sparkling?
"Sayong mga tingin ako'y
nababaliw giliw
At sa awitin kong ito
Sana'y maibigan mo
Binubuhos ko ang buong puso ko
Sa isang munting harana
Para sa 'yo.."
Tapos ginesture nya ako with a very
bright smile. And that was when I felt goosebumps because really, I feel his
heart in the song. Napakagat labi ako. I shouldn't smile! Ivva, don't smile!
"Diba parang isang sine
Isang pelikulang romantiko
Diba't ikaw ang bidang artista
At ako ang 'yong leading man
Sa istoryang nagwawakas
Sa pag ibig na wagas."
Stevan and I? Loveteam? In a
story?! Oh bitch please. I rolled my eyes at him. Natatawang napakamot sya ng
ulo at biglang slow motion na winagayway ni Nick at Justin yung kamay nila from
left to right kasabay ng pagkanta ni Stevan ng huling chorus.
"Puno ang langit ng bituin
At kay lamig pa ng hangin.."
Tapos tatlo silang sabay sabay na
nagsway from left to right, left to right. Kasabay ng pagsway sway nilang tatlo,
winawagayway din nina Nick at Justin yung mga kamay nilang dala yung purple
life sized teddy bear at boquet of purple roses. Nakangiti silang tatlo.
"Sayong mga tingin ako'y
nababaliw giliw
At sa awitin kong ito
Sana'y maibigan mo
Binubuhos ko ang buong puso ko
Sa isang munting harana
Para sa 'yo.."
At nagulat ako nang maghalf bend
knee sya bilang bow at kasabay nun ang pagbabalik ng ilaw sa buong bahay. I
literally blushed. Not because I like it or what. I'm ashamed! Ano ba namang
isip mayroon ang lalaking ito? Walang hiya hiya! Ako ang nahihiya sakanya e.
Kung wala nga lang dito si Mommy't Daddy, malamang, kanina ko pa sya nabato ng
kung anu-ano para mapalayas. Ngumiti lang sa akin sina Nick at Justin.
Then bigla akong tinulak tulak ni
Mommy. "Babain mo na si Stevan, anak."
Napalingon naman ako sakanya.
"Mom?!"
"Go ahead, hija. Don't be
shy." Napalingon naman daw ako doon kay Daddy. Hanuraw? Me? Shy? Excuse
me! Ngumiti si Dad at binaba ang tingin kay Stevan. "I want to meet this
young man who's so eager to win you." Then ngumiti sya akin.
"But I don't want him to meet
you, Dad." parang batang nagmamaktol namang sabi ko.
"Ivva, don't be like that.
Dali na, babain mo na si Stevan." Si Mommy.
In the end, I had no choice but to
go down. At talaga namang napataas ang kilay ko nang makitang nagtipon-tipon sa
entrance ng bahay namin ang mga maids at parang mga kinikilig pa ang mga
impakta habang tinutunaw ng tingin sina Stevan, Nick at Justin. Aba.
Nagpameywang ako nang nakataas ang
kilay. "Hoy. hindi ko kayo binabayaran para pagnasahan ang mga bisita ko.
Especially, ang manliligaw ko. Intiendes?"
Napalingon naman silang lahat sa
akin nang gulat na gulat at nagsipagyukuan. "M-Miss Ivva.."
"INTIENDEZ?" Inulit ko
ang huling salita. Aba e hindi ata ako maintindihan ng mga impakta na ito e.
"O-Opo." Sabay sabay
naman silang nagsipagyuko.
Mataray kong inikot pakaliwa ang
ulo ko nang nakapameywang pa rin para sabihin sakanilang magsipaglayas na sila
sa harap ko na agad naman nilang ginawa. Pag alis nila, napatingin ako sa kung
saan nakatayo sina Stevan. Nakatingin na sya akin habang hawak ang boquet ng
purple roses. Neutral lang yung mukha nya nun but I can clearly see a deep and
drowning sea of love and happiness. He looked mezmerized. Lumapit naman ako
sakanya at nagpameywang saka sya tinaasan ng kilay.
"And what are you doing
here?"
Tinaas nya ang gitarang nasa leeg
pa rin nya at ang boquet ng purple roses. "Uh, serenade?" Sagot nya
na para bang ang obvious obvious na nung sagot na hindi ko pa makuha.
Pinaningkitan ko sya ng mata nun at
ngumiti naman sya. Magsasalita na nga sana ako pero biglang may nag 'ehem'.
Napalingon tuloy ako sa itaas. Nasa terrace pa nga rin pala yung tatlo at
pinapanood kami. Binalik ko ang tingin kay Stevan at napataas na naman ang
kilay ko nang iabot nya sa akin ang boquet nang may matamis na matamis na ngiti
sa labi although tulad ng usual smile nya, hindi kita yung teeth pero ear to
ear.
"For my one and only
lady." aniya at inilapit pa lalo sa akin ni Stevan ang bouquet.
I crossed my arms and rolled my
eyes heavenwards. He chuckled and raise his eyebrows upward then glance at the
terrace. Oo nga pala, may audience kami. Geez. In the end, nginitian ko sya ng
pilit pero halatang may pagkayamot pa rin sa akin.
"Oh sya, pwede ka nang
umalis." Nakasimangot na sabi ko.
Nanlaki ang mga mata nya.
"Ivva?! You're so harsh." He then pouted.
"Aba, wala naman akong
sinabing haranahin mo ako ah? Like eww. I don't like serenades." I rolled
my eyes.
Ngumiti naman sya. "But you
like purple, don't you?" He sounds so confident.
I gritted my teeth. "Of
course, paano mong hindi malalaman if eversince our paths crossed, stalker na
kita?"
Humalakhak sya. Humalakhak sya ng
siguro sampung segundo bago nakangiting tumingin sa akin, this time, a smile
with his perfect teeth exposed. Grr. "I'm a proud stalker of you,
Ivva." Then naglean sya palapit sa akin na halos three inches nalang ang
layo ng mga mukha namin. "And I'm a proud lover of you regardless of what
I'll get in return." Then he winked as his smile turned into the usual
one--with his teeth hidden.
Tinakip ko sa mukha nya yung buong
palad ko at tinulak sya palayo. "Eww. So keso. Umuwi ka---"
"Go inside, young men. You'll
have dinner with us."
Sabay kaming napalingon ni Stevan
nang may magsalita sa likuran namin. It was Dad. Kelan pa sila nakababa nina
Mommy?!
Kumaway si Ivo kina Nick at Justin
habang ang isang kamay ay nakapamulsa tapos kay Stevan sya tumingin at
nagthumbs up. "Mahusay, bro." He mouthed.
May pagmamaktol na lumapit naman
ako sa harap nina Daddy at Mommy. "A dinner? Dad?! No." I protested.
Pero bago pa nya ako sagutin, bigla
akong nagulat nang nasa tabi ko na pala si Stevan at yumuko sya. As in yuko!
Tapos habang nakayuko sya, saka sya nagpakilala. "I, uh, M-My..
t-this.." wait, is this really Stevan?! Marunong pala syang magstammer?!
Nanatili sakanyang nakayuko pa rin
ang tingin naming lahat. Gusto kong matawa nang makitang habang nakayuko sya ay
halatang halata sa mukha nya na troubled sya at tumatagaktak ang pawis nya.
"I'm.. M-My.. M-My n-name.." Napangiti ako at napakagat ng lower lip
para pigilan ang tawa dahil mukha na syang maiihi sa kaba. "Oh God, spare
me please. This things sucks." Narinig ko pang bulong nya. Huminga sya ng
malalim saka muling nagsalita. "Stevan Xailo Lacson, Sire. Tita." At
saka sya muling umayos ng tayo. Inalis na nya ang I am at my name? Pffft.
Diretso pangalan.
Ifinold ko ang kaliwang kamay ko at
dun ko pinatong ang kanan kong kamay para magsalumbaba ng nakatayo habang
natutuwang pinapanood ang troubled na troubled at kabadong si Stevan. Ngayon
lang sila nagkita ni Dad pero sila ni Mommy close na. Pero kung tutuusin ay
nakuha na nya ang loob ni Dad kaso nakakatuwang panoorin ang hitsura nya
ngayon. Ano ka ngayon?
"I.. I'm her.. I-I've been
cour--ugh." Napayuko sya't napakamot ng batok. Hindi pa mapirmis sa isang
spot ang mata nya. Pffft. Kabado talaga ang loko. "I'm your daughter's
suitor, Sire. I've been courting her since last week." Dire-diretso nyang
sabi kay Dad at nang matapos syang magsalita ay nakita ko ang sunod sunod na
paglunok nya. Muli kong nakagat ang pang ibabang labi ko para pigilan ang
sariling tumawa.
Katahimikan ang namayani. Palipat
lipat ang tingin ni Stevan. Para ngang natingnan na nya lahat maliban kay Dad.
Ang tahi-tahimik nun habang seryosong seryosong tinitingnan ni Daddy si Stevan.
Patilt tilt pa yung ulo ni Daddy na parang kinikilatis ang
"manliligaw" ko. Ilang beses makalunok si Stevan na para bang
hahatulan na sya at literal na napatalon sya sa sobrang gulat nang bigla nalang
mag offer ng handshake si Dad. Ilang segundo lang ang tinanggap rin ni Stevan
iyon then hinila ni Dad si Stevan for a bro hug. He whispered something to
Stevan. Hindi ko alam kung ano 'yon. I can't say that twas a good news dahil
hindi naman mukhang relieved si Stevan at hindi rin naman sya mukhang masaya.
Pero nabasa ko sa lips nya ang 'thank you sir'.
"Great! Let's go inside
na." Sabi naman ni Mommy paghiwalay ni Dad at Stevan saka ako hinila
patabi sakanya at sabay sabay nga kaming nagsipaglakad papunta sa dinning area
para sa aming so-called 'dinner'.
"So, Stevan, hijo. You
mentioned that you've been courting Ivva since last week.." panimula ni
Daddy.
Siya ang nakaupo sa head chair ng
eight-seats dinning table namin. Sa kanan nya ay si Mommy at sa kaliwa ay si
Ivo. Katabi ko sa kaliwa ko si Mommy at katabi naman ni Ivo si Stevan kaya
magkaharap kami. Si Ivan naman, ang bunso namin ay katabi ko sa kanan ko. Nick
and Justin left. Hindi na raw sila sasama sa dinner which was let by my Mom.
Nabulunan si Stevan nang magsalita
si Daddy but he tried to don't cough. Nagulat siguro. Tinapik tapik nya ng
mahina ang dibdib nya pagkatapos uminom ng tubig bago sumagot. "Y-Yes,
Sire." So formal huh?
"..then bakit ngayon ka lang
nagpakita at nagpakilala sa amin?" Ang seryoso ng boses ni Dad no'n so I
won't wonder why Stevan is still in fear.
"Oo nga, Ivva. Hindi mo man
lang sinabihan ang Mommy na nililigawan ka na pala ng bestfriend ng kuya
mo." Kuya kong two minutes older. Ayoko talagang kinukuya si Ivo. HAHA!
"Uh, sir.." Hindi
makahanap ng isasagot si Stevan.
"Dad, Ivva stops him." Si
Ivo ang sumagot para kay Stevan.
"Hindi ikaw ang tinatanong ko,
Ivo Laxus. Ikaw ba ang manliligaw ni Ivva?" Nandoon ang pagkabarako at
nakakatakot na pagkaseryoso sa boses ni Daddy na napalunok nalang si Ivo.
"No, Dad."
Oh, I feel like grinning! Kay
Stevan ulit kami tumingin para abangan ang isasagot nya. Uminom muna sya ng
tubig bago sumagot. "I've been busy this----"
"You've been busy with
something you consider as more important than introducing yourself to us?"
Putol ni Dad sa sinasabi ni Stevan. At sa paraan ng pananalita nito ay parang
may disgust at disappointment na agad.
Tiningnan ko si Stevan. He gulped
twice. He still looked calm. But what makes me think that he was in great
nervousness was his sweat. Air-conditioned naman ang buong bahay e. "No,
Sir." He breathed to gain confidence. "I.. I was just.. Well, Ivo's
right. Ivva doesn't.." he sounded hesitant if he's going to continue or
not.
"So you are blaming my
daughter?" There was a threat on Dad's voice when he cut Stevan off.
"No, no. That's now what I
meant, Sir. I'm sorry. I was just really nervous to meet my love one's father.
I've been busy not with something more important with the introduction I'd have
with the both of you, Sire, but with someone I consider as the most
important." Then he glanced at me as if saying that he's pertaining to me.
Napangiwi ako. May pinagkaiba ba ang sinabi nya? Binalik ni Stevan ang tingin
kay Dad, who was intently listening. "I was trying to convince your
daughter to allow me to meet you. Gusto ko po kasi sanang may permiso nya ang
gagawin ko. But she wasn't convinced so I proceeded with my second plan. To
just surprise her. At least, now I have the right to as her official
suitor." Then he shifted his gaze to Ivo. "With the help of my best
friend."
This time, I raise an eyebrow to my
brother. "Oh. Is that why you asked me to leave my condo, my dear
brother?" napalingon sa akin si Ivo at napalunok. Pinaningkitan ko naman
sya ng mata. "And you dared to open the gates for him?"
Ivo wasn't able to talk when my Dad
interrupted. "You're not the one who's going to interrogate here,
Ivva." Napalingon kami sakanya. "Bakit naman ayaw mong hayaan si
Stevan na magpakilala bilang manliligaw mo?"
Mataray kong tiningnan si Stevan.
He was also looking at me. "I. Don't. Like. Him." I answered firmly
with emphasis on every word. "I never will. Wala syang pag asa sa akin but
he kept on pushing his self towards me. Desperate? Obsess? Name it. Alam nyo
namang wala akong pinakikilalang lalaki sa inyo dahil wala naman akong
sineseryoso. Sadyang makulit lang ang isang ito. But dito palang, sinasabi ko
nang umaasa sya sa wala." Dire-diretso't walang pakundangan ko 'yong
ipinahayag.
Stevan looked away after he heard
my answer. Mom's jaw dropped. My Dad was stunned and Ivo gritted his teeth to
control his temper. Silence filled the place. Walang ibang madidinig bukod sa
tic-toc ng malaki at antique na wooden wall clock. Now, I'm thinking if I said
something wrong. And by now, I'm actually feeling awkward because of the
silence that conquered the whole dinning area. A total silence that has been
broke by the kid on my right.
"You're... so...
heartless..." Slow motion nya iyong sinabi habang nakatingala sa akin ang
walang kaekspre-ekspresyon nyang mukha. Ni hindi nga gumalaw man lang ang
kanyang mga kilay pero halata sa mukha nya na nagulat na para bang kagimbal
gimbal na may isang tulad kong nag-eexist pala sa isang sangkatauhan. He then
pointed his chest--the spot where his heart was. "Men are humans too,
sister. We cry. We get hurt. And you are so heartless to kill my fellow man
internally without hesitance." He pointed Stevan while his gaze still
locked on me. "I admire this man because he was still able to love someone
like you."
I gulped hard. He has points. What
he had say gave me one real hard blow. I suddenly felt ashamed and guilty. I
felt my conscience repeating the first three words Ivan mumbled. I.. I.. I was
speechless so as the others. I had nothing to talk back. If this is a debate
between Ivan and I, audience might be already shouting 'boo' with thumbs down
by now.
I faked a laugh which sounded so
weird because it was really forced. "Y-You sounded so matured! The last
time I checked, you're just 6 and just turning 7 this year."
Ivan had no change of expression.
He was just completely staring at me with his null stare. Five seconds passed
and still, no change of expression from him. I rolled my eyes and returned my
focus on food. Hindi man lang makisama ang batang 'to! Psh.
"Don't worry, Ivan."
Napaangat bigla ang tingin ko nang magsalita si Stevan. He was half-smiling
while looking at my brother. Lahat kami ay napatingin sakanya na nakangiti kay
Ivan nang may mapungay na mga mata. "Regardless of what your sister say.
Regardless of how painful this would get." He pointed his chest where his
heart was. "And regardless of who would be my rival.." He smiled, his
usual smile. "I will fight." Then he looked at me as his smile get
wider. "And I will win her."
And I swear, I just.. I just
BLUSHED! And this time, it wasn't because I'm ashamed or mad. This time is
different. This time is the very first time I felt like this towards a very
unexpected person. I felt goosebumps and my hands started to tremble for a
reason I don't know. I lowered my head to continue eating but then, instead of
getting the spoon, I took the bread knife to get a rice. Oh God! Am I
panicking?!
"Calm down, darling."
Narinig kong sabi ni Mommy at nang sulyapan ko sya ay nakangiti sya sa akin
pagkatapos ay kay Stevan. And I know, she liked his answer.
Inangat ko rin ang tingin kay Dad.
He was half-smiling while nodding. Nakatingin rin sya kay Stevan. And I also
know that he was impressed.
Seconds after, before Stevan could
even find out that he already impressed my parents, Dad cleared his throat and
asked. "So... who are your parents, young man?" He diverted the
topic. Oh thank God!
"I.. I no longer have parents,
Sir." Stevan answered in a very low voice. It was low, yes. But I didn't
really have an idea if what he was feeling. It was said in a low voice but I
didn't really sense any kind of sadness. Pero wala din naman akong nasense na
ibang emosyon. I-It was just completely emotionless.
Pero napabitin no'n sa ere ang
kutsara ko at naiwang nakanganga ang labi ko. D-Did.. Did I hear it right? H-He
no longer.. S-Stevan... He's already an orphan? Tiningnan ko si Ivo but he
looked away. Not because he didn't want to let me know the answer but because
he was still mad of what I have said. In the end, wala sa sariling naisubo ko
nalang ang kutsara at ibinalik kay Stevan ang tingin.
He was looking intently at his
plate as if there was a scene there that entertains him. No one dared to
talked. Inangat ni Stevan ang ulo nya at ngumiti kay Dad. His usual half-smile
that makes me think what kind of emotion he feels because he was just so good
at hiding it behind that half smile. "They died last year in USA, December
23rd." He said in a very casual tone.
Last year December 23rd? Two days
before Christmas and four days before my birthday. December. Wala pang isang
taon. Walong buwan pa lang. Tiningnan ko si Stevan. No, hindi ko sya tiningnan,
tinitigan ko sya. I stared at him. I stared at his eyes. And I let mine to be
drown in that pair of orbs. I let myself explore the deep of his eyes.
And I saw sadness...
A battalion of sadness.
The kind of sadness that could kill
a human internally. The kind of sadness everyone would try to escape from. The
kind of sadness which was divided into pain and guilt. The kind of sadness..
that had been hidden behind a smile..
"Ivva?"
I snapped back when my Mom suddenly
tapped my shoulder. Napabalik ako sa reyalidad at nilingon ang Mommy. Hindi
lang pala sya ang nakatingin sa akin kundi sila.
"Uh, sorry? You saying
something Mom?" Tanong ko kay Mommy ng nakangiwi pa.
"Ang sabi namin, bakit hindi
nalang sa restaurant ka magtrabaho?" Nakangiting sabi ni Mommy.
Napataas ang kilay ko. "The
hell, Mom? Me? A bartender? A crew? And worse, a cook?! I don't even know how
to properly fry an egg!"
Ivo interrupted us with a laugh.
Nabaling sakanya ang tingin ko at tumalim agad iyon kasabay ng pag angat ng
isang sulok ng labi ko. He raise both of his hands as if surrendering.
"Chill, sis!"
Ibinalik ko ang tingin kay Mommy
then kay Dad. "Daddy naman?" Parang batang pagpoprotesta ko.
Dad smiled. "I know you're
safe in with him in work, Ivva." He was pertaining to Stevan.
My eyes widdened then pointed
Stevan. "D-Don't tell me.. he's going to work with me?! No way." I
crossed my arms.
"No, my dear sister."
Napalingon ako kay Ivo nang sumingit na naman sya. Psh, siguraduhin lang nyang
mati--- "You're not going to work with him." I felt relieved until
ngumisi sya ng nakakaloko. "Because you're going to work for him."
"WHAT?!" Okay, I can't
stop myself from shouting. I was just.. startled! Nanlalaki ang mga mata kong
nilingon sina Mommy at Daddy Jack.
"After his parents passed
away.." Dad started, careful of saying the last words. "..he
inherited their company. He had to manage their five-star hotels and five-star
restaurants here and out of the country while still studying." He sounded
so impressed.
Napataas ang dalawang kilay ko doon
at nilingon si Stevan. He smiled at me and raise both of his eyebrows too.
"Bakit ka pa kumuha ng Engineering kung mas dapat ka palang kumuha ng
Business Management? Are you that inlove to me?"
Lumawak ang ngiti nya at marahang
umiling. "Not because my parents or our ancestors are businessmen, I also
have to follow the same paths." Then bumalik sa half-smile yung ngiti nya
at yumuko sa pagkain nya. "Sometimes we have to break some tradition to be
able to create a remarkable history." Inangat nya ang tingin sa akin at
ngumiti na naghalf moon yung mata nya. "And that was what I did. But of
course, I just can't let go of their business. I have to manage what I have and
what I want."
O---kay. Nawalan ako ng sasabihin
so I just endes up nodding. But then, realization hit me. Napalingon ako ulit
kina Mommy. "But Mom! Wala pa akong sinasabing agree na ako sa... sa
indepence na yan ah?!" Gusot na naman yung mukha ko.
"Wag ka nang tumanggi, Ivva.
Ang arte naman eh."
I glared at Ivo. Okay na 'to
panigurado. Nang aalaska na e. "Ikaw kaya ang magtrabaho!"
He bursted out a laughter.
"Have you forgotten that I've been working for myself for almost four
years?"
I rolled my eyes. "Ugh!"
Tumawa si Ivo. "This is
settled then."
Halos magwala na ako no'n.
"Mom! Dad!" Still, complaining.
"Ang arte! 'My, do'n mo na nga
lang sa trabaho ko ipasok 'tong si kambal!"
Tinaasan ko ng kilay si Ivo.
"Ano bang trabaho mo?"
He grinned. "Bartender in
Nick's bar."
"Ugh! Fine! I'll take Stevan's
restaurant instead!" I badly wanna pull my hair!
Dinner was fine. Well, pwera nalang
kung isasama pa ang nakakalokong reverse psychology ng pagpapapayag sa akin na
magtrabaho para sa sarili ko. You know, for a someone who gets all she wants,
by hook or by crook, all her life, of course it is hard to adjust. Yung tipong
buong buhay mo ay buhay prinsesa ka pero bigla ka nalang magiging muchacha. Oh
psh!
After the dinner, pinaakyat ako ni
Daddy kasama si Mommy. Mag uusap pa raw sila ni Stevan sa living room. Tinanong
ko nga kung ba't hindi nalang nya itinanong kanina no'ng nasa hapagkainan kami.
Ang sagot naman nya ay boys talk raw kasi. As in, lalaki sa lalaki. Whatever.
Hinayaan ko nalang sila doon at umakyat nga sa second floor. Kung saan ako
dumiretso? Sa dati kong kwarto!
"OH MY! I MISSED THIS!"
At nagpatihulog ako sa queen-sized
purple bed ko kung saan nakaupo pa rin ang mga teddy bears ko na iba't ibang
klase pero pare-parehas na purple. Hindi ko sila madala-dala sa condo unit ko
dahil gusto ko, kung saan ko sila unang nakasama, doon lang sila. Memories
should stay where it was created.
Pagkatapos ko namang i-satisfy ang
sarili ko sa pag higa sa kamang namiss ko, inikot ko nalang yung kwarto ko. It
has purple walls with lilies painted on it. My ceiling was white and my tiles
was covered by the purple circle carpet with an italicized 'Ivva Laine' written
on it in white. Then my walk-in closet. It was creamy white. Pero may
horizontal mirror sa itaas. My posters behind my bed. Posters of my favorite
KDramas and Korean artists; The Doctor, Legend of the Blue Sea, Goblin, Doctor
Stranger, Circle of Atonement, Kim Yoo Jung, Park Bo Gum, Kim Jae Joong, Kim
Soo Hyun, Kim So Hyun and such. I smiled. Then my curtains which are all white
with prints of purple roses. My bedside table, my PC, my lamp and other stuffs
which are all purple.
Nagstay din ako sa kwarto ko ng
napakatagal hanggang sa katukin nalang ako ni Mommy. Uuwi na raw sina Stevan at
isasabay na ako ni Ivo tutal naman ay sinundo lang nya ako. Kaya bumaba na rin
kaming dalawa. Pagbaba nga namin, naabutan ko pang nagtatapikan sila sa balikat
habang mga nakangiti.
"Dad, alis na kami." Si
Ivo.
Napalingon naman sa akin si Daddy.
"Ah oh teka, sino ba sainyo ang maghahatid sa dalaga ko?"
"Ako na po, Tito. If you won't
mind." Sabi naman ni Stevan at napataas ang kilay ko. Tito na pala tawag
nya kay Dad e parang 'sir' yun kanina ah?
Magpoprotesta na naman sana ako but
then, I realized, all of them liked Stevan for me so it's pointless to argue
because they'll surely make me do what they want. Nagkiss ako sa cheeks ni
Mommy dahil ganun naman ang nakasanayan kong bye and hello namin. As for Dad, I
hugged him for goodbye. But then, he whispered something that confirmed a real
thing.
"Your suitor impressed me. I
won't really mind if he'd be your husband tomorrow morning."
Nahampas ko si Dad no'n. "DAD!
Seriously?!"
Ngumiti sya at ginulo ang buhok ko.
"You have to graduate first young lady."
I rolled my eyes and finally said
goodbye at sinundan na sina Ivo at Stevan na nauunang maglakad sa akin. I can
actually run to walk between them but I ended up walking while watching
Stevan's back as I reflect of what Dad just told me.
Stevan and I? A married couple? Oh
bitch please!
CHAPTER ELEVEN
"Ivva naman! Bati na
tayo!"
"Valid reason naman 'yon
ah?!"
Nagpatuloy lang ako sa pagkain,
totally ignoring Lilian and Valerie who kept on yelling their explanation and
sorry. They were rushed to perform in a dancing competition yesterday. Their
phones were confiscated that's why they weren't able to text me. I fully
understand their reason. It's just that, they have to buy me my favorite food.
Alam naman nilang 'yon ang pinakamagandang peace offering sa akin pero hindi ko
alam kung bakit hindi nila naalala so I just keep on ignoring them.
Sumubo ulit ako ng isang kutsara ng
ice cream habang panay ang fake cries ng dalawa. Nasa gitna ang table namin
dito sa cafeteria and they are loud enough reason to catch the other students's
attention. But I chose to ignore the watchers and maintained my
not-hearing-anything act. Wala talaga sana akong balak pansinin ang dalawang
ito pero bigla nila akong niyakap! Valerie on my right and Lilian on my left.
Ugggh, they're squeezing me for heaven's sake!
Nagkumawala ako sa yakap nila at
tumayo na rin. Dinuro ko silang dalawa nang may naniningkit na mata. "YOU
TWO! I don't know the both of you so drop the act, alright?!" sa lakas ng
boses ko, muli na namang nagsipaglingunan ang mga tao sa cafeteria.
Pinagtataasan ko sila ng kilay. "What are you lookin' at?!" Mataray
na tanong ko. Then I grabbed the bottle of ketchup on my table, I raise it up
to show them. "Bubuhusan ko nito ang mahuli kong nakatingin sa akin!"
Mabilis pa sa alas quatro naman silang nagsipag iwas ng tingin at nagsipagbalik
sa kani-kanilang ginagawa. I threw one last glare to Lilian and Valerie before
I totally turned my back and started walking away.
"Ivva! Wait!" Valerie
suddenly grabbed my arm.
Nilingon ko sila ni Valerie at
tinaasan ng kilay. "I'm sorry but I don't talk to strangers." Then
flip hair! Magwowalk out na sana ulit ako pero biglang sumigaw si Lilian.
"Pinaframe pa naman namin yung
10 steps to turn----!"
WHAT THE---! Nagmala-the flash ako
para lang malapitan agad si Lilian at takpan ang bunganga nya. Ang babaeng 'to
talaga! Ano bang iniisip nya at isisigaw nya 'yon?! Troubled ang mukha ko nang
ilibot ang tingin sa mga nakatingin at ibalik iyon kay Valerie. Nilakihan ko
sya ng mata, "FINE! Fine! Bati na tayo! But don't you dare shout that
again!"
She just giggled with Valerie. I
rolled my eyes. "But you have to buy me a peace offering first."
Nagkatinginan naman silang dalawa
at sa tingin nila sa isa't isa, mukha ngang nakalimutan nila.
"FRIES!" They shouted in unison. Napangiti naman ako since finally,
they remembered.
In the end, dumiretso nalang kami
sa isang table na nasa ilalim ng puno at malapit sa school wishing well. At
doon na rin nila ipinakita yung 10 steps chuchu. Aba't talagang pina-frame pa
nila! Yung wooden frame pa! Just.. seriously, are they still sane?
Binasa ko naman 'yon. Actually, I
don't know what the steps are. Sinabihan lang nila akong bibigyan nila ako ng
sampung steps para ayawan ako ni Stevan. So this would probably the first time
I'll read them. Ang background ay pinagtabing photo namin ni Stevan na
nakangiti. Mababa yung consperancy nung photo para mabasa pa yung nakasulat.
Then ang font ay yung parang sulat kamay at bawat line ay iba ang kulay. Sa
pinakataas ay may naka bold na OPERATION: STEVAN AND IVVA. Seesh. I rolled my
eyes before finally reading the whole context.
10 Steps to turn a Guy Off
- Ignore and deny him.
- Eat with him without table
manners.
- Spend a lot using his money.
- Humiliate him.
- Break his important things.
- Don't go to your dates.
- Make his family hate you.
- Make him feel you don't care at
his feelings.
- Curse his personality.
- Start a huge fight and never
lower your pride!
BY: Ivva Laine Montesa
TO: Stevan Xailo Lacson
I can't believe this. Like..
seriously?
"Ivva!"
Sabay sabay kami nina Lilian na
napalingon sa tumawag sa akin. It was Gerald. I hurriedly hid the wooden frame
then smiled at him. Lumapit sya sa amin ng nakangiti. Nakipagbatian din sya
kina Lilian bago tuluyang bumaling sa akin.
"Okay ka na?" tanong ko
sakanya.
"Not really." he then
smiled. "But I can endure the pain." Sinagot ko sya ng nag aalangang
tango. Ngumiti ulit sya sa akin. "Kanina pa kita hinahanap. Nandito ka
lang pala."
Kumunot naman ang noo ko.
"Why?"
"You left your phone."
nilabas nya ang phone ko sa bulsa nya. "Steve gave me your phone. Naiwan
mo raw. He wasn't able to give this to you personally because he had an urgent
thing." At inabot nya 'yon sa akin.
Nanlalaki ang mata ko nang iabot
nya sa akin ang phone ko. M-My wallpaper was him! Kabadong tiningnan ko sya,
"H-Have you... Have you, uh, seen my w-wallpaper?" Don't wonder if I
stutter!
Nginitian nya ako tapos pinat yung
ulo ko. "Yes. And I find it sweet." then he winked. "Ge pala
alis na ako. Bye." And he totally left.
Tahimik kaming tatlo ni Lilian at
Valerie pagtapos makaalis ni Gerald. They both know I like Gerald and his
stolen shot was my wallpaper. And they also know that there's a great
possibility that Gerald might be mad if he knew about that. Napabuntong hininga
ako. But.. did he just say... it is sweet?
"D-Did he say 'it is
sweet'?" At tulad ko ay hindi rin makapaniwala si Lilian. Tumango tango
lang si Valerie na mukhang hindi rin makapaniwala.
"E di ba.. sya yung wallpaper
mo?" Tanong ni Valerie.
"Siya nga." Pagkukumpirma
ko.
"Ba't ang layo ng expectation
sa reality nung reaction nya?"
"Aba hindi ko rin---"
natigilan ako sa pagsasalita ng makita ang nakalagay pag ilaw na pag ilaw ng
phone ko at pakiramdam ko, bigla nalang umusok ang tenga't ilong ko.
"ARGGH! STEVAN XAILO LACSOOOOOON!"
His freakin' ducky face-selfie with
a caption 'I so love this guy <3' is not sweet!
Bitter sounds more appropriate.
As in, EW!
CHAPTER TWELVE
"I SAID, DON'T TALK TO
ME!" Inis nang sigaw ko with matching malakas na paghampas sa desk ko.
"Miss Montesa! Get out of my
class! NOW!"
Napalingon naman agad ako sa
professor na nasa unahan ng sumigaw sya. Ang masungit at matandang si Professor
Tan. Asdfghjkl! What the eff?! I'm not doing anything! Alright, I'm not
listening to him and I just yelled at his class. Pero hindi ko naman kasalanan
'yun ah! Nilingon ko ang katabi kong si Stevan. Chill na chill na
patingin-tingin sa kung saan habang sumisipol as if he's not involved with
this. Grr! Bigyan nyo ako ng lagari! Gigilitan ko 'to!
"Miss Montesa, I said, get
out!"
"But Sir---"
"No buts! Rule is rule!
Labas!"
Labag sa loob namang tumayo na ako
kasabay ng buong inis na paghablot sa chanel bag ko. Nakasimangot ako nun at
nung dadaan ako sa harap ni Stevan, sinamaan ko sya ng tingin at buong gigil na
sinipa ang pinakamamahal nyang... uhh..
"AW! Aw! Aw!" Napahawak
sya 'doon' at namilipit sa upuan nya. "Aw!"
"Sir, no pets allowed diba?
Then I should kick this ugly dog out, right?" nakangiting sabi ko kay Prof
at tinuro si Stevan.
Nagpameywang sya at halata sa
mukhang inis na inis na sa akin. "I can't believe your attitude, Miss
Montesa! Mandadamay ka pa! Get out!"
I make face. Yeah right!
Nakakainis! Nagmartsa nalang ako paalis pero bago ko isarado ang pinto
pagkalabas ko, tiningnan ko si Stevan. I glared at him and pointed him tapos ay
mula sa kaliwa hanggang kanan ng leeg ko ay gumuhit ako ng line using my index
finger as if saying 'you're dead'. Humagalpak ba naman ng tawa! Nakakainis! He
was supposed to be scared! Not laugh!
Paglabas ko ng room ni Mr. Tan ay
tiningnan ko ang wrist watch ko. It's just 2:03! Ang next class ko ay mamaya
pang 4:00. What am I going to do? Where am I going? Bwisit kasi na Stevan
Lacson 'yun. Sinigaw sigawan ko na sya na galit ako sakanya dahil dinelete nya
ang picturesssss ni Gerald sa gallery ko plus! Gumawa sya ng album sa phone ko
na puro SIYA LANG! At ang pangalan pa ng album ay 'My One and Only'. Ugh,
gross! Pero dahil nga sya si Stevan Lacson, dinadaldal pa rin nya ako! Okay
lang sana at maiignore ko pa sya kung panay dakdak lang sya pero for heaven's
glory! Kalabit sya ng kalabit sa akin! Hindi lang 'yun, panay pa ang galaw nya sa
buhok ko at inihaharang pa nya ang mukha nya sa view ko. Sinong hindi maiinis
do'n?! Grr!
Nakatayo lang ako sa labas ng room
at nakasandal sa nakasaradong pintuan. Iniisip ko kung saan ako pupunta. Malls?
Yellowcab? Rockwell? Starbucks? Psh! Boring yun. Mag isa lang ako. Aha! Oo nga.
Napatango tango pa ako nang parang may isang light bulb ang umilaw sa taas ng
ulo ko with matching 'Ting!'. Kinuha ko ang phone ko nang nakangiti at nagtype
ng message.
To: Shoaf, L., Concepcion, V.
Girls? Vacant nyo ba? Pinalabas
kasi ako ng room e may almost two hours pa akong vacant. :((
Sent: 2:07pm
Naghintay lang ako do'n. Ilang
minuto pa, wala pa ring reply yung dalawa. Ah, si Gerald nalang. Hihihi! So I
opened my phone and typed a message for Gerald.
To: Mueco, G.
Hiiiiii! =D Vacant time? Tara kain?
Wala kasi akong kasama since di avail sina Lilian at Valerie e two hours pa
meron ako. Napalabas kasi ako ni Prof Tan dahil may mongoloid sa room namin. XD
Sent: 2:11pm
Ilang segundo after kong isent yung
message bigla akong nakarinig ng sigaw galing sa loob ng room ni Mr. Tan.
Sounds proof naman ang bawat room ng M.U pero dahil nakasandal ako sa pinto
medyo rinig ko pero mahina. It was sort of 'lack of son' ata. Basta yung dulo
lang yung narinig ko pero biglang....
"ARAY!" Bigla nalang
akong natumba sa sahig! Paano, biglang bumukas yung pinto e dun nga ako
nakasandal kaya ayun! Sa sahig ako naglanding! Bwisit. My butt hurts! Napahimas
ako sa butt ko dahil ang sakit ng impact nung bagsak ko. Gusot na gusot yung mukha
ko nun!
"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" And to
make me more upset, isang nakakairitang halakhak ang narinig ko sa taong
nagbukas ng pinto!
Inangat ko ang ulo ko only to see
Stevan standing there and laughing his ass out! Argh! Gusto nya atang sipain ko
ulit ang family jewels nya! As for my classmates, no one dared to laugh. Of
course! It is Ivva Laine Montesa! They should never laugh at me if they don't
want their lives to be a living hell. Si Stevan lang naman ata ang may guts na
tawanan ang isang ako. I gave him a deadly glare as if that could kill him.
"YOU!" dinuro ko sya.
"You are a jerk as eve---WHOA!" Nagulat nalang ako nang bigla nyang
hilahin yung kamay kong nakaturo sakanya! At dahil sa lakas ng hila nya ay
napatayo ako. Napatama pa ang katawan ko sa kanya at kung hindi ko naitukod ang
kamay ko sa dibdib nya, we might had a very gross kiss! Fortunately enough, no
kiss but still, we are an inch apart from kissing. Akala ko, wala nang ilalapit
ang pwesto naming 'yon but then, yung kamay nyang humila sa akin patayo ay
ipinulupot nya sa bewang ko at mas hinapit ako palapit sakanya. He gave me a
teasing grin and winked.
"UUUY! Kayo ha!"
"PDA! Magsilabas kayo
oy!"
"Iskor na pre!"
Biglang nagsipagsigawan ang mga
students sa room which made me quickly blush A LOT. Buong pwersa kong itinulak
si Stevan palayo at napaangat ang isang sulok ng labi ko as I muttered,
"J-Jerk" and left the class.
"My lady! Wait for your
man!" Narinig kong pahabol sigaw nya nang maglakad na ako paalis.
Naglalakad ako palayo ng classroom
nang inis kong inihilamos ang dalawa kong palad sa mukha ko. Ghad! Did I.. Did
I really blush and stutter?! Grr! That jerk!
"Uy, namumula pa rin sya!
Hahaha!" Napalingon ako sa sumabay sa paglalakad ko at nakita si Stevan na
tumatawa. Nasabi ko na bang masyadong mahahaba ang binti nya kaya kahit anong
bilis kong maglakad ay maaabutan at maaabutan nya ako?
I rolled my eyes at him. Namula?
Ako? Ha! Oo nga namula. Psh! Pero sa galit 'yun! Kainis sya. At syempre sa
kahihiyan. Nakakahiya kaya syang kasama! Eww. "Ba't ka ba andito?!"
Sigaw ko sakanya in my usual mataray tone.
Ngumiti sya ng pagkalawak-lawak.
"Ganyan ka ba sa mga taong niyayaya mo?"
Kumunot ang noo ko.
"Niyayaya?! Ha! Dream on, jerk!" Asik ko.
He acted like a sad innocent child
then said, "Gumawa pa naman ako ng paraan para palabasin ako't masamahan
ka tapos ganyan ka lang?"
"What the---hmmmpp!"
Hindi ko natapos ang sasabihin ko nang takpan nya ang bibig ko.
"No cussing, lady." At
ngumiti sya ng malaki saka ako inakbayan gamit ang free hand nya. Tinanggal nya
ang pagkakatakip sa bibig ko at kinuha naman ang phone. Nagpipindot at pinakita
sa akin ang nandoon nang nakaakbay.
From: MY ONE AND ONLY
Hiiiiii! =D Vacant time? Tara kain?
Wala kasi akong kasama since di avail sina Lilian at Valerie e two hours pa
vacant ko dahil may mongoloid sa room namin. XD
Sent: 2:11pm
Nanlaki ang mata ko at tinulak sya
palayo. "YOU! It was.. I sent that to Gerald! And I was referring to you
mongoloid slash jerk!"
Tinaasan nya ako ng dalawang kilay
na parang natatawa at nagkibit balikat. "Then why did I receive it
then?"
Napaangat ang isang sulok ng labi
ko at pinanliitan ko sya ng mata. "Assuming! Wait and see!" At kinuha
ko ang phone ko para hanapin ang message. Tiningnan ko at kay Gerald nga iyon
naisend. But.. I realized a shit! Gerald ang nakalagay pero number ni Stevan
ang nakaattach! ARGH! Inangat ko ang tingin kay Stevan at feeling ko talaga
nung mga oras na yun ay umuusok ang ilong at tenga ko lalo na nang makita
nagpipigil sya ng tawa.
"STEVAAAAAAAAN!" at
sinugod ko nga sya.
Pinagtatadyak at pinaghahampas ko
sya but he just kept on laughing. Argh! Ilang minuto rin akong 'hiyah!' Nang
'hiyah!' Doon habang kinakarate ang tumatawang mongoloid. Sumuko rin ako at
lumayo sakanya nang may matalim pa ring mga tingin.
Pagod na ako. Nakakainis! Bato ata
sya. Napahawak ako sa magkabilang tuhod ko ng hinihingal saka ko sinamaan ng
tingin si Stevan na nakasandal sa pader at natatawa-tawa although hinihingal
rin. Sinugod ko nga sya't pinaghahampas at tadyak but hell! He was a stone!
Hindi man lang masaktan ang kolokoy! In the end, napagod lang ako and.. oh
well, pinagpawisan. Bwisit talaga. Ano bang trip nya sa buhay at pinalitan ng
Gerald ang pangalan nya sa phone ko and worse, dinelete pa nya ng number ng
taong gusto ko?!
Kinuha ko ang handbag kong nasa
sahig ng hallway at nagsimula ng magmartsa paalis. Bahala na sya sa buhay nya!
Nakarinig ko ngang sumigaw sya ng 'wait!' at saglit lang, nasa tabi ko na.
Ngingiti-ngiti pa at panay ang tanong sa kin ng kung anu anong walang kwenta.
Grabe kumukulo pa rin at nag iinit ang dugo ko sakanya. Gusto ko nga syang
sigawan but I don't think that would work at this jerk. Sumakay nalang ako sa
elevator nang tahimik na kinikimkim ang sama ng loob. As I've expected, pumasok
rin si Stevan at tumayo sa left side ko. Nagcross arms ako at tumingin sa right
side para di ko makita ang nakakairita nyang pagmumukha at baka lumabas kami ng
elevator ng pira-piraso na sya.
Napatingin ako sa floors then I
pressed the ground floor. Hindi sya pumindot so he'd probably follow me like
usual. Ghad. Makakasama ko pa sya sa isang maliit na space ng matagal-tagal
dahil galing kami sa thirteenth floor.
"Saan kaya magandang pumunta,
Ivva?" narinig kong sabi nya. "A date? What d'you think?" Date
your face! I just rolled my eyes and kept on ignoring him. "Saan mo ba
gusto, my love?" Eww. Gross! "Well, sa akin kasi kahit saan okay lang
basta kasama kita e."
I rolled my eyes again but didn't
answer. Bahala sya dyan. Manigas sya! Hindi ko sya talaga papansinin!
Wait---parang... oo nga! First step dun sa OTHO ay 'Ignore Him' right?! Oh my.
Parang gusto kong ngumisi. But.. kay Stevan?! Gagana ba 'yon?! At matatagalan
ko ba?!
"Balak nga sana kitang
isurprise kaso naalala ko, ayaw mo ng surprise kasi diba nung birthday mo nung
grade 4 tayo tapos sinurprise ka ni Ivo, umiyak ka nun kasi ayaw mo ng
surprises?" Hindi ako nagsalita. "You know what? That was the very
first time na nataranta ako just because someone cried." At ngumiti-ngiti
pa ang loko! "Teka, pano ba tayo napunta sa ganung usapan? Hahaha!"
Usapan? Duh? Usapan is composed of
two or more people! Hindi ba sya nakakahalata?! Sabi ko na walang epekto ang
steps na yun kay Stevan!
"Sa'n mo ba gustong
kumain?" Tanong nya sa akin. Hindi ko sya pinansin. "Hmm? Saan?"
At gaya ng madalas nyang ginagawa,
hinarang nya ang mukha nya sa view ko. Ugh, I badly wanna smash his face so
hard! But I decided to don't. Tagusan lang ang tingin ko. Winave nya yung kamay
nya sa harap ko but I didn't dare to blink nor pay attention with it.
"Pipi ka na? Hindi mo na 'ko
nakikita? Invisible na ba ako? O namatay na kaya ako sa mga hampas at tadyak mo
kanina?" FINALLY, he noticed! I feel like smirking so wide!
*TING!*
Time to go, Ivva! Nilagpasan ko si
Stevan at lumabas ng elevator na para bang hindi sya nakikita. Pero paglabas ko
ng tuluyan, nagpakawala ako ng isang ngiting tagumpay! Mwahahahahaha!
"Ivva! Wait up!"
When I heard the jerk's voice
behind, I hurriedly remove my heels and... RUN FOR YOUR LIFE IVVA! Habang hawak
ang pares ng purple Gucchi ko ay nakangisi akong tumakbo palayo kay Stevan. If
I can't run away from him when I'm wearing my heels, well, I can without killer
heels! I'm an average runner without my sandals. Then I guess, possible naman
na hindi nya ako mahabol.... lalo na kung magpapasikut-sikot ako. So I went to
the crowded areas right after I went out from the building.
Pumunta ako sa pinakamalapit na
spot sa ground. And I sit in with the most crowded squad. I think, they are
13-15. Nagulat pa sila nang makiupo sakanila. And of course they know me. Who's
not familiar with an 'Ivva Laine Montesa' in this school? Nilagay ko ang daliri
ko sa tapat ng ilong ko to hush them down and I mouthed, 'Act normal' which
they did.
"Uy, si Stevan ba 'yon?"
And who don't know a 'Stevan Xailo Lacson' inside this school?! Geez. Kelan pa
sya sumikat?! I rolled my eyes. Muntik na akong lumingon sa sinabi ng isa
sakanila. Magtatanong na sana ako pero may nagsalita na naman sakanila.
"Oo nga 'no? Teka papunta ba
sya dito?" Uh-oh, that doesn't sound good!
Gusto kong mapasapo ng noo dahil
alam naman nga pala nya ang suot ko at alam nya rin na hanggang gitna ng likod
ko ang wavy hair ko. Trying to hide is useless! Kaya naman tumayo na ako agad
at walang sabi-sabing tumakbo palayo sa squad. Wala akong lingun-lingon nung
tumakbo ako.
And then, nung makita ko ang
palikong daan sa Fine Arts building ay lumiko ako agad do'n. Pagliko ko,
pumasok naman ako sa loob and.. I discovered that it was a rest room area.
Right side for females and left side for males. Yeah right, he can never follow
me if I'll go to the right side.
Pero bago pa ako makapasok sa
pintuan ng female rest room, someone pinned me on the wall. Ouch! That hurts!
Nakangiwing napapikit ako sa lakas ng impact. Tapos nagulat nalang ako nang may
maramdaman akong dalawang braso ang kumulong sa akin sa pamamagitan ng pag
lagay niyon sa magkabilang side ko. Dahan dahan kong idinilat ang kaliwang mata
ko at pagtapos ay kanan naman.
"Still running away from your
suitor, lady?"
And I found Stevan Xailo Lacson
three inches away from me. He was wearing a half-smile while panting when he
talked. Pawis na pawis sya but still, he smell so manly. Ang bango nya. The way
he talked sounded so sexy. And.. is it just me or he really look sooo.. hot?
Napalunok ako dahil sa tumatakbo sa isip ko. God, Ivva! Keep your sanity.
Goodness gracious!
"Drooling over me eh?"
His grin went wider. Ugh! Did I just.. Did I just really idle?! Dahan dahang
lumapit sa akin si Stevan. Muli akong napalunok. W-What is he.. What is he
going to do?! But then, inilapit lang pala nya ang ulo nya sa right side ko to
whisper, "Don't worry, you own my heart, my soul and.. my body. I am all
yours, Ivva.." He whispered in a husky voice with the 'all' prolonged.
And I can't deny it. I had an
unexpected freakin' goosebumps when I felt his warm breathe on my neck and the
chills were sent into my spine unevitably. Napalunok ako. My heart was beating
so damn fast. And I can feel my sweat all over my head with my knees acting
like a jelly. Holy mother nature... I can't breathe...
"YOU TWO!"
Nagulat kami nang biglang may
sumigaw bigla at napalingon kami sa pinto kung saan kami dumaan papunta dito.
"Immoral students! Go to Displinary Office, NOW!"
Oh, fantastic!
"To think na freshmen palang
kayo but you are already planning to make love?! And worse, inside the
school!" binagsak ni Prof Kae ang dalawang kamay sa table na namamagitan
sa amin ni Stevan at sakanya. "Dala nyo ang pangalan ng University! What
do you think people will say if they knew about this?! That two freshmen students
find their professors boring so they have decided to just make love inside the
school premises, particularly in a restroom, DURING their class?!" At
winave pa nya sa amin ang copy ng schedule namin na nakuha nya sa kung saang
wala akong balak alamin. "I can't believe that the popular Volleyball
Captain and the popular Basketball Captain are caught making out!" She
sounded hysterical.
Ugh, can someone give me a tape for
this annoying menopausal machine gun?! Gaaal, I wanna roll my eyes. But I
decided to don't when something hit me. Did she say... Basketball Captain?
Napasulyap ako sa upuang katapat ng
sa akin kung saan nakaupo si Stevan. And to emphasize, prenteng nakaupo lang
sya! He's the Basketball Captain? Ghaad, we've been in school together for
already three months and I still don't know that. Whatever! He's still
annoying! Especially right now! Right now that he acts so calm! As if nothing's
wrong and everything was fine for him to chill out. Grr. I wanna kick his ass
now!
"Nakikinig ba kayo?!"
Napalingon kami ni Stevan nang sabay sa matanda nang maglean pa sya palapit sa
amin na dahilan kaya napaatras pa ako. "See?! Just to listen in a
worth-listening lecture, wala na kayong pakialam! Hindi ako makapaniwala sa mga
estudyante ngayon! Masyadong mahahangin at matitigas ang ulo! Hindi gaya noong
panahon namin na----" and her comparisons between generation X and Y
followed. What is wrong with oldies? Why do they keep on comparing their
generation to the current generation?! I wonder if I'd also compare this generation
to the future's.
Halos kalahating oras din kaming
nakinig sa paulit-ulit na sermon ni Professor Kae. Pssh. I get her point, that
making love at our 'young' age is not a really good scenario to witness
especially in a school. But hell! Ilang beses na naming sinabi sakanya ang
totoong nangyari. Pero kung pitong beses kaming nagsabi ng totoo, walong beses
naman nyang sinabing nagpapalusot lang kami. Nasaan ang hustisya?! At sa
hinaba-haba ng pagtatalak ni Prof Kae, masasabi kong sa isang sentence lang ako
naapektuhan.
"And because of that immoral
deed, you two are going to have a '48 hours of service' for our school's
cafeteria as your punishment!"
Napatayo ako nun sa pagpoprotesta.
"But Ma'am---" pero hindi pa ako nakakapagsalita ay pinutol na nya
ako.
"No buts, Miss Montesa. Now,
leave this office."
Leave? Fine! Pahablot kong kinuha
ang bag ko at nagdadabog na lumabas ng opisinang iyon. For heaven's glory, how
could she order me just like that?! Gusto ba nyang ibitin ko sya patiwarik sa
opisinang iyon mismo?! Nagpaliwanag naman kami ni Stevan ah? Wait, Stevan?
RIGHT! It was all his fault! That guy really do brings bad luck on me!
Nakakainis! Nakakainis! Ngayon tuloy may 48 hours of service pa ako sa school
cafeteria kahit na wala naman akong ginagawang masama! Kami ni Stevan? Making
out?! GROSS! Not even in my dreams! Argh. Ang sarap manapak!
"Hey, wait up!" And what
is the definition if IRRITATING?! S-T-E-V-A-N is the perfect definition.
I rolled my eyes. I don't want him
around! Kailan ba nya ako titigilan? Nakakairita na! Hindi na nga lang ako papasok
ng next class dahil magkikita na naman kami ng lalaking yan. Kung papasok pa
ako, baka may paglalamayan na bukas.
So I decided to walk outside of the
university from the West gate. Paglabas ko, hinanap ko yung kotse ko dahil dito
ko yun pinark. But a red lambhorgini arrived and stopped infront of
me--blocking my way. I think, I know who the driver is. At tama nga ang hinala
ko pagbaba ng bintana.
Binaba nya ang ulo para bumaba din
ang shades nya't magtama ang bare gaze namin. My brother, Ivo, smirked,
"What's up, sis?" Tapos ay bigla syang napalingon sa bandang likod ko
kung saan tingin ko nandun si Stevan then sakin na naman tumingin, he bursted
out a laughter then asked, "Another LQ?"
I rolled my eyes as an answer then
crossed my arms as I raise an eyebrow to him, "Why are you here?"
Tanong ko sakanya.
His grin get wider, "A family
dinner for the family?" Dahan dahang nawala ang bitch look ko because of
what I heard. I was just... plain astonished. Family dinner? Tinitigan ko si
Ivo ng matagal. At bago pa ako magtanong ay kinumpirma na nya. "Yes, sis.
A family dinner. Y'know, it's compose of a father, a mother and the
offsprings." This is not happening. Tell me, this is not happening.
"W-What...? N-No!"
Nanlalaki ang mga matang pagtutol ko.
Tumawa naman si Ivo. "You know
you can't Ivva. So you better hop in now." Aniya.
Kinunutan ko sya ng noo.
"What? Now?" Agad agad? Anong oras palang ah? But then, I realized,
three hours ang byahe papunta doon from here.
"Yes." Then nilingon na
naman ang nasa likod ko saka tumingin sa akin nang may nakakalokong ngiti,
"And why don't you introduce your suitor to our family, sis?"
My eyes grew wider because of his
suggestion. Shucks! "No hell way! Okay, okay, fine! Sasama na ako but for
heaven's sake, wag mo na syang isama pa!" At binuksan ko na ang passenger
seat para sumakay pero bago pa ako pumasok, tinulak ako ng magaling kong
kakambal papalabas. "Ano ba Ivo!" Inis kong singhal sakanya.
"You'll sit at the back, my
pretty sister." Kumindat pa sya. "With Stevan." He added.
"Ivo Laxus Montesa!" I
yelled out of anger.
Ngumiti lang sya ng mas malawak at
tumingin sa bandang likuran ko na parang kinakausap ang taong nasa likod ko
gamit ang mata. Napalingon rin tuloy ako only to see Stevan who opened the
backseat then bowed as if he's a butler or someone who's sort of like that.
"Please come in, my
lady." He said in a formal tone.
Pinaningkitan ko sya ng mata and
then...
"OUCH! WHAT A GODDAMN
KICK!" Napahawak sya sa family jewels nyang sinipa ko. Namilipit sya doon
at napatalon-talon pa sa sobrang sakit habang patuloy sa pagmumura.
Narinig kong humalakhak si Ivo sa
driver's seat at sumigaw, "Hop in, love birds! Drop the sweetness,
alright?!"
I rolled my eyes and entered the
backseat, leaving Stevan behind. Pagpasok na pagpasok ko, sinarado ko na yung
pinto but before I totally close it, a hand stopped me from doing so. Sinundan
ko ang kamay at nakita ko si Stevan.
"My lady, is that your way to
show me your love?" Tanong nya habang hawak hawak pa rin ang jewels sa
isang kamay at ang isa ay nakapigil sa sinasara kong pinto. Halata nga sa
ekspresyon nyang sobrang sakit pa rin ng pagsipa ko.
I glared at him then tried to pull
the door to close it but he resisted. Hinila rin nya pabalik. "Ano
ba!" Asik ko at muling sinubukang hilahin ang pinto pero hinila nya
pabalik. Hinila ko papunta sa akin at hinila nya papunta sakanya. Hila dito,
hila doon. Argh! Ayaw mong magpatalo ha? Sinipa ko ang tuhod nya as strong as I
could and I guess, that was strong enough to make him step backward.
"Ouch! That was foul!" At
nabitawan nga nya ang pinto as I've expected.
I just let out a successful grin
and finally close the door. Tiningnan ko naman ang kakambal ko through the rear
mirror. "Larga na!"
Pero bago pa sya sumagot ay biglang
bumukas ang kabilang pinto at... pumasok si Stevan suot ang isang napakalaking
ngisi. My jaw dropped. H-How... argh! This guy!
"Oo nga. Larga na, 'Vo!"
At inulit pa nya ang sinabi ko!
Tiningnan sya ni Ivo through the
rear mirror. "You owe me one. I'll be a fucking driver just this
once."
Stevan bursted out a laughter.
"Yeah, yeah."
Then lumingon sya sa akin. He's
smiling from ear to ear while I was glaring at him to death. "Now, I
think, nagsisisi na akong hinayaan kitang manligaw." I murmured and
defeatedly leaned my back with my arms crossed.
As for Stevan? Of course, he just
answered me with a freakin' laugh!
The whole ride wasn't silent. Ivo
and Stevan together is a great disaster. Ang ingay nilang pareho. Ivo and I are
close to each other, given na yun dahil magkaedad lang kami at sabay na lumaki.
But with Stevan around? We're definitely not on the same side. Bakit ba kasi
gustong gusto nya si Stevan para sa akin? Hell! It seems like everyone wants
Stevan for me. Too bad, I don't.
I had to spent my three long hours
with two noisy and annoying guys for almost three hours. Panay ang pang aasar
nila sa akin. I'm used to it. But hell, ibang topic ngayon. Stevan and I in a
romantic relationship? I don't think that's a good joke. Grr. Most terrible
ride ever. Pero hindi ko alam kung makakaramdam ba ako ng relief nang marating
din namin ang aming destinasyon.
"We're here." Ivo
announced.
It felt like my heart stopped. A
very usual sadness sprang into my heart. I gulped and glanced at the window in
my side to take a glimpse of our former house. And I can't help but feel a
great nostalgia while looking at its wooden huge gate, the wide garage with two
cars, the terrace of the master's bedroom, the small hallway beside the garage,
the garden where my Mom used to water the flowers while me, Ivo and... Dad was
playing. My real father.
Dad...
It's been five years. Am I ready to
face him again?
Nagulat ako nang magbukas ang
pintuan ng kotse kung saan ako kanina nakatingin para titigan ng bahay. Then
Stevan lowered his head to look at me. "Time to go, my lady." he said
with a small smile curved on his lips.
Tahimik at wala akong sali-salitang
lumabas ng kotse. Hinanap ko si Ivo sa driver's seat but nauuna na pala sya
papasok ng nakapamulsa. Not to mention, he was walking like as if he was
enjoying his stroll in some lovely beach. Geez. I wanna roll my eyes.
Napalingon ako kay Stevan na nasa
tabi ko. And I was a bit surprised dahil nakatingin na sya sa akin. He was just
simply serious. And I don't really like that kind of expression from him.
Everytime he wears a serious look, I always lack of idea on what's going on in
his mind. I'm just.. being unable to read him.
"Are you alright?" tanong
nya.
I looked at him. I was so tempted
to say 'no' then cling my hands on his arms because I actually need company. I
need support because I might explode or just simply break down out of the
battalion of memories and emotions attacking me. But then, I decided against
it. Inalis ko nalang ang tingin ko sakanya at nauna nang maglakad papasok.
Sumunod naman sya.
Just like Ivo, may maid din na
sumalubong sa amin ni Stevan at iginiya kami papunta sa living room. Pagdating
namin doon, naabutan naming nagmamano si Ivo kay Daddy at kay Tita Elizabeth.
Nandoon rin sina Elisse and Eloisa, our half sisters.
"Where's my Mom?" That
was the very first question that I blurted out. I just don't feel comfortable
with my Dad's family.
But I think my question made the
ambiance awkward. The room fell on silence. Napatigil si Ivo. My Dad cleared
his throat so as Ivo. In the end, my brother was the one who answered me.
"She said she can't go. An urgent business meeting." There was a
professional formality on his voice.
Kumunot ang noo ko. "Didn't
you tell me this is a family dinner, did you?"
Tumingin sa 'kin si Ivo at nababasa
ko ang sinasabi ng mata nya -- na tumigil na ako at maging pormal na lamang.
But I just... I just can't stop myself.
Tiningnan ko isa isa ang bawat myembro
ng pamilya ng Daddy ko at muling ibinalik ang tingin kay Ivo. "Except you,
wala na akong ibang pamilya dito. Therefore, this is not a 'family'
dinner." I told him with so much sarcasm and an emphasis on the word
'family'.
"Ivva." Tinawag ako ni Ivo
sa tonong nagsasaway. Not too loud and not too low. Just a brotherly way to
control his sister.
So I didn't dare to say anything
anymore. Hindi ko rin binalak na magmano pa sa tatay ko't sa asawa nya. No,
scratch that, sa kabit nya. But my silence brought awkwardness to the room
again. Until Tita Elizabeth broke the ice.
"A-Ah, l-let's go to the
dinning area? I cooked the food." Nakangiti nyang anyaya at nagpatiuna na
doon na sinundan naman ng mga anak nya then kami.
"Hindi ko pa nakikita ang mga
pagkain ay nawawalan na ako ng gana." pabulong na sabi ko.
Sinamaan naman ako ni Ivo ng tingin
dahil sa narinig nya. I frowned and asked, "What?" Napailing lang
sya.
Pagdating sa dinning area ay kanya
kanyang upo naman kami. Dad on the head chair. His family on his right and
we're on his left. Napapagitnaan ako ni Ivo at ni Stevan na nanahimik lang
naman dahil siguro alam nyang family thing is family thing.
"Wait, it looks wrong. Sila
ang bunga ng pangangaliwa so they should be the one sitting here on his left
side, not us." I whispered with the usual sarcasm. But because the dinning
area was so silent, I bet they heard me.
Ivo glared at me and whispered with
controlled tone, "Can't you just act professional and mature, Ivva Laine?
It's been five years. Move. On." Move on? Hah! MOVE ON?!
Pinaningkitan ko sya ng mata sa
sinabi nya. I don't really understand my brother in this case. Never kasi syang
nagalit kay Dad. Well, I'm not sure. Basta wala syang sinabing galit sya at
hindi rin nya ipinakita. Sa aming tatlo nina Mommy, sya lang ang hindi galit.
Basta no'ng magkakasama pa kami nina Mommy sa iisang bahay, no'ng wala na si
Daddy, usually, yayakapin nya kami ni Mommy at ang palagi lang nyang sinasabi
sa amin ni Mommy, mahal nya kami and he would do anything for us. But move on?
That's a different case. If he wasn't upset, well, I am.
"It's been five years? It
wasn't just five years, Ivo! Can't you calculate our age? His and Mom's
marriage? And our step-sisters's age? They're just freakin' about our age!
Which means he's been fooling around two years after we were born." Tiim
ang bagang sagot ko sakanya. I can't control my emotions if they're this
explosive. I tried to lower my voice but my emotions makes it a lil bit uncontrollable
which makes the other on the table hear us.
Ivo held my hand. Doon ko lang
napansing sobrang higpit na ng hawak ko sa tinidor na nasa mesa. "Calm
down, sis. Just.. calm down." he uttered with calmness and understanding.
"Uh, let's eat?" Iyon ang
ipinansingit ni Tita Elizabeth gamit ang pilit na masayang tono upang alisin
ang namumuong tensyon.
Nagsimula nga kaming kumain. And we
were just so silent. Then my Dad interrupted. "Why don't you introduce the
guy Ivva?"
Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa tinidor
at muling nagtiim ang bagang ko. I hate hearing my name from him. I took a deep
inhale. Calm down, Ivva. But I can't help it! "He's none of your
business."
"He's her suitor."
Mabilis na sinundan ni Ivo ang sinabi ko.
My Dad smiled. A bitter one.
"Hindi na talaga ako updated sa buhay ng prinsesa ko." Aniya at kay
Stevan tumingin.
"At least, you're still
updated with your remaining princesses." And I glanced at Elisse and
Eloisa who were silently eating that time and didn't even glance at me.
Dad ignored my comment and face
Stevan instead. "What's your name hijo?"
"Stevan Xailo Lacson,
Sire." At tumayo sya para makipaghandshake na inabot naman ni Dad.
"Nice to meet you,
Stevan."
"Nice to meet you too,
sire."
"Don't be too formal. Tito
nalang." At ngumiti sya.
"Okay po."
"Good. Take care of my
daughter. Pero hangga't maari, ayoko munang mapalitan ang apelyido ko ng
apelyido mo, okay?" he tried to make a joke as the both of them take their
seats.
But an Ivva Laine always have
something to tell against him. Ni hindi ko sya tinitingnan at tahimik na
kumakain nang magpahayag ako ng komento. "Oh, you don't know how much I
wanted to change my last name. Kasuklam suklam para sa akin ang dalhin ang
apelyi---"
"Ivva Laine Briones
Montesa."
Nagulat ako at literal na nagitla
nang biglang magsalita ang kakambal ko. It wasn't too low to be a whisper and
definitely not soft to be consider as an average tone. And to think that he
just called me by my full name. My FULL name. His eyes were seriously blazing
and I don't like that. Yung totoo? Takot ako sa kapatid ko. More than anyone
else, only he can control me. And I never like it when he becomes suddenly this
serious.
"Mom taught us how to respect.
You weren't born to act rude to someone who raise you. Now, apologize, eat and
turn your bitch mode off." He ordered with such authority I never dared to
break off.
Napalunok ako at inangat ang tingin
kay Daddy. "I'm sorry." Monotone kong sabi. Kung pakikinggan pa nga'y
labas sa ilong ang pagsasabi ko niyon. Ngumiti lang sya at tumango tango.
Tahimik nalang kaming nagpatuloy sa
pagkain. Naroon pa rin ang tensyon na ako ang dahilan. Kung si Ivo lang naman
kasi, he has nothing against them. Ivo's Ivo. Hindi ko alam kung sadyang walang
galit o mabilis magpatawad. Nevertheless, I don't get him.
Akala ko'y tahimik nang matatapos
ang kainang iyon nang si Tita Elizabeth naman ang magsalita. "So, how the
both of you met?" Tanong nya habang pinagpapalitan ang tingin sa amin ni Stevan.
And I can sense an extreme carefulness on the way she asked.
Tiningnan ako ni Stevan to ask if
he's the one who's going to answer or me. Nginitian ko lang sya nang pilit at
ibinalik ang tingin kay Tita Elizabeth. Ibinaba ko ang spoon and fork at
ngumiti ng malawak pero walang genuineness sa mata.
"He's Ivo's bestfriend. He
loves me eversince we were in grade school until now."
"Wow. That's impressing."
Sagot naman ni Tita Elizabeth which I was already expecting.
I showed her my bitch look but
quickly turned into a forced wide smile. "Uh-huh. And you know, Tita? He
loves me for almost..." nagbilang ako sa isip ko bago sumagot,
"..seven years. Imagine that? He's soooo loyal. Hindi katulad nung iba na
three years palang kasal pero nambabae na." At lumingon ako sa side ni
Daddy with a hint of smirk on my face.
Mukha namang hindi na sya
nakapagpigil kaya ibinaba na rin nya ang spoon and fork. "Hindi ko alam
ang nangyari saiyo, anak. You've changed. Hindi ka naman dating ganyan."
Then sumulyap sya kay Stevan. "I'm glad he still can manage to be with you
despite of your.. not really good attitude."
I raise an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Then I smiled and cling my arms on Stevan's with such sweetness. "Hindi
kasi sya katulad mo. A simple reason. Unang una na sa lahat, loyal sya. You?
His love is pure. Yours? He knows how to wait. You? He cannot be blinded by
seduction. You? He----" magtutuloy pa sana ako sa comparisons ko dahil
natutuwa akong makitang nagtitiim ang bagang ni Dad but then, Ivo was already
glaring at me. So inalis ko nalang yung kamay ko kay Stevan at umayos ulit ng upo.
"Nevermind."
Sinagot nya lang ako ng isang
malalim na buntong hininga and the very awkward silence followed. I was
silently hoping that time would run faster. I don't know kung hanggang saan
tatagal ang kontrol ko. It's been five years but the scars he left will be
forever on me. Idagdag pa na ang huli naming pagkikita't pag uusap ay isang
masalimuot at kagimbal gimbal na komprontasyon.
Ilang segundo lang ulit ang lumipas
nang may nagsalita na naman, it was Ivo. Maybe he felt that the both sides feel
awkward having each other around especially with my acts. "Oh, by the way
kelan pa kayo bumalik ng Pilipinas, Dad?" Tanong ni Ivo.
"It would be actually better
if he never come back." I murmured with my eyes focused on food. But
because the dinning area was so silent, everyone was able to hear that.
Nagulat nalang kaming lahat na
naroon nang makarinig kami ng malakas at may pagdabog na pagbaba ng spoon and
fork. Inangat ko ang tingin to see Eloisa glaring at me. She was two years
younger than Ivo and me and she was a year older than Elisse.
"Kanina ka pa ah. Your Mom's
right. It is so easy to deal with your twin brother than you because he's way
more understanding and mature than his sister. I know my parents told us to be
patient and be understanding to whatever you're gonna say. Pero masyadong
matabil ang dila mo at sumusobra ka na." Dire-diretso nyang saad na may
mataas na confidence.
I smirked. May attitude ah? This is
going to be fun then. I raise an eyebrow at her at nagsalumbaba as if I'm
having fun just by seeing her upset expression. "Ooohh? Nandyan ka pala?
You know what, I actually thought you and your sister are mute. Or..." I
acted like as if thinking. "..just simply pathetic enough to be
defenseless?" Nakangising sabi ko.
She gritted her teeth out of
madness. Hinawakan ni Elisse yung kamay nya dahil nanginginig na iyon sa inis.
At nagulat ako nang hawakan din ni Ivo ang kamay ko. Napalingon tuloy ako
sakanya't napaayos ng upo.
"Sis." Then umiling sya
ng dahan-dahan, telling me to stop.
Matunog akong naglabas ng hininga
at ibinaba sa ilalim ng table ang kamay, way para alisin iyon sa pagkakahawak
ni Ivo. Why does he keep on stopping me? Ibinalik ko nalang ang tingin kay
Eloisa. Tulad ko, hindi rin nya pinansin ang pagpipigil ng kapatid nya.
"To tell you bitch, nasa bahay
ka ng Ramos-Montesa at wala sa Briones-Montesa so you better beware of how you
show your bitch-side."
"Eloisa." pabulong na
tinawag ni Tita Elizabeth ang anak para pigilan ito.
"Do you even think I wanted to
go here at the very first place? To tell you, I never wanted to see the bitches
who ruined my family. I have nothing against you, your sister and your mother
personally. Pero ang existence nyo at ang role nyo sa buhay ko, ng pamilya ko,
ay sapat na rason para kamuhian ko kayo." Serysong pahayag ko habang
diretsong nakatitig sakanya ang matalim kong mga mata.
"Bitches? Careful with your
words! Kung sa ating apat lang naman, ikaw ang bitch dito."
"E ano palang tawag sa babaeng
nang-aakit ng lalaking may asawa't anak na?" Taas-kilay kong sabi then I
acted as if I realized something. "Oh. Hindi nga pala yun 'bitch'. They
are called 'whores'." At kinowt ko pa sa ere ang huling salita.
"BITCH!" She hissed and
stood up from her chair. Oh, she's already mad? Hinawakan sya ng nanay nya pero
ayaw nyang magpaawat. She was standing firm while giving me a deadly glare.
Tumayo rin ako para pantayan sya. I
crossed my arms and looked at her with my bitch look and a lil smirk.
"Whaat?" Tanong ko na parang inosenteng natatawa sa aksyon nya.
"Ivva, stop!" saway ni
Ivo.
"Don't you dare stop me, Ivo!
You know how I kept all the anger, pain and sadness inside for the past five
years!" Sigaw ko at dinuro pa si Ivo who looked disturbed by now.
"If I know, insecure ka lang
dahil kami ang pinili ni Dad over your family!" Nagpanting ang tenga ko sa
isinigaw ng unang anak sa labas ng Daddy ko. Ibinalik ko sakanya ang tingin ko.
"Hah!" I glared at her.
Tiningnan ko sya as if she was saying a sick joke. "You don't know what
you're saying." I muttered with a very controlled temper.
Tinaas nya ang dalawang kilay.
Hinawakan na sya ni Tita at ni Elisse but she refused to be stop. "And
what? Na kayo ang api at kami ang maninira? Na----"
"Yes!" Pinutol ko na ang
sinasabi nya. "Yes kayo ang maninira! And yes kami ang api!" Galit
kong sigaw sakanya. "You don't know what you're saying because eversince
you were born, my Dad was by your side! You don't know what you're saying
because you don't know what I've felt for the past five years right after we
knew about our father's betrayal!"
"Are you saying na kayo lang
ang nasaktan? What about us? Do you think we weren't hurt when we knew that the
three of you exist?" She still sounds fierce so do I.
"We're the legal family! We
are the ones who got betrayed!" May hinanakit at pwersang hinampas ko ang
sariling dibdib. "You've been hurt? Bitch please." I rolled my eyes
heavenwards. "Ano pa kami na buong akala namin nagtatrabaho ang tatay
namin sa ibang bansa, yun pala, may pinapalaki nang iba? Insecure? NO, I'M NOT!
I'm furious! I'm enraged! I'm mad! I went ballistic. You and your family ruined
us! Your mere existence ruined my family to complete yours." My voice was
a bit cracked but I managed to stay fierce.
"Hindi nila kasalanan kung
minahal nila ang isa't isa. You're just too immature to realize that! Immature
bitch who doesn't know how to love." Tiim ang bagang aniya.
"Eloisa. Stop."
Pagsasaway ni Dad at hinawakan na ang balikat ng anak nya.
And that was when I totally
explode. Twas like as if the healing wounds has been scratched and this was the
time that all the pain came back. "Ikaw talaga ang may kasalanan nito
eh!" Tinuro ko sya. "You and your stupid womanizing!" Dinuro ko
sya sa dibdib ng galit. He stared back with his eyes full of sadness, guilt and
pain. "You shouldn't have marry my Mom to begin with if you don't love
her! Or you shouldn't have let me know you. You should've told me you died
because that was easier to accept. You were commited for heaven's sake! Nung..
Nung ginagawa nyo ba yon, hindi mo man lang ba kami naisip?" My voice
started to crack as I point Ivo and I using my trembling finger. "Hindi mo
man lang ba naisip na may asawa't mga anak ka? Hindi mo ba naisip na ama ka na at
may mga responsibilidad? Why you didn't think about the consequences,
Dad?" I almost break down upon saying the last word. I almost cry when I
was telling my heart out. He attempted to say something but I spoke before he
could. "Dad, do you know the consequences now? Did you realize what you've
done? If no, I'm telling you, you just didn't destroy a family. You also
destroyed me and my whole being." Buong hinanakit kong pahayag habang
matalim na nakatitig sakanya ang nanunubig ko ng mga mata.
"Anak..."
"I used to think you were my
hero. Turns out, you were the villain. I was so fool to think you were the
perfect husband and the perfect father. You are so selfish! You are so selfish,
Dad.." I took a deep breath. "But thank you." I cleared my
throat. "Thank you for at least making me feel I had a father. And thank
you because of what you did, I became stronger." At kinuha ko na ang bag
ko saka umalis ng walang paalam sa lugar na iyon. I can't take the ambiance any
longer. Sumisikip ang dibdib ko. It hurts.
Paglabas ko ng bahay nila ay saka
naman tumulo ang luha ko. Sunod sunod at walang patid hanggang sa mapahikbi
nalang ako. Then may naramdaman akong comforting na akbay. Napaangat ako only
to see Stevan there. He was wearing a slight smile that tells me he's so
willing to understand me and be a shoulder to cry on. His eyes. Sa buong buhay
ko yatang kilala si Stevan, iyon ang tingin na ngayon ko lang natanggap at
masasabi kong pinakapaborito ko. I can't say exactly what his eyes say. But it
has something that would make you feel comfort and will put you at ease
regardless of what you're feeling. That was the kind of look who'd let you know
it's alright to break down because there would always be someone who'd catch
you and that's him. His eyes were full of emotions. Mas lalo tuloy akong
napaiyak.
Maya maya lang, lumapit naman si Ivo at sumabay sa amin. He handed me a
hanky which I accepted. He didn't talk neither did I. I didn't attempt to say
anything until we all get inside the car. I was still crying but I managed to
say, "Sorry. I ruined that dinner." To my brother.
He then looked at me through the
rear mirror and just smiled slightly. The same smile Stevan gave. "Do you
feel better now?" I nodded and he just silently drove.
Habang nasa byahe ako, panay ang
alo ni Stevan sa akin which I didn't mind at all. Ilang minuto rin akong naiyak
hanggang sa naging pahikbi-hikbi nalang at ilang minuto ulit ang lumipas nang
tuluyan na akong tumigil. Tahimik nalang akong sinandal ang ulo sa bintana
habang nakatingin sa labas nang marinig ko ang boses ng kakambal ko.
"By the way, I didn't like how
bitch you've shown there." then he glanced at me through the rear mirror.
And I know right at that moment that he was trying to lighten up the mood.
I chuckled. "Akala ko,
makakalagpas na ako sa sermon ng kuya kong two minutes older than me."
At tatlo kaming pare-parehas na
natawa nalang.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
"Eh ano ngang magagawa
ko?!" Inis kong singhal sakanilang dalawa. "I can't ignore him. I
mean, he was just so good on annoying me that I can no longer keep silent.
Besides, sobrang kulit nya pa rin! Iniignore ko na nga sya tapos kulit pa rin
sya ng kulit na akala mo, hindi nya napapansin na hindi ko na nga sya
napapansin!" And my complains continued while Lilian and Valerie were
looking at me as if I'm a weird alien from the other galaxy. "What?"
Iritado kong tanong sakanila.
"Grabe. Ang hysterical mo,
Ivva." Sabi ni Lilian at humigop sa frappe nya.
"And if you don't know, agaw
atensyon ka na." Dagdag naman ni Valerie at ibinalik ang tingin sa
nakabukas na laptop saka nagtype ulit doon.
Tila nauubusang pasensya naman
akong napatingin sa ibang customers ng starbucks na kanina pa nakatingin sa
amin--or sa akin. I raise an eyebrow. "What are you looking at?"
Buong taray na tanong ko.
Nagsibalik naman sila sa
sari-sarili nilang ginagawa pero parang nagpanting ang tenga ko nang marinig
ang bulong ng babaeng nasa katabing table lang namin. "Psh. Akala mo naman
kasi artista para bigyan ng atensyon." Aba.
Nilingon ko sya. She was reading a
book with black rimmed eyeglasses. Though she doesn't look like a nerd or even
a geek. She has a taste in fashion. But then, she messed up with the wrong
person. "Yung mga duwag talaga e hanggang bulong lang ang kaya 'no?
Bubulong-bulong, pinaparinig naman. Ano? Takot lang?" Sabi ko kina Lilian
at Valerie sa malakas na boses na pinaparinig talaga 'yon doon sa babaeng
ekstra.
"Ako ba ang pinaparinggan mo,
Miss?" humarap na sya sa akin. Hinead to foot ko naman sya ng tingin ng
nakataas ang kilay. She has an attitude for a semi-nerd huh?
"Oh! Akala ko magtatago ka
nalang dyan sa likod ng libro at eye glasses mo e." And I smiled at her in
a bitch way.
"Aba. Are you saying that I'm
a nerd?" She sounds an insulted innocent person.
I chuckled sarcastically. "You
have the commonsense for a nerd." And I winked at her.
"You--! Hindi ka lang pala
attention-seeker. Bitch ka din." Sabi nya nang nanggagalaiti.
Tinaasan ko ang kilay ko.
"Attention-seeker? Oh, I get everyone's attention without yelling if I
want to. And yes, I'm a bitch. Got a problem with that?"
"You get everyone's attention
without yelling? E kanina ka pa nga sigaw ng sigaw dyan na parang pag mamay ari
mo ang buong Starbucks na 'to. For your information, you disturb people like me
who was silently studying."
"Kung bakit ba naman kasi
andito ka? This is Starbucks as you say. A public place. And you don't belong
here. You should be stuck up in some boring libraries, NERD." And I
smirked.
Mukhang hindi naman na sya
nakapagpigil at sinugod na nya ako pero bago pa sya makalapit, pinigilan na sya
nina Lilian at Valerie. Iyan ang gusto ko sakanila e, they wouldn't interfere
with my fight but they'll be there when I need their rescue.
"Sorry. You're crossing the
wrong line." Nakangiting sabi ni Lilian dun sa babae.
"And I'm telling you, girl,
you should back off by now." Nakangiti ring advice ni Valerie.
Ngumiti rin ako at tumayo na.
"Let's go, girls. Lipat nalang tayo. Ayoko sa mga taong nasa pangrich
place nga, ugaling iskwater naman." Sabi ko saka sinulyapan ang babae na
nakatingin sa kin ng masama then kinuha ko nalang yung bag ko at nauna na
palabas. Maya maya lang, katabi ko na rin sina Lilian at Valerie habang
naglalakad.
"Ikaw naman kasi Ivva.
Napalabas pa tuloy tayo." Nakapout na sabi ni Valerie.
"At saan naman tayo
ngayon?" Nakacross arms namang tanong ni Lilian.
"Sa... Rockwell?
Yellowcab?" Patanong na sagot ko.
"Duh? Ang layo no'n
dito!" Said Lilian then flips her hair.
"Eh hindi naman ako
magrereklamo in the very first place kung effective yung 10 steps nyo."
Nakabusangot na sabi ko.
"You know what that
means?" Napalingon naan ako kay Lilian nang magsalita sya. "Stevan is
just so eager to win you."
I rolled my eyes. "I don't
care if his feelings are genuine or he's very eager to win me. I just wanna get
rid him." Nagkatinginan naman sila at sabay na napailing. Tinaasan ko sila
ng kilay. "So ano? What am I going to do next? Am I going to continue
that... err, 10 steps? Or ibabusted ko nalang sya?"
Napasapo naman si Lilian sa noo
niya as if I'm a trouble she had no any choice but to deal with. Tiningnan niya
ako. "God, Ivva. You are so heartless."
Nagugulat ko namang tinaas ang
dalawang kilay ko. Wow. Pang ilang beses ko na bang narinig na sabihan ako ng
'heartless' dahil lang kay Stevan? Psh.
"You know what? Saludo na ako
kay Stevan kasi hindi pa rin siya nasuko sayo kahit na ganyan ka."
naniningkit ang mga matang sabi nya. At talaga namang napaawang ang labi ko do'n!
Whoa, I'm speechless. Kaibigan ko ba talaga ang isang 'to?
"Sinabi mo pa." Naiiling
na sabi naman ni Valerie kay Lilian.
At talaga namang natahimik ako
do'n. "Mga kaibigan ko ba talaga kayo?" taas kilay at mataray kong
tanong sakanila.
Lilian rolled her eyes. "True
friends say true things."
Nagpapadyak naman ako. "Eh ang
topic lang naman natin ay hindi nagana yung 10 steps nyo pero idinivert nyo sa
akin yung topic! Psh!" I rolled my eyes.
Napaisip naman sila do'n. Ilang
minuto din siguro kaming naglalakad ng tahimik habang nag iisip sila at
naghihintay ako.
Tumingin si Valerie kay Lilian.
"Lils, natatandaan mo ba yung sinabi ni Fate?"
Napatingin rin si Lilian kay
Valerie at ngumiti dito as if naiisip nila ang iniisip ng isa't isa. "Fate
says no matter what happen, the steps will continue if the player started doing
it."
Nagpalit-palit naman sakanila ang
tingin ko ng nagtataka. "W-Wait, wait, who's.. uh, Fate?" The last
time I check, fate means kapalaran. Are they referring to the literal meaning?
Napalingon naman sila sa akin at in
the end, si Valerie ang sumagot. "Hindi naman kasi talaga kami ang gumawa
no'ng steps eh."
"WHAT?!" nanlaki ang mga
mata ko.
Napatingin naman sila sa paligid
and looked at me. "You always attract attention, Ivva Laine." Lilian
said and rolled her eyes.
"E-Eh teka nga, ano ba kasi
yang sinasabi niyo?"
Nagkatinginan ulit sila tapos sa
akin ulit tumingin then si Lilian yung sumagot. "One time kasi, nung
magkasama kami sa isang bench sa M.U. Ground tas pinag-uusapan ka namin tungkol
sa sayang naman si Stevan kasi ayaw mo sakanya. Then nagulat kami ni Valerie
kasi do'n sa punong nasa tabi ng bench namin, may nagsalita, nung tiningnan
naman namin, there was a weird girl in black. Sabi nya, 'then why don't you
tell her to turn him off by following some steps?'. Kaya ayun, nung nagmovie
marathon tayo sa unit mo, sinabi rin namin sayo yun." Paliwanag niya.
Nakaawang ang labing napatango ako
kay Lilian. "And...?" I was honestly waiting for further explanation
which Valerie gave.
"Nung nag iisip naman kami ng
steps nga na yun, lumabas na naman siya. Do'n na nga kami nagtaka ni Lilian
kasi bukod sa sobrang weird niya dahil naka-all black siya with matching black
hair, black lips and black eyeliner, nalabas pa sya sa ganoong oras. Nagpakilala
siya bilang si 'Fate'. Lilian and I don't have any idea if that was her real
name or what. Then siya ang nagdictate ng 10 steps na yun at nung tinanong
naman namin siya what if di mo gawin, she was just so confident that you will
and that was when she say that line."
"What line?" tanong ko.
"No matter what happen, the
steps will continue if the player started doing it." they said in unison
and rolled their eyes.
"Uh-huh?" That was only I
could say. Just completely astonished with the revelation.
"And because of that, I think,
you should just proceed with the step #2." Lilian added.
"And what's that?" Tanong
ko nang nakataas ang kilay. Pinaningkitan naman ako ni Lilian ng mata at nang
akmang magsasalita na siya ay nagsalita na ako. "Okay, okay, chill. I
wrote it in my phone's note, alright. No need to evolve into a dragon.
Geez." And I rolled my eyes as I fished my phone from my handbag, opened
it and read the note where I copied the 10 steps.
"Oh? Anong step number
two?" Lilian asked.
I blankly stared at the note. Wait,
is this for real? Oh geez. Inangat ko ang tingin sa dalawa na mukhang kanina pa
naghihintay na sabihin ko kung anuman ang ikalawang hakbang. I make face,
"I can't do this one."
Their eyes widen then the next
thing I knew, Lilian snatched my phone from my hands. "Ano namang mahirap
dito?!" She asked.
"Oo nga. Kayang kaya
naman---"
"I can't! I said, I can't!
Alam nyo, kalokohan lang talaga yang steps na yan eh. I better tell him
straight to his face that I don't like him and I never will." I said with
an evident disgust with my voice.
"No! Ba't ba hindi mo nalang
gawin? Why the hell can't you do this one?" May pagkairitang tanong ni
Lilian.
"Yeah! Kakain ka lang naman ng
marami sa harap niya and burp out loud. Men doesn't like women who burp without
shame. Ang linaw linaw oh, 'Eat infront of him without table manners'! Pak na
pak." Valerie said smiling.
I glared at her. "That is
exactly why I don't like this one." I rolled my eyes. "I can't lose
my poise." And I pouted.
Both of them glared at me then they
looked at each other as if they were thinking the same thing and then, they let
out an evil grin. My eyes widden as I shook my hands. "H-Hey, I don't like
what you girls are thinking..."
But instead of throwing a response,
Lilian stepped backward then Valerie blocked my way. I was trying to ask or at
least, get what the hell is happening until Lilian give me back my phone...
with a message sent to Stevan.
To: +639207802942
Stevan, let's date. Pick me up at
MOA right now. I'll give you 10 minutes to go here.
Sent: 10:46
I rose my head to glare at the two
bitches.
Can I kill this two?
---
"Saan ba tayo papunta,
nilalang?" May taray na tanong ko kay Stevan habang nagdadrive sya ng
kotse at ako naman ay nakatingin sa bintana dito sa side ko.
Tumingin sya sa 'kin at ngumiti.
"Would you mind if we'll take a ride for five hours?"
Agad na sumama ang timpla ng mukha
ko. "I would mind."
Instead of being offended, Stevan
let out a laugh at ibinalik ang tingin sa daan. "You are supposed to say,
'I wouldn't mind at all'. That's what polite ladies say."
I looked at him and raise my
eyebrow. "Do I look like a polite lady?" Inangat ko ang isang sulok
ng labi ko. "Well, I'm polite but my politeness depends on what kind of
person I am talking to."
He chuckled then glanced at me.
"Then what kind of person I am?"
Umismid ako. "You're the kind
of person that is not worth my politeness."
He smiled, his usual slight smile.
"Who's worth it then?"
"The one I like." Mabilis
ang naging pagsagot ko. "And that's not you. It's Gerald."
Ngumiti lang sya ng kaunti.
"You can take a sleep because we'll be there within five hours or
so."
The teasing grin on my face faded.
Inalis ko nalang kay Stevan ang tingin ko at muling ibinalik iyon sa bintana.
Isinandal ko ang maliit na side ng kanang ulo ko habang nasa dinadaanan pa rin
namin ang tingin. I let out a sigh. There was a huge part of me that wishes I'm
Gerald rather than Stevan. But then, nung sinagot ko si Stevan na si Gerald ang
worth it sa politeness ko, it felt like.. it felt like I said that not because
I want to spit right on his face that I don't like him but more on, I just
wanna tease him.
And there was actually a huge part
of me that says he's one of the people who deserve an Ivva Laine's politeness.
Or maybe, he really does deserve
not just my politeness but everyone's. I was just too greedy to don't give him
what he deserves to receive. I sighed.
"Hey." I heard his calm
yet full of joy voice. Nilingon ko sya. He was looking intently at the road but
took a glimpse on me before he speak, "Are you alright? Kanina ka pa
buntong hininga nang buntong hininga."
Napaawang ang labi ko while looking
at him. Am I? I shook my head. "I'm alright." At muling isinandal ang
ulo sa bintana ng kotse ni Stevan para muling pagmasdan ang mga nadaraanan
naming lugar.
But then, Stevan stopped the car
and parked it at the side of the road. Nagtatakang nilingon ko sya. "Ba't
mo hinin--"
"Are you sure you're
alright?" He cut me off. If this was a normal situation with a normal
topic, I'd probably roll my eyes. But then, his eyes stopped me from doing so.
There was just something with his
eyes that I can't read. I can sense hesitance and I can fully read concern. But
there was still something I can't determine. An emotion that is expertly
hidden. Magaling nya iyong naitatago sa paraang hindi ko alam. Katulad no'ng
dinner namin nina Mom with him. It was perfectly hidden and I was just capable
of discovering that hidden emotion when I stared at his eyes to let myself be
drown into it.
"Ivva." I was snapped
back into reality when he called me. Hindi ko namalayang tumititig na naman ako
sa mata nya. "Are you really alright?" He repeated his previous
question.
"Oo." Simpleng sagot ko.
Ang weird nga dahil walang bitch remarks but I was still occupied.
Bumuntong hininga si Stevan at
seryosong tumitig sa akin. "You know, kung ayaw mo talagang sumama sa akin
sa date na ito, I wouldn't force you. I would let you go home."
Tumaas naman ang isang kilay ko.
"That's not so you. The last time I checked, you were always doing some
pranks and blackmails to force me into a date with you."
He gave me one of his usual
half-smile. "And I realized I was so stupid and immature and narrow-minded
back then. You know." Sumulyap siya sa daan bago yumuko. "Malamang
nga na sina Lilian lang ang nagpumilit sayo sa isang date kasama ako dahil
nakita ko naman kung paano kang ayaw pakawalan nung dalawa habang naghihintay
kayo sa akin." Ibinaling nya ang tingin sa labas ng kotse. "At alam
ko ring mas gusto mong makasama 'siya' kaysa sa 'kin." Muli nyang ibinalik
sa akin ang tingin. "You just have to tell me when you don't really want
this.." His lips curved into his usual half smile. "And I would let
you without conditions, without questions, without words. All you have to do is
to tell me, Ivva."
Natigilan ako sa sinabi nya at
literal na nakaawang ang bibig na napatitig nalang sakanya. H-How could this
kind of guy exist? Is he even real? Nakaawang ang labi at hindi makapaniwala
akong dahan-dahang napailing. If it was a different guy, if it was a different
situation, if it was a different story with a different man, they'd probably
take the chance to be with the girl they liked the most. They'd probably won't
waste it. They'd probably try a lot of things to make the girl forget of her
real dream guy. They'd probably force the girl to come and in the end, the girl
would just simply enjoy. If this was a different guy, things wouldn't go like
this. But this isn't a different guy. And this isn't as normal as it should be,
as I was expecting it to be.
It is Stevan.
And Stevan simply stands out. He's
just way way way different. He never forced me. He lets me. Naalala ko ngang
hindi kailanman sya nagself-proclaim na manliligaw ko. Nang sinabi kong ayoko
syang maging manliligaw, nang sinabi kong hindi ko sya pinapayagang manliligaw,
wala syang sinasabing liligawan pa rin nya ako at lalong wala syang sinabing
manliligaw na nya ako whether I like it or not, wala syang dineclaire na
posisyon sa buhay ko na higit pa sa pagiging 'best friend ng kakambal ko'. That
time, he just smiled and nodded to accept what I have said. He just simply
smiled and keep his hopes up that someday, I'd still let him prove his
sincerity--which I already believe in, talagang hindi ko lang sya gusto.
"Ivva?" Untag niya.
Napayuko ako para alisin sakanya
ang tingin pero after a few seconds, tiningnan ko rin sya ulit. "Listen,
Stevan." I said in a serious tone. "Oo, si Lilian ang nagsent ng
message na 'yon at oo, mas gugustuhin kong makasama 'sya' sa mga oras na ito
kaysa sayo. But.." I breath in. "I don't mind being with you. At mas
may karapatan kang makasama ako sa oras na ito kaysa 'sakanya'." At
nginitian ko sya as an assurance.
He had no reaction. Neutral
expression lang at dahan dahang napaawang ang labi nya. Tinitigan nya ako ng
napakatagal na hindi ko naman iniwasan. Until finally, he said a simple,
"Okay." At muli nang magmaneho.
I was kinda disappointed when I
just received a 'one-word-reply' so isinandal ko nalang ulit yung ulo ko sa
bintana. A few minutes after, I glanced at him and I caught him smiling with
his eyes locked on the road. And a few minutes after again, I caught myself
smiling while looking at the views we pass by.
Thirty minutes ago nang ipagkanulo
ako ng dalawa kong kaibigan sa pamamagitan ng pagsent ng message kay Stevan na
nagsasabing makikipagdate ako sakanya. Sa totoo lang, kahit na pinipigilan ako
ng dalawa kong kaibigan na umalis para abutan ako ni Stevan, nakatatak na noon
sa isip ko na hindi ko itutuloy ang date na 'to kay Stevan. At sasabihan ko
nalang syang hindi naman talaga ako ang nagsend ng message na 'yon. Then
papaalisin sya matapos nyang magmadali na pumunta sa MOA. I could've do that.
Pero nang dumating sya, nang binati
nya ako, nang ngumiti sya, bigla nalang akong natigilan sa kung paano kong
nababasa ang emosyon sa mga mata nya nun. He was just sooo happy. Sobrang
tuwang tuwa sya nun to the point na naiimagine ko na ngang nag-i-spark yung
mata nya. Yung lawak ng ngiti nya at yung paraan ng pagtingin nya sa akin, para
bang pwede na syang sumabog sa mga tuwa nung mga oras na iyon. Kaya sa huli,
tatlong salita lang ang nasabi ko kasabay ng pagtayo.
"Let's go, jerk."
Sino ba naman ako para ipagkait sa
isang taong karapat-dapat ang isang simpleng bagay na halos patalunin na sya sa
tuwa?
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
"Ivva.." What the hell?
Hanggang sa pagtulog ba naman ay kukulitin pa rin ako ni Stevan? "Ivva
Laine. Wake up.."
Sa ilang ulit na pagtawag sa akin
at sa ilang ulit na pagyugyog sa akin, wala akong nagawa sa huli kundi ang
dumilat. Kunot noo at pupungas akong umayos ng upo at tiningnan ang kung
sinumang nambubulabog sa akin. And of course, I'm right.
Ang nakangiting mukha ni Stevan ang
bumungad sa akin. Tumatama ang sinag ng papalubog na araw sa mukha nya at ang
mas nakamamangha sa pagtitig sakanya ng mga oras na iyon ay ang mahinhing
paggalaw ng buhok nya dahil sa sumasayaw na malamig na hangin.
Inaantok ma'y nagawa kong iikot ang
tingin sa lugar kung nasaan kami. I was sitting on a gray cloth with two
baskets filled with lots of food. Stevan's car was parked a few meters behind
us. Sa pag ikot ko ng tingin sa paligid ay puro green ang nakikita ko. Ang
pinaglapagan kasi ng kulay abong tela ay isang malawak at patag na bermuda
grass. And we are sorrounded by different tall trees and lots of purple
flowers. The area was closed because of the trees and flowers except sa
dalawang dipang daanan na walang puno o halaman. At dahil doon sa open spot,
mula sa kinauupuan namin ni Stevan ay matatanaw ang malawak na dagat. And what
makes it more amazing was the sunset. It was so perfect seeing it in an ocean
while sitting on an undoubtly beautiful place.
Nilingon ko si Stevan at medyo
nagulat pa ako nang makitang nakatitig na sya sa akin wearing his neutral
expression. "Where are we?" I asked.
"In my place?" Natatawa
pang sagot nya. Kinunutan ko sya ng noo. Ngumiti sya at ibinaling ang tingin sa
papalubog na araw. "I was sixteen when I bought this place."
Nanlaki naman ang mata ko.
"WHAT?!" And yeah! Hindi ko alam kung dapat nga ba akong maniwala o
hindi. Natawa sya ng kaunti sa akin at tumango. Mataman ko syang tinitigan.
"Oh gosh, gaano ka ba kayaman?" Naroon pa rin ang tonong hindi
makapaniwala.
Nginitian nya ako at biglang
inihilamos ang kamay nya sa mukha ko. "If I tell you I'm the richest man
in the world, are you going to marry me?"
Nginiwian ko sya. "Ew. Why
would I marry someone I don't even like?"
Lumawak ang ngiti nya at napayuko.
Tiningnan ko naman sya na parang nawiwirduhan. At nakita ko kung pa'no
dahan-dahang yumugyog ang balikat nya hanggang sa magpakawala sya ng malakas na
tawa. He laugh and laugh and laugh hanggang finally ay tumigil na sya. Err.
What's wrong with this guy?
Pinaningkitan ko sya ng mata.
"Stupid. You should be offended, not happy."
Tiningnan naman nya ako.
"Bakit naman ako ma-o-offend?"
"Duh? Sinabihan kitang hindi
kita pakakasalan kahit na ikaw pa ang pinakamayamang nilalang sa mundo."
"That is exactly why I'm
happy."
Nginiwian ko ulit sya. "I
don't get you."
Ngumiti sya at naatras ko bigla ang
mukha ko nang ilapit nya ang kanya. We were just three inches apart from each
other and I can clearly smell his breath at this distance. He stared at me and
explained, "Masaya ako dahil hindi ikaw yung tipo ng babaeng magpapakasal
nang dahil sa kung anong meron ang isang tao. Dahil ikaw yung taong ibinabase
ang pagpapakasal base sa nararamdaman." At itinuro nya ang dibdib ko kung
nasaan ang puso.
I gulped. This guy... is just
really different from the rest. Oh gosh, I can't breathe. Dahan dahan kong
itinulak sya palayo sa dibdib. "Okay, I get what your point is. No need
for closed-up view, alright?"
Natawa na naman sya at nakangiting
napailing-iling. "Wait, stay here. I'll prepare the food." At tumayo
nga sya para ilatag ng maayos sa tela ang mga pagkaing nasa dala nyang basket.
At gusto kong mapanganga sa dami nun! Kaya ba naming ubusin 'to? Well, I used
to limit myself from eating a lot since I want to maintain my figure. Kaya
hindi ko alam kung kakayanin ko bang kumain ngayon ng marami. Kung iisipin
naman, ang huling kinain ko pa ay yung cupcake sa Starbucks at 'yun palang ang
kinakain ko sa buong maghapon.
While staring at the food, Lilian
and Valerie's voice echoed inside my head--I should proceed with step number
two. I secretly roll my eyes. How could they follow me til here? Geez. Muli
kong ibinalik ang atensyon sa mga pagkain at sinulyapan si Stevan. Well, the
main purpose of this date was to accomplish the step number two. Might as well,
do this. But... am I really going to lose my poise? And hell, to this guy?
Seriously? Bumuntong hininga ako.
"Kaunti nalang, iisipin ko
nang napilitan ka lang talagang sumama sa akin dito." Napatingin naman ako
kay Stevan nang magsalita sya.
Natawa ako. "Don't. K-Kumain
nalang tayo."
Ngumiti naman sya sa akin saka nya
iginesture ang mga nakalatag na pagkain. "Eat all you can, my lady."
At ibinow pa nya ng kaunti ang ulo nya.
Ngumiti lang ako bilang sagot.
Nagsimula na syang maglagay ng mga pagkain sa platong dala nya. Ako naman ay
nakipagtitigan muna ng matagal sa mga pagkain--preparing myself for such an
unexpected fight I'll have with them. Nagpakawala muna ako ng hininga at....
this is it! Kinuha ko ang malaking platong puti at naglagay agad doon ng isang
malaking parte ng isang buong roasted chicken. Pagtapos naman nun ay dalawang
slice ng cake ang iginilid ko sa aking plato. Sunod kong nilagay ay ang
sandamakmak na spaghetti. At ang mga susunod ay hindi ko na matandaan. Basta
ang alam ko, inisa-isa ko ang mga nandoon hanggang sa hindi na kayanin ng
platong hawak ko. Napatitig ako sa malabundok kong plato. A small mountain made
of food. I gulped. Am I really going to eat all of this? Whatever! In the end,
kinamay ko ang napakalaking manok at nang akmang isusubo ko na iyon ay
napatigil ako. Naiwang nakanganga ang bibig ko habang akmang isusubo ang
pagkain nang mapatingin ako kay Stevan--who was looking at my plate that time
with his jaw dropped and eyes widden.
He gulped. "A-Are... Are you
really--I mean, can you eat all of those?" Titig na titig sya sa plato ko
na itinuro nya gamit ang hawak na tinidor.
Does his reaction means this step
is working? Oh man! I feel like smirking.
Tinaasan ko sya ng dalawang kilay.
"Yes. Do you have any problem regarding this?"
Nakangangang umiling-iling sya at
lumulunok pa. Gusto kong matawa. Halatang halata kasing gulat na gulat sya. I
hope, this could turn him off somehow. Nagpatuloy sya sa pagkain gamit ang
kutsara't tinidor. Nakalapag ang plato at pino nyang kinakain ang mga kinuha.
On the other hand, ako, hawak ko ang plato ko gamit ang kaliwang kamay at hindi
ako gumamit ng kutsara't tinidor, I used my bare hands instead. I don't know
kung okay lang ba na kinakamay ang spaghetti. Whatever, yes or no, the goal
won't change. And to totally remove my 'table etiquette', sinadya kong lagyan
ng tunog ang bawat pagnguya. Sunod sunod pa ang naging pagsubo ko as if nasa
paligsahan ako ng pabilisan kumain.
Maya't maya ang pagsulyap ni Stevan
sa akin at nababasa ko pa rin sa mata nya ang hindi makapaniwalang pagkagulat.
Alam kong matatawa lang ako kung patuloy kong susulyapan ang nagugulat nyang
pagsulyap sa akin so as much as possible, I try to avoid looking at him. But I
can't help it. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang mga sulyap nya kaya't napapasulyap rin
ako sakanya at natatawa na talaga ako! I was about to laugh when my chest
hurts.
Cough. Cough.
Napaubo-ubo ako at dahil
punong-puno ang bibig ko nang mabulunan, nagsipagtalsikan pa ang ilang laman.
Mabilis namang kumilos si Stevan at inabutan ako ng tubig na agad ko namang
tinanggap nang umuubo. Hinimas himas nya ang likod ko para tulungan. Oh geez,
pati ako ay nandiri bigla sa mga pagkaing tumalsik galing sa bibig ko.
Natalsikan din nga ang blue sweatshirt ni Stevan, but when I looked at his
reaction with that, he seemed to don't mind at all. He was more focused sa pag
alalay sa akin sa pag inom at sa paghimas ng likod ko.
"Ano? Okay ka na?" Tanong
nya nang hindi na ako naubo. Tumango tango naman ako habang isinesenyas sakanya
na tumigil na sa pag-alalay. "Ba't ka ba naman kasi bigla nalang natawa
dyan?"
Natawa na naman ako pero kaunti
lang. "Wala 'yon."
Tiningnan nya muna ako ng matagal.
At kung ibabase ko sa paraan ng pagtingin nya, masasabi kong inaanalyze nya ako
at ang mga sinabi ko. Kinakalkula nya kung totoo ba o hindi or magtatanong ba
sya para malaman kung ano yun. Ibang klase, napakasimple lang naman ng topic
pero para na nya akong science theory kung i-examine at ianalayze. Matapos ang
matagal nyang pagtitig sa akin bilang analyzation, he came up with the short
reply, "Okay."
Parehas kaming napatingin sa
sunset. Papalubog na at hindi na masakit ang sinag ng araw. "Anong oras na
pala?" Tanong ko.
Tumingin naman sya sa wrist watch
nya. "Four fourty. Gusto mo na bang umuwi?"
Pinaningkitan ko sya ng mata.
"Tinatanong mo ba ako nyan dahil inaalala mo ang komportabilidad ko o
dahil gusto mo nang umuwi at hinihintay mo lang ang pagsang ayon ko?"
Naiiling syang tumawa ng mahina at
pagkatapos ay tinitigan ako. "Walang oras na gusto kong umuwi kung ikaw
ang kasama ko." And he winked.
I slapped his shoulder. "Ang
corny mo ah!" Ngumiti lang sya bilang sagot, this time, a wide one na
parang pinipigilan pang tumawa.
Ibinalik naming pareho ang tingin
sa dagat at sa papalubog na araw. Ramdam ko ang papalamig na simoy ng hangin sa
lugar. And while smiling at the beautiful view, I heard Stevan spoke.
"I dreamed of this."
Nilingon ko sya't kinunutan ng noo.
"You dreamt what?"
Lumingon sya sa 'kin at ngumiti.
"This. Watching the sunset in this place with the girl I love."
I raise an eyebrow. "Sabihin
mo nga sa 'kin, ba't hindi ka pa tumigil sa pag iinsist sa akin ng feelings mo
kahit na alam mong ayaw ko sayo at naiirita ako sa mga ginagawa mo?"
"Dahil hindi ako nawawalan ng
loob na one day, hahayaan mo ako." Ngumiti sya ng kaunti at yumuko.
"Besides, sayang kasi.." It sounded like a whisper to himself.
Medyo iniyuko ko ang ulo ko as if
sinisilip ang mukha nya. "Sayang ako? Masyado kasi akong rare kaya ayaw
mong pakawalan?" Naroon ang pagmamayabang sa boses ko.
He chuckled. "If that's what
you think, lady."
Umangat ang isang sulok ng labi ko.
"Eh ano ngang sayang kasi?" Para na akong batang nangungulit sa tono
ko.
"Hulaan mo. Dali."
"Stevan!"
"Yeah?"
"Rawr!" Inakto ko ang
dalawang kamay ko na parang pusang mangangalmot. "Say it or
I'll---Argh!"
He cut me off by pinching both of
my cheeks. "Wow. I never knew you have this kind of weird side, my
lady."
"Weird pala ah!" Dinamba
ko nga sya. Napahiga sya at ako ang umibabaw. Dapat ay kakalmutin ko sya pero
hinawakan nya ang dalawa kong wrist para pigilan. "Let me go!"
Tawa sya ng tawa tapos tinitigan
nya ako. "Weird yet cute side." Inilapit nya bigla ang mukha nya.
"Rawr! Wild eh?"
"Wild your ass!" Kumawala
ako sa pagkakahawak nya at umayos ng upo. Niyakap ko ulit ang dalawa kong
tuhod.
"You know what, you should
refrain yourself from cussing." Sabi naman niya na umayos rin ng upo.
Nakaluhod yung isa at yung isa ay nakastraight then nakatukod yung dalawa
niyang kamay sa damuhan.
Tiningnan ko naman siya ng masama.
I don't like people who are trying to change me. Ibinuka ko ang labi ko para
sana magsalita pero nanlaki ang mata ko nang may maramdamang kung ano sa
lalamunan ko. Whoa! Not now! I don't wanna lose my poise!
Mukhang napansin ni Stevan ang
reaksyon ko kaya nilapitan niya ako. "Hey, what's wrong?"
Hindi na ako nakasagot nang
sunud-sunod na lumabas ang malalakas na dighay mula sa lalamunan ko. Three loud
burps! Nanlaki ang mata ko at mabilis na tinakpan ang bibig ko. Waaah! This is
not happening!
Napangiwi naman si Stevan habang
tinitingnan ako. "You alright now?"
Tiningnan ko naman siya. May
naramdaman na naman ako sa lalamunan ko. Goodness gracious! Sinenyasan ko si
Stevan na lumayo sa akin habang nakatakip pa rin ang isang kamay sa bibig pero
dahil si Stevan siya, lumapit pa rin siya para sana aalalayan ako. Kaso saktong
paglapit niya ay paglabas ng nararamdaman ko sa lalamunan ko. Bumulwak ang mga
kinain ko kanina at ang halos lahat ay napunta sa dibdib ni Stevan! Nakaramdam
ako ng ginhawa sa pagkawala ng suka ko pero tumingin naman sa akin si Stevan na
tila ba hindi makapaniwala. Tuloy ay napangiwi ako sa disgust sa mga mata niya.
"You vomited?!" Hindi
makapaniwalang sigaw niya habang nanlalaki ang mga mata sa akin.
Mahina ko naman siyang itinulak
palayo. I felt myself blushing so hard. This is embarrassing! "I'm sorry,
okay?! B-Besides, I-I told you to stay away but you still came near me so I'm
not the one to blame!"
Wow. This is way worse than what
I've planned for Step #2.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
"Kalma, Ivva Laine. Don't lose your compos----DAMN YOU
STEVAN!" Inis kong tinadyakan si Stevan. But the jerk was alert enough to
swiftly dodge that.
"Gusto niyo bang madagdagan pa ng 24 hours ang service niyo?"
"NO!/YES!"
Sabay kaming napasigaw bilang sagot kay Professor Kae. Mabilis ko namang
sinamaan ng tingin si Stevan dahil sa pagsagot niya ng yes. Argh! Somebody kick
his ass! Ang sakit sa ulo! Kainis.
"Okay, this is Miss Yam. She'll be guiding you about the cafeteria
staffs and so on."
Ngumiti si Stevan sa babaeng ipinakilala ni Prof Kae na mukhang nasa mid
40's. I maintained my poker face though. With my arms crossed. Duh, it's
annoying. I'm hella annoyed!
"Alright, I still have a class. I'll be leaving them to you, Miss
Yam. Goodluck, freshmen." Nakangiting paalam ni Prof Kae.
I can't help but roll my eyes the moment Prof Kae turned her back. Pero
agad syang humarap sa amin at tinaasan kami ng kilay. Ano na namang problema ng
matandang 'to?!
"And don't do anything unnecessary." Pilit ang mga ngiting
aniya nang may nanlalaking mata. Whatever, you old hag.
Pagkaalis ni Prof Kae, kinausap naman kami ni Miss Yam. Hindi ako
sumasagot. Nakasimangot nga lang ako eh! Pasalamat na siya't si Stevan ang
kasama ko. Si Stevan lang ang sumasagot at kumakausap sa kaniya. Ah, bahala
sila! I want to end all of this crap!
Pagkatapos nilang mag-usap ng kung anumang wala akong alam at walang
pakialam, umalis saglit si Miss Yam. Sumulyap sa akin si Stevan, yung neutral
look niya. Tinaasan ko nga ng kilay tapos umirap. Argh! Kaasar talaga 'to!
Pagbalik naman ni Miss Yam, inabutan nya kami ng tag-isang apron.
"No, I won't use that, Miss Yam." Seryoso kong sabi sa matanda
nang hindi inaabot ang hawak niyang apron.
"Pero kailangan po nito, Miss Montesa. Kayo din, madudumihan yang
mamahalin ninyong dress kung hindi niyo ito susuutin." Nakangiting
pangungumbinsi niya.
I frowned. "There's no way I'm going to wear that crap."
"Pero..."
Mukha naman siyang wala nang maisagot. Si Stevan tuloy, na katatapos
lang isuot yung sakaniya, kinuha na yung apron kay Miss Yam at sinabing siya
nalang ang magpapasuot sa akin at pwede na raw nya kaming iwan.
Pag alis naman ni Miss Yam ay humarap sa akin si Stevan. Bago pa siya magsalita
o gumawa ng anumang hakbang, inunahan ko na siya.
"So, you think you can make me wear that? Think again,
Stevan." Mataray na sabi ko.
Natawa naman siya. "I don't think I can make you wear this."
Ngumiti siya. "So I'll wear this to you."
Agad namang nanlaki ang mata ko. "God, I'm leaving!"
Tumalikod na ako para umalis pero nakakaisang hakbang palang ako, nahila
na ako ni Stevan. Sa lakas ng hila niya, talagang nadala ako. Saktong pagharap
ko sa kaniya, sa isang mabilis na iglap ay naisuot niya sa ulo ko yung apron
tapos dahil nga malakas nga yung hila niya, napahawak ako sa dibdib nya habang
siya ay napahawak ang dalawang kamay sa likuran ko.
"You alright?" Nakangiting tanong niya.
Napatitig ako sa kaniya nang nagugulat nang ma-realize ko yung posisyon
namin. Gosh, we're in a cliché romantic position! At ang lapit pa ng mukha
niya. Pero nung aalis na ako, hinigpitan niya yung hawak sa may likuran ko.
Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin dahil do'n pero ngumiti lang siya.
"Don't move. Tinatali ko pa."
"Tinatali ang alin?"
Binitawan na niya ako at bigla niyang pinat yung ulo ko nang nakangiti.
"There, you have it. Tara na."
Hindi na niya ako hinintay sumagot at hinila na ako papasok ng kusina ng
cafeteria. Saka ko narealize kung bakit ganoon kalakas ang hila niya at yung
sinabi nyang wag akong gumalaw. Doon ko tuluyang napansin na suot ko na yung
apron! Argh! That jerk! How could he do that in a swift motion?! Nung tingnan
ko naman si Stevan, malayo na siya sa akin. Nauna nang kumilos. Psh, eh di sya
nang masipag! At talagang nagagawa pa niyang makipagdaldalan sa iba!
Napatingin naman ako sa loob ng kusina. Ang dami naman palang workers.
Kaso mas marami ang gawain. Kaya paikot-ikot yung iba. Ang bibilis nga nilang
gumalaw eh.
"Miss Montesa. Sa dishes ka po." May lumapit sa aking babae
tapos sinabi akong doon.
Napatingin naman ako sa may sink at napangiwi ako nang makita kung gaano
karami ang nandoon. Kadiri pang makita yung ibang plato na hindi umayos na
pinagkainan. Ew.
"No, ayoko nga dyan." Inis kong sagot.
"Pero--"
Lumapit naman bigla si Miss Yam. "Sa frying nalang po kayo kung
ayaw niyo sa dishes."
Tiningnan ko naman yung frying area nila. And seriously! I don't know
what's worse. I'll burn my face in frying area.
"Wala ho ba kayong matinong gawain?! I can't do those stuffs."
Malakas ang boses na sabi ko.
"Miss Montesa, short po kami sa staff at ang dalawang 'yon ang
medyo kulang."
"What if I break your glasses because I don't know how to wash the
dishes?! Or burn the food because I don't know how to fry?! It's also gonna be
your loss!"
Napapatingin naman na yung ibang staff sa amin nun sa kusina. Argh, ano
bang tinitingin-tingin nila?! Sisigawan ko rin sana sila kaso nagulat nalang
ako nang lumapit sa amin si Stevan. Nung napatingin naman ako sa kaniya,
nakatingin sya kay Miss Yam. Ang seryoso nung mata nya nun.
"We'll change task, Miss Yam. Siya nalang sa beverage tapos ako
nalang sa dishes o sa fry."
"O-Okay, Mr. Lacson." Mukha namang no choice si Miss Yam kundi
ang umoo.
"D-Dito po tayo, Miss Montesa." Inaya naman ako nung unang
babae.
Sumulyap muna ako kay Stevan nun pero hindi sya nakatingin sa akin.
Nakikipag-usap sya kay Miss Yam habang naglalakad palayo, papunta do'n sa
frying area. He has that same serious look. Argh! I want to know what the hell
is he thinking! Galit ba sya? Dahil sa inakto ko? Why am I even concerned to
begin with? Geez. I rolled my eyes.
I ended up doing the easiest thing, they say, in the cafeteria
kitchen--ang paglalagay ng beverages at icecream sa fridge. I kind of feel bad.
Sa tanang buhay ko yata, ngayon lang ako nakonsensya sa pagmamaldita. And
that's because someone made up of my bitchyness. Kung bakit ba naman kasi
nagvolunteer ang jerk na 'yon para makipagpalit sa akin? I could've done it my
way.
Sinulyapan ko si Stevan. Nagpiprito siya nun ng kung anong hindi ko
alam. In just a single glance, anyone would easily know he has his complete
attention to the food. Hmm, he look good when serious. But it's better if he's
smiling. He's being unreadable with that serious look.
Dumaan ang ilang minuto nang may lumapit sa aking babae. Siya din yung
babae kanina. Tapos sinabi niya na lumipat nalang daw ako sa counter dahil mas
madali raw ang gawain doon. Eh di tumango naman ako at iniwan yung gawain ko sa
kaniya.
Pagdating ko sa counter, nakita ko si Stevan na ando'n rin. May kausap
siyang babae na mukhang makakasama naming dalawa dito sa counter. Lumapit naman
ako at tinanong si Stevan.
"Why are we moved here?" Tanong ko kahit na natanong ko na rin
naman dun sa babae. Ba't ba?
Lumingon naman sa 'kin si Stevan at bahagyang ngumiti. "They say
it's easier for us, students."
Napalingon naman ako dun sa babaeng nasa likuran niya. "So, she's
also doing this just for punishment?"
"Nah, she's a volunteer. Her name's Yna" Nakangiting sagot ni
Stevan.
Tumango lang ako bago nag-ayos sa counter. Medyo wala namang ginagawa
dahil wala pa namang customer. Dumaan yung oras at sa tuwing may customer,
halos silang dalawa lang naman ang gumagalaw. Geez, then I should've just
leave!
"Hey, Ivva. Ba't andiyan kayo ni Stevan?"
Nagulat ako nang may tumawag sa pangalan ko. Nakita ko si Gerald kaya
napangiti naman ako. What an inspiration! Lumapit ako sa kaniya para kuhanan
sya ng ioorder niya.
"A punishment, unfortunately. What's gonna be your meal?"
Tanong ko.
Ngumiti naman siya. "Oh? I wonder what you've done. I'll take two
beef sandwich and... yeah, a tea and a bottle of Lifeus."
"Got it. Who are you with?" Medyo sumulyap pa ako sa tables.
"My girlfriend." Nakangiting sagot niya.
Oh. Psh, I wanted to roll my eyes. But that could turn him off so I just
forced a smile. "Right away." Sabi ko saka tumalikod kay Gerald. Kaso
saktong pagtalikod kay Gerald, napaharap naman ako kay Stevan. "Whoa! Ba't
ba andyan ka?!" Sigaw ko sa kaniya dahil nagulat ako.
Nakatingin siya no'n sa likod ko na malamang ay kay Gerald pero pagsigaw
ko, tumingin siya sa 'kin at ngumiti. "Anong order niya?"
Inirapan ko naman siya. "Ako na ang mag-aasikaso sa kaniya,
okay?" Pabulong na sabi ko tapos nilagpasan ko na siya para kunin yung
order niya.
Pagpunta ko sa fridge, nakasabay kong kumuha yung isa pa naming kasama
sa counter. Bale magkatabi kaming nakayuko sa fridge para hanapin ang kung
anumang kailangan namin. I don't really care about her. I don't give a damn to
her existence. Until she spoke.
"Ba't tinetake for granted mo si Stevan?" Kalmado yung tono
niya at walang bahid ng sarkasmo pero nairita ako dun sa tanong niya. Napahinto
tuloy ako sa paghahanap ng order ni Gerald.
Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Wow, you've been close for just a few
minutes? Close enough for you to call him by his first name." Mataray na
sabi ko.
Ngumiti naman siya. Not sarcastic. Geez! "Hindi ko alam kung anong
nagustuhan sa 'yo ni Stevan. Masyadong mabait si Stevan para sa 'yo. He even
asked Miss Kae if he could be just the only one to be punished for that 48
hours of service just so to spare you."
Napatigil ako sa paghalukay nang marinig ang huli nyang sinabi. Stevan
did...? I considered the possibility of this girl lying. But then again,
knowing Stevan, she must be saying the truth. What's with that guy? Lumunok ako
at pinagpatuloy ang paghalukay para itago ang fact na natigilan ako bago ako
nagpasyang sumagot.
"He loves me. That's all there to it. Why don't you stop sticking
your nose in other's business?"
Ngumiti naman siya. "Hinayaan mo siyang manligaw sa 'yo kahit na
halata namang 'yung lalaking 'yon ang gusto mo."
Dahil nakuha ko na yung juice ni Gerald, tumayo na ako pero hindi muna
ako umalis dahil sinagot ko muna si ate girl. She's speaking up way too much.
And she's getting into my nerves. "And how could you say I like that guy?
Besides, if I do, what do you care?" Sa tono ko, parang dinideny ko na
gusto ko si Gerald. Argh, what's wrong with me, actually?
Tumayo na din sya hawak yung juice na kinuha niya. Ngumiti na naman
siya. Alright, I'm getting annoyed of her smile. "Babae din ako. Alam ko
kung pa'no tumingin ang kapwa ko babae sa taong gusto nila. Pero ang maipapayo
ko lang sa 'yo, just let go of Stevan if you are not even certain of catching
him. He's a waste if he'll end up being with you."
That's it! "Bitch. I said, shut up."
I raise my hand to slap her but before I could even swing my hand,
somebody held it to stop me. Masamang tingin naman ang ipinukol ko sa kung
sinong pumigil sa akin. And then, I saw Stevan. He was looking at me seriously
with his brows knotted.
"Ivva, what are you doing?" Tanong niyang nagsasaway.
Winaksi ko naman yung pagkakahawak nya sa akin. "I should be the
one asking you that. No, you should be asking your flirtmate here."
Sinulyapan at tinuro ko yung babae tapos tiningnan ko sya ng masama. "Not
me, alright?"
Bumuga siya ng hangin, napakamot sa sentido, sumulyap sa paligid bago lumingon
sa akin. "Not here of all places, Ivva." Tiningnan niya kaming
dalawa. "You two, settle down. Ang daming customers. And I know you're
both aware that they are much more important than what the hell you're arguing
about. Whatever that bullshit is, get it done later." Tapos may kinuha
lang sya sa freezer bago umalis para iwan kami.
Nagpakawala naman ako ng hininga. Unexpectedly, sabay kami nung bitch.
Napatingin tuloy kami sa isa't isa pero nang magtama ang paningin namin, umirap
ako and so did she. Iniwan ko na rin sya do'n para bumalik sa counter dala ang
order ni Gerald.
Ang sama na ng mukha ko pagkaabot ko ng order ni Gerald. Nagulat nga sya
sa 'kin dahil nag-iba yung mood ko. But I don't have time to deal with him. Ni
hindi ko na nga siya nakausap. Nang sulyapan ko naman si Stevan, may kausap
naman siyang customer. He was serious but he's obviously calm. Grr. That guy!
How could he scold me earlier?! Argh.
Nagpatuloy nalang ako sa pag-asikaso sa customers. It was so annoying.
Buong oras akong nakasimangot. I even yelled at some customer. Especially those
guys who are trying to pick on me. Ni hindi ko nga sinulyapan man lang si
Stevan pati yung pesteng babae. Bahala siyang manigas diyan! If I know, he'd
come near me later and will say sorry. As if I'd forgive him. He dared to
freakin' humiliate me. And in front of that bitch, of all people? Damn him!
Nung wala na akong magawa dahil tapos na ako at wala nang customer,
hindi ko na napigilang lingunin si Stevan. Hindi kasi talaga niya ako nilapitan
man lang. Hindi niya rin ako tinawag. Hah! Isang babae lang pala katapat ng
jerk na 'yon para malimutan ako eh! Pssh.
Paglingon ko sa kabilang side ng counter, parang automatic na umusok ang
dalawang tenga ko nang makita kung paano maglandian yung dalawa. Ang lapit nung
babae kay Stevan, parang may binubulong! Tapos nung lumayo siya, tiningnan
naman siya ni Stevan at kinausap ng seryoso. Ng ganiyan kalapit?! Ah grabe!
Daig pa nila mga highschool sa pag-pi-PDA nila ah?! Hindi ba nila alam na
cafeteria 'to and for pete's sake, they are in the counter! That bitch and that
stupid annoying sonofabitch moron!
Padabog kong tinanggal ang apron ko at pabagsak 'yong inilapag sa
counter. Ang lakas ng bagsak ng kamay ko kaya napatingin sila parehas sa 'kin.
Inirapan ko nga.
"That's it! I'm done here!"
Tumalikod na ako at pumunta sa kitchen para doon dumaan palabas. Nang
makasalubong ko naman si Miss Yam, tinanong niya ako kung saan ako pupunta. I
removed my hair net and place it on her hand.
"I can no longer keep up with the work. Tell Professor Kae I'm
going to do whatever she has me to do as long as I'm not with Stevan!"
Hindi ko na siya hinintay sumagot at lumagpas na ako pero di pa ako nakakalayo,
hinawakan na ako ni Miss Yam sa kamay para pigilan.
"Pero Miss Montesa, ako naman po ang kagagalitan---"
"I don't give a damn!" I bursted out. "Just let me be!"
I rolled my eyes and left.
Pagbukas ko ng pintuan palabas ng cafeteria mula rito, narinig kong
tinawag ni Stevan ang pangalan ko. I didn't look back. Bahala sya! Nang
makalabas ako, for some reason, I slowed down in walking. Well, it's not like
I'm waiting for someone to chase me! Medyo malayo na ako pero wala pa ring
humaharang sa daanan ko para pigilan ako kaya naman hindi ko na napigilang
mapalingon. And only the wind greeted me.
What is this feeling of disappointment in my chest?
Bagsak ang mga balikat na tumalikod ako. That jerk. He's not really
gonna follow me. Fine, he'd better be stuck up in there anyways. I didn't know
getting rid of him is as easy as this. If I knew about it right from the start,
I wouldn't have to deal with him for months.
Saan naman kaya ako pupunta? Pssh. I've got one more hour break. Lilian
and Valerie are in their class. Geez! Naiwan ko pa 'yung bag ko do'n sa
cafeteria. Psh. Naglingon-lingon naman ako sa paligid tapos natanaw ko yung
isang bench malapit sa building ng Fine Arts. Pumunta ako doon at umupo.
Makulimlim naman tapos may puno kaya hindi mainit. Isa pa, mahangin.
Kinuha ko 'yung cellphone ko sa pouch na dala ko. Hindi ko pa
nabubuksan, nagulat nalang ako nang biglang may tumalon galing sa taas ng puno!
Napatingin tuloy ako. At... teka, sino ba 'to?
She's in all black. Black shirt, black pants, blacl jacket, black
sneakers. Even her bonnet, wrist band, lipstick and thick eyeliner are black.
One word to describe her: Emo.
Napangiwi ako nang magtama ang paningin namin. It's 2018 for heaven's
sake. What's wrong with this gal? Still not moved on in jeje era? And the way
she intently stare at me is creeping me out! Nagulat nalang ako nang magsmirk
siya tapos sumandal do'n sa puno nang nasa likod ang dalawang kamay at sa
ground nakatingin.
"'Sup?" Napakakaswal na aniya.
"Eh?" Yun nalang yung nasabi ko. Who the heck is this girl,
talking to me informally?
Lumingon siya sa akin. "How are you going with the steps?"
Literal na napanganga naman ako. Sumiring ako sa ground at binalik sa
kaniya ang tingin. Now, I remember. She must be the gal Lilian and Valerie were
talking about. The girl who was behind the steps.
"Oh, you must be Faith, yeah?" Tanong ko.
Tumaas ang dalawang kilay niya. "Kilala mo na agad ako? And oh,
it's Fate. Not Faith." Pagtatama niya.
"Whatever! Your steps are a stupid plan! I'm dragging down my very
own dignity, y'know?! Are you sure they are going to work?"
Umalis siya sa pagkakasandal saka pinagpagan ang kaniyang pang-upo.
"Nasimulan mo na ba?"
"Hell yeah!"
"You may not turn him off but that will be enough for him to stay
away from you."
"And how sure are you?" Nagsususpetsang tanong ko.
Umakto naman siyang parang nag-iisip. "More or less, 99.1%."
"The heck?!?"
Inayos niya yung bonnet niya bago nagpamulsa ulit. "Well, yeah.
Because the steps will inevitably continue once you've started it." Umalis
siya sa pagkakasandal saka nagsimulang maglakad palayo nang nakapamulsa ang
isang kamay. Itinaas niya ang isa bilang paalam.
Nakaawang naman ang labi na sinundan ko nalang ng tingin ang babaeng
'yon. What's up with that weirdo? Psh! Binalik ko nalang ang tingin ko sa phone
ko saka ito inopen. Kaso bago pa naman ako magbukas ng app, may nagsalita na.
"Ivva Laine."
Agad naman akong napalingon sa kung sino ang nagsalita kahit na nakilala
ko na sa boses. Nakita ko si Stevan na nakatayo isang dipa mula sa akin.
Seryoso yung mukha niya. Hindi ko alam kung galit ba siya o hindi. Pero umirap
ako.
"What?" Mataray na tanong ko.
Bumuntong-hininga siya saka lumapit at umupo sa tabi ko. "That was
rude." I knew he was pertaining to how I acted inside the kitchen.
"Ang gandang bungad ah?" Sarkastikong sagot ko.
Ngumiti siya ng bahagya. Yung madalas niyang ngiti. "Hindi mo dapat
sila kinausap nang gano'n."
Sumiring ako bago binalik sa kaniya ang tingin nang iritable.
"You've got guts now to scold me, jerk?" Inis kong sabi.
Medyo lumawak naman ang ngiti niya. "I'm just telling you you were
wrong. Especially the scene between you and Yna. You were in the counter. That
was irresponsible and immature."
Mas lalo naman akong nainis nang maalala ang bitch na 'yon. "Go
back to your bitch then!" Tinulak ko siya ng malakas.
Napaatras naman siya hanggang sa hindi na siya nakaupo sa upuan ko.
Natawa siya ng mahina at napahawak sa magkabilang bewang. Napailing-iling pa
siya habang nakatingin sa lupa. Why is he laughing?! Is he freakin' mocking
me?!
Binato ko siya ng pouch ko na agad niyang naiwasan. "You know what,
if you're just gonna laugh there, mocking me, you better stay away. Or else
I'll kick your ass! Really!"
Inangat niya ang tingin niya at nagtama ang paningin namin. He was
half-smiling. "Can't you be polite? I don't mind and I would probably
tolerate you if you're acting that way to me. Pero dapat matutunan mo kung
paano ituring ang ibang tao ng dapat."
I rolled my eyes heavenwards. "So, you came just to lecture me
about being nice and polite? Well, I'm not like you! And I don't live to please
everyone, alright? Give it up!" At nagcross arms ako saka inalis sa kaniya
ang tingin. "Besides, you're taking that bitch's side. If only I knew it
would take only a bitch to repel you away, I should've hired one a decade
ago."
"No." He said. Napalingon naman ako sa kaniya at napaawang ang
labi ko nang maglakad siya palapit sa akin. He was still wearing that
half-smile he always wear. Hindi ko nalang namalayan na nasa harap ko na siya.
Nakatingala ako sa kaniya habang nakayuko siya sa akin. Nagulat nalang ako nang
bigla niyang ipatong ang kamay niya sa ulo ko saka ngumiti ng mas malawak pero
hindi pa rin labas yung ngipin. "Ivva Laine, listen." And that was
when I realized I really was stupid.
"Yeah, you don't live to please anyone. But you know, you have to
live while respecting everyone." Nakangiti niyang itinilt ang ulo.
"You understand the difference, don't you?"
Why does everything get blurred but him?