Square One: Ashboo Fanfiction

Chapter 9: Confessions

She drove all the way from her place to Iana's house. She needed to fix this, but only by herself. Bamboo was trying to call her, but she turned off her phone.

"Dad.. Okay ka lang? Buong araw mo na di inaalis phone mo sa kamay mo.."
Bamboo wasn't paying attention.

"Daddy!"

"Ow! Yes! Baby?" Bamboo finally looked at her.

"You're getting weird..." Jeanne told him directly.

She knocked on the door three times, and was opened by her Manager.

"Hi...." Nahihiyang bati ni Sarah.

"Sarah, halika pasok ka." Iana ordered.
Both sat on the living room couch.

"Tell me, pano yun? Ano ba talagang nangyari nun?" She asked again.

"Haay, ayoko na 'to palakihin. Pero ganito kasi iyon, ate Iana, sa Guiuan iyan nangyari matagal na, diba may nakaalitan kaming press non? Siya iyon. Nakuha niya yung phone ko, yung nawala sa Tacloban Airport? Ayun..." She sighed.

"Okay, okay, I understand. Sige, wag kang mahiyang magsalita pa, I need to know. Sarah. Para malampasan natin 'to okay?" She assured her, Iana was so caring especially to Sarah, which she admitted was her favorite.
"Eh yung pictures na yun wala talagang meaning, wala talagang ano... Kasi hindi naman iyon boyfriend ko eh." She convinced her.
"Sino yun? Bakit ang close niyo parang kayo?"
"Si.. Si Bamboo yun."
"Ha?!"
"Eh kasi diba naglolokohan kami non tapos ayun alam mo naman iyon pag tinamaan ng kakulitan wala nang iniisip."
"Akala ko ba non showbiz yun?"
"Ate wala naman akong close na lalaki na hindi galing sa industriya. Ayun, pero sana, wag na siya madamay. Kasi nakakahiya naman sa pamilya niya. Nang dahil sa carelessness ko, at isa pa hindi naman sanay sa showbiz issue yung tao."
"I understand. So pano na yan pag na-corner ka nila?"
"Hindi ko alam kinakabahan ako eh.."
"Tumawag si Mommy Dina, ano meron?"
"Ahh.. Wag po muna natin isipin yun, kaya ko naman po eh."
"Okay sige, sige. Huwag ka mag-alala, ako bahala dito. First time mong ma-issue ng ganito kaya nagkakagulo sila, pero since hindi naman pala totoo, wala na silang ibang kwentong makukuha."
"Sana nga po... Sana."
"Sige magpahinga ka na. Teka natulog ka ba? Pagod na pagod mata mo ha. Para kang puyat."
"Po? Ah ano, sa gising po siguro. Sige po alis na po ako.."
Tumayo na sila at ihahatid na dapat ni Iana si Sarah palabas ngunit humarap to ulit sa kaniya.
"Ate Iana, pwedeng makiligo?"
"Ha? Bakit dito? Sa bahay niyo?"
"Mahabang storya po eh."
***
Matapos niyang magpunta sa manager niya at ayusin ang issue tungkol sa kinalat ni Cess, hindi na niya alam kung ano gagawin niya. Wala naman siyang mapupuntahan, hindi naman siya pwedeng umuwi pa. Gusto niyang patunayan na wala siyang ginawang mali nung panahon na iyon na hinayaan siyang magtravel magisa ni Dina.
"So, Sarah, where do you want to go?" She asked herself.
For 3 hours she traveled from North to South and came back to North again. She didn't go for stopovers, nag-ubos lang ng gas parang ganon. She stopped over the parking lot of a mall, dun lang niya nafeel ang pagiging nomadic.
Binuksan na niya ang phone niya, at nagulat siya sa nakita. 3/4 ata ng inbox may Bamboo nanggaling, di na niya binasa lahat pero tinawagan nalang niya.
"...Hi?" She said.
"WHERE ARE YOU? BAKIT HINDI KA SUMASAGOT? I MEAN BINABA MO YUNG PHONE SI SHINE SABI HINDI RIN ALAM KUNG NASAN KA?"
"Woaaaahhh waiiiit. Anong meron bakit galit na galit ka ha?"
"Hindi mo nga sinasagot yung phonecall ko!!!"
"Eto na diba? Kausap mo na ako?" Kinikilig naman si Sarah dahil nalaman niyang hinahanap siya ni Bamboo buong araw.
"Hey, malapit na yung blinds."
"I know."
"Are you ready to face sa audience? And what happened nga pala sa mo--"
"Ayokong pag-usapan iyan lahat. Please.."
"Sarah, don't pretend na hindi ka madaldal. Ano nangyari? Naayos ba?"
"Wow ha kilalang kilala mo ko."
"Oo. Kilalang kilala kita. Are you sure? Wait, what happened pala.. I mean to your parents?"
The night after siyang ihatid ni Bamboo, pinaalis na niya siya agad dahil sinabi ni Sarah na gusto niyang private makausap ang kaniyang parents.
Pagbukas niya ng pinto, nasa living room nakaupo ang parents niya. Mukhang masama ang timpla ni Dina.
Nagmano si Sarah sa kanila. At umupo sa tabi. Iniwas ni Mommy D yung kamay niya nung kinukuha ito ni Sarah.
"Ma, mageexplain ako."
"Tapatin mo ko. Boyfriend mo iyon o hindi?"
"Ma hindi po, promise."
"Sino iyon? Akala namin yung issue kay Rex dati tapos na, pinagbigyan kita don. Tapos ngayon ano naman to? Ni hindi namin maimagine yung picture!"
"...."
"Sagutin mo ko Sarah sino iyon?!" Tumaas na ang boses ni Mommy D. Nagulat si Sarah at napaiyak agad, natakot sa boses niya. Pinipigil naman ng kaniyang Daddy ang asawa niya dahil galit na galit ito.
"Shh, Dina wag mo takutin yung Bata! Sarah, wag ka umiyak, sige na ayusin natin to sa magandang usapan." Pero hindi mapawala ni Rico ang tensyon sa dalawa.
"Wag ka magsisinungaling sa harap ko! Sino iyon?!" Turo ni Dina.
"Ma.. Hindi ko siya boyfriend... Pero kailangan niyo kong pagkatiwalaan.."
"Pano?! Hindi mo masabi ang pangalan ng lalaking kasama mo! Sa kotse pa!"
"Ma walang nangyari samin maniwala ka. Hindi ko lang talaga pwede sabihin ang pangalan niya..."
"Hindi mo talaga sasabihin? Ha?!" Muntikan na niyang masampal si Sarah ngunit napigilan ng kaniyang ama.
"Dina ano ba! Maniwala ka kay Sarah!"
"Ma sorry talaga.. Pero wala po akong ginagawang masama!"
"Wag mo kong pagtataasan ng boses! Ang tagal natin pinangarap tong career mo tapos sisirain mo lang! Pano nalang pagkatapos nito hindi ka na sumikat?!"
"Saan ba talaga kayo concern? Sakin o sa career ko?!" Napataas ang boses ni Sarah na kinagulat ng kaniyang magulang.
"... Sumasagot ka na ngayon?!"
"sorry po... di ko sinasadya pero nagsasabi ako ng totoo.." Sarah was still crying.
"Sarah.. Anak.. Ipaliwanag mo naman samin sige na..." Ang daddy lang niya ang kalmado.
Umakyat si Dina, nagdadabog. At pagbaba niya puro gamit at damit, nakasunod si Ate Shine na mukhang takot din.
Tinapon ni Mommy D ang mga gamit kay Sarah, gulat na gulat ang ama niya at si Shine.
"Ayan! Ayan bang pinagmamalaki mo! Porket ikaw ang bumubuhay samin?! Pwede mo na gawin ang gusto mo?!"
"Ma... Hindi naman po iyon ang--"
"Wag ka nang sumagot! Hangga't hindi mo naayos iyan at hangga't di mo sinasabi ang totoo, wag kang uuwi ng bahay naiintindihan mo?!!! Gusto mo bang matulad sa ate mo ha???!!! Para sayo to lahat! Lahat ng ginagawa namin pero nabubulag ka na ata ng showbiz!!!"
(NOTE: Kathang isip lang po ito, at malayo po sa totoong ugali ni Mommy D, wala pong magrereact, ff lang po ito ha. Complete opposite po sa real life. Peace po. Mehe)
"Ma naman.." Umiiyak parin si Sarah.
"Ayaw kitang makita. Wala akong sinungaling na anak." Tumalikod si Mommy D at sumunod ang kaniyang Ama.
Walang magawa sila Shine. Bakit? Dahil sa family setup nila, ang nanay nila ang superior. Ganito sila nung simulang simula pa.
"Anak, sorry.." Sabi ng daddy ni Sarah sa kaniya, kahit galit ito, hindi parin niya pinagalitan ang anak. Mas magalala siya sa asawa niya na mukhang hihimatayin na sa high blood.
"Anak, papakalmahin ko lang si Dina, Shine ikaw na bahala kay Sarah." Bilin ng ama.
"Sars.. Ano ba kasi tong lahat?" Lumuhod siya sa harap ni Sarah na nakaupo sa floor, kinukuha ang mga gamit niya.
"Ate, kung may tiwala ka, hayaan mo ko. Please, wala akong ginagawang masama." Sarah wiped off her tears at tumayo dala dala ang hinagis na gamit niya.
"San ka pupunta?" Gulung gulo si Ate Shine.
"Ate wag mo muna akong sundan, si Zac nandito alagaan mo. Magiging okay ako ilang araw lang naman siguro to. Aayusin ko to lahat."
Lumabas si Sarah at sumakay sa kotse niya. Nagdrive kung saan saan at nakakita ng empty parking, doon siya nagpalipas ng gabi.
"Ako? Oo naman. Okay lang. Okay lang kami ng pamilya ko." She lied.
"Sarah..."
"Oh?"
"Are you really okay???"
"Oo nga, okay lang ako okay na okay ako. Pero wag mo naman ulit ulitin sakin kasi nakakasawa, iba nalang pag-usapan natin. Ayokong magisip, gusto ko lang magenjoy muna."
"Enjoy? Sige mukhang I can help you with that. Have you ever been to Band 1994???"
"Never heard of it."
"Ready your things, I'll bring you there."
"Ha? Bakit?"
"Basta, i'll pick you up at--"
"Hindi na! Nasa town ako, ako na dadaan diyan."
"Baka masanay ka naman laging nasa bahay ko ha?"
"Wag ka nga! Sige na bye byeee."
She cut him off. When she got there, Bamboo was already waiting outside his house, he let Sarah's car inside and took her in his, they went off.
"Nagmamadali ka lang ha? San ba tayo pupunta?"
"Tagaytay."
"Ha?!"
"Just." He commanded her to keep silent. And she did.
It was a Saturday, and the traffic jam was so heavy. When they got there, it was almost 6 in the evening
They both went out of the car and stretched.
"Grabe, ang tagal nating bumyahe, ang sakit sa likod." Sarah complained while stretching.
Bamboo stood up infront of her.
"Nagrereklamo ka eh hindi naman ikaw yung nagdrive, natulog ka nga buong biyahe eh."
Then, he took out a scarf and wrapped it in her neck. Nagulat si Sarah.
"Oh ano 'to--"
"Nasa Tagaytay ka, naka sando ka lang and leggings, gusto mo bang iuwi kita sa parents mo na nagyeyelo ka? Ayos ka nga." Masungit na sinabi ni Bamboo pero halatang concern.
Kinilig naman ng sobra si Sarah.
After, Bamboo walked further but then he stopped, looked back at Sarah and reached out his hand,
"Let's go?" He smiled.
"..are you sure? Maraming tao Bamboo.. Makikita--"
"No, this one's different inside. I assure you. Let's go Sarah, don't make my hand wait." He smirked.
"Okay." Sarah removed her ponytail, and it made her even more attractive even when she's just wearing a casual outfit. The scarf given to her by Bamboo was light grey with dark prints.
Lumapit siya kay Bamboo at hinawakan ang kamay niya, sabay sila pumasok sa Band 1994. It was a bar & restaurant type pero sobrang laki sa loob, parang function hall or metrotent.
When they entered, it was a pool of people. Siksikan na halos, may live band sa gitna, and people of almost all ages(legal) are everywhere.
"Ano to?" She asked.
Bamboo gripped her hand tighter, "Famous resto for rockers or for people na gusto lang makinig ng indie music. Don't worry, kahit sino ka pa once you enter here they won't mind you. And keep close to me okay? Baka mawala ka."
The music was loud and the crowd was wild, ineenjoy lang ang bawat tugtog ng mga indie bands. Then they sat down a bar counter.
"Sarah.." He looked at her. Na mukhang confuse pa kung ano nagaganap dito.
"Hm?"
"Okay lang ba? Na dinala kita dito? We can dine somewhere else if you want."
"Ayoko. Mukhang adventure tong place na to." She seemed excited.
"Let's eat first? Feel gutom ka na eh."
Bamboo ordered the food and it seems na regular na siya dito, even the waiters knows him.
"Lagi ka bang nandito?" Sarah asked.
"Dati, I started to sing here.. And I worked here before. Not as a singer but a busboy."
"Really?"
"Yep. But that was long long ago, bagong crew na nga to lahat eh."
And then they had the best dinner of their life. Halatang gustung gusto ni Sarah ang lahat ng food na inorder sa kanya ni Bamboo.
After awhile, someone stood up on the stage, and when the crowd noticed it, they instantly gathered and screamed.
"Ayan na! Band 1994!!!" Bamboo exclaimed.
"Sino yun?"
"They play the best-est music in the world. Let's go!"
Dito lang nakita ni Sarah and side ni Bamboo na sobrang enthusiastic. Hinatak niya si Sarah sa gitna.
The band played certain songs na hindi alam ni Sarah pero mukhang enjoy na enjoy siya. Tuwang tuwa siya dahil first time din niyang makita si Bamboo na part ng crowd habang nagccheer. Usually kasi, sila ang pinapalakpakan ng audience.
Both were quite close sa mosh pit, and it seemed that kanina pa sila sinisilip ng guitarist and vocalist ng banda.
"Before we perform our last song, may nakita ako sa crowd eh. My good old friend, Bamboo!!" And he pointed him out.
Mas lalo namang nagcheer ang mga tao, and requested him to play a song on stage, Sarah let go of his hand nung naspot light siya at lumayo, dahil ayaw niyang malaman ng iba. Hindi naman napansin ni Bamboo na hindi na niya hawak si Sarah.
Due to the public demand, naconvince si Bamboo at umakyat ng Stage. He decided to sing Hallelujah.
Sarah was just looking at him, at di nagtagal nagfangirl agad siya. Parang first time lang niya makitang magperform ulit si Bamboo. And during the performance niya, ilang beses siyang tinuturo ni Bamboo, parang kahit gano karami yung tao binabantayan parin siya.
But not for long, mas dumami ang tao nung nagrequest sila ng duet with the vocalist of Band 1994. They performed Mr Clay.
The crowd eventually pushed Sarah away from the mosh pit, at literal na napuno ang space ng mga tao.
Sarah's frame was too small, and ang tatangkad ng mga nasa gilid at harap niya na tumatalon at nakikijam. It was getting hot too, dahil nga punung puno na ng mga tao sa loob. Pero hinayaan niya lang, because she knows where to find him.
She can still see him from the stage. Parang dati lang, yung pinapangarap niyang makasama at makaduet, hindi niya malapitan at nasa audience lang siya.
After a few minutes, nung nagkaron siya ng chance na makasilip sa stage dahil yung guy na nakaharang sa harap niya umalis, nakita niyang wala na si Bamboo.
"Hala, san siya nagpunta?" She started to worry, she looked from left to right but didn't see any sign of him, ang daming tao, pano niya makikita si Bamboo?
"GET READY!!"
*BUZZ*
it was the beer shower signal. A tradition of this cool place, where people will have the freedom to drink unlimited beer and will be showered with the drink. And so it started.
Dun na nagstart na magkagulo ang mga tao, at nageenjoy talaga. But not for Sarah, she doesn't drink, and she's soaked with beer, pano, dun siya natapat mismo. She kept on searching for him. Nasan ba si Bamboo?
"Sarah!! Sarah!!" Someone called him from afar pero hindi niya sure kung sino. Siya na ba yun? Pero hindi parin niya makita.
"Excuse me po, excuse me po..." She tried as much as she can para sumingit at hanapin kung san nanggagaling yung boses.
She was holding back her tears, kinakabahan siya at baka maiwan lang siya don. (Bc childish nga haha) There are also some guys na tinititigan na siya, and she doesn't like their stare.
"Uhm miss excuse me are you alone?"
"Hi, are you new here?"
"Hey want to join us?"
"Let's have a drink for awhile?"
And so on, she ignored them pero natatakot siya na baka may mangyari sa kanya.
"Hi miss are you alone? Hey." A man cornered her, who seems to be a foreigner, he was with 2 other guys.
"No, sorry. I'm not." She was about to walk away pero pinigil siya ng isang guy.
"Hey, miss. Join us for a little chat. I don't think you're with someone anyway." This guy is a little bit pushy.
"Let me go, I'm with someone." She said. But she was still afraid of what might happen. She tried on sighting Bamboo.
"Well... I don't see him." He was about to hold Sarah but she retreated and gave her a disgusted look.
"HEY. TURN AROUND." A voice commanded, and the guys turned their backs.
It was Bamboo, who's a bit irritated, his hands were on his pocket.
"Now YOU see him." He said with a deadly look. Immediately, the guys walked past him and left Sarah and Bamboo. Dahil may nakita silang pwede pang i-hit.
Then his expression shifted as he called her out, "Sarah!" He ran towards her.
"Bamboo! San ka ba nagpunta?!" Hinampas niya si Bamboo nang paulit ulit but he hugged her tight.
Sarah burrowed her face in his chest, she eventually teared up. "Hindi kita mahanap kanina pa!! Ano ba!" She kept on complaining, but Bamboo was still hugging her.
"I went down after the performance akala ko nasa harap ka, pero hinahanap kita don hindi kita makita eh, kaya lumabas ako akala ko bumalik ka na sa car." Sabay comfort ulit kay Sarah.
"Hindi nga ako makaalis dito! Ang daming tao eh!"
"Sorry. Sorry na. This place was not meant for you I guess, I'm so sorry, please don't cry like that baka isipin nila inano kita." Bamboo said as he wipe her tears.
"Ikaw kasi eh!"
"Sorry na talaga okay?" He cupped her face.
"...Okay lang, na-enjoy ko naman. Yun nga lang basang basa ako oh, amoy beer na ako." Bamboo smelled her, and confirmed it was beer.
Bamboo took off his jacket and she covered her.
"Kasi bakit ka tumapat sa beer shower?!"
"Hindi ko nga alam na may ganon pala dito!" She repeated.
"Pero.." She continued.
"Pero?"
"I like this experience. First time kitang nakitang magperform on stage na isa ako sa crowd na nakikijam, tapos first time ko rin makita kang mag fanboy sa isang banda. Nakakatuwa. First time din Ako makaexperience ng beer shower!!"
"Hey! Bawal ka uminom! Siguro uminom ka kanina no??? Are you drunk?" Bamboo went closer and checked her forehead, pinched her cheeks aka harutan mode.
"Hindiii ano ba." She smiled at him.
"So.. Where do you want to go now? Do you want to go home already?" He asked.
"But I need to go and change, magpapalit muna ako ng damit bibili lang ako sa labas okay?" Sarah and Bamboo went out the band 1994 at dumaan saglit sa souvenir shop, at sumakay na sa car.
"Pull over sa gasoline station, magpapalit lang ako saglit."
"You don't want to take a shower? Ang baho mo swear." Bamboo replied.
"Saan ako maliligo sige nga? Ayoko namang maghotel pa."
"I have my condo here, malapit sa exit point ng Tagaytay. Dun ka nalang maligo."
"Sa condo mo? Tayo lang?" Gulat na gulat si Sarah.
"Yes," tumingin siya kay Sarah at biglang nagclick sa isip niya, "Oh! You! Wag kang assuming. NOT GONNA HAPPEN. Sarah please." He teased.
"Ano ba! Babae ako no! Dun ka lang sa baba!!!" She said.
"What the? Dun lang ako sa baba ng condo KO?"
"Eh hayaan mo muna ako maligo, tsaka wag tayo magsabay pumasok!"
"Okay whatever whatever."
Nung makarating sila ng condo, tumakbo agad si Sarah at kinuha ang susi kay Bamboo. Pumasok siya sa condo niya, na zen inspired interior, pero hindi na niya ganong pinansin dahil pumasok na siya sa cr para maligo.
At nagstay lang sa cafe lounge si Bamboo, waiting for her to finish.
After 50 minutes.... Hindi parin nagtetext si Sarah na tapos na siya, naka 2 rounds na ng cake si Bamboo.
"Nagswimming na ba yun sa bathtub ko?!" He looked at his watch. Maya maya, nakaramdam siya ng need na kailangan niyang mag cr. Bilang isang napaka-OC na guy, ayaw niyang magcr sa communal bath. So, umakyat nalang siya sa condo niya, at pumasok.
"Sarah?" Walang sumasagot. Mukhang busy parin maglaro sa tubig. Sa powder room na siya dumiretso at he did his thing. Lol.
Nasa loob ng master's bed ang full bathroom, at after ng isang oras tsaka palang natapos si Sarah, nagbihis na siya ng shirt and shorts, pero nakalimutan niya ang kanyang kikay kit sa dining table sa labas.
"Hala, super short shorts naman 'to?!" Ang oa talaga ng shorts na nabili ni Sarah.
Sakto rin namang tapos na magcr si Bamboo kaya lumabas narin siya, lalabas na sana si Bamboo ulit nang makita si Sarah na lumabas sa Master's bedroom. Nagkagulatan yung dalawa, di maiwasan ni Bamboo tingnan siya.
"Why are you here?!!!!!" Sarah shouted.
"Why are you half naked?!" He asked back.
"Tumalikod ka Bamboo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" And so he followed.
"Nakashorts kaya ako!!!"
"You call that shorts?! Parang underwear na yan eh!!! Change it!!!"
"Oo nga teka lalabhan ko yung pants ko!"
"Bilisan mo!" Nakatalikod parin siya.
"Akala ko nasa baba ka lang bakit ka nandito?!"
"Nagcr ako! And bakit ka ba galit na galit? I've seen girls wear almost nothing hindi ko nga pinatulan, ikaw pa kaya?!" He teased. But deep inside, he really thinks she's so sexy.
" Ano ka ba para kang magnanakaw bigla bigla nalang lilitaw kung saan saan!!!"
"Remember this is MY condo. Ano tapos ka na ba? C'mon let's go." Bamboo was impatient. Well lagi naman.
"Teka lalabhan ko yung damit ko."
"Just leave it there for the laundry."
"Ayoko nga konti lang damit ko sa kotse."
"Bakit? Hindi ka ba uuwi?"
Natigilan si Sarah.
"Ano? Hindi ka uuwi?"
"Ah.. Siyempre ano uuwi ako. Ah basta, teka lang lalabhan ko lang 'to." Pumasok na siya sa cr.
"This girl is unbelievable."
Bamboo sat on his living room, at nanood nalang ng TV. One moment, biglang nagvibrate ang phone ni Sarah na nakapatong sa table. He didn't mind, pero wala pang 1 minute nagtext ulit ito, at nagtext nang nagtext.
He sighed, "Francisco Lope Gaudencio Belardo Manalac, hindi ka message reader." Natetempt na ata siyang icheck kung sino.
At nagvibrate ulit. Kaya kinuha na niya ang phone ni Sarah. May code ang phone, pero may message preview.
Andrew 11:30 PM
Hi Sarah! This is Andrew, got your number from my handler. She's Ms. Iana's..(tap to continue)
Andrew 11:30 PM
I gave you my number the other day pero you didn't text, so I..(tap to continue)
Andrew 11:30 PM
Oh, they invited me to watch the Blind Auditions. I hope that...(tap to continue)
Andrew 11:30 PM
Your ASAP performance last week was incredible! You look stunning.
Andrew 11:31 PM
Well, you always look stunning anyway.
Andrew 11:31 PM
Sorry for flooding you! I'm just too overwhelmed that I...(tap to continue)
Andrew 11:32 PM
Before I forgot, you owe me one!! You promised!! :)
Andrew 11:32 PM
Hope to hear from you. Goodnight Sarah.
"....."
"..Who the hell's Andrew??"
"Stunning? That's all he got? Psh."
"Pano sila nagmeet? Sino ba 'to? Bakit hindi niya nakwento?"
"Hilarious. Replay lang kaya ang ASAP last week."
"Ka-duet ko kaya siya non. Ako unang nakakita ng look niya sa dressing room no."
"She owes him what??"
At nacurious ng sobra si Bamboo. He raised his right eyebrow at binalik ang phone. Sakto namang nag-air ulit ang isang koreanovela, kaya kahit hindi niya gusto eh pinanood nalang niya dahil medyo nadisturb siya sa Andrew na yun.
(Yung scene sa TV: Iiwan na ni Min si Cai. Tagalog dubbed)
"Bakit mo ko iiwan? Nasan na yung promise? Min nasan na? Ikaw lang nagpapasaya at tumanggap sakin ng buo! Bakit mo ko iiwan?" Cai was crying.
"Sorry, pero hindi ako pwedeng magantay sa taong hindi naman ako nakikita sa harap ng pila." Umiiyak din si Min, pero halatang wala na yung feelings.
"Ikaw lang ang tanging girlfriend ko na hindi ako iniwan at hindi ako hinusgahan pero bakit anong nangyari?"
"Alam mo kung bakit? Kasi hindi mo binuksan yang puso mo sakin! Puro ka sikreto!--"
(all of the sudden na-imagine nalang ni Bamboo na siya si Cai at si Sarah si Min out of nowhere.)
...
"Bamboo, hindi ko kayang magantay hanggang sa mapansin mo lang ako. Gusto ko rin sumaya."
"Sarah..."
"Kaya please, tapusin na natin ang ugnayan natin. Ayaw na kitang makita."
"Bakit? May nakilala ka na bang iba?"
"Bamboo..."
"Si.. Si Andrew ba? Siya ba yung dahilan kaya mo ko iiwan?"
"Wag mo idamay si Andrew tinutulungan lang niya kong kalimutan ka."
"So si Andrew nga? Iiwan mo ko para sa taong ngayon mo lang nakilala?"
"Hindi, Bamboo. Ipagpapalit kita sa taong alam kong ipaglalaban ako--"
At biglang nagising si Bamboo. Naka-idlip na pala siya at nakapanaginip non. At sobrang na-weirduhan siya.
Natapos na ang teleserye, Iniwan ni Min si Cai para kay Minho.
"This is freaky." At pinatay niya ang TV. Mahirap na baka kung ano na naman ang naimagine niya. Pumunta siya ng kitchen, at uminom ng tubig.
"SARAH!!! WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO WASH THE BEDSHEETS????!!!!" Sigaw nito.
"10 minutes more!!!!!" Sarah shouted back.
Nung maubos ni Bamboo yung tubig, naalala pa rin niya si Andrew at ang weird niyang panaginip. Naghanap siya ng liquor sa counter.
"I could use you for a little while. I need to forget it okay."
And so he enjoyed drinking by himself.
***
After another 40 minutes, lumabas na si Sarah with her things na nakaayos na.
"Ayan na tapos na yehey!" She cheered.
Pero wala si Bamboo sa living area, kaya pumasok siya sa kitchen. Nandon si Bamboo... Medyo mapula ang mukha.
"Bamboo? Ano iyan? Nagbeer shower ka magisa?" Gulat na gulat si Sarah, lumapit siya sa kaniya na nakaupo lang sa may counter.
"Oh, hey, you're done. Nice." He pinched her cheeks and cupped her face. Nako, lasing nga 'to.
"Hey okay ka lang????"
"Seraaaahhhhhhhh." Bigla niyang yinakap si Sarah.
"Ay! Ano ba! Bamboo tigilan mo nga ako!!!" Pero mukhang kinikilig parin si Sarah :))
"I want a hug Sarah, I want a hug."
"Ang harot mo! You're drunk!!!" Tinanggal niya mga kamay ni Bamboo na nakayakap sa kaniya.
"I did this for you. Ikaw may kasalanan nito."
"Ha? Panong ako???"
"Don't you know???" Hinawakan niya shoulders ni Sarah.
"Bamboo okay ka lang????"
"Why?"
"Anoo?"
"Why can't I get you out of my mind?!!!" He shouted.
Si Bamboo lang ang uminom, pero si Sarah daig pa yung lasing sa sobrang pula ng mukha. Blush kung blush hehe.
"......"
"Sarah..."
"..."
"I like you."
"Hindi mo alam ang sinasabi mo." Naging seryoso na si Sarah.
"I do. I can feel it here." (Pointed his heart)
"...."
"Sarah" he cupped her face, and leaned closer.
She closed her eyes...
He was about to kiss Sarah.. But he retreated and threw up in the sink.
"Teka kukuha akong pamunas!"
Tumakbo si Sarah sa cr at binasa ang face towel. Tumingin siya sa salamin.
"Hoy. Sarah. Pigilan mo sarili mo."
*flashback their almost first kiss*
At nagblush na naman siya.
"Hindi pwede, wala sa katinuan si Mr Sungit. Sarah Asher.... NO."
Pagbalik ni Sarah, nakahiga na sa sofa si Bamboo, at tulog na.
"Aba, matapos akong harutin tutulugan ako? Pano tayo uuwi?"
Since wala namang magawa si Sarah, hinayaan nalang niya. Anong oras na rin naman, umupo siya sa tabi nito ang kinuha yung wet towel.
"Pupunasan pa ba kita, tulog na tulog ka na eh."
"..."
Pupunasan na sana ni Sarah, kaso na-distract siya sa sleeping face nito.
"Ang gwapo mo talaga pag tulog. Mas mahaba pa eyelashes mo sakin eh."
"..."
"Pero seryoso ka ba? Na gusto mo ko?"
"..."
"Kasi Please, 'wag mo ko bibigyan ng hope sa isang bagay na imposibleng mangyari. Masakit yun."
Naging malungkot ang mukha ni Sarah, at tumayo na. Pumasok siya sa Master's Bedroom at kumuha ng kumot, bumalik siya at kinumutan niya si Bamboo.
Lumapit siya sa kanya saglit...
At binigyan si Bamboo ng forehead kiss.
"Goodnight." Pumasok na siya ulit sa Master's Bedroom para matulog.
Bamboo opened his eyes, "Goodnight, Serah." He smiled and went back to sleep.
***
The next day, 6 am palang ng umaga gising na si Bamboo. Mukha namang wala siyang hangover, naligo na siya at nag-ayos. Pumasok siya sa kwarto niya para kumuha ng damit.
Si Sarah naabutan parin niyang tulog. Humihilik pa nga, hindi na niya ginising dahil maya maya pa naman siya matatapos. After niyang maligo, sakto namang tumawag ang kapatid niya.
"Andy? Why?"
"Kuya? Bakit ngayon ka lang tumawag nag-aalala kami! San ka ba pumunta hindi ka raw umuwi kagabi?!"
"Oh, right. I forgot to say na hindi ako makakauwi. sorry."
"Where are you? Bakit hindi ka umuwi? Buong gabi ka hinanap ni Jeanne at Kath!"
"..."
Biglang lumabas si Sarah ng room.
"Ah, gising ka na pala Bamboo." Sabi ni Sarah.
"You're with a girl?!" Andy said over the line.
"Yes, and No." Bamboo stuttered.
"God, congrats kuya." He laughed.
"It's not what you think okay????!" Todo defend si Bamboo.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night." He teased.
"Oh, kuya, hopefully you can free one sunday next month."
"Hm, maybe I'm good after my tour. Bakit?"
"I want you to meet my soon-to-be girlfriend."
"Wow. Is she someone you fooled from showbiz?"
"Secret. Basta, I want you to be there okay?"
"Okay. I will. Bye." He hung up.
Sarah, on the other hand went inside the Master's Bedroom again. She fixed her things.
"Sarah!" Bamboo shouted.
"Bakit???" Sigaw niya sa kabilang room.
"Let's go? Sa labas na tayo magbreakfast."
Hindi na sumagot si Sarah, medyo bothered parin sa nangyari kagabi. Na for sure nakalimutan na ni Bamboo.
Nauna nang lumabas si Bamboo pababa sa parking area, si Sarah naman nagwalis pa ng konti dahil matagal tagal na naman panigurado bago may gumamit dito. Siya na rin naghugas ng mga baso. After niyang maglinis bumaba narin siya.
Naabutan niya si Bamboo na nakasandal sa kotse inaantay siya.
"Buksan mo yung likod ilalagay ko yung gamit ko. Salamat."
Binuksan naman ni Bamboo at nilagay niya na ang mga gamit doon. Pagsara ng pintuan ng kotse sa likod, paalis na sana si Sarah pero pinigil siya nito, hinawakan ni Bamboo and kamay niya.
"Serah wait," he said.
"... Bakit?"
"About what happened last night..."
"..."
"I... I just want you to know that--"
"That you don't mean any of them? It's okay." Paalis na ulit si Sarah pero pinigilan na naman niya ito.
"No wait, please. How do I say this?
"..." She crossed her arms.
"Sarah.."
"I'm waiting for your explanation."
"..."
"..."
"Okay I can't do this." He surrendered.
"Figured." Paalis na dapat ulit siya pero for the last time, hinatak siya ni Bamboo.
"Wait no. I still remember what happened last night."
"..."
"And I am completely aware of what I did."
"... Okay na kung manghihingi ka ng sorry. Wala na sakin 'yun." She looked away.
"No not that. I don't regret saying 'those' to you because I mean it. Everything."
Sarah started to blush.
"Okay na sige na halika na--"
"But I regret not doing one thing I should've." He looked at her in the eyes.
".. Ano?" She asked. (Yung super bilis ng tibok ng puso niya.)
There was a 5 second pause.
"Alam mo, bahala ka na." Nainis na si Sarah at balak mag walk-out.
Instantly, Bamboo grabbed Sarah on her shoulders.
Tight.
"Listen, I will not repeat this again."
"SARAH. I LOVE YOU."
he pulled her closer.
And kissed her.
On the lips.
....
She kissed him back.