Kabanata 5
I hugged my sketch pad tighter while staring at the trash bin sa likod ng bahay, I can see the burned small fragments from the red dress. May ibang basura na roon kaya natatakpan na halos pero hindi pa rin ako matahimik.
"Ano 'yan, kambal? May artista riyan?" I heard a voice behind me.
I almost cursed in shock, sa paglingon ko ay nakita kong nakasilip si Chiel kaya suminghap ako at pinalo siya.
"Ikaw! Bakit ka nanggugulat?!" I hissed and smacked his chest.
"Aww..." he frowned at me, touching his chest. "Bakit gulat na gulat ka ba? Anong mayro'n at kanina ka pa nakatitig diyan sa basurahan?"
"Kanina ka pa dumating?" I asked, confused pero inakbayan lang ako ng kambal ko at dinungaw ang mukha ko.
"Hindi mo napansin?" he raised his brow at me. "Kanina pa nga ako nakasilip sa'yo diyan, five minutes ka na atang nakatitig lang, nagliliwanag ang ka-gwapuhan ko sa malayo tapos 'di mo ako pansin?"
"Alam mo, Chiel, una sa lahat, pangit ka." I smiled sarcastically at him and he frowned.
"Why are you so always mean to me? Alam mo, kambal, magkamukha lang tayo, kung pangit ako, pangit ka rin—" pinitik ko ang ilong niya at napangiwi na siya.
Suminghap ako nang ang nakaakbay niyang braso sa akin ay nilagay niya sa leeg ko, he playfully choke me and I cursed him, hinila ko ang buhok niya at para kaming tangang nagsigawan doon, halos mag-wrestling na.
Kung hindi lang dumating ang maids ay baka nagbilangan na kami roon sino ang talo.
"Hala ka! Ma'am! Sir! Hala, magmahalan kayo! H'wag kayo magpatayan!" eksaheradang singhap ni Ate kaya natigil na kaming dalawa.
I let go of Chiel's hair, binitawan niya ang leeg ko at sabay kaming lumingon kay Ate.
"Ah, hindi naman, Ate, ganito lang kami maglambingan ni Crest, right, kambal?" Chiel placed his arms on my shoulder and pinched my cheek.
Ngumiwi ako sa sakit kaya tumawa ako at sinuntok ang tiyan niya, napadaing na siya.
"Opo, Ate. Lambingan lang 'to, don't worry." I smiled at her and she looked at me and Chiel first before slowly nodding.
"Ah, sige sige. Kapag need niyo kami, sigaw lang kayong Darna, ah?" biro ni Ate kaya sabay na kaming nagkatawanan ni Chiel at nag-thumbs-up pa sa kanya.
When she left, sabay kaming nagkatawanan ni Chiel, I glanced at him and saw his messy hair, mabilis kong inipit sa isang braso ang sketch pad ko para ayusin ang sinabunutan kong buhok niya.
"Kakauwi mo lang?" I asked when he lowered his head to let me fix his hair.
"Yeah, I bought you foods, ikaw lang kasi mag-isa rito, na-miss mo ako 'no?" he teased kaya kinaltukan ko na.
"Feelingero ka, Chiel. Saya kaya mag-isa rito, ano?" I raised my brow and he smirked at me, hinampas ko na ang kamay niya nang guluhin niya ang buhok ko. "Ang kulit mo, isa!"
"Na-miss lang kita, Crest-ganda!" he chuckled. "I haven't seen you for three days, no'ng may time na may kukunin ako sa firm, sinabay ko munang umuwi rito at baka marami ka na namang delivery."
"Alam mo, Chiel, habang mas tumatagal, mas pumapangit ka." I pointed out, earning a laugh from him, inakbayan niya ako ulit kaya sabay kaming naglakad papunta sa may garden para maupo sa may bench katapat ng mga bulaklak na inaayos ni Mommy.
"Ah-huh, we looked alike, Crest. Kaya pumapangit ka rin." He pointed out kaya napairap na ako sa kanya at natawa.
"So, what did you bought for me?" I asked.
"Just some sweets from the pasalubong shop I saw, masarap daw kaya binilhan kita. You can check it later on the dining." Aniya sa akin kaya tumango at sumulyap sa kanya.
"'Di ka pa nagbibihis?" I asked when I noticed him still on his work clothes, just that, formal suit and tie.
"Mamaya siguro," aniya sa akin. "Ikaw, saan ka na naman pupunta at ang kinang na naman ng suot mo?"
"Dito lang," tawa ko. "Masama mag-outfit? Isa pa, I wore my new boots!" I lifted my foot and showed him it.
"Bumili ka na naman?" he asked, raising his brow at me.
"Nah, no'ng nakaraan pa 'to. I know you're aware I don't spend much na nitong nakaraan..." I said and he eyed me suspiciously.
"I actually heard it from Dad, huh? Wala raw nagno-notify na bangko sa kanya." He said and I smiled proudly at him and winked.
"Naman! I'm magaling, ano?" I said and he laughed at me and messed with my hair again.
"That's a good thing, don't spend to much, tignan mo nga 'yong binili mo no'ng nakaraan, hindi mo pa nasusuot lahat." Aniya sa akin kaya napatawa na ako.
We heard his phone rang, kaagad kaming nagkatinginang dalawa. He pointed his phone kaya tumango ako at mabilis niyang sinagot iyon, hindi umaalis sa tabi ko.
I slowly placed my head on his shoulder, nakita kong natigilan siya pero hinayaan lang ako at mas umayos ng upo para hindi mahulog ang ulo ko.
He even placed his arms on my shoulder, pinapasandal ako sa may braso niya kaya gano'n nga ang ginawa ko. While he's talking to some client on the phone, nanatili lang akong nakatitig sa mga bulaklak na inayos ni Mommy sa garden namin.
I can see the roses blooming but not all together, may ibang sobrang namumukadkad at may ibang pasibol pa lang, some is still not in the verge of blooming.
"Do you have a problem?" aniya sa akin kaya umiling ako, I heard Chiel took a deep breath and touched my hair. "Something bothering you." He said, stopping me.
"Wala nga, Chiel." I said, "I was just...you know, bored and—"
"You're not usually that quiet, madalas kapag magkasama tayo sasabog ang tainga ko sa sobrang dami mong sinasabi." Aniya kaya nanlaki ang mata ko at nilingon na siya.
I smacked his head, napangiwi siya at akmang babatukan din ako kaya inambahan ko siya ang suntok.
"Ano, sapakan?" I hissed and he smirked at me, napapikit na lang ako nang kurutin niya ang ilong ko.
"Ang kulit mo, Crest Veronica." Aniya kaya tinulak ko ang kamay niya.
"Makasabi kasi 'tong sasabog ang tainga kapag nagsasalita ako..." I muttered and he only laughed at me.
"Sagutin mo kasi ako, may problema ka ba?" he asked me kaya natigilan ako saglit. I thought for it for a while pero sa huli ay ngumuso ako.
"Wala, iniisip ko lang paano ako makakatakas papuntang Paris?" I said and he eyed me like I am some twisted puzzle.
"Yari ka—"
"Kaya nga tahimik ako, eh." I said, "h'wag mo sabihin kay Dad, ah! Kapag nalaman no'n, naku, ikaw ang salarin!" tinusok ko ang pisngi niya pero hinuli niya ang kamay ko at inipit sa braso niya kaya nagrambulan na naman kaming dalawa.
We settled ourselves in the bench, it's really fun being with my twin, simula pa noon ay palagi ko na 'tong kasama, hindi lang naman kami madalas nagkakasama at nakakapag-usap simula no'ng nag-law na siya pero noon, hindi kami mapaghiwalay tatlo nila Clyte.
Now, they're busy with work, sila ni Clyte. Siya sa pagiging lawyer at si Clyte sa nursing tapos ako...ako ngayon 'yong wala ng kasama kaya doon ako kina Jellie, party or shopping para malibang but it's okay. I am happy of what they've achieved, I am glad na ginagawa nila ang bagay na gusto nila.
Atleast...hindi sila kagaya sa akin na patapon sa buhay, walang plano, hindi alam ang talagang gustong gawin.
I glanced at Chiel and saw him texting, nanliit ang mata ko. I saw a smile on his lips while typing kaya nagsalita na ako.
"Hoy, ano 'yan? Sino 'yang kausap mo?" I asked, mabilis na sumilip pero mas mabilis niyang inilayo ang phone sa akin.
"Wala," aniya pero nanliit ang mata ko.
"Hoy, are you hiding something from me—"
"Wala nga," aniya, nang mag-ring ang phone niya ay nagkatinginan kami at tinaasan niya lang ako ng kilay, mabilis na inilapit ang phone sa tainga at nagsalita.
"Yes?" he asked on the other line. "You're here?" he smiled.
Kumunot ang noo ko sa kanya pero ngumisi lang siya sa akin.
"Okay, may pasalubong ka?" kausap niya sa nasa phone. "Makasabi...I said stop calling me K—"
"Who's that?" I asked again kaya napailing na si Chiel.
"Alright, alright. Sandali." Aniya bago biglang tumayo, nagtataka ko siyang tinignan doon pero kumindat lang siya sa akin.
"Wait here, kambal." Aniya kaya nagtataka man ay sinundan ko siya ng tingin na papalayo at nang mawala siya sa paningin ko ay muli akong bumaling sa mga bulaklak.
I'm happy he's here. I'm happy I can talk to someone right now.
Hindi kasi ako makakapunta sa presinto dahil may field work ang mga alaga ko roon, hindi pa naman ako assistant kaya 'di ako nakasama, atsaka nakakahiya naman kung makiki-extra pa ako roon!
I was just staring at it nonchalantly for a while when darkness filled my eyes. Kaagad akong napaayos ng upo at napahawak sa kamay na tumakip sa mga mata ko.
"Who..." I tried removing the hand pero hindi ko maalis.
"Hulaan mo!" I heard a voice and my smile escaped my lips. Hindi ako p'wedeng magkamali!
"Clyte-Clyte!" I cheered and she suddenly laughed, nang mawala na ang palad sa mata ko ay nilingon ko siya at napatawa na ako nang makita siya sa likod ko.
"Hi, Crest-Crest! Surprise!" she exclaimed and I chuckled, mabilis ko siyang hinawakan kaya umikot siya papunta sa tabi ko sa bench at mabilis akong niyakap. "Na-miss kita!"
"I missed you too!" I exclaimed happily, medyo naluluha pa, hugging her back tightly. "I haven't seen you for so long!"
"I do too, kaya nga no'ng off ko ngayon dumiretso na ako rito para mabisita ka. Chiel and I talked and sabi niya uuwi rin siya ngayon kaya pumunta na rin ako para dalawa kaming kasama mo." She said and slowly moved away from me, nakita kong nanlaki ang mata niya nang makita ang mata ko. "Oh my...why are you crying?!"
I bit my lower lip and shook my head, sniffing.
"Nothing...na-miss lang kita, BFF." I said and she smiled sweetly at me, mabilis niyang hinawi ang luha ko at nag-kiss sa pisngi ko.
"I missed you too, Crest-Crest, tara, hug tayo ulit!" she exclaimed kaya nakangiting niyakap ko siya pabalik, hinahawi pa ang kaunting luhang nahulog sa mata ko.
We stayed like that for a while, hinayaan muna ako ni Clyte na nakayakap sa kanya at hinawakan niya lang ang buhok ko.
"Wala ka ba pasok?" I asked her and she shook her head at me and smiled.
"No, it's my off today. Kakalabas ko nga lang ng ospital." Aniya kaya nagkatawanan kaming dalawa.
"Sleepover ka?" I asked her, "I bought us a pair of pantulog, in case na gusto mong mag-sleepover! And...I went to shop in Macau last month and saw cute sleepwears kaya binilhan ko tayong lahat para kapag may kitaan ulit sa ancestral house, twinning tayong lahat."
"Yes, dito ako mag-sleep with you." She smiled at me. "And that sleepwear will probably look good, kapag free na rin ang mga pinsan natin plano tayong sleepover."
I smiled happily and nodded at her, "and I prepared a movie! Wala akong magawa these days kaya I downloaded some. May nakita akong mga horror, mga halimaw."
"Alright, watch tayo later. May dala akong foods na p'wede natin kainin while watching, sama raw si Chiel." Tumawa siya kaya ngumiwi na ako.
"Bwiset na, Alchiel. Mang-aagaw ng BFF. Pero, okay, kawawa naman, eh." I frowned at sabay kaming nagkatawanang dalawa roon.
"Ano 'yang hawak mo? Sketch pad? Oh? You're back to sketching?!" biglang ani ni Clyte nang makita ang hawak ko kaya nanlaki ang mata ko at napasulyap doon.
"Well, I happen to have a spare copy pala. No'ng college pa 'to, hindi ko lang nagamit. I was so bored these days kaya ayon, medyo sinipag ulit mag-sketch." I explained.
"Wow! Can I see?" she asked me excitedly kaya bigla akong natigilan.
I pouted, unti-unting kong nilagay sa gilid ko ang sketch pad.
"Pangit, eh," I said and her forehead creased, confused too.
"Huh? I doubt it—"
"Ilang years na rin ako 'di nakakapag-sketch kaya medyo nanibago pa kaya alam mo na...pasmado pa. Pangit, hayaan mo sa susunod kapag maganda na papakita ko sa'yo." I chuckled pero umiling lang siya sa akin.
"Wala kang na-sketch na pangit, Crest." Aniya kaya natigilan ako.
"But you see, matagal na nga akong tumigil. After college tinamad na ako kaya pangit pa ngayon—"
"Tss, my bestfriend didn't sketch anything ugly." She said, took my sketch pad and opened it kaya napaawang ang labi ko.
"Clyte-Clyte—"
"Wow..." she said kaya nakagat ko ang labi at pinagmasdan ang reaksyon niya. "Wow, Crest, why did you even stop sketching? Ang ganda!"
I froze, my heart thumped at kaagad akong napangiti.
"T-talaga?" I asked in amazement.
"Oo, loko ka, anong pangit dito?" Clyte shook her head at me and opened some of the pages. "Wow, Crest, you could show this to Tita Natalie or Tita Thallia. You can make this happen or why not make your own brand?"
"Hoy, grabe ka." I smacked her arm. "Bago pa nga lang ako ulit, brand na kaagad?"
"I actually love fashion too, right?" she said kaya napatango ako. "And I am telling this to you, not as your BFF but as a fashion lover too, I like—no, I love these. If I didn't know you, I'd still definitely buy and wear these."
"Really?" mas lumaki na ang ngiti ko nang tumango siya sa akin.
"You have a talent, Crest-Crest. Dati pa, you just stopped kaya I'm happy na bumabalik ka sa mga hilig mo noon."
I suddenly remembered the reason why I unconsciously stopped kaya ngumiti na lang ako.
"I just got bored with it and thought shopping and travelling is fun so I..." I shrugged.
"It's really pretty fab, I promise." She even lifted her hand na parang nanunumpa. "I loved your sketches, what more if actual na damit pa? I will definitely buy these."
"Thanks, Clyte. I will do more sketches and show you!" I smiled. "I have a lot of ideas in mind, isa pa, Tita Nat told me I could go and visit her boutique kasi may bago siyang designs na ipapakita sa akin. I might consider showing these to her."
"Why just consider? Show it to her, Crest. She'll be very happy, for sure." She then touched my cheek and smiled. "I'm so proud of you, Crest. Ang galing-galing mo."
"Aww, thank you, Clyte-Clyte! I'm so proud of you too." I said happily, hugging my bestfriend tightly. "You think I can make this happen? Like...if I sketch more, p'wede kayang maging totoo?"
"Of course, Crest-Crest." She chuckled, saglit na natigilan pero nagsalita. "Like that, look at the flowers..." napasulyap ako sa mga rosas na kanina ko pa tinitignan.
"How about it?" I asked and she smiled at me.
"I remembered what Dad told me," she said and pointed the flowers. "Look at it, ang iba sa flowers nag-bloom na, some are in the verge and some still aren't, right?"
I slowly nodded at that.
"Dad said people are just like flowers, we have different pace when it comes blooming. May nauuna, may nahuhuli at mayroong papasibol pa lang but you know what?" she fixed my hair. "Late bloomer still blooms...and I believe you can do everything you want kahit huli na, kung gugustuhin mo."
Nasira lang ang dramahan namin nang dumating si Alchiel-pangit na may dalang tray ng inumin.
"Oh, inumin mga binibini." Aniyang inilalahad sa amin ang tray.
I smiled when I saw a pomelo juice in there, kaagad ko iyong kinuha at nakita kong akmang kukunin ni Clyte ang kape pero mabilis na inilayo ni Chiel ang tray.
"No, you take the juice." He told her.
"What? I want the coffee, Kuya—"
"You haven't had any sleep tapos magkakape ka?" Chiel frowned and took the glass of juice and gave it to her. "And quit the Kuya thing." Umirap na siya kaya natawa na ako.
"Grabe naman, Kuya Chiel, sungit!" I exclaimed.
"Oo nga, parang kape lang." Tawa ni Clyte at kinuha ang baso ng juice at iyon na ang ininom.
"Hayaan mo na, baka may mens." I teased at halos kaltukan na ako ni Chiel doon kaya ngumisi lang ako sa kanya.
"So, anong pinagkakaabalahan mo ngayon?" ani Clyte pagkaraan habang nandoon kaming tatlo sa garden.
"Hmm, nothing in particular, just partying, shopping." I shrugged.
"I saw Samantha's post last time, Crest." Ani Chiel kaya nilingon ko siya.
"What about it?" I asked.
"Hindi ka ba sumama roon? Wala ka sa picture. I thought you partied again with them." Aniya sa akin kaya nagkibit-balikat ako.
"I was grounded, remember? Hindi talaga ako makakasama." I said kaya napatango si Chiel pero may napansin akong kung ano sa titig niya sa akin.
"Are they good friends?" he asked after a while kaya natigilan ako, miski si Clyte ay napasulyap din sa akin.
"Why? Are they hurting you, Crest?" ani Clyte na seryoso na. "Tell me, sabi mo no'ng nakaraan ayos lang naman bakit—"
"They're good to me." I told them. "Isa pa, alam niyo naman bukod sa inyong dalawa sina Jellie at Samantha lang ang kasama ko after college. They welcomed me to their circle and I'm grateful for that."
"I talked to Angelo, sabi niya hindi ka raw niya nakikita kapag sinasamahan niya si Sam sa bar." Chiel said, referring kay Angelo, pinsan namin sa side ni Mommy, anak ni Tita Nat. Boyfriend kasi ni Sam ang pinsan namin, isa rin sa dahilan kaya naging ka-close ko sila.
"Ah, hindi lang ako nakakasama. Changed person na nga ako kasi." I said but he eyed me seriously.
"Crest, stop lying." He said kaya nawala na ang ngiti ko. I saw Clyte's suspicious eyes too kaya napalunok na ako.
"Well...I was not invited." I said and the two of them stopped.
"I knew it," Chiel's jaw clenched.
"Then why are you still with them?" Clyte asked, "mag-o-off ako palagi tapos ako na lang ang sasama sa'yo—"
"No! No!" I shook my head at them. "I'm fine, okay? Stop worrying. Mas importante ang ginagawa niyo, okay? And let's not judge the two quickly, alam niyo namang sila lang ang kalapit ko. They never called me bitch or what unlike those people. Everyone in our batch hated me before, telling me I'm such a whore or whatever. Ninanakaw ko raw ang mga boyfriend nila, aba! Excuse me, ano? Sila ang lumalapit sa akin, aba, malay kong boyfriend pala nila mga asshole na iyon?"
"It wasn't your fault they got poor choices when it comes to boys, Crest." Ani Chiel na seryoso na. "And you're not a whore. Stop labeling yourself like that."
"As if makikipag-usap ako sa mga boyfriend nila kung alam kong may girlfriend. I am not like that 'no, I entertained them way back kasi they talked to me, telling me they're single and I want to be nice kahit mukha akong maldita." I shrugged. "But in the end...it backlash, ako pa naging masama."
"And now, you sounded annoyed na, kambal." Chiel raised his brow at me. "Is that the reason why you don't like dating boys now? Balita ko...wala kang pinapayagang manligaw? I overheard one of my co-lawyers talking about you, he asked you out but you rejected him right away."
He even laughed, "not that I am happy but yeah, pagod na ako kakasapak sa mga gago mong ex, eh."
"Baliw," I chuckled at him. "I just don't like boys or him...whoever that is. These days, I rarely see a gentleman. Men, a lot of them are...pigs, Chiel. I don't trust them, some are in disguise of a demon hiding in a dignified gentleman's cloth that if they saw you in your weak state, they would take advantage."
"Wow...that's deep." Clyte muttered, concern is on her face.
"May nang-away ba sa'yo, Crest Veronica?" ani Chiel kaya napaayos na ako ng upo roon at unti-unting huminga ng malalim.
"Huh? Wala, masama ba mag-monologue?" I smirked and Chiel frowned and stood.
"Sinong umaway sa kakambal ko?!" he hissed, tinataas ang sleeves ng shirt niya. "Ano, suntukan na lang, oh? Bakit niyo inaaway si Crest Veronica?!" he exclaimed loudly, nagpi-flex pa ng muscles niya roon kaya napairap na ako.
"He's overreacting, epekto siguro no'ng ginawa natin siyang katulong sa luto-lutuan noon." Clyte said and when Chiel glared at us ay napahagalpak na kaming dalawa.
It was fun being with two of the most important people in my life, I slept peacefully that night, lalo na no'ng habang nanunuod kaming movie na tatlo ay umiinom kami.
Of course, Alchiel is the first one to sleep. Plakda pa sa lapag, kami...I mean, si Clyte ang nakaubos no'ng tira namin at gusto ko siya samahan habang umiinom siya at nakikipagkwentuhan dahil panigurado kapag nasobrahan ako ng ilang tungga pa ay plakda din ako kagaya ng kambal ko.
Sadly, the two of them have to leave for their work the next morning. Na-late pa si Chiel sa trabaho niya dahil bangag sa ininom kaya tawang-tawa kaming dalawa.
"Mind you, may work na ako next-next week." I said and the two froze.
Mula sa inaayos niyang necktie ni Chiel ay bumaling sa akin si Clyte at nanlaki ang mata.
"W-weh? Really?"
"Is that...a miracle?" Chiel blinked at me and I smirked and crossed my legs, winking.
"I'm a good girl na. Next pa naman but better be ready." I said proudly and showed them my outfit. "This is an office girl outfit. With the ribbon here, oh."
"May himala..." ani Chiel at nanlaki ang mata sa akin. "Fuck, I'm so fucking proud, kambal! May himala!" he said at napatili ako nang dambahin niya ako.
"OA nito, walang himala! Mabait lang ako!" I hissed.
"Ang himala kasi ay nasa puso ng tao!" ani Clyte at kumindat pa sa akin kaya napahagalpak na ako.
My twin was so happy that he didn't mind being late for work, hinatid pa niya ako sa "training" ko raw kuno at hindi ko alam pero mas natuwa pa siya nang malamang sa presinto ako.
"Wow, I'm so proud." Ani Alchiel na balak pa akong ihatid pero tinuktukan ko na.
"Hindi ako kinder!" I hissed at him.
"What? I'm just glad, tara, kausapin ko pa si Lieutenant—"
"Isa, Chiel." I hissed kaya ngumuso na siya sa akin.
"Damot naman!" he frowned pero ngumisi lang ako at sinuot ang round shades ko. I checked my face in the small mirror inside the car, I made sure to emphasize my red lips, hinawi ko pa ang high ponytail ko, siniguradong walang tikwas.
"Do I look maganda na?"
"Superb!" Clyte said and showed me an okay sign kaya mas lumapad ang ngiti ko.
"Okay! Thanks, bye, kambal, BFF ko." I said, giving Clyte a quick kiss on the cheek na nasa backseat pati na rin si Chiel.
"Take care, okay? Dad would be glad knowing this." He said kaya nagkibit-balikat lang ako at ngumiti.
"Alright, take care din. Goodluck sa kaso and Clyte-Clyte, h'wag magpakapagod sa duty." I said and they nodded at me. "Sige, I'll go na."
"Hey, Clytey, come here in front." Chiel tapped the seat sa may pwesto ko.
"Paano kung ayaw ko?" Clyte smirked.
"I'm not your driver. You choose, I'll drag you here or carry you—"
"Gago, papunta na nga!" Clyte hissed and went out of the car kaya nilingon ko si Chiel na tumatawa na.
"Stop annoying Clyte!" I hissed at him. "Kulit mo."
Of course, the two would never leave peacefully. Kailangan ko pang kaltukan para matahimik bago ako umalis.
"What a beautiful day for the beautiful me!" I whispered happily to myself, sending positive vibes to make this day better.
I walked confidently towards the police station with my white, long sleeves blouse. It has a cute ribbon near my chest, puno iyon ng ruffles. I am also wearing a brown coat, a brown high waisted pants and my favorite Christian Louboutin So Kate pumps with the leopard print.
I put my hand bag on my elbow, walked slowly inside the station and immediately saw the boys eating on the side.
I noticed some police glancing my way but my eyes were on the boys na mukhang 'di pa ako napapansin.
My pumps made a sound when I walked, sabay-sabay silang napatingin sa akin kaya unti-unti kong inangat ang round shades ko at ngumiti.
"Good morning, mga alaga ko!" I exclaimed happily.
"M-madame..." nagulat ako nang mabulunan si Adam sa kape niya, nahulog pa ang cookies na kinakain ni Brent at si Earn ay kaagad na napanganga sa akin.
"Sheyt, akala ko may super model!" Earn said and I giggled when he walked towards me with an amused smile on his face.
I immediately hugged him, dahil matangkad siya sa akin ay hinawakan niya kaagad ang buhok.
"Madame, kahit anong hairstyle, bagay sa'yo!" he exclaimed happily kaya mas napangiti ako.
"Thanks, Earn!" I chuckled.
"Hala ka, ang ganda naman ng Madame namin!" Adam peek on Earn's shoulder to see me. "Hi, Madame Crest! We miss you!"
"I missed you all too!" I said happily, naramdaman kong may kumuha ng coat sa balikat ko kaya nilingon ko si Brent at napangiti.
"Akin na muna coat mo, Madame. Sabit ko." he said gently kaya nakangiting tumango ako at inabot iyon sa kanya.
"Salamat, Brent!" I smiled at him and glanced at the boys. "So...kumusta ang field work?"
"Nakakapagod, as usual." Adam said, humawak sa braso ko si Earn habang inaalalayan ako papunta sa sofa kaya naupo kami roon.
"Cookies, Madame, oh." Earn offered me kaya ngumiti ako at kumuha.
"Madame, coffee." Bumalik si Brent na may dalang cup ng kape, he even dragged the chair para maupo sa may harap ko.
"Salamat, boys." I smiled at them. "Na-miss ko kayo, ah? Halos two days tayo 'di nagkita-kita, ayaw ko naman pumunta rito kapag wala kayo, s'yempre dito ako kapag nandito kayo."
"Grabe, Madame, nakakapagod." Reklamo ni Adam, "sungit pa ni Lieutenant Padlock! Sabi nga namin sana sinama ka kaso sabi niya h'wag ka raw guluhin tapos ang daming utos!"
"Oh, why naman? Wawa naman kayo..." I said softly and they all nodded their heads.
"Kawawa nga kami, Madame. Grabe, nagbuhat pa kami ng mga mabibigat na upuan, parang puputok 'yong braso ko. Partida, nag-skincare ako kasi akala ko easy lang kami kahapon pero ang ending nabilad kami sa araw." Ngiwi ni Earn sa akin.
"Sungit pa ni Pareng Padlock." Nguso ni Brent sa akin. "Sabi namin sasamahan ka namin mag-shopping kaso mas inaway lang kami!"
I chuckled at that, "asus, as if bago 'yan? Palagi namang nagsusungit 'yon. Saan ba siya? Aba't, pagalitan natin nang madala, aba, bakit papagalitan ang mga alaga ko?"
Ngumuso sila sa akin at nagpaawa kaya ngumuso ako at inabot ang pisngi nila.
"Pagsabihan mo nga, Mama Crest, inaapi kami." Brent pouted.
"Tsk, kausapin ko 'yan." I said, tumayo at namaywang, iniikot ang paningin, "saan na 'yang Lieutenant Padlock na 'yan, huh? Tss, bakit inaaway ang mga babies ko?"
Nakita kong nagtawanan sina Adam kaya kumindat pa ako at namaywang doon.
"Saan na 'yan gwapong si Lorcan Keith na 'yan nang ma-kiss ko..." tawa ko pa bago sumulyap sa mga lalaki pero nagtaka ako nang bigla silang tumayo at sumaludo.
"Lieutenant!" they exclaimed kaya nanlaki ang mata ko.
I froze, I can feel the presence behind me and my heart hammered inside my chest.
I immediately shifted my body and met his gray eyes staring at me, my eyes widen. I can feel how my heart palpitated while staring at his face.
"O-oh, nandito ka pala..." I laughed awkwardly.
I saw him licked his lower lip, he looks fresh and he smelled really good. I smiled at him cutely but he didn't smile back, instead, he just stared at my eyes and spoke.
"I'm here now." He said kaya napalunok na ako.
"O-oo nga..." I laughed a bit, "u-uh, hello?"
"Where's my kiss then?" he said coldly, even lowering his head to stare at me seriously.
"Ay, wala, mas mabilis pa sa speed!" I heard Earn said, earning laughters from the boys pero nanlaki lang ang mata ko.
"K-kiss?" pumiyok pa ang boses ko. "U-uh...ano, joke lang naman—"
"Nah, there's no such thing as joke here. We take everything seriously in this station, Ver." He said while staring at me with the gray eyes.
Oh my God! Oh my God! Can I just calm my fucking heart?!
"I'm..." I gulped, "o-okay!" I said and closed my eyes, pouting my lips at him.
I waited for a while, anticipating his kisses but I felt nothing kaya mabilis kong iminulat ang mata ang nakitang nakatingin pa rin siya sa akin, malapit ang mukha.
But this time, I saw the amusement on his always cold eyes. My heart hammered inside my chest, napalunok ako roon.
"What's with the outfit? Office girl, hmm?" he raised his brow at me.
"A-akala ko ba kiss..." humaba ang nguso ko.
To my shock, he chuckled, umayos siya ng tayo. I saw how his shoulders moved when he put his other hand inside his pocket and watched me.
"Gutom lang 'yan, Ver." He said, smiled before shaking his head, walang sabing tinalikuran ako at parang wala lang na naglakad paalis.
Nakanganga lang ako roon, napalingon ako sa likod ko at nakitang nakanganga rin 'yong tatlo sa amin.
"D-did he just laugh..." I said, almost a whisper and they nodded at me, shocked too.
"Ngayon lang 'yan ulit..." ani Adam na bumilog ang bibig at nagkatingin kaming apat bago halos mag-unahan sa pagkatakbo kasunod ni Locket.
"Lieutenant Padlock!" We all called while running towards his office.
Nakita ko kung paano siya natigilan nang sabay-sabay kaming pumasok, kakalapag pa lang niya ng bag niya sa upuan nang nilingon kami.
"What?" he asked coldly, wala ng ngiti sa mukha.
"Tumawa ka ba kanina, Lieutenant?" ani Brent, "hala, 'di nga? Ngayon ka lang ulit gano'n—"
"That's..." tumikhim siya at nilingon pa ako. "That's just your imagination." Aniya at nag-iwas ng tingin, nakita kong namula ang pisngi niya kaya nakagat ko ang labi ko.
"Hindi, eh. Nakikipagharutan ka kay Madame, ah! Kita namin 'yon!" Earn laughed.
"Ikaw, Lieutenant, ah? Ano na 'yan—"
"I didn't laugh," kumunot ang noo niya roon at sumulyap sa mga lalaki.
"Weh?" hagalpak ni Adam. "Wala kang maloloko rito, Pare—"
"You three, get out. Magwalis kayo sa labas ng station." He said seriously, stopping the three of them.
"Pero Lieutenant—"
"Now." He said coldly, crossing his arms on his chest at nakita kong sabay-sabay na umayos ng tayo 'yong tatlo.
"S-sabi nga namin..." ani Adam na tumikhim. "Sige, bye!" he exclaimed, sabay-sabay silang nag-salute bago umalis kaya napasulyap ako kay Locket na nakatingin na rin pala sa akin.
My cheeks heated up, I felt like a kinikilig na teenager which is really cheesy kaya tumikhim ako at umayos ng tayo, marahang inilalagay ang tikwas ng buhok sa tainga.
"Ah, sher..." I said but then stopped when the side of his lips lifted for a smirk. "I-I mean—"
"You're always like that when flushing." He said kaya nanlaki ang mata ko at nakagat na naman ang labi.
"Ah, ano, gano'n ata talaga. Medyo tumatagilid ang dila ko." I even laughed awkwardly and he just stared at me and nodded.
I scanned his body and was immediately turned on dahil sobrang linis niyang tignan. He has that clean cut, short textured hair na minsa'y nagugulo ng hangin. His jaw is visible from any angle, ang kanyang abong mata ay nakakapanghina ng tuhod at kasu-kasuan.
Jusmiyo, marimar.
We stared at each other for a while and I felt like blushing so hard it might feel embarrassing kaya tumikhim na ako.
"A-ah, I can help the boys sweep the floor outside?" I offered.
Hindi siya sumagot, nanatiling nakatitig sa akin kaya kumurap-kurap na ako bago marahang tumalikod, aalis na sana.
"Veronica." He called again kaya natigilan na ako, I shifted my gaze and I heard him clear his throat glanced at his desk. "Can you help me alphabetized these?"
I saw folders in there kaya mabilis akong tumango sa kanya.
"S-sure!" I chirped, tunog excited pa iyon kaya kinalma ko ang sarili. Marahang naglakad ako palapit sa desk niya at sumulyap doon. "Ito lang ba?"
"Yes," he said and nodded, walking towards his swivel. "Nasabi na rin naman sa'yo ni Ate Minda paano 'yan, 'no?"
"Yeah," I nodded and smiled. "Tamang-tama at kahit hindi pa talaga ako nagsisimula ay may background an ako sa gagawin para...you know, magaling na."
He nodded at me, I saw him placed both of his palms on his desk and stared at me again.
"Uh...may dumi ba sa mukha ko?" I asked.
"Hmm?" he hummed.
"Kasi...kanina ka pa titig nang titig?" I asked and I saw him froze.
He cleared his throat, mabilis siyang umayos ng tayo at sumulyap sa akin.
"May dumi ka kasi sa mukha." He said kaya nanlaki ang mata ko.
"Really?!" I gasped, mabilis kong kinapa ang mukha ko para sa dumi pero naunahan niya ako.
I felt how his finger grazed on my cheek, nagkatitigan kaming dalawa at naramdaman ko na naman ang kalabog sa puso ko kaya nagsalita na ako.
"N-natanggal mo na?"
"What?" he asked.
"'Yong dumi?" I said and his forehead creased and cleared his throat, biglang may inabot na sa pisngi ko at tinanggal.
"There, wala na." He said and I nodded and muttered my thanks, sabay kaming napaiwas na dalawa at kinuha ko ang mga folder na nasa lamesa at niyakap iyon.
"Labas na ako, ah? Ayusin ko sa desk ni Ate Minda 'yong files—"
"No, just stay here." He said, stopping me.
"Hmm? Saan? Sa sofa?" I asked but he shook his head and pointed his table.
"There, beside me." Aniya.
Oh my God...p'wedeng sa lap na lang, Lieutenant?!
"Huh? Hindi ba kita maiistorbo? Baka may—"
"I actually need to check on those folders while you're alphabetizing it." He said kaya tumango na ako at ngumiti.
I saw him took a chair somewhere, nilagay niya iyon sa may gilid niya kaya dali-dali akong naupo roon.
I smiled while watching him sitting on his swivel too, may binuksan siyang file kaya kinilig ako at mabilis na binuksan ang bag para kunin ang eyeglasses ko.
I put it on my eyes, blinking before I started sorting the files.
"Malabo ang mata mo?" he asked after a while at nang lingunin ko na siya ay nakatingin na pala siya sa akin.
"Ay, no." I chuckled. "Walang grado 'to, nag-eyeglasses lang ako para sakto sa office girl outfit. 'Di ba, mukhang workaholic?" I smiled sweetly at him and he suddenly chuckled, startling me.
"Really?" he asked, "the office girl must be hardworking, huh?"
"Of course!" I chuckled at him, tinanggal ko ang fake eyeglasses ko at inilagay sa mata niya. I saw him closed his eyes for a while pero nagmulat at inayos ang glasses sa mata niya, walang reklamo.
"Bagay ba?" he asked and stared at me.
"Woah, ang init 'no?" I said and fan myself with my hand.
"Really? Lakasan ko ang aircon, mainit pa ba—"
"No, ang init lang ngayon." I said and I saw him glanced at me, confused kaya nagpigil ako ng ngiti. "Ang init talaga...kasing hot mo."
He froze, nakagat ko ang labi. Biglang tumaas ang sulok ng labi niya at napatili na ako ng bahagya, marahang hinampas siya.
"Locket, para kang ano!" I even have the guts to say that at napailing siya sa akin.
"What? I didn't say that cheesy line—"
"Hi, excuse me? I hope hindi ako nakakaabala?" we heard a voice kaya natigilan na kami, sabay kaming napasulyap sa pintuan at nakita ang isang babae roon.
I saw Locket stood, I saw the pretty woman in a police uniform saluted at him and Locket did that too.
Sadly, I have to go out to let the two of them talk.
Sayang naman at harutan na, naging bato pa!
Pouting, I went to the boy's desk, nakita ko silang kumakain ng pansit na nasa styro kaya naglakad na ako palapit.
"Hi, mga babies, tapos na kayo mag-sweep ng floor?"
"Madame!" I saw Earn smiled, tapping his seat sa sofa. "Tara, kinuhaan ka namin, kain tayo ng pansit, masarap!" aniya kaya nagtatakang lumapit ako roon sa kanila.
Adam gave me the styro, si Brent naman ay inabutan ako ng juice kaya ngumiti ako at nagpasalamat.
"Thank you, saan galing?" I asked.
"Ah, kay Cap. Caroline." Aniya. "'Yong pumasok sa opisina, Senior Inspector din 'yon. Sa iba nga lang."
"Oh..." I nodded, marahang binuksan ko ang styro at nakita ang mabangong pansit, kaagad ko 'yong tinanggap at tinikman kaya napatango ako. "Wow, it's masarap, ah? Galing niya magluto."
"Ay, oo, talagang gagalingan 'yan, Madame." Ani Earn na natatawa pa kaya nagtaka ako.
"Why naman?" I asked.
"S'yempre, paborito ito ni Lieutenant Padlock." Ani Earn kaya natigilan na ako at sumulyap sa pansit.
"Once a week or once a month palagi 'yang nandito si Cap. Carol, magdadala ng pansit para dito sa presinto pero ang bet niya lang talagang bigyan si Lt." Tawa ni Earn.
"Oo nga, naalala mo no'ng nakaraan? Si Lt. lang binigyan niya, madami 'yon pero ang ending pinakain lang satin ni Pareng Padlock kaya simula no'n, lahat na kami binibigyan niya para kainin ni Lt. ang luto niya." Tawa ni Brent.
"So...he likes pansit?" I asked and they nodded at me.
"Oo, Madame. Favorite niya 'yan, eh, magkaibigan na 'yan sin ani Cap. Carol sa PNPA pa lang kaya magkakilala na talaga sila. Ang alam ko bet niya si Lt., kaso alam mo na, maarte 'yan." Tawa ni Earn.
"Hmm..." I got curious with it, tumikim ako ulit ng pansit at tumango.
"What does he like in girls ba?" I asked them.
"Ah, edi 'yong kagaya ni—" natigil si Brent sa pagsasalita nang sikuhin siya ni Adam.
My forehead creased at that.
"Why kayo nag-stop?" I asked and Brent coughed a bit at that. Si Adam ay uminom muna ng juice at nagsalita na.
"Ang dream girl ni Lt., simple lang, Madame." He said kaya napatango na ako. "Maganda, matangkad, sexy..." it made me smile, hinawi ko pa ang buhok doon.
Oh...like me! Pasok na ako!
"Pero conservative." Biglang dagdag ni Earn kaya napanguso na ako.
"How conservative ba?" I asked.
"Mahinhin na mahiyaan," ani Brent na natawa, parang malalim na nag-iisip. "Dalagang Filipina ba, naka-jeans, shirt o kaya mahabang dress."
I pouted at that, napasulyap ako sa damit ko na akala mo'y pupuntang kung saang convention.
"How about a fashionista?" I asked and showed them my outfit.
"Hmm, base sa dati kasi ang type niya mahinhin tapos mahiyaan." Ngiti ni Brent doon. "S'yempre, 'yong dinadalhan siya ng pansit at malambing. Gano'n si—"
"Gano'n ang gusto niya sa babae," Earn told me. "Ayaw niya sa mga mamahaling lugar kapag nagde-date, gusto niya lang picnic, gano'n. Malamig 'yan si Lt., pero corny." Aniya kaya napatawa na rin ako.
"So...he likes mahinhin girls, the conservative one and...the one who can cook him pansit?" I asked and they all nodded at me.
"Dati 'yon, Madame, pero 'di naman forever. Boto kami sa'yo, Madame, sa totoo lang kasi napatawa mo si Lt., which is ngayon lang namin nakita." He said kaya napangiti na ako at tumango sa kanila.
"Does he have some exes before?" I asked at nakita kong tumango sila roon. "What happened? Hindi nag-work?"
Natahimik sila pero tumango rin pagkatapos magtinginan kaya ngumiti na lang ako at tahimik na kumain ng pansit, napapaisip na.
I don't care if he has exes kasi I have a lot too and right now, I don't know why but I wanna make him smile. It made me happy seeing that smile earlier and hearing is chuckles? Damn, I'd give everything for it.
So, I started my plan. The "Oplan: Maging ideal girl ni Padlock."
I looked like a freak but I am so determined that I spent the whole night trying to make a perfect pansit for him. Halos masunog ko na ang kusina sa unang mga subok ko, kulang na nga lang ay tumawag si Ate ng bumbero sa panic niyang sunugin ko ang bahay namin.
"Ate, calm down, kaya ko 'to." I smiled at her and she looks like she'll faint kaya natawa na ako sa kanya at inabutan siya ng tubig.
I wanna give up na when night came and everyone in the house is sleeping, wala ang pamilya ko kaya ako mag-isa ang nagpumilit pero epic fail kaya halos sumalampak na ako sa kitchen, puno ng band aid ang kamay sa mga paso at nakabusangot.
"But I have to make pansit for him...any pansit would do, right? Favorite naman niya 'yon, right?" I muttered and took my phone and searched something on youtube.
I slept na when it's almost three A.M., maaga rin akong nagising para sa aking outfit for today. After I took a bath, nag-blower ako ng buhok, I curled my hair into a classy, beach wave curls and wore a white shirt first bago ko patungan ng medyo mahabang floral dark dress. After that, I wore my unused white sneakers at ang maliit kong floral bag bago ako tumingin sa salamin at mahinhin na ngumiti.
"Ay, bet! Dalagang Filipina!" I exclaimed happily while staring at myself at hindi na ako nagulat nang makitang gulantang din ang mga kasama ko sa bahay.
"Ay hala ka! Ma'am Crest, mukha kang anghel! Virgin Mary!" singhap ni Ate roon kaya tinakpan ko ang bibig ko ng pamaypay at nagsalita.
"Salamat, Ate." Malambing at marahan kong sabi at halos mawalan na naman siya ng ulirat doon.
After that, I cooked the easiest pansit I could ever try of cooking kaysa wala akong maibigay sa kanila. Mabilis ko 'yong nilagay sa mga tupperware at nagpatulong ako kina Ate na ilagay sa car ko.
I excitedly went to the station and saw how the boys looks shock seeing me.
"Madame!" sabay-sabay silang nagtayuan doon. "Anong..."
"Hi, boys." Mahinang sabi ko at inabot sa kanila ang mga Tupperware sa paper bag. "Si Locket?"
"Ay...sa opisina, Madame." Ani Brent kaya ngumiti ako at marahang tumango.
"Ay, parang mapapadasal ata ako." Ani Earn na nakanganga sa akin. "Madame, virgin na virgin!" he exclaimed at halos mapahagalpak na ako pero mahinhin dapat kaya tinakpan ko ang bibig ko ng pamapay.
"A-hi-hi-hi..." mahinhin kong tawa at nakita kong nahulog lang ang panga nila kaya umayos na ako ng tayo.
"Excuse me muna, boys, ah." I said and smiled.
Nagbulungan silang tatlo, hinayaan ko nang nakasunod sa akin ang mga lalaki habang marahan akong naglalakad papunta sa opisina ni Locket.
I knocked and I heard him spoke.
"Come in," and I did.
Seryoso siya no'ng una habang sumisimsim ng kape.
"Lieutenant, si Madame." I heard Brent said and slowly, he lifted his head at me and I saw how his eyes widen. Nagulat ako nang halos nabuga na niya ang kape niya at suminghap ako.
"Hala..." dalagang Filipina kong sabi. I walked to help him pero umiling lang siya sa akin at tinaas ang kamay.
"N-no...I'm okay." He coughed again, I saw Earn gave him a glass of water na kaagad niyang tinanggap at ininom at nang kumalma na ay binalingan niya ako at pinasadahan ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa.
"What's..."
"Ay, hello po." I even bowed a bit and showed him the paper bag. "I have pansit for you." I said and his eyes widen for a while.
He looked weirded out but stood and accepted it, nakatitig pa rin sa mukha ko.
"Alright...thank you?" nagtataka pa niyang sabi, hindi pa rin maalis ang tingin sa akin.
"Open mo na." I said and he nodded, nagtataka man ay marahang nilapag niya iyon sa desk niya at kinuha ang Tupperware na bigay ko.
I saw him glancing at me and the three boys before clearing his throat.
"What's this?" he asked me.
"Uh, it's my special pansit for you." I smiled at him softly. "Pasensya na at 'yan lang ang kinaya ko for now, medyo gahol kasi. Hayaan mo, next time, mas masarap." I said.
He nodded at me, confused. I was nervous yet excited at the same time while waiting for him to open the Tupperware and when he did, I saw how his mouth parted.
"What's this?" he asked and I smiled and spoke.
"Everyone, my specialty... Pâncit dè Cantón." I said proudly with an accent.