Chapter 3
"Are you crazy?"
Misa rolled her eyes at me. Lutang parin ako ngayon at iyon lamang ang tanging nasambit ko nang pumasok na kami sa condo. Misa looked like a kid. Manghang-mangha siya sa mga gamit at dekorasyon sa loob ng condo.
Habang ako ay nakatunganga sa labas ng pintuan.
"Oh my, the interiors! Ang ganda ng condo!"
"Yuki, may flatscreen tv! Ack, ang laki."
"Wow, ang laki ng ref."
"Omg, ang daming kwarto." and here she goes. Umakyat na sa ikalawang palapag. Unti-unti narin akong pumasok sa loob. Huminga ako ng malalim habang pinagmamasdan ang magara at malaking loob ng condominium.
So this is owned by him, huh?
Speaking of our differences in life. Him and me.
"We owned this now, Yuki. Dito na tayo titira mula ngayon," she said with enthusiasm. Bigla nalang siyang sumulpot sa harapan ko. I nodded without a word. Marahan akong umupo sa malaking sofa at malalim ang tingin sa napakalaking flatscreen tv.
"I thought you're keeping me as a secret?"
"Hiwalay na siya sa asawa niya," simpleng sagot niya. Nakatalikod siya sa akin. Nasa harapan siya ng malaking glass window. Malalim ang tingin habang tinatanaw ang magandang tanawin sa harapan.
Natahimik ako bigla.
Misa kept me a secret from him. Hindi ko alam ang dahilan pero baka dahil pamilyado na ang tatay ko. Hindi ako kinikwentuhan tungkol sa tatay ko. I just know that he's a japanese and he's filthy rich.
That's just it. Pero hindi gaya ng iba, wala akong interes sa tatay ko. Minsan din naman akong naghangad ng isang tatay pero dati pa iyon. I should be either happy or angry. But right now, I only feel nothing. Just maybe a slight of shame and indifference. Knowing that my mother swallowed her pride for us to survive and live.
My family is consist of only Misa and me. I mentally said.
"The reason why you kept me a secret?"
She didn't bother answering my question. She just there for a minute. Ako naman ay naghihintay sa sagot niya.
"I've never asked for your opinion, Yuki. About him. Anong mga nararamdaman mo sa kaniya. Are you angry with him kasi pinabayaan ka niya or are you angry with me because I'm a selfish mother?"
"I... don't know. I don't care actually."
She laughed hysterically. "I wonder what your life might be kung sinabi kita sa kaniya. Hindi ka sana namomroblema sa mga kamalasan ko o di kaya'y pangtuition mo sa college. I should have give you a better life."
"I don't really care, though---"
"You could be his heir, lalo na dahil wala naman talaga siyang anak. Isipin mo Yuki, he can give you anything you want. Habang ako na ina mo, pinagkaitan pa kitang mag-aral," aniya habang sumisinghot. Halatang umiiyak siya kahit nakatalikod.
I had enough of these drama since yesterday.
"Misa, it doesn't matter. Hindi naman ako nag-iisip ng ganyan---"
"But still, pinagkaitan kita ng ama! Kaya nga ako nagboyfriend para magkatatay ka pero iba parin si Ash---" she immediately stopped and I know, hindi na siya iimik ulit.
"Misa, bakit sa tingin mo gusto ko mag-aral sa college? I obviously want to make our life better. Your life better. Para hindi ka na magtrabaho sa bar at para makapag-aral ka ulit. You want to be a nurse, right?"
Nakanguso niya akong hinarap. She wiped her tears like a kid and looked at me like her life depended on my words. Napailing nalang ako.
"The point is, the reason why I'm trying so hard studying is because of you. I want you to be happy. I want you to live your life the way you always wanted to. So if you're happy being selfish by keeping me a secret from my father, then I don't give a damn. Do what you want to do."
"Really?" now her eyes are pleading and pleased at the same time. I nodded.
"You want me to be happy, Yuki? Oh, my son want's me to be happy! Aww, ang swerte ko naman sa baby ko---"
"Argh! Quit the drama!" angil ko sa kaniya dahil umamba siyang yayakapin ako.
"Oh, yinakap mo nga ako kagabi eh. Come on, Yuki. Give your momma a hug," she's enjoying this. Umiling at nag-inarte. Palaging nanglalambing, parang bata. Well, I guess she missed her youth. Maaga ba namang nagpabuntis. I sighed.
"I'm hungry."
Nanlaki ang mga mata niya, kumikinang. "Yes! I'll cook for you! Lulutuin ko ang favorite ni Yuki baby ko. La~lalala~" aniya at lumayo na sakin papuntang kusina.
"Though, you suck at cooking," bulong ko.
Linibot ko ang buong condo. Masyadong malaki para sa aming dalawa. Dalawang palapag ang saklaw ng aming condo. Ang ikalawang floor ay may tatlong kwarto. Sa pagpasok palang sa loob ay bungad agad ang malaking living room.
The condo looks gloomy, though. Marahil dahil sa theme ng bahay. Black and gray. Mabuti nalang at glassframe ang harapang wall, atleast may liwanag na papasok. Halatang lalaki ang nakatira. I pushed out the thought of that japanese probably lived here once.
Pumasok ako sa isang kwarto. Katulad lamang sa living room. Malaki ang espasyo at pangmayaman. Mayroong black queen-size bed sa gitna. May malaking cabinet na puno ng mga libro at malaking study table. May katamtamang walk in closet sa gilid. At may sariling banyo.
Wow. Sa isang iglap, nag-iba ang takbo ng buhay ko. Ang daming nangyari sa isang linggo lamang.
Napukaw ang tingin ko sa kaliwang kamay ko. Nakalimutan kong kunin ang pulang lubid at ibalik man lang sa babaeng iyon. Matagal pa bago ko iyon matanggal.
After a series of complications and dramas, I realized something. I just interact with three hopeless romantic women who believes on this stupid red string. Napailing nalang ako sa sarili. One, that pyscho old woman. Two, my unlucky childish mother and three, that weird girl...
I realized that I don't want to deal with these women. They're a pain in the ass.
"Now, what to do with you?" tanong ko sa lubid.
"Mwah! First kiss yan galing sa future wife mo!"
Bigla kong naalala ang sinabi ni Kaori. Ugh, Why did I even think of her?
"Yuki, nakalimutan kong hindi pala ako marunong magluto hihi-- oh ba't ka namumula diyan?"
I flushed when I saw Misa approaching the door. "H-ha? Bakit naman ako nagbablush? Your exaggerating yourself!" hindi ko napigilan ang pagtaas ng boses.
Mabilis kong tinago ang lubid at patakbo siyang nilampasan.
"Uy, galit agad---"
"I'm not! You're asking a stupid question!"
"Hala, ba't ka pikon?"
"H-hindi! Nevermind."
"Nevermind yourself," maarte niyang sabi.
My face is expresionless while looking at the sight of the kitchen. Grabe ang transformation ng kusina kapag si Misa ang magluto. Gulong-gulo ang kusina.
Sandali ano to? Lugaw.
"Ah! Kanin yan, nadamihan ko ng tubig. Konti lang naman."
Face palm.
Of course, I predicted this. Lasog-lasog na ang katawan ng isda at pinaghalo-halo niya ang lahat ng gulay sa lutuan. Pati bawang na buo, nilagay niya.
Napailing nalang ako. What should I cook now?
"Her name is Aunt Chimera. Iyan ang palaging tawag ng mga estudyante dati sa kaniya. Palaging binibilhan ng mga love potions at gayuma dati."
I nodded, completely uninterested.
Pinakita niya sa akin ang lubid sa kaniyang pulso.
"Binigyan ng ganito ang best friend ko. Pula nga lang katulad ng sa iyo. Ang may-ari ng isa pang lubid na iyon ang soulmate niya. And I was the one who witnessed their confessions, and they both tied the strings on each other."
What a cliché.
"You see, it was so dreamy. Na tipong hanngang ngayon ay nangangarap ako na sana ako rin. That's why I stole this string. Hindi ako binigyan ni Aunt Chimera, kahit anong pagmamakaawa ko."
I looked at the string on her pulse. "Umasa ako dati na baka si Ash ang para sa akin. But when he left me, the string turned black."
I nodded again. She pouted at my attitude. I completely focused my attention on the food.
"What I'm saying, Yuki. May dadating na isang babae na may hawak ng isang kapares. You will meet each other and she will tie that string on you," she giggled, kinikilig. I again, nodded with no enthusiasm.
Actually, meron na nga.
I met her yesterday.
"Yuki, may bike sa garahe. Gamitin mo na."
"No thanks. I'm going," I mumbled. Mabilis akong lumabas sa condo.
"But it's owned by Ash, I mean, your father!"
It's just a walking distance from here to the school. Sanay naman akong maglakad. I just don't want to use that bike kahit mas madali nga iyon.
I can't help but admired the environment here. What a rich and peaceful neighborhood. Walang ingay at masyadong tao. Well, the reason is almost of the houses and buildings are owned by rich people. Though, the structures are big, hindi nakalimutang alagaan ang kalikasan dahil sa maraming halaman at puno sa paligid.
I guess I will like it here. I was mumbling that in my mind while looking at a girl standing in front of the street post.
I almost said shit when I easliy recognize her. Kaori. She looks like she's waiting for someone. Bakit siya nandito? Dito ba siya nakatira? Nakalabas na siya sa hospital? I am full of questions, pero hindi halata sa itsura ko ang pagkalito
Ilang segundo lang at tumingin siya sa direksiyon ko. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko kaya tumigil ako sa paglalakad. Nagtitigan kami.
Now she looked different, ibang iba sa babaeng baliw kahapon. Ayos na ayos ang maikling buhok, may disenyong bulaklak ang hairpin sa kanyang buhok. May tinta ng pula ang kanyang manipis na labi at may halong pula ang kanyang pisngi. Nakasuot siya ng school uniform at pink na shoulder bag.
I shook my head. I looked stupid for stopping. Mabilis akong naglakad papalapit sa kaniya, lalampasan siya sana.
"Hi."
I stopped in front of her. Tinapat niya ang kamay niya sa akin, naghihintay ng kung ano. My brows furrowed.
"What do you want?" weirdo.
Ninguso niya ang kanyang bibig sa direksiyon ng kanyang nakalahad na kamay.
"Itali mo."
Naglakad ako, nilampasan siya.
"Sandali! Asan na iyong binigay ko sayo?"
"Tinapon ko."
She pulled the hem of my hoodie, pinipigilan ako sa paglakad. "What? Ba't mo tinapon? Edi mawawalan ng bisa ang lahat?"
"What are you even talking about?" humarap ako sa kaniya. She looked small and fragile. I can see the difference between our heights dahil nakayuko ako habag tinitingnan siya.
"Diba binigyan ka ni Aunt Chimera ng lubid katulad sa akin? Sabi niya kapag itatali natin iyon sa isa't isa, tayong dalawa ang magkakatuluyan!"
I sighed. God, why is this happening to me? Ba't parang mga baliw na babae ang nakakasalumuha ko?
"I don't know what you're talking about and I don't care. How about you leave me alone, and go find someone else to prank, Miss Mendez?"
Her eyes widen and brightened. Isang ngiti ang lumabas sa kaniyang labi. It was too late for me to realize that I called her 'Miss Mendez'. She looked silly now, nakahawak ang kamay sa kaniyang dibdib.
"I saw you last night, you're holding a small string na kapareha ng sa akin. So, I didn't waste my chance, eventhough I don't know you. I knew you are the right one when I saw you for the first time, Nicholas Yuki."
"Yukio Nicholas," pagtatama ko.
She giggled.
"Can I call you Yuki, then?" she looked hopeful when she said that.
"No."
Tinalikuran ko siya at naglakad papalayo. I can hear the footsteps of her shoes. Napailing nalang ako dahil sinusundan niya ako.
"Hindi ka naniniwala sa lahat ng sinabi ko diba?"
I found her annoying. Very annoying. Mali ako ng pagkakakilala sa kaniya. What I thought to be a sweet popular girl turned out to be an annoying weird idiot.
"What do you think?" I ask coldly. Nasa gilid ko na siya, sinasabayan ako sa paglalakad. She tightly hold her shoulder bag, her hair is slightly swoon by the wind and her smile is beaming like a sunny summer.
"You think I'm an idiot, right?"
Yes.
"I'm annoying too, don't you think?"
Very.
"You're a skeptical person. You don't believe on fairy tales and magic. You only believe in reality."
She laughed like it was something funny. I rolled my eyes nang makita ko kung ano ang hawak niya, of course, her magic wand. She waved it to me like she's cursing me. Nakapikit pa ang mga mata, looking likes she's reading my mind.
"You're a cold introvert. You don't have friends and people avoided you because you're rude. But when I saw you yesterday with your mother, you looked like a nice person with a warm heart. I can see you as a person who can love someone without restrictions. And I can't wait to see that..."
She chuckled and gently tucked her hair. Tumigil ako sa paglalakad at hinarap siya.
"What do you want, Kaori?"
Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. I immediately closed our distance.
"K-kaori?" she immediately blushed. Napalunok siya at napaatras.
"You sound like a full-time stalker. Are you interested on me?" well I was just joking actually. Halatang-halata ang pamumula niya habang umiiling. She waved her both hands, completely disagreeing me.
"W-what are you talking about? I'm not, I just know you yesterday! I asked my friend about you because we're schoolmates. You're completely delusional yourself, Yuki." she laughed fakely.
I was just teasing her. She completely want something from me. I just wanted to find her hidden agenda for approaching me.
"Hmmm, really? What do you want from me then? Now that you found out were soulmates? Are you gonna marry me?"
Halos magdikit na ang aming noo dahil sa paglapit ko. Now, she's too tense to move and just stood on the ground like a statue. Halos ilang beses na siyang napalunok, kinakabahan.
A small smile crept on my lips. Umawang ang labi niya ng nakita iyon. Suddenly, a weird sound stopped me from from planning anything dirty. Habang tumatagal ay lumakas ito na parang alarm clock. Ang tunog ay nanggaling sa kanyang pulso, sa kanyang relo pala.
"T-teka, ang puso ko..."
Mabilis siyang napaatras at lumayo. Pinindot niya ang kanyang relo at nawala bigla ang tunog. Umiwas siya ng tingin sa akin, mukhang nahihiya.
Kagat-labi siyang umiling habang nakita akong papalapit sa kaniya.
"S-stop, Yuki." she looked defenseless, completely retreating from her supposed plan. Winagayway niya ang kaniyang magic wand, like putting a magic barrier to stop me.
Hindi na nawala ang ngiti sa aking labi. Now I get it. Naiintindihan ko na.
"Stop chasing me just because of a string. That old woman is a fraud. You looked old enough to understand that stuffs like this is not real. You're magic wand is not real. How about you learn to grow up first before chasing a man, Kaori?" I said rudely.
I think my words are enough to completely stop her advances on me. Tahimik siya habang papalayo ako.
"I know that..."
Her voice is slowly losing it's sound, I didn't bother looking back. I continued walking boredly, never minding the girl behind me.
"I know that but I want to believe! Gusto kong maniwala! I want to believe in fairy tales. I want to believe in magic. I want to believe that you're my soulmate. I want to believe the red string of fate!" sigaw niya, completely desperate.
What a stupid girl.
"I want to fall inlove, Yuki!"
I stopped.
"Gusto-gusto kong magkaboyfriend. Gusto kong makipagdate. I want to experience what normal people do when they fall inlove..."
Umiiyak siya.
"This is my only chance, and I'm betting everything on this. I want to hope and hope that maybe a dying person like me can have a happy ending. So please, help me..."
I continued walking, binalewala lahat ng sinabi niya.