Chapter 5
"Uhm... Travis... Hash..." Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin nito sa amin.
"Do you need anything else?"
"I just want to formally introduce myself to Ms. Murió." He glanced at my bestfriend and winked with a playful grin.
My jaw clenched and my hold on the leash tightened. His presence annoyed me kahit wala pa siyang ginagawa. And I won't wait na may gawin siya.
"I'm Mikaella."
"Hash. Meyer High University. Second Year."
"We have to go." I held her hand and pulled her away with our dogs.
Kumaway pa siya sa lalake habang papalayo kami na mas nagpainit sa ulo ko.
"Why did you do that? We were talking pa kaya."
"I told you do not talk with strangers, Mikaella."
"Pero nagpakilala naman siya ah. He even told us pa nga kung anong year na niya at kung saan siya nag-aaral."
"You should never trust anyone except yourself."
"But he looks kind naman ah."
"Some face are deceiving. Don't let anyone deceive you. Or else you will fall in their tricks." I stopped and sat on my knees to give the dogs some water. "Do you want to eat after this?"
"Let's go sa Starbucks."
"We have dogs with us."
"Edi sa house na lang namin. Nag-early breakfast na tayo kanina sa inyo kaya sa amin naman hehe. But before that pwede punta muna tayo sa park?"
"Yeah, sure." I stood up and we walked with the dogs to the park of this subdivision.
"Ang ganda ng panahon ngayon!"
Itinaas nito ang dalawang kamay pagkadating namin sa parke at dinama ang lamig ng hangin. We used to play here when we were kids. May iilang taong nandito ngayon na nagjo-jogging at ang iba naman ay tumatambay. I sat on the swing while carrying Charlotte in my arms. Si Mikaella naman ay nakikipaglaro kay Oreo.
Tumalon paalis sa akin ang asong kalong ko at nakipaglaro na sa dalawa. Napapailing-iling na lang ako habang naglalakad palapit sa kaibigan kong may paggulong pa sa damuhang nalalaman. Her laugh sounds like a song in my ear. It's very calming and cute at the same time.
We played with the dogs and ran around like what we usually do even before. Mga around 8 AM na kami bumalik sa bahay para kumain ng umagahan. Ibinalik lang namin sina Oreo at Charlotte sa bahay tapos pumunta na kami kila Mikaella.
"Good morning, Tita."
"Oh, hi, Travis. How was your jog?"
"It was tiring but fun."
"I already cooked the breakfast. Nauna na ako sa pagkain kasi wala kayo kanina. Kumain na lang kayo d'yan."
"Are you going somewhere, Mom?"
"I have a meeting with my friends sa isang coffee shop." She slid the sling of her bag on her shoulder. "Be good, okay? If you need anything just tell it to Manang. Okay, bye. I have to go."
She gave us a kiss and waved her hand. We headed to their dining where Manang Rosie is. She greeted us with a warm smile when she saw us.
"Ihahanda ko na ba ang pagkain?"
"Please, Manang," Mikaella said politely and we sat on our chair, facing each other.
Kumain lang kaming dalawa at pagkatapos ay inaya niya ako sa taas dahil may ipapakita raw siya.
"What is it ba kasi?" tanong ko pagkapasok sa kaniyang kuwarto.
Itinulak ko pasara ang pinto at naupo sa gilid ng kaniyang kama, habang siya naman ay may hinahanap sa cabinet. Ilang saglit pa at naglakad na ito palapit sa akin na may hawak na journal. May cover pa iyon na plastic kaya halatang kabibili lang.
"Let's do this na."
"Do what?" I asked clueless with my furrowed brows.
She sat on her bed and removed the plastic cover. Excitement was written on her angelic face. Mikaella opened the aesthetic thick cover page and amusement is visible on her. She looked at me with sparkling eyes, like a kid who got a free candy.
"This will be our journal."
"Our journal?"
"Yup. Dito ilalagay natin ang mga dreams, goals, plans, at pati na rin mga experiences natin. We will save our journey here."
"You seems confident that I will agree on this huh?"
"Alam ko naman kasi na mahilig ka sa mga aesthetic na bagay tulad ng journal kaya kumpyansa akong hindi mo matatanggihan."
"Paano kung ayaw ko?"
"Kahit pa umayaw ka wala kang magagawa dahil desisyon ako. Huwag mong kinakalaban ang anak ng mafia boss."
"Doctor tatay mo, ineng."
"Ugh! Stop calling me ineng." She folded her arms in front of her chest. Irritability was visible on her face.
"And what do you want me to call you?"
"Baby."
"I'm calling you baby naman ah."
"I know but sometimes you were calling me ineng. Argh! I don't like that." She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, let's start na. Let's begin with doing the cover page. Wait, I will just get something that we can use for this."
I handed the journal and looked at it. Well, she have a nice choice. Alam niya talaga kung anong mga gusto ko. I turned my gaze to my bestfriend who's busy searching for something in the drawer of her study table. She has this Qoobee theme room. I don't have idea on what's running on her mind. Hahayaan ko na lang siya sa gusto niyang mangyari. Baka mamaya umiyak pa.
"Paint?" I asked with my furrowed brows while looking at her who's holding the acrylic paint set and a brush.
"Let's seat on the floor na," she commanded so I did. "We will brush a paint on our hand then ididikit natin dito sa front page so we can have our hand print."
"Okay," I got the acrylic paint box and opened it for her.
"Hmm... Ano kayang magandang color? Which do you think is the best?"
"Red."
"Okay Green sa akin."
"Nagtanong ka pa."
"Syempre kailangan magkaiba tayo."
"We can mix or add more colors if you want."
"That sounds good."
We started to paint our own hands with the color we chose. I decided to have blue, violet, red, and some white. While she chose the combination of color red, orange, and brown. No one dare to talk because we are both busy minding our own business. I painted on my right and she painted on her left. After doing our masterpiece we stamped it on the white front page.
"Ang ganda ng gawa ko."
"Mas maganda iyong sa akin, 'no!"
"Pag-aawayan ba pa natin ito?" I raised my brow.
"Not worth it of my time so huwag na lang. Gosh! It looks so good, right?"
"Yeah." I patted her head at nakangiting ginulo ang fringe niya.
"Let's sign it na to make it official."
I signed the paper like doing an autograph and she did it too. We also put a date on the front page so we can go back here in the future. It's always good so save the date no matter what.
"So what's next?"
"We will write our goals in the next page pero bukas na. Tutal kailangan pa natin patuyuin itong paint. Nuod na lang muna tayo ng Netflix. May bagong series ngayon eh." Tumayo siya saglit para ipatong ang nakabukas na journal sa ibabaw ng kaniyang study table.
I turned on the screen in her room and sat on her bed. My back rested on the head board and started to look for something to watch with the remote control in my hand.
"Where are you going?"
"I'll just get some food for us." She closed the door.
Minutes later she came in holding a tray with two ice cream and a fries in a bowl. I insisted to got the bed table and put it on our bed so we can eat. She placed that there and sat beside me. We enjoyed our foods while watching some Netflix series.
"You cooked this?"
"Nope. Pagbaba ko nadatnan ko si Manang na nagluluto niyan. Meryenda raw natin."
"You want some?" I asked her offering my coffee crumbled flavored ice cream. She nodded her head so I spooned an ice cream and placed it in front of her mouth. "Did you like it?"
"I like it naman pero mas bet ko pa rin ang cookies and cream. You know I'm not into coffee flavored na cold."
"You really know what I like huh."
"Of course, we have been with each other for my whole life."
I laughed at what she said because she's right. I remembered the first time we met. Nasa tiyan pa siya ni Tita Erin nang mga panahon na iyon. Tapos heto na siya ngayon at kumakain ng ice cream at fries kasama ko. Time flies so fast nga talaga.
"Fuck, I love the sauce."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"I made that one."
"You're improving, baby girl." I messed her hair.
We finished our foods and minutes later I found her lying on the bed with her head on my lap. I played with her soft black hair while my eyes were glued on the screen. We just stayed there enjoying each other company like we used to do even before.
It's Friday and I have class presentation at ten o'clock in the morning. 7 AM ang start ng class ko tuwing Friday kaya naman six pa lang ay umalis na ako ng bahay. I didn't wait for my sister nor my bestfriend dahil si Tatay Ernesto na ang maghahatid sa kanila. I'm on my black printed hoodie and black track pants paired with a white shoes since freestyle ang mga estudyante kapag araw ng Biyernes.
"Hi."
My head tilted up to the girl who sat in front of me. I don't know her.
"Travis, right?"
I just gave her a nod.
"I'm Dainty, by the way."
"Tell me what do you need?"
I'm starting to irritate with her presence. I really hate it when someone interrupt me while I am studying.
"Masyado ka namang nagmamadali. Lahat ng boys dito sa Campus halos lumuhod na pansinin ko lang. Tapos heto ka at kung umasta ay parang-"
"Let's get to the point, Miss. Can't you see I'm busy?"
She rolled her eyes. "Fine. Ten million. Anakan mo lang ako."
"What?!"
"You heard it right. I want to have a child with you. I know it's weird but I just really like your genes."
Palahi ang puta.
"I don't have time for that."
I closed my laptop and put my things on my bag. I need to find a new place without this woman.
"Sige na oh. Kahit semilya mo lang."
"Naririnig mo bang sarili mo?" kunot noo kong tanong at tumayo na.
"I know I looked desperate but I just really want to have child with you. I know we can make a beautiful baby with our genes combination."
"People nowadays are insane. And you're one of them. Please excuse me."
I slid the strap of my backpack on my shoulder and left her. Malapit ng mag-start ang class ko so I need to go. My morning class was a bit stressful. Pero ngayon lang ba? Araw-araw naman yata.
"Saan tayo kakain?" tanong ng babaeng kasabay kong naglalakad sa corridor.
"Cafeteria?"
"Alam kong sa cafeteria pero maraming cafeteria rito. Ang tanong saan sa mga iyon."
"Sa main. That's the nearest cafeteria here din kasi."
"Okay."
Kami lang dalawa ang magkasama ngayon dahil inaya si Hope ng mga friends niya na kumain. My baby is really growing.
"Hoy, 'te, ang gwapo oh."
"Oh, that's Travis."
"Travis?"
"Oo, hindi mo ba siya kilala? Apo siya ng may-ari ng school. Taga-College of Medicine iyan. Balita ko nga magdo-doctor din iyan."
"Oh my gosh! Parang gusto ko na lang palagi ma-hospital kung ganiyan din naman kagwapo ang doctor."
"Kalandian mo 'te malala."
"Conzego siya, 'di ba?"
"Yeah. He is Travis Yael Conzego."
"Edi sa kanila rin iyong Conzego Medical Hospital?"
"Come on, 'te, obvious naman."
"OMG! Gwapo na, ang yaman pa."
"Type mo?"
"Oo, kaso alanganin ako. Masyadong matalino eh. Baka mamaya kapag nag-usap kami magbanggit ng mga Medical terms tapos hindi kami magkaintindihan. Mahirap na. Ayokong magmukhang obob."
"Siya iyong Valedictorian ng batch nila, hindi ba?"
"Absolutely, girl. Hindi ko kaya braincells niyan. Pero sayang kapag hindi mo nakatuluyan. Balita ko kasi nag-iisang lalake iyan sa family nila."
Narinig naming usapan ng mga babaeng nasa kabilang lamesa.
"What's with that look?"
"Grabe hanggang dito pala sa College Department sikat ka."
"Hindi ah."
"Pa-humble pa oh. Narinig ko kaya lahat. Well, kahit naman sa High School Department bukang bibig ka ng girls." Nangalumbaba siya at tumitig sa akin. "Bakit naman kasi ang gwapo mo?"
"Kasi mahal ako ni Lord?"
Pinagsaklob nito ang mga palad at tumingala.
"Lord, anak mo rin naman ako."
"Maganda ka naman ah."
"Talaga?"
"Oo, para sa akin ikaw iyong pinakamaganda."
"Ayieee! Busog na naman ako sa pambobola mo."
"Nah, I'm serious. You're not just confident about yourself."
"Enebe?" She made face.
"Tsk. Finish your food na. Ihahatid pa kita sa classroom mo."
We just finished our food and after that we walked out of the school cafeteria.
"Hi, Travis."
A group of girls greeted me habang naglalakad kami sa pathway.
"Hoy, pansinin mo naman mga fans mo," nang-aasar na bulong ng babaeng kasama ko.
"I told you, I hate attention."
"Sino iyong babaeng kasama niya?"
"Baka kapatid."
"Kilala ko kapatid niyan. Hindi iyan."
"Hala girlfriend siguro."
"Bestfriend niya ako! Nagbulungan pa kayo rinig din naman."
"Namomoses ka, 'te."
"Sila rin naman ah. Hahaha! Dami mo talagang fans. You know what? Mga minsan nga magtatayo na ako ng fans club mo. Tapos may registration fee."
"Sira."
"Ang saya kaya nun. Kikita tayo ng pera. Don't worry hahatian naman kita. Sa 'yo na iyong 25% share tapos sa akin ang 75%."
"Wow huh, hating kaaway."
"Okay na iyon. Ako naman Manager mo. Unless, papasahudin mo ako."
"Kapal naman ng mukha mo."
"Alam ko na sa Valentines."
"Valentines? Tsk. Matagal pa. Anyway, ano bang plano sa birthday natin?"
"Hmmm... simple celebration lang."
"Saka na lang natin planuhin kapag malapit na. Sigurado naman ako na mababago pa kung anong pinag-usapan natin ngayon."
"Yeah, mabuti pa nga."
"Mommy, si Kuya oh ayaw ibigay iyong remote!"
"Sumbungera."
"Travis," mahinahon ngunit may pagbabantang pagtawag nito sa akin.
"Yes, Mom." Bumuntong hininga ako bilang pagsuko at inabot sa kapatid ko ang remote control.
Bumangon na ako at dumiretso na lang sa taas para doon na manuod. I was lying on my bed watching some save movies on my laptop when my phone rang.
"Yow."
"Busy ka?"
"Nah, I'm just watching right now in my ro—"
"Gagi! Porn ba 'yan?"
"Sira, hindi 'no."
"Labas tayo."
"You mean gala?"
"Yup. Bored na bored na ako rito eh."
"Saan tayo pupunta?"
"Hmmm... Saan nga ba?"
"Ikaw gusto gumala kaya dapat alam mo."
"Basta magbihis ka. Magri-ready na rin ako."
"Okay. Paalam ka kay Tita."
"Yuck! You're kissing your cat."
"I'm just giving her a goodbye kiss. Problem with that?" I asked my bestfriend who's sitting on our sofa with her arms crossed.
"Pahalik-halik ka pa d'yan eh kumakain naman ng ipis 'yan."
Ibinaba ko si Claudia at dinampot na ang susi. Nagpaalam lang ako kay Mom at ibinilin kay Ate Ponkan na pakainin mamaya ang aking alaga.
"So where are we going now?" I asked her after we put on our seatbelts.
"Batangas."
"Batangas? Mag-aano naman tayo sa Batangas?"
"Maglo-lomi."
"Marami namang lomihan dito sa Manila."
"I want Batangas."
"Okay."
"Really pumapayag ka na?" Her eyes gleamed in excitement.
"If that will make you happy then who am I to not grant it?"
"Ayieeee! Magba-Batanggas kami. Sakto pagdating natin doon lunch time na. Tapos mamayang gabi sa Tagaytay naman tayo mag-dinner. Sakto malamig mamaya masarap mag-bulalo."
"Sure." I started the engine and drove my car from Manila to Batangas.
—Azureriel