Part 18
Nandito si Laureen. Nakaupo siya sa sofa nang paalisin niya si Gael. She crossed her legs.
"What are you doing here?" Bakit ba 'to nandito? Dapat hindi na siya bumisita kay Darlene, panira lang 'to, e.
Tumingin siya sa akin. "Masama bang bisitahin si Darlene?"
"Oo, kung ano-ano tinuturo mo kay bebe Darlene. Baka mamaya kung anong ituro mo sa kaniya," Harvey said.
"Ouch, grabe naman kayo sa akin. I'm just here to visit a friend. How dare you all." Nilingon niya si Darlene. "Darlene, seryoso ka bang kaibigan mo ang mga 'to? Kung oo, ang pangit ng taste mo sa kaibigan."
Darlene laughed. "True..."
"Aw... grabe ka sa amin," the boys said dramatically.
This is too much... me, ugly?! No fucking way. I have a beautiful green eyes, perfect jaw, perfect nose, and I have a kissable fucking red lips. Then ugly?!
"Truth hurts mga kasi, boys." Laureen chuckled. "And you know what, boys? You guys are so whipped when it comes to Darlene. Seriously... you all look like dogs." Laureen laughed teasingly.
I frowned. "What the fuck are you saying?" My jaw clenched.
"Grabe naman sa aso," Finn held his chest, act like his hurting. "Hindi naman."
Laureen laughed. "Promise, you all look like dogs. Loyal dogs, buruin niyo halos mag-alala kayo sa kaniya? Nuxs, huh? Darlene and her loyal dogs. Panay ang sunod niyo sa kaniya."
Darlene laughed so hard while looking at us. "Tangina," natatawang sabi niya. Sinabayan ni Laureen ang tawa niya. "Aso." Masama akong tumingin sa kaniya pero mas lalo lang siyang tumawa. "Velasquez, narinig mo 'yon?"
"Dude, I'm stating a fact." Laureen said as she leaned on the sofa before exhaling the smoke from the vape. "'Di ba may uri ng aso? Sina Trevor bulldog tapos si Nix bullshit."
"Fuck it, Laureen. Stop it." I irritatedly said.
"What the fuck?" Trevor hissed in irritation.
I glared at Laureen but she just laughed.
"Tangina, ginawa pa kaming aso. Sa gwapo kong 'to, Laureen?! Hindi makatarungan ang sinasabi mo."
"Totoo naman ʼyon." Tumango-tango pa si Darlene kaya napairap ako.
"See? Sumang-ayon ang amo. Boys, say arf. Go bark," Pang-aasar ni Laureen.
"Shut up," I rolled my eyes.
Panay ang pang-aasar ni Laureen kaya hindi ko mapigilan ang mainis. She kept on teasing on that fucking topic. Seriously, she see us as a fucking dog?! That's fucking ridiculous! Hindi ko talaga maintindihan kung paano naging kaibigan ni Darlene ang babaeng 'to. E, puro pang-aasar lang ang alam ni Laureen.
Halos mawalan na ng hangin sa katawan si Darlene dahil sa kakatawa niya. She was laughing so hard. Tumigil lang siya nang dumating ang Doctor para i-check siya pero hindi pa rin nawawala ang pang-aasar niya.
Nilagyan ko ng pillow ang likod ni Darlene bago naupo sa sofa dahil inagawan ako ni Laureen ng upuan. "Magla-lunch na, kumain na ba kayo?" Tanong ni Darlene.
"Hindi pa. Ililibre kasi kami ni Nix sa Mcdonald."
"What? Kayo? Ililibre ko?!" Lagi na lang nadadamay ang pangalan ko.
"Oo, ʼdi ba, Darlene? Ililibre kami ni Nix."
"Hindi, dahil kayong lahat ang Ililibre ako. Ililibre niyo ako 'di ba?" Darlene smirked. "'Di ba, Phoenix and friends?"
"Wala namang ganyanan."
Wala na akong pera. I can't withdraw today. I don't have money in my wallet, all I can have is my luxury card.
"Bilis na. Bumili na kayo." Pilit ni Darlene at pinagtulakan ako para tumayo. "Bumili na nga kasi kayo." Tumigil siya at tumingin sa akin ng seryoso. She looked at everyone too.
Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang tumayo dahil sa tingin niya. Everyone did the same before getting their car keys.
"See?! Who's your dog, huh?" Laureen teased us again. "One look, and everyone moved."
"Nakakatanggal pala ng angas kapag takot ka sa babae." Sabi ni Gael.
"Tanggal angas ni Nix pagdating kay Darlene."
Masama akong tumingin kay Arvin bago tumingin kay Darlene. "What do you want?"
"Gusto ko ano... sa mcdo. Fries, chicken fillet with rice. Tapos Mcfloat."
"Bawal 'yon sa 'yo—"
"Pwede 'yan, batas ako kaya pwede." Sa bagay... totoo naman ang sinasabi niya. Lahat ng sinasabi niya kailangan masunod.
"That's all?" Tanong ko.
Tumango naman siya. "Umalis na kayo."
"Opo, bebe Darlene."
"Sasapakin ko ngala-ngala niyo kapag hindi niyo tinigilan 'yan!" Darlene yelled in irritation. "Ayoko nga kasi n'on! Tangina naman, e!"
"They want them to call you that way. Wala kang magagawa," sabi ko nang tiningnan niya.
"Ew nga kasi." irap niya. "Umalis na nga kayo. Alis na." Umalis na ang lahat pero ako hindi pa. Nasa tabi ako ng kama niya. "Bakit nandito ka pa? Alis na." Tinulak ako ni Darlene nang mahina pero hinawakan ko ang kamay niya, na agad niyang inalis dahil tumingin si Laureen sa aming dalawa.
"May nakalimutan lang ako bago ako umalis." Naguluhan naman siya sa sinabi ko.
I held Darlene's jaw and lifted up to give her a soft kiss. Her eyes were shocked. I felt her soft lips when I moved slowly.
"Maybe you forgot, Nix. I'm here. Magmukbangan kayong dalawa sa harap ko." I heard Laureen say. "And please, stop kissing her. Wala naman palang kayo kung makabakod ka ay wagas."
Nilayo ko ang mukha kay Darlene. "Should I call someone to shut you up, Laureen?" Nilingon ko siya bago kunin ang susi ng kotse sa lamesa.
"No thanks." Laureen rolled her eyes. "And please, wala pa namang kayo tapos grabe kung makahalik. Label muna bago halik."
"Why do you care? Magiging kami rin, ayaw pa niya ng label. I told her that but she really refused." Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni Darlene pero tinulak niya lang ako.
"Ulol."
Natawa ako sa sinabi ni Darlene.
"Ay, fuck shit! Tumanggi ka?! Ang gaga, ikaw na inalok ng grasya, sinayang mo pa."
Yeah, Laureen is right. Tinanggihan ni Darlene ang grasya.
"Gusto mo, ikaw na lang—"
"No fuckin' way." I cut Darlene off.
Tinawanan naman niya ako. "Umalis ka na nga. Nagugutom na ako."
"Kaya nga, umalis ka na. I'll be with Darlene muna. Go now. Shoo!"
Hindi ko nagawang kausapin saglit si Darlene dahil pinagtulakan ako ni Laureen palabas. Nakakainis talaga ang babaeng 'to, dapat siya na lang ang bumili ng pagkain ni Darlene. At least nawala ang maingay.
I tell the bodyguards to watch the two girls while we're gone. I went to the parking lot and I saw them there, talking to the girls. My brows furrowed as I saw a girl who went down in the car.
"Let's go," I said and ignored them.
"Nix!"
Si Iris. Fuck it. Why the hell is she here? Tumingin naman ang iba sa akin nang lumingon ako. Hindi ko na lang sila pinansin at tumingin sa harap.
"How are you guys?" She asked, smiling.
Isa isa ang tingin niya sa amin. Iba naman ang timpla ng mukha nina Trevor. Umiwas naman ang iba sa kaniya.
"Mas masaya kumpara noon." Harvey said and I can sense that he's not comfortable that she's here.
"We are fine." Trevor leaned on his car door.
"Fine as fuck." Harris was still smoking.
Hindi naman sumagot ang iba.
"How about you?" Iris looked at me.
I have no plans to answer. But since I'm still respecting her as a woman, I'll answer but my phone rang and Darlene's bodyguard showed up. Tumingin ako sa bodyguard.
"Sir, may pinapabigay po ang girlfriend mo." He gave me a kind of a white paper. "Huwag daw po kayong pupunta sa loob kapag wala lahat ng 'yan, ihahagis niya raw po kayo sa outers space kasama ang mga dogs." He tried not to laugh.
What the... fuck.
"Putangina, sineryoso talaga ni bebe Darlene ʼyon?!"
"Dogs amputa."
This is Laureen's fault! Sinilip ko ang nasa loob.
Gusto ko ng bff fries kasi nandito si Laureen. Gusto ko rin ng chocolate ice cream. Pati ano... ikaw. Charot. Joke lang, gusto ko ng street food. Ingat ka, lab yo-Dude.
Gawin mo, ah. Totohanin ko talaga ang sinabi ni Kuyang Bodyguard. You heard-hindi pala. You see the letter? Good.
Natatawa na lang ako kay Darlene. Lab, huh? Minsan talaga ang lakas ng tama ni Darlene and you know what... she's a lowkey person. Kapag kaming dalawa lang...sobrang close niya sa akin and I like that, pero kapag kaming lahat na parang ayaw niya akong katabi.
"Natatawa ka yata, Nix? Ano ba 'yan, ha?" Owen tried to see the paper.
Tiniklop ko agad ang papel nang balak silipin ni Finn. "Shut up." I looked at the bodyguard. "Don't leave her alone. Text Alexis to go here and be with Darlene. Don't let anyone go inside her room unless it's a nurse or a Doctor. But still make sure it's a Doctor or Nurse." I said and he nodded.
"Yes, sir." He nodded again.
Lumingon naman ako sa mga kasama ko. "Let's go, she's hungry now. Excuses us, Iris." I said and went inside of my car.
Nagdrive agad ako papunta sa mcdo. Malapit lang naman 'yon sa Hospital kaya nakarating kami agad. I parked my car first before getting my keys. Bumaba na rin ako at sa loob agad ang diretso.
It had a lot of customers and most of the women looked in my direction. Dumiretso na ako sa harap para bumili ng sinabi ni Darlene.
"What's your order, sir?"
Sinabi ko ang lahat ng gusto ni Darlene. And of course, I won't treat these idiots. Mga nagbayad naman sila ng kaniya-kaniya bago ko pa sabihin.
Nilapag na ng babae ang order ko bago tumingin sa akin. I hate her stairs. Nakakairita ang mga titig niya pero kung kay Darlene 'yan, hinding hindi ako maiirita.
"Do you have a happy meal here?" I suddenly asked the girl in front.
Naalala ko lang si Darlene sa happy meal.
"Nix, sino ang magha-happy meal?" Dice asked me.
"Darlene," I smirked. "So, do you have it or not?"
"Mayroon po kami, sir. Stich po ang happy meal. Stuffed toy po 'yon."
"Alright, give me five with different styles." I only want to give her.
The girl did what I said. She got a five happy meal.
"Gago, pr8e, mayroon din silang minions na happy meal! Tara bilhan natin si Darlene pero hati-hati tayo."
"Tangina, ang kuripot naman ni Marquez. Lakas mong magsugal tapos hati-hati pa? Kaniya-kaniya tayong bayad." Arvin said while getting his wallet. "Sa akin 'yong naka-headphone. Sa inyo, ano?"
"'Yong naka-apron na black at white." Dice answered. "Mura lang naman ʼyan. Tsaka, walang mahal-mahal dito kung para kay bebe Darlene."
They bought a happy meal for Darlene. I'm holding the stitch happy meal. Kanya-kanya silang bili para kay Darlene.
"Hold this." Binigay ko kay Finn ang mga binili ko.
"Ang bigat, Nix, ha!" Reklamo ni Finn na hindi ko pinansin.
Nauna akong lumabas sa mcdo at dumiretso sa kotse. They followed me and put the things on their back seats. Nilagay ko naman ang pagkain ni Darlene sa shotgun seat ko.
Hindi pa muna ako pumapasok sa loob ng kotse dahil iniisip ko kung ano pa ang ibibigay ko kay Darlene. I think... is this enough?
"'Oy, flower shop, o! Tara bilhan natin si Darlene!" Gael suggested.
Tumingin ako sa harap at meron nga na flower shop. Flowers... oh, I remembered what I did to her. Siya ang nagbayad ng bulaklak na inorder ko para sa kanya. I went inside to buy a flowers, sumunod naman silang lahat sa akin. Nauna akong pumasok kaya napatingin pa ang mga babaeng customer.
"Ang pogi ng lalaking green ang mata, shit."
Hindi naman patay si Darlene para bigyan ng bulaklak pero gusto ko pa rin siya bigyan. Nakakita ako ng red rose pero may tinik sa katawan. Kinuha ko 'yon dahil ang red rose ang ibibigay ko sa kanya. Panigurado masama na naman ang tingin niya sa akin kapag nakita niya ang bulaklak. She hated a flower with a thorn.
Gusto ko lang siya asarin. I took three of red rose.
"Freak, oh, damn. Kaya pala tumahimik si Mavis at Gael." Renz said. "Hi, Ysa. Hi Florence."
Tumingin ako kung nasaan ang iba. Mavis and Gael were busy looking at the flowers. Hinayaan ko na sila. Lumapit ako sa counter para bayaran na ang binili ko. Sumunod naman silang lahat sa akin dahil nasa counter si Ysa at Florence. Mavis' ex-girlfriend is Ysa, while Gael's.... I don't know. I only know about Florence since pinakilala siya ni Gael sa amin noon.
"How much is the tulip?" Mavis asked.
"Wala kaming tig-isa, ten stem lang. Naka-bouquet." Ysabelle answered in a bored tone. "2,999 ang price."
"How about that?" Mavis pointed to the picture. It was an assorted tulip bouquet.
"4,999, twenty stem ang bouquet na 'yon."
"How about you?" Mavis raised an eyebrow.
"Mukha ba akong binebenta dito, letche ka?" Ysabelle said in an irritated tone.
"Ngayon ko lang na realized na. Magkakasundo pala sila ni Darlene. Mas malutong nga lang ang bebe Darlene natin sa pagmumura." Finn laughed. "Anyway, what should we buy?"
"Iyong 4,999 na lang, Ysa. And the one tulip is for you." Mavis smirked at Ysa. "Sorry gift, my love."
"My love mo mukha mo, ulol. Kingina, lumayo-layo ka sa akin." Ysa rolled her eyes. "Florence, halika nga. Huwag ka dyan. Baka magaya ka sa akin. Buti na lang talaga, hindi mo sinagot si Gael."
"Buti nga. Ayoko palang maging parte sa kaniya." Florence shook her head.
"Thank you, Ysa, ha! Grabe 'to. Binasted na nga ako tapos ganiyan ka pa." Gael said before looking at Florence. "Tsaka, mahal, gusto talaga kita."
"Huwag mo nga akong tawagin niyan." Florence tried to avoid Gael. "Sasampalin kita."
"Okay lang. Hahalikan naman kita, para may first-." Florence cut Gael off.
"Letche, tigilan mo ako."
"For sure, if Darlene is here. Magkakasundo na ang mga 'to." Trevor said.
Trevor wasn't wrong though. Knowing Darlene, maingay ʼyon kapag may kasamang katulad niya. She can cuss whenever she wants. We pay for the flowers before leaving the flower shop.
"Ysa, Florence, love you daw sabi ni Mavis at Gael."
Dumiretso na ako sa labas para bumili ng street food na gusto ni Darlene, ayokong marinig ang mga pinagsasabi nilang lahat. Gusto ko ng balikan si Darlene.
I bought street food first before going back to the Hospital. Nang makarating sa parking, bumaba na ako. Pinakuha ko kay Arvin ang pagkain sa shot gun.
"Utusan na lang pala ako," reklamo niya.
Ang dami niyang reklamo pero sinunod rin naman. Pumunta na ako kung saan ang kwarto ni Darlene. Hindi na ako kumatok at basta basta na lang pumasok. But I stopped when I saw what's happening inside. Even my friends from my back, stopped.
"No, not like that. Like this, o." Laureen was teaching Darlene to walk like a rampa....?
"Hindi ko nga magawa. Ang hirap." Naiinis na si Darlene. What the... inalis na niya ang dextrose niya?! "Hindi ako marunong. Kasi naman... ako na lang lagi ang trip mong pagantuhin. Nandiyan naman ang iba."
"I just want to see if you can be a model. Pero ang gawa mo, pilit. Seriously, lakad mo pang normal lang. Wala man lang slay 'yong sinend mo sa akin! At hindi ka man lang nag-effort! Walang makeup, walang dress. You're only wearing a freaking big shirt, Darlene."
What?! Darlene sent a video of her to Laureen? And makeup?
"Excuse me, Laureen. Patulog na ako noon at antok na antok na ako! Kasi nga ako, alam mo bang tulog na ang lahat ng tao sa bahay tapos ako tamang rampa sa hallway ng bahay. Lintik."
Hindi man lang nila kami napapansin.
"Wala ako sa mood noon. Ayoko na mag-ganito. Turuan mo na lang ako maglagay ng ano sa mukha." Darlene said as she sat on her bed.
"Okay, later na lang ʼyan. Continued na natin ang makeup."
We watched Darlene while Laureen put some kind of kaartehan on her face.
"Tanginang mukha 'yan... ang ganda." Hindi napapansin ni Darlene na nasa harap na niya kami. Laureen teaching her now to do makeup, I guess? Panay ang lagay niya ng... basta 'yong may brush tapos may white d'on. I think it's a powder.
"Ay, shit!" Nagulat si Darlene nang makita kami sa pinto. "Mukha kayong ewan! Nakatayo kayong lahat sa pinto—at wait, ano 'yang bulaklak na ʼyan?"
Lumapit ako.
"For you, bebe Darlene." They gave Darlene a tulip flower.
"Ayoko nga kasi ng bebe Darlene. Para namang gago." Kinuha ni Darlene ang bulaklak bago tumingin sa akin. "Dude, wala kang ibibigay?"
Pinakita ko ang red roses sa kanya.
Ngumiwi naman siya agad. "Grabe naman, Velasquez. May roses ka nga na binigay, matinik naman. Parang tanga lang." Kinuha niya ang roses sa kamay ko.
"Buti nga binili pa kita," sabi ko at pinatong ang pagkain sa lamesa.
"Kaya nga, mahal 'yan. Tsaka, gusto mo kiss sa forehead." I tried to kiss Darlene but she covered her face.
"Ew. Yuck! Velasquez, kingina, hinawakan pa ako sa kamay! Punyeta! Mga ukinam kayo!"
"Kiss her on the back of her palms, not on the forehead." I said.
"Ayaw namin. Alam namin ʼyan, tricks ʼyan. Kunyari payag pero ang totoo, nakasangla na ang buhay namin sa Phoenix's Hell." Harvey shook his head.
Sumang-ayon naman sila.
"Tss... why would I do that? It's just a kiss on the back of her palms."
"No way, Nix. We don't want to die." Harris said while shaking his head.
I rolled my eyes. "You don't have anything to be scared of."
"Dude, you see, we are scared to admit that, we have a cru—" Mavis stopped when Harris and others started to cough. "It was nothing."
I looked at them while Darlene was confused.
"Anyway, para sa 'yo 'yan!" They gave her the happy meal.
"Hindi ako bata." Irap ni Darlene.
"Pero bebe ka namin." Lumayo agad si Gael nang kinuha ni Darlene ang lamp shade. "Joke lang."
We just prepared the food so that Darlene and Laureen could eat. Same with us, we just ate here while watching a movie on Finn's laptop. We finished eating and these two girls had their own life. Panay ang usap sa hindi ko malaman-laman. Nakatingin lang kaming lahat sa kanilang dalawa dahil panay ang comment ni Darlene sa kung ano.
"Chismisan is real talaga."
Hinayaan na lang muna namin sila dahil trip nilang magchismisan.
Dumating si Tito Dylan nang mag-three ng hapon. He's with Drake and Darius. We are planning to sleep here in the hospital, nagpaalam na rin kami na uuwi saglit para makapag-palit ng damit.
Nadaanan na namin si Dash kanina at pwede na siyang lumabas pero hindi pa niya alam kung kailan. And... I've noticed something. He's quiet all the time. Is there something bothering him? He's thinking something that made us all confused. But still, Dash needs to rest.
Dumiretso na ako sa labas ng Hospital pero napatigil nang makita si Laureen.
"Nix, I can't dialled Gianna's number so... ikaw na lang magbigay." Laureen gave me a lot of stuff. "It's her stuff."
"What the fuck?" I asked. "Why the fuck you have her stuff?"
"Because... she slept on my condo when we are still in a... relationship. And I'm planning to sell my unit pero may naiwan pa pala siya."
"Wait, what?" I asked Laureen in shock. "You had a relationship with Gia?"
She nodded. "Yeah, actually, Gianna and I are friends, but I got attracted to her. Tapos hindi ko naman alam na gano'n rin pala siya sa akin. And... yeah, we had a relationship bago mo ako i-date."
"What the fuck?" I asked her. Well, it doesn't matter though. Wala naman akong pakialam sa kung anong estado ni Laureen. As long as she's happy.
"Napamahal ako kay Gia, she treated me what I deserve. I was attracted to girls before. And believe me, Nix, mas masakit magmahal ang babae," she chuckled. "Anyway... matakot ka na, Nix... aagawin ko si Darlene sa'yo." She smirked teasingly as she waved her hands while walking. "Bye."
"Don't you dare, Laureen!"
She laughed. "I will do what I want! Be scared!"
I was shocked by what she said. I can't believe that she... has a relationship with Gia.
Pumunta na lang ako sa hideout para doon puntahan si Gia. I put the brown box in front of her desk. Gianna is alone here, she's doing some work.
"Ano 'to, Nix?" See asked, confused.
"Stuffs from Laureen. You left that to her condo." I took a beer from the fridge. "Sabi niya sa akin, ibigay ko raw. She actually told me... you two had a relationship."
"Putangina, hindi nga? Sinabi niya ʼyon?"
"Yeah, I can't believe that actually." I drank my beer. "You two had... never mind." I don't want to ask anymore since that was a secret. I drank my beer before looking at the door. A woman went inside, she was a bit shocked seeing me here.
"Have you seen... Reid?"
I shrugged before standing up. Lumabas na ako sa kwarto para umuwi sa condo. It's not traffic. When I got home, I went inside of the bathroom to take a shower.
I wore a black shirt and shorts before lying on my bed. It's already 7 PM in the evening. Dude, ang bilis ng oras. I closed my eyes to sleep. Pero hindi pa ako nakakatulog nang tumunog ang cellphone ko.
"Hello?"
"[Uy... aalis si Papa. May naghahanap sa kaniya kanina kaya kailangan niya puntahan. Si Kuya naman umalis din para asikasuhin ang... ewan. Basta, aalis siya, e. Tapos si Darius, umalis rin. Nagbleed kasi si Stella kaya kailangan niyang masigurado na okay ang pamangkin namin. At ako naman, alone. Wala akong kasama. Phoenix, alone ako... kawawa naman ako.]"
"Bakit ako ang tinawagan mo kung alone ka?"
"[Sige, si Trevor—]"
"Okay, I'm on my way. Wait for me."
I heard a laugh from the other line. "[Sige, bye, ingat ka.]" She ended the call.
Tumayo na ako para kunin ang susi ng kotse. Halos paliparin ko ang kotse ko para lang makarating sa Hospital. When I arrived at her room, she was right. Wala nga siyang kasama. Nasa bintana siya at halatang may tinitingnan. As if may makikita siya. Her room has a balcony.
"Akala ko hindi ka darating, Phoenix!" Darlene said when she saw me.
"Why? Are you that excited to see me?"
"Kapal, hindi naman. Wala lang talaga akong kasama dito sa kwarto."
I lay down on her bed while she sat on the monobloc chair. Hawak-hawak niya pa rin ang dextrose niya. And by the way, the Doctor warned her because she removed her dextrose on her body.
"Ako 'yong na-ospital pero ikaw ang nakahiga d'yan."
"Bakit ka kasi naupo d'yan." Tumagilid ako para harapin siya.
"E, naunahan mo na ako." Kinuha niya ang cellphone sa side table. "Ano nga palang favorite song mo, Velasquez?"
"Borrowed Time." Tumingin ako sa kanya. "Why?"
"Wait, same pala kayo ni Darius ng favorite song? Peborit niya ʼyan, e."
Of course he is... ako kaya ang dahilan kung bakit nagustuhan ang kantang 'to. We always play guitar and this song we are always playing.
"Tsaka, alam mo... feeling ko matagal na kayong magkakilala ni Darius." We have really known each other since then, Darlene. He was my best friend. "Tsaka, alam mo noong nakita ko no'n si Darius... parang kamukha mo. Hindi ko kasi maalala ang mukha ng kingina."
Wow... she's calling me 'kingina' because she doesn't know my name?! Darlene, nasa harap mo na! Your future is in your face! Dude, I'm here.
"Maybe he just... here... you know. Hindi mo talaga maalala?" Tanong ko.
Umiling siya "Hindi, e."
"Okay..." Tanging nasabi ko. "Come here, stay here now. Huwag ka na d'yan." Tumayo ako para tulungan siya na ilagay ang dextrose. "Matutulog ka na ba?"
"Oo, pinapunta kita kasi wala akong kasama matulog." She smiled.
"Okay then... sleep now." Naupo ako sa tabi niya. "Usog ka, tabi tayo." Umusog naman siya. I pulled her closer so she could sleep in my arms. "Did you eat dinner?"
"Hmm...." she nodded. "Kunin mo nga 'yong cellphone ko, nand'yan sa gilid. Tapos bukasan mo, hanap ka ng music."
Nakatingin naman siya sa cellphone niya habang panay ang scroll ko. "Ito na lang, Phoenix." Kinuha niya ang cellphone sa kamay ko.
"Darlene, don't use a speaker." I warned her when she connected her phone on the speaker.
Pero hindi siya nakinig, nilakasan niya lang lalo.
"Darlene, malapit ka ng mapaalis sa Hospital."
"Okay lang 'yon. At least sa bahay na ako." She said. "Yours, mine, ours... I could do this for hours. Sit and talk to you for hours. I wanna give you your flowers..." I heard her singing.
Nilingon ko siya at pikit na ang mata niya. I kissed her forehead before closing my eyes too. I felt her forehead on my chin as I felt her hugging me.
This is warm. The way Darlene hugged me... I felt... I was home. For the whole existence of my life, this is the first time I felt home, I felt comfort in her arms. Through the years... I guess... I found my home and it was her. Si Darlene lang ang babaeng nagparamdam sa akin ng ganito. Na kaya kong magpahinga sa lahat ng ginagawa ko habang kasama ko siya.
Darlene always gives me comfort through her arms, laugh, and smiles. She's really my comfort zone.
Nagising ako dahil sa alarm ng cellphone ni Darlene. Tumingin ako sa tabi ko at tulog pa rin na siya. I removed her hands on me to get up, inayos ko pa ang pagkakahiga niya.
Tumayo na ako para patayin ang alarm. I'm just confused, the phone was connected to the speaker and still she didn't wake up?
Napatingin ako sa pinto dahil bumukas, nakita ko namang pumasok si Trevor at nasa likod ang iba.
"Hoy, ang ingay niyo! Natutulog si bebe Darlene!"
Binato ko ng unan si Finn dahil sa ingay niya.
"Stop shouting." I covered Darlene with a blanket. "What are you all doing here?
"Sleeping with our bebe Darlene." They said.
"Where are you all gonna sleep?" I raised an eyebrow.
Wala silang higaan. That was forbidden now. Ginawa ba naman condo ang hospital room noon ni Darlene?
"Hala, oo nga," Harvey said.
"Sa tabi na lang ako ni Darlene."
"You want to sleep forever, Guevarra?" I asked Owen and he shook his head immediately. "Akala ko gusto mo, handa na sana ako." Sumandal ako sa sofa.
He coughed. "Hindi naman, Nix. Ayaw ko pa madeads. Hindi pa ako pinapansin ni bebe ko."
Hindi balang ako sumagot.
***
Today is Friday and Darlene is already discharged, same with Dash. They are both fine now. Tito Dylan discharged her because Darlene said so. May mga bodyguards na nakasunod sa amin kaya walang problema.
"Itulak mo naman ng maayos ang wheelchair."
Right... Darlene is sitting on the wheelchair.
"Hindi ka naman kasi lumpo, umupo ka pa dyan," I said while pushing the wheelchair.
"Sila nga rin, e. Tingnan mo!" Darlene pointed at the idiots behind our backs.
Mga nakasakay sa wheelchair at kaniya-kaniya pa sila. I rolled my eyes then continued pushing Darlene. Binilisan ko ang pagtulak sa kaniya kaya halos masubsob siya nang matisod ang wheelchair sa isang wire.
I laughed when I saw her holding her forehead.
"Parang gago, Velasquez!" She glared.
"Ang tanga ni Darlene!" Renz laughed so hard.
"Maka-tanga ka naman sa akin, Renz!" Irap ni Darlene at tumayo. Iniwan niya kaming mag-isa sa hallway at madaling pumasok sa elevator.
"Hala... nagalit yata si bebe Darlene."
We all looked at each other.
"We need to do something." Pinindot ko ang elevator button para sundan si Darlene.
I don't want to use the stairs, it was tiring! I don't want to be tired. Pumasok ako sa loob ng elevator at sumunod naman sila sa akin.
"Hoy, hanggang ten lang ang kasya dito. Kayong pito, layas."
"Ano ba naman 'yan."
Anim lang silang pumasok sa elevator. The door closed. We waited for the elevator and it took a minute before it stopped. We went inside and it was about to close when the girls went inside. A woman in front of me, winked at me using the reflection of the mirror.
I rolled my eyes and picked up my phone. I saw a message from Darlene.
From: Darlene
Hoy. KK. 🙂
What?
"Kita kita," Harvey suddenly said.
Lumingon ako sa kaniya, he shrugged his shoulders before laughing secretly. Tumingin naman ako kay Harris at Trevor, I saw them laughing without reason.
Bumukas ang elevator kaya unang lumabas ang mga babae. Tumingin agad ako sa paligid para makita si Darlene, nakita ko naman siya kaagad.
"Hey, what's your name?" a girl wearing a skirt and crop top held my arm.
Tinabig ko ang kamay niya. "Don't touch me and please, I'm not interested in a woman like you. See that hot gorgeous woman?" I pointed in Darlene's direction. "She's the woman I like. And I am interested in her, so stop." I left her and went to Darlene. Kasama na pala niya ang iba. Sa tabi niya agad ang diretso ko.
"Hindi na galit si Darlene!"
"Ulol, binigyan niyo lang akong pagkain, e." She rolled her eyes.
"Pumayag ka ng gano'n?" Tanong ko.
"Oo, pagkain 'yon, e."
"Ang takaw mo talaga." Balak niya akong hampasin pero lumayo na ako.
"Tama na harutan. Tara na sa flower shop."
Naguluhan naman si Darlene pero sumunod siya. She's with me until we arrived at the flower shop.
"Phoenix, ano ba ang ginagawa natin dito?" Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya para hindi siya madulas.
"Wait, Darlene, maputik d'yan—."
"Hindi naman ako maarte." Her white flat sandals had a mud because she stepped on that fucking mud. Ni wala siyang pakialam kahit na magkaroon ng putik ang sandals niya.
She smiled at me before going inside of the shop. Narinig ko agad ang pang-iinis ng iba kina Ysa.
"Ysa, alam mo bang saksi ang buwan at araw kung gaano ka kamahal ni Mavis? Pati bahaghari saksi kung gaano ka niya kamahal."
"Putangina, lumayo-layo kayo sa akin. Sasaksakin ko kayo." It was Ysa in her irritated tone.
"Sasaksakin mo na lang ako ng pagmamahal, Ysa. Tanggap ko pa 'yon." Mavis went to Ysa, he put his arms around her shoulder. Kaagad siyang tinulak ni Ysa.
"Sasaksakin kita ng gunting, gusto mo?" Ysa showed the scissors, which made Mavis shut up.
Dumiretso ako kay Darlene dahil halatang naguguluhan na siya. Lumapit naman kami sa iba.
"Florence, sabi ni Gael baka pwedeng ligawan ka ulit?"
Florence raised her middle finger. "Ulol sa kaniya."
"Phoenix, sino ba ʼyon?" Tanong ni Darlene.
Lumingon naman silang lahat kay Darlene.
"Nga pala, Florence at Ysa, si Darlene nga pala." Finn introduced Darlene to Ysabelle and Florence. "Bebe girl namin 'yan."
"Putangina nito, kadiri nga ʼyan. Bebe girl, putangina. Yuck, ha." Sabi ni Darlene, she rolled her eyes.
Natawa na lang sila sa reaction ni Darlene.
"True, yuck." Ysa agreed. "Sinong boyfriend mo d'yan?" Parang kinakabahan pa siya sa magiging sagot ni Darlene. She even looked at Mavis.
"Wala, ha! Wala akong boyfriend d'yan. Ang totoo niyan, alaga ko sila." Darlene smirked.
"Huh?" Florence asked.
"Mga aso ko sila actually. Pogi 'di ba?" Sagot ni Darlene.
Ysa and Florence laughed so hard.
"Ampucha, isa kang..." Ysa laughed at Mavis.
"Lintik, Gael, aso..." Florence laughed too.
Masama akong tumingin kay Darlene nang mag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin. She just laughed at me until she stopped and had a conversation with these two women. Napupuno ng mura ang bawat salita nila tuwing nagsasalita sila.
"Sana hindi na lang natin pinakilaka si bebe Darlene kay Florence." Gael said. "Lakas pa naman mang-asar ni Florence. Nakakainis, tawa palang niya, inis na ako. Paano pa kaya kung asarin na niya talaga ako? Nabasted na nga ako tapos ganito pa..." He was so dramatic.
"Same here, man. I can't believe that... the woman just laughed at me." Mavis looked at Ysa. "Wala pang babae ang tumawa sa akin. They are... always having a crush on me unlike this woman..."
These fuckers laughed.
"Ayos lang 'yan. Bawi ka sa next life mo, Mavis," Renz laughed.
"Fuck you, Renz."
Nilingon ko si Darlene. "I will cover Darlene's lips sometimes." Talagang sinabi niya talaga? That was so ridiculous. Patatahimikin ko talaga si Darlene gamit ang labi ko.
We bought flowers for Darlene while she's talking with Florence and Ysa. Panay ang tawa niya kaya hindi ko maiwasan ma-curious. Panay pa ang sulyap sa pwesto ko. Then she's laughing and talking again.
Umalis na rin kami dahil tumawag na si Tito sa akin, at sinabi na iuwi ko na raw si Darlene kaya ginawa ko na. Drake and Darius was sending me a message to me, they really think na kaya kong itanan ang kapatid nila? Well... kaya ko naman 'yon gawin pero ayoko. I don't want to do that. That's ridiculous and for sure, if I did that. Her parents will be mad at me. And in fact... I'm planning to court her. That's the reason why I don't need to do that. But seriously... courting isn't my thing.
Because I think it's just a waste of time. Ayaw ko lang sayangin ang oras na dapat ay nagmamahalan kaming dalawa. Pero kaya ko namang ligawan si Darlene araw-araw basta mamahalin niya lang ako at gano'n rin ako sa kaniya. I can court and love her. Pero kung gusto niyang ligawan ko siya... gagawin ko.
I will court her if she really wants to. Kaya kong ligawan siya lalo na kung gusto niya talaga para makita niyang hindi na laro ang ginagawa ko. Dahil totoo na ang lahat ng nararamdaman ko para sa kanya.
Totoong minamahal ko na siya.