KISSING MY KRYPTONITE
(A/N: UNEDITED - If you're reading this, sign na 'to para mag-confess ka na sa crush mo.)
"May gusto po ako sa anak niyo.."
Pero pinaamin niya lang ako..para i-reject..
"Bakit ang anak ko?"
Hindi ako nakasagot agad dahil sa pagsulpot ng aso sa tabi niya, I stepped back feeling the familiar fear pulsing through me again. Kalmado na ang aso, parang hindi nito ginawang biro ang buhay ko kanina.
"I have to leave na po, sir," magalang kong paalam kay Mr. Cordova, natatakot akong sumagot dahil baka kapag hindi niya nagustuhan ang sasabihin ko ay ipalapa niya ako sa asong 'yon at hindi na makauwing buhay.
"Sa susunod na bumalik ka rito sana ay may matinong sagot ka na.."
"Pasensya na po, sir," napayuko ako, baka ito na rin ang huling beses na nandito ako.
"Sige na," mariing hudyat niya sa 'kin, tumingin ako sa aso na nakaupo sa tabi niya, pinandilatan ko pa nang sandaling tumingin sa ibang direksyon si Mr. Cordova.
Isang hindi inaasahang mini-heart attack ulit ang halos pumatay sa 'kin na muntik magpatalsik sa katawan ko mula sa sports bike dahil sa paghabol ng aso. Hindi naman halatang ayaw na akong pabalikin ni Mr. Cordova, napasigaw na lang ako sa inis at sama ng loob.
"What's the first thing you're going to do if you found out who's your dad's mistress?" seryosong tanong ni Jazzver, sumandal ito sa kotse ko dala ang isang brown envelope sa kamay niya na kanina ko pa gustong buksan pero ang dami pa niyang tanong.
"Kung totoong may kabit nga siya.." she air-quoted her fingers, "Kasi paano kung nagsasabi pala ng totoo si Tito Friedrich? Na masyado na siyang matanda para magsayang ng panahon sa ibang babae?"
"I'm gonna make her life miserable," in legal ways of course. I don't think I could forgive my father if he hurts my mother again, I'll give them hell. "And about dad, he had taken too much chances from my mom. Sana nga talaga hindi na siya nagsisinungaling 'nung sinabi niya sa 'kin 'yan."
She brushes her fingers through her hair before opening the envelope, taking out some pictures. She exhales deeply, "This is Chanel Velazco's family picture.."
Family picture..
According to its background, parang nasa eleganteng stage sila ng isang piano competition, dahil sa mga banyagang tao sa paligid, parang hindi ito rito sa pinas kinuha.
There are four of them in the picture..
"The old man who's wearing a white suit is her father, last year lang namatay. Iyong katabi niyang nakapulang dress ay ang mommy niya na bedridden ngayon because of stroke.."
"Who's the woman wearing a black gown?" I asked curiously. Itinuro ko ang muka ng babaeng katabi ni Chanel Velazco, may bilog na number tag siya sa katawan, nakasabit iyon sa leeg niya gamit ang isang malaking pulang ribbon. Chanel Velazco looks very much like her father, whereas her sister bears a striking resemblance to their mother.
"Minka Velazco, younger sister of Chanel Velazco. Wala akong masyadong balita sa kanya, ang nalaman ko lang ay nasa US siya ngayon," she stated seriously. "Another one.."
May kinuha siyang panibagong litrato sa envelope, muka naman ito ng isang lalaki, "Guess who is he.."
"Brother?" panghuhula ko, hindi niya kamuka pero parang pamilyar sa 'kin, posibleng nakita ko na iyong lalaki noon pa o may kahawig siyang kilala ko na.
"Chanel Velazco's boyfriend.."
"What?"
"Boyfriend niya, bingi ka ba?" ibinalik niya ang lahat ng litrato sa envelope saka niya 'yon binigay sa 'kin. "We're done with Chanel Velazco, hindi siya isang kabit.."
"Dahil lang may boyfriend siya?"
"Kutob lang naman ang lahat hindi ba? May strong proof ka ba, Ezra? Nahuli mo ba silang naglaplapan o nagpla-planking ni tito or something?"
"Hindi..actually wala.."
"Sa mga nalaman ko tungkol sa kanya, mukang mabuti siyang tao.." kumento niya, pareho sila ng paniniwala ni Mighty Deev.
Okay I'm done. Chanel Velazco is out of my list now. Truth is, hindi ko naman siya pinaimbestiga dahil lang pinaghihinalaan ko siyang kabit ni dad kundi dahil na rin sa kagustuhan kong malaman ang kaugnayan niya kay Professor Cordova.
"Si Professor Cordova at Chanel Velazco.."
Naikuwento ko na sakanya ang tungkol sa nakita namin ni Lucca, sinigurado ko talaga bago ko pinagawan ng imbestigasyon si Chanel Velazco para kahit ang bagay na 'yon ay madukal niya.
"I remember you showing me the footage na muntik magkasakitan si Professor Cordova at Tito Friedrich," iyong cctv record na nagkainitan sina daddy at Professor Cordova.
"But I think that's because of my Philosophy grades, 'nung sinadya akong ibagsak ni ma'am.."
"That's it, personal assistant na ni Tito Friedrich si Chanel Velazco. Given na gagawin niya ang lahat para sa trabaho niya, in that footage, she saw what Professor Cordova did right? Kaya hindi imposibleng magkaroon siya ng masamang tinapay sa propesor.."
Damn it, that makes sense. Sa impormasyong kinalap ni Jazzver, nag-resign na raw kay Tito Steven si Chanel at piniling mas tumutok sa trabahong meron siya kay dad. Basta si tito ang naging daan para makilala ni Chanel si daddy at maalok ito ng bagong trabaho.
"Ano na, Ezra? Drop na natin si Chanel Velazco?" tanong niya.
"Paano kung isa siya?"
"Saan?" kumunot ang noo niya.
"To the puzzle pieces I need," I stared at the envelope inside my car.
"Iyong pagiging kabit lang naman niya issue mo sa kanya right?"
"Yeah?"
"Then we don't need her, she could be a piece of puzzle but useless," she snorts. "Our next goal now is to find out who's Xiomara.."
Convinced na akong hindi siya kabit ni daddy, I wanna dig more about her but as she said masyadong pribado ang buhay niya at ayoko nang makagulo. For now, I'd like Jazzver, all of us to focus on someone..
Xiomara Morgana..
"I met her again," itinago ko ang envelope sa kotse ko. Alam na ni Jazzver, Mighty Deev at Lucca ang tungkol kay Xiomara. From the first time she showed up to me until our last encounter in the Museum building. Ang tanging nalalaman lang nina Matias at Yesha ay 'yung unang pagkikita namin ni Xiomara because of their Girlfriend Trial Card.
"Si Xiomara.." I sighed, "Nagkita ulit kami recently and as usual, she kept telling me the same cryptic messages. I'm sick of thinking what she wants seriously, I hate her so much."
"Did she mention the same name again?"
"Wala siyang binanggit na pangalan, but just like the last time, parang si Professor Cordova pa rin ang pilit na pinapahiwatig niya and I don't fucking know why," parang ang laki-laki ng galit niya kay Professor Cordova or pwede ring kabaligtaran. Paano nga pala kung relevant sa buhay niya si, ma'am? Posible ba 'yon?
Sumilay ang isang hindi inaasang makahulugang ngiti sa mga labi niya dahil sa huling sinabi ko.
"Why the hell are you smiling like that?" I shrug, that's not the response that I like seriously.
She scratches her chin, "Nasabi mo na sa 'kin lahat, Ezra. Ramdam ko namang pinagkakatiwalaan mo ako pero iyong sainyo ng professor na 'yan, kailan mo sasabihin sa 'kin?"
"Ano'ng sinasabi mo?"
"Sige itanggi mo pa, Ezra," she rolled her eyes. "Makapag-deny ka akala mo may tinatago ka pang dignidad!"
Nagpatuloy siya, "Kasi kung totoo nga 'yung naririnig ko kay Lucca at Mighty, tingin ko it says a lot to the root cause of Xiomara's existence. Baka kahit sa Bridge of Rainbows nakasunod siya sa inyo o kahit saang planeta kayo nagpupunta ng chix mo ngayon."
Ang taong 'to, si Lucca, Matias at Mighty Deev: they're the perfect representations of marites!
For unknown reason, Sebaztian Davies crossed my head..and the woman he was with noong fire dancing show. That fire dance performer wearing a black mask with a burning knife na binalewala ko lang kasi lahat naman sila gano'n ang costume. Malinaw pa sa memorya ko kung paano niya itinutok 'yon sa 'min na sana parte lang ng performance..sana.
Si Sebaztian Davies, kailangan ko siyang kausapin sa mas lalong madaling panahon.
"Xiomara Morgana and Professor Cordova are your top 2 essential puzzle pieces," pasimple nitong ginalaw ang kamay niya na animo'y naglalaro ng chess.
"I need to know what's their connection," I nodded. "Kung ano'ng posibleng motibo ni Xiomara bakit niya ginagawa 'to and out of all people bakit si..Professor Cordova?"
"Stalker," Jazzver shakes her head.
"I was right then? Xiomara could be my stalker?" at posibleng siya 'yung fire dance performer na 'yon..tapos kilala ni Sebaztian Davies dahil sa nakita ko silang nag-usap.
"Yeah, baka may gusto 'yan sa 'yo o may past kayo? Ano ba sa tingin mo pwede niyang maging motibo? Baka nasaktan mo pala siya dati tapos naghihiganti-"
"What the fuck, Louise Jazzver?"
"Hindi ko rin sinasabing tama lahat ng sinabi ko but let all of it sink into you," pinisil niya ang tungki ng kanyang ilong, "Hindi para mag-overthink ka, use everything that I said to connect the truth dahil baka may impormasyong hindi ka pa nasasabi sa 'kin. Like a jigsaw puzzle, put them all together slowly..piece by piece."
"Nasabi ko na sa 'yo lahat, Louise Jazzver.." pero tinaasan lang ako ng kilay ng gago. "Muka pa ba akong may tinatago?"
"I'm just reminding you, most of what I said are all rational guesses though. You know who to call when you have new information in hand, I'll do my best to help you man," tinapik niya ang likod ko, "Baka kasi mamaya nasa harap mo na 'yung sagot at katotohanan but you keep finding them in the wrong place."
"Tanga ka pa naman since birth," dagdag pa ng gago. "Grow up, madwoman-"
"Fuck you," I glared at her. "Madwoman? Akala mo 'di mukang sinto-sinto."
Hindi pa nagsisimula trabaho ko bilang SSC President napakarami ko ng personal issues na iniisip. Noong una gusto ko lang naman mahuli kabit ni daddy..tapos biglang dumating sa buhay ko si Xiomara at ngayon kahit si Professor Cordova nadamay na rin sa gulo ng buhay ko.
Mabuti na lang may lead na sa nananabotahe during our campaign days, at gagawin namin ang lahat para magsalita 'yung witness na nakausap ko before..si Mine.
"Mas nasanay akong binabarda ka," nakapagbiro pa ako. "Mabuhay na lang kaya tayo para patayin ang isa't isa?"
"Don't you trust me?"
"I trust you, okay?" I shrug, "Wag ka lang sobrang daldal please? Baka hindi mo lang sa 'kin sinasabi lahat ng 'to, matuto ka naman magtago ng sikreto!"
"Pinagkakalat ko ba, ha? Mga big buddies ko kaya sina, Matias, Lucca at Mighty Deev! Simula 'nung umalis si Trina, Zam at naging busy si Rich sila na malapit na pinagkakatiwalaan ko."
"I get it but please, always mind what you say and not lalo na kapag lasing ka." I glared at her.
"Okay? Pero alam mo kung tama kutob ko, damay talaga kung sino'ng present woman mo ngayon. Protect your girl at all cost, Ezra," nanlaki ang mga mata niya, "Tangina, this scene is really familiar. Pinagdadasal ko talaga sa mga santong hindi siya katulad ng demonyong iniisip ko ngayon."
"Sino?"
"Well...a psychopath?"
"Xiomara is a psycho?"
"Like Brent Laczamana."
"Seriously?" I hate that man, pinaalala pa sa 'kin, eh. He's the perfect epitome of a madman, he's sick.
"Oh come on, malay natin si Xiomara baliw din! She's weird! Ang hiwaga ng babaeng 'yan!"
"But not to the point na sasaktan niya siguro ako?" I remember the pocketknife.
"Paano kung pinagpa-planuhan pa lang niya?"
What if totoo? Paano kung may mga masasamang espiritu diyan na matagal nang gusto akong mamatay? Pero wala naman akong mortal na kaaway kaya hindi ko matanggap!
"Gagu ka ba?" nangilabot ako, alam kong demonyo ako noon pero wala akong maalalang mabigat na kasalanang ginawa ko para pagbayaran iyon ng sarili kong kamatayan.
Naputol ang seryosong pag-uusap namin nang dumating ang sasakyan ni Achira, at sa harapan pa talaga namin huminto.
"Who invited that woman here?" napasimangot ako.
"Hi baby," she smiles seductively.
Nasa isang kilalang Veneracion-Ymnmanuel Beach Resort kami to celebrate our victory. My entire Alfa Democrats members are present, I remember inviting all the other eight teams for this night out. Lahat kasi ng panalong candidates ay imbitado kaya auto-invited na ang kanya-kanyang grupo nila.
This is an overnight activity for all of us, last week pa, after the results were released talaga namin itong pinaghandaan.
"Again, ladies and gentlemen. I stand before y'all today as the newly elected President of Supreme Student Council of our beloved University. Deep down in my heart, thank you for your love and support," a proud smile crept on my face as I ended my victory toast. "And of course for coming tonight, please have fun and enjoy!"
They all smile and sit appreciatively after putting their hands together. Ma'am Averie walks closer to me, I hand her the microphone for her last speech.
Ma'am Averie and the rest of the outgoing SSC members are also here kaya 'yung inaakala kong kasywal lang ay naging ganito.
"I really wish this new team the best, please continue to fight for justice, equality and transparency in behalf of your fellow students. As we are all gathered here, I believe it's time for all of you to meet your new SSC Adviser," she motions her hand among the students in front of us.
Just like them, my gaze traveled to find the person to whom she was talking.
My heart drops as I watch the new SSC Adviser edging closer to us, beaming in all her glory and holding a bouquet of flowers in her hands.
"Professor Rafa Eli Cordova, ma'am," Mrs. Averie smiles profoundly.
Is she our new SSC Adviser? As Maam Averie already stated, the SSC Adviser has already signed up for this since last year. I can't believe this is actually happening now. Pero bakit ngayon pa? After she rejected me like that? Malalaman kong siya pala ang bagong SSC Adviser all this time?
Walang ingay niyang ibinigay sa 'kin 'yung bouquet of red roses, pormal na tinanggap ko naman iyon ng walang imik. May card pa 'yon na may print sa loob? Hindi ko na alam ano mararamdaman ko. Congratulations 'yung nakasulat sa labas ng card pero sa loob ay numbers..
What's printed inside the congratulatory card:
1:12 - 1:22
What's this? Time? Ayan na ba sagot sa Mahika ko? But what song? Damn it.
Nawala ako saglit sa sarili nang simulan niya ang speech niya, only to come back in my senses when Blain nudged my ribs.
"I'm looking forward to working with all of you," she finally remarks like a boss..no, like a high respected leader.
It's only been a week since I came to visit her house and we haven't seen each other after that. Why do I feel like she's changed a lot? Sana epekto lang 'to ng rejection niya na isang linggo na ang nakalilipas pero parang kahapon lang nangyari.
"Group picture, guys! For the new SSC Family!" Ma'am Averie shouted and pushed us all together.
Professor Cordova and I are in the middle. Hindi maiwasang magtama ang braso naming pareho kahit pa gaano ko subukang umiwas.
"Closer, guys! Compress na lang para kuha lahat," the photographer instructed.
Dala ang bulaklak sa kamay, I felt Blain holding me around my waist kaya idinantay ko na lang ang isang braso sa likod niya para hindi ako mapilitang dumikit sa propesor.
Pero siya mismo 'yung lumapit, iyong muka niyang nakapantay ngayon sa tenga ko para bumulong, "Can I take a little of your time after this?"
I faked a smile and pretended that I didn't hear anything.
"Veneracion.."
Lumabas ako para magpahangin, dumating siya nang hindi ko pa natatapos isulat ang pangalan sa basang buhangin.
"Why didn't you tell me you're the new adviser?" paunang tanong ko, hindi siya nagsasalita, eh.
"Does it matter?"
"Hindi ko alam.." I clenched my jaw and blinked in between my words, "Hindi ko alam kung tama pa ba itong nararamdaman ko..kasi 'nung nakita kita kanina, pakiramdam ko naging biro lang lahat ng 'to.." lahat ng pinaghirapan ko.
"What are you saying?"
"Is this my father's plan all along? Ito ba ang kapalit bakit mo ako binagsak noon? Kasi aminin natin, 'yung pagtakbo ko sa SSC..iyon naman talaga ang gusto ni daddy 'di ba? Pero akala ko hanggang doon na lang 'yon, akala ko tama na.." akala ko titigilan na niya ako.
Tapos malalaman ko siya adviser ko ngayon? I couldn't tell if what I'm actually feeling now is valid kasi may parte sa 'kin na nagsasabing all this time parang pinapaikot lang ako, na hindi pa pala tapos si daddy. Ano pa bang gusto niyang mangyari? Akala ko naibigay ko na lahat at nakuha niya na lahat ng gusto niya.
"This has always been your father's objective, he wants to see you doing great.." mahinahong saad niya.
My voice cracks, "Ngayon mo sabihin sa 'king panalo ko pa rin 'to.."
"Of course it is your win, Veneracion. You chose to play fair and worked hard for this," her eyelashes fluttered. "I can see you slowly and surely becoming better than you think.."
"Why are you saying this?" tiim-bagang kong tanong.
"Sinasabi ko kung ano'ng nakikita ko, Miss Veneracion. No denying, I saw all your efforts, and hard work."
Nanlambot ako sa sinabi niya, hindi man lahat ay pakiramdam ko nabawasan ang mga negatibong bumabagabag sa isip at puso ko.
"Bakit ikaw?"
"New adviser? The president offered me this opportunity last year, and I've been supporting the SSC team since Averie went on maternity leave. I also previously served as the acting SSC adviser," she explained softly. "Walang kinalaman ang daddy mo rito. This is all because of my hard work and my willingness to help Cambridge University."
How she managed the multi-series training for aspiring student leaders clearly illustrates that she possesses all of the qualities of a great leader with different dimensions of leadership. Wala akong duda sa taglay na galing niya pero dahil sa naging koneksyon niya kay daddy noon, napipilitan akong mag-isip ng kung anu-ano.
"I'm sorry.." tanging sambit ko, naniniwala naman ako sa kanya ngayon but that doesn't change the fact that she once broke my trust. That includes everything that happened to me when I suspected her of being my father's mistress.
"I can't blame you for saying such a thing right now," she continues. "And I understand if you would not want to work with me after everything I've done and said."
"It's not like I don't wanna work with you," gusto ko pa nga, eh. Hindi ko lang alam na ganito kahirap pagkatapos ng lahat, after she rejected me I feel like working with her this way or another will make it harder for me to move on..
To forget my untold feelings toward her..
Sa totoo lang napakarami ko ng pahiwatig, minsan nasasabi ko na rin nang hindi ko namamalayan pero hindi pa rin siya naniniwala. Hangga't iniisip niyang laruan ang tingin ko sa mga babae, hindi siya kailan man maniniwala. Kaya pagkatapos ng gabing 'yon sa bahay nila, hindi pa rin ako titigil ipakita sa kanya na hindi na ako naglalaro..na totoo na lahat ng 'to sa paraang alam ko at makakabuti sa aming dalawa.
"I'll bet on that," umarko ang isang sulok ng labi niya, "Can you do me a favor?"
"What is it?" may kabang tanong ko.
"Let's leave all of it in the past and give ourselves a healthy environment for the next school year of working together as a team, can we do that?"
"At what cost?" kinuyum ko ang mga kamay sa likod ko..why did I ask that damn question? Wala lang naman sa kanya 'tong lahat, the friendship that we almost had. All she wants is a professional engagements with me as her SSC President, no more than that.
"I..I don't know," she heaves a sigh. "I just want us to coexist in this matter than no existence at all. Let's do what best serves this new SSC family.."
"Let's do that and change the world," may halong pagkapilosopo kong sambit..but I really meant it, I was talking about the universe or world between us.
"No flirting involved, anything you do that can create a perplexity with in yourself or between us. Let's not complicate things a lot more, Miss Veneracion," she formally held out one of her hands in front of me.
'Yung huling deal hindi nga namin napanindigan, naipanalo ko na't lahat-lahat tapos malalaman ko future SSC Adviser ko pala siya.
Ang dami niyang conditions, sana mapanindigan namin 'to..kahit sobrang alanganin sa parte ko pero kailangan kong sumagot ng maangas at matino.
"Madali naman akong kausap, professor. Let's allow a healthy workplace for us to lead the way.." pormal akong ngumiti at normal na tinanggap ang malambot na kamay niya. I didn't find her statements anywhere amusing but those are what we both need eventually though. My eyes lingered to our hands holding each other, she's warm and it's making all the frustrations with in my stomach melt.
She put on a fake smile I think? And gave her head a slow nod, "I'll see you next semester.."
Sa ilang saglit nakalimutan ko na kung paano bumitaw, kung hindi dahil sa taong pasadyang tumikhim sa likod namin ay baka matunaw na rin ang magandang propesor sa harapan ko dahil sa 'kin.
It took me a while to get back on my tracks.
Walang salita ang lumalabas sa aking bibig.
"Ezra..bub?"
My body tenses as I whirl to find my ex-bub encircling me with her arms. I couldn't let things go awkward after receiving a quick peck on the cheek, she seems to miss me a lot because we have never seen each other in a while.
"I missed you so much," she pouts sweetly.
"Yngrid," my hands settle on her waist, allowing myself to breathe and gradually break the hug. "I had no idea you were coming."
"Mighty Deev dragged me here to congratulate you," she blinks, her blue eyes glowing, "How are things going? Is my bub sad?"
"Pretty good," I guide her on my side, "I'm not sad or anything.."
Siya na mismo ang pumansin sa propesor na aalis na sana para iwan kaming dalawa. Hindi ko kasi alam kung paano ko ipapakilala si Yngrid sa kanya magmula kanina, nakakawala sa sarili ang mga ganitong sitwasyon.
When Yngrid showed up it feels like I'm on trouble again.
"Hi," bati ni Yngrid na nakakapit pa rin sa isang braso ko.
Professor Cordova only nodded to acknowledge her.
"She looks familiar," humarap sa 'kin si Yngrid para maghintay ng sagot, the professor didn't even say anything.
"Ma'am," imik ko sa propesor na nakatungo sa dalampasigan, walang emosyon itong humarap ulit sa 'ming dalawa. I look back to Yngrid, "She's my SSC adviser.."
"Yngrid Marshalls," with a little friendly smile curling up her lips. She extends her arm for handshaking, "Ezra's forever bub.."
For long seconds the professor just stared at her hand in complete silence.
Yngrid's blue eyes shifted to me for a split second before returning to the professor's stern gazes.
"I'm the SSC adviser," Professor Cordova finally accepted her hand without giving out her name. "Forever bub?"
"Forever baby," Yngrid giggles. "Her first ex-girlfriend, her first for everything."
"Oh, nice to meet you," the professor plastered another forced smile again. "It's great to know Miss Veneracion has grown fearless once in her life, I thought she's afraid of commitments.."
"I'm sure she's not," siguradong sagot ni Yngrid. "Maybe she's just scared of putting her all into someone and ending with nothing again.."
"I'm committed to many things now, Yngrid," napairap ako sa seryosong hugot niya. "As you can see, presidente na 'ko ng SSC sa Cambridge, at nasisigurado kong marami akong mapapala sa desisyong 'to."
"I'm talking about your romantic commitments bub," she rolls her eyes. "After our too good to be true relationship, I have never heard you commiting with someone else anymore..baka tayo pa rin talaga para sa isa't isa?"
"Shut up, Yngrid," kasi imposible na 'yung mangyari ulit, it's like taking her for granted kapag ipinagpilitan ko ulit kung ano man ang naging meron sa 'min dati.
"I'm just stating the possibilities, alam mo namang never kitang itataboy kapag bumalik ka sa 'kin," she winks at me. "Unless you're in love with someone now? or you're still in love with me? If so, baka tayo pa rin pala ang endgame.."
"Small, medium, large," Professor Cordova comments under her breath, in a deadpan manner.
"Small, medium, large?" kumunot ang noo ni Yngrid, narinig din pala niya ang binulong ng propesor.
"I said excuse me, I think I need another drink," Professor Cordova puts on the same full faux smile as earlier, her dark eyes snap on me for a moment.
"It's been great chatting with you, professor," Yngrid replied with a smile.
Small medium large? Excuse me raw? Only the two of us know the meaning of that. Tangina, laglag pa rin panga ko sa comeback niyang 'yon, Yngrid was too innocent to understand it as well. This professor..
"Fuck," napadaing ako nang banggain niya ang braso ko, gano'n na ba kasikip dito para magbanggaan na lang kaming lahat?
"Wear something to cover your non-existent abs.." mariing sipat niya sapat na ako lang ang nakarinig saka ito tuluyang nawala sa mga paningin namin.
Non-existent abs.
I spread my eyes down my body. I'm just wearing a balenciaga brallete and denim short shorts with no cover-up that's why my belly button is fully exposed. Non-existent abs? I think I have to disagree with that, I didn't work hard to aim my six-pack abs just to hear her devalue its sexy existence.
"Tumaba ba ako? Hindi na ba makita abs ko?" walang malay kong tanong kay Yngrid.
"I can see them here, do you want me to touch it?" pang-aasar niya.
"I was never into soap operas before," Mighty Deev claps her hands as she appears in front of us out of nowhere. "Inaway niyo ba 'yon?"
"Deev, what?" mataray na balik sa kanya ni Yngrid.
"Nevermind," Mighty Deev chuckles, her meaningful eyes glazing at me. Sinundan niya ng tingin ang papalayong propesor saka ito bumulong sa 'kin, "I caught your professor rolling her eyes."
"Ano'ng binubulong mo jan?" nakasimangot na asik ni Yngrid.
Mighty Deev chuckles, "Nothing Yngrid, ang sabi ko may games sa loob, Kelani is facilitating it."
"She's also here?!" gulat kong bulalas pero mas nagulat ako sa pa-name basis niya kay Ma'am Kelani.
"Who's Kelani?" Yngrid asks.
"One of the girls," Mighty Deev snorts.
"Ni Ezra?" pinandilatan ako ni Yngrid.
"She's not my girl," agad ko namang tanggi, sinamaan ko ng tingin si Mighty Deev. "Baka crush mo? Name-basis pa nga."
"Mas matanda ako mag-isip sa kanya, not like you idiot," Mighty Deev reciprocated my eye-rolling. "Nagiging ten-year-old immature and horny lil shit kapag kaharap mo si Professor Cordova-"
"Damn you fucktard," nasapak ko tuloy. "Mighty Deev!"
"So I was right? That SSC adviser is the woman you're in love with?" Yngrid smirks, her hands crossed.
"No! And I'm not in love!" kulang na lang magdabog ako para patunayang mali ang iniisip nila..na nagdedeliryo lang sila.
"Jesus Christ, you've never been this in denial before," Yngrid shakes her head.
"For the past eight months, Ezra Meziah hasn't slept with a woman. Ikaw na humusga, Yngrid," Mighty Deev's sarcastic tone ticks me off, my damn face heating up.
Tangina niyong lahat.