KISSING MY KRYPTONITE
(A/N: UNEDITED)
"Did you sleep well last night, Miss Veneracion?" Ma'am Averie inquires.
"Ayoko na nga magising ma'am, sa sobrang ganda ng tulog at panaginip ko," nakangiting sagot ko sa kanya, ang gilid ng mata ko ay nakapirmi kay Professor Cordova na hinahanda ang pagkain namin sa round wooden table.
May kanya-kanyang food ang bawat guest house, exclusive delivery from the well-known seafood restaurant of Ymannuel's hotel.
"The bedrooms are comfy, I would definitely come back here one fine day," Ma'am Averie takes a sip of her coffee.
"Yes please, hindi ka mabibigo ma'am," ngumiti ako at muling sumulyap sa professor na nakaupo sa tabi ko. "Ikaw Professor Cordova, gusto mo pa bang bumalik ulit dito pagkatapos ng mga nangyari kagabi?"
Hindi siya agad sumagot, umarko nang bahagya ang isang kilay niya, pigil ang ngiti kong tumitig sa mga mapulang labi niya. She took a bath this morning because her hair was still damp, and I think the floral white dress she's wearing is another one from Ma'am Kelani.
"I don't want it to happen again," she answers in nonchalance. "The eat and dare game is fun but it's not really for me."
"When it comes to this beach resort, I would be lying if I said I didn't want to return," she adds.
Her voice kapag bagong gising is everything, deserve niyang maging crush ko siya..
Ganito ako kakulit kausapin siya kasi alam kong kapag kaharap namin sina Ma'am Averie ay hindi mababalewala ang mga tanong ko, hindi niya kasi ako pinapansin magmula pa kanina at alam ko kung bakit.
It's because of what happened last night that followed by another kiss before we fell into sleep. I woke up this morning without her at my side, and the two other teachers didn't notice because I rushed out the room first before they did.
"Ang kinis ng muka mo 'no? I know this isn't because you came from a family of beautiful people, if I may ask, ano'ng skin care mo?" usisa ng 'di maawat na bibig ni Ma'am Averie na kanina pa titig na titig sa magandang muka ko.
"Alagang safe guard lang po 'yan, ma'am," nakangising sagot ko habang kabado sa loob-loob ko dahil sa kapalpakan ko kagabi, naalala ko na naman.
Ma'am Averie's lips form an 'o' shape, "Oh, you don't use skin care products? Wala kang secrets?"
"Who used my pH care? Averie?" Ma'am Kelani came out of the bathroom and asked that question, I nearly choked on my coffee. "Or you Rafa? Gumagamit ka ng ganitong brand?"
"Miss Veneracion used it," diretsong panlalaglag sa 'kin ni Professor Cordova, damn it. Bakit ang bilis niya lang ako iwan sa ere at ilaglag?
Ma'am Kelani turns her gaze at my red face. "Meziah?"
"Hindi ko ginamit, ma'am," pilit na tanggi ko, siyempre ayokong aminin! "You probably left it open last night tapos..ano, natumba kaya nabawasan.."
"Ah, kaya pala nakalahati. I was about to say, it was misused, and it wouldn't be safe in that case."
It was actually used incorrectly, I'm sorry for lying. Buti nga hindi ko pinang-shampoo o toothpaste, eh. Hiyang hiya na ako kay Professor Cordova kagabi kasi naamoy pa niya, ayoko nang sundan 'yon ngayong umaga at sa harap pa talaga nilang tatlo.
Tumingin ako kay Professor Cordova na prenteng sumisimsim ngayon sa kape niya, bakit niya ako sinumbong? Nang-aasar ba siya? What if I'll do something to make her blunt mouth swell more? Binubulabog ng mga labi niyang maingat na dumudulas sa rim ng coffee mug ang atensyon ko. How about maging tasa ng kape na lang pala ako?
I hit myself mentally, why am I thinking about kissing her again? Nagbr-breakfast kami.
"Meziah, did I say something to you last night?" tanong ni Ma'am Kelani na nakaupo na pala sa kabilang side ko.
"Yes ma'am," tinakpan niya ang bibig ko gamit ang hinlalaki niya, namilog ang mata ko sa ginawala niya at hindi sinasadyang tumugaygay sa cleavage niya. Ang baba kasi ng sando niya tapos naka-expose pa belly button at iyong mahabang legs niya.
"Ayoko na pala pag-usapan, whatever it is wala lang 'yon. You know me when I'm drunk, I say ridiculous things."
Tumango na lang ako at napakamot sa batok ko. Professor Cordova seemed uninterested in the conversation, but when I met her dark gaze, it gleamed with murderous danger as she slid the napkin near my plate.
"Wipe your mouth," mahinang utos niya, tahimik siyang nagdagdag ng creamer sa kape niya, napakurap ako nang gamitin niya 'yung bread knife para haluin 'yon sa tasa.
"Ma'am?" sinubukan kong iabot sa kanya 'yung hindi gamit kong teaspoon pero hindi niya na ako pinansin ulit, sinunod ko na lang ang utos niya at nakitang may ketchup sa ginamit kong napkin. Oh, I had a ketchup on my lips.
"Do you need anything?" nagtatakang kinalbit ako ni Ma'am Kelani.
"Wala na ma'am," umiling ako, may maliit kasing cake for dessert sa table tapos may cherry toppers kaya naalala ko lips ni Professor Cordova tapos 'nung nagbalak akong tikman 'yung kape ko, naalala ko ulit itsura niya kanina habang hinihigop 'yung kape.
Sinalat ko leeg at noo ko, wala naman akong lagnat?
"Kanina ko lang pala nakita, nasa akin 'yung susi ng kwarto mo Miss Veneracion. Where did you sleep last night?"
Napainom ako ng tubig sa biglang tanong ni Ma'am Averie, at tama bang magpasalamat ako sa taong kumatok sa pintuan para mapunta sa kanya ang atensyon ng lahat o hindi nang makilala ko kung sino ito.
"Arthur!" Ma'am Kelani welcomed him, while I was kicking him out the door in my mind using my bread knife.
Walang gulat na gumuhit sa muka ni Professor Cordova so I assumed she expected him to come.
"Oh, is he your boyfriend?" Ma'am Averie teases her. "Napakagandang lalaki naman."
"Future husband lang, ma'am," Arthur chuckles hoarsely, I clutched my hands into fists under the table.
"Art," Professor Cordova glares at him. He moves past me to give her a kiss on the cheek, really? Like seriously, right in front of my buttered shrimp and pancit canton with ethylene oxide?! I'm sick! Bakit ko nga ba iniwasan 'yung thirteen wheeler truck kanina?
"I heard you stopped courting Rafa, bakit future husband pa rin?" Ma'am Kelani speaks behind.
"May usapan kasi kami that if her dating life doesn't work out with others until she reaches her 30's, we'll marry each other," he explains smugly.
So they had an absurd agreement like that? After he was rejected? That being so, I'm summoning all the negative energy and evil spirits from hell to demolish the probability of that deal including his ugly face!
Kung hindi effective ang dasal kong 'yan, hindi pa rin matutupad 'yang pinapangarap niya kapag pinakasalan ko na si Professor Cordova at binigay ko na sa kanya ang apilyedo ko.
"Five years ka maghihintay niyan at magma-manifest na maging single siya hanggang sa pwede na," Ma'am Averie says.
Hindi niya boyfriend ang lalaking 'to pero may gano'ng klaseng kasunduan sila, tapos kung umasta siya parang mas higit pa roon ang papel niya sa buhay ni ma'am.
"If you love someone you can wait even until forever ends," sigang balik naman ni Arthur.
Ayos, ah. Baka pumuti buhok mo Arturo kakahintay kapag inanakan ko 'yang babaeng pinapangarap mo..
Nangngamoy tatandang binata ka na, Arturo Henry.
He ruined my mood by joining us for breakfast, at sa gitna pa talaga namin ni Professor Cordova niya napiling ipagsiksikan 'yung upuan niya. Ang sarap idildil sa asin!
Ayon sa kanya, si Mr. Cordova raw ang nag-utos sa kanyang pumunta rito para sunduin si Professor Cordova at para dalhan na rin ng mga kailangang gamit niya. Masyadong malaki ang tiwala sa kanya ng mga magulang ni ma'am, hindi maipagkakaila 'yon ngayon at sa mga kwento niya.
"She's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.." he compliments the most beautiful woman he never had and will never be.
Dahil magiging girlfriend ko na 'yan, nag-usap na kami ni kupido na i-follow up ang love life ko.
Kakaisip ko ng kung anu-ano, nanahimik na pala ako kaya lumabas na lang ako para sumagap ng preskong hangin dahil polluted na sa loob dala ni Arturo.
Kailan ba manliligaw si Professor Cordova sa 'kin?
"Do you vape?" paunang tanong ni Mine.
Lucca and Mine came up to bring food in the guesthouse. I ignored them and busied myself counting the individuals swimming on the beach early this morning, but Mine was the first to approach me, offering me a cigarette.
"Cigarette?" she rips a cigarette from its packaging. I know she's trying to be nice, but I just couldn't give her a chance.
"I quit smoking 8 months ago," and rather focused on burning calories before it kills me. I'm a new brand of the old Ezra Meziah Veneracion now, still smoking hot but smoke free-only I can do that.
"Just one, enjoy your free time while you have it, high and mighty SSC President," pinitikan niya ako ng isa na sinalo ko para isuksuk sana sa noo niya pero nawala ako sa bilis ng galaw niya, dahil kumurap lang ako nasa harapan ko na ang lighter niyang may apoy.
"Trying to impress me? As of now my trusted friend list is full, so sorry.."
She squints her cold stare, "I'm not after your friend list, we're in the same team now. Being a holier than thou leader that you are, it's your job to trust your people-"
"Coming from someone who warned me to see everyone as an enemy? You already damaged your credibility in my eyes by reporting a twisted truth about the Alfa Democrats issue. How can I believe you now?"
"We're working together anytime soon, Meziah."
"It's time for you to prove your worth not only through the votes you earned but by telling me the truth. Let's work together and you have to help me catch the saboteurs," tiim bagang kong saad.
"At what prize?" she seriously mutters, the smoke spreading all over her face.
"You'll have me as your friend.."
"But that's not what I need," she snorts, nipping on her cigarette.
"Do you like me? You kept on making a wrong decision, miss," sabi ko, para hindi na siya umasa.
"Adik ka ba?" her face contorted, nothing is interesting about her anyway until she tells me who are the people behind the sabotage.
Dalawa lang naman ang gusto kong malaman mula sa kanya, kung bakit siya nagsinungaling at kung sino'ng mga lamok ang nagkakalat ng epidemya sa Cambridge. Ngayong ako na ang presidente ng SSC, I'm gonna use that power to make all of them pay for what they did.
"Then at whatever cost, you choose," I smirk.
"Trust me.."
Nalilito ko siyang tiningnan, paalis na sana ako.
"Paano kung wala talaga akong alam? Hindi ko talaga sila kilala," dagdag pa niya. "But I can work with you to find them.."
"Then why did you lie? Kung wala kang alam, bakit nagpanggap kang witness?"
"Para pagkatiwalaan mo ako.."
Inasahan kong wala na akong madadatnan sa guesthouse dahil sa labas na nagpaalam sina Ma'am Averie at Ma'am Kelani. Si Professor Cordova naman at Arthur ay paniguradong nasa daan na pauwi sa kanila.
Feeling irritated, I pushed the cigarette between my lips, and realized I didn't have a lighter. My eyes were filled with surprise when I opened the door and found Professor Cordova seated in the living room.
"Are you smoking?" her gaze darkened, she got up from the chair and proceeded to grab the cigarette from me.
"Bigay lang sa 'kin," may kaba kong paliwanag habang pinapanood ko kung paano niya durugin 'yong sigarilyo sa harapan ko.
"I thought you quit this already?" naiinis niyang binasura 'yon sa small trash bin sa tabi niya.
How did she know?
"Paano mo nalaman?"
"I heard it from your friends," she stares at me once again. "Next time I'll see you smoking I'm gonna make you swallow the whole thing.."
Ito kung magalit akala mo ang laki ng kasalanan ko, mas nakakainis kaya 'yung kaepalan ni Arthur dito kanina. Walang salita at nagtatampo ako sa inis na pumasok sa kwarto para kunin 'yung gamit ko, pinadala ko na kasi kay Lucca lahat dito kanina. Inaaya ako para mag-surf kanina pero sira na talaga araw ko at tingin ko wala nang pag-asang maayos pa.
"I'm still sleepy," she says out of the blue.
Nag-isip pa kasi ako kung ano'ng isasagot ko at tila natagalan kaya ako nakatanggap ng unang binato niya sa muka ko.
"Ma'am?" bulalas ko, puno ng pagtataka ang boses.
"Do I have your attention now?" she snaps, making me blink and catch myself.
I take a deep breath, why is she suddenly acting like this? Kapag ba walang ibang tao saka niya lang ako kayang kausapin ng ganito? Parang kanina ay hindi niya lang ako pinapansin.
"Cuddle is the only thing I can offer you, ma'am," I bit my inner cheek. "But Arthur is probably been waiting long outside."
"He went off, I told him someone's taking me home today," her long eyelashes blink softly. "And excuse me, what I was saying is, I'm not asking for a cuddle. I'll sleep in your car on the way.."
She turns her back at me with finality, and walks through the closet, to get a new small white and heart-shaped pillow. Bago 'yon dahil wala pang hangin at balot na balot pa ng plastic.
Humarap siya sa 'kin, yakap-yakap 'yung pillow, pinagtaasan niya ako ng kilay, "Can I take this with me?"
Nakikiusap siya pero tinataasan naman ako ng kilay, kahit gano'n ang hirap tumanggi kasi baka maging pusa pang may dalaw na nangangarate kapag hindi ko pinayagan.
"Sure, you're free to take everything that you want, ma'am," seryoso kong sagot, pilit itinatago ang namumuong ngiti sa labi ko.
Kung hindi lang nagpakita ang Arthur na 'yon, hindi siguro ako nag-time freeze sa panghaharot sa kanya ngayong araw pero kung ganito ba naman siya habang namamahinga ako sa kalandian ko, aba petition for more...low-key adorable Rafa Eli Cordova.
On a different note, I wanted to bring up what happened last night, but she didn't seem to care, except for her silent treatment a while ago. I'm very curious about hearing what she has to say about it now that we're both sober, but for the time being, I want her to take her time-kasi kung hindi siya kumportable, titigil lang ako sa pangungulit bilang pagrespeto pero hindi pati pagsigaw ng puso ko sa pangalan niya ay hihinto.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
My kiss prints on her neck had erased, I just noticed. She most likely applied concealer make-up to hide it.
I didn't say anything and took the canned soda she's trying to open. The tab opener of it was cut off so I had to use something to open it. Nagkataong iyong folding knife ni Xiomara ang nakapa ko sa bulsa ng coat ko at walang imik ko 'yung ginamit para buksan 'yung soda.
"Kakakape mo lang kaninang umaga, ma'am. Soda naman?" tiningnan ko siya na ngayo'y titig na titig sa pocket knife na nasa kamay ko.
"Wala ng water bottle. I'm thirsty and, besides, it's my cheating day, means I can drink and eat whatever I want," she slowly pushes her loose hair back, my eyes sliding to her shoulder and then back to her weird expression.
"May gusto akong itanong," seryoso kong sambit, pinukulan niya ako nang nagtatanong na tingin.
"The scar on your shoulder, recent mo lang ba 'yon natamo?"
"Yes," umiwas ito ng tingin matapos niyang kunin sa 'kin 'yung soda niya.
"When was it?"
"At the casiño, when you passed out," she didn't stutter. I'm surprised she's giving me a quick response, exactly with my own suspicion and theories.
"Si Xiomara ba ang may kagagawan? Did she do it to you?" nagdilim ang paningin ko sa sinabi, pinaglaruan ko ang pocketknife sa kamay ko.
"Who's Xiomara?" nagtatakang tanong niya.
"The person who hurt you. Paano ka niya sinaktan?" I concluded, her scar seemed to have been inflicted by a sharp weapon. Knife is the closest thing I got in mind, Xiomara's pocketknife..
"I couldn't tell who did it because it was too dark that night, and I didn't make a big deal out of it because I presumed I got it from random intoxicated people living in the streets."
Hindi ko alam kung tama pa bang sinasabi ko 'to sa kanya o hindi na. Naiipon na kasi ang mga tanong sa isip ko, nahihirapan na akong mangolekta ng tamang sagot.
"The size of the scar indicates that the wound was not something we should have ignored. Sinaktan ka pa rin ng kung sino man 'yon," I kept my fist in my coat.
"Scars as they say usually grow larger than the wound itself," inabala na niya ang sarili sa iba pang gamit niya.
"I'm sorry," hindi makagalaw kong saad.
"Why are you saying sorry?"
"I know it's my fault, kung hindi sana ako naglasing at nawalan ng malay noon, hindi ka sana nasaktan.."
"I got the wound before I found you, so it's not your fault," umiling siya. "Any more questions?"
Nakuha niya ang sugat bago pa man niya ako matagpuan noong gabing 'yon?
"Kahit kailan ba hindi mo naisip na may taong gustong manakit sa 'yo, ma'am?"
"What do you mean?"
"Ilang beses nilagyan ng nuts ang pagkain mo sa Cambridge, tapos sinaktan ka ng kung sino man noong gabing 'yon sa casiño," I don't know why I'm saying this, I hope I'm just putting too much meaning over things.
"Those are just pure accidents," pambabalewala niya sa pinupunto ko.
"Kapag nasundan pa 'to at nasaktan ka ulit, hindi na ako makukumbinseng aksidente ang lahat."
"I told you, I got the wound from a random individual that night," tukoy niya noong gabing nasa casiño kami.
"Sino nagbihis sa 'kin sa bahay pagkatapos mo akong ihatid?" I lick my lower lip, biting it slightly to restrain myself from smiling. Bakit ko ba kasi tinanong 'yan?
"Sister mo," pinaningkitan niya ako ng tingin.
"Not you?" a small grin etched on my face.
"Never," she rolls her eyes. "I remember you asking this before, were you not convinced?"
"Naninigurado lang, ayoko pa naman nahahawakan at natsa-tsansingan without my consent because my body is sensitive and for my future wife only-" I held my tongue to stifle a laughter when she threw me another pillow.
May binulong siya na hindi ko naintindihan, lumabas siya ng kwarto
"Ano 'yon, ma'am?" sinundan ko siya hanggang sa living room dala ang pack bag ko.
"Didn't you tell me why you passed out that night?" mas naging mariin ang tono niya.
"Yeah?"
"Did someone really drug you?" sunod na tanong niya.
After that incident, I did my best to find out who put a drug in my drink by checking all the cctv's around the bar but nothing malicious has been caught.
Kahit noong kausap ko si Chanel Velazco ay wala ring kahina-hinala sa mga naging galaw niya kaya absuwelto na sa 'kin ang babaeng 'yon, tinigil ko na rin kakaisip na isa siyang kabit ni dad. The footage outside where Xiomara was chatting with me had also been removed, suggesting that she could be the reason I passed out and it's not because of the drink.
"We couldn't identity, Mighty Deev said baka sudden drop lang ng blood pressure ko 'yung nangyari o something about my health status that night kaya nawalan ako ng malay."
"Who's Xiomara?" tanong ulit niya.
"Wala 'yon, isa lang sa mga babaeng patay na patay sa 'kin dahil sa sobrang kagandahan ko," parang hindi tama kapag sinabi ko ang tungkol kay Xiomara sa kanya, kung hindi naman pala siya ang nanakit sa kanya..hindi ko na muna siguro sasabihin.
"If that is so, why did you conclude she'd hurt me?"
"Because you're the new apple of my eye?" para lang sana makalusot pero nagbukas lang ulit ako ng panibagong diskurso sa conversation na 'to.
Huminga ako ng malalim at bumwelo para itanong kung gusto niyang pag-usapan 'yung nangyari kagabi pero nakuha ko na 'yong sagot nang tuluyan na itong lumabas ng guesthouse.
Sumunod na lang ako sa kanya dala 'yung pack bag ko at shoulder bag niya, malapit na kami sa Ymmanuel Coast Reception nang bumagal ito sa paglalakad.
"Are you okay?" may pag-aalalang tanong ko at nilapitan siya agad. Pumikit kasi ito saglit, her face seems pale, as if colors had been drained from it.
"Ezra!" si Yngrid na kasama nina Lucca, tila mga wala pang balak umuwi dahil sa mga suot nila.
"Akala ko mamayang gabi pa tayo uuwi?" tanong ni Lucca after nilang pormal na batihin ang propesor na kasama ko.
"I'll try to get back here, I just need to go somewhere," sagot ko.
"Where did you sleep last night?" Yngrid pouts curiously.
Hindi mapakali akong tumingin kay Lucca, taimtim na pinagdadasal na umandar ang kadaldalan niya at nang madala niya sa ibang bagay ang usapan.
"Miss Veneracion slept in our guesthouse," Professor Cordova answers in my behalf, her hand massaging her temple.
May tumawag sa pangalan ni Lucca kaya kami naiwang tatlo ngayon dito, am I in trouble again? Danger?
"That's nice," tumatangong sagot ni Yngrid, tumingin siya sa 'kin, "You should've informed us para hindi na kami naghintay. Did you have a great night anyway?"
"I'm sorry, I was drunk. I left my phone in our guesthouse," I say, my periphery vision brushes the woman beside me who looks bored and looking uninterested.
"Hey bub, you have to come back here. I can't play with the dolphins and go fishing without you!" nagtatampong sambit ni Yngrid, matagal na rin kasi siyang hindi nakakabalik dito. Training dolphins is one of my fun activities here, especially when there is a show going on or if the resort actually allows the public to engage with them.
"Lucca likes dolphins too, siya muna sasama sa 'yo habang wala ako-" I trail off but she groans as she steps on something that hurts her foot, her hands instantly grasping my arms to keep herstelf from falling.
"Hey, what happened?"I inquired, knelt, and discovered that the heel of her right root was bleeding.
"I stepped into something sharp, I don't know," she's biting her lower lip to keep her tears at bay.
For a few seconds, I was at a loss for what to do, so I returned my gaze to Professor Cordova, who was walking closer to us. Pinaupo ko muna si Yngrid sa shawl na dala niya para ma-check ko ulit 'yung paa niya.
"Broken glass," itinuro ni Professor Cordova ang bubog mula sa basag na bote ng beer sa buhangin na may dugo ni Yngrid, yumuko siya para sana pulutin 'yon pero pinigilan ko ang kamay niya.
"Be careful," pigil ko pero mas nag-alala ako nang mapansin kong sobrang init ng kamay niya.
She huffs, pulling away her hand. Hinablot niya 'yung shoulder bag niya sa 'kin at may kinuha siyang puting panyo do'n saka niya binigay sa 'kin, "Tie it around her wound.."
"Okay ka lang, ma'am?" pag-uulit ko.
"Pay attention to her wound, it's bleeding too much," coldness creeping in her toneless voice and stoic face.
"Bub.." Yngrid is about to cry, her hands gripping my arm.
"Relax, it's okay. You stepped on a broken bottle of beer," paliwanag ko sa kanya, dahan-dahan kong itinali 'yung puting handkerchief ni ma'am sa paa niya.
"Ugh, I have an event tomorrow. How do I wear my heels now? I can't walk.." Yngrid sobs on my chest. I'm trying hard not to get into trouble with my words and actions, believe me, I'm trying. Kung ibang babae lang 'to, kanina ko pa iniwan pero hindi. She's my ex-girlfriend but also one of my closest friends, my best friend.
Tahimik na isinukbit ni Professor Cordova ang bag niya, ang isang kamay niya ay dala-dala iyong unan na kinuha niya sa guesthouse.
"I'll leave you two," she says without looking at me, her dark eyes conveying cold emptiness-one that should be taken seriously. I parted my mouth, stuck for words.
"What happened here?!" Mighty Deev came over, she glanced at Professor Cordova who is now walking away before looking at us.
"Ezra Meziah!" niyugyog niya ang balikat ko, nakatingin pa rin kasi ako sa papalayong pigura ni Professor Cordova.
"I stepped on that thing!" tinuro ni Yngrid 'yung bubog, umiiyak pa rin. "I can't walk, damn it."
"Okay, I'll carry you, gamutin natin 'yan sa loob," Mighty Deev shoves me aside, Yngrid complains, but it's too late because she's already being carried by my sister.
"Move, stupid!" Mighty Deev makes a remark as she snaps in the Professor's direction who seems like about to collapse any moment.
Walang pakialam akong tumakbo para habulin si Professor Cordova na ngayon ay pahinto-hinto sa paglalakad, hinawakan ko agad siya sa likod nang muntik itong mawalan ng balanse.
She flinched as I grabbed her behind, and yet she didn't say anything after she realized it was me. She's slightly biting down on her lips repeatedly, her Adam's apple moving as she blinks. I saw her did that last night in the Falls. That looks cute, but I know that she's not okay while doing it, like she's struggling to suppress her emotions pooling over her.
Sinalat ko ang noo at leeg niya para kumpirmahin ang kanina pang hinala ko, nilalagnat siya.
"May fever ka, ma'am," napuno ng pag-aalala ang puso ko, "Ano pang nararamdaman mo? Can you walk? Nahihilo ka ba?"
"I can walk," pigil niya sa kamay kong nasa likod niya pa rin. "You can go back to your ex-girlfriend.."
"She's doing fine now, ginagamot siya ni Mighty Deev sa loob," kailangan kong sabihin dahil pinagtutukan niya pa rin akong bumalik do'n.
"Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa 'kin na masama pakiramdam mo?" nabigyan ko pa sana siya ng gamot at nakapagpahinga muna.
"It's not your damn business," she looks away, I grab her bag, my bag pack and put it all down. Tumayo ako sa harapan niya at nag-squat kaunti.
"Get on my back," untag ko, seryoso. Ang tapang ko kahit alam kong naiinis siya sa 'kin, galit pa nga yata.
"1 meter distance or ambulance?" nakuha pa niyang magtaray kahit pa namumutla na siya.
"Piggy back," ngumiti ako.
"I'm fine Veneracion, I can walk-" I cut her off by grabbing her hand and wrapping it around my waist, only for it to be pulled away again.
"Students may see us, and I don't want them to think out of context if they do," dagdag niya.
Heaving a sigh, I stand on her side and shrug, "I'll walk with you, just hold me kapag kailangan mo ng suporta. Bubuhatin pa rin kita kahit sino pang makakita kapag hindi mo kinaya.."
Kinaya naman niya hanggang sa parking lot, pero hindi pa kami nakakapasok sa sasakyan ay binuhat ko na siya.
Mahinang hinampas hampas niya ako sa balikat, matalas ang mga tingin niyang sumusuyod ngayon sa seryosong muka ko.
"How can you be so annoying, ugly and stubborn at the same time?" her death glares spiking me.
"Ganyan daw talaga mga mukang main character sa wattpad, maangas at cute," pang-aasar ko sa kanya lalo.
"Main character? You look like a red flag second lead, womanizer," pangbubuska niya.
"Paano tayo magkakatuluyan kung second lead lang ako? Ano bang main character ideal mo? Si Arthur Henry?"
Nasobrahan yata ako sa sinabi kasi mas tumalim lang 'yung mata niya, nakabulagta at duguan na siguro ako sa isip niya ngayon.
"Villain," she mumbles, too focused at exploring the forest of my eyes.
"Ah, hindi na second lead? Kontrabida? Ako?"
"Yes," she says dryly.
Napaisip ako sa sinabi niya, "I think you're right, if I'm a villain then you are a hero. We both reflect their sad trope, I am not qualified to be your endgame. Like a water and oil, we can't be together.."
But undeniably, as villain and a hero in our own story, we actually bring out both best and worst to each other.
Her lips pressing tightly together, she's just staring at me as if she's dissecting my mind.
"Put your arms around my neck," pakiusap ko sa kanya, I am carrying her bridal style.
"Why would I? I didn't ask you to carry me," her dark eyes are squinty and mean. "This is the last time I'm sparing your life for touching me again.."
"I'm just helping you, ma'am," pigil ngiti kong sabi.
"I'll make sure next time you're dead on the spot," kinurot niya ako sa balikat.
"Sungit," lumabi ako, nakatayo lang at hindi muna naglakad dahil nagugustuhan ko na 'yung ganito.
"Don't expect me to be kind to you today," irap niya. "Ang landi-landi mo.."
"What did I do?" I bite my inner cheek innocently.
"Cute niyo together 'no?" may pait ang nagsusungit na tono niya.
"Of course not-"
"Shut up little carrot, don't talk to me," pinandilatan niya ako.
"Why-" natameme ako at natawa nang itakip niya iyong isang palad niya sa buong muka ko, ang init at lambot talaga ng kamay niya.
"Cheese whiz," she mumbles.
"Monay," pang-aasar ko, bumaba ang pilyang tingin ko sa kambal niyang kanina pa nagpapapansin sa 'kin, kung anu-anong pinapasuot sa kanya ni Ma'am Kelani nakakagago naman, oh.
"What did you say?!" tinapik niya ang isang pisngi ko, dahan-dahan ko siyang ipinasok sa kotse ko.
"Ang sabi ko ma'am, hindi masarap ang monay kapag walang cheese whiz-" natigil ako dahil pinagsaraan niya ako ng pinto sa sarili kong sasakyan, paikot akong tumakbo papunta sa driver's seat kaso hindi pa ako nakakapasok ay dumating si Louise Jazzver.
She parked her Ducati next to my Mustang. I shut my car door slightly so she can't see through, the windows are tinted, and I'm positive she won't figure out who's with me.
"Ano'ng kailangan mo?" kalmado kong tanong, pasimple akong sumilip sa loob ng sasakyan ko, hindi ayos ang pagkakasarado ng pinto kaya nakita ko pang seryoso kaming pinapanood ni Professor Cordova habang nakayakap ito sa unan niya.
Maangas siyang nagtanggal ng helmet, kinakabahan ako sa tingin niya kasi baka may bagong impormasyon siyang nasagap tungkol sa pinag-uusapan namin lately.
"It's just an update about-"
"Louise Jazzver, could we talk about it over the phone instead? Pumasok ka na sa loob, kanina ka pa hinihintay nina Lucca."
"Good news nga 'to, Ezra!"
"Stop-"
"Catriona is back.."