Revenge #36: Nice Guy
"What did you remember?" I asked as I shoved a handful of popcorn in my mouth.
Ramdam ko ang mga titig niya sa akin. "What did I remember?" He asked back with a little bit of amusement in his voice.
Nanatili ang mga mata ko sa palabas na pinapanuod namin. May babaeng kumakanta sa isang maliit na bar. Her voice was cold and soft at the same time.
I ate another batch of popcorn. "Nung muntik na tayong mabangga. You said you remembered something before you fainted." Saad ko.
He texted me that he was bored and I texted him that I was alone earlier kaya naisipan naming magmovie marathon ngayong araw. We were done with two movies, The Best of Me, Beauty and the Beast and now we're on our third film.
"My vision was blurred that time and I can see something." Napatingin ako sa kaniya.
He was leaning on the couch. He's facing me and holding a bowl of popcorn too. Parehong nakapatong ang mga paa namin sa coffee table at ngayo'y nakaharap kami sa isa't isa.
"There were lights above but I can't see them clearly. It was like the stars. Two guy were holding me and I was resisting."
Ibinaba ko sa tabi ang hawak ko at tumitig sa kaniya. Nakatingala siya sa kisame at parang may pinilit na inaalala.
"I was writhing in pain and I don't know why, then I saw you." His eyes twinkled as his gaze moved back towards me.
Parang nawalan ako ng hininga sa sinabi niya. "Pagkatapos?" I said trying to hide my curiosity about what will happen next.
Ngumiti siya ng malawak. Hindi ko alam kung paano nangyari iyon pero umabot ang ngiti niya sa kaniyang mga mata. I felt like someone held my heart using a warm hand.
"Pagkatapos nun ay tumakbo ako palapit sayo at niyakap kita."
He said and a memory suddenly came rushing into me, knocking inside my brain, hoping that I would remember that very scene.
Because after he hugged me, he cried so hard in my arms as he asked how unfair life is. As he asked why did Jana broke his heart.
Ipinilig ko ang ulo ko. Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kaniya at minasahe ang sentido.
I can clearly see how he looked at me through my peripheral vision. It was like his eyes were glued into me and he can't do anything to remove it. Kumain ulit ako ng popcorn. Pinaglaruan ko ang mga iyon sa kamay ko at kunwari hindi ako apektado. Kunwari ay wala akong ka-ide-ideya sa mga pinagsasabi niya.
"Then it went black. I can't visualize anything but pure pitch black." He said. "What was that about, miss? Why did I hug you?"
I sighed. Sumandal ako sa sofa at mariing ipinikit ang dalawang mata. "Remember your birthday? It's the night of your birthday." I said.
That same day still haunts me. It keeps on ruining my sweet dreams turning them into nightmares. Palagi kong napapanaginipan ang pag-iyak ni Miguel, at ang mga salita niyang puno ng hinanakit at sakit. I can still remember the way he asked me why. He told me he did everything and yet his one true love turned her back away from him. I can still feel the cold of his body, his hands shaking as he wrapped his arms around me, his voice trembling as he speak. I can remember even the smallest detail of his downfall.
Because I designed it. I planned it.
I opened my eyes. I stood up and straightened my shirt. Minasahe ko ang noo ko. "Matutulog muna ako. Patayin mo na lang ang TV kapag tapos ka na manuod. If you need something, you can ask Nanay Delia." I muttered in a tired tone.
Naglakad na ako papunta sa hagdan. I was walking slowly while massaging my temples.
Biglang may humablot ng kamay ko kaya napatigil ako sa paglalakad. His hand is warm.
"Why are you like that?" Saad niya sa malamig na tono.
Huminga ako ng malalim at nilingon siya. Tamad ko siyang tinignan. "Why am I like this? Pagod na ako, Migs. I want to sleep. Will you leave me alone?" I plead.
Naiirita na ako at sumasakit na ang ulo ko. I want to roll my eyes but I don't want to exert an effort rolling them.
"Earlier, you were so hyped to watch some movies. Excited ka pang mamili ng kung ano ang papanuorin natin. Then you are suddenly like that. You look like piss and it's obvious that you don't want to talk to me anymore."
Nakakunot ang noo niya habang nakatingin sa akin. Mahigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay ko at parang ayaw niya na akong bitawan.
I sighed for the nth time. "I'm tired. I want to sleep." I said lazily.
His shoulders slumped. He breathe heavily and smiled at me. "Meron ka, miss." He said shyly and I immediately straightened.
Namilog ang mga mata ko at inalis ko ang kamay niya sa akin. I am wearing an oversize black shirt and white shorts! Pilit kong sinipat kung meron ba talaga ako pero hindi ko makita. If I am facing a mirror right now, I am sure I look like a tomato. Ramdam ko ang init sa pisngi ko.
"Bakit hindi mo sinabi agad?!" I asked, fuming mad and embarassed.
Napahilamos ako sa mukha ko at gusto ko nang sabunutan ang sariling buhok. Tumalikod ako sa kaniya at mabilis na umakyat ng hagdan. I went straight to my bathroom and locked it.
Nasapo ko na lang ang ulo ko habang nakaharap sa salamin. I immediately changed and now I am wearing a sweat pants. Paglabas ko ng banyo ay nakita ko doon 'yung siraulo na prenteng nakahilata sa kama ko at nakapatong ang ulo sa kamay niya.
He didn't realize that I was standing beside him because his eyes were close. He looks calm and serene. His face was soft and he looks like he doesn't have anything to mind at all.
I stood there admiring his features. His long eyelashes, pointed nose, strong jaw and thin lips complimented the shape of his face. His black hair makes him look sexier. Miguel's not a flashy guy when it comes to fashion. He wears the simplest outfit: a shirt, pants and shoes. He always wears his black expensive watch that his Dad gave him when he was 15 years old.
I don't mind watching him for hours. Watching his chest rise and fall indicating he is alive, watching his whole being. I could do this for God knows how many days.
His eyes flickered open and I suddenly went into my study table pretending I was searching for a thing.
"So I see that you've changed already." He said as a matter of fact, while scrutinizing me from head to toe.
My gaze moved to him and I raised my brow. "So you expect me to walk around this house with a blood stain in my shorts?" I asked horrified.
Hindi niya ba alam na nakakahiyang makita ng ibang tao na tinagusan ka? Sabagay, paano niya malalaman eh lalaki siya?
He chuckled. "Of course not. Kaya pala masaya tapos galit tapos masungit ka naman ngayon. Moodswings, eh?" He asked, amused and I swear I want to chop his head off.
I sat in my chair near him and crossed my legs. I sighed and look at him as calm as possible. "Get out of my room." I commanded.
Hindi siya natinag. Sa halip ay itinukod niya ang kamay at humarap sa akin.
"I said get out now!" I said restless.
He cocked his brow and grinned. "Why so grumpy, miss?"
My blood pressure went high. "Hindi ka ba makaintindi, Miguel? Umalis ka sa Filipino ang ibig kong sabihin."
Itinaas niya ang dalawang kamay na parang sumusuko. "Okay, okay. You don't need to shout."
Tumayo siya at naglakad patungo sa pinto ng banyo ko. Napatayo ako bigla at napasunod sa kaniya.
"What the hell are you doing there?" I asked angrily.
Pumasok siya sa pinto ng walk-in closet ko at pinagmasdan ang mga damit ko.
"What the fuck? I told you to get out, right? Pumasok ka nga sa pinto pero hindi naman ito yung pinto palabas!" I growled out in frustration.
He was scanning my closet. His fingers stopped and he pulled out a dress. It was a dark tube dress with white lace linings.
Hinarap niya ako. "Wear this. Black looks good on you. Anything always looks good on you." He smirked and handed me the cloth.
Napahawak ako sa bewang ko at nagtaas ng kilay sa kaniya. "Why would I wear that? And who are you to order me to wear that?"
"Ang sungit mo kasi."
Mas lalo akong nainis. "So? Ano naman kung masungit ako? Gaganda ba ang mood ko pag sinuot ko yan?"
Inabot niya sa akin iyong hawak niya. "I figured out you need a man to brighten up your feelings so let's get you some nice guy."
Napatanga ako. Ipinilig ko ang ulo ko at sumimangot sa kaniya. "No."
"Will you change or will you let me do it for you?" He teased and I quickly grabbed the dress from him.
Ang walang hiya talaga! Ang sabi pa niya ay kailangan kong magbihis ng maganda dahil ikukuha niya ako ng lalaki. He has an old maiden aunt and she was so grumpy. So he found out that you need someone to make you happy and that he wanted to get me one. Ang sarap niya kamong sapakin sa ideya niyang 'yun.
He called a friend to include us in a guest list of an exclusive bar and here I am, standing outside while the receptionist was looking for our names.
The earth shattering electronic dance music greeted us as we went inside. I was blinded for a moment because of the neon lights roaming around, but my vision managed to adjust.
He wrapped his left hand on my waist as we walk towards the maze of people dancing around.
He managed to get us a table and we were now drinking cocktails with 2 girls and a guy.
He leaned into me and I shivered. "You want me teach you how to love, right?" He whispered remembering what I told him before.
Nag-init ang pisngi ko ng maalala ko ang kalokohan kong iyon. Hindi ako sumagot at sa halip ay ininom ang vodka na nasa harap ko.
"Before you learn how to love, you need to know how to mess around first." Bulong niya na akala mo ay kung sinong love guru.
Napailing ako. Iyong labi niyang malapit sa tenga ko ay gusto kong pitikin. I don't want to mess around.
"See that girl." Turo niya sa isang babaeng naka-upo sa tapat ng bar counter.
She was drinking by herself and she looks like the world turned itself against her.
Mas lalo siyang yumukod sa akin. Ramdam ko ang mainit niyang hininga sa labi ko at may kung anong kuryente akong naramdaman.
"Watch me as I flirt with her." Bulong niya sa paos na boses saka tumayo.
I was half glad that he walked away from me because I was able to breathe. Ngayon ko lang napagtantong kanina ko pa pinipigilan ang hininga ko dahil sa sobrang lapit niya sa akin.
I saw him approaching the sad girl. Ipinatong niya ang braso sa bar counter at umorder ng kung ano. He then whispered something to the girl and I saw her smirk.
Pinikit ko pa ng mariin ang mata ko para masiguradong hindi ito nanlalabo.
The girl was now smiling broadly while she was fetching something from her pocket. It's her phone and Migs was suddenly saying something to her.
After that scene, he leaned and kissed her cheeks. My mouth literally fell and I nearly drop my drink!
Ngingis-ngisi siyang lumapit pabalik sa akin. Itinaas niya ang kilay na para bang sinasabing 'Well, that's how you flirt.'
Umupo siyang muli sa tabi ko at uminom ng beer.
"Now it's your turn." He uttered.
Binalingon ko siya. "Paano?" I asked.
I mean, this is not my usual thing. I don't do this often, but I'm so fed up with his boastfulness. If he can do it, I can.
"Look to your right. See the guy wearing a muscle tee, three tables away from us. He was checking you out since we arrived."
I did what he said and I saw a guy. His hair was tied in a man bun and he was drinking a beer. He's looking at me. He smirked and winked.
I tore my gaze and went back to Miguel. "Anong gagawin ko?"
He leaned closer to me and whispered. "When you look at him again, smile wide and wink. Then, he'll go towards you to offer you a drink or to ask you for a dance. Say yes."
"What if he'll put something in that drink? Baka pagkagising ko bukas ay wala na akong saplot!" Singhal ko sa kaniya.
"I'll watch you, okay? I won't let anyone do soemthing bad to you so don't worry."
"Then, what will I do?" I asked, curious.
The alcohol's slowly working to boost my confidence and it's making me a little bit dizzy.
"Be yourself. Flirt. Act like you like him. Exchange numbers. Mess around but don't take things seriously."
I looked at the guy again and he was grinning at me. I breathe, smiled widely and then winked at him. I want to punish myself for looking like an idiot.
Mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti ng estranghero. Tumayo siya mula sa kinauupuan at naglakad palapit sa akin.
Geez. My heart is bursting and my hands were sweating cold.
Nang makalapit siya ay naglahad siya ng kamay.
"Mind if we dance, pretty?" He asked and I saw my hand reaching for his.
Naglakad kami palapit sa dance floor. He was holding my waist and banging his head. He started bouncing off and I joined him.
I am not a dancer. He was holding my hips and grinding his body on me and I feel disgusted.
Yumuko siya at nilapit ang bibig sa aking tenga. "What's your name, pretty?"
I pretended to smile. "Snow!" Sigaw ko dahil sa lakas ng tugtog.
Ramdam ko ang ngiti niya. "Steve." Bulong niya.
He was having his time while I was there, moving like a toad. I'm not really a fan of dance.
He tugged my arms and smirk. "Come on, let's get out of here."
Nagpadala na lang ako sa kaniya dahil nahihilo na rin ako. We sat in a couch nearby and he handed me a drink. Napasandal ako at napapikit. Medyo sumasakit na ang ulo ko at naiirita na ako. This idea of Miguel is really stupid. Bakit ba ako sumama sa kaniya?
I felt someone's hand touch my legs. I was wearing the dress and my bare skin was expose. Hindi ako kumibo.
"So how old are you?" A playful voice asked.
Dumilat ako at tumingin sa kaniya. "Eighteen." Pagsisinungaling ko.
Mas tumaas ang kamay niya sa hita ko kaya umusog ako palayo sa kaniya. Kinuha ko ang inuming inabot niya sa akin at inisang lagok ito.
He moved near me and placed his hands on my legs for the nth time. I was tired shoving it off. He inclined towards me and I froze.
Kitang-kita ko ang paghawak niya sa batok ko at ang paglapit ng mukha niya sa akin. He lips were inches away from me and I can feel his hot breath against my face.
The world is unfolding around me and all I could do is sit like the time stop moving. I suddenly felt cold and I want to puke. The smell of smoke is irritating me and the alcohol's consuming my whole being. I felt dizzy and hot at the same time.
Nagulat ako ng humila at sumuntok sa kaniya. Narinig ko ang pagkabasag ng mga baso at bote sa paligid. Maraming napahiyaw at tumigil ang tugtog.
"Tang-ina. Anong problema mo!?" Sigaw ni Steve na naka-upo sa sahig at may dugo ang labi.
Lumapit sa akin si Miguel at sinipat ang katawan ko. Sinipat niya ako na para ba akong nabugbog at naghahanap siya ng sugat na wala na man.
He cupped my cheeks with his warm palm. "Are you okay? Nasaktan ka ba? May ginawa ba sayo 'yung gagong 'yun?" He asked softly and I can see rage visible in his slanted jet black eyes.
Napailing ako. Nakita kong tumayo si Steve at hinila si Miguel sa likod. Sinuntok niya ito sa panga at napatili ako. Sinubukan kong tumayo pero pakiramdam ko ay umiikot ang paligid. I saw two bouncers separating them.
Miguel was muttering endless curses and Steve was reciprocating his words.
Nang magawa kong maglakad ay hinawakan ko ang braso niya at pinigilan siya.
Naka-ilang mura muna siya bago kumalma.
May kinuha iyong Steve mula sa wallet niya na papel at hinagis sa direksiyon ko.
"Text me when you know how to flirt, slut." He verbalized and walked away.
Miguel suddenly went berserk again. I tugged the hem of his shirt and he cursed twice.
Huminga siya ng malalim at hinubad niya ang jacket niya at nilagay sa balikat ko. It smelled like him. A mix of vanilla and pure masculinity.
Napansin ko ang sugat sa panga niya. It was bleeding. I reached for it and he quickly dodge my touch.
Umiwas siya ng tingin at hinawakan ang braso ko. Inalalayan niya ako palabas ng naturang bar. I quivered as the cold wind brushed my skin. Binuksan niya ang pinto ng kotse niya at pina-upo ako sa passenger's seat.
Hilong-hilo na ako at init na init na rin. It seems like someone set a bonfire inside of me and I want to shower myself with cold water.
Umikot siya at pumasok ng kotse. Hinawakan niya ang noo ko at kinabitan na rin ako ng seatbelt.
"I was trying to teach you to loosen up, miss. Sorry if that bastard did anything to you." He muttered. His eyes were a bucket of gentleness and sincerity. "I won't let that happen again."
All I could is nod.
"I won't let any bastard hurt you. I promise." He whispered as he planted a soft kiss in my forehead.