CHAPTER 6
NICOLLE’S POV
“Come on. I know you love me babe,” he boasted, giving an emphasis on the last word. And with him saying that, I naturally rolled my eyes and punched him once again in his left arm.
I smiled, nonetheless. I didn’t think Perez could be like this. I didn’t think he could be a grown up man even just for once. This one time. He cried in front of me, saying how much he loves that Tracy.
But something’s weird. This night was just so plain weird, bizarre. Eccentric. His hand felt so warm and perfect and cryptically familiar holding mine. And when he wrapped his arms around my waist, I fit so perfectly. I felt like it was natural.
And why does it feel like that?
Is it just that I’m moved or is it something beyond this feeling I’m getting right now?
Feeling that somehow, just somehow, we are to be together.
He took my hand and I was snapped back to life. I felt myself blush. “Iuuwi na kita.” I nodded.
My eyes skated down to our joined hands and I felt my face even hotter. Am I actually blushing? I’m screwed, am I not? I took a deep breath and forced a smile. “Ok,” I choked out.
“Are we gonna leave your car?” I asked as I pointed to it.
“Ipapa-pick up ko na lang,” he answered inadvertently like he wouldn’t mind if his car got lost or got jacked.
Anyway, what can I expect from a prince?
“Tara na!” he demanded impatiently.
We walked away. I tried a few times to take my hand off of his but he would just hold it even tighter. I sighed when I gave up. “Is it far?” I asked, once I got tired of walking.
“Mga ten minutes na lang kung hindi ka magrereklamo dyan,” he countered.
I raised my eyebrow then stopped walking but it was no use! He just dragged me. I groaned. “You’re so rude, you know that?” I told him.
“Yeah. So what?”
“And bipolar.”
I rolled my eyes when he didn’t speak. Along the way, I just kept my head down while people kept staring at Perez. At me. At us. At our joined hands, in particular. This was way too embarrassing. I bit my lip and tried not to dash in all direction. My knees were shaking at the very thought that half of the people looking at us are actually taking pictures.
Shit.
When we were in front of my building, I let go of his hand but he took it again. “Hey,” I whispered. “Let go, now. It’s clear to them, ok?”
He shook his head then smirked. “Hindi pa ok yon,” he whispered back, his voice making the hair on my neck stand on the end. The smirk playing on his lips pecked my cheek unexpectedly. I was so surprised he did just that.
“Oh,” I squealed. I touched my cheek; my hot, very hot, very very hot cheek. I gulped then smiled weirdly at him. “Good night.”
I was about to walk inside the building when he called me ‘babe’ again. I rolled my eyes. I hate it when people call me pet names. I’ve got to set some rules here if he wanted to keep this ‘relationship’.
“Hey!” he called out again. I looked at him. He tapped his cheek and my eyes widened. “Wala man lang bang goodnight kiss?” he asked teasingly.
My expression turned into a ‘what the hell’ expression. Seriously? I asked myself. He walked towards me and I find myself stuck on the ground. “Sabi ko, wala man lang bang good night kiss?” he repeated.
I gulped. “Do we need to do that?” I asked almost too silently. He nodded.
I gulped yet again. “Ok, goodnight,” I said then pinched his cheek. Oh no. There was no way I’m gonna kiss this monster. I still hate him, no matter what. I tried to smile at him but I failed miserably. Instead, I may have looked like some constipated old woman.
I noticed him rolling his eyes, and then they stared through mine. Is this some kind of a warning that if I didn’t kiss his cheek tonight, I’m never gonna see the sun tomorrow? Because seriously, his look was dangerously scary. “Kiss me,” he mouthed.
I looked around and saw people gawking at us fixedly. I grimaced. He shot his thick eyebrows up. He tilted his head as he mouthed, “Do it.”
I closed my eyes and tiptoed, my lips found his cheek and for the nth time tonight, I sensed that my cheeks were flushing. He smiled at me then winked. “Goodnight, babe.”
He turned his back on me then started walking away.
Mental note : Contrive rules.
Once I entered my unit, I realized my phone wasn’t in my pocket. Shit. I was expected to call Mom tonight. I groaned. I saw Zelle already asleep on the couch. The unit was clean. It has always been so clean ever since she arrived. I stirred her awake. She moaned. “Go to your room,” I said silently.
“San ka galing?” she asked.
“It’s midnight. Let’s talk about it tomorrow.”
She shrugged and squeezed her eyes shut once again. I shook my head and went straight to the shower. As I feel the cold water run down my skin, I tried to think of the rules that should be followed.
First: We are only in a relationship in the eye of the public.
Second: He would not call me pet names.
Third: Holding hands is the only PDA we are allowed to do.
Fourth: He would always pay the bill during our ‘dates’.
Fifth: No falling in love.
After I showered, I wrote all those and restlessly went to sleep.
Oh, sleep.
Thank God.
***
I woke up with a start. I had this nightmare that I kissed Perez’s cheek. Was it true or was it just—Hold on a few! The memories from last night arose in my mind. I slapped my forehead. What the hell did I get myself into?
When I searched for my glasses on the bedside table, my hand felt a note. I took it along with my glasses then I read what’s written on it. Right, the five rules. I’ve got to get this note to Perez.
Yawning, I walked to the kitchen. I smelled cooking. With eyes closed and my arms stretching over my head, I sat beside the guy on the island. “HI,” he said.
As if waking up in a trance, my eyes widened. Who’s this guy?! Panic surged through me and I quickly looked at him. I removed my glasses and rubbed my eyes with my hands. Why is he here?
“What are you doing here? Where’s Zelle?!” I demanded.
“Good morning to you, too.” He took a bite of the bacon then smiled at me. And I think, he thinks of himself as the cutes person alive in which he was wrong.
“Naligo na siya. Ang tagal mong magising ah? Late na tayo, babe.”
I took my glasses again but before I could wore them, he stopped my hand. “’Wag mo ng isuot. Mas—“
“Shut up!” I bellowed as I pushed his hand away. I took his plate and filled myself up with the bacon and eggs. Then I remembered the rules. Right. I went back to my room, munching this heavenly bacon, and got the note. When I got back to the island,he wasn’t there anymore. I rolled my eyes.
“Perez!” I shouted as I settled back down to the island I took the glass of milk beside me and the pancake and the newly cooked egg and bacon and water. There was also a note.
Nauna na ako sa baba. Hintayin na lang kita don. Walang lason ‘yan.
I took a bite of the pancake and smiled at how tasty it was. Not bad for a badass. I ate as much as I can in 10 minutes and hurried to my bathroom.
30 minutes later and I was prepared. I was in my usual outfit. Chucks, jeans and plain shirt. I got my bag and the note of the five rules then met Zelle in the living room. “Good morning,” she greeted as she kissed my cheek.
I smiled. “Good morning,” I greeted back.
“Anong ginawa niyo kagabi?” she asked. There was malice in her voice and I just had to roll my eyes at that.
“Nothing. We just sorted things out.” Yeah, like helping him get his girlfriend back, I thought to myself. We headed out the door and walked down the hallway.
“Sigurado ka, cous? You just sorted things out? Or you made out?” She wiggled his eyebrows.
I frowned and shook my head. “Shut up,” I said as she started laughing. We went inside the elevator and I pushed the ground floor button. “Alam mo cous, ang gwapo niya. Ang swerte mo boyfriend mo ‘yun. Siguro ang daming naiinggit sa’yo no? At kasama na din ako don.”
See? Perez told me that this was the exact reason that he chose me over other girls. Most girls would run five hundred miles to have Perez talk to them for even just a minute. I won’t.
I just shrugged and looked at her as a response. The door opened and we walked out the building. The receptionist and some of the staff looked at me knowingly. Yeah, yeah. After what happened last night, I shouldn’t be surprised with all the people staring at me for the whole day.
After all, it was the great Blake Perez.
“Nicolle, bakit ba tayo pinagtitinginan ng mga tao?” she asked quietly.
I shrugged, pretending I don’t know when the answer is quite easy: Perez.
We walked out the building and I saw Perez leaning against a tree, smoking. I rolled my eyes. I hate people who smoke. I paced towards him and before he could see me (because he was busy looking up), I took the cigarette and stepped on it. “Don’t smoke in front of me,” I warned him.
He scratched the back of his head and shrugged what I said off. He smiled at Zelle which she returned. Side by side, Zelle and I walked behind him to the parking lot. We got in the car, of course, Blake was driving. Zelle was at the backseat and I, disastrously, was seated at the passenger seat.
I kept my eyes out the window as we drove to the school. For Chipe’s sake, he didn’t have to do that! I mean, our unit’s just a walking distance from school. We parked at this ‘special’ parking lot where only a Ram 3500 and a Carbon Fiber Hayabusa parked. Great, how rich were these kids again? I looked around the tiny parking lot. Maybe it was just for them. And you know who I’m talking about.
We climbed down the car and the moment the sun touched my skin, eyes of people were also glued to me and Perez. I looked down while Zelle was admiring how huge and awesome the school was. Yeah, if it’s not for the bitchy girls here, I’d say the school’s okay. A shrug could close the deal.
Blake stood beside me then took my hand. I flinched away instinctively. He shot me a glance. “Babe,” he said, emphasizing the word. Then I remembered the five rules. I reached my jeans’ front pocket for it and just then, Zelle grabbed my arm and dragged me away. She was still in awe. She said she couldn’t believe how nice the school is.
“Pero bakit parang pinagtitinginan tayo ng mga tao?” she asked.
I nodded my head towards Blake who was standing behind us. “Oh,” was all that exited her mouth. “O sige, hahanapin ko na ‘yung class ko ha?”
“You’re my classmate.” I said.
Her eyes widened and she practically jumped up and down on the spot. “Then, let’s—“
“Excuse me.”
Zelle and I turned our heads behind. Blake was frowning. “Bakit mo ‘ko iniwan?” he asked sternly. Here he was again. The arrogant, i-could-do-anything, know-it-all, asshole that I hate. I blew out a breath. “Let us talk,” I pressed.
He grabbed my arm. “Oo, mag usap tayo,” he orated warningly.
I rolled my eyes. “Not us. Us!”
He raised his eyebrows. “Ang gulo mo!” he shouted. And more people peered at us. And I just hate it when people kept their eyes on me! I hate attention! Sadly, for me, my boyfriend is the center of attention in this town.
I gazed at him, with my eyes narrowed. We didn’t say anything for a few minutes and when I thought this wouldn’t make any sense at all, I left him with: “By the way, the bacon’s half cooked.”
I turned around and grabbed Zelle. We walked away. I heard him groan and that edged my lips into a tiny, frivolous smirk. When we reach the classroom, I checked the time on my wrist watch and was surprise to see that t was already past half 10. What the fork?!
Perez was right. We were late. “’Wag na tayong pumasok,” Zelle suggested. And before I agreed, something was announced from the speakers.
“For the 6th time, we are paging Zelle Lopez, please proceed to the Prefect of Discipline. Right now. Thank you.”
Zelle looked at me and I nodded as ‘go’. She sighed and went on to asking for directions. Meanwhile, I was standing in the middle of the hallway, waiting for the teacher to get out so I could get it. I took a peek again through the glass door cautiously. I could make out only the ordinary students. Andrew, Samantha or Krungy (the redhead) and the Lucas? were not there. So, that’s why it’s a normal class.
I shook my head at the thought. What would I do now?
Why not call—Shoot! My phone. I started looking for Perez around the building. Sixth floor. No, he wasn’t there. Fifth floor, no. Fourth, third, second; he wasn’t there. Where would he go? Football field! Yeah, maybe he’s a quarterback or somethi—wait a minute.
I don’t think there’s football here. Maybe basketball? Yep, good idea.
I asked for directions and while doing so, it’s just like having girls throwing knives on me at the back of their minds. I decided not to mind them. I know the truth. The shitty truth.
I reached the basketball court and sure enough, Perez wasn’t there. I scratched my head and tightened my grip on my bag’s strap. Hey, if he’s so popular then maybe his stalkers know where he is. I walked and headed for some girls.
“Hey, excuse me,” I said as politely as possible.
They frowned at me. What the hell did I do to them.
“Don’t talk to us, American girl. You ruined our hope.”
My head snapped up and my eyebrows rose. Boy, that escalated quickly. I shook my head. “Actually, I’ll just ask—“
“Nicolle?” I turned my head and saw Andrew smiling, heading for me. He was holding a tennis racket.
I smiled at him. I murmured a quick thanks to the bitches and walked to meet Cupid. My heart throbbed with every step. I know it’s just a crush but I couldn’t help the pink tinges on my cheeks. Andrew is just so awesomely handsome.
He tilted his head and his grin got wider. “Oh? Ang tagal mong hindi pumasok ah. Anong nangyari sayo?” he asked, concern and my face grew redder.
“I just—“
“Oo nga pala,” he said, popping in. “Hinahanap ka ng boyfriend mo.”
I smiled bitterly at him. Andrew saying that Perez is my boyfriend was actually quite funny and crazy and ridiculous. Actually, he’s not my boyfriend, I was tempted to say. I held back and swallowed each word. “Really? I was looking for him, too.”
“Tara,” he said. “Puntahan natin siya. Nasa may volleyball court ata ‘yon eh.”
I nodded at once and off we went to the volleyball court.
***
Perez was sitting on one of the bleachers with his feet stretched out on another bleacher. Beside him, a guy and the redhead were arguing. I looked at Andrew. He pointed at Krungy. “’Yun ba ‘yung sinasabi mong redhead?” he asked. I nodded.
“Yeah, I already know who she is. Samantha Perez, right? Also known as Krungy. Sister of the monster.”
“Your boyfriend,” he corrected. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “And cousin not sister,” he corrected, yet again.
I nodded. “Oh,”
Then he pointed at the guy Krungy was arguing with. “That’s Luke.”
Yeah, I remember. Not Lucas but Luke. The richest of them all. Yeah, how could I forget? He’s quite cute. And he looks like the type of guy every girl in town has slept with already. I shuddered. I hope he would not flirt with me.
“Redhead already told me who you guys are.”
“Eh gusto niya siya lagi nag iintro samin eh.”
We laughed then he pointed at Perez who was so relaxed. His eyes were closed and he was probably snoring. “Kilala mo na ba ‘yon?”
“I hope not,” was all I could answer.
And again, we laughed.
My cheeks felt hot when he put his arm around my shoulder like he did the first time. Together, we walked towards Perez. Before I could kick him to wake him up, the Luke guy might have noticed me because he left the redhead and headed for me.
I looked at him and noticed that his eyes were not that squinty like other Chinese's. And he's hot, may I point out. I returned him the smile he was giving me. Correction, the flirty smile he was giving me. He held his hand out. “Hi. Ikaw ba si Amgirl? Nice to meet you. I’m Luke Sy,” he said flirtily. He shook my hand flirtily. He smiled at me flirtily. He winked at me flirtily.
He’s just an overall flirt.
I smiled at the redhead and she smiled back.
I went on to waking up Perez. And after only about ten minutes, thank heavens, he woke up. He groaned and screamed for me to get out of his sight before he does something I don’t like. I did something he didn’t like. I pinched his ear and twisted it. He took hold of my hand and opened his eyes. The moment his eyes (I noticed he was wearing contacts) were wide open, I got the note and showed it to him. I let go of his ear. He stood, stretching and yawning.
“Nakikita mong natutulog ang tao eh! Tapos… Ano bang problema mo?!”
“I don’t have problems. I have demands,” I countered.
He glanced at the other three who were looking at us in shock and amusement. Maybe they were not used of some girl shouting over this so-called Prince. He dragged me away from them;out of their earshot.
“Ano ‘yan?” he asked, snatching the note.
“Rules,” I answered.
He read it silently, but loud enough for me to hear.
“First: We are only in a relationship in the eye of the public. Second: You would not call me pet names. Third: Holding hands is the only PDA we are allowed to do. Fourth: You would always pay the bill during our ‘dates’.Fifth: No falling in love.”
He paused then looked at me like he would crack up anytime. He waved the note in front of my face. I frowned.
“What?” I asked.
“Rules?” he asked between his laughter. I nodded in response, still wearing the frown.
“Rule number one, ok. Rule number two, tatawagan kita kahit anong gusto kong itawag sa’yo. Rule number three…” he took my hand then kissed me on the cheek quickly. I almost slapped him but he ditched my hand. “ayoko sa rule number three. Rule number four, ang wais mo ah. Pero oo sige.” I watched as his eyes scanned the paper.
He shot me a look before smirking.
“Rule number five: No falling in love. Kaya ko ‘to. Eh, ikaw ba? Kaya mo?”
With what he said, he earned a punch in the nose.
BLAKE’S POV
Nararamdaman kong may bumubuhos na tubig sa mukha ko. Is this the rain na sinasabi ni Amgirl? Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko.
"HEEEY! Wake up! Anong oras ka ba umuwi kagabi?!! It's already 4! Kailangan kong bumili ng dress! Come on, Blake! Get your butt off the bed! And you smell beer! Kadiri ka!!!! Yuck."
Binuksan ko ang isa kong mata at nakita ang epal kong pinsan na si Krungy. Naalala ko, gumimik pala kami kagabi nina Luke. Anak ng. Kaya ang sakit ng ulo ko eh. Ano na ba ngayon? Saturday? Tch. Ayoko pang bumangon! The moment na hawakan ako ng babaeng to, makikita niya.
This is the moment.
Inalog alog niya ako at hinila ko siya. Sumubsob siya sa kama ko.
"Maawa ka sakin, Krungy." Bigla ko siyang niyakap at nararamdaman ko ang inis niya. Ha.
"Aaa!" sigaw niya habang nagpupumiglas.
Napasigaw naman ako ng, “Aray!” Shit! Ang sakit. Feeling ko dumudugo ang kamay ko.
"Krungy! Bakit ka ba nangangagat! Ano bang problema mo? Saka pano ka nakapasok sa kwarto ko?!"
Tinulak ko siya. Napabangon ako at nakita ko ang bakas ng ngipin ni Krungy sa braso ko at basang basa ang katawan at mukha ko. Anak ng.
"Have you forgotten?! 25th birthday ni Kirsty ngayon! And you're one of the 25 roses!"
Napakamot ako ng ulo at hinikab. "Meron non?" tanong ko. Kakaiba talaga utak nung Kirsty na ‘yon. May nalalaman pang ganun. Alam ko pang debut lang ‘yon eh.
Binato niya ako ng unan sa ulo na swerteng nasalo ko naman.
"The party will start in less than two hours. Wala pa akong dress and wala ka pang suit diba? Tara! Bili na tayo! This is rush, Blake. Kaya tayo ka na dyan!"
Chineck ko ang time at dali daling nagpunta sa cr.
Shit. Bakit ko ba nakalimutan yon? Sabagay, hindi naman ako nag-aattend ng rehearsals eh. Pero lagot ako niyan kay Kirsty. 5 PM na. Bitin na bitin pa din ako sa tulog. Ayt! Pagbaba ko sa living room, nakita ko si Krungy. Nakawhite shirt. Nakashorts at nakaslippers lang. Tinignan ko naman ang sarili ko. Nakawhite shirt. Nakashorts at nakaslippers lang din. Anak ng. Nagkataon pang terno kami.
"Hayaan mo na. Let's go. We gon’ use your car.”
Binato sakin ni Krungy yung susi at sinalo ko. At paano niya nakuha ‘tong susi ko?! Agad kaming bumaba at sumakay sa kotse. Habang nagdadrive ako, check ng check sa time si Krungy.
"Bakit parang excited na excited ka? Eh, araw araw mo namang katext yung Kirsty na yon ah." She shot me her death glare at umiwas na lang ako ng tingin para iwas gulo din.
"How 'bout you Blake? Hindi ka ba excited?" Tumingin ako sa kanya after kong mag left turn. Nagshrug ako.
"Bakit? May fireworks ba don?" Tumawa ako bigla ng malakas which earned me another death glare from my cousin. Iwas tingin.
"No. But Tracy will be..." Tinakpan niya bigla ang bibig niya at tumingin sakin. May peace sign pa. Nagsigh ako at tinaas ko na lang ang kilay ko sa kanya. Biglang nagbago ang mood ko. Seryoso.Poker face.
"Ok lang. Ba't ka excited?" tanong ko ng mahina.
"It's Kirsty.... and Harold would be there too."
Harold? Yung kababata din namin na tumiwalag sa grupo. Yung Harold na nagmigrate sa New Zealand? Yung Harold na super crush ng babaeng nakaupo sa passenger seat? Tinignan ko siya saglit at tinawanan. Napaka hopeless romantic ng babaeng to.
“Gusto mo pa din siya hanggang ngayon?! Napakacheesy mo!”
Bigla niya akong binatukan. Ayt! Hindi niya ba alam na pwede kaming mamatay sa ginawa niyang yon?! Nakalimutan niya ata na ako ang nagdadrive ng kotse at sakin nakasalalay ang buhay naming dalawa? Leche. Leche talaga tong "pinsan" ko na to eh.
Krungy's next question got me.
"Blake, did you invite your girlfriend? Si Nicolle?"
Shit.
"Nakalimutan ko nga na kasali ako dun sa 25 roses diba? Tapos tatanong mo pa sakin kung nainvite ko si Amgirl?!"
"Saan ka ba naglagi kagabi? Sa bar?"
Tinignan ko lang siya.
Nagpark ako at nistop na yung engine. Sabay naming in-unbuckle yung seatbelts namin tapos sabay na din kaming bumaba.
"Oo. Uminom lang ako. Kasama ko si Luke.”
Pumasok na kami sa mall at syempre puro "Good afternoon Sir Blake at Good afternoon Ma'am Samantha!" Hanggang makarating kami sa department store, yun at yung mga picture ng picture na mga girls ang sumasalubong samin. Saturday afternoon ngayon kaya madami dami ang tao.
Kaagad kaming nakahanap dahil alam mo na, yung mga saleslady ready to serve. Sa paglalakad lakad ko, may nakita akong white na heels. Simple lang siya pero maganda naman. Hindi ako mahilig sa fashion kaya hindi ko alam kung maganda ba talaga ‘to o dahil—ewan ko!
"Miss, punta ka ditto,” utos ko dun sa saleslady na kanina pa tingin ng tingin sakin.
Lumapit yung saleslady at pangiti ngiti pa. Inabot ko yung heels. "Sukatin mo 'to."
Kinuha ko din yung blue dress na nakita ko sa malapit. "Sir, fit naman po."
"Ok. Kukunin ko yan pati to."
Kinuha niya yung mga pinamili ko at pagbalik niya, binigay na niya sakin na nakapaper bag na. Hindi kami nagbabayad dito kasi dun sa account mismo ni Luke kami nagbabayad. Nirerecord naman kaya wala kaming takas.
Oo nga pala. Kailangan kong tawagan si Amgirl.
Dinial ko ang number niya. Noong isang gabi, naiwan niya sakin yung phone niya kaya kahit walang paalam, kinuha ko na ‘yung number niya para pagka may ipapagawa ako sa kanya, madali siyang matawagan. Saka sasabihan ko na din siya na magsend na siya ng friend request sa’kin sa facebook para i-accept ko na.
Lumipas ang ilang minute. Ang tagal sagutin. Ilang beses ko ulit siyang tinawagan pero hindi pa din sinasagot.
"Hello? Who's this?"
Nga pala, nakalimutan ko. Hindi pala niya alam ang number ko.
"Si Blake to. Labas ka sa building. May susundo sayo dun.Kilala ka niya. Sumama ka sa kanya ng maayos. Walang violence ha?! Pumunta ka sa bahay. Ngayon na! Birthday ni Krungy ngayon!"
"What?!"
Pinagbabaan ko na siya ng phone dahil panigurado, tatadtarin niya ako ng mga tanong na out of this world at nakakarindi. Biglang lumapit sakin si Krungy na may hawak na dalawang paper bag at all smiles pa. Tch.
"Tara!" sigaw ko.
"We better make in on time,” sabi niya sakin.
Lumabas kami ng mall. Habang naglalakad kami papuntang parking lot, nagkkwento siya tungkol sa kung gaano siya ka excited. Ganun ganun.Blah Blah Blah. 90% nga ng walang kwenta niyang kwento niya tungkol kay Harold. Nakakasawa na nga eh. Tch.
Binuksan ko na yung pinto ng kotse at papasok na sana ako ng biglang...
"Samantha?!!"
Napalingon kaming pareho ni Krungy. Sino naman to? Lumapit ‘yung lalaki kay Krungy.Medyo familiar yung mukha saka yung boses.
"Marco?" mahinang sabi ni Krungy.
Siya yung stalker ni Krungy. Lumapit ako sa kanilang dalawa. Biglang hinawakan nung Marco yung kamay ni Krungy. Nagsigh si Krungy at binitawan yung Marco.
"Samantha, kung hate mo si Tracy, 'wag mo naman akong ihate. Oo, pinsan ko siya pero hin..."
Pinsan ‘to ni Tracy?!
"Marco, this is not about Tracy. It's about me so over you. We're done, ok?! I'm leaving."
Paalis na si Krungy, biglang hinawakan siya sa braso nung Marco. Napatingin ako kay Krungy. Nakayuko lang siya at parang nanggigigil. Lumapit ako at bigla kong tinanggal yung pagkahawak nung Marco sa braso ni Krungy.
"Pare,... hayaan mo na siya," sabi ko kay Marco habang hawak ang braso niya. Binitawan ko yung Marco at tumingin siya sakin. Tapos tumingin ulit siya kay Krungy na nakatalikod sa kanya at nakayuko. Lasing ata ‘tong Marco eh.
"Let's just talk about it, please."
Lumingon si Krungy kay Marco at bigla itong sinampal. "You cheated on me, Marco!"
"What?!" napasigaw ako. Napaatras si Marco at hinawakan ko sa wrist si Krungy. Hinila ko siya palayo kay Marco. Hindi to maganda.
Hinila niya si Krungy at piniglan ko siya. Hinawakan ko sa may wrist si Krungy.
"Pare, ayaw namin ng gulo." Yun ang sinabi ko kay Marco. Binitawan niya si Krungy at tinuro ako.
"Eto ba, Samantha?Eto ba?!! Ha?!! Eto ang pinagmamalaki mo sakin?!!!"
Gago ‘to ah! Pinsan ko ‘tong si Krungy! Lasing na ata ‘to eh. Alam ko kasi kilala ako netong mokong na ‘to, ‘yun nga lang hindi ko siya kilala.
Sinapak ako bigla nung Marco. Sabi na nga ba eh, hindi to maganda.
"Gago! Kuya niya ako."
Sinapak ko ulit yung Marco. Tinulak ko si Krungy palayo. Nakakailang sapak pa lang ako, duguan na siya. Hindi ko naman siya papatayin. Tuturuan ko lang siya ng leksyon. Si Krungy pa ang niloko niya?! Biglang may dumating na tatlong lalaki at tinulungan si Marco. Pinagtulungan nila ako. Mga bagong miyembro pa lang siguro to ng gang ni Marco kaya hindi pa ganun kagaling. Napatumba ko lahat eh. Kahit na punung puno ako ng dugo sa white shirt at mukha ko, hindi pa rin nila ako napatumba. Ilang suntok at sipa din ang tinamo ko pero wala lang sakin yon. Sanayan lang eh. Nung nakahiga na yung dalawa, tumigil na ako sa pagsuntok.
"Tama na!" sigaw ni Krungy. Lumapit ako sa kanya.
“Know who you’re messing with,” sabi ko, bago ko iniwan ‘yung Marco.
Umiiyak si Krungy. Nakatayo lang siya don. Umiiyak.Nakatingin kay Marco. Tumingin siya sakin at pumasok na sa kotse. Dun siya sa driver's seat umupo. Umupo naman ako sa passenger seat.
"I'll drive.” Yun na lang ang sinabi ni Krungy. Nagsmile ako sa kanya. Walang nagsasalita samin hanggang makarating kami sa bahay. Pagpark niya at pagbaba namin. Bigla siyang lumuhod sa harapan ko.
"I'm sorry I got you into this mess." Yun ang sinabi niya sakin.Hindi ako nakapagsalita. Lumuhod si Krungy sa harapan ko? Hindi ako makapaniwala sa ginawa niya. Pinatayo ko siya. Pinilit ko na tumayo siya pero ayaw niya.
"Ok lang! Tumayo ka na dyan! Para ngang nag exercise lang ako eh. Tara! Baka hindi mo maabutan si Harold."
Tumawa ako.Tumawa din siya. Tumayo na siya at pumasok na kami sa bahay. Ok na ang lahat. Nakita kong may nakaupo sa couch sa may living room. Babae.Tumayo siya at niyakap bigla si Krungy.
"Happy Birthday, Samantha!"
Nanlaki ang mata ni Krungy.
"Amgirl, hindi birthday ni Krungy."
Napatingin si Amgirl sakin.Siya naman ang nanlaki ang mata.Anak ng. Ilang mata ba ang manlalaki?! Tumingin si Krungy saming dalawa at iniwanan kami. Umakyat na siya. Inabot ko yung paper bag kay Amgirl.
"Magbihis ka,” utos ko.
Lumapit siya sakin. "Are you okay?! First aid. I'll get first aid." Hinawakan niya yung cheeks ko at napaaray ako. Kitang kita yung concern sa mukha niya. Dahil don, napasmirk ako.
"Hindi na. Kunin mo to at magbihis ka na. Kaya ko na to."
Magsasalita pa lang ako ng biglang may tumawag sakin. Si Andrew.
“Paps!” bati niya. “Nasan na kayo? Hinahanap na kayo ni Kirsty!”
“Pakisabi, Paps, malelate kami. May emergency eh.”
“Sige,” ibababa ko na sana pero bigla siyang nagsalita ulit. “Kasama ko pala si Tracy ngayon, Paps.”
“Ok,” na lang ang nasabi ko at pinatay ko na.
Pumasok yung isang maid na may dalang first aid kit. Binigay niya to kay Amgirl.Umupo kaming pareho. Pinunasan niya muna yung mga konting dugo na natira pa sa mukha ko at may binuhos siya na disinfectant. Tinitiis ko ang hapdi. Pero nung nilalagay na niya yung mga gauze pad at band aid, parang nananadya na siya. Nakasmirk eh!
"Aray! Dahan dahan naman oh! Nasasaktan ako. Ginagamot mo ba ako o lalo mo lang sinasaktan?!”
"I’d say both.”
Tch. “O sige, iwanan mo na ako dito.”
“And why?”
"Basta magbihis ka na."
Nagshrug siya. Kinuha niya yung mga paper bag at ginuide siya nung maid sa guest room. Ako naman, naglinis ng katawan at nagbihis. Pagtapos, bumaba na ako sa living room. Ts. Nauna pa ako dun sa dalawang babae. 5 minutes akong naghintay doon at biglang lumabas si Krungy. Bigla namang pumasok ang isang lalaki na nakaformal wear din at may dalang bulaklak.
"Harold?"
Biglang tumakbo si Krungy palapit kay Harold at nagyakapan sila.Just as I thought. Nagkamustahan sila at umupo sa couch. Binati ako ni Harold tapos hindi na pinansin. Sige, kayo na! Bumaba si Amgirl na suot yung heels at yung blue dress. Nakamakeup siya ng konti at nakaayos yung buhok niya. Nanlaki yung mata ko. Ang.... ganda niya. Kahit na may salamin pa siya… ang ganda niya.
Nagsmile siya kay Harold and vice versa. Paglapit niya sakin, inayos niya yung tie ko.
"Get a grip, Perez."