CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Twelve years.
Twelve years have passed. Why did he show up? Why did he come here? Why did he come back? Why now? Why did he come back as if nothing happened?
But— I don't care anymore.
I already had moved on.
I hope he doesn't pay attention to me anymore. I hope he doesn't see me. I hope I don't go up there anymore.
Argh! Bakit kailangan ko pa siyang makita? He will even pretend that he didn't hurt me.
Who are you now, Lance?
I'm fine. I promise, no problem with me.
"Oh, Erica!" gulat kong sabi. "Buti narito ka? May bayad na, ha,"
Sa tuwing pumupunta ang mga kaibigan ko sa restaurant ko ay palagi silang libre. Libreng pagkain. Libreng
inumin. Libre lahat. Sana binuhay ko na lang sila.
"Inip ako sa buhay ko." tuloy-tuloy umupo sa harapan ko. "Ano'ng bayad ka r'yan, kaibigan mo ako, Shainny!"
Lakas ng loob niya.
Bukas aalis kami magkakaibigan dahil trip lang na'min. It's been a long time since we completed it because we have our own lives and are busy with work, so we understand each other.
"Ikaw? Kumusta na 'yan?" makahulugang tanong ko.
"Okay lang naman—"
"Alam ko. Ang tinutukoy ko 'yan," tinuro ko ang kanyang kaliwang dibdib. "He'to, kamusta na 'to?"
"Hindi ko alam," pagak niyang tawa.
"Oo, inaamin ko. Umaasa ako pero tama na siguro ang ginawa na'ming dalawa,"
"Paano na siya?" tanong ko bago ako umigop nang kape. Nandito kasi siya sa condo ko ngayon.
"Uuwi na rin siya. Nami-miss ko nga siya, e." she smiled. "Paguwi niya, mags-stay na siya for good."
Matagal na iyon pero hanggang ngayon, dinidibdib pa rin niya ang pagkangulila niya sa kaniya. She's brave, I know.
That's my bestfriend!
"Bakit ka pumunta rito?" I asked.
"Ahm. . . a-ano. . . kasi," hindi siya makatingin sa mata ko si gaga.
"Kinakabahan ako sa utal mong 'yan, eh!" I crossed my arms. "Feeling ko maglalabas akong pera."
"Shainny, kaibigan naman kita, eh," ngumiti itong malapad. "Actually, kailangan mo talaga maglabas nang pera kasi—"
"Kasi manghihiram ka?! Seryoso?!" gulat kong tugon.
Si Erica maghihiram nang pera sa akin? Seriously?
Hindi naman sa madamot ako sa kanila pero, sa tanang
-buhay ko, kailanman hindi siya nanghiram ng pera si Erica sa amin.
"Oo nga. . . Kailangan lang," nahihiyang tugon niya.
Tumayo ako sa kinauupuhan ko at dumiretso sa kusina upang hugasin ang pinaginumin na'ming kape.
"Magkano ba?" tanong ko. "Saan mo gagamitin?"
"Ikaw ba? Magkano ba ang kaya mo?"
Katapos kong maghugas ay nagpunas ako'ng kamay bago ko siya puntahan sa may dinning area.
"Tangina mo bhie! Ikaw nanghihiram tapos tatanungin mo sa akin kung magkano ang kaya ko?" Napairap ako sa kaniya. "Kahit magkano pa 'yan, go ako!"
Sinabi na niya kung magkano ang papahiramin ko. Dahil mabait akong kaibigan, papahiramin ko siya. Nang dumilim na ay nagpaalam na ito sa akin na umuwi dahil madilim na rin sa labas.
The next day, I went to RestuFastFood very early because I was also going home early. I will just observe the RFF. I also need to help my staff here because I'm still short of people. Maybe in the next two months, I will add more para na rin dumagdag ang nga tauhan ko.
"Ganito, maaga ako uuwi dahil may pupuntahan ako mamayang gabi na importante. Kayo na bahala magsara rito, okay?" paliwanag ko sa mga tauhan ko.
"Yes po, Ma'am! Makakaasa ka," sagot ng isa kong katrabaho.
"Ma'am. . ."
"Yes?" Nilingon ko siya.
"Kasi po may naghahanap po sa inyo kahapon," nahihiyang tugon niya.
Napaisip ako bigla dahil day-off ko kahapon kaya hindi ako pumunta rito. Madalas ako rito kapag wala akong ginagawa. Pero, sino naman maghahanap sa akin? Si Lyzza ay alam na niya kung kailan day-off ko. Si Erica naman, kahapon pa kami nagkita. Si Kenzo, kasama niya care giver niya.
"Sino 'yon? Lalaki o Babae?" I asked.
"Lalaki po, Ma'am. Kilala niyo po raw." aniya.
Wala talaga ako maisip kung sino pero hahayaan ko na lang.
"Once na pumunta pa siya rito, kunin niyo ang pangalan niya, okay?" I smiled genuinely. "Baka importante 'yon."
Tumango-tango naman sila. "Sige balik na tayo sa trabaho."
All my staff have returned to their tasks, and I'm not a tyrant boss to them. I go with the flow; as long as they fulfill their duties as my employees, I'm okay with it.
I'll be leaving in a few hours, so I'm having a snack now to avoid getting hungry later. I was halfway through my snack when my phone suddenly rang.
Kenzo's Calling you.
[Mag-ready ka na mamaya, ha?] bungad nito. [Mag-dress ka gago. 'Yong bigay ko sa'yo, suotin mo iyon. Bagay sa'yo 'yon, tanga!]
"Oo na. . . ganda nang bungad mo. Ano ka? Si Kuya lang?" natatawang saad ko.
[Shit! Kenzo, sige pa. . . Fuck! Sagad mo, please. . .]
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang marinig ko ang pamilyar na boses na babae.
[Gago ka talaga, Alyzza! Mahiya ka nga!] bulyaw ni Kenzo. [Shainny, mali ang nasa isip mo,]
[Bakit defensive?] I smirked at him kahit 'di niya nakikita. [Feeling ko naiistorbo ko kayo.]
[Gago! Punta ka na rito para sabay-sabay na tayo pumunta roon!] sigaw ni Lyzza sa kabilang linya.
[Hoy, Lyzza! Baka nakakalimutan mong babae ka! Sigaw ka nang sigaw parang lalaki lang, ha?!] Kenzo said from Lyzza.
"Okay okay. I'll be there." huling sambit ko sa kanila.
I quickly hung up the phone and hurriedly finished my food, instructing one of my staff to take care of it for me. Rushing to the car, I wondered what time the party started. As soon as I got home, I headed straight to the bathroom to take a shower. Afterward, I sat in front of the mirror, contemplating my friends' invitation to go to the bar.
Applying just a touch of lipstick and light makeup, I admired my reflection in the mirror.
"Okay, I'm all done. Damn, I look good!" I exclaimed to myself.
I was wearing a stunning red dress that Kenzo had given me, which he claimed suited me perfectly. He bought it on a whim, and I couldn't deny that it was a perfect choice.
Brushing my hair back, I smiled at my reflection before heading out to meet my friends at the Grill Resto Bar. I knew I was in for some drama, so I hoped they'd get drunk first.
Before stepping out of the car, I checked my appearance one last time in the mirror. As I approached the entrance, I noticed my friends standing there, their expressions sour as they saw me.
"Woah, Shainny! Is that you?!" Erica asked with shock. "Ikaw pa ba ang aso na 'min?"
"Gago!" tawang kong saad.
"Ang sexy! My gosh!" gulat ni Erica. "Sarap mo naman!"
Hindi ko maiwasan na matawa sa reaksyon ng mga kaibigan ko nang salubungin nila ako.
"Mga baliw! Pero. . . maganda ba talaga?" I turn around to show them what I look like.
"Perfect!" Nagboses pangbabae si Kenzo. "Gora na mga mars!"
As we made our way to the second floor, a familiar face caught my eye. I could feel my friends nudging me and teasingly whispering about him.
"Hey, Ms. De Leon, you look stunning," Lance casually remarked, holding a glass of wine.
I couldn't deny it; he looked even more handsome than I remembered. Suddenly, I found myself at a loss for words, captivated by his presence.
"Thank you! You look—" I stumbled over my words, feeling the awkwardness of the situation. "Never mind. It's been a long time, I guess?"
Damn, that was awkward! Especially with my friends teasing us.
"Yeah, it has been a while. Anyway, just the three of you?" he asked, gesturing to us.
"Actually, Lyzza is on her way," Kenzo interjected. "So, there will be four of us."
"I know how to count, Kenzo," Lance replied sarcastically.
Napatawa na lang ako sa kaniya dahil sa mukha niya ngayon. Halatang gulat na gulat si Kenzo.
"Ah, hep hep. Wanna join us?" halok ni Erica.
Pukingina! Kaibigan ko ba sila? Hindi nila alam ang awkward na'min.
Mabilis kong sinikong mahina si Erica. Baliw ba s'ya? Gago, halatang nangaasar ang babaeng 'to!Sarap magwala sa harap nila!
"Can I?" mahinang tanong ni Lance.
"Oo nga naman. Why not join us? You seem alone. It'll be much more fun having accompany, right?" I glared at Kenzo as he emphasized the 'accompany' word while looking at me.
"Sure, sure. No problem at all." malawak naman ang ngiting tugon niya.
Samantalang ako ay halos gusto ng lumubog sa kinatatayuan ko. This will be a long night.
"Nakakahiya kayo! Hindi mo naman kailangan makisama sa amin, Mr. Bernardo. Baka kasi hanapin ka ng mga kasama mo." sabi ko.
Sana hanapin siya. Sana hindi na siya sumama sa amin.
Hay nako, hindi ko alam kung paano ko siya haharapin kung sasama pa ito sa amin!
"Nope. All they know is that I've already left. So, I can," he said with a broad smile.
We entered the VIP room, and things seemed to be going smoothly. One of us lounged on the sofa, while another was engrossed in their phone. The man I was with wasted no time in pouring himself a drink, still holding onto his glass of wine. Meanwhile, I found myself simply staring, lost in thought.
'Yan ang ambag ko ngayon.
"Sorry, natagalan ako mga bading—" nanlaki ang mata ni Lyzza nang makita niya ang katabi ko. "Lance?"
Lumingon naman si Lance kay Lyzza at nginitihan siya nang tipid. "Long time, no see, Lance!"
"Wala bang pasalubong d'yan? Kahit chocolate man lang galing sa Australia?" walang hiyang hingi ni Lyzza. "Kailan pa kayo nagkabalikan ni Shainny mo?"
Tangina! Kahit kailan 'di marunong pumreno ni Lyzza.
"I'm sorry but not yet." he smiled.
Lance suddenly glanced at me before speaking. I couldn't help but notice that his eyebrows seemed thicker, his complexion even fairer than before, and his eyes held a captivating allure, as if they could transport you to another world.
"Don't look at me, please. . ." he said, catching me off guard.
Embarrassed, I quickly averted my gaze.
"Because I'm shy and reserved," he added.
Turning his attention to my friend Lyzza, he continued, "By the way, Lyzza, when we meet again, I'll bring you chocolates."
"Yon! Sabi mo 'yan, ha?" she smirked at him. "Dapat marami para na rin sa mga anak ko!"
"Naghingi pa nga," bulong ni Kenzo.
"Nakita ko na naman ang pagmumukha mo, Kenzo!" biro ni Lyzza kay Kenzo. "Ka-badtrip, mukha mo lang ang sisira sa araw ko!"
Uminom na si Lance my alak sa baso nito. Nang makumpleto na kami ay sinumulan na na'min ang pagtatagay. Si Erica madali lang ito malasing.
"Hoy, Kenzo! Dahan-dahan naman sa pulutan!" reklamo ni Lyzza.
"Napano ka?!" ganti nito bago itong sumubo nang pulutan.
He'to na naman tayo! Magsisimula na naman ang away ng mga bata.
Hayst, kahit kailan 'di sila nagkakasundo. Buti na lang natitiis nilang ang isa't isa.
"Ano'ng napano ako? Gago ka! Isang tagay tapos tatlong subo nang sisig?" gigil sabi ni Lyzza.
Rinig na rinig ko ang tawa ni Erica at mahinang tawa ni Lance sa tabi ko.
"Bobo ka ba? Sana kumain ka na lang! Ano, gusto mo ba'ng kanin para kumpleto na?" giit ni Lyzza.
Q
"Ulol! Masarap lang ang pulutan ngayon!" natatawang tugon ni Kenzo.
Sanay na kaming ganito silang dalawa. Sanay na kaming lahat nang bardagulan nila at dogshow nila.
Ilang oras na din ang nakalipas, halos lahat kaming mga babae ay nahihilo na sa mga iniinom na na'min. Si Lyzza sumasayaw na siya sa ibaba. May pumunta pa ngang lalaki sa kan'ya rito sa may VIP room, si Kerson daw.
"Hoy, Erica! Uwi na tayo, iuuwi ko na kayo." panggigising ni Kenzo kay Erica na nakatulog na siya sa sahig.
"Shhh. . . Hindi ako lasing." tugon ni Erica, ang boses niya ay halatang tinamaan na. "Kenzo, nagkulang ba ako sa kaniya? Minahal niya ba talaga ako? Binigay ko naman ang lahat, eh. Mahal ko siya pero bakit masakit pa rin!"
Nanginginig na boses ni Erica, halatang paiyak na ito. Nandito na tayo ngayon, naglalasing pa.
"Erica. . . tama na 'yan, lasing ka lang," pagpapagaan ng loob ni Kenzo kay Erica. "Mahal ka nu'n. Nagaway lang kayo."
"Shain, tara na, uwi na tayo," saad ni Kenzo.
Tumayo siya sa kinauupuan niya at binuhat na niya si Erica na pang-bride. Nanatili pa rin umiiyak si Erica. Halos humagulgol siya sa damit ni Kenzo dahil nararamdaman niya ngayon.
"Sumunod ka, Aso." madiin sambit ni Kenzo.
All that was done was nodding. I'm getting my stuff ready. I was about to stand up when suddenly someone grabbed my wrist, he looked at me full of attraction, and it seemed like he was begging me to join him first.
"Mr. Bernardo," I called him. "Is there a problem?"
He didn't move but he slowly leaned his head on my shoulder. My eyes widened when he did that. I didn't expect to do that. I wanted to get away from him but it was as if something was stopping me.
"Here. . . Come here first, please. . ." like a child talking. "Please, stay. Don't run away... again."
"Baka maghintay ng matagal si Kenzo sa labas." tugon ko.
"Just one hour, okay?" Lance pleaded.
I shook my head, reluctant to agree, especially with Kenzo waiting and Lance being drunk.
"Thirty minutes?"
I closed my eyes in frustration. "Okay, thirty minutes only."
"Just stay here, please. I want to stay like this, even for a few minutes. . ." Lance's voice trailed off.
I nodded, sensing that Lance was troubled. I needed to use the restroom, but how could I leave him leaning on my shoulder?
"Lance," I called softly.
"Hmm. . ."
I took a deep breath, feeling embarrassed to tell him.
"I'm going to the restroom for a while," I said shyly.
He lifted his head from my shoulder, blushing as he realized I was also looking at him. After a few minutes, I returned from the restroom and was about to sit down when Lance suddenly pulled me to lie down on the sofa. He hovered above me, his gaze intense.
"L-Lance. . ." I called nervously.
"W-what's going on? Where are you?"
He leaned in closer, studying my face intently.
I couldn't understand his intentions. He bit his lower lip, a gesture that drew me in despite my confusion.
"Why are you wearing that dress?" he asked huskily.
Nagkunot-noo lang tanging nagawa dahil hindi ako makapagsalita dahil sa tibok ng puso ko.
"Bigay ni Kenzo 'to. Gusto niya suotin ko—"
"Fuck! Don't mention him!" he bit his lower lip.
"Okay. I'm sorry. Sinasagot ko lang naman ang tanong mo, eh." iwas kong tingin.
"Don't you know that. . .my desire is growing, because of your outfit," he said with a husky voice.
Desire? Titi ba niya 'yon? So, it means dahil sa dress kong suot kung bakit nagising ang junior niya?
Parang kasalanan ko pa na sexy ang suot ko!
"Honestly, what you're wearing today is irritating," he said bluntly.
I tried to push him on top of him but he was strong so until now he stayed on top of me. I only made him suffer because of what he said. I was hurt a lot because he didn't need to say more.
"What if some other guy here is rude to you?" he asked, his tone filled with irritation. "That's why I came with you today, because I won't stand for anyone disrespecting you. Please, don't wear that again."
I straightened up, sensing his closeness. He leaned in, his breath brushing against my lips, sending shivers down my spine.
"That dress belongs to you, but it's meant for me to see," he whispered with a hint of aggression in his voice.
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