CHAPTER 13
CONTRACT
Sab's POV
"Do you remember this?" I couldn't help but ask him while we're walking in the hallway. I pulled out his picture from my wallet and handed it to him.
He looked at it and smiled. "Of course."
"I have it with me all the time," proud na sambit ko.
"You like me that much?" pabirong tanong niya. He even playfully bumped his arm into mine.
"'Yan lang kasi ang nagiisang bagay na meron ako bago ka umalis kaya iniingatan ko talaga 'yan. I'm glad you gave it to me."
Bigla siyang tumigil at humarap sa akin. Seryoso ang tingin niya. "Sab, I'm sorry. Sorry kung nawala ako sa buhay mo ng sobrang tagal. But I'm here now and I promise I'll make it up to you."
I bit my lower lip as I forced myself not to smile widely. "Ang drama, my goodness!" I had to joke around to remove the sudden tension between us. Grabe kasi siya kung makatitig, hindi ako sanay. "Ron, hindi mo naman ginusto 'yon. Pero sige, go ako diyan sa sinasabi mong babawi ka. Libre mo 'ko always ha."
He laughed and messed with my hair. Ginulo niya iyon gamit ang kamay niya. "Grabe. Who would have thought we'll see each other again..."
Tinabig ko ang kamay niya at magsasalita na sana nang marinig ko ang ilang mga estudyanteng nagbubulungan. Nilingon ko sila at nagtaka ako. They're all looking at us and some are even taking pictures. Ngumiti tuloy ako at nag-peace sign kahit na gulong gulo ako sa nangyayari.
"Anong meron?" I asked Ron while I'm doing different poses. May nakahawak sa bewang, hairflip at kindat pa akong ginawa para kapag kinuhanan nila ako ng litrato ay hindi ako nanganga lang at nakatayo ng diretso. "Masyado na ba akong maganda at nabibighani sila?"
Ang lakas ng halakhak niya. "Nah, maybe they're wondering if we're dating."
Ganun? Ang weird naman. I didn't know Ron's that famous. Or baka naman ako ang sikat at hindi lang ako aware. Humble kasi ako hahahaha.
"Hala!" Napatakip ako ng bibig ko.
"Why? What's wrong?"
"Hindi kaya iniisip nila two timer ako? Kasi ang alam nila wifey ako ni Russell tapos ngayon kasama kita? Oh my gosh!"
He chuckled. "Nababaliw ka na naman. Alam mo, umakyat ka na nga at baka ma-late ka pa sa klase mo. I'll see you later?"
"O-okay..." I hesitantly walked towards the stairs and waved goodbye to him.
Nang makaakyat na ako ay medyo nakahinga ako ng maluwag dahil wala ng gaanong mga estudyante dito sa second floor. Karamihan sa kanila ay nasa loob na ng mga silid aralan nila. Though there are still few who are eyeing me.
Teka nga, makapag-CR lang saglit. May oras pa naman ako.
Nakanta kanta pa akong naglakad papunta sa dulo kung saan nandoroon ang CR namin. After putting liptint and powder, I immediately went out and was about to leave when someone pulled my hand. Hinila niya ako papasok ng men's comfort room at bago pa ako makaangal ay nai-lock niya na ang pintuan.
"AHHHH---" Pasigaw pa lang ako ngunit tinakpan niya na ang bibig ko gamit ang kamay niya. My eyes adjusted as I focused on the man in front of me.
Oh my gosh.
Inalis ko ang kamay niya at nagtatakang tinitigan siya. "Russell?"
"Why'd you do that?" inis na tanong niya.
"Ha? Ang alin? Makipag-lunch kay Ron? Am I not allowed to hangout with my guy friends anymore? Ang possessive mo naman. E ikaw nga kasama mo si Agatha kanina. Hindi mo man lang ba naisip ang feelings ko? Kung anong mararamdaman ko kapag nakita ko kayong dalawa? Siguro sinadya mo 'yon para pagselosin ako. Well for your information, tama ka naman. Nagselos ako---"
He interrupted me. "What the hell was that?" tila buwiset na buwiset na sambit niya.
"I'm not following you, hubby. What are you talking about?"
Huminga siya ng malalim. "Your tweet! You made it so obvious it's me! Ako ang laman ng buong profile mo mula header, profile picture hanggang sa mga posts mo ay panay pictures ko tapos magba-blind item ka na may nakita kang umiiyak sa library? Of course, people would assume you're talking about me."
"Wait, tiningnan mo ang account ko? Emeghed, crush mo 'ko noh?"
His jaw tightened. "Remove it," utos niya.
Kaya pala nagbubulungan ang mga tao dito...
"Is that the reason why everyone's looking at me? Dahil sa simpleng tweet ko na 'yon?"
"It's not that simple. You created a chaos. Ang pinaka ayoko sa lahat, 'yung umiingay ang tahimik kong buhay."
I bit my lower lip and pulled my phone from the pocket of my jeans. He was right, my notifications were flooded with tweets asking if I'm referring to Russell. Agad kong dinelete ang tweet ko at ginawang private ang account ko bago ko iniangat ang tingin ko sa kanya.
He's angry.
"Sorry Russell pero wala naman akong nakikitang mali kahit malaman nilang ikaw nga 'yon. Men can cry too. Men can be weak---"
"Just stop. Okay? I don't need this from you."
Bigla siyang lumabas ng pintuan at padabog pang sinarado iyon. Hindi niya nga ako sinigawan o pinagtaasan ng boses pero rinig ko ang pagkairita sa boses niya.
Hindi ko naman sinasadyang magkaganito. Nainis lang talaga ako kanina kaya ko nagawa 'yon.
Russell's POV
Buwiset.
"Oh bakit nakasimangot ka na naman diyan?" tatawa-tawang tanong ni Ron pagkaupo niya sa tabi ko. Hindi ko siya pinansin at tinuloy ko lang ang pagsisintas ng sapatos ko.
"Why are you in such a bad mood?" Lucas pointed out.
"I'd be more surprised if he isn't," Ron teased. They both laughed loudly along with our other teammates.
"Just shut up."
I'm nervous of what that Sab can do. Paano kung ipakalat nga talaga niyang ako ang nakita niya? People are already making assumptions but she can still deny it. Pakikiusapan ko nga sana siya kaso mukha namang hindi makakausap nang matino ang isang iyon.
I also got mad so I lashed out at her, which is extremely wrong but hell, out of the line na kasi 'yon. That was personal and I am not exactly fond of sharing my personal life to the world.
Sa lahat ng pwedeng makakita, bakit ba kasi siya pa?
"Lalim ng iniisip natin ha," pangaasar na naman ni Ron. "Tungkol ba 'yan sa date niyo ni Agatha mamaya?"
Tiningnan ko na siya ng masama kaya naman nag-peace sign siya at umayos na ng upo nang dumating sila Coach Clay at Manager Lee. We had a briefing for the next game on the league then they handed us some resumes.
Agad akong tumayo. "Can I go now?"
"Have you already chosen an assistant?" tanong ni Lee.
"I told you I don't need one." The thought of having someone follow me all the time irritates me.
"Russell, you're not a freshman anymore. You're a sophomore now which means you have more academic responsibilities than last year and with the games coming up, you won't be able to handle everything all by yourself."
"She's right, Russ. You're also the captain of the swimming team. You need a reliable support," dagdag pa ni Coach Clay.
I glared at them. Tatawa tawa namang ipinatong ni Lee sa harapan ko ang ilang mga papel. "Atleast try to pick one," pagpupumilit niya. She even placed her hand on my shoulder and pushed me back to my seat.
I took a quick glance at my friends. Ron and Lucas are already busy checking theirs. Nagaagawan pa nga sila sa dami ng mga nakalatag sa table.
"If I don't?" tanong ko. It's tempting to grab my bag and ran away from here.
"I'm afraid the budget for the team will be cut into half."
I frowned. "They can't do that."
"Trust me, the school director can do whatever she wants. You out of all people should know that by now."
Tinitigan ko ang singkit na mata ng manager ko. She's telling the truth. Mukhang tinakot nga siya na kapag hindi ako kumuha ng assistant ay may consequences na mangyayari.
I groaned loudly in defeat. "Okay fine but if no one passed my standards, you'll let this go. You won't push it."
She sighed. "Alright, deal."
I immediately grabbed a bundle of papers and crumpled some. May hindi ko na nga binabasa ang mga nakasulat doon. One look on their faces and I can already see who they are.
"Most of these girls only applied to get to know me. I don't want to hire a stalker or a die-hard fan. Didn't you say you already filtered these, Lee? The heck." Pinagtatapon ko sa sahig ang mga resume.
"Dude, stop!" Tumayo pa si Ron at pinulot sa sahig ang mga papel. He desperately knelt on the ground. Nakakapagtaka dahil isa isa niyang binubuksan ang mga nilukot kong resume na tila may hinahanap siya.
"Russ, you're asking for a miracle. Please try to endure this one. It's only for the whole school year," Manager Lee persisted.
Umiling ako at tumayo na ulit. "Tell the school director that this is nonsense. I can handle myself. I already did last year."
Naglakad na ako at palabas na sana ng room nang makita ko ang hawak na resume ng isa sa mga kasamahan namin. The wacky picture on the right side of the paper caught my eyes.
I immediately grabbed it from his hands and stared at it.
Tama ako. Si Sab nga ito.
Nag-apply siya na ito ang picture? What the hell? Nakadila pa siya at nakakindat. So weird.
"Isn't she the girl from the welcome party?"
"The one claiming to be your future girlfriend?"
"Are you going to pick her, Cap?"
Nababaliw na ba sila? Bakit ko naman pipiliin ang makulit na 'to? Para lang akong kumuha ng batong ipupukpok ko sa ulo ko. Naiisip ko pa lang na makakasama ko siya ng ilang oras araw-araw, sumasakit na ang batok ko. She's loud and annoying.
"Give it to me." Nilingon ko si Ron at nagtaka ako sa itsura niya. Hingal na hingal siya sa paghahanap sa mga nalukot kong papel ngunit nagaapoy ang mga mata niya. "Hand it over. I know you don't like her."
Trip niya ba si Sab? Iba rin ang taste nito ha. Sa dami ng mga babaeng nagkakagusto sa kanya, 'yung magulo pa ang natipuhan niya.
Fine. Whatever. It's not like I'm interested with that crazy woman anyway.
Iaabot ko na sana ang resume ni Sab sa kanya nang may maalala ako.
This girl knows my secret. She knows that I cried at the library and who knows what else did she hear that day. Kapag hinayaan ko lang siya na magpagala gala habang nalalaman ang sikreto ko, maaari niyang gamitin iyon laban sa akin. Worst case scenario, she might even blackmail me because of it.
There is no way I'd allow that to happen. Kailangan maging pabor sa akin ang pangyayaring ito. I need to take advantage of the situation.
If she becomes my assistant, I'd be able to keep track on her. I'll know her whereabouts and her plans. Kapag napalapit ang loob niya sa akin, malalaman ko rin ang sikreto niya. And after that, I'd have something to keep her mouth shut.
"Lee, I want her."
Sab's POV
"Tignan mo nga naman ang tadhana. Kapag talaga gumalaw si kupido, sapul ka kung sapul!" hagikgik ni Marina. "Ang cute lang grabe, para kayong nasa movie. Biruin mo, ang hinahanap mong si RJ ay si Ron pala."
I just smiled and fixed my braids. I'm still a bit shocked. Hindi ko talaga in-expect iyon.
"So anong next? Are you guys going to date? Mukhang trip ka naman nun."
"Luh M, ang advance mo."
"Wow! Coming from you na kasal agad kay Russell ang nais!" I giggled but then I suddenly remembered how he got angry at me at the comfort room.
Nalungkot ako ngunit pinilit ko ang sarili kong ngumiti dahil ayokong mahalata ni Marina na hindi ako okay. She'd be worried and she'll ask dozens of questions. Ayokong magkwento dahil sikreto ni Russell ang mabubunyag. Malaki na ang kasalanan ko sa kanya upang dagdagan pa iyon.
"Ron told me they'll be choosing assistants today. Hahanapin niya daw ang resume ko."
"Oh my gosh! Nakakakilig ha! I can feel it, S! Magkakaroon ka na talaga ng love life soon!"
Ngumiti lang ako at tinanggal na ang charger sa saksakan. Saktong sakto naman, pagkahawak ko ng phone ko ay bigla iyong nag-ring.
Unknown caller
Luh, hanggang Brooklyn may mga scammer? Nadala na 'ko diyan kasi 'yung kaklase naming tatanga tanga, naniwala sa caller e. Magaalok daw credit card tapos for verification, tatanungin ang bank details mo so kapag sinabi mo, makukuha na nila info mo. Ay basta, hindi nila ako maloloko!
I declined the call and went to the bathroom to brush my teeth.
"S, may natawag sa'yo!" I heard Marina shouted.
"Budol 'yan, wag mo pansinin!"
"Okay!"
Pagkabalik ko sa kuwarto namin ay tinuro ng pinsan ko ang phone ko. Ring pa rin iyon ng ring.
Yawning, I blocked the number and smirked.
"Ayan. Ewan ko na lang kung makatawag ka pang hayop ka."
♥--------»¦«--------♥
"Okay everyone, settle down!"
Nagsiupuan na ang mga girls upang pakinggan si Lily.
"I was just with Manager Lee this morning and she confirmed that everyone from the Brooklyn High Tigers have already selected their assistants and surprisingly, that includes our King."
They all gasped at Lily's announcement. Hindi daw nila in-expect na may pipiliin si Russell. Last year kasi ay nagiisa daw iyong walang assistant. Ang ingay nilang lahat habang ako ay nanahimik sa gilid. Tinuloy ko lang ang pagkain ko ng cupcake.
Malamang hindi ako 'yung pinili ni Russell. Allergic sa akin 'yon e. Kung sino man ang pinili niya, sana maalagaan niya ng mabuti ang ex-hubby ko.
"The list will be posted today so let's just wait and see who amongst us have been chosen. Advance congratulations to those who will become part of BHT fam and for those who are unlucky, you still have next year to apply again."
Marami sa aming Russell Riders ang nag-submit ng application. Marina didn't apply since she's not into that. Mapapagod lang daw siya at maiistorbo. I heard from her that Lucas picked a guy instead because he doesn't want Marina to get jealous. May mga freshman din kasi from other courses na sumali. Malaki ang pasahod kaya madaming nag-try.
Speaking of Lucas, kalat na sa buong campus ang namumuong loveteam nila ni Marina. Pinangangalat ko rin kasi na nagkakamabutihan na sila dahil gabi gabi ko na lang naririnig ang pinsan kong may ka-video call. It's so obvious they're into each other.
"I hope one of us is Russell's assistant so that we won't get worried about other girls taking advantage of him---" Natigil si Lily nang bigla na lang bumukas ang pintuan. Everyone looked except for me. Nabilaukan kasi ako kaya naman tumayo ako at kumuha ng coke sa gilid.
"Oh my gosh!!!"
"Ahhhh! I can't believe it!"
"You're here!!!!"
"Hi Russell!"
"Russell?" gulat na sambit ko. Agad kong binaba ang coke na hawak ko at umikot upang makita kung totoo bang nandirito ang ex-crush ko ngunit maling desisyon yata 'yon dahil nasa likuran ko na pala siya.
He was standing too close to me. Na-out balance tuloy ako sa pagkagulat, buti na lang ay hinawakan niya ang parehong braso ko bago ako matumba.
"Hubby..." I whispered in shock.
"Why is he here?"
"Holy cow! This is the first time he visited our club room!"
"Why is he talking to Sab?"
"Are they close?"
"They also had lunch together the other day."
I ignored the whispers around us but Russell seemed to hear them. Binitawan niya ako at lumayo siya nang kaunti. Tumayo naman ako ng maayos at pinunasan ang bibig kong may icing pa.
"Why'd you block my number?" He sounded so angry.
"H-ha?"
"I called numerous times but you weren't answering. Did you put a wrong number on your resume?"
I blinked a couple of times. "Teka, ikaw 'yung tumawag sa'kin?"
He looked at me as if I'm stupid.
Oo nga kasi Sab! Sinabi na nga niyang tumawag siya sa'yo! Unli ka rin e, noh?
"Uy, na-miss niya ako!" paghagikgik ko. "I knew it. You can't take that I'm not part of your life anymore. My silence bothered you so much so now you're trying to get my attention---"
"Maybe this is a wrong idea. Lee, I changed my mind. She can't be my assistant. This ain't worth it." Bigla siyang tumalikod at lumapit sa Manager niya kaya nanlaki ang mga mata ko.
Wait. So he chose me?! TOTOO BANG AKO ANG NAPILI NIYA? OH MY GOSH!
I quickly ran to him and held his arm. "Oy wala ng bawian!"
"Get off, tsk!"
Bumitaw ako ngunit humarang naman ako sa dadaanan niya. "You already chose me, Russell! You can't go back on your words! Ano, wala kang isang salita? Siguro natatakot kang makasama ako dahil alam mo sa sarili mong lalambot ang puso mo. Type mo naman kasi talaga ako e, indenial ka lang."
He exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. "You're insane."
"Insanely in love with you, yes. Hello, matagal ko na kayang sinasabi! Gusto pang inuulit ulit e. Ano, kilig ka?"
Tumingin siya sa Manager niya na tila humihingi siya ng tulong ngunit tumingin lang din ito pabalik sa kanya. I think she couldn't understand everything that I've said because most of it are tagalog.
Nice!
I smiled sweetly towards Manager Lee. "Hello Ma'am. I just want to say thank you for giving me the chance to be Russell's assistant. I promise you I'll do my best on my new job. I will be available for him twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, thirty or thirty one days a month, twelve months in a year and forever and ever and ever!"
Tawa ng tawa si Manager Lee sa hindi maipintang pagmumukha ng hubby ko.
"You're not really considering hiring her, right?" Russell mumbled as if I'm not in front of them.
"Why not? She seems like an optimistic girl. Besides, I thought you said you want her?"
Wait, sinabi talaga ni Russell 'yon?
I stared at him but he avoided my gaze.
"Why are you doing this to me, Lee? I've been really good to the team. Don't torture me."
She rolled her eyes and raised an eyebrow. "Does this mean Ron gets to have her now?"
Tumango si Russell ng walang pagaalinlangan kaya naman sumimangot ako.
It's so easy for him to throw me away and that hurts.
"Kung ayaw mo sa'kin, e 'di wag. Ayoko na rin sa'yo. Buwiset ka. Nagpunta punta ka dito para pasayahin ako tapos babawiin mo rin pala. Sana hindi ka na lang dumayo pa dito. Napaka-insensitive mo!"
I grabbed my bag and walked out of the room.
"S!" Marina called. Hinabol niya ako at naglakad rin siya katabi ko. "Huy, totoo ba 'yan? Nainis ka na talaga sa kanya?"
"E kasi naman, M. Hindi na nga umaasa na pipiliin niya ako pero nagpunta punta siya dito para iparinig sa club members na ako ang napili niya. Tapos sa isang iglap, ayaw niya na? Wala man lang ba siyang konsiderasyon sa feelings ko? I was so excited and thrilled!"
"Okay na rin siguro 'yon. Atleast si Ron na ang magiging boss mo---"
"Sab!" Nilingon ni Marina si Russell ngunit nagmatigas ako. Dire-diretso lang ako sa paglalakad.
"Stop or I'll choose someone else."
Kahit masama ang loob ko ay tumigil kaagad ako. Syempre, marupok kasi ako.
Humarap ako kay Russell at tinaasan siya ng kilay. He looked so done with me but for some reason, he still marched towards me.
"Oh." He handed me a folder and when I opened it, I immediately noticed my printed name at the bottom part of the contract. Kulang na lang talaga ang pirma ko at opsiyal na akong magiging assistant ni Russell.
Tinitigan ko siya at mukhang napipilitan lang siya.
"Why me?" I had to ask. "You hate me."
He stared straight into my eyes. "Who said I do?"
"Hindi ba?"
"Will I request for you to be my assistant if I hate you?"
I still don't get it. "But you don't like me."
"I need an assistant, not a lover. I don't need to like you to hire you. Now if you're not okay with it, I can always choose someone else---"
"Okay! Sure! Fine! Ito naman, napaka maiinipin! Nagtatanong lang naman ako... Kung nag-I love you ka na lang, 'di sana tapos agad usapan."
"S!" pagsuway sa akin ng pinsan ko.
Ang seseryoso naman ng mga tao dito! Bawal na magbiro? Galit sa jokes?
"Amin na."
"Ang alin?" nagtatakang tanong ni Russell.
"Ballpen! Ano pa ba? Hindi ba't lumapit ka dito para papirmahin ako? Oh amin na. Hindi naman kusang mapipirmahan ito kung wala akong ballpen 'di ba? Myghad Russell. Where's your brain?"
"Tsss." Inis man ay sinenyasan niya pa rin ang manager niya upang lumapit at bigyan ako ng ballpen. Pigil na pigil ang kilig ko habang naghihintay.
Pagkaabot na pagkaabot sa akin ay pinaikot ko si Russell at inutusan siyang mag-squat nang kaunti.
"What the heck? Why would I do that?"
"Kailangan ko ng table!"
"Then go inside one of those classrooms!"
"Ah ganun? Ayaw mo? Okay sige! Bahala ka na sa buhay mo" Binalik ko sa kanya ang folder at ballpen niya pagkatapos ay tumalikod na ulit ako ngunit laking gulat ko nang hawakan niya ang wrist ko at pinigilan ako.
"AHHHH! LOOK AT THEM!"
"WHAT SORCERY IS THIS?!"
"RUSSELL HELD HER HAND!"
"ARE YOU BLIND? IT'S HER WRIST. IT'S NOT THE SAME THING!"
"WELL HE STILL TOUCHED HER!!!!"
Ngumiti ako sa mga club members na nagwawala na sa nakikita nila. Hindi pa rin kasi ako binibitawan ni Russell.
"Be quick."
Oh my ghad. Seryoso nga talaga siya. Gusto niya nga talaga akong maging assistant niya.
Nag-squat na siya at hinayaan niya na akong gamitin ang likod niya bilang patungan ng folder.
"S, hindi mo man lang ba babasahin 'yan?" bulong sa akin ni Marina.
"Hindi na, baka magbago na naman isip nitong guwapong 'to. Alam mo naman mood swing nito, matindi," I whispered back. "Keri na 'yan!"
Without hesitation, I signed my name on all parts that needed my signature. Nang matapos ako ay iniabot ko na iyon kay Manager Lee at pinatayo na ng maayos si Russell. Aayusin ko sana ang T-shirt niya pero naunahan niya na ako.
"If you have any questions regarding the terms and clauses on the contract, just let me know." Binigyan ako ni Manager Lee ng copy ko pagkatapos ay kinamayan niya ako. "Goodluck Sab, I hope you'd do well."
Bakit goodluck? Hindi ba dapat Welcome to the family? Ganern?
"If you can no longer handle this guy, don't hesitate to tell me. Okay?" She chuckled loudly before she walked away.
"Ayun naman pala, pwede kang umalis kapag hindi mo na nasikmura ugali niyan," Marina told me. Umirap pa siya sa hubby ko.
Yes, hubby ulit. Nagkabalikan na kami.
Russell shook his head as he placed both his hands inside the pockets of his jeans.
"You can't quit, Sab. I won't let it happen."
Sumunod na siya kay Manager Lee ngunit bago pa man din siya makalayo ay nagsalita ulit siya.
"Can you unblock my number now?"
*End of Chapter 13*