Shelter
It was only five in the afternoon at mangilan-ngipan lang ang customers dahil kadalasan ay gabi talaga dumadagsa ang customers sa resto bar. Bukas lang ang resto bar sa umaaga sa tuwing weekends. And weekdays, it only opens at night.
I'm done with my shift at paalis na sana ako upang kunin ang mga gamit sa staff room nang pumasok ang isang delivery guy, hawak ang isang bouquet ng pulang mga rosas.
"Nandito po ba si Ms. Maya Navarro?" Anunsiyo ng delivery guy.
"Oh yes that's me!" Maya yelled and excitedly took the flowers. Everyone in the resto were watching as the delivery man took a photo of her holding the bouquet. Im assuming as proof of delivery.
Maya is full smile as she took her flowers back behind the bar. Lumapit dito si Betty, isa sa mga staff.
"May manliligaw ka?" Tanong ni Betty na hindi na napihilang maki-usyoso.
"Oo, matagal na noh'. I told him not to send anything here at work kasi nakakahiya pero hindi nakikinig sa akin." Sagot ni Maya na nilalaro pa ang buhok nito sa sobrang kilig.
Because I was curios as well, nilapitan ko ang nga ito. "Looks lovely."
"I know. Smells good too." At inamoy-amoy pa nga nito ang mga bulaklak. As far as I know, roses doesn't really smell anything.
"Tell me about this guy." Pag-usisa ni Betty.
"He's cute and he's tall and he's a gentleman." Maya replied dreamily, clutching the bouquet against her chest.
"Ipakilala mo naman iyan sa amin, Maya." Lumapit sa amin si Robb.
"Huwag kayong mag-alala. Makikilala niyo din siya."
From the corner of the room, Wayne was glaring at the bouquet in Maya's hand. Beside him is Tim with and Grayson with amused looks. Hindi ko marinig ang pinag-uusapan ng mga ito pero mukhang inaasar ng mga ito si Wayne. Akmang tatayo sana ito pero pinigilan ito ni Tim at Grayson.
Pagpasok ko ng staff room ay nakasunod pala sa akin si Maya. Ipinatong nito ang mga bulaklak sa gilid mesa at umupo sa sofa.
"So who's the guy?" Tanong ko na inaayos ang mga gamit.
"No one."
"Ha? Sinong nagbigay niyan sayo?" Iniba ko ang tanong, sakaling masagot nito ng maayos.
"Ako. I sent myself flowers." She replied proudly. It took me a second to realize what is happening and then I burst out laughing.
"No you didn't." I managed to say between laughs.
"Kasi naman iyang kaibigan mo napaka-torpe eh." Reklamo nito na ang tinutukoy ay si Wayne. "I know he likes me and I like him too! Siya lang naman ang hinihintay ko eh!"
Mas lalong kumakas ang tawa ko. Everybody is aware they like each other aside from Wayne who's still in denial of his feelings towards Maya.
"Ewan ko nalang kung hindi siya magselos diyan sa imaginary manliligaw ko." Nakangising sambit nito.
"You're evil." I laughed remembering how much Wayne was glaring at the flowers earlier. "Why don't you make the first move at umamin sa kanya?"
"No way in hell I'm gonna do that. Aba, kahit ganito ako, dalagang Pilipina parin ako noh'. He's the guy, he should take initiative if he likes me. All I'm doing is giving him a little push."
Maya-maya ay pumasok si Wayne sa staff room.
"I can't wait for you to meet him Kisha. He's really nice." Pag-iiba ni Maya sa usapan na halatang pinariringgan si Wayne.
Mas lalong nagdilim ang mukha ni Wayne na halos padabog na inabot sa akin ang susi ng apartment ko. "I'm giving this back."
"Thanks." Maikling sambit ko.
Me and Maya watched as he took his bag that was in the table and knocked the bouquet off the table on purpose. He then stepped over it acting as if it was by accident.
"Oops, sorry hindi ko sinasadya." Sambit nito na pinulot ang bulaklak. "Mukhang nasira ko yata ang bouquet mo, palitan ko nalang."
"Don't worry about it. There are many more to come. This guy loves sending me flowers so don't bother." Maya replied. Wayne gritted his teeth before leaving the room.
Napatingin kami sa isat-isa ni Maya at saka humagalpak ng tawa.
"You think it's working?" She asked.
"Without a doubt." It's very rare to see Wayne jealous and he might be my friend but its actually fun seeing him this way.
He's always joking around or trying to pick up a fight with Maya but this time he didn't even throw a single joke or insult. So whatever Maya's doing is definitely working.
"Goodluck." Paalam ko dito bago lumabas ng staff room. I think it won't take long until Wayne admits his feelings.
Nagpa-alam na ako sa mga kaibigan at ibang staff nang hawakan ni Grayson ang siko ko. Nasa labas kami ngayon ng resto bar. Sasakay na sana ako ng taxi pauwi.
"Going home already, gumny bear?"
"No, I'm going to the shelter."
"Sounds good. I'm coming with you. Hintayin mo na ako dito, I'll go get the car." Bago pa ako makasagot ay tumakbo na ito palayo upang kunin ang sasakyan na nakapark sa likod.
I was actually planning to call Allicer and let him know I left work early but I guess I'll just go with Grayson. It's been a while since the two of us hanged out alone together.
"Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa aking pupunta ka ng shelter ngayon?" Tanong ng kaibigan habang nagmamaneho.
"Kasi tutugtog ka pa mamayang gabi." The band will be playing at eight tonight.
"That won't be another three hours. I feel like you've been distant since I came back." He sighed.
"Sorry Gray, I've been busy with work that we haven't had the chance to spend time together." Hindi ko mapigilang makonsensiya dahil totoo ang sinabi nito. Bago ito umalis ay lagi kaming magkasama. He's at my apartment more than Wayne does and we do a lot of things together.
"I know, gummy bear. But going to the shelters and feeding stray animals is our thing, just the two of us. You we're going alone without me." Nakasimangot na ito habang nakatuon lang ang atensyon sa daan.
One thing about Grayson ay sobrang matampuhin nito. He's like a little kid na kailangan suyuin sa tuwing nagtatampo. Sanay na ako sa ugali nitong ito kaya naman madali nalang sa aking suyuin ito. I know exactly how to make him feel better.
"Sorry na nga." Sinundot ko ang tagiliran nito. "Kasi nga may practice pa kayo ng banda kaya hindi na kita tinawag."
That's actually part of the reason. Robb is very strict when it comes to band practices. And I doubt na nagpa-alam ito bago umalis kanina. Because if he did, he won't be here. Robb won't let him leave.
"Hmf!" Gray turned even further away from me. I would've laughed at how childish he is but I'm used to it and I'm immune now. Kaya walang nagtatagal na girlfriend ito kasi mas masahol pa sa babae sa pagiging pabebe.
Ipinulupot ko ang mga braso sa leeg nito at nag puppy eyes. "Sorry na nga sabi eh. Libre kita ng dinner."
Tumingin ito sandali sa akin bago ngumisi.
"Hindi ka na galit?" Tanong ko na sinundot ang pisngi nito.
"How can I when you're looking too cute like that." He smiled, pinching my cheek.
From all the years I've been doing this every time he gets angry, I've become an expert by now. Our friends don't even get bothered anymore whenever I act all cute and goofy to woo Grayson. Syempre, kay Grayson ko lang ito ginagawa. Siya lang naman ang matampuhin sa kanilang lahat.
We arrived at one of the shelters we always visit. Since none of us can adopt any dogs, we just volunteer for any work they have for us. Today, the shelter is scheduled to feed stray dogs at the local city dumpster. Ito ang bagay na matagal na naming ginagawa ni Grayson. The other boys would come along too but Gray and I are always present on these events.
We helped the staffs make food for the dogs, put them in individual bags and loaded them up on Grayson's car.
"Ngayon lang ulit kita nakita, iho." Sambit ni Mang Benny. Kasama nito ang asawang si Aling Divina sa pagtataguyod ng shelter.
"Kaka-uwi ko lang po galing Rome eh." Sagot ni Grayson. Kasabay nito ang pagtalon sa kanya ng isa sa mga asong matagal na sa shelter. "Hey Olly!"
Olly is one of the largest dog here at the shelter who Grayson and I helped rescue four years years ago. He is Grayson's favorite and with no doubt, Olly feels the same. Mang Benny and Aling Divina adopted Olly themselves so he's a permanent resident of the shelter.
This shelter rescues stray dogs and find them a family to be with. What I love is that the people who adopted these dogs are in constant communication with the shelter to make sure the dogs are being taken care of.
Pagdating sa dumpster site ay agad na nagsitakbuhan sa direksyon namin ang mga aso sa paligid, tila ba pamilyar na sa tunog ng sasakyan ni Grayson at sa aming lahat. There we're about a dozen of them, all jumping and wagging their tails waiting for free food.
The thing is we can't rescue them yet since there is no more space at the shelter. It would probably tale a month to get the previous dogs adopted and free up space at the shelter. The smell of garbage doesn't even bother me anymore. These poor souls deserve a good life too. If I can just take all of them, I would.
It only took half an hour to get every body fed.
"Hmm smell nasty." Inamoy ni Grayson ang buhok ko.
"I'm sure you smell the same." I rolled my eyes as I eat my burrito. We are now at our favorite park, sitting at the bench and eating our food.
Palubog na ang araw at siguradong kanina pa ito hinahanap ni Robb. He missed their practice so I'm sure he'll get side eyes from Robb.
"My parents are getting divorced." Maya-maya ay anunsiyo nito na ibinato ang wala nang laman ng bote ng tubig sa basurahan.
Napalingon ako agad dito. Laking gulat ko dahil nakangiti ito habang naka sandal sa bench at nakatingin sa paglubog ng araw. Hindi ko man makita ang mga mata nito pero alam kong sa ilalim ng ngiti niya ay nalulungkot ito.
"Hindi ko sinabi sa inyo pero that was the reason I had to go visit mom. She's not taking it well, Kisha." Humarap ito sa akin at tama nga ang hinala ko. Mapula ang mga mata nito habang pinipigilang umiyak.
"She's physically ill. Sobrang payat na niya at laging walang ganang kumain. She loves my dad so much, it's breaking her that he's leaving. And I hate him for that. I hate him for cheating on mom and hurting her like this." Tuluyan na ngang naiyak si Grayson. Agad ko itong niyakap at ipinatong nito ang noo sa balikat ko habang umiiyak.
Nasasaktan ako na makita ang kaibigang nagkakaganito. Grayson rarely cries. I only saw him cry twice. Once is when his dad hurt him when we were in high school and second is when his parents had a huge fight. Ito ang pngatlong beses na nakita ko siyang umiiyak. All those times, it was all because of his dad.
I've only met his dad a couple times before he moved to Italy. And his mom followed him shortly. Naiwan si Grayson dito mag-isa. I think his mom wanted to take him too but he refused.
"Ayokong maging kagaya niya, Kisha."
"Oh Gray... You will never be like your dad. Kilala kita at malayong-malayo ka sa papa mo." I assured, rubbing his back.
"I'd like to think he loved my mom at least once. But how can he do this to her? To us? I will never hurt the woman I love like that." He promised.
"You're one of the kindest guy I know, Grayson. Maswerte ang babaeng mamahalin mo."
Inalis nito ang ulo sa balikat ko at ngumiti habang pinupunasan ang mga luha. "It makes me really happy to hear that from you, gummy bear."
"You know we are always here for you, right?"
Tumango ito. "You better not tell the other guys I cried."
"Oh no, I'm totally telling them you're still a cry baby." Pagbibiro ko.
He laughed. "I love you, gummy bear. And thank you."
"I love you too. I will always be here for you." I smiled, wiping his cheek that's still wet from his tears.
He might be bigger than me but I'm older than him and I feel like a big sister every time he confides in me like this. Grayson and the other boys are like the brothers I've never had.
I gave Grayson another tight hug and kissed the top of his head. "You stink. We both do. At kailangan mo nang bumalik sa resto. So let's go home and take a shower.
"Together?" He smirked and I smacked his head. "Ow! Kanina lang niyayakap mo ako tapos ngayon sinasaktan mo na'ko?"
"Move your a$$ and let's go." Isa pa pagod na din ako at gusto ko nang magpahinga.
"Mapanakit ka talaga kahit kelan." Singhal nito na kinuha na ang susi ng sasakyan.
Pagtigil ng sasakyan sa harap ng apartment ko ay sumunod sa akin si Grayson hanggang sa labas ng sasakyan.
"Dito nalang kaya muna ako? I don't feel like going to practice." Sambit nito.
"Malilintikan ka niyan kay Robb."
"Can I sleep here tonight?"
"Absolutely not." Sagot ko.
Bumagsak ang balikat nito. "Wayne can sleep here whenever he wants, why can't I?"
"Oh you know he's always getting kicked out. Isa pa, kinuha ko na ang spare key sa kanya."
"And he get to get a spare key while me, you're one only best friend don't." He continued to complain.
"Move along, Grayson." Halos itulak ko na ito papasok ng sasakyan hanggang sa wala na nga itong nagawa. "I'll make it up to you."
"You better." Masama parin ang tingin nito bago isinara ang pinto ng sasakyan.
Normally, I wouldn't have a problem of him sleeping in my apartment. Pero naisip ko lang si Allicer. Siguradong magagalit ito kapag nalaman niyang pinapatulog ko pa din ang mga kaibigan sa apartment ko. And even if he doesn't know, It would be unfair for him.
I went straight, took a shower and scrubbed myself. I was having dinner, which isn't exactly dinner when Allicer called. I shoved the last scoop of cheese cake in my mouth before answering the call.
"He baby." He greeted and my cheeks flushed.
"Hey."
"What? No babe?"
I chuckled. "Babe."
"That's more like it. Don't stop calling me that.
Nagtungo ako sa sofa at itinaas ang mga paa and niyakap ito habang nakikipag-usap kay Allicer sa telepono. Para akong teenager na kinililig sa crush niya.
"You had dinner yet?" Tanong nito.
"Yes."
"What did u have?"
I looked at the empty container of cheesecake. Nahihiya akong sabihin sa kanya pero ayoko din namang magsinungaling.
"Cheesecake."
"For dinner?" He chuckled. "What are you wearing?"
Halos mabulunan ako sa sunod na tanong nito. Napatingin ako sa sarili na lumang padjama at tshirt lang ang suot.
"Just a pair of pajamas."
"Hmm." He hummed and was silent for a couple second like he was imagining it. "I've never seen you in one."
"Don't worry you're not missing out. It's totally unappealing." Pagbibiro ko. "Bakit ka nga pala napatawag?"
"Do I have to have a reason to call you? I miss you and I want you here beside me. I don't think I can sleep tonight." He replied without second thoughts. "Hindi lang naman ako ang nakakamiss sa yo eh. Luffy too."
After that I heard faint barkings in the background. I laughed, imagining Luffy jumping up and down.
"Plus I will be away for three days."
"Ha? Bakit?" Bigla akong nalungkot.
"Something came up and I need to fly to New York."
"Kelan ang alis mo?"
"Early in the morning."
"Oh, that soon?" Malungkot sa sambit ko.
"Should I come over?"
I was gonna say yes but he cut me off.
"It's probably best that I don't. It's gonna be harder for me to leave. And I'm also thinking of your damn gorgeous legs right now. If I come over, you might wake up with more hickeys. F*ck I want to see you."
We stayed on the phone for a couple more minutes before we ended the call. I also went to bed feeling sad that I won't be able to see him for three days.
I woke up from loud knocks outside my front door. My phone screen lit up showing it's past ten in the evening before I got up. Must be Wayne again, this time knocking since he no longer have the key.
Scratching my head, I opened the door to Allicer who instantly scanned my body.
"What-"
He picked me up, locked the door behind him and walked at us towards my room.
"I couldn't stop myself. Hindi ko kayang hindi ka makita bago ako umalis."
"I'm glad you came because I feel the same." I smiled as he lay us down the bed gently.
He pulled me closer against him and wrapped his arms around me. He froze. "You're not wearing a bra."
"I don't when I go to sleep."
"You didn't even know it was me at the door. What if I'm someone else? Do you also open the door like this with your friends?" I felt him tense around me. "Actually don't answer that. The answer's gonna drive me f*cking crazy."
"I'm gonna miss you." Bulong ko na mas lalo pang isiniksik ang sarili dito.
Kahapon ko lang siya sinagot na maging boyfriend ko but I'm getting more comfortable with him. I'm starting to get attached too.
"Maybe I should stay."
I smiled in amusement. "Hindi ba importante yung pupuntahan mo? Go, I'll survive."
"That's not exactly what I want to hear from you. If you tell me to stay, I will."
Napaisip ako. Gusto mo man siyang hindi unalis ay ayokong maging selfish. That fact that this is urgent, means its important. Tatlong araw lang naman siyang mawawala. Hindi ko naman siguro ikakamatay 'yon.
"Please, go Allicer. They need you."
He sighed, kissed the top of my head and pulled me closer.
When I woke up the next morning, he was already gone. He just left me a text saying he didn't want to wake me up.