"Doc, sa labas ako magla-lunch, ha? Uunahan na kita dahil baka mahiya ka pang paalisin ako," nakangising pagpapaalam ni Leal bago lumabas ng clinic.
Bago pa ako maksagot ay sinara niya na ang pinto. Napailing na lang ako at nagligpit na ng gamit.
Hindi ko alam kung paano niya nalaman na pupunta si Iouis dito para sabay kaming makapag-lunch.
Hindi nagtagal, dumating na rin si Iouis. Aniya kahapon na siya na ang bahala sa pagkain namin. Hindi na ako nagreklamo dahil mas madali para sa 'kin.
"Pwede tayo sa cafeteria, Iouis," sabi ko ngunit nilabas niya na ang mga food containers at nilapag sa mesa.
"I'm fine here. But we can go there if you want." He looked up to me and paused what he was doing.
He was kneeling beside the table while I was standing in front of him. The table is adjustable, but I don't think he knows that. Imbes an sumagot ay inayos ko na lang ang mesa para mas tumaas ito.
"Walang paparazzi rito, Iouis," puna ko. "Kung gusto mo ng exposure, dapat sa mga parties tayo nakikita!"
Alam kong naririto siya dahil gusto niyang magpatuloy ang "issue" tungkol sa amin para kapani-paniwala na nagde-date nga kami. Ngunit anong silbi kung kami lang naman ang nandito?
He shrugged and stood up. Nasa baywang niya ang dalawang kamay at parang binabasa ako.
"Yeah, that's why we'll attend an art exhibit together... and about me being here, when people see me often, they'll remember me and eventually get curious why I'm here. It's a subtle tactic, Cara."
Napaisip naman ako dahil sa kaniyang sinabi. I guess that's true. Tanda ko pa ang article tungkol sa unexpected naming pagkikita sa parking lot. Anang article na kaya raw kami nagkita rito sa hospital noong gabing 'yon dahil napaka-busy naming dalawa at 'yon na lang ang oras.
And maybe he's right. Mas natural at nakakapaniwala na binibisita niya ako rito. That's what most lovers do, after all!
"Huh, pinag-isipan mo talaga!" I commented with a smirk, then taking the seat in front of him.
Limang putahe ang dala niya ngunit hindi naman ganoon karami ang serving kaya siguradong mauubos namin ang mga pagkain. He handed me the utensils and I was about to take a food until I noticed that he was staring at me.
"What?"
He pursed his lips for a moment while shrugging. "What's with Iouis? Why are you calling me that? What happened to Yuwi, huh?"
Hindi ko mapigilang mapailing. It's so random.
"Call me babe... or any other endearment. I'm your boyfriend, after all..."
Fake boyfriend. I wanted to correct him but chose not to. Siguradong alam niya naman 'yon.
"It's for publicity, Cara," he said while crossing his arms and leaning forward. Now I feel like I'm in a lunch meeting with my lawyer. "What if may makarinig sa 'yo? What if it's a reporter? They're gonna think that we're just fake-dating. But... think about it."
Napangisi ako. He said that I should think about it... but it also feels like I have no option.
"Alright," I said and raised both hands as if accepting my defeat. "I'll call you Yuwi again... I miss it." Hindi ko namalayan ang huling sinabi. Saka na lang nang natigil si Iouis at tinitigan lang ako na parang nagulat din.
I shrugged, playing it cool. He surely heard it. He wouldn't react that way if he didn't... at isa pa, ano naman ngayon?
We continued eating and talked. He told me about some of his most challenging cases while I shared some bits of my time as a jet-setter volunteer. Patapos na kami sa pagkain nang biglang bumukas ang pinto at niluwa niyon si Leal.
"Oh! Sabi ko na nga ba!" Ani Leal nang nakangisi. Nang lumingon si Iouis sa kaniya ay bigla siyang nag-bow bago lumabas ulit.
Ako ang employer niya pero mukhang mas si Iouis ang nagmumukang boss niya!
I checked the time and saw that we spent only thirty minutes for our lunch but it felt longer! Akala ko nga ay mas natagalan kami dahil sa pag-uusap.
"Doc, what if mag-ex talaga kayo tapos nagkukunwari lang na nagkabalikan para mas kapani-paniwala kasi kilala niyo naman talaga ang isa't isa." Kalalabas pa lang ni Iouis ay ito na kaagad ang pambungad ni Leal sa akin.
I leaned on the door and crossed my arms. I can't help but feel intrigued because of what she said. Kung sinabi niyang nagde-date lang kami ay hindi na ako magugulat. That's the point of this whole fake-dating thing—to get noticed as a couple.
But for Leal to suggest that—the truth—she must know something or observed something.
"Paano mo nasabi?"
She sat on the edge of the couch and shrugged. "Hmm... binigyan ka kasi ng regalo noon tapos parang may double meaning, Doc. It's either away-bati kayo noon at hindi pa official pero ngayon may label na... o baka epekto lang 'to ng gabi-gabing Kdrama."
I chuckled. "Kaka-Kdrama mo nga 'yan. Dami mong naiisip, eh!"
"Sige, sabi mo, eh!" Nginisihan niya ako pabalik at pumunta na sa kaniyang desk.
We continued with our day and I had a few more outpatients. After all my scheduled checkups, I checked my inpatients. Pagkatapos magbilin ng mga instructions ay saka ako umalis.
I was walking towards my car when I noticed a familiar silhouette leaning on the hood of the car parked beside mine.
The parking lot was lined with streetlights and the nearer I got to my car, the more defined the outline of the man became.
With his coat on one hand while the other on his waist, Iouis looked like a professional model posing for a campaign.
Nakatupi ang manggas ng kaniyang puting polo hanggang sa siko. At dahil hinubad na ang coat ay tanging vest na lang ang nasa ibabaw ng polo niya. His coat, vest, and slacks were all light-gray.
For some reason, that color suits him well. And also dark-blue... and white... and black... and brown... damn! Kahit anong kulay pa siguro ang suot niya ay magbabagay pa rin sa kaniya!
Kahit palapit na ako sa kaniya ay hindi niya pa rin ako napansin. His eyes were looking distantly at the front, parang may malalim na iniisip.
"Yuwi." I stepped in front of him, startling him for a bit. Napangisi ako sabay lapit sa kaniya.
I placed both hands on the space beside him, caging him in between my arms. Dumukwang ako palapit sa kaniya kaya mas nagkalapit ang mga mukha namin.
He didn't flinch nor move away, but I saw how his Adam's apple move as he swallowed hard. Mariin ang kaniyang titig sa akin at mukhang nagpipigil. Kitang-kita ang tensyon sa buong mukha.
"You're here for me?" I asked. It was almost a whisper.
Sinadya kong hinaan ang boses dahil napakalapit naman namin ngunit hindi ko inasahan na ganoon ang kalalabasang tunog. It almost seemed like a whimper.
Napalunok ulit siya at mas tumigas ang tingin niya. "Says who?"
I smirked and rolled my eyes. Ang galing magsinungaling. Hindi talaga halata.
"Ah, ganoon ba? Akala ko pa naman pinapanindigan mo ang pagiging fake-boyfriend ko," sabi ko sabay singhal. Lumayo ako sa kaniya at inalis ang mga kamay sa magkabilang gilid niya. "Sige, alis na 'ko. Hintay well—"
Bago ko pa matapos ang sasabihin at bago pa ako makaisang hakbang paalis ay hinawakan niya ang dalawang palapulsuhan ko.
I smirked inwardly. He walked right into my snare, huh?
Sigurado akong nakaupo pa siya sa hood ng sasakyan niya at ako ang nakatayo sa harapan niya. Ngunit sa isang iglap ay bumaliktad ang posisyon namin.
I am now the one sitting on the hood of his car while he's standing in front of me. Just like what I did, he caged me in between his arms.
His thumbs are barely touching the side of my butt and his face is an inch away from mine. Sigurado ako na nang ginawa ko ito ay hindi naman ganito kalapit... at ka-intense. Biro-biro ko lang naman 'yon ngunit sineryoso niya ata at gusto nang maghiganti.
Anong gagawin niya? Is he gonna punish me for teasing him? It wasn't even that obvious!
My eyes dropped to his lips. It was reddish and moist, like he just licked them awhile ago. And as if he read my thoughts, he licked his lips again. I want to do it to him... I want...
"You want to what?" He asked in a breathy yet tender voice. "What is it Cara?"
His words snapped me back to reality. I didn't even notice that I said those words out loud!
I looked away and pushed him yet my efforts were futile. I didn't try hard enough and he was just... hard... mahirap itulak palayo at hindi rin kaya ng lakas ko.
I bit my lips as I gaze back at him. Katulad kanina ay mariin ang tingin niya sa akin. He seemed like a predator ready to pounce on his prey.
"What is it that you want, Doc? I might just give it to you here and now." I'm not sure if he's just teasing me or he's actually serious. He knows that...
Fuck this. Napapikit ako at mas nilapit ang mukha ngunit tumigil para hindi tuluyang maglapat ang mga labi namin.
He let out a gentle breath before I felt his lips on mine. He gave one swift lick to my bottom lip before sucking on it. He was moving aggressively that I couldn't even respond.
His hand was on my back, gently nudging me towards him. Ang dalawa kong kamay ay nakapalibot na sa kaniyang leeg, at mas pinagdidiinan din niya ang hawak sa akin.
Habol-habol ko ang hininga nang magkalayo ang mga mukha namin. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin, hindi makapaniwala na rito pa talaga sa parking lot!
"You're so prideful," komento niya habang pinalandas ang isang daliri sa kaniyang labi. "If you want, you can ask. Hindi naman kita pagkakaitan."
I slapped his chest yet that only made him laugh. I pushed him and he let me get away. Pumunta na ako sa sasakyan at pinaandar iyon.
I just wanted to tease him yet we, somehow, ended up making out! Damn! Sa dinami-rami ng lugar, dito pa talaga! And don't tell me that it's for publicity's sake!
I flinched when I heard a knock on my window. Binuksan ko iyon ngunit sakto lang na ang mga mata ko lang ang nakikita niya.
He chuckled. "Don't worry. I'm not gonna lean in and taste—"
Bago pa niya matapos ay sinara ko ang bintana. I saw him mess with his hair with a slight distressed yet amused look. Kumatok ulit siya sa bintana.
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you," he said in resignation yet still with a smirk. Doon ko lang mas binuksan ang bintana. "Let's have dinner. It's for publicity, of course."
I rolled my eyes and just nodded. Ayan na naman ang publicity na 'yan. Siguraduhin niya lang na hindi sobrang pribado ng pupuntahan namin dahil kung ganoon nga, natitiyak kong hindi na 'yon swak sa plano niya. It's definitely privacy!
To my surprise, he brought me to a jazz club. Although I never thought we'd be here, this is exactly the place we should be going to! Hindi masyadong pribado at chill pa ang ambiance.
A table was reserved for us near the stage with the live band. There were only three people performing—one for the piano, one for the saxophone, and another for the bass.
"I'm sure there's a live singer here," ani Iouis at luminga-linga.
I handed him the menu and let him choose our food. I'm too tired to even choose what I want to eat. And one benefit of fake-dating my ex is that he already knows me. Natatandaan niya pa naman siguro ang mga gusto at ayaw ko sa pagkain.
Katulad ng sinabi ni Iouis ay may live singer nga. We were serenaded with jazz covers of popular songs while waiting for our food. And unlike a while ago, there are new additional instruments.
I enjoyed the performance that even when our food arrived, I still couldn't get my eyes off the stage.
"Cara, the food is here," Iouis whispered. I felt his presence behind me, but I didn't flinch for an inch. Sigurado akong umusog siya dahil kung hindi ay hindi ko maririnig ang sinasabi niya.
I nodded and finally turned to him. Magkalapit nga ang mukha namin at natandaan ko naman ang nangyari sa parking. Saka ko na lang din napagtanto na kanina pa pala ako nakangiti.
I looked away and moved my chair. Napakalapit naming dalawa at hindi yata kami makakain nang maayos kung ganoon.
"By the way, I checked your Google calendar and I saw that you're free on that date," Iouis said with a hopeful look, "are you okay with going out? Or will you be resting by then?"
Hindi ko alam kung saan ang uunahin—the fact that he checked my availability first or the fact that he's giving me the option. I mean... we're fake-dating... I'm doing him a favor.
He doesn't need to "give" me an option because, like what he said, he checked my calendar and already knows that I'm free by then... but he still considered the fact that I might use the free day to rest.
It's the bare minimum but still unexpected... and well-appreciated. Kahit pa kasing sinabihan niya na lang ako na kailangan naming pumunta at kahit pagod pa ako sa time na 'yon ay sasama pa rin naman ako.
I don't know why I'm making a fuss out of this small details. It's just... nice...
I nodded with a smile, finishing the food in my mouth. "I'll go with you. You can plot it in my calendar."
His eyes widened for a fraction as if surprised with what I said. I couldn't help but smile. Ayaw ko namang ipakita ang ngiti ko kaya humarap na lang ulit ako sa stage.
The singer was now doing a cover of Stand By Me. I my head swayed with the rhythm. The voice of the singer was husky yet still pleasing to the ears.
Kahit nakatutok ang mga mata sa stage, nilapit ko ang katawan sa kaniya. I instructed him to use a specific color when plotting the event on my calendar. It's for me to know na galing sa kaniya iyon.
"Can I plot other dates, too? You will still decide which ones will push through plus you might have other events to add but... just so you know and we have options in advance."
I turned to Iouis. I saw that youthful and hopeful spark in his eyes again. Just like what he said, there might be other more important events that I need to attend to that are yet to be plotted in my calendar.
But Iouis looks really excited and I don't want to burst his bubble. I smiled at him and caressed his head. Sandali siyang napapikit bago tumango-tango.
Mukhang tuwang-tuwa siya sa pagpayag ko at para bang nanalo ng Lotto ngunit ayaw lang ipahalata.
"Yes, just plot it there then I'll check, okay?"
Mabilis at excited siyang tumango. He moved his chair again so now he's behind me. Itinagilid ko rin ang upuan ko kaya kahit may backrest naman ay ang dibdib pa rin ni Iouis ang sandalan ko.
Kahit tapos na kami sa pagkain ay um-order pa rin kami ng desserts para hindi kaagad kami umalis. Eventually, Iouis had to convince me to go home because we still have work the following day.
Nag-convoy kaming dalawa papunta sa building ng condo ko. He didn't go out of his car and only waited for me to go inside the building before driving away.
"Hey, Cara!" A stranger greeted me when I entered the elevator. He raised a hand and smiled. For some reason, he looks familiar but I can't remember him. "It's me, Carlo! You know... Jenna's boyfriend."
Sandali kong pinag-isipan kung sino si Jenna, saka na lang napagtanto na siya 'yong kamukha ko. Walang semester na hindi ako napagkakamalang si Jenna. Hindi kami naging magkaibigan ngunit kumakaway kami sa isa't isa sa hallway.
"Wow... kayo pa rin?" Mangha kong sabi. Sa pagkakatanda ko ay noong college pa sila magkasama. Tanda ko rin na sinesikreto nila ang relasyon nila. I wonder if they're still keeping it private. "Buti naman at hindi mo na 'ko napagkamalang girlfriend mo..."
Carlo laughed and waved a hand. We talked for a bit until I arrived at my floor.
"Saang floor ka?" I asked Carlo before stepping out. Nasa may pinto ako nakatayo kaya bago ako tuluyang makalabas ay nahagip ng mga mata ko ang mga buttons sa elevator.
The elevator buttons light up when pressed but only the button of my floor is lit up. Carlo smiled and pointed to the ceiling with his finger. Lumapit siya at saka pinindot ang isang button. I nodded with a wave and waited for the elevator to close before walking away.
Pagod akong napaupo sa sofa at minasahe ang mga paa. Gusto ko nang matulog ngunit kahit gaano kapagod ay hindi ako makakatulog hanggang sa maka-shower at makasipilyo.
Saktong paglabas ko ng banyo ay umilaw ang phone ko.
ex kong lawyer (na hindi ko pinaglaban):
Hey, I just got home.
This is Iouis. Save my number.
Are you asleep?
I hope I didn't wake you up.
Thank you for tonight. I had fun.
Good night, Cara. Can't wait to see you tomorrow.
Pangiti-ngiti ako dahil sa nabasa at kulang na lang ay humagikhik ako. I changed his contact name while thinking of a response.
Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganitong ideya ang pumasok sa isipan ko ngunit pinatulan ko pa rin.
I lay on the bed and held my phone with both hands. Tinaas ko ang mga kamay at in-adjust ang angle ng pagkakahawak ko sa phone para kita ako sa camera.
I was wearing my usual knee-length satin nighties with a silk robe on top. I just finished brushing my hair so even though I'm on the bed, it has the right amount of neatness yet still has that bedhead look.
I did a small pout with my lips before clicking the shutter. I sent it to Iouis before getting up again to fix my bed.
Pagkatapos mag-ayos ay kinuha ko rin ang phone. Lumawak ang ngiti ko nang makitang nag-reply si Iouis.
The first photo was a bit blurry and it was only his eyes and forehead. Nakakunot ang kaniyang noo at namamasa ang buhok.
My Atty. Euro:
I accidentally clicked the send button. I can't remove the photo.
I giggled. Ang cute lang.
The next message was another photo. Literal na napanganga ako dahil sa nakita. I mean... nakita ko na 'to noon pero nakakagulat pa rin.
He sent me a mirror photo of him with only a towel wrapped around his waist. Namamasa pa ang katawan niya at ang isang tuwalya ay nasa balikat. He has a small smile and his other hand was making a thumbs-up sign.
Ako:
Hala spg 😳
My Atty. Euro:
I told you, huwag kang pakipot. Just tell me what you want, Cara. :)
Ako:
Huh? Ano ba ang gusto ko???
My Atty. Euro:
Idk. Ikaw ang may gusto diba? 😏
Baliw 'to ah! Wala naman akong ibang iniisip. Oo, nakakamangha ang litrato niya pero ano naman ngayon?
Ako:
Anong pinapahiwatig mo?
My Atty. Euro:
Baka gusto mo 'yong walang towel?
Ako:
GAGO KA
Tangina mo euro
My Atty. Euro:
Hahahaha I'm just kidding.
Or am I?
Nah, I'm just messing with you.
Ako:
Gago ka talaga
Yan yong totoong spg
Why aren't you replying?
Huy iouis! Wag kang magsend ha
Nakita ko na yan before
Tama na yon ha
Gago baka magsend ka ng kung ano-ano, i will block you talaga
My Atty. Euro:
Ouch. You're the one who sent an SPG photo first yet ako ang gago? 😨
Really? You will block me talaga if I send ng kung ano-ano?
Gusto kong ihagis ang phone dahil sa nabasa. Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ako sa biruan naming dalawa o mapipikon.
Heto na ang pilyong Iouis. Na-miss ko 'to... ngunit ngayong nagpakita muli ay parang ang sarap tirisin.
Ako:
Excuse me, Atty. Euro? Anong spg photo? Selfie lang 'yon. That's ✨libel✨.
My Atty. Euro:
Lol what?
Check the photo you sent. You're clearly showing off your ✨mamary area✨.
Natawa ako sa nabasa ngunit dali-dali ring binalikan ang litratong s-in-end. I clicked it and saw that he's right!
Ano na lang ngayon ang iisipin niya? Na gumagawa ako ng "moves" sa kaniya? Hindi, noh! Just because we kissed at the parking lot earlier, it doesn't mean that I'm trying to win him back or what!
Ang nakita ko kasi kanina ay ang mukha ko lang. Hindi ko napansin na kita pala ang cleavage ko sa litrato. V-neck pa naman ang neckline ng suot ko!
I typed and retyped my reply, but I can't find the right words. I want to explain, but I also don't want to seem defensive. Parang mas madali pa kung magsinungaling ako at sabihing sinadya ko nga.
Ah, bahala na! Para namang wala kaming pinagsamahan.
My Atty. Euro:
Hahaha don't overthink it. You probably only saw your face when you sent it.
Don't worry. You look pretty, Doc.
Sleep now. Magkikita pa tayo bukas.
Ako:
And why would I obey you? Inuutusan mo 'ko? Papa kita?
Sige, awayin mo, Caramel, para kunyare hindi ka nahihiya sa litratong s-in-end mo!
My Atty. Euro:
I'm not your Papa, but you can call me Daddy. 😎
Nabitawan ko ang phone dahil sa nabasa. Literal na napanganga na naman ako. My phone hit my belly and it was painful.
Damn that Euro! Kung ano-ano ang lumalabas sa bibig.
Ako:
Huh
Kulang lang 'yan sa tulog.
Sige, magsinungaling ka at itanggi mo ulit, Caramel! Kunyare hindi kumalabog ang dibdib mo at kunyare hindi nag-iinit ang katawan mo!
My Atty. Euro:
Hahahaha
I'm just giving you options for the endearment.
Matulog ka na. Good night.
P.S. I hope I didn't ruin that word for you.
P.P.S. I'm having too much fun with this, I should really sleep.
P.P.P.S. My usual self wouldn't have said that. I wanna cry. Haha.
Napailing ako nabasa ngunit napangiti rin.
Don't worry, Iouis. You're not the only one enjoying this conversation.
Ako:
Don't worry about it, wala 'yon. Sleep ka na.
Good night, my Yuwi.
——
note: hi! I published another story lol i hope you can check it out <3