Hulog na yata
MADALING araw na nang makatulog ako. Sa tuwing pipikit ako, mukha ni Rara ang nakikita ko. Rara and her effects on me are getting crazy with each passing day! Damn! I ended up drinking the Cuervo on the fridge to fall asleep, which was happily effective.
Kinabukasan, na-late ako nang dalawampung minuto sa unang subject. Masama ang tingin sa akin ng propesor noong pumasok ako. Hindi naman ako nagreklamo kahit halata naman na pinag-iinitan niya ako sa buong oras ng klase.
Hindi ko alam kung sino ang sisisihin— Is it me because I can't get Rara out of my system or her because she corrupted my mind.
Buong klase nagpanggap lang akong nakikinig kahit sa totoo lang ay antok na antok pa ako. I fell asleep at three o'clock last night, and when I woke up, I had a massive headache from finishing the liquor.
Muntik pa nga ako makatulog ulit habang naliligo! Hindi na rin ako nakakain ng almusal kaya kanina pa nagrarambulan ang mga bituka ko sa tiyan.
Kapag napapahikab ako ay yumuyuko na lang ako para hindi makakuha ng pansin. Saka baka mamaya, matawag na naman ako sa klase. My brain is still too disoriented to answer correctly. Nakatsamba lang talaga ako kanina kaya nakasagot ako ng maayos. Sana bumilis ang oras dahil hindi na ako makapaghintay na kumain.
Since it was Saturday, half-day lang ang klase ko. Nang makauwi, bumalik ako sa pagtulog. Medyo madilim na nang magising ako. I didn't have the energy to cook, so I just ordered food. I settled on the couch in the living room while waiting for my orders to arrive on my doorstep.
While waiting, I decided to watch on the television. I was stunned when a replay of Rara's movie started to play. I blinked as my lips parted in amusement when I saw how young she was in the movie, maybe three years younger than her age now. I rested my elbow on the armchair, playing with my bottom lip as my eyes fixed on her.
Kailan kaya hindi magiging maganda ang babaeng 'to sa paningin ko?
Nang dumating ang araw ng birthday ng Popsi ni Rara, bumisita ako sa bahay nila. Sinigurado kong mabango at presentable ako para hindi ma-badshot sa popsi niya. Of course, I brought a gift for him. It's just a simple beer mug with lid.
Nang dumating ako sa bahay nila ay sinalubong kaagad ako ni Rara, thank god and its not her father who welcomed me. Hanggang ngayon kasi, medyo naiilang ako popsi niya. I feel like he wanted to skin me alive because I am friends with her lovely daughter. Naiintindihan ko naman dahil nag-iisang babae nga lang si Rara at bunso pa.
"Who's this man, doll?"
May isang lalaki ang sa tingin kong kasing tanda ni Dwight ang nakaupo sa sofa at nakatingin sa akin, kinikilatis ako.
"He's Dustin, my friend." Rara introduced me.
Parang may tumusok sa dibdib ko nang marinig ang sinabi niya. Tang ina, olats, friends lang kami.
"Hello, pre! Rere nga pala," he offered a hand, which I gladly accepted.
"Hi, nice to meet you." Bati ko pabalik habang nakangiti ng bahagya.
"Are you really just friends?" tanong niya.
I quickly glanced at Rara, who was already looking at me. My heart quickened, so I had to look away to calm my heart. Fuck.
"Oo, friends lang kami," sagot ko na parang labas sa ilong.
"Mabuti naman. Bata pa 'tong prinsesa namin, bawal pa magboyfriend," ani Rere habang nakangisi. "Balik ka after 3 years, pwede na no'n."
"Rere, you're talking nonsense!" angal agad ni Rara saka ako hinila paalis sa living room nila. She pulled me to their kitchen where the table was full of food. Damn, ang daming cake.
"That's from my fansclub," napansin yata ni Rara na namangha ako sa mga cake na nasa lamesa. Sobra sa anim 'yon. "That's from my Mom's fans, and the others were from Popsi's comrades."
"That's a lot," I commented.
"Mauubos naman 'yan," she muttered, smiling at me. "Binibigyan din kasi namin 'yong mga guards and maintenance ng village,"
"Oh, wow, ang bait niyo," I exclaimed.
She let out a chuckle and pulled a plate for me. "Kumain kana, Tin. Mayamaya lang, dadating na ang ibang bisita ni Popsi,"
"Nasaan nga pala siya?"
"He's on the patio with his comrades,"
"Ah," ang tanging sagot ko. "Kumain kana rin," dagdag ko pagkaraan ng ilang segundo.
"Kumain na ako kanina," nagulat naman ako. "Kakain na lang ako ng dessert para may kasabay ka," aniya.
Tang ina, hindi ko na naman mapigilan 'yong ngiti ko. Ganito yata talaga kapag kinikilig— parang nasisiraan nang bait.
Doon kami sa living room nagpwesto pagkatapos kumuha ng pagkain. Nandoon pa rin 'yong kuya ni Rara, nanunuod ng movie na si Rara ang bida. Mabuti na lang at wala pa masyadong bisita, kami kami lang talaga.
"Oh, shot ka muna." Rere handed me a Smirnoff mule.
Pinigilan naman ni Rara ang kamay ni Rere at tumingin sa akin.
"Umiinom ka ba, Tin?" Tanong niya.
"Oo, umiinom ako."
"Lalaki 'yan, doll, walang lalaking hindi umiinom." Rere butted in and handed me the liquor again. Kinuha ko naman 'yon at akmang iinom na nang magsalita si Rara.
"Isang bote ka lang, Tin. Magdadrive ka pa," mahinahon na sabi ni Rara.
Bigla na naman bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Tangina, ayan na naman 'tong puso ko. Tumango ako sa kanya, nagpipigil ng ngiti kahit halos mapunit na ang labi ko.
"Hear that, Dustin? Isang bote ka lang," nakangising sabat ni Rere. Then, he handed a rootbeer to Rara— the kind of rootbeer that was alcohol free.
"Rootbeer na naman?! Am I not allowed to drink beer, too?" Rara pouted when she accepted the drink.
Napangisi ako at sumimsim sa bote ng alak na hawak. I was just amusingly watching Rara complaining about how her brothers treat her like a baby.
"Nope. Kapag fifty years old kana pwede uminom ng totoong beer,"
Hindi ko na talaga mapigilan ang humagalpak. Humarap sa akin si Rara at sinipa ako sa binti, she was pouting. Damn, she's so adorable! I want to pull her and kissed her on the lips.
"Shut up, Dustin!" she chastised.
Natapos ang araw na 'yon na hindi ko nakilala ang ibang mga kapatid ni Rara dahil parehong nasa trabaho. Napamura ako ng mahina nang may pumasok na ideya sa isip ko— kung saka-sakali pa lang ligawan ko si Rara, bugbog sarado ako sa mga kapatid niya at lalo na sa tatay niya. Tangina.
Another month has passed, and the month of our midterm exam has arrived. Nandito ako ngayon sa coffee express na malapit sa España kasama si Rara— sabay kaming magrereview dahil pareho ang schedule ng exam namin.
Magkatabi kami sa pang-dalawahang table na kaharap lang mismo ng glass wall kung saan kita namin ang mga sasakyan at taong dumaraan. There's solemn music on the inside of the shop. Tinanaw ko ang buong paligid, may mga katulad namin na estudyante ang nag-aaral. Ang iba pa ay may bitbit na laptop o ipad at ang iba naman ay abalang nagbabasa sa libro.
Aside from the written exam, we will also have physical skills tests in the maritime academy. We spent the next twenty minutes reviewing each of our notes, and when both of our stomachs rumbled. Nagkatinginan kami at parehong pinamulahan ng mukha, natahimik kami pareho hanggang sa sabay kaming natawa.
"Kain na tayo," she stated.
"Sige. Let's go to another shop. They don't serve rice meals here." I muttered, and she immensely nodded. Bago kami lumipat sa ibang shop, hinanap ng mga mata ko ang isa sa mga barista. "Ariella, alis na kami!"
Ariella stopped counting the money on the counter and looked at me. She subtly smiled and nodded. "Sige, ingat kayo. Thank you for visiting Coffee Express!"
Hindi naman malayo sa coffee express ang pinagkainan namin ni Rara. Nasa España pa rin naman kami. Nang nag-order kami sa counter ay agaw pansin talaga siya dahil hindi maalis-alis ang mga mata ng tao sa sa kanya.
Nang naghihintay nga kami ng order, may lumapit sa amin na nag-aaral sa UST, tinanong kung si Rara ba raw 'yong artista at noong makumpira, nagpapicture na siya. Hanggang sa dumami na ang mga taong nagpapicture sa kanya.
Habang kumakain nga kami ay may mga lumalapit pa rin at nagpapapicture sa kanya. Nag-init nga ang ulo ko, hindi man lang hinintay na matapos kumain 'yong tao!
"Tin, sorry, ah? Hindi ka yata nakakain ng maayos kanina," she apologized the moment we embarked inside the car.
I sighed. "Ayos lang ako. You're the one who didn't eat well earlier. They are constantly asking you for pictures," I complained. "They should at least wait for you to finish eating. Nakakabastos kasi."
She sighed. "May mga gano'n talagang tao. Nasanay na ako sa kanila. I apologize —"
"Don't apologize when it's not your mistake," I interjected. "Let's not talk about what happened. Gusto mo mag- ice cream?"
Her eyes automatically sparkled, making me smile.
"Yes, please! I love Double Dutch, Rocky Road and chocolate!" Her voice rose in excitement.
Natawa ako sobrang ka-cute-tan niya. "Sige, bibili tayo."
Bumili nga kami ni Rara ng ice cream bago ko siya ihatid pauwi sa kanila. Ilang sandali pa at itinigil ko na ang sasakyan sa harapan ng bahay nila. Hindi na ako bumaba dahil 'yon ang gusto niya.
"Good luck sa exam, Aphrodite. I'll see you next week, darling," binulong ko lang 'yong huling salita dahil baka bigla niya akong sampalin.
"Bye, Tin." She waved at me and smiled before walking inside her house.
When the day of the examination came, everything went smoothly. The two last exams were the hardest subjects I have ever taken, but I answered them like I am the most intelligent person in the world. Ganito yata talaga kapag inspired.
A week after the midterm exams, Rara and I decided to celebrate our small wins. So I invited her to our mansion. Muntik na nga niya i-reject ang imbitasyon ko, akala ata niya may gagawin akong masama. Gladly, she accepted my invitation. I told our cook to prepare Rara's favorite food so she would enjoy her stay here.
"You have a visitor?"
Bigla akong napalingon sa nagsalita. It was my older brother, who looked like he just came straight here from school because he was still in uniform. He even has a drawing tube on his shoulders. Himala umuwi 'to dito?
"Yeah, I invited a friend here. Nasa comfort room lang."
"Which friend?"
"Rara,"
His forehead wrinkled a bit. "Ah, the girl. . ." 'yon lang at naglakad na siya paakyat sa hagdan. Just as he entered the room, Rara returned from the comfort room.
"Who are you talking to?" Rara asked.
"My older brother," I muttered. "Ipapakilala sana kita kaya lang umakyat na sa taas,"
Himala talaga at umuwi siya dito. Hindi tulad niya, mas madalas naman akong bumibisita dito sa mansion. Si Duke, dito pa rin nakatira kasama ang mga magulang namin. Kapitbahay lang namin sina Tita Hannah na kapatid ni Dad at Mommy ni Hazel.
"I should go, baka hinahanap na ako sa bahay." Rara said and was about to stand up when I held her wrist, making her glance back at me.
"Ihahatid na kita." I offered and peeked at my wristwatch.
Shoot! It's seven-thirty in the evening! I told Popsi that I would bring her home before eight.
"Huwag na. I can call my driver naman—" napailing ako kaya natigilan siya.
"Let me. I'm the one who brought you here, so I should be the one who will bring you home. Saka baka barilin pa ako ni Popsi," biro ko at napakagat naman siya sa labi at tumango na lang.
Malakas ang hangin nang lumabas kami sa mansion. Mukhang uulan pa yata— Kailangan namin bilisan.
Huminto kami sa parking lot namin sa bahay at ipinagbukas ko siya ng pintuan ng sasakyan. Nagpasalamat siya sa akin nang makapasok siya sa loob. Umikot naman kaagad ako para sumakay sa drivers seat.
"Who's car is that?" she asked, pointing at the white car through the windshield.
Ngumisi ako. "It's my older brother's car. Maalam ka yata sa mga sasakyan?"
"Well, a little. Alam mo naman na lalaki lahat ang mga kasama ko sa bahay."
"Sino sa kanila ang mahilig sa sasakyan?"
"Si Rere and Riri," she answered, smiling. "Ruru prefer driving his suzuki than to drive cars."
Ngumisi ako. "Oh, ikaw ba?"
She glanced at me. "I am more a passenger princess. Actually, I don't see myself driving a car," Not a car, but me— You are starting to drive me crazy, Rara.
My smirk remained. "Fair enough," sagot ko.
Nagmaneho ako na sakto lang ang bilis. Ayokong bilisan at ninanamnam ko pa na kasama ko siya. Baka kasi hindi na maulit kapag naabutan ko ang mga kapatid at Popsi niya.
Nang lingunin ko si Rara ay hindi ko maiwasan ang hindi mapangiti. Kahit nakatigilid ang mukha niya, maganda pa rin ang itsura niya. Her side profile is insanely perfect!
We were in the middle of the road entering their village when suddenly it started to rain heavily, accompanied by thunder. Napatili si Rara at napahawak sa braso ko kaya nagkatinginan kami. I parked the car on the side of the road and roamed my eyes around her face.
"Are you okay? Are you afraid of thunder?" I asked worriedly. "Do you have Astraphobia?"
She shook her head and unclasped her hand on my arm. "Wala naman. N-Nabigla lang ako," she clarify.
I stared at her for a few seconds before sighing. "Hold my arm in case you get startled again," I said.
I stiffened when she held my forearm instead. Lumingon ako sa kanya pero hindi siya sa akin nakatingin kung hindi sa bintana na nasa gilid. Fuck! My heart needs to fucking calm down.
I stopped the car in front of a two-storey house. Before Rara could get down, I got down first so she wouldn't get wet from the rain. Hinarang ko 'yong jacket ko sa ulo niya para hindi siya tuluyang mabasa sa ulan. I don't want her to get sick, especially now that I heard she has a new series to film this month.
"Dustin! Ako na lang dapat 'yong bumaba! You got wet all over!"
Ngumiti lang ako. "It's okay. Hindi naman ako sakitin,"
I was about to open the gate when someone opened it, and a man about the same height as me came out. Who's this?
"Riri!"
Her brother!
"What the heck?! Rara! Basang-basa kana, pumasok na kayo!"
Dagli kaming pumasok sa loob ng bahay. Napalingon ako kay Rara at napalunok ako nang makitang humahakab na sa katawan niya ang suot niyang damit. Tangina. I immediately looked away as I swallowed hard.
"Hey, dude, here's a towel." Rara's brother handed me a white towel.
I glance at him, still not looking at the innocent seductress beside me. "Thank you."
"Si Popsi, Ri?" Rara asked. I glanced at her and saw her wiping her hair with a pink towel.
"He's still at work. I'm the only one who's here," aniya. "Have you guys eaten? May mga dala akong pasalubong na bigay ng fans mo," dagdag ni Riri.
"Really? Aww, that's so nice." Rara seemed genuine in her reaction. "Wait, I'll change my clothes," she says before glancing at me. "Riri will lend you some clothes."
"Okay, lang ako—"
May tumapik sa balikat ko. "It's okay, dude. Teka kuhanin ko lang sa taas,"
Hindi na ako nakapagsalita dahil umalis na ang kapatid niya. I just took a sigh and raked my wet hair. Nagkasalubong ang mga tingin namin ni Rara, ngumiti siya sa akin.
"Wait lang, Tin, ha? I'll just change my clothes. You can watch TV first. May wifi rin kami, the password is on the router."
I nodded obediently. "Thank you. Sige na, magbihis kana at baka magkasakit ka,"
"Dude, here's the shirt. Mukhang kasya naman sayo." Rara's brother came back and handed me a round-neck shirt.
"Thank you for this," I muttered.
"Walang anuman! The comfort room is located on the east side of the house, near the kitchen."
I just nodded and walked towards the comfort room. Hindi naman na ako naligaw dahil nakapunta na ako dito nang nakaraan. Wala si Riri noong araw na 'yon kaya hindi niya alam na kabisado ko na ang unang palapag nang bahay nila.
Pabalik na ako sa living room nang napatigil ako sa akmang paghakbang at natulala nang madatnan si Rara na nasa kusina, nagluluto. She's now wearing a white embroidery sleeveless strap dress that reaches up to her milky white knees.
Her long, wavy hair was in a bun, revealing her soft and flawless nape. Napahawak ako sa pader dahil parang mabubuwal ako. Tangina, nakakapang-hina.
"There's an unfamiliar car outside. Do we have a visitor?"
I quickly straightened up and cleared out my throat when I heard another voice in the living room. Rara's other brother is here! Sigurado akong hindi si Rere at Riri 'yon dahil mas malalim at seryoso ang boses.
"Oh my god, Tin!" Rara blurted out when she turned her gaze on me. "Kanina ka pa dyan? Hindi ka nagsasalita!"
I smirk to restrain the feeling inside my chest. "I'm watching you cook," sagot ko. "I didn't know you can cook."
She giggled. "I can cook, so does bake! I took a lot of skilful lessons before."
"Really?"
"Yup," she beamed and gestured for me to come closer. I walked closer to her side and then peeked at the casserole. She's cooking pasta, wow.
I looked at her, grinning. "Whoa, aphrodite, pwede kana mag-asawa," asawa ko.
She chuckled and playfully push me. "Hindi pa! May usapan kaming magkakapatid na sila na muna ang magpapakasal bago ako. If they reach the age of thirty and they're still unmarried, then, that's the time I can get married."
Matagal akong napatitig sa kanya. "Then, if that happened and you still don't have a groom before your marrying age, should we get married instead?" I blabbed right away.
Her eyes immediately widened upon hearing what I've said.
Gusto kong murahin ang sarili dahil sa inasal. Tangina, Dustin! Kailan mo pa gusto mag-pakasal? Pagdating talaga sa babaeng 'to, hindi ako makapag-isip ng maayos!
© Fushia