Lesson 38
Rumors
"Cheska, people have different coping mechanisms. Sabi ko nga kanina, intindihin mo muna siya. He might have felt a bit hopeless kanina."
I chuckled. "Saan banda ang hopeless doon? Remember? He used his Ryan card?"
"Don't you realize how terrible it would feel if you can't tell other men to simply back off from your wife because you can't say you're the husband? Trust me, Cheska, it is more than feeling jealous when you see someone making a move on your woman."
"So what are you feeling then when I'm with him?" Napaangat siya ng tingin sa akin. Tinungga niya ang iniinom niya.
"It does not matter anymore." He clanked the shot glass against the counter. "The point is he could not be found close with you tonight. Hindi mo siguro napapansin but all eyes are on you, Cheska."
"Ang hirap maging maganda talaga." I inserted a comic relief.
He pointed a finger on my forehead and said, "Silly woman."
"Cheska!" Napatingin ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses. It is Sharpay's and she's just got off the dance floor. Nang napansin niyang kasama ko si Neil, binati niya agad 'to, "Hi, Sir!"
I looked over her shoulder. "So where's the guy you were dancing with? Ikaw ha? Sino 'yon?" Sharpay instantly blushed.
"I wasn't able to ask his name. He just left after the song. May emergency daw." She whispered. "By the way, have you heard about Genera? Andito na raw siya."
"I don't give a fck about her."
"I know. But she's been asking people around about your husband. May nagsabi yata sa kanya na nakita nila si Sir Ryan."
"Where is she? Nakita mo ba siya?"That fcking btch. I rose from the stool chair when Neil gripped my arm.
"We don't know if she already found him. 'Wag kang mag-alala, 'di yun papatulan ng pinsan ko."
"I know he doesn't care about that girl." I retorted. The fck if he cared about her. He'll find himself grated like cheese. "I just want to teach that Genera a lesson. Parang linta eh."
"But Genera doesn't know you two are married. Stop being reckless, Cheska. Calm down."
I cussed under my breath. "Fine." He is right. Damn, I can't even claim my own man.
"Yow bro have you seen-" A guy stumbled in front of me and splashed his drink on my dress.
"What the-" I was about to finish my curse when Sharpay intervened. I looked at my now wet dress. The cold clung to my torso.
"Hoy, mag-ingat naman kasi kayo! Nakakasira kayo ng gabi. Kayo!" Dinuro niya ang mga kasama ng lalaking nakatapon ng drink sa akin. "Kayo! Bantayan niyo yung tropa niyong lasing!"
I heard Neil clicked his tongue. He then swiftly removed his jacket and covered my front.
"Sorry, sorry, miss..."
"Sensya talaga sa tropa namin," sabi ng isa sa kasamahan ng nakatapon. "Bro, don't roam around kasi." He chided his friend as they walked away.
"Do you have extra clothes with you?" Neil inquired.
I shook my head.
"I can buy clothes for you nearby," presenta ni Sharpay. Sa bagay, may malapit ding mga fashion outlets. However, that would only be a hassle for both of us. I do not want to cause any inconvenience on my bestfriend. We are supposed to be enjoying this night.
"'Wag na, bestie. Uwi na lang ako. Tutal my night is ruined din dahil kay Genera." At kay RR dahil hindi ko maintindihan talaga bakit napaka-big deal nang nangyari kanina.
"You sure? Samahan na kita?"
"No, just stay here. Send me updates regarding Genera na lang. I'm sure she'll get his hands on RR if may chance siya." I checked my bag and fished for my phone.
"He's not answering," I muttered under my breath. "Whatever, punta na akong parking lot baka andoon din naman siya."
Umalis si Neil sa pagkakaupo at inayos ang damit niya. "Samahan na kita."
"Uy 'wag na. Malapit lang naman. Besides I'm not drunk."
"'Di naman kailangang lasing ka para samahan kita." He pushed me forward gently to urge me to start walking.
I rolled my eyes at him and sighed. "Okay, fine."
"Ingat bestie!" sigaw ni Sharpay sa kabila ng malakas na patugtog sa club.
"Yeah, you too! Message me, okay?" sigaw ko pabalik sa kaibigan ko.
The dance floor began to be filled with the crowd again. Halos abutin kami ng ilang segundo sa bawat hakbang dahil sa sobrang siksikan.
I slightly whimpered when I was accidentally pushed by a girl of my age. Fortunately, Neil was able to pull me so fast. In the end, we looked like hugging. Awkward.
I cleared my throat. "Have to get out of here." I think no one saw that since the lighting is dim inside.
Once we reached the parking lot, I looked around for any sign of RR.
"RR!" I shouted. Only unfamiliar faces looked back at me.
"Where did you park?" tanong ni Neil.
"There." I pointed the space at the far end of the parking lot. Wala ang sasakyan ni RR. I ran towards the vacant space.
"What the fck? Where did he go?" I brought my phone out again and contacted him.
All I got was "The number you have dialed is now unattended, please try again later."
Neil also tried to call him but to no avail. "He's not answering my call as well."
"Fck him." I said through gritted teeth. Okay lang naman na umalis siya pero ganoon ka ba kahirap na tawagan o i-text ako?
"I'll just book a car."
"No. I'll drive you home." He reached for something in his pocket and extracted his beeper. His car alarm got off in no time.
"You don't have to," sabi ko sa kanya kahit naglalakad na siya papunta sa direskyon ng kotse niya.
"But I want to. Hassle lang din sa'yo kung maghihintay ka pa ng taxi." Actually I agree with his reasoning. Plus, I feel so cold right now because of what the dumbass did earlier. I am not even 10% drunk right now as I leave this establishment.
I decided to let him drive me home so I followed him as he walked towards his car.
"Sir!" parehas kaming napalingon sa pinanggalingan ng boses. It's Genera. She is a few meters away from the entrance. Now, she's dashing towards us.
Papasok na sana si Neil sa kotse niya nang sinara niya ulit ang pinto nito. "Miss Genera?"
"You were here pala, Sir." She is beaming right now and she looks disgusting.
"Yes, but uuwi na rin ako," sagot ni Neil.
"With her po?" binagsakan niya ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa.
I bit my lip. He's gonna drive me home lang. As you can see, natapunan ako." I removed the jacket covering my front to let her see the stain. "Baka gusto mo ring masabuyan ng drinks? Sabihin mo lang."
"No thanks. I'm not a loser," she quickly threw a glare at me.
"Loser ka naman na kahit di ka matapunan." I raised an eyebrow at her.
"Girls..." Pumagitna agad sa amin si Neil. "Were you looking for me?" tanong niya kay Genera.
"Ay, yes, Sir. May itatanong sana ako tungkol sa lesson last-"
"Girl, it is freaking outside class hours and you can fcking email that query to Sir," sabat ko. "Legit ba sa club ka talaga magtatanong about acads?!" I guess hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko sa katangahan niya.
"Miss Genera, I am sorry but what Miss Cheska said is true. You can send your concern through email during outside class hours or schedule an appointment with me when we're in the university." Neil delivered his response in a gentle manner. I am sure he does not want Genera to feel offended. This girl is lucky that Neil is considerate, not only as a professor, but as a person in general.
Tumalikod na ako at tumuloy sa paglalakad papunta sa kotse ni Neil. He already said enough to Genera so it is better to leave the conversation there.
"But Sir, what's your business with Cheska tonight? Why are you driving her home?"
I sharply turned around and rushed towards her. "Bitch. You better not start any shit." Does she want to lose a patch of her hair?
Neil must have sensed my agitation so he prevented me from advancing.
"Cheska, you better calm down." He said in hushed tone. "Mauna ka na, ako na bahala rito."
I clenched my fist. At this point, I look like the rabid warfreak here.
"No, I'm not siding with her," Neil whispered as if he read my thoughts. He let go of my arm. "Go first."
I did not look at Genera because seeing her would only urge me to go for her. Right after I turned around, I heard Neil's reply about Genera's obnoxious question.
"I don't have to be a professor just to drive her home."
Hindi ko na hinintay kung anuman ang sinagot ni Genera sa sinabi niya. I just want to get home and get changed. And I also want to know where RR is.
"You okay?" tanong sa akin ni Neil pagkaupo niya sa driver's seat.
I just sighed in response. Tonight is really frustrating.
"I'm sorry that you're having a hard time..." He paused and looked at me after starting the engine.
"Wala ka namang ginawang kasalanan. You don't have to be sorry." Tiningnan ko ulit ang phone ko para makita kung may update ba galing kay RR. Wala pa rin.
"He has a reason why he was suddenly gone. Don't worry, uuwi 'yan." He said as he turned the air conditioner off and lowered the car window. I looked at him in confusion.
He shrugged his shoulders. "Malalamigan ka if I keep this on," aniya patungkol sa air con.
Okay, medyo nakakakilig ang concern niya.
I might have fallen asleep while he was driving but he woke me up when we reached the condominium. We did not converse as we entered the building and as the elevator went up. He must have sensed my tiredness.
Nang umabot na sa floor ko, hinawakan niya ang kanang balikat ko at pinisil ito nang bahagya.
"Andito lang ako para suportahan ka, okay? Pahinga ka." Ngumiti siya saglit at tumango pagkabukas ng elevator.
"Thanks, ikaw din." Inabot ko sa kanya ang jacket na pinahiram niya sa akin. Nanatili ako sa tapat ng elevator hangga't sa magsara ito. Pagkasara, naglakad na ako papunta sa unit namin.
I deeply inhaled before I opened our door. Our unit shows no sign that someone's inside except me. I admit I lowkey expected I would see him now. This is why I hate expecting even for a bit. I hate the feeling of frustration.
I texted RR before I took a bath.
San ka na?
I waited for a few minutes in case he replies. Five minutes after, I looked like an idiot staring at our conversation showing I bombarded him with my messages.
I removed my clothes and entered the bathroom. I was in the middle of showering when I heard my phone beeped successively. RR must have finally updated!
I left the shower open and ran outside the bathroom to pick up my phone. When I saw the notification screen, I almost ran back to the bathroom. The messages were not from RR but I immediately recognized messages from Sharpay, my blockmates, and our block group chat. What the fck is going on? Should they be enjoying the party now?
Oh, baka may update si Sharpay about Genera? Well I would not know if I do not read her messages.. Better to check her messages first.
Bestie!!!
Where are you?
Nakauwi ka na ba?
Kasama mo si Sir Neil umuwi di ba?
Kumakalat na you two are dating!
Call me asap
"WHAT THE FCK?!" I blurted out. I am sure the tenants above and below would have heard my curse. I immediately called my bestfriend.
"Bestie! Anong ginawa niyo ni Sir Neil? Bakit kumakalat na nagddate kayo?!" she said from her end.
"Girl! We did nothing! We barely talked? LOL WHAT THE FCK IS HAPPENING?!"
"I just heard it from one of our blockmates then it spread like a wild fire sa ibang sections. Don't read our GC muna, maiistress ka lang."
"This is Genera's fault. I'm sure of this." I gripped my phone hard. If she was here, I could have pitched this to her face.
"What? Bakit-"
The doorbell rang.
"Bestie, wait lang. I'll call again." I dropped our call and went to the door.
I was not surprised when I saw the visitor. He looked composed but I can still sense the worry from his eyes.
"So you must have heard..." Neil said in his soft voice.