Sulli's
"Ayon sa mga pulisya, naganap ang pagpatay sa biktima dakong alas-onse ng gabi sa loob ng isang kilalang restaurant at hindi maipagkakamaling ang suspek sa naganap na krimen ay walang iba kung hindi ang notorious criminal na si Kill."
Napalingon ako mula sa pagbabasa sa laptop nang mahagip ng pandinig ko ang binabalita ng reporter. Si Kill na naman. That criminal seems to love his or her work. Well, I don't even know the gender but nevertheless, Kill is really good in killing and hiding.
"We almost caught her pero mabilis itong nakatakas kahit na nakatamo siya ng tama ng bala mula sa mga kasamahan ko."
May bahid ng pagkairita ang boses ng pulis na ini-interview kahit na napaka-professional ng boses at tindig nito. I'm pretty sure at this crucial moment ay magpapatulong na sila sa mga bounty hunter para mas mapabilis ang paghahanap lalo na't halos abot-kamay na nila si Kill.
But then, who am I to concern myself on those news about criminals? Mas importante itong trabaho ko. Kaya imbes na manood ay pinatay ko na lang ang TV. I was about to work again when my phone vibrated. My heart automatically raced like hell. Just what the heck September is doing to me?
I swiped the screen and heard a little static.
"Sulli?"
I gulped at the sound of her voice. Parang may kakaiba. "Why?"
"Can you," She gasped like she's in pain. I frowned. What happened to her? "Can you please take care of my daughter? Mawawala kasi ako ng ilang araw."
"What? Wait, okay ka lang ba?" I asked in plain concern. I'm starting to get worried. Pakiramdam ko talaga may something na hindi maganda sa kanya, like she's suffering. "September?"
"Awe, my love's concern." I crunched my nose when I heard her chuckle. Napairap na lang ako nang gumawa siya ng sound na parang kinilig. "I feel significant and deeply loved..."
"Shut up."
"Ouch. You already broke my heart."
I huffed. Hindi ko maiwasang mapakamot sa ulo. Kaunti na lang at maaasar na 'ko. "Where are you?"
"Hmm..." She hummed. Nanatili akong tahimik at hinihintay lang siyang sumagot. "Secret!"
"September!" I nearly shouted. Ang hirap talaga kausapin ng maayos. I'm worried and all and she's being annoying. "Just what the fuck is your prob—"
"I fucking love you." She abruptly said, making me shut my mouth.
Napaiwas ako ng tingin kahit na wala naman siya sa harap ko. My heart keeps on beating so damn fast and I can't take a hold of it. This feeling is so scary and frustrating. Yet, I'm starting to love it. Unfortunately.
"Sulli?"
Damn you, September Imperial for messing up with my emotion. Really, damn.
"Sulli?"
"What." I finally answered. "September, seriously," I sighed. "Where the hell are you?"
I heard her sighed, too. "I'm somewhere safe. That's for sure." She was silent for a while. "May trabaho lang akong kailangang tapusin. Okay?"
"Ano ba kasi 'yang trabaho na 'yan?" I looked at the clock. "It's almost quarter to midnight."
"Just...pakialagaan na lang muna si Sydney."
Pinatay na niya ang tawag bago pa ako makasagot. Napatanga na lang ako sa cellphone ko. What did just...anong klaseng pakiusap iyon? Ano bang meron sa trabaho niya at ayaw niyang sabihin? Wala na akong nagawa kung hindi sundin ang sinabi niya. Kinuha ko yung duplicate key ng unit ni September at napatitig dito. I suddenly remembered how I got this from her.
"Sulli, oh."
I looked at her and raised a brow nang ibigay niya sa akin ang isang susi. "Anong gagawin ko rito?"
"Gamitin mo if you want to access my unit." She whispered on my ear. Humarap siya at kinindatan ako.
"Hindi ko kailangan."
"Kailangan mo 'yan." Pagpipilit niya. "Halimbawa," She snaked her arms around my waist, her face an inch closer to me. "You want some sexy time with me, mabilis mo na akong mapupuntahan."
"I don't need—" She cut me off by kissing me.
Nailing na lang ako nang maalala iyon. I guess she's a lot more horny than I am, she can't even control her hormones.
I quickly went out at tinungo ang unit ni September. Pagkarating ko ay pinagmasdan ko muna ang buong lugar. I checked the kitchen, nakatambak ang mga pinagkainan. sighed at sinimulan nang maglinis ng mabilis. Hindi na dapat pinaabot ng umaga 'to. Nang ayos na ang lahat ay kaagad kong tinungo ang kwarto ni Sydney and found her sleeping peacefully. I smiled.
I sat at the edge of her bed and caressed her hair. Unti-unti siyang nagmulat ng mata. I kissed her forehead. "Sleep, baby. "
"Momma?"
"Yes?"
She cuddled closer and I just let her. She just hummed sleepily pero hindi niya ipinikit ang mata.
"Kumain ka na ba?"
"Yes po, Mom prepared everything before she went out."
"Saan ba siya nagpunta?"
"Business raw po, Momma."
Kapag nakita ko si September, sasapakin ko talaga siya for leaving her daughter alone here. How dare she? Being irresponsible is a sin, lalo na kung anak ang pag-uusapan.
Nakatulog na rin agad si Sydney. Humiga ako sa tabi niya at nag-decide na dito na lang muna matulog. Bukas ay aayusin ko ang mga gamit niya para sa unit ko muna siya tumuloy.
I sighed and closed my eyes. I'm worried.
--
"Why are you looking at me like that, Vanessa?" I asked when I noticed her checking me out for the last five minutes. And seriously, she's making me uncomfortable.
"Well," She gripped her notes tighter and examined the room. "You looked gloomy, and you're late kanina, which is rare for you to do."
"Oh." Hinatid ko pa kasi si Sydney kanina. I don't regret being late though. It actually feels good na naihatid ko ang anak ko sa school.
Anak?
Si September na rin ang may sabi. Well, I will love to be her mother for real. I've been dreaming of having a family way back then. And I don't want her to experience being alone...just like me. But technically I am not alone because I have Jay before. Siguro mamaya ay dadalawin ko siya. I kinda missed him.
"How about my sole rival? Where is she?"
Napatingin ako sa kanya? Si September? "She's on a business."
Speaking of that devil, I've been trying to contact her but she's not answering any of my calls. Hanggang sa naging out of coverage na. That woman!
"May work pala siya." My best friend said amusingly. "I thought she's just some lonesome woman who's deeply obsessed with you."
I can't help but agree with her.
"Then maybe I should savor this moment, don't you think?" I raised an eyebrow with what she said, and I don't know why she's smiling sexily at me. Lumapit siya sa akin, leaning her face closer to mine. "Would you go out on a date with me?"
I didn't answer. I was arguing with myself whether she's just being playful or she's hella serious with her invitation.
"You're already in love with her."
"What?"
Lumayo na siya. She's smiling but it didn't reach her eyes.
"I shouldn't tell you this but I caught you two kissing one time." My eyes widened, I was about to retort but she cut me off. "Don't deny it. I saw it with both of my eyes."
"Why didn't you stop us, then?"
"Because you looked happy."
I am?
"Even if you told her she's not your girlfriend, or even if you deny your feelings, I can actually feel it." She chuckled darkly. "And I can't help getting jealous."
"I'm...sorry." I whispered. I never thought she feels this way. How can I be so insensitive towards my best friend? I know how I tend to be rude and cold and mean but I do care for her. Because she's the only who stayed despite of what I am. She's the only one who chose to be my friend.
"Don't be. It's my choice to like you anyway." She shrugged her shoulder and smirked. "Just tell September that the moment she breaks you, I'll promise to gamble my friendship with you in order to make you mine."
"Vanessa..."
"I mean it." she said firmly, "I love pissing her off. That will surely ruin her for the rest of her life."
Napailing na lang ako. "You're a bitch sometimes."
"I know."
Maya-maya lang din ay umalis na siya dahil may importante pa itong aasikasuhin. I still feel bad for her. But I guess that's how life works. And getting hurt in the process is something inescapable.
I check my phone and noticed that there's no text or even missed calls from her. I rolled my eyes and tried to contact her─again. And I get the same answer─again.
The number you have dialed is either unattended or out of coverage area. Please try your call later.
Fuck. Where the heck are you, September? Fuck that damn business you're reasoning for getting missing in action.
You're making me worry. And I thought I can never feel this way.
I really need to see Jay soon. I need to release this effin' feeling that I've been keeping. I'm getting distracted and depressed for some reason.
_____