" Don't puke on the car seats, okay?" Sabi ni Ezra kay JS habang inaalalayan nila ni Gale sa sasakyan. Lasing na ang lima na lalake at knock out na sila. " Mommy " Sabi ni JS kay Ezra. " Oo, uuwi na tayo anak" Sabi ni Ezra habang inayos nya ang pag higa ni JS.
There were five drunk men at the back sleeping on the pile of stuffed animals.
It was almost 5 in the morning at pauwi na sila.
" Doon nalang kayo mag stay sa place ko, I also need to pack for tomorrow. Meanwhile, magpahinga muna kayo and Ikaw, matulog ka muna" Sabi ni Ezra kay Gale, habang sinuotan nya ng seatbelt.
" I'll stay awake " Sabi ni Gale, looking out the window.
" Ikaw bahala, puyat ka nanaman. Atleast let your body repair itself" Sabi nya.
" Mamaya nalang po. Mas safe na gising ako, kasi pag nakakakita ka ng tulog maantok ka din, kaya...I'll stay awake " Sabi ni Gale.
Hindi muna nagsalita si Ezra. Pinabayaan nya si Gale, sya naman hindi padin nakatingin kay Ezra, napansin to ni Ezra at napangiti nalang sya. " You don't handle confessions well " Sabi ni Ezra, letting out a little laugh. " Huh? Hindi ahh, cool lang ako " Sabi ni Gale, glancing at the smiling Ezra sabay iwas nanaman ng tingin. " Okay, That's cool " Sabi ni Ezra.
" Ku ( ya )...Ezra, Do I...perhaps, remind you of someone? " Sabi ni Gale, this time nakatingin na sya kay Ezra focusing on his facial expression. His expression didn't change he just said Nope. " Ahh okay " Sabi ni Gale, looking back at the window.
" Maybe IU?" Gale asked, once again nagkaroon ng internal battle ang mga workers sa brain nya Tama ba ang sinabi mo? Mali ata yan Sabi ng utak nya.
Ezra laughed. " Not even one bit. You must be wondering kung bakit ko syang bigla na nabanggit kanina?" Sabi ni Ezra.
Hindi umimik si Noreen, nor looked at him. " I just wanted to let you know that I can fall in love, I'm a person too...I have feelings just like you kaya lang, medyo kakaiba nga lang ako maghandle ng feelings ko. That's why, you must know...I trust you kaya ko sinabi sayo si IU. You're the eighth person that knows" Sabi ni Ezra.
Noreen mentally computed...Eighth? Eh Lima lang sila sa barkada nya? " Who's the other two?" Noreen asked .
" Ako at si IU" Ezra smiled at her.
" Can you tell me more about her? I'm curious " Sabi ni Noreen.
" Sure " Sabi ni Ezra, he was cool about it to the point na napatingin na si Noreen sa kanya to observe him more. If a person is cool about the past then he must be really over it.
" IU and I were classmates, kasama nila N. Sa isnag section kami for four years straight, we were on the same band. At ayun, I had a crush on her then I fell for her. Eventually, She fell in love with someone else nung mga panahon na mahirap na magkasama kami or magkita. Nagloko pa ako nung first year, ayaw ko pa sa course ko and then we decided to end our relationship. Ayun, We're friends and she has a boyfriend so don't worry naka move on na ako kay IU" Sabi ni Ezra.
" Ha? Ako ? I'm not worried " Noreen denied as she looked out the window again kasi hindi nya mapigilan ngumiti, nakita naman ni Ezra ang relfection ng mukha ni Noreen sa window at napangiti sya.
-
Three years ago
It was eleven p.m. , sobrang mahangin ng panahon na yun. IU was wearing a white dress with a bow in the waist line, kakatapos lang ng performance nya sa school and Ezra was late, pero hinintay padin sya si IU sa school nya.
Ezra had dinner with his parents, Lika and her parents. Ezra was running as fast as he could, he was wearing a suit with a bow tie, sweat was dripping beneath the cold starry night. IU was there waiting. Binilisan pa ni Ezra ang pag takbo to the point that he could hear his heartbeat in it's maximum volume.
He found IU, sitting on the staircase looking beautiful, she looked tired pero napangiti sya agad pagkakita nya palang kay Ezra.
" You came " Sabi ni IU, tumayo sya at nilapitan nya si Ezra na hingal na hingal na sa buhay nya. " I'm sorry" Sabi ni Ezra and he pulled IU in a tight hug.
" It's okay, alam mo naman na naiintindihan kita" Sabi ni IU. " I have something to tell you" dagdag nya. Nakaramdam na si Ezra, tuloy mas mahigpit nyang niyakap si IU bago nya binitawan. Bihira nadin kasi silang nagkikita ngayon. " Ezra, I love you...But, we can't do this forever, we can't hide forever. Let's face it, Pinipilit nalang nating dalawa when in fact...It's not working out" Sabi ni IU.
Ezra was still breathing deeply, dahil sa pagod at dahil nadin sa sinasabi ni IU. " Hindi ako ang para sayo Ezra" Sabi ni IU.
" Sino ka para magdesisyon nyan IU?" Ezra raised his voice. " It's true!" IU started to break out in a cry. " Alam mo yan!" Sabi nya kay Ezra, She began to tear up. " I understand that you're breaking up with me cause we rarely get to see each other and our feelings may change. Pero , wag mo naman iclaim na hindi ikaw ang para saakin" Sabi ni Ezra. He kneeled down to IU. " No " Sabi ni IU, Ezra closed his eyes as he felt great pain on his chest, he literally felt it crack and he began to feel weak. " I'm sorry Ezra " Sabi ni IU, she was still crying then she ran away, leaving Ezra there on his knees.
-
" She left you there on your knees?" Sabi ni Gale.
" Yes, she did. Pero nung naaksidente ako, binisita nya ako then we finally had closure " Sabi ni Ezra.
" Wow... It's just like the lovey dovey flicks I've watched " Sabi ni Gale.
" Real life is better than cable " Sabi ni Ezra. " By the way, I am leaving tomorrow... Have you ever been to Ireland? " Ezra asked.
" Nope " Sabi ni Gale.
" Ahh, gusto mo makita itsura nya?" Sabi ni Ezra.
" Okay din, I can google it I guess pag naalala ko " Sabi ni Gale.
" Is it okay if I call you?"
Call you....
Call you...
Call you...
Mga fifty times nag echo sa utak ni Gale. The guy who doesn't like phone calls asked her if it's okay to give her a call. Maybe he does like me? Feeler ka Gale Noreen thought.
" Uhh...sure " Noreen looked at him and smiled.
" Nice " Ezra said.
-
Pagdating nila sa building ng condo ni Ezra, sa parking area sa basement level. Gale kept the elevator door open habang inaalalayan ni Ezra isa isa ang mga kaibigan nya papunta sa elevator. Mukha tuloy silang nag kakaladkad ng mga dead body. Napagod na din si Ezra kakaalalay sya mga kaibigan nya na mabigat ang mga katawan. He was panting and he was catching his breath hanggang dumating na sila sa floor ni Ezra. Noreen kept the elevator door open habang nilalabas nila ang limang lasing na lalake. The last person was N, dalawa na sila ni Noreen ang nag alalay sa kanya.
Inayos nila ang higa ng lima sa room ni Ezra horizontally.
" Okay , Okay ka lang?" Tanong ni Noreen kay Ezra na hindi na umiimik.
" Kapagod " Sabi nya and he suddenly took off his shirt. Si Gale naman hindi mapakali at hindi alam ang gagawin, but her eyes widened and she suddenly walked out of the room after witnessing the muscles...the pandesal.
" Dyan ka nalang matulog sa sala " Sabi ni Ezra from his room. Ang Noreen naman nag deep breathing para kumalma sa bumunyag sa mga mata nya, lumabas ang Ezra na may hawak na shirt pero nakatopless padin sya. Noreen then covered her eyes pag kahiga nya sa sofa. Ezra smirked nung napansin nya si Noreen, nag suot nadin sya ng shirt at inabutan nya ng kumot si Noreen.
" Salamat!" Sabi nya still covering her eyes. " Okay na " Ezra said laughing. " Ikaw? Hindi ka pa magpapahinga?" Noreen asked.
" Mamaya konti " Sabi ni Ezra. He went to the kitchen to drink some water at binalikan nya si Noreen. " Goodnight " Sabi nya kay Noreen.
" Goodnight" Sabi ni Noreen habang nag aayos na sya para matulog.
-
Few hours later, Ezra finished packing up his stuff for Ireland. Umaga na, he closed all the curtains kasi grabe ang sunshine pag nag flash sa mga mukha nila Noreen at ang lima na lasing. Around 7 a.m. Dumating na si Mamang Alice, or Ezra's Grandmother. Tuwing sabado sya pumupunta kay Ezra, to do his laundry, cook for him or kahit ano na chores.
Mamang rang the doorbell at pinagbuksan sya ni Ezra ng pinto. " You are not alone, are you?" Sabi ni Mamang, nakita nya kasi ang mga sapatos na nasa shoe racks, may shoes pa ni Noreen. Tuloy, Mamang gave Ezra the look nagmukha tuloy na guilty si Ezra at umiiling sya. " It's not what it looks like " Sabi ni Ezra, he assited Mamang with her bag. Naglakad si Mamang papasok at nag face palm sya. " Seriously? Anak naman " Pinalo nyang palaro si Ezra who has a proud expression on his face. Tuwing pupunta kasi sya kay Ezra, malinis lagi tapos konti nalang din ang labada at ang mga paplantsahin nya, as if she's being overpaid to do little things.
" Magluto nalang po muna kayo, Ako naman po matutulog " Sabi ni Ezra. " Alright, You want beef caldereta for lunch? " Mamang asked. Ezra jumped out for joy. " Masaya ka ha...hmm" Mamang sneaked a peek on Noreen who's sleeping on the couch. Nag shh sign si Ezra and Mamang did the same as if they communicated telephatically.
Dumiretso na si Mamang sa kusina para mag prepare ng breakfast at ng lunch nila. Si Ezra naman pag upo nya sa kabila nyang sofa. Tinignan nya si Noreen at ngumiti sya, sinilip sya ni Mamang galing sa kusina at napangiti si Mamang, nagets nya na kasi ang mga pangyayare. It reminded her of Ezra's father.
Ezra went to sleep, and Mamang dimmed the lights and tucked Ezra to sleep.
-
11:00 a.m.
Ang unang bumangon ay si Noreen, she slowly opened her eyes at dahan dahang bumangon, nag stretch sya ng arms and she yawned. Pag ka bangon nya si Ezra agad una nyang nakita, ang gandang way para magising but she shook her head, denying her feelings.
Napangiti sya ulit nung na- appreciate nya ang cuteness ni Ezra matulog, his lips were pouty and he looked adorable and squishy. Pero wag ka, Muscles nya talaga nagsasabi na kaya ka nyang protektahan.
Tumayo si Noreen at dumiretso sya sa kwarto ni Ezra, she opened the curtains exposing the five boys to broad daylight. At tumalong talon sya sa kama. " Gising! Gising !" Sabi nya, napadilat si JS at nagulat sya sa sinag ng araw, nahulog tuloy sya sa kama. Si N, naman nasilaw din pero medyo okay sya, tahimik sya at umupo muna sya at tumitig sa sahig. Amoy na amoy ang alcohol sa kwarto ni Ezra. Si Jun, hindi matinag yakap yakap nya pa si Klaud, si Fred naman gumaya na kay N, pinagkaiba nga lang nila mas dilat si Fred.
" Ehem " Sabi ni Mamang, Napatigil tumalon si Noreen at nagulat sya kay Manang .
" Mamang!" Sabi ni N, JS at ni Fred, nagdilat bigla mata ni Jun at Klaud as their senses heightened.
-
It was almost noon, nagising nadin ulit si Ezra.
They were seated on the long dining table that wasn't used for a very long time. They were rather quiet, five boys were having a massive headache at ang bigat ng mga mata nila. Sa gitna nakaupo si Mamang Alice and she was looking at each one of them, scanning them well. The long table was filled with filipino and korean dishes.
" You know I love you right?" Sabi ni Mamang Alice, her hands were placed on the table in front of her plate parang dalagang filipina, prim and proper. Nag nod ang anim na lalake ,Noreen wasn't able to grasp the situation yet, sumusunod lang sya sa mga kuya nya.
" But you know Ezra's dad and I..." Sabi ni Mamang and she took a deep breath. " That man is not easily pursuaded kaya kung ako sa inyo. Magpasalamat kayo sa Diyos at ako lang ang nandito dahil kung hindi, napahamak nanaman nyo si Ezra." Sabi nya.
" Sorry po " Sabi ng Lima with their heads down.
" You dear, what's your name?" Tanong ni Mamang kay Noreen, she glanced at her.
" Noreen po, Noreen Lachica " Sabi nya with a soft voice, still embarrassed about being caught jumping on bed.
" Ohh, you're Nathan's sister?" Sabi ni Mamang.
" Opo " Noreen nodded.
"Ahh..." Sabi ni mamang while nodding as well as if she already heard about Noreen, she looked at Ezra and she winked. Napansin nila yun, at nagets ng lima na lalaki except Noreen who was clueless.
-
The truth is Mamang has already heard about Noreen. Nung unang beses na natulog si Noreen kay Ezra, Kwinento ni Ezra kay N at kay Mamang.
" You're smiling again ,that's good. Is it the girl?" Mamang asked. They were having breakfast the day after nag jog sila ni Noreen.
" Maybe " Sabi ni Ezra, smiling while happily eating his breakfast.
" Well, I know that it's because of the girl. It's not because you studied all night right?" Mamang confirmed.
" Maybe " Dagdag ni Ezra. " Basta. wala akong rason para malungkot" Sabi nya.
At dahil doon, ngumiti nalang si Mamang at hindi na nya inopen up ang topic about sa kanila ng Dad nya.
" How is he?" Mr. Yang asked. He was having dinner with his real mom, si Mamang.
" He's healthy. Physically and mentally, he's doing well . He's better now, If only I could buy his smile i would spend my money on it" Sabi ni Mamang, not looking at her own son. " Don't do it to him , please " Sabi ni Mamang, dropping her utensils at parang nawalan na sya ng gana kumain.
" We don't have a choice, he doesn't have a choice just like what happened to me before" Sabi ni Mr.Yang.
" Yes you do have a choice, and I hope that you will do everything you can to prevent it" Sabi ni Mamang.
Hindi na sumagot si Mr. Yang, they finished their meal quietly. Mr. Yang would always ask Mamang about his son.
-
" You're ... just like how Ezra described you" Sabi ni Mamang. Napatingin tuloy si Noreen kay Ezra, thinking about how did Ezra describe her.
" Mamang was a professor at Alestair Umiversity " Sabi ni N. " From the College of Arts and Humanities " Dagdag nya. Mamang nodded with a smile on her face, teaching was her passion. " I teach English grammar and literature " Sabi ni Mamang.
" At sya gumagawa ng mga assigment namin doon at nagtatahi ng mga costume namin" Sabi ni Fred.
" Seryoso po? Astig! " Sabi ni Noreen. " Actually po maliban po sa writing, I really want to dig deeper sa souls ng mga tao cause I believe that we're all authors" Dagdag nya.
" Yes we are " Mamang agreed, paying more attention to the noreen na ang ngiti ay abot tenga ang ngiti. " We are the authors of our own lives somehow influenced by others but we're still the captain"dagdag ni Mamang. "Ang cool nyo naman po " Sabi ni Noreen, they all laughed cause it's true, Mamang is a cool grandma.
" I am a cool grandma. Right?" Mamang face Ezra and he nodded. " I always try to make my classes fun but you know, It can still get boring " dagdag nya.
" I don't get bored with literature " Sabi ni Noreen.
" You should've been my student! Ezra, bakit ngayon mo lang sya pinakilala saakin?" Sabi ni Mamang. " Ay nako Hija, I have so many stories to tell you. If you want, go here every saturday when you have free time" dagdag nya.
Noreen looked at Ezra and smiled at him, he smiled back. Pabor naman kasi yan sa kanilang dalawa.
-
After the meal. Noreen helped Mamang clean up while they let the six boys rest, again. Masakit padin ulo nila at si Ezra naman dahil bukas aalis sya kailangan nya ng lakas.
" Do you like my grandson?" Sabi ni Mamang. Nagulat si noreen at napatanga na lang habang naghuhugas ng plato.
" Po?" Sabi ni Noreen, shyly smiling looking away.
" Kahit konting pagtingin kay Ezra?" Sabi ni Mamang.
Ano ba sasabihin ko, kabuang naman to... Noreen thought.
" Uhh..." Sabi ni Noreen still thinking about a reply.
" Come on ,I won't tell him!" Nangungulit na si Mamang at nagtalon talon nya, eager for an answer.
" Opo " Sabi ni Noreen sabay kagat labi. Mali ata na sinabi ko yun..
" Yes!" Mamang smiled and she jumped.
" Okay lang po ako sa inyo?" Noreen asked.
" Darling, I don't care what you are, where you're from as long as you make Ezra happy " Sabi ni Mamang. " And I believe that you can break the ties between business and true love" dagdag nya.
" Ties?" Noreen asked.
" You see dear, I was like Ezra's mother. I was the first wife because I was the true love. But , because of the bond between business folks you get sweeped to the side, the child came from you but he's not yours. My son, Dominique wasn't able to marry Emmanuela, Ezra's mother. I did everything I can...pero, sabi ko nga, you cannot simply break business ties" Sabi ni Mamang while looking deeply into Noreen's eyes who paused from washing the dishes. " Ezra already had two contracts buti nga yun hindi agad engagement. His dad is doing the best he can to prevent it to happen. Kaya kita sinasabihan ngayon, because if you like our Ezra. Please don't give up on him" dagdag ni Mamang.