C h a p t e r 10
I spent my time in the library to review the overview of my report, I began explaining things to myself in front of the mirror and I even elaborated on some examples that Hell provided when he did my report. My topic is actually part of section nine, marketing basics.
Marketing Basics specifically talks about the brand image, marketing and market positioning, and the steps in developing a marketing message. Here, students learn market share and market penetration strategy, market segmenting and research, and questions to ask in a customer profile survey.
Natigil lang ako nang bumukas ang pinto, iniluwa 'non si Hell na may dalang isang tray at kaagad na lumakad papunta sa akin. I stopped for awhile, iginilid ko muna ang aking papel at macbook upang mailagay niya ang tray sa table.
"Done?" He asked, I shook my head. "You should eat first, you can continue that later." Aniya, kinuha niya ang isang wooden chair at umupo sa tabi ko.
I rest my back as I massaged the bridge of my nose, naramdaman ko ang titig niya sa akin kaya naman napahinto ako.
"Hindi ako nahihirapan," Una ko na kaagad kaya naman napangisi ito. Pride will keep us alive, Hurricane!
"I'm not saying anything,"
"Your eyes told me so," Mabilis kong depensa, sandali itong napatigil at nakita ko pa kung paano tumaas ang gilid ng kanyang labi.
I shrugged and turned my gaze into the food in front of us. May dalawang plato roon, ibigsabihin lang ay hindi pa siya kumakain.
Kinuha ko ang platong may laman ng kanin, iniabot niya naman ang kutsara at tinidor. Nilagyan niya rin iyon ng ulam habang ako ay tinitignan lang iyon, para akong lumpo dahil sa ginagawa niya. It's pakbet tagalog, may gulay at ang sahog naman ay liempo.
"Tita Xerxes said you travel to learn different cuisine, it must not be difficult for you to cook Filipino dishes..." Bati ko, tumikhim ako roon at tumango-tango pa.
"Kapag bakasyon lang," Sumubo pa ako at tinignan siya, he extended his arms as I felt his finger on the edge of my lips. Pinunasan niya iyon, ah, the mantika sa sabaw!
"You're alone?"
"Hmm, yes." I'm surprised, kahit naman may pera ako ay ayaw kong gumala na mag-isa! That would be boring! Pero ang isang ito, mukhang sanay. "Maybe you're thinking why I took STEM instead of TVL. Then I'll take Business Administration in College."
"You are quite problematic young man!" Sumubo akong muli, kinapa ko ang gilid ng aking labi dahil bigla akong na-conscious sa ginawa niya kanina. "You should've taken ABM instead..." I added.
"We have a contextualized subject, Entrepreneurship to be exact. That's fine, not enough, but sure a good introduction."
That's a good point, although it will be very helpful if he took ABM. "Why did it end up that way, then? Medyo... Magulo." Nakita ko kung paano siya tumigil sa pag-subo, he stop midway for a second but continue right away.
"Masarap?" Napalunok ako dahil sa biglang pag-iiba niya ng usapan. I know, I am not dumb, I know that he doesn't want to talk about it. I nodded, he smiled a little as we continue eating.
Now, I can clearly see the line. It's visible. Hurricane, you have to understand. This is just part of the fake concealment, you don't have to know everything about him because a day will come that you'll both just forget this pace of your life. Still, you are willing to ruin this arrange marriage. Iyon ang mga bagay na ibinulong ko sa sarili hanggang sa matapos kaming kumain.
Nang matapos kumain ay nagpaalam itong aasikasuhin na ang aming pinagkainan. I feel sorry because I can't even help him, baka may dapat pa iyong gawin! Knowing that the finals is just days away, mas lalo akong nakonsensya.
I reviewed my report for another hour, si Hell naman ay hindi na bumalik. Baka may ginagawa sa kwarto, maybe reviewing their PPT. Nang maramdaman ko ang mabigat na talukap ng mata ay huminto na ako, I stood up and went out of the library. Tumuloy ako sa aming kwarto, and I found no Hell.
I did my night routine inside the bathroom, nang makalabas ako ay naabutan ko naman siyang nakaupo sa tabi ng kama habang hawak ang cellphone. Nahagip niya kaagad ang tingin ko.
"Hmm, where were you?"
"I just talked to our hotel receptionist, I need the cleaning service to clean my penthouse." Diretso niyang sagot at inilagay ang phone sa bedside table.
Napalunok ako, it's not surprising that he has a penthouse! Of course, he's filthy rich! Pero bakit parang bigla akong kinabahan, is he going to go back there?
I rest my back at the headboard, humikab ako at hindi na lang nagsalita. But wow, why am I so worried now? Dahil na nahihirapan na siya sa gawaing bahay? Ganoon na ba ako katamad? Maybe he's thinking that I'm treating him like maid?
"Ako ang magluluto bukas," Bulalas ko at tumingin sa kanya. Nag-taas ito ng kilay at bigla na lang akong nag-iwas ulit. "Maybe, this whole week. I will cook, then I'll clean the house on weekend. I can do that."
"Bakit? Ayaw mo na ang luto ko?"
"No!" I hissed. "I don't want to be a burden, kaya ko rin naman. You are not a maid!"
I finally got the courage to look at him. He smiled and then nodded, buti naman at wala ng maraming diskusyunan tungkol doon. I know what's gotten into me, baka isumbong ako kay Tito Paul or kay Mom!
He laugh a little so I looked away. "Pride will keep us alive, huh?" He teased, I rolled my eyes as I lay.
"So why you're asking someone to clean your penthouse, babalik ka roon kasi inaalila kita dito?" Ano na lang ang sasabihin ni Tito Paul? Ni Mommy? Papagalitan ako!"
Para akong bata sa tono kong iyon, ibinalot ko ang sarili ng comforter at tinalikuran ang gawi niya upang hindi niya na ako makita.
"Tell Hurricane's pride that if that's what she wants, we can do that." He giggled after saying that, narinig ko pa ang kanyang pagpasok sa loob ng banyo.
I shook my head as I closed my eyes, I have to wake up early tomorrow. Hindi ako aako ng responsibilidad na hindi ko kayang panindigan!
I woke up first, and I did the cooking. We did the usual thing, after eating, I took a bath first and then dressed up. Lumalabas siya ng silid kapag ako ang gumagayak at ibinabalik ko naman ang pabor na iyon sa kanya. We went our way to school with the same aura as yesterday, light and easy.
I went out of the car when he opened the door for me, hindi nakatakas sa mata niya ang aking kamay. Kinuha niya iyon habang ang isa kong kamay ay nasa bulsa lang ng coat.
"Kwentuhan mo ako mamaya kung anong nangyari sa report mo, ha?" Bilin niya nang huminto na kami sa harap ng aking silid.
"Sure thing,"
"I'll see you later, then..." He mumbled. I nodded as I turned my back, hinawakan ko ang doorknob at napapikit sandali. I hate this! Why am I disappointed about it?
Binuksan ko na ang pinto at tuluyang pumasok, tahimik akong tumuloy sa aking upuan habang hinihintay lang sina Sari. I sigh when that thought occupied my mind again just like yesterday. It became a routine from the past few months, and I hated that idea actually but my mind is just a hypocrite for wanting it.
Mabilis ang naging takbo ng oras nang magsimula na ang klase. Nang dumating ang huling subject sa hapon ay naghanda na ang ibang mauunang reporter sa harapan, I turned my macbook on as I browse my report one last time. Tatlong topic ang under sa section nine, siguro ay isasama na rin ngayon ang para sa section ten which talks about promoting the business.
Lesson 1, Brand Image. Iyon ang naunang discussion, thirty minutes ang ginugol ng reporter doon. Medyo matagal kumpara sa iba ngunit ayaw lang daw sabi ng aming guro dahil tatlong lessons na lang naman daw ang meron sa section 10 kaya hindi kami magagahol.
Sumunod ang report ko. Lesson 2, the Marketing Mix. I set up my macbook and connect it to the projector, lumabas ang PPT na ginawa ni Hell sa akin at nagsimula akong mag-discuss tungkol doon.
"Thirty minutes, Miss De Vera..." Ngumiti ako at tumango.
I began explaining my topic, masiyasat kong ipinapaliwanag ang bawat puntos. Simple lang ang mga halimbawa, hindi masyadong malalim ngunit alam kong nakukuha nila ang lalim ng topic na iyon.
"Marketing is a process that deals with the needs and wants of the people. The goal is to obtain these necessities for living and desires through a process of creating, offering and exchanging products, and value with others." I nodded my head as I looked at them, they are jotting down notes as I speak and I am satisfied with it.
Nagtuloy-tuloy ang diskyuson hanggang sa marketing concept at marketing mix.
"Marketing mix is composed of four major components which we commonly call 4ps. Product, price, promotion, and place."
Hinimay-himay ko ang mga iyon sa kanila, my report goes smoothly as I want it to be. Paminsan-minsan akong tumitingin sa aking relos upang tignan ang oras at tantsahin ito. My discussion also covers the use of the marketing mix and the product strategy.
"That's a wrap for today, thank you for listening..." Ngumiti ako, the teacher stood up as he shook his hands with me.
"Tomorrow, we will finish the following topics. Don't forget to review these lessons because it will surely appear on your exams. Be good everyone, you may go." Iyon ang huling sinabi ng aming guro bago niya lisanin ang silid.
Nauna nang lumabas ang iba habang inaayos ko naman ang aking macbook. Lumapit sa akin sina Sari at Aleana habang pumapalakpak pa. May mapang-asar na ngiti ang dalawa, I rolled my eyes at kinuha na ang bag.
"Sabihin mo kay Hell, papagawa rin ang report." Ani Aleana na ikinatawa ni Sari, I just frowned at her and shook my head. "Ay selfish! Gusto mo ikaw lang ang papasa?"
"He just did the PPT and other explanations, ako pa rin ang umintindi. I deliver it myself, huwag ka ngang paepal." Ani ko at isinabi ang bag ng macbook sa balikat.
"Fine, fine! Half day lang sa Thursday and Friday, sama ka sa amin ni Aleana? Kahit na anong araw? Magtatampo ako kapag tumanggi ka!" Sari exclaimed, humikab ako at hinagod ang buhok.
"Sure, I'll tell Hell about it. Baka abala rin naman siya sa mga araw na iyon, hindi pa rin sila tapos sa defense. It'll be on Friday." Ani ko.
"Sige, sasabihin ko kay Mommy! Let's bake, tapos uwian mo na rin si Hell..." Humagikgik pa si Sari, ngumiti na lang ako at tumango. That's a good idea, token of appreciation!
Lumakad na kami palabas ng silid, nakita ko kaagad ang nakatalikod na Hell. Both of his hands is on his pocket, her broad shoulders screams familiarity. I'm getting used of this sight now...
"Una na kami, nandyan na pala si lover boy." Pang-aasar ni Aleana, I looked at her with disgust.
"Pang nineteenth century 'yang taste mo sa codename..." Tumawa lang silang dalawa at ikinaway na ang kamay. I nodded as I stared at them walked away, nang makalayo sila ay tsaka ko lang nilapitan si Hell.
"Wala kang gagawin after class? Malapit na ang presentation niyo, you should meet them..."
"I'm meeting them when we have free time, that's enough." Kumunot ang noo ko, he seems unbothered. Maybe he trust his groupmates that much, sabagay, baka iyon nga. "Ikaw? How's your report?" He asked.
"Fine, I think it's a success..." Natatawa kong sagot. "They didn't ask me questions along with my discussion. I think I'm that intimidating so I just explain it in a clearer view. I hope they really understand it..."
He was very attentive while I was talking, nakatitig lang ito sa akin habang may maliit na ngiti sa labi. Sa kanyang panga lang ako tumitig upang maiwasan ang kanyang tingin, he's way too intimidating at me. Tila ba sinusuri nito ang bawat sulok ng mukha ko.
"That's good to hear, now, you can review for the finals." Tumango naman ako.
"I can make us a reviewer if that's okay with you. I mean, I understand that you still have the final defense on Friday..." He laughs a little. God, that was beautiful.
"Sure, if that makes you at peace..." Ngumiti ako pabalik sa kanyang isinagot. I'll do that, but this time, it's not my pride talking.
Days escalated quickly with the same usual days, of course. Kagaya nang aking sinabi ay ako nga ang laging nagluluto ng aming umagahan at gabihan, lagi niyang sinasabi sa akin na kaya niyang humalinhin ngunit sinasamaan ko lang siya ng tingin. He always laugh and smile after whenever I do that, and in between my breathes, I know that it's beautiful.
I didn't forget to review my lessons too, kahit na nasa kusina ako ay dala ko ang ilan sa aking mga notes at ballpen. Now, I just discovered that I am good at multi-tasking. Hell did that too, minsan ay sabay pa kaming nagrereview sa library.
Nang dumating ang huwebes ay maliit na bag lang ang dala ko, ballpen at ang notes ko sa mga exams na i-tatake namin sa araw na iyon lang ang dala ko. Si Hell ay dala ang kanyang macbook, maybe they're going to do a presentation today. Review, kumbaga.
"Hurricane, I'll stay here after exam. I'll be with my groupmates." He told me as we stopped in front of my room. "Ihahatid muna kita sa bahay, para hindi ka na maghintay." He offered.
"I'll be with Sari and Aleana later, inaya nila ako noong nakaraan. Uuwi ako before six, magpapahatid na lang ako." Paalam ko.
"Hmm, that's fine. Sa bahay na lang tayo magkita kung ganoon..."
Lumapit siya sa akin, nanlaki ang aking mata nang mawala ang pagitan sa aming dalawa. Iniwas ko ang tingin, lalo na't sobra ang titig niya. Itinapat niya ang bibig sa aking tainga at naramdaman ko pa ang mainit niyang paghinga sa aking leeg.
"You should have made a good escape plan if you're planning to get away from me."
Naramdaman ko ang paghalik niya sa aking panga, nanlambot ang tuhod ko dahil doon. Nagwawala na yata ang buong sistema ko! He didn't do it for days and now he came back with that?
"Don't fucking kiss my jaw, Hell..." I hissed. Masama akong tumingin sa kanya, inilagay ko ang aking isang kamay sa kanyang dibdib at bahagya siyang inilapit sa akin. I tiptoed as I level my face with him, inilapit ko ang mukha sa kanya habang ang tingin nito ay nasa labi ko lang.
I smirked. Lumapat ang labi ko sa gilid ng kanyang labi, and there, I saw how his eyes widened. Nagtaas ako ng kilay at tumawa.
"You're good at playing with the crowd, Hell. That's a good thing, I like playing too." I tapped his back, the smirk didn't left my lips. "Una na ako sa loob, I'll see you at home." Ikinaway ko pa ang aking kamay at kaagad na pumasok sa room.
Nang maisara ko ang pinto ay saka lang yata ako nakahinga. Napahawak ako sa malapit na upuan habang nakita ko ang pagtitig ng iilang kaklase sa akin. Damn, Hurricane! Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na sobra ang kabog ng aking dibdib! God, what did I do? I should not be guilty right? He did it first! We're just playing with the crowd, naalala ko pang sinabi niya sa akin iyon.
The thought of it didn't left me, hanggang sa matapos ang mga exams ay iniisip ko 'yon. Buti nga at hindi ko nalimutan ang lahat ng binasa ko, it would be too disappointing to fail the tests because of what happened.
The hallway is quiet, tawanan lang nina Sari at Aleana ang maririnig. They are obviously teasing me, nalaman nila ang kanina dahil sa mga chismosa. On the other hand, hindi pa labasan ng iba at ang iilan naman ay maagang natapos. If Hell is done with his exams, sigurado akong nasa library na iyon.
Natigil ang tawanan ng dalawa kaya naman napatingin ako sa kanila, bahagya silang yumuko at bumati sa gurong nasa harapan namin. I smiled at our Practical Research Teacher, ngumiti rin ito sa akin.
"Glad that I saw you today, Hurricane. Bukas ko na sana sasabihin sa iyo..." Ani Sir De Ramos. "You can join us tomorrow, sa final defense ng kabilang section. You can be a guest panel as a representative of the students..." He offered.
Nagkatinginan kaming magkakaibigan, kibit balikat naman silang dalawa.
"Their PR1 Teacher invited me, she told me I can invite a guest galing sa mga sections na hawak ko. Isama mo rin sana ang grupo mo pero isa lang daw para hindi crowded. Gusto mo ba? Balita ko ay kasama ang nobyo mo bukas, that's a good match." Ngumisi siya at napatikhim naman ang dalawa kong kasama.
"Sure, Sir. I'll be there, after lunch?" Tumango ito at ngumiti. He seems satisfied with my decision, tila ba nakuha ko na ang gusto niyang sabihin. He wants to prove to his co-teachers that his students can keep up with theirs, a good match that can earn him applause.
"Be ruthless, Hurricane. No exception!" I laugh because of what he said. Di kalaunan ay nagpasalamat na rin ito at nagpaalam.
Titig na titig ang dalawa sa akin. "Oh, wala raw exception. Baka mamaya ay titigan ka lang, mawala na lahat ng tanong mo!" Biro ni Aleana, I shook my head as we continue walking.
Iniisip ko kung sasabihin ko kung anong magiging reaksyon ni Hell, hindi iyon magagalit. I'm sure he will be shock, but then, the thoughts of tomorrow suddenly became exciting for me.
Nakarating na kami sa parking lot, sumakay si Sari sa front seat habang kami naman ni Aleana sa likod. Humikab ako at ipinatong ang likod sa sandalan ng upuan. It feels like long day, pero alas dos pa lang naman.
"Eh, bakit ka hinalikan sa panga? Bakit mo hinalikan sa tabi ng labi? Grabe, kung ako ang nakakita 'non, Hurricane, mahihimatay ako!" I rolled my eyes at Sari, umandar na ang sasakyan habang siya ay tinitignan ako sa salamin.
Her driver is now in silent, nakakahiya kay Manong!
"Are you really pretending? Baka naman totoo na iyon, you should ask!" Sarkisto akong natawa sa kanyang idinagdag, si Aleana naman ay napailing na lang. Sari is a sucker of love, I'm so sure of it.
"Sari, alangan namang mag-feeling si Hurri? Alam naman natin kung anong estado nila, I get it that they're just playing around to fool the crowd..." I agreed, itinaas ko ang kamay at nag-highfive pa kami.
"Hindi mo ba ramdam, Hurricane? That's impossible! He is very different compared to who he was to you, months ago! Or even, weeks ago! Pati ikaw, you're changing."
I sigh. "Sari, stop it. It's better that we're now okay regardless of what's really in between us. Nalimutan mo? May linya. He is not doing anything about our issue, and it makes me more determined. That's the clearer view."
Sari gave us a dagger look, tinapik na lang ako ni Aleana at natatawa pa. "Intindihin mo na lang, baka may nabasa siya sa libro kaya ganyan." She whispered.
Hindi ko binigyan ng pansin ang sinabi ni Sari, ayaw kong i-overthink iyon. The time I spent earlier thinking about it is enough, there is no hidden agend or meaning behind it. It's just a stunt, and if they're going to ask why Hell is not doing anything, I already know the answer! Simple lang. Dahil sa pamilya namin, that's it.
God, I hate false hopes so much. I'm not even hoping for anything.