Main lead on the picture,
Ennoy reading, Godbless you all.
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Today,
I went out to clean the front of my apartment and some kids from the neighboring apartment called me an old lady and casually asked for his volleyball back. Aba't----
Wala man lang po at opo ang isang 'yon sabay nakapanglait pa, 'manang.' Tinawag niya akong manang.
I almost cursed on that child.
Buti nalang at mabait ako sa bata at pinag-pasensyahan ko ito at binalik na lamang ang volleyball niya.
I carefully looked at the mirror and asked myself.
"Hindi naman siguro ako pangit o ano hindi ba? Hindi naman diba? But now that I think about it, hindi kaya iyon ang rason kung bakit walang paramdam ang aking uhay pag-ibig? 'Yon ba?" Mula sa pinaka-dulo ng aking buhok hangang sa pinakatuktok ng aking noo ay pinagmasdan ko iyon. Ang pimples ay halos hindi naman kita, isa pa'y halos tatlong maliit lamang iyon sa aking noo.
Totoo ngang hindi ganoon kaliit ang aking mukha tulad ng mga babae sa TV at magazine, ngunit iyon lamang ang tanging problema ko sa aking sariling mukha.
I don't care if my lips are bigger than those usual chics, dahil una sa lahat ay hindi naman ako nabibilang sa 'usual' chics na iyan.
I smiled at my reflection after the mini-talk show I had with myself,
"Well, wait for the right man, Girl. You deserve someone better than anyone else. " mabagal kong sinuklay ang aking maikling buhok tsaka muling ngumiti sa salamin.
I winked at myself and giggled. "Oh sure I do!"
Naputol ang small talk ko sa aking sarili ng walanghiyang dumaan ang pusa ko sa harap ng salamin, covering half of my reflection.
Tanging ang ibabang bahagi ng katawan at buntot lamang nito ang aking nakikita.
"Meow." She shamelessly meowed at me, napanganga ako sa ginawa nito. Pakiramdam ko'y lagi na lamang itong nananadya sa mga ganitong pagkakataon.
"What the? Alam mo ikaw, minsan sarap mong itali sa puno!" I glared at my cat but it just made me face her butt. Lalo lamang akong tinalikuran nito. Bastos.
"Oh please." I threw my hands in the air and in landed back on the table, "Bahala ka na." I said as I gave up with the cat-matter.
"You stay here Fruga!" I pointed my finger on him as my eyebrow arched and eyes squinting with the thought of him going out of the apartment again once I'm gone.
"Kailangan ko lang mag-grocery." I rose up from the chair and grabbed my mustard colored jacket right next to me and the cap right under it. Binalik ko ang tingin sa salamin at hinanap ang aking kailangan sa lamesa doon.
Mabilis ko rin namang nahanap ang wallet kaya kinuha ko iyon at pinasok sa loob ng bulsa.
"Wag ka nanamang mag-kakalat ng tissue." My eyes squinted with the thought of this cat's slyness.
"Bye." I said with a hmph-sound in the end and ambled away towards the door.
She's a fat non-caring cat who only loves to eat and sleep and annoy me all the time, ni-hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ako nag-alaga ng isang alaga na hindi ko naman inampon or something.
Slowly, I walked down the stairs of my apartment--- slightly watches each of the doors. Lahat ng pinto ay may kanya-kanyang pangalan bukod sa room number.
Ang pinaka-unang tenant ko ay isang lawyer, she's almost 40 this year if I remember correctly? She's been here for 5 years.
The other tenants have different jobs too ofcourse, like a dentist, a part time model, a painter, and some I dont know because I never asked them about it.
"Heyah Adora!" My high pitched voice quickly registered inside my head and I already know who it is.
With just one quick look and I saw the painter, Larry. He's gay so I don't get shock with his voice and way of talking.
I smiled as I see him walking up the stairs with his fabulous clothes on. Talaga namang hindi na matatawaran ang mga damit nito, yaan lamang ang aking pinag-tataka--- He have money to buy expensive clothes but he can't get his own place.
"Hi Larry." I gestured a small waved at him. Lumaki ang ngiti nito at nag-taas baba ang mga kilay na ayos na ayos. We stopped walking when we met in the same stairway steps.
"San ang punta mo, Dear? Tralala, may bago tayong tenant ano? Aruy ulam daw haaa!" He playfully tapped my shoulders with his fingers on flick and giggled, He unconciously strike a pose with his hand on his waist while his butt goes out abit more.
"Ah, yung---" Mag-sasalita sana ako ngunit agad siyang may nasabi ulit. Hindi ko na natuloy ang sasabihin ko kaya sinara ko na lamang ang aking bibig na naka-bukas.
"Yung model daw sabi ni ano! Ulam na fafabols daw!" His voice went higher as he spoke, halata ngang excited ito sa bagong tenant namin. So it was a guy afterall?
"Ah, kahapon lang sya---" Muli akong nag salita ngunit ang tili naman niya ang nag-pahinto sa akin. I once again shut my opened mouth.
"Ganern surprise ba para sakin to?! Ahi! Ahem, Girl ha! Akin na 'yon." he winked at me before saying goodbye.
I was left with my mouth wide open when I saw a sudden flash of interest in his eyes. Wala na akong ibang nagawa kundi itatak sa utak ko na hindi ko iyon nakita, I waved back and continued to walk down the stair--- still shocked at it.
Napahawak ako sa noo ko, I feel bad for the boy who just moved in.
He was lucky enough na nasa Europe si Larry for a month at ngayon lang umuwi. well its all up to him how to avoid Larry. Kaya naman na siguro niya iyon?
I just rode a taxi to the grocery, actually pwede namang lakarin ito but it would take at least 15 mins or so. Tinamad lang talaga ako.
Kailangan kong agahan ngayon, sales are everywhere ngayong February 14. Mura ang sweets and it's time for me to binge eat chocolates.
"Php 1,213 lahat Ma'am." The cashier looked at me with a curious look, Para bang napaka-rare para gawin ito ng isang normal na tao.
Probably because puro chocolates and junk foods on sale ang binili ko. Binababa ko pa ng kaunti ang suot kong cap pagtapos kong i-abot ang bayad.
"I receive php 1500. " mabilis kong kinuha ang sukli at agad lumabas ng store. I never imagined na ganito pala ang feeling pag-bumili ka ng mga sweets for valentine's day. Akala ko'y hindi na iyon big deal since 'hearts day' nga.
Well para naman sa akin 'to so it doesn't matter, right? Dapat ay wala akong paki. I continued to walk
"Adora! Right?" I stopped when I heard a familiar voice, parang nag-on ang aking pause button at panandaliang nag loading.
Dahan dahan akong napalingon at nakita ko ang nag iisang kaaway ko noong middle school, Dayanna with a fair enough guy.
My brows knitted in a frown as I scan her, She's wearing a very revealing clothes in a daylight together with her bright red expensive looking handbag.
"Oh gosh it is you! Wow, Kamusta?" She sarcastically chuckled at me, I forcible put a smile on my face. Halata namang peke ang ngiting iyon dahil halos manginig ang gilid gilid ng labi ko sa iritasyon.
"Hi, Dayanna. Kamusta?" I replied back with the same sarcasm she had earlier. Talaga namang hindi pa rin ito nag babago at ganoon pa rin ang reaxtion sa akin.
Her eyes twitched as the curve on her lips almost vanished before she looked at they guy with another sweet smile and said,
"Well--- heto ako ngayon, Ready to get married soon!" Her voice sqeaked at napaka-sakit non para sa aking tenga. pinakita niya pa sa akin ang kanyang kamay na may diamond ring. Akala naman nito'y may paki ako.
"I'm engaged! I know it's too early, kaso kasi si Pau hindi makapag-hintay!" Maharot niyang hinampas ang braso ng lalaki, lalo lamang nadepina ang simangot sa aking mukha habang hinahabol ng tingin ang kaniyang mga kamay na may roon bright yellow cutiques.Oh look how flirty she is!
"Good for you, buti nakahanap ka agad ng lalaking mag titiis sayo." I said nicely, a diss in disguised.
"Excuse me?" She frowned. Binitswan niya ang braso ng kasama at maarteng inilagay sa kamiyang baywang.
"Oh sorry!" I faked a laughter and afger some seconds she did it too.
"I mean, uhhh. Mahirap maghanap ng isang long time partner, so I guess you got lucky to get married at a young age." I said, nag kukunwaring hindi masama ang intenyon mo sa sinabi kanina.
"Yes. Swerte nga naman ako. Oh! Bago ko makalimutan, here is my wedding invitation. Sana makapunta ka huh? Tsaka dalhin mo na rin ang boyfriend mo." Inabot nya saakin ang isang nakakasilaw ng invitation. Oh gosh too much glitters here.
"Teka, may boyfriend ka nga ba?" She asked, alsmost mockingly.
Muntik na akong mapamura dahil totoong wala ako ng kaniyang sinasabi. Why must she rub it up to me?
Magagalit na sana ako ngunit mas pinili ko siyang asarin. Pero dahil nakapagpigil ako ay ngumiti ako ng matamis. "Ofcourse. Isasama ko nalang siya sa wedding mo?" The hate is almost visible in her face.
"Kay fine, See yah Adora." She smiled fakely and went on. Gosh, that little shit. Napaka- sa lahat ng napaka! The worst bitch out there.
I rode a taxi on my way home, I felt pissed and so stressed after meeting Dayanna with her fiancee.
hindi mo nga maitatago na valentines ngayon. Red hearts are everywhere, maraming may couple shirts and some couples are shamelessly kissing in the open! Sheesh!
I feel envy. They have someone to enjoy todays event and here I am buying myself my own chocolates.
How great.
"Meow!" Nahulog sa pagkakahiga si Fruga ng malakas kong sinarado ang pinto pagkapasok. Nakasimangot at mabigat ang katawan, I feel so jealous going out there.
Na-realize ko lang---
That I have to date too!
Inilapag ko lahat ng pinamili ko sa lamesa at tinapon ang invitation sa pinakamalapit na table. mabilis akong nag-tungo sa kusina at kumuha ng beer sa refrigerator and Yeah, bestfriend ko talaga ang alak pag walang pasok.
Dont get me wrong, hindi ako alchoholic ha, bawal ang bad influence kapag isa kang prof.
Naupo ako sa lamesa, tahimik na nag inom mag isa.
"Fruga, I gotta date. Pakilala mo naman ako kahit kanino. Ha?" I unconciously said to my cat sitting on the table as I Droop my head on the table. Hindi na napigilan ang antok na unti-unting dumadapo sa akin.
"Ha?" I let out a deep sigh. Muli kong inangat ang aking ulo at hinwakan ang beer isa pang beer na hindi pa nabubuksan.
I rose up from my seat and I felt a sudden craze wave in my head. I staggered unsteadily on way my to the living room and slumped down on my baby sofa and opened the bottle of beer with a mini bottle opener.
"Oh here we go again Adora." I murmured to myself before chugging down the beer.
"Meow." Lumapit sa akin si Fruga, she just sat right infront of me while giving me the 'stupid-ass' look.
"What now Fruga? I hate your eyes." Tinuro turo ko ang mga mata nitong walang kahit anong emosyon.
"Sheesh. Mukha kang grumpy old man lagi, kaya wala kang boyfriend eh!" I laughed at my cat. Hindi ko na alam kung saan ko ba nakukuha ang mga sinasabi ko.
"Pero diba wala rin akong boyfriend? Baka naman mag kamukha tayo?" I gasped at the weird thought.
"Noooo!" I cried in despair, hiding my face with my palms, Ngayon ko lang na feel kung gano nakakapressure kapag wala kang boyfriend sa mga ganitong sitwasyon.
"Meow." She replied back.
It is true that my cat is too grumpy to date. Well, maybe I am too. I dont know, nasabi ko lang naman na baka grumpy din ako kasi baka nag-mana lang sa akin ang pusa ko.
I kept on drinking and drinking and drinking. Just kidding, I only drank three bottles of beer and I'm down.
When I woked up, I feel so numb.
Para bang namamanhid ang katawan ko, maybe I did some crazy circus again last night. I don't really remember.
I blinked a couple of times before battling my way to get up from my bed, pagka-upo ko pa lamang ay napapikit na ako sa tindi ng sakit sa ulo.
boom! My head exploded.
Parang piniga ng matindi ang ulo sa sobrang sakit. 'Oh the aftermath of drinking.'
"Sheesh, my head." I said, my throat felt dry and stingy as I talk to myself habang damang dama ko ang sakit ng aking ulo.
"Ayan ang tinatawag na hangover. Well done you drankard." A mocking voice echooed through out the room. Teka, tama ba ang naririnig ko?
Panandalian akong natigil, hindi makagalaw sa takot na may multo nga. I'm thinking 'oh fuck oh fuck, ghost?'
"Para siyang tanga, langya." Another comment from the voice. This time ay sigurado akong hindi lang ako mag-isa sa loob ng aking bahay.
The fear crept in deeper inside me, napaisip pa ako ng mas maraming mga bagay na maaaring mangyari. Paano kung hindi ito multo at masamang loob pala?
Mabilis akong lumingon sa paligid ngunit wala akong ibang makitang tao kundi ang pusa kong nakaupo sa lamesa sa tabi ng kama.
"Fruga, I think there's a ghost here!" Bulong ko sa pusang walang maintindihan. Halos mapunit ang kumot na aking yakap yakap sa tindi ng aking pag piga at hawak doon.
"Walang multo dito, 'no ka ba." The furry-Fruga spoke. My eyes narrowed to crinkled slits as I try to sum things up.
The moment na narealize kong nagsalita ang pusa ko ay tumigil ang paghinga ko. Ang mga mata'y nanlalaki kahit pa medyo malabo pa ang aking paningin dahil kakagising ko pa lamang.
Oh gosh,
"Okay, baka may tama pa ang alak sa kaniya." The cat jumped down the table and went to the mirror. Ang mata ko'y sumusunod lamang sa kaniya.
"Pag shonga ba mas matagal ang duration ng alak?" Again she spoke, but her voice sounds like a guy. Doon ako lalong nalagutan ng aking hiniga.
She sounds like a guy! Why?!
"Wait, What? Am I dreaming? Am I?" Mabilis ang aking paghinga matapos mag sink in sa akin ang nangyayari.
"Ahhh!" I finally snapped and friviously screamed from the top of my lungs.
Akala ko ay yun na yun ngunit laking gulat ko ng may biglang tumayong lalaki mula sa ibaba ng kama ko.
My mouth opened wide from the shock, natigil ang aking pag sigaw dahil sa nakita.
"Oh here comes another scream," The cat added.
"Adora!" The man exclaimed in joy, Malaki ang kanyang ngiti habang tinitignan ako. She threw his hands in the air like a kid, ngunit hindi iyon ang kinagulat ko.
My eyes traveled from his face--- down to his,
Wait.
He's naked.
His body is showing right infront of me and his--- Oh holy bone! Is that thing 'that' kind of thing I am thinking?
Oh my! What?!
"AHHHHHHHH! Ano yan?!" halos mawindang ako sa nakita! Halos sumampal na ang palad ko sa aking mukha sa sobrang bilis kong tinakip ito sa mga mata ko.
'Oh my virgin eyes!' Just kidding, I have seen it in video. But still, accident lamang iyon at hindi ko naman sinasadya!
Akala ko'y hindi naman talaga ito dapat ikinagugulat dahil parte lamang ito ng ating katawan, Pero nakakawindang pa rin pala ito sa personal.
"Holy glory help me!" I screamed louder, still hiding my eyes from the weird view. He's just stand there while feigning innocence with his eyes.
"Adora?" He gently said, with his confused cute face. Akala mo'y hindi siya ang dahilan ng aking pag sigaw at pag papanic.
Muntik na akong mauto ng mga mata ko dahil sa ganda ng mukha ng taong 'yan, kung hindi lang ako napatingin sa ibabang bahagi---
"Ah! shit! Di ako prepared!" Muli akong napahiyaw at napapikit ng madiin, hindi na mapagtanto kung ano nga bang dapat gawin.
Oh my eyes can't take it. I mean, why is it so hairy?!
Why is it so weird and I think it's secretly looking at me! Parang, parang jelly! Oh gosh I can't eat jelly anymore, sheesh!
"Sino ka?!" I lashed out, nakatakip pa rin ang nanginginig na kamay sa aking mukha.
Sinilip ko ito sa isa sa pagitan ng aking daliri, Masama na ang tingin ko sa kaniya but he just smiled and jumped on my bed, smiling at me widely.
Nag-panic ako sa ginawa nito at napaatras, naibaba ang mga kamay patungo sa aking kumot na hinila ko upang itakip sa katawan. "Adoraaaaa!" He said joyfully.
"Stay away from me! Sino ka? Rapist ka ba?! Magnanakanaw?!" Agad akong lumayo sa lalaki, ngunit siya'y nanatili sa pwesto niya habang nag iisip. He seems more confused now that I asked him.
"Adora." He said. Napabalikwas na ako ngayon sa kaunting galaw nito papalapit.
"Adora Adora Adora, Who are you?! Are you a pervert?!"
"Stop pointing fingers Adora. He's your dream man." The cat said while licking it's paws. Nilinfon ko ito at halos sunugin siya sa aking isip.
"What on earth, Fruga may sapi ka ba? Sh---- nagsasalita ka?!" I snapped greatly with two main reasons.
#1 may cat is speaking with a deep voice.
#2 a naked good looking model like man who only says my name is inside my apartment.
"Adora shut your mouth. Napaka-ingay mo, paano kung marinig ka ng ibang tenants mo aba? Mahiya ka nga." The cat harshly said. Lalo lamang umikot ang aking paningin dahil sa realidad na ito.
"A nightmare. Right. Masamang panaginip. Walang nagsasalitang pusa. Walang hubad na lalaki. Im just drunk and----" I put my hands on my head and repeatedly pray that it is just a dream.
"Fuck-off adora." My cat said. Bigla na lamang akong nakaramdam ng iritasyon sa gitna ng kakaibang sitwasyon namin ngayon.
"Ano?!" My eyes has been shooting daggers on the cat. "What are you saying you, animal? Di mo pa sinasagot yung tanong ko! Are you a demon, huh?"
"Adoraaaaa." The naked man beside me kept calling my name with an innocent face. Napalingon ulit ako dito at lalong lumayo, he might be dangerous!
"What do you want? Why are you naked?! Sino ka ba?! Anong kailangan mo?! Oh Sheesh! I'm gonna die early!" Halos ma-praning ako sa nangyayari. Ang mga paa ko sa ilalim ng kumot ay halos matupi na sa sobrang pagatras ko palayo sa lalaki.
"Calm down. I will tell you everything." The cat jumped onto my bed, bahagyang napatalon din ako sa gulat. I mean, my cat Fruga is speaking right now.
"Una sa lahat, I am Fruga your cat. Okay na? Then that guy is your dream man." After hearing it, lalo lamang akong naguluhan. Ano ito? Kalokohan? I winced at the thought.
"Dream man my ass! I didn't dreamed of a naked man in my room!" I exclaimed. Galit na galit sa nangyayaring hindi maipaliwanag.
The cat stared at me. "Paano ka nakakasigurado? Paano kung oo? Tsk, siya ang dream man mo, literal. Like whenever you have a dream about lovers, relationships and such blah blah. Syempre naman kasama lahat ng mga bedscenes sa panaginip mo, siya lahat yon." He laughed at his own comment, ang pusa ko ay tumatawa at mayroong iba't ibang reaksyon sa mukha nito. He look so creepy to me!
"You just don't remember because who does anyway? Panaginip nga diba? Well lucky you, girl! your dream guy from your own thoughts came out to give you want you desire the most, crongrats." Fruga walked near to the naked guy, napatitig ako sa lalaki sa harap ko. He's sittin still with a sheepish smile on his lips.
His face is shining literally,
"My dream guy? Like, in a fantasy novel? Or is he a ghost? Baka nawawala to pag-nakakalimutan, ganoon ba 'to? Or Is he my drunk imagination or uhhm? And you too?" Naguguluhan kong tanong. Iniisip ko na ngang sampalin ang sarili ko para magising kung isa man itong masamang panaginip.
"Again, this guy is your dream man. Take care of him. Kakalabas niya lang mula sayo kaya---" the cat kept explaining but I cut him off. I shut my eyes for a moment,
"Kakalabas lang mula sa akin? So pumasok siya tapos lumabas? What is this?" My eyes are about to popped out sa lahat ng nangyayari. Kulang nalang yata ay iuntog ko ang aking ulo sa pader para lamang matauhan.
"No you pervert. Tsk tsk. No wonder nakahubad siyang lumabas mula sayo, nako." The cat said with a hint of dissappointment.
"Dapat ay may damit ito, it depends on what they were wearing the last time you dreamed of him? Yun ba 'yon? Wait, ay oo yun nga." He said, parang hindi sigurado sa mga sinasabi. Nagpatuloy pa ito sa kaniyang masamang komento sa akin.
"Tsk, perv. Actually pati ang suot ko at suot niya ay connected, hehe kaya walang biglaan mamaya kung ako rin ganyan." The cat commented.
"What the? You called me a perv? Hindi ba't siya ang pervert dahil siya naman ang nakahubad? And what do you mean na walang biglaan?!" I once again exclaimed at the cat, throwing my hands in the air--- feeling frustrsted at the situation I'm in.
"The name is Zoe. Ayan, siya 'yon. You are officially his legal owner, guardian, parent, partner anything just name it. Sayo siya--- sayong sayo, Adora." The cat slyly said to me. May pahapyaw pang tawang nakakaloko sa dulo.
"What?" I whispered while I try to umderstand what on earth is happening.
"Adora!" The naked man jumped to hug me and oh gosh I just can't think very clearly. Shit.
Muntikan na kaming mahulog dahil sa ginawa nito, ang aking kamay ay nakalagay sa mukha niya upang ilayo siya sa akin.
"Ah! Shit!" I screamed once again, His unexpectedly heavy kaya't mas nahihirapan ako.
"Miss Adora?" A sweet voice knocked on my door. Ang marinig na may ibang tao ay parang katumbas na rin ng makarinig nang isang mala-anghel na kanta.
"Sheesh, oh gosh!" I gathered all my strebth and pushed the guy off of my bed. Tumaob ito at kumalabog sa sahig.
"Uwa!" He said in pain.
"Tsk, Napak bayolente." Said the cat.
"Back off." nilingon ko ito at tinitigan ng masama, I warned him as I ran towards the door.
Agad kong binuksan ang pinto at nakita ko ang bagong tenant. The model guy? Wait, he looks too feminine to be a guy.
"Miss Adora, okay ka lang? I- I heard you screaming-----" The sweet voice stopped and her nose suddenly bled. Bakit nagka-nosebleed 'to?
"Adora?" The naked guy shamelessly rose up and showed his glorious naked body.
"Oh my." The tenant murmurred before she lost her conciousness.
"Now this is trouble." The cat said before it shined in a bright blue rays of light and became a cute--- naked guy.
My mind got have gone insane, why is this so bad today? Why am I seeing these?!
The last thing I heard is my name before I blacked out too.
What a dream.
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× Z o e - as in Zoo or Zo in some foreign accent. Zoe reads as Zoo/h not Zo-ey.
*Edited❤