Matapos kumain ay napagpasyahan ng dalawa na maglakad-lakad muna sa paligid ng parke, malaki kasi iyon. Maraming puno at namumulaklak na halaman sa paligid. Each tree was adorned by tiny LED lights. Kaya naman ay napakakulay tingnan ng parke. Light posts were scattered on the sidewalk to illuminate the place. There was also a circular giant fountain, dancing with different colors coming from spotlights placed on the sides.
They stopped by the fountain and watched as it sprayed up in the air. There were at least four or five layers and it would go off one after another or sometimes, all at once. The people around would shriek in delight for it.
The two watched silently. Suddenly...
A sound of eruption from the sky was heard. The people around them cheered. Aya and Alexa looked up and saw - fireworks.
Smiles appeared on their faces.
"It's ironic that something as dangerous like that can actually be beautiful," Alexa suddenly said.
Aya looked at the shorter woman for a brief moment then up on the sky again. She smiled. "Yeah. There's always something good out of the bad ones," she said. 'Just like Yuna,' she added in thought. Thinking of Yuna made the her feel sad again. Aya believed the ex-girlfriend had her reasons. Memories of the red-head still plagued Aya's mind, she couldn't help it. There is a constant pain in Aya's chest whenever she thought of the big-eyed beauty. But forgetting the one you loved was hard. Looking above, Aya wished that her love for that unfaithful woman would just blast away, like those fireworks. And just like it, vanished completely, after a while.
Alexa hummed in agreement for what Aya said. The firework lasted for about five minutes but Alexa kept looking at the sky. "Just like those stars... they were actually hotter than the sun and can burn you. But almost everyone adored them, wanted to reach them even. That is why it was only nice to look at them from afar. You cannot get near or touch them, or else you will get hurt and burn," Alexa said rather seriously with a distant look in her eyes.
Aya couldn't help but stare at the shorter woman. Maya-maya pa'y bahagyang natawa at napailing. Alexa never fails to amaze her. Maloko, oo, pero minsan may sense din at malalim kung magsalita.
"What?" maang na tanong ni Alexa na napatingin na sa designer.
"Wala naman. Natatawa lang ako, kasi marunong ka din palang magseryoso." biro ni Aya. "And you know what... you are like those fireworks and stars. Akala ko kasi noong una bad omen ka, but it turns out na isa ka pala sa makakatulong sa akin na makalaya sa isang masalimuot na relasyon. I really hated you at first. Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang pagsaboy mo sa akin ng napakainit na kape," Aya reminded in a reproachful manner. She remembered the feeling.
Alexa grinned widely, but feeling guilty. "Sorry naman... bobo nga kasi iyong sahig. And unlike those stars and fireworks, I'm completely harmless. You can get close to me or touch me. You wouldn't get burned. I promised," Alexa said meaningfully, holding up the right hand. She smiled at Aya, but sadness was hidden in her eyes. Aya didn't notice it.
----
Alexa drove Aya home, hindi siya pumayag na mag-isang umuwi ang fashion designer. Malalim na rin kasi ang gabi at malayo pa ang uuwian nito.
"So, this is your home?" asked Alexa when they stopped by a modern Mediterranean house. It was medium-built with a wide lawn. "It looks nice. Ngayong alam ko na ang bahay mo ay maaari na kitang puntahan anumang oras," she told Aya, a bright smile on her face.
"And why would you do that?" Aya asked, quirking her brow. Habit na niya ang magtaas ng kilay, kaya naman nasasabihang mataray siya. Hindi siya sanay na pinupuntahan ng kung sinu-sino. May mangilan-ngilang lalaki na nangahas manligaw sa kanya noon at mayroong sinasadya pa talaga siya sa bahay. Subalit hindi rin nagtatagal ang mga ito dahil sa katarayan niya. Aya hated those kinds of men who thinks they can change a lesbian like her. They thought lesbian girls only needed to be with a man, to transform into being straight. They thought it's just all about sex. Kaya naman ay nadala na siyang magbigay ng address niya. Only few of her friends knew where she lives and they rarely visit her. Nabibilang lang din sa daliri ang masasabi niyang mga tunay na kaibigan kaya wala iyong problema sa kanya.
"Friends do visit their friends, right? Isa pa... hindi ba't sabi mo gusto mo namang maranasan na makihalubilo sa mga ordinaryong tao? Then, you will need me. I can be your bodyguard, for free!" Alexa said enthusiastically.
Aya pursed her lips and said, "you don't need to come to my home, though. We can meet outside."
Alexa looked disappointed. "Aww... you still don't trust me?" she asked, pouting. "Ang harsh mo pa rin sa akin. Sa maikling panahon na nagkakilala tayo ay marami na rin naman tayong pinagdaanan, hindi ba?" dagdag pa.
Aya looked blankly at the saddened Alexa. Aminado si Aya na malaki din ang naitulong sa kanya ng makulit na babae. Honestly, she started to like the shorter woman's presence. Having an additional friend wouldn't hurt. But something made Aya hesitates... she was sure Alexa was into her. She didn't know how to approach that. She didn't want another yet complicated relationship.
Alexa could feel Aya's internal turmoil. She understood where the designer was coming from. But Alexa wouldn't let this chance slip, now that she was allowed to be part of Aya's life. Matagal din niyang hinintay na mangyari ito. A few moments had passed but Aya remained silent. "you're taking too long thinking," Alexa cuts the designer's thought. "all right, I won't come to your home if you really didn't want to. Just remember that if you ever need me... I'm just one call away."
Aya quirked her brow yet again at the shorter woman's last lines. "That sounded too cliché. Very original," Aya said mockingly. Aya remembered her friend Ivy. That's what's the journalist said when Aya caught Yuna for the second time, cheating behind her back. If that can be called cheating, because they weren't official by then. Medyo may similarity si Alexa at Ivy. Palabiro din si Ivy, pero mas malala itong si Alexa. Palagay niya ay magkakasundo ang dalawa. "Fine. Huwag ka lang masyadong makulit, kundi ay iba-ban kita," banta ni Aya.
"Aww... maglalagay ka ba ng karatula sa dibdib mo na bawal na akong lumapit sa 'yo?" pabirong tanong ni Alexa.
Tinaliman ng tingin ni Aya ang mapagbirong babae. "Don't you start, because I might do it."
"Okay, okay..." Alexa said in surrender lifting her hands in the air. "Pangako, wala akong gagawing bagay na hindi mo gusto."
"Talaga lang ha? I doubt that."
"What? Promise nga..." Alexa said but with a playful smile in her lips.
"Ewan ko sa 'yo. Diyan ka na nga," irap ni Aya. "I saw my mother peeking. I'm going, before she gets a different idea. Goodbye." Aya opened the passenger door and proceeded to get off. Before closing it again, "And thank you for everything Ms. Madrigal. I enjoyed your company," she said with gratitude.
"Whoah! Aren't we being so formal, Ms. Martinez?" Alexa said slightly chuckling, leaning her left hand at the steering wheel. "And the pleasure is mine. Thank you for welcoming me into your life, you won't regret it."
"I really hope so." Tumalikod na si Aya, subalit nakakailang hakbang pa lang ay muling hinarap si Alexa. "And oh! I might let you visit me here, under one condition...." Stopping on her tracks, she said.
"What condition?" Alexa asked curiously, a hint of excitement in her almost black eyes.
"Just eat isaw with me. Kung ilan ang mauubos ko ay iyon din ang kakainin mo," Aya said playfully then steps backwards, proceeding to enter the house.
Umasim ang mukha ni Alexa. The designer now had the upper hand. Mukhang may pantapat na ito sa kakulitan niya. "Why does it have to be isaw???" habol na tanong kay Aya na nakarating na sa gate.
Aya looked up at the playful woman from opening the gate and answered back, "It's a dare!" Nang tuluyang makapasok ay nilingon muli si Alexa. "Think about it," Aya said, smiling wickedly.
Alexa was about to retort but Aya had already gone inside. Naiwang nakanganga si Alexa. She wanted to puke just by thinking isaw again. What more if she's going to eat that 'thing' again? "Eww!" she grunted to herself in disgust. Ipinilig niya ang ulo para iwaglit sa isip ang anyo at lasa ng isaw na kinahuhumalingan ni Aya. She took the wheel again and started the engine, willing the thought away.
Inside... Aya shut the front door closed, chuckling to herself. Alexa and her was now even. Ngayon ay may panakot na siya sa makulit na babae.
"Mukhang masaya ka ngayon, 'nak..." biglang narinig niyang sabi ng ina. A knowing look was in the old woman's face.
Aya looked up at her mother and straightened her face.
"Sino iyong kasama mo? Siya ba ang bagong nagpapasaya sa 'yo?" usisa pa ng ina .
"Kaibigan ko lang ho iyon, 'Ma." walang emosyong sagot ni Aya.
"Hindi siya pamilyar sa akin. Bagong kaibigan mo ba?" tanong pa.
"Oho," napapahawak sa leeg na sagot ni Aya. Ayaw na sana niyang mag-usisa pa ang ina.
Aya's mother hummed and nodded her head. "Saan mo siya nakikilala?" tanong ulit.
Aya sighed and put down her hand from the neck. Ito ang ayaw niya sa mama niya, dahil masyadong mausisa. "Sa coffee shop ho 'Ma," sagot ng dalaga sa walang ganang tono.
"Paano kayo nagkakilala?" muli pang tanong.
"Ma..." medyo napapapadyak na reklamo ni Aya. Nakukulitan na siya sa ina. Puwede silang magsama ni Alexa sa kakulitan, sa isip-isip ni Aya.
"Oh, bakit? Nagtatanong lang naman ako ah... May masama ba? Bakit hindi mo nga pala siya ipinakilala sa akin?"
Aya hanged her head low, slouching. "Pagod na ho ako 'Ma. Bukas ko nalang ho ikukuwento," pagdadahilan niya para tigilan na ng ina.
"Kumain ka na ba?" asked her mother, losing the interrogating manner, which Aya was thankful for.
"Opo. Busog na ho ako." Hindi na binanggit ni Aya na street foods lang ang kinain niya, pihadong pagagalitan siya ng ina. "Aakyat na ho ako 'Ma. Napagod ho ako," kaagad na paalam niya bago pa makahirit muli ng tanong ang usyuserang ina. Hindi na rin niya hinintay na sumagot at nilampasan na niya ito, sabay akyat ng hagdan.
"Gusto ko siyang makilala, Aya," habol ni Belen sa papalayong likod ng anak.
Aya stopped briefly, left hand on the railing of the staircase. She didn't bother to look back at her mother. Her eyed almost rolled to the back of her head. 'Typical mother!' she hissed under her breath. Hindi na siya sumagot sa ina at madali nang nagtuloy sa kanyang kuwarto.
Aya loved her mother unconditionally. Ayaw niya lang sa pagiging makulit nito. Kaya naman ay nahirapan siyang mag-warm up kay Alexa dahil sa rason na iyon. But the silly woman managed to get into her.
----
"I told you to not call me at work!" Aya whispered-yelled over the phone. Alexa was on the other line. Panaka-nakang napapalingon si Aya sa head of design na si Ms. Pat. The head was just nearby, commanding other designers. Hindi naman bawal gumamit ng telepono sa kanila, basta ba kunektado sa trabaho. Pero ayaw niya nang iniistorbo sa trabaho. Isa pa, ay talagang busy sila ngayon.
'I'm sorry. I thought wala ka nang ginagawa. It's almost your break time, right?' Alexa asked from the other line.
"No. We're not done, yet. We have a hectic deadline because the summer fashion show is coming up," Aya answered in a hush tone. Sinulyapan niyang muli si Ms. Pat. "Sige na. I'll just call you later," paalam niya.
'Wait ---'
Aya pushed the end button.
----
Napatitig na lang si Alexa sa telepono. She sighed. She put the phone again in the inside pocket of her leather jacket.
Alexa was actually inside the Dimitri's --- Aya's company. She was in the cafeteria. Inilibot niya ang paningin. They call it the 'cafeteria' but it was way better than that. The place looked more like a mini-restaurant. It was even bigger than an actual restaurant. It even had waiters.
Alexa Madrigal --- she was a woman with a happy and mischievous personality. She's twenty-five years-old. She was working in a PR company as a member of the crisis management team. At dahil day-off niya ngayong araw ay napagpasyahan niyang mangulit kay Aya.
"Excuse me!" Alexa called for a waitress. She raised a hand. Lumapit naman ang tinawag niya. "One more lemonade, please..." aniyang binigyan ng napakatamis na ngiti ang waitress.
Tumango ang waitress at kaagad namang tumalima.
"Thank you!" Nakangiti pa ring sabi ni Alexa nang dumating ang order. Iniwan na siyang muli ng waitress. Alexa sipped her drink, one hand dangled at the back of the chair. Nakade-kuwatro ang paa. She hummed while waiting patiently for Aya. Tiningnan ang relong nasa bisig--- ten minutes before Aya's break time. Alexa eyed the glass doors, anticipating the designer's entrance.
Tick. Tick. Tick. Sa bawat pitik ng segundo ay sumasabay ang pintig ng puso ni Alexa.
Then suddenly... The door of the cafeteria opened...
Napaayos ng upo si Alexa.
Aya came inside with her teammates. Kumpleto sila ngayong apat --- Tim, Bridgette, Glen and Aya.
"Hay... Mapupudpod na ang aking utak sa kaiisip ng designs. Masyado yatang nagiging masilan ngayon si Ms. Pat. Preggy ba siya?" Si Tim. Pumipilantik ang mga daliri nitong well-manicured pa.
"Ako nga din. Nakadalawang ulit na ako pero parehong na-decline ni Ms. Patrizia. Tsk. Masyado kasing maraming competition ngayon," saad naman ni Bridgette. As usual ay very colorful na naman ang pananamit.
"Ano ba kayo mga ate, kering-keri natin 'yan. Tingnan niyo si Ate Aya, relaxed lang," wika naman ni Glen. Cool lang ang aura nito at hindi nawawala ang ngiti sa labi.
Bahagyang napatawa na si Aya, subalit hindi na nag-komento. Naramdaman niyang parang may mga matang nakamasid sa kanya. Inilibot ni Aya ang paningin. Her eyes stopped on...
'Alexa? What is she doing here?' Aya thought, surprised.
Alexa waved at the designer.
Nakita iyon ni Tim. "Ay... Sino 'yan mamà? Bagong diyowa? Kaya naman pala eh... Inspirado siya..." tudyo ni Tim sa maarteng tono. Napa 'oh' naman si Glen at Bridgette at nakisali na din sa panunudyo.
"Kaibigan ko lang 'yan. Ano ba kayo..." Aya said, defensively.
Naglakad na palapit si Aya sa babaeng naghihintay. Nakasunod sa kanya ang tatlong kasamahan.
"Hi!" Bati ni Alexa sa designer na napatayo pa.
"Hey..." alanganing napangiti si Aya. Pinapakiramdaman ang mga nakamasid na kapwa designers sa likod. "Why are you here?" Tanong ni Aya na nakakunot ang noo.
"I wanted to see you," Alexa said, her lips turned in her usual lopsided smile.
Aya's eyes lingered on that lips. Napataas ang kilay. There really was something about Alexa's smile. Hindi alam ni Aya kung maiinis o mangingiti din.
"You didn't warn me. At hindi ba... parang napakaaga naman yata ng pagbisita mo?" Said Aya, eyebrow quirked up.
Sa likod naman ni Aya ay tahimik lang na nagmamasid ang tatlo. Si Tim ay harap-harapan namang pinasadahan ng tingin si Alexa, animo'y damit na masusing pinag-aaralan.
Napansin iyon ni Alexa at medyo nailang. Napahawak siya sa batok at sinagot ang tanong ni Aya, "I was supposed to tell you on the phone, but you ended the call, abruptly. And --- it's my day off."
"Hey, gorgeous. You won't mind if we join you, right?" Biglang singit ni Tim. Nangangalay na kasi ito sa kakatayo.
"Yeah, sure..." agad namang tugon ni Alexa. Natuwa sa dahil sa pagtawag na 'gorgeous' sa kanya ni Tim.
The table was rectangular in shape and can accommodate six persons. The three designers then turned to sit down.
"Hmm... Kaya pala naisipan mo na namang mangulit, ano?" Si Aya.
Alexa grinned widely at the designer. "Nangungulit agad? Hindi ba puwedeng bumibisita lang? You never allowed me to your house, so, I'll just come here," aniyang nagkibit-balikat.
Aya rolled her eyes. Sumunod na din sa mga kasama na maupo. "Hindi ba't sabi ko naman sa'yo ay puwede kang pumunta, basta't susundin mo ang kundisyon ko," anang designer sa mapang-asar na tono. Her eyes glinted mischievously.
Nawala ang ngiti sa labi ng mapaglarong babae. Naupo na din siya sa dating puwesto na katapat ng upuan ni Aya. "You can ask me to do anything, just not that one," nakangiwing sagot ni Alexa.
Patingin-tingin naman kina Aya at Alexa ang tatlong kasama sa mesa. Kababakasan ng kuryusidad ang mga mukha. Bawat isa ay mayroon nang hawak na menu.
Hindi nakatiis si Glen at nagsalita, "Ate Aya... Ipakilala mo naman kami sa kaibigan mo."
Naputol ang pag-uusap nina Aya at Alexa at sabay napalingon kay Glen.
"Oo nga. Baka hindi niyo napapansin, nandito rin kami..." panunudyo pa ni Tim, habang ang mata'y nakatuon sa hawak na menu. Nakangiti ng makahulugan.
"Ngayon ko lang ulit nakita si Aya na nakangiti ng ganyan," segunda pa ni Bridgette.
Tumikhim si Aya. Pinaseryosong muli ang mukha. "Anyway, guys... This is Alexa Madrigal. She's my uh... Friend." She then turned to the playful woman, who was smiling widely again. "And Alexa... This is Tim, Bridgette and Glen. Kasama ko sila sa team," matipid na pagpapakilala ni Aya. Isa-isang itinuro ang mga kasama.
"Hi! Nice meeting you guys," Alexa waved.
The three greeted back.
"Alexa and Aya... Hmm... Bagay..." si Tim na nakapangalumbaba. Nanunudyo pa rin ang mata habang nakatingin sa dalawa.
Sinegundahan naman iyon ng mga kasama.
Ngiting-ngiti naman si Alexa. Natutuwa sa mga
kasamahan ni Aya. Ang akala kasi niya sa mga designers ay mga snob, kagaya na lang ni Aya.
"Tigilan niyo na nga iyan at umorder na tayo," Aya strayed off the topic. Sinabi na nito ang order sa naghihintay na waiter. Gumaya na din ang mga kasamahan.
"So... What's the real score between you two? Talaga bang magkaibigan lang kayo, ha?" Hirit ulit ni Tim.
Aya rolled her eyes yet again. "Oh, please..." Nahiling ng designer na sana'y dumating na ang pagkain upang hindi na matukso ng mga kasamahan.
"Yes. We are friends--- For now," Alexa answered for Aya.
"Ohhh......" sabay-sabay na react ng tatlo.
Matalim na napatitig si Aya kay Alexa. The mischievous girl just shrugged her shoulders.
----
After the breaktime...
"Can I pick you up after work?" Alexa asked.
Silang dalawa na lang ni Aya ang nasa mesa. Nauna nang bumalik ng studio ang tatlong designer.
"I had brought my car. There's no need," ani Aya. She turned to stand. "Thanks for coming and... For the treat." Si Alexa kasi ang nagbayad ng kinain nila.
Tumayo na din si Alexa. "Don't mention it. Hmm... But I still want to pick you up," sabi pa.
"May dala nga akong kotse, hindi ba?" Nakukulitang tugon ng designer.
Nag-isip si Alexa. "Then I'll drive you. Don't worry, I won't come inside your house. Aalis din agad ako pagkahatid sa 'yo," she said.
"How would you get home?" Tanong naman ni Aya.
"There's Grab, Uber or taxi, maybe?" Alexa enumerated. "Madami namang ways of transportation diyan..." pagdadahilan pa.
"Look. I don't really want to bother you," tanggi pa rin ni Aya.
"No. Not at all. Gusto lang din talaga kitang ihatid," pagmamatigas pa din ni Alexa.
"There's really no need," nayayamot nang tugon ni Aya.
"But I want to." Hindi pa rin nagpatalo ang makulit na babae.
Aya released a breath, slightly annoyed. "Won't you accept 'no'?" She glared at Alexa.
"No." Alexa just shook her head.
"Argh!" Aya groaned. "Ang kulit mo talaga! Fine. Bahala ka nga. Ikaw din ang mahihirapan. Hindi ako," wika ng designer na may bahid ng inis ang tono. "Sige na, I have to go. It's almost time," paalam niya.
Alexa smiled sweetly at the designer. "Okay. See you later."
Napailing na lang si Aya. "Jesus. Mas makulit ka pa kaysa sa nanay ko," ani Aya bago tuluyang tumalikod.
Alexa chuckled. Sinundan ng tanaw ang papalayong likod ng designer. Alexa smiled to herself. Lumabas na rin siya ng Dimitri's. Tatlong oras pa ang natitira bago mag-uwian sina Aya. Naisipan niyang mag-ikot-ikot muna habang naghihintay.
---
Three hours later...
Matiyagang naghintay sa lobby si Alexa. It has been fifteen-minutes. Sinabihan siya ng designer na doon maghintay. Ipapakuha na lang daw nito sa guwardiya mamaya ang kotse, para dalhin sa main door.
Maya-maya pa nga'y natanaw na ni Alexa ang medyo alon-along buhok ng designer, sumusunod iyon sa bawat galaw ng dalaga. Napangiti si Alexa nang masilayan muli ang magagandang mata ni Aya.
On the other hand, Aya's face was marked with a frown. Hindi niya akalain na talagang itutuloy ni Alexa ang 'paghatid' sa kanya. The designer was grateful for Alexa's effort, but it was really unnecessary.
Tumayo na si Alexa nang makalapit ang designer. "Let's go?" Si Alexa.
Aya hummed. "Sadyang makulit ka talaga, ano?" She said, lips slightly turned up.
"It's my pleasure serving you," Alexa said curtly in a playful manner.
Umirap lang si Aya. "Tara na nga," anitong nagpatiuna nang maglakad.
Humabol naman si Alexa at sinabayan sa paglakad ang designer. Napatitig si Alexa sa mukha ni Aya. Naka-poker face na naman ang designer. "Hindi masamang ngumiti. Sige ka... tatanda ka kaagad niyan," pagbibiro pa.
"Shut up..." irap ni Aya at binilisan ang paglalakad. Tinanguan ang guard na nagbukas ng pinto.
"Ingat po Ma'am..." magalang na paalam ng guard, bahagyang yumukod kay Aya. Ganoon din kay Alexa.
Naghihintay na sa labas ang kotse ni Aya. Sa tabi niyon ay ang isa pang guard na nagdala nito. Hawak sa kamay ang susi.
Biglang may kotseng pumarada sa harapan ng kotse ni Aya. Umibis ang sakay niyon...
Natigil sa paglakad si Aya. Napatitig sa bumaba. Nagtama ang paningin ni Aya at ng bagong dating. Tumigil ang mundo ng designer.
Inside her ribcage, Aya's heart thumped. Nabingi si Aya sa tambol niyon.