Aya and Yuna running into each other was inevitable. The designer thought though that the encounter at Vermont would be the last time Yuna would try to come close to her, but she was wrong...
"You goin' home?"
Aya stopped on her tracks when Yuna suddenly blocked her way out. She frowned at the redhead. "Obviously," she simply answered in cold shoulders.
Aya waited for Yuna to step aside so that she can freely go her merry way, but the witch didn't even moved a muscle. The redhead just kept staring at her.
Aya was getting impatient. She released an exasperated sigh. "What is it that you want?" She asked.
Yuna was asking the same question to herself. She purposely waited Aya to pass that hall and yet, she didn't know why. She wanted to throw a clever remark, say something funny or joke... but she stopped herself right away. She couldn't act like nothing happened and joke around. And most likely, Aya would hate her even more.
Yuna couldn't answer and instead... drank in the appearance of the woman in front of her. Aya was casually dressed. She was only wearing a fitted denim and white long-sleeve blouse. Nothing so fancy about it. Yuna's eyes turned at the designer's face. Aya rarely smiled, she always had this "I don't care about you" look. A snobbish type of girl.
Aya cleared her throat when she didn't get a response from the witch. "Kung wala ka rin namang kailangan sa'kin, puwede bang paraanin mo na 'ko? Nakaharang ka eh..." she said, acridly.
Yuna's lips turned up in amusement. She always loved the sassy Aya. She enjoyed taming that cocky behavior, but she couldn't do that anymore. The situation was now different. That's why she couldn't bring herself to say anything. She then remembered what Alexa said in their latest encounter... she should really stop being the villain on Aya's story.
Aya was beginning to really get annoyed by the witch. "Tumabi ka nga riyan!" She shoved Yuna to the side which caused the redhead to stumble back. The hall leading to the parking area was a narrow path, and she couldn't fit with Yuna standing on her way.
"Take care," was all Yuna could say.
Aya abruptly stopped her steps again and glanced back. Yuna was looking back sideways, too.
Aya could not decipher the redhead's face.
"Stop bothering me," the designer said and proceeded to leave.
Yuna was left with a sad look in her eyes.
----
"I shouldn't have come with you two. Pinagtutulungan niyo lang ako laging asarin," himutok ni Aya.
The designer was wearing a simple white shirt topped with a blazer, sleeves rolled up. The shirt was tucked in her high-waist trousers. She matched it with a three-inches heels.
Ivy and Alexa laughed.
Last day ngayon ng bakasyon ni Ivy at nag-aya itong mag-disco at uminom, kaya ngayon ay nasa isang sikat na disco-bar sila.
Kagagaling lang din nila ng dance floor. They were seated at the farmost side where there are couches and tables. Hindi gaanong crowded ang lugar at maaliwalas ring tingnan.
"Ikaw naman kasi... ang bilis mong maasar kaya ang sarap mo ring asarin," si Ivy. Medyo tipsy na ito at nakakarami na din sila ng inom, bagamat ladies' drink lang naman ang iniinom nila.
Ivy was wearing a sleeveless top, it was v-neck styled which revealed her cleavage. Hapit na hapit ang damit sa toned na pangangatawan ng dalaga. She paired it with denim pants and black heels.
"Tama..." segunda ni Alexa. Ang isang ito'y parang ni wala pang tama, palibhasa'y sanay uminom. "Saka... lalo ka kasing gumaganda kapag naiinis eh..." dagdag pa.
Alexa was wearing her signature messy short hair, simple white loose shirt and tattered jeans, with a pair of converse shoes. May suot din itong denim jacket kanina na nakasukbit ngayon sa backrest ng inuupuang couch.
"Magsisimula ka na naman ba? Lumalakas ang loob mo ngayong may kakampi ka, ha... tingnan ko lang pag tayo na lang dalawa," irap ni Aya rito. Kanina pa kasi siyang inaasar ng dalawang ito.
"Oooh... I'm scared..." pagloloko pa ni Alexa, magka-krus ang dalawang kamay sa dibdib"ikaw ha... mukhang may binabalak ka sakin," tudyo niya "be gentle to me, ha... I'm still virgin," wika pa sa sensuwal na tono, sabay kindat.
Ivy sputtered on her drink. Natawa naman dito si Alexa at inabutan ito ng tissue.
Si Aya nama'y napangiwi at nasuntok sa braso ang palalong babae. "Ang dumi-dumi ng isip mong baliw ka. Kung anu-anong pinagsasabi mo riyan," asar na saad habang nag-iinit ang mukha.
"Aray naman... nagiging mapanakit ka na, ah," ang reklamo ni Alexa, habang hinihimas ang braso"pero huwag kang mag-alala... kahit bugbugin mo pa 'ko ng pagmamahal mo, okey lang," sabay biro.
Lalong natawa si Ivy.
Si Aya nama'y gigil na pinaghahampas si Alexa. "Sira-ulo ka talaga! Huwag ka na ngang magsasalita. Nakakainis ka na ha!"
Kahit nasasaktan ay tatawa-tawa lang si Alexa.
"Affected ka din naman kasi..." tudyo naman ni Ivy.
"Haizt... isa ka pa, eh... kaya lumalakas ang loob ng isang 'to," mahinang asik naman ni Aya sa kaibigan.
'You three seems to be having fun.'
Napaangat ang ulo ng tatlo sa nagsalita. Ang kaninang masayang biruan ay napalitan ng tensyon. The three suddenly got quiet. Smiles on their faces faded too.
"Yeah... not until you've made your appearance," Ivy remarked, bluntly.
"Oh... Hello to you too, Ivy. It's been a long time. How are you?" ang bati pa ng bagong dating, tila hindi naman apektado sa hostility na natatanggap. She and Ivy had met a few times. Aya introduced them to each other.
Ivy faked a smile, "I'm good, Yuna. But do you really have to ruin this moment?" She asked calmly yet full of sarcasm.
"What are you talking about? I merely approached you. Hindi naman siguro masamang bumati sa mga dating kaibigan, hindi ba?" Parang walang-anumang sagot ng witch.
Sa likod ni Yuna ay nandoon naman ang pinsang si Reign, awkward lang na nakatayo. Kahit siya ay hindi sang-ayon sa paglapit na iyon ng pinsan. Ayaw niyang madamay sa gulo nito. Baka magkasabunutan at magkabugbugan pa... kawawa naman ang buhok at mga kuko niya. Napangiwi si Reign sa isiping iyon.
Si Aya ay nagpipigil lang ng sarili. She wanted to snap at Yuna, but thought better against it. She didn't want to waste her energy with the annoying witch.
Nanatili ring tahimik si Alexa, bagamat nakakunot-noo. Ang akala niya ay maayos na ang napag-usapan nila ni Yuna na hindi na ito manggugulo sa buhay ni Aya, pero mukhang nagkamali yata siya.
"We never had been friends, actually," Ivy responded, not caring if she was being rude. She didn't really liked Yuna for Aya. Ang ayaw niya sa lahat ay ang manloloko at player, kagaya ng ex-boyfriend niya.
"Ouch..." maarteng turan ni Yuna na nakahawak pa sa dibdib. "Aren't you being so harsh?"
"And aren't you being so insensitive? How could you still face us like you haven't done anything wrong?" Ivy retorted. She was getting riled up by the witch.
Reign took that moment to intervene. She grabbed Yuna's elbows. "Come on... let's go. You don't want to cause a scene, don't you?" She whispered on the redhead's ears.
Yuna shrugged off her cousin's hand. "Just let me be," she told Reign. The redhead turned to face Ivy again and smiled, nonchalantly. "Ivy... it's not like you're the one I have wronged to, so should you not act all rude to me?"
Pagak na napatawa si Ivy at napailing. "Unbelievable," she muttered under her breath.
Nagpasya na rin si Alexa na makialam na. "Ivy, that's enough," pigil niya sabay tapik ng bahagya sa braso ng journalist. Itinuon niya ang pansin kay Yuna. "Yuna..." sinambit niya ang pangalan nito na tila nakikiusap at pinapaalala ang napag-usapan nilang dalawa "could you leave us quietly, please? Let's not sugarcoat it... you know your presence isn't wanted here. So, kung puwede lang sana... ayaw namin ng gulo."
"Coming from someone who wanted to be friends with me, the last time..." Yuna said sarcastically.
Nangunot naman ang noo nina Ivy at Aya sa sinabing iyon ni Yuna.
And as if unperturbed, Yuna even turned to sit beside Ivy on the couch. The journalist looked at her, incredulously. "I just want to join the fun... can you be a little nice to me? Let's forget the past. Afterall, it was all history now, yeah? Let's be chill..." she said rather calmly and even picked Ivy's discarded drink on the table, then took a sip.
The journalist's jaw slackened in disbelief and huffed at the witch.
Reign on the side groaned to herself. She could see the alarms going off on her head. She wanted to get out that instant.
Alexa's patient was getting thin, too. She wanted to be the reasonable one, but the witch was being too much. She could bear with Yuna's presence, but not with Aya beside her.
Speaking of Aya...
Despite her being the cause of the tension, or part of it, everyone seemed to forget about her. And designer was... raving mad.
"This is all just a game to you, isn't it?" Aya stated with too much acid in her voice. All heads turned at her. She then looked straight at Yuna.
The witch gulped with the intensity in Aya's eyes. If looks could burn, she'd be ash by now.
'Shit,' Alexa cursed inaudibly.
"I see you haven't changed," Aya stated "well, what do I expect," she added with a huff. The designer suddenly stood up "you think it was that easy to forget the past, and you wanted to just be chill about it???" She spat, unbelievingly "you're such a bitch," her tone turned down "---a heartless, insensitive bitch," she said in between teeth "I bet you're really chillin' now with the thick ice inside of you. Just stop involving me in your games, anymore. Because unlike you--- I'm raging with fire now and I might burn you. Literally," she paused "Just stop," she indicated strongly, her eyes were burning now.
Padabog na kinuha ng designer ang bag sa couch at mabilis na umalis.
Ivy snapped her head to Yuna. "Look at what you've done," she said and turned to follow Aya.
Naiwan si Alexa. A look of dissappointment was on her face. "I thought we made a deal. I really thought you could change, but guess I was wrong." She turned to stand too and looked down on Yuna,"I won't take it easy on you, anymore. You have to get through me first, before you get to Aya. I'm gonna make her mine, and you won't lay a finger on her, anymore," she said.
Yuna laughed without humor. "As if you can make her fall for you. That girl is clearly still in love with me, can't you see?" Yuna mocked, a menacing glint on her eyes.
Alexa clenched her jaw, her hands balled into fists. "I'll change that," she stated firmly.
"I wish you luck, then," Yuna said, smirking. Ivy's drink was still on her hand and she was casually drinking it.
Alexa's eyes squinted at the statement. She then straightened and loosened her shoulders. She won't stoop low like the witch in front of her."Well, I was born lucky," she stated calmly now "but you know what... I don't need luck to make Aya love me, because I have everything it takes to be a good girlfriend... unlike you," she emphasized the last two words and smirked too. Confidently. After retrieving her jacket, she then turned her back against the witch and left.
Yuna stared at Alexa's retreating back. Neon lights reflected on her eyes and a look of rage flashed through them. Her grip on the goblet tightened, she could almost feel the stem break around her fingers. She laughed humorlessly again, masking the pain in her chest. "What's wrong with those people? Did I say something wrong?" She turned at her still standing cousin.
Reign was staring at her, disapprovingly.
"Oh. Never mind answering that." It seemed that everyone hated her. Releasing a sigh, she emptied the glass in her hand. Hindi pa siya nakuntento at pati ang mga inumin nina Aya at Alexa ay nilagok din.
Nandidiri namang nakatingin sa kanya ang pinsan. Napailing na lang ito.
Outside the club.
Paglabas ni Alexa ay naghihintay na ang dalawa sa sasakyan ni Ivy. The journalist was consoling Aya. The latter was crying, as expected. Alexa released a heavy breath. She leaned on the open window, "hey..." she softly called for Aya's attention and placed her hand on the designer's shoulder. Aya glanced briefly at her, sniffling. Alexa's face saddened. "Just don't mind her," tukoy niya kay Yuna "she doesn't deserve your tears. She's one fucked up lady and you shouldn't let her fuck your life, too."
Tahimik lang si Aya, sumisigok pa rin.
"This has been going on for a long time now, don't you think?" Si Ivy naman ang nagsalita "hindi mo na siya dapat iniiyakan pa. She doesn't care about your feelings. She just keep on playing you, and she's enjoying it because she could see that she still had an effect on you."
Napapikit si Aya at nahilot ang sintido. "Please, tama na... gusto ko na lang umuwi, please?"
Ivy and Alexa shared meaningful glances and nodded their heads.
"All right... I'm sorry, nadala lang din ako ng emosyon ko kanina," si Ivy.
"Huwag na lang natin pag-usapan," tugon ni Aya, namumula ang mga mata at pisngi sanhi ng pag-iyak.
"Right!" Alexa said rather enthustiastically, which caused the two to frown at her. She clasped her hands "you know what... I have an idea para makalimutan natin ang nangyari." The two had a skeptical look on their faces. "What? The night is still young. And it was Ivy's last day of break. Why would we let some witch ruin it? Right? So, let's go!" She beamed and tapped her hands once on the windowsill.
"Saan naman?" Tanong ni Ivy, hindi maiwasang mapangiti sa enthusiasm ni Alexa.
"Ililibre ko kayo ng isaw!" Masiglang sagot ni Alexa.
"Isaw? Really? " Taas-kilay na tanong ni Ivy.
Natawa naman bigla si Aya, kahit medyo sumisinghot pa. Whenever she was down, isaw ang ipinangsusuhol sa kanya ni Alexa. "I might really need it," ang wika ng designer.
Ivy released an amused laugh. "Hanggang ngayon talaga, hindi pa naaalis 'yang addiction mo sa isaw?"
Aya just smiled at that. Pain and hurt was still evident on her eyes, but the thought of isaw somehow lifted her mood. It was like her drug.
"Okay... sunod na lang kayo sa'kin. I know a place," ani Alexa at naglakad na papunta sa kanyang sariling kotse.
Si Aya lamang ang walang dalang sasakyan sa kanila, isinabay lang kasi ito ni Alexa kanina.
Napapailing pa rin si Ivy habang ini-start ang kanyang kotse. "Sometimes, her weirdness helps too," ang komento niya. She took a glance at Aya, "and now you're smiling," the journalist shook her head again. "You're one weird woman too, did you know that?" But somehow, the journalist was thankful for the sudden turn of events. Thanks to Alexa.
Aya couldn't help but chuckle lightly despite her bloating face.
"Alam mo, bagay kayong dalawa," dagdag pa ni Ivy.
Aya rolled her eyes. "Oh, please... don't start," she told Ivy, her voice was scratchy from the crying.
"What? I'm just saying..." Ivy shrugged.
Maya-maya pa'y tumigil na ang kotse ni Alexa. Itinabi na rin ni Ivy ang kanyang sasakyan at bumaba na sila.
Inilibot nila ang paningin sa lugar. The place was pretty decent. Nakahanay ng maayos ang iba't ibang klase ng street foods. May limang magkakadugtong na joints na magkakaiba ang paninda. Sa harapan ng mga iyon ay may mga naka-set-up na mga upuan at lamesa. Marami-rami rin ang mga taong nagsisikain. It seemed that the joints also offered alcohol, because they saw some drinking.
"It's pretty nice. How'd you find this?" Tanong ni Aya kay Alexa.
"Napadaan ako no'ng minsan dito. I thought you would like this place, since you love to eat street foods," proud na sagot ni Alexa.
Tumabi si Ivy sa bandang kanan ni Alexa at nagkunwang nauubo, "napadaan lang ba talaga? O sadyang nag-scout ka ng mga isawan sa buong Maynila, ha?" Ang mahinang wika niya. She playfully nudged Alexa on the side. "Bilib na talaga ako sa mga galawan mo..." nangingiting wika pa.
Alexa nudged her back.
"Huwag kang maingay..." Alexa said in a hushed tone.
"Well... what are we waiting for? Nagugutom na 'ko sa amoy pa lang," baling ni Aya sa dalawa, walang malay sa asaran ng mga ito. "Come on," she gestured with her head.
Nauna nang maglakad si Aya. The two on her back was still busy picking on each other.
"Come on, slowpokes! Bilisan niyo," tawag ni Aya sa dalawa.
Agad namang tumalima sina Alexa at Ivy. It's a good thing na nabaling sa iba ang attention ni Aya.
Minutes later...
"Can you finish all of that?" Manghang tanong ni Ivy sa designer.
Ang dami kasi nitong in-order. Lahat yata ng parte ng manok na iniiwasang kainin ng ibang tao ay ay in-order na nito--- may chicken feet, chicken head, pati iyong inihaw na puwet ng manok ay meron din, at siyempre hindi mawawala ang isaw.
"Yup! I'm going to eat all of this," masigla pang pahayag ni Aya.
Alexa on the other hand, had a funny look on her face. Her stomach was doing a summersault by looking at Aya's food. She wanted to puke, and she was having a hard time keeping a straight face.
Napailing naman si Ivy. 'Ini-imagine yata niyang si Yuna ang kakainin niya,' she wanted to say that out loud but thought better against it. Masisira na naman ang moment kapag nagkataon. Napansin niya ang itsura ni Alexa sa tabi niya. Doon ito pumwesto dahil halos mapuno ng pagkain ni Aya ang kabilang bahagi ng mesa. Pinagtaasan niya ng kilay ang palalong babae.
"What?" Ang tanong ni Alexa nang maramdaman ang mga mata ni Ivy.
"Ano, kaya pa?" Ang hamon ng journalist.
"Alin?" Kunwa'y hindi alam na tanong muli ni Alexa.
Ngumisi nang nakakaloko si Ivy. "Just remember... this is your idea," aniya rito sa mapang-asar na tono.
"At least..." hindi na itinuloy ni Alexa ang sasabihin at sa halip ay kumagat na lang sa barbecue na siya namang in-order niya.
Si Aya ay pasulyap-sulyap lang sa dalawa habang abala sa pagnguya. She smiled despite herself. Napapansin niyang nagkakasundo na ang dalawa, bagay na ikinatutuwa niya. Huwag nga lang siyang asarin ng mga ito.
"Isaw, gusto mo?" Pabirong alok ni Ivy kay Alexa. Sa plato nito ay pinaghalong isaw at barbecue naman.
"Hindi na... okay na 'ko rito," tanggi ni Alexa "ah... gusto niyo ba ng maiinom? Bibili ako... beer?"
Ivy shot her a knowing look.
"Softdrink na lang sa'kin," si Aya.
"Ako, mas gusto ko ng kape. Meron kaya sila diyan?" tugon naman ni Ivy.
"Kape? Anong klaseng trip 'yan? Streetfoods 'yong kinakain natin?" Komento ni Alexa.
"Bakit? May batas ba na nagbabawal na pagsabayin ang streetfoods at kape?" Ivy retorted "saka... pampawala ng amats. Medyo may tama na rin ako sa ininom natin kanina... saka malayo ang i-d-drive ko, ayoko nang uminom."
"Ikaw rin, huwag ka na uminom," baling naman ni Aya kay Alexa "if you're going to drive me home, then don't drink, anymore."
Ivy laughed mockingly at Alexa. "Pa'no ba 'yan... hindi pa nga kayo, under de saya ka na agad..." tudyo ni Ivy.
Alexa just grinned widely. Hindi na pinansin ang pang-aalaska ni Ivy. "Yes Ma'am! Susundin ko anumang naisin mo. Okay lang na under-de-saya... basta't kasama kita," sabay taas-baba ng mga kilay.
"Umalis ka na nga! Bumili ka na ro'n!" Mahinang singhal ni Aya upang itaboy ang palalong babae.
Tatawa-tawa na lang si Ivy sa gilid.
"Aye, aye, captain!" Ani Alexa sabay saludo pa. Pagkatapos ay tumayo na at lumapit sa isa sa mga tindahan doon.
"Hay naku... ang lakas ng tama sa'yo ng taong 'yon," Ivy remarked, watching Alexa.
Natahimik naman si Aya, nakatingin din sa likod ng palalong babae. Sa totoo lang ay hindi niya alam kung anong gagawin niya kay Alexa. Oo at napapasaya siya nito, hindi niya maikakaila iyon subalit, hindi pa siya tuluyang naghihilom upang mahalin ito. Even if she wanted to. The designer released a heavy sigh. Itinuon na lang muli sa pagkain ang atensyon, doon na lang niya ibinaling ang frustration na nararamdaman.
.
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.
"Well... salamat sa pagsama niyo sa huling araw ng bakasyon ko. I enjoyed it somehow," 'kung hindi lang sumulpot 'yong witch na 'yon,' dugtong ni Ivy sa isip "Hindi ko alam kung kailan ulit ako magiging free dahil kadalasan out-of-town or out-of-the-country ang mga assignments ko. And while I'm away... you two behave, okay?" Ang paalam at bilin pa ng journalist.
"Jeez... ginawa mo naman kaming mga bata. Para kaming mga anak na iiwan ng nanay nila," Aya stated with a slight eye-roll "and if there's a person you should tell to behave--- it's that one," turo niya kay Alexa.
"Behave naman ako ah..." depensa naman ng isa.
Inirapan lang ito ni Aya.
"Okay... I should go," Ivy clasped her hands. She then turned to Aya and put an arm around the designer's shoulders "balitaan mo ako from time to time, ha?"
Aya nodded her head. "Okay, I'll keep in touch with you. Thanks for everything, Vee. I'm really grateful for your presence. Salamat at hindi mo pa rin ako kinakalimutan, kahit bibihira lang tayong magkita," anang designer. Malungkot siya dahil magkakahiwalay na naman sila ng kaibigan.
"Ano ka ba... para ka namang ibang tao riyan. Ang dami na rin nating pinagsamahan at hindi ko makakalimutan 'yon," sagot naman ng journalist. Inalis na ang pagkakaakbay kay Aya. "Pa'no... aalis na 'ko at baka magka-iyakan pa tayo rito," aniyang sinundan ng tawa.
Natawa na rin si Aya. Nakangiti namang nakamasid lang sa kanila si Alexa.
"I'm going," paalam muli ng journalist, sabay kaway.
"Oo nga pala... 'yong bag ko nasa kotse mo," ang habol ni Aya.
"Ako na ang kukuha," presenta ni Alexa at sumabay na kay Ivy palapit sa kotse nito.
Pumasok na muna si Ivy sa loob ng sasakyan at siya na ring nag-abot ng bag kay Alexa. "Ikaw na ang bahala kay Aya. Don't let that witch get near her, again," bilin ng journalist kay Alexa "and you should really make your move, already. You're taking too long. Yuna might wrap Aya on her spell again, and you shouldn't let that happen," she added with a serious face.
Alexa's face hardened with what Ivy said. "No, I wouldn't. I promise."
"Take care of Aya. Mananagot ka sa'kin kapag sinaktan mo rin siya," Ivy warned.
Alexa gave out a laugh. "I wouldn't even dream of it. You're one scary woman, I wouldn't dare cross you. And don't you worry... Aya's in good hands," the silly woman responded.
"May tiwala ako sa'yo," ani Ivy at minaniobra nang palayo ang sasakyan. Bago tuluyang umalis ay kumaway muna sa dalawa at bumusina.
Lumapit na si Alexa kay Aya na naghihintay na sa gilid ng kotse niya. "Let's go home?"
Tanging tango lang ang isinagot ni Aya. Pagkatapos ay sumakay na rin sila ng sasakyan at nilisan ang lugar.
.
.
.
.
"We're here," anunsyo ni Alexa sa kasama, pero wala siyang nakuhang sagot. Nang lingunin niya si Aya ay himbing na pala itong natutulog. "Kaya pala..." bulong sa sarili ni Alexa.
Masuyong pinagmasdan ng palalong babae ang natutulog na anyo ng minamahal. Aya looked peaceful and Alexa didn't have a heart to wake her. Sinipat niya ang loob ng bahay.
"May gising pa kaya?" Ang naitanong sa sarili ni Alexa. She shot a glance at Aya, the designer didn't even stir. Nang tingnan niya ang relo sa bisig ay pasado alas-dose na pala. Nahiya na rin siyang manggising pa. Alam niyang may duplicate key naman si Aya pero ayaw naman niyang pakialaman ang gamit nito. Sinandal muna niya ang ulo sa headrest ng upuan at muling pinagmasdan si Aya.
Naalala ni Alexa ang mga eksena kanina--- mula kay Yuna at ang bilin ni Ivy.
"Make your move already."
Alexa sighed. Ilang beses na niyang narinig iyon. Sa totoo lang ay gustong-gusto na niyang ligawan si Aya, subalit kinukonsidera niya ang damdamin nito. Alam niyang hindi pa ito maka-move-on kay Yuna. Ayaw niya itong i-pressure. At ayaw niya ring maging rebound lang. Ang gusto niya ay kusang mahulog ang loob ni Aya sa kanya. But thinking of Yuna, she felt treathened. Paano nga kung mahulog na naman ang designer sa kamandag ng mangkukulam? Ngayon pang tila may balak na namang manggulo ito sa buhay ni Aya.
Alexa sighed again, brushing the thought off. "Aya..." she gently shook the designer "hey... gising na... nandito na tayo sa bahay niyo..."
The designer stirred and grunted low as if in a protest, but still didn't awakened. Mukhang ayaw na yatang magpagising.
"Hay..." napabuntung-hininga na lang si Alexa. Naalala niyang ayaw nga pala nitong iniistorbo ang tulog. "Yari... mag-a-ala-dragon na naman 'to," napapalatak na iling niya sa sarili. Mukhang mapipilitan siyang buhatin ito.
Kinuha ni Alexa ang bag ng dalaga sa tagiliran nito at hinalungkat iyon. Hinanap niya ang susi ng bahay. Agad naman niyang nakita iyon. Sa ilang araw na hatid-sundo niya si Aya ay natandaan na niya iyon, dahil sa fluffy ball na keychain nito. Bumaba muna siya at binuksan ang gate. Pagkatapos ay ipinasok muna ang kanyang kotse. Matapos isara muli ang gate ay lumapit naman sa front door at binuksan din muna iyon, saka binalikan si Aya na himbing na himbing pa rin. Ikinawit niya ang dalawang braso nito sa leeg niya at binuhat ito nang bride style. Hindi pa rin ito nagising. Isinukbit na rin niya sa balikat ang di naman kalakihang bag nito.
"She's not so heavy after all..." ang wika niya subalit nakangiwi.
Pumasok na siya ng bahay at isinara ng paa ang pinto. Napatingin sa hagdan na kailangan pa niyang akyatin at lalong napangiwi.
"Kung hindi lang talaga kita mahal... hay..."
Maingat na tinahak niyang pataas ang hagdan kahit kandahirap pa. Opening Aya's door was such a struggle but she managed to do it. Madali niyang inilapag ito sa kama. Napahiga siya sa tabi nito nang dahil sa pagod. "Gosh... the things I do for you..." aniyang sinulyapan ang natutulog pa ring dalaga. She propped her head on her elbow and laid sideways, facing Aya.
Her eyes roamed passionately on the designer's beautiful face. Alexa raised her free hand and softly traced a finger on the sleeping woman's long and thick eyelashes to the pointed nose and those inviting lips... her index finger lingered on those lips, it felt fluffy and soft. She imagined how would those lips feel together with her own. Her finger got tickled by Aya's sudden puff of breath, the designers mouth opened slightly.
Alexa moistened her bottom lip and bit it. She was tempted to connect her own lips on the designer's inviting one.
She raised her body, put her other hand on another side of Aya's head and slightly hovered above the woman's sleeping figure, her messy hair fell like a curtain around her face.
Their lips inches apart.
Alexa was contemplating if she should close the distance or not.
She wanted to take advantage of Aya's sleeping state but her mind protested. She took a breath. No, she couldn't do that.
She was about to move away but then...
.
.
.
.
Aya suddenly opened her eyes.
Alexa froze.
The designer's eyes, then next her mouth, widened in shock.
In fear that Aya would scream, Alexa covered the designer's mouth... with hers...