Chapter 4 : Boyfriend
"How could you!" she wasn't even asking. And that hurt!
"How could I what?"
"You were mad this morning because I got Marcus tapos heto ka't kumuha din sa Boyfriend Corp with the very same person you kissed yesterday." Pinalo na naman niya ako.
"Are you insane?" nakailang hilot ako sa braso. Lumayo ako sa kanya dahil baka gumanti na ako. "I was deranged. Paulit-ulit kong sinabi sa 'yo na malaking scam lang 'yong kahapon tapos sasabihan mo ako na kumuha din ako? Sino ba talagang hindi nagiisip sa ating dalawa?"
"Hindi naman kayo nakakabingi ano?" sabay kaming napatingin ni Dominique sa kanya. Ang yabang talaga ng asul na 'to. Pinasadahan ko siya ng tingin. Katulad kahapon, andoon pa rin ang aura ng pagiging mayabang at arogante niya. Ghad, I hate him already. There was so much hope that this day will be fine.
"Anong ginagawa mo dito?"
"Nakatayo."
"You're not funny."
"I wasn't trying to."
Nakita ko ang pagtaas ng gilid ng labi niya kasabay ng paginit ng ulo ko. I hate that smirk! "Nako talaga!"
"Bebs." siniko ako ni Dominique. Napabuntong hininga ako nang hawakan niya ako sa braso. She's trying to calm me down. "Excuse lang, pero bakit ka nandito? If you are looking for Marcus, he already left."
"Hindi si Marcus ang ipinunta ko dito."
"If you are not looking for Marcus, you could leave. Hindi kami tumatanggap ng mayabang dito." I cut in. Paano ba siya nakapasok sa apartment namin?
"Talaga? Bakit ka nandito?"
Namumuro na talaga itong blue head na 'to! Ang masama pa, pinatulan ni Dominique at tinawanan ang sinabi ni Gatorade. Kaya lalong yumayabang, e.
"Just to inform you, ikaw ang ipinunta ko dito." Napataas ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. Ako? Bakit ako? "You have a date with me."
"Are you crazy? Why would I date you?" My laugh sounded that there was something in my throat. Faking a laugh was really never my forte. "Kung itutuloy niyo pa rin yang scam ninyo, sa iba nalang pwede? It's enough that you fooled Dominique into this. Tama na 'yun. Kaya shoo!"
"Bebs naman! Ano bang niloloko ka dyan?" Hindi ko pinansin si Dominique.
"Why would you date me?" he was mocking me. "Kahit ako nagtataka Ms. Delos Reyes. Ikaw na nga 'tong sumampal sa 'kin kahapon."
Hinawakan niya ang panga niya na para bang kakasampal ko lang sa kanya. Para bang pinaparating niya na may kasalanan akong nagawa. He deserved that!
"Para namang gusto din kitang i-date."
"Sumusobra ka—"
Napaurong ang dila ko nang biglang umingay ang doorbell. I wasn't anyone pero 'yung katabi ko mukhang meron dahil huminga siya nang malalim at inayos ang buhok bago dumiretso papuntang pintuan. She was even skipping on her way. Mukhang kilala ko na kung sino.
"Hi, Marcus—Tito?" I was busy glaring at this blue head monster when I heard a familiar voice. "Good evening po!"
That's obviously not Marcus.
Iniwan ko si Gatorade sa living room para puntahan si Dominique pero napansin ko nalang na nakakulong na ako sa mga braso ng Papa ko. "I missed you, princess!" He also even dragged Dominique to join the hug. "How are you? How was school? I so missed my princess!"
It's only been two days since I left Quezon pero katulad pa rin ng dati, clingy pa rin si Papa. I should have expected his visit since ganoon ang nangyare for the last two semesters. Kulang nalang dito na rin siya tumira.
Pasimple akong tumingin kay Gatorade na nakasitting pretty sa sofa. He was staring when Papa hugged us but sensed something kaya iniwas na rin niya ang tingin niya. Pero wow ha, feel na feel ang pagiging at home. Who welcome him anyway?
"Uy, blue guy, may bisita kami."
" Bisita mo rin naman ako, ah."
"Hindi kita bisita dito. Bwisit, pwede pa."
Pinagtaasan niya ako ng kilay bago irapan. Hey, ako lang ang pwedeng gumawa niyan! Bakit ba hindi ako manalo sa pangaasar sa lalaking 'to?
"Uy! Hi! May gwapo po, Alexa, oh. Sino siya? Hi! I'm Gabriel Delos Reyes. Nice to meet you. Are you Alexa and Veena's friend? Well, I'm Alexa's father and..."
"Papa!"
Napahawak ako sa magkabilang gilid ng noo ko. Ang bilis ng bibig ng Papa ko. Hindi ba siya napagod sa sinabi niya o naintindihan ba man lang niya lahat ng sinabi niya? Hindi ako madaldal but basing what happened today, I think I can know where this skill could go.
"He's not a friend."
Hinigit ko si Papa para makaupo sa sofa. Kapag kasi natetense, may tendency na mag-ratatatatat ang bibig ni Papa. I can't imagine kapag nagsabay kaming dalawa ang nakijoin force din si Dominique.
"I'm her boyfriend."
"No, you're not!"
"I am."
"Then, prove it! Wala naman akong kinausap mula sa company niyo, ah."
"Ah, ikaw yun..." naramdaman kong humawak si Papa sa 'kin pero if I stopped talking right now, it'll just give this blue head guy some time to think for rebuts.
"Walang contract. Walang business transaction. Mukhang klaro 'yon, hindi ba?"
But he didn't budge. He looked at me as if lahat ng sinabi ko ay mali.
"Actually," Hinawakan ako ni Papa sa balikat pero sumenyas ako ng sandali.
"So please, makakaalis ka na." I won't be fooled by any scams. I won't fall for this tricks. I don't have time for bullcraps.
"Walang kontrata?" May inihagis siya na envelope sa coffee table. Kukunin ko na sana pero inunahan ako ni Dominique.
"It's the same envelope I got from Marcus."
I would be so much interested if she stop using a special tone every time she says her boyfriend's name. Inagaw ko sa kanya 'yung envelope. Okay lang naman sa kanya dahil naging busy na siya sa pagkakamiss sa boyfriend niya.
"May kontrata ka din sa BFC?" bubuksan ko na sana ang envelope pero natigilan ako sa sinabi ni Papa. Din? Alam ni Papa ang BFC? Bakit may din?
"Don't tell Mama, please, Tito!"
"Of course, hija. Basta ganitong bagay, alam mong approved ako d'yan!"
Mukhang napansin ni Papa na nakatitig ako sa kanya. Hindi ko nagugustuhan ang mga nafoform na conclusion sa utak. Please don't tell me that he has something to do with this blue head guy? Papa loves to smile and you can easily tell if he's faking one.
"Papa." I closed my eyes. No. Please, hindi 'to totoo. Mabilis kong binuksan ang envelope at kinuha ang kontrata sa loob. Nakita ko rin sa loob ang picture ni Gatorade. In bold letters nakasulat ang mga salitang: Boyfriend Corporation.
Aakalain mong resume ni Gatorade ang unang page ng contract. Pero I skipped most of pages at dumiretso agad sa pinakahuli. Agad kong tiningnan ang pinakadulong parte ng kontrata. Signed by Gabriel Delos Reyes.
"Papa!"
"Hehehe. Peace?" Mabilis na lumayo sa akin si Papa.
"What were you thinking? Bakit ka kumuha ng boyfriend sa BFC?"
He nervously smiled at me. I understood and very much accepted the fact that my father is a bit childish and very easygoing, which the very opposite of Mama, but I never expected him go this far "Alexa, princess, huwag kang magalit sa 'kin please? Don't glare at Papa. Please!"
Napapikit ako nang nakita kong maluhaluha na si Papa Oh, please don't cry. Alam na alam nilang dalawa ni Dominique ang kahinaan ko! Bakit ba kasi ang hina-hina ko sa mga ganitong bagay? I shook my head and asked my father to stop. He did. He already know what I meant.
"Para saan 'to, Pa?"
"We're scared. We've never seen you interested in boys before. Kahit chismis lang, wala! All I know is you spent so much time with Dominique. Is there something between the two of you?"
Dominique and I called Papa out in unison. Fudge. I know he's kidding about me and Dominique, but still I don't want to hear it. Nakailang-peace sign si Papa na para bang nasa simbahan kami ang obligado siyang batiin ang lahat. He's trying his best to look cute so he could calm me down and control the situation.
"Pero natuwa ako noong nalaman ko kaninang umaga na may boyfriend na daw ulit si Veena."
"And you thought that I should have one too?"
He slowly nod as if he's checking if his giving the right answer. I'm trying to control my temper and I can only do that by biting my lower lip, which Papa hates by the way. Pero hindi niya ako mapuna dahil siya ang may kasalanan nito.
"My only intention was to visit you. Pero since orientation niyo kanina, naggala muna ako sa mall. Then he happened." Tinuro ni Papa si Gatorade. "By the way, ang weird ng name nila sa mall. We Have It All—We Mean All Mall!"
Pinigilan kong tumawa noong gayahin ni Papa kung paano sabihin ng mga staff doon ang pangalan ng mall. He even emphasized words all and mall. It's very catchy, to be honest.
"Akala ko free taste stand. Ang haba din kasi ng pila. So I thought: it's either good marketing or the product is really good. Pero mga lalaki pala ang pinagkakaguluhan." Dismayadong kwento ni Papa. "I was hoping for free food!"
He's too innocent for his age.
"Then one thing led to another and I really thought that you need one para..."
"Pa, how many times should I tell you that I'm fine? That I can survive my life without boys and romance? " I sighed, still trying to calm myself. "I don't need it, and him."
"Alexa—" he whined.
"Papa, it doesn't matter if magkaka-asawa ako o hindi. I'll still run your business. I was born for that, right?" Natigilan si Papa sa sinabi ko. Nagiguilty siguro. "So what's the point of having a boyfriend? Kaya kung pwede, ibalik niyo na siya."
Natahimik kaming lahat. Even Papa refused to look at me. Ako naman ngayon ang nagiguilty. Did I go too far? Was I too much? My collections are not my only weaknesses. Kahinaan ko rin ang mga magulang ko... at kahit si Dominique. I only have few people to love that's why it very concentrated.
But as much as I want to understand the situation, this is still wrong. I don't need a boyfriend. Nabuhay ako ng normal for eighteen years ng walang karelasyon, nakakasurvive ako sa pagaaral at may ibang source ng inspiration, kaya sa tingin ko magiging okay lang ako.
Tumingin ako kay bebs. Tahimik lang din na naghihintay sa aming dalawa. At yung isang lalaki na nakiki-at home dito ngayon? Ayun, parang wala lang nangyare. Bakit ba ayaw pa rin niyang lumayas?
"I'm sorry Alexa."
"Wag ka namang sumimangot, Papa."
"I want to, princess, but I can't." Dahan-dahan na siyang lumapit ulit sa akin. "You're right. Di ako dapat nakikielam sa love life mo. I was just, you know, a little concerned?"
Huh. Little. A minor concern.
"Sir? Zamora, correct?" Tinawag ni Papa si Gatorade. "I'm backing out. No need for refunds. I'll still pay. Nakaabala pa rin ako."
"Okay, sir."
I don't know how much it costs but I'm pretty sure it's a worth load of money. I'm still wondering how Dominique was able to afford it. Pero teka lang, is Papa really not refunding anything?
"It's okay, hija. It's my fault." Tinapik ni papa ang balikat ko na para bang nabasa niya ang iniisip ko.
I grabbed the contract again and skimmed all the paragraphs.
Oh shoot. Wrong move.
IT'S A LOT OF MONEY!
Don't Gab.
Pero si Papa...
Please. Wag.
Sayang 'yung pera...
Wag kang maaawa. Alam mong palabas lang yan ng Papa mo.
Yeah. Palabas lang 'to ni Papa... Pero...
Wag. Kontrolin mo!
But...
GAB!
I stopped arguing with my inner thoughts when Papa grabbed the contract from my hands. Gatorade explained something I wasn't able to absorb. All I heard was end, sign, confidentiality, back out, and contract. "I'll just sign here again?"
"This is unbelievable." His pen was about to touch the contract when I grabbed it from him. Sobrang galing. Sobrang galing mangonsensya!
"Alexa?"
"No. Stop. Please. Before I change my mind."
Nagulat ako noong sabay na napasigaw sina Papa at Dominique. Here comes the word I fear whenever I let my conscious eat me: "You can't back out now!"
Oh ghad, what have I done.
Inihatid ko si Papa sa labas ng apartment. I'm still mad pero mabilis din namang mawala ang inis at galit ko kay Papa. I don't know what will happen. Bahala na.
"I'm going to miss you, princess!" Niyakap niya ulit ako at binuhat.
"I'll be home this Friday. Lagi mo naman po akong namimiss."
"Alexa, princess, wag ka ng magtampo kay Papa. Isipin mo nalang advance birthday gift ko 'to para sa 'yo."
"Well, I don't like your gift."
"Coud you at least appreciate it—him?"
How?
Hindi ko nalang ipinilit. Niyakap ko si Papa dahil sa totoo lang kapad nandito ako sa Batangas, gusto ko na ulit bumalik sa Quezon. Hindi pa rin ako sanay na malayo sa mga magulang ko. "Bye, pa."
"Be a good girl." He kissed my forehead. Tumango naman ako. "And please know, you're here because we wanted to have you. We'll still have you even without our business."
Humigpit ang yakap ko kay Papa. "I'm sorry."
"Bye, Alexa."
Hinintay kong makalayo ang sasakyan ni Papa bago pumasok sa loob. I had to. Nakasilip kasi si Papa sa bintana hanggang sa makaliko sila sa kanto.
"You have a weird father."
Nawala bigla ang ngiti ko noong narinig ko ang boses niya sa likod ko. Calm down, Gab. Masyado kang masaya kasi nakita mo ang Papa mo ngayon. Chill lang ha? Wag mo nang sirain ang gabi. Tama na 'yong stress mo kanina.
"Why are you still here? Alam mo bang alas-onse na ng gabi? Masyado ka naman feeling at home dito."
"Wow. Ang sweet talaga ng girlfriend ko."
Anod aw? Girlfriend?
"Ang kapal talaga ng mukha mo!" Hindi ko napigilang mapasigaw. "I. Am. Not. Your. Girlfriend."
"But according to this, for the next three months, magiging boyfriend mon a ako." He said, waving the contract in front of my face. "Whether you like it or not, you will be my girlfriend."
"Hell I care about that contract." Itinulak ko siya palabas ng apartment.
"I'm telling Mr. Delos Reyes." Tinakot niya ako.
"You're so annoying!"
"Live with it, baby, 'cause you'll be dating this 'annoying' for three months." I bit my lower lip. "Now let's seal this contract nang makapagsimula na tayo."
Seal? With what?
Magsasalita pa sana ako nang bigla niya akong hinalikan sa labi at sinabing, "I love you, baby."