Ilang beses akong napakurap. Nanakit ang mata ko sa sobrang pagkasilaw. Shit. Unti unting luminaw ang lahat.
"Thanks god. You are freaking alive" Risimei shout.
I sigh. Napahawak ako sa ulo ko ng bigla itong kumirot. "Shit" Mariin akong Napapikit.
"Ayun. The saleslady out there is a shoplifter. Hindi talaga sya doon nagtatrabaho. Modus lang nila iyon-" Tresha explained.
I knitted my brows. Dahan- dahan akong tumayo. Shiela's hand were there to support me.
She smile. "Pogi nyun ah"
"Huh?" I ask. Nakita ko ang pagkain sa lamesa. Lalong kumalam ang tyan ko.
"You must eat. Kailangan mong makabawi ng lakas." Kyl said.
I nod. Nalala ko nanaman yung sundalo kanina. Shit. This unknown feeling occupied my heart. His touch is the most comfortable, ever.
"What's the name of the soldier?" I look at Shiela.
She laugh. "Pogi no? Tapos bagay pa kayo."
I smile. This girl knew me in every inch. "Gaga, Mag ta-thank you lang sana ako-"
"Ulul! Crush mo?" Esha ask.
"Kyl! Ano bang pangalan nyun?-" Esha throw a pillow to Kyl.
"Hey!" Kyl Exclaim. Animoy nagulat sa ginawa ng pinsan nya.
"Ano ba 'yon?" kunot noong tanong nya bago ibaba ang cellphone na hawak.
Esha laugh. "Alam mo kung anong pangalan nung kasama ni Kernel mo?..."
Napailing ito nang marinig ang salitang 'Kernel mo' bago lumingon sa direksyon ko.
Kyl smile as look at me. "Type mo?"
Napayuko ako. Mabilis akong umiling. Shit. Ganon ba ako kahalata? O sadyang kilala lang talaga nila ako.
"M-mag papasalamat lang ako."
I heard them laugh. Typical Burgurls.
"Kyl. Ibigay mo na nga yung pangalan. Para makatulog to ng mahimbing mamayang gabi-" Nakangising saad ni Tresha.
Kyl laugh. Kinabahan at natuwa ako ng makita ko ang pag bukas ng bibig nya.
Shit. I won't deny it. I want to know his name too.
"Gurls. I have to go. Nag chat sakin yung Ob-gyn kong classmate noon sa Aurora. I need to meet her ASAP."
She plant a kiss on our cheek. Lumingon sya saakin. Hindi ko alam kung anong dapat kong maging reaksyon.
"Khaning sadly, I can't give you an answer. Ask Rein..." Her glace became more serious. "But don't use my name"
I nod. Shit. Balak ko pa naman na gamitin ang pangalan nya. Rein won't give me answer unless I'm kyl or it's for kyl. That's so sad.
Esha laugh. "Rhyme. Ask Rein, but don't use my name——ouch!"
Napatawa ang lahat sa pagkabatok ni Kyl kay Esha. Shit. Habang pinagmamasdan ko silang magharutang dalawa, hindi ko maiwasang maisip.
How could I meet that man again?
"Aalis na ako Gurls." She wave her hand. "Ay, sino nga palang maghahatid kay khaning?"
"Me" Shiela raise her hand Like a student want to be called by the teacher. "Ierl will pick me. Ipasabay ko na to" Nginuso nya ako.
I sigh. "Sana all may jowa..." Nakayuko kong saad.
Namilog ang mga mata ko nang mag angat ako ng tingin. Lahat sila nakapahinto at napatitig saakin.
Shit. I said it wrong.
Napailing si Kyl. "Kailangan ko na talagang umalis. Khaning told this bitches if you felt something, Huh?" She sigh while looking at the phone. "Don't think too much"
Napangiti ako habang pinagmamasdan ko si Kyl na tumakbo palabas ng pinto.
I will say sorry to her after this. Maybe she won't mind. I smile on my own thought.
"May out reach program ako mamayang madaling araw. I badly need to go" Jannilyn grab her bag.
"Lay ikaw nang bahala kay khaning ah"
"It's okay." I laugh. "Umalis ka ng gaga ka!"
She smile. My smile fades, There is something wrong on her. She look not good today. Tatanungin ko pa sana sya nang magpaalam syang lumabas dahil biglang tumunog ang phone nya.
"Tresha. I'm free today!" Esha laugh.
"Ako nalang yung Sasama sa photoshoot mo. Hindi naman papabayan ni Lalay si khaning ih" She smile.
"Kasama ko jowa ko tanga-" Hindi pa tapos ni Tresha ang sinasabi nya nang magsalita si Esha.
"Gaga, wag mo akong tawaging tanga! Hindi ka nakaharap sa salamin." Esha laugh.
Shit. kahit kailan talaga napaka straight forward nya. That makes them relatives. True on their words.
I bite my lower lip. Masama ang tingin saamin ni Tresha. Shit. She's a bit sensitive when it comes to her boyfriend. Tresha love him so much——should I call it one sided love? Because she's been abused by loving him.
"Bakit hindi mo pa kasi Hiwalayan-" I heard shiela said.
I look at the ceiling. May number pa siguro ako ni Colonel Vendez. Baka nag palit nya iyon. When I ask kyl on his number. Pagsususpetsyahan lang ako nyun at masyado naman akong halata.
Pero. Hindi naman siguro magpapalit ng number si Rein lalo na, He want to win Kyl back. Alam nyang ayaw ni Kyl ng ganon. Maybe I should check my phone when I go home.
"Khaning!" halos mapatalon ako nang sigawan ako ni Risimei.
Napahawak ako sa tainga ko. Sobrang lapit nya sakin. "A-ano ba yun?" Saad ko habang hinihimas ang tainga ko.
Tresha laugh. "Khaning isn't paying attention for your plans gurls. Sabi ko naman sainyo." Natatawang saad nya. Parang nanalo ito.
"Hanggat hindi pa nya ako binebreak. I will stick on him-" Tresha said.
"Pag ako nag mahal. Hindi ako magiging ganyan ka tanga" Esha laugh. "Gaga, sukdulang katangahan na iyan ih"
I pout. "Hayaan nyo na. Hindi pa kasi natin na experience."
I look at Tresha. "Are you happy with him even if he's cheating on you?" She slowly nod. "Then I'm happy for you"
Shiela laugh. "Buti nalang yung napunta saakin, mabuting tao."
"Ulul. Masamang magsalita ng tapos." Bwelta ni Esha bago tumawa.
"Khaning your camera and ring lights were fix at Shiela's car. Antayin nyo nalang si Ierl ah. On the way na daw sya" Esha added.
"Aalis na kayo?" Tanong ko. Shit. I hide my smile, She just nod.
Kinuha nya na ang bag nya. Nag paalam na din si Risimei at Tresha. Risimei will meet someone, according to her. Tapos yung dalawa ewan ko sa kanila.
Pagkasarang pagkasara palang ng pinto. Nagmadali 'kong kinalkal ang bag ko. Shit. My phone is here, I'm sure.
"Anong hinahanap mo?" Shiela furrowed her brow as she ask.
I pout. "Phone" Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa bag. "Alam ko nilagay ko lang dito yun ih"
She laugh. "Nasa akin."
Kumunot naman ang noo ko sa sinabi nya.
"You look so happy..." Wala sa sariling saad ko.
"I did you a favor" Umupo sya sa tabi ko. "Narinig ko kasi na nag-uusap sila Kyl at Rein kanina. Rein is asking Kyl why isn't she replying on his text. Then kyl show her phone. Naka indicate dun na wala syang text.-"
"Talagang pinakingan mo lahat ah" I said.
She proudly nod. "Teka lang kasi!" She pat my shoulder. Parang ayaw nyang maabala ko sya sa pagkwewkento.
"Nalaman ko na nag palit na pala ng number si Rein so-"
She hand me my phone. "Kinuha ko yung number nya para sayo. Don't be shy to hug me."
"Iww" I laugh. "So, Ano pa ang nalaman mo habang wala akong malay."
Magsasalita pa sana sya nang mag ring ang cellphone nya. Nabaling doon lahat ang atensyon nya.
"Fuck. talaga? Okay loves." she almost whispered.
"Tara na. Kanina pa pala doon si Ierl" She grab my bag.
Nagpatulong kami sa isang nurse para makaalis. Thankfully, I can walk properly without the feeling of dizziness.
Mabagal lang ang pagpapatakbo ni Ierl. They talk alot of things. Shit. They're really compatible with each other. I wonder how they could stand to long with endless words and topic to talk.
Nagbaba nalang ako ng tingin sa phone ko. Tinignan ko ng ilang beses ang numero ni Rein nakalagay sa phone ko. I smile. I want to meet that guy again.
"Khaning, don't hesitate to do that" Shiela laugh. "Malay mo, kayo talaga."
Napairap nalang ako sa sinabi ni Shiela.
"You didn't meet a person without a reason. Right, loves?" Ierl laugh, as if they agreed on what they're saying.
I sighed. Maybe they're right. I dialed his number. Gagawin ko talaga lahat ng makakaya ko para pigilan ang sarili ko na banggitin ang pangaln nya.
Wag gamitin ang Pangalan ni Kyl, I hope I really can do it now.
Shit. It takes 3 rings before he pick the call, when its Kyl. It won't take second.
This guy had a favoritism.
"Who's this?" Walang gana nyang tanong.
Napatingin naman ako kay Shiela. Kunot noo nya akong tinitignan. I force a smile.
"Hi Rein!" Masiglang bati ko. "It's Chloe. Kyl's friend" I bite my lips after that statement.
"Oww" Biglang nagkaroon ng sigla ang boses nya.
Kyl name is a magic word Huh? I should say it more often, then!
"What do you need Chloe?"
"Hmmm." I murmured. "Rein I want it to be secret-"
"Why should-"
"Kyl hate breaking promises. Tsk tsk" I bite my lips.
I swear to god. It's the hardest thing to do. I really enjoy it when I heard him panic, every time he heard her name.
"What it is. I'll keep it a promise then?" He ask.
"I want to know who is the man who help me-"
"Oh! Yun lang ba? Pinagpawisan naman ako dun." I heard him laugh. "He is Lil. Col. John David Corro."
I smile at Shiela. She raise her brow and mouth out. Did you get it?
"Yun lang ba? I need to meet the whole-"
"Saan ang camp nyo ngayon?" I ask.
"You know, that information is confidential-" Pormal na saad nito saakin.
"Ah Ganon ba?" Pinalungkot ko ang Boses ko. "Sayang naman. Dadalawin ka pa naman namin ni Kyl" I chuckled.
"But it's okay. Thank you Kernel-"
"I'll send you the address" He sigh. "You sure. Kyl will visit me here?"
Shit. Kyl will going to kill me if she heard about it.
"Oo naman. Alam mo namang botong boto ako sayo ih. Ako nang bahala dun" I chuckled.
"Sige kernel. I have to go. I huhunt ko pa yung lumalandi kay Kyl ih"
Pagkapatay ng tawag dun ko Lang nailabas ang tawa ko. Shit. Shiela look at me smiling.
"I'm 50/50 loves" She whispered. "50% happy for Khaning and a half afraid. When kyl found it out. She's dead" Then she laugh.
I pout. "Kyl loves me" I sigh. "I'll explain to her everything."
"you better be" Shiela laugh.
Ni hindi lumagpas ng ilang minuto. Narecieve ko ang kompletong address ng camp nila. Malayo-layo but I don't mind. Shit. I want to know alot of information about this man.
Pagkauwi ko palang sa bahay. I drop my laptop on my dinning table. It's bad to skip meals according to Kyl. Susundin ko yun para pag nagalit sya sakin may isusumbat ako.
Shit, what I am thinking?
Agad kong itinaype ang pangalan nya sa ilang social media sites. I smile. He's more gorgeous when he's smiling. Kasi kanina poker face lang sya.
Buti nalang din pala hindi ako nakapag vlog. Hindi muna ako mamumublema sa pag-eedit. I have alot of time to seek for information.
He's so effing tall. May ilang profile nya na nakapoker face. Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti, nang makita ko kung ilang mga babae ang nagcocomment sa post na 'yon. Umaasa na mapansin sila.
"Duh? Nagalala yan sakin" I chuckled. "Tsaka wag na kayong umasa, magiging akin din yan"
Napatingin ako sa bahay. Buti nalang on vacation ang mga magulang ko. While the others like our housekeeper and maids are out for their vacation. My sibling are no where to be found. I smile. Mas magagawa ko ng matino ang plano ko.
Nang tumama ang liwanag mula sa bintana. Shit. This is it.
Mabilis akong tumayo sa kama ko.
Nagmadali akong mag almusal at maligo. I need to look decent and good. Nag apply din ako ng light makeup.
Nagmadali akong buksan ang pinto habang nag susuklay ako. I can't help but to smile.
"Magkano pong lahat kuya?" I ask.
Kinuha ko na ang pitaka ko at inabot ang bayad. Agad akong umalis doon at nilapag ang in order ko sa lamesa. I will make that man mine.
While driving I called Kyl. Gladly, she pick the call. I sighed. In the back of my mind. I'm silently praying that it will go well.
"K-khaning. You alright?" That was here morning voice.
Patay nagising ko ata. Dumagdag pa ang kasalanan ko.
"Kyl? I will ask a favor?" I said energetic.
'Turn right in 50 meters'
"You are driving?" I heard her sighed. "San ka naman pupunta? I mean okay ka na ba?-"
"I am" I chuckled. "Kyl. May kasalanan ako"
She sigh. I know this moment her brows were knitted to each other.
"I already knew."
Malakas akong napreno. Shit. She already knew. Naramdaman ko ang pagwawala ng puso ko.
"Khaning. Careful" She laugh.
Gulat akong tumingin sa phone. "You aren't angry?"
She laugh. "No. I told him. To give what you ask, we will have a meeting before this week ends" She sigh. "But this is the last time Huh? You knew our situation.-"
I laugh "Thank you Kyl! You are freaking the best"
She laugh. We bid our good byes before she ended the call. I park my car near the huge gate.
I walk out of my car. Shit. My plan will be smooth after that call I'm very sure of it.
"We aren't allowed civilian to enter" Malamig na saad ng armadong lalaki.
Kung normal na araw siguro ito. I will be afraid on him. But not now, today is my day.
"Zup kuya?" I laugh ngunit nanatiling seryoso ang tingin nya.
Napalunok ako bago umayos ng pagkakatayo.
"Hmm. Ah. Kakilala ko yung Colonel nyo. May usapan kasi kami ngayon ih-"
Kumunot ang noo nya. "Colonel Vendez?" May panunuyang tumawa ito. "That one won't entertain girls I am sure. Hindi ka papansinin nyun miss-"
The other soldiers laugh. "That one is perfectly devoted with one woman and it's not you."
I laugh. "Alam ko!" Natigilan naman sila. "Tawagin nyo nalang nga sya."
Nakita kong siniko ng isang sundalo yung katabi nya.
"Sige, tawagin mo para mapahiya to. Kala nya porket maganda sya papansinin sya nyun. Ang sungit-sungit nyun ih-"
The soldier laugh. "Wait a minute"
Ilang minuto akong nag-intay bago bumukas ang maliit na pinto sa tabi ng gate. Nakita ko ang maangas at puno ng awtoridad na lakad ni Rein. He smile the moment he saw me. Nakita ko ang pagsaludo ng sundalo ng napadaan sya.
The moment he pass me. Sumaludo din ako. Shit. Mahirap na. I don't want to be arrested. Baka sabihin nila hindi ako marunong gumalang.
He laugh. "Ganda ng araw mo kernel ah." I said.
He smile. "She finally talked to me and it's because of you-"
Mukhang mas mapapadali ang plano ko.
"Oww!" I exclaimed. "You're welcome. Pagkain mo nga pala..."
Kumunot ang noo nya. "Para saan 'to?"
"Nanliligaw daw sya sa'yo Kernel!"
Biglang nagtikom ang isang sundalo ng pinasadahan sya ng tingin ni Vendez. Huli nya na siguro narealize ang sinabi nya.
He look at the food. "You need something again?"
"I want to know the address of lil. col-"
He laugh. "You know I can't give you that. We have a plenty of food here. Don't bothered to give me that one."
I sigh. "Is he here?"
Marahan syang umiling. Nakita ko ang paglayo ng mga sundalo parang pinalayo talaga sila.
"May mission sya ngayon. Thats the reason why he staying outside the camp." He answered.
I smile. That was a very cool thing. Ang astig siguro nyun.
"Yun lang ba?" He ask. Napansin nya siguro na medyo tumahimik ako. "I need to go"
I pout ng pasadahan ko ang likod nya. Nakailang hakbang na sya sakin ng kalikutin ko ang phone ko. I assure that it's on loud speaker. Sigurado akong maririnig nya iyon.
Nakita ko ang mukha ni Kyl sa kabilang linya. Mukhang nag aaral sya.
"Kyl" I weakly said. I wink at her.
I see her nod. Shit. This is the reason I love Burgurls. They know how to understand signs.
"Khaning where are you?"
Napangiti ako ng natigilan si Rein sa paglalakad. Mabilis syang humarap saakin.
I bite my lips. "I am going home. Bar tayo?-"
Kyl laugh. "Why not?. If that's what you want. You know I love you."
Using my peripheral vision. I can sense the irritation on Rein's face. Shit. It's going to be great.
"Balita ko nadami daw gwapong lalaki dun—" Napasinghap ako nang biglang agawin ni Rein saakin ang phone ko.
He ended the call.
"He's leaving alone. Tromped subdivision." He sigh. "Black gate at Index street"
I smile. "Thank you!"
He look at me. "Your welcome. But please, wag mong yayain mag bar si Kyl"
I laugh. "I can't promise that, but I'm trying the best I could."
I wink at him. "Alam mo naman na boto ako sayo ih"
I chuckles. Shit. I can wait to see him. Knowing I will be meeting him, that makes my day great.