Kabanata 43
Obvious
My phone's ringtone woke me up the morning after. Napabalikwas ako ng bangon at mabilis iyong inabot mula sa bedside table. I gave Chamuel who was also woken up by the sound a glance.
Gulo-gulo na ang mga unan na ginamit kong divider bago kami natulog kagabi. We were on a king-sized bed which was why we didn't even touch elbows. Pakiramdam ko nga'y naiinis na siya sa 'kin dahil sa kaartehan ko pero hindi naman 'yon kita sa mukha niya. Or maybe I was just thinking too much.
"Good morning, Engineer," I answered the call.
Alas sais palang ng umaga kaya nakakapagtakang napatawag si Ian. Bago ako nag-leave ay nakapag-site visit naman na ako at tapos ko na ang pending works ko. Isa pa, hindi ko rin naman planong magtagal sa pags-soul searching sanang gagawin, e.
"Sorry to wake you up this early. Where are you?"
"I'm in Iloilo City right now. May problema ba?"
Sa gilid ng mga mata ko ay nakikinita ko ang pagkunot ng noo ni Chamuel. Umusog siya palapit sa 'kin at saka ako inakbayan. I leered at him but he stayed unfazed.
"Oh, that's good to hear! I'm hoping if you could at least drop by at the site this morning? Since andito ka rin naman pala sa Iloilo."
"Sure. I'll go there at around 10 AM. How's the construction, by the way? Sinunod niyo ba ang mga materyales na binilin ko?"
Bumuntong-hininga siya. "That's our problem. Nag-cost cutting ang kompanya kaya kailangang palitan din ang mga materyales. They made the decision yesterday and I was busy so I only got to call you now."
"Ba't daw nag-cost cutting?" Napahilot ako sa 'king sentindo. "Fine, I'll be there ASAP. Sa site ka rin ba didiretso?"
"Yes. May kasama ka ba? Kung wala ay susunduin nalang kita. Where—"
"Baby, what do you want for breakfast? I'll order," Chamuel said tenderly as he planted feathery kisses on my neck.
Pinandilatan ko siya ng mga mga mata at marahang itinulak pero hindi siya tumigil sa ginagawa. What the hell? Kagabi ngang nasa iisang kama rin kami, ni hindi niya naman ako hinawakan o ano. Tapos ngayon, bigla-bigla nalang siyang manghahalik? Handa ko na sana siyang sambahin sa pagiging matimpiin niya pero ano 'tong ginagawa niya ngayon? Why was he getting aggressive all of a sudden?
"Who's that, Tace?" Ian asked.
"A-ah, ano k-kasi..."
'Di ko matuloy-tuloy ang sasabihin ko dahil tumataas ang kamay ni Chamuel papunta sa gilid ng dibdib ko. Since I wasn't wearing a bra, I could feel the warmth of his palm when he caressed my underboob. Pinasadahan niya lang 'yon at saka tinungo naman ang balikat at likod ko. He was side-hugging me while still giving me soft kisses on my neck.
"May kasama ka ba? Okay lang naman sa 'kin. You can bring her... or him... at the site as well."
"O sige. Uh... salamat. Bye."
Mabilis kong pinatay ang tawag at binaba na ang cellphone ko. Chamuel's chin jerked up. Nang magtama ang mga mga mata namin ay kakikitaan na ang kaniya ng pananabik at pagnanasa. I gave him a scathing look which made him settle back on his place.
"I'm sorry. I know I crossed a line," he said and let out a sigh of defeat.
Medyo magulo pa ang buhok niya mula sa pag-tulog. His faultless lips were moist and red and more than half of his torso was for my eyes to feast on. Naka-topless siya at ang tanging suot lang ay ang boxers short niya sa ilalim ng duvet ng kama.
Not that I saw, but he did a good job telling me about it last night when the lights were out. Dahil wala siyang extrang damit at ayaw niya ring matulog suot ang coat at long-sleeves niya, napag-desisyunan niyang maghubad nalang. Good thing he didn't go all out and sleep in his birthday suit, though.
Mamamatay yata ako sa hiya 'pag nagkataon.
"It was work, Chamuel. Hindi naman kita inaakit ng ganoon kapag nasa VALT tayo, ah?"
"Unconsciously, you do. But you're right. Hindi ko lang naman mapigilan. Umagang-umaga tapos pagka-gising ko, may kausap kang lalaki? Sino naman ang matutuwa do'n, 'di ba?"
Nagsukatan kami ng tingin. I thought he graduated from being too jealous but guess I was wrong.
"Napaka-seloso mo pa rin," puna ko.
Umismid siya. "I can't help it, especially now. Noon ngang may pinanghahawakan ako, selos na selos na ako. Ngayon pa kayang wala?"
"It's just Ian! He's a colleague. What's your problem with our call?"
"I didn't like it."
His eyes stroke me like a physical touch. Napasinghap ako at saka naiilang na umiwas ng tingin.
"We were only talking..." I said in a softer tone.
He lifted his lips in a humorless smile. "I didn't like it."
Mainit ang sikat ng araw nang makarating kami sa site. Alas nuebe na 'yon ng umaga kaya karamihan ng mga trabahante ay naroroon na at nag-uumpisa nang magtrabaho. Chamuel walked beside me, well-behaved and quiet. Dahil pagkatapos pa nito kami mamimili ng damit, suot-suot ko pa rin ang dress ko kahapon at siya nama'y suot ang puting Balmain T-shirt niya at ang parehong pantalon niya kahapon.
I didn't want to be a little bitch about it but I was feeling too dirty already. Hindi naman madumi ang damit namin at mas lalong hindi 'yon nakakamatay. Despite that, I couldn't help but sense all the tiniest bacteria clung onto my skin. Pinatahimik ko na lamang ang isipan ko. Mabuti nga't may naisusuot pa ako.
"Architect Raya!" Ian greeted me and went ahead to give me a warm embrace.
Niyakap ko siya pabalik at humahalakhak na tinapik ang balikat niya. Nang kumalas na'y pilya kong pinisil-pisil ang biceps niya.
"Look at those gains!"
Arogante siyang tumawa. "Ako lang 'to!"
Natigil ang kasiyahan namin nang umubo si Chamuel sa gilid ko. I totally forgot about his presence when I saw Ian. Well, I missed him and his sight gave me a little bit of refuge, not that Chamuel didn't give me that. Leaving La Fortuna was like leaving a battlefield. Ang makakita ng kakilala at kaibigan ay lubusang nagbigay ng lualhati sa 'kin.
"Uh, this was Chamuel. He's the person that I was with when you called," I introduced.
Namilog ang mga mata ni Ian. "Chamuel? The Chamuel Valtierra?"
Napa-ayos ng tayo si Chamuel. He shifted his weight and darted his menacing eyes at Ian.
"How do you know me?"
"Everyone in our circle knows you! Kada nalalasing ba naman 'tong kaibigan namin ay ikaw ang bukambibig! Kesyo gago ka raw, manlolok-"
"Engineer Perez, that's enough," I thundered.
Ian raised a naughty smile. Dahil kilala ko siya at alam ko kung gaano siya kalala kapag umaandar ang pagiging gago niya, inagapan ko na agad at mariin siyang tinignan.
Of course, he knew Chamuel. At some point, I thought my friends even shared the same rage and fury that I had for him. They only knew him by name but it was as if they had met and encountered him every time they responded to my rants. Inis din sila katulad ko. Though that was all in the past now. Nag-mature naman na kami pero sa pilyong mukha ngayon ni Ian, hindi ako sigurado.
"Tace, don't be shy! I'm sure Chamuel here won't hold anything against you."
"Ian..." Pero tila ba hangin nalang ako nang magsukatan sila ng tingin.
"Nice to meet you, Engineer Perez."
Nilahad ni Chamuel ang kamay niya at tinanggap naman 'yon ni Ian. I saw how tight their grip was while holding each other's palm. Chamuel's biceps even flexed due to the force he exerted at that handshake.
"Nice to meet you, too, Captain Valtierra." They unclasped hands. "Kamusta? Himalang magkasama kayo nitong kaibigan ko, lalo na't hindi mapantayan ang pagkamuhi nito sa mga marinong tulad mo."
"People bend their opinions after meeting me. I'm good with that, Engineer."
"I admire your courage. Pero sana huwag mo na ulit saktan 'tong si Tacia. I couldn't count the times she has kissed boys every time we go clubbing, but end up returning to our table, crying because they didn't taste like you."
Umusok na yata ang ilong at tenga ko sa sobrang kahihiyan. I wanted to stop them but I froze in my place, throwing myself curses in my head. Tangina. Ba't naaalala pa 'yon ni Ian?
Kumuyom ang panga ni Chamuel. He possessively snaked his arms around my waist, pulling me against his side as his eyes still raked over him.
"I'll take that as a compliment," aniya sa mababang tono.
Ian chuckled and patted his shoulder. Tulirong-tuliro ako habang sinusundan ang mga galaw nila.
"Take that as a piece of advice. Don't hurt her again, Cap. I don't care if you're the richest person in La Fortuna or even in the whole country. Sa katunaya'y naiinis ako sa mga katulad mo. You are fortunate enough. And I think it's quite excessive, that you have her heart, along with your other assets. Makes me think that Heavens have favorites."
"My other assets are nothing compared to her. I am only fortunate if I have her."
Tila lalagnatin ako ng wala sa oras dahil sa pag-uusap nilang 'yon. After their conversation, Ian gave us our hardhats as we roamed around the site. Tahimik kaming dalawa ni Chamuel at mukhang naapektuhan pa yata ang ere namin dahil sa nangyari kanina.
Nang magsawa sa kakaikot at masid ay nag-usap na kami ni Ian tungkol sa mga materyales habang nasa 'di kalayuan naman si Chamuel. He was standing tall with his hands inside his pockets. Sinulyapan ko muna siya bago ibinalik ang tingin kay Ian.
"That's settled then. I'll make a rigid plan about that later and send it to you. Hindi naman pala malaki ang kinuha mula sa budget kaya makakaya naman nating ipagpatuloy ang naunang plano nang walang masyadong binabago."
He nodded and smiled. "Alright. Sa'n kayo pagkatapos nito?"
"We're going to the mall. Bibili lang ng damit."
"You take care, okay? I would like to hang out with you a little more, but I see that you're busy."
"It's nothing. Just spur of the moment escapade." I chuckled.
Niyakap niya ako at pagkatapos ay pinisil pa ang pisngi ko. I shoved his hand away but he persisted.
"Don't get your heart broken."
Ngumuso ako tsaka bahagyang humalakhak.
"Don't worry, I won't," certainty dripped in my voice.
He looked like a proud Dad with his consoled eyes and gentle smile. Napailing tuloy ako. Why do my friends treat like a baby? Kaya ko naman na ang sarili ko. Before leaving, I tiptoed and gave him a goodbye kiss on the cheek. Nakangiti akong kumaway sa kaniya at saka gumayak na.
The drive to the mall was awfully quiet. Every time I look at Chamuel, I could feel the bad aura that he was radiating. Kulang nalang ay ang matanaw ko ang itim na usok na nakapalibot sa kaniya. Although weirded out, I didn't let his air faze me.
Lumipad ang isipan ko sa kung ano ang gagawin ko mamaya 'pag nakabalik na sa hotel. Maybe I'll sleep first and then I'll go to the pool at night. Nasa rooftop kasi ang swimming pool do'n kaya mas maganda 'pag gabi dahil tanaw ang city lights.
"Ayos ka lang?" 'di ko na napigilang itanong nang kahit habang kumakain na kami ng tanghalian ay tahimik pa rin si Chamuel.
He sliced the baby back ribs on his plate and scooped it with his knife and fork to transfer it on my plate. Napanguso ako.
"I'm fine. Kumain ka ng marami at ang payat-payat mo na."
"Hmp. Don't make me eat too much! I know you won't like me anymore if I'm fat!"
Kumunot ang noo niya. "Stop your delusions. I didn't choose you because of your body. Well, I do love your body, but that doesn't mean that it's the reason why I'm pursuing you."
"Weh?" I blew air on my cheeks. Nang mapakawalan ang hangin ay tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Did you see that? Kung gano'n na kalaki ang mukha ko, siguradong 'di mo na ako mahal! I know you men fancy shapes and sizes too much!"
"I think it's the other way around. Only you girls are obsessed with making your bodies too model-like. I mean, I can't blame you because that's what society has instilled in many's minds. Pero kung totoong mahal ka ng tao, mamahalin ka niya kahit ano pang mukha o katawan ang taglay mo."
My lips stretched into a sarcastic smile. Nagkibit-balikat ako. Why were we even arguing about this?
"Easy for you to say, Cham. In reality, hindi ganiyan ang isipan ng lahat ng mga lalaki. You grew up in La Fortuna so it's normal that you're a man of honor and respect. Pero hindi lahat, katulad mo."
"Can we stop talking about other guys? You have me. Why not focus your energy on me, instead?"
His deep-set eyes glinted in slight dismay and irritation. I protruded my lips like a child. 'Yan na naman siya.
"Why are you so angsty? Kanina ka pa, ah! Badtrip ka siguro dahil 'di mo nakuha 'yung numero ng waitress na nag-serve sa 'tin, 'no?" tudyo ko sa kaniya.
Binaba niya ang kubyertos na hawak niya upang ipukol sa 'kin ang buong atensyon niya. Nakita niya siguro ang pagtatampo sa mga mata ko kaya talunan niyang ibinagsak ang balikat niya.
His lips curved in a gentle grin.
"I'm not angsty, okay? I'm sorry if I made you feel that way. Kumain ka na."
I didn't know what to feel about Chamuel's odd behavior. It was like he's letting me have my way easily. Parang... ang dali-dali kong manalo sa kaniya.
His sudden change catapulted me into the past. Ganoong-ganoon kasi siya dati. Though right now, he's become so captain-like. Sa una'y ayaw kong dominante siya ngunit napapansin ko namang kaya niyang dalhin ang sarili niya sa ereng 'yon kaya nasanay na rin ako.
It made me wonder why he was showing fragments of his past self to me. Wala namang masama roon, pero nagtataka lang ako kasi baka may nagawa akong mali sa kaniya. I realized that it soothed me better when he's cocky and smug. Hindi 'yung mabait nga siya pero pakiramdam ko'y nagkasala naman ako.
Matapos sa restaurant na kininan namin ay tumungo na kami sa ilang kilalang boutiques. The mall didn't have Gucci, Bvlgari, or LV. Namangha ako dahil daig pa pala ng La Fortuna ang syudad na 'to. The town center there's filled with extravagant clothing stores, unlike here which barely had one.
"Do I look good in this?"
Hinarap ko kay Chamuel ang isang itim na pares ng bikini. Tapos na kaming mamili ng kaswal na damit kaya tumungo na rito sa swimwear section. I openly told him about my plans of swimming later tonight and he didn't look happy about.
Madilim at may bahid ng emosyong 'di ko mapangalanan ang mga mata niya. He sighed.
"I think that's smaller than your actual size," he rasped.
I tilted my head in confusion as I laid the black string bikini top on my boobs. Kinapa ko ang dibdib ko habang nakalapat pa rin 'yon. I slid my gaze up to Chamuel.
"Okay naman, ah?" wika ko, sapo-sapo pa rin ang sariling dibdib.
"Ah, Miss, you can fit them in the fitting room. Ipakita niyo tapos kay Sir para maka-komento siya ng maayos," singit ng babaeng sales clerk sa tabi ko.
Mangha ko siyang tinanguan. "Pwede pala? Sige."
Hinawakan ko ang palapulsuhan ni Chamuel at hihilahin na sana siya papuntang fitting room nang bawiin niya ang kamay niya.
"What?" lito kong tanong.
Hirap siyang napalunok. He ran his fingers through his hair and heaved a deep sigh. Kanina pa siya bumubuntong-hininga sa harapan ko, ah? Ano bang problema niya?
"Let's go ahead and buy that, babe. 'Wag mo nang isukat."
"But you said it looks smaller!"
"It'll fit you, okay? Tara na."
Hanggang sa nagbayad na kami ay medyo masama pa rin ang timpla niya. He carried our paperbags after the transaction was over. Nang makalabas na sa pinagbilhan ay tinanong ko na siya.
"Seryoso. Ba't badtrip na badtrip ka?"
Binalingan niya ako. He licked his lower lip sensually and looked away before I could even distinguish the dark glint in his eyes.
"Umuwi na tayo," pinal niyang utas at naglakad na.
Hinabol ko siya. "Hey! Ba't ka ba nagmamadali? Alam mo, kanina ka pa—"
He cut me off by grabbing my right hand and putting it on top of his pants. Mabuti nalang at nahaharangan ng paper bags niyang dala ang kamay ko. We were also near the exit so no one was around except for the bodyguards who were busy with something else. He glided my palm against his bulging shaft once. Napasinghap ako dahil sa katigasan at kalikihan no'n.
"Baby, if it isn't obvious enough, I'm jealous and horny and needy." Inilayo niya ang kamay ko roon. He crooked a smile. "We need to get back at the hotel fast. I need to take a cold shower."