"What, no one's trying to court you?" Lola asked, disbelief in her eyes. It's Sunday, I was supposed to study but she called asking for a date. Now, we're roaming around the mall and my feet totally beg for a rest.
"No one and I like it that way po," I answered politely. Her arms were locked in mine.
"Wala ng mga bayag mga lalaki ngayon." She said shaking her head. Agad akong napalinga linga baka kasi may nakarinig sa kanya! She even said it in Tagalog! Omg!
"Lola, please your language.." I whispered. Tinawanan lang niya ako bago ako hinila papasok sa isang botique. Ugh.
Inisa isa niyang isukat sakin lahat ng mga dress na matipuhan niya. I'm not really into this kind of thing kaya pakiramdam kong pagod na pagod na agad ako but I didn't voice out my complain. Minsan nalang kami lumabas ni Lola ever since I entered medical school.
After she was satisfied with every dress she bought hinila na ulit niya ako palabas para mag-hanap ng ipapasalubong daw niya for Charlie, my youngest sister.
"I should set a date for you,"
"No, no. Lola, please." Idea palang ng blind dating sumasakit na yong ulo ko.
"What? Ayoko na magaya ka sa ate mo! May planong tumanda ng dalaga, malungkot mag-isa. Hindi kayo mayayakap ng stethoscope niyo."
Geez. Who said I need someone to hug at night? I prefer being inside the hospital, doing rounds, going home to rest or read a book then sleep than dating. The whole idea of dating tires me more than shopping. Really.
"Bed is better than boys, Lola."
"Iba ang pahinga ng tulog sa pahinga sa taong mahal mo."
"Corny, Lola."
Sometimes I wonder if sila ba ni Ansel ang totoong mag-Lola since parehas sila ng thoughts and words of wisdom. Kaya sobrang close niya kay Ansel, e.
"Is that Hurricane?"
Agad akong napatingin sa tinitignan ni Lola. And there kakalabas lang ng Hugo Boss store is Hurricane Tantoco. Wearing gray polo shirt and black shorts. He.. okay he looks good. Why am I complimenting him anyway?
"Oh, Hurricane!"
Agad siyang napalingon sa direksyon namin. Nag-tama agad ang mata namin bago siya mapa-tingin kay Lola. I am quite amazed na kilalang kilala siya ni Lola, sobrang tagal na kasi nong last. He smiled bago lumapit samin.
"Lola," he greeted bago nag-mano, "Kumusta po?"
Lola, unfortunately, giggled. She looks at him like he's Lolo reincarnated. Geez.
"Feeling younger, hijo." She answered. Omg. Nahihiya ako lalo.
"I see, you look younger than Chandy." He said as he glanced at me. There's a playful smile on his lips.
Tinignan ko lang siya. Ang kapal din ng mukha e.
"Oh! Stop it," jusko. Kinikilig ba talaga ang Lola ko? May pag-palo pa siya sa braso ni Hurricane. I can't believe this!
"Anyway, we're about to eat." No, we're not. "Come, join us. Please. My treat."
I saw hesitation in his eyes.. Please, say no. Say no. I don't think I have the appetite to eat with him.
"Oh, stop thinking. Come on, where do you want to eat?"
Biglang inalis ni Lola ang pagkaka-kapit niya sakin at lumipat kay Hurricane. What the hell?! Sino bang apo dito? I can't believe my grandma!
Nakita ko nalang ang sarili kong naka-sunod sa kanila hanggang sa maka-pasok kami sa isang Fil-Mex restaurant. My grandma immediately took all the shopping bags Hurricane was holding for her and placed it sa katabi niyang upuan. I was left with no choice but to sit beside him.
"So.. do you have someone right now?" Lola asked smiling pero patingin tingin din siya sakin. Ugh. I know what she's doing. I can't believe this, hindi naman niya to ginawa kay Cyclone!
"Wala po." Ang galang niya, nakakagulat.
"Really? You don't like someone right now?"
"Study first po," Oh, bullshit. Siya? Ako nga may crush na senior namin, siya pa kaya?
"Sus.. everyone have their someone."
Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang pinag-lalaban ni Lola. Gusto ba niyang marinig na siya ang someone ni Hurricane? Charot.
"Crush lang po,"
I looked at Hurricane, he's smiling shyly. Medyo napakamot pa sa batok at hindi maka-tingin ng ayos kay Lola. The hell? Marunong pala siya mahiya. Baka si Lola crush niya?
"Really? What is she like?"
He cleared his throat, getting uncomfortable. Hinayaan ko nalang si Lola mag-tanong. I can't deny the fact that I am kinda enjoying him seeing being like this. Yong hindi mapakali at nahihiya. Nakakapanibago.. last ko siyang nakitang ganto was that night nong graduation party namin..
"She's.. very pretty po. Matalino and.. mataray."
I watched him blushed! His ears were all red. Oh my! Kinikilig ba siya? Dine-describe lang naman niya yong crush niya!
"Oh. Is she law student too?"
I heard them talking about Huricane's work kanina nong nag-lalakad kami kaya nalaman ni Lola na law student siya.
He cleared his throat again, "No po."
"So working na?"
"Hindi ..din po."
"Still in college?"
"Hindi na po.."
Hindi law student. Hindi working at hindi college. So.. tambay?
"Oh, I see. Why don't you pursue her?"
As much as I enjoy seeing Hurricane being uncomfortable hindi ko din maiwasan hindi mahiya. Sobrang tsismosa ni Lola! Grabe, frustrated reporter ba siya? Gusto ko sanang sabihan si Lola but it's disrespectful na gawin yon nang may ibang kaharap. Kahit pa gaano kahinahon.
Hurricane drinks his water, geez. "Crush lang naman po."
Lola nodded her head before she glanced at me. What?
"My apo, she's very pretty too. Very matalino and mataray. She's a med student kaya masyadong busy. I am worried nga walang nanliligaw, baka tumandang dalaga." She whispered the last words.
My goodness! Gusto ko nalang lumubog sa lahat ng pinagsasa-sabe ni Lola. Baka mamaya mabanggit na naman niya ang mga bayag!
Mas kita ko kung paano dumoble yong pagka-pula ni Hurricane. Teka, may sakit na ata to?
He cleared his throat again. May tonsillitis na ba siya?
Pa-simple akong nag-fill ng water sa baso niya since naubos na niya kaka-patikim tikim dahil sa mga sinasabe at tinatanong ni Lola.
"Buti naman po," he answered. Napatigil ako, mas lalo namang lumawak ang ngiti ni Lola.
Anong 'buti naman'?!
"I mean.. mahirap po ang med plus.. relationships.."
My brow arched. Mahirap pero half naman samin may mga lovelife, di nga lang ganon kasaya.
"She looks tough but she's very soft on the inside."
"Because muscles and organs are. Everyone's soft on the inside, Lola." I can't help but say. Baka kung ano pang isipin nitong isa e.
"Oh, c'mon! Swerte ang mapapang-asawa ni Chandrella."
Geez. Kasal agad hindi pa nga ako graduate! Sumasakit na talaga yong ulo ko. Nakakahiya talaga! Nakita kong ngumiti si Hurricane.. yong ngiti na minsan ko lang makita.. hindi yong puro pang-iinis.. the sincere one..
"Gusto mo ba subukan?" Lola asked leaning forward to Hurricane!
Halos manlaki yong mata ko, tuluyan nang napa-ubo si Cane! Geez!
"Lola, please."
She just giggled before she waved her hand, "I'm just jesting."
Oh, Lola! What should I do with you?!
Finally, dumating na yong order namin. Lola keeps on questioning him about his studies. Tuluyan nang kinalimutan lahat ng kalokohan kanina. Nang matapos, sa kanya padin naka-angkla si Lola. We bought four books for Charlie and her favorite cookies bago kami hinatid ni Hurricane sa may parking lot.
"I'm happy nakasama ka namin ngayon, hijo."
"Ako din po."
I settled on the driver's seat and started the engine. Bumeso pa siya kay Lola bago umikot papunta sakin. Wala sana akong balak ibaba yong window kahit nong kumatok siya kung hindi lang ako kinurot ni Lola.
"Hey, buti naisipan mong ibaba." He's so sarcastic! He's pertaining to the car's window. Tinignan ko lang siya, ano bang sasabihin pa niya?
"Eyes on the road. Drive carefully."
"I will, you don't need to remind me."
He smiled. I just looked at him, waiting if may sasabihin pa siya out of courtesy.
"Good. Ingat."
Tumango nalang ako before maneuvering the car. He gave a small wave hanggang sa tuluyan na kaming maka-alis nang parking.
"He's such a good man."
"How can you say that?"
"His eyes speak for him. If you want to know someone, just look at the door to his soul and you'll know."
I just shrugged. Well, he's always an ass to me but.. there were times when we were in high-school that he's been really good..
"You don't like him?"
"Lola, please." I can't just shut her up like I used to my friends or to Hurricane. But gosh! I'm so tempted!
**
After we interviewed the patients, we headed straight to discuss our ICS. Tapos nag quiz pa sa Anes. Wala pa akong ayos na tulog since hectic week ngayon. Lumalapit nadin ang hell week, ayoko namang mag cramming sa pag-aaral kaya ina-advance ko na bawat subject.
One of my rules to myself: Bawal matulog nang walang naaaral na maayos.
"Do you want carbonara?"
I nodded as I lay myself on the sofa and opened the TV to watch the current series I am watching on Netflix. Two hours rest then back sa pag-aaral.
"Mas masigla pa yong lovelife ni Eleven kesa sayo," Ansel commented nang pumunta siya sa tabi ko, holding a sandok.
Ugh. Why is everybody's so concern sa lovelife ko?
"Alam mo ba, may girlfriend na si Ian." Pagke kwento niya. Ian's my current crush. 4th year med student na siya. Half-chinese. Pero minsan lang talaga siya pumasok sa isip ko.. kapag nakikita ko lang o pinapaalala ni Ansel.
I just shrugged as an answer. Wala naman akong pakielam masyado kung magka girlfriend siya.
"Nurse daw ang girlfriend. Hannah ang name. Sa QC nakatira. Body figure, 36-24-36. 5'10 in height. Chinese beauty. Ex boyfriends ay Engineer and Architect, nong college isa lang na classmate niya."
Hindi na ako nagulat na alam niya lahat yon, she's Ansel. Mas magaling pa yan sa mga CIA agent pag dating sa pag-hahalungkat nang lahat sa isang tao. Pero hindi ko napigilan hindi mapangiti nang banggitin niya ang body figure. Pati ba naman yon?
"CIA Agent is shaking," I jested, glancing at her na kumindat lang bago bumalik sa pag-luluto.
After eating, nanood lang kami ng dalawang episode bago sabay na bumalik sa pag-aaral. "Parkinsonian Drugs"
"Damn. Cold Salad. Wait.." she looked up, "COMT inhibitors, under it are entacapone and tolcapone, then Selegiline which is a selective irreversible MAO-B inhibitor, next is Anticholinergics that may be used to treat motor symptoms.. then fuck L-Dopa, under it are plus carbidopa and benserazide.. and Amantadine and Dopamine agonists.. under it are bromocriptine, apomorphine, rotigotine, pramipexole and ropinirole. Fuck! Papasa na ako!"
My lips tugged into a small smile nang mag chicken-dance siya. Baliw talaga.
"Serious complications of oral birth control pills," she asked after. I answered the SEA CASH. We continued asking each other questions pa hanggang sa may mag doorbell.
"Pero alam mo sobrang effective lahat ng mnemonics ni Cyclone kahit sobrang babastos! Sometimes nai-imagine ko" she laughingly said habang nag-lalakad papunta sa pinto.
I can't help but to shake my head.. Actually, I am using Cy's mnemonics. Promise, kahit sobrang babastos minsan tatatak talaga sa utak ko. That's why every quiz pinipigilan kong mapangiti, minsan pa biglang tatawa si Cy.. naiisip ang sariling kalokohan.
"Oh, speaking of the devil!"
My eyes remained on my paper. Napaangat lang ang tingin ko nang maamoy ko ang pizza. Omg!
"Flavor?" I asked getting the pizza from his hand. Agad siyang nailing.
"Wala man lang talagang 'hi'"
Ang arte. Kasing arte ni Hur-ugh. Why does he even cross my mind?
I just shrugged as I open the box. Agad kong binuksan ang dalawang hot sauce. Family size dala niya. Very good.
"What you say tomorrow night sa Lit?" he asked as he settled beside me, his arms rested on my back.
"Omg! Okay, okay. Habang chill pa." Ansel answered.
The last time na pumunta kami sa Lit naubos yong allowance ko. Sobrang sama ng memory ko sa lugar na'yon. Maganda naman.. kaso nakipag pustahan sakin sina Cy at Ansel that time kaya nailibre ko sila. Hindi ako aware na libo pala ang babayadan ko.
But the whiskeys there were all great. I must say.
"I don't know."
"Hurricane's coming with his classmates," Cy informed.
And that's the final answer. Hindi na ako sasama. No. I don't want to see his smirking face again.
"Oh, edi he's with Mr. Glasses din?" Ansel looked at me teasingly. Geez. As-if sasama ako bukas sa kanila.
"Yes, they already knew we were joining them."
"Omg! I'm so excited."
And I'm not. "I'm not going."
"Oh c'mon!" they both grunted in chorus.
They know too well how awkward I am to new people.. plus Hurricane's there.. I don't see any good reason para sumama.
"Stop being bitter kay Hurricane. He did nothing bad kaya."
Hindi ko pinansin si Ansel. I focused myself on pizza.
"Pumunta ka'na o ipagkakalat kong may ginawa kayo ni Hurri sa bathroom ng kwarto ko,"
My head instantly whipped to him. Feigning nonchalance but I know I failed nang ngumiti siya nang malawak. He leaned towards me as he whispered, "I have CCTV in my bedroom, babe."
Damn.
"What?! Kailan pa sila nag-kasama sa cr?! Omg! Di ka'na virgin?"
"One hour din yon."
I massaged my temples sa sunod sunod na tanong ni Ansel at sa ngiti ni Cyclone. Why is this happening to me?! Gusto ko lang naman payapa ang buhay. Shit talaga!
"You're so OA. I'm still a virgin."
"Oh.. pero one hour..? so, MOMOL lang ganon? Tagal naman." She asked still astound on what she has learned. Tumawa naman si Cyclone.
"Yeah, is my twin good?"
"Stop. Please." I stressed each word.
They both laughed at me. Napilitan tuloy akong mapa-kwento about sa nangyare. It's not detailed of course. Never kong sasabihin kung paano ko na muntik maihampas ang ulo ni Hurricane sa pader sa sobrang inis. Tawang tawa naman silang dalawa. Geez.
"Payag ka muna,"
"Fine."
**
"Are you sure?" Ansel asked nang lunch time na. She has a date sa mom ng boyfriend niya. Biglaan nag-aya for some reasons daw. Kami nalang ni Cyclone ang matitira but he too has a date.
Now.. I am starting to reconsider dating.. but of course I won't date for that reason alone..
"I'm an adult, I'll be fine." I assured her. She kissed me on the cheek before she hurriedly take a leave. Si Cy kanina pa naka-una sa date niya.
I looked at my watch, wala kaming klase sa Micro which is the subject after lunch. I'm thinking if uuwi nalang ako sa condo pero tinatamad ako mag-luto kaya dumiretso sa Bugis since natatakam din ako sa Singaporean food.
"Laksa Rice. Sambal Kangkong. Singapore Laksa. Two lobsterball. Two Lobster Cheese. Two crab finger. Two fish cake. Four breaded scallop. Four tiger roll.. and lemongrass with ginger for drinks." The woman smiled at me as I said my order.
It is too much, I know. Pero sobrang gutom at takam talaga ako. Siguro yong matitira ipapa take out ko nalang mamaya at ibibigay sa mga street children.
I took a photo of the foods nang i-prepare na bago i-send lahat kay Ansel. Gusto ko lang siyang takamin since nabanggit din niya kanina na namimiss na niya kumain dito.
I smiled in my head nang pagmumurahin niya ako sa mga replies niya. I was about to pick my chopstick when the world decided to play on me again! Damn? Gaano ba ka-liit ang mundo?!
"Who told you to sit there?"
"Akala ko in-order mo nadin ako e," he said. Looking at my foods.
"What?"
In-order? Gaano ba kakapal yong mukha niya?
"Ang dami e," he teased, tinignan ko lang siya.
"Mas generous Lola mo no?"
"Then date her." Huli na bago ko pa mapigilan ang sarili ko sa pag-imik. Damn! Bakit ba ako sumasagot sa kanya? Kainis.
I saw him stifling a smile by biting his lower lip. "Mas okay yong apo,"