Alexa
At Osaka, Japan.
"Hey..." bungad agad sa 'kin ni Jessey nang mabuksan ko ang pinto. I just stand, waiting for what she would say. "Uhm.. coach said our first day is ours, so... would you like to go out?" She happily said. I smiled and thought of Blue, tho she didn't ask for pasalubong, I'll take this opportunity to window shop.
"Sige, pero isasama ko sila Janice and Ericka. We have a plan to go out too, sama ka na lang" animo'y nag-isip pa siya bago pumayag, gusto yata ako solohin? I shrugged the thought and just smiled at her before bidding goodbye. Blue doesn't like Jessey, and the thought of me and Jessey being alone together would make her mad.
An hour later may kumatok ulit sa room ko and when I opened, it was Ericka holding an umbrella. "Let's pick 'em up?" tukoy niya kila Jess and Janice.
"Is it raining?" I asked without looking at her, I was busy putting may jacket on. I heard her say yes so I picked up the blue umbrella that Blue gave. It was hers but she gave it to me kasi baka umulan daw. "Let's go, nauna na raw sila sa entrance" sabi ko nang mabasa ang chat ni Janice.
Agad na lumapit sa 'kin si Jessey nang makita ako, wala raw siyang payong kaya sa 'kin siya nakisilong. Napag-usapan naming apat na maglate lunch muna sa pinakamalapit na restau bago mamasyal.
"Do'n tayo sa counter para makita natin pagprepare nila ng food" sabi ni Janice at excited na pumunta sa counter.
"Oo nga! For my vlog na rin and IG story!" Para ring batang sang ayon ni Ericka rito, muntik pa akong matamaan sa ulo ng camerang hawak niya dahil excited din siyang pumunta sa counter. Buti at naprotektahan ni Jessey ang noo ko gamit ang kamay niya.
"Ericka hindi ka nag-iingat! Muntik matamaan si Alex!" Saway rito ni Janice bago siya makaupo.
"Eh kasi naman ang lapad ng noo niya" sabay hagikgik nito. Pati si Janice at Jessey ay napatawa nang wala sa oras.
"Nakakatuwa 'yon?" Kunwaring pagsusungit ko sa kanila and rolled my eyes. Parang hindi nila ako kaibigan, hmp. Kahit malapad ang noo ko, napakaganda ko naman sabi ni Blue!
"Matatawa ba ako kung hindi?" sabi pa ni Ericka at tinaasan ako ng kilay bago ulit tumawa.
"The audacity of you to talk back, Leche Flat?" asar ko rin dito and looked down on her chest. "Nagsasayang ng bra gurl?" dagdag ko pa at mas lalo natawa sila Jessey at Janice. Letse kasi nanahimik noo ko.
"Ugh! I hate you Alexa! Nagbibiro lang naman ako" Sabi nito at nagbanta pang sisirain ako kay Blue at sa sinabi niya'y nagmake face na lang ako.
Since Jessey is the only one who speaks japanese, siya na lang rin pina-order namin. We tried okonomiyaki, a savory pancake that has lots of cabbage and topped with meat, sometimes squid, may coating din na sweet and sour sauce and we also tried their yakisoba or fried noodles.
After ng late lunch namin ay napagpasyahan namin pumunta sa shopping district ng Osaka, Americamura. Well, we're not just here to shop but, we're here to try the 40 centimeter ice cream in Japan or the country's longest ice cream. It may be too cold right now but it's what we do for the gram, we sacrifice.
When the evening came, we went to Umeda Sky building. A two 170 meter tower connected by its doughnut shaped roof as its observation platform that will give you unobstructed 360 degree view of Osaka.
While looking at endless city lights, I kept thinking of Blue, how I wish she was here so I could lean on her shoulders while enjoying the view.
"Ang layo mo na yata sa naiisip mo" Jessey on my side said, interrupting my train of thoughts.
"I was thinking of Blue" pag amin ko rito. "I wish she was here too, enjoying the view with me" dagdag ko pa.
I can feel she's looking at me, maybe trying to read me. "But you're the most enjoyable view here" my forehead creased at what she said, I wanna laugh but I couldn't. It felt like something's off when she said that.
I forced a little chuckle and looked down to hide my blank face. "Palabiro ka talaga" sabi ko pa bago humarap sa kanya. I wanna see her face if she's serious.
She smiled at me. "Blue would've say the same"
Days passed by and nabusy na kami sa training. We spend 3 hours in the morning to train and enhance our skills then on the afternoon we get to be with other japanese university teams to have a friendly game.
My friends are always on my side, especially Jessey. Lagi siyang nauuna kumuha ng water ko, tagabigay ng jacket, towel, at kung anu-ano pang gamit ko tuwing time-out, she also cheers me up too kapag friendly game na. Minsan inaasar kami ng teammates namin, we look cute together daw. I don't wanna assume but I feel like she likes it and never niya sila sinita like I always do.
"Hey, water?" Sa uhaw ko after break ngayon ay inabot ko rin ang bigay ni Jessey na tubig. "Pagod?" I just nodded at what she said at nagmadali inayos ang mga gamit ko. May usapan kasi kami ni Blue na magvivideo call kami after training.
"Una na ako Jess" sabi ko but she followed me down the hall.
"Sabay na ako" hindi na ako tumanggi dahil magkalapit lang naman kami ng room sa tinutuluyan namin.
When I got to my room ay agad kong kinuha ang laptop ko para maset-up for our video call ni Blue.
"Gosh, what happened?" Tanong ko sa hangin nang hindi mag-open ang laptop. Lowbatt pala, kaya dali dali akong pumunta sa room ni Janice dahil hiniram niya yung charger ko last night. I knocked on her door as loud as I can pero 'di niya pa rin inoopen. Tulog yata. Sakto naman bago ako umalis biglang bumukas ang door ni Jessey.
Malapit na call time namin ni Blue kaya wala na akong choice. "Uhm.. Jess pwede favor?" Sabi ko rito bago niya ilock 'yong door niya, may lakad yata siya.
She looked at me and showed her genuine smile. "Anything Alexa"
I smiled at her and let go a sigh of relief. "Can I borrow your laptop if may dala ka, paskype lang" I let out a chuckle and mouthed 'please' para pumayag siya.
She looked at me for a few seconds, animoy nagdadalawang isip so I mouthed 'please' again and bit my lower lip. Baka kasi magtampo si Blue kapag hindi kami nakapagvideo call. "Uhh, wait a minute. I'll just log out my account"
After a minute or so, binigay niya na 'yong laptop sa 'kin with a warning na wag daw papakialaman yung files niya. Bumalik na rin ako sa kwarto at sinet-up 'yong laptop for our video call.
"Ang tagal mo tumawag love" Blue said. Hindi siya nakatingin sa 'kin, nagstastart na siya gumawa ng plates niya. "How's your day?"
"It went well, we won our 2nd win sa friendly game" masayang balita ko sa kanya.
She then faced the camera and smiled at me habang inaayos ang pagkakatali ng buhok niya. "That's great! Sabi sa 'yo kaya 'yon ng team niyo eh. But win or lose, i'm proud of you" sabi niya habang nagtatasa ng lapis niya.
"Oo naman, 'wag lang nila galingan masyado" biro ko at sabay kaming tumawa. One thing I like about japanese players is they're not that tall but they really maximize their speed and critical thinking. It seems like they don't need a coach already dahil sila pa lang, they guide each other na.
"But you know what love, I'm happy kasi andyan ka na, fulfilling your dream. Can't wait to see you in your first match!" She winked at me gave me a flying kiss. Ugh napakacute!
"Wag ka nga magpacute masyado d'yan. Mamaya uwiin kita" banta ko rito, she makes me wanna miss her more and my heart aches 'coz of it. She then moved her face closer to the camera, pouted her lips and placed her both hands under her chin. "Blue, Misses you" parang bata niyang sabi and pouted her lips even more.
Matapos ang 2 hours naming kulitan ay sakto namang pumasok si Ericka at Janice sa Room ko, may dalang dinner. "You didn't locked the door" sabi ni Ericka.
"You're OC now?" tanong ni Janice kaya napatawa ako.
"Hindi ano! Baka kasi may masamang loob pumasok dito" depensa naman ng Ericka and rolled her eyes pa.
"So who's laptop is this?" Tanong sa 'kin ni Janice nang kunin ang laptop. Matapos ko namang amining hiniram ko kay Jessey ay agad nitong pinagbubuksan ang mga files nito sa desktop. "Let's see what we have in Jessey's laptop... may porn kaya? Scandal niya? Crime?" Curious na curious na sabi nito.
"Hoy ano ba tigilan mo nga kakabukas mo, mamaya kung anong hindi dapat ang mabuksan mo" saway ko rito at nagtangkang kukunin ang laptop.
"Kaya ko nga binubuksan kasi mangingialam ako. Besides hindi niya naman malalaman" she nonchalantly said at inilayo sa 'kin ang laptop. Nang wala na akong magawa ay inutusan ako ni Ericka iprepare ang mga pagkain at nang hindi pa ako natatapos sa pagprepare ay bigla silang sabay napasigaw.
"OH MY FCKING GHAD, WHAT THE FCK IS THIS JESSEY LAUREL!" 'Di makapaniwalang sigaw ni Janice.
"This is so not cool and kinda creepy" segunda pa ni Ericka and when I look at the screen ay natameme rin ako. I don't know what to react, should I scream like they did, I was trembling. I don't know what to do, it felt like I wanna break her laptop on her face at first glance on the screen.
"I knew she like you, but I didn't think she's this creep" Janice told me.
"damn this photo was like 3 years ago" Ericka pinpointed the photo on the screen then continued to scan all of the folders. The half of my college life up to now is in the folder of Jessey's laptop. Kahit 'yong mga events sa buhay ko na hindi siya kasama, parang nando'n siya. Kahit simpleng paglabas ko lang ng bahay at lakad sa school may pictures, she even has a photo of me and Blue making love in my car. I was stalked for 3 years and this has to stop now.
"I felt your moan" Biro ni Janice and I wanna strangle her right now, ni hindi na nga ako makagalaw nakuha niya pa magbiro. "Biro lang naman. Hmm what's the plan?"
*camera clicks
"What are you doing!?" Tanong ni Janice nang kunan ko ng litrato yung screen ng laptop ni Jessey. Nang matapos ako ay pinabura ko lahat ng pictures ko sa laptop niya kila Janice. "May maganda rin palang naidudulot ang pagiging pakialamera ko" biro niya ulit at inaya kaming kumain.
Nabigla man sa aking nalaman towards Jessey ay nanaig pa rin ang gutom ko at matapos kumain ay pumunta ako ng room niya. Sinama ko na sila Janice at Ericka pero pinaghintay ko lang sila sa labas.
"Hey" bati nito sa 'kin pagkabukas ng pinto. Dumiretso lang ako at binato 'yong laptop sa kama niya at pinakita sa kanya lahat kinuha kong litrato kanina.
"Care to explain?" Sarkastikong tanong ko rito.
Ilang segundo rin bago siya nakapagsalita. Animo'y nag-iisip ng palusot "Alexa, hindi mo dapat pinapakialaman 'yong bagay na wala kang permiso" malumanay na sabi nito, trying to calm me down nahihinuha niyang baka magwala ako sa harap niya. Huh! I wouldn't waste my energy.
I looked at her from head to toe then back at her eyes. "Coming from the one who took photos of me without my permission for 3 years. How was the 3 fcking years of disrespecting me eh? You felt good?"
"Alexa i'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you this way" she was about to get near me so I stepped a foot backward.
"Don't you dare step a foot closer to me" matigas na sabi ko rito and relieved when she stopped.
"I love you, kung bibigyan mo lang ako ng chance. I'd do everything for you"
My forehead creased at what she said. Is this what's obsession looked like?
"Ano ba kasing meron sa batang Williams na 'yan? She's a pain in the ass, rude, napakaself centered! She treated you like shit yet why you didn't see me as an option tuwing binabasura ka niya dati?" She desperately asked. Para siyang galit na galit kay Blue, nanginginig rin siya kagaya ko sa galit.
"Because I only see you as a friend. Akala ko pa naman iniintindi mo ako when I needed someone the most but now I realized that you're only there to tire yourself from my drama, not to listen. You're only there to make me see you more than a friend"
"You think you'd be happy with her? I knew her ever since, she comes and ruins and everyone's lives, Alexa. I wouldn't allow that to happen to you first." Banta niya sa 'kin na nakapagpakulo ng dugo ko. I wanted to punch her pero hindi ako makagalaw, natatakot din ako sa kanya. It felt like I just unmasked a fox in sheep's clothing.
"I despise you. Don't even dare to lay a tip of your finger to her. I swear to God, Jessey, I'll make you go down" sabi ko rito at naglakas ng loob lumakad palabas ng pinto.
The next day, I didn't see Jessey on practice. Ang sabi lang sa 'min ni coach ay umuwi ito due to emergency sa company niya which I don't believe. Marerelieve na sana ako at the thought na wala si Jessey and I would forget what she has done to me but eversince umalis siya feeling ko lagi ng may nagmamasid sa 'kin. Baka trauma 'to nang ginawa niyang pagstalk sa 'kin.
"Love, you good?" Tanong ni Blue nang mapansing hindi pa ako natutulog at siya ring pagbasag sa mga iniisip ko. "Parang ang lalim ng iniisip mo. Care to share?" Sabi niya pa at yumakap sa 'kin.
Hinimas ko lang ang ulo niya at ngumiti. "Inisip ko lang 'yong nangyari kanina" sabi ko na lang at patuloy na inayos-ayos ang buhok niya para makatulog siya ulit.
"Are you hiding something?" Tanong nito at natigilan naman ako sandali. Sa changes ni Blue as a person, I can't risk it. Telling her what really happened to Japan would ruin her. I don't like it when she's mad, she cannot control herself, she'd just hurt Jessey or worse.
Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago sumagot. I also caressed her ear for her to relax and reduce her doubt on me. "I'm not hiding everything. It's just that, I almost lose you. You could've die from that incident and that would break me. That thought of losing you is like dying"
"I'd always be by your side if I'd be a ghost" she chuckled but I didn't laugh at her joke.
"It's not funny, Williams" sabi ko rito and rolled my eyes.
"Masyadong seryoso naman ma'am. But best advice for you is to sleep. I'm here, i'm not a ghost, you can hug me to sleep" she caressed my face and kissed my forehead. "Namiss ko airport mo" pang-aasar niya pa at kiniliti ako hanggang umabot sa hindi inaasahan. "You're gorgeous. Always remember that" rinig kong bulong niya habang unti-unti akong nakatulog sa pagod.
Nang dumating ang umaga ay hinila ako ni Blue papuntang banyo. "Save water, shower together" she teased and opened the shower. Sa lamig ng tubig na dumaloy sa balat ko ay napayakap ako sa kanya sa gulat, hindi naman nabigo ang aking katawan upang madama ang init ng kanya. "It's okay..." bulong niya sa 'kin, trying to calm me down. Ramdam ko rin na kinuha niya ang sabon sa gilid at idinampi ito sa katawan ko. She kissed me passionately habang sinasabon ako nang dahan-dahan. If mornings were always like this, I'd wake up early.