Chapter Seven
Glimpse
•••
SHINE
"MAGANDANG umaga!" Vj shouted as soon as they entered Delight's unit.
I rolled my eyes. Ang agang nambulabog. Tulog pa naman si Delight baka magising, magagalit 'yon.
I woke up earlier than the usual dahil alam kong maghahanap sila ng pagkain. At hindi nga ako nagkamali.
"Pagkain! Pagkain! Pagkain" Daniel and Vj chanted. These two, they act as if they haven't eaten for a year. Rhey look like member of a cult or something.
"Hey love good morning." Grey held my waist and kissed the side of my head. "Wow, sarap naman ng luto mo."
"Binola mo pa ako! You haven't even tasted it yet! Go away! Can't you see I'm cooking!"
I heard him chuckled before letting go of my waist.
"Sa sala lang ako." Paalam nito na tinanguan ko lang
Nagpatuloy ako sa aking ginagawa. I cooked the usual meal every morning. Fried rice, bacon, spam, scrambled and booled eggs. Nag-init na rin ako ng tubig para sa pagtimpla ng mga kape nila.
"ANG INGAY!"
Natawa ako, mukhang nagising ata ang may-ari ng unit sa ingay nila mula sa sala. Mahinhin ang boses ngunit halata ang pagkairita.
"ANG AGA-AGA! HINDI NIYO BA ALAM NA MAY NATUTULOG PA?!"
Mula dito sa kusina rinig ko pa ang mahinang tawa ni Daniel.
"Chill kalang bebe." Natatawa nitong sabi. "Chillax, magjudge ka muna~" Kanta pa nito.
Delight groaned, nagtitimpi ata.
From my peripheral vision I saw Delight entered the kitchen so I faced her, nakahawak siya sa kaniyang noo habang nakapikit. Maybe hangover have hit her very hard.
Umupo ito sa isang high chair at inuntog ang ulo sa breakfast table.
Tinimplahan ko nalang ito ng gatas na may halong milo. This one is her favorite lalo na kapag umaga at may hangover siya.
"Thank you Shiny."
Nakapikit siyang uminom. Delight is the baby of the gang. Siya 'yong tipong hindi dapat pabayaan kasi anytime baka mawala. She's a little clumsy and also prone of trouble so we really take care of her.
Tinalikuran ko na siya at sinunod na timplahan sina Vj. I set up the dining table at sakto namang pumasok si Grey na agad akong tinulungan sa pag-lalagay ng kubyertos.
"I don't have any appointment today." I can sense that he's smiling. Kaya naman medyo lokohin muna natin.
"I have." Nakita kong natigilan ito sa ginagawa at napatingin sa akin. Lihim akong napangiti.
"Cancel it."
"Why? That appointment is important." I asked without looking at him.
Nilapag ko na ang panghuling plato.
"Oh... I see." Mahihimigan ang pagkadismaya sa boses nito kaya naman natawa ako. He looked at me confused. "What?"
"You're funny." Siguro narealize na niyang niloloko ko siya kaya nilapitan niya ako pero bago pa man niya ako mahawakan nagsalita ang kanina pang tahimik na si Delight. Muntik ko nang makalimutan na nandito siya.
"Please, respeto sa single. Maraming salamat."
Natawa nalang kami ni Grey. I called Daniel and Vj para sabay na kaming lahat. Nagdasal muna kami bago nagsimulang kumain.
"Alam mo Shine, may future ka talaga sa pagluluto!"
"Binobola mo lang ako Vj eh!"
"Totoo nga! Promise!" Tinaas pa nito ang kaniyang kamay.
We laughed. Vj's presence can light the atmosphere. Siya ang nagsisilbing mood changer ng lahat. Sa buong pagsasama namin, hindi ko pa 'to nakitang umiyak.
"I agree, if ever na ayaw mo na ihandle ang boutique magrestaurant ka na." Dagdag ni Delight.
Well, I love cooking, pero wala pa akong budget para magpatayo ng sarili kong restaurant. Maybe next time. 'Pag maayos na ang lahat.
GREY and I leave Delight's unit around 9. Si Vj at si Daniel na daw ang naghugas ng pinggan. Habang si Delight naman. May pupuntahan raw.
"Kunin muna natin ang kotse mo sa D2H?" Grey asked.
"Yeah, I totally forgot about it last night. Im not even drunk."
"But your tipsy." He pointed out.
"What?! No! I'm not tipsy either!" Depensa ko sa aking sarili.
"You are."
"No!"
"Yes you are love."
Argh. This guy!
GREY
I LAUGHED at Shine's frowning face. I really love it everytime she lost her poise in front of me. Shine is the most composed person I've ever met and she doesn't want to show more of her emotions. Everyone always see her calm aura, but me. Nah, I've seen a lot.
"Stop laughing you moron!"
"Okay okay I'll stop."
Shine decided to take a leave for today though she don't have any appointment. Binilin niya sa kaniyang sekretarya ang boutique so that means today is her free day.
"Dumaan muna tayo sa bahay, I want to take a shower. Hindi ako nakapagligo ng maayos kanina sa unit ni Delight." Shine is scratching her elbow.
"How about your car at the D2H?"
"My car can wait, the itchiness can't. My goodness"
"Okay madame."
"Whatever."
Shine's skin is so sensitive, kung nagmamadali siyang maligo kumakati ang balat niya. Her skin is itching and rashes starts to appear.
I double the speed of my car, anytime sooner the rashes will spread so it's better to have her shower as soon as possible.
Maya-maya ay kinuha nito ang cellphone sa kaniyang bag.
"Hurri's calling, slow down."
I slowed the car as she answered the call.
"Yeah?... Oh, is that so?... Well I'm on my way there but I have to take a shower first, that file can wait right?... Okay okay... Bye..."
"What did he say?"
"Just some random files, pinapakuha."
AS SOON as we arrived at their house, Shine didn't wait for me to get out of the car and immediately went inside. She even left her bag. Maybe the itchiness really can't wait. Kinuha ko ang kaniyang bag at lumabas na ng kotse.
I first entered this humble home when we we're in high school. I remembered how we had our sleepovers here just to finish our thesis or we'll just hangout after class. I remembered how Shine's mom prepared for our snacks, and how her father helped us with some of our assignments that we don't know. Shine's parents are both awesome to the point that you wanted to wish that they're your parents, but I don't want to because if that happens we'll become siblings and that's incest you know. Well anyway my imagination is getting out of hand. Lol.
As I entered the living room, the atmosphere is kind of blue. Well, what's new. Simula nang mawala ang kanilang mga magulang naging malungkot na ang paligid. Nawala ang saya at sigla na mararamdaman mo kapag pumasok ka.
The two story modern house is huge for two people. Lalo na at wala ng mga katulong at bantay. Naisip ni Shine na hindi na daw kailangan at nagtitipid sila dahil nagkakaroblema ang kompanya.
Good thing Shine and Hurri inherit a lot from their parents.
Though they don't have any maids to do the house chores I'm impressed that Shine managed to maintain the cleanliness of this huge house.
I sat down and turned on the television.
SHINE
HURRICANE is a dumbass.
He didn't tell me where the freaking files are located. Sinabi niya lang kung ano ang color ng folder which is white, and the funny thing is almost -well scratch that- not almost but all of his folders here are freaking white as in lahat!
Nilibot ko ang aking paningin sa malaking study room slash library ni Hurri. My goodness baka abutin ako ng isang linggo nito.
I don't know if he can answer his phone right now dahil may meeting daw siya kaya ako ang pinapakuha ng mga files na 'to.
Maybe I can call his secretary Jurien, that girl is a smart ass. She can manage Hurri's super busy schedule, well I guess that's why she's a secretary. I can't even imagine myself staying in a board meeting in just 5 minutes. It's so boring.
After three rings Jurien answered her phone.
"Shine? Napatawag ka?"
I kinda like how she became casual with me knowing that Im her boss' twin pero matagal-tagal rin bago siya nasanay sa first name basis.
"Hurri told me about this certain folder-"
"Oh, the contract. It's in the last drawer of his study table. May nakasulat sa labas na Albertos."
I mentally clapped. Bilib talaga ako sa memorya niya. She even knew the files here in the house, speaking of I have to ask her why.
"Thank you Jurien, pero pa'no mo nalaman?"
I heard her laugh.
"Mas- I mean, Sir Hurri is busy every single day and sometimes he even forget where he put his other documents kaya naman I stayed late at work dahil chinicheck ko pa ang mga files niya at kung nasa magandang modo siya iniisa-isa niya lahat sa 'kin."
I can sense that she's smiling while answering my question. I guess she's happy of what she's doing.
"Thank you Jurien, I owe you a lot."
"Maliit na bagay"
I immediately went to the table as soon as the call ended.
Kinuha ko na kaagad ang folder na may nakasulat na Albertos sa harap. Agad akong lumabas at dumiretso sa aking kwarto para mag-ayos.
"I THOUGHT you already forget about my handsomeness." Agad na bungad ni Grey sa 'kin pagkarating ko sa sala.
"Handsomeness my ass." I rolled my eyes.
"You're ass is round and big and soft and fluf-"
"What the heck Grey?!"
He roared a laugh. This guy!
I grab my house keys inside my handbag and throw it to his face.
Natamaan ito sa noo kaya napatigil siya sa kakatawa at tiningnan ako ng masama. I mouthed 'buti nga' and made my way towards the front door baka gumanti pa. Nauna na akong pumasok sa sasakyan niyaa and while waiting for him to lock the house I scan the inside of this folder Hurri told me to bring to him. This must be so important that it's located in the bottom of the drawers. Kapag kasi nasa loob ng mga drawers ang folder importante talaga 'yan at confidential.
I was about to read the first paragraph when the door of the car opened.
"You sadist lady, you deserved to be punished."
Before I could defend myself, Grey crushed his lips to mine making me lost my sanity and I totally forgot about the folder.
"IKAW KASI napakalandi mo."
"What? I was just kidding, it's not my fault that you got carried away." Grey winked at me.
"Edi wow!"
Pagkarating ko sa floor ni Hurri nakita ko kaagad ang sekretarya nito.
"Jurien!" Napatingin ito sa gawi namin at ngumiti.
"Hey Shine. Hurri's inside his office. Kanina ka pa hinihintay."
"Yeah I'm sorry, something happened that's why I wasn't able to bring this folder on time." I heard Grey chuckled when I mentioned 'something' kaya naman siniko ko ito. "Anyway, hindi pa naman huli diba?"
"Yes, actually..." She glanced at her wrist watch. "Mga 5 minutes pa bago dumating ang mga Albertos to start the meeting so just on time lang naman."
Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag. Akala ko pa naman nahuli na ako.
"Albertos?" Takang tanong ni Grey.
"Yeah, magkakaroon sila ng meeting for the partnership."
I looked at Grey, nakatingin lang ito ng diretso at nakakunot ang noo. Tiningnan ko ulit si Jurien at pareho kaming nagtataka sa inasta ni Grey. I waved my hand right in front of him to get his attention.
"Hey, what's the matter?"
Parang nagising ito kaya nagulat siya at napatingin sa akin. "Nothing, may pilit lang akong inaalala."
"Oh well, tara na sa loob." Jurien lead the way hanggang sa loob ng opisina ni Hurri. Nakatalikod ang magaling kong kakambal sa amin. Mukhang may hinahanap.
"Yen, have you seen the cuffs?" I stood there confused. Cuffs? What the hell is he talking about?
I looked at Jurien who's standing there. Parang hindi niya alam ang gagawin. Parang katulad ko ay nagulat din siya.
"H-hurri, I-"
"Didn't I tell you to- oh shit." Hurri is now facing us, shock is written all over his face. "S-SHINE MY TWIN!" Nakabawi naman ito at dumiretso sa akin, pero hindi nakaligtas sa pandinig ko ang pagka-utal niya.
"What are you talking about Hurri? Cuffs? Seriously? Sino ang poposasan mo?" I can't help but ask. Ngumiti ito ng pilit at sinulyapan si Jurien na nakayuko, nasa likod nito ang kaniyang mga kamay.
"Yen, you can leave now." Jurien followed her boss.
"The cuffs are owned by.. my friend, right." Parang hindi niya 'yon sinasabi sa akin. Parang kinukumbinsi niya ang sarili niya. Nakipagfist pump ito kay Grey.
"Well anyway, here's the folder. Did you know that I had a hard time finding that one since you didn't give me further instructions." Hurri laughed. "Well, thanks to Jurien she helped me."
Hurri smiled. Looking proud. "Well, I trained her very well."
"So, gotta go. May pupuntahan pa kami ni Grey." I gave him a peck before Grey grabbed my waist and walked towards the door pero bago namin ito mabuksan ay bumukas ito at ang mukha ni Jurien ang bumungad sa amin.
"Oh, sorry Shine." Tumabi ito para makadaan kami ni Grey but to my surprise hindi siya nag-iisa. Nasa likod niya ang dalawang matanda na mukhang mag-asawa at katabi nila ang isang magandang babae, sa tingin ko kaedad lang namin ni Grey.
I saw a hint of recognition from their faces as soon as they laid their eyes on us. I wasn't able to greet them because Grey grabbed my arms and dragged me. As in kinaladkad niya ako! Muntik pa nga akong matapilok.
"Are you in a rush?" I asked in irritation. That gesture is so disrespectful. Nakakahiya sa bisita.
"Sorry, I thought it would be better if we could leave as soon as we can, sayang sa oras."
"Pero sana hinayaan mo muna akong bumati."
"Okay. Im sorry."
I sighed.
GREY IS AN asshole sometimes.
He really knows how to piss me off. Big time.
"Babe, look a unicorn!"
"Shut up!"
We're in a kids party. And we are watching a freaking puppet show.
Grey knows how I hate noises coming from kids. I mean, I love kid's faces, they're cute but when they started to create noise. I really don't like it. Well, hate me all you can but I don't like the way kids squealed. The way they shout, the way they become stubborn, the way they become spoiled brats.
I just hate it.
"Oh come on. Ngumiti ka naman." He lift up my chin.
I glared at Grey. Gosh! Naiirita ako.
Tumayo ako at nagpaalam na pupuntang cr. Gusto pang sumama ni Grey pero sinabi kong kaya ko naman mag-isa.
Instead na pumuntang cr. Nag-ikot muna ako.
We're in an elementary school. Grey is one of the admins of this school kaya napili niyang bumisita dito.
The kids party is for the students from nursery to grade 1. Pakulo lang naman ito ng mga teachers every saturday which is good kasi may natututunan naman ang bata at safe naman kasi majority ng nga parents ay sumang-ayon sa programang ito.
I saw a mini playground so I decided to stop by.
Umupo ako sa isang bench at pinagmasdan ang tahimik na paligid. I smiled. Hindi ko naranasang maglaro ng malaya noong nga bata palang kami ni Hurri. Lagi akong bantay sarado. Hindi papayag si mom na umalis akong walang kasamang yaya or bodyguards.
Pero naging masaya naman dahil nandyan si Hurri para pasiyahin ako. He will do everything to make me feel better.
Napadako ang tingin ko sa isang bata na naglalaro mag-isa sa slide. Nilibot ko ang aking paningin if there's someone who's looking at her pero wala kaya nilapitan ko ito.
Her long brown hair is shining. Alagang-alaga. Nakasuot ito ng puting dress. I was busy admiring her cuteness when she saw me.
"Hi po!"
I smiled at her. She run towards me, lumuhod ako para mapantayan siya. Her little arms touch my face kaya napapikit ako.
"You're beautiful po!"
Napamulat ako at hinawakan ang kaniyang kamay na nakahawak sa pisnge ko. "Well, thank you. Ikaw din, ang ganda mo." I answered making her giggle.
"Meron po ba kayong jolly spaghetti?"
That made me laughed hard. She is so cute! The way her eyes twinkled as she mentioned about that food. I usually get pissed when a kid asked me about something but I feel nothing. Parang ang gaan ng pakiramdam ko sa kaniya.
"Wala eh." I saw disappointment in her eyes. "But! I can buy you one. So, sama ka?"
"Uhmm." She put her index finger down her chin at tumingin sa taas. Pinag-isipan talaga.
"Okay. Kahit sabi ni mama na don't talk to strangers sasama ako sayo kasi mabait ka and bibilhan mo ako ng jolly spaghetti!"
"Hindi naman talaga dapat, pero I'm a good person naman kaya let's go!"
I carry her, lumabas kami ng school. Good thing I have Grey's car keys kaya hindi kami maglalakad.
Luckily, matalas ang memorya ko sa direksyon at naalala kong may nadaanan kaming Jollibee kanina ni Grey.
"Sinong kasama mo?" I asked.
"Wala po. Hinatid lang po ako ni lola tapos susunduin niya ako mamaya."
Napatango naman ako.
Pagkarating sa Jollibee ay binuhat ko siya para makita niya ng mabuti ang menu.
"Pwede po bang dagdagan ang gusto ko?" She asked politely.
"Of course baby, anything you want." I saw how her face lit up and shouted 'yey'
Tinuro niya lahat ng gusto niya. I added kiddie meal para may mauwi siyang laruan. I pay for our order and look for a table. Maghihintay lang daw kami ng 15 minutes.
I choose the table near the glass window para maaliw siya habang naghihintay.
I stared at her while she plays with her toys. Pinauna ko na kasi ang mga laruan para may pagkaabalahan siya. She looks so peaceful at napakachubby ng cheeks niya tapos her skins is so white. Siguro inaalagaan siya ng maayos ng kaniyang nga magulang.
Pagkarating ng order namin ay agad niyang nilantakan ang jolly spaghetti. I even put my handkerchief sa damit niya para hindi madumihan. Puti pa naman.
"You know ate. My mommy, lagi niya akong dinadala sa jollibee." Pagkukwento niya. "Ang kaso nga lang wala si daddy kasi sabi ni mommy nasa malayong place daw siya." I felt sad upon hearing those. Maybe her dad is an ofw.
"Okay lang 'yan baby. Uuwi din si daddy." Inalo ko ito kasi parang iiyak.
Sinunod niya ang fries, the funny things is hindi niya sinawsaw sa ketchup, instead sinawsaw niya ito sa sauce ng spaghetti.
Unique kiddo.
I took several pictures of her. Remembrance lang baka hindi ko na makita.
Pagkatapos niyang kumain ay napagdesisyonan ko nang lumabas kami at ibalik siya sa school baka hinahanap na siya doon at paniguradong hinahanap na ako ni Grey.
Pagkarating sa labas ng gate I saw Grey holding his phone. Palinga-linga ito sa paligid parang natataranta at nang makita niya ang sasakyan, umaliwalas ang kaniyang mukha. Nagsimula na itong lumapit sa pwesto jung saan ako nakapark.
"Where have you been?" He asked as soon as I got off from the car carrying the sleeping kid. Nakahilig ang ulo nito sa aking balikat. Tiningnan ito ni Grey. "Didn't know that you're already fond of kids huh? Who's this?"
That made me stop. Kanina pa kami magkasama pero hindi ko na tanong ang pangalan.
"Actually... hindi ko alam." I giggled which made Grey shook his head.
"Tara na at ibibilin natin siya sa guard. The party is over so susunduin nalang sila."
Grey is about to pull me when I saw a lady in her mid 30's rushed towards me. Hinimas nito ang pisnge ng batang natutulog sa balikat ko.
"Naku Diyos ko, akala ko kung napano na ang apo ko!"
"Hello po. Kayo po ba ang nagbabantay sa kaniya?" I asked, adjusting the kid's position to my shoulder.
"Oo hija, akin na at baka nabibigatan ka na sa bubwit na iyan."
"Hindi okay lang po, mas mabibigatan ka pa po niyan. Hatid nalang po namin kayo at baka mahirapan kayo sa pagbabyahe." I offered. Ang sarap pa naman ng tulog ng bata.
The lady shook her head. "Naku hija huwag na baka nakakaabala pa kami sa inyo ng nobyo mo."
I looked at Grey, nakamasid lang ito sa amin.He nod at me, sign that he is fine with it.
"Okay lang po samin. Tara na po sa kotse. Huwag na po kayong tumanggi, sige na po." I gently touched her arm and guide her towards the back seat.
"Hay hija maraming salamat." Pumasok na ito sa backseat. Binalingan ko si Grey. "Tatabi muna ako sa kaniya." Tumango lang ito at tumungo na sa driver's seat.
I slowly entered the car while protecting the kid's head at baka mauntog sa sasakyan. I carefully adjust my weight to seat comfortable and shifted the kid's position. Baka nangangalay na ito sa posisyon niya.
The grandmother told Grey directions na agad namang sinunod ng isa.
"Ang apo kong iyan. Napakamakulit, mukhang napagod iyan kaya tulog na tulog." Pinunasan nito ang pawis ng bata. I watched as she looked at her grandchild with love and everything. Kitang-kita na mahal na mahal niya ang kaniyang apo.
"Ano pong pangalan niya?" I asked.
"Naku magandang pangalan ang ibinigay sa kaniya ng kaniyang ina. Smariela Ilezen." Her smile is so genuine. Halatang gustong-gusto niya ang pangalan ng kaniyang apo. I smiled, the kid's name is unique.
"Ikaw po? Anong pangalan niyo?"
"Kilala ako sa aking palayaw na Joy kaya iyon nalang ang itawag mo sa akin hija."
"Sige po.. Aling Joy." I smiled as I speak her name.
• • •
kkyzyzyyy
Its been a year since I publish this first story of mine, I unpublish this for months because of personal reasons and I am now officially back together with the squad. Hope you enjoyed the updates. xoxo <3