tw // bad words, verbal harrasment.
"Eight... nine... ten..."
Patuloy lang ako sa pagbibilang sa isipan ko habang tumatakbo pa rin kami ng lalaking humatak sa akin. We passed by a couple of school buildings already but we didn't stop running. As we went farther and farther, the screams of the girls who were following us slowly faded. We stopped infront a establishment of the school with a signage that says "Music Club" on the top of the entrance. I went inside it with him, still holding a grip of my arm.
"Let me go!" I said atsaka binagsak ang kaniyang kamay na nakakapit kanina sa palapulsuhan ko. I saw in my peripheral vision the instruments that are scattered across the room. I remembered that those were the instruments that they are using during competitions or during school events.
Nakita ko siyang umupo sa harap ng isang mini-stage kung saan nakapatong ang isang drum set. His breathing is so heavy, I can hear it from here. Siguro kanina pa siya hinahabol ng mga babae kanina. Siya ba ang inaabangan ng mga babae na nakakumpol sa harap ng library?
I tried to sit on the floor too because I was so tired of running. When I did, he finally stopped breathing deeply. I felt that he was staring in my direction that's why I looked back. He showed me a blank and expressionless face. "Who the hell are you?" tanong niya bigla at mukhang galit na galit siya. Nagulat pa ako sa naging tanong niya that I almost chuckled sarcastically at him.
"Me? Ako lang naman 'yung kinaladkad mo hanggang dito! What do you want from me?" I asked back, getting enraged because of his d*mn question. Is he kidding or pinagtitripan niya lang ako?
"When did I f*cking told you that?" Wow, minura ko lang siya sa isip ko pero siya harap-harapang minura ako. Akala ko naman, kaya niya ako kinaladkad dahil may kailangan siya sa'kin. Did he smoke weed or something and he's high as hell?
"Ikaw na lalaking mukhang pinabayaan ng magulang mo, bakit mo ba ako kinalakad in the first place?" I asked, getting more angry because of his follow-up question.
"Did I tell you to get f*cking dragged? Are you stalking me? What do you f*cking want from me? Bloody hell. These girls are crazy." That's when I lost it. I started laughing at him sarcastically when I stood up, placing my both hands on the side of my upper hips.
I stopped laughing and massaged the bridge of my nose, getting stressed by this guy. I saw him walking my way and smirked. "Or do you want more of me, don't you, darling?" He was grinning like he has dark motives.
I pushed him so hard that he stepped back millimeters away from me. His jaw moved aggressively and his eyes became darker. "Maniac!" I screamed, getting annoyed completely at him now.
He remained silent for a while. I was so disgusted at him but I can feel like he will never gonna do that to me. He suddenly let out a chuckle that's why I flinched a little. "I thought you were asking for it." He said, walking his way infront the grand piano. He started tapping the tiles of it. "Now if you have no business here, get the f*ck out." He said and he started playing the piano with a little more speed now.
"Bea!" I heard someone calling out for my name. I knew it was from Gian. I gave the guy my last glance and went out of the place. Gian was so surprised when he saw me walking out. "Are you okay? Sino ba 'yung lalaking nanghila sa'yo?" alalang tanong niya. Napatingin ako sa direksyon ng Music Club room. I can hear the sound of "Fur Elise" by Beethoven escaping the room.
"Wala. He just needed help," I lied and started walking away. Gian followed me even if he had this questioning stare. Though he wasn't nice to me, I was still wondering who he was and why did he drag me here.
We were still walking silently when my phone rang. I took it out of my bag and answered the call. It is from Kuya Lito, our personal driver. I smiled at Gian, showing him my phone, hinting I have to answer it. He just nodded and smiled back. "Hello po?"
[Hello, Ma'am. Pasensya na ho kayo at baka medyo matagalan po ako. Na-flat-an po kasi ang sasakyan. Okay lang po ba na maghintay kayo?] tanong niya sa kabilang linya, he sounded worried. I started walking and I heard Gian's footsteps following me.
"Okay lang po. Magtataxi na lang po ako," I said, assuring him that I will be alright.
[Sigurado po kayo, Ma'am?] tanong pa niya. I made the mhm and nodded like he can see me. I heard Gian chuckle a little that's why I glanced at him while I am still taking the call.
"Sige po. Thank you po. Mag-iingat po kayo," I said before ending the call. Pinasok ko ulit ang phone ko sa bag ko. I looked at Gian's direction again. He was smiling a lot. I am not informed that's why my heart is beating so fast! I even felt I was blushing.
"Why did you chuckle?" I said, I didn't sound angry tho.
"Wala lang. You just... looked cute while responding to the call and nodding," he teased, a smile was still evident on his lips. That made me more blush. "Hey, are you alright?" he asked, waving his hand infront of me. Doon lang natauhan kaya tumalikod na ako sa kaniya at nagsimulang naglakad ulit. "I heard you saying that you will take a cab home," I heard him say behind me.
"Ah, oo. Na-flat-an daw kasi si Manong kaya hindi niya ako masusundo," sagot ko, nakatalikod pa rin sa kaniya.
"Well, I can take you home," he said. I turned my body to him. His face didn't look like he's kidding.
"You can drive?" I asked. Well, at this age, I am already trained how to drive but I cannot do that yet on roads that's why I have my driver, but I am surprised that he can drive a car now. Does he have a license already? I thought eighteen years old palang bago ka makakuha ng professional driving license?
"No, I mean, we, my driver and me, can take you home." He clarified. I nodded at him, dismissing all the questions that ran in my head. "He's waiting now, on the parking lot. We need to hurry," he added.
We doubled our running speed and finally reached the parking of the school. I just followed him until we stopped infront of a black car. He knocked at the car window and opened the car door. "You may now get in, Miss," he said with a tone that made me laugh a little. I entered the car and he closed the door afterwards. He walked around and went inside too, we were seated in the backseat.
Kuya Ben, his driver, started driving the car. We finally went out of the vicinity of the school. Gian told him that they are driving me home. I was relieved after that and became silent the whole drive. Gian did the same. Maybe he doesn't have a topic to discuss.
When we arrived, he was about to get off of his seat but I stopped hin from doing so. I just smiled and assured him that it was fine. I went off of the car and Kuya Ben probably took down the car windows so I can see Gian. "Thank you po, Kuya Ben. Ingat kayo, Gian," I said smiling at him.
"We will," he just responded and nodded. I waved at him before they closed the car windows again. I was still staring at their car until it disappeared in my vision. I turned my back to open the gates when I saw the two there, standing like ghosts that's why I was surprised at napaatras pa nang bahagya.
"Kanina pa kayo riyan? Anong ginagawa niyo?" gulat na tanong ko sa kanila at sila na nga ang nagbukas ng gate.
"Wala naman. Inaabangan ka lang namin!" masayang bigkas ni Mimi na parang isang butihing bata. Nakatingin lang din si Faye sa akin, maaliwalas ang mukha. "Saan ka ba galing? Akala nga namin nauna ka na sa'min kaya nagpahatid na kami rito," dagdag pa ni Mimi. Sinarado ko na ang gate atsaka na naglakad papasok ng bahay.
"Ah, wala. May nangyari lang. Hindi pa ako nasundo ni Manong, kaya hinatid ako ni Gian. Bakit nga ba pala kayo nandito?" tanong ko sa kanila. Malapit na kasing mag-gabi at pumunta pa sila rito. Isa lang ang ibig sabihin nito. May balak silang gawin.
"Did you forget the deal?" They almost said in unison habang tinatanggal ko ang sapatos ko na pangpasok. Naitanggal ko na ang medyas ko pero hindi pa rin nila ine-explain kung ano man ang gusto nilang mangyari.
"What deal?" I asked them and took my shoes with me and placed them in my cabinet. Hanggang sa kwarto ko nakasunod pa rin ang dalawa.
"We were just talking about it this morning!" Mimi said and crossed her arms, pouting like a kid.
"What do you mean this morninggg?" I said, stretching the last word when the deal that they were talking about crossed my mind. Mukhang natunugan nila ako kaya napangiti sila na abot-tenga.
"You knew. You remember. Come on!" Faye added while shaking my shoulders.
"Oo na. Let's go for the Starbucks na," I said and they cheered. Masayang-masaya talaga sila dahil libre ah. "Only if Lolo allowed us to go," I added. They both frowned at me. Papayagan naman kami ni Lolo as long as kasama namin si Kuya Lito. Kaso nga lang, hanggang 8 PM lang, eh magsi-six pm na.
Nang makapagbihis na ako, kaagad kaming dumiretso sa office ni Lolo dahil sinabi ni Manang Fely na hindi pa siya lumalabas doon simula nang makauwi siya kaninang hapon. Naabutan namin siyang abala sa pagbabasa ng mga papeles sa table niya. Nakakunot pa ang noo and it looks like he's trying to concentrate reading the paper.
"Hey, Lolo," I greeted and smiled at him kahit hindi siya nakatingin. I went near him and kissed his cheeks.
"Oh, you arrived already?" he asked, nakatingin pa rin sa papel. Tumango ako sa kaniya and made the mhm sound so that he can hear me agreeing.
"Kanina pa po, actually. Magpapaalam po sana kami ng mga kaibigan ko na pupunta ng mall. I'll ask Kuya Lito to come with us. Is it okay?" tanong ko atsaka nilagay sa likod ko ang mga kamay ko, waiting for him to respond. Tahimik lang sina Faye at Mimi na nasa likuran ko.
"Okay, but come back before 8 PM. Ano na bang oras?" he asked and looked at his wrist watch. "What? It's 6 PM already?" He was so focused that he forgot he's seated there for hours already. I nodded at him as I checked the time in my phone.
"You girls go ahead already. Come back before 8 pm hits," he once again reminded us. I smiled and nodded at him. Masaya kaming lumabas ng kaniyang office at kaagad na nakasalubong si Kuya Lito sa kusina na umiinom ng tubig, kausap niya si Manang Fely.
"Kuya Lito, can you take us to the mall?"
Good thing I wore contact lenses and I can see everything clearly even without glasses. We already arrived at the mall and we windowshopped a little. Kuya Lito said he's gonna pass by something and get the car full tank that's why he's not with us. I told him that we'll text him na lang when we're done eating at the Starbucks.
I just wore a simple white shirt underneath my jumper. I don't know why some people are looking my way when we're passing by. I even asked Mimi & Faye if I have dirt on my face, and they responded, "Wala! Ganda lang 'yan. Nadidistract sila sa kagandahan mo." Though I didn't believe them because they're probably just teasing me.
Pumasok na kami sa Starbucks. Naiwan naman si Faye sa table na napili niya. Nasa gilid ng aisle ang table kung saan dumadaan ang mga tao pero nakatalikod naman kaya okay lang. Wala naman masyadong tao sa loob. Nag-order na kami ni Mimi ng coffee at ilang desert to satisfy our cravings. The food in the menu looked palatable, but a bit pricey.
We have this habit na kapag gusto ng isa, gusto ng lahat. Ultimong pati mga personal things, like 'yung mga designer bags, halos magkakapareho kami. Kung ano ang hilig ng isa, hilig ng lahat. Mahilig ako sa coffee, kaya mabilis kong naimpluwensyahan ang mga kaibigan ko. We treat ourselves as sisters and I also consider them as my other halves.
It's too bad I am an only child. I wanna experience being the 'older sister' and do the things that normal siblings would do. I wanna experience teaching my siblings when they're having a hard time with their lessons. I wanna play video games with them when we're bored. Good thing my friends are there for me. They became my sisters at heart, even if not by blood.
When we got our order, we brought our trays and placed them on the table. I saw someone I find familiar near the glass wall, seated all alone. He's wearing a leather jacket, facing his phone with expressionless face. That guy who dragged me to the Music Club suddenly crossed my mind. He kinda reminded me of him.
Just the thought of him made me clench my fists. I don't know why he angers me so much.
We ate our food while we were scrolling through our social media accounts. I made Mimi take a picture of me. I was looking at the direction para kunyare stolen at may inaabangan. She took more shots of me and I started posing. I posted some of my pictures on Instagram. Wala palang five seconds ay may nag-like na kaagad no'n.
I continued eating my food while I was using my phone. I took a sip of my coffee and place it again on my table. A group of men barge in that's why I shifted my eyes on them. They radiate a little jerk/rude-like attitude but I shrug those thoughts away when one of them laughed at that guy who I think is familiar to me.
"G*go!" The guy yelled like he's not in a public face. I concluded that he was that guy earlier because they have a lot of similarities. Nakipag-apiran pa ang mga lalaki sa kaniya. Mukhang kanina pa niya hinihintay ang mga ito. "Akala ko bobombahin niyo ako. You little f*ckers," he insulted them but the other guys looked unbothered. I felt uncomfortable because of their attitude.
"Parang familiar sila, ah." Mimi said and that's when I realized she was looking where I was looking. Naiinis na binaling ko na lang ang atensyon ko sa pagkain naming malapit ng maubos. Nakatitig pa rin ang mga kaibigan ko sa kanila. I saw their empty plates. Yeah, they ate that fast because it's free food.
"Finish your drinks. Aalis na tayo pagkatapos," I told them. Napatingin sila sa akin na balak pa yatang tanggihan ako. Tumayo na ako at inayos ang pagkakasakbit ng bag ko. "Are you going home with me or magpapaiwan pa kayo?" I asked them, sounding a little angry.
"Ih, gusto ko pa ng kape, e." Mimi talked back and even pouted at me.
"Alin ang gusto mo? 'Yung coffee ba talaga o 'yung mga hottie?" segunda naman ni Faye sa kaniya. Mimi tucked her hair above her ear.
"Pwede both?" maarteng sagot niya. Hindi ko na sila sinagot pa, atsaka na ako naglakad palabas ng shop. Mabuti na lang at sumunod din sila sa akin. That group of men ruined the chill atmosphere at the coffee shop. I didn't talk to them until we reached the parking lot.
"Huy, Bea. Are you okay?" tanong sa akin ni Mimi pero hindi ko siya sinagot. Nilabas ko ang cellphone ko at tinawagan na si Manong driver para masundo na niya kami. Kaagad kong binaba ang tawag matapos niyang sumagot at nang makapagpaalam na ako.
Nang pinatay ko ang tawag, doon ko lang narealize na sobrang tahimik at medyo madilim sa loob ng underground parking lot. I felt that someone was staring our way. We heard some footsteps approaching that's why we compressed to each other.
"Who's there?" Mimi asked, gathering all the strength to speak up despite her trembling. No one responded to her question that's why we became more scared.
We stepped back when someone finally showed their face. Let me rephrase that, some people revealed their faces to us. Mukha silang mga sindikato, mga manyak sa kanto, mga gangster, I might say mga jejemon. May mga nakasakbit pang mga kadenang kwintas sa leeg nila.
"Mga miss, okay lang ba kayo?" tanong ng isa sa kanila. We didn't answer because we were scared of them. They don't look like someone who has an authority like guards in this mall. I wonder why are they talking to us.
"Mukha namang mga okay 'yan, e." Someone from them answered instead. We heard a whistle, no a cat call coming from them. Now I am convinced that these people are maniacs.
"Gusto niyo bang hatid namin kayo pauwi?" tanong na naman ng nagsalita kanina. Napaatras na naman kami. "You wanna have fun with us, young sweet ladies?"