HINDI alam ni Glezee kung paano niya ipapaliwanag kay Kyungsoo ang kagagahang ginawa niya. Ni hindi rin niya alam kung sapat na rason na ba iyon para magnakaw ng halik sa pisngi na aksidenteng napunta sa labi nitong malambot. Sinabunotan niya ang sarili ng maalala na naman niya ang kaganapang iyon. Gaga talaga! Bakit iniisip ko na naman iyon? Ilang minuto na ang nakalipas mula nang nagpanggap sila sa harap ni Usui na ngayon ay tumutugtog na sa bar sa ibaba para sa celebration. Pero hindi pa rin nila napag-usapan ang nangyari kanina.
"Ikuwento mo nalang sa'kin kung ano man yang iniisip mo para hindi ka na tuluyang mabaliw diyan." Suhestiyon ni Kyungsoo sabay lapit sa kanya at marahang inayos ang buhok niya. Why was he being gentle to her? Hindi ba ito nagalit sa ginawa niya? Pati puso niya nalilito na rin. "Mukhang nandito yata ang lahat ng miyembro ng club." Kyungsoo crossed his legs as he leaned back to his seat. "Ano ng plano mo ngayon?" He shot her a stern look. But his voice remained soft and soothing, as if he was worried about her.
"Hindi ko na rin alam kung ano ang gagawin ko. Ni hindi ko alam kung tama ba ito. Sorry talaga. Alam kong naiirita ka na sa'kin. Pero kaya ko lang naman nagawa iyon dahil walang balak si Usui na tantanan ako hanggang wala raw akong bagong nobyo. Kaya napilitan akong maghanap ng rebound kuno. At saka, hindi ko rin alam na magtatagpo kami rito. Kung alam ko lang na may gig siya rito, hindi na sana ako naglibot."
"Hindi ako naiirita sa'yo. Don't worry." He said in a soft voice as he toyed with his cap, spinning it on his index finger. "I just hate how you seem so helpless. Akala ko ba bahala na siya sa buhay niya? Bakit nagkakaganito ka ngayon?" He took a pause and a good look at her before continuing. "Bakit parang mahal mo pa yata siya?"
"Hindi na.." Hindi siya sigurado. Dahil kung hindi na niya ito mahal, hindi na dapat siya nasasaktan. "Yata?"
Lumipad sa mukha niya ang bullcap nito. Hindi nito nagustohan ang sagot niya. Agad na nagsalubong at kilay nito at inilapit ang mukha sa kanya. "You should walk away from the person who disrespected you, Glezee. Kung hindi, useless itong pagpapanggap natin. I am willing to help you as long as you promise me na pipiliin mo na ang sarili mo this time, na masbibigyan mo ng importansya ang sarili mo bago ang iba. At bahala na ang Uisu na iyon sa buhay niya."
"Usui." She corrected.
"I don't care. You deserve so much more than that jerk." He snapped. Naku po. Galit na yata. Pero kahit papaano ay nagdulot ito ng reaksyon mula sa puso niya. Parang nakakagaan sa pakiramdam na ganoon nalang ang tingin nito sa kanya kahit na ninakawan niya ito ng halik. "Oh, and para seryosohin mo ang sinasabi ko, I'm not doing this for free."
"Wala akong pera." Bumagsak ang balikat niya. Hindi nga pala ito santo.
"Hindi naman cash ang hinihingi kong kapalit." He gave her a mischievous smile. At kapag ganoon kalapit ang mukha nila, kitang kita ang kislap sa mga mata nito. Hindi niya akalain na may tinatago itong libog sa katawan.
"Look, alam kong malaki ang atraso ko sayo pero hindi ko magagawa ang gusto mo. I'm a virgin for Pete's sake!"
Nakita niyang nanlaki ang mga mata nito bago mariin na napapikit. "Congratulations. But I wasn't referring to that." As if trying to suppress a laugh, he pressed his lips tightly shut before continuing. "Alam mo, Glezee, parang may napapansin na ako sayo, eh. Kanina kiss. Tapos ngayon ito. Pinagnanasaan mo yata ako?"
She threw his bullcap at him which he caught in an instant. He let out a soft laugh. And she was left in awe once again. God has His favorites. And Kyungsoo is definitely one of them.
"Ganyan nga. Dapat na sa'kin ka lang nakafocus. Tandaan mo, the first step in moving on: ilipat mo sa iba ang atensyon mo." His velvet voice whispered as he lifted her chin with his finger only the meet his teasing gaze. "From now on, you should only pay attention to your current boyfriend.." Tucking a few strands of her hair behind her ears, he placed the cap on her head. "Who happens to be me."
Napalunok na lang si Glezee sabay kumurap-kurap. Kahit kailan siguro hindi niya maiintindihan ang pinaggagawa nito sa puso niya. One minute he was irritated, the next he was comforting her in ways he knew how.
"Thank you, Kyungsoo." She finally managed to speak. She reached for his hand and slowly massaged it. "This will help you relax. Para hindi ka na masyadong highblood. 'Di bale, when it's your turn to ask for help, I'll try to help you as much as I can." She took his other hand and did the same thing. "Akala ko talaga tuluyan ka ng magagalit sa'kin. Yun pala, concerned ka pa. Ang swerte naman ng girlfriend mo."
"What makes you think I have one?"
"Bakit? Ilan ba girlfriend mo?"
"Gutom lang iyan." Tinapik nito ang visor ng cap na suot niya kaya tuluyang natabunan ang mukha niya. Ngayon pa niya natikman ang carino de brutal nito. "Umorder na nga lang tayo."
"Teka hindi mo pa sinasagot tanong ko."
"Ano ba kasing klase ng tanong yan?" Sumenyas na ito sa isang waiter na agad namang lumapit sa kanila para ibigay ang menu. "Wag mo nga akong itulad sa ex mong ewan."
KYUNGSOO was enjoying his time watching the lady in front of him devour the food they ordered without a hint of self-consciousness. For him, women are gentle creations and they deserved the best this world has to offer. Sure, men were built with more physical strength, but he believes women were emotionally stronger. With that, they can handle whatever life throws at them. And this particular lady handles her lemons by eating. He cursed himself. He shouldn't be taking advantage of her vulnerability. But here he is, admiring her every move. His mind was uncooperative as he was still distracted. He excused himself for a moment.
"Sure sure. Order lang ako ng drink. Ano gusto mo?" Tanong nito sa kanya, her mouth full. Gone was the shy and timid Glezee he met last morning. You, he thought. "I'll have whatever you're having."
AS soon as Kyungsoo was out of sight, she ordered a red wine for her and a soda for him. Gusto niyang malasing. 'Yong tipong malayang-malaya ang pakiramdam niya. 'Yong tipong isusuka niya lahat ng kinain niya ngayong gabi kasama ang natitirang feelings niya para sa ex niyang ewan according to Kyungsoo. Speaking of that guy, hindi alam ni Glezee kung bakit pinapatulan ni Kyungsoo ang mga kalokohan niya. Albeit, she's thankful at mukhang mapapadali ang pagmomove on niya with his help. Aba, ngayon pa lang pakiramdam niya sobrang ganda niya dahil ngayon pa lang niya nakilala ang lalaki ngunit dalawang beses na niya itong naidate. Nasolo na niya ito agad at not to mention nahalikan pa. Sa lips!
"Huli kang babae ka!" Nagulat siya nang may tumapik ng malakas sa likod niya. It was Sham, who was slightly trying to catch her breath. Her friend motioned Kyungsoo's plate. "You're on a date with sir Kyungsoo again?"
"I'll explain everything later. Ang importante, Usui and I are officially over. Hindi na ako marupok." Nakangiting nginuya niya ang masarap na medium well na rib eye steak. "Saan ka ba galing? Bakit hinihingal ka?"
"Hinahanap nga kita! Pero kung saan-saan ako nakarating. Anyway, mabuhay ang mga single. Let's celebrate at natapos na ang marupok days mo. Arats mamaya sa baba at makiparty." Her gave her a tight hug before sitting on Kyungsoo's vacant seat. "Paupo saglit. Dito muna ako habang wala pa ang date mo."
"You should dine with us! Kanina pa kita kinocontact pero hindi ka sumasagot." Glezee cut her friend a piece of steak she was eating.
"Ayoko nga. Kahit single ako ayokong maging thirdwheel, noh." Sinubo ni Sham steak na inalok niya "Sa sobrang single ko wala na akong pakialam kung nasaan ang cellphone ko." Pagdadrama nito.
"Sharmaine Abatayo." Boses ng isang lalaki ang kumuha ng atensyon nila ng kaibigan niya. It was doc Charles in his navy blue polo with sleeves rolled up to his elbow. His hands are in the pockets of his trousers. Naiintindihan niya kung bakit baliw dito ang kaibigan niya. Maliban sa pagiging gwapo nito, pamatay din ang biceps at pecs nito na bakat na bakat. "You left your phone." Inabot nito sa kaibigan niya ang telepono.
"Uy, salamat. Where did you find this?"
"Sa bahay ko. To be specific," Charles crossed his arms. "..sa kwarto ko. Hindi ko rin alam kung paano iyan napunta doon. Bakit kaya?"
Napainom si Glezee ng isang basong wine dahil sa kahihiyan na nararamdaman niya para sa kaibigan niya. Tumikhim ang kaibigan niya at saka tumayo. "Magkita tayo mamaya sa baba, Glez. Magse-celebrate pa tayo. Isama mo na ang date mo para masaya."
"Akala ko ba ayaw mong maging thirdwheel?"
"Hindi ako magiging thirdwheel. Nandoon sina doc Andoni at doc Jin. See you later!" Nakasalubong pa nito si Kyungsoo. "Hi! Hinay hinay ka lang sa kaibigan ko. Enjoy your date!"
Kunot noong umupo si Kyungsoo sa tapat niya.Tumaas naman ang isang kilay nito nang makita ang inorder niyang inumin. "Do you mind telling me what's going on?"
"Natutuwa lang si Sham dahil hindi ako bumigay kay Usui. Gusto niyang magcelebrate at makiparty sa ibaba. Nandoon naman daw sina doc Jin at doc Andoni. " She finished the remaining food on her plate. "As for me, I'd love to get drunk. Kumbaga cleansing. I'm ready to let go of the excess baggage."
Tumangu-tango ito habang nginunguya ang pagkain. "Okay." He took a sip of his soda. She took a good at him. Bakit namamangha siya pati sa paggalaw Adam's apple nito. "You're free to do whatever you like. I'm here to make sure of that." Those words might not mean special to him but it tugged the strings of her heart. After finishing the food on his plate and wiped the sides of his mouth with tissue, he finished his drink and stood up.
"Let's go," He extended his hand to her and gave her a lopsided grin. "yeobo."
Glezee reluctantly placed her hand on his. He gave it a tight squeeze before walking towards the bar below and that gave her reassurance. She had nothing to fear because he was with her. And he was genuine kahit ayaw nitong ipakita sa kanya.
The club members were all present in celebration to their co-member's engagement. Her eyes searched for her friend, and she saw her drinking with the doctors and another member in one of the tables. Andoni saw them and waved at them with a smile until his eyes travelled down to their entwined hands. His jaw dropped and his eyes widened more like in horror. The rest of the people around the table did the same thing.
"Ano yan?" The stranger pointed on their hands, his other hand covering his mouth.
"Tigilan mo nga 'yan, Jackson." Kyungsoo gently let go of her hand and pulled a chair for her. "Glezee is here to celebrate something important to her. Gusto niyang maglasing kaya pagbigyan niyo na."
AFTER a few bottles of Jaegermeister, she was laughing her ass out with the people around her. Naglalaro sila ng truth or dare habang nag-iinom. Nakita na niyang nagmacho dance si Charles habang naliligo sa fountain. Nakita na rin niyang nagjogging nang nakataas ang kamay ang kaibigan niya. Nalaman na rin niya na takot sa dugo si Jackson na isang physiatrist. Kyungsoo was always ready to assist her. Sinasamahan siya nito kapag nasi-CR siya. He helped her tie up her messy hair dahil sa sobrang likot niya. Pinatahan pa siya nito dahil bigla na lang siyang umiyak. And now he's still there beside her. He never let her out of his sight. Sarap naman sa feeling na may nag-aalaga.
"Kyungshoo," He leaned closer so she could reach his ears. "Nashushuka yata ako."
"What! Teka lang pumunta tayo sa washroom."
"Joke lang." Tinawanan niya ito. "Ang haggard mo na pero gwapo ka pa rin. Ano bang shkin care mo?"
Hinilamos lang nito ang palad nito sa mukha niya. Pero nakita niyang sumilay ang ngiti sa labi nito. At nag-abnormal na naman ang tibok ng puso niya. Mamatay na yata siya. Pinaikot ni Jackson ang basyo ang alak at huminto ito sa tapat ni Kyungsoo.
"Dare." He declared.
"Noted. Pero shot ka muna kahit isa lang." Inalok ito ng shot glass ni Sham. "Punuin ko na,ha? Isa lang naman."
"Oopsh." She took the shot and drank it straight instead of Kyungsoo. She then turned to Kyungsoo and placed her hands on his cheeks. "Bawal kang uminom ng alak Kyungshoo."
"Bakit naman?" He held her hands. She was expecting he would take them off his face. But he didn't which was nice because she gets to stare into his ridiculously handsome face.
"Kashi weakshit ka. Kaya magshing and dansh ka na lang." Tinapik tapik pa niya ang pisngi nito. Nakita niyang may tiningnan muna ito sa likuran niya sabay nagtagis ng bagang. Lilingon na sana siya para tingnan kung ano man iyong hindi nagustuhan ni Kyungsoo pero pinigilan siya nito.
"You've got to be kidding me, Glez." He was laughing. But it sent chills down her spine. His big hands are now on her cheeks too. "Uuwi ka na after nito. Ihahatid na kita at may trabaho ka pa bukas."
Napilitang sumayaw si Kyungsoo dahil sa kagustuhan ni Glezee. Mabuti na lang at sinabayan ito ni Shownu na tatawa-tawa pa at halatang lulong na rin sa alak. Pati siya ay napapasayaw na rin dahil sobrang pag-eenjoy niya. Ngunit saglit lang iyon at natapos na ang munting palabas nito.
"Let's go."
"Teka lang," She refused to be dragged away from the band. Biglang pumainlang ang isang love song. "Shayaw muna tayo. Shayang ang mushik." She placed her arms around his neck and closed her eyes as she swayed to the beat of the soft music.
I wanna get lost with you
And hide out, out under the light of the moon
I wanna get lost with you
And see what it's like to spend the whole night
With you, just you
You, just you
"Okay ka lang ba? Gusto mong dalhin na kita sa clinic?" Masuyong tanong nito sa kanya. She shook her head slowly without opening her eyes. Naramdaman niya ang pagkirot ng ulo niya at bahagyang pag-ikot ng mundo. She rested her head on his shoulder.
"Huy, wag kang matulog diyan. Kung inaantok ka na ihahatid na kita." She felt his hands tightened around her waist. Pinipilit na siya nitong umuwi pero gusto pa niya itong makasama. Ngayong magkasama sila, wala na siyang pakialam sa paligid nila. Bahala na ang mga tumitingin. Eh, di tumingin sila. Basta siya, mapayapa ang pakiramdam niya.
"Glez?" Tinapik-tapik nito ang braso niya. She stood straight and broke away from him with her eyes still shut. Ang hirap idilat ng mga mata niya.
"Tara uwi na tayo." Inumpisahan na niyang maglakad ngunit nakakailang hakbang pa lang siya ay kung sinu-sino na nababangga niya. "Oopsh, churi churi.." Narinig niyang napapalatak si Kyungsoo at saka siya nito inalalayan.
"Kyungsoo, dalhin mo na iyan sa bahay mo. Wala iyang kasama sa room niya baka mapaano pa." Hindi niya kilala ang may awtoridad na boses na iyon.
"Hindi ba pwedeng sa clinic na lang? Mas may tiwala ako sa nurses doon at monitored pa siya."
"Masyadong malayo ang clinic. At saka, ikaw ang date niyan kaya maging responsible ka. Tawagan mo na lang ako kapag may nangyari." It was Jin. He's such a gentleman.
"Bakit ka naman tatawagan ni Kyungsoo kapag may nangyari? Sa kanya na lang iyon."
"Ang dumi ng utak mo, Jackson." Sagot ng isa pang boses. "Dapat kang basbasan ng holy water."
"What the hell. Itigil mo nga iyan, Chanyeol! Mangangamoy alak ako!"
Naramdaman niya ang pag-angat ng mga paa niya. Kyungsoo had carried her in his arms. Nagumpisa na itong maglakad papalayo sa mga nagkakagulo sa loob. She can feel his every stride and breathing. Her arms found their way around his neck again. It was her favorite part of him.
"Hay, ang bango talaga." She chuckled when she felt him froze a bit. "Mabaho ba hininga ko?"
"Oo. Kaya huwag ka ng madaldal. Matulog ka na lang diyan."
Ngumiti lang siya. Nakapikit pa rin siya pero naiisip na niya ang inis na mukha ni Kyungsoo.