Nick
"Ano bang tingin mong sasabihin ko?" tanong ni Gabby sa akin.
I already knew it, I guess this is the day that I should give her up.
"That you finally realize your feelings for Xavier at totoo na ang pambabasted na gagawin mo sa akin ngayon," I told her frankly, I even laugh after saying it.
I notice that she's not following me anymore. I look back at her and saw her only to find her sulking. Gabby might be blunt sometimes but she hates hurting people. alam kong ayaw niya akong masaktan.
"Don't be sorry for me. I already know it, tanggap ko na," I said while laughing.
Yes, please don't pity me.
Tanggap ko na.
Who am I kidding? It's easier said than done. It would take time to move on, but I'm afraid that I couldn't move-on from her. She never reciprocated my feelings for her. I knew from the start that I will lose this battle but I still chose to get hurt.
Naglakad ako palapit sa kanya.
"H'wag mo akong dramahan, diba ililibre mo pa ako?" I said while I smiled at her.
She just looked me in the eye, trying to read my emotions.
Could she tell that I'm hurting? If she does will she choose me over Xavier?
"Oo nga pala, I told you before that I don't want to be friend but since binasted mo ako at mapilit ka friends na tayo. " I changed the topic, and started walking again.
"Ako pa talaga ang mapilit ahh," she scoffed as she started following me.
I don't intend to be her friend, but that is all she can give to me.
Nick! What are you doing! This isn't you! why are you giving up that easy?
Hindi ako sumusuko marunong lang akong lumugar.
This is our first time eating dinner alone, just the two of us. Our first and last date I guess.
Yes, I'll take this as a date.
I pulled some jokes and made her laugh. Hearing her laugh is like music to my ears. It's cheesy but it really is.
Why didn't I work in the Company a little sooner? I should have been her boss If I took the position years ago, maybe Xavier and Gabby wouldn't meet.
Regrets is all I have right now.
Pagkatapos namin kumain ay sinamahan ko siya hanggang sa makasakay siya ng taxi. She waved at me, saying goodbye. Before the taxi moved, I mouthed something at her.
"I love you." Those three words, I should have told her sooner.
I stood there for a few more minutes when I decided to call Xavier.
"Nick?" takang tanong niya.
"Yeah, it's me can we talk," I asked.
"About what?" tanong niya ulit.
"Gabby," I simply said.
"Where?" He answered.
Niyaya ko lang naman siyang uminom kasama ko. We used to be friends, I think it's okay. I also need an assurance that he will take care of Gabby.
After a few drinks I started talking.
"How are you?" ang weird ng tanong ko. But I really wanted to know how he is.
"I'm good," sagot niya.
Just like before, tipid niya pa rin makipag-usap.
I just laughed, I want to punch him for winning Gabby's heart, for having the things that I want but Gabby would hate me If I do that.
"What do you need?" he asked frankly.
"You know I love Gabby right." Di ko na alam kung bakit ko sinabi iyon.
"I know your feelings for her is real but I also love her. If you're going to ask me to let her go. I can't do that."
"You don't need to worry about me, Gabby rejected my feelings for real."
"You already knew?" di makapaniwalang tanong niya.
"Yes, that's why she asked me for dinner, I already knew that she likes you."
"I didn't ask you to drink with me just to beg for her." I brushed that idea off.
"Are you okay?" tanong niya he sound concerned about my feelings.
Tumango na lang ako, bilang sagot.
I'm sure I'm not okay. But what can I do about it?
"Please take care of her. I know it's impossible not to make her cry but if you do make her cry, make up for it."
"If I ever make her cry, I'll make sure it's happy tears," sabi niya assuring me.
"You should, I might change my mind and pursue her again," banta ko.
"I won't give you a chance," sabi niya.
It's nice talking to him like this, like before.
"Can I ask you something," sabi niya.
"Ask me what?"
"Have you forgiven me?" alangang tanong niya.
"No," sagot ko.
Napatingin siya sa akin ng diretso.
"Wala kang kasalanan sa akin," I answered him.
"If it's about my Mom , it's not your fault."
"But--"
Pinutol ko agad ang sasabihin niya.
"Even if I became our class valedictorian, my mom will not make it. She already given up and just want to spend time with our family than staying in the hospital for medication. Don't blame yourself or your family you are not the cause of her death but its her sickness."
I know the guilt is killing him for years. Natahimik lang siya at uminom sa basong hawak niya.
"Is this a fresh start?" biglang tanong niya.
Napaisip ako, we should really start anew.
"Yeah, bro."
...
Xavier
"Would you mind if I go now. I think Gab is mad at me," I started.
"Ano bang ginawa mo?" Nick asked.
"She got jealous of Eri, I think," I answered him, but I was not really sure of it.
"Just go bro. I'm fine, I'll just my broken heart," he answered.
It's kinda weird talking to him casually. I never thought we'll be like this again. Like nothing ever happened. I took my leave and drove to Gab's house.
I got jealous of Nick when I saw him and Gab this morning acting lovey-dovey. I called her but she's not answering her phone. I did what I have to do, I climbed again to her window. She was shocked when she saw me.
"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" she asked lowering her voice afraid that her brother might hear her.
She let me inside her room, and let me sit on a chair, she looks worried.
"Kelan ka pa naging member ng akyat bahay gang?" she asked sarcastically.
"Di ako member ng akyat bahay pero aakyat lang ng ligaw," I told her.
I saw her look the other way, trying her best not to blush. Her reaction is cute that I can't help but smile. Cheesy lines helps a lot.
"Anong nginingiti-ngiti mo diyan?" she asked with a crease on her forehead.
I just smiled at her not uttering a word.
"Lasing ka ba?" she asked again.
"I'm not drunk, but I did drink." I told her.
"Abnormal ka ba? Nakainom ka tapos umakyat ka sa bintana. Paano kung nahulog ka nabagok. Tapos magka-amnesia ka?" She said without pausing.
"I just miss you," I told her.
"Miss mo mukha mo!" she said not convince of what I said.
"I'm sorry for pissing you off," I added.
"Tapos?"
"I'm sorry for making you jealous."
"Jealous? bakit ako magseselos?" she denied.
"Aren't you? It seems you are," I told her.
"H'wag mo ko baliktarin."
Am I wrong? did I just assumed it?
"Well, yeah I got jealous of Nick," I admitted.
"Bakit?"
"Who wouldn't? I know he likes you and his lingering around you most of the time and I can't stop him 'cause he doesn't know we are officially dating. It's frustrating, and you even had a date with him."
"Hindi date 'yun, binasted ko na siya ng tuluyan."she said sulking.
" Well actually , alam na niya na ang balak ko," she continued.
I pretended that I didn't know.
"Na-stress ako, kasi ayoko siyang saktan. Pero kung patatagalin ko pa, lalo siyang aasa," she said with a sad voice.
She really have a soft heart.
"What did he say?" I asked.
"Tanggap na raw niya," she said.
"Bakit ba ako nagpapaliwanag sa'yo? Ikaw itong may atraso sa akin ahh?" she asked, seems like she's really annoyed.
Here she goes with her sudden change of mood.
"I already apologized," I said.
"So ganun na lang yun?" tanong niya.
"What can I do to make it up."
"Goofy!" she shouted.
Shit! I forgot about her dog again.
Goofy stood and walked towards Gab wagging his tail. I looked at her, now her eyes are glistening, I know she's up to something.
Should I get out now? but if I do that she'll get more pissed.
I don't know how I look now, but I can feel my hands sweating.
"Haplusin mo ang likod ni Goofy," she commanded.
Is she for real? She knows I'm scared of dogs but she asks me to pet her dog?
"Are you sure he won't bite me?" I ask hesitating.
She nodded. I should get a grip. I need to do this or Gab will hate me. I stood up, took a deep breath, Walk towards her dog and kneel to reach Goofy. I was looking away, I was just too afraid to look. Gab suddenly grabbed my hand until I could feel Goofy's furr. I tried to peek and saw Gab's smiling face.
"Diba? di naman nangangagat si Goofy?" she said.
I didn't even care about my fear of dogs. Just seeing her smile makes me forget everything.
"Ayan, bati na tayo," she announced.
Then she removed my hand on Goofy's back while commanding her dog to play on the side again.
"There's nothing to fear as long as I'm holding your hand," she said assuring me.
Her words touched me, I felt my heart skip a beat.
"Don't say pick-up lines on me, or I'll kiss you," I retorted.
"Bwisit! Nakainom ka tapos manghahalik ka? Eww," she made it sound like she's disgusted.
I just laughed at her reaction. I might be tempted to do it.
"Diyan ka lang, titimplahan kita ng kape nang magising kaluluwa mo," as she walked through the door with Goofy tailing on her.
...
Gabriela
Bwisit!
Isinara ko ang pinto ng kwarto ko at iniiwan si Xi sa loob.
Langya! paano kung halikan niya nga ako.
It's not the first time we will share a kiss if ever.
Naalala ko tuloy yung sabi niya na ninakawan ko siya ng halik nung lasing ako. Sa sobrang kalasingan akala ko siya si Donna.
Ano kaya ang feeling ng mahalikan siya?
Ano ba Gabriela! Erase! erase!
Napahawak ako sa magkabilang pisngi ko. Nababaliw na talaga ako.
Pagbalik ko sa kwarto dala ang kape ay nadatnan ko siyang natutulog sa kama ko.
Langya! Nakitulog pa sa kama ko.
Ipinatong ko sa side table ang tinimpla kong kape.
"Hoy! Xi, Gising," Yugyog ko sa kanya.
Nanatili siyang nakapakit. Naku naman, nakatulog ba 'to dahil sa kalasingan? Niyugyog ko siya ulit.
"Please let me take a nap for thirty minutes," antok na request niya. Saka niya hinablot ang kumot ko at nagtalukbong.
Buti naisipan niya pang tanggalin ang sapatos niya bago sumampa sa kama ko. Di ko naman pwedeng tabihan siya. Baka sapian ako ng masamang Espiritu at Gahasain ko siya.
Gabriela! Qouta ka na sa kalandian mo! Kinuha ko ang kapeng tinimpla ko at ininom.
Bigla na lamang binuksan ng kuya ko ang pinto ng kwarto ko at sumilip.
"Bakit gising ka pa?" tanong niya.
Dali akong tumakbo sa may pinto para di niya iyon mabuksan ng tuluyan. Sobrang kaba ang nararamdaman ko buti na lang talaga at naisip magtalukbong ni Xi kung hindi patay ako kay kuya.
"Nagkakape pa ako kuya," palusot ko.
"Bakit? Magpupuyat ka ba?" takang tanong niya.
"Hindi, gusto ko lang," sabay tawa ko.
"Ano kailangan mo kuya?" tanong ko.
Unusual kasi ang bigla niyang pagsilip sa kwarto ko.
"May ibibigay lang ako," sabi niya at may kinuha sa bulsa niya at pinatong sa palad ko at isinara iyon.
"Ano 'to?" bubuksan ko sana ang palad ko para makita yun pero pinigilan niya ako.
"Mamaya mo na tignan. Matulog ka na pagkatapos mong magkape."
"Okay." Kahit nagtataka ay sumang ayon na lang ako sa kanya.
Pagkatapos ay umalis na siya at nilock ko na ang pinto ko.
Muli kong kinuha ang tasa ng kape na iniinom ko kanina. Binuksan ko ang palad ko para makita kung anong binigay sa akin ng kuya ko.
Halos maibuga ko ang kapeng nasa bibig ko nang makita ko ang 'condom' na nasa palad ko.
"Kuya!" sigaw ko.
Di niya pinansin ang sigaw ko pero dinig ko ang tawa niya hanggang sa kwarto ko.
Ramdam ko ang pamumula ng mukha ko. Napatingin ako sa natutulog na si Xi. Nakita ko ang sapatos niya marahil ay nakita iyon ng kuya ko.
Langya! Bakit ako binigyan ni kuya nito. Proteksyon? Nakaka-stress siya, bakit may ganito siya? May kalokohan din ba siyang ginagawa?
Nakakahiya pa din alam ng kuya ko na may lalaki sa kwarto ko. Imbis na sermonan ako binigyan pa ako ng 'proteksyon' sakalin ko kaya siya?
Buti pa tong si Xi, pa-idlip Idlip lang.
Wala akong balak maging rapist kung yun iniisip ng kuya ko.
< End of Chapter 39 >