She Heart Her
Chapter 10
Adriana: I'm on my way there.
"No shit."
Adriana: yes shit, Zakkiyah, so you better prepare there dahil mag tutuos tayo mamaya.
No way. Birthday ni Taylor ngayun, and I promised her last night na sa kanya lang ang atensyon ko today. Actually, she's kinda pissed off yesterday dahil parang di ko daw sya pinapansin kasi ang busy ko masyado kasi sa break, eh Ano bang magagawa ko, I promised Adriana to do my job Kahit wala ako sa office para payagan ako.
I waited for her at the resort's lobby, and around 6 am ay naka rating na nga ito, and yes, she's with Meiji.
"Meiji! Baby!" Sabi ko agad pagka baba nila
Sa sasakyan. Agad namang pumunta ang aso sakin.
"Next time, pag May raket ka, sakin mo nalang iwan si Meiji, lalo na pag more than a day ka wala." Sabi nito. "Also, akala ko ba sa dog hotel mo sya iniiwan?"
"Actually, I was supposed to. Pero 1 day lang merong available sa dog hotel malapit sa condo, timing din na lumuwas sina Kuya."
Then I looked at her. Laptop at backpack ang dala nito, dito ba tu matutulog?
"Dito ka matutulog?"
She looked at me. "What? Why? Is there a problem?" Then she crossed her arms. "Unless, makaka isturbo ako sa inyo ni Taylor."
Then pumasok na siya sa lobby para maka log in.
"Mam, hatid ko na po kayo?" Tanong ng staff ng hotel.
"No, Kuya, we can manage. Thank you nalang." Then she looked at me. "Lead the way." Sabi nito sakin.
Nilagyan ko di naman nun ng leash si Meiji para malakad ko sya. "Saan?"
"Sa cabin niyo, I believe that it can accommodate 4 persons naman diba?"
Napa tingin naman ako rito. "What?! No, Adri."
Then she looked at me. "Ohhhh noo... why? Makakaisturbo ba ako sa inyo?"
"H-hindi Naman ... it's just that... it's Taylor's birthday..."
"What? Why, are you planning to give her a birthday sex?"
"Noooo... what the hell?"
And she sarcastically laughed. "As if you're not Guilty with that, I know naman na ginagawa niyo yan."
"Adri."
Then she started to walk.
"What?! Totoo naman ah. Diba pag andito sya sa Pilipinas, di pwedeng walang ganap."
"Adriana."
"Zakkiyah, you can't lie the fact that you two were still a thing up til now."
"We're friends."
"Still doing what 'couples' do." Sabi nito. "More than friends, less than lovers."
I looked at her. Ganyan din naman tayo dati ah, more than friends but less than lovers, the only difference was, ours became a lil more serious than it should be, the reason I became so broken when you left me.
"Ano pa inaantay mo jan? Faster! We need to finish something this morning, I promised that to Mrs. Aldeguer."
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It's been 4 hours since we started working.
And yeah, i think it's a good idea that she did really took the risk to go down here. At least, this way makaka pag share kami ng ideas sa isa't isa, and good thing we're not arguing when it's work related, napaka professional niya, though there this one time lang na parang pinag initan niya ako, that was after she messaged me, na up til now di ko pa na o open up sa kanya.
"Yes, I like that better. But let's make the campaign a lil understandable, you know." Sabi nito when I showed her what I did.
Tumango naman ako nun. "Okay, I'll change it."
"No, don't change it, I already liked the concept, you know, just make it easier to understand."
"Good morning, babe!"
Pareho naman kaming napatingin nun say naka bukakang pinto.
"Oh shit!" And that's RJ when he saw Adriana beside me.
Agad ko din naman syang dinilatan nun.
Rj looked at me confused as he mouthed. "What the hell?! Why is she here?!"
"Guess what, RJ?" Parang wala namang paki na Sabi ni Adriana dito. "I still could hear it. And yeah I'm here... for work."
And RJ rolled his eyes. "And I still don't like you." No, RJ doesn't hate her, it's just that, she broke my heart, at bilang best friend, RJ just wanted to protect me, I know that.
"Well, your confirmation is not needed for me to be here." Direktang Sabi nito.
"Haha." -RJ. Then kinuha nito ang isang upuan at pumagitna saming dalawa.
"RJ! We're working!" Saway ko.
"Well, I'll help."
"Goodness, RJ! We need to finish this before Monday." Sabi nito kay RJ habang pinupush ito Para tumayo.
"Babe, you need me here, I will be the space between you two." Sabi nito sakin. Sa
Napa isip naman ako nun then looked at Adriana, ganun ba kmi kalapit kanina, well, I didn't notice since like what've said, we're working.
"RJ, we're working, Sige na. Please."
RJ looked at me, I looked at him too, a warning look.
"Babe."
Then suddenly Adriana stood up.
Pareho naman kaming napatingin dito.
Lumipat ito sa tabi ko. Ako na ngayun sa gitna nila ni RJ.
"If you want to help, dyan ka sa gilid, wag ka sa gitna namin." Sabi nito. "Let's focus now, Zakki."
Tiningnan naman ito ng masama ni RJ, ako
Naman natawa, para kasi itong bata.
"You know what, RJ, if you want to help, Bantayan mo si Meiji sa labas." Sabi naman ni Adriana. "Diba ninong ka niya, be a ninong to her."
Napanganga naman nun si RJ. Natawa naman ako nun sa reaksyon nito, pero Agad din itong lumabas at nilaro si Meiji.
After 30 minutes, he decided to leave at pinapasok si Meiji dito sa cabin.
"No fuckin shit."
Napa tingin naman kami nun sa pinto ng kwarto.
It's Taylor, And good thing she's wearing a shirt and shorts.
"I'm glad my invitation reaches you." Sabi nito kay Adriana.
"Well, first of all, I'm not here for you, second, I came here for work, third, zoom is not enough because there are several things only we can discuss in person, fourth, I don't also need your confirmation for me to be here because, as I said, I came here for work, fifth, wala akong paki sayo unless otherwise May maitutulong ka samin."
"And so I thought you came here because Zakkiyah's with me, well, I'm glad na hindi yun ang dahilan." Then Taylor looked at me. "Morning, babe." And leaned and was about to kiss my cheeks when Adriana suddenly interrupted.
"Well, that's one of the reasons."
So, Taylor stopped and looked at her.
I also looked at Adriana. Shit, I still could feel the tension between these two.
"I don't want your presence be the reason why Zakki can't work properly..." Then Adriana looked at her. "Happy birthday, by the way." And fake smiled at her.
At nag katinginan silang dalawa.
"Arf! Arf! Arf! Arf!" And that's Meiji barking at Taylor.
"Oh, hey, Meiji!" She's about to pet her but then Meiji bark at her again Saka ito humiga sa ilalim ng upuan ni Adriana.
Then she looked at Adriana. "Infairness, you still sounds like a possessive girlfriend." Saka pumunta na ito sa mini fridge at kumuha dun ng bottled water at uminom.
Adriana looked at me. "Let's get back to work, we need to finish this before Monday."
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Taylor rented all the front beach cabins for her guests, yung iba naman May dalang tent. She also rented a dj, bar tenders, fire dancers, lights, bean bags etc. and yep, ang saya nga ng party, parang sa bora and siargao feels lang. We dance, we drink, we eat, we chat, yung iba nag na night swimming.
I looked at Adriana as she chatted with some guests, since andito na rin sya, Taylor invited her to join the party Kahit hindi sila okay. At first, of course she refuses, but then one of the guests approached her And nakikilala sya, the guest is one of the company's clients pala, her client specifically, they chatted and sa tingin ko naaliw din naman agad sya. In fact, mula nung iniwan ko siya sa client niya kanina ay di pa kami uli nakapag usap, seems like marami ang nagka interes na kumausap sa kanya, mostly, nag tatanong ng mga marketing ideas para sa mga business nila. Ako
Naman, andito ako kasama ang mga mutual friends namin ni Taylor, nag lalaro kami ng beer pong dito sa balcony ng cabin ng mga boys.
"Shot shot shot!" Sigaw nila kay Val, Taylor's Cousin, and RJ's friend.
"Babe, your turn!" Sabi ni RJ Sabay bigay sakin ng bola, so I did my throw at dahil mejo natatamaan na rin, i missed.
"Shot! Shot! Shot!" Sigaw nila.
So I did my shot. "Ahhh!"
"Yes!!! RJ! You're next!" Sabi ni KevIn, mutual friend namin.
Pumwesto na rin naman agad si RJ. He also missed it.
"Shot! Shot! Shot!"
And also drank his shot.
Napatingin naman uli ako nun kay Adriana without expecting na mapapatingin din sya sakin. So I smiled. She also responded with a smile.
Now Playing: My Oh My (RyBeats remix) - camila cabello
It's already 11:45 pm, people are now drunk and are getting wild and noisy. We already stopped playing beer pong, nandito na kami sa baba, nakikipag mingle sa ibang mga guests, actually nag karun pa kami ng client ni RJ, it's a prenup in 3 months.
Then suddenly Taylor came up and kissed me deeply. Of course, I responded, since na kainom na rin ako.
"Oh, that's hot, Cous!" That's Gerry, Taylor's gay cousin then he stood up and suddenly grab me from her and also kissed me. I laughed as he kissed me, well, di na bago sakin ang ganitong eksena, we always do this game whenever we're drunk especially when we're in the club, si RJ nga lang ata ang hindi nakikipag halikan sakin, ayaw niya kasi Kahit na May past na kami, ayaw niya na parang tinitake advantage niya ako sa ganun, best friend na kasi talaga ang Turing niya sakin.
"Hey, Bitch! That's mine!" Sigaw ni Taylor Sabay hila sakin pabalik sa kanya, and held my waist as she kissed me. "Right, babe?"
I looked at her and smirked. "Really huh?"
"Of course."
And we laughed together then turned to Gerry who's now kissing Kelvin, yep, kelvin is his partner.
Then I unintentionally glanced at Adriana, she's looking at me, I mean, at us, Taylor's still Holding my waist as if I'm really hers. She looks so disappointed. and Ewan ko, nakaramdam agad ako ng konting kaba. Then she turned her back and walked away.
"Shit..."
I'm about to follow her but Taylor held me tight habang busy ito sa pakikipag usap sa mga kaibigan nito.
After nun, di ko na uli sya nakita, Baka bumalik na sya sa cabin, nandun din kasi naiwan si Meiji dun.
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It was around 2:45 am, nagising ako nang May dumapong kung Anong insekto sa mukha ko, naka tulog na ako dito sa duyan, then I looked at the guy sleeping beside me, it was Benjamin, fil-am model and also Taylor's friend, sya ata kausap ko kanina hanggang sa naka tulog na ako, Anyways, halos lahat ng tao ay naka tulog na, yung iba sa bean bag at sa buhangin na naka tulog sa kalasingan.
Then I looked at Benjamin, he's still sleeping, Dali dali kong Kinuha ang braso niya na naka yakap sa tyan ko Saka bumangon at inayos ang sarili ko.
"Zakki...." Sabi ni Benjamin Sabay hawak sa wrist ko.
"I'm just going to pee." Sabi ko nalang.
"Okay."
Saka bumaba na ako ng hagdan. Hindi ko na hinanap si Taylor, alam ko naman kung nasaan sya eh. Taylor slept with her Australian 'girl' named Lizzy na isang model din, at minsan na ring na link sa kanya, pero mag kaibigan na rin sila ngayun and yeah, they also do what me and Taylor do. Huli kong nakitang nag me make out sila sa isang tent kanina, kaya malamang dun na yun natulog.
Nag lakad na ako pabalik sa cabin namin, I'm going to check if andun nga si Adriana. I knocked on the door since it's locked. Then I heard Meiji's bark.
"Meiji, hey, baby, please tell Adriana to open the door for me, please?"
Then tumakbo ito pabalik sa kwarto, Maya Maya pa ay bumukas na ang pinto.
"Hi." Sabi ko kay Adriana.
"Oh... alam mo pala kung saan ang cabin mo." Sarkastikong Sabi niya.
"Ha?" At parang nag loading naman ako nun.
Then tumalikod ito Saka pumasok sa kwarto.
"So, kanino ka nakipag make out, sa babae o lalaki?"
Napatingin naman ako rito, nakakainsulto kasi though yes, that's partly true, pero usap, konting landi na May kasamang halik lang ang ginagawa ko, i didn't do sex with strangers.
"I'm not like that."
"Really? Kaya pala kung sinu sino hinahalikan mo."
"Hanggang dyan lang naman eh..."
Saka pumasok sa cr at nag hugas ng kamay. then tumayo ito sa pinto.
"Saan ka natulog ngayun?" Tanong nito habang tinitingnan ako ng direkta sa mata sa salamin.
TiningnAn ko din sya dun. "Eh Ano din naman ba sayo kung natulog ako na May kasama diba? Single naman ako." Sabi ko.
Hindi ito sumagot Saka tumalikod at umupo sa double deck na kama, dun ata ito natulog. Kinuha ko na rin gamit ko Saka naligo para maka tulog na rin ng maayos.
After maligo at maka bihis ay gising pa rin ito, si Meiji naman ay nakatulog na sa ilalim ng aircon.
Naka tingin lang ito sakin. I just tried to ignore her. Ayokong makipag argue sa kanya. Humiga na ako sa queen bed then nag scan sa social media pampa antok.
"What's up with you and Taylor?" She suddenly asked.
"What do you mean?" Tanong ko habang sa phone pa rin ang mata.
"I saw her kissed you kanina."
Ah, of course, nakita ko pa ng reaksyon niya after yun.
"Hindi na rin naman yun bago." Sabi ko nalang.
"Then... she said, you're hers. Is that true?"
I looked at her, then back to my phone.
"That was just a playful act, you know, yan naman laging litAnya niya kapag umeeksena si Gerry. Saka kapag May gustong makipag make out sakin sa club." Sabi ko.
"Ahh.. she's like marking her territory."
I smirked. "She was just playing, you know. And she doesn't mean it. In fact, after nun ay nakipag make out sya sa ex fling niya na French model."
"Ah kaya pala sa iba ka naka tabi."
"Benj is just an acquaintance, we didn't kissed, we just talked about photography because he also loves photography, that's all."
"Ah. Kaya pala naka yakap sayo."
"In that case, hindi ko alam kung pano niya ako na yakap." Then Napatingin ako rito. Pano nito nalaman.
"So you like him now? Now that you two have the same hobby?"
She's not looking at me, she's also busy with her phone too scanning. Well, si Benjamin, okay sya kausap, hindi sya bastos, hindi rin sya yung tipong i ti take advantage ka, he was like a friend back there, though May konting landi. "Well... he's ... he's just like a friend."
"Ahhh... okay. So nag make out kayo?"
"No." Then I looked her. "Teka, what's with you ba if ever nag make out kami, single naman ako diba, okay lang naman yun, ba't ba parang an laki ng kasalanan ko kasi nag Mimingle ako jan sa labas eh, karapatan ko naman yun, dba?"
She looked at me.
"Alam mo.. anlabo mo." Saka tumalikod dito.
Then katahimikan. Naramdaman ko nalang tumayo ito Saka lumabas ng cabin.
Okay, did I pissed her? Di naman siguro diba? Eh Mejo nakakainis sya eh. Ba't ba kasi nag tatanong talaga? Eh single naman talaga ako, Saka isa pa, Ano ba sa kanya yun kung makipag make out man ako jan sa labas.
Then I tried myself to fall as sleep but I can't, that she's out there, and was mad at me, kaya bumangon ako Saka lumabas at hinanap sya, and then I saw her sa kabilang bahagi ng bangka, naka upod ito dun.
Okay, what should I do?
"Adri." Sabi ko.
Di sya sumagot.
"Adriana." Saka hinawakan ko ang shoulder niya.
Nakatingin lNg ito sa dagat.
It was still dark, 4 am palang naman.
Umupo ako sa tabi niya. Napaka kalma ng dagat.
Okay, what should I tell her? Ah. Shit. Bahala na. Sabihan ko nlang sya na walang nangyari ganun.
I was about to say something when she spoke.
"Whenever you kiss me ba dati, parang wala lang din, just like you and Taylor... and some other strangers."
Mejo nagulat pa ako sa Tanong nito.
"Just answer it."
"No. Of course not," Sabi ko.
Natawa ako. "Okay lang. I'm not into relationship naman. Also, like what I've said, parang nakasanayan na naming gawin.•
"Wow, May ganun pala, May ganun talaga." Ewan ko pero parang May halong sakit ang tono nito. "Then what are you two? Fling pa rin?"
"Ah, Ewan, Oo siguro..."
Then katahimikan.
"Fling din ba tayo nun?"
Napatingin Din naman agad ako rito.
"Ewan, Basta Sabi mo sakin walang tayo."
Di ito sumagot.
"Sorry."
"Whenever you kiss me ba dati, parang wala lang din, just like you and Taylor."
She looked at me. "Do you hate me, Zakkiyah?"
Hindi ako maka sagot. Hindi ko masabing hindi ako Galit sa kanya, because I do, I do hate her, hated her, nasaktan ako eh, but I'm trying to get over it, and thanks God, I'm getting over it, hindi ko na sya na iisip, hindi na rin ako masyadong nasasaktan, and also, tanggap na rin ng puso ko.
"I... I don't know..."
"Ahh...Maybe you still do. I'm sorry." Sabi niya still looking at the calm sea.
"It's okay. Tanggap ko na rin naman. Isa pa, I want you to be happy, Adri, And I want you to have a normal life."
"Well, thank you."
"I just wish na hindi ka na niya uli iiwan sa ere... na Sana ready na nga sya sa mas seryosong commitment... like marriage." Sabi ko, I'm trying to make this conversation healthy for us, no hatred.
She smirked. "I hope so."
"Why?"
"For now kasi... wala pa, kasi nasA London pa sya... I don't know but at least now, he already knew what he wanted."
"Buti naman. So, Stable na sya?"
Tumango ako. "Yes. Also he owns a tattoo shop now."
"Wow, that's great."
"Yep, and he said all he's doing right now is for our future."
"And that's amazing." Sabi ko.
She smiled.
"So, what will happen if mag pA pakasal kayo?"
"Maybe, sasama ako sa kanya sa London."
"Ha! Eh pano ang promotion mo?"
"Maybe I'll just give it to Enzo, he also deserves it, you know."
"But you deserve it more. And also, ba't pa tayo nag kakayod sa project na tu eh parang wala ka na rin palang target niyan."
"You know, Zakki, it's not all about the promotion, I just wanted to gain the trust of the top management."
"What do you mean?"
"That's why this project we're doing is very important to me. Ito kasi yung kauna unahang failure ko sa kompanya."
"You mean minsan na natin pala ito naging client?"
Tumango ito. "Yep. Happened like 6 years ago, same year when my parents died of accident. I can't think, I can't work. So I failed. Nasira ko ang tiwala nila, actually up til now, wala pa rin silang tiwala sakin. I just wanted to gain it back before I resign."
"Adri..."
She looked at me.
"I'll help you."
"You're helping me now already." Then she smiled.
Then She suddenly opened a beer in can.
"No shit. Ba't ka May dala niyan?" Then bahagya akong tumayo para tumingin dun sa left side niya, aba nakapag tago ng tatlong beer ah, ubos na yung dalawa, kanina pa ata tu umiinom. "What the—- saan galing yan?"
Tumawa ito. "Syempre kinuha ko sa cooler niyo, duh?!"
"No, I mean.... Di ka naman siguro lasengga diba."
Tumawa ito. "I can't answer that but I do drink... casually.... Or whenever I wanted to....but to answer your question. I do, I am? Actually, matagal na. Di mo lang alam."
I looked at her. "What! I know you drink pero parang di ka naman lasengga uminom dati eh!"
At lalo itong natawa. "Zakkiyah, I do drink. I actually keep whisky on my drawer."
"What the hell?! When was that?"
"I started drinking more when my parents died, and then came back to it whenever I think of you."
I looked at her para tingnan kung nag loloko ba ito sakin.
Then suddenly her phone rang.
Tyrone Calling...
Okay, that was it.
She didn't answered the call.
Then she moved closer and leaned her head on my shoulders. Napa hinto naman ako nun. This was the closest after everything.
"Can I be honest?"
"Hm?"
"I missed you, Z, and I hate to see how you have totally moved on from me. I know this isn't right. Sorry."
Hindi ako sumagot.
"Pwede akin ka nalang yan?"
Di ako sumagot.
"Please?"
"No. I don't want you to regret it later." Sabi ko, I'm trying to understand her situation, malamang lasing lang sya kaya kung anu ano ang mga pinag sasabi, malamang nag papa dala lang sya sa emotion niya kaya nasasabi niya yun.
"Please..."
I looked at her, she's looking at me. And then I closed my eyes as if feeling the sea breeze on my face.
And then in a second or two I suddenly felt her lips on mine.
Wait.
Then I opened my eyes and found her an inch closer to me.
And my heart skipped a beat.
Shit.