"Tangina, bakit hindi nagre-reply ang gagang 'to?"
Nandito na ako sa tabing daan na sinasabi ni Abegail kung saan kami kakain pero hindi ko pa kasi alam kung anong resto ang sinasabi niya kaya nag-chat ulit ako sa kanya. Tumingin ako sa paligid, nagbabakasakaling mahagip siya ng paningin ko at nahagip nga. She's on her phone chatting with someone kaya napakunot ang noo ko nang makita siyang tumawa.
"Abi!" tawag ko at parang hindi pa ako narinig ng gaga dahil hindi niya ako kaagad nilingon pero lumingon siya pagkatapus niyang magtipa sa cellphone niya.
"Ella! Hi!"
Niyakap niya ako nang makalapit siya. She smelled like cherry blossoms. Kagagaling rin yata niya sa isang shoot pero iba na ang damit niya. She's wearing jeans, a long-sleeve V-neck blouse, glasses, and a cap. Her hair was in a low ponytail and was slipped through perfectly on the hole of her cap.
"Kamusta?" tanong ko nang makabitaw na kami sa yakap.
Tumabi kami nang mapansin naming may dadaan sa likuran niya. Medyo bago pa kasi ang lugar na 'to kaya ang dami pang mga taong pumupunta dito. Nakatingin lang siya sa akin nang nakangiti at parang nag-uusap ang mga mata namin bago ako nagsalita ng tuluyan para naamn hindi kami nagchi-chismisan gamit ang mga mata namin.
"Do you have any boyfriend right now? Balita ko may nai-issue raw sayo ngayon na boylet!" pang-aasar ko.
Umirap siya dahil sa sinabi ko. "Wala, fling lang ang meron ako. At 'yung isyu? Hayaan mo na. Mawawala rin 'yun!" sagot niya.
"After kay ano, bigla kang naging mature ha. Fling fling nga lang."
She was reading the menu when I talked. Tumawag siya ng waiter at sinabi ang mga orders namin bago niya ibinalik ang paningin sa akin.
"Oh, bakit? Ikaw nga dry season! Ilang years na? Ah, muntik na mag-dekada. Jason pa nga."
Hinampas ko siya sa braso dahil sa inis pero huli ko nang naalala na model nga pala siya. Napansin kong maraming tao ang tumingin sa amin nang dumaing si Abegail sa ginawa ko at tumikhim na lang ako para makaiwas sa atensyon. Baka mamaya i-report pa ako ng papparazzi diyan na abuser niya ako.
"Tigilan mo 'ko. Hindi naman ako dry season," deny ko.
"Really?"
Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay at pinanlakihan niya ako ng mga mata nang nanatili akong tahimik sa harapan niya. Napairap ako nang takpan niya ang bibig niya. Alam ko na kaagad ang iniisip niya.
"Huwag mong sabihing nagpapadilig ka sa iba?!"
"Gaga!" sigaw ko. Siya ba hindi dry season? Mas matagal pa yata silang break ng naging jowa niya kaysa sa amin ni Jason.
She had a boyfriend when she turned college. Nauna kami dahil huminto siya ng isang taon noong nag-pandemic. Ang hirap kasi ng signal sa kanila 'nun at ang daming pinapagawa sa kanya bilang trabaho pero nag-aral naman siya noong nag-start na ang face-to-face classes. One year late lang naman siya at ang naging boyfriend pa niya ay anak ng former CEO sa isa sa mga sikat na modelling company sa bansa and was also internationally famous for their models, actresses and actors.
Hindi ko alam kung alam ni Abegail 'yun pero pinili naming isikreto sa kanya dahil ayaw naming isipin niyang mayaman ang naging boyfriend niya. His ex is nice and respectful at siya lang lalaking nakapagpahinto sa laro ni Abi, ang pagiging boys charmer. Lahat ng lalaki kasi ay nakukuha niya dahil sa ganda niya and now, she's back to it again when they broke up.
Marami ring articles ang lumalabas about sa kanya na nakipaglampugan raw siya sa isang aktor o kaya naman ay may affair raw sila ng isang model na may asawa na But despite all of that, I cannot see her went down because of the issues. She keeps shining. Alam rin naming puro kasinungalingan lang lahat ng 'yun dahil hindi naman 'to makikipaglampugan sa kung sinong sinong tao lang. The only person she told me that she have sex with countless times was with her ex and that was years ago.
"So, balik tayo sayo..."
Pinaghawak ko ang mga kamay ko at ipinatong ko ang magkabilang siko ko sa lamesa. Her brows furrowed when she's analyzing my actions. Kahit talaga kailan ay mataray siya. Hindi ko rin alam kung paano ko siya naging kaibigan pero basta-basta na lang kami naging magkaibigan dahil magak-vibe again and that's a good thing.
"Sino 'tong fling na 'to?"
Tinaas-baba ko ang kilay ko habang naka-singkit ang mga mata ko. Para akong imbestigador dito na nagtatanong sa isang witness kung alam niya ba ang itsura ng suspek sa isang krimen.
Isinandal niya ang likod niya sa sandalan ng upuan at pinagkrus ang braso at binti niya bago niya ako sinagot. Bumuntong hininga pa siya na para bang nakakapagod ang tanong ko.
"Rew Ledezma," sagot niya.
Napadiretso ako ng upo ko sa gulat habang nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya. Ang galing talaga mamingwit ng gagang 'to!
"Ay, bigatin!"
Umirap siya nang sabihin ko 'yun. Agad kong ibinalik ang posisyon ko nang sinamaan niya ako ng tingin at itinuloy ang Q&A Portion namin.
"Pero, paano ka kung mawalan ka ng trabaho because of your doing? Hinakot mo 'yang si Rew, so paano kung nasaktan mo siya, 'di ba? Mawawalan ka ng trabaho, mami!"
Our foods arrive after I said that. She ordered a coffee frappe for herself and I ordered halo-halo. After the waiter finished, I talked again. I asked her about her issues and my conclusions about her career. I saw how her brows furrowed when she was listening. Panigurado ay iniisip niyang wala akong pinagbago dahil ang daldal ko pa rin hanggang ngayon.
She sighed. "Ella, I can just apply to the companies that offered me a job. Magaling ako sa raket dati pa. Alam mo 'yan."
"I know, pero saan kang modelling company if matanggal nga sa company ng mga Ledezma?" tanong ko habang pinaglalaruan ang kutsarang hawak ko.
"Sa Riezel Star Company," sagot niya.
Napahinto ako sa pagkain at tumitig sa kanya. The fuck? 'Dun pa talaga? Wala na ba siyang ibang choice? Marami pa namang ibang modelling companies! Bakit doon pa sa kompanya ng ex niya? Hindi naman sa gusto ko siyang pigilang pumasok sa dream company niya pero siya rin naman ang magsa-suffer kung doon siya papasok. Her ex is now the CEO of that company!
Hindi ko alam kung alam niya na o hindi pero mukhang hindi pa dahil sa tagal niya sa industriyang 'to, she didn't even tell me once that she knew that her ex is the son of the former CEO of Riezel Star Company.
"What?"
Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. Panigurado ay nagtataka na siya kung bakit ganun ang naging reaksyon ko.
"Sure ka? Alam kong dream company mo 'yun pero...Sure ka ba talaga diyan, Abi?"
Sure ba siyang handa siyang saktan ulit ang sarili niya kapag nakita niya si Perez?
Nakakunot na ang noo niya habang nakatitig sa akin. It was a stare of her 'maldita' side. Ang dali niyang basahin dahil parehas lang kami ng inuugali kapag nasasalungat kami but for my case, I was controlled by Jason at natuto akong kontrolin rin ang side ko na 'yun nang mag-break kami. In Abi's case, she was not controlled so I got used to it kaya wala akong kaba sa kanya kung magtaray siya sa akin o hindi.
"Ano bang pakialam mo, Ella? It's just a company and they are one of the 5-star companies sa Pilipinas. Why are you questioning my choice?" tanong niya sa aking halatang naiinis na.
"Basta paki-embrance na lang sarili mo, beh. May nabalitaan ako diyan. May nagpapatibok raw diyan ng puso ng isang Charm Plaga," pang-aasar ko bago sumubo ulit.
"Ano? Sino?" tanong niyang nagtataray na.
"Basta! By the way! Change topic tayo and I need to ask you about sa movies na sinasabi mong ginagawa mo ngayon," panimula ko. "Kasama ba doon ang movie ni Elle? Cast ka ba 'dun?"
Lumiwanag ang mukha niya at nawala ang mataray niyang aura nang ma-mention ko ang tungkol sa movie ni Elle. Buti nman ay relieved na siya sa mga sinabi ko kanina. She worries too much and I asked too much. That's how our friendship works.
"Elle's movie?" she asked. "I think I'm one of the main casts. Friar, I think."
Sabi na nga ba kasama siya sa casts eh. May secret-secret pa kasing nalalaman si Elle sa GC namin.
"Wow, big role!"
"May two movies pa raw after 'nun. I also read the story para mas maintindihan ko ang role ko. It's her first books, right? Nung highschool tayo."
Tumango ako. "Oo."
"Ang galing 'no? Did you even imagine na magiging part ako ng story niya 'no?"
"Frienship goals." At tumawa ako.
"Si Rain? How is she? Tapus na siya ng college and all,payag na ba ang parents niyang mag-jowa siya?"
"She's an adult now at kumikita na siya so it's fine na siguro, Abi," sagot ko.
"Buti naman." She took a sip from her coffee. "Is she hitting on guys recently? Hindi kasi kami nakakapag-chat or DM eh. What's the tea about her?" tanong niya.
"Wala. Focus na focus sa work niya pero sabi ko maghanap na rin. Sabi ko ireto ko siya," ani ko.
"Then, do it! I can give you names also ng single kong acquaintances."
"Arte mo."
Inirapan niya ako bago kinuha ang cellphone niya sa dala niyang tote bag. May pinindot siya doon at nag-scroll down, naghahanap yata ng boys na pwedeng ibigay ang names sa akin.
"Ikaw ba, Ella? May new BF ka na ba? Naghahanap ka na ba? Pwede kitang bigyan," aniyang nagso-scroll pa rin. "This one."
Iniharap niya sa akin ang cellphone niya at nakakita ng topless na lalaki. He has toned muscles and abs. His jaw is sharp and his nose is just perfect. His job is an actor 'slash' a model and he's also working in the company of Ledezma's kung saan nagta-trabaho ngayon si Abegail. But...he's not my type.
Sumubo muna ako bago umiling. "Ayoko, mukhang manloloko."
"You're so judgemental! He's nice, Ella!"
"Eh, 'di jowain mo! Nice pala eh," pang-aasar ko.
"Ew, we're friends. Hindi ako pumapatol sa friends."
"Pero sa kaibigan ng kaibigan, oo?" She stared at me like she wass going to kill me because of what I said and I widened my smile. "Kaya ka pala pumatol kay Miguel - -"
"Shush! Ang dumi ng bibig mo! I don't have 'Miguel' in my vocabulary!"
"Sa cuneiform lang meron."
"Anong cuneiform?"
"Sa bato na binigay sayo na may symbols dati. 'Di ba pinagawa pa 'yun?"
"Cuneiform ba tawag 'dun?"
"Hindi. Laruan lang."
"Ella!"
"Parang cuneiform alphabets eh. May keychain ka dati, 'di ba? Hindi mo alam ibig sabihin 'nun?"
"No. It was just given to me by...I don't know."
Pinaglaruan ko ang halo-halo na nasa harapan ko at sumubo habang nang-aasar ang tingin ko sa kanya. Kumunot na naman ang noo niya sa tingin kong pinapang-atake ko sa kanya.
"What now, Laine?" pagtataray niya.
"SIno si 'I don't know'? At bakit may pa-pause pagkatapus ng 'by'? Hindi mo ba masabing 'It was just given to me by Miaxel Guelrobiere Perez'?" pang-aasar ko.
I saw how her eyes squinted when I mentioned her ex's full name. She really hates to hear his full name dahil 'yun lang ang sineryoso niyang lalaki sa lahat ng mga pinaglalaruan niya. Ganun kalakas ang epekto ng lalaking 'yun sa kanya.
"Sino 'yang sinasabi mo? Kilala ko ba 'yan?"
I laughed when she asked. Maang-maangan pa ang gaga, halatang hindi pa nakaka-move on sa ex.
"Ex mo lang naman ho."
"I don't know him and don't introduce him to me. I think I don't like him."
"'Sus, dry season mo paulanan mo na!"
"Eh, ikaw kay Jason? Nagpaulan na ba ulit? Last sex mo was with him at your room in Boracay, a year before your break up."
Sumimangot ako nang makita ko siyang nakangisi habang sinasabi 'yun sa akin. Aba, bumabawi ang gaga! Sabagay, totoo naman. Tanggap ko naman.
"Ingay mo," reklamo ko. "Pero, oo, dry season. Ayokong sa iba papagalaw."
"Hays, when kaya ako?" tanong niya.
Tumayo ako sa upuan ko para batukan siya at umabot ang kamay ko sa side niya dahil mahaba ang bias ko. Napadaing siya dahil doon at muntik pang dumausdos ang mukha niya sa kape niya.
"Tangina! Ella, ano ba?!" pagtataray niya at tumingin sa akin ng masama.
"Anong 'when' ka diyan?" pagtataray ko pabalik at inayus ang pagkakaupo ko. "Naranasan mo na, gaga. Nakailan pa kayo! Nagtataka ako sayo kung bakit hindi ka pa nabuntis sa ginawa niyo. Sabagay, mayaman ang ex mo at kahit magkaroon kayo ng anak, afford niyang tugunan. Ako lang talaga ang jumowa dito ng simple. Ewan ko sa inyo! Mukha kayong cashing, cashing!"
"Hindi kami ang may kasalanan. Sila ang nagkagusto sa amin. But among us, you're the luckiest," aniya.
"Oh, bakit ako?" tanong ko. "Dahil mas matagal ang amin?"
"Not only that. Mas marami kang experiences before siya ang nakatuluyan mo and we witnessed your bravery. 'Yun ang wala ako. Parang nawalan ng direksyon ang buhay ko nang mawala siya. My world crumbled. Ang sakit kasi hindi pa pala kami pwede 'nun. Akala lang namin," aniya and her words made me sad.
All of our stories were a challenge for us. Sinubok talaga kami ng tadhana at hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin natatapus ang pagsubok na 'yun habang hindi pa namin alam kung babalikan pa ba kami ng mga naghihintay sa amin o napagod na ba sila.
Rain was the only one who didn't suffer from the pain of love and a long-term relationship but she experienced something she didn't expect. She nearly lost her friends, because she abused the warnings that were given to her which made her family not trust her. And that's painful. The only person her family trusted was us to guide her was us. Her friends.
"Thanks to Jason, I knew how to handle my 'maldita' side," sagot ko.
"Yeah, you did. Nagmamaldita ka na nga lang kapag sobrang inis mo na pero hindi ka na nagmamaldita kapag tinatawag ka namin since you broke up."
"Ang dami ngang boys na namimingwit sa 'kin 'nun, Abi."
I sipped in my halo-halo and finished it. She also finished her coffee before speaking. Na-miss ko ang ganitong kwentuhan namin. Ang nostalgic lang dahil highschool pa kami nang last namin magawa ang ganito. Mga busy na kasi kami ngayon kaya wala na kaming time para mag-get together. Ang get together namin ngayon ay 'yung pre-watch ng movie ni Elle dahil lahat kami imbitado at dapat walang mawala doon.
"Really, huh? Ano? Pinatulan mo?"
Umiling ako. "Hindi. Masyado akong focused sa studies ko 'nun."
She chuckled after I answered and nodded. Alam kong iniisip niyang wala na naman talaga akong papatulan na iba pagkatapus ni Jason.
Jason made me feel the love and treatment I want for myself to experience and I don't want to forget that feeling with someone who cannot give me the same treatment. I wouldn't be happy with them.
I'll still choose him in another life, in an alternate universe.
"I know you would say that. You're still in love with him, Ella!" she claimed.
I smiled at her. "I am, Abi. I am."
Dumating ang araw nang pre-watch ng movie ni Elle. It was a movie night and I felt nervous when I remembered that Jason will pick me up from my condo. Hindi parin nagsi-sink in sa akin 'yun dahil nasanay akonf mag-isa sa loob ng pitong taon.
Nag-text kasi siya kanina sa akin at nagulat pa ako kanina kaya napatanong ako kung bakit nag-text pa siya kung pwede namang mag-chat na lang sa Messenger. He said that it's a waste of data so he concluded that I didn't change my number that's why he tried texting me and he's right. I didn't change my number.
Ayoko rin namang magbago ng number basta-basta dahil nandito ang mga numbers ng mga taong mahahalaga sa akin simula noon pa. I cannot forget them while I'm dealing with myself.
Kumain ako kahit tinapay at uminom ng tubig bago pumasok ng banyo. I brushed my teeth and took a bath before I started rampaging my closet. Kumuha ako ng white long-sleeves, light blue jeans, and underwear. I will just wear nipple tape for my mounds since I am flat-chested.
After I dried my hair and styled it, I wore the clothes I picked and secured my jeans with a Gucci black belt. I also wore black sandals with little heels and a black channel bag that was gifted by Abi last year for my birthday. Of course, Elle received one also.
My bag contains the simple essentials a girl needs for an emergency including pads, pepper spray, a small knife, a first aid kit, and a lip tint. Automatically, my cellphone and wallet would be inside of it also. I never wore anything on my face if I will just hang out with my friends or even inside the hospital because I don't want them to have allergies in case.
Lumabas ako ng condo ko at papunta na ako sa elevator when someone bumped my shoulder. Hindi ko alam kung sinadya 'yun o hindi pero nalaglag ang kaunting laman ng bag ko. Tinulungan niya akong magpulot at sa huling gamit ay muntik pa kaming magkauntugan pero tumayo na lang ako ng diretso para hayaan siyang kuhanin 'yun.
Nang maiabot niya ang mga gamit ko sa akin ay yumuko ako habang nilagay ko sa loob ng bag ko ang mga gamit ko para hindi makita ang mukha niya. He's wearing a black cap and a white shirt, ad he smells good? I cannot desribe the smell but it's familiar. Hindi ko lang alam kung kanino.
"Salamat," sabi ko habang nakayuko pa rin.
I stood straight after that and fixed my hair before looking up to see who he was and my eyes widened. Kumuyom ang kamao ko para pigilan ang inis na nararamdaman ko. Bakit naman nandito siya? Hindi ko siya nakikita dati dito kaya baka bago lang siyang lipat pero bakit dito? Bakit sa kung nasaan pa ako? Ang galing mo naman, tadhana.
"Ellaine!" His eyes widened also. "Um...Well, nice seeing you around here. Dito ka naka-stay? I heard you're already a nurse."
"Yes," sagot ko. I was sarcastically smiling. "And you?"
"Artist. For sure namang nakikita mo ang mga pelikulang nasasalihan ko - -"
"I don't mind," sagot ko and his smile disappear. "You're forever the kontrabida 'no?" tanong ko.
"Ano?"
Kumunot ang noo niya sa sinabi ko at lalo kong pinigilan ang sarili kong bigyan siya ng suntok dahil naririndi ako sa mukha niya. He's the boy who gave my twin trust issues and I am very thankful Weather did change her. He changed her trust issues and made her trust a man again.
"Sheanbhieller, right?" tanong ko. "Kumusta lovelife? Are you happy?"
"Ganyan ka ba bumati sa dating kaklase mo? Ang ganda ng bati ko sayo, Ellaine - -"
"Then, thank you for the 'magandang bati'," I said sarcastically. "Pero...you became a nobody to me when you played with my twin sister's feelings, Shean."
"Sa'n ka punta ngayon? Ihatid na kita? Pampalubag-loob," aniyang iniiba ang topic namin.
I know I brought back the past again but it was satisfying to see him pissed off with my words. He deserved it and I know he's suffering the consequences.
"No, thank you. Merong magsusundo sa akin," ani kong pinigilan pa siyang lumapit sa akin.
"Eh 'di last minute, sabihin mong may maghahatid na sayo at hindi mo na siya need!"
Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. "What? Ilang years na nakalipas pero maluwag pa rin turnilyo sa utak mo 'no? Shean the manipulator."
"Hindi ako manipulator, Ella. Kapatid mo ang ayaw sumagot sa akin dati. Sinayang niya ako!"
"Did she?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Or you wasted her?"
"Ano?" Kumunot na naman ang noo niya.
"Bingi ka ba?" I asked sarcastically. "Ikaw ang nagsayang, gago!"
"Bawiin mo ang sinabi mo!" sigaw niya at nakataas na ang braso sa ere habang nakahanda na siyang sampalin ako. His voice echoed in the hallway.
"An artist slapping a nurse because he lost his temper. Violence was applied and the nurse was lacerated in the incident. Ang gandang headline 'no?" tanong ko at napahinto siya sa gagawin niya.
Kinuyom niya ang kamay niya at ibinaba 'yun. Kitang kita ko ang karindihan niya sa sinabi ko. Artista siya at masisira ang reputasyon niya sa industriya kung gagawa siya ng eskandalo dito. Madali pa namang masugatan at mamula ang balat ko. Hindi ko rin alam kung ano pa ang pwede niyang magawa pagkatapus niya akong sampalin.
"Sorry," aniya at ngumisi ako. Sorry raw? Marunong palang mag-sorry ang isang kontrabida katulad niya? Kontrador sa mga gagawin, bida-bida pang manloko. He's nothing like a second rate, trying hard manipulator!
"Sorry? Kulang pa ang sorry mo sa ginawa mo kay Elle! Fuck you!"
I raised my middle finger at his face before walking away, bumping his shoulder. Napalakas yata 'yun at napaurong siya sa dingding sa tabi niya. Nang may maalala ako ay muli akong humarap sa kanya. He's looking at me with his furious eyes. He wanted to kill me, I swear. Wala namang nagbago.
"Tsaka, nga pala. Salamat at pinulot mo 'yung mga gamit ko, pero itatapon ko rin 'to mamaya. Nadungisan ng isang manipulator at cheater na katulad mo eh. I've read your articles. You're still a player. Walang nagbago...Cheater."
I am starting to walk away again when he grabbed my arm and pulled me back again. Tumitig ako ng masama sa kanya habang pahigpit nang pahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa braso ko pero nawalan na ako ng pakialam 'dun. Galit lang ang nararamdaman ko sa kanya dahil sa ginawa niya kay Elle and I would never forgive him for that.
"Bawiin mo ang sinabi mo," aniyang muling inulit ang sinabi niya kanina.
Ngumisi lang ako sa kanya nang marinig kong bawiin ko ang mga sinabi ko. My only answer would be 'no'. Kulang pa ang sakit ng mga salita na binibigay ko sa kanya kaysa sa ginawa niya kay Elle. Ngayon ko lang naman masasabi ng lahat ng 'to, bakit hindi ko pa sulitin, 'di ba?
"Never," I answered and he tightened his grip more.
Feeling ko ay masasakal na ang braso ko sa ginagawa niya. It gave me shivers to my wrist where Dylan did the same thing before but it was all over the past. The trauma was still there but I will ignore it today. Lalo at kaharap ko ang gagong 'to.
"Bawiin mo!" sigaw niya at dumagundong na naman ang boses niya sa buong hallway.
"Let go of her."
Tumingin ako sa likod ko nang magsalita si Jason. I know it was him because of his voice. Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali dahil hindi ko malimutan ang boses niya noong huli naming pagkikita sa hospital. This is our third meet after several years.
He's wearing a white polo and Casio watch. It was simple yet looked elegant to him. Both of his hands are in his pockets while I know he was confused with the scene in front of him.
"At sino ka naman? Boyfriend ni Ellaine? Niloloko mo ko?"
Ibinaling ni Shean ang paningin niya sa akin and he stared at me like he was in love with me. I rolled my eyes when I realized that he was acting. Hindi ko siya niloko at hindi ko siya boyfriend. Alam kong alam 'yun ni Jason.
He didn't speak and looked at me before his eyes looked at the hand on my arm. He looked up to give stare at the man holding me.
"Bitaw." Hindi 'yun tunog pagsasabi lang. Tunog utos 'yun.
Dahil 'dun, nag-init ang tensyon sa paligid ko. The flame was burning so hot which went to the point that I can almost feel it. They're exchanging glares and it seems like they are now talking with their eyes.
"Kabit ka ba ni Ellaine?" tanong ni Shean na ikinairap ko na naman.
Wala na ba siyang ibang naisip na role niya? Bida-bida pa rin siya, ganun?
"Hindi ka niya boyfriend, pre. Bitawan mo siya," sagot ni Jason.
"Kasasabi ko lang na niloloko niya ako 'tas sasabihin mong hindi niya ako boyfriend? Hibang ka ba?"
"Sino ang mas hibang sa atin sa proklemang boyfriend ka ni Ellaine?"
I felt Shean's grip tightening and Jason looked once again at it. Parang gusto na niyang hatakin ako palayo kay Shean dahil nasasaktan na ako at sana gawin niya na.
"Boyfriend niya ako!"
"Hindi siya pumapatol sa mga katulad mong mapanakit."
"At paano mo naman nasabi?"
"Ako ang ex niya."
I can feel the grip loosened up in my arm and I elbowed Shean's hand a little. A second before Shean grips his hand on my arm again, Jason grabbed me by my waist and I was shocked.
Tumingin ako sa kamay niyang nasa beywang ko at hindi ko pa rin maprosesong nakapalupot ang braso niya sa akin. It's been years since I felt having butterflies in my stomach and my mind went blank. Nanuyo rin ang lalamunan ko at hindi makapagsalita. I don't know how to react. It happened so fast!
Nang mahimasmasan ako ay itinangala ko ang ulo ko mula sa pagtingin sa kamay ni Jason sa beywang ko papunta kay Shean na nasa harapan namin ngayon. He's sweating.
"I-Ikaw 'yung ka-MU niya dati?" tanong ni Shean. "So - So ikaw si - -"
"Jason Lavin Dela Rosa. Brother-in-law ni Elle."
Hindi ako makapaniwalang tumingin sa kanya. Brother-in-law? 'Di ko pa naman siya asawa, huh? I mean, hindi ko siya asawa. So lawfully speaking, hindi pa siya brother-in-law ni Elle.
"A-Asawa ka na ni Ellaine? End game kayo?" tanong ni Shean, nanginginig na.
"Bingi ka ba?" Kumunot ang noo ni Jason.
Nanlaki ang mata ni Sheanbhieller ng pagtaasan siya ng boses ni Jason sa mahinahong paraan. Parang mas nakakatakot pa ang paraan na 'yun kaysa sa ibang paraan. I felt his hand squeezing my waist everytime he's about to explode and it sends me shivers.
"Hindi po, sir."
The latter answered and I rolled my eyes. 'Sus, ang galang sa kinakatakutan.
"Good. I don't want you to see you near Ellaine or Ellenie if you don't want to be dead, Sheanbhieller."
"D-Dead? Papatayin mo ko? Idedemanda kita!"
"Do you know hyperbole or papogi lang ang alam mo, pre?"
Tinaasan niya ng kilay si Shean bago niya ako hinatak palayo. He didn't even let Shean speak for his own good! Well, it's not like he's really a 'good' boy. He's a fucking manipulator.
He dragged me to the elevator without saying anything and when I faced the door of the elevator, I saw how Shean was terrified. Jason closed the door by hitting the button to the ground floor, leading to the parking lot of the building.
Hindi kami nagsalita hanggang sa makarating kami sa baba. His arm was still wrapped around my waist, dragging me with him while we're walking to his car. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasakyan niya sa parking lot dahil ang dami ring sasakyan doon.
Nang malapit na kami sa sasakyan niya ay nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita ko 'yun at napakagat ako sa labi dahil inisip ko na kaagad kung magkano ang pagkakabili niya 'dun.
If I'm right, his car is a BMW 3 Series Sedan in Melbourne Red Mettalic and it exceeded my expectations. Akala ko naman nagbibiro lang sila Sheedise nang i-mention nila na may BMW na si Jason.
Muli akong napaisip nang may maalala na naman ako sa mga chats nila. So totoo rin ang may Mercedes-Benz siya?
"Sayo 'to?" tanong ko at tinuro ang sasakyang nasa harapan ko ngayon.
"Yeah," he answered before opening the door to the passenger's seat.
Pumasok ako at prinotektahan niya ang ulo ko para hindi ako mauntog. He also held my bag for me before giving it to me when I have already sit. He closed the door after and he went around to sit on his sit beside mine.
Napatingin naman ako sa buong paligid nang kotse niya. It's wide. Pwede na sa pamilya niya. Baka ito ang ginagamit niyang panggala nila.
"Pst."
May kumalabit sa akin kaya tumingin ako sa likod. Nakita ko si Rain habang nakanguso sa akin. She's wearing a green turtle neck and a black pencil skirt.
"Bakit hindi mo ko pinansin nung tumingin ka sa likod? Pinasadahan mo lang ako ng tingin!" reklamo niya.
"Ay, sorry, Rain. Nawili ako."
Lalo siyang ngumuso at kunwari pang hinampas ako. Hinampas ko rin siya at parehas kaming nagngungusuan dito. Pwede na kaming model ng kagagahan sa ginagawa namin.
"I left the car open for Rain so she won't suffocate here. I cannot lock the door. She cannot open it unless I gave her the keys," Jason said out of the blue when he finally got in the car.
"Beh, anong ginawa mo kay Jason at naging englishero?" tanong ni Rain.
"Huh? Bakit?"
Kumunot ang noo ko. He's like that when we always meet so it's no new news for me. I'm used to it, and I can handle it, but it confuses me every time. Bakit ako lang ang ini-englishan niya? Mukha na ba akong Amerikana? Next year pa lang magiging 'mukhang Amerikana', chos.
"Nagta-Tagalog 'yan kanina, gaga!" aniya.
I just sighed. "Hayaan mo na."
"Stop gossiping inside my car. My ears are starting to get itchy," reklamo ni Jason.
I leaned to his seat and looked at him for a tease. I smiled and played with his ear. I am encircling my index finger on his ear and pinching his earlobe.
"Rain, don't remove your seatbelt."
My mind questioned his statement. Ha? Si Reign lang pinag-belt niya? Paano naman ako? He started the car in surprised that made me jolt forward. I thought my head will hit the dashboard but a hand protected my head from hitting it.
"Fuck...Muntik na," rinig kong bulong ni Jason.
He's looking away from me and his grip on the steering wheel tightened as if he felt guilty for doing a joke. Umupo ako nang maayus at nailang sa nangyari. Another day of nervousness for me.
"Make sure you wear the belt, Lai."
I wore the belt just like he said but it was a bit loosened so he fixed it for me while I just sat there looking at him on his rear mirror. Rain was teasing me and I gave her death glares through the mirror. When Jason was finished fixing my belt, we stopped.
He started the engine and we went to the movie theater where the pre-watch will be held. We stopped in front of the entrance and went outside of the car so Jason can give the key to the valet. For the record, he didn't let us went down until he opened the door for us.
"Elegante ang ex mo ah," bulong ni Rain sa akin.
Siniko ko siya at mahina siyang napadaing para hindi mapansin ni Jason na pinagchi-chismisan na naman namin siya. He's being chicky recently and I don't know why is he acting like that when I'm around but even so, he's purely gentleman like before.
We walked to a VIP Room and Jason told the guard their our names before entering. Naasikaso na naman daw ng team ni Elle ang tungkol 'dun at name na lang raw talaga ang kailangan galing sa amin. We entered the movie room and there's the team of Elle and her, Abegail, Sheedise, and Daniel. I was completely shaking when I saw one actor looking at me.
Binati ko si Elle at yumakap. Her hug's tight. Hindi na kasi kami madalas nagkikita dahil busy. She introduced me to her team and also to the actors and actresses that attended the pre-watch. Kulang sila dahil 'yung iba hindi makaka-attend because of their schedules.
Mavis was portrayed by Giselle Lopez, a famous actress that's also a friend of Abegail, and Flare was portrayed by the man beside Giselle, Patrick Beneventura. The other gentleman beside him was the man who is looking at me in a nasty way. He's Sean Ortega, one of the supporting actors for the movie. He's two years older than me as what Elle said.
He smiled at me and I saw him licked his lips after that. I just smiled back for formality before we sat far away from them because the whole theater was ours tonight. I have one vacant chair beside me on my left while Jason's on my right side. Rain left us all alone also. She reasoned to give us closure but I know her plan when she winked at me.
Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko kay Jason kaya nanahimik kami until the lights went out. The movie was about to start and they flashed advertisements first, just like on normal cinemas.
When the trailer's playing in front, I felt someone standing beside me and when I looked up, I saw Sean looking at me. I almost puke when I saw him smirk.
"Can I sit here?" tanong niya at itinuro ang upuang nasa tabi ko.
I was about to say no when he already sat. I was uncomfortable and I was caressing my elbow. I felt cold all of the sudden. I jumped a little when I felt a hand on my thigh. I stared at it while it was forcing me to go near him.
"Single ka?" he asked.
I stared at him furiously. He's smirking like he's doing a right thing right now. Is he flirting with me? Then, damn him.
I was about to say no when Jason spoke.
"Gago ka ba?"
Napaawang ang labi ko nang sabihin niya 'yun. He stood up to remove the hand of Sean from my thigh. Pabato niyang ibinagsak ang kamay ng gago pabalik sa kanya. I saw how everyone turned their heads on us when he said that also dahil napalakas rin kasi siya ng sabi pero parang wala siyang pakialam sa paligid niya.
"Akala ko ba pre-watch?" tanong niya and I felt nervous immediately.
I don't know what to react or what to say to make him stop from being mad. Kahit sina Sheedise ay tumayo na at naka-back up na sa may gilid ni Sean, kinukulong siya sa mga pwede niyang takasan. He's sweating eventually, because of Jason's aura.
I can hardly see him as the nice guy right now. Ganito rin ang nga tingin niya at words niya kay Dylan noong nasaktan ako noong tour namin back in Grade 8.
It was a deja vu. I was saved again by him.
My knight in shining armor.