𝙿𝙾𝙻𝚈𝙰𝙼𝙾𝚁𝚈 (𝚂𝚂) : 𝙵𝙾𝚄𝚁 𝚆𝙸𝚅𝙴𝚂 | 𝚁𝙷𝙴𝙰 (𝙸𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙴𝚇)
CHAPTER 6
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"Pst, bilib ako sa ginawa mo kay Jimbo." Kakatapos lang ng klase ko kay Ines at biglang dumikit tong isa sa mga kaklase ko, tangenang 3hrs discussion yan.
"Jimbo?" Curious kong tanong.
"Kalaban mo sa debate kanina, class president namin last school year." Kaya pala mayabang at feeling superior si totoy.
"Jimbo? Di nalang ginawang Majimbo ng nagpangalan sa kanya?" Tumawa ito ng malakas kaya pinagtitinginan kaming dalawa.
"I'm sorry, ngayon lang ako naka encounter ng tulad mong hindi takot sa kanya." Sino ba yun para katakutan? Di nga ako takot makipag patayan sa arena, sa kanya pa kayang estudyante lang?
"Suntukan kami." Umalis agad si Majimbo kaya hindi ko na tuloy nakausap. Itong kaharap ko naman walang ginawa kundi tawa nang tawa.
"Hindi ka natatakot?"
"Bakit ako matatakot? Kilalanin niya muna ako." Sino ba to, di kami close.
"Sorry, my name is Vinalyn." May balak pa pala magpakilala.
"Rhea-"
"Since class is already over, might there be some reason as to why you are loitering here and not proceeding to your subsequent lesson?" Biglang singit ng akala ko'y kanina pa umalis, sisingit bigla di naman siya kausap.
"Isa lang klase ko sa umaga." Sagot ko.
"And you?" Tanong nito sa katabi ko.
"Wala na rin po ma'am, mamayang hapon pa susunod na subject." Same kami? Ay bobo malamang same kayo.
Walang pasabi at umalis bigla si Ines, wala na rin akong gagawin kaya hanap nalang muna ako matatambayan. "Magkakilala kayo ni ma'am?" Tanong ulit ni Vinalyn,
"Hindi." Sagot ko.
"Talaga? Kasi unang beses ko nakita ganun si ma'am." Tumingala ako at binigyan siya ng nagtatanong na ekspresyon.
"Kasi hindi naman nakikipag-usap si ma'am sa estudyante, labas nalang kung related sa subject niya." Sagot niya.
"Kinausap ka rin naman nya?" Tanong ko pabalik.
"Ou, kasi una kang tinanong ni ma'am." Anong konek non sa sinasabi niya?
Umiling ako. "May maganda ba tambayan sa campus?" Tanong ko.
"Marami, pero gusto ko mag swimming. Gusto mo sumama?" Balak nya pa mag swimming sa ganito ka init na panahon?
"Init-init ng panahon." Sagot ko bago lumabas ng classroom kasabay siya.
"May indoor pool ang criminology." Mabilis ko itong nilingon, kasi bigla ako naging ignorante sa narinig.
"Talaga?!" Frustrated ako sa naging debate kanina at need ko magpalamig. Hindi pa rin nawawala inis ko sa Majimbong yun.
"Ou, pero may swimsuit ka?" Yun lang, wala akong dala kaya umiling ako.
"Meron akong extra, medyo malaki sa akin kaya hindi ko pa nasuot. I'm sure kasya sayo yun, tara?" Kaagad kong inakbayan si Vinalyn.
"Tara!" Excited kong sagot at agad kami nagtungo sa indoor pool.
Nabuang na, bakit ako iniwan ni Vinalyn mag-isa sa dressing room? Alam niyang first day ko rito at wala akong kilala kahit isa sa mga estudyante. Sa sobrang sexy nitong binigay nyang one-piece na swimsuit halos lumuwa mata ko, one strap tapos open both sides ng waist ko at hindi ko alam anong tawag dito kasi first time ko magsuot ng ganito. Ang masasabi ko lang ay sobrang sexy ko, maganda katawan ko at matangkad kaya alam kong pagtitinginan ako. Thankfully ay may nakita akong tuwalya at ginamit yun sa katawan ko bago pumunta ng pool.
"Rhea!" Tawag sa akin ni Vinalyn na ngayon ay sarap na sarap sa pool. Kami lang dalawa rito? Sa lawak at laki nitong indoor pool seryosong kami lang dalawa? Bakit ba dami kong tanong at mas maganda nga yung kami lang nandito.
"Iniwan mo ko dzai." Sagot ko habang papalapit sa direksyon niya.
"Sorry, may dinaanan ako. Halika na, tanggalin mo towel at tumalon." Tawag sa akin. Mabilis ko inalis ang tuwalya at nag dive patungo sa kanya. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam ng tubig kasi sakto lang yung lamig. Hinanap ko ito ngunit biglang nawala, nakita kong umahon na pala ito nong lumangoy ako paibabaw.
"Daya mo." Sabi ko.
"May binalak kang masama?" Nagkibit balikat ako. Bigla niya kinuha phone ko at sunod-sunod ako kinunan ng litrato kaya todo pose si indai Rhea nyo.
"Bagay na bagay sayo suot mo, sayo nalang?"
"Patanong teh? Dadalawang isip ka ibigay?" sagot ko.
"Sayo na nga." Sabay kaming nagtawanan na dalawa. Feeling close sya tapos FC rin akong babae, edi perfect combo.
"Rhea," Umupo ito sa gilid kaya lumangoy ako palapit sa kanya.
"May boyfriend ka?" Binigyan ko ito kaagad ng nakakadiring ekspresyon.
"Bakla ako, babae gusto ko dzai." Mabilis kong sagot.
"I knew it." Mahina niyang sagot at ngumiti.
"Alam mo naman pala. Akin na phone at bumaba ka na rito, pag nahabol mo ako tutuparin ko isang wish mo." Hamon ko, ang boring naman kasi kung ako lang lalangoy at sya tutunganga lan jan.
"Really?" Tumango ako at binuksan ang camera para mag video record.
"Dali!" Tawag ko at tuluyang lumangoy palayo sa kanya. Buti nalang nagsuot ako ng short, hindi nya naman siguro mahahalata alaga ko?
*
Azalea Turner
I'm exhausted, for almost two weeks all I've been doing here in Paris is working non-stop. Finally, I had some time to take a break, and I remembered Rhea had messaged me, but due to my hectic schedule and neglecting to check my phone, I hadn't responded. When I picked up my phone to reply to her message, I was surprised to find her live on social media, and the biggest surprise was not the thousands of viewers she had, but the fact that she was with another woman, swimming and having the time of her life...
Just the two of them?
My grip on my phone tightened, and I must admit I wasn't happy with what I was seeing. After all the exhaustion I've been through, this is what I see? She's happily flirting with another woman? And who the hell is this other woman?
Suddenly, there was a knock on my door, and Walter walked in to tell me that our schedule has changed and I needed to go out again for a meetup with a VIP client. However, I wasn't paying attention to him. Instead, my focus was on the phone in my hand, and my anger boiled as I saw Rhea enjoying herself with someone else.
"Ma'am?"
"Prepare the plane, I need to go back to the Philippines immediately." I said.
"But ma'am, hindi natin pwede e cancel-"
"Are you the boss?" My voice carried a hint of irritation as I asked.
"I'm sorry ma'am, pero mahalaga ito para sayo dahil utos ng ama mo."
"I. Don't. Care. Cancel everything. I'm going back to the Philippines. Right. Now." I spoke firmly and dismissed him.
"Okay po."
My God, Rhea, I was only gone for a few days and this is what you do? I know our relationship isn't real, but at least respect our deal.
*
Emilie Jenkins
"Omg! Congratulations my dear sister." My sister, Arleth congratulated me.
My siblings and I were all in a good mood, so we decided to meet up for an early lunch to celebrate the success of my movie. I was just as surprised as anyone else that the movie was so well received by the public, considering I haven't been in the industry for all that long.
"I told you, everything will be fine, and there's no need to worry. You're beautiful and have the blood of the Jenkins family, so you have nothing to be afraid of." Mercy offered her congratulations and raised her glass to propose a toast.
"Thank you."
"I can't believe you didn't invite Amour. She should be here to celebrate your success with us." My other sister interrupted the conversation, and instead of congratulating me, she was more concerned about Amour?
I gave a tight-lipped smile. "I wanted to tell you that Amour and I had broken up a long time ago, but I didn't say anything because I didn't want to worry you." I said and let out a deep sigh.
"What? Why?" Arleth asked.
"She was getting married to a man."
"What? That's the only reason? Did you ask her if she truly wanted it? If she loved the man? You didn't even try to fight for your relationship and just broke up with her?" I nodded and once again took another sip of my glass of wine.
"That was a truly pathetic reason, Emilie. If you truly loved Amour, you should have fought for her. We all know how deeply Amour loved you, so I know how much pain you caused when you left her." I didn't respond immediately to what Arleth said because I knew she was right. I was at fault, and now I was trying to fix our relationship, but I had a feeling that things had changed profoundly.
"But Amour had changed a lot since the last time I saw her. When I tried to talk to her and ask for another chance, all I could see was the immense hatred she had for me. I wasn't sure if she still loved me, but I could tell that her interest had shifted towards someone else." And I knew exactly who it was.
"Huh? Who?" Liza asked. She's my sister who's often aloof and speaks only when she's interested or curious.
"Oh, is that her girlfriend?" We all turned our attention to Arleth, who was focused intently on her cellphone. I was about to ask her what she meant when she suddenly turned her phone towards us.
"This is Rhea, my wife's best friend. Isn't she gorgeous? After all these years, I only now found out that she has a girlfriend. Her girlfriend is beautiful, but I'm more beautiful." I quickly snatched the phone from her to look. She was having an absolute blast, chasing and playing in the pool with that other woman.
"Arleth, do you know where this is?" I smiled and asked.
"Huh? You mean the place where they're swimming? Well, I don't go there often, but I remember it because of its logo. If I'm not mistaken, they're at PU-oh, I remember now! She recently received a scholarship there, and this is her first day of school." Everyone was surprised when I suddenly stood up and grabbed my bag.
"Where are you going?"
"I suddenly remembered I had something important to do. I'll see you later, bye." I said my goodbyes to my sisters and headed straight out of the restaurant
I wasn't sure why I reacted like that. My mind and body seemed to move on their own, without me fully realizing it.
*
Ines Avalon
"Thank you for approving my request."
"Don't mention it. We've known each other for a long time, and that was the first time you've asked me a favor. So why wouldn't I do it when it's within my power and I know the woman you're talking about because she's a friend of my wife?" I'm here at Everleigh's office now to express my gratitude for the favor I requested.
"It's about time someone caught your attention, and I must say I'm surprised because it's not a man but a woman. I didn't know you had a thing for women, given that I thought you were straight. "I raised my eyebrows upon hearing her words, and I couldn't help but notice the sly grin on her lips. Just because I did a favor for Rhea so she could continue her studies, it doesn't mean I have feelings for her. I just wanted to make up for my mistake and correct the wrongs I caused because I know I played a part in her suffering.
"Look, whatever you're thinking, it's not possible. I don't have any feelings for her, and I only did it to make up for the mistakes I made in the past." I quickly responded, cutting her off before she could jump to any wrong conclusions.
"Yeah, right. As if I haven't been through that before." She replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes at me before showing me something on her phone screen.
"I guess you're right, considering how happy she looks while having fun in the pool with her girlfriend. I didn't stalk her. She just happened to pop up on my social media feed." I immediately took her phone to check if she was telling the truth, and sure enough, she was. I thought she was already on her way home? It's the first day of class, and she's already flirting with a classmate? Wow, they're even embracing each other?
Everleigh suddenly burst out laughing. "If you could see the expression on your face right now. Look in the mirror and tell me you're not jealous." She continued laughing and handed me a mirror.
I looked at myself in the mirror, and to me, my expression seemed normal. What was she seeing that I couldn't see? I returned the mirror to her and leaned back, crossing my legs and smiling.
"Perhaps your interpretation of my facial expression is different? Because to me, it seems normal, and this has always been my expression." I said, still smiling.
"What are you still doing here? Shouldn't you be rushing over to the pool? If I were you, I'd act fast before someone else gets to her first. I was just kidding about Vinalyn being her girlfriend, but I know her family's background." Is she a stalker? Well, even if she didn't say it, I knew who Rhea's companion was. And why would I rush over there? It's not like I have anything with her, and she can do whatever she wants. It's her life, after all.
"I'm good, and I have plenty of work to prioritize over this. I only came here to say thank you. I need to return to the station to get some work done. See you later."
"Alright, take care." I turned and walked out of her office.
Before leaving the Criminology building, I passed by the indoor pool. Though I had insisted I didn't care, it wouldn't hurt to quickly take a glance, right?
I cautiously peeked in and heard the splashes of water, accompanied by their laughter. My guess was correct, it was just the two of them. Well, I'm happy I could help and make up for my mistake in some way. As long as she's happy with the opportunity she's been given, I just hope she can manage the remaining months here at school.
"Goodluck." I whispered to myself before finally leaving the area.
*
Amour Monroe
I couldn't help but smile as I stared down at my phone, watching Rhea who is currently trending all over the internet for her live stream from the pool.
"Amour, are you listening? Why have you been staring at your phone for so long, and it's rare to see you smile. Why the smile?" My mother asked, so I showed her the reason why I was smiling. We're currently at the hospital restaurant for an early lunch.
"Wait, hindi ba ito ang ipinakilala mo sa amin ng iyong ama?" I nodded in response and turned back to watch Rhea's live stream again.
"It's kinda cute, don't you think? My fiancee is hanging out with someone else at the pool, just the two of them. Tell me, what do you think I should do to her?" I asked my mother.
"Why are you asking me? It's your relationship, and I've never meddled in your private life, even once." I shrugged and turned my attention back to Rhea, who was still swimming. Is she aware that she's currently live streaming? Look, her viewer count is nearing 30k, and I'm reading nothing but positive comments about her body. I wonder how she managed to keep her secret hidden, but it's not too noticeable since she's wearing shorts.
I couldn't help but giggle as she attempted to get out of the water only to be yanked back in by the woman again. "Vinalyn, gutom na ko." I could hear her words. I quickly took my other phone and dialed her number.
"May tumatawag." She finally emerged from the water and approached her phone. Wow, just look at that body, sexy as hell and her skin is unbelievably smooth. On top of being tall and gorgeous, Rhea really is something. The comment section is going crazy again, asking where she goes to school and if she's an actress or model.
"Hala!" I giggled again as she finally noticed that she was live streaming. The expression on her face was hilarious, both cute and sexy at the same time, which comes as no surprise to me. I wouldn't be surprised if someday she becomes famous and a lot of people start chasing after her.
"Rhea?"
"Vinalyn! Naka live ako! W-Wait patayin ko lang at tumatawag si-" The live stream suddenly ended, and I immediately heard Rhea's voice on the other line.
"Dear," I spoke to her in my sexiest tone. I smiled as I saw my mother's reaction, unable to believe what she was hearing and seeing.
"Amour?"
"Did you enjoy flirting with your companion? Congratulations, my dear, you're currently trending on the internet. What's the best way to punish you? Your fiancée is working here and doesn't entertain any other suitors, yet here you are, live streaming and flirting with someone else." I was just joking, and I wanted to hear her response, but it's too bad, I would have loved to see her reaction too.
"Uy! Hindi ko alam napindot ko yung live, at isa pa classmate ko lang kasama ko."
"Classmate?" I asked.
"Ou, hindi ko sinabi sayo kasi wala naman dahilan kaso mukhang need ko na sabihin ngayon. Natanggap ako bilang isko sa PU at ngayon ang unang araw ng klase ko." Well, I don't think she's lying, and I did see the school's logo earlier.
"Oh?"
"Ou nga."
"You're hungry, right? Go shower, get dressed, and we'll have our lunch date together. I'll send you the address, and I expect you to be here in less than 30 minutes."
"Ha? Hindi pwede at may ka-" I didn't let her finish speaking and immediately ended the call.
"Mukhang magkikita ulit kami ng in-law ko." I casually shrugged at my mother and checked Rhea's location. She's on the move now.
*
Rhea
Nasa labas na ako ng hospital nila Amour, pero ayaw ako papasukin nitong guard sa elevator patungo kung saan ang restaurant nitong hospital. Sa daming lugar na pwede bakit kasi hilig niya masyado ako papuntahin dito sa hospital nila.
Hindi parin ako makapaniwala sa nangyari kanina, hindi ko alam naka live pala ako dahil ang buong akala ko video recorder pinindot ko. Gulat talaga ako nang makitang halos 30K yung viewers at sobrang daming comments. Pati si Vinalyn gulat din, sabay sana kami mag lunch kung hindi lang ako tinawagan ni Amour kaya sinabi ko nalang may mahalaga akong lakad.
Tapos ang dami kong FR natanggap, and spam sa text and calls lalo na sa group gv namin. Ayun, ang landi ko raw at paano ko raw nagawa magpaka-sarap samantalang sila tambak ng mga trabaho. Napagkamalan pa nga ni Pax girlfriend ko si Vinalyn, tapos si Bea tawa nang tawa parang nasisiraan na.
"Manong guard, sinabi ko na po sa inyo na si Amour mismo nag utos sa akin." Kanina pa ako panay paliwanag, ayaw parin ako payagan kasi hindi raw ako pasyente o guardian. Dapat pala magpa admit una bago maka akyat sa pisting restaurant na yan?
"Pasensya na ma'am, sumusunod lang kami." Aniya.
Wala na akong choice kundi tawagan sana si Amour ngunit bago ko pa man ito ginawa ay nakatanggap na ako ng tawag mula sa kanya.
"Amour,"
"Where are you?"
"Nandito na ako sa baba, kanina pa sana ako naakyat pero ayaw ako payagan gumamit ng elevator ng security." Paliwanag ko.
"Let me talk to him." Agad ko inabot ang selpon sa kaharap kong security. Hindi ko alam kung ano sinabi ni Amour ngunit bigla itong namutla, kinabahan at naging magalang pagkatapos ibalik sa akin ang cellphone.
"Sorry ma'am, tuloy na po." Sabi nito pagkabukas ng elevator. Tumango lang ako bago humakbang at tuluyang pumasok.
Lawak-lawak ng hospital na to at restaurant lang hirap pa ako hanapin.
"Excuse me, pwede mag tanong sayo?" Tawag ko sa nurse na naglalakad sa aking unahan. Huminto ito at lumingon ngunit sabay kami na gulat matapos makita ang isa't-isa.
Sa lahat naman ng pwede kong makaharap bakit siya pa. "Rhea?" Tawag sa aking pangalan.
"May iba pa bang nagmamay-ari ng mukha ko at di ka sigurado?" Malamig kong sagot at hindi nalang sana papansinin kaya nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad pero pinigilan nya ako sa braso.
"What are you doing here? Na admit ka ba?" Namuo ulit ang inis sa isipan ko, kanina yung security tapos ngayon mukhang haharangan ulit ako.
"Hindi ako pasyente. Pwede bumitaw ka? Kanina pa 'ko late." Medyo may attitude rin ako pag dating sa EX lalo na sa tulad niya.
"Why are you getting mad? I was just asking." Pasalamat ka maganda ka.
"Sinagot lang kita." Sagot ko at inalis ang braso ko. Maka-alis na nga.
"R-Rhea, wait." Huminto itong muli, humakbang ito at sa harap ko pumwesto.
"Ano?" Sabi ko. Pag ako pinagalitan ni Amour, ikaw sisisihin ko.
"Pwede ba tayo mag usap kahit sandali kung may oras ka pa?" Hindi ako kumibo at tinitigan lang siya. "Rhea?"
"Marami akong time pero wag ngayon." Hindi ko alam dahilan niya pero di naman ako bastos.
"Kung hindi ngayon, kailan?" Tanong niya.
"I was wondering why you were taking so long, seeing as it shouldn't take more than 10 minutes to reach the restaurant. I thought security had stopped you again, but you're here, having the time to flirt with someone else." Malamig na boses ni Amour ang bumulabog sa amin. Agad ako umalis sa harap ng EX ko at lumapit kay Amour,
"Lawak naman kasi ng hospital kaya nawala ako, nag tanong lang ako ng direksyon sa kanya." Dahilan ko kay Amour ngunit parang hindi ito naniniwala, syempre alam niya EX ko yan eh.
"Okay, follow me. The food is ready." Buti hindi chismosa tong si Amour.
Sumunod ako sa kanya hanggang sa makapasok kami. Nagulat ako kasi kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay mother ni Amour ang babaeng nakaupo ngayon sa kung saan kami huminto. Hindi niya man lang ako sinabihan na kasama pala ang mama niya.
"You're here." Simple lang manamik ang kanyang ina pero grabe naman, amoy expensive aurahan.
"M-Magandang morning po." Naloko at naghalo-halo na. Pero Infairness, napatawa ko siya dahil don.
Tawa palang ng ina niya mas mahal pa sa kaluluwa ko. "Take a seat, dear. Don't be awkward, and I don't have any objections to your relationship with my daughter. Remember when she introduced you to us?" Nilingon ko kaagad si Amour, seryoso siya sa bagay na yun? Ang buong akala babawiin niya sinabing fiancee ako?
"S-Salamat po." Awkward pa rin no. Uupo sana ako sa tabi ng kanyang anak ngunit bigla ako nito hinila paupo sa kanyang tabi. Syempre si Indai Rhea nyo hindi sanay sa ganito kaya kahit hindi ko makita ang sarili ay alam kong namumula na ako sa init ng pakiramdam ko ngayon.
"Sinabi ko na sayo huwag ka mahiya sa akin, at gusto kita para sa anak ko." Yun oh! Don tayo sa tanggap ako, pero seryoso syang ayos lang sa kanya kung nagkataon na sa babae mahulog anak nya?
Lalim ng iniisip ko samantalang ina ni Amour panay lagay ng kung anu-anong pagkain sa plato ko kaya halos puno na ito. "Kumain ka, huwag ka mahiya." Sinong hindi mahihiya kung halos ayaw nyo alisin ng anak mo mga mata nyo sa akin?
Isang malalim na lunok ang ginawa ko, sobrang daming pagkain at hindi basta-basta dahil alam kong masarap ang mga ito. Kahit nasa akin ang kanilang mga mata ay minabuti ko nalang din kumain kasi kanina pa panay tunog tong tiyan ko at lihim akong pinagtatawanan ng mama ni Amour. Sheeeems! anong pagkain to at ang sarap?!
"Is the food to your liking?" Tango nang tango ako habang sumusubo hanggang sa mapuno ng pagkain bibig ko at mabulunan.
"It looks like you've been starving yourself for 10 years." Ininom ko kaagad ang inabot na tubig ni Amour, alam kong tubig niya yun kasi may marka pa ng lipstick.
"Dahan-dahan lang iha, nakakatuwa ka naman pagmasdan kumain." Seryoso ba siya o sarcasms yun?
"P-Pasensya na at sobrang gutom lang po." Sagot ko sa ina ni Amour,
"No worries, kumain ka lang hanggang sa mabusog ka." Tumango ako at nagpatuloy sa pagkain. Sarap naman ng buhay ko kung ganito laging may libreng pagkain.
"Rhea?"
"Po?" Kagulat at pati pantalan ko alam nya.
"Kung bibigyan ka ng pagkakataon, papakasalan mo anak ko?" Tuluyan akong naubo at panay suntok sa aking dibdib, yawa pwede chillax muna at kumakain ako.
"You're killing her, mom." Gandang payo naman yun Amour,
"Why? Nag tanong lang ako. Ang dami mong pera pero hindi ka masaya?" Oh hindi ako aawat sa inyong dalawa.
"Money can't buy my happiness." Mas malamig pa sa aircon boses niya.
Tumikhim ako. "Totoo sinabi mo." Segunda ko.
"Why?" Tanong ni Amour,
Nagkibit balikat ako bago nilunok ang pagkain. "Kasi wala akong pera." Sagot ko.
Pera pera perang umuulan nakikita ko sa tuwing tumatawa ang kanyang ina. Pastilan, sa lakas ng halakhak ay nasa table na namin atensyon ng iba.
"How funny." Di ba siya marunong tumawa? Malanding Amour pero suplada.
"Give me that..." Biglang turo niya sa mango shake ko, hindi ko pa naman nainom kaya kinuha ko ito at inabot sa kanya.
"Don't drink that, you need to monitor your sugar levels." Biglang saway ng kanyang ina at binawi ang inumin.
"Bakit po?" Tanong ko, diabetic ba si Amour?
"She has high sugar levels, which is why I don't allow her to consume anything sweet. She's not diabetic, but she needs to monitor her sugar intake." Sagot sa akin. Naalala ko, panay sweets yung inorder ko nong huli naming pagkikita.
Seryoso kong tinitigan si Amour, bawal pala sa kanya tapos hindi sinabi sa akin. Kung pwede lang pagalitan ay talagang ginawa ko na, pero actually magagawa ko ngayon kasi may backer ako.
"Totoo po? Pero pag kasama niya ako panay siya order ng matatamis. Matigas pala ulo nya, pag nag tuloy-tuloy ganyan baka talaga diabetes maging resulta." Sumbong ko sa kanyang ina at tumango kasunod ang pag inom ng mango shake.
"Amour! Ilang beses kita sinabihan bawasan mo kakakain ng matatamis." Patay ka jan at nagsimula na manermon.
Hindi na muling sumagot ang kanyang anak kaya nanahimik na lang din ako at nagpatuloy sa pagkain. Ngayon alam ko na bawal masobraan sa matatamis kaya need talaga bantayan babaeng to. Imbes na mag focus sa kanila ay binusog ko nalang ang sarili sa masarap na mga pagkain habang nag-uusap ang mag-ina.
Quarter to 1pm nang matapos kami, ako lang pala kasi pinaubos ni Amour lahat sa akin ang mga pagkain. Hindi ko na kaya huminga sa sobrang kabusugan, yung zipper ng maong ko hindi ko maisarado!
"Babalik ka na sa school?" Tanong ni Tita, mag tita raw kaya sinunod ko lang gusto.
"Opo, may klase pa ako 1:30 tita." Sheehs.
"Okay, mag ingat ka. Ihahatid mo ba si Rhea, anak?" Baling nito sa kanyang anak.
"No." Yawa ra.
"Hehe, wag na po at baka maabala ko pa kayo sa mga trabaho. Salamat sa imbitasyon."
Acting cold masyado sa harap ng iba, pero pag kami lang dalawa ang landi-landi niya! Kulang nalang talaga hubaran ako ni Amour, susu! Never again makikipag solo sa kanya.
"Alis na po ako." Paalam ko at hinarap si Amour, titig na titig sa akin.
"Bakit?" Tanong ko.
"None."
"Oks dzai, ciao!" Paalam kong muli at aalis na sana nang bigla hilain ni Amour buhok ko.
"Amour!" Buti pa ina niya concern sa akin.
"Ayos lang po." Nakangiti kong sabi bago muling tumingin kay Amour,
"Bakit? Bitawan mo buhok ko." Pisti, pasalamat ka may mga tao. Aba masunurin, binitawan nga kaagad.
"Bye." Nagkatitigan nalang kaming dalawa ni tita habang pinapanood anak niyang papalayo.
"Pasensya na sa ugali ng anak ko."
"Ayos lang po at medyo sanay na. Pasok na kayo, aalis na ako. Salamat po ulit." Hindi ko na bilang nakailang paalam na ako.
"Sandali." Dami naman hirit ni tita.
"Po?"
May kinuha siya sa kanyang purse at nagulat ako nang bigla niya inilagay sa palad ko ang pera. "Baon mo." Sabay ngiti sa akin.
"Po? P-Paano mo n-"
"Sige na at baka mahuli ka sa klase. Magkita na lang tayo ulit sa susunod." Anteh, balak mo ba ako agawin sa anak mo? Chareret.
Wala akong magawa kundi ang mapakamot sa aking mukha. Bigay naman at hindi ko hinihingi kaya bakit ko isasauli? Edi salamat sa grasya.
"Salamat po." Pasasalamat ko at tuluyang tumakbo palayo.
Baka bawiin pa ang pera.
*
Hindi ko ba alam, sa tinagal-tagal ko na silang nakakasama ay talagang kinakabahan pa rin ako sa tuwing pinapatawag ako. Sabado, wala akong pasok ngunit andito ako sa opisina ni Olivia. Pinatawag ako kanina at sabi kailangan ko dalhin si Lilith, nagtataka ako nong una pero ngayon ay alam ko na ang dahilan dahil nandito si Savannah.
Naglalaro ang dalawang bata sa may lamesa at ako nakaupo lang dito sa malambot na sofa. Pwede ba umalis nalang ako at balikan kapatid mamaya? Okay sana kung nandito si Kris pero wala.
Kausap ngayon ni Olivia ang kanyang sekretarya at mukhang pinag-uusapan nila ang bagong proyekto.
"I don't have any further concerns, but I just wanted to point out that we may need to consider market demand and economic factors in our planning. Real estate condominiums are a competitive market, and we need to be prepared for any potential changes in demand and pricing." Aniya nito sa kanyang sekretarya. Balak ba nya sakupin buong district ng malalaking buildings niya?
"Market demand and economic factors are important. Keep a close eye on the market trends, and if necessary, adjust our strategy to ensure the success of the project." Hindi ako chismosa, talagang maririnig ko dahil malapit lang ako sa kanila.
Mabilis ko iniwasan ito nang magtagpo ang aming mga mata. Hindi parin ako sanay talaga sa kanya, kada malapit siya o nasa paligid parang sasabog puso ko sa kaba. Wala naman siyang ginawa sa akin, iba lang talaga atake niya kumpara sa tatlong asawa ng kaibigan ko.
"Rhea."
"Yes ganda-I mean, ma'am?" Shit, hoy yawa Rhea baka ano isipin niya sa sinabi mo!
Nagtaas ako ng mga kilay, wala siya balak magsalita? Magtititigan lang kaming dalawa? "M-May kailangan ka?" Hoy simbako, tatagos na sa bones ko mga titig niya.
"I have a question." Lunok isa, nasundan ng dalawa.
"A-Ano yun?"
"What relationship do you have with my sister? Last time you visited Cagayan de Oro, you know you won't gain anything by lying to me. So while I'm still being nice, just confess the truth." Gi atay, kalokohan ni Azalea ako nahihirapan.
"So?"
Lunok ulit bago nagpakawala ng malalim na hininga. "May deal kami." Sagot ko.
"Details." Pisti.
So since uhaw na uhaw si Olivia about sa details ay inamin ko na lahat sa kanya ang dahilan kaya ako pumayag magpanggap bilang girlfriend ng kapatid niya. Habang nagkukwento ako ay inoobserbahan ko talaga kung ano magiging reaksyon niya ngunit blangko lang ang ekspresyon ni Olivia hanggang sa matapos akong magpaliwanag.
"So, you don't have any feelings for my sister?" Apply nalang ako sa company nya since todo na ito maka interview sa akin.
"Alam nyo naman kung gaano ko ka crush kapatid mo. Sinubaybayan ko yun sa socmed simula una hanggang sa naging successful sya. Kaya nga tuwang-tuwa ako nang sabihin niya magpanggap bilang kami ayaw ko lang ipahalata sa kanya kasi baka lumaki ulo niya-" Natulala ako sa biglang pagbukas ng pinto at pumasok ang mag asawang Turner, ama at ina nila ni Aza.
Mabilis akong tumayo upang magbigay galang sa kanila. Kahit may edad na ay hindi halata sa kanilang mga mukha, high maintenance masyado in-laws ng kaibigan ko.
"Lolo! Lola!" Sigaw ni Savannah at kinaladkad kapatid ko palapit sa mag-asawa. Pinakilala nito sa kanila ang kanyang bagong kaibigan na si Lilith.
"What are you both doing here?" Grabeng greetings yan sa magulang at sobrang cold.
"Hindi namin ma contact ang kapatid mo. Tumawag si Walter sa akin kagabi at sinabing kinancel ni Azalea lahat ng schedule sa Paris at umuwi ng pinas. Hindi ka ba tinawagan ng kapatid mo?" Diretsong tanong ng kanyang ama.
Sobrang dry na ng lalamunan ko, mabuti nalang talaga bumili ako ng drinks una bago tumuloy rito.
"No? And I don't care about her personal life. Why don't you ask Rhea instead?" Para akong nalunod sa aking ininom matapos marinig ang kanyang sagot.
"Rhea?" Ulit ng kanyang ina.
Hindi na matigil ang kakaubo ko, ang sakit sa ilong at dibdib non! "Yes, ask her." Yawa.
"Bakit siya?" Gusto ko na tumakbo palabas.
"Why not? She's Azalea's girlfriend, so she might know something." You betrayed me!
"What? / Huh?" Sabay at gulat na sambit ng mag-asawa at lumingon sa direksyon ko.
Nanlalamig at namumutla akong ngumiti. "A-Ano po, l-let me explain?" kasalanan mo tong lahat Azalea! Asan ka ba at iligtas mo ko rito!
"May relasyon kayo ng anak ko?" Huhu gi atay tabang.
Bumukas muli ang pinto at ang babaeng hiniling kong sana dumating ay nandito na, my seeeebyuuur Aza. Save! Save! Save! Sabihin mong hindi totoo ang relasyon natin at palabas lang ang lahat ng yun!
"A-Aza, sabihin mong hindi totoo ang relasyon natin." Hindi na ako nag paligoy-ligoy at dinirekta kaagad siya.
"Yes." Napapikit ako at hinga ng maluwag dahil sa kanya na mismo nanggaling.
"You're right." Dagdag pa nito.
"Naniniwala na po ka-"
"Right, Olivia is correct. Rhea is my girlfriend." Muli niyang salita at ngumiti ng matamis sa direksyon ko.
Laglag ang mga balikat ko at biglang natuliro, hindi alam kung bakit bigla ako napalingon kay Olivia. Kinabahan ako lalo nang makita ko ang ngiti sa labi nito.
Pisti na jud ni.
Tumalon ka nalang ng building, Rhea.
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