Chapter 44

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Chapter 44

“Masama pa rin ba ang pakiramdam?”

Tumango ang kasambahay sa akin. I smiled a little and thanked her before she left. Nilingon ko si Chester sa may living room na abala sa kaniyang laptop.

Pinahatid ko na ang dinner ni Meana dahil ayaw niyang lumabas ng kwarto. Pagod raw ito at masama ang pakiramdam. Iyon ang sinabi niya sa akin nang kinausap ko siya. Lumapit ako kay Chester kaya nag-angat siya ng tingin.

“Should I check her again? Samahan mo ako,” I said.

He sighed heavily and pursed his lips.

“We should just… let her rest. Baka nga pagod o ano,” aniya.

Kinabukasan ay maaga akong nagising. I planned on jogging since I can’t go back to sleep. It’s still quarter to six when I went out of the house. Nagpaalam ako muli sa isang kasambahay. Medyo nakalayo na ako sa bahay nang maalala kong hindi ko dinala ang cellphone ko. I shrugged it off and continued running.

Pag-ikot ko sa may covered court ay namataan ko si Chester na tumatakbo rin. Pareho kami nagulat dahil magkakasalubong kami. He stopped running and took off his earphone.

“Anong oras ka nagising?” I asked.

Naka-jacket siya at shorts ‘tsaka sneakers. Pawisan siya, mukhang mas nauna pa siya kaysa sa akin.

“Quarter to five. I have a lot in mind, I needed a run.” He said.

“Care to tell me about it?” I smiled.

He tilted his head and shrugged. Sinenyasan niya akong magpatuloy kami sa pagtakbo. Umikot kami papunta sa direksyon na sana’y tatahakin ko. We were both running in an average speed.

“I’ve been here for just three weeks and I’m missing the snow already.” He said, panting.

I chuckled. Ako nga, lagpas tatlong buwan na. Hindi naman nagtatanong sina Mama kung kailan ako uuwi. They’re letting me decide on my own.

“Ako rin naman.”

Sinulyapan niya ako, tuloy pa rin kami sa pagtakbo.

“So… you’ll permanently stay here, then?” He asked.

Kaagad akong umiling dahil hindi naman talaga. Babalik pa rin ako ng Canada. Hindi pa namin napag-uusapan ni Olzen ang bagay na ‘yon. I would definitely talk to him about it. I need to go back since my parents are there.

“I will go back but not now. I need to talk to my parents too.”

“Magsasabay pa ba tayo?” Nag-aalangan na tanong niya.

Nilingon ko siya, bumagal ang takbo ko kaya gano’n din siya.

“I might stay here for more months…” I pursed my lips.

Tumango siya at huminga ng malalim. “Then, I might go back first.”

Tuloy tuloy kami sa pagtakbo. Naka-apat na ikot kami sa buong subdivision. Tagatak ang pawis ko at basang basa ang sando na suot ko. Nag-aasaran pa kami ni Chester tungkol sa mga bagay na nakagawian namin sa Canada no’n.

“Remember that one time you got drunk in a bar? You made a mess in my car!” He shook his head.

Sinimangutan ko siya at mahinang hinampas. It was really an embarrassing moment. We attended a friend’s birthday. Pagkatapos ng formal dinner ay dumiretso kami sa bar. I have been to a bar in Canada for a few times. Palagi kong kasama si Chester. I have learned to adapt to that kind of life because of the circle of friends I mingled with.

Pero hindi naman ako ‘yong tipong ‘wild’, I was never like that in the first place. Mahina ang tolerance ko sa alak but that one night, I got so drunk because I was so stressed with school. Chester wasn’t there to check on me because he’s busy with his friends. Muntik pa akong may masukahan no’n, buti na lamang ay tinawag nila si Chester.

I puked in his car. He was so pissed at me but he took care of me anyway. Ilang araw din niya ako sinusungitan dahil do’n. Thinking about it makes me want to laugh and curse myself at the same time.

“How about that one time I caught you jacking up with someone in your car? That’s so fucking gross, Ches!” Humalakhak ako kasabay ng aking pag-ngiwi.

Sumama ang timpla ng mukha niya sa sinabi ko. Pabalik na kami sa bahay at naglakakad  na lang kami. He clearly didn’t like what I countered back to him.

“In the car? Really?!”  I teased more.

“Aurora…” he warned while massaging his temple. “Stop that.”

I laughed louder. “Buti na lang at napansin ko kaagad na may kakaiba na sa sasakyan mo. Hindi na ako lumapit pa! Playboy!”

He glared at me. I was still laughing and shaking my head while we’re entering the gate.

“I’ve changed. Kaya nga kita niligawan ‘di ba?” He sarcastically said.

“Kaya nga kita binasted ‘di ba? Cause I know you’re a playboy.” I rolled my eyes.

“Stop that-“

Natigilan siya nang napalingon siya sa harap namin. Natigilan din ako at napakurap nang makita si Olzen do’n. Nalaglag ang panga ko. Anong ginagawa niya rito?!

Nakatingin siya sa amin habang naka-upo sa may upuan na kaharap ang garden. His brows were pulled together and slowly, he stood up. My heart pounded hard in my ribcage. Hindi ako agad nakalapit dahil sa gulat. I didn’t notice his car outside!

“H-hey…” I said, almost out of breath.

He licked his lips and glanced at Chester. Nilingon din ako ni Ches at sa nagtatanong niyang mga mata ay tumango ako. Huminga ako ng malalim at hinila si Chester palapit kay Olzen. Lumapat ang tingin sa akin ni Olzen, nakataas ang kilay niya at seryoso.

“Chester, this is my boyfriend. Olzen, this is Chester, my friend.”

Si Chester ang naglahad ng kamay. Nanatili ang titig sa akin ni Olzen, ngumuso ako sa kaniya. Kanina pa ba siya rito? We talked last night over the phone but he didn’t tell me he’d come today.

“Ikaw pala ang boyfriend ni Aurora. I’m Chester, her friend.” Chester smirked a little, looking down at his hand in the air.

Tinanggap iyon ni Olzen. Tumikhim si Chester at sumulyap sa akin.

“Ba’t parang galit?” Bulong niya sa akin.

Kinunotan ko siya ng noo. Unang bumitaw si Olzen at lumapit sa akin. Bahagyang umatras si Chester habang hilaw na ngumingiti sa akin. Humawak si Olzen sa baywang ko habang mabigat ang titig sa akin. I know that look.

“I called you a lot of times. Hindi mo ba dala ang cellphone mo?” Malumanay pero malamig ang boses niya.

Suminghap ako at umiling. “Nalimutan kong dalhin. I jogged. Sinong nagpapasok sayo rito?”

“Your cousin.”

My lips parted and glanced at Chester. He was gesturing me that he’ll go inside first. Sinulyapan din siya ni Olzen.

“Maiwan ko muna kayo.” Chester said and nodded at us.

Nang maiwan kaming dalawa ni Olzen ay bahagya akong nakaramdam ng kaba dahil sa seryosong tingin niya. Tumikhim ako at nilingon ang inuupuan niya kanina. May kape ro’n pero kaunti lang ang nabawas.

“Kanina ka pa rito?” I asked softly.

He sighed and glanced at his wristwatch. His lips are in a grim line.

“More than fifteen minutes.” He uttered. “Iyon ba ang kaibigan na tinutukoy mo? The reason why you left Cagayan?”

Sa tono niya pa lang ay alam ko nang totoo ang hinala ko. Ngumuso ako dahil sa pagtataas niya ng kilay sa akin. His dark gray eyes were hooded and impatiently waiting for an answer.

“Ah, yeah…” I nibbled my lip.

Binitawan niya ang baywang ko at namulsa. Tumango siya at kumuyom ang panga.

“Aurora, huh? If I heard it right, he courted you.” He probed.

My eyes widened a bit. Narinig niya ‘yon?! Tinitigan ko siya. He doesn’t look angry to me. He seems irritated but I can see the control in his eyes.

“Y-yes… but I turned him down. Matagal na ‘yon. He’s my friend.” Diretso kong sinabi.

Nanatili siyang nakatitig sa akin. I looked at him directly in his eyes too so he can see that I’m serious. He pushed his tongue on the insides of his cheeks and sighed heavily. Hindi ko alam kung bakit naninikip ang dibdib ko. Lumapit ako at hinawakan ang kaniyang kamay. Bumagsak ang tingin niya ro’n.

“Don’t be jealous,” I said softly.

His brows pulled together even more. His eyes turned darker then he looked away.

“I’m not…jealous.” He said hardly.

I folded my lips and held on to his waist. He’s wearing a button down long sleeve tucked in his dark pants. Marahan lang ang paghawak ko sa kaniya para hindi malukot ang kaniyang damit.

“Kaibigan ko siya. And he knows that I have a boyfriend. Are you angry?” Tiningala ko siya.

Kinagat niya ang labi at umigting ang kaniyang panga. He tilted his head and smiled a little at me, contradicting the menace in his soulful eyes.

“No.”

“Sure?”

He licked his lips. “Yes.”

I pouted at him, still not satisfied. Hinaplos niya ang braso ko at yumuko para halikan ako. Mabilis ang ‘yon. I sighed and smiled at him. Muli ko siyang pinasadahan ng tingin.

“You didn’t tell me you’re coming here. Tatanungin pa sana kita kung kalian ka available para ma-ipakilala kita ng maayos sa pinsan ko at kay Chester.”

“I forgot to tell you. Hindi rin ako magtatagal dahil kailangan kong pumunta ng Laguna.” Aniya.

Tumango ako at binitawan ang baywang niya. Natigilan kami nang biglang sumungaw ang ulo ni Meana sa may pintuan. She smiled at me and nodded at Olzen.

“Couz, pasok muna kayo. I prepared breakfast.”

I smiled at Meana ang glanced at Olzen. Nakangisi sa akin si Meana, nanunuya iyon. Nauna na siya sa loob.

“Breakfast?” I smiled at him.

“But it won’t take long. I’m sorry, I have a time to follow.” He said softly.

“It’s fine. I will introduce you to them properly. Tara na.”

Hinila ko siya papunta sa loob. Gusto ko ngang umakyat muna at magpalit dahil amoy pawis ako pero aniya’y mamaya na pag-alis niya. Mag-isa si Meana sa dining area nang pumasok kami.

“Where’s Chester?” I asked.

Her lips pursed and shrugged. Saktong naka-upo na kami ni Olzen nang pumasok si Chester na iba na ang damit. Tiningnan niya ang upuan na katabi ang kay Meana. Meana didn’t look at him, she was busy with the food. I tilted my head to gesture him to sit there already. Tahimik siyang umupo sa tabi ng pinsan ko.

The breakfast went on smoothly. Hindi masyadong nagsasalita si Chester at si Meana naman ay paminsan-minsan ang tanong sa amin. Olzen on the other hand was busy with me and my food. He would stop shortly to answer my cousin’s questions then he’d be back at attending me.

“Ikaw ang unang naging boyfriend nito. Wala ‘yang naging boyfriend kahit no’ng nasa Canada siya.” Meana smirked at me.

I glared at her a little. It’s good to know that she looks fine now. Nagkatinginan kami ni Olzen. His lips twitched. Para namang hindi niya alam ‘yon.

“Do you know someone with the name Posydon Dela Peña?” Biglang tanong ni Meana kay Olzen.

Olzen glanced at her and nodded firmly. “He’s a friend of mine. You know him?”

“Yeah… ah, we had a past but we’re good friends now. I learned about the incident in Taguig, the one involving him. Siya ang head engineer ‘di ba? At nalaman ko rin na under ng kompanya niyo iyong project. Your family owns the eminent Real Estate and Construction here in Parañaque, right?”

Natigilan si Olzen. Nagkatinginan kami ni Chester. He didn’t say anything and went back to his food. Wala akong masyadong ideya sa sinasabi ni Meana pero kung ‘yong project sa Taguig nagka-problema ang tinutukoy niya… it’s the clinic.

“Yes. Engr. Dela Peña might face some complications but he’ll be good. We’re negotiating with the owner.” He replied formally.

Tumango tango si Meana at sumimsim sa kaniyang baso. Ngumiti siya at mukhang naginhawaan.

“That’s good to know.”

Pagkatapos na pagkatapos ng breakfast ay nagpaalam na si Olzen. He shook hands one more with Chester and then to Meana.

“Bisita ka ulit, Engineer.” Ngumiti si Meana.

Olzen held my waist and nodded a little. Naiwan sina Meana at Chester sa dining area dahil kailangan kong i-hatid si Olzen sa labas ng bahay. Naro’n nga ang sasakyan niya sa may gilid. Hindi ko napansin kanina dahil abala kami ni Chester sa pag-uusap.

“I will text you. Hindi ko alam kung do’n ako matutulog o makaka-uwi ako ngayong gabi. Answer my calls, okay?” He said when he opened the door of his car.

I smiled and nodded. Hindi pa siya tuluyang pumasok at hinarap ako. There’s still that darkness in his eyes. Seryoso siya at mukhang malalim ang iniisip. I have a feeling that this is still about what happened earlier.

“Take care,” I smiled.

He licked his lips and bore his eyes on me. He nodded and firmed his jaw. Pumasok na siya sa loob ng sasakyan. Ramdam ko ang panlalamig niya. Gusto ko tuloy mag-ngisi. Pinaandar na niya ang sasakyan at bago niya ma-isara ang pintuan ay nagsalita na ako.

“You’re the only man I consider good for me. You know that right?” I smiled a little.

Natigilan siya at nilingon ako. His clenched jaw moved and his eyes turned to slits. His lips parted and he swallowed hard. Yumuko ako at hinalikan siya sa pisngi. Tumuwid din ako sa pagkakatayo at umatras para hindi ako naka-harang sa may pintuan.

“Is that your way to calm me down?” He asked darkly.

I pouted to prevent smile. “Gumana naman ‘di ba?”

Matagal niya akong tinitigan. Nakapirmi ang kaniyang labi at seryoso pa rin. Kinagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi at umiling.

“I will make sure to go home tonight. Let’s have dinner together.” He said huskily.

Tuluyan akong natawa. He glared at me for e bit. I nodded, heart pounding in gladness. Tumabi ako para makadaan ang sasakyan niya. Bumusina pa ito bago tuluyang humarurot palayo.

Two weeks passed by like that. Madalas siya sa Laguna at madalas ay do’n na siya natutulog. Kapag nakakauwi naman siya ay palagi kaming nagkikita. He was very busy that I tried to find something to keep me busy too.

Chester is bound to go back to Canada tomorrow. No’ng nakaraang linggo pa siya nakakuha ng ticket. Ako ang maghahatid sa kaniya dahil may trabaho si Meana. It’s like they went back to cold treatment. Hindi sila nag-uusap na dalawa dahil madalas ding lumalabas si Meana para sa kaniyang trabaho.

I tried to persuade Meana to come with us in the airport kaso nga lang ay nanindigan siyang importante ang trabaho niya. Hinayaan ko na rin dahil iyon nga ang pinagkakaabalahan niya sa mga nakaraang araw.

“Chester…”

Nag-angat ng tingin si Ches. Nakatitig siya sa cellphone niya. Nasa departure area kami, hinihintay ang flight niya. I messaged Olzen about it. Uuwi siya mamaya galing Laguna. He’s been there for another two days at ngayon lang ulit uuwi.

“Are you still not… in good terms with Meana?” I asked.

“Hayaan mo na,” he gave me a small smile.

Ngumuso ako at itinikom na lamang ang labi. I sensed something between them these past weeks, but I don’t want to be nosy. I might also be mistaken. Hinayaan ko na lang at tahimik siyang sinamahan sa paghihintay.

Panay ang tingin niya sa kaniyang cellphone. Parang may hinihintay pero hindi ko na tinanong. Nang tawagin na ang flight niya ay tumayo na kami. I hugged him tight, feeling a bit sad that he’s going home after more than a month of staying here.

“Be happy, okay? He’s a good guy, I see.” He smiled at me.

“Mag-text ka sa akin kaagad pagkarating mo ro’n. Don’t tell my parents about it, ‘kay? Ako na ang magpapalaam sa kanila.”

Tumango siya at hinila na ang dalawang bagahe niya. Pinanood ko siya hanggang sa mawala siya sa paningin ko. I stayed there for more minutes before going outside to look for a taxi.

Pasado alas tres nang makarating si Olzen sa bahay. Sa akin agad siya dumiretso pagkagaling niya ng Laguna. Wala pa si Meana kaya naman nag-text na lang ako na aalis muna ako kasama si Olzen.

Meana:

Sure, couz. I’ll be home late.

And she didn’t even ask about Chester. Ugh, what a cold girl!

“Should we eat outside?” Tanong ni Olzen nang nasa biyahe na kami.

“I can cook for you. Gutom ka na ba?” Sinulyapan ko siya.

He smiled and shook his head. Kinabig niya ang gearshift at kinuha ang kamay ko. Sa condo niya kami dumiretso. Hinayaan ko siyang maligo habang naghanda na ako para magluto. He’s running out of grocery already.

Pagkatapos kong ibuhos ang sabaw sa may porkchop ay nilagyan ko rin ito ng cheese sa ibabaw. Napadpad si Olzen kanina sa may kitchen para tingnan ako. Pumunta rin siya sa study room nang makitang hindi pa ako tapos.

“We should grocery later. Pa-ubos na ‘yong mga binili natin.” I said while we’re eating.

“Okay, later.” Tumango siya at ngumiti.

Ngumuso ako at tinitigan siya. “How’s work?”

“A little progress. The excavation is still going on. Marami lang kailangang i-oversee.”

Saglit akong natahimik. Nang mapag-isipan na ang sasabihin ay huminga ako ng malalim.

“Olzen…”

He sipped on his water and looked at me. He raised his brow and put down his fork.

“Hmm?”

“I will tell my parents about us.” Pauna ko.

He stared at me for a second. He nodded and smiled softly.

“And… I will go back to Canada, too.”

His smiled slowly faded. Nag-seryoso siya at pinirmi ang mga labi.

“Do you want me to come with you?” He asked seriously.

My eyes widened a little. Is he serious? Hindi ko kailanman naisip ‘yon.

“Ha? But your work is here.”

He swallowed and clenched his jaw. “Babalik ka pa ba rito?”

I pursed my lips and slowly, the sides of my lips stretched for a smile. His eyes turned darker and brooding.

“Oo naman. Saglit lang ako ro’n. ‘Tsaka matagal pa naman ‘yon, siguro next next month pa. I still want to stay here with you.”

Kinagat niya ang labi at mas lalong lumalim ang titig sa akin. Balak ko ring maghanap ng trabaho rito. Hindi ko pa sinasabi sa kaniya dahil kailangan ko pang kausapin ang mga magulang ko tungkol do’n.

“Really?” He uttered under his breath.

Tumango ako at uminom ng tubig. Pagkatapos naming kumain ay nagpahinga muna kami saglit bago lumabas para mag-grocery. Inabot kami ng lagpas isang oras do’n. Pagkatapos ay bumalik din kami agad sa condo niya para i-ayos ang mga ‘yon.

Nadatnan ko si Meana sa may couch sa living room. Alas nwebe na nang maka-uwi ako. Bitbit ko ang ice cream na ni-request niya sa akin. She’s facing her laptop.

“Meana…”

Lumingon siya at kaagad na tumayo para salubungin ako. She hugged me and pulled away to get the plastic from my hand. Kumunot ang noo ko nang matitigan ng husto ang mga mata niya.

“Did you cry?” I asked.

She swung her gaze back at me. She looks surprised then suddenly she shook her head a little.

“No. Ba’t mo natanong?” Aniya at umiwas ng tingin.

Naglakad siya papunta sa may couch at nilapag ang plastic ng ice cream do’n. Sumunod ako, nakakunot pa rin ang noo.

“Namumula ‘yang mata mo at medyo puffy. Is there something wrong?” I asked, concerned.

She’s really been busy these past few days. I feel like she have a problem but whenever I ask her about it, palagi niyang sinasabi na pagod lang siya sa trabaho. I’m worried.

“Kulang lang sa tulog. Don’t worry, I’m fine.” Nilingon niya ako at ngumiti.

I sighed and stared at her. She frowned at me, teasing a little.

“You know I’m just here for you, right?” Seryoso kong sinabi.

“Thank you, couz.” Ngumiti siya. “Oh, kamusta naman kayo ng boyfriend mo?”

We spent that night talking about things. Sinamahan ko siya sa pagkain ng ice cream at nauna na rin akong natulog dahil may kailangan pa raw siyang tapusin.

Sa mga sumunod na araw. Hindi pa muna bumalik si Olzen sa Laguna dahil sa kompanya naman siya naging abala. Madalas ay tinatanong ni Meana ang opinyon ko sa mga disenyo niya. Sometimes, she adds my idea to her scheme. Iyon ang pinagkaabalahan ko sa mga sumunod na araw.

“Is this fine?” Tanong ko kay Meana nang makapag-palit na

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