KABANATA 3

“Omygod girl, you are totally screwed!” ani ni Ellie habang umiiling iling pa. Napa buntong hininga na lang akong napatingin kay Louis na nag kibit balikat lamang.

Kinwento ko sa kanila ang lahat ng nangyari sa office ni Christopher. Sa totoo lang, si Louis lang ang nakakaalam dahil siya lang naman ang nakakita sa kanya noong gabing ‘yon. But I guesss I will need all the friends I have right now. And no, Natalie cannot know about this. I cannot burden her with my problems gayong hindi pa nga niya nalalaman ang iilan sa kanya na nag-eexist. I can’t think properly right now, and he is one of the reasons why. Ginugulo niya ang isip ko! And maybe, pati na rin ang buhay ko.

“Of all people naman kasi Coleen Andrea…” dagdag pa ni Sasha habang pinaglalaruan ang baso ng bourbon.

“What? It’s not my fault! It’s not like I should’ve asked him that night what kind of job he has before letting him—ughh! This is all his fault!” Naihilamos ko ang palad ko sa aking mukha nang marinig magsalita si Louis.

“This is what I don’t get. Sa one-night stand, both of you should just forget and move on. At sa edad niya, I’m sure alam niya yun. But with what you’ve told us, I am positive that he is overreacting.” He said full of conviction.

“Thank God! I knew I’m not the only one who thinks like that.” bulalas ko sa narinig.

“But, girl. May karapatan ka lang mag overreact if, 1 ikaw yung babae at virgin ka. 2, may past kayo. 3, magkakilala kayo beforehand. Pero sinabi mong noong gabing ‘yon lang kayo nagkakilala so what’s the point? Why is he acting like this?” napa isip ako sa sinabi ni Sasha. Tumango tango rin si Ellie. She is right.

“Hindi kaya kilala ka na niya bago ka niya nilapitan?” kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi ni Ellie. Agad akong umiling. Even though at the back of my mind, it’s possible. He did know my mom’s maiden name? But then again, he’s a teacher and it’s possible in his profession to know simple things like that!

“No. That’s impossible. I am positive that it’s the first time I saw him that night.” sabi ko nang wala sa sarili. Kabaligtaran nito ang nararamdaman ko. What if they’re right? What if I know him? I just can’t remember?

“Well, are you positive that it’s the first time he saw you?” balik na sagot ni Ellie. Napatingin ako sa kanya at tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. Nilagok niya ang baso ng bourbon na hawak niya at nag kibit balikat.

“Woah woah. Easy guys. We don’t have a proof. We can’t really assume these things based on circumstancial evidences.” Mariin na pahayag ni Louis at pabalik balik kaming tinignan.

“I don’t know about you, Coleen. But if you’re going to ask me? Kailangan mo siyang layuan.” Umikot pa ang mata ni Sasha pagkasabi nito. As if it’s not the obvious thing to do.

Tumango ako sa kanya. She’s right. They are right. I feel bad about this and I know that I may be overreacting, but this isn’t just about one-night stand anymore. It’s about him having hidden agendas. I need to look out for myself.

“Yeah.” Tanging sagot ko sabay kuha sa isang shot ng tequila at agad na nilagok ito.

“Are you sure you’re going to be fine?” he’s skeptical. I get it, sino ba namang hindi.

“Yup, Louis. And thank you so much for this night. You guys really helped me.” I said with all sincerity. Tinaas lamang ni Sasha ang basong may laman ng bourboun samantalang si Ellie ay tumango lamang habang naka halukipkip.

“No, it’s okay. We’re here for you.” naka kunot ang noo ni Louis nang sabihin iyon. Tumango ako at matipid na ngumiti.

“Coleen, you need to know that you really have to cut your ties with him. He is your teacher. At walang ibang pwedeng maka alam ng nangyari sa inyo before or after.”

Napalunok ako nang mahimigan ang seryosong boses ni Louis. Papalabas kami ng Marshall’s. Mauuna na kami sa dalawa dahil may pasok pa ako bukas samantalang si Louis naman ay nag offer na ihatid ako. Malamang, hindi ako nagpahatid sa driver papunta rito. No one can know that I still go to bars. Not even my brother, especially him!

“I know that, Louis. Pero nagtataka lang talaga ako kung anong kailangan niya sa akin. It sure looks like he needed something from me—”

“Or he just simply needed you.” putol ni Louis sa akin. I saw him clenched his fist habang hawak ang manibela. Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko nang makita ang kakaibang reaksyon niya. This is the first time that something like this happened. So, this is the first time I am seeing him react like this. I get it! They’re my friends. They’re just worried about me.

“No, I don’t think so…” tanging sagot ko.

Mahaba ang byahe pauwi ng bahay. Cebu to Sibonga? Really? It’s more than two hours but my friend right here is being a good friend and he doesn’t really mind.

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay tonight?” nag-aalala niyang tanong matapos niyang patayin ang makina.

“Of course. It’s not like he can stalk me here. Besides, he can’t touch me, Louis. He’s my teacher. It would be…weird.” Natawa ako sa sinabi ko kaya napatawa rin siya. Sinalubong ako ni butler Royce kaya naman nag paalam na ako kay Louis.

“Thank you, Louis.” Muli kong sabi. Nilapitan ko siya at hinalikan sa pisngi. Bahagya siyang natigilan pero agad rin naman siyang bumawi at inirapan ako.

“Ew.” Nalukot ang mukha niya kaya naman lalo akong natawa. Grabe, ang arte ha! Napa iling na lamang ako nang makapasok na siya sa kotse. Kinawayan ko pa ito nang tuluyan ng makaalis.

“Is someone home?” nagtataka kong tanong kay butler Royce. Hinintay niya kasi ako. He usually, I mean, they usually just let me be. Pero ngayon hinintay niya ako bago siya pumasok.

“Well, your relatives are here, young lady.” Napatigil ako sa paglalakad. Napataas ang kilay ko nang lingunin siya. Tumango ito para muling kumpirmahin kung ano ang kanyang sinabi.

“Damn.” Bulong ko sa sarili at pinagpatuloy na ang paglalakad.

Maybe, the reason why they’re here is because of Ethan. But Ethan’s not here. He is in his condo. So wala silang makikita dito kundi ako.

Dire diretso akong pumasok sa bahay at naabutang bakante ang living room. Nagkibit balikat na lang ako at agad na tinahak ang landas paakyat sa hagdanan. I need to wash. I need to take a cold shower. It’s been a long day.

Matapos ng pangyayari sa office kanina ay agad kong tinawagan ang mga kaibigan ko para makipag kita sa kanila. Hindi naman ‘yon naging mahirap. Lagi silang nasa Marshall’s. Ang pag punta ko doon ang medyo may kahirapan. As I’ve said, my brother cannot know my extracurricular activities. So, I needed to make our driver believe that I have a project to do in school. Louis helped me. I texted Ethan na pauwi na ako even though papunta ako sa bar. Hindi ko alam kung dinouble check niya ‘yon kay Royce. He’s probably too busy to do that. He’s with Aly and I get it.

Kasalukuyan kong sinusuot ang bathrobe nang marinig ang tatlong katok galing sa labas ng pintuan. Bahagya akong lumapit para marinig ang sasabihin niya. I know it’s Royce.

“Young Lady, the dinner’s ready.”

“Okay, sasabay ako.” Tanging sagot ko rito.

Agad akong nag bihis ng maayos na damit. Kaswal na dress lang ang sinuot ko, nothing fancy. I need to see them even if I don’t have the energy to do it. This day really drained the hell out of me. I am torn between knowing what Christopher wants and just letting him be. My curiosity is killing me, and I know it’s gonna kill me if I don’t stop thinking about it.

Bottomline, he is overreacting. And I hate to admit this but maybe, I am too. This is only the first day. Wala pa naman siyang ginagawa na ikasasama ko. Not that I expect him to do one pero as long as hindi ako ma-iinvolve sa kanya, kahit na may pagdududa ako ay titigilan ko siya. I need to. I want to.

Wala namang masama kung nandito ang kapatid ni mommy. I am not that rude, okay. It’s not like, I don’t like them. They’re here for my brother and I respect that. Pero ang pinsan ko kasi sa side ni mommy, we don’t really get along. Which is the exact opposite sa side ni daddy, because Dean? Oh god, he is like my other brother from another mother.

“Coleen Andrea! We’ve been waiting for you.” ani ni Tito Emil nang mamataan ako. Sinikap kong ngumiti at sinalubong ang kanyang yakap.

“I’m sorry, tito. My project lang po na tinapos sa school.” Paliwanag ko at nilahad naman niya sa akin ang hapag kainan. Namilog ang mga mata ko nang makita ang isang pamilyar na mukha katabi ng babaeng ngayon ko lang nakita.

Nag aalangan kong hinila ang upuan sa tabi ng pinsan kong si Khloe. Tinulungan pa ako ni Royce nang mapansin ang panghihina ko.

“Young lady, okay ka lang?” kumunot ang noo ni Royce. Agad akong tumango sa kanya at tuluyan niyang hinila ang upuan para sa akin. Ramdam ko ang matatalim na titig ng nasa harap ko ngunit hindi ko iyon pinansin. Nang maka upo ako ay agad kong nahimigan ang boses ng pinsan ko.

“At last you’re here. What took you so long? My god, I’m starving!” bulong niya sa akin na parang naiirita pa. Kung normal na araw ‘to ay sasagutin ko siya. Pero sobrang dami na nangyari sa araw na ‘to and dealing with her existence is the least of my concerns.

Napalunok ako nang magtama ang mga tingin namin. Agad akong nag iwas ng tingin. This can’t be. The coincidence is just too much! Naagaw ng pansin ko ang pag tikhim ni tito Emil. Matipid niya akong nginitian habang nilalatag ang napkin sa kanyang kandungan.

“So iha, I would like to introduce to you…” panimula niya habang lumandas ang kamay niya sa ibabaw ng kamay noong babae na kaharap ni Khloe.

“This is Megan Cruz, my girlfriend. And this is her son, Christopher.” Dumapo ang tingin ko sa dalawang nasa harap. Ngumiti sa akin yung babae kaya matipid ko rin siyang nginitian habang pilit kong iniwas ang mga tingin ko sa anak niya. Cruz?

Kumunot ang noo ko nang mapansing iba ang apelyido ng kanyang ina. She used her maiden name. Well, maybe she’s divorce already.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, iha. We’ve heard a lot of good things from you and your brother.” Ani ni Megan.

I don’t know what to say, but I’m certain that she is the third woman I met ever since his wife died. Muli ko siyang nginitian at lumandas ang tingin ko kay Khloe na tahimik lang na kumakain. I don’t know if I should feel bad for her. It’s been four years since tita Klaudette passed away. I don’t know how I would react if I am in her position. With that tragedy and her dad has the nerve to find other women?

“Well I must admit; my brother is actually the good doer between the two of us.” Pinilit akong tumawa ngunit nag iwas lamang siya ng tingin at ngumiwi.

“Except now that he’s done the only thing that’s quite disappointing.” Dagdag ko pa. Kumunot ang noo ng babae samantalang nag igting naman ang panga ni tito Emil. Muling nagsalubong ang tingin namin ni Topher at napansin ko ang pag kunot ng noo niya. Yeah, I know he’s your mother, but she should know that she’s dating a douchebag and that his niece is a bitch.

Emil Villanueva, you should’ve told them I’m a brat. Not all the good things she is saying. If she’s going to be a part of this family, she should know everything.

“My brother has cancer. He has leukemia and I don’t know about you, but I think that’s quite disappointing. Given that you’re only told about the ‘good’ things about us.” Mariin kong sabi at binalot ng katahimikan ang hapag kainan. Ramdam ko ang mabibigat na hininga ng katabi ko but she should know that I am doing this for her. Even though she’s been nothing but a brat to me. At least I have the guts to do what she couldn’t. I can’t blame her. She’s the pretend-to-be-the-good-doer daughter. Well, I’m not.

“I’m done eating. Enjoy the food.” Agad akong tumayo at naglakad paalis. You shouldn’t have brought them here in my house if you’re not going to tell them the truth, tito. They seriously have no idea what the hell is happening, and he has the guts to bring them here, in my house? Now, I am pissed.