Kabanata 4
Kabanata 4
"MARS," I called seriously.
"H-huh?" He blinked at me.
I sighed then lifted my hand to cup his cheeks.
"Mars, lumaban ka," I said with willpower.
"Scira, I..."
"Lumaban ka, Tintin," I said eagerly while looking at his eyes. "H'wag kang magpapadala sa tukso."
"B-but..."
"Alam ko namang maalindog talaga ako pero lumaban ka. Mas malakas ka sa inaakala mo!" I motivated.
"H-huh?" His voice stuttered a bit. "I mean..."
"It's okay, Mars. Ayos lang na ma-confuse ka sa mga bagay-bagay," I mumbled, tapping his cheek.
He gulped. Lumayo naman ako at ngumiti sa kanya.
"Sisters tayo forever, Tintin, okay?" I reassured and hesitating, I saw him nod before chuckling a bit.
"Y-yeah right," he muttered and licked his lip. "B-baka nga confused lang ako, Mars," he added then chuckled. "Alright, uhm, goodbye. You should go,"
Kumaway pa ako sa kanya at diretsong naglakad pabalik sa shuttle na nag-aantay.
When I got inside and shut the door, I gasped. Napahawak ako sa dibdib kong mabilis na rin ang kalabog at napailing.
My heart actually raced like crazy when he said he's turning tomboy na! Oh, God. Is this a bad sign?
Tama bang crush ko ang kumare ko?
"Erase! Erase!" I exclaimed. I then slapped myself and shook my head. "Mali, Scira. Hindi p'wedeng—"
"Ma'am, ayos lang kayo?" My eyes landed on the driver watching me worriedly in the mirror.
"Uhm, yeah, Kuya." I smiled awkwardly and brushed my hair, embarrassed.
Calm down, Scira. Nakahihiya ka, girl.
When I got into the hotel where will I stay for the rest of the project, kaagad kong nakita si Mr. Aurelio.
"Architect Valderama!" he greeted.
I smiled and nodded. May lumapit sa aking staff para kunin ang maleta at sinalubong ko ang kliyente.
"Mr. Aurelio," I greeted.
"Architect, we feel honored to have you here," he smiled and offered me his hand which I accepted.
"My pleasure, Sir,"
"Alam kong pagod ka pa sa biyahe. Do you want me to tour you around now? Or bukas?" he asked.
"Today will be fine, Sir. Para maaga ko rin pong ma-revise ang plano if ever we needed some adjustments. Sa susunod na araw ay darating na ang team ko,"
The old man smiled and led the way. He showed me the top floors which will undergo renovations.
"We wanted something new for our tenants, lalo na sa mga VIP," aniya at inilahad ang two-storey condominium unit na una naming pinasok. "Gusto sana namin ay iba-iba per floor or two ang theme, amenities at options with, of course, different price ranges to cater to the needs of our residents according to their budget. However, we didn't want them to feel like there's a hierarchy and I know the Sandejas Firm specializes in that."
I nodded while looking at the place. Nakapag-send naman na sa akin ng litrato at details. I have reviewed this with my team a few weeks back. Tomorrow, I'd go back and check every room for renovation personally so I could revise the plans.
"Well, Sir, I prepared three different designs you can choose from," I said and smiled. "My team prepared some for you to review. We could discuss this further at the meeting with the other collaborating firm?"
"Oh, yes," he smiled. "You really are competitive and outstanding, Architect, like your mom. You act like Architect Zidney."
Wow...
Nag-init ang mukha ko at nahiya.
I chuckled and shook my head.
"That's too much, Sir. Not quite, really. I could never surpass my mother. Maybe in the future? Pero marami pa akong kakaining bigas."
He laughed, making his wrinkled forehead visible. "Well then, I can set you a meeting with the head engineer from Miranda Firm."
I smiled and nodded.
"Very well."
"Hindi ko alam kung narito na iyon, eh. His team will be here kasabay ng sa 'yo. The head engineer in this project came earlier. I'm just not sure if it's tonight or tomorrow morning. I'm still waiting for his call."
The staff led me to my room after our quick talk. Pagkakita ko agad ng sarili kong kwarto ay natuwa ako. It's two-storey, kagaya ng ipinakita kanina. The interiors are great and the design could work too kaso nga lang ay hindi na moderno at naluma na, hindi na masyadong papatok sa kliyente sa ngayon.
Though... this could work out. Just change the interior design, and make some adjustments to the room's color para 'di masakit sa mata ang ilaw.
Then the yellow curtains...
I pouted, taking a snap and sending it to my interior designer.
We could tweak this. I'll pitch it to my team.
Lumapit ako sa malaking salaming pader at nakita ang malawak na dagat sa kalayuan. Mula sa pwesto ko ay nakita ko ang mall sa malapit. Sa kanan naman, kung saan maraming puno ng n'yog ay naroon ang isa pang hotel.
My forehead creased while trying to read the name at the top of the hotel.
Casa Amara
I smiled. I love the design of that place. I wanna try visiting it some other time.
Inayos ko ang damit ko sa maleta. I put my skincare products on the vanity mirror and put some on the large bathroom.
Sa lahat, isa ito sa pinakaimportanteng bagay sa akin. I would never sleep without doing my skin care routine. I have to maintain my smooth skin. Para always young looking din, baka naman mahabol ko ang skin goals ni Kumareng Tintin!
I was super tired. I rested on the comfy soft bed and sighed.
My back hurts. So much for today, huh?
I felt my stomach grumble. Bigla akong nagsisi na tinanggihan ko ang pa-dinner kanina ni Mr. Aurelio. Suminghap ako bago tumayo at sumilip sa refrigerator sa loob ng unit pero napailing lang nang makitang walang ideal na kakainin.
Some are frozen foods, mga eggs din and such. Okay sana kahit papaano but the thing is... I can't cook.
I am perfect, like they said, in every aspect—beauty, brains, and skills. But with household chores? I don't think so. I failed in this one.
Ngayon ko lang natanto na mahirap mabuhay sa ibang lugar kapag wala ang mga magulang. We have house help for cooking, laundry and cleaning. Abala lang ang pamilya sa mga negosyo at trabaho kaya kahit ako, hindi naisip na balang araw ay kakailanganin ko rin ito.
I sighed. I then stared at my clothes and saw that I was now wearing my sleepwear.
Ayaw ko man at may diet plan pa rin, I have to eat because I'm tired and hungry.
I changed my clothes to a simple shirt and shorts. I wore my sandals and tied my hair into a messy bun.
Sumubok ako sa restaurant sa ibaba pero puno ng tao. I sighed. Susuko na sana ako at babalik sa kwarto pero muli kong naalala ang mall sa malapit.
A smile rose from my lips. Mabilis akong lumabas at nilakad ang distansya mula sa hotel patungo sa hindi kalayuang mall.
The place isn't scary at all. It was well lit. Kahit maraming puno ay hindi nakatatakot. Hindi siya kagaya sa ibang lugar na kapag maraming puno ay matatakot ka na biglang may mandaragit sa 'yo.
May wakwak pala pero buti ay mukha namang wala rito.
The air so fresh, it smelled so good. Amoy na amoy ko ang samyo ng dagat na kaharap, ang alat at sariwa mula roon.
Peaceful and fresh. I like this place.
After a less than five-minute walk, I reached the mall. Hindi man kasing laki ng sa Maynila ay p'wede na. The restaurants and fast food chains are all over the place. Maraming turista! Paano ba naman kasi at ang gaganda ng resorts at nakapaikot lang!
May mga boutique ring iilan at mga make-up shops.
I am tempted to go inside the make-up shop yet my stomach says otherwise.
Babalikan kita mamaya.
I eyed the shop before deciding where to go. I saw the fast food chains filled with people. Sumubok akong tumingin ng menu nila sa itaas pero tanging mga burgers or any foods with high sugar and calorie content lang ang naroon kaya umatras ako.
No. No way. Kung ganyan, baka I might spend hours in the threadmill kaya doon na lang ako sa kaunti lang ang calories.
After the thorough evaluation, I decided to eat in a restaurant with lesser people. Pagpasok ko pa lang ay kaagad akong naasikaso at naupo. Pagkatapos ay namili na ako ng pagkain.
While waiting for my order, I took my phone. Nangiti ako nang makita ang number ni Warren kaya mabilis akong nag-type.
To: Kumareng Tintin
Hi, Mars! Nasa mall ako kumakain. Saan ka? Hoping magkita tayo ulit soon!
I saw a few customers entering the place. May mag-jowa at may lalaki ring naka-cap at color white na shirt.
The first thing I noticed is the round butt. Natuwa ako kaagad. Parang butt lang ng kumare ko, oh.
"Here is your order, Ma'am." Nawala ang atensyon ko sa lalaki dahil naging abala ako sa pagkain.
But then I felt a gaze on me. I shifted my gaze, only to see the man wearing a cap glancing in my direction.
My forehead creased. I tried to take a glimpse of his face pero mabilis siyang nagbaba ng tingin at inayos niya ang kanyang cap.
My lips protruded. Hinayaan ko na lang at baka nag-iimagine lang ako. Muli na rin akong bumaling sa pagkain.
My phone beeped. Kinuha ko iyon at napangiti nang makita kung sino ang nag-message.
From: Kumareng Tintin
See you soon, Mars. H'wag kang haharot, okay?
My laughter roared.
Napatingin sa akin ang mga customer kaya tumikhim ako at umayos ng upo.
To: Kumareng Tintin
Yes naman, sis. Mag-kumare forever, lalandi together, 'di ba?
Ibinaba ko ang phone pagkatapos. I heard a ring tone from some of the customers. Napasulyap pa ako sa lalaking naka-cap kasi parang sa kanya galing.
I saw him drinking water from the glass then he opened his phone. Nakita kong may binasa siya at miski ako ay nagulat nang mabilaukan siya ng tubig.
"Sir?" Lapit sa kanya ng staff kaya napangiti na lang ako at bumaling sa pagkain ko.
I sipped on my lemon juice when my phone beeped again.
From: Kumareng Tintin
Oo naman, Mars. Super twins kaya tayo. Magkarugtong ang pusod natin♡
Tinakpan ko ang aking bibig para pigilan ang tawa. Napailing din ako at mabilis na nag-reply.
To: Kumareng Tintin
Dugyot mo, bakla! HAHAHA!
From: Kumareng Tintin
Kiss na lang kita, sis. Tomboy na ako :*
Napailing ako at natatawang nagbayad pagkatapos kumain. Tumayo na rin ako para umalis. My mind was set to go to the mak- up shop. I wanted to buy a new lipstick. Gusto ko ring bilhan ang Mars ko.
"Thank you for dining, Ma'am," they thanked me when I got past them.
"Thanks," I said and smiled.
Napatigil pa ako nang may kumalapag. I shifted my gaze and saw the man wearing the cap panicking. Gusto na rin nitong makatayo sa upuan.
Umiling ako at naglakad palayo.
"Sir, hindi pa po kayo bayad!" I heard the staff exclaiming afterward.
"Sorry, fuck..." The familiar voice said and it made me stop. Bumaling akong muli at nakitang pinapalibutan na ng mga staff ang lalaking naka-cap.
Aba, tatakas pa yata sa kinainan.
I shrugged at the voice, baka nag-i-imagine na naman ako.
I went to the famous make-up shop. Kaunti lang ang tao kaya kaagad akong naasikaso ng mga saleslady.
"Hi, Miss, how can I help you?" she asked and I smiled.
"I wanted to check on your lipsticks. May bagong shade ba?" I asked.
"Here are the new shades, Ma'am. This way," she said and led me towards it. "Here are our new arrivals, Ma'am,"
I said my thanks and checked the shades from the tester.
"Good evening, Sir. Ano pong sa kanila?"
"U-uh, lipstick."
"Sa girlfriend po?" I heard the saleslady from the entrance.
I raised my hand and looked at my wrist so I could compare the shades.
Mas gusto ko iyong medyo dark ang kulay at matapang. I've always looked maldita that way and they said I looked intimidating kaya sa tingin ko ay mas bagay sa akin ang ganoong shades.
"Hmm, what do you think, Miss? Anong mas bagay?" Ipinakita ko sa saleslady ang shades na nasa may wrist ko pero nakatingin siya kung saan.
"Miss?"
"Ay, sorry, Ma'am," humagikhik siya. "Mayro'n po kasing gwapo doon sa kabila, tumitingin ng lipstick. Para yata sa girlfriend, nakatutuwa."
"Really? That's cute," I chuckled and glanced at the direction she was pointing.
My smile faded and my jaw dropped when I realized who I was having eye-to-eye with.
Warren was looking at my direction. May hawak pa siyang lipstick at nakita ko kung paano manlaki ang mata niya at saka siya umiwas na parang nag-panic.
I saw him glance in the mirror. He opened the lipstick urgently and put it on his lips.
"Sir! Tester po—"
"Bakla! Sis!" I exclaimed but froze when I realized na lalaki pala siya sa eyes ng lipunan kaya bigla kong binawi.
Shit, wrong move! Bawal ipahamak ang ka-sister!
Nangingiti nang alanganin, ibinigay ko sa saleslady ang lipstick bago lumapit kay kumare na abala katitingin sa salamin.
I smiled, mabilis na humawak sa balikat nito at napangiti.
"Oh, hi, baby!" I called and I felt Warren froze.
I chuckled. Mabilis na pumihit si Warren at namumulang natulala sa akin.
Kalat pa ang lipstick niya kaya natatawang umayos ako ng tayo at ipinalibot ang braso ko sa leeg niya.
Warren was stunned. I can feel the stares from the saleslady and I remembered na natawag ko siyang sis.
Nakaloloka! Baka isipin ng mga saleslady at customers na kasapi ng pederasyon talaga ang kumare ko! Ayokong unahan siya sa pagsiwalat ng kanyang sexual orientation dahil wala akong right!
"Baby naman, hindi ka nagsasabing nandito ka," I said in my sweet, girly tone.
"H-huh?"
"Super sweet ka talaga," I giggled and pinched his nose.
He blinked at me, still confused.
"Hindi ka man lang nagsabing talagang bibilhan mo ako ng lipstick. Nagpaparinig lang naman ako pero..." humagikhik ako. "Ang sweet mo talaga!"
He was blushing and looked confused. Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mga mata, sinasabing ako ang bahala sa katangahan ko at kinindatan siya. Napalunok siya.
"W-well, I just..." Alanganin siyang napangiti. "Thought you'd like it."
"Of course, oo." I chuckled and touched his chest. "Ang lambing naman ng mahal ko."
"Y-yeah," he puffed a breath. Parang mawawalan na yata 'to ng malay. "Sa 'yo lang ako malambing, m-mahal."
"Uh-hmm. Chill, baby. I caught you but it's alright," I chuckled and touched his chest. "Sa sobrang panic mo pa nakapag-lipstick ka, ah?"
"F-fuck," he muttered. He was about to remove the lipstick on his lips when I stopped his hand.
"Don't," I said and moved my face closer to Warren.
I met his black, pleasing eyes. Kumalabog ang puso ko at wala sa sariling binasa ang labi ko.
His eyes are just as wide, his mouth parting a little and closing again when my face is only a few inches away from his.
"Mars, may kasalanan ako," I muttered nervously.
"W-what..." he said in a low voice. He then lowered his head to take a glance at my lips.
"Uhm, uh... Nasigaw ko 'yong tawag sa 'yo," I muttered.
"Na?" he asked. He lowered his face more and I gulped.
"N-na bakla tapos sister," I said in a whisper. "Nakahihiya ako. I shouldn't voice out your secret that fast and..."
"It's fine," he whispered rather quickly. Ang lipstick ay nasa labi niya pa rin. I can feel his breath on my nose.
"No, hindi. Hindi ako p'wedeng maging sister kung... kung mabilis kong ma-voice out ang mga gano'n. I lack privacy."
"What do you want us to do, then?" he muttered and I sighed. Mas inilapit ko ang aking ang mukha para bumulong.
"Patunayan nating lalaki ka," I said, trying to rectify my wrongs.
"H-huh?" he asked at medyo lumalayo na siya sa akin.
"Warren," I called.
"Bakla ba?" I heard one of the customers ask when they saw Warren push me a bit.
"I-I don't think that's a good idea, baby," he said in a whisper, his voice husky.
I felt guilty again exclaiming his sexual preference like that when I saw his blushing face. I'm positive. He's embarrassed!
Siguradong ayaw na niya akong kaibigan pagkatapos nito!
What a useless kumare, Scira!
"Augustine," I called. "S-sige na. Mabilis lang, promise."
"B-but..."
"P-Please? Warren? Please?" I said in a small voice and he sighed.
"Gwapo sana. Sayang at bakla," narinig ko pang usapan sa gilid.
And so?! Ano ngayon kung gay?! Was it bad?!
My fingers itched, wanting to claw my nails to shut their mouths.
"Bakla nga yata, nire-reject 'yong babae, eh."
Warren sighed.
"Alright, tell me. How?" he asked softly.
"R-remember, Mars, na mag-BFF tayo. Walang meaning at walang talo-talo. H'wag kang mandiri, please," I said and sighed.
I then glanced at him and without even thinking, put my hand back on his shoulder as I tiptoed closer to him. I was only aiming at the side of his lips when he made a slight tilt of his head and my lips fell on his instead.
I felt him stiffen, surprised too. His eyes are wide while staring at me and I felt my stomach churning when I felt the warmth of his lips.
I heard whispers and gasps. "Judgmental ka. Lalaki nga!" I heard the oldies talking.
I tightened my grip on his shoulder and kissed him a bit more by pressing my mouth but I didn't even move and press it like an idiot. When I had proven my point, I moved away.
It was super awkward. Malalim ang paghinga ko dahil sa malakas na kabog ng aking puso. Dampi lang iyon pero nagwawala na ang puso ko. Damn, this isn't good!
I saw Warren's eyes. Namumungay itong nakamasid sa akin. Mukhang gulat at tulala lang doon, pulang-pula ang mukha.
"M-matamis 'yong lipstick mo, Warren baby, a-ah?" I laughed a bit after the whisper.
Nanatili siyang nakatitig. Nanghina na ang tuhod ko dahil sa nangyari kaya mabilis akong bumaling sa saleslady na gulat na gulat pa rin sa eksena.
"Uh, a-anong lipstick no'ng nasa labi ng boyfriend ko? G-gusto ko sana..." my voice faded when a grip on my arm stopped me. Mabilis akong napaharap kay Warren at nagulat nang walang pagdadalawang-isip niya akong hinapit palapit sa katawan niya.
Our noses almost touched. My throat dried up while looking at him.
"M-mars?"
"I like it more when you call me that," he said in a baritone, low voice.
"C-call you what?" I asked and I saw him smirk.
"Augustine..." he said and I think my soul almost left my body in shock when he lowered his lips and claimed mine again.
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