Kabanata 4
Kabanata 4
Boredom. I hate boredom.
I sighed loudly, mabilis na dumapa sa kama at ibinaon ang mukha sa unan bago sumigaw doon. I kicked my feet, kulang na lang ay magwala sa kama dahil sa sobrang boring.
Ayos lang sana ang grounded pero ang walang kausap, hindi ayos sa akin! I am paranoid again, staring at nothing and imagining things which I really hate.
Ayaw kong mag-isa, ayaw kong walang kausap. Ayaw kong hindi nagsa-shopping at ayaw kong walang ginagawang pagkakaabalahan!
Wala silang lahat, they're in their works now, si Chiel at Dad sa firm, si Mom sa kompanya niya and Adira's in law school, nagpapakamanang na naman sa kakaaral tapos ako...mag-isa rito.
What am I supposed to do? Scream? Cry or laugh alone?
I rolled again on my stomach, mabilis kong kinuha ang phone ko at nag-scroll sa social media. My forehead creased when I saw a new post from Jellie, ngumuso ako, natantong kuha lang iyon kagabi dahil sa date na naka-indicate.
It was from a high-end bar and she's with some of our other friends, katabi niya rin si Samatha roon, may hawak na mga baso ng alak.
I read the caption and it says "Complete!"
Complete what? Complete friends? But I wasn't there...baka ibang complete siguro.
I smiled afterwards and heart the post before watching their stories and replied.
Crest Veronica Sandejas: Enjoy, guys! Hindi niyo ako inaya :(
Not a moment later, she saw it and replied.
Jellie Ramirez: Oh, sorry, Crest! We tried calling you pero off ang phone mo.
But my phone was never dead...but maybe the signal?
Crest Veronica Sandejas: Ah, baka nawalan lang ng signal. Anyway, grounded din kasi ako for now. You know Dad.
Jellie Ramirez: Oh, really? Is this about the stealing incident?
Crest Veronica Sandejas: Not really, napagbintangan lang naman ako. I would never do that, paano mo nalaman?
Jellie Ramirez: Heard it from our friends last night. Nakita ka raw pero of course, maniniwala ba kami? No! Haha!
Jellie Ramirez: 'Tsaka naisip nga namin ni Sam na baka 'di ka talaga makasama sa amin kasi nga dahil diyan kaya hindi ka na namin minessage sa messenger :)
Crest Veronica Sandejas: Ah, alright! One week max lang naman 'to, nandito lang ako sa bahay tumutulong.
Jellie Ramirez: Okay! Sama ka sa next gala! And like I told you, ipaglaban mo ang freedom mo. Naku, nakakatakot na 'yang grounded mo na 'yan, baka sa susunod cut na ang cards mo. You can decide for yourself na, don't let others rule you. YOLO, right? Walang YOLO believer ang dapat grounded haha!
Crest Veronica Sandejas: Dad won't do that, gigil lang siguro kasi nag-bar ako.
Jellie Ramirez: My Dad wasn't like that, okay lang sa kanya basta masaya ako. You trust them too much, they'll cage you for sure and stop your freedom. Bahala ka, ikaw din. Basta, I warned you, huh? I was just concerned girl.
Crest Veronica Sandejas: Thanks for the concern! :*
Jellie Ramirez: Welcome! I gotta go, Crest. Sam's calling, we're going shopping! Wishing you're here!
Hindi na ako nag-reply dahil nag-offline na siya. I busied myself and scrolling social media and liking some fashion inspiration from Instagram but my mind keeps on wandering about what Jellie had told me.
I'm grounded, nasa bahay lang naman ako pero wala akong makausap. Clyte, my BFF is busy with work, hindi ko rin naman magulo si Chiel dahil may kaso siyang hawak ngayon.
Are they really caging me now? Ni hindi ako makalabas to buy some sweets from the grocery kasi I don't know how to cook.
I don't like our ulam earlier kaya kaunti lang ang nakain ko and I'm hungry! I asked them if I could go and buy some foods pero ayaw nila.
Pati ba naman pagkain? I just want to eat and distract myself from thinking too much.
After this grounded thing my Dad is doing, am I free again? Can I go to parties again or he'll definitely stop me now? But they said they would let me do anything kaya bakit ako nakakulong sa bahay ngayon? Tapos walang kahit sino man sa kanila ang nandito sa bahay bukod sa mga tauhan namin kaya...damn it.
I am thinking too much again!
I tried watching funny animal videos on my phone but after thirty minutes or so, I got bored. Napatitig ako sa kisame ng kwarto ko at natulala roon.
Should I just renovate my room or something?
Bumaling ako sa new bed ko na may pang-princess na head board. My things are mostly in gold or pink color, halos ang lahat sa kanila ay may glitters kaya kumikinang na ata ang kwarto ko.
I stared at my room's kisame again. It's white, plain old and just...boring.
Should I paint it with gold na lang?
I went back on my phone, scrolled from an online store and checked out a glittered gold paint for my room pero nang ilagay ko ang infos ng credit card ko ay nag-error kaya nanlaki ang mata ko.
Sorry, your request was declined. Try again later.
I gasped, tried again pero gano'n pa rin kaya napatili na ako.
"Daddy!" I whined and almost cried while having my self-pity.
Bad trip and annoyed, I stood on my bed, trying to distract myself again. Mabilis akong pumasok sa walk-in closet ko at inisa-isang check ang mga new clothes ko. Hindi ko pa nasusuot halos ang lahat dahil nga sa grounded ako at hindi makagala.
I pouted, binuksan ko ang isang salamin doon at nakitang may mga lumang damit pa ako roon.
Hindi ko pa pala napamigay 'to?
I decided to just have my mini fashion show inside my walk-in closet, I find it really fun seeing my old clothes and making a combination from my new ones.
Humaharap ako sa salamin pagkatapos, kukuhaan ng mirror selfie ang outfit ko bago masayang ngingiti, kontento sa nakikita.
That's when I thought...bakit hindi ko ginagawa 'to? Why do I keep on buying newer ones when I can just combine it from another and voila...new style!
I bit my lower lip, I saw bond papers near my mirror, mabilis ko iyong kinuha at inabot ang pencil ko.
I began sketching some outfits I liked to wear, I got the inspiration from my closet. I used to sketch outfits a lot when I was in high school and college and now, sinisipag ako ulit!
Wearing my old white body shirt, a glittered black spaghetti strapped na pinartner ko at ipinatong doon, a black checkered miniskirt and boots, I felt really beautiful!
I put on a black choker after a while and giggled at myself.
I looked like an astig na rakista! Wow!
I had fun doing sketches and trying it out myself. Halos isang oras ata akong nag-ikot at tumingin-tingin ng mga lumang damit na hindi ko naipamigay. I only used this once at nagsawa ako kaagad pero I realized it's okay to just make a new style out of it or try a new combination instead of buying something new!
It made me smile, nasa huli na akong cabinet na hahalukayin nang makita ko ang maliit na bag sa may gilid. My forehead creased, I found myself opening it and saw a very familiar red glittered dress.
A memory flashed inside my mind the moment I saw it. The smile I had immediately vanished, nanginig ang kamay ko habang hawak ang damit na 'yon.
I immediately gripped it, nanginginig man ang kamay ay lumabas ako sa kwarto, kinuha ang lighter sa drawer ko at mabilis na lumabas ng bahay.
Nakita ko ang pagkakagulantang ng maids nang pasadahan ako ng tingin at nakita akong nakapostura doon.
"Ma'am? Hala, bawal po kayong umalis—"
"Pa..." I cleared my throat and gulped. "P-patulong po sana ako, Ate. Marunong po kayong magsunog?"
"Ng?!" her eyes widen. "Hala, naku, Ma'am. Bitawan niyo po ang lighter! Yari tayo kay Sir, Ma'am! Love naman po kayo no'n kailangan lang talaga ng disiplina kaya ka grounded—"
"No..." I gulped and walked closer to her, nanlaki lang ang mata niya sa akin. "I won't...I'm just, papasuyo lang po sana akong pasunog."
"Ng bahay?!" eksaherada niyang sabi. "Naku, Ma'am! Parehas tayong mapapalayas—"
"No, Ate." Napailing na ako roon at inangat ang dress kong nakita sa cabinet. "Just...can you please burn this?"
"Ay..." napabuntonghininga siya. "Akala ko naman kung ano, Ma'am. Bakit mo susunugin, Ma'am? Bago pa ata 'to, ah? Ang ganda oh, may glitters!"
"Just...I don't like it anymore. It's ugly." I tried to stay formal. "Please, Ate. Isa lang 'yan, please?"
She sighed while looking at me and nodded, nagtataka man siya ay kinuha niya ang damit kong hawak at ang lighter.
"Sige, Ma'am. Akong bahala, sa likod bahay ko na lang sunugin." She smiled at me.
"Salamat po," I said gently and nodded, leaving her and went back to my room.
All the excitement I had vanished, sumulyap ako sa hindi ko natapos na mga sketch ng damit at inilagay na lang sa gilid ng kama ko.
I stood when I saw the smoke, dumungaw ako at nakitang sa may hindi kalayuan ay sinusunog na ni Ate ang damit na iyon.
I closed my eyes tightly. This is why I hate being alone. This is why I hate it when I have no distraction at all.
I found myself trying to sleep to calm my mind and the memories. Ikot ako nang ikot sa kama, I counted sheeps, I even buried my face on the pillow, covered my whole body with a blanket but still...I couldn't sleep at all.
I was so frustrated and anxious that I thought of crawling to my drawer and opened it, I saw the bottle of medication I haven't used for weeks and find myself taking it again.
Thankfully, after a while, nakatulog ako. The memories vanished and I calmed down but then monsters plagued on my sleep, not leaving me at all, turning my dreams to a horrible nightmare.
"N-no!" I woke up screaming and sweating.
I was in the verge of panic when I realized I was just in my room.
"Fuck..." I cursed loudly, hugging my knees before burying my head in there, gasping for air. "Fuck it."
After I calmed myself down, I glanced at the bottle beside me, tumitig ako roon at iritadong binuksan ang drawer at hinagis iyon doon pabalik at padarag na isinara.
"Worthless sleeping pills." I hissed and tied my hair in a ponytail, taking a glass of water from the small fridge inside my room and drink.
I glanced at the clock and saw it's near six in the evening kaya nagtungo na ako sa shower para muling maligo. This time, I scrubbed my body harder than I usually do. Halos tatlong beses pa ata akong nagsabon at nagkuskos hanggang sa nakontento at napagod na lang ako.
I walked out of the bath, fresh and ready to distract myself again. Pagkatapos kong mag-blower ng buhok at magpalit ng dress at sinuot ang heels ko ay umalis ako dala ang sketch pad ko.
I went to the terrace where the garden can be seen, I sat in there, scrolled social media. Nilibang ko muna ang sarili ko sa panunuod ng mga nakakatawang videos bago nagtungo sa Instagram para mag-stalk sa mga favorite fashion icon ko.
I saw one of my aunties on my mother side, Tita Natalie's Instagram page. She already has millions of followers all over the word, she has a brand named--CAGE. Sikat iyong fashion designer kaya kapag nagkikita kaming dalawa talaga ay hindi kami matigil sa kwentuhan tungkol sa mga magagandang damit.
I saw her new collection, nakita ko rin ang message niya sa akin, asking me to have a look if I have time sa main branch nila kaya mas na-excite akong makalabas ng bahay.
It made me inspired again, I found myself finishing my envisioned outfits, I was too distracted that napansin ko na lang na madilim na pala at ginabi na ako kakanuod ng fashion shows at kakaguhit ng mga designs.
Lumabas ako sa may terrace at nakasalubong sina Ate.
"Oh, Ma'am! Ayos na ayos, ah?" bati niya kaya natawa na ako at nilagay ang kamay sa baywang.
"Ganyan talaga, 'te. Para pretty tayo kahit grounded, 'di ba?" I winked at her.
"Kikay na kikay talaga, Ma'am! Naaalala ko talaga lagi sa'yo si Ma'am Thallia!" aniya kaya ngumisi ako.
"S'yempre, Ate. Alagad ako no'n, eh." I said at nakipag-apir pa sa kanya.
"Ay, Ma'am, si Attorney nasa ibaba na, kararating lang nila ni Ma'am. Hanap ka." Aniya kaya tumango ako pagkatapos magpasalamat.
I went back to my room, I tied my hair into a messy bun and when I looked pretty na, inabot ko ang sketch pad ko at excited na bumaba para ipakita sa parents ko ang sketch na nagawa ko ngayong araw.
I'm a very productive person today!
I walked on the stairs carefully, wanting to surprise them. Malaki ang ngiti ko at excited, lalo nan ang makita ko si Dad kasama si Chiel at Adira na nasa sofa.
Nandito na rin pala ang dalawang 'to, ah?
"You won the case?" I heard Dad asked my twin.
"Yeah," he nodded and smirked, removing his messy necktie. "They think they can outsmart me but I know how they work. Dirty."
"Good," Dad smiled and messed with his hair, "Don't be afraid fighting against them, lalo na at alam mong nasa tama ka."
"And...ako naman, Dad!" Adira raised her hand.
"Yes, princess?" Dad glanced at her and smiled.
"Ash and I got the highest score sa case study earlier!" she said happily. "Our professor said we did a very great job!"
"I'm so proud of you," Dad chuckled and kissed her head. "My kids are so smart, I'm so proud. Payakap nga ako!" he said, hugging my siblings affectionately.
I'm so proud of you my siblings too, they're both so smart.
I smiled at that, napasulyap ako sa sketch kong nagawa at napasulyap ulit sa mga kapatid ko bago marahang umatras pabalik sa kwarto para itago na lang ang ginawa ko.
Sa pagbaba ko ulit ay nakita kong kapit-kapit pang naglakad 'yong tatlo papuntang kusina nang tumawag na si Mommy para kumain. I saw Adira glanced at me and smiled, waving cutely.
"Hi, Ate! Buti bumaba ka na, tatawagin pa lang sana kita." She smiled.
"Hello, gorgeous kong family!" I said cheerfully and ran towards them, kaagad akong kumapit kay Chiel na ngumuso lang sa akin.
"At...saan ka pumunta? At naka-heels ka pa?" he pointed out.
"I wasn't that shock, minsan nga naka-boots pa 'yan dito." Dad commented with a sly smirk on his face kaya humaba na ang nguso ko.
"You're all so bully! Hindi niyo man lang ba ako na-miss?!" I whined and they ended up laughing at me, kapit-kapit pa kaming apat na papasok sa kusina at nakita si Mommy na nag-aayos na ng mga ulam doon at pinggan.
"Crest..." she called and smiled at me kaya humiwalay ako kay Chiel at tumakbo sa kanya para bumati.
Of course, kasama na ang pang-araw-araw na routine ng inyong lingkod ang mapagalitan.
"I was so bored kaya," I said when Dad shook his head at me.
"Uh-huh, and you used your card, I was notified, princess." He smiled scarily at me.
"Damot naman ni Dad, it's mura lang naman. Just a very small pail to paint my room." I said.
"Kakapintura lang last month no'n, ah?" Mom said, sumusulyap sa akin.
"Hmm, but I find it boring na, My. It's white and plain." I shrugged. "But Dad is madamot, I want the gold with glitter, ayaw niya. Na-decline ako!" reklamo ko.
Nagtawanan sila, si Adira ay ngumisi sa akin at si Chiel ay napailing-iling na lang.
"Mura? It's three thousand, Crest, tapos napakaliit lang. Parang mas maliit pa 'yon sa tabo." Dad pointed out.
"Because it's from Singapore, 'no." I smiled at him, "kaya Dad...beke nemen..."
"No." he said kaya napanguso na ako sa kanya.
Luckily, my Dad loves me so much kaya ilang araw lang pagkatapos no'n, less than a week, I guess? Ay nakalaya na ako ulit.
When he told me he'll be gone for a while dahil sa isang kaso sa ibang city at kasama niya si Mom. Chiel will be out of the town too because of another case and Adira's staying in her dorm para mag-aral na naman, as usual. They thought I would get bored alone and I really am kaya hinayaan na muna nila akong makalaya.
And I am happy! And really really glad!
The first thing I did when I got my freedom back is to visit the police station again because I wanna thank the boys. I've been thinking about them...lalo na kay Lieutenant Locket kaya mas na-excite ako.
I searched them on social media, may facebook account ang boys pwera kay Locket na mukhang wala atang paki sa mundo. I chatted with Earn and he told me na if I have time, p'wede ko ba raw siyang samahan mag-shopping and of course, I said yes!
I dislike boys but those people's been good to me. There is always an exception to the rule and that's them this time. Nasabi niya rin sa akin na may pasok sila ngayon at p'wede akong bumisita kaya gora!
Kapag tinanong ako, sasabihin ko na lang na ibabalik ko ang jacket ni Locket! 'Di ba, lusot?
I bought milkteas from the shop I saw for them as my thank you gift, pagkalabas ko bitbit pa ang plastic ay inikot ko ang paningin, trying to look for another cab again to the precinct since hindi ko dala ang car ko dahil nag-flat ang gulong.
I was waiting for a while when miracle came and I saw the man sipping water from the bottle that immediately caught my attention.
He looked so damn good. Medyo magulo ang kanyang buhok habang tumatakbo sa arawan papunta sa sasakyan. His blue police uniform fits his toned body well, I saw his badge and that silver plated whistle near his arm and wow. I even saw how his round butt looked adorable and amazing with his pants.
Wow, I really like round butts. They're amazing and adorable to see!
My heart pounded as I screamed his name.
"Locket! Hi!" I exclaimed at the top of my lungs and I saw how he choke on his water when he jumped in shock.
"O-oh my..." I panicked, mabilis akong tumakbo palapit sa kanya na matiim lang ang tingin sa akin habang umuubo. "S-sorry! Did I shock you?!" humawak ako sa likod niya para kumalma siya pero sa gulat ko ay napaatras siya mula sa akin.
"D-don't..." he coughed and cleared his throat.
"Huh?" my forehead creased and reached for him again. "Let me help you—" hinuli niya ang kamay ko.
"No..." tumikhim siya at binaba ang kamay ko, hawak niya.
"Why? I was just gonna help you..."
"Just...don't." Kumunot ang noo niya at tumingin sa akin, I saw how he licked his lower lip, staring at me darkly. "What are you doing here?"
My heart pounded when I realized he's still holding my hand, I can feel his rough, warm and large palm against my mine and I saw how his eyes landed on it too before he cleared his throat.
"Sorry." Aniya at mabilis iyong binitawan.
"Uh...tamang-tama." I smiled at him, "bibisita ako sa precinct para sana mag-thank you."
His forehead creased at me.
"It's nothing, we're just doing our job—"
"And I got your jacket!" putol ko sa kanya at ngumiti ng malambing.
"You don't have to, Ma'am." He said coldly, licking his lower lip, his gray eyes looked beautiful with the touch of sunrays, making it looked like it's ocean blue and gold in a different angle. "Just keep it—"
"But I want to give it back to you, Locket." I smiled and I saw his jaw clenched.
"Then, give it to me." He said coldly and lifted his hand pero umatras ako at ngumisi.
"Na-uh!" I smirked, "not if you won't take me with you to the precinct. Hindi naman ako manggugulo, Locket, mag-te-thank you lang din ako kina Earn."
"I can just tell them your thank yous, Ma'am—"
"Oh, come on, quit the Ma'am, Locket." I pouted. "I thought I'm your...Veronica? You called me Veronica, right?"
I saw something on his eyes, napatitig siya sa akin bago biglang umiling.
"I gotta go, I have work to do." He said coldly and turned his back at me pero mabilis ko siyang nahawakan sa braso.
"Uy, sorry na, may nagawa ba ako?" I asked, walking in front of him. "Am I makulit? Sorry, I just want to visit and thank you and the boys, hindi ako pinagalitan ni Dad...well, medyo pero I wanna thank you for protecting me."
"I can just relay the message from you to them, Ma'am, you don't have to—"
"It's Veronica, okay?" I said and he stopped at that.
"Miss Sandejas, I gotta go to work. Excuse me." He said seriously, slowly removing my hand on his arm and opened his car.
"Hindi ba ako p'wedeng makisabay?" I asked while I was behind him. "I have no car with me, kawawa naman ako."
Hindi siya umimik kaya mas humaba ang nguso ko.
"Hindi ka ba naaawa sa akin?" pinalungkot ko ang boses ko. "Wawa naman ako. Nag-effort ako to buy milkteas for everyone tapos si Lieutenant ayaw ako isabay—" but he just went inside his car and started the engine.
What the...
"Seriously?" I gasped when he started the car and started driving.
I pouted while watching his car slowly driving away from me, napasulyap ako sa kamay kong may hawak na mga milktea na nasa plastic at napasinghap.
"Guess I'm taking a cab then..." I shrugged.
"Crest?" papaatras na ako nang may tumawag sa akin, I shifted my gaze and my forehead creased when I saw the annoying Matthew, mukhang sasakyan niya ang katabi sa parking no'ng kay Locket.
"Oh, you're here." I even smiled sarcastically at that, remembering what he did when we went to Baguio!
I saw him glanced at me and licked his lower lip, "that...I want to apologize for how I acted last time, I was just scared since it was my first time being called in jail like that."
"And you think hindi rin ako?" my forehead creased at him. "You offered to take me to Baguio and I said yes tapos sa huli ako sisisihin mo?"
"I was just shocked, Crest!" he explained, "alam mo namang gusto kita, nagulat lang ako sa nangyari kaya naghanap ako ng sisisihin."
"Oh? Talaga? Kwento mo sa dinosaur." I smiled sarcastically at him.
Naglakad siya at sinubukang abutin ang miktea sa kamay ko. "Crest, come on, let's make up and—"
"Oh, ito ka." I lifted my hand and showed him my middle finger.
His mouth parted, I smiled proudly at him pero kaagad na nawala iyon nang may humawak at mabilis na ibinaba ang naka-middle finger kong kamay.
"What—"
"What's the matter, honey?" I heard a voice beside me and I was shook to the core when I saw Locket beside me.
"You—ikaw 'yong pulis no'ng nakaraan!" narinig ko ang gulat ni Matthew pero ang mata ko ay na kay Locket sa tabi ko na malamig ang tingin kay Matthew doon.
He's holding my hand, 'yong ibinaba niya kanina, kumalabog ang puso ko sa gulat.
"Yes, Sir? You have a problem?" he said coldly.
"How...bakit kayo..." napasulyap ako kay Matthew na nagtataka ang mata and my forehead creased at him.
Aba, malay ko sa'yo. Nagulat din ako! I almost screamed at him in my head.
"Do you..."
"Excuse us first, Sir." Locket said, taking the plastic from me and touched my elbow. Gulat man ay napalakad ako pasabay sa kanya.
I saw his car parked on the side, parang basta na lang iyon itinigil bago siya bumaba kaya nagtaka na ako. He opened the car door for me, assisting my elbow to sit properly. Nang makaupo ay nilingon ko siya.
"Why did you—" my mouth parted when he closed the door and nonchalantly walked in front of the car para makaupo sa driver's seat, nang makapasok siya ay inayos niya ang mga milktea at nilingon ako.
"You bought too much, kami-kami lang ang tao sa presinto." Aniya na parang walang nangyari. "And I don't like sweet drinks too much."
"You...you..." my heart hammered inside my chest. "Why did you call me h-honey?"
"Wala na akong maisip na p'wedeng gawin," he cleared his throat, hindi tumitinging inayos niya ang seatbelt. "That man almost hurt you before, baka anong gawin sa'yo. If I don't call you, baka hinila ka na sa sasakyan niya."
I was amazed and glad at that, nakagat ko ang labi ko at nagsalita.
"You're worried of me?" I smiled.
"I'm just doing what a police officer should do, Miss." Aniya at sinulyapan na ako. "I'd like to protect civilians...like you. From men like that."
"Oh?" mas lumaki ang ngiti, "I must be lucky then, honey, eh?"
Kumunot ang noo niya at nagseryoso na, "forget that, I don't mean—"
"Oh, okay, honey." I smiled cutely at him and slowly fixed my seatbelt, "tara na sa presinto, Lieutenant."
He sighed frustratedly, "it wasn't as if I really stopped, I just happen to look back when Earn called, sabi niya isabay kita." He explained pero sa sobrang saya ko ay nakangiting tumango lang ako sa kanya.
"Okay, sher..." I said and smiled sweetly.
Napatitig siya sa akin, I saw how his eyes scanned my face and stayed on my eyes for a while but then cleared his throat and looked away. Clenching his jaw, he started the car and drove away, making my heart flutter.
I think...I think I like him.
Dinaldal ko siya habang nasa biyahe kaming dalawa, natutuwa ako kapag nagsusungit siya sa akin, malamig ang boses pero sasagot din naman. Asus!
"So...anong bet mo sa isang babae?" I asked him and he stopped, he glanced at me and shook his head.
"I don't like girls."
"Oh?" my eyes widen. "Wait...sorry for asking, are you gay?" lumiit ang boses ko, gulat sa kanya.
"No," napailing siya. "I just don't like girls...in general."
"Hmm...woman hater ka, gano'n?" my brow raised, napahalukipkip ako at niyakap ang jacket niya sa braso ko. "But you see, there is always an exception to the rule...baka naman ako na 'yon?"
Hindi siya umimik, napailing na lang sa akin.
"Basta, paano ba 'yan kapag ako..." I said and glanced at him. "If I told you I like you, will you be shock?"
I saw how he froze for a while but then glanced at me sideways, "you weren't the first one to tell me that, Veronica."
"Wow, yabangs!" napairap ako sa hangin pero natawa na rin at nagsalita ulit. "But I'm serious, Locket. I want to be your friend." Lakas loob kong sabi at nakita kong tumiim lang ang tingin niya sa daan.
"You're...a good man kaya I don't get why you don't like girls, as you said. Uhm, I'm...you see, I am interested about you kasi I rarely see men like you, well, except sa pamilya ko but ayon nga, I like you because you're a good man. I like how you protected me for a couple of times now."
"I'm just doing my job—"
"Job, job, whatever." I crossed my arms on my chest. "I like you, Locket. As a person, you see. Kaya I'm asking you now about your likes as a man, baka ako na ang exception sa rule mo."
"Dream on, Ma'am. I don't like bratty girls." Aniya at niliko ang sasakyan.
"You're with that Ma'am again," matabang kong sabi. "It's Veronica, okay? And...I'm not a brat, ah! I'm a bit spoiled but not to the extent—"
"You're asking about my preferences so here, I don't like spoiled, bratty girls, Veronica." Aniya at itinigil ang sasakyan. "I don't like women who acts and spends money like it's nothing, I don't like liberated, party girls. I don't like rich girls."
I froze at that, "o-oh? Why not? I mean, will that step on your ego—"
"That's just my preference, Ma'am." He glanced coldly at me. "Not generalizing, I understand people for being like that and I have nothing against it but I don't like people like that. Personally."
My mouth parted, "p-pero...hindi naman ako gano'n? I mean, madalang lang ako mag-party and I don't spend money too much—"
"Really, huh?" he smirked at me, "I just saw your miktea's receipt and it costs a lot for ten pieces." He said, removing his seatbelts, nauna pang lumabas sa sasakyan sa akin.
I was so confused, parang sinampal sa akin na lahat ng ayaw niya ay nasa akin na. I pouted, he even opened the car door for me kahit wala siyang reaksyon kaya mas na turn on ako sa kanya.
Is it wrong? I mean, I like him because he's good to me and he's a gentleman!
Pababa na sana ako ng sasakyan nang sumabit ang heels ng sandals ko kaya nawalan ako ng balance. I gasped in shock, tumilapon ang bag ko sa lapag at akala ko'y mapapasalampak na ako sa daan nang mabilis niya akong naabot.
It was too sudden, naramdaman ko na lang ang pagbagsak naming dalawa sa lapag at halos lumuwa ang mata ko nang maramdaman ang pagtama ng mukha ko sa kanya.
His gray eyes widen too while staring at me, I felt how my lips crashed against his for the briefest time at hindi kami nakagalaw na dalawa.
"Nak nang...ke aga-aga may porn?" I heard a voice accompanied with a laugh.
"Sumbong natin," someone said. "Yari 'to kay—tang ina, Lieutenant?!"
We both gasped, mabilis akong napabalikwas ng upo patayo at napaupo rin si Locket. Mabilis kaming napalingon at napasinghap ako nang makita si Adam at Brent na nakanganga sa aming dalawa.
"Lieutenant Padlock!" Brent covered his mouth.
"Tapos si Madame..." Adam pointed me and covered his mouth too.
"I don't—"
"S-she fell, okay?" I heard Locket said seriously, clearing his throat, mabilis niyang kinuha ang kamay ko at inalalayan ako patayo kaya kahit nag-iinit ang pisngi ay humawak ako sa kanya at hinarap ang dalawang lalaking gulat sa amin.
"H-hi..." I said and smiled shyly at them.
"Nahulog tapos my kissing scene? Grabe naman—" Adam gasped but Locket glared at him.
"You saying?" Locket asked coldly.
"W-wala naman..." he even laughed exaggeratedly at us. "W-wala naman kaming nakita eh, 'di ba, 'tol?" siniko niya si Brent na ngumisi at tumango-tango rin.
"Ah, oo nga! Wala kaming nakita Lieutenant Padlock—este Locket." He smiled and glanced at me. "Ay, hala, Madame! Nand'yan ka pala?!" gulat niyang sabi at tinuro ako kaya tumawa na lang din ako, nag-iinit pa ang pisngi.
"O-oo nga, eh." I chuckled awkwardly. "Oh, w-what a coincidence!"
"Nakakagulat naman, Madame!" Adam greeted, "na-miss ka kaagad namin, si Ernesto sabi ka-chat ka raw niya—"
"What?" I heard Locket asked hardly kaya natahimik silang dalawa.
"Sabi ko, Lieutenant, ka-chat ni Earn si Madame—" natahimik si Adam nang bigla siyang batukan ni Brent. "Bakit ka—"
"Gago, manahimik ka." Ani Brent na tatawa-tawa pa bago lumingon sa amin. "Ay, hindi niya ka-chat si Madame, Pareng Locket."
"Oh, I chatted with him." I said, "sabi niya mall kami sometimes." I smiled and was confused when I saw how they both face palmed.
Napasulyap ako kay Locket na seryoso ang mga mata habang nakatingin sa dalawa kaya napakurap ako.
"What's...the matter?" I asked, confused.
"Where is he?" Locket said coldly and I saw how they made a sign of the cross.
"Rest in peace, Ernesto." I heard Adam said.
"What's—"
"Sige, Lieutenant! Salute! Madame! Una na kami!" ani no'ng dalawa bago pa ako makapagsalita at hawak-kamay pa silang nagtatatakbo papasok sa presinto.
I chuckled, watching those adorable cuties. Natigil lang ako nang may naramdamang humila sa skirt ko kaya napalingon ako at nilingon si Locket na kunot ang noo.
"What?" I asked.
"Your underwear's showing, Veronica." Mariing sabi niya kaya nanlaki ang mata ko pero natawa.
"Ah, hindi! Mini shorts 'yan." I said and smiled at him but he didn't smile back, instead, he took the jacket from my hand, nagulat ako nang walang salitang ipinalibot niya iyon sa baywang ko bago itali.
"Let's go," he said after a while, walang salitang naglakad pauna sa akin kaya napangiti na ako.
He's...really different from those men I knew.
It was so cute, kahit panira sa maganda kong outfit ang black jacket ay kinikilig pa rin ako. I am wearing an off shoulder crop top, may bow pa sa gitna at checkered white na skirt at heels tapos may jacket sa baywang.
I bit my lower lip and ran after him.
"Wait! Locket!" I said and walked closer to him, encircling my hand on his arm. Akala ko'y magrereklamo siya roon pero wala namang imik kaya mas natuwa ako.
Papaakyat pa lang kami sa ilang piraso ng hagdan ay nakita ko na kaagad na patakbo si Earn sa labas.
"Madame!" he smiled handsomely.
"Earn!" I called happily at sabay pa kaming napatili roon kaya nagtinginan ang mga tao sa amin.
I saw Earn froze, biglang tumikhim, ibinaba ang nakatikwas na kamay at biglang lumaki ang boses.
"Oh, Lieutenant!" he even saluted. "Madame!"
It made me smile, nakita ko ang pagtango ni Lieutenant at doon na umayos ng lakad si Earn, marahang naglakad sa akin.
We eyed each other teasingly.
"Ay bongga, Madame! Like ko ang bow ribbon sa top! Pak na pak, sailor moon ka, gurl?" napahagalpak ako kaagad doon, inangat ko ang kamay para makipag-apir pero biglang tumikhim si Locket na nagpatigil sa amin.
"Take the milkteas on my car, Earn." Ani Locket kaya natigil si Earn, naalala ko rin bigla ang milktea kaya napasinghap ako.
"Ay, samahan na kita—"
"Alone, Ernesto." Ani Locket na walang sabing hinagis ang susi ng sasakyan niya kaya nagulat si Earn at nasalo rin iyon.
"Sasamahan ko na lang—" I said pero malamig lang akong tinignan ni Locket kaya napalunok na ako. "Sabi ko nga, sige, Earn. Chikabells na lang tayo mamaya!" I said, nag-apir pa kami bago ako dinala ni Locket papunta sa loob ng presinto.
I had fun with the boys, wala namang tao sa presinto kung hindi sila lang at iilang hindi ko pa nakikitang mga pulis kaya ngumiti ako para bumati.
Hinatid nila ako sa may sofa, hinayaan naman kami ni Locket na nandoon habang nagmi-milktea kaming apat nina Adam, Brent at Earn, nagke-kwentuhan.
"Oh, I have an extra lip shiner. I bought this way back no'ng nag-shopping ako sa Germany." I smiled at Earn and showed him the lip shiner. "I thought of you when I saw this untouched on my make-ups kaya for you..."
"Thanks, Madame!" Earn giggled at me. "Tamang-tama at tuyot tayo ngayon, kailangang makinang ang labi para may maakit!"
I laughed when Adam threw a piece of tissue to Earn, nag-umpisa na naman silang magrambulan kaya tawang-tawa akong nanunuod pero sabay-sabay lang kaming natahimik nang dumating na si Locket at pinagalitan na sila...at kasama na pala ako.
I felt like I really belong to them and they treat me like a friend now when they asked me to go to a karinderya with them for lunch.
Nakapila kami with the bunch of people around and I looked around, confused and amazed at the same time. The ulam is same at our ulam sa bahay pero ngayon lang ako nakapasok sa ganito kaya natutuwa ako.
Naramdaman kong may bumangga sa akin, nagulat ako at napaatras kaya tumama ang likod ko kay Locket na mabilis na humawak sa braso ko para alalayan ako.
"What's the matter?" he asked kaya umiling ako at ngumiti sa kanya.
"Nothing, I lost my balance lang." I said and smiled kaya tumango siya at inayos ako ng tayo.
"Careful," he said and I nodded and glanced at the ulam offered to us.
"Madame, anong sa'yo?" ani Brent na nilingon ako kaya napanguso ako at napatingin sa mga color red na mga ulam, may sarsa siya and it's a bit familiar to me but I don't know what to call it exactly, I was confused if it's menudo or afritada or whatever.
"Uhm, sorry, Brent. What do you call these? Sorry I'm a bit confused. Anong masarap?" I asked.
"First time mo sa karinderya, Madame?" ani Adam at nahihiya man ay tumango ako sa kanya at ngumiti.
"It's familiar to me pero kasi kumakain lang naman ako," I chuckled. "I don't know their names, anong masarap?"
"Try mo 'to, Madame." Ani Earn na pinakita sa akin ang bilog-bilog na brown. "This is called munggo, try mo, masarap."
"Oh, I think I knew that." I said excitedly. "My Dad's cooking that pero I didn't try pa kaya sure, ano pang masarap?" I asked.
"Ito—"
"Try this," I was amazed and kinikilig na when Locket went beside me and put a bowl on my tray. "That's chicken feet. Masarap."
"Okay," I smiled at him and he stared at me for a while and to my shock, he smiled back. He looks damn good but he's extra handsome when he smiles like that...oh my God, heart. Sana ayos ka pa.
Napatitig lang kami roon at ramdam ko ang kilig sa kaibuturan ng kaharutan ko.
"Uy, kakilig naman pero maraming nakapila, Lieutenant Padlock!" I heard Brent hissed kaya bigla kaming napaiwas ng tingin at nakagat ko ang labi ko.
We went to the cashier, nauuna ako kaya ako ang unang kinausap.
"Miss, singkwenta." Aniya sa akin kaya natigilan na ako at napakurap.
"Po?"
"Singkwenta." Aniya sa akin kaya nagtaka ako, marahang nilingon ang boys na nakatingin sa akin.
"Uh, sorry but what's singkwenta?" I asked, confused since nalilito talaga ako sa ganito words when it comes to money.
I was expecting them to laugh but they didn't, as if they understood me. Locket answered me.
"It's fifty, Veronica." Aniya kaya umawang ang labi ko sa gulat at napalingon sa pagkain ko sa tray.
"Oh my...really? Ang dami and it's mura?!" I almost exclaimed in glee.
"Yeah, it's madami and it's mura." Ani Adam na kumindat pa kaya halos lumaki ang ngisi ko roon.
"Oh, wait." I said and lowered my tray to check my purse, I saw one thousand in it kaya mabilis kong inabot iyon sa babae na mukhang nagulat pa.
"Ay, Miss, baka may barya ka riyan. Wala kaming panukli sa isang libo, singkwenta lang 'yang binili mo." Aniya sa akin kaya napakurap na ako.
"Uh, I have no small amount, eh." I said sadly. "How about card, Miss?"
"Ay, walang ganyan dito, Miss." Bigla siyang tumawa sa akin. "Hindi 'to mall, kung gusto mong card doon ka sa mayayaman! Nasa karinderya ka, walang sosyalin dito!"
I was shocked at the mocking voice.
"I-I'm sorry, I'm—"
"She's just asking, Miss. She's a customer." Nagulat ako nang biglang magsalita si Locket sa tabi ko. "You can just answer her kindly by not using that insulting and mocking voice."
I saw how the lady stopped at that and I gulped.
"U-uh, I guess hindi na lang ako kakain—"
"Can you compute our meals?" biglang sabi ni Locket sa babae, "bale lima kami, sa kanya, sa akin atsaka sa tatlo." He pointed the boys at nakita kong nagkumahog babae at mabilis na nag-compute.
"Uh-five hundred twenty-six." Aniya kaya nagtataka lang ako roon.
"Do you have softdrinks here?" ani ni Adam pa roon, "pa-add din, Miss. Lima." Aniya kaya muling nag-compute si Ate.
"Six hundred fifteen." Aniya roon at kinuha ni Locket ang one thousand from my hand and gave it to the lady.
"I hope mayroon ng panukli?" aniya sa babae n amabilis na tumango roon at sumulyap sa lagayan niya.
"M-mayro'n na." aniya at tumikhim, inabot sa akin ang pera na kaagad kong nilusot sa bag ko.
I was about to take my tray when Locket took it, mabilis niyang inangat ang kanya at ang akin sa magkabiglang kamay niya kaya napakurap na ako.
"Locket, you don't have to—"
"Hingi kang sabaw, lima." Aniya sa akin kaya nagulat ako at napasulyap kay Earn.
"Sabaw?"
"Ay, may free kapag karinderya, Madame." He smiled at me, "sandali, samahan kita hatid ko lang 'to."
I smiled and nodded, I watched them went to the empty table at nang balikan ako ni Earn ay sinamahan niya akong humingi ng sabaw and I was really amazed when I found out na p'wede pala talaga 'yon! It's libre!
We went back to the table and I saw the boys preparing moneys, nagtataka ako roon no'ng una pero 'di ako nagsalita.
"Upo ka rito, Madame." Brent tapped the seat beside him kaya tumango ako at ngumiti, naglakad ako papunta pero hindi pa ako nakakaupo ay may tumikhim kaya sabay-sabay kaming napalingon kay Locket.
"Sit here," aniya habang nakatingin sa akin, bumabaling sa tabi niya.
"Hala ka, Lieutenant, ako riyan—" Earn said but Locket raised his brow at him.
"Palit kayo, you sit there beside Brent. Come here, Veronica." Seryoso niyang sabi sa akin kaya tumango ako at naupo roon sa tabi niya.
"Lieutenant, huh...ikaw, ah?" I heard Adam said kaya napatingin kami kay Locket na tumalim ang tingin.
"What?" he asked coldly.
"Wala, masama bang tawagin ka, pareng Locket?" ani Adam na barumbado pa at natawa rin ako nang magtawanan na silang tatlo sa nakabusangot na si Locket.
"Oh, Madame." Biglang may inabot sa aking pera si Earn kaya nagtaka ako.
"Huh?"
"Bayad namin sa pagkain," aniya kaya nanlaki ang mata ko. May inabot din sa akin sina Adam kaya napakurap na ako.
"Why? It's okay, libre ko na 'to sa inyo since mura lang naman. Six hundred plus is fine--"
"We used your money for the foods we're eating," ani Locket doon kaya natahimik ako, I saw how he collected the money from the boys and took my hand.
"N-no, no, it's okay. Treat ko na—"
"There's no such thing as free when you're working," ani Locket sa akin, binuksan ang palad ko at inilagay ang pera sa kamay ko kaya napatitig ako sa kanya.
"But it's small lang, I can treat everyone, right?" I said and glanced at them, giving the money back to Locket. "Ayos lang—"
"Take it, Madame." Ani Brent kaya napasulyap ako sa kanya. "Kami naman kakain nito kaya dapat bayaran, nilibre mo naman na kami ng milktea kaya ayos na 'yon. Malaking bagay na."
"You have to save money," ani Locket na isinara na ang palad ko, halos bumubulong na. "Take that and don't ever throw it, you want me to start liking you? Then start saving. Ayaw ko sa gastusera."
I froze and glanced at him, namimilog ang mata.
"You mean..."
"I still don't like you, okay?" aniya sa mahinang boses. "But I might reconsider if you'll be a good girl. Stop spending money like it's nothing, you'll never know what it feels like, how hard it is to save money unless you work for it."
It made me think, medyo naliwanagan ako roon kaya ngumiti ako sa kanya at tumango.
"Okay," I said, opened my back and took my wallet, it's nice pala seeing barya inside my wallet.
The food tastes great, I was talking to the boys while eating and Adam called me.
"Madame Crest, may trabaho ka ba ngayon?" ani Adam sa akin kaya natigilan ako sa pagsipsip sa softdrinks at umiling.
"No, eh. I haven't tried working pa." I smiled at him, "why?"
"Oh, tamang-tama, baka gusto mo mag-assistant?" ani Adam kaya nagtaka na ako roon.
"Adam..." Locket called pero ngumuso lang sa kanya si Adam at umiling.
"Sshh! Ayos lang naman kung ayaw ni Madame, baka lang interested siya." Aniya kaya napatango rin ako sa kanya.
"What is it ba?" I asked.
"Kasi...by next-next week siguro may maternity leave iyong assistant ni Lieutenant sa presinto. Baka gusto mo mag-sideline-sideline?" aniya sa akin. "Madali lang 'yon, mag-aayos lang ng files, mostly. Ano ba, hmm...alphabetical, gano'n."
"Kung interested ka, grab mo na." Ani Earn sa akin, "masaya 'yon, para palagi tayong magkasama!"
"Turuan ka namin, madali lang siya. Ayos lang naman folders 'yon at files ng madalas, busy kasi 'yan si Lieutenant Padlock kaya ang gulo ng folders at files, miski kami nalilito. Tuturuan ka naman ni Ate Minda, 'yong assistant. Manganganak na kasi. Baka gusto mo? May off naman palagi 'tsaka malilibang ka pa." Brent said.
Immediately, I was interested at that.
"It's madali?" I asked and glanced at Locket and saw him looked at me and shrugged a bit.
"You're spoiled so I don't know if it's easy for you, don't take it if you're not serious—"
"I want it!" I exclaimed, raising my hand. "Ako na lang mag-assistant!"
"Yes naman! Hired ka na, Madame!" ani Earn at natawa ako nang itinaas na nina Brent at Adam ang lagayan ng softdrinks nila.
I glanced at Locket and saw his gray eyes looking at me while sipping on his softdrinks.
"I can do it, I wanna do something serious." I said and smiled at him and he just raised his brow at me and smirked kaya napangisi na ako at bumaling sa mga kasama namin.
"Pakilala ka namin kay Ate Minda kapag pumasok, Madame." Earn smiled. "Madali lang 'yon, tulungan ka namin."
"Alright! I'm excited!" I cheered.
"Ilang taon ka na ba, Madame?" ani Brent sa akin. "Anong course mo?'
"Uh, I'm almost twenty-eight." I told him. "Business Administration."
I saw their amazed, shocked faces.
"Wow! So mahilig ka sa mga business-business?" ani Adam sa akin, "p'wede ka pa lang magnegosyo, eh. Magaling ka."
"Uh, actually hindi ko pa napa-practice 'yang course ko." I chuckled at that, sumimsim sa softdrinks na hawak ko.
"You're planning to take over your Mom's business?" I heard Locket asked beside me kaya nilingon ko siya at umiling ako.
"No, actually, Business Ad. ang course ko kasi 'yon 'yong pinakamaikling pila no'ng admission sa college." I explained and to my shock, biglang naubo ang mga lalaki, mukhang nabulunan na kaya nanlaki ang mata ko.
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen3h.Co