Kabanata 22
Kabanata 22
CHANCE Ford Salcedo, the mad, ugly ape and the old hag is pissing the hell out of me.
Hindi ako mapakali sa paglakad-lakad sa eroplano dahil sa mga tingin niya. He won't take his eyes off me, tahimik lang na nakasandal at nakamasid pero iritadong-iritado ako.
"Saw that man? Sa seat sa may unahan?" Natigil ako sa pag-aayos ng cart nang marinig ang usap-usapan ng mga kasama ko.
"Sino? 'Yong matangkad na gwapo?" Imee asked, isa sa mga kasama ko.
"Oo! Pogi, ano?!" Ceejay said quietly, giggling. "Shit, girl, nakakanginig ang dimples no'ng ngumiti!"
Kumunot ang noo ko.
"Kung ako, willing ako magpakalunod sa dimples niya!" Imee almost wheezed while saying that pero natigilan nang lumagapak ang cart pagpatong ko ng inumin.
They all shifted their gaze at me. "You... okay, Daru?" ani Ceejay sa akin kaya napaayos ako ng tayo.
"Uh, yes! I'm okay." I laughed a bit, hinawi ko pa ang buhok at ngumiti.
They just stared at me, para silang natatakot sa akin kaya ngumiti ako ulit.
"Why?"
"Nothing, ang creepy lang ng ngiti mo. Alam mo 'yong malambing pero 'yong mata mo parang kakatayin kami..." Ceejay laughed awkwardly kaya tumawa rin akong mahinhin at tinakpan pa ang bibig ko.
"Natural smile 'yan." Pinakitaan ko sila ng ngiti ulit. "Ganda ba?"
Mukha silang nag-aalangan, tumawa si Ceejay pero nakanganga lang sa amin si Imee. Siniko siya ni Ceejay pagkatapos kaya nakitawa rin ito sa amin.
"O-oo, ganda." She answered kaya ngumisi akong lalo at tumango.
"Thank you, tara na?" I cheered and pushed the cart out.
Si Ceejay ang sumama sa akin para mag-offer ng snacks sa passenger habang nasa biyahe. Kumpara naman noon ay mas okay ang crew members na kasama ko ngayon. They became my friends, well, hindi man gano'n ka-close pero civil kami sa isa't-isa, walang inggitan. I maybe traumatized too of what happened in the past na hindi na rin ako nakipaglapit ng masyado kahit kanino.
Malayong-malayo pa lang ay kita ko na ang paglingon ng matandang hukluban sa amin. I frowned. I saw his lips tugged for a sexy smirk as he licked his lower lip and stared at the magazine he's been reading.
Sosyal naman si Lolo at magazine! Sa edad niya ay dapat nagda-diyaryo na siya tapos may salamin!
"Daru, ako kay pogi, ah?" ani Ceejay na pabulong habang nagse-serve kami ng snacks.
"Go lang," I said, nodding nonchalantly. "Type n'yo 'yon, eh, ang pangit naman?"
"Hoy, hindi, ah!" inanlakihan niya ako ng mata at palihim na siniko. "Malabo ata ang mata mo, Darshana para hindi makakita ng tunay na definition ng ka-gwapuhan."
"Ako, Malabo ang mata?" I laughed and pushed the cart. "My eyes are just fine. Isa pa, I got immune to handsome faces, marami sa bahay niyan."
"Ay, wow! Sana all may pamilyang gwapo!" ngisi niya sa akin.
"Gwapo mga 'yon pero kapag palagi mo nakikita simula bata ka pa, papangit na tingin mo." I even joked at eksaherada lang na lumaki ang mata niya kaya natawa ako at nailing.
"Tara na para matapos na tayo."
I was unbothered as we reached Chance's seat, nararamdaman ko ang tingin niya sa akin pero hindi ako lumilingon at abala sa pag-ngiti sa kabilang seat katapat sa kanya.
"Hi, Sir. Do you like some snacks?" I asked the man where I was standing.
"Hello, Sir. Do you like something to eat?" I heard Ceejay ask him.
Hindi ako lumingon, pinakinggan ko sinasabi ng pasahero na tinanong ko.
"Uhm, what about sandwich?" I heard Chance asked.
"Oh, yes, Sir. We have variety to choose from, ano pong flavor ang gusto n'yo?" Ceejay asked.
"Gusto ko 'yong sandwich ni Darshana." The gago answered and I almost lost my balance as I exaggeratedly glanced at his direction.
Nakanganga si Ceejay, si Chance ay nakamasid sa akin, seryoso ang tingin pero may mapaglarong ngisi sa labi.
"Excuse me, Sir?" Ceejay asked, startled. "Ano po ulit?"
"I want Darshana's sandwich—"
"Oh, you mean the one with the mayo, Sir?" mariing sabi ko at nagpakita ng pilit na ngiti, kinakalma ang sarili pero gusto nang wrestling-in si Chance Ford.
"Yeah." His brow shot up and I swear I saw the way his eyes flickered. "That one with the mayo," he answered and smirked.
Tang ina mo, Chance Salcedo!
My inner Darshana is fuming with madness, para na siyang nag-e-evolve mula sa isang magandang binibini papunta sa pagiging dinosaur at handa ng kainin si Chance.
Wait, that sounds weird? Kakainin, what the hell, Daru? I mean, kainin sa galit kasi!
No, no! I mean, I'm gonna ripped him into pieces and tossed him outside the fucking airplane!
"Daru... Daru?" Pumilantik ang kamay ni Ceejay sa mukha ko kaya natauhan ako at napakurap-kurap.
"H-huh?"
"Saan dito ang mayo?" aniya sa mahinang boses. "Kakilala mo ba si Pogi? He knows your name."
"Ah." Pasimple akong umirap kay Chance na parang gago kung makatingin.
Hmp! Dukutin ko 'yang mata mo!
"I help him fixed the seatbelts kanina, right, Sir?" baling ko kay Chance na marahang kinagat lang ang labi at ngumiti, lumubog pa ang dimples.
Pangit mo Sir! Ang pangit pangit mo! Mabuti na lang 'di sa 'yo nagmana si Cookie!
"Here, Sir." Ceejay offered him the sandwich at bumaling ako sa kabilang pasahero para ibigay ang order nito.
"Thanks, Miss," I heard him say, his baritone voice echoed. I felt Ceejay na pasimple akong kinukurot kaya hinarap ko siya.
"Ang gwapo talaga, sis," she whispered kaya peke na lang akong tumawa at ngumisi.
"'Di naman." Pinasadahan ko si Chance na natigilan sa pagbukas ng sandwich at inirapan.
"Miss, I want some soda, please," ani ng foreigner kaya tumango ako at kumuha ng soda.
"Sir, how about drinks po?" ani Ceejay kay Chance.
"Do you have some soda? Or what do you think would taste good?" ani Chance sa kanya at kaagad akong nilingon ni Ceejay.
"Daru, ano raw ba magandang drinks?" Humahagikhik pa siya roon kaya bumaling ako sa cart at may kinuha bago inabot kay Chance na nagtatakang kinuha iyon sa kamay ko.
"What's this?" he asked, confused and glanced at me.
"Tsaa, Sir." I smiled sweetly. "Tamang-tama po sa edad n'yo, at para tumibay ang buto-buto."
His mouth parted, parang mabubulunan naman si Ceejay doon at halos hampasin na ang bunganga ko pero ngumiti lang ako kay Chance na natulala lang sa akin.
"In our airlines, we prioritize our passenger's safety and comfortability. In our airlines, we believe in the saying—Yes to tsaa, no to rayuma." I said and raised my hand. "Amen!"
Nakita ko kung paano napalingon sa akin ang ibang pasahero, one elderly even raised his hand kaya ngumiti ako.
"Yes, Sir?"
"A-ah, isang tsaa nga rito at baka effective sa rayuma ko," aniya kaya mas lumaki ang ngiti ko at kumuha ng isang sachet.
"Coming right up, Sir!" I chirped, eyeing Chance then winked before walking away to give the tea to the elderly.
Nang matapos kaming mag-ikot ay parang sinisilihan ang mga kasama ko, Imee collected the trash after at nadaanan niya raw si Chance kaya kilig na kilig.
"Ito si Darshana, ang manhid. Ang gwapo-gwapo, 'di ma-appreciate!" Ceejay retorted kaya natawa lang ako at umiling.
"Type n'yo 'yon?" I asked. "Taste n'yo naman pang-Lolo."
"Ay weh? Bakit?" Imee asked. "Ilang taon na ba? Ang gwapo nga tapos hottie!"
"Sa tingin n'yo, ilan?" I asked and crossed my arms on my chest.
"Early thirties?" Ceejay asked. "Ang gwapo kaya, 'te! Tapos 'yong katawan competitive! Girl, baka wasak kapag—"
"Hoy!" my eyes widened, a memory of Chance's body while he's above me flashed and I had goosebumps. "G-grabe ka, ang tanda ng tao ganyan?"
"Anong matanda roon?" Imee asked me, nagtatalo na kaming tatlo doon sa gilid, halos bulungan na para 'di kami mahalata ng Senior F.A. na abala sa pag-iikot.
"The age!" I said. "Oo, gwapo at... macho, okay given the dimples. Pero matanda na, 'no!" I said, doing my best para ma-turn off sila kay Lolo.
"Bakit? Alam mo ba ilang taon? At saka parang kilala mo, ah?" Ceejay raised his brow. "'Yong tinginan iba, eh."
"I-I saw it in the passenger's info." Kunwari kong sabi at kumurap.
"At bakit mo i-che-check, aber? Hindi 'to maka-appreciate ng biyaya ng maykapal! Why searched it? Unless you liked him, too—"
"Luh, 'di ako marupok, ah?" I said, parang nabibilaukan pa roon.
"Weh?" They eyed me like I was some kind of alien kaya umirap ako at hinawi ang buhok ko.
"Gusto ko sa lalaki, 'yong may substance, girls." I pointed out.
"Kung substance ang hinahanap mo, nag-uumapaw ang substance ni pogi! Mukha pa lang, ano? At saka maraming gwapo on board pero kunting kibot lang ng labi at lilitaw ang dimples niya para akong dinadala sa hangin!" Ceejay clutched her chest. I frowned.
"He's maybe thirty-seven and thirty-eight, you know?" I told the girls, expecting them to be turned off pero bigla silang walang tunog na tumili at naghampasan.
"Daddy!" Imee giggled.
"Hottie daddy! Rawr!" Ceejay said quietly kaya umawang lang ang labi ko.
"Do you seriously like old guys?" I asked. "Huy, senior citizen na 'yon—"
"Gaga, sixty dapat bago mag-senior! Ang tagal pa no'n, ah? Wala ngang wrinkles o ano si pogi! Shit, akala ko nasa thirty-one or so pa lang! pero ang hot, ah?"
"Pangit ng taste n'yo." I frowned. "I don't like older guys, you know."
"Hindi, ikaw ang pangit ang taste, Daru. Older guys are matured! They can handle relationships well, kaysa kapag mas bata. Immature ang iba, 'no? I remembered my ex!" Imee frowned. "Pero anyway, p'wedeng-p'wede na si poging maging sugar daddy!"
"What?" My eyes widen exaggeratedly. "Sugar daddy? Are you serious?!"
"Oo! Sa tagalog, matamis na daddy!" Nag-apir pa sila sa kamiserablehan ko.
"Matamis na daddy?" I scoffed. "Mali! Maalat-alat na tatay 'yan!" pinaglaban ko pa pero tinawanan lang ako ng dalawa.
My senior cabin crew asked me to announced our departure after a few moments.
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. We have just landed to Puerto Prinsesa International Airport. Sandejas Air welcomes you to Palawan. On behalf of our Captain Jose Ramos and first officer Pilar and our cabin crew members, this is Darshana Sandejas and we thank you for choosing Sandejas Air. Soar high and smile. Enjoy your trip and see you again next time."
We assisted passengers to get their things out of the compartment. Nagsimula nang pumila ang mga tao sa exit kaya pumunta rin ako roon. Nadaanan ko pa si Chance na nakatingin sa akin pero hindi ko na pinansin at diretsong naglakad sa unahan.
"Thank you for flying with us." I smiled as we greeted our passengers.
Katabi ko sina Imee, Ceejay at Ma'am doon. I saw Chance approaching with one black travelling bag. Nakita ko kaagad ang pigil na ngiti no'ng dalawa. Si Ma'am ay sumusulyap-sulyap sa akin pero nakapirmi lang ang tingin ko at halatadong plastik na ang ngiti. Ni hindi bumuka ang bibig ko para pasalamatan siya.
"T-thank you for flying with us, Sir!" hindi magkandaugaga na sabi ni Imee at Ceejay pero ang tingin ni Chance ay nasa akin. I am wearing heels and all but the brute is taller than me!
His intense brown eyes went to me as he spoke.
"Thanks, Miss, but I think one of you wasn't happy."
Pasimple akong siniko ni Imee, walang takot na tinitigan ko pabalik si Chance at naghamon din.
"Daru..." Tikhim ng senior F.A. kaya halos magwala na ako, I saw Chance's smirk while staring at me.
"So...?" he asked and I calmed myself before speaking.
"Thank you for flying me, Sir." I said at narinig ko ang ubo ng mga katabi ko. I stopped when I realized something, unti-unti akong nag-angat ng tingin at nakita ang amusement sa mata ni gago.
"I-I mean..."
"Glad to fly you, Miss Sandejas." His lip twitched and winked. "Welcome."
Punyawa!
Halos sumigaw na ako at sabunutan ang mga kasama ko, tawang-tawa si Ma'am at grabe ang pang-aasar nila sa akin habang nagche-check kami ng mga gamit na naiwan sa mga seat.
"Hindi pala bet, kasi gusto pinapalipad..." Ma'am Sally smirked at halos hilahin ko na ang buhok ko.
"Ma'am, I was just confused—"
"Sus, grabe makapanglait 'yan kay pogi kanina, Ma'am! 'Yon pala gusto pinapalipad sa langit! F.A. pa more!" tawanan nila Ceejay kaya napatili na ako.
Ma'am Sally told us we could roam Puerto Prinsesa for at least three hours bago ang next flight namin pabalik sa Maynila. Isa lang ang flight ko kaya maaga akong makakauwi. Niyaya ako ng dalawa na mag-ikot pero kagaya noon ay hindi ako sumama.
I fly solo. I enjoyed myself so much when I'm alone. It let me appreciate everything, it lets me have quality time for myself.
Kinuha ko ang bag ko at lumabas ng airport. I smiled when I smelled the fresh province scent. I removed my hat and brushed my hair with my fingers.
"Magandang umaga," a soft whisper filled my ear and I screamed in shock, nahampas ko ang nasa likod ko at nanlaki ang mata nang makita kung sino iyon. My heart jumped.
"What the fuck, Salcedo?!" I hissed and he chuckled a bit and touched his arm.
"That hurts, baby doll." He smiled and licked his lower lip.
"The fuck are you doing here?" I asked, kunot ang noo ko.
"I'll just donate some artworks in a museum," aniya at inangat ang isang bag.
"Oh, okay," I said and turned my back, inayos ko ang shoulder bag ko bago walang pagdadalawang-isip na nilagpasan siya.
"Darshana..." he called. I heard him walking behind me.
I ignored my racing heart, trying to deny he's here.
"Daru, wait..." he said when he reached my elbow. Nilingon ko siya at kumunot ang noo ko.
"Yes?" I asked formally.
He licked his lower lip and swallowed painfully.
"Where are you going? Can I tag along—"
"No," I said, pulled my arm from him and walked but he was too quick to follow me. Inangat ko ang kamay ko para tumawag ng taxi.
"Magandang umaga, Daru. Sinong mas maganda, ako o umaga?" he asked when he stood beside me.
"Baliw ka ba?" Nilingon ko siya at natawa. "That's my line!"
"Well, you're always beautiful that the morning, doll." He smiled, his dimples deepening. "So, sinong mas maganda, ako o umaga?"
"Anong maganda?" I scoffed "Bumigay ka na ba, Lo? Hindi na ikaw si Chance, ikaw na Chanel?"
His mouth parted, tumaas ang sulok ng labi ko roon at napailing ako.
"I mean..." he brushed his hair. "Gwapong... umaga? Sinong mas gwapo, umaga o ako?"
I laughed when I saw his face blushing.
"Don't laugh at me." He tried looking serious. "Answer me, ako o ang umaga?"
May tumigil na taxi sa tapat ko kaya ngumiti ako at bumaling kay Chance.
"Umaga," I answered and got inside the taxi. Mabilis kong sinarado ang pinto at nagsalita. "Kuya, andar na."
The driver started the car at napatakip ako sa bibig nang marinig ang boses ni Chance sa labas.
"Dar...Darshana! Wait for me!" he exclaimed while running after the taxi kaya dali-dali kong binuksan ang bintana at dumungaw.
"Tama 'yang takbo, Lo! Exercise ng kasu-kasuan!" I screamed with my wide smile, waving at him.
Nagpababa ako sa pinakamalapit na souvenir at pasalubong center. I made a mental note kaninang umaga pa lang bago ang flight na bibili ng pasalubong para sa pamilya at mga bata.
Napangiti ako nang makita ang malalaking shops na p'wede kong ikutin mamaya, I was so tempted to look around the area pero nagutom ako kaya naghanap muna ako ng p'wedeng kainan.
"Darshana?" I stopped when I heard a voice, kaagad akong nag-angat ng tingin at napatitig sa matangkad na lalaki sa harapan ko.
He looks familiar, I have seen him somewhere! I am positive!
"Don't... you remember me?" he asked, smiling a bit at napakurap-kurap ako at napasinghap nang matanto ko kung sino siya.
"Brandon?!" I exclaimed happily.
It was our group crush way back in high school! Santisima!
"Ang gwapo pa rin!" I exclaimed.
He laughed and offered me his arm. Kaagad akong lumapit at nagyakap kaming dalawa.
"You're more beautiful now, Daru. Didn't know babagay sa'yo ang maikling buhok," komento niya bago kami naghiwalay na dalawa.
"Bagay ba?" I smiled and touched my shoulder-length hair. "I thought I could try another style."
"It suits you, Darsh." He mused. "Any hair would suit you."
"Aww, thanks, Brandon." I smiled at him. "Ang tagal na nating hindi nagkita, ah? Last time I saw you is our graduation in college?"
"Yeah, but I am seeing you almost everywhere, Darsh," aniya. "Magazines, billboards..."
"Anyway, Palawan? Vacation?" I asked. He nodded.
"We have a property around El Nido, we'll visit it pero baka bukas na. matagal kasi ang biyahe kaya nagpapahinga sina Mom."
"Oh, that's great! Ako galing lang sa trabaho, you know, F.A. thing? Nag-iikot lang ako para sa pasalubong—"
"Found you, baby." May brasong umakbay sa akin at halos tumigil ang paghinga ko nang maamoy ang pamilyar na pabango ni Salcedo.
Natigilan din si Brandon doon, sabay kaming napasulyap kay Chance na seryoso ang mga mata habang nakatingin sa lalaki.
His jaw is clenched, his eyes cold and possibly almost glaring at Brandon kaya napatikhim ako at mabilis na inalis ang pagkakaakbay niya sa akin.
I sighed, umayos ng tayo si Chance at halos magtagisan sila ng tingin ni Brandon kaya nagsalita na ako.
"Uh, Brandon this is Kuya Chance," I said and I felt him stiffen beside me.
"What the..."
"Kuya Chance," I said before glancing at him beside me, stopping my devilish smile to escape but it ended up escaping anyway. "This is Brandon."
Chance glared at me, I saw his jaw clenched more, looking like I did something wrong kaya ngumuso ako.
"What?" I asked softly.
"Nice meeting you, Kuya Chance," ani Brandon na inilapit ang kamay sa kanya at halos mapahagalpak ako ng tawa nang parang mapuputol na ang litid ni gago kakatitig ng masama sa akin.
Brandon is offering his hand to Chance for a handshake but the senior citizen didn't even move and just stared at him pointedly. Naiwan sa ere ang kamay ni Brandon at para 'di mapahiya ang kaibigan ko ay umiling ako sa kanya.
"Oh, Brandon. Ayaw ni Kuya ng shake hands," I said and almost jumped when I felt the familiar electricity running when I touched Chance's palm.
Napatingin sa akin si Chance pero ngumuso lang ako at inangat ang hawak kong kamay niya.
"Conservative kasi ito at traditional," I said. "Come on, Brandon, bless ka na lang kay Grandpa." Inilapit ko ang kamay ni Chance kay Brandon pero mabilis na hinuli ni Chance ang kamay ko at sinamaan ako ng tingin.
"Darshana!" he warned and that's when I burst out laughing, honestly sounding like an injured pigeon.
Pinagtitinginan na ako sa sobrang tawa ko pero hindi ko talaga mapigilan.
"S-sorry—" I said but then laughed again, napahawak pa ako sa tiyan ko, napadukwang pa sa lapag. I swear I am doing my best to stop embarrassing myself but I couldn't, remembering Chance's face when I asked Brandon na mag-bless na lang.
Nakita ko ang pagpigil ng tawa ni Brandon habang pinagmamasdan ako. He immediately caught on it and knew I was messing with Chance. Si Chance naman ay napapikit ng mariin at pinasadahan ng buhok ang daliri.
"I'm sorry about that," narinig kong sabi ni Chance pero sumulyap lang ako at tinuro siya.
"B-bless..." halos sinukin na ako kakatawa. "B-bless na kay L-lolo, kids." I laughed again.
Nasapo ni Chance ang noo, nakagat ko naman ang labi at napatili nang basta na lang akong pulutin ni Chance sa puwesto ko. My eyes widened when Chance carried me on his arms, sinalampak niya ako sa balikat niya na parang sako kaya nawala ang tawa ko.
"Where are you—"
"She's with me," seryosong turan ni Chance. "We'll just eat first at mukhang nalipasan ang alaga ko."
"What the hell, Salcedo—"
"And it's Chance. This silly little girl is being playful again. It's not that I'm older than you that much, I'm just thirty."
I scoffed.
"Weh?!" eksaherada kong sabi. "Patola ka, Lo—" naramdaman ko ang palo niya sa p'wet ko kaya nahulog ang panga ko.
"Salcedo—"
"Excuse us, please. My girlfriend's just hungry. Sorry for the trouble," ani Chance at naglakad na habang nasa balikat niya ako.
"Brandon—" I called nang lagpasan namin siya. He was looking at us, confused, I even saw him mouthed if I was okay o ano kaya nag-thumbs-up na ako kahit kahiya-hiya lang ang pinaggagawa ko.
I didn't fight with Chance, ayoko nang mag-cause ng commotion around the area kaya nakabusangot lang ako habang buhat niya ako. Ibinaba niya lang ako nang nasa tapat na kami ng isang fast food chain kaya umayos ako ng tayo at inirapan siya.
"What the hell was that?" iritang tanong ko.
"I carried you, baby." He said seriously. "I bet grandpas could never lift you like that, right?" he raised his brow at me kaya umirap ako at inayos ang buhok ko.
"Pangit mo," I snapped, tinalikuran siya at nagdadabog na pumasok sa loob ng kainan.
He is really annoying. Hindi lang annoying, pangit pa!
I found a seat in the balcony kaya roon ako naupo at mabilis din siyang naupo sa harapan ko.
It was an open area kaya amoy na amoy ang sariwang hangin at simoy ng probinsya. I closed my eyes to feel the win caressing my skin, sighing in relief but then, when I opened my eyes and met his. It was as if he was waiting for me to open and see him.
Breath caught in my lungs.
Clean cut hair really suits him, well, kahit hindi naman clean cut. He could rock any hairstyle because he would look so damn good in everything.
He's wearing black shirt and jeans, simple lang pero alam niya kung paano dadalhin ang sarili, probably the reason why a lot of people is attracted to him.
Sila lang, s'yempre ay hindi ako kasama roon. I've moved on.
"What do you like to eat?" he asked after a while kaya nagbaba ako ng tingin at nagsalita.
"Anything, ikaw na bahala." I shrugged but he remained looking at me, watching me closely, hesitating.
"I'll buy our foods, please don't..." he stopped. "Please, don't leave me here."
I didn't know why but hearing it from him made my stomach twist. I nodded and avoided his gaze, pretending to look at the scenery in front of me instead.
When he left ay at saka lang nawala ang tensyon sa balikat ko.
Why does fate always let me crossed paths with this man? Hindi lang ito ang unang beses. The first time is when he broke my young heart and the second time is doing it all over again after the chances I risked and gave away.
Every time he'll break me, I always tell myself to never give chances and love again but I keep on breaking it. The first and second times are enough, ang tanga ko na siguro kung pangatlong beses pa, ano?
It's true that it's easy to give chances but once it was missed and broken, it will be hard to give again.
Bumaba ang tingin ko sa bag nang tumunog ang phone ko. I saw a text from Zire, telling me if we could video chat for a while kaya dali-daling in-open ko ang data at nang tumawag sila ay kaagad kong sinagot.
Scira and Zire are in the other line when I answered it. I smiled and waved at the camera.
"Darsh! Wow! Where are you?" ani Zire sa akin.
"Palawan!" I exclaimed happily at natawa ako nang nanlaki ang mata ng dalawa sa akin.
"Are you serious?! Wow! Sana all!" Scira gasped. "The last time we went there was two years ago! I missed the beaches!"
"Oh, we'll definitely go back here." I smiled. "Pag-usapan natin kapag may sleepover sa ancestral ulit, I am sure Ate Crest and our other cousins would like this! Pati sina Papa!"
Saglit kaming nag-usap na tatlo, nagtatawanan pa habang pinapakita ni Zire ang binili niyang onesies para sa baby niya.
"How about this, girls?" She showed us a blue one. "Bagay kaya kay Aiden?" She asked, referring to her child's name.
"Yes." I nodded and Scira agreed, too. Abala kami sa pag-uusap na tatlo sa video call nang biglang lumitaw sa camera ang asawa ni Zire.
Wave is naked from the top, nakatakip lang ng tuwalya ang ibabang parte at magulo ang buhok na mukhang bagong ligo. He's looking at something at the side where Zire is kaya nahahagip siya.
Natigilan kami ni Scira, mukhang napansin iyon ni Zire kaya napalingon siya sa likuran at suminghap.
"Wavy! Bakit naka-borles ka?! Nakikita ka ng mga pinsan ko!" she exclaimed and Wave glanced at the camera, his mix brown and blue eyes widened.
"Fuck, sorry..." he said and immediately vanished.
Napatawa kami ni Scira. Zire blushed and I whistled.
"Nice one, Zire, hindi pa nga lumalabas si Aiden, mukhang may balak kaagad, ah?" I smirked at her.
"Hmp!" Zire pouted and touched her stomach. "Medyo mahirap na nga maka-score kasi malaki na ang tiyan ko!" she sighed and our mouths parted. "I remember earlier, nasa bathroom kami tapos—"
"Stop! Stop!" I exclaimed and Scira's eyes widened, napatili ito at napatakip sa tainga at umiling-iling ako. "That's TMI, Zirena!"
She frowned, shaking her head.
"Asus, pa-virgin ang mga pokpok!" She hissed at us, laughing hard kaya napapikit ako ng mariin, natatawa na rin.
"Hoy, excuse me pero inosente pa ako!" Scira hissed kaya inasar namin siyang dalawa ni Zire.
"Anyway, girls. Guess sinong nakita ko?" I smirked.
"Who?"
"Remember our group crush? High school?" I teased. Halos lumuwa ang mga mata nila.
"Brandon?!" Zire exclaimed. I nodded at natawa ako nang sabay silang napatili ni Scira. "Hoy, gwapo ba?! Masarap pa rin?!"
"Oo, gaga! Gwapo pa rin! Mas pa ngayon! Nandito sa Palawan, nakasalubong ko!" I shrieked.
"I haven't seen him since college!" Scira exclaimed. "Hindi ko na rin nakikita sa social media."
"Oh, I should probably try and search him on social media." Zire grinned. "Tignan natin kung mas gumwapo ba nang mahusgahan—"
"Sinong gwapo, Zirena Nievarez?" natahimik kaming lahat nang marinig ang boses ni Wave sa kabilang linya kay Zire.
Uh-oh...
"Huh? Wala—"
"Bye, Zire!" halos magkapanabay na sabi namin ni Scira at mabilis na umalis sa tawag, natatawa pa.
"Mas gwapo naman ako ro'n." May naglapag ng tray sa harapan ko at nakita ko si Chance na paupo sa harapan ko.
"Sino?" My forehead creased.
"That man, I am sure I looked better than him—"
"Alam mo, Salcedo, kung may hangin ka lang d'yan nililipad na ako," I said and rolled my eyes, taking the juice to sip on it.
"Nah, kahit wala namang hangin. Pinapalipad pa rin kita sa sarap. Oh, I remember bringing you to heaven." Nabulunan ako ng iniinom at napatakip ng bibig.
I glared at him but he just winked at me, lifting the tissue paper and dried the juice in the side of my lips.
Daldal nang daldal si Chance habang kumakain kami, kung hindi pangbabara ay iirapan ko lang siya, gano'n lang ang sagot ko.
However, I noticed something. Kapag nagdadaldal siya, I realized he sounded a lot like Cookie, tuloy-tuloy magsalita kahit minsan ay hindi na rin niya naiintindihan ang sinasabi.
"What did I say?" ani Chance pagkatapos makatanggap ng tawag at napatingin sa akin. Umiling ako.
"Aba, malay ko sa 'yo, baka kailangan mo na ng vitamins pang-memory at baka tumatanda na talaga tayo, Kuya," I retorted and smiled sarcastically when he glared at me.
Napakulit, natapos na ang lunch lahat-lahat but he's still following me around.
"Don't you have anything to do instead of following me around?" reklamo ko nang kahit namimili na ako ng pasalubong ay nakasunod pa rin siya.
"I will go to the museum later at six P.M. so, no. The only thing I can think of doing is following my baby doll around." He smiled and put some crackers inside my cart.
"I don't need crackers," I said and shook my head, taking it out of my cart.
Chineck ko ang listahan ko, I made sure to buy some native delicacies and sweets the province could offer.
Nakasunod lang sa akin si Chance, I let him take the cart dahil bida-bida naman kaya ginawa ko ng alalay.
"Cookie?" I stiffened. I was never that quick to turn my head to him.
"W-what?" I asked, my heart jumping.
"Cookies," he said and glanced at my list. "I'll go get cookies, ano bang gusto mo?"
Parang nabunot ang tinik sa puso ko.
Shit! I thought he knows something about Cookie!
"Daru?" he asked kaya napasinghap ako at kinagat ang labi. I took the cart from his grip and pushed it. "Darshana? What's the matter?"
"Just..." I sighed. "Leave me alone. Kaya kong mamiling mag-isa."
Nawala siya saglit, akala ko ay umalis na pero bumalik na may dalang cart na maraming laman. Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata.
"Love you, Darsh," he said so casually with a smile and my heart burst I hated it so much.
"Kwento mo sa turtle, gago." I rolled my eyes and left.
"Baby doll, wait!" he exclaimed like a fool and followed me around.
I got preoccupied while checking the sweets I could give my cousins and the kids. Nang nakapila na kami sa counter ay katabi ko si Chance na may dala ring cart ng mga pagkain.
"Here," ani Chance na inilabas pa ang wallet pero ngumiwi ako at tinulak sa kanya pabalik ang wallet niya.
"I have work, you know? I can pay for it."
"I know. Just let me, I just wanted to treat you—"
"And you treat mo for lunch earlier, remember?" I said. "Ako na rito."
He stared at me for a while and then sighed, nodding. "Alright, I'm sorry. Of course, my doll can pay."
Ngumiti na lang ako at tumango, habang inaantay ko ang mga binili ko habang nasa counter ay tahimik lang ako at nakatingin sa kahera.
"Excuse! Excuse!" Biglang may dumaan sa may likod ko na cart kaya suminghap ako, akala'y matatamaan pero mabilis na nahawakan ni Chance ang baywang ko at tinakpan ako.
"Careful!" he hissed at the man pero umalis lang iyong 'di man lang nagpapaumanhin.
I was so stunned, not because of it but because he was gripping me close to him now, my back on his chest. His manly scent evaded my senses again.
"Are you okay?" he asked worriedly.
"Y-yeah." Tikhim ko at marahang itinulak siya palayo. "Thank you."
"Ma'am, it's 2,578.50," the cashier informed kaya kinuha ko ang wallet ko sa loob ng bag at inilabas ang card. I gave it to her and remembered something kaya nagsalita ako.
"Are you accepting discounts?" I asked and she glanced at me and nodded.
"Yes, Ma'am. These are the cards na p'wede." She showed me the display in the counter at lumaki ang ngisi ko nang may makita roong hinahanap ko at mabilis na siniko si Chance na napasulyap sa akin.
"May silbi ka naman pa lang kasama, eh." I smiled at him. "Five percent discount kapag groceries and foods like this."
His forehead creased, mukhang hindi ako makuha.
"Huh?" he asked, "I'm sorry, I don't get—"
"Asus, Chance pabebe masyado!" Siniko ko siya at natawa. "Don't be shy. Labas mo na."
"Labas ang?"
"Ang senior citizen card mo, Lolo, para may discount." I smirked and I saw his mouth parted, nakita ko ang panlalaki ng mata ng cashier at halos durugin na ako ni Chance dahil sa hiya.
"Darshana Sandejas!" he called pero tatawa-tawang kinuha ko ang pinamili ko at ang card bago sumalisi palabas ng store para tumawa sa labas.
Of course, 'di ko naman siya nilayasan talaga. I am not the heartless, inantay ko siya sa labas ng store at paglabas niya pa lang ay nakabusangot na siya sa akin.
"Bless po, Lolo," I mocked and touched his hand pero mabilis siyang nakalayo at hinuli ang pisngi ko para kurutin kaya napadaing ako at pinalo ang kamay niya.
"Chance nga!" I hissed. He smirked at me and lifted his hand, nagulat ako nang marahang haplusin niya ang buhok ko.
Nakita ko kung paano siya nagtago ng ngiti at marahang inilagay ang buhok ko sa likod ng tainga. His eyes were on me, gentle and soft.
"Short hair suits you well too, kahit ano, you look beautiful," he said softly.
"Mag..." I sighed. "Magpapakalbo na ba ako sa sunod?" I asked worriedly.
It surprised him but he smiled and shook his head.
"No." I saw him checked something from his plastic bag. "Don't destroy things you love just because I like them."
He lifted a cute, shiny hair clip and placed it on my hair.
"May mga bagay na minahal mo na bago pa ako. Don't forget or hate them just because they remind me of you." He said softly. "Don't cut your hair short because I like it long. Just don't... don't destroy anything you love because of me, okay?"
Nang magsalubong muli ang tingin namin ay nakita ko ang sakit sa mga mata niya.
"Don't do it because I am not worth it."
Nagkatitigan kami. My head was screaming at me to retreat. That I should run away while I still could.
Hindi ko na alam ang sasabihin kaya mabilis akong umatras, suminghap at sumilip sa dala kong plastic bags.
"Cookie," I mumbled when I realized something. "Shit, I forgot the cookies."
Mabilis akong tumalikod, akmang babalik sa loob pero kaagad na nahawakan ni Chance ang siko ko at nahila ako pabalik.
"Don't worry about it, I bought the cookies for you." He showed me a separate plastic with the cookies pero umiling lang ako.
"N-no," I said. "Kaya kong bumili..."
"I know." Marahang nahila niya ako pabalik muli at pumunta sa harapan ko. "I know you can buy things and I respect it but I hope you'll accept this." Inilagay niya sa kamay ko ang plastic kaya napatitig ako roon.
"It wasn't a big thing, okay? They are just cookies. I didn't spend much. I don't know if you'll like what I chose so I bought every kind I saw inside. You can give it to someone if you don't like, just accept it."
It's not just cookies, Chance. It's the food your son has requested.
"I can just pay you," I said, marahang nag-aangat ng tingin sa kanya.
"No need, okay?" he insisted. "Just think of it as a gift. You can eat it or if you can't, I understand if you'll give it to someone. Just accept it and not throw it, ayos na sa akin."
Napalunok ako at marahang tumango, humigpit ang hawak ko sa plastic, humahapdi ang mata.
"Salamat, I won't throw this," I mumbled. "Is it okay if I share this to... s-someone?" Your son?
"It's okay, I understand." He smiled.
Hindi na ako nakatanggi nang tumawag si Chance ng taxi at nagpresentang ihatid ako sa airport. Thirty minutes from now ay may flight ulit ako.
Walang imik ako sa biyahe at nirespeto niya naman iyon, he isn't talking too but I am noticing him glancing my way from time to time, checking on me.
We reached the airport just in time, pagkababa ko ay sumunod pa siya sa akin kaya humigpit ang hawak ko sa plastic bags at nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya at tipid na ngumiti.
"Thank you for today,"
"Welcome," he said, staring back at me. I saw his soulful eyes gazed upon me like he's longing for me so much but I won't get fooled again. "P-perhaps, can we talk again—"
"I hope this would be the last time," I blurted and flashed a timid smile. "There won't be next time, Mr. Salcedo. This was just accidental and I wish it'd never happen again."
I saw the hurt in his eyes, licking his lip to try and negotiate his chances again.
"K-kahit saglit lang?" he asked. "Over a cup of coffee or dinner—"
"Sorry, I wish not to meet you again," I said and cleared my throat. I turned my back on him. "I'm leaving—"
"Lilah didn't know about us, about you not until she saw us together in the airport." He said, stopping me. "I-I didn't come back to you just so she could hurt you, Darshana."
Bumalik ang sikip sa 'king dibdib.
"Can you fucking stop?" I snapped at him.
"Daru—"
"Stop mentioning the bitch's name, Chance. That woman ruined my family! You two ruined my family!" Tumaas ang boses ko.
"I'm not really a part—"
"Go to hell," mariing sabi ko, tumalikod at hindi na pinakinggan ang mga sumunod niyang sinabi.
Hindi na ako nakasabay sa kulitan ng mga kasama ko sa flight pabalik ng Manila. I was preoccupied and hurt. Just by merely hearing the woman's name makes me livid.
Delilah Vicente was fired in our airlines by my father. Wala na akong balita sa kanya pagkatapos no'n pero may mga sugat na kahit gaano katagal na at ilang taon na ang nakalipas, hindi kaagad maghihilom.
Thinking that Cookie's father, Chance, the only man I loved would help her hurts me more. Pinagkatiwalaan ko siya at binigyan ng tiyansa pero sa huli'y nasayang lang.
Naiiyak ako na hindi ko maintindihan habang hawak ang mga pasalubong ko kay Cookie. I was now in the shuttle on the way to my condo but I was still feeling off.
My phone beeped, kaagad ko 'yong pinindot at binasa.
From: Chase Lejez
Hi, Darshana! May flight ka? You didn't text me back last night. Hope we could have dinner if you're free :)
I sighed, napailing ako at hindi na siya ni-reply-an.
I don't think relationship works for me. Not anymore.
Nakauwi ako ng bahay bandang alas-sais na ng hapon. Bagsak ang balikat ko at walang lakas habang naglalakad papunta sa unit ko.
Alex opened the door for me, kaagad niyang kinuha ang plastic na hawak ko pero kinuha ko mula roon ang nakahiwalay para kay Cookie.
"Si Cookie, Alex?" I asked.
"Nasa kwarto po, Ma'am. Nagkukulay po."
I thanked her and walked towards our room where Cookie is, pagbukas ko pa lang ng kwarto ay kaagad ko nang nakita ang paggulong ni Cookie sa kama nang makita ako.
"M-Mama!" he cheered happily, pilit pang tumayo sa kama pero natumba kaya napangiti na ako.
"Hi, Cookie ko..." I called and walked closer to him after closing the door.
Pag-upo ko pa lang ng kama ay ginapang na niya ako para yumakap kaya nangilid na ang luha ko.
"Cookie mish Mama!" he cheered and jumped on the bed.
"Aww, baby, Mama misses her handsome Cookie too," I breathed, nilapag ko ang plastic sa kama bago siya buhatin at ipatong sa hita ko. "So, so much!"
His blue eyes smiled when he did. Lumubog ang dimples niya at muli kong naalala ang nangyari sa amin ni Chance kanina ang pinipigil kong luha ay tuluyang nabuhos na.
"C-Cookie," I called sobbed, softly wrapping my little boy in my arms who stopped smiling when he saw me crying and hugged my nape.
"Why Ma cry?" he asked despite him stumbling with his words.
He was still so young, 'di pa maiintindihan ang lahat kaya suminghot ako at umiling, marahang hinahalikan ang pisngi niya.
"N-nothing..." I whispered. "Mama is crying because she misses her Cookie so much."
"M-Mama no yayay?" he asked, tinatanong kung may sakit or masakit sa akin kaya umiling-iling ako at inilayo si Cookie at iniupo sa hita ko.
"No, Cookie." I sniffed and smiled. "I-I'm happy because I have Cookie with me, kahit masakit minsan, may baby akong uuwian."
I saw how Cookie's eyes turned sadder, nagulat ako nang may tumulong luha sa mata niya, as if naiintindihan niya ako.
"O-oh, baby, why are you crying, hmm?" I hummed, biting my lip, drying Cole's cheek when his tears fell.
"Dunno...dunno..." he shook his head and sniffed. "Ouch here." He pointed his chest and I gasped and laughed a bit.
"Oh, sorry, baby..." I said, not sure if I was amused or sorry. "I'm so sorry for crying, nasasaktan din tuloy ang Cookie ko."
He blinked cutely, his blue eyes shined and his cheeks reddened while staring at me.
"No away, Mama...No away!" He shook his head, sinasabing wala raw aaway sa akin.
"O-of course, no one could hurt Mama as long as my Cole is here, right?" I touched his cheek and moved him closer to me.
"Pwotect Mama at allll cosh!" he exclaimed, itinataas pa ang kamay sa ere kaya mas napaluha ako at tumango.
"Y-yes, Cole would protect Mama at all cost." I smiled and dried my tears. "A-and of course, Mama Daru would protect baby Cole at all cost too."
Cookie stood while I am assisting him and embraced me again, napapikit ako at niyakap siya pabalik.
"Wavyu, Mama..."
"I love you too, Cookie ko," I answered back. Marahang iniupo ko siya sa hita ko at pinunasan ang luha ko. "I have something for you, baby."
He stared at me, his eyes glassy. I dried his tears.
"It's a gift for you." I took the plastic bag and gave it to him. Mabilis niya iyong sinilip at nakita kong nanlaki ang mata niya.
"Cookies!" he cheered happily.
"Yes, baby. Cookies but that isn't from Mama Daru. It's a gift to Cookie from Papa," I said.
Natigilan si Cole, he glanced at me again, confused.
"Papa Macky?" he asked in a small voice. I shook my head.
"No, baby. Not from Papa Macky." I said. "I-I don't know if you'll understand me now but in time, I know you will. The cookie isn't from Papa Macky."
"No?"
"No, Cookie. It's from your Papa. Your r-real Papa," my voice trembled saying those words and I noticed the way his eyes widen, as if he understood me.
"Papa?" he asked and I slowly nodded.
"Y-yes, Cole. Your real Papa," lambing ko at nakita ko unti-unting pag-awang ng labi niya. Muling nahulog ang mga luha ko, masikip ang dibdib at masaya.
"P-papa give cookies for Cookie?" he asked, pautal-utal pa kaya tumango ako at nakita ko na nagliwanag ang mata niya at halos tumalon-talon na.
"Wow! Cookies from Papa!" he cheered and hugged the plastic so tight like he missed it so much. "C-Cookie happy!"
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