Kabanata 3
Kabanata 3
Kisses was never special to me. I had experienced this tons of times with boys, suitors, boyfriends but this particular kiss is something I did not expect. It felt like the ground beneath me melted away and the time stops for a moment.
It was just a kiss but my mind was frozen in it, focused. Like I could never think of anything else but the image of his black eyes staring at me and our lips pressed together.
Marahan siyang lumayo, nakatitig pa rin sa mga mata ko. My heart jumped while staring back at him with my parting lips at unti-unti, ang ingay ay nagbalik sa pandinig ko.
The crowd is loud that my head felt like exploding. Flashes from the camera almost blinded me, making me closed my eyes.
Hindi na ako nakagalaw sa siksikan ng tao. I was frozen in my place, panicking and stunned ngunit sa bilis ng galaw ni Sol ay napasubsob ako sa kanyang dibdib sa biglaang hapit niya at tago sa akin mula sa camera.
"H'wag ninyo siyang kuhaan." Istriktong at baritone niyang turan pero mas nag-ingay lang ang mga tao na ginagawang tanghalian ang buhay ko.
"Ikaw ba ang boyfriend ni Miss Sibyl? Totoo ba ang rumor na naging kayo habang sila ni James—"
"Ano?" Sol asked coldly, "anong pinagsasabi ninyo?"
"Kaya raw may iba si James kasi nauna si Sibyl?" tanong nila. "Malandi raw talaga 'yan, eh. Anong masasabi mo?
"Ano?" mas dumiin ang boses niya, "gago ka ba—" I suddenly gripped his shirt, stopping him.
Nakahawak siya sa baywang ko roon kaya nang nag-angat ako ng tingin ay siya ring pagbaba niya ng kanyang malalim na tingin sa akin.
"Don't," bulong ko at umiling.
"Ano?" mas lumalim ang gatla sa noo niya. "Sib, sinisiraan ka nila—"
"You don't have to save me," bulong ko at ipinikit ang mata para kalmahin ang sarili.
You don't have to panic with people around, Sibyl. You should get used to it! You should. You should.
Mas gumulo sila, naghalo-halo ang boses sa ulo ko.
"Sibyl—" I caught how startled he is when I reached for his hand and gripped it. Kumunot ang noo niya at mula sa kamay niyang hinawakan ko ay ipinaling niya ang ulo sa akin.
"Let's run away," I whispered and his eyes flickered.
Tumikhim siya at umayos ng tayo, tumingin pa sa paligid. I was thinking he'd say no to me but just as my hopes started crumbling, he held my hand tightly, intertwined our fingers together and pulled me away.
Hinawi niya ang mga taong nagsusumiksik. While he's doing that, he is looking out for me. If I'd be hurt at pilit na prinotektahan sa mga tao sa paligid hanggang sa medyo mabawasan sila habang naglalakad.
He then looked at me and slowly, he smiled.
"Run." Isang salita lang 'yon pero mabilis akong tumango, humawak ng mahigpit sa kamay niya at sabay kaming mabilis na tumakbo papaalis.
People got on our way but it doesn't scare me. Sol's grip on my hand made me calm that I didn't panic while they're trying to chase us. Kung saan-saan pa kami nagtagong dalawa, nakikihalo sa mga namamasyal na tao at dumagdag na rin na may mga security na pumigil sa mga humahabol sa amin.
"Wala na? Wala na ba?" I asked Sol while running out of breath. Nandito kami ngayon malapit sa likod ng bench sa gitna ng mall at nagtatago sa mga sumusunod.
He's huffing a breath too when he rose a bit and tried to take a peak bago biglang tumungo.
"Nandito pa!" he told me in a panicking yet quiet voice kaya suminghap ako at tinakpan ang bibig.
Nakadukwang pa rin kami roon at magkapantay, tagong-tago para 'di makita.
"'Yong gamit ni Zire?" mahinang tanong ko.
"Nandito." Inangat niya ang isang kamay at suminghap ako nang makitang hawak nga niya.
"Good," I nodded. "Maiwan ka na h'wag lang 'yong gamit niya." Sagot ko at nang sumimangot siya ay tumawa na ako.
"Aray ko, ha? Sibyl? Pagkatapos kitang iligtas?" he asked dramatically and I smirked more. "Saan ang hustisya?"
Medyo gumulo ang buhok niya dahil sa pagtakbo. Ang iilang tikwas nito'y nasa kanyang noon a kaagad kong tinitigan.
"Walang hustisya, lalo na kapag nagwala si Zirena mamaya kung wala ang gamit niya." Bulong ko pabalik sabay ngiti at angat ng kamay para hawiin ang tikwas ng buhok sa kanyang noo.
He froze, marahang sinuklay naman ng daliri ko ang buhok niya para muling umayos.
I stopped midway while doing it. When I glanced at him, he was stunned. His cheeks are blushing with his lips slightly parting.
"Tumawa ka..." he commented.
My smile vanished, mabilis kong tinanggal ang kamay bago nag-iwas ng tingin. Itinatago ang mukhang nag-init sa ginawa at binalingan ang plastic na hawak niya.
"A-ano pa bang kulang sa gamit ni Zire?" bulong-bulong ko sa sarili habang nagpapanggap na nagbibilang ng gamit doon sa loob.
I heard a soft chuckle. Mula sa plastic ay inangat ko ang tingin sa kanya at nakitang naaaliw ang mukha niya.
"Tinatawa-tawa mo?" I asked sharply but instead of getting scared, the side of his lips just rose and shook his head.
"Wala lang," he answered kaya mas lumalim ang gatla sa aking noo.
"Wala lang?" I asked, "why are laughing? Are you making fun of me?"
"Hindi, ah!" nanlaki ang mata niya at mas napatawa pero nakasimangot lang ako. "Hindi kita pinagtatawanan." Muli siyang ngumiti.
"Uh-huh? Then, why are you smiling like an idiot?" I hissed but I noticed him still staring at my face. "Oh! Don't tell me...may dumi sa mukha ko?!" I horribly touched my face.
"Hmm?" he blinked, "ah, oo. Mayro'n." While staring at me, he slowly nodded. An amused look is etched on his face while reaching for my cheek.
"Has anyone seen it?!" I asked horribly and his finger from my cheek went down my jaw before smiling a little.
"Hindi naman siguro." He shook his head.
"Siguro?" I gasped, "what if someone has taken a picture of it? Then, spread it on social media and—"
"Maganda pa rin," he murmured. "Kahit anong sabihin nila, maganda ka pa rin."
"But—"
"Bakit may but?" he asked, "bakit ka naman makikinig sa opinyon ng iba tungkol sa sarili mo? Katawan mo 'yan, mukha mo 'yan. Sila dapat ang walang masabi dahil hindi sila ikaw."
I blinked, feeling the light flutter inside my chest.
"R-really?"
"Oo..." aniya, "alam mo ba ang sabi nila? Kapag binato ka ng paso, batuhin mo ng bulaklak. Tapos isama mo 'yong paso para may impact."
Napatawa ako roon, "baliw." Bulong ko.
"At least, napangiti kita." Ngisi niya kaya ngumuso ako at mabilis na nag-iwas, sumisilip sa may upuan kung may tao pa ba at nang matantong wala na ay mabilis na tumayo at inabot sa kanya ang plastic.
"Oh, hold these. They're gone. Let's go." Seryoso kong sabi at hinawi ang buhok na tumikwas, muling sinuot ang shades at taas-noong naglakad papalabas habang nakasunod siya.
We're doing our best to get unnoticed pero mahirap talaga kapag maganda ka at agawin ng atensyon.
"Ayon sila!" just one point at our direction ay nagkatinginan lang kami ni Sol. Hindi na napapansing magkahawak na ang kamay at sa kabila ng heels ay tila lumipad ako para maglaho.
Luckily, we got into our car before the people do. Pagkapasok na pagpasok kasi namin ni Solomon ay humabol pa sila sa sasakyan pero mabuti na lang at mabilis ang isang 'to kaya hindi na nila kami naabutan.
"Muntik na!" I gasped dramatically, gasping. Kinuha ko ang compact powder sa bag ko at kaagad na tinignan ang mukha sa salamin.
Gosh, nabawasan ang ganda ko ng two percent sa takbuhang iyon!
I sighed. I pressed the powder on my cheek to freshen up and even put on a light lipstick.
"Anong kulay ng lipstick mo, Sib?" Solomon asked kaya mula sa pag-apply ng lipstick ay nilingon ko siya.
"It's Rich Rosewood," I said and he blinked before looking back on the road.
"Ano?"
"Rich Rosewood," I said calmly again and looked at my face in the mirror.
"Ah, red." Tango-tango niya kaya mabilis akong napalingon.
"What? This isn't just red. It's Rick Rosewood shade." I explained.
"Oo nga, Rich whatever. Pero Red pa rin 'yan, pinahaba lang—"
"I said this is Rich Rosewood, Alejo." I explained, quite irritated now. "This is not just red. Red has shades too, don't you know? And this one is—"
"Basta red." Pilyong ngisi niya, glancing at me sideways kaya nagsalubong na ang kilay ko.
"This is not just red, Solomon. Red has shades, we have power red, cherry red, preppy red, flamenco—"
"Basta lahat may red, oo, gets ko na." ngisi niya ulit kaya iritadong suminghap na ako at ibinaba ang lipstick ko.
"You boys don't know a thing about girls, ano?" I asked bluntly.
"Ano?" tumawa siya, "s'yempre mayro'n, atsaka red lang naman 'yan—"
"This isn't red, Solomon. This is called Rich Rosewood and this is different from the other shades—"
"Pero red pa rin 'yan, pinaarte lang." Aniya nang nilingon ko.
"You are darn insensitive!" I hissed, stopping him. Kahit nagmamaneho ay nilingon na niya ako.
"Ano?" tumawa siya, "kahit sino pa ang tanungin mo, parehas lang—"
"Stop the fucking car." I said coldly. His eyes widened.
"Para lang sa red?" nagulat pa siya, "Sige na, Rich whatever na 'yan. Sib—"
"I said stop the car! Itigil mo!" I exclaimed loudly and he sighed and nodded.
Iginalaw niya ang manibela at iginilid sa daan kaya kinalas ko ang seatbelts ko at umayos ng upo. Kinuha ko ang iilang shades ng lipstick sa bag ko at inilagay sa may pulsuhan at kaagad na nakita ang pagkakaiba-iba.
He sighed and glanced at me, "Sibyl, oo na—"
"Look at me." I said and shifted my body towards him, catching his confused and widening eyes. "Look at my lips."
"Ha?!" he exclaimed kaya napaatras ako.
"You screaming at me?!" I exclaimed back at mabilis siyang umiling, nanlalaki ang mata at napahawak sa batok niya.
"Hindi, hindi!" iling niya, kinukumpas pa ang kamay. "Nagulat lang ako kasi..." sumulyap siya sa labi ko at napalunok pero biglang bumaling sa pulsuhan ko. "A-ano bang gusto mong sabihin?"
"Here, look." I said and extended my hand, showing him the shades. "These are the shades I am talking about. This is the power red, preppy and flamenco. Take a good look and see how it differentiates from each other."
"P'wede ko bang..." turo niya sa kamay ko kaya inilapit ko na at ipinakita sa kanya. I watched him check my wrist and see the colors.
"Ah...okay, gets ko na. Gano'n pala 'yon?" he murmured while looking at my wrist kaya kinuha ko na ang kamay ko.
"Now, look at my lips." I said and gulping, he looked at mine kaya inginuso ko ang labi at inilapit sa kanya.
"Remember the colors? This one's a dark one." I pointed my lips.
"Ah..." tango-tango niya at inilapit ang mukha sa akin para tignan ang labi ko, "hindi ba parang kakulay lang no'ng power red—" I glared at him.
"Ay, oo nga magkaiba." Hirit niya sabay tawa, "medyo nabulag ako ro'n, ha?"
Hindi ako umimik at mas inilapit ang mukha.
"Look at it kasi. If you have nice eyes you'll spot the difference." I said in a slowest way I could so he could get what I am trying to say, "this one is my most favorite shade."
He reached for my chin to look at my lipstick. I pouted my plumped lips more so he could see it more and he moved a little towards me, still looking at my lips.
"Mas maganda 'to, paborito ko na ring shades kaysa sa iba." Tango-tango niya, hinahaplos ang chin ko. "Ito ba 'yong suot mo kanina?"
"Hmm..." I hummed, nawawala na ang focus dahil nakatulala ako sa kanyang mukhang malapit na rin sa akin.
This man's aura way too different than James. He isn't flashy, just wearing a simple jeans and shirt but he has charisma with people around. He's manly but not to the point it could become a brusque.
"Mas gusto ko ang kulay nito," bulong niya habang nakatitig.
My throat dried up but I was curious kaya kahit gusto ko nang lumayo at nababahala na sa nararamdamang lindol sa dibdib ay nagsalita akong muli.
"Bakit maganda?" tanong ko.
"Kasi suot mo," sagot niya at saktong nagsalubong ang mata namin.
My heart pounded loudly, nakuyom ko ang kamay at napalunok ng marahas, napapasulyap sa kanyang labi at hindi ko alam kung bakit kami nag-uusap na ganito na parang walang nangyayari kanina.
"Atsaka...sigurado akong matamis." Bulong pa niya.
"Huh?" I blinked and looked at him. "How can you say that?"
"Kasi natikman ko? Kanina?" aniya at tumitig din sa akin kaya suminghap ako at nasampal siya.
Napalakas ata ang ginawa ko kaya tumama ang mukha niya sa salaming bintana na nag-ani ng kalabog at napamura ako.
"O-oh, shit! I am so sorry!" I exclaimed loudly, "I-I didn't..." my cheeks heated up.
He looked at me with teary eyes. Sapo-sapo ang pisngi ng palad at bahagyang nakanganga.
"S-Sol...OMG." I gasped, "n-nagulat lang ako!"
He just looked at me with his still teary eyes.
"M-may ulo pa ba ako?" he asked kaya tumango-tango ako.
"O-oo! Mayro'n pa! Mayro'n!" singhap ko at kinagat ang labi, "sorry! Nagulat lang ako k-kasi ikaw..."
He just blinked and made a face. It was adorable but he was about to cry kaya umayos ako ng upo.
"Sorry, w-what can I do? I don't hurt people, I swear!" napaisip ako bigla, "I mean physically but I'm sorry! I was just shocked. Please, don't cry. My Dad won't like it if I make someone cry like this! What can I do, h-hmm? I'd do anything—"
"Ngiti ka muna." He said kaya natigilan ako.
"Iba na lang!"
"Gusto ko ngiti," he whined and sat straight up, fixing his posture. He even crossed his arms on his chest to while looking at me. "Walang ngiti, walang patawad—"
"Then kill me first before you can make me smile!" I exclaimed back.
"Luh? Bakit ka nagagalit, ikaw na nga sumampal sa akin." He said, "'di kita papatawarin kung 'di ka ngingiti—"
"There's no way I'm gonna smile at you. Ano, sabunutan na lang?!" I exclaimed. Namilog ang mata niya.
"Hinahamon mo ba 'ko?" he asked, 'di ko makuha kung natutuwa o nang-aasar.
"What? Why? Ayaw mo? Are you chickening out now, Mister Alejo?" I mocked. His eyes sharpened, mas lumitaw ang pilyong ngiti. "Don't tell me, ayaw mo na? What? Are you giving justice to your name now? Solomon, oldie? Do you need some crane to walk—"
"Talaga ba, Miss Sweet Lips?" he teased.
"What the hell did you call me?!" mas tumaas ang boses ko.
"Miss Sweet Lips," he smirked more and licked his lower lip. "Kung tatanungin mo kung bakit, simple lang ang sagot diyan. Kasi matamis ang labi mong kulay Rich—"
"I fucking hate you, you idiot Solomon!" I screamed with my blushing cheeks and grasped his hair and pulled it.
Narinig ko ang sigaw niya. Tumatawa siya sa ginawa ko pero napapamura sa sakit sa hila ko.
"You idiot! I thought you're something else but you're a weirdo—"
"Weirdo ka rin, Miss Sweet Lips," hagalpak niya, "akala ko masungit ka pero Miss Smiley Face ka pala minsan—"
I screamed. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko para pigilan sa pagsabunot sa kanya pero wala siyang magawa kaya umalog na ang kotse at nagkagulo kaming dalawa sa loob. I even knelt on the side of my seat so I could win against him at napapahawak na siya sa baywang ko.
I was pulling his hair and he's stopping me. I am screaming while he's laughing but he would end up screaming too.
A knock stopped us both. Habang hawak ko ang buhok niya ay napatingin ako sa bintana at nagulat nang makitang may isang pulis na sumusubok na sumilip sa tinted na sasakyan namin.
He knocked again on the window.
"Excuse me." He said strictly at iginalaw ang kamay, motioning us to open the window kaya mabilis kong natulak ang ulo ni Solomon.
Napalakas ata kaya tumama siya ulit sa bintana at sinimangutan niya ako. I stuck my tongue out and rolled my eyes, umupo ng maayos at inayos ang damit.
Sol is busy fixing his hair when he lowered the car's window and I saw a tall gray-eyed officer outside looking at us with his cold, straight face.
"Good day, Ma'am, Sir." He said formally. Still looking at Sol who's busy fixing his hair and I'm busy trying to straighten my clothes.
He eyed us suspiciously kaya napaayos ako ng upo at supladang tumingin sa kanya.
"Yes?" malamig kong tanong.
"Police Officer Dmitrov," he said and showed us his badge, "sorry for the disturbance. Just wanted to inform you you've been parking illegally for fifteen minutes now."
Nagkatinginan kami ni Sol.
"But there are no signs—" the police officer pointed at somewhere kaya napatingin ako roon at nakita ang signage.
No parking.
Oh, shit.
I sighed, nakita kong nakikipag-usap na si Sol sa pulis samantalang ako'y nag-iisip ng paraan para makalusot. Should I just start the car and leave this officer or...
"Baka p'wede naman nating pag-usapan 'to, Sir?" I asked formally to the officer, scared I might be having records which is bad for my career.
"Yes, Ma'am. Bibigyan na lang po ng ticket—"
"No!" I exclaimed. His forehead creased. "I-I mean, sikat ako!" tinuro ko ang sarili, "I can't have records of illegal parking!"
Napatitig sa akin ang pulis at nagkibit-balikat, "people won't know about this, Ma'am. This is a private matter—"
"B-but the police would know, right?" I asked and when he nodded, my heart pounded. "No! P-paano kapag may fan akong pulis tapos nalamang may violation ako? This would mess my career!"
"Sibyl," Sol called kaya nilingon ko siya. "Hindi ka naman—" tinampal ko ang bibig niya.
"Manihimik ka, Solomon." I hissed while his eyes are just wide kaya bumaling ako sa officer na malamig na nakatingin lang, mukhang bagot na.
"Can I do something? Para wala nang ticket? How about an autograph?" I offered, "or a picture of me! I am a rising star. You know Alyx? She's my mother. I-I have a cousin, she's a social media star! You know Crest? I mean, The Crest? I can set you up—"
"I am not interested, Ma'am." He said, straight-faced. "But I can assure you this is a private info, it won't spread."
"B-but..."
"Zeijan Sandejas na lang ilagay mo sa ticket, Sir." Nakawala na si Sol nang mahuli niya ang kamay ko kaya natigil na ako.
"Zeijan?" suddenly, the officer stopped and glanced at him.
"Ah, oo. Siya kasi ang may-ari, pinagmaneho ko lang itong anak niya." Sol explained, kaya napabaling sa akin ang pulis.
"Yes, I am Zeijan's daughter!" I exclaimed, couldn't even remember the time I was so proud and enthusiastic upon announcing this. "You know my father? He's—"
"Okay, Sir." He said seriously and glanced back at Sol, "hope it won't be a bother if you stepped outside and answer some questions."
"Sure," Sol nodded coolly, as if he wasn't nervous or what.
He just used Dad's name for the ticket! He'll be ballistic!
Irritated and bored. 'Yan ang pakiramdam ko habang nag-uusap si Sol and that snob police officer outside the car about the ticket whatever. Sa sobrang daming kadramahan sa mundo ay nag-crave tuloy ako ng drinks with coffee something kaya pagkapasok na pagkapasok pa lang ni Sol ay sumimangot na ako.
"Drive, get me some coffee or something." Utos ko kaya nilingon niya ako at tawa.
"Sige po, Senyorita Sweet Lips." He smirked.
"Oh, fuck you, Solomon." Bulong-bulong ko sa hangin, ipinikit na ang mata at bored na sumandal nang tumawa siya.
Dinaanan namin ang drive through ng isang coffee shop kaya nagtubig na ang bagang ko habang nasa pila. When it's our turn, I wore my shades to cover my eyes.
"Oh, bakit ka nag-shades? Madilim na?" he asked.
"I'm famous, Solomon." I answered coldly, "I'm not ready to smile at the camera right now. Not when I'm craving for some coffee."
Napapantastikuhan niya akong tinitigan kaya inangat ko ang shades at tinaasan siya ng kilay.
"Wala na akong sinabi..." he murmured and smiled at me, "tar ana at painumin ng kape ang dragon bago bumuga ng apoy." He whistled at pagod na akong magsalita kaya 'di ko na pinansin.
Binuksan ni Sol ang bintana kaya binati siya kaagad ng nasa counter.
"Hello, Sir! Good day! What is your order?" nakangiting bati sa kanya nito.
"Good day din, sandali." He greeted back with a smile and I almost rolled my eyes when the lady's eyes brightened while looking at him.
Tss, what's so good with this man, anyway?
"Sib, order mo raw." Ani Sol kaya bumaling ako sa babae at tinakpan ang bibig ko.
"I want some S'more Frappuccino, please." I said, "add extra marshmallow whip cream at the button and top. Three sprays of vanilla and more chocolate drizzle."
"'Yon lang po, Ma'am?"
"Yep, and oh, please add more coffee. I want it kinda bitter." I told her and when she nodded, kinuha ko ang card ko at inabot sa kanya.
"Si Sir po?" baling niya kay Sol na nakatulala sa akin.
"What's your order?" I asked him, "my treat. What do you like?"
"Uh..." napaisip siya, "kape na lang din."
"What kind of coffee?" I asked, "Espresso? Latte, Machiatto or Americano?"
"Wala bang British?" he asked, stopping me.
"Huh?"
"Kasi 'di ba, may Americano—" I glared at him. He coughed and cleared his throat, looking at the woman.
"'Yong 3-in-1 na lang, Miss." Aniya sabay ngiting pa-cute sa babae.
"Ay, Sir. Joker ka pala. Hihi!" she laughed a little, "pero wala pong 3-in-1. Number ko, mayro'n."
Oh...God?
"One Americano for my boyfriend, please." I decided to announced that coldly.
Nanlaki ang mata ng babae at napanganga sa akin si Solomon.
"H-hala, Ma'am, sorry! Joke lang—"
"No sugar for him. Not even a pinch. He wanted it dark and...wild." I smiled coldly at her.
"S-sige po...sige." Tango niya at nakatulala lang sa akin si Sol kaya dali-dali akong nag-iwas.
"Doon na lang po sa receiving area," she said and even if we moved from the ordering to the receiving area, my heart is thumping too hard in shock for my words.
The hell did I just say?
"Here are your order, Sir, Ma'am! Thank you for coming! Drive safely!" turan ng lalaki roon at narinig ko pa ang pasalamat ni Sol nang kunin iyon bago pasibatin ang sasakyan.
"Sib," he said and extended the plastic to me at hindi tumitinging kinuha ko ang akin bago inilagay sa may lagayan sa harap niya ang kanya.
I immediately put on the straw and shake the container, sipping on it and when the bitter taste filled every corner of my mouth, I calmed down.
"Y-you can stop the car so you could drink some," I told him after a few moments of silence kaya ipinarada niya ang sasakyan. This time, sa may parking na.
I looked at him sideways and caught him smelling his coffee and nodded.
"Bango, ah? Amoy masarap." Aniya at nang tumikhim siya ay tahimik ko lang siyang pinagmasdan sa ilalim ng shades ko.
"Salamat sa kape," aniya sabay tingin sa akin. "First time kong makakatikim ng mamahaling gano'n. Ang mahal pala 'no? kahit maliit lang? Kaya no'ng tinanong mo 'ko anong klaseng kape hindi ko alam kasi 3-in-1 lang ang madalas kong tikman." Natawa siya.
"Alam mo ba muntik ko nang masabi kanina, Nescafe o kaya Kopiko Blanca?"
"What's that?" maliit kong tanong at inangat ang shades para pagmasdan siya, "is it coffee too?"
"Oo, 3-in-1." Tumawa siya, "'di mo ba 'yon alam? Mura lang 'yon. Timpla mo sa mainit na tubig. Limang piso lang, isang baso na."
"Really?" my eyes widened, "is it masarap?"
"Oo, masarap." Ngisi niya, "'di mo ba 'yon alam? 'Yong sa TV? 'Yong commercial no'ng pulis na immortal? Sabay sabi ng Yummy!" He made a sound at nanatiling nakatulala lang ako sa kanya.
"Hindi? Ay waley. Kulang ang buhay mo kung 'di mo alam 'yon!"
"I don't watch T.V.," I told him and sipped on my drink more, "I'm more of a Netflix person."
"Wow, Netflix! Pirata lang kami, eh. 'Di afford." Tumawa siya, ang kislap sa mata'y muling nakikita kahit dim ang ilaw kaya napatitig ako roon. "Kami ni Nanay, Lola ko, nakikinuod lang sa kapitbahay ng balita."
I didn't know why but suddenly, I became interested of someone else's life. Sumandal ako sa may bintana at pinagmasdan siya.
"Bakit? Wala ba kayong T.V.? I heard you are working at our farm in Sta. Monica. As far as I am concern maayos ang pasweldo kaya bakit?"
"Hindi naman kasi mahalaga 'yon," sagot niya sabay ngiti at simsim ng kape kaya nangunot na ang noo ko.
"What? Of course, television is important! What are you doing in your spare time? Ako phone, ballet practice, dance, Netflix or movie marathons. Sometimes I listen to music or visit other countries tapos nabo-bored ako minsan pa ro'n, paano ka pa?"
"Hmm, nag-aasikaso sa farm ninyo 'tsaka sa poultry." Aniya, "'yon ang libangan ko." Tumawa siya.
"That was boring," I murmured, "'yon lang? No social media or anything?"
"Boring? 'Di kaya!" he smirked, "may mga bagay na mapaglilibangan pa sa probinsya na mas marami kaysa sa inaakala mo. Papaligo ng kabayo, ligo sa Kawasan, habol ng mga baboy. Perya. Isa pa, oo, malaki ang pa-sweldo ng mga Sandejas pero kasi, priority muna bago ang luho. May maintenance si Lola, tapos sa aral pa—"
"Who's studying? Your sibling?" I asked.
"Hindi, ako." Aniya kaya natigil ang pagkagat ko sa straw ng inumin at titig sa kanya.
"What? You're still studying?!" I gasped in shock.
"Oo, bakit? Kakagulat ba?" tumawa siya sa reaksyon ko at napakurap-kurap ako.
"Why? I mean, okay, I have nothing to say because you're still studying, huh? I was just curious." I explained.
"Bata pa kasi ako no'ng namatay sa aksidente ang mga magulang ko." He explained, "ako naiwan atsaka si Lola, tapos 'yong kapatid kong si Fritzy, bata pa 'yon. Ako ang tumayong Tatay na rin niya at sakitin kaya 'yong pang-aral ko sa kanya na lang. Kasi 'di ba? Kahit ilang taon ka na, p'wede ka pang mag-aral? Pero ang buhay ng tao—ng kapatid ko—hindi mo masasabi kaya siya muna bago ako."
I couldn't say anything, tahimik lang akong nakikinig at napapaisip sa mga sinabi niya.
"What's your course? Pang-anong year mo na?" I asked.
"Agri," aniya, "fourth year na sa sunod na pasukan. Hirap kasing umasa sa scholarship sa kolehiyo kaya laking tulong no'ng sweldo ko sa farm ninyo para sa pag-aaral atsaka kina Lola at Fritz."
"Hmm..." I nodded and sipped on my drink, "wala kang ibang pinagkakaabalahan? Friends? Uhm...girlfriends?" I looked at him curiously.
"Sa totoo lang wala akong girlfriend kanina," sagot niya kaya napaupo na ako ng maayos at mas naging interesado.
"Huh? Kanina?" I asked, "bakit?"
"Kanina wala pero no'ng bumili ng kape nagkaroon," he said, lifting the coffee and stared at me intently with his sensual yet playful black eyes kaya namilog ang mata ko, "grabe palang sosyal na kape sa Maynila. 'Di lang instant coffee—instant girlfriend pa."
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