#CollisionKab2
Pagpasok ko sa room, nakaupo na halos ang lahat. May mga lalaki pang nasa corridor at nag-uusap about their frat or about girls. Lagi namang ganon. Kahit nasa law school na, fling parin ang hinahanap ng iba, but I don't judge. Sila bahala sa buhay nila. Buti na lang at hindi pa dumadating ang prof...at thank God! Pinapasok parin ako ng guard kahit wala akong ID! Medyo kilala na kasi ako ng naka-duty na lady guard kanina kahit mag-iisang month palang ako dito sa law school. Ang daming readings. Ang daming din na groupwork. Akala ko medyo malaya na ako sa mga pabuhat na tao, pero hindi parin.
Umupo ako sa tabi ni Nicolas. Isa siya sa mga unang kaibigan ko dito sa school. At first, akala ko medyo masungit siya at seryoso, pero mabait naman pala. He once offered to drop me off sa condo ko when my car ran out of gas. Nagsesend din siya ng reviewer minsan. Minsan lang, kasi pinaghihirapan niya 'yun. Over all, he's comfortable to be with.
May iba pa akong mga naging kaibigan like si Anne, Trinity, Sofia at Martin. Solid silang magpa-party pero hindi ako pumupunta dahil sa school works. I mean, how do they even manage to party without worrying about school?
Siguro, may background na kasi sila sa law. Mostly, PolSci and LegMa ang course ng mga tao dito. 'Yung ibang mga schoolmate ko naman, mga acquaintance ko lang, pero mabait naman sila. 'Yung mga ayaw ko talagang tao dito ay 'yung mga pabuhat. Period.
"Nasaan ID mo, Rosie?" tanong ni Nicolas. Bahagya akong natawa.
"Ano ka? Guard? Naiwan ko lang noh," sabi ko. Ayaw kong ikwento sa kanya 'yung tungkol kay Austin at sa new job ko dahil hindi naman big deal.
"Whatever, how did you even get in? Buti hindi 'yung isang guard naka-duty ngayon, ah?" itinuloy niya.
Hindi ko na napigilan. Ikwinento ko na lang sa kanya. Dapat kay Tori ko 'to unang sasabihin eh! She will feel betrayed. Ikwekwento ko na lang siya 'pag nagkita kami.
I was in the middle of talking to Nicolas when the beadle announced that the prof is absent today. Grabe. Nagmadali pa ako tapos absent pala. I wish I took my time earlier in going to Galaxy Records. Nakakapagod kayang tumakbo nang naka-heels!
"Well, I think this guy is an asshole," walang filter na sabi ni Nicolas. And I definitely agree with him!
"Yeah, he's so annoying kaya when I confronted him!"
"Is he an artist or something?"
Tumango ako. "He's full of himself, I guess..."
I don't know if I'm judging Austin too quickly, but that's just how it is. My first impression of him is not good, so my judgement of him is also not good. Hindi ko napansin na paalis na ang iba naming blocmates dahil sa pagke-kwento ko kay Nic. Hindi naman siya umangal at nakikinig lang ng mabuti. Napagpasyahan na naming umalis. Habang palabas ay itinuloy namin ni Nic ang usapan.
"Are you free? Aral tayo. Coffee shop?" tanong niya. I agreed. Tinext ko rin si Tori kung free siya para magkwentuhan kami. Next week, hindi na maluwag ang schedule ko since magtatrabaho na ako. I took this opportunity to catch up with her.
Nakarating kami ni Nicolas sa isang coffee shop sa Powerplant at nag-order siya para sa aming dalawa. Studying outside is kind of refreshing. Nakakasawa na kasi sa condo at nagtitipid ako, even though marami pang laman ang bank account ko. I restrained myself from spending a lot. Mas magandang magdonate na lang sa mga nangangailangan.
Inayos ko ang gamit ko at nagbukas ng codal. I put on my earphones and started studying. Hindi nagtagal at bumalik na si Nicolas sa table namin at binigay ang order ko. I ordered a white latte macchiato. Iced cappuccino naman ang sa kanya. Nagsimula na rin siyang magbasa. After 30 minutes, nandito parin kami sa coffee shop at nagtsitsismisan na kami. Parang noong high school lang na nagplano ng group study, pero mag-iingay lang naman pala.
Nakatanggal na ang earphones ko at nakasara na ang codals namin. Narinig kong tumunog ang phone ko.
[1 message]
Tori: Bitch I'm free atm. Why?
Rineplyan ko siya.
Rosie: Punta ka here sa Starbucks. Powerplant.
Nicolas and I talked more about random school stuff hanggang sa nakarating si Tori. Magkakilala sila ni Nicolas since college, kaya komportable namang makipagkwentuhan sa kanya.
"Rosie! I haven't seen for like...ages!" panimula ni Tori.
"Yeah, namiss rin kita gaga!" nagbeso muna kami bago umupo.
I began my "chika" with her. She was kind of squealing sa part na nagkita ulit kami ni Austin sa Galaxy Records. Apparently, kilala niya si Austin at fan din siya! Hindi ko maimagine! This girl is way too friendly. Ang dami niyang kakilala!
"So si Austin Rivera talaga! This is it Rosie! For sure he likes you!" sabi ni Tori, nanggigigil. Napasulyap sa akin si Nicolas nang sandali bago bumaling sa plato niya. He was just silently listening to us while eating a blueberry cheesecake.
"I know for sure, he's a playboy. So no thanks,"
Artista si Austin. For sure madami siyang girls. And why am I even thinking about him? I think I regret inviting Tori over!
"Hindi kaya! From what I know, he's nice. Bagay na bagay kayo!" pilit pa ni Tori.
Anong 'nice'? Ang sarcastic niya kaya.
Nagkwento din si Tori tungkol sa buhay niya. Apparently, may gusto siya sa isang guy na na-meet niya sa club.
"He's a pilot! Gosh. Sana dalhin niya ako sa heaven!" Tori playfully said. This girl, tsk tsk.
"Heaven ka diyan, baka mahila mo nga sa impyerno." natatawang sabi ko. She just laughed and took her phone out para mag-IG story. Pinose niya at tinag niya kaming dalawa ni Nicolas. We talked more, pati si Nicolas tinatanong tanong namin kung ano meron sa buhay niya.
"Do you like anyone now, Nic?" tanong ni Tori habang nagscroscroll sa phone niya.
"Yeah, I like someone school." Nic said and looked away. Napatingin ako sa kanya. Sino kaya? I wanna know. For sure Nicolas can get any girl he likes. Mayaman siya at mabait. Not to mention, good-looking. But he's not my type.
"Who?" I asked, brows furrowed. This girl is sure damn lucky.
Nic just shrugged us off. Ayaw niyang sabihin. It's okay if he doesn't want to tell us. It's his call anyway. 'Pag pinilit pa namin, mas lalo niyang hindi sasabihin. It's better if we wait until he's comfortable to share.
***
After a while, umalis na si Nicolas at naiwan kami dito ni Tori sa mall. We looked around different shops at sobrang nakakatempt bumili. Tori actually bought two flasks of Guess perfume. Patingin-tingin lang ako. Nang napagod na si Tori, napagpasyahan naming umuwi. Medyo maaga pa at may time pa ako para mag-aral. Pero bago dumiretso sa unit ko, I stopped by Austin's unit para kunin ang ID ko.
Pumunta ako sa elevator habang nagscroscroll sa Instagram. I tried searching up "Austin Rivera" and I'm not surprised, verified siya. 'Yung ikinagulat ko lang ay 16 million ang followers niya! Parang international artist lang. I stalked him more and nakita ko na puro concerts at studio pictures ang meron. May picture na nagpiapiano, guitar, ukulele and drums. All around ata 'tong si Mr. International!
Lumabas ako ng elevator at dumiretso sa unit niya. Nagdoor bell ako at ilang sandali, lumabas na 'tong si Mr. 16 million. Buti na lang at may suot na siyang pants, ngunit shirtless naman. Kakaiba! Hindi na ako nagpasikot-sikot pa...
"Where's my ID?" mataray kong tanong sa kanya.
The sides of his lips rose up na parang ine-entertain ko siya. I don't wanna lie, but he looks so good right now. Ang ganda ng curls ng buhok niya. Ngayon ko lang siya natitigan ng maayos ulit dahil nahihiya pa ako noong nagkita kami sa Galaxy Records.
"Wait here, 'Just Rosie'..." Pumasok siya sa condo niya at ilang sandali ay lumabas siyang hawak ang ID ko. Finally!
Kinuha ko ang ID mula sa kamay niya at mabilis na umalis. Naiinis lang ako kasi pwede namang 'Rosie' lang. Kala mo naman special 'tong Austin na 'to para tawagin akong ganon. Normal lang naman siyang tao kahit sikat.
"Walang 'thank you'?" narinig kong sigaw niya pero nakasakay na ako sa elevator.
Nakabalik na ako sa unit ko at nagsimula nang magdigest ng cases. In the middle of studying, narinig ko na naman ang boses niya sa labas ng balcony ko. Ugh! Why does he have to be so annoying? Sinasadya ba niyang ma-piss off ako? I just continued studying with some music kahit naririnig ko parin ng kaunti ang boses niya. Tiniis ko na lang.
Maybe I have to invest in some good noise-cancelling headphones.
***
Next week came and nagsimula na akong magtrabaho sa Galaxy Records. Umaga lang ang work ko since junior personnel pa lang ako. Tinuruan na ako ni Macky tungkol sa mga gagawin ko. Rosie na rin ang tawag niya sa akin, hindi na 'Ms. Mercado'. Parang nasa recit kasi ako pag 'yun ang tawag niya sa akin.
Sinimulan ko na ang trabaho ko while sipping on some coffee. I was stationed somewhere in the 3rd floor. Dito daw kasi ang marketing department. So far, wala naman akong nakikitang complication sa trabaho ko. May libreng coffee station sila at doon ko kinuha ang kapeng iniinom ko ngayon. May mga kaibigan na rin ako dito, isa na doon si Macky. Si Daisy ang nasa tabi kong table. Napagplanuhan naming maglunch ng sabay kasama si Renz na part ng PR team.
Kakatapos ko lang mag-organize ng documents nang naubos na ang kape ko. Pumunta ako sa station para magre-fill. Nilagyan ko ng mainit na tubig ang cup ko, tsaka minix ang 3-in-1 na kape. Pagbalik sa table ko, wala na ang mga documents. Pinuntahan ko si Daisy para tanungin kung nakita niya ba ang documents, ngunit nakita ko si Austin na hawak hawak ito. Kaka-arrange ko lang ng mga 'yon!
Kita ko na may binabasa siya doon at naglagay ng papel sa likod ng kanyang bagong binabasang dokumento. Wala na. Hindi na naka-arrange! Hinablot ko ng marahas ang mga dokumento sa kamay niya at ibinalik sa table upang ayusin ulit. Sinundan niya ako at tinapik ang balikat ko.
"Hey, I wasn't done reading those," he said while looking at me.
It was clear that I was so pissed-off. Parang may lumalabas na usok sa tainga ko! Nakakainis siya!
"Hey..." tawag niya at sinubukang pigilan ang mga kamay ko sa pag-aayos.
"Kita mo namang naka-ayos na," sabi ko, napipikon na. First day ko pa man din ngayon. Gusto ko lang ang trabaho ko ng maayos!
"Why are you always so pissed at me?" tanong niya ng masinsinan. Pinatong niya ang dalawang kamay sa desk ko para magka-lebel ang mata namin. I looked at him and rolled my eyes.
"Because you're annoying me," sagot ko nang deretsahan. Totoo naman!
He's so annoying! Sa condo man o sa trabaho!
"Well, sorry. Hindi ko naman sinasadya. I want us to be friends, but you're always mad at me. Ano ba ang nagawa kong masama?"
Hindi naman malaki ang kasalanan niya, but he's really pissing me off whenever our paths cross.
"First, 'yung pagkanta mo, parang wala kang kapitbahay. Second, I went to your unit para kunin ang ID ko, but you weren't there. Muntik na akong ma-late! Third, 'yung mga documents na kaka-ayos ko lang, ginulo mo! Lastly, you're treating me like an entertainment show because you always look amused 'pag kinakausap kita. It's seriously annoying!" I said while looking at him straight in the eye. Hindi ako nagbibiro.
A hint of amusement flashed on his eyes at naiinis na naman ako. Alam kong pinipigilan niyang tumawa! "I'm sorry for all those. Babawi ako, promise." he gently said, eyes softening. Pero nangingiti parin!
"Anong babawi?" like hell!
"I'm not kidding. Bati na tayo please. I wouldn't want an angry neighbour and employee." he said with a smile, lending his hand out for me to shake it. With my forehead creased, I accepted his hand and he smiled. A genuine smile. Hindi na 'yung nakakalokong ngisi.
"Luke Austin Rivera," sabi niya. Parang tanga!
"Aurora Rose Mercado." sabi ko naman.
Edi pareho kaming tanga.
Binitawan ko na ang kamay niya. "See you later, Aurora Rose. By the way, ang cute mo pag galit." he winked and went outside. I felt my cheeks heat up. Bakit niya kailangang sabihin 'yon? Ayan tuloy, tinitingnan ako ni Daisy gamit ang mga malapusa niyang mata! Nagtataka siguro 'yon.
Damn you, Luke Austin!
#CollisionKab3"Ms. Mercado, answer me! Nag-aral ka ba?" tanong ni Atty. Sanchez, mala-dragon ang tunog ng boses.Nakatayo ako ngayon at halatang nahihiya na. Nakakahiya. It took all the strength in my body to not cry. Nag-aral naman ako, e. Nabasa ko 'yung case na tinanong sa akin. But I guess I didn't read enough. Ganon talaga ang buhay.Everyone in the room was looking at me with pity. Well, 'yung iba parang nag-eenjoy kasi kilala nila ang pamilya ko. They're probably thinking I deserve this. And particular situation is exactly what I am trying to avoid. Ayaw kong nakikishare sa success ng pamilya ko. Ayaw kong isipin nila na nakakaraos lang ako dahil sa apilyedo ko. Pero ito nga, ginawa ko ang best ko ngunit hindi parin sapat."If you don't study harder, you don't deserve to cross the bar. Each case carries its own weight, Ms. Mercado. If hindi mo napanalo ang kaso, may inosenteng ma
#CollisionKab4I woke up early the next day. Usually, one hour lang ang naco-consume ko sa paghahanda. I showered for 20 minutes and dried my hair. Nagsuot ako ng white long-sleeve na may ruffles sa gilid. Nag-black skinny jeans na lang ako. I also wore nude heels pero hindi din siya masyadong mataas.Pinainit ko na lang 'yung pagkain ko kahapon at inilagay sa tupperware. Sa headquarters na lang ako kakain ng breakfast. Dadalhin ko rin 'yung Consti ko at ibang materials para sa class mamayang gabi. Kaunti na lang naman ang gagawin ko sa trabaho ngayon, I hope Macky doesn't mind me studying during work hours. I put all my personal stuff sa black backpack ko. Pati na rin ang laptop ko. 'Yung mga reviewer at codal ko naman, nilagay ko sa isang tote bag. I was about to head out nang may nagdoor bell sa unit ko.
#CollisionKab5"Ms. Mercado! You are being incompetent! Get out of my class!" My professor was heaving in anger.Wala na akong ginawa kundi sundin ang utos niya. I'm on the verge of tears and my classmates were looking at me with pity. I looked at Nic and tried to smile, to tell him I'm okay. But I failed. I carried my bag and went out. I kept walking until I got out of the building.I need fresh air.Hindi ko namalayang tumutulo na pala ang mga luha ko.I'm fucking weak.I wasn't raised like this.I'm not born to be a quitter.
#CollisionKab6"Are you sure about that?" I said, challenging him. Sinful thoughts started to cloud my mind as his lips hovered above mine. Nilagay niya 'yung isa niyang kamay sa pisngi ko. Tumaas ang balahibo ko sa ginawa niya at naramdaman ko ang pagbilis ng pagtibok ng aking puso.This guy is definitely something...I was about to lean in when he pulled away.What the hell?!I furrowed my eyebrows and pouted. Why did he do that?"Just kiss me already, asshole..." I mumbled.Austin chuckled at what I said and smirked.
#CollisionKab7"No, don't sign thatthing." Austin stormed in. Mas lalong bumilis ang paghampas ng puso ko sa aking dibdib."Austin...the PR! Your collab is coming up. We need this. You need this!" Macky gritted his teeth."I don't need a fucking collab!" Austin shouted. Natahimik ang lahat. Ako, hindi ako makatingin sa kanila. Nararamdaman ko ang maiinit na mga mata sa akin at kay Austin."Renee needs it! Help out a fellow artist of yours! And delete that post for goodness sake!" Macky almost shouted and massaged his temple."No." iling ni Austin at napasinghap."Austin..." I started. The tension in t
#CollisionKab8"Good morning ladies and gentlemen, this is Philippine Airlines flight PR822 bound for New York," the chief flight attendant said. "Now we request for your full attention as the flight attendants demonstrate the safety features of this aircraft."A flight attendant was speaking, directing us about the safety measures of the flight. I put my phone on airplane mode and listened to music as we took off. I listened to some of Austin's songs, which was a bit weird. He wrote these songs before I came to his life..."So take a piece of my heart,And make it all your own...So when we are apart,You'll never be alone..."Who the hell is this song about?
#CollisionKab9"Hi Rosie!" nagulat ako sa bati ng nanay ni Austin.How?...Bakit niya ang alam ang pangalan ko? Palayaw ko pa. Nonetheless, I greeted her too."Good afternoon po!" nakipagkamay ako sa magulang ni Austin.Ewan ko ba kung bakit ako kinakabahan! Nginitian ko na lang sila. "Fake it until you make it" naalala ko ang sinabi ni Austin.Damn...His mom looked very pretty. Maputi ang balat, katulad ni Austin. Her hair's cut mid-length and they're also curly. She looked like a model from a magazine! It seemed like she doesn't look a day old over 30!
#CollisionKab10"How did you know?" tanong ko kay Reese.Nakaupo ako sa higaan niya, nakatingin sa kisame. Miss ko na ang Canada, and one specific person who's there right now."Hey," I tried calling Reese's attention. He knows a lot of stuff, even things he doesn't even bother to stick his nose in. Basta't nalalaman niya na lang. I don't know how he even does that.Tinignan ako ni Reese at ngumiti ng mapang-asar. Yep, he's that kind of brother. Masungit, mapang-asar, andcaringat the same time."I have my ways." he just shrugged me off, like he always does. Nakaupo siya sa vanity ng hotel room at may kinakalikot sa laptop.
#CollisionWakas"Where have you been?" Ian asked, the tip of his cigarette was lit.Amoy ko angbahongsigarilyoatngumuso. Sabi ko nangtumigilsiya sapaninigarilyoe.Masamasa baga.Mackydoesn't allow me to smoke because my voice will be affected, and it's bad publicity. Either way, bad publicity is still publicity. There will be potential profit from the attention people will give me.I didn't answer Ian's question. All I know is that I want to see Rosie. She's been busy lately. Ang hirap na law student siya at artista ako. It's
#CollisionKab19"Austin..." I unconsciously slurred. I woke up, feeling dizzy. Medyo umaalon pa ang paningin ko."Rosie! Thank God!" sabi ni Nic. Worry filled his eyes as he held my hand. He looked at me, a flash of misery reflected on his eyes. Medyo namumula ang mga mata niya ngayon.What...what happened?Kita ko'y nakahiga ako sa isang kama, nakasuot ng hospital gown. Nasa ospital ba talaga ako? Anong nangyari? Pagtingin ko sa aking kamay, may naka-kabit na wiring of some sort. Pati sa ilong ko. I scrunched up my nose, feeling uncomfortable. There's something attached on my index finger too."What happened?" I choked out. Napapaos pa ang boses ko. Kumuha si Nic ng
#CollisionKab18Tahimik ako habang nagfi-fitting. Medyo sumikip na sa akin ang pinili kong gown. Ina-adjust ng tailor ang aking damit sa pamamagitan ng paglagay ng pins. Natutusok ako ng kaunti ngunit hindi ko madama ang sakit.Austin's words keep playing like a broken record at the back of my mind."Because the girl I love is getting married."Did Nic invite him?I decided to text our wedding planner about it.Rosie: Hi! Can you send me the list of guests for the wedding?Tumunog ang phone ko at nakitang may PDF file na sinend. Agad kong binuksan
#CollisionKab17"Ro-I mean, Atty. Mercado," Macky choked out, eyes slightly widening as my heels clicked the floor. I tried to keep my face void of any emotion.Ipakita mong matapang ka, Rosie."I suggest you make an appointment first, Mr. Andrada." sabi ko sa kanya. Sinulyapan ko si Austin na bahagyang nakatitig sa kaliwang kamay ko. That's where my engagement ring is placed. Agad siyang nag-iwas ng tingin. His jaw clenched, fists resting on his forehead while sitting on a chair. Nagtagis-bagang ako.Tanaw kong nakatayo malapit sa kanya si Johnson at Ian. Naka-krus ang braso ni Ian habang tumitig sa akin at nakapamaywang naman si Johnson habang may tinitingnan sa cellphone. Ilang beses kaming na-orient sa da
#CollisionKab16"Are you happy?"Nic wrapped his arms around me as we sat in a bench near the Eiffel Tower. He held my hands and looked at our engagement rings.It's been 4 years. I'm already 26, already a lawyer. I have a fiancé who loves me more than I love myself. I'm about to settle down. Something that Austin could never let me have.He never explained himself.He just kept on saying sorry.And I hated that.I hated him so much.We were walking around the streets of Paris, the cold weather made me shiv
#CollisionKab15Nakakunot ang noo ko habang tinitingnan ang showbiz article mula sa isang magazine site.Ausnee: The COMEBACK you've been waiting for!Yesterday, the power couple was spotted at Ayala Triangle, Public Display of Affection clearly evident!The pictures below seem to make us speechless!Source: Retromag PHParang pinipiga ang puso ko habang tiningnan ang mga litrato sa aking cellphone screen. Magkahawak ang kamay nila. They look happy.But I know this is all fake.
#CollisionKab14"Who's Renee?"I was scrolling through my phone when I remembered the article I read last time. Naisipan kong mag-Google ulit tungkol kay Renee at Austin. A few articles popped up, dating two years ago."Renee? Renee Saragosa?" his brows quirked up. Tumango ako at niliitan siya ng mata.Austin and I were waiting for our order in an Italian restaurant here in Makati. Lunch break ko at tinext ko siya upang magkita kami. Gusto sana namin sa BGC kaso malayo at baka ma-late pa si Austin sa kanyang interview. Medyo marami kasi siyang fans na nagpapapicture 'pag lumalabas kami sa dito sa Makati. Lumalayo na lang ako 'pag may lalapit sa kanya. Ayokong makaabala.
#CollisionKab13Austin and I flew back to Manila the night on our third day. We just ate and enjoyed the waters. Nag sight-seeing din kami kasama ang isang tour guide. Ayaw kong magka-misunderstanding ulit si Macky at Austin kaya pinilit ko siyang huwag magpost ng pictures. He hesitated at first, pero bumigay rin sa gusto ko. Para na rin iyon sa ikabubuti niya kasi.Napapasyahan kong dalhin siya sa bahay sa araw pagkatapos ng aming pagbalik. Gusto ko muna siyang ipakilala kay Manang bago tuluyang ipakilala kay Mom and Dad. Alam kong wala pa sila sa bahay kaya ngayong week ko siya ipapasyal doon."Are you sure?" nag-aalangang tanong ni Austin. Gamit niya ang dalawang kamay sa pagmamaneho habang diretsahang nakatingin sa daan.
#CollisionKab12Warning: R-18 - Mature Content"Did you know, love..." Austin lazily trailed off while analyzing the chess board.We were playing chess in a couch near a pool. The beach is just right in front us, waves slowly retreating from the sand. So far, maganda naman ang laro namin. I always play chess with Anthony when we were younger. Sobra niyang galing dito eh, lagi akong talo. Pero nahawa naman siguro ako sa kagalingan niya. King at bishop na lang ang natira kay Austin, habang queen, king, isang rook at pawn ang sa akin."...A queen is much stronger than his king." pagpapatuloy niya. He licked his lips and looked at me. I smirked. Na-trap ang bishop niya sa rook at pawn ko. I moved