Three

Exelle

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"You. I want you back, former Mrs. Alvez."

Napaupo ako sa kama ko habang hinahabol nang paghinga. My right hand were on my chest trying to calm myself down. What was that? Bakit ako nanaginip ng ganun klaseng panaginip? That was insane. That's totally insane to really happen.

Nabaling ang atensyon ko nang biglang tumunog ang aking cellphone na nakalagay sa ibabaw ng nightstand, sa tabi ng aking kama. Kung kaya’t inabot ko ito at tiningnan ang screen upang malaman kung sino ang tumatawag.

Anonymous Calling.

"Sino naman toh?" I ask myself.

If it’s someone who’s anonymous enough to call me, early this morning, then saan niya naman nakuha ang aking contact number? I thought about it and found it suspicious. I look by the side of the room and watch the sunlight at the spaces between the curtains, peeking curiously inside the room. It’s morning, I know.

I didn't answer the phone and ignore it. I just changed my habit of answering unknown calls like before, kaya’t hindi ko ito sinagot. Binalik ko ito sa nightstand na nasa gilid ng kama ko and jump off from the bed and strecth a little. I ran inside the bathroom and start my daily routine.

***

Thirty minutes of taking a bath, I walk out and check my phone. I almost dropped my jaw when I saw the notification that pop out of the screen.

10 missed calls

0 Message

Seriously? Sino ba toh? I checked the caller's ID and noticed that it came from the same caller earlier. I frowned a little and thought that it’s kind of weird to call me this much if it’s just a mere call prank.

“Just who the hell is this?” I put it back on the nightstand and tried to ignore it. Oh God. It’s morning and I should start my day with things that I should be thinking of, hindi ang mga bagay na guguluhin lang ang tahimik kong umaga. Kung sino man siya, hindi niya ba naisip na ginugulo niya ang umaga ko?

Because honestly, I’m a bit curious too.

I opened my fifth closet at naglabas ng isang black colored dress. Till now I wonder, kung bakit ba kasi hindi na lang ako nagpagawa ng walk in closet at kailangan ko pang magisa-isa sa sampung closet doors na nandidito sa kwarto ko. I let out sigh as I pressed my temples in annoyance. It was too late to realized that I am so damn lame and such an idiot in the past. Well, this house will be rennovate soon, kaya isasama kong irenovate ang sampung closet doors na toh at gawin na lang itong walk-in closet.

I faced my reflection in the mirror and fixed myself. I love black ever since I was a little. But only me and my mother and, also my father who knew about my favorites. And of course even my best friend, Sam knew about it. But the other people whom I knew and know me, didn't.

Saktong pagkatapos kong mag-ayos at suotin ang coat ay mayroong kumatok sa pinto ng aking kwarto. Maybe it’s manang Albe.

"Yes?"

"Ma'am, may naghahanap po sa inyo." Sagot ni manang Albe mula sa  labas ng kwarto.

Napaisip naman ako kung sino ang bisita ko. Is it Samara? But I didn't remember that I invited her here. She knows that I have to visit the site of the construction area for the new branch of EXiellene Royale here in the Philippines, kaya bakit niya naman ako iistorbohin at bibisitahin?

I walk to the door as I grabbed my shoulder bag and open the door. Nakatayo sa labas si Manag Albe habang may hawak na pamunas at sprayer. Lumabas ako nang kwarto saka ito sinarado.

"Sino daw po sila manang?" Tanong ko sa kanya nang harapin ko siya.

"Mr. Alexis Riguera raw ho, ma'am." Sagot nito sakin kaya napa-isip ako.

Sinong Riguera ang bisita ko?

"Nasan po siya, manang?" Tanong ko ulit sa kanya habang nakatayo sa harapan ng pinto ng kwarto at hinintay ang isasagot niya.

"Nasa sala po, ma'am." Sabi nito kaya't nginitian ko ito bago ako naglakad papunta sa hagdan at sinimulan itong hakbangin pababa.

Alexis Riguera?

I haven't heard of that name before. Or maybe I did pero nakalimutan ko lang. Or maybe an old friend of mine. Pero wala akong matandaang Alexis na kaibigan ko. All of the friends I have were more likely Samara, Julles at ang kambal nito, and the other people as well that I knew through business transactions and other connections. I'm not really good at remembering people who aren't needed to remember. Kaya siguro nakalimutan ko na ang Alexis na naghihintay sa akin sa baba.

Nang datnan ko ang sala ng bahay, I saw this fine-looking man in royal blue long sleeves, na mayroon din nakakaakit na mga mata. His jawlines were actually, perfect, with a pointed nose and his skin that isn't that too much white like a milk. A god from Olympus.

And yes, he looks like a god.

"Xiellenna." He called me by my old name that gives shiver to my spine. How did he know about my old name?

I smiled at him kahit na masyado akong naoccupied sa kanya.

"Mr. Alexis Riguera?" I ask him in my business tone. Napakunot-noo ito nang tanungin ko siya kung siya ba ang Alexis Riguera na tinutukoy ni manang. Bakit ganyan angreaksiyon niya? O baka naman hindi siya si Alexis.

"Yes. I am Alexis Riguera. You, you can't remember me?" Nagtataka niyang tanong sa akin pagkatapos niyang magpakilala. Now he's asking me kung natatandaan ko siya. How come na kilala ko siya, eh kahit nga pangalan niya hindi ko matandaan.

I studied his face for a minute while he stares back at me.

Well, his eyes were actually, familiar. His ocean-like eyes. And then it hit me. Biglang nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang marealized ko kung sino ang nasa harapan ko ngayon. The man that I loved before my husband.

"Lex?" I said with amusement and saw him smile.

***

"Really, Lex. You don't really have to do this. I'm just so thankful na binisita mo ako." I told him with a smile.

Lex nodded with a smile." I fully understand Lina. Actually, nang malaman ko na nakauwi ka na ng bansa inalam ko agad kung saan ka nakatira para naman mabisita kita." Sabi niya sabay tawa nang mahina.

I chuckled.

"Oo nga eh. Nag-abala ka pa nang bulaklak." Tawa ko sa kanya. "Baka isipin ni Rylie nililigawan mo ako." Biro ko pa sa kanya, pero bigla siyang natahimik. Did I just said something rude or wrong? Bigla kasing sumeryoso ang mukha nito at parang nag-iba din ang timpla nang mood nito. May mood swings, ganun?

"You didn't know?" He suddenly ask me out of nowhere kaya napakunot-noo ako.

"Didn't know what? Bakit? What happened?" Sunod-sunod kong tanong sa kanya. Naguguluhan ko siyang tinitigan habang siya naman ay nakatingin sa akin pabalik. His eyes were filled of a bit of anger which darkened his face a bit, and sadness. Bakit? Ano bang hindi ko alam?

I was about to ask him about it nang unahan niya ako sa pagsasalita.

"We're done. We broke up seven years ago." Panimula niya.

Seven years ago? That was after I leave the country and filed an annulment paper against Hans, kasi nga walang divorce dito sa Pilipinas.

"After you leave the country and broke up with Hans, we also broke up. Hindi ko alam ang dahilan pero, inisip ko nung una, baka gusto niya lang nang space nung malaman niyang nagmigrate ka nang Los Angeles. Pero mali ako. Akala ko talaga nasaktan siya nang malamang umalis ka, kasi nga di ba, you and Rylie were best friends ever since you were young, pero akala ko lang pala talaga ang lahat nang iyon." He continued.

He was right about me and Rylie. We were best friends ever since, tulad ni Samara, but unlike her, hindi siya nagparamdam sa akin nang pitong taon pagkatapos kong umalis. I used to ask Samara about her pero isa lang ang lagi nitong sinasabi. 

Busy daw ito.

Para ngang ayoko nang maniwala sa kanya kasi nakapagtatakang sa loob nang pitong taon ay lagi itong busy. I knew something happened after I leave kaya minsan nakapagtataka na talaga. I didn't bother to do some investigation because I want to stay away from them as far as possible, or more likely, what I did was hiding.

"Tell me, Alexis. What exactly was going on?" I ask him one more time dahil sa mga titig na ibinibigay niya sakin, parang may gusto siyang sabihin pero di niya kayang sabihin. I am really curious about her. Gusto ko nga sanang alamin kung nasan na si Rylie eh, pero para namang may pumipigil sakin gawin ito.

"She li--" Napatigil siya sa pagsasalita nang biglang tumunog ang phone ko na nakapatong lang sa ibabaw nang mesa. Kinuha ko ito saka sinagot ang tawag. Its Audrey.

Sinenyasan ko si Alexis na sasagutin ko muna ang tawag kaya tinanguan niya lang ako. Tumayo ako sa pagkakaupo saka lumabas sa may veranda malapit sa sala. Mula dito ay kitang-kita ang dalawang bahagi pa nang bahay at ang maze garden sa gitna.

"Hello Audrey." Panimula kong bati sa  kanya.

"Hello Ms. Kim. Goodmoring." Bati niya pabalik sa akin mula sa kabilang linya. I smiled.

"Oh Audrey. Have you arrived at unit I recomended you to stay at? I hoped you liked it." Sabi ko sa kanya. I know she just arrived early this morning kaya bago pa man ako umalis nang New York, sinabi ko na agad sa kanya kung saan siya pansamantalang titira dito sa bansa. Tinawagan ko kaagad nung araw ding iyon si Sam na hanapan si Audrey nang matutuluyan which was the condominium building Samara's mother, Aunt Lea, owned.

"Yes Miss. Thank you by the way. I have to remind you of your schedule for today." Sabi niya sakin na ikinatawa ko lang. She's being bossy again. Para ngang siya pa nag boss sa aming dalawa eh. Kapag siya na kasi ang nagsabi, dapat ko na agad gawin kung ano man ang nakaschedule kong gawin, lalo na kung kailangan talaga.

"Oh yeah I remember it Audrey. Thanks anyway and you're always welcome. So, see you at the site?"

"Yes Miss." Sabi niya saka ito nagpaalam.

Nanonosebleed talaga ako pagminsan kay Audrey. Marunong naman siya magtagalog English pa nang English.

Bumalik ako sa sala at nakita kong nakatayo si Lex sa harap ng isang aparador habang tinititigan ang mga litratong nakatayo doon. Wala nang litrato namin ni Hans ang nakadisplay doon kasi yung iba pinasunog at pinatapon ko na. Yung iba naman hindi ko alam kung nasaan. Yung area naman na pinaglagyan ng wedding portrait namin ni Hans ay napalitan na rin nang family portrait namin na dating nakalagay doon. In the picture, kasama ko sina mama at papa, pati na rin si lolo. Its only the four of us that time. I was only four months old that time when the portrait were taken.

I went to reality and call Alexis' attention.

"Hey. Pano ba yan, may pupuntahan pa ako." Sabi ko sa kanya sabay kuha nang sling bag ko na nakapatong sa sofa at inilagay dun ang cellphone ko. Nakangiti siyang lumingon sa akin saka ito naglakad papunta sa harap ko.

"I'll give you a lift." He offered but I insist.

"No its okay. I don't want to bother you anyway. Baka kasi nakakaabala pa ako sayo." Sagot ko sa kanya.

Tumawa lang ito at sabay na kaming lumabas nang bahay.

"No. I insist. I'll give you a ride just name your destination." Sabi niya ulit sa akin na ikinangiti ko na lang. Well, when he said he insisted, you can't say no after.

***

Tahimik lang sana ako habang nasa daan pero napapangiti ako kay Lex kasi kumakanta pa ito at sinasabayan ang tugtog sa cellphone niya.

"Ang ingay mo Lex." Sabi ko sabay tawa.

" You look so perfect standing there, In my American Apparel underwear, And I know now, that I'm so down, Your lipstick stain is a work of art, I got your name tattooed in an arrow heart, And I know now, that I'm so down," he continue singing.

Panay lang ang lait ko sa boses niya saka ito pinaghahampas at tinatawanan. Natatawa na rin ito habag kumakanta pero patuloy lang sa pagmamaneho. We were friends since high school at ganito kami kaclose kahit noon pa man. Kaya nga nainlove din ako sa kanya eh. Kung hindi ko lang talaga nalaman na gusto rin siya ni Rylie, siguro pinatulan ko na rin siya. I mentally laugh.

That was something that I will never do in my entire life. And wait, speaking of Rylie.

"Uy, ano nga ulit yung tungkol kay Rylie?" Tanong ko dito na nagpatigil sa kanyang pagkanta. He became serious all of the sudden that gives me more curiousity.

"Why do you want to know?" He ask me back. Ganun, tatanungin mo tapos tanong din ang isasagot sayo. "Simple lang. Kasi kaibigan ko siya." Sagot ko sa kanya saka umayos nang upo.

Hinintay ko itong magsalita pero tahimik lang itong nagmaneho. Bakit ba kasi?? Ano bang problema kay Rylie? May sekreto ba sila sakin?

"You don't really wanna know, Xiellena." He told me in his serious tone while continue driving. Nagtataka ko siyang tinitigan at kitang-kita ang pagkaseryoso ng mukha nito.

"Just tell me the truth Alexis. Kesa naman mamuhay ako nang hindi ko nalalaman di ba. Its better than knowing nothing. Spill it out, Lex." Wala sa mood kong sabi sa kanya.

Bigla namang tumigil ang sasakyan at napansin kong nakarating na pala kami sa cinstruction site ng hotel. Malawak ang lugar na dati nang bakante noon pa man dahil wala itong kapuno-puno man lang. Kaya nga dito ko napagpasiyahang itayo ang susunod na branch ng EXellene Royale.

"She lied to you Xiellena. She lied to all of us. Even Hans did. Niloko nila tayo." Narinig kong simula ni Alexis kaya napaharap ako sa kanya. His right hand was placed over his lap while the other one were on his head. Hindi ako nagsalita at hinintay ko siyang magsalita.

"They have a secret affair while we were together and you were married to Hans. Siya ang dahilan kung bakit ka pinahihirapan ni Hans, Xiellena. She's so mad at you kasi inaasahan niyang, siya dapat ang ikakasal sa asawa mo, at hindi ikaw. She knew that you were going to marry Hans kaya ang ginawa niya nakipagrelasyon siya sakin without us knowing na mayroon pa pala siyang ibang motibo. She lied all this time, Lina." He continued.

I was quiet the whole time and staring at him. Listening to him as he tell me his story. The story that I didn't know has happened a long time ago, on my back. Rylie Andrea Lux, was my best friend. Not to mention that she was my childhood friend. We've grown up together in one place. We've share both embarassing and beautiful moments together, yet, she lied to me. I don’t know if dapat ko bang paniwalaan ang kwento ni Lex but something inside me, tells me to believe it.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have, I shouldn't have told you this." He added and took a quick glance at me, and then look away.

"No. I thank you, actually." I said saka isinandal ang akin likod sa upuan nang kotse. I look outside the window and saw the different buildings not far from the conatruction site and from here. People were busy strolling around the sidewalk of the busy streets. They were with their friends, families and love ones. Something I missed a long time ago. Something I missed seven years ago.

My sight moved to one of the windows of a coffee shop, not that far away from where Alexis parked his car. A momentb later, I spotted a girl dressed in floral while drinking her cup of coffee, sitting alone, sa puwestong katabi lang din ng lamesa. It actually didn’t make sense that I got curious about a certain stranger that I spotted while thing of something serious, so, I drew a closer look that caught Alexis attention.

"Hey. Anong problema?" He ask me but I didn't bother to look back.

That girl, she seems familiar. Nakaupo lang ito habang para bang may hinihintay. And then a familiar man came by saka ito tumayo at hinalikan sa pisngi ang lalaki. Wait, could that be-

"Hans and, Rylie." I whisper out of nowhere that keep the seriousness on my mood. Alam kong nakikita niya ang nakikita ko. Gusto kong matawa sa nakikita ko ngayon, kasi pinag-uusapan palang namin silang dalawa, yet nakikita ko na agad ngayon ang sinasabi nilang matagal nang taksil.

At first, I wasn't sure about being back here in the Philippines to take a revenge on Hans, kahit na sinaktan niya ako noon. I know that I also felt hatred towards him but it didn't came up to my mind to take a revenge on him.

But now that I know about him and Rylie's secret, something inside me heaten up like a volcano and burst out like a bomb. Something inside me wakes up my realization. I been fooled by a two crow. And one of them was my so-called best friend.

Ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang sobrang galit. Its okay to be fooled by only once, but being fooled by a two crows at a time, was kind of unforgivable. I already forgive Hans for hurting me seven years ago, but now, he gave me another reasons to hate him again.

Is this what they call anger? I'm not familiar with this. But my inner self told me something I cannot understand. Something like, its the feeling I should have felt before. Tama nga naman. Dapat noon pa ako nakaramdam nang ganito, pero heto ako ngayon at ngayon lang nakaramdam nito.

"Tell me, Lex. Ano ba ang dapat kong gawin?" I ask him while looking at him. Kahit na gustuhin ko man na magpatawad, hindi ko magawa dahil nga may pumipigil sakin.

Then I felt his hand on my cheeks wiping something under my eyes. He smiled at me, a bitter one. This man was also been played by the woman he once loved. Pareho kami, pero ang pagkakaiba lang, isa lang ang nanloko sa kanya.

"Don't ask me what to do Xiellena. You must be the one to decide what to do because its your choice to make." He started. "And I will gladly support you in what choice you have choosen to do."

I looked back at him. He's right. I must be the one to ask myself what to do.

Now tell me.

What should I do now?