"C-Cupid," I stuttered as I called him.
Mabilis akong humiwalay sa kanya ng mapagtanto ang posisyon namin. I can't get close to him anymore because it's getting akward, and.. and I can't stare in his eyes because I'm afraid I will drowned and cannot be saved.
Bago pa siya makapagsalita ay narinig ko ang boses ni Lei.
"Pscyhe!" She called me.
Halos mapa face palm ako dahil sa pagtawag niya sa first name ko. I really hate when people call me using my first name.
She was running towards me, hindi pinansin ang nakatayong si Cupid sa tabi ko.
"Psyche! Did you know? My crush is here! Oh my god, I think, I'm gonna die." She said, over reacting.
Natawa naman ako at napalingon kay Cupid na may maliit na ngiti. He's more handsome when he smile.
"Psyche! Are you listening to me?" Tanong niya sabay wagayway ng kamay sa harap ko.
"Yes, Aphrodite, I am," I answered, emphasising her second name.
"Okay stop calling me that. Call me Lei," she rolled her eyes at me. Tingnan mo 'tong babae na 'to, attitude.
Sa likod niya ay nakita ko si Ryan na papunta sa diresksyon ko. I rolled my eyes because of him.
"Venice, babe, let's talk please. I still love you. Hindi na matutuloy ang kasal," sabi niya paglapit niya sa amin.
I almost laugh, ang kapal ng lalaking ito. Kung ako 'yung babae niya siguro nabaon ko na 'to ng buhay. Babaero masyado. Kahit nasasaktan pa ako ng kaunti ay hindi ko naman masikmura na makipagbalikan sa kanya. If he's seeking for closure, it's fine pero huwag muna ngayon dahil bitter pa 'ko.
"Uhm, I think, mauuna na ako. Bye Venice!" Biglang singit ni Aphrodite at kumaripas ng takbo.
Tatlo kaming matira, Cupid, Ryan and me. I looked at Cupid and I saw him creasing his forehead.
He looked cute.
Pumikit ako ng mariin dahil sa naisip ko. Nakalimutan ko na galing ako sa break up. Ganon ka na kaharot ngayon, Psyche?
I really don't wanna talk to Ryan so I snaked my hands into Cupid's arm at sinandal ang ulo sa balikat niya. Naramdaman kong nagulat siya sa ginawa ko pero nagrelax naman kaagad.
Shit! Bahala na mamaya.
"Actually, I have a date with my boyfriend today and he's so possessive. Sorry can't talk to you," I said kahit hiyang-hiya na ako.
I can feel my cheeks flushing, sobrang nakakahiya ito but I need reason para hindi ko siya makausap.
"Right, love?"
Love, amputa.
I looked at him and smiled fakely. Ang mata ko ay nangungusap na sabayan niya ako.
Please, just this one.
I think he get it naman kaya sumabay siya. He smirked to Ryan, making him more gorgeous in my eyes.
"Yes, we're busy. I don't want my girl talking to other boys, specially her ex." Malalim na boses niyang sabi.
I didn't even notice that I was hugging his arms to tight, napansin ko lang nung nag flinch siya.
Nakakahiya ka Psyche! Kung ano-anong pinag-gagawa mo. I mentally face palmed because of my actions.
Hindi naman makapaniwala si Ryan sa narinig niya. That's right asshole, leave me alone.
He scoffs sarcastically. "Really, Venice? Tatlong linggo pa lang may bago ka na agad? Ganon ba ako kabilis palitan?"
Nag-init ang ulo ko dahil sa narinig. Wow, how dare him talked about getting a new lover when he was the one who cheated in the first place?
"Really? Can you hear yourself? Ikaw nga pinalitan mo na ako bago pa kita hiwalayan, ganon ba ako kabilis palitan?" I mocked his line before looking at Cupid who was clenching his jaw while looking at my ex boyfriend.
Before he even speak again, I raised my hand to stop him. "No, I don't need your explanation. We're going..." I waved my hand before continuing. "Adios, fucker."
Hinila ko si Cupid palayo doon. Saka ko lang siya binitawan nung hindi na namin makita 'yung mukha niya.
Then realization hit me. Bigla akong nahiya kay Cupid, parang gusto kong magpakain sa lupa para maglaho nalang ako bigla.
Akward silence filled us until I cut if off. "I-I... uhm, I want to say sorry for using you, and thank you for saying my ass back there." I was stuterring while talking. Nakatingin lang ako sa lupa.
I slowly shift my gaze from the ground to him. I saw him looking at me.
"He wanted you back?" He asked.
"Ata? Ewan ko 'don. But one thing's for sure. I don't want him back. I don't get back to my ex."
His face was still cold but I can see emotions in hos eyes that I can't name.
"Uhm, is your name really Cupid? Like in greek mythology?" I tried to open a topic, ayaw kong maglakad kami parehas na walang pinag-uusapan. Wala na nga kaming pupuntahan e.
He hummed. "Cupid Clyde, it's my name. I don't like people calling me Cupid that's why my cousins call me Clyde," he explained.
Nagtaka naman ako bigla. "Huh? Then why did you told me na Cupid name mo, d-do you want me to call you Clyde instead?"
He shook his head before looking at me. "No, it's fine. I liked the way you say my name."
Nag-init ang pisngi ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Seriously Psyche? Kinikilig ka niyan?
"But seriously, thank you for saving me. Akala ko hindi mo ako sasabayan." Tumingin ako sa kanya upang ipahiwatig na seryoso ako sa pagpapasalamat.
"Yeah, no problem." He said coldly, ganyan ba talaga siya? Ang seryoso niya magsalita.
"You know what? I'll treat you dinner, how about that? As uh... thank you gift, maybe?" I asked in a small voice.
He smiled a little. "It's up to you, Psyche."
Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. I really don't like it when people call me Psyche, pero bakit sa kanya parang ang sarap pakinggan?
No heart, huwag kang marupok. Alam mo kung gaano kasakit ang masaktan.
Naglakad lang kami hanggang sa makarating kami sa tapat ng isang restaurant. I looked at him, tumango naman siya kaya napangiti ako.
--
"So you're name's Psyche, like in Greek Mythology?" He mimicked my question. He was looking at me seriously na parang tutunawin ako.
I was a little bit shy, sino bang hindi mahihiya kung may nakatitig sa'yong gwapong lalaki?
I wiped my mouth with a tissue. "Y-Yes, I'm Psyche Venice Azarcon. I don't like people calling me Psyche, it's akward e." I laughed nervously.
Nakita kong natigilan siya. Narealize din ba niyang akward talaga dahil ai Psyche at Cupid ay mag-asawa in greek myth?
"By the way, how old are you?" I asked, diverting the topic.
He cleared his throat, "25, how 'bout you?"
Hmm, 2 year gap, pwede na.
"Nearing 23, kuya," I teased him.
He chuckled. "No, don't call me kuya. Cupid is fine."
Tumango-tango ako. "Hmm, okay." I glanced at my watch and notice that it's already 6 PM. Grabe ang tagal pala naming nag-usap, halos dalawang oras din.
"Uhm, I think I need to go home na. I still have a lot of things to do."
"Hahatid kita," he said before calling the waiter and asked for the bill. Hindi na ako nakaangal pa nung siya ang nagbayad. I should be to pay since ako ang may utang 'di ba?
"Dapat ako na pinagbayad mo, I owe you one, right?" I asked paglabas namin ng resto.
"Nope, I can't let a lady pay for the bill," he said that made me smile. He excused himself for a while, palahatid niya daw sa pinsan niya 'yung kotse.
I looked up in the sky, dumidilim na. Mukhang uulan ng malakas mamaya.
Hinawakan ko ang dibdib ko at pinakiramdaman ang sarili. I felt comfortable with him, ni hindi ako nakaramdam ng kaba kasama siya. Is it because he helped me in times of need?
Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko sa bag na dala ko at sakto namang biglang may humugot dito at tumakbo ng mabilis.
I was shocked at the moment kaya hindi ko agad nahabol ang lalaki. Cupid was busy on his phone that's why hindi niya rin napansin.
Kung kailan uuwi na kami, tsaka pa ako nadukutan!
Wow, just wow! What a great day you have, Psyche.
Then it hit me, my key card was there! Paano ako makakapasok ng condo kung wala akong susi?
I know I can just asked the management for another key pero kasi, pangalawang beses ko na nawalan ng susi, nahihiya ako.
I looked at Cupid and I saw him creasing his forehead, maybe because of what look I have in my face.
"What happened? My car is here already."
I showed him my phone na siyang natira sa akin. I stared at bim. "N-Na snatch 'yung bag ko. It's okay if I have my key card with me, p-pero andun kasi sa bag e." Halos maiiyak ko nang sabi. I don't know where to go now!
Just before he can answer me, biglang bumuhos ang ulan. Nagulat kami parehas kaya napatabi kami sa gilid.
Hinubad niya ang suot niyang coat at pininatong sa ulo namin parehas para hindi kami mabasa. Sabay kaming tumakbo papunta sa kotse niyang buti naman ay nasa may silong.
"Shit! Now I'm wet, I don't have my key card with me and I don't know what to do," I said while pouting. He was fixing himself dahil nabasa siya ng kaunti.
Nag-iisip ako kung saan ako pwedeng tumuloy para sa gabi. I don't have my wallet with me kaya hindi ako makakapag hotel.
I looked at him while he's combing his hair with his hand.
P-Pano kung sa kanya muna ako makituloy? Just for the night?
"You okay?"
Umiling ako bago kinurot ang sarili ko. I'm nervous and shy at the same time, 'pano kung 'di siya pumayag?
"C-Can I stay with you for a night?"
"Can you please buckle your seatbelt?" Napalingon ako sa nagsalitang si Cupid.Ang kanyang kamay ay nakahawak sa steering wheel habang ang mata niya ay palipat-lipat ng tingin sa akin at sa daan.Tiningnan ko ang seatbelt na katabi ko. Yeah, I always forgot to buckle my seatbelt."Sorry." 'Yun nalang ang nasagot ko sa kanya. Nahihiya pa rin ako sa kanya although sabi niya sa akin na wag na. He said it's fine with him pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasang hindi mahiya.Nag ooverthink din ako, what if may gawin siyang masama, it's not that I'm saying that he's a bad person ha. I'm just stating a fact, I'm a girl and he's a guy. Pero hindi ko siya masisisi, I'm the one who asked him to let me stay so basically ako ang may utang.I looked at him while his eyes are glued on the road. Nakasuot nalang siya ngayon ng puting long sleeves since basa na ang coat niya. It was folded up to his arm and his biceps are sh
Kinabukasan ay nagising ako dahil sa tunog ng cellphone ko. It looks like someone's calling me kaya inaantok ko iyong sinagot without looking on the caller's ID."Hello?" Inaantok kong saad."Girl! Where are you? May tatapusin pa tayong requirements 'di ba?" Inilayo ko ang cellphone sa tainga ko dahil sa lakas ng pagsigaw ni Aria."What? Anong oras na ba?" I replied at her. Inaantok pa talaga ako kaya pumikit muna ako habang nakikinig sa sinasabi niya."Girl, pumunta ako sa unit mo kanina, you're not there and kailangan na natin itong matapos kasi may lakad ako tomorrow," she said seriously.Napadilat ako bigla dahil sa sinabi niya at doon ko lang narealize na wala ako sa condo ko. The fuck? Nakalimutan kong nakitulog pala ako sa condo ng iba."Y-Yeah, uhh bumili ako ng breakfast, oo bumili ako. Text me where are you, susunod ako."Hindi ko na pinakinggan ang sasabi
"Psyche, this is my brother, Cupid."Oh my gosh, you got to be kidding me."Y-Your brother?" Nauutal kong tanong."Yes, you know him?" Kunot noong tanong ni Dio.Nag-iwas ako ng tingin bago sumagot. "Nope, I don't know him. Ngayon lang kami nagmeet."Napayakap ako sa sarili ko. Shit, I forgot na suot ko pala ang kanyang damit what the fuck.Look how small the world is."Psyche, can you leave us for a moment please? Mag-uusap muna kami." Napalingon ako kay Aria. She's seriously looking at me."Y-Yeah, sure. Sa cafeteria muna ako." Dinaanan ko si Dio hanggang sa makarating ako sa may pinto kung saan nakatayo si Cupid."E-Excuse me." Hindi ko mapigilang hindi mautal dahil naaamoy ko ang pabango niya. His addictive scent lingers in my nose.Binigyan niya naman ako ng daan ba
"Uhm, dito nalang, thank you."I un-buckled my seatbelt and face him. Nasa tapat na kami ng condo building na tinitirhan ko. After that incident, we decided to go home, hinatid niya ako hanggang dito sa condo. Tumanggi pa ako nung una dahil nakakahiya pero hindi siya nagpatalo."Do you want me to accompany you hanggang sa unit mo?" He asked me, tinanggal niya rin ang pagkakabuckle ng seat belt niya, bali nakaharap kami sa isa't isa."Hindi na, nakakahiya naman," tanggi ko at tumingin sa kanya. Parehas kaming nakatitig sa isa't isa, nakakabinging katahimikan ang bumalot sa amin.I was staring at his black eyes, tila may hipnotismo na bumabalot sa mga mata niya na hinahalina akong tumitig at malunod sa tingin na binibigay niya.Kung hindi pa nag ring ang hawak kong cellphone ay hindi pa ako mag-iiwas ng tingin sa kanya."I-I should get going, salamat." Lalabas na sana ako ng kot
Nagising ako sa lamig kaya ibinalot ko ang sarili ko ng kumot ay kinuha ang remote ng aircon para patayin. I looked at my phone and it says it's just 6 AM.Pumikit muna ako sandali dahil inaantok pa ako pero kailangan kong mag-asikaso ng 6:30 para pumasok.Umayos ako ng upo sa kama at binuksan ang Instagram sa cellphone ko. I was scrolling and looking at my home page when a request message popped.Agad kong tiningnan kung sino iyon at nagulat ako kung sino. Saang lupalop niya nahanap ang instagram account ko?mntvrd.cupid:Ang aga mo magising.Biglang nawala ang antok ko at napasuklay sa buhok. Cupid as in Cupid-cupid?Hindi ko namalayan na may namuong ngiti sa labi ko. Mabilis akong sumeryoso at tumikhim.Paano niya nakita ang IG ko?Nagdadalawang-isip pa ako kung i-seseen ko ba o huwag na.I was still think
"Hoy ang daya mo! Bakit si Ariadne lang 'yung kinuwentuhan mo?" Reklamo ni Lei na katapat kong kumakain."Well, aren't you busy with that military major?" Sagot ko sa kanya sabay nag roll eyes.Nag pout lang siya sa akin bago binuksan ang chocolate drink na dala niya. Look at this girl and her obsession in chocolates."Hmp, still ang daya mo pa rin, kung hindi pa sinabi sa'kin ni Aria na may chika ka, hindi ko malalaman. You're taksil!" Pagtatampo niya.Natawa naman ako sa inakto niya. Well, sanay kaming nagsasabihan ng chika namin sa life."Hindi naman kasi importante," sagot ko sabay subo ng strawberry na hawak ko."Anong hindi importante? Girl love life mo 'yun!" Singit ni Aria. Akala ko busy siya sa cellphone niya tapos biglang sisingit sa usapan.Dinuro naman ni Lei si Aria. "Hoy isa ka pa, ikaw nga 'di mo sinabi sa'kin na may asawa ka na." She rolled her e
Song used: I'll never go by Erik Santos. Credits to the real owner.It's already eleven o'clock when we finished watching the last movie. We're both laughing since it's a comedy movie. I mean, I'm laughing while he's just chuckling and smiling a little.I mentally rolled my eyes, kahit kasi nakakatawa ang scene ay ngingiti-ngiti lang siya. Akala mo walang emosyon.Nagliligpit na kami ng kalat sa buong sala. Tinatapon niya ang mga pinagkainan naming chips at soda habang ako naman ay nagwawalis ng palagid."It's already late, uuwi ka pa ba?" I asked then realized something. I sounded like I want him to stay.Well, gusto ko nga. Just a little.Napailing ako sa naisip ko. Nako naman Psyche, umiiral na naman ang kaharutan hormone mo."Yeah, I need to go home kasi maaga ako aalis bukas." He then combed his hair with his fingers. I felt a little bit
Song used: Ipagpatawad mo by Mayonnaise. Credits to the real owner."Okay ka lang?" Naramdaman ko ang paghawak ni Aria sa balikat ko. Lumingon ako sa gawi niya at marahang tumango.Okay lang ako.That's what I've said to my self kahit hindi naman talaga.Hanggang sa matapos ang klase ay wala akong kibo. Hindi niya rin ako kinakausap dahil alam niyang ayaw ko ng kausap kapag hindi ako okay.Sanay ako sa self comfort without needing other's presence, siguro 'yun 'yung hindi magandang ugali ko."Are you gonna be okay?" Nag-aalalang tanong ni Lei. Yes, kasama na namin siya. Dapat galit siya kanina pero nang makita ang mukha ko ay hindi na siya nagalit sa akin.The day's over, we're going home. Maglalakad nalang siguro ako pauwi.I hummed. "Bakit naman hindi?"She smiled sweetly. "I know you're malakas. Kaya mo 'yan, fi
"Her name is Psyche Venice Azarcon. A 23 year old business management student." Inabot sa akin ni Hades ang papel na hawak niya. I looked through her basic informations. Her name, her age, her birthday, and more."Bakit wala siyang picture?" Napakunot ang noo ko.He shrugged. "She really don't post that much. Wala akong makuha. I can't find her instagram account either, hindi naman ako spy."I chuckled on what he said. I tapped his back and made my way out.Hawak ang papel ay sumakay ako sa kotse at nag drive papunta sa café ko. It's Valentine's, siguro ay marami ang costumer ngayon, lalo na sa main branch. My cafe is always special on Valentine's, of course, my name is Cupid.I arrived on a scene that made me creased my forehead . 'Yung lalaki, nag popropose sa girlfriend niya. Tss, nothing's gonna last forever.Imbes na sa harap ay dumaan ako s
Love cannot live without trust. The words you can hear when you talk about Cupid. But how can you trust when they betray a lot of times? How are you able to trust that someone again when they were the one who broke it?Forgiveness. I learned that forgiveness brings back the trust that is once lost. If you're able to forgive, you'll be able to trust again."So how did you do it?" I asked him as I fasten the seatbelt. We're on our way back to the metro after he had lunch with my family.Kasama namin ang pamilya kong magtanghalian. We talked about all the things that happened and I'm glad that my family forgives Cupid. My father asked for our forgiveness as well as him for hurting me. Now, it's all good.He glanced at me as he drive. "Uh, I.." he paused, "I changed my perfume and learned how to change my voice.""Oh?""Yeah, if you remember, I
I'm sipping my wine in the veranda of the hotel room I'm in. Nakatingin ako sa mga bituwin na nasa langit. I wonder what is he doing right now.Nakasuot ako ng black satin nighties and a robe. It's 10 PM here in Hong Kong and this is the last night here. Bukas ng umaga ay uuwi na ulit ako ng Pilipinas.Three month here on Hongkong and focusing on myself really did helped me a lot. Ang isang buwan ay naging tatlo dahil pakiramdam kong mas kailangan ko pa ng oras. Now, I'm on the process of healing.I gained more confidence and I was able to forgive my father. Hindi naman talaga ako galit kay daddy, I'm just annoyed because he didn't told me anything about that.For Cupid's mom, I understand where her anger is coming from. Nagmahal lang siya, and it ruined her. Ayokong dumating sa point na gano'n kaya mabuti na rin sigurong lumayo ako sa loob ng tatlong buwan.
Hindi ko alam kung paanong nakarating ako sa ganitong sitwasyon pero nakita ko nalang ang sarili kong nakasay sa kanyang kotse habang nasa driver's seat siya."Your seatbelt. You never changed, you always forgot to fasten your seatbelt."I scoffed. "I've changed. You changed me," I answered bitterly.Hindi ako nakarinig ng reponse sa kanya kaya itinuon o nalang ang attention ko sa labas. I'm annoyed at him plus the heavy rain that's starting to pour.Bakit ba 'pag uulan, nawawalan ako ng gamit?"I.." he paused, "I hurted you and I'm planning to do everything for you to accept me again."Hindi ako sumagot sa kanya at tinitigan lang 'yung mga ulan na dumadaloy sa bintana.Napapikit ako. This is fcking deja vou. Nangyari na ito dati but a lot of things changed. Almost six years ago, I was on the same seat with the same situatio
Wearing my white and cream asymmetric dress paired with ankle strap platform heels with my vintage chanel bag, I entered the building.Today is Monday, all my employees are busy as they entertain clients. Sa bawat pagdaan ko ay babatiin ako ng mga empleyado na babatiin ko rin pabalik nang hindi ngumingiti.Dumiretso ako sa elevator bago kinuha ang cellphone galing sa bag ko. It is nine in the morning. Ang aga-aga pero busy na agad ang mga tao. I did not even notice that I'm alone here.When it stopped on my office floor, I walked outside. Sinalubong ako ng secretary kong may hawak na bulaklak.Isang linggo na ang nakaraan matapos ang birthday ni Devan and since that week, I've been receiving white roses and americano every morning. Ngayong umaga naman ay may kasamang pancakes.Kinuha ko sa kamay niya ang Americano at pancakes. Good thing I haven't had my breakfa
Mabilis akong umalis sa pagkakahawak niya at naglakad papalayo sa kanya. I don't want to see him, I don't want to talk to him either."Psyche," he called.I stopped and glanced at him, "what?" Kasing lamig ng simoy ng hangin ang boses ko.I saw him hesitating to say something but his eyes were pleading. Hindi ko alam kung para saan ang pakiusap sa mga mata niya at ayaw ko ring malaman."Are you gonna say something?" I keep my face stoic pero sa loob ay halos magwala na ang mga lamang loob ko. I clenched my fist to prevent them from trembling. Nanghihina rin ang tuhod ko at parang anytime ay babagsak ako."C-Can we talk?" His voice is soft as feathers but I know better. Maybe he's just pretending to be like that like how he lied about being my husband.I pressed my lips together. "We're already talking Mr. Monteverde."
"I am willing to invest 3.5 million in your company," I was sipping on my juice when Madam Christina said that. Muntik pa akong mahulunan dahil sa gulat."That's a very huge amount," I said formally, tinago ko ang pagkagulat at ipinakita ang formality sa boses ko.Bago kami makapag-usap ng ganito ay ang tagal kong hinanap ang table na pina reserve niya. Kinailangan ko pang i-contact ang secretary ko dahil 'yung boss ay hindi alam kung ano ang name na under reservation.When I reached her table, nagulat ako dahil mukha siyang bata. I mean, since she called herself Madam Christina, I thought she was in her 60's already pero hindi. She's wearing a sun dress and a brown cat eye shades. May hawak siyang pouch and she looked intimidating.We shaked our hands and introduced ourselves to each other before we reached this far."I asked my inaanak kasi kung saan ako pwedeng mag
"Guys! Nakakita na ako ng pupuntahan for team building. Hindi ba naghahanap si sir Devan na pwedeng puntahan?""May nahanap din ako!""Mas maganda 'yung sa akin!"Nadatnan akong nag-uusap ang mga nasa finance department kasama ang mga interns. Nang makita ako ng isa sa kanila ay agad silang nagsibalik sa kanilang ginagawa na para bang hindi ako kasali sa pinag-uusapan nila kanina.Ano ba kasing pinag-uusapan nila?I rolled my eyes. Hindi naman talaga ganito ang ugali ko pagdating sa mga employees pero bad trip ako ngayong umaga. Pinipressure ako ng board dahil sa mga investor na munting nang mawala at ako ang sinisisi nila.Ni hindi ko nga alam bakit ako ang idinidiin nila and after that, I decided to asked my secretary if it's my fault. Now I realized that my personal problems were starting to interfere with my work. Hindi ako makapag focus
My head hurts like hell.Dahan-dahan akong bumangon mula sa pagkakahiga ko sa kama. Ang una ko agad napansin ay ang texture ng hinihigaan ko. I know how my pillow and bedsheet feels like.Iginala ko ang mata ko. Unfamiliar. Dumapo agad ang tingin ko sa cr at nakahinga ng maluwag. I thought I'm on someone else house ngunit napansin ko kaagad ang cr at ang buong kuwarto na halos walang personal na gamit. I know that I'm in a hotel room somewhere.My head is throbbing, so are my eyes. Ang sakit ng mata ko sa kakaiyak kagabi. Even though my head hurts, I manage to stand and fix my things. Dumiretso ako sa cr na nasa loob ng hotel room at inayos ang sarili ko. As I put concealer below my eyes, I remembered what caused me to be like this.I closed my eyes as I felt a lone tear escape my eye. Sariwang-sariwa pa ang sakit na nararamdaman ko and it can't stop me from crying over again. Hindi naman