Chapter Two

Chapter Two

HALOS hindi mapakali si Jann sa kama kanina pa siya paikot-ikot. Hindi rin nakatulog ng maayos ang dalaga dahil sa nangyari kagabi. Iniwan niya ang binata kagabi nang mahimasmasan na ito sa kakaiyak. Hindi tuloy maiwasan na maalala niya ang mukha ng lalaki kagabi. May kahabaan ang buhok nito pero bumagay naman sa mukha nito. Ang panga nito perpekto, at ang ilong nitong matangos na parang ang sarap kurutin. And his eyes were beautiful... kulay abo ang mata nito. The more she stares at his eyes, yesternight... the more she realized. His eyes were so beautiful because it tells the stories he could never tell.

"Jann, mag-ayos ka na. Aalis na tayo."

Tumango siya sa sinabi ng kaibigan habang dahan-dahang nag-inat ng katawan. Pasalamat siya't hindi siya nagkasakit dahil matagal siyang nakababad kagabi sa dagat. Sakitin pa naman siya. Matapos niyang mag-ayos ng gamit ay lumabas na siya sa kwarto habang naka abrisyete sa braso ng kaibigan.

"Sa'n kagaling kagabi? Ang tagal mong bumalik, ha."

She faked a smile, "Wala, nag ikot-ikot lang at nagbabad ng kaunti sa dagat."

Sumimangot si April, "Akala ko naghanap ka na naman ng boyfriend."

Umirap si siya, "Wow! Ano ang akala mo sa 'kin desperada? Hindi naman ako ganun, teh! Sa ganda kong 'to? Baka ikaw  pa."

"Eh? 'Di ikaw na! Hiyang-hiya naman ako sa ganda mo."

"Naman!"

Patango-tango pang sabi niya habang nakangisi. Naestatwa siya sa kinatatayuan nang mapansin ang pamilyar na pigura na papalapit sa kanila. Napatayo siya ng tuwid at pinigilan ang sarili na magpakita ng kung anu-anong emosyon.

"May fafable na papalapit. Shit, ang gwapo!"

Irit pa ni April habang sinusundot sa tagiliran niya. Pinigilan niya na h'wag matawa. Lalo pa't nakikiliti siya sa ginagawa ng kaibigan. Pinanlakihan niya ng mata ang kaibigan habang pinipigilan ang kamay nito sa pagsundot sa tagiliran niya.

"Ano ba! Maharot kang bakla ka!" patawa-tawa pang reklamo niya.

Napatayo nang tuwid siya nang makarinig ng tikhim. Kumurap siya saglit nang makitang nakatitig sa kanya ang lalaki. She tried to smile but she end up grimacing.

"Hi," she crooked.

"Can we talk?"

He said while still looking at her. She nodded and glanced at April. Her friend nodded, but his eyes says the opposite. His eyes were telling her. 'Mamaya ka bakla! Tell me everything or you'll die.' Iginiya siya ng lalaki sa restaurant. Hindi alam ni Jann kung bakit pero hindi siya natakot sa lalaki. Hindi siya nag-isip ng masama rito. The guy could be a rapist or a killer, but Jann didn't think of it. She knew the guy is a good man. Agad na napangiti siya nang makita ang dalawang chikiting. Kinawayan niya ang mga ito. She giggled when their eyes widened with disbelief. Nang malapitan na nila ang mga bata, the guy cleared his throat.

She looked at him with concern,"Are you okay?"

He nodded, "Thank you."

"For what?" she asked.

"It just felt like I needed to say thank you."

Natawa siya sa sinabi ng lalaki, "Sira! So are we now friends?"

Hindi sumagot ang lalaki at basta na lang naupo. Aaminin niya na insulto siya sa ginawa ng lalaki. So she did the same thing para matakpan ang pagkakapahiya niya. Tumabi siya kay Chan, marahan niyang ginulo ang buhok ng bata ng ngitian siya nito. Nang makita niya ang dalawang bata pakiramdam niya gusto na niyang magka-anak. Nasa tamang edad na rin naman siya. Bente cinco anyos na siya, nasa tamang edad na para mag-asawa at magka-anak. Ang kaso nga lang wala pa siyang nakita magiging asawa at magiging tatay ng mga anak niya. Lahat naman ng naging boyfriend niya, it's either niloko siya o nasasakal na siya sa uri ng relasyon na naibigay sa kaniya. Kailan niya ba mahahanap ang lalaking magpapalutang sa kaniya papuntang alapaap?

Nakita mo na, teh! Yang nasa harap mo, fafable! She shook her head vehemently.

God! She thinking absurd things! Ano namang mali kung magkagusto ako sa kaniya? Pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang lalaki nasa harap niya. Ilang ulit na niya itong naka-usap pero pakiramdam niya ay hindi siya kontento doon. Her eyes glued on his fingers... a ring. A wedding ring to be exact.

Homopia ka, teh! Akala mo single dad! Kasi walang asawang kasama at naglasing kagabi!

Pakiramdam niya pinagsakluban siya ng langit. Bakit hindi niya naisip na kasal na ito? Pero kasalanan niya bang akala niya single dad ito lalo pa't wala itong kasamang babae na maaaring asawa o nobya nito. Isa pa, naglasing ito kagabi. So her assumed he's single. But well... her assumptions were wrong.

Baka kinasal ulit, namimiss ang dating asawa.

"They want to treat you an ice cream. That's why I called you."

Tumango siya at binalingan ng tingin ang dalawang bata.

"Alam niyo ang cute-cute niyo. Ang sarap niyong ipasok sa bulsa sa liit niyo."

She pinched Ching's face and giggled.

Pasalamat talaga 'tong antipatikong tatay nila na ang cute ng mga bata 'ire. Kung hindi minura ko na siya! She thought.

Akala pa naman niya bumait na ang lalaki dahil sa pag-uusap nila kagabi. But heck! He's back as the Grinch.

"'Di ba po maliit rin kayo?" Chan commented and stared at her innocently.

Binabawi ko na. Nagmana sa tatay niya ang mga batang 'to!

She faked a laugh, "Maliit talaga ako. Kaya kayo you should always eat healthy foods. Baka magaya kayo sa 'kin. Hindi na lumaki."

Ching shook her head, takot atang magaya sa kanya.

"Daddy, I don't want to be small. I want to grow tall," Ching said to her dad.

She raised her brows when Sansrif only nodded. She was hurt for the two little kids. Her parents showered her with love and affection. Kahit pa nasa ibang bansa halos ang tatay niya noon. Hindi ito nagkulang sa pagpapaalalang mahal na mahal siya nito at ang mga kapatid. Even her mom loves her so much that whatever she do in life she always supports her. Kahit na mas pinili niya ang maging isa photographer kaysa ipagpatuloy ang pagiging nurse.

"Sweetie, you and your brother will grow tall like your, Dad. If you'll always be obedient, always eat healthy foods and sleep early. Promise, you will not have the same height as me when you grow old."

She said reassuringly and messed Ching's hair. Gusto na niya talagang magka-anak 'yun nga lang ang malas-malas niya sa love life. She enjoyed talking to the kids. She told them her childhood escapades that made them laugh except their father. Who sat their fixated to his laptop. Masyadong busy, na kahit sobrang ingay nilang tatlo. He doesn't even budge. He just say there and typing something on his laptop.

"Talaga po?" Ching asked.

She nodded and smiled, "Yes, Baby. You'll grow tall just be kind and always eat healthy foods."

"So hindi po kayo mabait?" Chan on other hand asked innocently.

She chuckled, kids are really innocent. What a breath of fresh air!

"I was kinda naughty back then. Well I got my height from my mom too," she explained.

She glanced at her wrist watch, "guys. I really enjoyed being with you but I really have to go."

"No," Ching said and crossed her arms.

"But honey, me and my friends need to go home. Our work here is already done," she explained, for a short period of time these two kids made their way to her heart.

"Can we still see you, Ate Jann?" Chan on the other hand asked with his pleading eyes.

Who is she to say no?

"Ah, It depends on your dad," she glance at him. Napahinto ito sa pagtitipa.

"Daddy?" the two kids asked with their cute little voices.

Sansrif glance at her. She raised her brows. He look at the kids and sighed.

"Fine, I'll have your number so the kids can communicate with you," he handed his phone to her.

She took it, she swiped his phone and almost melted when she saw his wallpaper. It's the two kids smiling and hugging each other in bed. She typed her number and handed back his phone to him.

"I guess this is not goodbye, so may I have my kiss?" she asked the two kids.

They all went to her and hugged her, they both kissed her cheeks that made her feel overwhelmed.

"You two, be good. We'll see each other someday."

"Can Daddy kiss you?" Ching innocently asked that made her choke.

"Ah, no. Your Mommy will be mad. We don't want that right?"

Kahit na walang malisya ay ayaw niyang mahalikan ng isang antipatiko. She plaster a fake smile, kahit gusto niya pang makasama ang dalawang bata ay hindi pwede. Her friend April has been waiting for her for almost an hour. Alam niyang gigil na gigil na iyon na sabunutan siya.

Chan pulled her sleeves.

"Yes?"

"But we don't have a Mommy, Ate Ja-"

"You can be our Mommy!" Ching cheerfully said that it almost made her eyes popped.

She glance at Sansrif who's looking at her grimly. Napalunok siya sa takot. Pinanlakihan niya ng mata ang binata upang mapansin na nahihirapan na siya.

"You two, stop. Let that little lady leave peacefully. Her work here is done already, she needs to go home."

Ching pouted, "But Daddy, I want a Mommy because you are always busy. I don't like Dreia to be my Mommy."

Pakiramdam niya ay malapit ng sumabog sa inis ang lalaki. So she awkwardly laugh to catch their attention.

"Hey, guys I really need to go. See you soon. God bless us all, Amen."

She stood up and left without looking back. She felt awkward hearing that complain from Ching. She should not supposedly hear that. She felt sad for the kids. Knowing that they only want Sansrif's attention. Pakiramdam niya ay may kung anong tuwa ang naramdaman niya nung marinig mula kay Ching na walang asawa si Sanriff.

Hindi nga siya nagkakamali. As soon as she went back to their room, just saw April sitting at the bed. Staring at her intently.

"Anong tinitingin-tingin mo riyan?"

April stood up and rolled his eyes, "Explain, Jann."

"What? What should I explain?" pagmamaang-maangan niya pa.

April went closer to her, "Did you have a one night stand?"

"What? No!"

"Then, ano yun?"

"God, I don't do a one night stand, you idiot!"

April sighed, "Baka umandar na naman iyang love meter mo, Jann. Be careful with your heart naman, Teh!"

Hinampas niya ang kaibigan sa inis, "Gagang 'to! Kung anu-anong iniisip, I told you I saw his kids. I befriended with them and he mistakenly thought of me as a kidnapper. That's all, now can we leave?"

Bumuntong hininga ang kaibigan at inakbayan siya, "You see Jann, I am not against with you falling in love all over again. It's just that I don't want you to be hurt. Alam mong kotang-kota ka na, pasok ka na sa top ten nominees ng Gawad Ulirang Tanga Awardee. Kaya please lang, ingatan mo 'yang puso mo."

She smiled at what her friend had said, "Aww! Pakiss nga, na touch ako sa sinabi mo. Umamin ka na kasing matagal mo na 'kong mahal.""

April acted like he wants to puke, "Tang ina, manahimik ka! Mas dyodyowain ko pa ang Kuya mo, Gagang 'to."

Paulit-ulit man siyang masaktan sa ngalan ng pag-ibig, masuwerte naman siya sa mga barkada. She would never trade them with anyone else.

"CHEERS!"

They all screamed at the top of their lungs. Matagal na rin ng huli silang magsama-sama magbabarkada. After many months they are finally complete! Miss na miss na niya ang kanyang mga barkada, she may have a lot of friends but nothing really beats her senior high school friends. They are partying at The Glass, a well known bar in their city. They had been dancing and drinking for hours, the alcohol was already kicking in. All her inhibitions were thrown, sayaw lang siya ng sayaw. Even her friends were dancing too, they were all making funny dance steps and funny faces.

"Two o'clock, a guy with a green polo shirt is mine," April uttered, making her grimaced.

"Mine. Six o'clock, walang agawan mga, Siswa!" Dale also said.

"Hoy, I thought there would be no hookups tonight!" she protested.

Dale rolled her eyes and tapped her shoulders, "Jann, lahat ng kaibigan natin dala dyowa nila. How about us? We need some fun tonight, come on. We've been busy at our work, we need to loosen up."

April rolled her eyes, "Kaming mga bakla, we need some fafable and extra exciting fun. Ano ka ba, huwag kang cockblocker, Teh!"

It is normal for her to see her friends hook up with someone. Sanay na rin naman siya, sex is very much normal for her. However, in all the past relationships she had. She never had sex with her exes. She's an old soul, she believes in marriage. She's twenty five years old and a virgin. Noon, she's planning to give her virginity to her ex. Shits happen, she caught her ex having sex with someone else. The next relationships she had were only for a short period of time. Kaya hanggang ngayon isa pa rin siyang babaeng birhin, pero ang isip niya ay sing dumi na ng imbornal. Her friends corrupted her mind, minsan curios na curios na siya. She wants to try sex and explore it pero nananaig ang kaanghelan sa utak niya.

She left her friends at the dance floor. Bumalik siya sa table nila at walang humpay na uminom, kumpleto silang sampung magkakaibigan. Ang iilan sa kanila at dala ang mga nobyo at nobya. They were all flirting with each other, she couldn't help but roll her eyes in annoyance.

"Uy, Jann. Dahan dahan naman!" pagpapaalala ni Steve, akmang hihilahin papalayo sa kanya ang bote ng alak.

She squinted her nose and tapped Steve's hand, "No! Let me, I wanna get drunk."

"Teka, where's your boyfriend?" Vie asked.

Sa inis, nagsalin na naman siya ng alak sa baso. Naaalala na naman niya ang malambot niyang ex.

"Tang ina," she cursed. Pakiramdam niya ay maiiyak siya.

Akala niya kasi ito na ang huling magiging ex niya. He was caring, sweet and charming. Kaya madalas siyang mauto at bilhin lahat ng gusto nito just to please him, pero kahit anong gawin niya. He still cheated and choose to be with a man.

"Hey, Queen. Are you okay? Did that stupid guy hurt you?!" Joshua asked while caressing her back.

"Huwag niyo ng ipaalala please lang. God, naiiyak ako 'pag naalala ko ang sirenang 'yun!"

She wanted to wail her heart out, sunod sunod siyang tumungga ng alak. Her friends kept asking her questions but she keeps on shutting them. Kapag ikinuwento niya pa sa mga ito, pakiramdam niya ay babalik siya sa araw na nahuli niya ito. Even they were only together for two months, she love him sincerely. She had thought of the idea of being with him for the rest of her life. She's even planning to travel with him.

'God! Bakit ang malas-malas ko sa pag-ibig?!' She thought to herself.

Hinayaan niya ang sariling magpakalasing. Inom lang siya ng inom, hanggang sa pakiramdam niya ay umiikot na ang paningin niya. Nagpaalam siya sa mga kaibigan na magbabanyo.

"Samahan ka na ni Denise," her friend Joshua suggested to let her girlfriend accompany her.

"No!"

She said and wave her hand, natatawa siyang tumayo. Her friends face are all blurry before her friends could protest she ran away. Panay ang pagkakabangga niya sa bawat taong nakakasalubong niya, but her urge to pee is more than that. She was drowned in the ocean of people. The loud music is all over the place, nahihilo siya sa bawat galaw ng tao ng nakapaligid sa kanya.

"Excuse me, I wanna pee!" usal niya sa bawat nakakasalubong niya.

She reached the comfort room area, her head spinning. Her visions blurry.  She wanted to puke, before she could reach the ladies room. She almost trips, a person grabs her arms. She opened her eyes and tried to blink a couple of times.

"Sansrif the Grim Reaper!"

She giggled at his response, his forehead creased in confusion. She lightly tapped his face.

"You're drunk," he stated.

She shook her head, "I ain't drunk. Nakilala kaya kita agad. I'm just a little bit dizzy."

"You shouldn't be here. This place is not for you, where is your friend?"

"No, I shall pee!" parang batang sagot niya.

He sighed, "Fine. Go inside and pee. I'll wait for you and you'll go back to your friends."

She nodded and bit her lower lip, "Hmm."

It's been one week since she last saw him. Hindi niya aakalaing makikita niya pa uli ang lalaki. He escorted her to Ladies Room. She hurriedly went in, nginingitian niya lahat ng taong nasa loob ng Ladies Room. Kung masyado siyang friendly 'pag hindi nakainom. Mas malala siya sa sa tuwing lasing. She can be friends with anyone, kaya lahat ng kaibigan niya ay pinagbabawalan siyang uminom ng marami. There's nothing wrong with being friendly. However, drunk Jann is worst. Kamuntik-muntikang na siyang ma-kidnap noong college days niya. Kung kani-kanino kasi siya nakikipag-usap sa tuwing nalalasing.

After she peed, she went out of the Ladies Room. She saw Sansrif with his usual grim reaction. She wave her hands to catch his attention. Masyado siya maliit kumpara sa height ng binata. Kung hindi pa siya nakasuot ng heels ay nagmukha siyang duwende.

"You should go back to your friends. You should be responsible. Someone can take advantage of you," pangaral pa ng binata.

"I'm a grown up woman!" she insisted and raised her right hand.

He shook his head, "A grown woman knows that a bar is not safe. You should be with your friends unless you're here for hook—"

"Jann?" a familiar voice spoke.

She tilted her head, as soon as she saw him. Her smile automatically vanished. Pakiramdam niya bumalik lahat ng sakit at pait.

"Jann, ikaw nga! Long time no see." His ex Stephen said and smiled.

She was taught to be always good, to be kind in every situation. But right now, with the alcohol in her body, with the anger in her heart. She walked towards him. Kung kanina na hilong-hilo siya, ngayon ang tanging iniisip niya lang ay makabawi.

"Jann?" he asked in confusion.

She never said any word and walked towards him, closer and closer.

"Shit!" he screamed in agony.

She just kicked him right to his thing with all her might.

"That's what you get for cheating on me!"

Nagpupuyos ang kalooban niya sa galit. Gusto niya pang saktan ang lalaki. Iparanas dito kung gaano kasakit ang ginawa nito sa kanya. He could have just tell right through her face that he doesn't  love her. She would accept it, but cheating? It's too much!

"What the heck, Jann!" Stephen shouted, he tried to reach for her but a strong arm enveloped Jann into a warm hug. He was hugging her like he was ready to protect her from anything else.

"Sansrif,"  hindi niya makapaniwalang usal.

"Don't you dare lay a finger on her or else I'll sue you. You hurt her once, twice is too much. Now get your face out of my property!"

Wait what? he was the owner of The Glass?! She thought.

She barely knew him but he was kind enough to wait for her until she's done peeing. He was kind enough to protect her from being hurt physically.

A mere stranger. She thought he was the Grim Reaper but right now, he is her savior.