Kabanata 5

Horny

Good morning. Ano'ng ginagawa mo? Busy ka ba?

I badly want to ignore Kepler's text because I know I'm not obliged to answer his questions. I find him annoying as time goes by. Palagi siyang nagti-text, minsan ay nagtatanong, minsan ay nagsasabi ng mga nangyari sa kaniya sa araw na iyon. The heck I care?

Kahit sa school ay nagkakausap kami. He's taking too much of my time just to chit-chat, talking about random things about himself.

"...I shot three points on the block. Natalo namin yung Jiggers because of my last shot."

Blah-blah. That's all I hear when he's talking. I'm just trying my best to be responsive as I can. Dapat siguro ay hindi na ko na tinanggap ang regalo niya noon para hindi ako tinutukso ngayon na nasa "love triangle" daw ako.

Idagdag pa itong si Fizale na mas lalo kong pinag-iinitan dahil sa nangyari kahapon. I fucking want to strangle him! Nakakahiya.

Isang malaking insulto ang ginawa niya. Nakakainsulto iyon para sa katulad ko.

But on the other hand, I can’t ignore the fact that he did save our reporting. As well as those… napkins. I feel like I owe him a moment of ceasefire although I’m really frustrated. Always frustrated.

Para sa ikakawala ng pagkalito ng isip ko ay mas pinipili kong iwasan na lang siya. Natatakot na ako para sa mga naiisip ko.

That one time I almost killed myself for a stupid dream of him.

It's not a normal dream. It's one of my freaking wet dreams. Since then, palagi kong hinahanap ang amoy niya kahit na nag-aaway kami. What the hell?

Maybe I should just ask for his perfume? Na-attract lang ako sa perfume niya! I can always smell him!

I really hate my thoughts. I sometimes found myself staring at him so much then I realized many fucking things about him. He's certainly handsome! And I'm ogling on his body! For fuck's sake!

Baka ganito lang ako kasi nabo-bored na ako sa kakapanood ng mga porn sa phone ko. I should d******d new and interesting ones that could pique my interest. Damn.

Napainom ako ng tubig matapos mag-threadmill. Nagsimula na akong mag-gym dahil nga sa sinabi ni Mama. This is an extra effort for my diet. Hindi pa siya kuntento sa body figure ko. Baka gusto niyang maging buto't balat ako.

I sighed before looking at my phone again. Nag-reply ako kay Kepler out of respect. Ayokong isipin niyang suplado ako.

Good morning din. Nag-exercise ako. Medyo busy. Puno ang sched ko for today.

Hindi sa iniiwasan ko si Kepler. My replies are generic. Ayokong idetalye sa kaniya ang mga gagawin ko at baka maisipan pa niyang makialam. I'll just let him think that I'm busy studying.

It's the truth tho. I'm really busy. Dahil Sabado ngayon, I have to go to La Valencia para tulungan si Lola Ponce sa resto katulad ng napag-usapan namin noong nakaraan. But before that, I have an appointment on a Dental Clinic para sa monthly check-up ko.

I took a quick bath on the gym's bathroom. Pagkatapos ay nag-antay na ako ng masasakyang traysikel papuntang klinika. Wala kasing kotse sa bahay dahil ginamit nila Mama kaya nag-commute lang ako. Sabi nila'y susunduin na lang nila ako bukas sa La Valencia.

Nang makarating ay napatigil lang ako sa harap ng Dental Clinic at hindi pa pumasok. Hinalughog ko pa ang wallet ko sa loob ng bag.

Damn! Did I lost my wallet?

"Neng, bente pesos lang yung babayaran mo," sabi ng tricycle driver.

I tried looking on the pockets of my jumpsuit. It was useless. I just wore this on the gym.

"Sandali lang po. Magbabayad po ako."

Naisip ko na lang na manghiram na lang muna ng pera kay Ate Cheena na siyang assistant ni DMD Melissa, ang dentista ko.

I was about to open the door when someone from the inside suddenly pushed the door, making me bumped my forehead to the thick glass.

"Ah..." sabi ko sa sapo ang noo.

Who the hell did—

"Sorry," aniya. "Eli? Fuck! I'm sorry."

Agad na lumapit si Fizale at hinawakan ang baba ko parang iangat ang mukha. Hinawi niya ang kamay ko at tinitigan ang bahaging nabunggo.

Sa paglapat ng kamay niya sa aking pisngi ay sandaling kumislot ang puso ko. It's the first time I got to gaze his face at this close distance and it dawned me one undesirable truth— he's definitely gorgeously handsome.

His skin looks so flawlessly white. His nose is delicate, high, and pointed. His long dark lashes defining his jet black eyes. His lips are seductively hot— more seductive than those guys in the porn I've watched.

As I said, although I keep saying he's a white walking stick, he's not actually skinny. He's rather lean and tall. His jaws are defined, has wide shoulders, and most of all, aromatic. He's fragrant.

But then, para akong nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig. Nangilabot ako sa sariling naiisip. Did I just praised this guy? Humahanga ba ako sa kaniya? No freaking way!

Marahas kong tinampal ang kamay niyang nasa mukha ko at napaatras.

"I'm fine.”

He bit his lip and gave me a mocking smile. I noticed that his teeth braces are different unlike the last time, from black to diamond. Napatayo siya nang tuwid at nagpamulsa.

"Why are you blushing, baby? Did I make your  heart flutter?"

Sinalakay ng dagundong ang puso ko. Ano bang nangyayari sa'kin? Bakit ako nagpapaapekto sa bwisit na lalaking ito? Gusto niya lang na nakikita akong naiinis sa kaniya. I won't allow him to think that he always win over me.

"Asa ka. Why would my heart flutter? Are you Leonardo Dicaprio? You're such a thick-faced idiot," I bluntly said.

He licked his lips. Nagsalubong pa lalo ang kilay ko sa ginawa niya.

"I'm more handsome than that Titanic protagonist," he proudly stated.

"Yabang. Akala mo kung sinong gwapo," pag-ungot ko. "Tabi diyan."

Sinadya ko siyang banggain nang pumasok ako sa pintuan ng klinika.

"Wait, baby," tatawa-tawa niyang pagtawag.

Sumunod pa talaga sa akin. What's his problem? Why is he bugging me again? Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin dahil lumapit na ako sa frontdesk.

"Hello, Elsphit!" bati ni Ate Cheena.

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya.

"Hi po, Ate. Can I trouble you for something?"

"Oh. Sure. Walang kaso. Ano ba yun?"

I hesitated a bit because Fizale is just around, probably waiting for what I'll say.

"May extra cash po ba kayo? Kailangan ko pong bayaran yung tricycle driver pero nawala ko yata ang wallet ko."

"Sure. Give me a second."

"No need, Cheen. I'll pay."

Napabaling ako kaagad kay Fizale. He said he'll pay? Pabida talaga. Ayokong magka-utang sa kaniya.

"Huwag na," I stopped him.

Hindi siya nakinig at dire-diretsong lumabas. I saw how he effortlessly paid a thousand on the driver. What the heck? Is he bragging? Nagtawanan pa sila ng driver. Are they laughing at me? Ano'ng pinag-uusapan nila?

"Sus! Ang generous talaga 'yang si Mizo. He's such a good boyfriend right?"

"Po?" pagpihit ko kay Ate Cheena.

"Ang swerte mo sa kaniya," Ate Cheena said while wiggling her eyebrows.

"Uh. He's not my boyfriend po. It's not what you think," naasiwa kong sambit.

"Oh, really? Manliligaw pa lang? Sagutin mo na."

Napailing ako. I laughed awkwardly. I can't even imagine that Fizale would court me. Nakakapangilabot.

"No, Ate. He's not a suitor as well. He's just a friend and my rival. People here are just entertained with us being a love-team."

"Really? I thought..." 'di-makapaniwalang sabi niya. "Para talaga kasing totoo kayong magkasintahan. Bakit 'di niyo totohanin na? Don't you like Mizo?"

Muntik na akong masamid sa sinabi ni Ate Cheena. Freak! Like a real couple? It's not gonna happen. Not in a million years.

"Hindi po. I'm not interested in him," napailing kong sabi.

Okay, I admit that he is attractive but I'm still not interested in him. Not to the point that I want him as a lover. Napakaimposible sa aming dalawa na parehong competitive.

"Talaga? Nakikita ko kasing gusto ka ni Mizo. Parang sweet siya sa'yo."

Sweet my ass. Kulang na lang talaga ng espada para magduwelo kami. I remembered how often he pull my hair and mess with me when we were a kid.

But it's only fair. He's five years older than me but I was taller than him when we were younger. I always push him to the swimming pool too everytime we visit their mansion. I also broke his eyeglasses. Naiinis ako sa kaniya tuwing nananalo siya. It hurts my pride.

Hindi ko rin matandaan kung kailan siya lumaki nang ganito. Maybe when he started in High School dahil minsan na lang kami magkita. O noong hindi na ako sinasama ni Mama sa mansiyon nila dahil palagi akong pinag-iinitan ni Señora Santillana.

 Or I'm just too busy to give a fuck on him and realize that he already matured.

"Hindi po. He just likes annoying me. Maraming babaeng naghahabol sa kaniya."

"Ows? Wala kang nararamdamang selos? Kahit konti? Wala kang nararamdaman sa kaniya?" she asked with a teasing smile.

"Wala po. I don't like him. Not even a bit. I'm really not interested," I abruptly declared.

My mom is always clear about it. Boys like Fizale only like to trample over girls like me. I can see it. Palagi niyang pinapamukha sa akin na hindi ako magaling. I fucking hate it. He and I are on different levels.

Though, I do feel intimidated by his presence. Kapag nandiyan siya, naiisip kong matatalo na naman ako.

I want to prove to everyone that I can stand on my own as a woman. Kaya ko siyang higitan. Someday, I will sit in top.

Narinig ko ang pagtikhim ni Fizale. I turned around and saw his dark mood. Galit na naman? Just a while ago, he was smiling.

Inirapan ko lang bago pumasok na sa session room.  What do I care? Mas moody pa siya kaysa sa akin.

My session lasted for an hour. I gladly finished my dental appointment. Buti naman at wala akong major cavities. I'll email my dental report to Mama para wala na siyang masabi pa.

Nagpaalam lang ako kay Ate Cheena nang paalis na. Hindi ko na nakita si Fizale. Natural. Alangan namang hintayin pa niyang matapos ako.

Ngunit napaisip ako kung saan kukuha ng pamasahe papuntang La Valencia. Hindi na kasi ako nag-abalang i-text pa si Nay Norma. Siguradong busy siya ngayon dahil may mga bisitang dadating sa bahay— iyong mga kasamahan nina Papa sa Station.

I checked the time and it's already 9:00. Meron naman akong pera sa Gcash ko pero hindi ko naman ‘to mapapalitan ng cold cash. Nasa bayan pa ang bangko.

I stopped for a while and decided to call Lola Ponce. Magpapasundo na lang ako rito.

Beep!

I almost jumped from a sudden surprise. A gray Maserati sports car stopped in front of me. Napakunot ang noo ko.

The window slide down and it revealed Fizale with his messy hair. Hambog niyang binaba ang kaniyang sunglasses. I noticed that his clothes are still the same earlier. Hindi siya umuwi? Ano'ng ginagawa niya rito?

"Hop in."

I just looked at him boredly. Pasikat.

"Just mind your own business."

"Are you being stubborn, Eli? You want me to drag you here?”

"I'm not stubborn. Ayaw lang kitang makasama.”

I made a face before continuing my walk on the side of the road. Namamawis na rin ako dahil sa init pero nunka akong sasakay sa kotse niya. Ilang minuto pa nga lang na magkalapit kami ay nakakainis na. What more in that tiny, closed space in his car?

"Tss. Who do you want to go with? That Basketball player?"

Inirapan ko siya nang dahan-dahan niyang pinaandar ang kaniyang sasakyan para lang makasabay sa akin. I ignored what he said and started dialing Lola Ponce's number.

"What's taking her long?" I quietly asked.

Mabilis akong mabagot ngayon.

"Are you seriously calling that guy, Eli?"

I just looked at him before dialing again my lola's number. Walang sumasagot. Is she busy or what? Ilang ulit kong tinawagan pero out of coverage area raw siya.

"Eli. Elsphit. Baby. Hey. Santocildes.”

"For fuck's sake stop calling my name! We're not that close! At nakakairita ka na!" bulalas ko.

I’m really losing my temper. Baka epekto 'to ng period ko. I'm not in the mood right now.

I harshly blown some air. Nakakainis naman kasi. Ang malas ko ngayong araw.

Napansin kong napahinto na nga ang sasakyan ni Fizale. Nakatitig lang siya sa akin nang may aliw sa mga mata.

"Ang sungit mo ngayon. Because of your period?"

More like a statement ang pagkakasabi niya.  He already knew yet he still asked.

"And why are you being an interloper? Ha? Pakialamero ka."

"Who are you calling, huh?" he ignored my question.

"Ano naman ngayon sa'yo? Wala ka nang pakialam sa kung sino man ang gusto kong tawagan."

"Is it that basketball player? Is he courting you? Do you like him?" tanong niya nang makalabas sa sasakyan.

"Ano nga 'yon sa'yo? Ano naman kung gusto ko nga siya o magpaligaw ako? Wala ka nang pakialam sa buhay ko. You’re not my boyfriend. You’re not even my friend. You’re acting like a damn jealous asshole.”

In just a second ay nasa harap ko na siya na may seryosong mukha. Gulat akong napatingala sa kaniya.

"You haven't answered my question, Santocildes."

"I d-don't need to answer you. Bakit ka ba tanong nang tanong?" I stuttered a bit.

Handa ko na siyang talikuran nang malakas niyang hinatak ang braso ko. Napasubsob ako sa matigas niyang dibdib. Sinalakay agad ako ng mabango niyang perfume. Ngunit mas namayani ang aking pagkagulat.

Did he just used his force on me? This is the first time he is aggressive.

"Really, Santocildes? Are you being serious right now?"

"Aray! W-why?"

Naguluhan ako kung ano ang uunahin. Lalayo sana ako pero nabuhol ang ilang hibla ng buhok ko sa unang butones ng kaniyang itim na shirt.

"Damn. Wait. I'll remove it.”

Ilang beses pa siyang napamura nang mapansin ang situwasyon namin. Napatingin ako sa paligid at nakitang may paparating na mga tao 'di-kalayuan.

What the hell? Baka makita kaming ganito at maisyuhan na naman. Mom will roast me at home!

"May mga tao. Bilisan mo."

"Don't move so I can untie it."

Hindi ko na alam kung ano'ng gagawin. When I realized how weird and close our position is, I am already panicking. Moreover, kilala ko kung sino ang mga taong papalapit—iyong mga dakilang tsismosa ng school.

"It's Christie and her bunch of minions. Can't you make it quicker?"

Gusto ko mang tumulong ay hindi ko rin makita sa sobrang lapit namin. My eye level is only on his chest and I can't move too much because I was distracted by his scent.

"Tapos na ba?" tanong ko ulit.

Naramdaman ko ang biglang pag-akay niya sa akin papunta sa masikip na eskinita.

With no warning, he suddenly pulled me for a hug making me stupefied.

He held the back of my head— hiding my face in his chest.

"Let's stay here for awhile. They haven't noticed."

Hindi ko na masiyadong napansin ang sinabi niya. I was too amused and scared at the same time. My heart is beating so hard out of my ribcage. I want to ignore what I am thinking right now but I can't stop myself.

No way. I am just nervous about getting caught by my schoolmates. It's not that thing.

Napatingala ako sa kaniya at napalayo nang kaunti. Pinakaramdaman ko ang sarili habang tinititigan siya.

And what the hell? My heart just skipped with excitement.

Agad siyang napatingin sa akin kaya napasinghap ako.

"H-how about your car?" I asked averting my gaze.

Napasilip ako sa kinaroroonan ng kaniyang sasakyan. I saw Christie, Natalia, Joy, and other girls. They were laughing while looking at their phone.

Mabuti na lang at mukhang hindi nga nila kami nakita kanina. But I saw how their eyes sparkled on Fizale's car. Napahinto pa sila at walang-hiyang kumuha ng mga litrato.

I grunt in annoyance. Kailan sila aalis?

Naramdaman ko ang paghigpit ng pagkakahawak ni Fizale sa aking baywang kaya napabaling ako sa kaniya.

He's looking at me intently with no shame. What hell is wrong with him?

"Don't look at me like that. You're scaring me," I said and broke the eye contact.

Doon ko lang din napansin na kanina pa pala nakalas ang pagkakabuhol ng buhok ko sa kaniyang butones.

I tried to pull myself away from him but he's not moving an inch. Kumislot pa ako pero hindi talaga natinag. Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata.

"What are you doing? You're taking advantage of me,” I tried speaking as softly as I can.

Mas lalo akong nagulantang nang marahas niya akong isinandal sa pader at mahigpit na niyakap. Pilit na isiniksik ang kaniyang mukha sa aking balikat, malapit sa leeg.

Nanindig nang matindi ang balahibo ko. W-what the...

"A-ano'ng ginagawa mo?" I nervously asked.

"What am I to you, Eli?”

“Y-you’re…” I trailed off. “S-stop this. A-ano bang problema mo?”

I don’t know. He’s a fellow competitor. Why is he asking me this difficult question?

“I’ll be your worst enemy, Santocildes. Don’t you ever try to hurt me.”

Ramdam ko ang malalim niyang paghinga.

"I-ikaw ang nananakit sa akin. You're scaring me, Fizale."

I tried to wriggle because I felt really uncomfortable.

"Stop moving before I lose my control," banta niya.

Napatulala lang ako nang napagtanto ang buong situwasyon. I can feel something big poking on my belly. What the freaking hell?

I have experience on watching pornographic tapes and I know what it is. I'm literally panicking and suppose of having a heart attack. Feeling this in real life gives me fright. Kinakabahan ako nang sobra.

"Mizojantre Fizale!”

Pagtawag ko sa pangalan niya para makakalas na sa kaniya.

Natigil ang mabigat niyang paghinga at napaangat ang tingin sa akin. His jet black eyes looked at me in shock.

"What did you call me?"

I saw how his adams apple moved. He licked his lips.

What did I say wrong?

"S-stop this nonsense already. Wala na sila. Pwede na tayong umalis," I said.

I avoided his gaze again before I lose my mind.

"Fuck. I'm horny,” he said in low voice.

But I still caught his words. What the fuck? I want to filter my ears and punch him in the gut.