Kabanata 5

What I did inside the conference hall is totally embarrassing. I just sat on my swivel chair and faced my computer. I hate working with her. That was the first time that my father humiliated me in front of many people. May mali rin naman ako. Pero sana sinabi niya na lang na kakausapin niya ako sa opisina niya. Kaya kong tanggapin lahat ng sigaw niya kung kaming dalawa lang ang makakarinig.

Though, I made a scandalous scene earlier.

Agatha must be laughing right now. Competing with me is her new way to survive in St. Martha International. That bitch, she ruined my life six fucking years ago. She seduced my long-term suitor. His name was Luke and I forgot his surname. Their sex scandal was sent to me by a stranger nung araw na sasagutin ko na sana siya. I almost overdose myself. I couldn't take it. My family didn'teven believed me. No one believed me. Maybe because they don't really treat me as a part of the family. My grandmother despise me more than Layla.

They resented me.

I pity Agatha for losing her virginity over a gold digger. Unluckily, walang batang nabuo. Might be okay to Agatha's side if meron, but our clan wouldn't like that. They would probably kick her out. She has no heart to give to me even though we're biologically related. Sana si Arville na lang yung lalakeng naging partner niya sa kama, kasi putangina! Parehas silang uhaw na uhaw sa kama!

The video was deleted before I could even get a copy. She framed me up. She even turned the tables telling me that I wasn't a virgin anymore. That's why napuno ako at tuluyan nang umalis sa mansyon. Their hate for me birthed when I was born. Lumala pa nung tumatanda na ako. They think of me as a slut. So as Harley. She even told everyone kung gaano ako kauhaw sa lalake gayong abala naman ako sa trabaho. Inilayo niya sakin yung bestfriend ko.

We had a huge fight. Luckily, our friends didn't interfere with our feud. Pumagitna na lang sila sa amin. I don't know why Harley tries to compete with me with men's attention, like I fucking care. We are good friends before, but she just ruined it because of insecurity.

Naudlot ang  pag iisip ko dahil sa kaunting ingay. I heard a knock behind my door. I immediately shut down my computer.

"Courtney!"

Binuksan ko yung pinto. It's Chanel. What is she doing here? Hindi pa tapos ang emergency meeting, ah?

"Courtney, what happened?" I didn't answer her. I just gave her a cold gaze. Bumalik ako sa aking upuan para ipagpatuloy ang iba ko pang reports. Umupo na lang siya sa sofa. Kinalikot niya ang kanyang cellphone at nanahimik na lang. Maya-maya'y may tumawag sa kanya. Sinagot niya naman ito.

Hindi ko na muna siya pinansin at tinignan ibang records sa desk ko. Nagsisisi akong isinara ko ang aking computer. Now, I have to wait for few minutes until it opens. Aayusin ko pa lahat ng reports at titignan kung tama ba ang mga na-i print.

I'm starting to doubt myself and think about how disappointed my dad is. Sabagay, hindi parin siguro mawala sa kanyang isipan yung time na bumagsak ako sa board exams before ako magkaroon ng lisensya. He nearly disowned me. I must blame Agatha. I lost concentration the day the scandal leaked. After that day was my exam.

I know I reviewed well that time. Matalino ako and I believe myself. I'm a consistent dean's lister. I'm on top of my classes, but all because Agatha almost lost everything. It's so easy for him to let me leave our house and live my life alone independently. Ako lang ang anak ni daddy, but the world is not mine to hold.

Layla and Agatha want St. Martha. My father hasn't been appointed yet as the chairman. His position is still temporary. I can say, all the hospital branches may still slip away from his hands. After all, Andradas are after money and properties. Only dad values family. I doubt if tito Gregorio isn't teaming up with his wife. He's the son of that old hag who forced me move out of their mansion. There's one thing I have in mind or now. must save St. Martha for my dad's sake and the people who work here. But I have to do everything to top and manage everything. Hindi ako papayag na mawala ang mga pinaghirapan ni daddy.

"Are you done, Chanel?"

"Hindi pa." This bitch still insist to stay here habang may meeting pa. Tsss. Pasaway. I think hundi siya komportable sa board kagaya ko. Who would've want to stay in that room of disgusting people who talks about someone behind his back? Masyado kasing malisyoso mga doktor dito. Kailangan na atang palitan.

Ibinaba ko muna ang mga papeles na hawak ko at tumingin sa kanya.

"The meeting isn't fucking over yet. Why are you here if they didn't dismiss it yet?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Actually tapos na ang meeting. Sorry, I wanna saty here muna." Wow, I though hindi pa tapos. Hindi ko na lang muna siya pinansin, pero nagsalita pa ulit.

"Dear, you won't like it if I tell you the reason why they suddenly dismissed the meeting."

I raised my eyebrow then say, "Pardon?"

"It was you," she answered.

"As expected." I ruined my dad's day again. What the hell is happening to me?

Babawi na lang ako next time. I ponder so much that it stress me out hindi naman ako pwedeng laging ganto.

Hapon na, ngunit nanatili pa rin akong tulala. I can't concentrate pag may galit sa akin si daddy. Can't last a day having a short misunderstanding with him. He's not easy to handle. Well, I could say I must leave that little argument for a while. Since we don't see each other here often, I shouldn't think of it. But my pride already had me eaten, forcing me to act that way. Kasalanan ko bang tanga si Travis at malandi si Agatha? Not even a single sorry will they hear me say. I can never apologize for something I didn't even do.

"Courtney!"

I was surprised when my friends went here. These noisy bitches. How irritating I still find myself needing them even if I hate loud people.

"If you're not here for check-up, get the fuck out," malamig kong sabi. I know they won't take it seriously.

"Stingy Savy as ever! I heard from Chanel you feel so lonely so we came here." I glared at Chanel, now she's trying to hide her face. Thanks to them I was saved from mental breakdowns again. I fucking need a psychiatrist. But, I can handle I guess. Baka mabaliw ako.

"Let's go to the bar, Sav!" Sigaw ni Chola.

"Oo nga naman!" Missy, the fucking heavy drinker girl. Hmm. Malamang gusto niyan mag-bar. Harley isn't here, that bitch. She still hates me.

"Thariah, you have anything to say?" I sarcastically asked her. She just gripped my bag and turn her back on me.

"Wait, what the fuck are you doing, Thariah? You bitch!" Hahabulin ko na sana pero pinigilan ako nung tatlo.

"Girls, get her out of her office. Make sure na nakuha niyo lahat ng susi ng sasakyan at office niya," utos niya sa tatlo. What the... siya ang boss nila ngayon? Maybe she'll pay all the drinks for tonight's night out. Aba, nasuhulan pa niya at inalila 'tong tatlo.

"I'll drive her car," sabi ni Chola. Hinahawakan parin ako ni Missy at Chanel. What the hell!

"Good, we'll make sure she will come," sabi ni Tharia. Ngumiti na lang ako ng pilit. Nagulat kami nung nasa building ng unit kami pumunta. Akala ko sa bar kami pupunta. Bat dito?

"Eto 'yung bar na sinasabi niyo. Come on, you all try'na make me look stupid." I rolled my eyes.

"Talagang isa kang estupida. Sinong pupunta sa bar na naka-lab gown? Come on, change your clothes now or take a bath if you wanted. We'll wait for you here." Thariah just insulted me. Instead or arguing, I just went to the bathroom and took a bath.

I wore my white polo, high-waist-jeans, and a pair of rubber shoes. 'Bat sila nawawala? Where did they fucking go? Lumabas ako sa unit ko and then I saw them with Primo. Yung kapit-bahay ko.

Now I'm thinking na kinunstaba na naman nila 'tong lalakeng to para samahan ako. Siya ang makakasama ko? Not bad. Harley would probably stop blabbering about me being a flirt to Calli kahit wala pa naman akong ginagawa. Paranoid bitch.

"Primo, here's her car keys. Eto na lang gamitin niyo." Wow, without my consent, ibinigay niya yung susi ko. Inexorable bitch! How dare she do this to me? I'm her friend. Pano na lang kung gahasain ako ng lalakeng ito? Fuck, no way.

He stared at me intently with his eyes. Halos bumakat ang mga bisceps niya sa dahil sa higpit ng whute polo niya with his two upper bottons opened and his collar bones are visible. He swallowed. Para bang slow motion ang pagtaas-baba ng kanyang adam's apple.

This man will accompany me?

"Sav? You're spacing out. Let's go," he said. I'm surprised that he's calm. As expected from a gentleman, but I can't let my guard down yet. Pagkadating namin sa basement, pinindot niya na yung car key—nang marinig naming yung huni ng sasakyan ko, saka niya ako hinila papunta doon. Tahimik lang ako, at kung maaari ay ayoko muna makipag-usap sa kung sinu-sino dahil wala ako sa mood.

Pinagbuksan pa ako ng pinto sa sarili kong sasakyan. Pinatutunayan niya talagang isa siyang gentleman. Nakakapagtaka nga kung papaano siya nahila ng mga kaibigan ko para sumama. Eh, hindi naman niya sila kilala? I mean is that easy for him to say yes to an invitation from a stranger? He's quite interesting, yet it annoys me to get interested with such a random guy.

I still hate him. I hate him for making me think that I could crawl on him.

"May I ask something?"

"Nagtatanong ka na, Primo." Tumingin na lang ako sa bintana. Naalala ko na naman yung nangyare nung nakaraan. Nakakahiya talaga.

I saw him stealing glances from my peripheral vision. I too. Ngayon ko lang siya nahuli kasi kadalasan ako lang nakatingin sa kanya. Now, can't even look at him. He's few inch away. Ang awkward. Kung krimen lang ang pagnanakaw ng tingin, baka matagal na akong nakakulong.

"Relax. I just wanna ask kung ilang taon ka na," he said. Ow, is he interested in me?

"Twenty-nine. You?" He's shocked. Hindi kapani-paniwala na twenty-nine na ako? Kung sabagay di halata. Mukha naman kasi akong bata. And I'm short. But I have body shape that guys fall for.

"I'm thirty-one. I still look young, right?" tinignan ko siya.

Is he really a thirty-one-year-old man? He looks like a model. He's still a bachelor. Girls will probably drool over him. A gentleman with a strong sex-appeal. I can't deny it. He looks hot.

"Nagka-boyfriend ka na ba before?" Now, he's asking something personal. I can't decide if I have to tell him pero isa lang naiisip ko, be honest.

"I have bad experience with men. I don't like dating. It could be better kung tumanda na lang akong dalaga." Lie, Savannah, lie! Ayokong tumandang dalaga. It's not time for met get married yet.

I wanna asked him too. It's unfair kung ako lang.

"You?"

"Me? I had an ex before. I broke up with her," kwento niya. This conversation is getting interesting. Right now I'm thinking some possible reasons why he broke up with her.

Baka tanga rin siya at maling babae ang nakita?

"Why?" tanong ko. I'm very curious right now.

"Uhm, it's a long story." Hindi na ako nagtanong pa dahil sa sagot niya. Ibinaling ko na lang ulit ang aking tingin sa bintana.

Andito na pala kami. He parked my car outside the bar at bumaba na kami. Pumasok kami sa napakaingay na bar. Punong puno ng tugtugan. He accompanied me. Nakita ko sila Thariah nan aka-upo na sa reserved table namin. Lumapit kami sa kanila. Then I saw Harley painted grimace on her face.

She still have the audacity to look at me like that. Siya ito sobrang nakakahiya before kung anu-ano ang ginagawa para lang makuha ang gusto. Spoiled bitch, spoiled by her father, and spoiled by her fiancé. Now I'm starting to hate Calli for tolerating her attitude. She's a bitch.

"Washroom lang ako," paalam ko sa kanila.

Napailing iling ako at itinungkod ko ang dalawang kamay ko sa cubicle. Patagal ng patagal, habang gusto ko makipag-ayos kay Harley, pa-ikli ng paikli ang pasensya ko. She's worsening the situation! It makes me wanna slap her face. Lumalaki ang ulo niya. Kinulang ata sa disiplina.

Paglabas ko sa washroom, nakita ko siya sa labas, kinakausap niya si Primo. Wow, I didn't saw that coming. Is she interested with Primo? Why are they even talking? Guess what? I took a picture of the two of them. I might send this to Calli if ever na may ginawa na naman siyang kagaguhan sa akin. This will be a lot of fun.

"Oh, andito na pala ang girlfriend mo," she sarcastically said to Primo. What? Say what? Did I hear it wrong? Girlfriend ni Primo?

"Babe, punta na tayo sa loob."

What the fuck did he just said? 'BABE'? Mukha ba akong baboy? To hell with that endearment. I wanna vomit! I raised my eyebrow on him. Okay, this is an advantage para inisin si Harley. Seems like she wanna flirt with him pero 'tong lalakeng 'to, ginawa akong alibi para. Lumapit ako sa kanya pagkatapos ay hinila ko siya palayo kay Harley. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa kanyang kanang braso hanggang bumaon yung mga kuko ko.

Masama akong nakatingin sa kanya habang pigil ngiti niyang tinatanggal ang pagkapit ng mga daliri ko sa kanyang balat na tila ba'y masusugatan na siya sa mga kuko ko.

"What the hell was that, Primo? Ako? Girlfriend mo?" Pabulonh kong tanon sa kanya. It doesn't seems like he's hurting because of my nails. He caught my wrist with his left hand. At inilapit sa kanyang mukha. He fucking kissed it.

I knew it. This guy cannot be trusted.

"I saw how irritated you are by her presence. Seems like she wanna piss you off so I have to tell her that you're my girlfriend for her to stop it." Wow, is he acting like a knight in shining armor? Para mapalapit sakin? Or am I just being paranoid because of my bizarre history of men?

Hindi ko kailangan ng lalake! Not at my watch. I can protect myself. He should stop meddling with my businesses kasi hindi ko siya kilala.

"Thank you, but I don't need your help, Engineer Sudalgo." Pagkatapos ko sabihin yun, naglakad na ako palayo sa kanya at dumiretso sa aming reservations. I saw how happy they are. They have their own partners. Chola is with Wade, her ex—they got reunited. Misery is with her husband, Zach. Thariah is sitting on her husband's lap. Okay, get a fucking room Josh! Chanel is with her professor. I wanna sue her Alex for having relationship with his student, but hell no ain't a relationship wrecker. I'll just wait for the school to expel Chanel or wait for them to revoke Alex's license. As for Calli, tapos na ang maligaya mong gabi. Bukas, magkakaroon na naman kayo ng pag-aawayan. It's a payment! Harley been pissing me off lately.

"Savannah, andyan ka pala."

"Obviously, Calli! You're still an idiot!" sabi ko at umupo sa tabi ni Chanel.

"You're stingy as ever. Kaya pala wala ka pang boyfriend," pang-aasar pa niya.

"Oh, shut the fuck up, hindi porket ikakasal ka na!" sigaw ko.

"Bitch, bakit mo hinayaan mag-isa si Primo doon?" pabulong na tanong ni Chanel. I just ignored her question. Primo and Harley pisses me off!

"Guys, did you know na may boyfriend na pala si Savannah?" Napatingin ako kay Harley. Kasama niya si Primo. Who cares, bitch! Flirt all you want in front of your fiancé tignan natin kung sino ang babaeng iniwan sa altar ng kanyang groom.

And there because of her question, nagbubulong-bulungan na naman ang mga kaibigan ko. Kinukulit pa ako.

"I don't have one," pilit ngiti kong sinabi. Pinagpipilitan parin nila na may boyfriend ako.

"Come on, Savannah! Aminin mo na kasi. You're just denying it kasi my LQ kayo." Pigilan niyo ako, gusto ko ng sabunutan si Harley!

"Harley, don't piss my girlfriend off," Primo warned her. Bigla akong nilapitan ni Primo at hinapit sa bewang. He smiled at him at habang ako nama'y na estatwa sa kinatatayuan dahil sa paninindig ng mga balahibo ko.

"I'm her boyfriend, pare." He's enjoying the scene while my mind kept on cursing him.

Fucking asshole.

"Oh. My. God. Savannah! Boyfriend mo pala si Primo! Bakit ngayon mo lang sinabi?"

"Girl, kapit bahay mo pala boyfriend mo! Yet you act like he's a stranger."

"He's handsome kaya huwag mo siyang ikahiya."

"My god, Savannah! Kaya pala fail lahat ng blind dates mo. May boyfriend ka na pala."

Tinakpan ko yug dalawang tenga ko. Naririndi na ako sa mga bunganga nila.

"Yeah, yeah! He's from Colorado. We don't have a lover's quarrel. I'm just having a bad mood right now and he pisses me off before we got here that's why I'm not talking to him." Pagkatapos ko gumawa ng kwento na siyang nagpalaglag ng panga ni Primo, lumapit ako sa kanya at hinila ung braso niya. Pagkatapos nun ay ibinaon ko ulit ang mga kuko ko sa balat niya.

"We have to talk later, baby!" sarkastikong bulong ko sa kanya habang pinandiinan pa yung salitang 'baby'. Pilit ngiti siyang tumango at hiniklat ako samay pulsohan.

"Yes, Sav we'll talk. Chill ka lang. Inisin muna natin si Harley," sabi niya. Umakbay siya sa akin at umupo sa tabi ko. Sorry to pop your bubble Primo, but we're not pissing Harley off. She's enjoying this. I guess she's even laughing right now on the back of her mind. But it's okay cause I'm gonna ruin her morning tomorrow.

"Sorry for keeping it to you guys. I'm very private to the point na malalaman niyo na lang na may ex ako, kapag break na kami." Pinandiinan ko pa talaga yung salitang ex.

"Anong trabaho mo, Primo?"

"I'm a Civil Engineer."

"Wow, ang swerte naman ni Sav."

"Mas swerte ako dahil hard working at independent siyang babae."

Yung kamay niya mula sa balikat napunta sa bewang. Punyeta ka, Primo! Tinanggal ko yung kamay niya sa bewang ko pero ibinalik niya ulit.

"Harley's watching us, makisama ka muna," bulong niya. So, ako pa mag-aadjust.

"Tequila shots. Try muna natin blooody mary. So ganto truth or dare tayo," sabi ni Missy Truth or dare na naman. What a boring game. Laro ng mga teenagers.

"Walang thrill pag may truth baka iyon ang piliin niyo so dare na lang tas pag di nagawa ang dare tatagay. Okay? So let's spin the bottle," sabat ni Harley. Okay, you go, bitch. Pabida ka talaga kahit kalian. Tsss.

"Oh shit! Ako na naman," reklamo niya. Naka point sa kanya ang opening ng bottle at sa akin naman yung base nito. Lagot ka sakin Harley. Bumulong sa akin si Primo.

"Try to humiliate her by making her dance on her fiance's lap." Nice dare, but I have a better plan.

"Stand on the chair until someone's turn." Nagulat si Primo sa sinabi ko. Pati rin si Harley.

Bitch, you're an attention seeker. Lubusin mo na. Makikita ka lahat yang damit na suot mo ngayon.

"Sav!" Calli warned me.

"Come on, guys! It's just a freaking dare!" sabi ko. Sumang-ayon naman sila Chola, pero pansin ni Chanel na may kakaiba sa sinabi ko. Nanahimik na lang siya.

"Are you trying to humiliate me? Bitch?"

"Just a dare, Harley, but if you can't there's another option. Tumagay ka," sabi ko. Looks like I pissed her off right now. My idea is better than Primo. Now, she's pissed off. Tumagay siya habang masama ang tingin sa akin. She has low alcohol tolerance that's why iniiwasan niya ang uminom kapag kasama niya kami.

"Next is.... Oh, fuck ako!" Biglaang sumigaw si Missy. Si Thariah ang magbibigay ng dare. Good grief, another intense dare.

"Kawawa ka naman Missy. Okay we'll have a dirty dare. Walang aangal since, may sari-sarili na tayong love life. Savannah, hindi ka na single. Hindi ka na makakatakas," pang-aasar ni Thariah.

"Okay, whatever you say," tugon ko.

"Zach put this candy inside your mouth and let Misery get that candy from your mouth using her tongue!" Zach didn't hesitate to do it. He immediately open a candy and then put it inside his mouth waiting for Misery to get it with her tongue. I hope they won't give me the same dare like this with Primo. I don't care, I can drink. It's not like I have low tolerance in alcohol. I only get drunk when I'm really wasted.

"Whooo!"

"Fuck ang intense!"

"This is what you called dirty dare."

"Okay, spin the bottle ulet.... Primo! Your turn bro!" Calli exclaimed. Calli smiled at me evily. Siya ang magbibigay ng dare. What is he planning?

"Kiss your girlfriend torridly. Infront of us." Nagulat ako sa sinabi ni Calli. What? Torrid kiss? Fuck you, Calli! Sisirain ko talaga araw mo bukas.

"Disgusting. Balak mo ba maging PDA?" Pabulong kong tanong sa kanya.

"Come on, baby." The hell with this man? Inapakan ko yung paa niya at napa-bulong siya ng 'fuck'. Serves you right, jerk. Balak niya atang seryosohin yung punyetang pretend-to-be-my-girlfriend-to-piss-Harley-off-mission. Sinasamantala pa talaga.

"I'll just drink. If I do that torrid kissing, I'll do it in private. I might not control myself because of her—ouch!" kinurot ko yung braso niya.

"Stop being vulgar, matuto ka namang mahiya," bulong ko. Nagtawanan ang mga kaibigan ko. Kung natuwa kayo sa ginagawa ng gagong 'to, pwes ako hindi. Ayoko sa chansingero. Mga kagaya niya'y namamantal katulad ni Arville.