Chapter 14

Patience

“Here, eat,” aniya saka naglapag ng isang plato na puno ng pagkain.

Nasa cafeteria sila ngayon ng Limelight. Heather went to work early to avoid Julia and Driana. Paniguradong galit pa ang dalawa sa nangyari kagabi. Mabuti nga at ‘di sinabi ng Mommy niya ang ginawa niya sa Dad niya. Pati si Driana ay tahimik rin.

“Thanks.” Heather forced a smile before eating.

“Bakit ba kasi pumasok ka nang hindi nag-aalmusal? Mabuti na lang at bukas na ang cafeteria. Sarado pa naman ang café sa tapat,” sabi ni Primo habang pinagmamasdan siyang kumakain. “And it's very unusual for you to go to work this early,” dagdag niya pa.

“My Mom and I had an argument yesterday. Paniguradong galit pa rin siya. Umiiwas lang ako sa gulo,” pagkukwento ni Heather. She’s actually thankful that Primo wasn’t avoiding him anymore. At hindi rin nag-iba ang trato nito sa kaniya pagkatapos niyang umiyak buong gabi habang katawagan ito.

Nagpangalumbaba si Primo sa mesa. “Iyon ba ang dahilan kung bakit ka umiyak kagabi?” he asked.

Heather had no excuse to his question. Totoo naman kasi. Kaya tahimik siyang tumango.

“I don’t know what happened but I hope, magka-ayos na kayo ng Mommy mo,” sabi niya na lang. Primo doesn’t want to force Heather tell the story. Ayaw niya lang manghimasok sa personal na buhay nito. Hindi dahil ayaw niya itong makilala kundi dahil natatakot siyang may matuklasang panibagong bagay tungkol kay Heather na makapagpapadagdag sa intensidad ng nararamdaman niya.

He wanted to avoid Heather. But hearing her cries last night, mukhang kailangan niya munang i-postpone iyon. Kailangan ni Heather ng karamay at masasandalan. And Primo wants to be that person. He wants to help Heather lessen the pain she is feeling.

“Hindi ba, sinabi ko na sa ‘yo? Matagal nang hindi maganda ang trato sa ‘kin ni Mommy. Malabong magka-ayos kami,” Heather spoke with a lifeless voice. Isa sa mga rason niya kung bakit siya umiyak kagabi ay ang pagtanggap na hinding-hindi na sila magkakasundo ng Mommy at Ate niya. Pagkatapos ng mga nasabi niya? Hindi na siya magtataka kung makikita na lang niya ang mga gamit sa labas ng bahay at palayasin siya ng mga ito.

She’s actually more nervous that her Mom turned silent tgether with her older sister after yesterday. They might be preparing something worse for her other than their daily insults and mockery.

Hinawakan siya ni Primo sa balikat. “Naniniwala akong darating ang araw na magkakasundo kayong lahat. Lalo na kayo ng Ate mo. Technically, you two grew up with each other. Kahit papa’no, napalapit na ‘yon sa ‘yo. Baka ayaw niya lang ipakita dahil…I don’t know. But I’m sure she has her reasons and I am sure that she is concerned for you.”

Heather shook her head. Sigurado na siyang hindi na sila kailanman magkakaayos ng Ate niya.

Bahsagyang niyugyog ni Primo ang balikat niya. “Come on, feather Heather. Don’t lose hope.”

Heather’s eyes snapped at Primo. “A-Anong sabi mo?”

Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Primo habang nanatiling nakangiti. “Don’t lose hope?”

Heather waved her hand dismissively. “Hindi. ‘Yong isa pa,” aniya.

Was that an endearment?

“Ahm…” He bit his lower lip as he look away. Namumula ang parehong tenga niya. “I’m not brave enough to repeat it.” Nagkamot siya ng batok.

For the first time since last night, Heather’s lips broke into a wide smile. “You’re adorable,” nakangiti niyang ani.

Natigilan naman si Primo at tumikhim. “Don’t say that,” wika nito habang hindi pa rin makatingin sa kaniya.

Heather frowned. “Why? It’s true naman.”

“May boyfriend ka.”

Tumaas ang kilay ni Heather. “Dahil lang do’n, hindi kita pwedeng tawaging adorable?” she innocently asked.

Napabuntong-hininga si Primo saka tiningnan siya na parang hirap na hirap magpaliwanag. “Those are simple words, yes. But it can serve different meaning to other people.” Lalo na sa ‘kin na mukhang may gusto sa ‘yo.

“But it’s nothing to us, right?” paninigurado ni Heather. Primo is her friend. Gusto niyang malinaw sa kanila iyon. Sa kaniya na mismo nanggaling. May boyfriend na si Heather.

Primo smiled and nodded. “Of course. Very clear.” Very clear to you.

Heather grinned. “That’s great.” She clasped her hands and sat up straight. “Ayaw ko na munang pag-usapan sina Mommy at Ate. Gusto kong magfocus na muna sa trabaho.”

Primo nodded in agreement. “Mabuti pa nga.”

“Babe! I was looking everywhere for you!” Kaagad na nalukot ang mukha ni Primo nang marinig ang matinis na boses ni Roxanne. She stopped beside Primo. Her hands immediately travelled down from his shoulder to his arm while Heather looked away from Roxanne’s boldness.

Mabilis na tinanggal ni Primo ang kamay ni Roxanne sa balikat niya nang makitang nag-iwas si Heather ng tingin. He instantly felt nervous and self-conscious.

Roxanne, who also noticed Heather’s gaze drawing away, greeted Heather with a fake enthusiastic tone.

“Good morning, Miss dela Cerna.” Peke itong ngumiti.

“G-Good morning,” Heather greeted back awkwardly.

Roxanne was about to say something more when Heather’s phone rang. Three sets of eyes landed on her phone that was on the table.

Boyfie calling…

Mabilis na kinuha ni Heather ang telepono saka nagpaalam na sasagutin nito ang tawag. While Primo was left there with Roxanne, his eyes are following Heather who was exiting the cafeteria.

Si Roxanne naman ay umupo sa puwestong inokupa ni Heather kanina. Pumangalumbaba ito saka pinakatitigan si Primo.

“So she has a boyfriend,” she drawled while smirking. Primo’s intense eyes met her amused ones. Gusting-gusto talaga niyang makita ang reaksiyong iyon kay Primo. It makes him hotter in her eyes.

“You do know that’s forbidden, right? Liking a commited person, I mean.” She smiled sweetly while battering her eyelashes in a fast pace na tila nagpapa-cute.

Primo’s jaw clenched. “Kaibigan ko lang siya.”

“Prove it to me then…” Pinagapang niya ang mga daliri mula sa lamesa patungong braso ni Primo. “Date me and I’ll believe you.”

Primo scoffed and smiled mockingly. Sumandal ito sa upuan and humalukipkip.

“Why do I have to prove myself to you?” He smirked. “You know what, it saddens me to think that you don’t have any choice that’s why you’re resorting to this one.” Sumeryoso ang mukha niya. “Wala ka na bang ibang mahanap na paraan para makuha ang atensiyon ko? So you decided to make a bet with me? You think I’ll fall for your trap?”

Roxanne smiled calmly even though she felt her heart being pierced by Primo’s words.

“What can I say? I like you.”

“And I don’t like you. Tumigil ka na, Roxanne. Dahil sa pagkagusto mong ‘yan, sinira mo ang pagkakaibigan nating dalawa.”

Roxanne shook her head and put her palms on the table. She, then leaned closer. Her eyes screams persuasiveness.

“No. Gusto kita, Primo. At hindi ako titigil hangga’t hindi ka napupunta sa ‘kin. Noon ngang may relasyon pa kayo ni Margot, wala akong pakialam. Ngayon pa kaya na wala na kayong dalawa?”

Primo sighed. Like he’s so tired of hearing the argument. “Hindi ako kailanman mapupunta sa ‘yo, Roxanne. I assure you that.”

Her lips thinned. “We’ll never know what’s going to happen in the future.”

Tumango si Primo. “You’re right. But I am sure na hindi ako mapupunta sa ‘yo anytime soon.”

Inis na tumayo si Roxanne saka naluluhang umalis ng cafeteria.

Primo sighed in relief. He’s been dealing with that girl for years now. Roxanne is so persistent.

On the other scene, Heather answered the call as soon as she found a private place. Pumasok siya sa isa sa mga cubicle ng CR matapos masigurong walang tao roon. Pati ang pintuan ng CR ay ni-lock niya rin para makasigurong walang makakarinig sa pag-uusap nila ni Aidan.

“Heather, baby. I am so sorry for last night. Nasa bar kasi ako noon tapos naubos ang battery ng cellphone ko. ‘Di ko nalamang tumawag ka pala until this morning,” bungad ni Aidan nang sagutin niya ang tawag.

Kaagad naman niyang naintindihan ang boyfriend pero hindi niya pa rin maiwaang magtampo.

“Sino namang kasama mo?” tanong niya.

“Sina Alfred, sina Tina, si Iris, tsaka iyong iba pa nilang kaibigan.” Alfred and Iris were actors while Tina is a popular model. But Heather wasn’t jealous with the two girls. Tina already has a boyfriend while Iris…hindi sila masyadong magkakilala pero nakatitiyak siya na kahit kalian ay hindi nito magugustuhan si Aidan.

“Sila lang?”

“Well…of course, Cali is there too—“

“So magdamag kayong magkasama?” Naiinis na naman si Heather.

“It’s not my fault that she is somehow close to Iris—Heather come on, huwag ka namang magalit. Masakit pa ang ulo ko, oh.”

Pumikit si Heather at pilit na kinalma ang sarili. He has a point.

Pero nagseselos pa rin siya. “Fine. I’m sorry. I was just stressed.”

“Is that why you called last night?” Aidan asked softly.

“Hmm,” she hummed and started telling what happened last night. Except from the part that Primo avoided her of course. Baka pag-awayan pa nila ito lalo na’t malinaw na ayaw ni Aidan kay Primo.

“Maybe you should take sessions again. Napapansin ko rin, your temper’s on the edge lately.”

“Pero baka kung ano na namang sabihin ni Mommy…”

“Then don’t tell them. Book the appointment yourself. Huwag mo ka ng magpaalam sa kanila.”

Heather was hesitant but it was Aidan who said that so she agreed. “Okay.”

“Ikaw na mismo ang nagsabi. You’re not a child anymore. May mga bagay ng hindi mo na dapat na ipagpaalam pa sa kanila. Handle some things by yourself.”

Heather rolled her eyes playfully at his tone. “Opo, hindi na po.”

Aidan chuckled. “Okay. I just called to check on you.”

“Well, I’m okay. I’m good.”

“That’s great!” Natahimik siya ng ilang segundo. Nagtaka si Heather kaya nagtanong siya.

“Do you have anything else to say?”

Aidan took a deep breath as he gather his courage to talk. Paniguradong hindi matutuwa si Heather sa sasabihin niya.

“Baby, remember when I told you I’ll try to clear my schedule for our anniversary?”

Heather’s brows formed a line. “Yeah?”

“Ahm, you see…hindi pala puwedeng i-clear ko iyong schedule ko—“

“But it’s our anniversary!” sighal ni Heather. “Don’t tell me I’m going to celebrate it alone?”

Aidan sighed. “Hindi naman sa gano’n. our plan still stands. Mamo-move nga lang ang araw.”

Her jaw clenched. “Sabhin na nating pumapayag ako…kalian naman?”

“Two weeks after that—“

“Aidan naman!”

“Hear me out, okay?” Aidan shouted on the other line. Pagod siyang bumuntong-hininga. “We have a new project. A series. Pag-uusapan namin ang tungkol do’n next week. Then the following week, if things go well, mags-script reading na kami. Alam mo namang sobrang busy ko sa buwan na ‘to ‘di ba?”

“Kahit na. Hindi lang naman iyang career mo ang buhay mo. May mga tao ring naghihintay at nag-aalala sa ‘yo. That’s our anniversary, Aidan. It was supposed to be a very special day. Yet, you’re calling to tell me na mas pinipili mong mag-trabaho sa araw ng anniversary natin?”

“I thought you understand my kind of work?”

“Yes! Yes, I do understand your work. But what I do not understand is you, Aidan. Bakit iyong ibang artista, nagagawa pang mag-singit ng kahit ilang araw para sa mga mahal nila sa buhay kahit sobrang tight ng schedule nila? Bakit ikaw, hindi mo magawa ‘yon para sa ‘kin? Tapos may oras ka para mag-bar kasama ang mga kaibigan mo?” sumbat niya. “Girlfrien mo ako, kaibigan mo lang sila. Pero mukhang mas marami ka pang oras para diyan sa trabaho at mga kaibigan mo kaysa sa ‘kin. Now tell me, don’t I have a reason kung bakit ako nagseselos kay Cali? Isipin mo nga, kung nag-eeffort kang bigyan ako ng panahon, hindi ako mag-ooverthink ng ganito.”

“I am giving you time! Ano ba’ng gusto mo? Araw-araw kitang bisitahin? Buong araw akong nakabuntot sa ‘yo? I thought you want to be independent, that you are not a kid anymore? Why are you acting like that?”

“I hate you!” sigaw ni Heather saka tinapos ang tawag. Inis siyang napapadyak sa sahig as she shouted in frustration. Ginawa niya iyon ng paulit-ulit hanggang sa kumalma siya.

Hinihingal siyang lumabas ng cubicle at nagtungo sa lababo at tinukod ang mga palad doon. She looked at herself sharply in the mirror.

She’s mad. Very mad. She wanted to hurt someone but there’s no one around her. Kumuyom ang kamao niya at pinagsususuntok ang tiles sa tabi ng salamin. At nang hindi siya makuntento, sinampal-sampal niya ang sarili hanggang sa magsawa siya.

Heather leaned on the wall and slowly sat down on the floor. She hugged her knees as her messy hair covered almost all her face. Itinago niya ang mukha sa pagitan ng dalawang tuhod at tahimik na umiyak.

Heather felt like she was aggrieved. Kasi totoo naman talaga. Hindi tama ang ginawa ni Aidan. It’s their anniversary! Pero mas uunahin nito ang trabaho niya? Minsan na nga lang silang magkasama ng matagal, ipagkakait pa nito?

Heather’s sharp eyes turned cold. Kaunti na lang. Kaunting-kaunti na lang talaga. Magsisisi si Aidan na ginalit niya siya.

I’ve been forcing myself to be understanding but I have my limits. Hindi mo gugustuhing masagad ang pasensya ko, Aidan.