Chapter 4: THE ONE WHO PLANNED

“Calixta Gomez-Vargas!” Sigaw ko habang nagmamadaling pumasok sa loob ng aking sasakyan.

“What the hell, Melly? Why are—“

“That Neon fucking Vladimir has a girlfriend?!”

“What? Girlfriend? Tungsten, may girlfriend si Neon?” tanong niya sa asawa sa kabilang linya.

I cursed and struck the steering wheel. I uttered some curses again and heaved a deep breath. I rested my head at the back of my seat and closed my eyes. I remember his girlfriend’s angry face. Tangina? Bakit hindi ko man lang tinanong kung may girlfriend ba ‘yong taong ‘yon? That was the first time I got humiliated big time! Marami ang nakakita roon at baka sabihin nilang kabit ako noong lalaking ‘yon where in fact I don’t even know that he has a girlfriend!

“I don’t know, babe. He told me weeks ago that he and Shyna Aguilar broke up already,” dinig kong sabi ni Tungsten.

Callie uttered some curses. “Melly, where are you? Nasa restaurant ka pa rin ba?”

I sighed, a bit calm than the last time. “Yeah. I’m still here. Kakalabas ko lang. Damn it! Mabuti na lang at hindi niya ‘ko sinabunutan, sinabuyan lang.”

“You’re in Makati, right? Pumunta ka sa Rockwell, tatawagan ko lang sina Levy at Megan, pupuntahan ka namin doon.”

“Fine,” I said and hung up.

Napahawak ako sa ulo ko dahil sumasakit ito. I never imagined that my first date after seven years would be like that! That was so horrible! Kung itutulak na naman ako ng mga kaibigan ko na makipag-date sa iba siguro’y hindi na ‘ko papayag. Nakakatrauma! Baka may bigla na namang sumugod at baka hindi na ‘yon girlfriend niya kung hindi baka ay asawa na. Baka malaman na lang nina Mama na nasa kulungan na ‘ko dahil sa pagiging reckless ko! I am fucking no boyfriend since birth. Baka sabihin nila na kaya wala akong boyfriend dahil lalaking may asawa ang hanap ko! That is so cheap and so low! I am not a home wreaker. Mas gugustohin ko na lamang na maging matandang dalaga kaysa mai-ugnay sa lalaking may pamilya.

I drove from Blackbird to Rockwell. I fixed myself first. I groaned when I remembered that my dress is wet because of the wine. Sinuklay ko ang buhok gamit ang aking kamay tsaka kinuha ang pouch at lumabas. Bibili na lamang ako ng damit atsaka dito na rin ako magbibihis. I got out of my car and went inside the mall. Some people were looking at me, but I chose to ignored them. May nakita akong boutique at agad akong pumasok doon. The sales lady greeted me. I smiled at her and walked further. I picked up a Zara strappy top in black and a Hi Rise Wide Leg Full Length Ripped Jeans.

Binigay ko sa sales lady ang credit card ko. Nauna siyang maglakad sa akin habang ako naman ay kinuha ang cellphone para i-text si Callie.

Ako:

Let’s meet at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Andito pa ‘ko sa department store, bumibili ng damit.

I didn’t receive a reply from her. Binalik ko sa loob ng pouch ang cellphone at maglalakad na sana papunta sa counter nang may makita ako. My lips parted when I saw who it was. Nanlamig ang buo kong pagkatao nang maaninag ko ang mukha niya. His built changed. Kung noon ay payat siya, ngayon ay mapapansin mo nang nagwo-work out siya dahil ang suot niyang black sweatshirt ay yumayakap sa kanyang braso.

“It can’t be . . .” I whispered. I closed my eyes and shook my head. Nang tumingin ulit ako sa direksyon kung nasaan siya kanina ay bigla na lamang itong nawala.

I sighed and licked my lips. Namamalikmata lang ba ‘ko? O baka totoong nandito siya? Umiling ulit ako. That’s impossible. I haven’t seen him for so long but I still remembered everything about him. Kahit sa paraan ng pagtayo niya, his gestures, everything ay alam ko at kilala ko.

Napalunok ako. “Maybe I’m just imagining things.” Pumikit ako. “Stop thinking about him, Melly.”

After I changed my clothes, I went to the café shop I texted Callie. Nasa labas pa lang ako ay namataan ko na sina Levy at Megan. Si Callie naman ay tahimik lang na umiinom like the usual. Nang makita niya ‘ko ay agad niyang binaba ang iniinom. Bakas sa kanyang mukha ang pag-aalala. Levy and Megan stood up and hugged me.

“Ayos ka lang?” si Levy.

I sighed and sat on the chair. Umupo na rin ang dalawa. Katabi ko si Callie at kaharap namin ang dalawa. Levy called the waiter. Tinanong niya ‘ko kung ano ang gusto kaya sinabi kong kape na lang. Megan insisted to add something for me to eat. She’s worried, baka raw hindi ako nakakain ng maayos sa date kanina.

I covered my face using my palms when I remember what happened. “That was the most embarrassing moment of my entire life! Grabe ‘yong tingin ng mga tao sa akin doon, they are fucking disgusted and they would think that I am so fucking cheap!”

“Did you explained yourself to the girl?” Megan asked.

“How can I explained if she’s making a scene?! Sinabuyan pa ‘ko ng wine, tangina! Kapag may nakaalam ng nangyari baka sabihin ng mga kakilala ko na kaya siguro hindi ako nagkakaboyfriend dahil may karelasyon ang gusto ko. The hell! I’m not like that!”

Sa inis ko’y nahampas ko ang table. Natapon nang kaunti ang kanilang inumin pero hindi nila iyon pinansin. I combed my hair and leaned on my chair. Napapikit ako. Inis na inis pa rin.

“Then don’t let them affect you. People would always have a say to you, kung makarating man sa kanila ang nangyari then ignore them. Huwag mo silang pakinggan. Kami ang mas nakakakilala sa ‘yo, Melly,” Callie preached.

“I know . . . but sometimes it’s hard to ignore them. It’s hard to stay tough when the world is already stabbing you. That was my first time after how many years of building walls for guys. I thought it was going to be fine, but it turns out to be my greatest nightmare,” pagod kong tugon.

“Sorry . . . dapat pala hindi na kita pinilit,” it was Levy.

Napamulat ako. She looks so guilty. “Levy . . .”

“I have a fair share of mistake from what happened to you because I push you to date him. I’m sorry, Melly.”

Tumayo ako at niyakap si Levy mula sa likod. “Don’t say that, Levy. I know that you’re just doing that for me. Gusto mo lang akong maging masaya at para makatagpo ng lalaking pwede kong makasama habang buhay.”

Marahan niyang tinapik ang kamay ko, “Since you had a bad experience, are you still willing to date men?”

Kumalas ako sa yakap. Megan and Callie are waiting for my answer. Dumating naman ang pina-order ni Levy. Nakatayo pa rin ako at hindi makasagot.

“I don’t know . . . sa ngayon ayaw ko muna.”

Bumalik ako sa inu-upuan ko. Levy gave me the coffee. Kinuha ko naman iyon sa kamay niya at sumimsim doon. Tahimik naman silang tatlo. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko talaga alam. My experience for tonight was very traumatic. I was being mistaken for being his girlfriend’s another woman. She was making a scene too and everyone’s eyes are on me, judging that the girl’s claim is true.

After that night, I busied myself just to forget what had happened. I thanked God that the mess didn’t spread like wildfire. Neon Vladimir apologized to me through text but I didn’t reply to him. He tried to call me as well but I already blocked his number.

Hindi rin nawala sa isip ko ang nakita ko sa mall noong gabing iyon. I don’t know if I am just hallucinating or I did really saw him that night. Nagbuntong hininga ako at tumigil sa ginagawang pagche-check ng mga activities. Tinanggal ko ang earphones at in-off ang kantang pinapatugtog. I bit my lower lip, arguing with myself if I should open ‘that’ folder or not. Sa huli ay binuksan ko na rin iyon. My heart skipped a beat and my fingers were trembling when I was opening the folder.

Matagal na itong narito. Labing-anim na taon na ang nakakalipas. Our first photo and the last one. My heart hurt while staring on it. We were both young on this photo. I was wearing my deep blue gown and he’s wearing a deep blue button down long sleeve. This photo was taken before the prom. I kept this because this was the only memory I had with him.

His face is rectangular and it’s quiet symmetrical with his forehead. Mapungay ang kanyang mga matang kapag nasisinagan ng araw ay nagiging kayumanggi. I remembered when I used to look up when I am talking to him because he’s so tall. Kahit sa litrato ay halatang matangkad talaga siya dahil hanggang balikat niya lang ako. Makapal ang kanyang itim na kilay at mukhang masungit kapag hindi ngumingiti.

“Good afternoon, Ma’am.”

I immediately pressed the home button of my phone. Ngumiti ako. “Good afternoon din.”

Doon ko lang napansin na malapit na pa lang mag 2:30. I was so preoccupied and I didn’t notice that I still have a class left for this afternoon. Mayroon pa naman akong pitong minuto kaya nag-ayos muna ako saglit. I combed my hair and put on some powder and liptint. Two minutes before the time, I set up my laptop on the table beside my projector.

“Alesandra, please lead the prayer,” wika ko pagkatapos kong ma-set up ang laptop.

After the prayer, I checked their attendance and gave them motivations first before I proceed to the lesson proper. I gave them some rebus puzzle to stimulate their brains. Para naman hindi sila makatulog habang nagka-klase ako.

“Kung kaninong row ang may pinakamaraming nasagutan ay bibigyan ko ng additional points. It’s up to you kung sino ang sasagot. Paunahan lang sa pagtayo. Is it clear?”

“Yes, Ma’am!”

And so I gave them 10 rebus puzzle. At the end of the game, row 3 got the highest points.

“Today—“

“Excuse me, Ma’am. I’m sorry, I’m late,” Cynthia said.

I gave her a small smile and nod. “It’s okay. Please settle yourself.”

I started to discuss the first lesson of Assessment in Learning 2. I explained to them through a PowerPoint Presentation. I only introduced to them what Assessment in Learning 2 was all about, because next meeting someone from the class will report the next lesson.

“The first student who will report next meeting would be . . .” I said while holding their index card and randomly pulling out the paper.

“Cynthia Jimenez.”

Everyone from the class clapped for her as if she won a lottery but the truth is, it was a nightmare. Naranasan ko rin to noon. Iyong random na bubunot ng papel ang professor at magre-report sa harap. Cynthia looked so horried. Ngumiti lang ako.

“Huwag kayong matakot humarap sa mga ka-klase ninyo o magreport dito sa harap, that’s your role as a future educator. Dapat makakapal ang mga mukha ninyo,” everyone laughed. Natawa na rin ako.

“No, I mean, kailangan makapal ang mukha ninyong humarap sa mga estudyante ninyo. I would truly understand if you will stammer or stutter in front because I know that not all of you is accustomed of speaking in front of so many people. Maiintindihan ko kayo kasi naranasan ko rin ‘yan, but you have to thrive and train yourselves to speak in front of a huge crowed. In reporting, you are allowed to speak in Filipino, since you all are Filipino major but you have to speak in English as well. Did you get me?”

“Yes! Thank you, Ma’am!”

I smiled at them. “That’s all for this afternoon. See you next meeting.”

I was so exhausted. Agad akong humiga sa kama at pumikit pagkarating ko rito sa condo at agad ding nakatulog.

“Levy, do you think it’s not dangerous? I mean, ayaw ko lang maulit ang nangyari kay Melody noong huling nakipagdate siya,” I heard Megan’s voice.

“This is legit, Meg. I am very sure na marami siyang makikilala rito. Isa pa, bago sila magdate syempre kailangan muna natin siyang hingian ng CENOMAR o hindi kaya’y imbestigihan para masigurado nating walang sabi,” it was Levy’s.

Nagmulat ako ng mata at ang unang bumungad sa akin ang dalawang magkaibigan ko. Levy is holding her phone while Megan is looking on what she’s doing. Nasa Paris pa rin sina Callie at Tungsten para sa kanilang honeymoon. Ang alam ko’y one week sila roon. I yawned. Sinuklay ko ang buhok gamit ang aking mga daliri. Megan noticed that I am awake already so she nudged Levy.

Kinusot ko ang aking mata at muling humikab. “What are you doing here?”

“Girl, may nakita akong application na swak sa pangangailangan mo!”

Kumunot ang noo ko. “Pangangailangan? Does the application offer a million dollars?”

“Boba ka! Hindi mo na kailangan ng pera marami ka na noon, eh! Lalaki ang kailangan mo. But you don’t have to worry because this is so safe. I promise!”

Humiga siya sa tabi ko at pinakita ang application.

“A Stranger’s Talk?”

“Yes! And this application is so cool, Melly. Codenames ang gagamitin mo rito tapos kapag may nakausap ka at hindi mo nagustohan pwede mong tapusin ang conversation ninyo. It says here as well that if you will find someone na makakapagpalagayan mo ng loob pwede kayong mag-usap hangga’t gusto ninyo pero! May isang pero, you can only talk to that person until 3 am. Ang cool, ‘di ba?”

“What hanggang 3 am lang? Bakit?” si Megan na katabi ko na rin.

“I don’t know. Iyon ‘yong sabi rito, eh.”

“Paano kung sobrang sarap na ng usapan nila tapos umabot na ng 3 am pero gusto mo pa siyang kausap kasi masaya ka na sa presensya niya?”

“Wait, ang sabi rito . . . sa pagpatak ng alas 3 ng madaling araw, your conversation will be automatically deleted that’s why you have to ask his/her name, get his phone number or any social media accounts para doon na kayo mag-usap.”

Napabangon si Megan. “That’s not a cool application, Lev! Kapag nakapagpalagayan mo na ng loob tapos pagdumating ang alas 3 ng madaling araw, putol na ang ugnayan ninyong dalawa? Ang labo naman.”

“Maybe the creator has a reason why he/she did that,” wala sa sarili kong sabi.

“Ay heto na, Melly! Someone’s typing already!” ani Levy habang ipinapakita sa akin ang kanyang cellphone.

Kumunot ang noo ko. “Wait, you signed me up?”

“Duh? Isn’t it obvious? Tsaka kung hindi mo bet, e ‘di huwag ka na magdownload sa cellphone mo! This is Plan B: Finding you a Soulmate in A Stranger’s Talk!”

Napapikit ako at hinilot ang sintido. My god, representing my weirdest best friend, Leveria Niones-Ajeno.