Chapter 4

Jacket

"Can I see your clock birthmark?" I asked, standing infront of him while his expression remains unchanged.

"No,"

"Just for five freaking seconds."

"No,"

"Why can't you?"

"No,"

Napapikit ako sa sobrang inis dahil sa naging sagot n'ya. Damn it! Talagang pinaglalaruan ako ng tadhana. My dad told me that between destined couples, a man had the great affection towards his other half. If Alton was really meant for me, bakit hindi kami pareho ng nararamdaman? Sobrang naguguluhan na ako. We haven't met each other for so long but I really I felt a strong connection everytime that I'm with him.

I was about to say more words but he already turned his back on me. I sigh in irritation before going back inside my room. Callie was lying on my bed. Tumabi na lang ako rito bago s'ya pinaglaruan.

"Make sure you bite his hand the next time he touches you, Callie. That damn annoying guy deserves it," turo ko sa kanya kahit na alam kong malabo n'ya 'yong gagawin. Base sa nakikita ko, mukhang mas maamo pa s'ya kay Dr. Alvi.

"Callie, come here," hinawakan ko ito pero kaagad naman s'yang tumalon mula sa kama. Parang may sarili itong isip na pumunta d'on sa pwesto n'ya.

Kukuhanin ko na sana ito para ibalik sa kama ko kung hindi lang tumunog yung cellphone ko.

Aziel:

That fucking Alvidarez is in your apartment? You two will live together?

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganito s'ya kabilis sumagap ng balita. Daig n'ya pa yung mga chismosa doon sa kabilang kanto.

Me:

Yup.

Aziel:

Did tita Anica know about this?

Me: 

I'll call her later.

Aziel: 

Alright. Don't let him enter you.

Me: 

What???

Aziel:

*your room

Aziel:

why? u thinking of something else, Amor?

Napailing na lang ako sa sinabi ng pinsan ko. Ofcourse, I won't do that! I won't let him enter my room. I'm also planning to find another apartment rather than staying here with him. Buong akala ko magkakasundo kaming dalawa pero wala naman s'yang ibang ginawa kung hindi sungitan ako.

Kung hindi lang ako nakaramdam ng gutom, hindi ako lalabas ng kwarto. Pagkarating ko sa sala, nakita ko si kuya Led na mukhang nagulat rin nang malamang nandito ako.

"Relle, why are you here? You two will live together?"

I don't want to act rude in front of him but I'm not in the mood to speak right now. Mas minabuti ko na lang na pumunta sa kusina para kuhanin yung binigay ni ate Celine kanina. After that, I went back to the receiving area para doon kumain.

Tumabi ako kay kuya Led na sumunod sa akin samantalang si Alton naman ay napatingin sa direksyon ko. His stares keep on telling me to leave here since they have a serious conversation to talk about.

"Don't worry, hindi ako nakikinig," I stated before rolling my eyes at him.

"You're so cute, Relle," kuya Led chuckled.

I wasn't interested to their conversation at first because they're talking about random topics which I can't relate. Nakuha lang nila ang atensyon ko dahil sa sunod nilang pinag usapan. They're talking about the free medical services in some rural areas.

"Are there any medical student volunteers?"

"Yeah, but I think they're not enough so we need more."

I made a fake cough for them to notice that I'm still here. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong naging interesado sa naging usapan nila.

"I am willing to help," pagpresenta ko dahilan para mapakunot na naman ang noo ni Alton sa akin.

"I thought you're not listening?" He mocked.

"Pake mo ba?"

"You're a business major, not a medical student. What kind of help will you offer?" masungit na dagdag niya. Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ba ako dahil alam niya yung course na ti-nake ko o maiinis dahil ipinapahiya na naman n'ya ako sa harapan ng pinsan niya.

Kuya Led made a soft laugh again just to break the tension between us.

"I see no problem, Alton. I think it's better if she'll come," I automatically grinned after hearing his cousin's decision. Alton's eyes were still darted on me. I rolled my tongue just to piss him more.

"I'm always vacant, kuya Led. Just tell me when it is. I'm always willing to help," I replied again with burgeoning excitement.

"It's tomorrow, Relle. Can I have your number so I can text you?" Mabilis akong tumango sa sinabi n'ya. I was about to give him my phone kung wala lang tumabig sa kamay ko.

"You already have mine. Just text me," sagot ni Alton sa pinsan n'ya. After saying those, iritado itong tumayo bago bumalik sa kwarto n'ya.

"Don't listen to him, kuya. Here's my phone. Text mo ako ah?" I excitedly beamed.

After kuya Led left to fix something urgent in his clinic, Alton didn't went outside his room. Hinintay ko s'yang lumabas hanggang sa mainip na ako. He's not yet eating his lunch so I just decided to order for him. Bahala na s'ya mamaya.

Since it's already Saturday tomorrow, I decided to get Callie and bring her into Aziel's apartment.

"Hi Callie, I miss you!" Lissy kissed her when I already arrived here in their place. Pumasok ako sa loob at nakita ko naman si Aziel na kakatapos lang magshower. He's top naked. Hindi na ako nagreklamo since sanay na naman akong makita s'yang ganito kahit na noon pa man.

"Tangina, itapon n'yo 'yan! Why did you fucking brought her here?" iritadong wika n'ya habang sinisipa si Callie palabas.

"Gusto mong ikaw ang itapon ko?" sagot naman ni Lissy bago n'ya muling binuhat yung alaga naming pusa.

"Just let her stay here for a while since I'll be very busy this weekend," sambit ko nakapagpakunot ng noo n'ya. Pwede na silang magsama ni Alton dahil madalas pareho ang ekspresyon nila.

Daig pa ang mga babaeng araw araw na may dalaw kung makapagsungit.

"Where will you go?" he curiously asked.

"Stop asking, Az. Mauna na ako, bye! Lis, take care of Callie for me," paalam ko. 

After going to their apartment, I just decided to call mom and dad to inform that I'll be joining kuya Led for a free medical service tomorrow. After that, itinuloy ko na yung naudlot kong pamimili ng school supplies kanina.

The next day, I woke up too late dahil sa kaka-extend ko ng five minutes sa alarm clock ko. Pagkabukas ko ng pinto ng kwarto ay saktong paglabas naman ni Alton.

I can't help myself but drool over seeing him is his casual wear— white crisp button down long sleeve which is folded halfway to his elbows and a short. Naiwan akong tulala habang nakatingin sa kanya.

"What?" aniya na nakuha pang magsungit ngayong umaga.

I cleared my throat before speaking.

"W-Ahy are you so early? Alas sais pa di'ba?" nagtataka kong tanong. Sa halip na sagutin, tinapunan n'ya lang ako ng tingin.

"Doc Alvi!" tawag ko pero hindi na n'ya ako nilingon. Napatingin naman ako sa cellphone ko. It was already 5:20 am. Damn it!

I took a shower as quick as possible. I wasn't able to put even a light make up dahil anytime baka dumating na rito sa kuya Led. Nakakahiya naman kung magpapahintay ako.

It was already 5:45 am when I'm done showering. Last night, kuya Led texted me that he will be here six in the morning. I don't know what kind of outfit I should wear so I just ended up wearing my ditsy floral square neck mini dress paired with my strappy silver low heel sandals.

After a few moments, my phone vibrated.

Kuya Led:

I'm already here outside. You done?

Mabilis ko namang hinablot yung maliit kong bag bago lumabas ng apartment. Kaagad kong natanaw yung kulay itim na kotse. Bumaba ang windshield nito kung kaya't nakumpirma kong siya nga iyon.

Right after he saw me, he went outside the car. Bumaba naman ang tingin nito sa suot ko. He stared at me for some seconds. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang maisip kung hindi ba bagay sa akin yung suot ko.

"Panget ba? Do we still have time? I can change inside," nahihiya kong sambit. Bakit ba kasi hindi ako tinablan ng alarm clock ko kanina?

"Nah. That's alright. You look alluring," nakangiting banggit n'ya bago binuksan ang pintuan sa frontseat para makapasok ako. Nilibot ko naman ang tingin ko sa buong kotse. Dr. Alvi is not here.

"Alton is fetching someone else so I'm here to pick you up," I don't know if he's a mind reader because he exactly guessed what's running on my mind right now.

"So that's the reason why he left the apartment so early? Dahil may susunduin s'yang ibang babae ganoon ba?" my eyes bulged in anger. Kuya Led chuckled after I said those.

"Probably. Don't mind him. You'll see each other later," he replied before starting the engine of his car.

Nakakunot tuloy ang noo ko buong byahe. Kuya Led is playing loud music from random bands pero sa halip na magising ang diwa ko ay mas lalo akong nakatulog.

He just wakes me up when we're already here. I look at the screen of my cellphone. Our travel lasted for almost two hours. Malayo layo rin pala.

Halos umabot sa bente ang bilang namin rito. Like what kuya Led told me, all of them are volunteered nurses and medical students. Some of them are wearing the official shirt of Aestwood. Napatingin tuloy ako sa suot ko. Hindi ko maiwasang magsisi. Dapat pala ay nagpants na lang rin ako kanina.

I roamed my eyes around. Maya maya, mayroong humintong isang kotse. A wide smile curved on my lips when I saw Dr. Alvi getting outside the car pero mabilis ring napawi ang ngiting 'yon nang makita kong may kasama s'yang ibang babae.

Nagtama naman ang mga mata namin. Sa halip na lapitan, hindi n'ya ako pinansin. Mas lalo tuloy sumama ang timpla ng mukha ko habang naglalakad kasabay si kuya Led.

"Malayo pa ba?" I  asked while panting.

"Are you tired? We can rest for a few moments," aniya na mabilis ko namang inilingan. I don't care if it's a long walk. What makes me annoyed is seeing Dr. Alvi with his girl. Ni hindi man lang niya ako nilapitan kanina.

"Don't worry, Relle. I think we're almost there," sagot ni kuya Led habang abala sa pagchecheck ng cellphone n'ya.

We started our walk by following a footpath through the woods for almost 15 minutes na rin.

I actually like the idea of being here. The surrounding is too peaceful. The air is rich with the fragrance of leaves and loam. There is a clear view of an azure sky except for the sword sharp cogon grass that damages my legs.

"Wait here, Just need to take this call," tumango ako sa sinabi ni kuya Led bago ito tumalikod sa akin. He's talking with someone else and I wasn't able to hear it because my full attention is with Dr. Alvi with the girl beside her. Papalapit na sila ngayon sa direksyon namin.

Maya maya, umihip nang malakas yung hangin. Napayakap naman 'yong babae sa kanya. I didn't mind my hair that was a bit messy right now because of the strong wind.

Masama ang tingin ko kay Alton. Buong akala ko ay hindi n'ya ulit ako papansinin katulad nang ginawa n'ya kanina pero huminto ito sa harapan ko ngayon.

"Athalia, is dad already here?" tanong ni kuya Led na ngayon ay kakatapos lang makipag usap d'on sa katawagan n'ya kanina.

"He arrived earlier than us, Ledger. I think he's already there," she answered in a flirtatious way. Is she the reason why Alton won't notice me? She looks old. I am a hundred times alluring compared to her.

"Oh, hi there young woman. You haven't introduced me to her, Ledger."

Instead of saying my name, I raised my one eyebrow archly. I hate her!

"She's a friend, Athalia and she's also Alton's roommate," kuya Led answered. The girl smiled at me but I didn't reciprocate it.

Ibinalik ko na lang ang tingin ko kay Alton. Napansin kong masama ang tingin nito sa damit na suot ko.

"Led, you should go with ate Athalia. I think I have someone else to handle," banggit n'ya habang hindi pa rin inaalis ang tingin sa akin.

After a few seconds, my eyes widened when he grabbed my wrist.

Halos matalisod tuloy ako dahil sa ginawa n'ya. Kung hindi lang ako nagreklamo ay talagang hindi n'ya ako bibitawan.

"L-let's go back!" I bellowed while catching my breath.

Maya maya ay lumakas ulit ang ihip ng hangin. Pinanood ko itong tanggalin yung suot n'yang jacket. After that, pinulupot n'ya 'yon sa bewang ko. Ngayon ko lang napansin na kanina pa palang nililipad yung suot kong mini dress. It was late for me to realize that it's the reason why I'm receiving that kind of dark stares from him earlier.

Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang mapangiti. Atleast, I became aware that he cared for me too.

"Stop smiling. I already called your cousin. Just go home and take care of Callie," sumama naman ang timpla ng mukha ko dahil sa sinabi n'ya. Bakit niya ba gustong gusto akong paalisin?

Napatungo ako dahil sa sinabi n'ya. I don't understand myself why I became too emotional right now.

My tears was about about to fall when he lifted my chin and look at me straightly.

"We will spend a night here and this place is not good for you. Just go home, wait for me and take care of our baby,"