Chapter Six: Unlike Her

Back at the subdivision where V was living, everything still felt weird. Ligaya remained in the kitchen, doing her stuff while V discussed matters with Marco in his bedroom.

"To be honest, dude, I think you've gone crazy," started Marco who was now playing with a tennis ball while sitting on a couch at the corner of V's room. Tet V was silent, and Marco could tell that he was contemplating about everything. 

"So, did you really mean it? Are you sure you're letting a stranger stay in your house for a month?" Marco added.

"What else can I do? I've already said it. Besides, she saved my life. Not the saving thing she was saying seven years ago, but the saving that she did last night. She saved me and without her, I could have been a cold corpse right now. It's the least I can do. And mind you, letting her in does not necessarily mean I believe what she said. You know me, idiot."

"That's the spirit, dude!" he was about to give a high five to him but V did not accept it. "Jeez. So, what are you going to do now?"

"I am letting her stay. But I am not going to make life easy for her. You know what I mean. Of course, I still have to investigate and you are going to help me cover up everything, especially to Mia."

"And what about your dad?"

"I'll deal with him when he comes back. Right now, I have to get myself together as soon as possible. I'm still so pissed with that bastard Alcantara."

"Oh yeah, and speaking of Mia, I asked the boys to take her with them when they come here. I think they're almost here," reminded Marco coolly while throwing the tennis ball on the wall and catching it back.

"Wait, what?! Haven't you realized the situation we're in? That. . .weird woman is here, what if she'll create a mess?" V exclaimed, anxious of what might happened. 

"Fuck! I did not realize that..."

And just when they realized what was coming, the doorbell suddenly rang and they both knew that if they would not hurry, Mia was going to meet Ligaya. And so they hurried downstairs; ran as fast as they could, even when V's belly wasn't all healed. But they were too late, for Ligaya had just opened the door and met Mia and the boys.

Everyone was shocked. 

"Excuse me? Why are you here?" Dan immediately asked the million dollar question as Ligaya stood there plainly, oblivious about the tension.

Marco immediately ran to the front door and welcomed the guests, while V returned quietly to his room. He was really trying so hard not to be noticed.

"Hello, everyone! And oh, right, Mia. V needs your miraculous hands. He's upstairs." Marco lied.

Everyone was quiet and confused. Everyone except Ligaya, who just stood there, staring blankly at them. Mia who was quite annoyed to them in the first place seemed to be more annoyed by the fact that there's another girl in the house. Even though she's not showing it, but she still saw V as someone who was attractive and perhaps, someone who liked her. What's with all those teasings though? 

"Uhmm Mia, this is Ligaya, my uhm, my girlfriend. .uhm. .err. .you can now go upstairs," explained Marco while abruptly pulling Ligaya onto his side. Ligaya did not say anything and just remained impassive. 

"I don't care who that girl is, Marco. As I already told you, I don't have even the slightest interest in your boss."Mia addressed to Marco as if she was not affected by the sight of Ligaya. She then proceeded upstairs while bringing her stuff with her.

As Mia went there and finally vanished from everyone's sight, Ligaya immediately pulled Marco's arm away from her shoulder and faced the boys, saying,"you don't have to lie to that girl. I can play my part if you want me to. Also, don't feel oblige to explain anything to me. I completely understand the situation. And unlike her, I am not lying when I say I don't like your friend."

She finally turned her back on them and proceeded to the kitchen. The boys who were now confused, looked at Marco as if for the first time. And Marco knew that with these looks, it was obvious that he owed them an explanation. And so he did.

~~~~~~~~~

Mia just entered the bedroom. Of course, she's almost unwilling to be there in the first place. She slammed the door behind her as she saw V, who was hiding a grin.

"I came here because your irresponsible friends forced me." She began saying matter of factly, but he seemed not affected by it. In fact, he's enjoying the scene of her being annoyed. She placed her bag on the table opposite V's bed and pulled some equipment to be used in the situation.

"You've seen her, haven't you?" V asked, still grinning.

"Yeah, she's pretty."

"Tss pretty? I can't believe you're actually as blind as Helen Keller, stupid girl."

"Excuse me?! For your information, Mr. Arrogant, I may be many things but I am not stupid. So can you please do me a favor and keep your mouth shut before I inject you with something fatal?"Mia replied indignantly.

V smiled. Of course he's well-informed how smart and kind Mia was.

"Fine, fine, you're not. You should be thankful I am tired right now."Said V.

"So what exactly happened to you?"

Mia now faced him while clutching her gauze sponge, suture kit, bandage and everything she needed for the 

wound.

"I was stabbed. . .obviously." V said nonchalantly, which really irritated Mia.

"Tss, why did I even bother to ask?" She just rolled her eyes as she began to examine him. "Let me see your wound."

V started to raise his shirt and there showed an almost cured wound on the right side of his belly. She gulped as he did it. Everything right now felt awkward for her, but she maintained a straight face.

"When did this happen? It's just a small damage."

"I said I was stabbed. And it happened last night."

"Tss, oh please, Jalandoni, stop underestimating me. How could you say you're stabbed when there's even no need for stitching or something here?"

V did not push the subject anymore. There's no way he could win in an argument about medical stuff against her. Besides, it would be strange to really insist that the wound happened last night yet it seemed almost healed. And so he just let go of the matter and enjoyed Mia's company, which for him was a company like no other.