To Be With You

Kabanata 2

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Statement

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Nagising si Sheila sa panunuyo ng lalamunan. She bolted up at tinungo ang maliit na kusina ng unit ni Jarvis. Agad siyang uminom ng malamig na tubig from his fridge, avoiding to make some sudden sounds na ikagigising ng natutulog na lalaki.

She was walking back to the room and halted when she saw him hugging himself. Another Jarvis trait. That's his position when he sleeps at dati, iniisip niya he's probably just cold. But ayon kay Cheska, his sister, ganoon daw talaga matulog ang kuya nito.

Dinampot niya ang kumot na nalaglag sa sahig at kinumutan ito hanggang dibdib. He looked like he really need a hug at that moment. Nakakunot ang noo nito, whispering something na hindi niya maintindihan.

Gwapo pa rin talaga ito. Ni hindi man lang nagmukhang tumanda ng ilang taon simula ng una niya itong makita. Nangalumbaba siya sa maliit na misitang nandoon and decided to stare more as flashback of how she first saw him played in her mind.

Blue Moon Cafe

Acoustic Friday

'Sounds boring,' ani Sheila sa sarili habang binabasa ang tarp sa labas ng binabaan nilang establishment.

"Hey, don't be such a meanie..." tawang sabi ni Blake sa kanya. Ito kasi ang pumili ng lugar sa araw na iyon.

"You're not keeping your thoughts to yourself, sister," sabi naman ng kuya Nathan niya. "But unfortunately for you, dito ang schedule natin, tonight," nginisihan pa siya nito bago nagpatiunang pumasok sa cafe.

She rolled her eyes as Blake slowly patted her shoulder bago siya inakbayan. "Come on Eila, bawi ka na lang next time."

Isa sa mga bonding moment nila sa taon na iyon ay ang mag-explore ng iba't- ibang bars and cafe's which they decided na bawat isa sa kanila ay mamimili ng pupuntahan once a week. May balak yatang magtayo ng ganoong negosyo ang dalawa and they're observing the nature of the business.

Nilingon niya si Blake and saw that silent laughter in his eyes. Inis niyang tinanggal ang pagkaka-akbay nito at sinundan ang kapatid. She heard him laughed.

The music is not her type. Whenever she listens to acoustics, she doze off. At ayaw niyang makatulog dahil may party pa silang pupuntahan ni Blake mamaya. And her ass of a brother made a deal with her. Kapag nakatulog siya, goodbye party. So her mission tonight is to stay awake, no matter how painful it is.

She hate being with Nathan. Not that she don't love him, it's just that sometimes, gumagana ang pagiging O.P. nito, as in over protective. Talo pa nito ang mga magulang nila na nakabase sa abroad.

So imagine having him with he's almost a siamese twin, almost a doppelganger bestfriend, Blake, na kung minsan ay mas bantay sarado pa sa kanya. It annoys her big time.

"San Mig light, for you..." lapag ni Blake sa inabot ng bartender na alak sa harap niya.

"Seryoso?" napapantastikohamg tanong niya sa lalaki.

"Iyan or cold water, you choose," singit ng kapatid niya.

'Kahit kailan talaga..' gigil na reklamo niya sa isipan. Hopefully, she didn't voice that out loud. Napapailing siya at tinungga ang bote ng alak. Wala siyang magagawa habang chaperone niya ng dalawang ito.

"Hi babe, looking good."

"I just know an angel is waiting for me here, tonight."

She rolled her eyes. Meron pala siyang magagawa. Ang masuka-suka dahil sa maya't-mayang panglalandi ng dalawa sa iba't-ibang babae na nagpapalandi naman. Especially to her brother who is a notorious playboy. Blake though, is kind of going with the flow, sinusuportahan ang kapatid niya. She knew because she know his secret. In love lang naman ito sa kapatid ng kaibigan nito. And she uses that to blackmail him sometimes. Kaya hawak niya ito sa leeg at inaayunan siya sa mga kapritso niya. But of course, may limitation iyon.

"Pwede ba akong lumipat ng upuan or mesa? Baka lang mas makarami kayo kung wala ako..." suggestion niya sa dalawa. Baka kasi mamaya, mamatay na lang siya bigla dahil sa kakairap ng mga babaeng may gusto sa mga ito. Lalo na iyong gustong tumabi sa kanilang dalawa pero hindi makalapit at siguradong naiinggit sa lugar niya.

Tinanguan siya ni Blake bago pa man makatutol si Nathan. Agad siyang umalis at lumipat sa unahan ng mga ito.

"Sabihin mo nga, sino ba sa'ting dalawa ang kapatid?" dinig niyang biro ni Nathan.

Natawa si Blake. "Ikaw lang, wala akong balak magkaroon ng kapatid."

Tumawa si Nathan at muling nakipag-usap sa mga babaeng kakilala nito.

Tinungga ni Sheila ang bote ng alak ng muling bumalik ang acoustic music. "Here goes...#I'mGonnaDieOfBoredom..." aniya at patamad na naupo sa silya, closing her eyes. The acoustic guitarist started to play and somehow, natahimik ang mga nandoon.

.... I can take the rain on the roof of this empty house that don't bother me

I can take a few tears now and then and just let 'em out....

Napamulat ng mga mata si Sheila when the song started. She craned her neck to see the singer pero natatabunan ang stage mula sa pwesto niya.

.... I'm not afraid to cry every once in a while even though

Goin' on with you gone still upsets me

There are days every now and again I pretend I'm okay

But that's not what gets me.....

His rendetion is not bad, it's actually pretty good even though it's new to her ears. Maybe because of his voice..it is so sad, so full of emotions that made it enchanting to hear. It's like it's asking her and everyone else in the cafe to listen very well to his story.

...What hurts the most was being so close

And havin' so much to say and watchin' you walk away

And never knowin' what could've been

And not seein' that lovin' you is what I was tryin' to do..

And now, she's curious. She stood up so she could see the singer's face. Medyo marami kasi ang mga tao, especially lovers sa lugar na iyon.

Her jaw slightly dropped as she saw the guy singing eyes closed, yet damn hot. Simpleng V-neck T-shirt lang ang suot nito, a blue jeans and a descent white with black stripes shoes. Napatingin siya sa mukha nito when he opened his eyes. She followed his stare, he was looking sa gitara nito. His left hand knowingly and effortlessly move on each strings, changing positions every now and then as his right hand strums. Muli nitong ipinikit ang mga mata. It's like he's savoring the music and the message of the song and she found it crazy na naaapektuhan siya in all new level. Much more ng dumilat ulit ito and looked directly to her eyes. Her heart went from normal beating to wild one.

"I knew you'll do this..."

Napakurap si Sheila when she heard him speak, smirking and is looking straight to her eyes. Taranta siyang tumayo at tatakbo na sana ng bumangon ito at hilahin siya palapit. Napatili siya when she felt him enclosed her to his arms.

"What, running now ngayong aware na ako? You are so unfair, Sheila," he said. For a bit there, she thought she could hear a bitterness in his voice. But what for?

Pumalag siya, "You were dreaming! I was contemplating kung gigisingin kita or not...baka mamaya binabangungot ka na pala," but he just tightened his hold. Nakatalikod siya dito and she felt his face at the crook of her neck and she can't help but shiver at his closeness. Nagtatayuan din ang mga balahibo niya as she feels the warmth of his body enveloping her at gusto niyang sabunutan ang sarili for loving her current location.

"You're not over me." That was a statement and napapikit na lang siya sa kaseryosuhan ng boses nito.

It's confirmed! She really is not over him and it sucks na kailangan pa niyang marinig ang katotohang iyon sa mismong lalaki. But she's not gonna let him hurt her again. Tinadyakan niya ang paa nito kaya nakawala siya sa pagkakayakap nito.

"What was that for?!"

"Don't be so conceited Jarvis. Anyone could get over someone anytime. And it's been two years. Sa tingin mo, ikaw pa rin?" she sarcastically said and leave him looking dumbfounded.

Agad niyang ni-locked ang pinto ng kwarto na buti na lang at double lock, just in time to hear her call her name.

"Sheila...Sheila...."

Hindi siya sumagot and closed her eyes forcefully at nagtakip pa ng unan sa tainga. She can't let him destroy her barriers just like that. Two years niya iyong inipon at itinayo kaya dapat lang na matibay iyon. It should be indestructible that not even him calling her name repeatedly could destroy.

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Nag-iwas siya ng mga mata dito kinabukasan ng magharap sila. He handed her the clothes na natuyo na and let her change. Nakabihis na din ito at mukhang papasok na sa trabaho.

"Ihahatid mo na ba ako?"

"Only if you eat."

Napatingin siya sa mesa and saw some pancakes.

"I ordered while you were taking a bath. Hindi ko alam ang gusto mong breakfast kaya iyan na lang."

"Ok," she said at nag-umpisa ng kumain. She don't want to start a conversation dahil baka kulitin siya nito sa eksena nila kagabi. Mabuti na lang, he seemed to be in a foul mood again.

After that awkward breakfast ay inihatid nga siya nito. Pababa na siya ng kotse ng pigilan siya nito. One touch on her arms like he don't want to let her go, and yet she felt like kinuryente siya.

"What?"

She heard him cleared his throat bago ngumiti ng bahagya at nagsalita, "I know you wouldn't even probably believe this but, I miss you, Sheila. I honestly do."

Sheila's jaw dropped. Mukhang ito ang naulanan kagabi at nagdedeliryo pa din. And as much as how unbelievable it was to hear those words from him, hindi niya maitanggi na gusto niya ang narinig. But she can't say it back dahil baka kung ano lang ang isipin nito at asarin lang siya.

Namayani ang katahimikan sa kanila until she noticed na hawak pa din siya nito sa braso. Unti-unti siyang kumawala sa pagkakahawak nito. Tumikhim ito at sumeryoso ulit.

"And Cheska said she missed you too. Tumawag siya kaninang madaling araw and you were sleeping. She told me to ask for your number para magkabalitaan ulit kayo."

"Oh..." she said a little bit disappointed. Iyong assuming side niya, nangarap na naman na ito mismo ang interesado sa number niya. 'Asa ka pa kasi...' pang-asar ng isip niya. Napasimangot siya bigla.

"What? Hindi mo siya namiss? Ayaw mong ibigay ang number mo? Ok, I'll tell Cheska na ayaw mo ng makita pa siya kahit kailan."

Hinampas niya ito, "Magtigil ka nga! Just give me her number, ako ang kokontak sa kanya."

"Kakapalit lang niya ng number at hindi ko kabisado iyon. Naiwan ko naman ang phone ko, so..." tinaasan siya nito ng kilay, "just give me your number at ng makaalis na ako. May trabaho pa akong pupuntahan." Binuksan nito ang dashboard at kumuha ng papel at ballpen saka inihagis sa kanya. "Hurry up...male-late na ako."

"Sungit.." bulong niya habang sinusulat ang number sa papel na inabot nito.

"Ano'ng sabi mo?" dinig niyang tanong nito kaya napalingon siya. Only to see him leaning in front of her, so close na just one move, magdidikit na ang mga labi nila. Sinundan nito ng tingin ang sinusulat niya.

Nagulat pa siya ng ngumiti ulit ito. Kinuha din nito ang papel at ballpen sa mga kamay niya saka siya mabilis na hinalikan sa pisngi.

"Thanks for this, expect Cheska to call you soon," anito at pinaandar ulit ang kotse.

"What was that for?" inis niyang tanong. This guy is not who she thought he is.

"What? Ngayon ka lang ba nahalikan sa pisngi? I don't think so. Sa pagkakaalala ko, I already teached you how to french kiss. And I don't remember you complaining when I kiss you down to-"

"Shut up!" namumula ata siya sa inis. Bakit ba lagi nitong pinapaalala ang mga kabaliwan niya?

Nginisihan lang siya nito. "Ah..I know, do you want me to kiss you more than the kiss sa pisngi?"

Napapikit siya ng mata sa inis. Agad niyang binuksan ang pinto ng kotse at bumaba. Narinig pa niya ang halakhak nito bago niya padabog na maisara iyon. Agad siyang nagmartsa papasok ng bahay ng maalala ang pouch. Napatampal siya sa noo. Naiwan niya sa kotse ni Jarvis.

Pumihit siya para lapitan ulit ito na mabuti na lang ay hindi pa umaalis. Nakita niya ang pagbaba ng salamin ng kotse, kasunod noon ang nakangisi nitong mukha habang iwinawagayway ang pouch niya. Lumapit siya dito. "Give me that."

"You just can't resist me, huh? You just keep on coming back...ah Sheila, you are so good for my ego," the smirk on his face makes her want to punch him.

"Whatever floats your boat, Jarvis," aniya at muling inabot ang pouch. Tamad siyang makipag-argumento dito ngayon, gusto lang niyang makalayo from him, asap.

"Come and get it then," he said at saka isinarado ang bintana ng kotse. Mabilis niyang tinanggal ang mga kamay doon at lumipat sa driver's side kung saan bukas ang pinto.

"Akala ko ba nagmamadali ka, Jarvis? Give me my pouch and get the hell out of here!" Inabot niya ulit ang pouch pero hinila siya nito sa baywang.

"Are you sure you want me to leave?" bulong nito sa tenga niya. How could she answer when he's this close? Last time na ganito ang pagkakahawak nito sa baywang niya, they..

"No. You don't really want me to leave. Just as I thought."

She opened her mouth to protest but he only took that chance and kissed her. Nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa ikinilos nito and questions starts to pop out of her head. Pero wala siyang mahagilap na ni isang sagot.

Napatigil ito at kunut-noong tiningnan siya ng mapansing she's not responding, "Kiss me back," utos nito and kissed her again.

Itinium lang niya ang mga labi. As much as she wants to kiss him back, she can't let him think na he's still got a hold of her heart sa kabila ng ilang taong pag-alis niya. He could assume all he want, but she'll never admit anything. She stayed long enough by his side, she took all the hurt and rejections back then. Pero walang nangyari, and she thought it's enough already. Hindi siua ipinanganak para maging martir habang buhay. She'll never gonna let him hurt her ever again.

Nang mapansin yata nitong wala siya balak na sundin ito, he stopped at salubong ang kilay na tinitigan siya. She coldly meet his stare.

"Are you done? Can I have my pouch now?"

He roughly handed her the pouch at itinulak siya palabas ng kotse nito, just enough para hindi siya mahagip ng pinto bago pinaharurot ang sasakyan.

When his car's gone, saka lang niya pinakawalan ang luha. "It's you who's unfair, Jarvis."

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