Tell Me A Lie

3 - WHEN SHE WALKS

Limang minuto na lamang ang natitira bago matapos ang shift ni Iris nang sumulpot si Troy. Napahugot siya ng malalim na hininga nang makita ito. Troy was an undeniably handsome man. For Iris, he is actually the most handsome man on Earth. That's because she loves him so much.

Troy is a dark-haired guy with thick eyebrows that framed his piercing eyes. He stopped by the door with a clenched jaw. Saglit itong lumingon sa pinsang si Blake. They curtly nodded at each other. The two are related by blood but were never close to each other.

Iris acknowledged Troy's presence with a sweet, warm smile. "Sandali lang, hihintayin ko lang ang kapalit ko."

His mere presence was enough to change her mood. Mabilis na nawala ang kanyang inis kay Andrei nang makita ang dating nobyo. Napailing na lang siya sa sarili. It was totally ridiculous getting mad at another man when she already has Troy. Troy is the love of her life. What was she thinking?

Ngayon ay kasalanan pa niyang may nangyari sa kanila ng lalaking hindi niya kilala. Or maybe not? Malinaw sa pakikitungo ni Andrei sa kanya na hindi siya nito kilala. Baka guniguni niya lang ang lahat? Masamang panaginip, siguro? Sana.

But the ache on her body when she woke up was real, especially the burning sensation between her legs. Well, maybe that's just the side effect of her nightmare. That's what she desperately want to believe in.

Pilit na ngumiti si Troy. "Yeah, sure. Hihintayin na lang kita sa labas."

She was taken aback by his cold response. Kahit magandang ngiti ay ipinagkakait nito sa kanya. Does he really have to act like a jerk? Does he even have an idea how much she missed him?

Nagkunwari na lang siyang wala siyang napansin. Bumaling siya sa direksyon ng kanyang boss. Kasalukuyan pa rin itong nakikipag-usap kay Andrei na mukhang hindi naman nakikinig. He was directly staring at her with a knotted forehead. Iris turned away and it was just the time when her replacement co-worker arrived.

"Sir," tawag pansin niya sa kanyang amo. "Aalis na po ako," magalang niyang paalam.

"Ah, sige. Take care, Iris."

Nagpalit na si Iris ng damit bago puntahan si Troy sa labas. Dinala siya ng dating nobyo sa isang mamahaling restaurant. She wasn't sure if it was a sweet gesture but she loved it anyway. She and Troy, together in a fancy place... a date!

"So..." pangunguna niya. "Kamusta ka na?" Malapad siyang ngumiti. Sinusubukan niyang pagaanin ang tensyon sa pagitan nilang dalawa pero mukhang hindi gumagana iyon sa kasama.

"I'm okay." He sighed impatiently. "Look, Iris. I don't want to make this long. If closure is what you want, then this is it. I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. But whatever was between us, it's over."

"Bakit, Troy?" Her voice was a little shaky. His words cut through her like a knife. "Ano ang nagbago? Ano'ng nangyari sa US na nagpabago ng tingin mo sa akin? What changed?!"

"It's not what you think, Iris. Ako ang problema, hindi ikaw. Gusto talaga kita at totoong minahal kita. But things are different now. We can't go back to what we were before. I can't go back... I'm sorry."

Naningkit ang mga mata ni Iris sa salitang 'minahal'. Past tense. Ibig sabihin tapos na.

"Hindi na ako puwedeng makipagbalikan sa'yo.

"Bakit gan'yan kadali para sa'yo na tapusin ito? Ano, sinawaan ka na sa akin ganoon ba?" Humampas ang kamay niya sa mesa. Unti-unti na ring tumataas ang tono ng kanyang boses, dahilan para mapalingon ang ibang customers sa direksyon nila. "Dahil ba sa bago mong babae? Mas masarap ba siyang kasama? How is she better than me? How?!"

"She's pregnant."

Parang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig si Iris sa narinig. "W-wha... what?!"

He took a deep breath before picking up to what he said. "Like I told you, hindi ikaw ang problema sa naging relasyon natin. Nasa akin ang mali. You're a lovely woman, Iris. You're pretty, kind, and smart. Don't ever doubt that." Bumalatay ang kalungkutan sa mukha ni Troy. Tila nagpipigil ito ng emosyon, subalit bigo siya dahil ang mga mata niya mismo ang sumasalamin sa kanyang damdamin. "I don't want to lie to you, Iris. Ayaw kong paasahin ka. I don't want to keep this from you. I'm sorry, but we really have to end this. Nakabuntis ako, Iris. It's not something that I can get away from easily. I have to be responsible for what I've done. Betraying you is too much and it's a shame but I have to admit it. Hindi ako ang lalaki para sa'yo.

"Y-you..." She pointed a finger at him. Malalim ang kanyang paghinga. Emotion was starting to get the better of her. The pain of being cheated on bit her like a b***h. Pilit niyang nilunok ang bikig na nakabara sa kanyang lalamunan. She's on the verge of tear, but she's trying her best not to shed a drop for Troy. The asshole doesn't deserve it. "You're a f*****g liar, Troy! All this time, I thought everything between us was okay. Akala ko business ang ipununta mo sa US. Who would have thought na business and pleasure pala ang pakay mo ro'n. Oh, so ano? How is she f*****g better than me? Mas masarap ba siya, Troy? Huh?! Tell me!"

"Iris, please. 'Wag kang mag-eskandalo."

"You know what? Mag-eeskandalo ako kung gusto ko! I will let people know how much cruel you are! You don't know how much betrayed I feel today." Nagsimula ng maglandas ang mga luha sa kanyang pisngi. "Ilang buwan lang tayong hindi nagkita, tapos parang wala na? Naghanap ka na agad ng ibang ulam?! I thought we were stronger than that!"

"Iris, please calm down." Tumayo na si Troy sa kanyang kinauupuan. He was doing a gesture that is supposed to make Iris's head cool down, or so he thought that would be effective.

Iris grabbed the glass then threw the cold, icy water on Troy's face. "Manloloko!" That was unsatisfying so she grabbed a pitcher then threw all of its content too on his face. Ngayon, hindi lang siya ang tila nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig. "Hindi ko alam na kalibugan lang pala ang kinakailangan para mabaluktot ang pagiging tapat mo. You're an asshole! An asshole! You hear that?! And I do hope that this is the last time na makabuntis ka. Sana... sana! Sana mabaog na lahat ng manloloko sa mundo lalo na ang mga tulad mong gago!"

Her voice, and her hands as well, were shaking. Basang-basa na ang kanyang pisngi dahil sa pag-iyak. Alam din niya sa sarili niya na pulang-pula siya. She was so mad about all the bullshit that Troy had said. She stormed off and headed to the comfort room, leaving Troy drenched with cold water in front of a crowd of strangers. Pumasok siya sa loob ng isang cubicle at doon itinuloy ang pag-iyak.

Walanghiyang Troy! A cheater! Manloloko! Taksil! Haliparot! Manyak! Kupal!

Iris continued saying negative adjectives about Troy. Halos mabanggit na niya ang lahat ng pangit na salita sa bokabularyo niya. She wailed loudly inside the cubicle, not caring if anyone hears. She needed to release the pain, the sadness, the anger. The betrayal Troy did was like poison to her and it must be spat out quickly out of her system. But that's not happening. It stabs through her chest deeply, leaving pain. Her heart was crushed to pieces.

A knock on the cubicle's door, stopped her crying for a moment. "May tao..." sabi niya. Itinuloy niya ang paghagulgol pagkatapos.

There was another knock again.

"May tao nga!"

Kumatok pa ulit ang tao sa labas.

"May tao nga, ano ba?!"

Sunud-sunod ang pagkatok sa pinto. It's starting to get on Iris's nerve. "Ano ba?! May tao nga sabi! Tanga ba? Bobo lang, gano'n? Bingi ka ba?!"

The person who was knocking didn't seem to be bothered by her insults. Tuloy pa rin ito sa pagkatok sa pinto.

"Punyeta! Bingi ka ba talaga?! Kanina ko pa sinasabing may tao! How inconsiderate can you be?! Kita mong nagdadrama ako-" Pagbukas niya ng pinto ay natigilan siya nang bumalandra sa kanya ang mukha ni Andrei.

Blangko ang ekspresyon sa mukha nito. "Jesus Christ, you're ugly."

Lalong naiyak si Iris sa komento nito. "Oo! Alam ko! Kaya nga ako ipinagpalit ng boyfriend ko! I bet mas maganda 'yung bago niya sa akin. Hindi ko pa siya nakikita, but I know! Probably, she's prettier, mas malaki ang boobs... totally mas maganda at mas sexy!"

"Baka gusto mong lumabas?"

"Ano?!" She gasped unbelievingly at Andrei. "Kaka-break lang namin ng boyfriend ko niyayaya mo na ako ng date? Isa ka pa! Dapat sa inyong mga lalaki tinatapyasan, eh! Mga walang modo! Puro na lang kasi kalandian ang nasa isip niyo! Mga hayop!"

Napasinghal si Andrei. "Baliw ka ba? That's not what I meant! Ang ibig kong sabihin ay baka gusto mong lumabas dito sa men's comfort room."

Iris was confused. Did he just said 'men's' comfort room?

Luminga siya sa paligid. There were two middle-aged men staring at her. May lolo rin na nakatitig sa kanya habang jumijinggle ito sa isang urinal. Halatang naguguluhan ito base na rin sa ekspresyon ng mukha nito. Nahagip din ng tingin niya ang sariling repleksyon sa salamin sa dingding. Kumalat na ang kanyang eyeliner pababa sa kanyang pisngi. Andrei was right. She is ugly. Horrifying, she might add. Mukha siyang siraulo. Para siyang multo na hindi pa natatahimik, maaari rin siyang ilarawan bilang miserableng drug addict.

Patakbo siyang lumabas ng banyo. Ginamit niya ang kanyang shoulder bag na pantakip sa kanyang mukha para hindi makita ng mga taong nakakasalubong kung gaano siya kapangit ng mga oras na iyon.

-

Mayaring makapaghilamos at maiayos ang sarili ay dumiretso na si Iris sa night club na kanyang pinapasukan. She has two jobs. Sa umaga ay sa tea house siya nagtatrabaho. Sa gabi naman ay sa night club siya namamasukan bilang waitress. That's what she do as a woman who is leaving on her own. Her mother died when she was at the age of five. Buhay pa ang kanyang ama, pero minabuti niyang umalis sa puder nito. Anak siya sa labas ni Gustavo Vargas, isang business tycoon. Iris and the legitimate family of his father doesn't get along well. Madalas siyang pagbuntunan ng galit ng asawa at mga anak ng kanyang ama kaya humiwalay siya sa mga ito.

Nakapagtapos siya ng kursong may kinalaman sa business. Pero hindi rin naman niya napapakinabangan ang kanyang natapos dahil una sa lahat, mahirap lang siya. Wala siyang business at wala rin siyang pera para bumuo ng sariling pangkabuhayan. Kaya nagtitiyaga na lang siya sa pagiging empleyado ng kung sino. Hindi naman na siya naghahangad ng higit pa. As long as she can fend for herself, it's okay.

Agatha greeted her with a wide smile when she arrived. "Iris, halika!" bungad nito sabay hila sa kanyang braso. Dinala siya nito sa mesa sa sulok. "Alam mo bang nakita namin ni Angela si Troy kanina sa mall. May kasamang magandang babae! They looked like they are dating." She turned to her left. "Angela!" Tawag nito sa kaibigan na nagpupunas ng counter. "'Di ba? Nakita natin!"

Tipid na ngumiti si Iris sa kaharap. "Ah, oo. Break na kami ni Troy."

Lumungkot ang ekspresyon ng mukha ni Angela. "Sayang, akala ko forever na kayo. Pero grabe talaga noong nakita naming may kasama siyang iba! D'yos ko! Agatha was like-" Angela rolled her eyes. "-And I was like-" She rolled her eyes again. "-as well!"

Nakipag-apir si Agatha kay Angela. "Ang laki ng dede noong babae! Kapag naglalakad siya, naglalakad din ang dede niya."

Umingos si Angela. "Bakit 'yung akin? Tumatakbo na ako't lahat, tulog pa rin?" Angela did a little stationary jog while looking down her breasts. "Gising!" Huminto rin ito matapos ang ilang segundo. "Wala, tulog pa rin. Hindi man lang umalog kahit utong."

Napangiti na lang si Iris sa kanyang mga kaibigan. Tanging ang dalawang babae lang ang nakakaalam ng tunay na pagkatao ni Iris sa lugar na iyon. Hindi niya kapwa waitress ang dalawa. Tambay lang ang mga ito roon. Angela is a friend of the owner of the club, and Agatha is Angela's friend. Parehas na maganda ang magkaibigan. Ganoon pa man, iilang lalaki lang ang naglalakas ng loob na lumapit sa mga ito.

Angela is a daughter of a well-known business man too. Because of that, her standards are too high for common men to fit in. Mga lalaki lang na kayang sumabay sa kanyang estado at mamahaling pamumuhay ang nakakalapit. Si Agatha naman... masyadong suplada para mag-entertain ng manliligaw. Isa pa, binabakuran na ito ng isang lalaki. Masyado lang itong manhid para hindi maramdaman ang ginagawa ng lalaking iyon.

It was raining hard outside. Malakas din ang pagkulog. Gayunpaman, marami pa rin ang pumapasok sa loob ng club. People were busy decorating the place. May birthday party palang magaganap. Labis niyang ikinagulat na makita si Troy doon. May kasama itong lalaki. They were talking and laughing. Troy seemed like he forgot that Iris was working there. After the scene she made, Troy didn't look like he was burdened by it... there wasn't even a slightest hint of regret on his face.

Mayamaya ay nagsitahimik ang lahat ng tao. Lahat sila ay nakalingon sa entrance ng club kaya hindi rin mapigilan ni Iris ang paglingon doon.

Mula sa entrance ay pumasok ang pinakamagandang babae na nasilayan ni Iris sa buong buhay niya. The woman has perfectly arched eyebrows. Her almond-shaped eyes were black with thick, long eyelashes. Matangos ang manipis nitong ilong. Maputi ang makinis nitong balat at katamtaman lang ang tangkad nito.

Her blood red lips curved into a drop dead gorgeous smile that is enough to make any man drool for her.

"Happy Birthday, Tatiana!" everyone greeted warmly. They popped confetti and cheered loudly.

Tatiana approached her guests. Hindi mapigilan ni Iris ang pagtaas ng isang kilay nang makitang kinintalan ng halik sa labi ni Troy ang babae. She couldn't believe it! That's her! The woman who stole Troy's affection!

Birthday celebration pala ng gaga.

Totoo ang sinabi ng mga kaibigan niya. Sinabi na sa kanya ng dalawa na ubod ng ganda at sexy ng bagong babae ni Troy. But their description didn't gave justice to the other woman's beauty. She was so f*****g gorgeous! Her beauty was heavenly, it's undeniable that she's a freaking goddess! Especially with her boobs bouncing a little when she walks.

Masyadong eksaherada ang paglalarawan ng kanyang mga kaibigan sa dibdib nito. It wasn't really that super huge, but yeah... it was bigger compared to theirs.

She couldn't help but feel jealous... a lot. Wala siyang panama sa ganda ng babae. Hindi na siya nagtataka kung bakit nakuha siyang ipagpalit ni Troy dito. Tatiana was smoking hot!

Umakyat sa stage ang lalaking kausap kanina ni Troy. The guy tapped on the mic then cleared his throat. Malapad ang ngiti nito kay Tatiana. "Happy Birthday to the bitchiest creature I know!"

Napangisi si Iris. Yes! b***h 'yang mang-aagaw na 'yan!

The guy continued to give his birthday remarks to Tatiana. "You can be harsh if you feel like being harsh, can be mean, a little too frank and you always say what you wanted to, regardless of whatever people may think of you. Sana huwag ka munang kainin ng lupa. Sana huwag ka muna nilang kuhanin para ipalit kay Lucifer. Sana masaya ka ngayon. Araw mo 'to eh. Tingnan mo, kumukulog at kumikidlat..."

People were laughing at the guy's piece. On the other hand, Iris was tasked to write a birthday greeting on Tatiana's cake. There's no laughing matter on that day for her. Kumukulo ang dugo niya dahil sa pinaghalu-halong emosyon na nadarama nang mga oras na iyon. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin siya tapos sa naramdaman niya kanina sa restaurant. Kung pupuwede nga lang niyang buhusan ng lason ang cake, malamang kanina pa niya ginawa. But she's not that cruel. And besides, Tatiana is pregnant too, even though she looks like she's not. Impis pa rin kasi ang tiyan nito.

"Mang-aagaw?"

Napalingon si Iris sa pinaggalingan ng pamilyar na baritonong boses. Naroon si Andrei na nakatayo sa kanyang likuran.

Binigyan niya ng naguguluhang tingin ang lalaki. "Huh?"

Andrei pointed at the cake.

Napasinghap siya. Instead of putting 'happy birthday', she wrote 'mang-aagaw' on the cake.