Twisted Souls

18. Sour candy

"What was that?" Tanong niya. Mukhang naiinis sa ginawa ko. Hello, I am just saving myself from a disgrace! Kung siya ay balahura, ako hindi ganon!

Wow, there is nothing more embarrassing kesa ang matagusan in public! Is he not thinking? Ang dirty pakinggan!

After tying my polo in his skirt, hinila niya ako papunta dito sa garden ng university. Siya pa ang may ganang hilahin ako!

Tumaas ang kilay 'ko. Siya pa talaga ang may gana mag-taray? "I am keeping my image clean," I defended.

I know what I did is very controversial. Javier tying his polo to Celestial waist kasi may tagos ang siya sounds very sweet and cunning. Surely everyone will get the wrong idea! Ayoko rin naman may makuha silang masamang idea!

Pero ano? Hahayaan 'ko lang ang lahat na makita ang palda 'kong may tagos?!That is very.. unsanitary!

"Everyone will the get the wrong idea about us!" Iling niya pa, "Jameson will kill you." He reminded me.

"Mukha bang gusto ko ang ginawa? Hello?" I sighed in disbelief. "Ayoko naman na maglakad ng may tagos! That is very unlikely me!"

Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin. Oh my god, he is really making a big deal out of this!

"Sana sinabihan mo na lang ako! No need to make a very dramatic scenario, Celestial! Pag-uusapan tayo! Baka masuntok ka ni Jameson pag narinig niya ang nangyari ngayon!"

Napahinto ako sa sinabi nito at napaisip. Oo nga, ano. That would be a very hard one punch. Buti sana kung si Javier ang sasalo, pero ako nga pala!

Argh! Pero mas... ewan. It was may reflex to cover the stain earlier. Inilingan ko si Javier.

I rolled my eyes. "Si Jameson ang huling iisipin 'ko dito! I'll deal with him after this!"

He sighed, "Celestial. .. gusto mo ata talaga masapak ng kapatid ko."

"Stop claiming it! Pag ako talaga nasapak mamaya!" Pinanlakihan 'ko siya ng mata, "Don't get mad —"

"Yung tagos. .." He shook his head. He look uncomfortable.

Nako. How is he coping up with a body that has a menstruation? Mahirap na nga sa'kin kahit ilang years ko ng naraanasan.

Tumaas ang kilay 'ko, “Oh. Masakit puson mo?" Tanong ko sakanya.

Ngumuso ito sabay tango. "Oo. Ang sakit. Ganito ba lagi?" Parang kumalma na siya sa wakas.

Natawa ako at tinanguan siya. "Oo... Ganyan talaga. So don't invalidate the woman's pain pag nagrereklamo kami." Irap ko dito.

"May sinabi ba akong ini-invalidate ko?" Napanganga siya. "Wala pa nga akong sinasabi?"

"Could you please stop talking s**t first? This pain is killing me!" Aniya. Lumabas na ang iritado nitong mukha. "Puro ka dada! May CR dito, but I don't have any extra napkins—"

Grabe! Pati ata ang pagiging moody ay nadala niya rin. Hindi ko alam kung maaawa ako or matatawa sa kalagayan niya!

But anyway, laughing would annoy him more, lalo na't ngayong meron siya. Better not do it.

"Moody ka na rin? I'll call Suzy. She knows I have extras in my locker." I stopped him from nagging, "This is so embarrassing! Bakit ka nagka-tagos?!" I hissed.

"Pasensya na ha?! Alam mo bang nakakadiri 'to?!" He shouted, "Babae kasi ako?!" He emphasize. Nanlalaki ang mata nito habang banas na nakatingin sa'kin.

I glared on Javier, pero natigilan din noong may pumasok sa isip ko.

Sabagay, tama naman siya. Lalaki siya at hindi siya sanay sa menstruation. Pero at least? Can't he do the napkins right?! Ididikit lang naman!

Mabuti na lang at kaming dalawa lang ang nandito. Everyone will go nuts if someone hears our conversation.

"Can I have my phone?" I asked him. Inilabas naman niya agad ang telepono.

"Pwedeng pakibilisan? This goey feeling is so gross. Nararamdaman 'ko na siya—" Natigilan si Javier sa pagsasalita ng samaan 'ko ito ng tingin. Kailangan pa talaga sabihin lahat?

He sighed before walking out in front of me. Lumayo lang ito sa'kin—pero nakikita 'ko pa rin siya. Kinuha ko ang telepono sakanya. I called Suzy right away for a help. Agad naman sumagot ito.

"President ano 'yon—"

"Suzy, get my skirt and napkin in locker. Please. Thank you." I commanded.

"Hello?" Si Suzy. "Huh?" Naguguluhang tanong nito sa kabilang linya.

Ay oo nga pala. Iba ang boses ko. Wala ako sa katawan ko ngayon.

Right! Nakalimutan 'ko magpakilala kay Suzy! At ang sinabi 'ko ay maling-mali! Baka maisip talaga nito na minamanduhaj siya ni Javier!

Ayaw pa naman ni Suzy kay Javier, because he is my enemy!

I am so grateful of having a friend like Suzy. Sana ay masabi ko sakanya ang sitwasyon...

If only I could imagine telling Suzy the impossible situation at hindi niya ako sasabihan na baliw.

"Hello!? Sino 'to?! Magnanakaw ka ba?!" Bulyaw nito sa telepono. "Alam mo ba kung kaninong phone ang ninanakaw mo?"

"Hello. This is Javier. Can you get her some skirt and napkin? Nasa locker. Nandito kami sa garden. Pakihatid—."

"Aba, Javier!" Suzy hissed. Tumaas naman ang kilay 'ko. Woah. Is that Suzy? "Sino ka para utusan ako?! Nasaan si President—"

"Come here. Now. Kung ayaw mo malagot." I warned her the usual. Sasagot pa sana ito pero inunahan ko ulit. "Tinagusan ang amo mo. Gusto mo ba talaga siyang magwala sa harapan mo?"

I shut the phone.

I crossed my arms while looking at myself—uncomfortable and irritated. Napangisi ako.

"What?" Nang maglandas ang tingin namin ni Javier ay iritable akong tinanong nito, "Bakit ka nakangisi? You're liking this? Lagot tayo kay Kuya! People will think that we are dating! Candy will. .."

Napangisi ako, “Tignan natin kung lalapit ba talaga si Candy.”

His forehead knotted, “What?” He asked, very confused.

“Bakit? Candy isn't showing up since the accident—”

"She's probably blaming herself!” He defended Candy. Napanganga naman ako. Woah! Ang tanga!

Hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit siya naniniwala sa babaeng 'yon!

“Yes, kasalanan niya talaga! But you know?! At least, she can show some respect and visit you! Pero ano? Wala!” I fired at him.

He gritted his teeth. “Why are we talking about Candy?!”

“Because you brought her up?” Mabilis na sagot 'ko. “You see, Javier, we don't need anyone as of now. We only need each other. We should stop seeing other person lalo na kung personal matter mo 'yon—”

“I can't!” Putol niya sa sinasabi 'ko. “Kung hindi ka pwedeng tumigil mag-aral, ako hindi pwede ma-badshot kay Candy!” He shouted.

I gritted my teeth in annoyance. That is so lame! Walang kwentang dahilan!

“Whatever!” I shouted at him. “Don't you really get our situation?!” I reminded him.

Natawa naman ito dahil sa inis. “Sayo pa talaga galing 'yan?! Sino kaya ang nag-pumilit na pumasok?! This is so hard, Celestial! Mahirap itong pagpapanggap!”

Napanganga ako.

“Bare with it!” I shouted on him. Tingin niya ba ay hindi ako nahihirapan sa nangyayari sa'min?

Naramdaman 'ko ang pag-init ng aking mukha dahil sa inis. Napatingala ako dahil sa galit. I am so hopeless. Nagkatitigan kami ni Javier, at nakita 'ko kung paano lumambot ang ekespresyon niya.

“From the start, Javier. ..This is all your fault,” Nanghihinang turan 'ko. “Kung hindi mo ako hinila, hindi tayo na-aksidente.” I shook my head.

“Celestial. ..” Tawag nito sa'kin at sinubukan hawakan ang kamay 'ko, iniwas 'ko 'yon. I am so done with his comforts.

I feel like losing my sanity.

“President?”

Mabilis akong napatalikod ng marinig ang boses ni Suzy. I wipe my tears off. This is really frustrating!

"Give me," rinig 'kong sabi ni Javier.

“President, okay lang ba kayo—”

“I am.” Sagot pa nito. I heard some footsteps going away, it must be Javier.

I was about to go when someone grab my wrist. Nilingon 'ko ito—it's Suzy.

Inagaw 'ko sakanya ang aking braso.

“What?”

Napangiwi naman si Suzy, “Anong nangyari kay President?”

Bahagya akong nainis sa tanong nito. Hindi ba obvious? Seriously! I hate this day—actually, I hate my life! I hate this!

“Stop asking the obvious, Suzy.” I rolled my eyes.

Nakatitig lang ito sa'kin, mukhang nakakita ng multo. I was about to go when she hold me again. Nagsalubong na ang kilay 'ko. What is her problem?!

“Why are you acting like the President?” Usisa nito. My eyes widened. Napahinto ako.

Did she notice? How? I didn't do anything! My heart thumps. Should I tell her? Would she believe on me? Paano kung tawagin akong baliw nito?

“Hoy, Javier!” She scolded. Mas lalo akong kinabahan. Should I really tell her? “Seryoso ba? Ayokong maniwala!” She shook her head in disbelief.

What? Does she know something? Did she heard us?

“What? A-Anong ayaw mo paniwalaan?” Damn, sana hindi niya napansin ang pag-utal 'ko!

“Na. ..” Mahabang lintanya nito. I want to shake her shoulder. What? Can I finally tell someone my situation?

“Suzy!” I hissed at her. What is taking her so long?!

“Na jowa mo na si President matagal na?!” Mabilis nitong sabi. Bumagsak ang balikat 'ko. What?

Damn. ..I was hopeful for nothing! At bakit 'ko ba naisip na sabihin sa iba? Obvious naman na pagkakamalan akong baliw!

“Sa sobrang tagal niyo na. ..Nagagaya mo na ang ugali ni President!” Napatakip pa ito ng bibig.

I shook my head in annoyance. This is. ..really tiring!

“Kayo ba?!” Lumapit pa ito sa'kin, “Ilang months na kayo? Bakit hindi kayo umaamin? God! Hindi 'ko napansin! Akala 'ko magka-away lang kayo!” Iling niya pa.

I sighed. I saw Javier coming. Nilagpasan 'ko si Suzy at tinignan ang bagong bihis na ako.

Malinis na ba? God! Everyone knows me for being clean and tidy! I am almost perfect! Pero mukhang sisirain niya pa!

“Please. Huwag kang magaslaw.” Banta 'ko sakanya. I was about to walk out when someone held me again.

Napapikit ako.

“What now—”

“Candy!” Si Javier.

Nakita 'ko ang masamang titig sa'kin ni Candy. Napahinto ako saglit. That was fast, akala 'ko ay hindi na siya magpapakita kahit kailan.

“What is this, Javier?!” Candy looks very frustrated.

Bahagyang umangat ang gilid ng labi 'ko. Wow, the nerve. ..the nerve of this girl. ..

“Javier. ..” Javier warned me. Parang sinasabi nito na huwag akong magsalita ng kahit ano.

“Javier, explain!” Candy hissed.

Sorry, Javier. But I don't like acting very much. Lalo na if I will not benefit from it. I hate Candy too. ..

Nginisian 'ko lang ang babae. So Candy will show up kung pakiramdam niya ay inaagaw sakanya si Javier? What at b***h!

“What? Anong kasalanan 'ko?” Simula 'ko kay Candy. I denied, just to piss her.

Kumunot ang noo ni Candy, “What is this?”

“What?” Tanong 'ko ulit.

“Javier. ..” Javier warned me. Sinubukan pa akong hawakan nito, pero tinapik iyon ni Candy.

Sinamaan nito ng tingin si Javier, na nasa katawan 'ko, “You son of a b***h, Faith! Akala 'ko hindi mo gusto ang boyfriend 'ko?!” Candy hissed.

Umarko lang ang kilay ko. Wow, ang mga babae—if there is infidelity, talagang ang babae ang sisihin, ano?

While Candy is ruining herself because may 'nang-agaw' sa boyfriend niya, ito ako, nasa likod lang.

Kung tutuusin, this is even not a infidelity or cheating. Wala namang sila. Pero bakit kaya sa tuwing merong third party, bakit babae lagi ang kinakawawa?

There is no third party kung ang lalaki ay hindi tumutuka.

“Candy. ..nagkakamali ka—” Awat pa ni Javier. Mukha tuloy akong kawawa na nag-eexplain kay Candy!

I rolled ny eyes, I hate this! Hindi ko kaya makita sa harapan ko ang nagmamamakaawang mata ko! Hindi ako kawawa ano!

Hinawakan ko ang balikat ni Candy. Galit naman itong lumingon sa'kin.

Tignan mo 'to... Hindi niya sinagot-sagot si Javier then he will act like this? Tao si Javier at hindi teritoryo na aangkinin lang pag may gusto kumuha.

Gosh. Why did Javier let her treat him this way?

"Ano!? Hindi ka ba magpapaliwanag?!" Namumula na ang maputing mukha ng lalaki. She looks like crying.

Napasinghap ako. Ramdam ko ang titig ng iba at inaabangan ang aking sagot. This must a great show for them...

“What?” Singit 'ko, “Sa pagkakaalam 'ko, walang tayo, Candy.” I smiled at her.

Hindi naman makapaniwala ang mukha ni Javier na nasa katawan ko.

I heard Suzy gasped. I saw how 'Celestial'—or Javier shook his head. Parang sumakit ang ulo niya sa nangyari.

Let's end your pathetic life, Javier. Keep up naman tayo sa character development.