Loving Izi

Chapter II

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"I miss you, girls!" Hayden exclaimed while showing us her genuine smile. We're talking to her via face time on my laptop. It's been a year since nung pumunta siya diyan sa Canada.

"We miss you too Hayden! Kailan balik mo?" Urm asked her while eating pastillas. 

"I don't know Urm. But I will definitely come if magbabakasyon sina mama riyan. Let's say, pag summer." 

"Hmm. That's a good idea. By the way, yung pinapapakuha ko sayong maple leaf Hayden ah. Ipapalaminate ko yun." I heard Hayden's contagious laugh nung sinabi ni Urm yun. She's so beautiful even without her poise because of the laughter Urm inflicted through her weird idea. 

"You're really serious about that?" Natatawa niyang tanong kay Urm na nakasimangot ng kumakain ng pastillas.

"Mukha ba akong nagbibiro Hayden? What— Why are you laughing? Anong nakakatawa doon?" Naguguluhan niyang tanong dahil tawang tawa na talaga si Hayden. 

"Nothing. It's just that you're too cute when you're serious pero yung lumalabas sa bibig mo eh nakakatawa." Napanganga si Urm at kinuha na sa akin ang laptop.

"Oh no. Ianne, may topak na yata ang mature nating friend. Where's the mature Hayden we knew. Ilabas mo siya! Impakta ka!" Mas lalo tuloy humagalpak ng tawa si Hayden dahil sa sinabi ni Urm. Napailing na lang ako at pumangalumbaba habang pinagmamasdan silang nag-uusap.

"Bakit kasi maple leaf? Marami naman diyan. Sa divisorya."

"What? So cheap. I want the real maple leaf Hayden. Fresh from Canada, ganun!" Urm uttered. 

Natawa naman si Hayden. "Ayaw mong lalake ang iuwi ko para sayo?" 

"What?! I don't like Canadian Hayden, perhaps he's half Canadian, half Pinoy. I'm okay with it." Sabi niya ay tumango tango pa siya. 

"How about you Ianne? Oh, wait. Where is she?" Ipinakita sa akin ni Urm ang laptop. Itinaas ko ang dalawa kong kilay kay Hayden na nakangiti na sa akin.

"What?" I asked.

"Do you have a boyfriend already? I can get you one." She giggled. 

"Boyfriend?! As if! Martyr pa rin siya kay I—"

"Urmia Krizna!" I cut her words by shouting her weird name. I know she doesn't like hearing her whole name kaya it's a good way in making her shut up. 

"You! Malilintikan ka sa akin mamaya." 

"Just shut up Urmia Krizna. Alright?" 

"Oh no you didn't! Ianne!" I ignored her and averted my attention to Hayden who doesn't have any idea on what we're pertaining to.

"What was that?" I shook my head and tried to reminisce about the topic she was talking about a while ago.

"Ano nga ulit yung tinatanong mo?" I asked her so she can divert the topic. Kahit anong topic na lang, not that one. But the heavens neither heard me nor agreed on my wish. 

"Nope Ianne. I want to know yung sinasabi niyo kanina. Why the sudden whole name thingy? You know she doesn't like that." I heaved a sigh and looked at Urm. I tried to communicate with her through my stare and yes I'm sure I did it but her smirk kinda says otherwise. 

She went beside me and now we're both facing Hayden. 

"Urm..." bulong ko sa kanya pero binalewala niya lang ako.

"Si Ianne kasi may napupusuan siyang isang animal. Ay no. Hindi lang napupusuan, mahal na raw niya. Unfortunately, that f*****g beast is in love with another beauty. So, sad and hurt ang Ianne natin." She even acted like she was being penetrated with an arrow on her chest. 

Napanganga si Hayden at nakita ko ang kislap sa kanyang mata. "Really Ianne?! Why didn't you tell me?! Sino yan at ipapamukha ko sa kanya na sinayang niya ang isa na namang diyosa sa mundong ito." 

Humaglpak naman ng tawa si Urm sa tabi ko. Napahiga pa siya habang hinahawakan ang tiyan niya dahil sa sobrang pagtawa.

I stared Hayden in awe. Can you really do that Hayden if you knew the truth? Besides, Izi is not unlucky. He's actually the opposite because he fell in love with a woman that every man dreamed of. 

Kaya siguro hindi niya ako magawang tignan dahil ang puso niya ay nakuha na ng isang babaeng alam kong hindi niya papakawalan. 

"Ano Ianne? Who is he? Drop the name." Hamon niya sa akin but I refused. I will never going to tell her. No way. Kahit ito lang. Kahit ito lang ang ipagkait ko sa kanya.

"No Hayden. Y-You, don't know him."

"Of course I don't know him. Hindi mo pa kasi sinasabi ang pangalan niya. Hello? It's the 21st Century. Uso mag f*******:. Isang type ko lang sa name niya makikilala ko na siya. Though not personally, it is still enough for me to know the guy you're so into." 

"Not now Hayden. Makikilala mo rin siya soon." Yun na lang ang sinabi ko para matahimik na siya. I don't really want to tell her. Ito kasing Urm ang daldal. Years ko na yang inilihim kay Hayden at dahil lang sa kadaldalan niya, nalaman na ni Hayden in just a snap. Not literally though, and I'm thankful for that. 

I let my head rest in the backrest as the noise around me filled my ears, but it wasn't annoying unlike in the wet market. It's a noise that I could hear all the time because it somehow pacified my bothered mind. 

I closed my eyes and let that soft chattering, sweet giggles and quiet gossips of the crowd engulfed within me.

"Ianne, is this okay?" Urm asked me but I didn't bother to open my eyes and answer her. I just gave her my thumbs up kahit hindi ko pa nakikita ang dress na napili niya.

Nagyaya siyang pumunta kami dito sa Mall. It's weekend and nababagot na rin ako sa room ko so sumama na lang ako sa kanya. 

"Ouch!" Napabalikwas ako nung kinurot niya ako sa tagiliran.

"Hindi mo pa nakikita eh. Ianne naman eh! I brought you here because I want to hear your opinions. Kung bagay ba sa akin ang mga damit na ito or hindi." 

Napabuntong hininga ako at sinuri na lang ang napili niyang damit. It was beautiful. The transparent tulle around with the simple designs perfectly embroidered over it, making the long night  gown scream simplicity and elegance. 

"Ganda noh?" She asked.

"Yeah. Saan mo naman yan gagamitin?" I looked at her.

She gave me the "bakit ang bobo mo" look at napamaywang sa harapan ko. "Of course gagamitin ko yan kung pupunta ako sa isang  formal event Ianne! My gosh! Nakalimutam mo yatang heiress ako ng isang napakalaking corporation at chain of banks. Exclusive business gathering is my turf." She said then she faced the sales lady and gave the gown. 

"Let's go. Ipapadeliver ko na lang yung gown na yun sa bahay. I don't like the color. I want it to be peach so nagpa order ako ng ganung kulay." Talak siya ng talak pero hindi ko na siya pinapansin.

I let my eyes wander around. Every person my eyes meet is either eating or laughing on something. I saw every food stalls busy on their business because people were being fazed by the aroma emitted from their foods. 

All of them are preoccupied because of the crowd but there's a stall na nag stand out sa akin. Wala silang masyadong customer. Tatlo lang yata eh. Tinignan ko yung name ng stall nila and I find it weird.

Eat U 

"Urm. Let's eat there." Sabi ko kay Urm habang itunuturo ang Eat U. I saw her cast a grimace on her face. 

"What? Bakit diyan. Ang laswa naman nung name niya." Reklamo niya pero hinigit ko na siya papunta doon.

"Ianne!" She groaned. 

"Good afternoon miss. Order na kayo hehe." Napanganga naman ako sa bumati sa akin. Bungal siya eh.

"Eat U? Are you kidding me?! Sino naman ang nag-isip ng pangalan na yan? Ang pangit! Kasing pangit siguro ng owner nuh. No wonder kung bakit wala kayong customer." 

"Urm please." Baling ko sa kanya.

"What? Totoo naman ah—"

She was caught off guard when someone cut her words. Standing behind her is a six feet of dark and dangerous guy. From his head down to his foot — all of it is screaming demand and authority, though his pink floral apron saying otherwise. 

"Then why are you here?" The guy drawled while crossing his arms giving us a chance to take a glimpse of his veins on it. 

"Uh sorry. Curious lang kasi ako dahil sa name and—"

"The name of course. Yung sinabi ng kaibigan mo na ang laswa. Yeah in somehow, it is kinda bit disturbing but that's the point. You came here without anyone forcing you. You came here because of the name and eventually for the food." Bumaling siya kay Urm na tulala pa rin hanggang ngayon

"And miss, wala pa kaming customer dahil hindi pa kami open. Magbubukas pa lang.  So please find a table wherein you feel comfortable while waiting for us to open our business, Eat U." Diniin pa niya ang Eat U kay Urm na pulang pula na ngayon. Oh no, she's about to burst out nung hinila ko na siya at pinaupo sa isang upuan.

"Urm, don't start please." 

"That jerk! Maybe he's the owner. Ang pangit niya eh!" Napailing na lang ako at umupo na sa harap niya.

Lumingon ako sa counter at nakita kong sumulyap sa amin nung lalake, seryoso pa rin ang mukha. 

We wait there for a minute at nung nagopen na sila totally, lumapit na sa amin nung lalaking bumati sa akin kanina at binigyan niya kami ng menu.

Their menu is simple but there's still effort on it. The cover is a leather firmly attaching the papers on it, while the fonts are embossed.

Unti unti akong napapangiti nung binasa ko ang mga pagkain nila sa menu. It was so cute. It's cringe but still cute and unique. Kaya pala ganun ang name nito.

APPETIZERS 

I badly want to eat 

Uston's Nachos - 150 pesos

Uston's Fries - 150 pesos

Uston's Bruschetta - 200 pesos

"So Uston po name ng owner ng Eat U?" Tanong ko sa lalaking naghihintay ng order namin.

He nodded "Opo. Yung gwapong lalaki kanina." 

"Okay. May napili ka na Urm?" Baling ko kay Urm na nakahalukipkip ngayon.

"Ikaw na lang mag-order Ianne. Nakakawalang gana." Buti ibinulong niya lang yung huli niyang sinabi dahil nakakahiya kapag narinig ng lalaki ngayon sa tabi ko.

Tinignan ko ang lalaki at sinabi na sa kanya ang oorderin kong pagkain. " Isang order po ng nachos and 2 orders of buttered chicken with garlic rice. Isa ring plate ng salad and water. Hindi po sana malamig yung isa." 

"Okay po miss. Noted" sabi niya at umalis na nung nakuha na niya ang order ko.

Makalipas ng ilang minuto, dumagsa na ang napakaraming customer dito sa Eat U. Nakarating na rin sa amin ang pagkain. The ambiance is nice and so with the food. I probably eat here next time. 

After our lunch, we both emerged from Eat U at nagtungo na kami sa exit ng mall. Paglabas namin ay saktong pagdating ng sundo ko. 

Sa bahay nina Urm kami unang pumunta para mahatid namin ang tahimik kong kaibigan. Wala pa rin siyang imik since nung natapos ang lunch namin. Napangisi na lang ako sa kawalan. First time niyang matiklop eh, and worst sa lalaki pa.

"Bye Ianne. Love you." Matamlay niyang sabi at lumabas na siya sa aming sasakyan.

Few minutes had passed, naaninag ko na ang bahay namin. Ngunit napakunot ang aking noon nang may makita akong nakapark na sasakyan sa harapan. I know that car. Bakit siya nandito?

When the car halted in front the house, I immediately emerged from it and went inside. Pagkapasok ko sa bahay namin, nadatnan ko si Izi na nakadekwatro sa sofa namin. Inaangat niya ang kanyang tingin at seryosong tumitig sa akin.

"Why are you here Izi?" I asked. He exhaled sharply and stood up to face me. Napatingala naman ako dahil sa tangkad niya.

"Your parents are out of town. They want me to accompany you here in your house for a month." Napanganga ako sa sinabi niya. A month?!

"W-What?" Nagkibit balikat na lang siya at bumalik ulit sa pagkakaupo. 

Agad ko naman hinanap ang numero ni daddy sa phone ko at tinawagan siya. After three rings, sinagot na niya ito.

"Dad!" Bungad ko sa kanya.

"What is it Ianne?" 

"Why didn't you tell me na mag a-out of town kayo ni mommy?" Tanong ko sa kabilang linya.

"I'm sorry. I didn't expect it either. Biglaan kasi anak, may emergency sa San Maguin and they need us there ASAP. Don't worry, humingi naman ako ng pabor kay Izidhor para bantayan ka anak. Okay? I gotta go. Bye! I love you." He ended our call before I could speak. 

Napatulala na lang ako sa phone ko. Bakit si Izi pa? Urm will do. 

"Ianne, can I invite my friends here?" Nagulat ako nung nagsalita si Izi sa likuran ko. Lumingon ako sa kanya at nakita kong nakakunot ang noo niya.

"Uh s-sure. Sina Nike ba?" I asked. 

"Nope. My friends from San Terencio." He said. He tilted his head while staring at my face. Napayuko naman ako dahil nacoconscious ako sa paraan ng pagtitig niya sa akin.

"Ianne, you have something on your cheek." Napaigtad ako nang maramdaman ko ang haplos niya sa chin ko. He lift my chin up and caressed my cheeks. May tinanggal siya doon. 

"A rice." He muttered. 

I swear, my face now is all red just by his single touch. This is the first time he touched me on my face. Friendly hug lang ang naibibigay niya sa akin noon. 

He spun around and went back to our sofa. One month ko siyang makakasama dito sa bahay? Jeez. I've never imagined this. I've never hoped for this. Is this a sign? A sign that there's a slight hope for us? 

One month, and I should do everything I could to make him fall in love with me though I knew that is very impossible. But, I should try right? It's one way or another. 

One month, at kung hindi ko pa siya magawang mahalin ako then I will let him go. Yes, I may be love him truly and unconditionally, but there's a time na napapagod din ako. What if he's not the one? What if I'm just engrossed with the thought of being in love with Izi?

If these 30 chances will end up being a waste then, I will let this love for him be forgotten. I will no longer love him anymore and I hope with that, I could finally be happy without him in my life. 

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