His Untold Tattoo (R18)

KABANATA 9

IX.

"Tangina, tigilan mo nga 'ko. Nauumay na 'ko sa mukha mo!" Kuya Tevyn shouted. I look at him. Papalapit na siya sa kusina. "Parang gago ni Gio amputa."

"Sige na pre! Ayoko ngang tanggapin 'yon, tangina naman."

Rinig ko ang pagmamaktol ni Gio sa likuran ni Kuya Tevyn. It's Saturday morning and I am having my breakfast.

Kuya Tev kissed my forehead.

"Good morning Kuya," sabi ko. Tumango lang si Kuya at muling bumaling kay Gio na nakasunod pa rin sa likuran niya.

Tinignan ko ang mukha ni Gio at muntik na 'kong matawa dahil hindi maipinta ang mukha niya. I saw him rolling his eyes when his eyes landed at me. Napaawang ang labi ko.

Problema nito?

"Tangina pre, ano ba?!" Angil ni Kuya. Nagpamaywang siya. "Hindi ko nga tatanggapin 'yon kasi puno na schedule ko. Parang tanga 'to!"

"Parang 'di tropa amputa. Dali na kasi!"

"Ngayon ka lang hi-hindian kasi may nauna na nga 'kong plano," umupo na si Kuya Tevyn sa gilid ko at nagsimula nang magsandok ng kakainin niya. "Atat na atat ka pumunta sa E-aston ta's ngayon a-ayaw ka d'yan? Gago ka ba?"

Nagsandok na rin si Gio ng kanin.

"Tangina kase," he whisper.

Hindi na nawalan ng mura 'tong dalawang 'to.

Umakyat na ulit ako sa kwarto ko nang matapos kumain para maligo at mag-ayos dahil papasok pa 'ko. Mamaya pag-uwi ko, baka dumaan ako sa Dentist ko. This week na kasi niya 'ko pinapabalik para sa braces ko or probably tomorrow dahil linggo naman.

Nag-start na 'ko mag-ayos nang matapos akong maligo. Hindi na nagtagal ay bumaba na rin ako bitbit ang shoulder bag ko, a book and my phone. While walking down the stairs, I checked my social medias dahil ngayon ko na lang ulit nahawakan ang phone ko. Sunod-sunod ang notifications and I kinda shock. Some are from my GC sa school. They were talking about the OJT from the 3 big companies that actually known for the best and quality. I scrolled more and I saw the familiar name. One of the companies that we might have our OJT is my Uncle Jordan's Company.

I really hope I will not be assign there. I don't want to have an unfair thinking of my batch mates.

I was about to have my last step sa stairs when I saw Kazu's IG name notif.

kazu_mrsgn: good morning, mi hermosa :)

"Ang aga-aga nakakunot noo mo," Kuya Tev said. Nagulat naman ako kay agad kong tinago ang phone ko then I continue to walk. "Tago kapa, nakita ko 'yon. Lupit din ng Kazu na 'yan!"

Nilagpasan ko si Kuya na ang sarap lang ng tawa.

Nakakahiya tuloy.

"Naalala ko na 'yang Marasigan na 'yan, hindi ba nakaaway na nila 'yan ni Roux?" Sabi ni Kuya nang matapos siyang tumawa. "Si Marasigan yata pati ang ibang pinsan niya ang nagkagulo kaya mainit ulo nila Roux at Evan dyan, e."

Wala naman akong matandaan na napaaway sina Evan before.

I just shrug, declining to absorb Kuya Tevyn's saying. Baka gawa-gawa niya lang 'yun.

Nang makalabas na ako at hihintayin na si Manong, bumusina ang sasakyan ni Gio sa likuran ko. Nakaharang pala ako sa dadaanan niya.

This car is probably new. The usual car of him is black BMW and he's now using a hot red jeep car.

"Sumabay kana kay Gio, sa E-aston din ang punta niyang kupal na 'yan," sabi ni Kuya Tev at lumapit sa sasakyan ni Gio. "O, gago. Wala kang choice 'no? Iyak-iyak kapa kanina, tangina mo ka."

"Kuya, your words," mahinang saway ko.

"Sorry. Sige na, pasok kana rito," binuksan na ni Kuya ang pinto ng sasakyan ni Gio. Wala na 'kong choice kaya dahan-dahan na lang din ako pumasok sa kotse. I tried my best not to give his car a scratch since it's new. Mamaya ay magalit pa 'to.

Sinara na ni Kuya ang pinto nang ma-ensure na naka-seatbelt na ako. I wave at him in the window and Gio starts to drive.

It's Saturday.

Pinaalam ko na rin kina Mom, Dad and Kuya Tiago that I will be with Kazu later at 6 pm.

I agreed to his offer. Mukhang bothered kasi talaga siya sa nangyari sa field, um-oo na rin ako. Sina Dabi at Cielo, kinulit ako hanggang kagabi dahil hindi ko sinabi kung ano ang napagusapan namin ni Kazu no'ng nakaraan. Kagabi rin ay agad nila akong tinawagan dahil nakita nila na naka-follow daw sa'kin si Kazu, sabi nila ay iilan lang ang following ni Kazu so out of curiosity I checked it if it's true, his followings includes his brothers, team mates, sports brands and me. I am the only girl he followed.

After Dabi's call, I opened my social media and I was shocked because it flooded with tons of requests for follow since my account is private.

I messaged Kazu about that and he says sorry. Concern din siya and asked if I am uncomfy about that, sagot ko naman ay hindi. Naka-private naman ang account ko so it will never be a problem. I guess?

"Saan kayo pupunta mamaya?" Biglang tanong ni Gio. Alam niya na rin siguro na aalis kami ni Kazu mamaya.

"Spanish Restaurant near Xentro Mall."

"Talagang pumayag ka makipag-date sa kumag na 'yon?" His voice is kinda irritating. Tumingin na lang ako sa labas. "Hindi naman kayo bagay."

"Hindi ko naman tinatanong."

"Hindi nga pero sinasabi ko lang, ang panget no'n! Parang laging pawisan pa, ang baho!"

I look at him. "Bakit ka sumisigaw dyan?"

"E, napapangitan ako sa lalaki mo!"

"He's not."

"Anong he's not?! Ampanget nga! Mukhang isang hangin lang doon, tutumba na 'yon!"

"He's an athlete, just so you know."

"Atleta amputa. Baka nga bangko lang siya!"

"Can you stop?" Sabi ko and I motion my hand to him. "Hindi talaga kumpleto araw mo nang hindi tayo nagsisigawan? God, you're so annoying."

I cross my arms and look to the window.

"You're so annoying," he mimic my voice. "Ako pa 'yung annoying ngayon. Ikaw nga 'tong makikipag-date, tanginang 'yan. Sasaktan ka lang naman no'n. May nalalaman pa siyang hermosa-hermosa."

"It's just a friendly date. Bakit ganyan agad ang nasa isip mo? He's just concerned and want to pay back. Friendly date. Palibhasa hindi mo alam 'yon because all you know is to f**k someone," I snorted calmly.

"Ay, tangina. Bakit naman ako makikipag-date kung sila na mismo lumalapit sa'kin?" Presko niyang sagot.

"See? You don't know so shut up."

"D'yan naman nag-uumpisa lahat, Elle. Tanginang 'yan, baka paiyakin ka lang nyang Marasigan na 'yan. Hindi mo ba narinig Kuya mo kanina? Sina Roux at Evan nakaaway na!"

"What makes you think that Kazu is really at fault for whatever the reason why they got into a fight?" Tanong ko.

The nerve of this guy to say whatever he can.

"Ewan ko pero—"

"Just shut up, Gio. Don't stick your tongue to anyone's life."

I exhaled and then we elope with silence hanggang makarating sa E-aston. Nagawa pa niyang mag-parking sa loob. May gagawin siya siguro rito. I said thank you to him then left.

I cannot take him, he's accusing Kazu and throwing words. It's not good. Gusto lang naman niya bumawi dahil sa nangyari and with that I think he's harmless too.

Naglakad na ako papuntang building namin.

Someone calls me, I turn my back and it's my cousins. Lumapit ako sa kanila. I still have few minutes before my class starts.

"Ikaw ha! The only girl that the great Kazu followed!" Dabi chortled. I had to sshh her, napalakas kasi ang sabi niya kaya napatingin sa'min ang iilang students. "Sorry! My excitement is uncontrably! So, what's the chika na nga? I think Kazu is really into you ha!"

Napatili pa ng mahina si Dabi.

I quickly gazed to my cousins. The girls are waiting for me to answer, while the boys are discussing something.

"Ate Taz, does Kazu invited you for a dinner already? Or what?" Tanong ni Miel.

I already made myself clear about this one when my cousins tried to ask me. Sabi ko ay hindi ko sasabihin. I am thinking about my cousins, they might over say what will I say about me and Kazu when we both know it's a simple dinner. Secondly, I do not want Kazu to be uncomfortable. My cousins and Kazu had a previous issue, I don't want any complications.

"Nope. I told him I am fine," sagot ko.

"But, what if he'll invite you nga, will you say yes?" Dabi ask and smiles at me. "You know what, when you two had a talked sa bench ang daming tao ang naka-tingin! Some were actually eyeing you nga, e!"

"Let's not conclude to anything, Dabi," sagot ko naman sa kaniya.

"Your name is actually on trend sa twitter kagabi, may mga nagtataka bakit ikaw lang daw ang following ni Kazu na babae," sabi ni Cielo.

"Gaano ba ka-sikat si Kazu?" I sincerely ask them because I don't have any idea how I got those attentiont they were saying when they found out that I am the only girl that Kazu followed.

"Girl, you have no idea how Kazu is a nationwide boyfriend," sagot ni Dabi.

"Tazielle, which department are you?" Tanong ng ka-blockmate ko.

"I haven't see it. Kayo ba, saan?" Nilagay ko sa bag ko ang laptop ko. My classes are done and I have an hour left before the dinner with Kazu. I grab my books and pencil case.

"Isa sa Mondelez Corp and that is actually big! Iyon ang gusto kong kumpanya!"

That is my Tito's company. I hope they won't find out that I am related to him. Ayoko ng complications when it comes to work loads.

"Taz, we will be at the coffee shop. Sama ka ulit?" Tanong ni Irina na ka-blockmate ko rin. I shook my head and we continue to walk hanggang elevator. "Why? You have a date, 'no?"

Agad uminit ang pisngi ko.

"Kayo na ba ni Kazuhiko?" They teased me.

"No," simple kong sagot. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa books ko. Grabe, I think the internet will help me to find out kung gaano ba ka-sikat 'tong si Kazu.

***

I just wear a simple white sleeveless dress and a black thong sandals.

Naligo lang ulit ako, kaunting ayos, bihis at bumaba na rin. It's almost 5:45 pm. My parents are already here and so is Kazu.

Nakita ko sila na nasa sala. My parents are kind of interviewing Kazu while my two brothers is leaning to the side of the sofa. Thankfully, Gio is not here.

Lumapit ako kay Kuya Tia and he place his arm around my shoulder then whisper something.

"Dalaga kana talaga," sabi niya.

I slighlty punch his abdomen and laugh.

"I think we need to go, Mom and Dad?" Sabi ko. Mukhang tense na rin si Kazu dahil sa pagtatanong sa kaniya ni Dad tho harmless din naman ang Dad namin. "Let's not make Kazu uncomfy. We're friends."

"We're not making him uncomfy, Anak," my Mom laugh. "O, siya sige na. Alis na kayo para hindi kayo mahirapan sa biyahe."

Tumayo na si Kazu.

"Thank you Ma'am and Sir for allowing Taz, I will make sure to bring her home safe," sabi ni Kazu.

Hindi nagtagal ay dumiretso na rin kami sa sasakyan niya.

"Sorry. They were just making sure I won't be in trouble," sabi ko.

"No, it's okay. Hindi naman ako kinabahan sa parents mo. I appreciate them too, ang cool kaya nila kausap."

We talked for some topics while we're on the way sa reserved resto ni Kazu.

Hindi naman kami na-traffic, thankfully, kahit weekend ngayon. He park his car and lumabas na rin ako. We enter the resto and it's beautiful. May live band na chill lang qng music.

The waiter accompanied us to our tables.

Inayos ni Kazu ang uupuan ko.

"Gentleman things," sabi niya tsaka kami mahinang natawa.

Papaupo na 'ko nang makita kung sino ang palakad sa gawi ng table namin ni Kazu.

It's Gio.

And he's not alone.