Pleasure and Pain (Not your typical love affair)

Kabanata 6—Crashed

"I-I thought, she was you." Juddah immediately walks towards Marhianna and kissed her on the cheek.

The latter nodded before gazing on me. "Let's go home, Maddi."

I don't know what's on her voice. But she sounds mad. Nagalit ba siya dahil nakita niyang niyakap ako ng manliligaw niyo? Ano pa kaya kung malaman niya ang dahilan ng pag-aaway namin ng huli?

I cleared my throat. Pasimple kong inayos ang buhok kong nagulo ni Juddah dahil sa pagdila niya sa leeg ko. And I simply wipe it with a tissue dahil pakiramdam ko'y nandun pa rin ang bakas ng saliva niya.

"You go a head, Marhianna. I already told you that I won't go home unless he left our house," I frankly said. And so what if I sounds rude? Ganun din naman sa 'kin si Juddah, ah? I'm just making avenge.

"Maldrid, I am still your mother. Nasa puder pa rin kita kaya susunod ka sa mga sasabihin ko! Hindi pa man, may kasalanan ka na naman sa 'kin. Tapos na ang pagkunsinti ko sa 'yo nitong nakaraan. Kaya ako naman ang sundin mo ngayon."

I averted my gaze. Gusto kong makipagtigasan sa kanya, pero ayoko namang umabot kami sa puntong magalit siya sa 'kin ng tuluyan.

"And about your Tito Juddah, hindi pwedeng ganun na lang lagi. He's our family now. You have to accept him."

I mentally rolled my eyes before darting it to Juddah. He was just looking at Marhianna while caressing the latter's arm. I again rolled my eyes. Mukha lang mabait kapag kaharap ang Nanay ko.

"Fine! Magpapaalam lang ako kay Gia."

She shook her head. "No need. Nakita ko siya sa baba. S'ya ang nagsabing nandito ka sa taas. Seriously, I already knew na magca-clubbing ka na naman. Hindi na ako magsasabing bawal kang pumunta dito because in the first place alam mo naman na 'yun. The next time you will do this, I am warning you Maldrid. May kalalagyan ka na."

Oh God. Seems like she was already influenced by Juddah. Kung anu-ano nang pinagsasabi.

I groaned. "Yeah whatever. But what are you doing here, Marhianna? The last time I checked, you are allergic to this kind of place."

She glared at me. "I'm here with my boss and the other employee's. We are just celebrating for the success of the company."

I was just on their back while heading to the parking, at Juddah's car. Paminsan-minsan akong napapairap lalo na't nakikita ko kung gaano ka protective si Juddah kay Marhianna.

He was holding the latter's waist na para bang takot siyang mawala ito.

"You sit on the backseat, Maddi," he simple said while pressing the key fob of his car.

I leered. "Of course Juddah. Alangan namang uupo ako d'yan sa unahan at ang nanay ko, sa backseat. O baka naman, gusto mo, pareho kaming nasa unahan at magsisiksikan." Umismid ako. I thought he was smart? Ang mga ganung bagay ay hindi na kaylangang ipaliwanag.

"Maldrid!"

I pretend that I didn't hear Marhianna at pumasok ako sa loob ng sasakyan. Agad din silang sumakay na dalawa sa unahan.

"Maldrid, you're being rude to your Tito Juddah. Hindi mo ba--"

"Let her, Marhianna."

Oh please! I rolled my eyes. Pakitang tao masyado! I hate him!

During our ride papuntang bahay ay hindi na ako umimik pa. Tahimik lang din naman silang dalawa.

But there's this time na napatingin sa 'kin si Juddah sa rear view mirror. Sakto namang I was touching my neck--the same spot where he licked me.

I smirked at him. "Don't tell me, You will accuse me of seducing you again," I sarcastically said, not breaking our stares at the mirror.

He heaved a sigh bago ibinaling ang mata kay Marhianna. The latter's sleeping now kaya hindi ako natatakot na pagsabihan siya.

"Let's not talk about it Maldrid." His jaw clenched. Tanaw ko rin mula sa backseat ang paghigpit ng hawak niya sa manibela.

Pagak akong tumawa. Umayos ako ng pagkakaupo and for the last time, muli kong pinasadahan ng kamay ang leeg ko.

"Why? Dahil na-wow-mali-ka, Juddah? Masyado kasing mataas ang tingin mo sa sarili. Just so you know, hindi lang ikaw ang lalake sa mundo." My smile faded and glared at him. "I am not that desperate to seduce you."

After that night, Juddah and I become casual. Tango lang ang itutugon ko kapag pumupunta siya sa bahay. There's no reason to hold a grudge on him. Isa pa'y hindi niya rin naman na ako pinapakealaman.

He often visit Marhianna at home. Minsan ay doon siya natutulog sa guestroom. And when I wake up para pumasok, hindi ko na siya naabutan.

"What's with the rush, Marhianna?" I nonchalantly asked.

It's a Friday night and I just went home from school pero minadali niya akong magbihis dahil may pupuntahan daw kami.

It's six in the evening pero bihis na bihis siya and obviously, she will be going somewhere.

"We're meeting your Tito Juddah, tonight. Aalis siya for some business matter and he'll be gone for two weeks."

Oh! Lumawak ang ngiti ko. It's just mean, matagal siyang hindi makakadalaw sa bahay.

"Really? Bakit kasama pa ako? Magdi-dinner kayo?" I tried to hide the smile on my face.

She nodded at me before she walks toward my closet. "Yes! So please take a bath now. Ako na ang pipili ng susuotin mo."

I shrugged my shoulder bago pumasok sa bathroom.

Nakuha ko pang magbabad sa tub pero si Marhianna katok na nang katok.

"Maldrid, please hurry up!"

"Patapos na." I lazily took the shower.

"What's with the rush?" tanong ko pagkalabas ng bathroom.

"Twelve-midnight ang flight niya. So please hurry, Maddi."

After thirty minutes, we're on our way to resto kung saan nandun na si Juddah. Sayang nga lang at hindi kami naipit sa traffic.

"Bakit ba kasama pa ako sa dinner n'yo? It's supposed to be your night with him." Kahit hindi pa sila, dapat hindi nila ako sinasama sa mga lakad na ganito. Nagmumukha lang akong third wheel. Duh!

Marhianna gaze at me from the driver seat. "Maddi, you are my daughter. Sa mga ganitong lakad namin, dapat kasama ka."

I simply leered and rolled my eyes. "Yes but he's your suitor. Hindi naman sa lahat ng oras ay sasama ako sa inyo sa mga ganito."

Naghanap siya ng mapagpa-parkingan bago kami bumaba na dalawa at pumasok sa isang high end resto.

"Table for two, Ma'am?" ani waiter kay Marhianna.

"Uhm, a reservation for Juddah Ferranci?"

Agad namang tumalima ang waiter at iginaya kami papasok sa loob. "This way, please."

Pagdating doon, tumayo si Juddah at sinalubong si Marhianna. He kissed the latter on the cheek while he nodded at me.

"What do you want pasalubong when I came back, Maldrid?"

Oh! From the food, I averted my gaze to Juddah. He's just seriously waiting for my answer.

I wipe the napkin on my mouth before clearing my throat. "Anything Tito. If you want, you can give me a boyfriend." It sounds like ang bait-bait ko, but at the back of my mind, it was the other way around. Why would he gave me pasalubong? Sa tingin niya ba'y masusuhulan niya ako ng pag ganun niya? And please, take note the sarcasam sa huling sinabi ko

His brown eyes averted on Marhianna when she cleared her throat.

"Boyfriend? Your are not allowed to have a Boyfriend, Maddi, unless you finished your studies already. You are still young."

I rolled my eyes. "Marhianna, what are you talking about? I'm already twenty. Anong bata pa doon?"

She heaved a sighed and was about to say something when Juddah touches her arm.

He cleared his throat. "Your mom's right, Maldrid. At your age, you should have focus on your studies first."

Umismid ako. Isa pa 'to. God! Bakit ba ang higpit-higpit nila.

"My God. Even you Juddah, pagbabawalan ako? Who do you think you are? You are just Marhianna's suitor kaya 'wag mo akong mapagsabihan." I stood up and glared at him.

I almost laughed when he didn't say anything. Ngayon naman, nagpapanggap siyang mabait sa harap ni Marhianna.

"Where are you going, Maldrid?"

I smiled at Marhianna. "Just gonna go at the restroom."

I rolled my eyes when I turned my back to them. I knew having dinner with them is not a really good idea. Hindi kami magkasundo ng manliligaw ni Marhianna.

I just stayed at the restroom for five minutes before I decided to come out. And my brow arched nang makita kong nasa labas si Juddah.

"Men's restroom is at the left side," ani ko at naglakad para makabalik sa mesa. Sinadya ko pang bungguin ang braso niya pero hinuli niya ang kamay ko at sinamaan ako ng tingin.

"I don't like you talking back on me, Maldrid!" He gritted his teeth. His both hands went on my shoulder and pushed me against the wall.

"Ano ba!" I tried to jerk pero masyadong madiin ang pagkakahawak niya sa 'kin.

"The next time you talk back on me, I will make sure that that smart mouth of yours would be punished." His brown eyes were staring directly into my eyes. But instead of averting, nakipagtitigan ako sa kanya.

Inangat ko ang kamay ko at inilagay 'yun sa leeg niya. Hinaplos ko iyun doon, trying to tease him. This is wrong but I just want to play with him.

"You choose to court a woman who already has a daughter. And now--" My hand went down on his chest. "Seems like... you're having a hard time dealing with me. Suko ka na ba, Juddah? If I were--"

I was cut off when he grabbed my hand. Mahigpit niya iyung hinawakan at inalis sa dibdib niya.

"I really don't like you Maldrid! Whenever I am staring at you, my blood boils instantly."

Instead of getting offended, I just laughed. Binawi ko ang kamay ko mula sa kanya at tinulak siya. "Sorry to say this, but if you really love Marhianna, well you have no choice but to deal with me, Daddy." I sarcastically said then walked out.

Sermon ang inabot ko kay Marhianna pagkauwi naming dalawa galing sa restaurant. Pero imbis na makipagtalo, I just let her.

"I'm still talking to you, Maldrid! 'Wag mo namang bastusin ang Tito Juddah mo! What is wrong with you?"

I heaved a sighed and twist my knob. Pumasok ako sa kwarto but Marhianna followed me.

"You don't want him for me? Do you?"

Natigilan ako at muling bumuntong hininga.

"Maldrid, answer me please." She almost plead.

"Don't push me to answer that, Marhianna," mahinang ani ko saka pumasok sa banyo.

I leaned on the door and closed my eyes. Hindi ko gusto si Juddah pero nakikita kong masaya sa kanya si Marhianna kaya hindi ko siya pagbabawalan.

Monday came and it's just two days since Marhianna and I fought pero ramdam ko ang pagitan naming dalawa.

At nagpatuloy ang ganun hanggang sa isang linggo ang tumagal. Nag-uusap kami pero ramdam ko ang barrier sa pagitan naming dalawa.

"Seriously Maddi? Do you have a problem? Nung isang araw ka pang nagkakaganyan." Gia asked.

I shook my head. "I'm okay, Gia. May mga iniisip lang ako."

She nodded. "Oh shocks. I forgot something in my car. Mauna ka na sa loob. Sunod ako."

Nauna na nga akong pumasok sa loob ng resto kung saan kakain kami ng lunch ni Gia. Masyado na kasing punuan sa caf ng school at nakakasawa na ang mga luto doon kaya we decided na kumain sa labas.

While Adrianna, mas piniling kumain with her new boyfriend kaya kami na naman ni Gia ang naiwan na dalawa.

A waiter accompany me inside the resto. Diretsa lang ang tingin ko hanggang sa maupo ako at hihintay si Gia.

The waiter hand me a menu but I refused. Si Gia ang may alam ng best seller nila dito kaya hihintayin ko na lang.

While waiting for her, I fished my phone in my pocket nang hindi sinasadyang mapatingin ako sa kabilang table.

I stood up because the woman is so familiar. And I was right because Marhianna's with a guy.

"Hi! I didn't know you're here, Marhianna," I said as I walks towards them. The latter's seem shock pero nang makabawi, tumayo siya at iginaya ako.

"Maddi, what are you doing here? Wala kang pasok?"

I smiled, darting my eyes at the man wearing a black suit and tie. "I'm with Gia. Dito kami kakain. Who is he, Marhianna?" tukoy ko sa lalake.

The man's look handsome. First look at him, mapapangiti ka because he has this good vibes aura.

"Oh. He's my--"

The man stood up at inabot ang kamay sa 'kin. "I am Alaric, her boss. And I assume, you are Maldrid, her daughter. What a lovely girl, you are."

I chuckled as I shook his hand. I like him already.

So this is Juddah's cousin huh. Bakit magkaiba sila ng personality?

"Didn't know Marhianna that your daughter would be this beautiful," banat niya ulit.

Lumipas pa ang araw at talagang masaya ako dahil walang Juddah na pumupunta sa bahay. Plus the fact na aalis na naman sa susunod na araw si Marhianna.

"You okay here, Maddi? Baka late na akong umuwi."

"Yeah," sagot ko nang hindi lumilingon sa kanya. I was busy doing my paper works. The Professors's rushing us to submit the projects dahil malapit na ang sem break.

"Okay, I gotta go now. Please make sure na naka-lock na ang mga pinto ha?"

Nang makaalis si Marhianna ay saka lang ako napatitig sa pinto. I just noticed na napapadalas ang paglabas nila ni Alaric for some matter that I do not know.

Isang linggo pa ang nakalipas at nakabalik na si Juddah. As usual, napakadami niyang pasalubong for Marhianna. Lumabas din sila for dinner at hindi ako sumama.

Duh! I don't want to be a third wheel again. Baka kung ano pang mangyari at mag-away na naman kami. Plus the fact na dito na naman mag-stay si Juddah dahil bukas na ang alis ni Marhianna.

Hindi na ako nagreklamo dahil ganun din naman.

"Maddi, please, 'wag mo nang awayin ang Tito Juddah mo habang wala ako. Okay? Please be a good girl."

Oh God! She's treating me like a child again.

"Whatever Marhianna."

Thank God at sa mga sumunod na araw na wala ang nanay ko ay hindi pa naman kami nag-aaway ni Juddah. Hindi naman nagku-krus ang landas namin kahit nasa iisang bahay lang kaming dalawa.

And I don't know what miracle happened pero nakakalabas na ako t'wing gabi.

"Where are you na? We're already here!"

"Paalis na ako ng bahay. Okay?" Binabaan ko na ng tawag si Gia at nagmamadaling kinuha ang purse ko. Magka-clubbing kami tonight dahil simula next week ay sem break na. Matagal kaming hindi magkikita-kita at may mga sariling lakad kami sa bakasyon.

I went downstairs as I was putting my earing when my phone rang again. I didn't answered it pero tumunog na naman.

"Hey Marhianna, what's with the call? It's already ten."

"Kakamustahin lang kita."

My brows furrowed. Hindi ko kasi masyadong marinig ang boses niya dahil sa ingay sa kabilang linya.

"What? Marhianna I can't hear you. Nasa bar ka ba? Hello Marhianna?" Damn it! Namatay na lang ang tawag so I decided to call her back but I received a message coming from her kaya inignora ko na lang.

Nang makarating sa Club, agad din naman kaming naghiwalay nila Gia dahil may nakilala silang mga lalake.

And as usual, mag-isa na naman akong umuwi. Good thing, I have Marhianna's car with me.

It's two am already nang makarating ako sa bahay. I went directly to the kitchen para uminom sana ng tubig but I wasn't expecting na maabutan ko sa bar stool na umiinom mag-isa si Juddah. He was just looking at his glass while playing on it.

Hindi ko siya pinansin at dinaanan lang. At matapos kong uminom ng tubig, dinaanan ko na naman siya but I was stop mid step when he spoke.

"Clubbing again huh."

"Yeah. So?" Sumandal ako sa bar counter. Pinasadahan ko siya ng tingin. Gulo-gulo ang buhok niya at nahuhulog iyun sa kanyang noo.

He cleared his throat. "You tell me Maldrid, what did you get on clubbing huh? You met a guy and then what? You'll gonna spread your legs and--"

I chuckled. Heto siya at nang iinsulto na naman. "So?" I walks towards him and caressed his arm. My lips curved a bit when his muscles tensed. I looked at his black sando and pajama. "Are you celibate, Juddah? That's why you're asking me that?" I sarcastically asked. I wanted to insult him too. Anong tingin niya? Hindi porque nagka-clubbing ang mga babae ay bubuka agad ang mga hita sa nakikilala nila.

Hindi siya sumagot kaya humalakhak ako.

"Oh Juddah, why don't you go in the club too and look for a sl*t to f*ck? Total iyun din naman ang tingin mo d'ba?"

Sa pangalawang pagkakataon ay hindi na naman siya umimik. Naka-igting lang ang panga at madiin ang hawak sa baso ng alak na kanyang iniinom.

"Gonna sleep already. Have a good night sleep, Juddah."

I turned my back on him and was about to walk towards the stairs when he held my arm and made me face him.

"Why would I go in the club and look for a sl*t to f*ck if in the first place, you are here already?" This time, he's the one who smirked at me.

Kumuyom ang mga kamao ko at nabura ang ngiti sa labi ko. "How dare you--"

And I was cut off when he crashed his lips on mine.