Pleasure and Pain (Not your typical love affair)

Kabanata 1—Juddah

"HOW is it? You talked to him already? Nagkaayos kayo?"

     I rolled my eyes at Gia and sat at the couch. I sipped on my wine and crossed my arm on my chest.  “No. We broke up,” I nonchalantly said and sipped on the wine again. Tinali ko ang buhok ko at kanina pa akong naiinitan. I roamed my eyes at the dance floor. Kanina ko pang gusto sumayaw kung hindi lang ako hinila ng put*nginang ex ko para makipag-ayos sa 'kin.

     “Let's dance, Gia.” I stood up and went to the dance floor. Sinabayan ko ang indayog ng musika.

     “What? Why? Bakit ka ba nakipaghiwalay? Sawa ka na?” Pumwesto si Gia sa unahan ko at halos pasigaw ang pagtanong niya dahil sa malakas na tugtugin. Natatawa pa ito at alam naman niyang iyon na ang plano ko matagal na.

     I nodded my head before averting my gaze at the man behind my back. “Yeah. Sawa na ako sa kanya.” Ngisi ko bago kinindatan ang kaibigan ko at itinuon ang atensyon sa lalakeng hawak-hawak na ngayon ang beywang ko.

     “What's your name beautiful?” he huskily asked.

     I simply checked him out. Hmm, not bad. He's handsome. But not handsome enough para pumantay sa mga pinagnanasaan namin nila Gia. Pero pwede na ring pagtyagaan. I seductively smiled at him as he started touching my neck. “I'm Madd—“

     “Babe, let's talk.”

     “What the hell!” napamura ako nang bigla na lamang may humigit sa 'kin paalis sa dance floor. The man was about to run after us pero inilingan ko na lang.

     “Babe, Maddi, who's that guy?”

     My brows furrowed at my bastard ex. “Why? He's your type now?” I sarcastically asked. “And where's your sl*t by the way?” Himalang hindi niya kasama ang babaeng kalandian niya kanina. He's so stupid not thinking na hindi ko sila makikita. Alam naman niyang magkikita-kita kami dito after our classes.

     “Babe—“

     “Oh Franco! Just stop! Wala na tayo! I broke up with you already.”  Ang kulit lang kasi. Manlalandi habang nakatalikod ako, hindi naman pala kayang panindigan ngayong nahuli ko sila.

     “Maddi, Babe.” He tried reach my hand. “She's nothing okay? Please. I know, you didn't mean breaking up with me. Hindi tayo tatagal ng isang buwan if you're not serious with me."

     I rolled my eyes and laugh sarcastically. My eyes travelled on his body. Franco's such a good looking man. Maganda ang katawan. Isa rin siya sa madalas na pinagkakaguluhan sa University. He's also a good kisser, but now, I've realized na sawa na ako sa kanya. Ayaw kong umulit lalo na't may kahalikan siyang iba kanina. It's so yuck tasting his lips kung natikman na ng iba.

     “Oh please, Franco. We both know that what we have isn't f*cking serious! And now, I am ending it. So, ciao, Babe. Hanap ka na ng iba." I winked and walked out. Good thing hindi niya na ako hinabol pa.

     Bumalik ako sa loob ng bar. Sakto namang nakasalubong ko si Gia at hinigit niya ako paakyat sa second floor. “What the hell, Gia! Matatapilok ako!” Ang taas pa naman ng hills na suot ko ngayon.

     “Oh, no! No! Maddi! I've been looking for you kanina pa. Saan-saan ka ba nagpunta? You have to see this! There's a big fishes upstairs. We have to meet them!" patiling aniya at hindi na inintindi ang mga nakakabungguan namin habang paakyat kami.

     “Big fishes?" I arched my brow. “Just make sure. Sirang-sira na ang gabi ko.” Blame it to Franco! And just what like she said, four bachelor's sitting on the couch welcomed my eyes when we finally got upstairs. Oh they're f*cking hot! I almost drool at the sight.

     “Oh my God, Gia! Hurry up!” sambit ko at ako na mismo ang humila sa kanya papunta sa pwesto ng apat na kalalakihang nakahain sa harapan namin.

     “I told you.” She chuckled.

     I just smirked at her and walk towards them. Nagulat pa ako nang makitang nandun ang isa pa naming kaibigang si Adrianna. Kaya pala kanina ko pa hindi makita. “Why you didn't tell us that you are surrounded with gorgeous men?” I whispered at her when she walk towards us.

     She simply leered and drew a fake smile when her gaze darted to the bachelors. “Hi guys! I already told you that I have a gorgeous friends, right? Here they are. Meet Gia and Maddi.”

     Agad namang nakipagkamay sa kanila si Gia. When it was my turned, I plastered my seductive smile to them. Kahit sino na lang sa kanila ngayong gabi, wala namang tapon. “The name's Maddi." I extended my arm for them to shake it. The three men immediately shook it. Pero nang bumaling ako sa pang-apat to shake his hand also—I don't know if he didn't really noticed me or he really don't want to notice me because he just ignore me. But I just shrugged it off and averted my gaze to the blue-eyed man. I sat behind him and plastered my fake smile and pretended that it's okay. Nakakabastos ang ginawa. No one does that to me ever. Ngayon lang may nambastos sa 'king lalake at hindi ko iyun nagustuhan.

     “Don't mind him. He just missed his girl,” Caleb, the blue-eyed man said as he draped his right arm on my shoulder. Lihim naman akong napangiti dahil dun. He's so fast.

     “So, how old are you Maddi?” he asked as he pour a liquor on my glass.

     “Really Caleb? You're going to ask me that?” I chuckled and caressed his hard chest. My red polished finger nail emphasize its color because of his white polo shirt.

     “Hmm. Is that bad, baby?” he asked as he began nuzzling my neck.

     I again chuckled and ruffled his hair. Such a flirt. “I'm twenty.”

     This time, he's the one who chuckled. Pinatakan niya ng halik ang leeg ko bago dinala ang labi sa puno ng aking teynga. “And I'm thirty.”

     Bahagya akong nagulat. “You look just twenty-five to me.”

     “You're kidding—wait, Bro, you're going already?” He asked, darting his eyes on his friend now.

     Napalingon ako sa kaibigan ni Caleb. Nakatayo na ito at nakaharap sa mga kaibigan niya, handa nang umalis.

     The man simply nodded his head. “Yeah. Bye.”

     I eyed him. I wonder why he's acting so cold and distant. Sa kanilang apat na magkakaibigan, siya lang ang walang kasamang babae ngayon. Didn't he feel out of place? Or maybe he did kaya aalis na siya.

     He turned his back and was about to leave kung hindi lang siya muling tinawag ni Caleb. Muli siyang pumihit paharap sa 'min. And that moment, I've got the chance to stare at his brown eyes. This man... I was kind of speechless nang makita ng malinaw ang mukha niya. Kanina kasi ay nakayuko lamang ito at nakatuon ang mata sa alak ng kopita. This man is so beautiful. From his brown eyes, he has aristocratic nose and his red lips were a bit protruded. His dark hair suited his face and his jaw were prominent and he's...

     I blinked my eyes when our eyes met. His thick brows furrowed but didn't uttered anything.  Kalaunan ay siya ang naunang nag-iwas ng tingin bago pinasadahan ng kamay ang kanyang buhok bagi kami tinalikuran. Napatikhim ako habang pinagmamasdan ang malapad niyang likod. My eyes travelled down on his butt. I bit my lower lip. He's so sexy!

     “W-what's his name?” I didn't notice that I said it out loud already.

     “Who?” Caleb's arm encircled on my waist. Ikinandong niya ako sa mga hita niya ng patagilid. Medyo nagulo ang crop top na suot ko dahil sa agresibo niyang kilos.

     “That guy. Your friend,” I nonchalantly said. I caressed his cheek and kissed it para hindi niya mahalatang mas interesado na ako ngayon sa suplado niyang kaibigan sa kabila ng hindi nito pag pansin sa ‘kin kanina.

     He arched his brow and lick my shoulder blade. “I know he's your type. But Baby, sorry to inform you, he's committed already.”

     Tila nadismaya ang puso ko dahil sa sinabi niyang 'yon. He's committed? Kaya ba he doesn't entertain woman?

     “I don't know what you're talking about,” palusot ko saka mas inigihan ang paghalik sa kanya.

     He chuckled. Pinisil niya ang beywang ko saka tumingala. “Alright I pretend that I believe you. But for you Baby, I'll tell you his name.”

     Sumikdo ang puso ko pero hindi ko iyun ipinahalata.

     “Thanks. I know you will tell it though. His name isn't like a secret for you not to tell me anyway.”

     He chuckled. "So I think, we will not f*ck tonight?"

     I arched my brow. Who says I'm going to let any random man get on my pants? Hindi ako nagkomento sa sinabi niya. I just smiled. I know he get what I mean of it.

     “So, what's his name?" I don't know what's in me, but I am eager to know his name. Ganito ako kapag may gusto akong makuha o interesado sa isang bagay.

     “It's Juddah.”

***

MADALING araw na akong naka-uwi at dumiretso ako sa condo ni Gia dahil iyun ang mas malapit sa Club. Good thing I have a spare key. Ako lang kasi ang umuwi mag-isa dahil paniguradong sumama sila sa nakilala namin kagabi.  Hindi rin ako umuwi sa 'min because my mother, Marhianna, is in out of town with his boss. Bukas pa ng gabi ang balik niya. We're not rich like Gia and Adrianna pero dahil sa sekretarya si Marhianna ng boss sa isang kompanya, napag-aaral niya ako sa isang prestigious University.

     “Morning, Maddi. What time is it?”

     Napalingon ako sa pinto nang bumukas iyun at iniluwa si Gia. Iba na ang suot niyang damit kumpara kagabi at maayos din ang kanyang itsura.

     “It's only ten. So, how wass it?”

     Ngumisi ito at naupo sa tabi ko. She leaned her head on my shoulder before closing her eyes. “It's a good f*ck as expected and I'm so tired, Maddi. Masyado akong pinagod kagabi.”

     I chuckled. "Ginusto mo 'yan. Anyway, tumawag na ba si Adrianna sa 'yo? Pupunta ba siya dito ngayon?” We still have a plan tonight. Bago man lang bumalik si Marhianna, makagala ulit ako. Dahil after this, matagal na naman akong hindi makakasama sa kanila.

     My mother is so strict when it comes to me. Ni ayaw niya akong paligawan dahil masyado pa daw akong bata sabi niya. I understand her though because of her past. Ayaw niyang matulad ako sa kanya na nabuntis ng maaga at hindi rin pinanindigan. Iniingatan niya lang ako at naiintindihan ko siya kaya palihim ang pagka-clubbing ko.

     Nabuntis si Marhianna when she was still fourteen nang ibugaw siya at pilit na pinagtrabaho sa isang bar ng mga magulang niya noon. Dahil malaking bulas, hindi halatang menor de edad pa lang siya. She's thirty-four now and I am twenty. She's fourteen years older than me. Pero hindi halatang mag-ina kami. Para lamang kaming magkapatid kapag naipagtatabi.

     “Yap, pupunta siya dito. Hindi pwedeng hindi tayo matuloy this weekend. Mahihirapan ka na naman kasi n'yan.” she chuckled. "Anyway, kaylan ang balik ni Marrhianna?”

     I smirked. “Tomorrow night and take note girl, I will meet her suitor the same night.”

     “Really? Good luck to you then, Maddi. Baka iyang manliligaw ni Marrhianna ay higpitan ka rin."

     I shrugged my shoulder. As if I let whoever it is na pagbawalan ako.

     That night, we go clubbing again. Muntik ko nang hindi ma-enjoy ang gabi ko dahil sa pangungulit ni Franco na makipagbalikan sa 'kin. My God! He's so obsessed with me and it's bad. Ayaw kong may lalaking baliw na baliw sa 'kin. Nakakatakot at baka kung ano pa ang magawa nilang masama dahil sa kadesperaduhan. Sabay-sabay din kaming umuwi sa condo nang gabing ‘yon. Maging si Adrianna ay nakitulog sa condo dahil hindi niya na kayang mag-drive dahil sa kalasingan.

     Madaling araw na kaming natulog kaya bandang hapon na din kaming naggising. I'm so famished when I woke up so I decided to cook. Hindi ko na ginising ang dalawa at nauna na akong kumain.

     Nagtagal pa ako ng tatlong oras kina Gia before I decided to take a bath para umuwi na since I have my clothes here.  It's already seven in the evening when Marrhianna calls me. Nasa bahay na ito at kasama ang suitor niya.

     “You go home already? You want me to drive you home, Maddi?” Gia asked.

     “Thanks Gia. But I know you're tired so I'll take a taxi na lang.” I kissed the two girls on their cheek before bidding good bye.

     Even it's a weekend, it's still a traffic kaya halos tumagal ako ng halos mag-iisang oras sa loob ng taxi. At exactly eight, nakarating ang sasakyan sa subdivision.  Matapos kong magbayad, agad na akong bumaba sa taxi. My brow arched when I saw a luxury car parked in the front of our house.  So it's her suitor's car huh?

     Agad na akong pumasok sa loob pero wala akong naabutang tao sa living room. Nang pumunta sa kusina, naabutan ko ang dalawang taong halos hindi na mapaghiwalay sa isa't isa. The guy's hugging Marrhianna from the back while the latter is cooking something on the stove. They are laughing with something I do not know.

     I leaned on the door framed and scanned my eyes at the guy's back. Gusto kong makita kung pasado ba siya bilang step father ko. Hmm... Okay. This guy's wearing a dark blue jeans paired with a color white long sleeves polo. He looks sexy but I won't decide yet. I want to see his face before I'll tell if he pass or not.

     I cleared my throat to get their attention. “I'm home, Marrhianna!” Inihanda ko pa ang malawak na ngiti sa aking labi. Agad naman silang pumihit paharap sa 'kin. But the smile plastered on my lips immediately faded when I recognized... him. The man who's invading my mind the whole day is standing beside my mother.

     I cursed. What the f*ck is Juddah doing here?