Crush and Burn (A Love that Never Was) Tagalog / Filipino

CHAPTER 2

DIANA was astounded upon hearing Matt. Sa isang katulad niya, Matt’s question was indeed an insult. But she tried to hold back her disappointment and anger. Yeah, she liked the man in front of her… a lot. Kaya siguro kahit nainsulto siya na hindi siya nito natatandaan, nagtimpi siyang sabihan ito nang masakit na salita. Pero kung ibang tao lang siguro ito, nuncang hindi ito makatikim ng maanghang na paninita mula sa kaniya!

“I’m a woman not a kid. And yes, we’ve met before. Three times already.” Ah, how could she even remember the details of those days, even the clothes and the perfume he was wearing while he could not even remember her face? Her face, for God’s sake!

He cleared his throat then looked away pagkuwa’y sinagot ang telepono nang mag-ring iyon. Nagkaroon tuloy siya ng pagkakataon na mas pakatitigan at kilatisin ang kabuuan ng kaharap.

His manly thick eyebrows were curved with a soft arch which perfectly matched with his deep tantalizing eyes. He’s got that kind of hazel-brown eyes na titig pa lang, mabubuntis ka na. Partida, may suot pang salamin ang kaharap, paano na kung wala? Malamang, hinimatay na siya kapag siya ang tinitigan nito with matching smile pa!

His aristocratic pointed nose is perfectly carved in his diamond-shaped face while he’s got that kind of lips that everyone in the modelling agency would envy. His perfectly proportioned lips matched with freshly-shaven cute dimpled-chin, gave him a softer aura that contrasts his sharp and chiseled jawline.

His clean cut black hair was screaming for order. Hindi maikakaila na isa itong teacher.

Kaagad siyang umiwas at nagbaba ng tingin nang kunot-noo itong bumaling sa kaniya habang nagsasalita pa rin sa telepono. Mukhang naramdaman yata ang matiim niyang pagtitig sa mukha nito.

For a second, nakaramdam siya ng hiya. Wow, she’s usually nervous before her runway shows but she never felt conscious by the way she looks. She’s confident with herself kahit sino pa ang kaharap niya. Pero bakit nahihiya at nako-conscious siya sa harap ni Matt. Ramdam na ramdam niya ang pag-iinit ng mukha niya, paniguradong pulang-pula na siya.

‘Relax, relax,’ bulong ng isip niya. Bahagya niya pang kinurot ang sarili para pigilan ang kabang nararamdaman.

Nagpakawala siya nang malalalim na hininga. She’s trying to look as if she’s not bothered, but deep inside, her heart was about to explode.

‘Gosh! Diana, crush lang ‘yan. It’s just a simple crush!’ saway niya sa sarili.

Nagtaas siya ng tingin nang marinig niya ang isang malakas na pagtikhim. Nasalubong niya ang nagtatanong na mga mata ni Matt habang nakakunot ang noo nito.

She took a deep breath and released it then cleared her throat.

“I’m Diana, Art and Liz’ friend. We met at the hospital before, I was with Liz. Then, we bumped into each other again on their wedding day…” she said while staring at him.

Lalong lumalim ang pagkakakunot ng noo ng lalaki. Pinakatitigan siya nito. For a second, there was a bit of recognition written in his eyes, then somewhat… surprised? Suddenly, he shook his head then sighed then forced a smile.

“Ah, I remember ‘yong sa ospital. I’m sorry kung hindi kita nakilala. I’m bad in memorizing faces.” His excuse was lame. Alam naman niya ang dahilan kaya hindi siya nito natandaan. It’s because he was too focused on Liz. “Anyway, it’s nice to meet you again,” anito saka tumayo. “Mauna na ako,” paalam nito saka mabilis na naglakad. Ni hindi man lang siya hinintay na tumango o sumagot man lang. She was a bit surprised by his action. He is a total opposite of a gentleman na simabi ni Liz sa kaniya dati.

‘What the hell!’ protesta ng isip niya nang makabawi sa pagkabigla. Now she’s really upset! Hindi lang kasi nito tinapakan ang ego niya, tinadyak-tadyakan pa! And she will not tolerate such shameful act! She’s a Diana Laurel for God’s sake! An A-List Filipina model in Asia. There’s no way na palalampasin niya ang ginawa ng lalaki sa kaniya! No way!

Mabilis siyang tumayo at lumabas ng cafe. Iginala niya ang mata sa paligid at natanaw niya ang lalaki na noo’y papasok na sa puting kotse na naka-park ‘di kalayuan sa entrance ng cafe.

Mabilis siyang naglakad papunta roon and before Matt could even react, nasa loob na siya ng sasakyan nito. Dismayed and frustrated. It was obvious on her facial expression.

“Ahm, excuse me?” nagtatakang sambit nito habang ang kamay ay nakahawak sa manibela.

“Hindi mo ako tinanong kung saan tayo huling nagkita.” Ikinabit niya ang seatbelt bago pa man ito makapagreklamo.

“What?” salubong ang kilay na tanong nito.

Tinaasan niya ito ng kilay saka ito inirapan. Another disappointment! Well, she needs to expect nothing more from him. After all, she was non-existent to him until today, she just realized it now.

She crossed her arms in front of her chest then sighed..

“Send me home, wala akong sasakyan dahil sa kagagawan n’yo ni Liz. You owe me one for saving your ass back there,” supladang sabi niya saka sumandal sa upuan.

“Lis and I are not doing anything bad, young lady. I don’t owe you—”

“First of all, I’m not young anymore. I’m already twenty three. Second, you owe me big time and I know you know it. Now, just drive me home at least!” giit niya saka tumingin sa labas ng kalsada.

Malalim ang hiningang pinakawalan ng lalaki saka muling nagsalita.

“Okay, saan kita ihahatid?” tila pagsukong tanong nito

“Villa Hermoso Residences,” tukoy niya sa tinutuluyang condominium complex sa Las Piñas.

Hindi ito kumibo, bagkos ay itinuon lang ang atensyon sa daan.

“So, what’s going on between you and Liz? Are you seeing each other?” walang kabog na usisa niya na nakapagpatapak kay Matt sa brake saka marahas na napabaling sa kanya.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Halos mag-isang guhit ang kilay nito sa pagkakatingin sa kaniya. Natauhan lang ito nang sunod-sunod na magbusina ang mga kasunod nilang sasakyan. “You should watch your mouth, young lady.” Halata sa tono nito ang pagkainis nang muli nitong paandarin ang sasakyan.

Sumandal siya sa upuan paharap dito saka ito tinitigang muli.

“Why? May itinatago ba kayo ni Liz kaya magkasama kayo?” nang-iinis niyang sambit.

“If I were you, I will shut my mouth lalo at walang magandang lumalabas sa bibig ko,” tiim-bagang na sabi nito habang mariin ang pagkakahawak sa manibela.

“Well, I’m not you. And as far as I remember, you liked Liz… a lot. So, I’m just curious kung bakit kayo magkasama tapos kayo lang dalawa at hindi kasama ang anak nila ni Art…” Sinadya niyang maglagay ng amusement sa pananalita niya.

Padaskil nitong ipinarada sa gilid ng kalsada ang kotse nito saka siya gigil na hinarap.

“You said it yourself that you’re twenty-three already, so why are you being immature? Are you just going to talk non-sense all the way to your home? If that’s the case, better get down here dahil sumasakit ang ulo ko sa mga sinasabi mo,” namumulang pahayag nito. Behind those eyeglasses are his raging eyes, ready to attack her at any moment.

“I’m just asking, chill, my gosh! Hindi ko naman—”

“Stop wasting my time, young lady. It’s either you’ll keep quiet while inside my car or you will leave my car and go home on your own?” putol nito sa sinasabi niya.

She heaved a sigh of defeat. Ngumuso siya saka ito inirapan.

“Fine! I’ll keep quiet!” pagsuko niya saka padaskil na sumandal sa upuan habang nakahalukipkip.

Nabalot sila ng katahimikan sa loob ng sasakyan but she couldn’t help herself not to look at him again. Natalo ng inis niya ang lihim na pagkagusto sa lalaki. At lalo pa yata siyang nagkakagusto dito mentras sinusupladuhan siya nito. Nacha-challenge tuloy siya. Kung noon ay pinalampas niya ang pagkagusto niya rito, ngayon, mas determinado siyang makuha at paikutin ang lalaki sa palad niya

Nagpakawala ito ng hininga bago nag-alis ng bikig sa lalamunan. Seryoso pa ring nakatutok ang mata nito sa kalsada nang magsalita.

“Just so you know, wala kaming ginagawang masama ni Liz. I don’t have the liberty to explain why we’re together. Not to you or anybody else. So, please, don’t speculate such thing. Liz is a good person at kahit kailan, hindi siya gagawa ng ikasisira ng relasyon nila ni Art.” The sincerity and concern could be heard in his voice, and somehow, alam niyang dahil iyon kay Liz.

Tumahimik lang siya. Deep inside, alam naman niya iyon, eh. Kaya nga umeksena kaagad siya, ‘di ba? Kaya nga ginawa niya iyon para hindi magduda si Art sa dalawa. But in the end, natalo ng selos ni Art ang palabas niya.

Hindi naglipat saglit ay nakarating na sila sa tapat ng condomium niya. Itinigil ni Matt ang sasakyan sa entrada ng building bago humarap sa kaniya in a very formal expression.

“I appreciate what you did at the café but you shouldn’t have done that. Like I’ve said, wala kaming ginagawang masama ni Liz at hindi mo kami kailangang pagtakpan. I’m sure, Art will realize it later on. And for you, kid—”

“Diana!” pagtutuwid niya sa tawag nito sa kaniya.

“Okay, Diana… behave,” anito saka pinindot ang lock ng seatbelt niya. “Now, go. Take care.” Then he leaned forward.

Napalunok siya nang maamoy ang pabango nito at lalong bumilis ang t***k ng puso niya nang dumait ang braso nito sa kamay niya. Pakiramdam niya ay pansumandaling tumigil ang oras sa pagitan nila ng binata.

“Get out,” supladong sambit nito pagkabukas ng pintuan ng passenger’s seat.

Awtomatikong nagbalik ang gunita niya sa kasalukuyan. Ang kaninang kaba dala ng kilig ay napalitan ng pagkabuwisit sa asta ng katabi.

“Hindi mo talaga matandaan kung saan tayo huling nagkita?” Hinaluan niya ng pagdududa ang tono ng boses niya. Why does she have that gut feeling that he was lying of not remembering her?

Ikinunot nito ang mata saka inaayos ang pagkakasuot ng salamin.

“I don’t remember and I don’t care. Now, leave,” taboy nito habang masamang nakatingin sa kaniya.

Tinaasan niya ito ng kilay at tinitigan. Nanggigigil na talaga siya sa trato nito sa kaniya.

 ‘Just wait and see. You’ll beg me to warm you bed!’ naghuhumiyaw na anas ng isip niya.

She smiled then leaned forward. She left at least two inches of space between their faces. And she swear, she saw a spark in his eyes before he could move his head backwards.

“Then let me remind you.” Walang pag-aalinlangan niya itong kinuwelyuhan at saka mariing hinagkan. Malalim, mapaghanap at iyon tipong hindi mo makakalimutan.

Before she could close her eyes because of intense pleasure she started to feel, she let go and smirked when she looked at his closed eyes.

“Remember now?” she teased then went out from his car.