Erina's Curse (FILIPINO)

Chapter 15

"Ako lang ba o awkward talaga?"

Dustin was the one who broke the silence. We were all sitting in the sofa after they chased each other like kids. 

"Hindi awkward, hindi ka lang talaga welcome dito," Soo Hyun said na may halong inis pa rin. 

Galit ata talaga siya. Nabitin eh, chos!

"Ouch!" Dustin clutched his chest na parang nasaktan talaga. "Dati rati pumapasok naman ako ng hindi kumakatok, tapos ngayon nagagalit ka na?"

He was looking at Soo Hyun like he betrayed him. Parang wala namang pake si Soo Hyun na masama pa rin ang tingin. 

"Dati, pareho tayong single. Ngayon gusto nalang kitang sipain."

Natawa naman ako ng malakas dahil para talaga silang aso't pusa. Naputol naman ang masama nilang titigan at napalingon sa'kin.

"I'm sorry for earlier, I'm Dustin by the way, this i***t's best friend."

Dustin pointed at my boyfriend then extended his hand to shake mine. Nginitian ko naman siya and he smiled back.

"I'm Erina."

"I know," he answered which made me confuse. 

Nabigla naman kami pareho nang hampasin siya ni Soo Hyun. Agad akong bumitaw sa kamayan kasi baka pati ako hampasin.

"Kanina ka pa ha!"

"Ikaw ang kanina pa nakahawak sa kamay ng girlfriend ko."

"Gago hindi naman kita tataluhin."

"Alam ko."

"Eh bakit ka nanghahampas?"

Parang nalunok ni Soo Hyun ang dila niya dahil hindi makasagot.

"I...I just don't want you touching her, fucker!"

He almost shouted then punched Dustin's arm. Dahil sa sinabi niya, pareho kaming namula. Nagpalipat-lipat ng tingin si Dustin at tawang tawa nang makita kaming namumula. 

"Bro, binata ka na talaga. Ako best man mo ha!"

"Waiter pwede pa."

"Gago."

Nagpatuloy lang sila sa asaran hanggang nagpaalam na din si Dustin para umuwi. He just came here para sana ayaing uminom si Soo Hyun but since I'm here, ipinagpaliban nalang nila. 

Sinabi ko namang okay lang at marunong din naman akong uminom pero ayaw talaga ni Soo Hyun kaya walang choice si Dustin kundi umuwi nalang.

"Hatid mo na'ko love," I told him while we're cuddling in the sofa. 

"You don't want to sleep here?" He asked while playing with my hands.

He was drawing random shapes and letters kahit kanina ko pa siya pinapatigil kasi nakikiliti ako. 

"I want to baby pero wala akong damit."

"You can borrow mine."

"Really?"

"What's mine is yours."

"Why are you so generous?"

"Erina," he faced me then held my cheeks. "I even gave you my heart, ano ba naman yung papahiramin kita ng boxers?"

It was supposedly a sweet moment pero hindi namin parehong napigilan ang matawa. 

"Ewan ko sayo. But I really need to go home kasi maaga ang appointments ko bukas love," I said while pouting.

I'd really love to stay and just cuddle with him but I have scheduled photoshoots tomorrow. Hindi pa nga ako sigurado kung approved na yung first version ng kanta ko kaya baka mag-record pa kami ulit.

"Fine, I'll just see you tomorrow then?"

It's a good thing that tomorrow's wednesday kaya nasa H&H din siya. I could surely sneak out and meet with him. 

"Of course baby," I kissed him on the lips at nagdesisyon nang tumayo. 

We arrived at GreyHouse na halos 1am na. Nakapatay na ang lahat ng ilaw at papasok na sana ako sa kwarto when I heard a noise in the bathroom.

Naglalakad palang ako papunta nang makasalubong ko si Raqi. She was wiping her mouth with her hands at kahit medyo madilim, naaninag ko pa rin na medyo namumutla siya.

"Okay ka lang?"

Nagulat siya nang makitang nakatayo ako sa harap niya. Ganun ba siya kawala sa sarili na talagang hindi niya ako napansin?

"Oo. Masama lang yung nakain ko kanina," ngumiti siya ng matamlay at nauna nang pumasok sa kwarto. 

I was about to ask her more because I'm really worried pero humiga na siya agad sa kama at nagtalukbong. Naligo nalang ako at nahiga na rin.

Kinabukasan, pare-pareho kaming medyo late ang gising kaya hindi na nakapag-breakfast. Nagmadali na kaming pumasok sa van at kumain nalang ng protein bars.

"Masakit ba yung ano mo?"

Binulungan ako ni Sassy dahil baka marinig kami ng driver. Agad ko naman siyang kinurot at inilingan.

"Kwento ka naman," Kesha teased me habang nakangiting parang demonyo.

"Tanga niyo. Uuwi ba ako kung may nangyari sa'min? Ano yun f**k and run?"

Sagot ko naman kaya pinaghahampas nila ako habang natatawa. 

"Akala namin umuwi ka kasi hindi ka nasarapan," Leina said while laughing histerically. 

Takang taka na siguro yung driver kung bakit may mga baliw na nagbubulungan sa loob ng sasakyan.

"Boba, ang akala ko naman binalik siya ni Soo Hyun kasi hindi siya masarap," Raqi exclaimed which made them all laugh again. 

"Puro kayo masarap, napaghahalataang gutom palibhasa single and has no one to mingle with," I said tapos inirapan sila. Mga bully. 

When we arrived in the company, dumiretso na ako agad sa recording studio samantalang sila Kesha naman ay sa dance studio. 

One of the producers informed me that the first version that we produced was approved but we still need to record the extended one. 

Umabot kami ng halos tatlong oras at gutom na gutom na talaga ako. When they called for a break, dumiretso ako agad sa labas para sana pumunta sa cafeteria. I was checking my phone while walking and saw that Soo Hyun sent me a message. 

From: Baby

Studio 403. Come when you're free. 

I love you.

Hindi na ako nagreply at agad nang dumiretso sa elevator. Studio 403 is located in the fourth floor, third door from the right. 

Hindi na ako kumatok nang makarating don at naabutan ang boyfriend ko na inaayos ang mga plastic container na may lamang pagkain. 

"Did you just cooked for me?"

"Nope. I cooked for the white woman beside you," he said with a serious face. 

Uto-uto naman akong lumingon sa gilid at nang walang makita, binalik na sakanya ang tingin. He was biting his lower lip to stop himself from laughing.

"Ha-ha funny ka?"

"Let's just eat," he pulled a chair for me then we started eating.

"We'll start shooting soon," he said while handing me his tumbler. 

"Pareho pala tayong busy for the next few weeks," I answered after drinking water.

"Yup, I'll be busy memorizing scripts but I'll do my best to still take you out on dates don't worry."

"I'm not worried."

"Really?"

"Ganda ko kaya, malamang hindi ka makakatiis at gugustuhin mo akong makita, duh!"

He did not respond and he was just staring at me while smiling. Hindi ko alam kung na-offend siya o nakapalan ng mukha.

"Grabe, silent treatment? Joke lang naman baby!"

He just smiled at hindi pa rin sumasagot. Sarap lang halikan baka sakaling umimik.

"Huy!" I waved my hand in front of him. "Natulala ka na sa gan---"

"You're right."

What he said made us both smile. Nagkwentuhan lang kami habang kumakain and when my break was almost over, nagpaalam na ako. Nauna akong bumaba dahil nagligpit pa siya ng mga pinagkainan.

Nagsimula na ulit ang recording at natapos pagkatapos ng halos dalawang oras. Hindi pa ako nakakapagpahinga pero kinailangan ko na agad bumyahe sa location kung saan gagawin ang photoshoot. 

Nakarating kami sa isang private glade. There were different trees sa paligid at may manmade lake pa sa gitna na may manmade bridge pang disenyo. Soft bermuda grass surrounds the whole place. The old Romanian-style mansion of the owner was also visible from the background. 

The staff were almost finish setting up the lights and mga tent na gagamitin. My assistant led me to one of the tents para maayusan na kaagad. I wore a sequin backless dress. I wasn't wearing any shoes but they made me wore an anklet na may butterfly design. Nakalugay lang ang buhok ko at kinulot sa dulo. Hindi na ako nagsuot pa ng ibang accessories dahil makintab naman na yung suot ko. 

My make-up was very light but I had a little reaction because of the glitters they put on my eyelids. The make-up artist was supposed to remove it already but Sir Hades arrived and he did not allow na mabago yung whole look. Ngumiti nalang ako at sinabing titiisin ko nalang. 

Mangiyak ngiyak na 'ko habang nakahiga sa may damuhan habang kinukuhanan ng litrato. They made me pose in different angles and in different locations before the director called for a break. 

My assistant was helping me in to changing my outfit nang pumasok ang isa sa mga staff. She handed me a bouquet of light blue baby's breath flowers. It was arranged in a floral white shear paper and light blue ribbon to tie it all up. I checked the note inside and smiled when I read what's written on it.

Erina Leila, 

I hope these flowers convey how much I adore your beauty.

Hindi ka lang maganda.

Maganda ka at mahal na mahal kita. And that's what makes you unique. 

Your first (and hopefully last) showbiz boyfriend.

Sir Hades entered the dressing area kaya agad ko namang tinago ang card at inipit sa likod ng cellphone ko. 

This time, they made me wear a white long dress topped with a custom made rose gold corset. They tied my hair in a messy bun and I also wore a choker as an accessory.

Tinuloy na ang photoshoot and this time, sa manmade lake and bridge naman ang location. Since the corset was made of pure metal, it was so heavy and tight. 

We were in the middle of the photoshoot when we were forced to stop dahil bigla nalang umulan. I had time to rest kaya natulog na muna ako sa isa sa mga foldable chairs sa loob ng tent. 

Nagising nalang ako nang tinapik ako ng isa sa mga staff. Masakit ang likod ko pero pinilit ko pa ring bumangon para lang matapos na 'to. It was already dark but the equipments were still on set so I think tuloy pa rin ang shoot. 

And I was right, Sir Hades instructed the staff to add lights. I suggested na maglagay ng Fairy lights para mas magmukhang maayos. Sinunod naman nila kaya nagmukhang may magpo-propose sa ganda ng set-up.

Binihisan na ako in to a silver long dress na pinatungan ng custom made haute couture cape. They even put a crystal hairpiece on my head pati na rin sa paligid ng mga mata ko. 

It was almost 12 midnight when finally, natapos na rin kami. 

Hinatid na rin ako agad ng driver at pagkatapos maglinis ng katawan, bumagsak na ako sa kama at agad nakatulog. 

The next few days were a lot more hectic than the photoshoot because I already started having rehearsals. Halos hindi na kami magkita ni Soo Hyun pero hindi naman siya pumapalya na tawagan ako every night.

"Are you sure na okay lang kahit wala tayong regalo?"

We were headed to Theia's condo today because she invited us for her mini despedida party. Uuwi na kasi siya sa New York the day after tomorrow.

"Love, its not a birthday party."

"Okay, fine."

After almost 30 minutes of being stuck in the ridiculous traffic, nakarating din naman kami agad sa building kung nasan ang condo ni Theia. 

Nauna akong bumaba at dumiretso na sa unit. Susunod naman agad sa'kin si Soo Hyun. It's just that iniiwasan naming makita together in public. 

I knocked twice tapos bumungad na sa'kin si Theia na may hawak pang sandok tapos nakasuot pa ng apron.

"Upo ka muna dyan, tatapusin ko lang 'to."

She asked me to sit in the living room pero hindi ako sumunod at sinundan siya sa kusina. 

"Gusto ko dito. Wala akong kasama don," I said while pouting. She just laughed at me and called me a coward pero nagpatuloy na rin sa pagluluto. 

Theia was frying some chicken and I was setting up the table when Soo Hyun arrived. May dala pa siyang mga beer at finger foods.

"f**k! You're cooking?"

Gulat na gulat siya nang makitang nagpiprito si Theia. I remembered na hindi nga pala magaling magluto si Theia kaya sigiro parang matatae na yung itsura ni Soo Hyun. 

"Obvious ba? Alangan namang naglalaba ako dito, tanga lang?" 

Theia sarcastically replied kaya natawa nalang ako.

"Love, makakatawa ka pa kaya kapag na food poison tayong lahat dito?"

He said with a serious face kaya napatigil naman ako sa pagtawa. Hindi ako pwedeng maospital! May music video pa akong gagawin!

"Alam niyo bagay talaga kayo," Theia pointed at us with her laddle. "Ang sasama ng ugali niyo," she pouted kaya natawa nalang kami ni Soo Hyun.

Napalingon kami sa pinto nang bigla itong bumukas at iniluwa si Dustin na may dalang mga kahon ng Domino's Pizza.

"Don't worry my friends! I'm here to save the day from Theia's terrible cooking!"

He shouted which made us laugh again maliban nalang kay Theia na kulang nalang batuhin ng sandok si Dustin.

"Fun fact, the founder of Domino's Pizza met his wife on his first pizza delivery," I said while Soo Hyun's helping Dustin na ilabas ang mga pagkain.

"Share mo lang?" Dustin said.

"Read it somewhere, duh!"

Kaya sila magkaibigan ng boyfriend ko eh, pareho silang irritating. 

Theia finished cooking kaya nagsimula na kaming kumain. Her fried chicken's okay naman. Hindi kasing sarap ng mga nabibili sa restaurant pero hindi din naman masyadong masama na tipong mamamatay nalang kami bigla dito at bubula ang bibig.

"Oh di ba okay naman yung manok ko?"

Theia looked at us with eyes na parang gutom sa compliments. Magsasalita na sana ako dahil nakakaawa naman siya kasi kanina pa siya inaasar ng dalawang lalaking kasama namin pero naunahan ako ni Dustin.

"Oo. Okay na okay lalo na kung nagda-diet at ayaw kumain ng marami."

"Gagu ka isaksak mo sa baga mo yang pizza mo!"

Sinubukang abutin ni Theia yung buhok ni Dustin pero nakaiwas naman ito kaagad. Halos umusok na yung tenga at ilong ni Theia kaya tawa nalang kami ng tawa.

After eating, we decided to do karaoke lalo na at may beer naman para panulak. Theia sang a love song first kaya puro nanaman asar yung natanggap niya. I was next in line and I decided to sing Sia's chandelier.

Nang matapos ako, talagang tumayo pa sila at pumalakpak na parang mga judge ng The Voice. 

"Ganon kasi kumanta Theiandra hindi yung parang sayo na parang ginigilitang baboy," Dustin teased her again kaya pinaghahampas niya naman ng throwpillow.

Tawang tawa naman kami ni Theia nung si Dustin at Soo Hyun na yung kumanta. They were singing Baby by Justin Bieber at parang manununtok na si Soo Hyun dahil nagpapanggap na bakla si Dustin at hinahawak hawakan siya.

"Hoy! Hoy! Akin siya!" pabiro kong sigaw sabay hatak kay Soo Hyun.

"Excuse me, ikaw ang jowa pero ako ang inuuwian niya tuwing gabi," malanding sabi pa ni Dustin sabay hatak ulit kay Soo Hyun. 

"Dude kadiri ka," Soo Hyun said sabay tulak kay Dustin kaya nagtawanan nanaman kaming lahat. 

Ang bilis bilis talaga lumipas ng mga araw kapag masaya ka. Hindi na namin naihatid si Theia sa airport pero nagkakausap naman kami minsan through chat. 

We already announced to the public na magkakaroon ako ng solo kaya nagsimula na ding magkaroon ng countdown para sa comeback. I've been so busy na hindi ko namalayang first monthsarry na namin ni Soo Hyun bukas. 

I decided to sleep in his condo para makapagluto ako bukas para sa dinnerdate namin sa balcony ng condo niya. 

The next day, maaga akong umalis sa kumpanya dahil plano kong magluto ng steak. Naka-order na ako online ng mga ingrediets at maya maya lang dadating na yun. 

I started preparing for dinner at natapos naman ako nung almost 8pm na. Nakaligo na ako at nakapag ayos pero wala pa rin si Soo Hyun. Tatawagan ko na sana siya nung biglang may magtakip ng mga mata ko. Amoy palang, kilala ko na agad. 

"Baby….."

Inalalayan niya akong makaupo sa hinanda kong mesa para sa candlelit dinner namin. When he removed his hands, tiningala ko siya kaagad pero ngumiti lang siya at ngumuso sa may harapan. 

Bumungad sa'kin ang isang macbook air. Tinignan ko naman siya kasi hindi ko alam kung anong gusto niyang iparating. He instructed me to open it kaya ginawa ko naman.

Bumungad sa'kin ang i********: page ng hindi ko kilalang user. The username was shyunpriv. Itim lang ang cover photo at wala man lang kahit isang followers o following. 

Nagtataka pa rin ako pero nawala lahat 'yon nang mapagmasdang maigi ang mga litrato sa feed. 

"That's…..that's me."

They were pictures of me na puro stolen. May nakanganga, may tulog at meron pang kuha habang punong puno ng pagkain ang bunganga ko. Mayroon din namang maayos yung tipong tumatawa ako or yung may hawak akong gitara. There were atleast 30 pictures na puro ako lang talaga. 

"Having you as my girlfriend is one of the best decision I've ever made in this lifetime," napatingin ako sakanya ng bigla siyang nagsalita.

He was already sitting accross me while looking so handsome with the city lights behind him. He held my hand then kissed my knuckles. 

"How I wanted the world to know kung gaano ako kaswerte at ako yung pinili mong mahalin, but we both know that that would put us in complicated situations."

He was looking at me with the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. Sinara niya ang laptop na nasa pagitan namin then he leaned forward. 

"Love for once, I wanted to make you feel special and normal at the same time. So I promised that even if the world thinks I'm single, in my heart and in that i********: account, I'm yours."