Countless Times

Kabanata 5

KABANATA 5

Napasinghap ako at halos kapusin ng hininga sa kaniyang sinabi. After he command me to be his slave or p.a, he compliment my hair.

Ano nangyayari sa lalaking ito?

"W-what are you saying?" My voice shuttered.

Nawala ang ngisi sa kaniyang labi. Instead he walked closer at me, ang kaninang sapat na espasyo ngayon naman halos mag dikit na ang aming katawan at halos ilang pulgada na lamang.

I was gasping for an air, when he tuck my hair behind my ear. "Be my slave.. be my personal assistant. Do you want me to send this video?" He whispered, halos mag sitaasan at mangilabot ako sa paraan ng kaniyang pag salita.

I gulped hardly, still holding my breath. Nag tagpo ang aming mata, kaya mas lalong kinabahan ako.

I love enzo, i really love him. And that night was mistake, but.. I don't want to be his slave either, i don't want to ruined my relationship with enzo.

Umiling ako, at kinagat ang pang ibabang labi. Hindi ko kaya, hindi ko kakayanin.

Zaimon, stepped backward. "Your decision is yours. I'll give you, one week to decided.. after a week I need your answer.."

My hands turn into fist. I almost glaring at him. "Why.. are you doing these?" Alangan kong sabi.

He turned his back at me. "Why not?.." sarcasm on his voice before he started walking away from me.

--

"Mag pe-perform Range?"

"Yas sis! Geez! Can't wait to hear them again! Nakaka miss!"

I shook my head. Marahan kong pinaikot ang ballpen sa'king daliri habang nakatingin lamang sa'king notebook. Our quiz was done, at halos kaka alis lang ng prof. namin, at ngayon naman, usap-usapan na naman ang range sa buong campus.

Lumabi ako at tumingin sa paligid. Ang iba 'y nakalibot at nakikipag usap sa kaibigan nila. While my friends were busy on their plates ang iba naman ay nakayuko.

Tumingin ako kay mae, na ngayo'y mukhang lutang at naka salpak lamang ang airpods sa tainga niya.

I sighed. I ran my fingers into my hair, at pasimpleng sinabunutan iyon. I'm pissed! Tangina! Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko! What I'd right now? May takas paba ako?

Wait.. he.. didn't even know enzo's name!

I clicked my fingers together. Tama tama! Kung isesend man niya, alam niya ba kung saan at kanino niya isesend?!

I was washing my hands. Naisipan kong mag c.r muna habang wala pa naman ang next professor namin, at may limang minuto pa naman.

Nang bigla kong naalala ang pangyayari nuong gabing iyon. My lips parted automatically while scenes on my mind appeared.

His lips.. into mine..

Nanlaki ang aking mata, at napasinghap ng maalala ang matandang babae na nakahuli sa'min! And all of the sudden.. He just dropped me off kaya nahulog ako sa ilang hagdan, that's why my waist was aching!

I bit my lower lip. Nag init ang aking pisngi at halos mapasuntok ako sa hangin.

Fuck.. fuck..

Then who changed my clothes?! Who?! Inis kong sinabunutan ang aking sarili habang nakatingin sa salamin.

"s**t!" I hissed while staring to my self. Nakalagay na ang aking kamay sa gilid ng lababo habang naka kagat sa pang ibaba kong labi.

I-i must ask him then?! Did he changed my clothes?!

Napatigil ako sa pakikipag usap sa sarili ko, my phone vibrate kaya agaran kong kinuha mula sa'king bulsa. My forehead creased when i received the message from unknown number again.

I opened the message, agad na nag parte ang aking labi at napasinghap.

Unknown number

The clock was ticking..

I gulped hardly, napadiin rin ang hawak ko sa'king phone. I put my phone inside of my pocket, nag iisip kung sino ang gagong ito. The previous message was 'c2 girl'..

Zaimon?..

"Hoy bakla"

Halos mapatalon ako sa'king kinatatayuan at nilingon kung sa'n nanggaling ang boses na iyon.

She's looking into my eyes, na tila nagulat rin sa reaksyon ko. "What are you doing?" Mase asked.

Iniwas ko ang tingin sa kaniya at umiling na lamang, i washed my hands at kumuha ng tissue at pinunasan ito.

"You look bothered.. nag away kayo ni enz?" Kilalang kilala niya talaga ako.

She knows when I'm bothered. Ngunit ngayon, hindi dahil kay enzo..

It's zaimon.. asshole De Villiere!

I sighed, pretending. "Nakakainis lang kasi.."

She's willing to hear my rant or my problem. "What happened?"

I smiled at her. "Okay lang ako.. lagi naman kaming nag aaway, nasasanay na nga rin ako. Sometimes our argument I'm consider that as our bonding.." biro ko, at mahinang tumawa at umiling.

Now, she's look worried. Natahimik kaming saglit. "You didn't.. realize yet scar?"

Nag taka ako sa kaniyang tanong. "Realise what?"

Lumikot ang kaniyang mata, tila alangan. "It's getting toxic.."

I wasn't surprised or shock either. Napaisip na lamang ako. Even it's getting toxic.. kajit nasasaktan ako, dumating sa point na pagod na ako. Like what I've said. He's still my home, walang mag nababago, hinahanap hanap ko parin s'ya.

Sayang.. sayang lahat, kung papakawalan ko lang dahil sa misunderstanding, masasayang yung ilang taon. Hindi ko rin alam kung kakayanin koba. I'm being like this when we're fighting pero sa loob loob ko, hindi ko kaya.

I smiled at mae. "I love him.."

Sumuko na s'ya at napailing na lamang. "We're just worried about you. Nadyan yung pag aalin langan, na sayang, what if pwede pa maayos?. We know you so much, i know you 'cause you're my friend. Ayaw ka namin masaktan, pero gusto ka rin namin sumaya. We want you to have the happiness that you deserve"

Mae smiled. "We will still support you, we always got your back. Pero.."

"Marami pang iba.. minsan, darating nalang silang biglaan. That happiness and love will receive from him, na kailan man hindi mo naramdaman kanino man.."

-

"What's happening outside?" I heard one of my blockmates asked. Maingay kasi sa labas at napansin rin namin kanina pa may daan ng daan at sobrang ingay.

Pinag patuloy ko naman ang pag aayos ng aking gamit.

"Mag pe-perform daw range.. since napalitan na 'yung drummer"

"Gwapo nga nun eh, diba transferee 'yon?"

"Oo sis, ang gwapo!" Tumili pa ito.

I sighed and shook my head. I can't deny, range has wonderful visuals. Lahat sila may pag kakaiba ng aura ngunit napaka lakas ng dating nilang lahat. I just recently knew about them, at masasabin kong..

They.. are great tho.

Someone hold my arms. "Nuod tayo?" Gary asked.

Napairap naman ako at bumuntong hininga bago umiling sa kaniya. "Enzo and I had a fight again. Baka mag uusap pa kami.. baka magalit na naman.." I said.

"What? What happened this time? Sino may kasalanan?" He freak out.

I glanced at him. "Ako.. i was stressed and i bursy out. Ako na bahala.." i smiled.

He wasn't look like convinced. "Hayaan mo na 'yon. Sama ka muna sa'min, para mawala 'yang stress mo sa gagong enzo na 'yan"

"Gary.." mababang boses ko na nang babanta.

Nag kibit balikat s'ya, walang balak bawiin ang sinabi. "Tss, just come with us, hindi kami tumatanggap ng hindi"

I sighed. Wala na akong takas. Baka kinabukasan mas lalo akong kulitin nito, at kung uuwi naman ako panigurado baka isako na nila ako para manatili kasama sila.

I nodded in defeated. "Fine" i rolled my eyes.

"Do you want me to carry your tube bag?" Gary asked me.

I went down my eyes into it, agad namam akong umiling sa kaniya at sinuot ang aling nag sa balikat at kinuha iyon.

"Nah I'm good, tara na" Gary nodded at sumunod na sa'king likuran. Pinuntahan ko naman si mae at kakaligpit niya lang ng gamit niya. I can see her plates at malapit narin matapos ang pag sksketch niya.

"Let's go.." ani mae at inangklang ang kaniyang kamay sa'king braso. Bumuntong hininga na lamang ako habang nag lalakad kami sa hallway, ang iilan naming kaklase ay nasa aming likuran.

The stage suddenly changed. Mayroon pang iilang banderitad maging may disco lights sa harap ng stage. May ilang tech system sa gilid.

Marami naring nasa harapan kaya nasa gilid kami. Ang sabi pa ay mabuti nalang libre dahil baka daw hindi na maging libre sa susunod kapag lumaban uli ang range.

The tech system started arranging some sound too. Kaya may maingay na mga tinig, halos mag gagabi na kaya perfect timing ang malamig na simoy ng hangin.

My phone vibrate from my bag. Kukuhanin ko pa lamang ng biglang nag sitilian ang lahat. My eyee shifted on them. Nasa harapan na silang lahat at nag susukblit na mga guitar strap sa kanilang balikat.

My eyes shifted at zaimon. May earpiece sa kaniyang tainga. My eyebrows furrowed when i see his earrings on his ear. On my spot, I can see his sharp jawline, his pointed nose maging ang labi niya nakaka basa niya lamang.

"Mic test.. mic test.." vioxx and the other man testing their microphones. Simpleng salita lamang nila ay nag tilian na naman ang lahat.

Si tiffany at mae nakisabay sa sigawan, kaya napangiwi ako at iniwas sa kanila ang tingin, at tumingin muli sa stage.

"Hi everyone.. did you miss us?" Vioxx asked.

"Shet! Yes baby!!"

"Vioxx anakan mo 'ko!!"

"Na miss namin kayo!!"

Everyone in the crowd replied to them. I was staring them one by one. Tatlo sa kanila ay may guitara, ang dalawa lamang ang mayroon na microphone na standee na nakaharap sa kanila. While the others was piano and ofcourse zaimon, the drummer.

"Lumaban sila nung nakaraan na buwan hindi ba?"

"Yes, kaso natalo ata, dun rin umalis tristan. It's sadly tho, but that zaimon, their new drummer magaling daw kumanta.."

"Aw.. i bet range missed tristan, feel bad for them. It's a new start tho for them, hindi naman siguro makakasali 'yung zaimon kung hindi s'ya magaling hindi ba?"

" I agree, gwapo naman saka it's his first time to perform, i hope he's great.. baka ma dismaya tayo sa bagong drummer range.." they giggle.

"We missed y'all too.." malambing na sabi ni vioxx. Napairap ako sa kaloob - looban ko! Yuck!

"Let's start then. Hi I'm vioxx!"

"Hi I am Vyne!" The other one who's holding the guitar and the microphone infront of him.

"I am Third" The base.

"Eren" the pianist simple said.

Everyone shifted their eyes at zaimon. Lahat ay tumahimik at nag aantay sa kaniyang pag salita.

"Hi ladies, nice to meet you all. Hi I am zaimon"

"We are Range, in front of you.."

The pianist hit the introduction.

Goin' out tonight, changes into something red

Her mother doesn't like that kind of dress

Everything she never had she's showin' off

When vioxx started singing and that eren the pianist followed by guitar. It was vyne and thridy.

Drivin' too fast, moon is breakin' through her hair

She's headin' for somethin' that she won't forget

Havin' no regrets is all that she really wants

It was vyne who sang it. My eyes shifted at zaimon, naka yuko lamang s'ya na tila hinihintay ang tyempo niya.

We're only gettin' older, baby

And I've been thinkin' about it lately

Does it ever drive you crazy

Just how fast the night changes?

Vioxx and the second voice was vyne, sang the chorus. Zaimon started to play his drum too. Magaan lamang at mahina ang kaniyang pag tutog na sumasabay sa dalawang kumakanta.

We are all stunned while staringat them. Lahat sila ay may kaniyang talento. And we're amaze too how they collide together, it was smooth and it was good to our ears.

Chasing it tonight, doubts are runnin' 'round her head

He's waitin', hides behind a cigarette

Heart is beatin' loud and she doesn't want it to stop..

Now it was third who sang it first. My forehead creased when someone get in at the stage at may nilagay na standee at microphone sa gilid ni zaimon. He's playing his drum smoothly.

Movin' too fast, moon is lightin' up her skin

She's fallin', doesn't even know it yet

Havin' no regrets is all that she really wants

It was eren. Now the drummer filled the crowd, may katamtaman na ang lakas nito at maganda parin ang pag kakatugtog.

We're only gettin' older, baby

And I've been thinkin' about it lately

Does it ever drive you crazy

Just how fast the night changes?

Everything that you've ever dreamed of

Disappearing when you wake up

But there's nothing to be afraid of

Even when the night changes

It will never change me and you..

All of us who's watching at them, all most dropped our jaw. Nag angat si zaimon ng tingin sa kanilang grupo, at tila nagulat rin.

Okay?! What was that? Unexpected ba ang solo na kaniyang ginawa? But.. but.. that's amazing tho! Oh gosh!!

Vioxx sang the bridge of the song. Lajat lamang kami ay tahimik habang pinapanuod sila. I heard too someone sobbing or crying while watching them, siguro ay sa tagal nang hindi nila ito nakikitang mag perform ang range.

It will never change, baby...

It will never change, baby...

It will never change me and you..

They ended the song smoothly, lahat sila ay kumanta sa huling chorus. Suddenly i just have an goosebumps because of them.

Biglang nag sitilian. Nag iyakan. Nag palakpakan ang lahat..

--

Siguradong walang tao at hindi ako naka gambala ng makarating ako sa taas. Yep, I'm here again in the rooftop of zaimon's apartment house. It looks like this place give me chill, maging ang hangin at syudad na nakikita ko.

Enzo and I aren't talk today. When i got home from the campus. Hinantay ko lamang s'ya tumawag o mag text man lang. But he did not.

I'm here again shredded by tears, pero ngayon i wasn't drunk, just cryin'. Enzo was mad again.

I sighed heavily and closed my eyes tightly, nakahawak naman ang aking kmaay sa railings habang lumalanghap ng simoy ng hangin. Hindi naman na masyadong gabi at 9pm palang.

"What are you doing here again?"

Nanigas ako sa'king kinatatayuan.

I glanced at him, slowly. It's zaimon, he's wearing a sando and.. jeans! Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kaniyang tyan, it has a abs!

Oh gosh!

Tumikhim ako at umiwas ng tingin. "N-nag papahingin lang.."

I heard his foot step, "Are you drunk again?"

I looked at him, agad na umiling. I noticed too he's not wearing earrings on his ear.

"N-no.."

Nakubot ang kaniyang makapal na kilay sa'kin, he's deep eyes were almost glaring at me.

Problema nito?

"Then what are you doing here?" His voice are low.

Napairap ako sa kaloob looban ko. "Nag papahingin nga.."

"In here?"

I nodded slowly, biting my lower lip. "Wala naman ibang rooftop dito na malapit sa bahay namin.. saka wala naman akong ginagawang masama.."

"Still you're trespassing, you're not a tenant here.."

I gulped hardly. "W-wala naman akong ginagawa.. n-next time mag papaalam ako sa may ari or sa landlord!"

He tsked.

I looked away. Ilang minuto rin kamaing natahimik.

"It's still early to have your answer, binigyan kita ng isang buwan hindi ba? You're here, so meaning, you have something to tell on me?"

Kumunot ang aking noo. "Seriously.. sa tingin mo ba papayag ako na maging alalay or personal assistant or what ever you called that? Hindi ako basta basta nag papaapi kanino, lalong lalo na sa hindi ko kilala"

His forehead creased too. Naalarma ako ng bigla s'yang nag lakad paalapit sa'kin. I gasped when our bodies almost touching now.

Smirked formed into his lips. "Enzo Manuel Santiago.."

"And you're.. Scarlet lucy Alvarez.."

Natigil ako sa kaniyang sinabi.

"H-how did y-you know- s-sino ka?" I whispered in fear.

Smirk remained on his lips. "I have a lot of copies on my phone and laptop. Just simple doin' my request, I'll not send the cctv footage to your boyfriend.."

"I'll let you have it, all of the videos and let you delete it, hanggang sa mag sawa ka.."

Halos iilang pulgada na lamang ang lapit ng aming mukha. Maging ang kaniyang mata ay bumaba sa'king labi. I was forcing my self that I'll wont looked down to his lips.

Natimik at nasa ganuong pusisyon kami. Habang ako naman ay nag iisip at iniisip ang kaniyang sinabi.

I gulped hardly. "H-hanggang k-kailan?.."

Nilayo niya ang kaniyang mukha sa'kin, "five months.."

Napalunok ako at napasinghap. This is the only way that i could escape from him, maging ang pag delete ng cctv footage. Wala ng sagabal sa'min ni enzo.

"Are we.. having an.. agreement paper?" I asked him slowly.

"We're not marrying each other, as if you're not my type"

The f**k?

"Huh! The feeling is mutual, agreement! Rules or what ever it is!" I hissed to him.

Zaimon licked his lower lip. "Since you already said it, wait for me here.." aniya bago tinalikuran ako.

Napatanga ako habang nakatingin sa paalayo n'yang bulto. So gagawa nga s'ya?! Eh hanggang kailan ako mag hihintay rito?!

Nakaupo na ako dahil sa inip kaka antay sa kaniya ng ilang minuto, narinig ko na ang pag apak sa hagdanan na may kaingayan. I stood up immediately.

He's walking while handing the paper on his hands.

Gumagawa nga s'ya?!

He handed to me the paper. "Para matahimik ka, just sign it when you already have your decision.." he said.

Binasa ko lahat ng iyon. Ilang minuto pa lamang tahimik lamang kaming dalawa. I looked away and closed my eyes before blowing a breath.

I met his eyes. "Okay.. deal.."