Another Us in Parallel Universe

Chapter 15: Asher’s Move

HEATHER 0.2's pov

"Gosh, what kind of clothes she is wearing?" I picked up the jeans and shirt from her cabinet and threw it on the bed. Nakapag-cut na ako ng ilan niyang jeans and shirt pero hindi pa rin ako makaget-over na wala talaga siyang nice dresses.

"She has poor taste in this. Ugh, I'mma buy her new ones." All these days, hindi ako nagkaroon ng oras para makapag-shopping dahil nga bumalik na ako sa mundo ko. Hindi ko naman inakala na magpapalit kami ni Heather.

Now, I am having a hard time picking what I should wear. Kaya ginunting ko na ang ilan sa mga damit niya at shorts habang may time pa ako. The fact that Logan always visits here, I must be prepared.

But I realized, parang hindi pa rin ako kuntento sa mga nagunting ko. Nauumay ako. I want something new. I want extra.

Kinuha ko phone ko at mag-o-online shopping na sana pero biglang may tumawag. I automatically smiled as I saw the name on the screen.

Loganberry's calling.

Loganberry?

This is so corny yet a cute nickname. Does he like strawberries ba kaya ganito nilagay ni Heather? Yes, pati sim card nagswap din kami. Hindi naman kasi kami sure if connected ang linya namin sa mga mundo namin. Thus, we have decided to swap everything.

I answered it then placed it on my ear.

"Hi?" I greeted.

"Sunday ngayon! Nakalimutan mo?"

Ha? Forgot what? May nakalimutan bang sinabi si Heather sakin?

"Hehe, jogging?" I guessed.

"Luh? Bakit nagja-jog ka ba? Tamad-tamad mo e," he teased.

WOW! Am I fat? Gosh!

I instantly came nearer to the mirror and looked at myself. Ngumiwi ako nang walang makitang taba. I have a curvy body, how come this is fat?! He was the only who called me fat.

Lumungkot mukha ko.

I'm getting insecure. Am I really that fat?

Tumalikod pa ako at tinigna ang kabuoang katawan ko.

Nakita ko nga na 'yong flat kong tyan ay mayroong maliit na umbok. Aaaaah, I am so fat. I really need to lose weight now. Huhu, this is so embarrassing. Kaya ba hirap na hirap ako magpapacute kay Logan? No way, nakakahiya pala ako!

"Hey, why are you crying?" He asked over the line. I sniffed and spoke.

"You called me fat," I replied. "And you were right, I am so fat now," tuluyan na akong napaiyak.

I hate myself!

"H-Ha?"

Kumunot noo ko dahil sa sagot niya. Really? That's what he will say after ruining my self-esteem?

"Look, I am sorry if I offended you," he immediately added. "But, I was just wondering why ngayon ka lang nagreact? I always say that to you, Heather. You know that I am just teasing you, and you never get mad." Takang-taka nito sa kabilang linya kaya napatigil ako sa pag-iyak.

"I'm sorry I'm not aware, you should have told me. I am sorry, Heather. I didn't know. Will you still forgive me?"

Wait, what?

So, this is normal to them? Is this okay with Heather? Okay lang sa kaniyang tawagin siyang fat?

Sa akin kasi I am only letting Sofie call me fat because she was a bully! But when I hear it from other people, it makes me so low. Because I believe in them. They see me thus they know what they are seeing. Kaya kapag sinabing mataba ako, I know that they are telling the truth because they are seeing it.

"You are pretty, Heather. You are gorgeous. You are perfect just the way you are," he whispered, enough for me to hear it.

"Don't be sad now. Know that whatever body you have, that is normal. That is jaw-dropping. That is perfect."

Napangiti ako.

He really likes Heather.

Or maybe I guess, he likes me.

"I'll pick you up there in your house! I'll treat you with your favorite streetfood! Okay? Babawi ako. Wait me there!" Then, he hang up the phone.

As I put the phon on the table, I looked myself in the mirror.

I smiled as I saw my beautiful face. Kung kanina na parang natatabaan ako sa sarili ko, ngayon naman ay nagagandahan ako because of what Logan has said. I felt like he just boosted my confidence even more.

Maybe days from now, Logal will be mine.

I will do everything just to be his, and him to be mine. Kahit dito lang, kahit pansamantala lang.

Nevertheless, I'm just so happy. I am happy that I am experiencing all of these. Never have I imagined that I am getting closer to the guy I once dreamed having for.

I shrugged and then made myself ready before Logan come to my house. Since ayaw ko na magshort at nakadala naman ako ng mga ilang gamit ko rito. Wala na kasi akong time mag-online shopping so I have no choice but to check the clothes that I brought.

Kinuha ko ang isang suitcase sa gilid ng kama ko. Then I opened it and choose one outfit. Tapos naman akong maligo, tapos na rin akong magmake-up, tapos na rin ako mag-blower ng buhok ko kaya ngayon ay magsusuot na lang ako ng outfit ko.

Babawi si Logan, he said. So, I will call this a date!

Hindi naman pwede na pangit ako sa first date namin ni Logan. I mean, we have been hanging out pero gusto ko lang gawin first date ulit kasi everything with him feels like a first time.

Napaipit na lang ako sa kilig!

Finally, I wore a beige body-con dress and high cigarette heels paired with a cute bag. Naglagay din ako ng mga accessories sa kamay at leeg ko. I even wore my gold necklace and earings. Simple lang naman pero okay na ako sa ganito.

I retouched my make up before I went downstairs. Saktong pagbaba ko ay may nagdoor bell kaya napabilis lakad ko papuntang pinto. I opened the door with a wide smile on my lips.

"Hi Loo—" I stopped when I figured out that it was not Logan, but it's Asher.

My brows knitted upon looking at him.

What he was doing here?

Mas lalo akong kumunot noo ko nang makitang may hawak-hawak siyang bulaklak.

What the hell is happening?

"H-Hi," he greeted and gave me a bouquet.

Kunot-noo kong tinignan ito.

What is the meaning of this?

I am confused. Hindi naman ako nasa mundo ko, right? Last time I checked, nasa Earth ako kasi nakuha ko pang halikan sa cheeks si papa ni Heather bago umalis sa trabaho. Yep, 'yan kasi nakasanayan ko kay daddy and I also treat Heather's dad as my dad because we have the same dad. Kaya ngayon, sigurado talaga ako na nasa Earth ako kasi dito nangyari 'yon. Dito sa mismong bahay at wala akong maalala na nag-travel ako papuntang mundo ko.

And now, the question is— why Asher is giving me flowers?! I thouht he doesn't like Heather?

"Just wanna gave this to you," he handed the flowers so I awkwardly took it from him. Kanina pa kasi gustong ibigay and for sure, nangangalay na 'to.

"Thank you, but may I ask what brings you here?" I asked, and gave him a fake smile.

Really, I'm confused, and curious at the same time.

Inilapag ko sa sanitizer corner ang bulaklak at tinignan niya lang ito. But he glanced back at me and spoke.

"Ahm, look. I'm sorry to shock you right now but— I apologize for what I did last time."

"Why? What did you do?"

He seemed so shocked upon hearing my reply. Gustohin ko man sana bawian and just pretend that I knew but I wanna understand so that I will know how to handle him.

"That, I made you feel like ginawa ko 'yong pagcomfort para maging makatao lang. But the truth is— believe me or not, I did it because I don't wanna see you alone. That, I don't wanna let you feel like you are alone. Gusto kong iparamdam sa'yo na somehow, I am there, I am still there for you."

Umiling ako. "I don't understand."

"I like you, Heather."

Nanlaki mga mata ko.

"I like you, matagal na. I was the one who gave you flower saying that you are confusing me. It is because, sometimes I feel like you are interested with me as well but sometimes, I feel like you are interested with Logan. I was really confused and torpe that time. Pero hindi na 'yan mahalaga ngayon, wether you like me or not, I wanna be brave. I wanna be brave enough to admit this to you, and finally I said it," mahaba niyang paliwanan.

I looked at his deep brown eyes and he really looked so serious. So, Asher likes Heather here too?! His actions proved it.

Kung malaman 'to ni Heather, then she will no longer do the life swapping with me. At hindi ko pa nakakasama nang matagal si Logan. Hindi pa 'yon sa akin enough. I just wanna be happy. I just wanna feel loved. And if ever Logan found out about this, baka maging distance na siya sa akin which I am not letting that happen.

Okay lang naman kung matatagalan. I can accept it. Pero please not now, hindi lang sana ngayon because I still wanna spend my time with Logan.

Kaya no way!

"Sorry," the only word that came out from my mouth and then I passed by at him.

Dali-dali akong lumabas para iwasan siya kasi hindi ko na alam kung ano pang sasabihin ko, ayaw kong magbitaw ng mga salita kasi hindi naman siya ang focus ko ngayon. Pero habang naglalakad ko ay ramdam kong sumusunod naman siya.

"Did I shock you?" He still chased. "It's okay if you don't like me. Promise, no pressure. I was just making you aware of how I felt. Kasi kahit ako, hindi ako makatulog kakaisip that I was a coward for not letting you know what I feel towards you."

I stopped when we reached the gate.

"Look, I'm sorry Asher ha? But I don't like you. I like Logan. And we will going to have a date right now. So, I am very sorry. Pwede ka na umalis," diretsahan ko na sagot. Ayaw ko na rin na umasa siya at mag-aksaya pa ng oras sa akin ngayon kasi may pupuntahan ako. May date kami ni Logan at sa ayaw at sa gusto niya, aalis na siya ngayon bago pa dumating si Logan at makita kaming dalawa.

Kita sa mga mata nito ang lungkot. But he just looked at me and smiled. "I guess it's too late," he whispered.

Napangiwi ako.

"No, it will never be because in the first place I never liked you."

He looked away and distant himself. Then, he nodded his head slowly.

"Sorry."

"Don't be. Now, can you please leave and never ever show your face to me?" I sincerely asked.

Hindi pwede na lumapit pa siya kay Heather. Heather will find out about this then maybe she will cut our lives swap! Ito talaga ang hindi pa dapat pwedeng mangyari ngayon. Not that this so soon. Hindi ko pa naging boyfriend si Logan. Gusto ko pa siya makasama nang matagal.

"Okay, sorry," he apologized again in a sad tone then turned his back. He then walked away from me.

Hindi ko na nakita pa ang mukha niya dahil umiiwas ito ng tingin kanina. Pero bagsak ang mga balikat nito at base sa boses niya kanina ay parang pinipigilan niya sarili niyang maiyak.

I am sorry Asher. I will tell this soon to Heather, promise. But not now please, wrong timing ka kasi. Let me enjoy my stay here. Please.

Kaya pasensya na talaga.

"What did you do?!" I almost jumped when I heard Olivia's voice. Bigla namang uminit ang dugo ko nang makita ko ang mukha nito.

Damn this b***h! Pati ba naman dito?! Noong una kong kita sa kaniya ay galit na galit nako because I don't know here. I mean, as much as I want to act that I don't know her, gagawin at gagawin ko. Tama naman ako na hindi ko talaga siya kilala kasi kaaway ko siya doon sa amin tapos bigla na lang magiging FC sa akin, which I assumed that she is a crazy b***h, that she has multiple personalities. The fact that Logan was there, at kinakausap ako ng baliw?!! That was so embarrassing that is why I denied about her. 'Yon pala ay nasa ibang mundo na pala ako. I didn't know Earth exist because for me— I was already living on Earth, which Heather called Parallel Universe.

At ito— itong Earth na tinitirahan niya, this is a multiverse for us.

Akala ko nga ay alien siya.

Anyway, back to this bitchy woman, para siyang mushroom na susulpot-sulpot! I really hate her. Her whole existence. Hindi ko siya feel kahit dito pa.

"What do you want?" I irritatedly asked.

"Heather, that's Asher! The one you really like!" She yelled. Nanlalaki pang mga mata nitong nakatingin sa akin as if she questioned my whole existence.

"I don't like him!" I shouted back, because that was the truth. Si Logan ang gusto ko.

"But why?!" Hindi niya makapaniwalang tanong. "Hindi ba gustong-gusto mo siyang makausap?! What happened to you?! Alam ko kung gaano mo siya ka crush! Huwag mo nga akong pinagloloko, kaloka ka! Pabebe yarn?! Siya na nga lumapit sa iyo!" Sinubukan niya pa na asarin ako pero mas lalo lang akong na-cringe dahil feeling close siya.

"I should be the one who will asking you that, why are you here?"

Ni-hindi ko pa nga alam kung talaga bang kaibigan 'to ni Heather. Wala naman siyang may nabanggit sa akin.

Kumunot noo niya dahil sa tanong ko.

Gusto ko siyang sampalin ngayon dahil sa ginagawa niya sa akin sa mundo ko, but I remembered that it's different here from there. Baka nga kaibigan pa 'to ni Heather. If that so, then I don't wanna be her friend even here. Kahit saang lumalop pa 'yang universe.

She doesn't deserve my trust and friendship.

"Hello! It's sunday! Walang pasok at palagi naman akong dumadaan dito! Palagi tayong nagkikita, remember? We even used to hang out! Amnesia ka girl? Ikaw ha, noong una ginanito mo rin ako, you seemed so different. Are you pranking me? Vlogger ka na ba ngayon?" Then she chuckled as if she just made a joke.

So nakakatuwa 'yon?

Aysh! Whatever. Tumingin ako sa paligid baka dumating na si Logan pero buti na lang ay wala pa rin. Bakit ba maraming epal ngayong araw, gusto ko lang naman maghang out with Logan pero andaming hahadlang pa.

Nakakainis naman. Binalik ko ang atensyon ko kay Olivia.

She then looked at me from head to toe. "And you don't wear like that." I distant when she put her hands on my forehead.

"Nilalagnat ka ba?" Tanong nito. "Seryoso, hindi na joke. Parang may iba 'e." Usisa pa nito. "Are you on drugs?"

"No, ew!" I responded that made her so shocked. Argh!

Why can't she stoooooop!

"Yah, maybe I'm sick. Bye!" Sabi ko na lang para magtigil na siya. I waved my hand and ran inside the house. Hay! Andaming epal talaga!

I locked the door and sat down on the couch.

Logan, pick me up here now please!

OLIVA's POV

I watched Heather ran to the house with her high heels.

She's acting so weird right now, no not just now but since last time.

But now, it is really different. She said that she likes Asher, and now that Asher confessed to her, she declined it and even told him that she likes Logan instead.

What the f**k is happening to her? Or, maybe she is just flirty that much na dalawang lalaking pinagpapasahan niya?!

Nanggalaiti ako sa inis dahil sa iniisip ko.

May tinatago rin palang landi 'to?

But no way! I knew that she likes Asher! Pinagtanggol ko pa nga siya kay Charleigh 'e! Alam ko rin na crush niya talaga because we shared it to each other. Habang ako naman ay alam niya rin na gusto ko si Logan.

But there are some things that I noticed also. The way she speak, the way she react, and the way she dress— it's really far from the Heather I used to know.

Hindi lang kasi ito 'yong una kong beses na nakita siyang ganyan. Everytime na dumadaan ako rito, nakikita ko na lang palagi na extra siya manamit, especially if Logan is around. No way that she is targeting Logan too! Hindi naman siya gano'n kalandi 'e. 'Yong kilala kong Heather ay hate na hate si Logan. I know that kasi parang aso at pusa sila kung magkasama. Tapos diring-diri rin palagi si Heather sa kay Logan.

Ngayon, ang tanong...

Is she really Heather?

She's so different right now. She really is.

I looked around to see if someone was watching me. When I assured that there was no one, pumasok ako sa gate at dumiretso na ako sa pinto nila. I went to the window beside the door and looked inside. I don't know, there's something in me that I should stalk her. Gusto ko lang malaman, lalabas na ulit ako.

"Gosh, why Logan is so tagal?" She asked and took some selfies.

See! That's not how Heather act and talk! Hindi ganyan kaarte si Heather!

There's something fishy about her!

Napalingon ako sa gate at nakita na paparating na ang sasakyan ni Logan kaya dali-dali akong lumabas.

Saktong paglabas niya sa sasakyan at nasa labas na ako ng gate.

He smiled at me.

Para namang natunaw na rin ako sa ngiti nito. Aaaack! Ang gwapo talaga! Such a cutie pie, huhu. Gusto kong yakapin siya, kung pwede lang talaga, aaaaack!!

"Hey," he greeted.

"Hi," I replied and put my hair on my ear. Beke nemen, mapansin niya ang kagandahan ko.

"Is Heather here?" He asked and looked at the house.

Hindi pa ako nakasagot ay narinig ko na ang sigaw mula sa likoran ko.

"Loooogaaaaaaaaaaaan! You're here!" Napatingin ako sa loob at nakita na tumatakbo si Heather papunta dito. Sumasabay ang curly hair niya sa pagtakbo niya. Sobrang arte rin ang pagtakbo nito dahil nga ay may heels. And one more thing, yeah, she is still gorgeous.

Pero iba pa rin talaga. Ramdam na ramdam ko ‘yon.

"She's so weird.” Umiling ako.

"What?"

Oh no, did I say that loud?

I looked at Logan and just smiled.

"Look the way she acts. Observe. Maybe I guess, she is not the Heather we know."

Logan's brows met. He looked so confused. Before Heather could even reached us, I started walking away.

I need to find Charleigh.