Another Us in Parallel Universe

Chapter 18

PARALLEL HEATHER's POV 

I wiped the bile from my lips and stared at the mashed up food drifting in the toilet water. Eww.

I felt...pensive. There was intestine of a chicken, a carbonara, fries and even the coloring of mass of chewed-swallowed food. It was so gross! argh! 

I can't believe I ate those. The taste in my mouth is unexplainable. Why did I even eat those? I should have refused him. I should've told him that it's not cup of my tea. 

I coughed and spat out an errant corner of spinach before getting up to rinse the involuntary tears that had streamed down my eyes and the mucus hanging from my nose. I used my hand to wiped it all and then I focused on my balance.

I went to the sink and looked at myself in the mirror. My eyeliner is spreading all over my face, my eyes looks so red, my face is so haggard, err I looked like an disgusting s**t. I scrubbed vigorously at my palms and fingers with citrus-scented soap as I washed my mouth with Listerine--there was nothing quite like the smell of stomachthroatmouth slime that always followed regurgitation.

This is so gross! Argh! I hate the smell!

"Hey, are you okay?" Logan asked from the outside. 

"No," I answered as I came out from the bathroom. "Do I look okay?" I added. 

Tumungo ako sa refrigerator at kinuha ang tubig. I took my glass as well and poured the water on it. Ininom ko ito at napapangiwi na lang ako dahil nalalasahan ko pa rin somehow. I went back to the sink and brushed my teeth. 

As I am done, nilagay ko palad ko sa bibig ko at bumunga ako ng hangin para singhotin ang hininga ko. So far ay nag-iiwan naman ang bango ng toothpaste na ginamit ko. I used the listerine again and went outside after. 

Napatingin ako sa kaniya na naghihintay lang pala matapos ako. He was just standing there, at the kitchen island, waiting for me to come towards hims. 

He looked so sorry about what happened. Hindi ko alam kung matatawa o maaawa ako dahil sa mukha niya ngayon. As if kasi parang may malaki siyang kasalanan na nagawa sa akin at gusto-gusto niyang mag-sorry.

Bakit kasi dinala niya ako do'n? Kung sana sinabi niya man lang na doon niya ako dadalhin, sana hindi na ako pumayag at dumito na lang kami. I don't eat those kind of food. That's disgusting! Really, street food? Baka dirty food kamo. We never know if it is safe or clean. It ruined my stomach. 'Yong lugar pa lang ay nakakasuka na, pagkain pa kaya? And I just proved it now.

Sobrang sama talaga. Kaya hindi na ako kumakain 'yan 'e, siya lang 'yong nagpakain sa akin ng ganyan. 

I sighed. 

Pasalamat na lang siya talaga I cannot say no.

"I don't know what happened to you, but I'm sorry." His shoulder was down as his eyes as well. 

I sighed upon seeing his face.

I wanted to get mad at him, but I just can't. I don't blame him either why he brought me to that kind of place, he doesn't know that I am not the Heather he used to be with. Isa 'to sa mga consequences ko kasi kailangan ko rin mag adjust sa pamumuhay ni Heather. Pero duh, hindi ako sanay. 

I sighed again.

I chose this life now, then I must live with it. 

"Don't be sorry, I'm actually fine." I smiled. 

We sat down on the sofa, and silence engulfed the whole place. 

"How are you?" He broke the silence. 

I glanced at him and he still looked so worried. May naisip ako na kalokohan para tignan kung siya ba talaga ay nag-alala sa akin.

"To be honest, I don't know what happened. Siguro sumama lang talaga tiyan ko. Don't get me wrong ha? It is not your fault, sadyang nagkataon lang talaga siguro," malungkot kong wika saka pasimpleng tinignan siya. 

"Masakit ba tyan mo?" 

Pabebe akong tumango.

"Yeah." Then, slowly, I laid down and rested my head on his shoulder. 

He is so mabango. 

"I think you need rest today, hatid na kita sa kwarto?" 

Umismid ako nang pasikreto. Nagmo-moment pa ako please. Hayaan mo muna akong huminga sa shoulder mo. 

"I'm tired to go upstairs. Can we just stay here for some minute?"

Ramdam ko ang pagtango nito. Napangiti ako nang nilagay niya ang kamay niya sa ulo ko. He tapped it gently so I closed my eyes. 

"Just rest on my shoulder, okay? Everything will be alright. You will be alright." 

I remained silent. 

"Just tell me what do you want, and I would love to do it for you."

"Can we watch a movie?" I asked, hoping that I could have a bond like this with him. 

"That will make you happy?" 

I nodded my head. 

"Alright." Then he got up, and took the remote control. Inayos ko na lang din mukha ko at nang nakabalik siya ay ngumiti ako sa kaniya. 

He smiled back too and then sat down. 

Nanuod kami ng Sweet Home sa netflix and it was so fun. Nagkwentohan lang kami about sa next na mangyayari at may oras na napapalo ko siya dahil sa sobrang excitement. He even cooked a popcorn for us to be shared. At habang nanunuod kami ay hindi ko namalayan na nakangiti na akong tumitingin sa kaniya. 

Nagulat ako nang napatingin siya sa akin kaya kaagad ako umiwas ng tingin. Damn it, that was so near. I stiffened when I felt his hand wrapped around my shoulder. 

Then, I glanced at him and our face was so near. My whole body stiffened. He is so close now that I can feel the warmth of his breathe cutting through the cold air. If I were to estimate how close he is, his face would be mere inches from mine. 

As my heart beating so fast, I slowly closed my eyes, hoping to have a kiss from him. Pero sinadya talaga ng tadhana na hindi mangyari dahil biglang tumunog cellphone niya.

He immediately looked away and grabbed the phone from his pocket. Then, he looked at it and stood up to answer it. He gave me a wait signal so I nodded my head as a response.

I clicked my tongue because of the disappointment. Nandoon na 'e. Malapit na 'e. Konting-konti na lang! Kung sino man 'yong epal na tumawag sa kaniya, sana magtae siya nang buong taon. 

Kabanas. 

We are so close of kissing! 

Argh! 

I glanced back to where he is right now. Nasa bintana siya malapit sa pintoan. He looked so interested on listening the other line. May pa tango-tango pa ito at may mga sinasabi na hindi ko naman rinig. 

This guy is beautiful. Well-manicured, has a good hygiene, smells like the one who's gonna break my heart. 

Pero at least, he makes me happy. That is what matters as of now. 

'Yong masasaktan? Sa huli pa naman 'yon. Importante kinikilig ako sa kaniya ngayon.

So, I don't have a choice but to watch. While waiting for him, I ate the popcorn he cooked. Ilang beses pa ako tumitingin sa kaniya, at pinanunuod siya pero masyado yatang importante sa kaniya. 

Hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog pala ako at nagising na lang ako na nakahiga na sa kama. Geez, wala sa plano 'yong pagtulog bakit ako nakatulog?! 

Tinignan ko ang kabuuang kwarto at nandito pa rin ako sa kwarto ni Heather. I was about to get up and I heard the door's cracking and Logan showed up. 

"Oh, gising kana pala. I was about to check you up."

Tuluyan na akong bumangon at tingnan ang orasan sa tabi ko. f**k, alas otso na pala ng gabi?! 

"Bakit hindi mo ako ginising?" Tanong ko.

"Sarap na sarap ka sa tulog mo 'e."

My brows raised. "Really? Why? What happened? I didn't know I fell asleep."

Pumasok siya at lumapit saa akin. Natatawa pa itong tumingin sa akin.

"Ewan ko sa'yo. Ikaw nga 'tong pagkabalik ko nakanganga na at nag-iingay 'no!"

"Hey! I don't make noise when I'm sleeping!" I cut him off. 

He shrugged and gave me a killer smile. "I doubt so, para ka ngang baboy kung makahilik." 

"No way!" Gigil kong angal saka kinuha ang unan sa tabi ko at binato sa kaniya. Nakaiwas naman ito kaagad at kinuha ang unan saka binato ulit sa akin.

Tumama ang unan sa mukha ko kaya napatawa ito nang napakalakas na may pahawak pa sa tyan niya. While me, I looked at him unbelievably. 

Hindi ako makapaniwala! Did he just throw the pillow on my face?! Ginawa niga talaga 'yon?!

"Oh, sapol ka pala 'e! Talo ka pa rin hanggang ngayon!" Then, he acted like a kid who won from a simple game.

Sobrang saya nito as if may malaking achievement siyang na-achieve sa buhay niya. Since I doubt that maybe they are playing this so I took the pillow again and throw it on his face. Pero masyado siyang magaling at hindi ko siya natatamaan. Pikon din ako kaya tumayo na ako at sumulong sa kaniya palabas.

I was about to slip away, but he was too fast he caught me with his hand. Napahinto ako nang muntikan na akong mahulog sa hagdan. Habang 'yong isang kamay ko ay hawak-hawak niya. 

Kaagad niya ako hinila, akala ko ay masasalpok ako sa dibdib niya pero 'yon pala ay napasupalpal lang ako sa sahig. 

Then, I heard his laugh again.

This is not the situation I want though! Kaya pala inis na inis palagi sa kaniya si Heather! Argghhh!!

"You are safe now. Thank me for saving your life," mapang-asar nitong tawa.

Argh!!! 

Naiinis ako!

"So ayaw mo akong tulongan tumayo?" I irritatedly asked.

"Then what? You will pull me again and in the end I will be the one who's gonna fall? Ginawa mo na 'yan sa akin, ngayon 2-0 na tayo. Bleh!" Then he ran into the stairs and looked back at me.

"I made you some dinner by the way! Hindi pa kasi nakauwi si tito, he called me later and told me na overtime siya. He will get home by midnight. See you downstairs!" Then he ran so happily.

Habang ako ay inis na inis dahil sa ginawa niya. So, this happened already. Puro lang ba sila laro at asar? What kind of relationship they have? Hay! Sabagay, Heather doesn't like him! But duh?? Sana man lang lumandi siya, edi sana ngayon nakukuha ko na si Logan. 

Padabog akong tumayo. Pinaspas ko ang pwet ko saka sumunod na sa kaniya sa baba. 

Ang hirap mo landiin, Logan!

-

Alas nuebe na nang makauwi si Logan at ako naman ay kinakailangan ko na magpahinga. Masyadong napagod ako ngayong araw dahil sa daming nangyari. Isama ko pa 'yong pagsusuka ko at pagsama ng tyan ko. Nag-half bath na ako at nag-skin na sa mukha at sa katawan ko. Nagsuot na rin ako ng pajama dahil handa na akong matulog. Ngunit pagkahiga na pagkahiga ko ay tumunog cellphone ko. I had no choice but to get up and reached the phone on the table beside me. 

I rolled my eyes again when I saw Olivia's name on the phone. Geez this b***h, hindi talaga siya titigil?

I turned it off and harshly dropped my phone on the table. I tried to decline his phone call and pretend that I didn't hear anything pero masyado siyang makulit at tawag pa rin nang tawag. So, I picked it up and answered it.

"What do you want?!" I yelled, kasi inis na inis na ako. 

"Just meet me at the corner of the road. 10 pm sharp." 

My brows knitted.

"And why the hell should I meet you? Why? Sino ka ba? Do you know na disturbo kana?!"

"Just do it, it is important."

I thought about it in seconds, and took a deep sighed.

"Fine." Nang huwag na siyang mangulit sakin.

EARTH HEATHER's POV

I tapped my big toe on the ground as I took it off of my shoe. I've been enduring this pain for a half of an hour now and I couldn't bear it anymore. I am not used of wearing high heels, thus my feet couldn't hold any longer. I took the other one too and touch my bare feet the ground. Ugh. Okay na. Medyo hindi na masakit katulad kanina.

"Heather! Here you are!" I automatically stood up when I heard Asher's voice.  

Naalala ko naman kanina na tinawag niya si Logan. Yep, he was the one who called Logan earlier, and I don't know why kasi ihing-ihi na ako. 

Ngumiti ako sa kanila at nakita ang daddy at mommy niya. His mom is so beautiful with her white maxi dress, while his dad nailed the outfit because of how his American suit suited on his looks. Mukha silang mga artistahin dahil magaganda ang mga kutis nito. Halata rin na may pera sila dahil sa alahas na sinusuot nila sa kanilang mga katawan. His mom filled with sparkling gold jewelries on her hands, neck and even ears. Meanwhile, his dad was wearing the latest rolex watch. I must really say that maybe Asher's life is as the same as he has on Earth. Is that even possible?

Hinawakan ko naman ang dibdib ko dahil sa sobrang lakas ng kabog nito. Err. What would I now? Ang awkward. Nahihiya rin ako magsalita at makipag-vibe sa kanila dahil halata na hindi kami same level. Also, the fact that I don't interact that much to strangers, so I really don't know how to handle this. 

I just really hope that I can handle this so well. Ayaw kong mapahiya.

"This is Heather." He pointed me. "Heather, my mom and dad." Then he shifted his gaze at his parents. 

"Hi," awkward kong bati. Then I smiled at them just to release the tension within me.

Mas lalo akong nahiya nang tinignan nila ako mula ulo hanggang paa. 

Shuta. Nakapaa pala ako. 

I was not ready!

I saw how their looks turrned upside down. Takte. Sorry, Heather. Kaagad ko naman inabot ang sandals gamit paa ko at sinuot ito. 

"May pumasok na bato, kinuha ko lang," I reasoned out, then awkwardly smiled again. "Sorry."

"Oh, okay." His mom responded and smiled at me too.

"So, this is the girl that you've been talking to, right, son?" Asher shyly nodded.  

He looked so proud of introducing me to them. Nanatili lang itong nakangiti, kaya ako hindi ko rin niwawala ang ngiti sa labi ko.

"Oh, well! Nice to meet you, ija!" At tumawa ito kaya napatawa na rin ako. I don't wanna be called na masungit at hindi friendly 'no.

"Nice meeting you po, tita... and uhm tito," I looked at his husband but didn't respond back so I looked away.

But the truth is, sobrang awkward talaga ng atmosphere ngayon. Halata na hindi talaga ako sanay makipag-usap sa mga mayayaman. 

"Anyways, we gotta go back to the stage for him to entertain the other guests," her mom smiled fakery. 

I know it was fake when it faded the moment he looked at his husband. Napabuntong hininga ako. I get it. I guess she doesn't like me. 

Tinignan ko lang ang daddy ni Asher at kahit isang ngiti ay wala akong nakuha mula sa kaniya. He is just lookin at me like he wanna know every single detail about me. 

Our eyes met so I smiled at him. But, he just looked at his wife and nodded his head. Then, he looked back at his son so I looked at Asher. 

Mukhang hindi niya alam ang gagawin niya.

"Got to go son," he said. Then he looked at me, "Enjoy lady." Then he let out a small smile. Kahit papaano ay napahinga ako nang maluwag dahil sa sinabi niya. Gosh, I thought he won't speak anymore. 

Tumango ako sa kaniya at ngumiti ulit. "Thank you po."

Bago pa sila tuluyan umalis ay saka ko lamang naaalala ang regalo ko sa kaniya. Kaagad ko ito kinuha sa misa at ibinigay sa kaniya. 

"Happy birthday po pala, sir," I greeted with smile.

He nodded his head and took it from me. "Thank you, darling. Enjoy the party." I nodded. "Opo, salamat."

Pinanuod ko lamang sila mawala sa paningin ko. Nang nawala na sila ay kaagad naman lumapit si Asher sa akin at nagsalita. Kinakabahan pa naman ako ngayon dahil sa biglaan niyang pagsulpot.

"Pasensya kana kay mommy. Hindi kasi sanay na may pinakilala akong babae." Ramdam ko ang hiya nito sa boses niya. 

Ngunit ngumiti lang ako at kinuha mga kamay nito. Kung meron man dapat mag sorry, I think that's me. I don't f*****g know how to socialize with this kind of people. Kaya ganoon na lang ka awkward ng atmosphere kanina, at isa pa, I am glad that they leave too soon. Kasi kung magtatagal pa silang makipagkwentohan sa akin, ano mga ikwekwento ko? Ni wala nga akong alam pa talaga sa buhay ni Heather. Ni-hindi ko nga alam na model siya rito. What's more if she has lots of social activities na sinalihan. It's really better to not having conversations to anyone. The less I socialize, the more that I am safe.

Saka, naappreciate ko naman ang pagpapakilala niya sa akin. That's just mean that his intentions are pure. That's enough for me already. 

Pero bumabalik pa rin sa utak ko 'yong nakita ko, hindi lang mawala sa isip ko ay kung bakit mukhang close na close sila ni Logan dito. Close nga ba? I don't know. There's a part of me that I wanna know their connections.

Hindi ko alam 'e. 

Ito na naman ako sa pagiging duda ko. I feel like I'm a cat. I am always curious at everything, even just in small things or details.

But whatever it is— malalaman ko rin naman 'yan sa susunod. 

Umupo kami ni Asher malapit sa swimming pool. Marami ang bisita pero kahit isa sa kanila ay hindi ko kilala. Wala ngang kahit teenage 'e, kahit kaedad lang namin. Puro mga tita at tito na lang dito nagchichikahan, what's worse, tinitignan pa kaming dalawa. It's so awkward.

"You okay?" Napatingin ako sa kaniya. 

I nodded my head as a response.

I moved a little when the waitress served us meal, no not just one waitress kundi lima. Sunod-sunod ito paglatag ng mga pagkain sa misa. Since dalawa lang naman kasi sa isang table ay na puno ito. They bowed down there head as soon as they're done putting the food. Hindi ko rin nakalimutang magpasalamat sa kanila bago sila umalis. 

"Hey, sobrang dami nito. Sino kakain?" I asked. 

He chuckled softly. 

"Remember our first date? First breakfast to be exact, sobrang dami mong kinain 'yon, so I guess you can eat this all."

Nanlaki mga mata ko dahil sa kahihiyan. Tang ina. Nakalimutan ko kasi na hindi si Logan kaharap ko 'e! 

Nahihiya akong ngumiti sa kaniya. 

"Grabe ka naman! I can't eat all of these."

"Why? Sino ba nagsabi sa'yo na ikaw lang kakain? Dalawa tayo." 

Oo nga naman. 

Napatingin kami sa likuran nang tumunog ang mic. Pinakilala ang daddy niya at may mga iba pang palabas tulad ng gift giving, message and intermission number. 

Nanunuod kaming dalawa habang kumakain. 

"Ang saya ng daddy mo oh," I commented upon seeing the smile on her daddy's face.

"Yeah. He's my inspiration when it comes to pursuing woman." 

I looked at him, and he was looking at his dad. All I can say he loves his family. The fact that he is close with them proved that he is a good man. Parang ang gaan lang ng pamilya nila. 

"He was the one who told me to pursue you." Bumaling ang tingin nito sa akin kaya napaiwas ako ng tingin kaagad. Kinuha ko ang carbonara gamit ang tinidor saka pinaikot ito. "So I am doing it now, because I cannot lose you."

"Why you can't lose me?" Natatawa kong tanong at napatingin sa kaniya. "Like everyone else, I am easy to replace and forget." I rolled my eyes.

Napatingin ako nang kinuha niya ang kamay ko. I glanced at him back and he was looking at it seriously. Binitawan ko ang tinidor at hinayaan siyang hawakan ito. His hand was so smooth like a silk. Halata na hindi siya nagtatrabaho. Nevertheless, ang sarap hawakan ito. Landi ka girl? 

"You are different," he finally spoke. "You deserve everything, Heather. Matagal na kitang gusto, hinding-hindi ako papayag na mawala ka lang bigla."

Kaagad ko kinuha kamay ko dahil sa pagkagulat. Omg, did he just confess???? Kinuha ko ang baso ng tubig at ininom ito. Napalunok pa ako ng tatlong beses dahil sa hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. Damn, why? Bakit parang iba ang nararamdaman ko? I don't know. 

"Why? Ano ba nagustohan mo sa akin?" Natatawa kong tanong para naman maibsan ang pagiging awkward. 

"Naniniwala ka sa love at first sight?" 

Kaagad ako tumango dahil 'yan din naman ang rason kung bakit gusto ko siya. Unang tingin pa lang ay nabihag na niya ako. 

"There, the moment I laid my eyes on you, I knew that you're the woman I wanna spend the rest of my life for. Bonus na lang 'yong tinulongan mo ang batang humingi sa'yo."

Kumunot noo ko. "Hingi?" 

"Yeah, remember the first day of school? You're waiting for your driver or dad, I don't know. I was just watching you all day because yeah, we were classmates, but I didn't have the chance to introduce myself to you because I got starstruck by your beauty. Kaya noong uwian ay nagdesisyon na akong magpakilala ka kaya sinundan kita hanggang sa gate, and I never knew that I would witness your heroic side. Ni-libre mo lahat ng bata ng meriende nila. They were so happy. That is when I have realized that you are not just pretty outside, but you have a beautiful soul inside," seryoso niyang sabi.  

Ang ganda sana na may tao palang naa-aappreciate ka nang hindi mo alam but...

That was not me. 

That was not my memories. 

I was not the Heather whom he fell in love. 

Kumirot puso ko ng isipin 'yon.

"Strange isn't it?" I just asked out of nowhere.

"What?"

"How you can be desperately in love with someone else that you are to do everything just for you to be loved or noticed somehow."

I faked a laugh, remembering what I was doing for the past weeks.

"Yeah, because that's how love works. And I think that's just normal because you want that person, so you'll think of a way for you to be connected with each other."

"Even it's not right anymore?" I instantly cut him off.

"When you are with someone you love, everything you do feels so right even it's wrong. You will be blinded with everything, and you will only see how happy you are being with him. Thus, those issues won't matter to you anymore because you love that person— it's already fixed in your mind that you are right."

"Even it's constantly not healthy anymore?"

"Even it will drain you."

I remained silent. 

“Love is the most dangerous thing you will ever risk. You might find yourself, or worse you might lose yourself.”

And, we never spoke anymore and just finished our food. 

Maybe he was right though, I am now slowly losing myself because I am not me anymore. I have to pretend a different person just for me not to get caught, which is not really okay. Napapaisip na lang ako, is this really worth it? Yeah, somehow I am happy because finally, my long time crush finally noticed me and even wanted me to be his girlfriend! How amazing is that idea, right? However, that’s not me. 

No matter what I do, I still couldn’t get rid the fact that I am fake.

“Sir, nandito ka lang pala.” Napatingin ako sa babae na huminto sa harap namin. She is wearing a maid costume, so I assumed that she is one of their helpers.

“Oh, yaya Medz, bakit po?” Napatayo si Asher.

“Hinahanap ka ng daddy mo.” 

Napatingin kaagad sa akin si Asher kaya nginitian ko siya at tumango ako. 

“You sure?” 

I nodded again. “Hundred percent sure.”

“Okay, wait for me here, okay? I’ll be right back.” 

I watched them gone. Humarap ako sa pagkain ko at kumain ng cake. Habang kumakain ako ay biglang lumakas ang t***k ng puso ko. Napahawak pa ako dahil sa sobrang lakas. 

I felt different, I felt like something is about to happen. Kasi 'pag may kakaiba akong feeling, kasunod no'n may nangyayari talaga, o may bagay na hindi ko alam. Instinct? Maybe. Ito rin kasi 'yong nangyari sa akin noon sa halloween party. Remember that I felt like everything is not okay? 'Yon 'yon 'e. At ngayon ay nararamdaman ko naman ulit siya.

Kung hindi man sa akin ang may masamang mangyari, baka kay Heather— baka sa mundo namin. I don't know. I think I really need to get home. 

Napatayo ako nang hindi ko alam ang dahilan. Para akong balisa. I can't explain this feeling. Parang may mangyayaring masama talaga. Geez, what should I do now? Uuwi na ba talaga ako? Pero mukhang sayang talaga ang party at time namin ni Asher.

Kamustahin ko na lang kaya sila mommy? Daddy? Sofie? O kaya si Heather do'n sa Earth? 

Kinuha ko phone ko at tinawagan ko si Sofie pero ilang ring na at wala pa ring sumasagot. Nagtry na rin ako kay mommy at daddy pero wala pa rin kaya mas lalo akong kinabahan. 

'Yong puso ko talaga ay hindi tumitigil sa pagkabog nang napakalakas. Parang sasabog sa loob na hindi ko ma explain. Konti na lang ay lalabas na ito dahil sa sobrang laki ng kabog.

Siguro kailangan ko na talaga umuwi, for real. Baka kasi kung ano mangyari sa bahay na wala ako. Mabuti nang makasigurado ako. 

Hinanap ko si Asher para makapagpaalam pero hindi ko ito mahanap-hanap. Andami ring mga bisita ang ngumingiti sa akin at aakmang kakausapin pero wala talaga akong oras. Nasaan na ba 'yon? 

Pumunta ako sa buffet, nagbabakasakali na makita ko siya dahil huling paalam niya ay kukuhanan ako niya ako ng pagkain. Pero pagkapasok ko pa lang ay napanganga na ako sa loob.

Sheeeeet. 

The crystal chandeliers caught my attention when I entered. Sobrang liwanag din ng lighting. Sa gitna ay mayroong tatlong square na misa na ang mga nakalagay ay puro mga pagkain. Para talaga itong maze dahil nasa gitna ang pinakamaliit hanggang sa palaki nang palaki. Andami ring tao nagkukuha pa rin ng mga pagkain. Napalunok na lang ako ng laway nang makita ko ang sampong lechon sa sulok. Shuta. Langhap sarap ko rin ang amoy nito, Mukhang mapapasabak pa yata ako ah. Hindi ako nakakain ng lechon kanina! Wala sa table kasi! 

I shook my head. No, argh. Stop being a patay gutom, Heather. Nakakakain ka naman.

Kailangan ko munang hanapin si Asher. Pumasok ako sa ala maze na food buffet para mahanap siya pero hindi ko mapigilan sarili ko kumuha ng pinggan at habang pinapasok ko ang maze ay naglalagay ako ng pagkain sa plato. Habang ang maya ko naman ay naghahanap sa presensya ni Asher, ang bibig ko naman ay busy sa kakakain. 

Takte talaga! Gusto kong tumambay dito at magmukbang. 

Sorry, parang kulang pa rin kasi nakain ko. Ewan ko ba, alam ko naman na may alaga ako sa tyan. Charot. Malakas lang talaga ako kumain, ‘yan ang sekreto.

Pero nakatatlong pinggan na ako ay hindi ko pa rin siya mahanap kay umiksit na ako. Wala na talaga akong oras. Kung madami pa sana akong oras, madami pa makakain ko. Aysh!

Lumabas na ako ng mansion at naggrab ng taxi. 

I went to my inbox and just texted Asher. "Sorry talaga, kailangan ko na umuwi. Anyways, thank you sa pag-imbita at pasensya na kung hindi ako nagtagal."

Ilang segundo lang ay nakatanggap na ako kaagad ng reply.

"Where are you now? Why? What happened? Is anything wrong? I've been waiting here in your table, I thought nag-CR ka lang. But, where are you? I’ll pick you up, hatid na kita.”

I was about to reply but a phone called showed up, and it was from Asher. I picked it up and placed it on my left ear.

"Hey, where are you now? Nakasakay ka na ba, o nandito pa? Ihahatid na kita. I'm outside now, where are you? Are you okay?” Tuloy-tuloy na tanong nito, walang preno.

Grabe naman ‘to ang bilis. Feeling ko tuloy tumakbo na siya palabas.

I shook my head as if he can see it. "It's okay, ano ka ba? You don't have to, at oo, nakasakay na ako. And yes, I am fine. Kaya mag-enjoy ka lang diyan, birthday ng papa mo, spend your time with him."

"But you should have told me. Ako 'yong sumundo kaya dapat ako ang hahatid. You are my responsibility." I secretly smiled. 

Sana all talaga.

"Okay lang, promise. Kaya ko na sarili ko, okay? Maraming salamat."

“You sure? No, it’s not really okay. I’m coming with you, susunod na lang ako baka hindi kapa nakakalayo.”

“Hoy! Huwag na nga sabi! Ang kulit!”

I heard him heaved a sigh. "Okay, you sure ha? Sige, just text me when you're home. Please, mag-ingat ka." 

"Alright!"

Tumawa ako at pinatay na ang tawag. Tinago ko na ang phone sa bag, saktong paglagay ko ay biglang may tumutok sa akin na b***l.

Kinakabahan man ay dahan-dahan akong napatingin sa kung sino man ang tumutok nito, nakita ko ang nakangiting loko ng driver at bago pa ako nakapagsigaw ay itunuon niya na ito sa bibig ko.

"Hold up 'to. Ibigay mo sa akin lahat ng gamit mo."