Another Us in Parallel Universe

Chapter 4 - Meeting the Second Heather

Meeting the second Heather

"So, why did you invite me?" I asked and sipped my drink.

Asher and I are having breakfast right now. I know, this is so embarrassing to be with him especially that I am not the Heather he wants. But what can I do? I don't wanna get caught right now, not now, not yet. I don't even know what Heather's attitude is. Is she kind? Is she a snob? Is she as desperate as me? I don't know, I don't have any idea about her. Hindi ko siya kilala tulad ng pagkakilala ko sa sarili ko. So, before it's too late, I hopped into Asher's car and invited him to breakfast bago pa lumabas ang totoong Heather at makita ako.

Kinakabahan ako, at hindi ko alam kung ano mangyayari sa susunod.

This is Asher, my crush since then! ‘Yong lalaking gustong-gusto ko makasama, mahang-out, masabay kumain at maka-usap, nandito sa harapan ko, tumitingin sa akin na para bang ako lamang ang pinakamaganda sa mga mata niya.

I feel a little bit awkward, pero nangingibabaw ang kilig na nararamdaman ko.

OMG.

Pero ‘yon lang talaga, medyo nakakahiya lang kasi ako 'yong nang-imbita pero ako pa nilibre.

Wala kasi akong dalang peraaaa!

Pero mukhang marami naman siyang pera, keri niya na ‘yan. Wow, ang kapal ko ha.

“I am actually surprised that you accepted it,” hindi niya makapaniwalang tanong.

Kumunot naman noo ko. “Why wouldn’t I?”

Jusko! Kung alam mo lang kung gaano kita inaasam-asam palagi. Char.

“Because you are Heather, the gold and gem in the campus. No one could stop you from shining, no one could stop you from reaching so high. Thus, you rejected me a lot, so I think... I was too low for you.”

OMG. Ganito pala ang version ko rito? Hindi ko alam kung mamaniwala ako pero parang seryoso naman siya sa pinagsasabi niya.

"I like you, Heather. I told you so many times about this and I'm really glad that you accepted it this time,” he directly said without a pause.

Lumakas pintig ng puso ko. Kung gaano ka torpe pala si Asher sa mundo namin, ay ganito ka prangka si Asher dito. I know that Asher version one is a type of guy who's torpe, kasi remember when he proposed to Charleigh, his friends were the one who pushed him and Asher even said that he couldn't court Charleigh. Pero ngayon, harap-harapan niyang sinasabi 'to. He is not afraid to be vocal about his feelings.

Problema nga lang, ibang Heather ang nakakausap niya.

Patay talaga ako nito sa second version ko.

I smiled awkwardly, "Seryoso ka sa sinasabi mo?" 'yan lang aking natanong.

Parang tanga lang.

Because seriously, until now, I still can't believe that I am already talking to the person I once dreamt of talking with. This is a dream come true for me and I don't wanna end this yet.

"You seem so different," his brows met, then he shrugged.

Ang kaninang kinakabahan dahil sa kilig ay ngayon kinakabahan na dahil sa takot mabuking.

Masyado yata akong halata.

"W-what do you mean?" I stuttered.

Aaaarrghh! Why can't I talk straight!

Nako, Heather, ikaw lang nagpapahamak sa sarili mo. Umayos ka kung gusto mo pang lumabas ng buhay!

"Stop biting your lips," he chuckled.

"That's my responsibility, not yours."

Nanlaki mga mata ko sa binitawan nitong salita. What did he just say? Bumanat ba 'to?

NAKOOO ASHER! PLEASE STOP! DON'T STOP! AY ANO BA!

ENEBE PINAGSHASHEBE MEEEE KASHE.

Umubo ako para mag-adjust kasi mukhang pepe na ako dahil hindi ko alam papaano magsalita. Pero nasobrahan ata ang pag-ubo ko at dali-dali niya naman akong binigyan ng tubig.

I looked at him confusedly, then I immediately took and drank it. Panic is real talaga. Umayos ka Heather.

Jusko! Mamamatay ako sa kilig dito ‘e. Kakasink in lang sa utak ko ang sinabi niya. Ano raw? It's his responsibility to bite my lips? Mamaaaaa, ayoko na umuwiiii!

Pwede lang naman dito ‘di ba?

"Are you okay?" He looked so worried.

"Namumula ka," he uttered and touched my forehead after. "Wala ka naman lagnat."

At dahil sa paghawak niya sa noo ko, mas lalo akong naningas.

Pwedeng pakikurot ako sa singit? Di ako magagalit, promise.

Hutangena, napakalandi mo Heather, kumalma ka!

"Ay hindi, it's just hot," I finally spoke, and gulped. Pinahiran ko noo ko kasi parang namamawis na lang din ako sa kaba.

Paano ba kasi kumalma?

Ngumiti lang ito at tumango. No, he didn't just smile. HE SMIRKED!

Papatayin niya ba ako sa kilig?!

SABI KO KAKALMA AKO BAKIT AYAW NIYA AKONG PAKALMAHIN?

"By the way, wala kang pasok?" I changed the topic. I'm getting hot. My face is getting hotter.

Pakiramdam ko para akong ni-pritong isda.

Kumunot naman muli ang noo nito.

"Anong ako? Tayo. Have you forgotten the day today? It's saturday."

I faked my laugh after.

"Ano ka ba, I was just joking." Daaaaamn, ang katangahan ko ang magdadala sakin sa panganib.

Paano ba kasi kumalma? Again, paano kumalma????!

"You really seem so different right now, are you high?"

"Hoy hindi!" Kaagad kong bawi saka tumawa kaming dalawa. Jusko!

Ano akala niya sa akin anak ng d**g lord???!

"Since, tomorrow is sunday. Can I invite you to dinner? Just wanna hang out with you." He smiled again.

Napapikit na lang ako sa sobrang kilig. Is my crush really inviting me, now? As in? Bukas? Inaya niya akong magdinner?

"Bakit?" tangi kong sagot. "Bakit ako?"

"What's bakit? It's why not?" Conyo nitong sabi. "Am I unbelievable?" He asked.

"Yes, you are." Napakagat ako ng labi dahil sa pagpigil ngiti.

Bakit ang landi ko?

"Of course, I'm coming," I added as if I'm the real Heather. Bahala na, hindi naman ‘to malalaman ni Heather kung hindi ako magpapahuli diba?

I will just do my best to hide this from her.

Gusto ko lang makasama si Asher. Kahit ngayon lang, kahit huli na ang bukas.

"Damn it, I can't believe us right now-- uhh, you know, talking, and a dinner date tomorrow." Sobrang saya nito sabi na kahit ako ay nadadala rin sa pagngiti niya.

This is my first time seeing him smiling so widely. Palagi ko kasi siyang nakikitang naka-poker face lang. Pero ngayon ay harap-harapan niya akong nginitian, at sobrang saya pa ng mukha dahil sa pagtanggap ko.

"Why?" usisa ko.

"Nothing. It's just weird that you talked to me. I always tried reaching you but you were busy neglecting me,” malungkot niyang tugon at nagkibit balikat na lang ito.

Aww.

Palagi niya pala hinahabol si Heather, habang ako doon sa mundo namin ako naman ‘yong naghahabol.

Magkaibang-magkaiba nga kami ng mundo. Magkabaliktad.

Ang swerte ni Heather, sa totoo lang.

Nakita niya ang paglungkot ng mga mata ko kaya bigla itong ngumiti, at nagsalita.

"Anyways, I'll just fetch you at 8 PM in your house?" he changed the topic.

Naramdaman niya siguro ang biglaang pagtahimik ko.

I instantly shook my head. "No. no, no, no, please."

Kumunot noo nito dahil sa sinabi ko.

Nako kasi, hindi pwede baka magulat si Heather. Malay natin na baka pagpunta niya doon ay ‘yong totoong Heather na pala ang sasalubong sa kaniya.

Hindi niya pa naman alam kung ano pinanggagawa ko ngayon lalo na dala-dala ko mukha niya sa mundong ito.

“Ahm, hindi lang.”

"Why?" Nag-alala nitong tanong, saka ininom ang kape niya.

"Let'st just meet here. 8 PM,” awkward kong pagkasabi.

Kita sa mukha niya ang pagkalito pero sumang-ayon na lang ito. Mabuti naman na hindi na siya magtatanong kasi wala naman akong may masagot.

Ang sa akin lang ay ‘yong makasama siya ngayon, at kahit na bukas.

Promise kapag nakasama ko lang siya, buo na araw ko. Kontento na ako na hanggang doon na lang.

May sasabihin pa sana ako ngunit bigla nahagilap ng mata ko ang isang tao sa labas. We are currently inside of a coffee shop, pero naka-glass ang kabuuan kaya kitang-kita ang mga taong dumadaan sa labas. I saw a familiar figure walking like a model. The way she swayed his hips, the way she controlled her shoulders while walking was like an ASIAN Top Model competition.

Napatulala ako sa gandang taglay nito.

As she her face is getting clearer to me now, my heart skipped a beat so I immediately zipped my mouth. OMG. No way this is Heather.

I am seeing my second version right now. Just right now!

I couldn’t help myself but stare at her beauty. I mean, yeah we look exactly the same but why is she so pretty????!! Why is she so damn attractive unlike me?

She is wearing a red bodycon dress with red cigarette heels and a small bag hanging on her hand which makes her look so very expensive! I feel like I'm the poor Heather here. God, she is stunning! Really she is!

Kaya pala nabanggit ni Asher na may kakaiba sa akin ngayon dahil tignan mo nga naman siya, sobrang bongga niya habang ako ay simple lang manamit.

"Hey, what are you looking at?" Titingin na sana si Asher sa likuran niya pero bigla kong hinawakan ang mukha nito. I squished it like a kid. Natawa ako nang konti dahil ang cute niya sa chubby cheeks.

Saka ko lang narealize pinanggagawa ko nang makita itong tutok na tutok ang tingin sa akin. I immediately loosened my grip and stood up. Paparating na dito si Heather, hindi niya pwede akong makita.

"Nothing, restroom lang ako." Pagmamadali ko saka tumakbo sa banyo.

Saktong papasok ako ay pumasok din si Heather. I hid behind the door. I did a cross sign as I saw her walking to the counter, hoping that Asher won't see her. Lord, ano ba 'tong pinasok ko? Please, huwag mo silang pagkitain.

When Heather version 0.2 finished ordering, she turned back and started walking. When she was about to exit, someone grabbed her hand which made her stop from walking.

Oh my gooood!

It's Asher!

Napatakip ako ng bibig at napasandal sa pintoan. I looked out and found out that they are arguing.

Patay.

A staff member came towards them, and the next thing I know, they are already on the outside.

Minutes had passed, Heather left him dumbfounded.

I got sad by Asher's face, he looked so broken. And seemed like Heather, the second version, has an attitude. How dare she treated Asher like that?! Ako nga magkalakuba na sa kakapansin sa kaniya pero siya na nga itong nilalapitan, inilalayo niya naman!

Grabe siya.

Umalis na lang din si Asher kaya lumabas na ako. I went home secretly and tiptoed to the backyard to travel my world.

I threw myself on bed as I entered the room. I looked at the ceiling. Tama ba 'tong ginagawa ko? Muntik na akong mahuli kanina. Hindi lang 'yon, parang nabasted ko pa si Asher. Ang sakit.

Plus, Heather 0.2 looks so different there. Nakakababa naman ng confidence makita siya. Arrgh!

Hindi ko alam pero naluluha na ako.

Heather there is truly living the life that I want.

They are complete. They look so happy. And her? She got it all. The nice dresses, the aura, the confidence and all. Lahat lahat na. Everything! We are really far from each other.

Habang ako, heto. Mag-isa lagi sa bahay, hindi rin nakakabili dahil si papa lang naman nagtra-trabaho dito saka nahihiya rin ako humingi. Hindi rin complete family.

I fake laughed.

Ang malas ko naman dito, habang siya, ang swerte niya naman doon.

Biglang nag-ring ang phone ko kaya inabot ko ito at sinagot.

"I'm outside," Logan directly said then ended the call.

Bumangon na ako at pinuntahan siya sa baba. I let him inside and we both talked.

"Am I ugly?" I asked out of the blue.

"No."

Silence engulfed.

"Why did you ask?"

Huminga ako nang malalim. Naalala ko na naman si Heather sa kabilang mundo. Naiinggit ako.

"You are not ugly, okay? You are actually pretty." Tinignan ko siya pero nakatingin lang ito sa pinanunuod namin.

"You are just telling that because I am your friend."

I laughed a little.

"I am telling this because that is what I saw."

Huminga na naman ako nang malalim.

"Why? Is something bothering you? Do you feel insecure again?"

He looked at me, so I nodded. Logan really knows me well. He knows when I'm happy or feeling down. I'm just lucky for having him as my bestfriend. Having someone who understands my mind and heart is the kind of intimacy that I want. So, I think, this is the reason why our friendship lasts so long because we feel connected with each other. We are open with each other.

"Heather, I know insecurities are hard to deal with. But, you have to fight it. Self-confidence is the most attractive quality a person can have. How can anyone see how great you are if you can't see it yourself? You must believe in yourself first in order for them to believe in you," he advised. "Everything starts with yourself."

Hindi ko na napigilan luha ko at napaiyak na lang ako. It's so easy to listen yet so hard to do that. Though, his words mean a lot to me. Logan is known as a heartless guy on the campus for he didn't talk to anyone except me, but they didn't see this side of him, or how he is such a nice person. Swerte ng babaeng mamahalin nito.

"The easiest way to get rid of insecurities is embracing it whole-heartedly. Love your flaws and imperfections, so they cannot use it against you no matter what happens." He added then kissed my forehead.

"Thank you so much, Logan."

He just nod his head. He gave me the donuts that he brought.

"Oh, kumain ka. Pangit mo umiyak," he teased and laugh.

Tumaas kilay ko.

"Wow ha! The audacity to tell me those words tapos lalaitin lang?!" Kinurot ko siya pero nagsisi naman ako dahil binalikan niya ako.

He tickled me until I lost all of my energy.

Tawa lang kami nang tawa hanggang sa napagod kami pareho.

The next morning, I get myself ready. Maaga pa akong gumising para makapaglinis ng bahay. Logan didn't come to visit me and I was not expecting naman because ever since, Sunday is really for their family.

Ang boring sa bahay. Wala akong ibang ginawa kundi maghintay ng paglubong ng araw. I tried to visit the other world pero hanggang garahe lang ako dahil nagbobonding ang lahat. I didn't stay there anymore because I don't wanna hurt myself.

It's better to stay here alone.

The sun has already set so I went upstairs to get ready.

Gusto ko sanang pantayan ang aura ni Heather doon, but I realize what Logan said yesterday night.

"The easiest way to get rid of insecurities is embracing it whole-heartedly."

So, I chose the simplest dress.

When I am ready.I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled.

"I am beautiful." I said and went downstairs.

I went to the backyard, and without having any thoughts, I travelled to the other world.

"Who are you?!"

My eyes widened as I saw her standing right in front of me.

No, this can't be.