Guns and Kisses (Macimilian Series #1)

Chapter 2 Debt

Chapter 2

Debt

I think it just take five minutes or more bago ko natanaw ang CSI City Mall. Ang bilis lang noon pero feeling ko ay ang tagal na. Nang makapagpark kami ay napabuga ako ng hininga. Nagpark siya so, sasamahan niya ako sa loob?

Ayos lang naman ako mag isa.

"Hindi ba may bibilihin ka sa plaza? Ayos na ako dito," sabi ko sa kaniya nang makapasok kami sa loob.

Hindi naman siya lumingon sa akin. Napansin ko lang na pinagtitinginan siya dito kahit plain white shirt at khaki shorts lang ang soot niya. I suddenly remember my Kuya. He also gets the same attention when we go out. Just thinking about that makes me sad. Galit iyon sa akin panigurado.

"Dito ako may bibilhin," he answered while walking.

So, magkasama kami hanggang mamaya? Sabay din kaming babalik? Hindi naman sa ayaw ko dahil may sasakyan naman siya at less hassle pero parang ganoon na nga. Ayaw ko. Hindi naman kasi kami close? Nakakailang iyon.

Naglakad siya patungong escalator kaya ganoon na din ang ginawa ko. Nang makarating sa taas ay puno iyon ng phone stores and accessories. Maliit lang itong mall kaya I guess madali lang maghanap.

"Go get what you need," he said as we enter a*****e. Saglit ko naman siyang tinginan. Napaka seryoso!

Agad naman akong nilapitan noong sales lady kaya tinanong ko na iyong hinahanap ko. And dami pa nga niyang sinabi pero oo lang ako ng oo. Basta prepaid wifi iyong ibigay niya okay na!

I looked at Damian and found him staring at me. Muntik pa kong mapalunok buti nalang hindi. I raised my eyebrow, "I'll just pay." Sabi ko nalang dahil baka naiinip na siya.

Nagulat naman ako ng lumapit siya sa akin sa counter. As I was about to give my card, naunahan na niya ako. I looked at him unsure, "I'll pay..."

Kung kaibigan ko 'to ay hindi na ako magpapakipot at pagbabayarin ko talaga siya. Kaya lang we're strangers? Baka kung ano pang kapalit gusto nito? That's a no-no!

Tiningan ko siya ng masama pero hindi naman siya natinag. Nakita ko namang nalilito yung sales lady kung kaninong card ang kukunin. I looked away annoyingly. "Ako mag babayad miss..." sabi ko ulit pero nagulat ako ng kinuha nitong kasama ko yung card ko.

"Next time." He said at agad naming kumilos iyong babae. Buti nalang yung gamit kong pangalan ang nakalagay sa card. Kung hindi wala pa man bisto na ako.

Hindi ko na siya pinansin dahil wala naman na akong magagawa.

Tsaka, next time? Wala nang next time!

Kinuha ko na iyong binili ko at siya naman ay naunang lumabas. Feeling ko tuloy ang dami ko nang utang sa kaniya. Sumabay na nga ako papunta dito tapos siya pa nagbayad ng binili ko. Hindi na talaga ako uulit kahit kalian.

Ewan ko ba naman kasi kay Manang Tessie at mukhang close sila nito eh mukha namang nangangain.

"Thank you," mahina kong sabi habang nakasunod sa kaniya at naglalakad.

Saglit naman niya kong tiningnan, tinaasan ko naman siya ng kilay. Iniwas naman niya ang tingin pero Nakita ko parin ang pag ngisi niya. Parang tanga. Hindi na ako magsasalita kasi baka kung saan na naman mapunta.

"Ano bang bibilhin mo?" Tanong ko nang makitang papunta siya sa may escalator.

Tinaas naman niya ang paperbag na hawak niya. Hindi ko iyon napansin.

"Just laptop accessories. Naiwan ko iyong sakin." Sagot niya na akala ko hindi ko na makukuha. Okay naman pala siya ng slight.

"Okay. So... babalik na tayo?"

Saktong pag tapak ko sa escalator ng lumingon siya sa akin. "Ayaw mo pa ba?" nakatinging tanong niya.

Umiwas naman ako ng tingin, Akala yata nito close kami. Ang lapit lapit niya tas lilingon siya ganon. Kung si Jennie ang nandito tatalon iyon sa kilig. Kasi naman, may hitsura naman talaga ang nilalang na 'to, kung di lang maungit.

"Tinanong ko lang."

"You want to stay, then?"

"Hindi. Tara na. Umuwi na tayo."

Ayon na naman iyong nakakalokong ngiti niya na hindi ko alam para saan. Pagbaba naman sa ground floor ay hindi naman siya sa may parking nagpunta. Napansin ko lang na puro kainan dito kaya ano pang bibilhin niya?

Oh baka naman gusto niyang kumain? No no! Gusto ko nang umuwi. Baka akala nito ayaw ko pa? Naiistress na talaga ako.

"Umuwi na tayo." Sabi ko sa kaniya at hindi naman niya ako pinansin. "Gusto ko na talagang umuwi baka naman akala mo ayaw ko pa huwag na tayong kumain." Sunod sunod na sabi ko.

Parang wala naman siyang naririnig sa sinasabi ko. Buti nalang wala nang ganong tao. Mukha pa kaming nagaaway dito dahil sa busangot kong mukha.

"Let's eat first." Sabi niya at pumasok sa isang kilalang restaurant. Wala na akong nagawa kundi mapairap. Hindi talaga ganito ang pinlano ko ngayong araw!

Hindi na ako kumontra dahil baka mamaya magiba na naman ang mood niya. Masyado siya nakakatakot kapag serysoso masyado.

Saglit lang naman after umorder ay dumating na iyon. While eating I can already picture him in my mind paying the bill. Syempre sasabihin na naman niyan next time kahit hindi naman na ako uulit.

While thinking how I would convince him to let me pay I can't taste the food I'm eating. Hindi ako nagsasalita habang kumakain. Ayokong magbukas ng topic dahil parang mas delikado sa part ko iyon.

Right, I should be careful of my words while I live here.

The whole time we're silent. Buti nalang.

I was conscious the whole time baka isipin niya kasi sinasamantala ko siya. Well after eating he pays for it.

"Kapag ba umaalis ka lagi mong nililibre mga kasama mo?" I can't help but asked when we're out of the building. If he is always like this then he is really rich. Lucky for his friends.

"No..." he answered immediately.

Naningkit naman mata ko, "Kapag babae lang kung gano'n?" sunod kong tanong.

I saw the side of his lips rose. Wala namang nakakatuwa. Pa impress din ito. Common pala talaga sa mga lalaki iyon.

"You can say that." Sagot niya sa akin na ikina taas ko nalang ng kilay.

"You only do that if they are willing, and I'm not. Plus, I'm a stranger to you. So how can I pay you back?"

Nilingunan naman niya ako nang naka smirk padin. Hindi ko alam kung nagpapagwapo ba ang isang to oh ano. Hindi naman siya yung tipo na laging may expressiong gano'n kaya bat ganiyan iyang mukha niya. Parang mas lalo akong natakot.

"You can pay me back in another way." He simply said.

Naningkit naman ang mata ko. Agad, ang daming pumasok sa isip ko. Nag j'joke lang naman ako kanina na baka masamang tao siya pero kapag iyon nagkatotoo, wala pa man hihimatayin na ako.

"Your other way sounds so... scary. Huwag lang talagang lalabas sa bibig mo yung mga bagay na iniisip ko!" I annoyingly said. Napansin ko na naman ang kaswal niyang paghawak sa batok niya. Mannerism niya ata iyon.

"What is it in your mind then?" he playfully asked. Mas nakakatakot talaga siya pag ganito. Sasabihin ko iyon kay Jennie at nang makuntento na siya sa pagiging seryoso nito.

"Ewan ko sa'yo! Just... hindi na nga kita babayaran!"

I heard his laugh and I just sighed. Bahala siya diyan. Even though my ears are filled with his manly laughter, dedma.

Habang nasa byahe ay patuloy parin ako sa pagtanaw sa paligid. I didn't really know this place when I was still here in the Philippines. Inalam ko lang noong sinabi ni Maeve na dito ako pwedeng mag stay.

Based on my research you'll reach Bolinao from here via boat in no time. Iyon pala iyong isla sa kabila. Hindi ko iyon alam noon. And just as I can see the gate of the house I'm in, naalala ko iyong laudry shops!

Wala akong nahanap! Ni hindi nga ako nakapaghanap, thanks to this guy. Now my clothes are gonna be a real problem. Maybe I should research how to do the laundry. The machines I saw are not a joke! Ang daming pindutan at hindi ko alam para saan iyon.

I didn't waste time unbuckling my seatbelt the moment the car stops. Hindi ko naman alam kung bababa pa siya o ano. Kaya nalito tuloy ako kung dapat na ba kong bumaba o magpaalam na at mag thank you?

Bago pa ko makapagsalita ay binuksan na niya and pinto sa side niya. I hurriedly open mine too and didn't wait for him. I licked my lips and clench my fist softly.

"Thank you for... the ride. And this," pertaining to paperbag I'm holding, "and, uh, basically everything." I continued to struggle for words.

Now thinking about it, I became a big nuisance! He spends money on me when I'm not even his friend.

"Seriously I want to pay back..." I said slowly and looked at him. His expression doesn't change. I don't know how he mixes being serious and playful but he looks quite good at it. Ewan ko nalang.

"I told you, you can pay me in another way."

This time I rolled my eyes for him to see, "And I don't even want to hear it. Bahala ka na diyan. I won't pay you in your other way."

And there, his playful smile. Hindi ko na siya pinansin at pumasok na sa loob. The sounds of the waves greeted me and it sounds music to my ears. Kapag nasanay ako dito ay baka ayoko nang umalis pa.

It's just so peaceful and quiet. Like another set of air. New and filtered.

Agad akong humiga sa kama pagdating ko. I feel drained even I didn't do that much. Kung anu-ano kasi nasa isip ko kasama ang lalaking iyon. When I really don't feel comfortable with someone my mind keeps on working on how should I act, what should I say and what should I do.

That is draining. I definitely won't do it again. Kahit lakarin ko pa iyang kabayanan gagawin ko. That's exercise too. It's a win-win.

I decided not to go out today. I set up the wifi and my laptop. I need to research. Of course, that illegal business won't be up online but Dad's acquaintances will be and I'm sure I can get something to that.

Doing drugs alone doesn't justify the laboratories we have. I'm sure Dad delivers it to someone. Or it can be group and also other businesses. Iniisp ko palang sumasakit na ulo ko.

I can't help but think if Giovanni is doing something about this. Well, if he doesn't, I can't blame him for keeping his mouth shut. It's still his family.

I spend hours surfing the internet. Halos lahat ng pangalan na nakita kong may link kay Daddy ay kinuha ko. I need more resources as possible. Sigurado akong may katulong ang Daddy sa mga business partners and friends niya. He can't do it all on his own.

Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng ginawa ng makaramdam ng gutom. I sighed and decided to go to the kitchen. Binuksan ko ang ref at nakitang madami iyong laman. Maeve really took care of things. Pero dahil tinatamad akong magluto and I only know a few, I decided to go for some bread to toast and juice.

Habang kumakain ay nag ring iyong cellphone ko. I saw Maeve calling and I immediately answered.

"Maeve," I said while chewing my food.

"I hope you're eating well because your brother just called me." She sarcastically said. I drink my juice the moment I heard it.

"What?"

"Uhuh, good reaction. He doesn't sound mad though... just furious." She casually said to me like it wasn't a big deal and that made me tremble more.

I can imagine Kuya's face right now. Noong wala akong balita sa kaniya pag alis ko ay hindi ko pinangambahan iyan. Pero ngayong ito na, hindi ko na alam ang gagawin. I feel so guilty.

"What did you say?" I nervously asked.

She chuckled on the other line and I close my eyes to breathe more. "Nakita ko palang na tumatawag siya hindinanda ko agad sarili ko Aisa. Well, I acted like I don't have a glimpse of what's happening. Typical inosente."

"And?" I butt in.

She sighed, "It doesn't go that well. Slight lang naman, I think."

Napainom na naman ako ng juice ko at saka huminga ng malalim. "Just tell me about it Maeve. It's not like we didn't expect this."

"Yeah, well... Giovanni knows me better second than you, and he told me he knows I'm lying. Of course, I denied it! And he said! If he found you and he knew I was the one who helped you, I should go pray in the mountain where he can't see me! That's basically a threat! And I am literally thinking where mountain I should go."

Hindi ko alam kung tatawa ba ko sa sinabi niya or I should focus more on the fact that Giovan won't really go easy on me.

"What should we do?" I asked.

"We? Sa lagay na ito mapapatay talaga ako ni Giovanni!"

I failed to be serious so I chuckled a bit at her statement. Tumayo ako at inilagay sa sink iyong pinagkainan ko.

"We're both dead then."

She groans and I can imagine her rolling her eyes. "Also, he told me to say to you don't do anything stupid as if I really know where you are and I really do so yeah that's what he said."

Naglakad ako papuntang sala at bahagyang hinawi ang kurtina doon. Papalubog na ang araw at madami dami nang tao sa labas. I can't help but smile. I'll never get tired of this view.

"What stupid does he mean..." I whispered.

"You told me you asked Giovanni about this right? Maybe he did something or doing something. Let's stay back for a while. Isa pa kadadating mo palang. I'm sure they are so eager to find you..."

I sighed and softly held my knuckles. "Yeah, I'm just doing my research right now and I don't really know where to start."

Sinara ko ang kurtina at napagpasyahang bumalik sa kwarto. I should probably take a bath after this.

"I'll also do what I can to find things. Mabuti pa mag enjoy ka muna diya. Maybe you can find a boyfriend there? Wala bang gwapo dyan?" I heard laughter after what she said.

Hindi ko naman alam bakit pumasok sa isip ko si Damian. May hitsura naman kasi talaga ang isang iyon. I'm sure kapag nakita ni Maeve iyon ay ma c'crushan niya agad. Well, kung type niya yung laging mukhang galit.

"Ang tagal mong sumagot? Siguro mayron no?"

"Wala!"

"Oh my god, Aisa! You should just enjoy it there and I'll just tell Giovanni that you're eloping with someone and leave you alone. That doesn't sound so stupid!"

Napa face palm nalang ako. "Maeve! You're really getting us killed!"

Wala namang akong narinig kundi puro tawa niya. Pagkatapos ng tawag na iyon ay naligo na ako and change in another yellow sun dress. I blow dry my hair and leave it as it is. Napagpasyahan kong lumabas at makihalubilo doon. I don't know how long I'll be here so might as well make friends.

The air blows my hair the moment I got near the sea. Mayroong iilang naliligo doon and I can't help but envy them. Ang saya nila and mukha silang mag b'barkada. I miss Maeve. Kahit kakakusap ko lang siya kanina.

Hindi naman kasi kami madalas magkita dahil ang layo namin sa isa't isa. I remembered our school years. Nothing can beat that experience, I guess. It's the years' worth spending again if time will go back.

That's where we shaped. Yung mga pinagdaanan nang mga panahong iyon. Though sometimes it's hard, most of it was fun. If you think about all the school works you endure, you'll remember all the laughter you shared with your friends. You'll realize those were happy moments even though it didn't last, that's okay.

Good moments are not always meant to last, it's meant to be remembered. So, when a time comes you think you're in your saddest moment, you got to remember those good memories that became a part of what you are now. And maybe, it can give you another hope.

Nabaling ang pansin ko nang may tumawag sa akin. I saw Lisa and Jennie walking towards me with a smile plastered on their faces. I can't help but to smile back. Naglakad narin ako papalapit sa kanila at hindi naman maitago iyong nangiintriga nilang tingin.

What now?

"Aisa! Nabalitaan namin na nagpunta ka palang bayan kanina." Panimula ni Jennie.

I smiled at them as I see where this is going.

"Oo. May kinailangan lang bilhin..." maikling sagot ko.

Lisa's gave me a look. "Tapos?"

I can't help but smile almost close to chuckling as I look at them. "Sinamahan ako ni Damian? Is that what you guys want to hear?"

Sabay naman silang impit na sumigaw habang niyuyugyog ako. "Iba ka talaga Aisa! Lalo kanang nawalan ng pagasa Jennie!" sabi na naman ni Lisa at napailing nalang ako.

"I am not competing with anyone! Isa pa, hindi ko naman iyon gusto at sinabay niya lang ako kanina dahil may binili din siya doon."

Jennie patted my shoulders, "It's fine Aisa. Hindi mo naman kailangang mag paliwanag... at mag deny. Bato nalang ang hindi gugustuhin iyon ano! Isa pa, tanggap ko namang hindi siya mapapasakin. Atleast sa friend ko nalang!"

I tried to get away with them giving them unbelievable looks! "Stop it with your malisyosong interpretations!"

They both laughed hard at me! It's like Maeve times two! Natigil lang sila nang may ilang kalalakihang lumapit sa kanila. I think it's their friends.

"Ah, Aisa, si Gary, Lukas, at Dom nga pala. Mga taga rito din sila. Kaibigan nadin namin pero nakilala mo na iyong isa pa nilang kaibigan si James." Jennie said habang isa isang tinuturo iyong mga lalaki.

I nodded in response and gave them a smile. "I'm Aisa though I guess you know. Nagbabakasyon lang ako dito..." I politely converse.

"Nasabi nga ni Manang Tessie. Hindi ka ba natatakot na magisa ka lang?" sabi noong Lukas kung tama ang pagkakatanda ko.

"Kung gusto mo lang malaman kung may boyfriend diretsuhin mo na Lukas!" Lisa uttered. Natawa na naman ako sa kaniya. Hindi ko talaga alam saan siya humuhugot ng pagka pranka.

I saw how Lukas glared at her. They seem close enough.

"Sanay naman akong magisa and I don't get bothered by it." Sagot ko nalang.

"Pero huwag mo nang isipin na may pag asa Lukas o kahit sino sa inyo dahil mag kakaboyfriend na itong si Aisa, may mas mabilis pala sa inyo dito kahit hindi halata." Jennie butt in and I can't help but to tapped her arm.

Nakita ko naming nagunot ang noo noong mga lalaki. Kapag talaga may kumalat na ganitong balita ay hindi na ako lalabas ng bahay! Baka akalain noong mukhang laging galit na lalaking iyon pinamamalita ko siya?

Oh gosh! Kahihiyan!

"Seryoso? May nanliligaw sayo dito?" nanlaki ang mata ko doon sa tanong ni Gary.

"Wala!" malakas kong sagot at halos mamatay sa tawa iyong dalawang babaeng iyon.

"Malalaman niyo rin kung sino. I bet... ngayon na?" nataranta naman si Lisa doon sa huling sinabi at kahit ako ay napakunot ang noo.

I looked in the direction she's looking at ganoon din ang ginawa noong iba.

Marching like a model exposing his large frame is a man named Damian. Naka itim na tshirt at khaki shorts. Wala namang nagsalita sa amin at mukhang tangang nakatingin sa direction niya. Our eyes met and I immediately looked away.

Hindi kami friends so okay lang na deadmahin ko siya.

I tapped Jennie's arm and she looked at me. "I think I need to go home. May gagawin pa pala ako."

Hindi ko naman alam kung bakit tumawa siya sa sinabi ko. I looked at Lisa and she's giving me that malicious smile again! Iyong mga lalaki naman ay may binubulong na hindi ko marinig.

Jennie clung to my arm that forbid me to move. "Halata ka masyado kapag umalis ka." She whispered to me.

I sighed in disbelief. "Anong halata? May gagawin talaga ako!"

Lalo akong na frustrate noong makita na ang lapit na sa amin ni Damian? Friends niya ba itong mga lalaking ito at baka iyon ang pupuntahan niya? Bakit ba kasi hindi pa ako umalis noong nagpakilala ako eh ayoko na ngang makaharap itong lalaking 'to.

The moment Damian approach us Jennie and Lisa bid their goodbyes. Masyado pa akong gulat noong iniwan nila ako at hindi na ako nakapag react. Tumingin naman ako kay Damian na nakatingin din sa akin.

Ano naman kaya ang gusto nito?

I looked at the other guys and they looked confused. Kung hindi lang hinila nila Jennie ay hindi pa ata aalis.

Binalik ko naman ang tingin ko sa lalaki sa harap at nagtaas ng kilay. Ano bang dapat kong sabihin? Aalis na ako? Anong kailangan mo?

"My friends seem to left me..." nauutal ko pang sabi, "I should go too..." I licked my lips and was about to go when he said something.

"Aren't you have a debt to pay?"