The Same Romance

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Buttery lips

“Wasted ka girl?” unang bungad ni Tyler sa umaga ko. He sounds a bit irritated.

What happened yesterday flashed back in my mind. Providing me a great synopsis of what I should remember. A starter-pack of the rest.

Naunang pumasok sa utak ko ang pag kuwento ko sa kanila tungkol sa secret admirer na hindi ko matansya ang pag paparamdam.

It’s like I don’t want to remember the rest anymore.

I wake up in my couch. And I basically have no idea how I got to sleep here. I mean, I am not worried of thinking how I slept in the couch instead how did I able to sleep in my room.

Hindi agad ako bumangon at sandali munang pinagmasdan ang ceiling.

Hoping it has something that resembles the clouds. Or has something that could at least make my head feel a little light.

My head aches.

And I know I should be grateful that It is not the worst.

“Sino nag uwi sa’kin?” nahihiya kong tanong kay Tyler.

Nilingon ko siya mula sa kusina na may dalang pagkain.

Alam kong hindi si Tyler ang may gawa nito dahil kahit kailan hindi niya ako hinahatid ng lasing pauwi sa apartment.

But I am hoping he could tell me something from yesterday.

“Maniniwala ka bang ako?” sagot niya habang nakaupo siya sa sahig ng sala ko.

“Hindi” diretso kong sagot saka umupo sa couch.

“Si Andrew talaga”

“Nag patulong lang siya sa’kin kasi ‘di niya naman alam dito” dagdag ni Tyler.

Tiningnan ko siya matapos kong mapakinnggan ang sinabi niya.

Hinagilap ko naman ang telepono ko sa malalapit na lugar mula sa inuupuan ko.

I am unlimitedly extending my arms out to places.

I stopped searching for my phone for a second and talked to Tyler.

“Not that it was a big deal but”

“Wala bang nasabi si Saya?” tanong ko kay Tyler.     

He looked at me with his brows almost meeting in his T-zone.

“Ano naman dapat niyang sabihin?”

“Uh nevermind” sagot ko bilang pag suko.

Ayokong tanungin niya pa ako at mapahaba pa ang usapan namin tungkol doon.

“Where’s my phone?” I asked as I bounce myself on the couch.

Tyler looked away and thought about what to answer.

“Nilagay yata ni Andrew sa kwarto mo” sagot niya at patuloy na kumakain sa frecnh fries sa harap.

“Bakit parang ‘di ka pa siguradong buwiset ka” inis kong wika sa kanya.

“Damn girl” he answered like I owe him something.

Looking up and down at me.

“Malay ko ba”

“Kung ako lang yon hinayaan na kita kila Saya makatulog eh” he answered.

Why is he suddenly grumpy?

Binato ko naman siya ng unang bago ko siya sagutin.

“Hayop ka” wika ko saka tumayo na mula sa couch.

I didn’t hear what he said but I am pretty sure that he said something.

Umiiling akong tinungo ang kusina upang gumawa ng sarili kong kape. This will absolutely help me start my day.               

Tiningnan ko naman ang wall clock at nakitang tanghalian na.

“You getting Shay in here?” I asked him.

There was a weird pause before he finally answered.

“Nag away kami” sagot niya.

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niyang iyon ngunit nasagot din noon ang kaninang tanong ko.

Agad naman akong nahimasmasan ng kaunti kung bakit siya irritable ngayong umaga.

That’s why.

Oh this poor guy.

I am aware how complicated it is to make it up to a girl. Especially Saya.

I have seen them fought some times but Tyler is a bit secretive about few of their arguments. Well, I don’t mind that at all.

Lumapit naman ako sa kanya nang may sarkastikong ngiti sa mga labi ko.

I laughed maniacally to match my smile.

“Oh shut up” Tyler complained as I draw near to him.

“Anong pinag awayan niyo?” I asked him.

He didn’t answer.

Umupo naman ako sa tapat niya upang maharap niya ako at mapilit siyang sumagot.

Nakapangalumbaba akong nakaharap sa kanya at nakangiti.

“Care to share?” I asked while smiling.

Obviously teasing his patience.

He looked at me for a while.

Hindi ko alam kung may balak ba siyang sabihin sa akin kung bakit sila nag away o wala talaga siyang balak mag salita.

Anyway, I am out of it. And I don’t mind if he’s not going to tell me because likewise, I respect his privacy.

“I don’t know Mayumi” inis niyang wika matapos akong titigan ng halos dalawang minute.

“Like you care” wika niya at seryoso akong tiningnan.

The guy’s pretty pissed.

I wonder if it is a big thing though.

Nadamay pa ako s ainis ng isang ‘to.

Hindi siya nag dalawang isip na tumayo at iwan ako sa loob ng apartment ko.  

He left.

Wala naman akong planong pilitin siya ng sobra upang sabihin  sa akin.

I don’t know now.

“Oh yes, my phone”

Hindi ko pa nakikita nag telepono ko mula paggising.   

Nauna ko na munang daluhan ang aking kape. Mabilis kong tinapos ang kape kong nasa baso kahit mainit init pa iyon upang makapaglinis na ng katawan.

I feel so gross and I need a break.

This grossness reminds me of yesterday that I don’t even want to remember.

Nothing happened so bad right?

I mean, nothing happened that bad that could have made Tyler angry, right?

I bathe and started preparing myself food.

I plugged the toast and grabbed some bread and avocado to slice.

I paused as I as about to put my bread in the toaster.

I got no phone at the moment.

A phone that destroys my quality with myself but saves me from boredom at some point in my everyday life.

I got no phone in me right now that often ruins my peace whenever I am reading a book.

"Reading” I uttered in the air.

After a bit more of contemplating.

Napagdesisyunan ko na iligpit ang pagkaing ihahanda ko pa lang sana para sa akin.

Naisip ko na lumabas muna pansamantala, ngayong araw.

Maybe try to catch up with my life a little.

I grabbed my purse and wallet. I unconsciously grabbed something on the table beside my bed as I as looking away.

And then I just remember that I don’t know where my phone is, and I doubt if I want it back this day though.

Sinapo ko ang noo ko at napangiti.

Napagtanto ko na kung gaano ako kadikit sa cellphone ko.

Tinungo ko na ang pinto ko upang makalabas na at masikatan na ng araw.

I decided to wear shades because my eyes are pretty reddish now. A mark that reminds me of ho messed up I was yesterday.

The important thing is, we had fun together?

They had fun. Have I? I wonder, I can’t barely remember anything. And I won’t dare try.

Nasa tapat na ako ng pinto at bubuksan na iyon nang naunahan ako ng tatlong katok galing sa labas ng pinto ko.

Why now? I am about to have the time in the world for myself alone and there you go people.

I paused for a little time and decided to open it.

I forced a smiled to greet whoever it is behind the door in front of me.

“Hi” a short greeting from Andrew.

“Oh” gulat kong reaksyon at tinanggal na muna ang salamin ko mula sa aking mga mata.

“Napadaan ka?” tanong ko sa kanya matapos siyang ngitian.

“Yung phone mo” wika niya at inabot ang telepono ko galing sa kamay niya.

“Naiwan ko ba ‘to?” tanong ko na hindi ko naman kailangang sagutin niya.

“Salamat pala kagabi ah” pagpapakumbaba kong sabi saka tinanggap ang telepono ko mula sa kamay niya.

“Sakto lang yata ako ah”

“Paalis ka pa lang” wika niya.

“Ah” reaksyon ko at bahagyang tumawa.

Oo, panira ka.

“Oo sana mag kakape sana ako sa labas” sagot ko.

Tiningnan niya lamang ako habang nakapamulsa ang dalawa niyang kamay.

I can’t help but look at him too.

“So-“

“Wanna count me in?” he hesitantly asked me.

“Oh”

“Don’t you have plans with Saya today?” wika ko pabalik.

“Wa-wala naman” sagot niya.

“But if you’re not comfortable you know I can-“

“No! I think you’ll be fine”

“Mag sabi ka na lang siguro kay Saya?” I heroically sounded.

By heroically I meant, I sounded like a friend who insists to pay for the bill.

But right now, I feel like when we got to the coffee shop, I will make him pay our bill. Yes, our bill.

To be honest, I got caught off guard.

I didn’t even expect him to bring my cellphone at home.

How thoughtful of him. Such kindred spirit he has.

And little by little, I am getting annoyed.

“Just remember to tell Saya” ulit ko sa Kanya.

“I will tell her no need to worry” sagot niya.

“Let’s go?” he added.

That is my line, and he stole it.

“Hmm” I reacted and decided to wear my sunglasses.

Nauuna siyang mag lakad sa akin.

Habang nag lalakad kami sa hallway. I remember Tyler who was grumpy this morning when we met. I don’t know with that guy.

Natatanaw ko ang pinto ng kwarto niya sa malayo.

Nagulat naman ako nang biglang nag bukas iyon.

I am expecting him to ignore us but surprisingly he stopped in front of Andrew.

Like he was expecting us to pass by.

“Oh nandito ka pala?” salubong ni tyler kay Andrew.

I saw Andrew’s reaction who is surprised with Tyler.

“Ah oo hinatid ko yung cellphone ni Mayumi” sagot ni Andrew saka nilingon ako mula sa likod niya.

Tyler quick glanced at me from Andrew’s back.

“San pala kayong dalawa pupunta?” Tyler asked.

“Grabbing a coffee” sagot ko sa kanya nang hindi tinatanggal ang sunglasses ko.

“Oh I see” wika ni Tyler habang nakatingin sa akin. Nakapamulsa naman siyang tinatanaw ang pwesto naming dalawa ni Andrew.

Tumango tango naman siyang nilingon si Andrew sa harap ko.

I am about to say what is his problem, but I am clearly not going to let my mouth spill that sentence right now.

I feel Andrew is getting a bit uncomfortable with the air right now.

It is obvious that Tyler is still a bit pretty pissed. It is f*****g obvious with the touch of sarcasm evident in his reaction, his tone. This shady b***h.

A peak of gleaming red light in his eyes poked mine.

Tiningnan niya akong muli saka bahagya ko siyang naiintindihan.

There is something I need to know with what I should remember yesterday.

I think I have a reason now not to go out with this guy right here, in front of me.

“Ow!”

“Ah s**t!” reklamo ko.

Agad naman akong dinaluhan ni Tyler mula sa likod ni Andrew.

“What happened?!” wika ni Tyler.

“C-Cramps” wika ko sa sakit ng puson ko.

“I almost forgot my vulva is bleeding” panghihina kong sabi sa kanilang dalawa.

Dinaluhan din naman ako ni Andrew.

“You need to go home kid” Tyler said.

Dahan-dahan naman akong tumango sa kanya. Buhat na rin na sumakit ang puson ko bigla. Hindi ako makatayo ng diretso na naging dahilan kung bakit kailangan akong alalayan ng dalawa.

“I guess you need more rest today” Andrew said as he help me get back to my apartment.

I am such a pity oh gosh.

Malapit lang ang distansya ng kwarto ko sa kwarto ni Tyler kung kaya madali rin kaming nakabalik doon.

“Tyler please pakuha naman nung hot compress ko thanks” nanghihina kong suyo kay Tyler nang makasandal na ako sa couch.

“You experience that monthly right?”

“Don’t you have any cravings?” dalawang sunod na tanong ni Andrew.

That almost break my act of in pain. His offer was tempting. But I have to continue to make him go away.

I know Tyler has something to say to me.

“Hayaan mo na ‘yan Andrew normal naman ‘yan” wika ni Tyler mula sa kusina.

Nakita ko naman na nilingon ni Andrew si Tyler saka binalik agad niya ang tingin niya sa direksyon ko.

“I think we can use grabfood instead” Andrew offered.

“I will do it Andrew” Tyler butted in.

Papunta na siya sa kung nasaan akmi dala ang hot compress ko. Nang makalapit siya ay agad niyang inabot sa akin ang hot compress mula sa kamay niya.

Inilagay ko naman ang hot compress sa usual spot kung saan madalas nangyayari ang cramps ko. Ngunit sa totoo ay wala talagang masakit doon.

“I’ll take it from here pal”

“You could go home now” Tyler told Andrew.

“I-I can stay for sure”

“Did you already have lunch?” Andrew asked me.

Nakasandal lang ako at nakatingala sa ceiling habang hawak ang hot compress sa puson.

“I haven’t eaten yet to be honest” pikit kong sabi sa kanila.

I looked at Tyler and his eyes widen at me like it was a bad thing to say as of the moment.

Hindi ko na rin nakontrol ang sinabi ko dahil gutom na rin ako and Andrew is treating us for real.

“I-I think I will sleep and rest for now Andrew you shouldn’t really bother” wika ko saka hinawakan ang braso niya upang makumbinsi siya.

Andrew sighed deeply before speaking.

“Fine” he answered and then both tapped his legs as he was getting ready to take off his ass.

“And thank you for bringing my phone back here” wika kong muli sa kanya nang tumayo siya at tuluyan nang umalis sa apartment ko.

As soon as Andrew left the house. We both wait for five minutes to pass before talking.

“You and Andrew kissed last night and Saya was hell jealous of course”

“And also you kissed my girlfriend” walang hinting sinabi sa akin ni tyler.                             

“F-f**k”

Fuck I was really wasted!

“I’m sorry” wika ko kay Tyler. I feel like I am going to explode right now.

“I didn’t know” I said. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko sa kanya ngayon.

I lost words.

“Of course how would you know eh nilaklak mo yung tequila kagabi”

“Nag sabi ka pa ng gusto mo ng kape pero beer ginagawa mong chaser” sabi niya.

“You are lucky Saya was also pretty crazy yesterday but I am pretty sure once she remember you kissing his boyfriend’s rough lips it will be world war I don’t know!” Tyler is literally hysterical.

I am expecting a detailed story but he can’t wait to get to the point and slap me in the face with the ugliest moment I had.