Love n' Dear

Chapter 6: Who?

Agad akong dumiretso kay Elle at nagpaalam na kailangan kong magpunta sa hospital. Sakto namang hain ng mga in-order namin kaya ang nangyari take out na lang at siya pa ang nagbayad, halip na ako. She also insisted that she’ll give me a lift and I didn’t reject the idea because I don’t want a hard time, hailing a taxi, especially I have to pay for it. Ever since I started working, I don’t have driver or bodyguards or maybe, I still have because sometimes, I feel an eyes, spying me or I’m just being paranoid since I have bodyguards for almost four years. But I still live in our house and my Mom secretly giving me allowance so I’m still good.

"Look who I bump to."

Napatingaya ako sa nagsalita kasi baka ako iyong kinakausap. I didn’t know this guy but he seems familiar to me. Maybe, some business gathering but I still don’t know him. At bakit ba ang assumera ko? I get on my track and continue walking. Elle happens to have something important business to do so she just gave me a ride and immediately left pero mukhang iiwasan niya ako muna ako for the mean time.

"Ignoring me?" The guy blocked my path so I had to stop again.

"Excuse me, but I don't know you." I have an important business to do. I have to see my Mom so why does he keep blocking my way? Sino ba siya?

Pinag-aralan ko ang mukha nito. Oh! I know him! I saw him few times talking to Elle and I always caught him staring at her. Maybe, Elle is his crush or a secret lover. I don’t know, not because I’m her best friend basically mean she has to open up her love life, same goes for me. As long as the two of us are happy, then we’re good and we always got us back in times of crisis.

"Man, he's a jerk. I'm his cousin," he said in annoyance. I want to ask him, whose cousin he is talking about but another guy called him. "See you around," he said for the last time, before leaving me.

I nodded, unsure if we will bump to each other because I don’t think so. Elle and I have different course to take and I doubt, if we can still hang out, unless we both have the same schedule. But of course, we can meet, but not really every day. In terms of that guy, maybe we can also meet, partly in a gathering but I doubt if he will talk to me.

I shrugged the thought and went to the entrance of the hospital. I asked the ward for the room number of my mom and I’m glad she’s a VIP. It’s a sham how people were not treated equally because we live in a capitalist world, were money works for everything and we are privilege enough to be treated like this. One day, I hope I can build my own hospital for the poor so in that way, I can help. I’m not that kind of person, who loves to help, sabihin na lang natin na I love to share the blessings I have received.

Una kong pinuntahan ang doctor na in-charge kay mama. I asked what my is her status and what happened. Mom is strong, I’m sure of it. The doctor said that she’s over-working herself. I wonder why, because she is not working. She is a housewife, well; sometimes she goes with her husband, only if there’s some business to attend or a meeting. I don’t know about it and I won’t interfere with it. I’m good chasing my dream and making ends meet. Why would I be bothered by their business? Anyway, what’s keeping my mom busy? Because of my job, we rarely bond together.

Pagbukas ng elevator, bumungad sa akin ang nakaupong lalaki sa labas ng kwarto ng mama ko. Napansin ko ang malaking pagbabago nito sa katawan. He has a broader shoulder and fit body. I wonder how many hours he spent to have a well-toned body and his biceps, ripping on his white t-shirt, paired with a denim pants and only sandals on his feet. I look at his face, and saw how his features become more mature. Iyong apat pa rin niyang mata dahil bata pa lang, malabo na talaga ang paningin niya. His pointed nose and lips that seems plump. I guess, he just had his hair cut and it suits him well. Out of all the man I have in life, he is my first and probably my last boyfriend. I’m done being in a relationship. Everything is tiring.

“How is she?" I asked him, pretending that I don’t care about him when in fact I just did check on him. Nagulat siyang makita akong naglalakad papalapit sa kaniya, pero nakabawi rin naman at agad na tinulungan akong bitbitin ang pagkaing dala ko. Dahil dakilang maarte si Elle, ibinigay n’ya sa akin ang take out namin at sinabi pang kailangan ko, kasi mahirap ako. Kung hindi ko lang talaga kailangan ng maghahatid sa akin, ‘di ako sasakay kasama siya. That brat!

"Wala man lang ‘I miss you’?" pagbibiro niya. Hindi ako sumagot at binuksan na lang ang pinto and saw my mom eating fruits while watching television. Is she already fine?

"What did the doctor say?" I don't want my mom to hide something from me. Even if I know it already, it's better to hear it from her.

"Over-fatigue but you don't need to worry, she needs to rest at least two days and she is good to go,” Zero replied. Lumakad ako papasok at nakipagbeso-beso kay Mama bago nagpunta sa side table para kumuha ng saging.

"Mom, are you over working yourself?" tanong ko habang binabalatan ang kakainin kong prutas.

"I think so; we're talking about somethi--"

"Are you my mom?" I cut him off. I’m pissed off, on how he keeps answering my query. Mom is fine, she can speak, and she’s not mute so why does she need a spokesperson?

“Asawa mo, pwede pa,” bulong niya habang inilalabas ang laman ng paper bag. Akala mo naman bulong talaga, nagpaparinig pala.

"Dream on Zero...dream on."

Isinubo ko na ang saging kasi gutom na talaga ako. Dagdag pa ‘tong si Zero sa poproblemahin ko. Why would he be my husband? We're done, really clean.

“Naks! Sarap naman nito, sweet talaga ng asawa ko.” Binuksan na niya mga sealed Tupperware at inamoy-amoy ito. Akala mo patay gutom. Binato ko siya ng balat ng saging, kasi naiinis na talaga ako. Ang kapal ng mukha niyang magbiro, matapos sabihing wala na kaming pag-asang dalawa. Be responsible enough naman sa desisyon niya sa buhay, kasi nakakag*go siya.

Natatawang nasambot niya iyon at itinapon sa basurahan. "Pati kalat mo nililinis ko, asawa ko."

I stopped for a moment. Pakiramdam ko double sword iyong sinabi niya pero hindi naman ako naglahok. I didn't do anything wrong. Malinis ang konsensya ko.

"Talking about cleaning my sh*t when he's the one who is a real sh*t." I smirked. Totoo naman iyong sinasabi ko. He is a the epitomr of sh*t.

Napagsabihan pa ako ni Mama sa bibig ko bago seryosong nanood ulit. Naupo naman sa couch si Zero at tahimik na nilantakan iyong pagkaing dala ko. Simot na simot sa ilong ko ang amoy ng masarap na pagkain. Pakiramdam ko humilab ang sikmura ko kasi gustom na talaga ako. Mabilis ko na lang na tinapos ang pagkain ng pangalawang saging bago uminom ng tubig.

"Kain ka na, asawa ko." Tinapik ni Zero iyong tabi niya simbolong maupo ako at kakain kami ng sabay. No! That's gross.

"Stop calling me that freaking call sign." Saan niya ba nakuha iyong asawa ko? As far as I remember, babe iyong tawagan namin noon.

"What's wrong of getting ahead of the future? At the end of everything, you will be my wife and I'm your husband." Wow! Proud na proud pa talaga siya habang sinasambit iyon.

"Malala na talaga iyong tama mo, ano?" Basta lang akong dumampot ng prutas sa gilid at hinagis sa kaniya. Tumama iyon sa may binti niya at sapo-sapo niya sa sakit. Akala mo naman talaga! Apple lang iyong inihagis ko at kung makaarte naman siya parang kutsilyo iyon at mapuputol na ang binti niya.

Bago pa kami mag-away at lumala ang lahat ay nagsalita na agad si Mama. “You two are noisy. Solve your lovers quarrel outside my room. Now, leave!” Mom looks fine and even healthy since she can shout.

Nauna akong lumabas since ayoko ng makalanghap ng hanging kapareho ng nilalanghap ni Zero. Mamaya baka maging stalker at basura din ako. Let us stay away from him.

Isa pa gutom na rin talaga ako. Almusal pa lang iyong nakakain ko ngayong araw. Gusto ko namang magkalaman ng totoong pagkain ang tiyan ko. Ayokong sumabay kumain kay Zero, mamamatay muna ako bago mangyari ‘yon. But he followed me leaving the room.

“Where are you going? We need to talk—”

Humarap ako at seryosong ang mukhang nagsalita. "There's nothing to talk. Stop pestering me."

Bakit parang ang dali lang sa kaniya? Na kung kailan gusto niyang bumitaw, bibitaw na lang siya without thinking or exerting an effort para maging maayos ang lahat tapos magpapakita sa harapan ko kung kailan niya gusto, babalik na nakangiti at magbibiro pa tungkol sa kasal. Bakit ganoon? Everything seems joke to him?

Mukha ba akong nagpapauto sa kaniya? Sa pagkakatanda ko, wala naman akong ginawang masama. Siya itong kusang bumitaw and why would I bother chasing someone who looks relieved na wala ng kami? Na para bang isa akong burden sa kaniya at matagal na niyang tinitiis. Na parang isang tinik sa lalamunan niya at finally, nabunot na rin. Na parang isang malaking katanungan sa isip niya na nagawa niyang tuldukan. Why is it easy for him to be like this? Kasi g*go! I never dreamed of meeting him again. Isa siyang g*go at hindi na ulit ako magpapag*go.

"Galit na naman agad ang asawa ko." Balak niya sanang hawakan ang kamay ko, siguro naalala niyang kapag ganito ako ay lambing lang ang katapat ko pero iba na ang ngayon kaysa dati. Mayroon pang kami noon samantalang siya at ako na lang ngayon.

Mabilis kong iniiwas iyong kamay ko. Bakit ko kailangan ng suyo niya? Masyado maraming masarap kumpara sa kaniya so why settle for him?

“I know you are hungry, eat the food and take care of her. I'll be back, bye!” I waved my hands. I don’t want to talk to him. Everything is goog and there's nothing to talk about. We are ex-lovers period.

Pumasok ako sa elevator hanggang magsarado ito at hindi ko na nakita pa ang mukha ni Zero na nakangiti. I checked my phone, asking the map if ever there is a near fast food here because I want to eat.

I was about to exit in the hospital when I feel an arm resting on my shoulder. Malakas kong siniko ang tiyan niya and satisfy to hear him groaning in pain.

“Serves you right, stalker!” I said. I feel powerful because finally, I did something to this jerk. I'm so proud of myself. Pero nang tumalikod ako para tingnan ‘yong hitsura niya, ako mismo ang nagulat kasi hindi si Zero ang tumambad. I don’t know who is this man but why is he resting his arm on me? I'm not an arm standee.

I rolled my eyes and hide my phone to my pocket. What if he is a kidnapper, it's better to be safe than sorry. My phone is very important to me, and I can give him my earned money if he wants but not the phone. What? No! Wala akong ibibigay.

"Who are y--"

He cut me off, seriously looking at me and stare right into my eyes then said, "You remembered your boyfriend, aren't you, Ms. Faith Louisse Violet?"

Anong sinasabi ng lalaking ito?

Hindi ko naman inaaasahang makakakita ng makapal na mukhang katulad ni Zero. I'm so done meeting my ex today because after four or five years, we bump to each other and he has the guts to mock at me but how come I have unexpected people claiming to be my boyfriend?

Who is this man, anyway?