Love Me Back, Ex-Wife

4: SOMETHING ABOUT HER

Killian Montemayor,

"Akala ko kasi bakla ka, iho.”

“What the héck!" Halos mabulunan ulit ako sa iniinom kong tubig.

Napahagalpak ng tawa si Mang Romy mula sa kusina. Pati yung isang staff na kanina pa tahimik sa gilid, muntik nang maibagsak yung tray ng tubig sa biglaang tawa.

I shook my head in disbelief. “Lola, seryoso? Iyon pala ang iniisip mo? Kaya mo ako gustong ipakasal agad?”

“Killian, hindi mo ako masisisi. For the longest time, wala kang ipinapakilalang babae. Puro trabaho, puro misyon, puro promotions ang kwento mo. Wala man lang akong picture na nakita na may kayakap kang babae. Wala ring tsismis ang mga kasambahay na may nililigawan kang babae. Wala ring nabanggit sa'kin si Romy na may crush ka. Kaya sabi ko sa sarili ko… aba, baka hindi talaga babae ang gusto ng apo ko.”

Napahawak ako sa sentido. “Lola, just because I haven’t paraded women in front of you doesn’t mean—”

“That’s why I asked. Now, I can sleep well tonight."

She placed a hand dramatically on her chest. “At least ngayon, confirmed. Hindi ka bakla dahil may nakasíping ka nang babae. May pag-asa pa akong magkaroon ng apo sa tuhod bago ako pumanaw.”

Pumikit ako sandali at huminga nang malalim. I should’ve known this was coming. Lola uses every second wisely. Hindi pa nga ako nakaka-adjust sa time zone, may pa-confirmation na siya kung straight nga ba ako.

“Well then, since you’re not gay, pwede ka nang magpahinga. Tomorrow night is your dinner date.”

Bago pa ako nakapagreklamo, mabilis na tumayo si Lola mula sa upuan niya at masayang naglakad palabas ng dining hall.

Samantalang ako… napahilamos na lang sa mukha. I swear, only my grandmother could turn a welcome lunch into a full-blown séxual interrogation with dessert on the side.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. Dinner date tomorrow night? Seriously? Wala man lang akong moment para maka-recover sa jetlag.

I slumped back in my chair, habang pinagmamasdan ang wine glass ni Lola na naiwan sa mesa, parang trophy ng panalo niya sa round one ng mission niya.

I slid my plate forward and quietly got up. Kailangan ko ng konting pahinga. Konting katahimikan.

Umakyat ako sa second floor, diretso sa dati kong kwarto. Hindi pa rin nagbago. Same wooden shelves, same aviation posters, at yung First Flight Officer badge na ibinigay sa’kin years ago kasama ng maliit na silver coin na tradisyon sa squadron namin.

Hinubad ko ang suot kong damit at binuksan ang bintana dahil hindi ako sanay sa aircon. Mas gusto ko 'yung natural na hangin, it gives me peace and comfort.

I don’t know if others feel the same, but I’ve always preferred open skies and fresh air over filtered air and the hum of machines.

Umupo ako sa gilid ng kama at nagtanggal ng sapatos. I was exhausted, mentally and physically. Pero somehow, being home, kahit may halong stress, felt grounding.

I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about everything that just happened.

I should be sleeping. Pero hindi matahimik ang utak ko. Jetlag? siguro. Anxiety? most likely.

Sa sobrang gulo ng utak ko, hindi ko na namalayan na unti-unti na pala akong nadadala ng antok ko hanggang sa tuluyan na nga akong nakatulog.

•••••••

NAGISING ako nang marinig ko ang sunod-sunod na pag-vibrate ng cellphone ko sa bedside table. Hindi ko alam kung ilang oras akong nakatulog, but it was getting dark outside. Probably close to 6:00 p.m.

I groggily reached for my phone. Agad na kumunot ang noo ko nang makita ko sa screen kung sino ang tumatawag.

It was Gabriel.

Pinsan ko sa mother side, from the Jimenez family—the clan of doctors, surgeons, walking encyclopedias of anatomy, and medical trivia. I swear, you couldn’t survive a family reunion with them without hearing at least one spontaneous diagnosis over dinner.

Napailing ako habang pinagmamasdan ang pangalan ni Gabriel na kumikislap sa screen ng cellphone ko.

Si Gabriel talaga, parang may radar sa mga bagong dating. Wala pang isang araw ako sa Pilipinas, ayan na’t gusto na agad akong isama sa kung anong kalokohan niya.

The last time I saw him was probably two years ago, and even then, parang one hour lang ‘yon dahil nagmamadali siyang bumalik sa hospital dahil sa isang emergency surgery.

I answered the call, still half-asleep. "Anong kailangan mo? Wala ka bang pasyente ngayon?”

"Ganyan ka ba talaga bumati ng pinsan mong matagal mong hindi nakita?... at tyaka kadarating mo lang ng Pilipinas mainit agad ang ulo mo. Don’t you know na medically speaking, iritable ang isang taong walang ganap sa séx life?”

"Gabriel, please lang...." napapikit ako habang hinihimas ang sentido ko. “Pwede bang tigilan mo ako kahit ngayon lang. Kakarating ko lang tapos ginising mo ako para lang sabihin na horny people are happier?"

"Tama!" Tumawa siya sa kabilang linya. “Lack of sexúal activity can lead to increased irritability due to hormonal imbalance. Kaya siguro mainit ang ulo mo dahil kulang ka sa well... you know."

Umiling ako habang napapabuntong-hininga. Minsan hindi ko alam kung nagbibiro lang siya o talagang may clinical basis ang sinasabi niya. But then again, he is a doctor and a board topnotcher. I hate how he makes ridiculous things sound legit.

"And as a doctor, I consider it my moral duty to educate the deprived.”

"Tss. I don't need your unsolicited séx education, doc Hórny Jimenez. At isa pa, hindi ako deprived—"

"Hindi ka deprived pero tígang!"

"Shút the héll up, Gabriel!”

“Ayaw mo lang aminin, Killian. Pero sigena, babaan mo na 'yang pride mo. Let's go out tonight. Sa Imperium Lounge... tumawag sa'kin si Kaiden, nandon na rin daw sila Damian, Hunter at iba pang ulupong."

“Hard pass, Gabriel. I'm not in the mood to deal with girls in six-inch heels and fake laughter.”

“You’re too young to be this grumpy, Killian. Come on, you actually need this."

God, why is he so persuasive when I’m this tired?

"For pete's sake, Gabriel. I just got home. Jetlag is kicking my àss. And my soul is still halfway across the Pacific. Tapos gusto mo akong sumama sa maingay na bar na 'yon ni Kaiden."

“Bro, this is not just socializing. This is therapy. Scientifically proven to help you adjust sa bagong time zone. At isa pa, makakatulong 'to para tumaas ang oxytocin sa katawan mo lalo na kapag makikipag-eye contact ka sa isang maganda at mabangong babae sa bar."

"'Wag mo nga akong igaya sa'yo na kaladkaring lalaki, Gabriel. I don't need some random chick to make me feel alive. I have priorities, okay?”

"Okay Mr. Priorities. Baka nakakalimutan mo'ng you owe me a yakisoba and a birthday greeting last year."

"Gabriel... huwag mo ngang gamitin sa akin 'yan. I was literally stuck in Southern Border on a medevac mission. Walang signal doon kaya paano ako makakatext o makakatawag? At malapit na nga akong mamamatay don sa gyéra tapos ikaw mas inaalala pa ang yakisoba?"

“You are officially the worst cousin ever. How can you forget my birthday and my favorite yakisoba?"

Napapikit ako, pinisil ang tulay ng ilong ko. Dàmn it. This is so Gabriel. Hindi ako tatantanan hangga’t hindi aka pumapayag. Minsan feeling ko mas masahol pa siya sa Lola ko pagdating sa pangungulit.

"Hêll fine. Sigena, pupunta na ako. But only for an hour, okay?"

“Got you! Alam kong hindi mo ako matitiis!” Rinig ko ang sigaw niya sa kabilang linya na parang nanalo sa lotto.

“See you there, Mr. Grumpy-Pants!"

He ended the call before I could change my mind.

Dàmn that persuasive bàstard. Kahit pagod na pagod ako, nauto pa rin ako ng pinsan kong 'yon. That man could convince a cactus to take a bath in the ocean kung gugustuhin niya.

Pumunta ako sa banyo, binuksan ang shower, at hinayaang dumaloy ang malamig na tubig sa balat ko. Somehow, the cold water revived me from exhaustion.

After showering, I stood in front of the mirror again.

I looked like crap. Jetlagged, sleep-deprived, and slightly annoyed. Pero ayaw ko namang mukhang kawawa pagdating ko sa Imperium Lounge kaya nag-ayos na rin ako kahit papaano.

I looked rugged with my unshaven jaw kaya kailangan ko na rin atang mag-ahit. Clean lines. Clean start. Kahit wala akong balak makipag-date ngayong gabi, I still wanted to look decent para hindi ako mapagtripan ng mga ulupong na 'yon na para akong ermitanyo galing sa kweba.

I opened the closet and scanned through the clothes I left behind years ago. I picked a dark blue button-down long sleeves, tinupi ko lang ang manggas hanggang sa siko. And I paired it with black slacks and leather shoes. I didn’t go overboard... just enough to not look like a walking zombie from a combat zone.

Nag-spray na rin ako ng konting pabango...hindi masyadong matapang, just something subtle and clean.

I grabbed my Patek Philippe watch, strapped it on, and glanced at the time.

7:07 p.m.

Right on schedule. By 10:00 p.m, I should be back, no matter what happens.

Kinuha ko ang susi ng kotse sa bedside table, saka lumabas ng kwarto.

Pagbaba ko, bumungad agad sa akin si Mang Romy sa may foyer na abala sa pag-aayos ng potted plants.

“Magandang gabi, iho. Aalis ka?”

Tumango ako habang inaayos ang suot kong relo. “Opo Mang Romy, may lakad lang saglit. Pakisabi nalang po kay Lola na hindi rin ako magtatagal."

“Mag-ingat ka sa lakad mo iho. Baka mamaya, may matipuhan kang babae at hindi ka na makauwi."

Napailing ako at napatawa nang mahina. “Wala pong gano’n, Mang Romy. I’m just doing damage control before my cousin drags me into more trouble.”

Napailing si Mang Romy, pero ngumiti. “Sige, ingat ka iho. Kapag naparami ka ng inom at hindi mo na kayang magmaneho, tumawag ka lang sa'kin para masundo kita."

"Salamat, Mang Romy. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Lumabas na ako ng mansion at pinuntahan ang sports car ko. Isang sleek, black Lamborghini Huracán, isa sa mga pinakamahal at pinakamabilis na kotse na meron ako. If there’s one thing I miss here in the Philippines, it would be driving my favorite car.

I turned on the engine, pero hindi ko agad pinaandar. Sa halip, umupo lang ako muna sandali, staring blankly at the dashboard while thinking. I automatically reached for the stereo system and pressed the play button.

Agad na kumunot ang noo ko kasi ang unang tumugtog ay Can't help falling in love.

I'm sorry I’m not exactly in the mood for a love song right now.

Pinindot ko yung skip button, hoping for something a little more... energetic.

Then suddenly, ‘I lay My Lóve on You’ by Wéstlife started playing.

“Dàmn it!" Mabilis kong pinatay ang stereo.

I shook my head, trying to snap out of the mood the music was forcing on me.

Napakapit ako sa manibela, pinikit ang mga mata at huminga nang malalim. Calm down, Killian. It's just a song. It's not a prophecy.

Binuksan ko ulit ang mga mata ko, tinapik ang manibela ng tatlong beses at tuluyang pinaandar ang makina. I stepped on the gas and eased the car out of the driveway. The engine purred like a loyal beast under my control. Isa ‘to sa mga bagay na nagbibigay sa’kin ng sense of grounding. Speed, control, freedom.

Nakarating ako sa Imperium Lounge in less than thirty minutes. Sa labas pa lang, kita na agad ang mga naka-line up na luxury cars. But it’s no surprise since Imperium Lounge is an exclusive club for mostly socialites, businessmen and celebrities.

The music was already vibrating through the pavement.

Naglakad ako papasok habang ang dalawang kamay ko ay nasa bulsa–trying my best to look uninterested despite the chaotic energy inside.

I spotted Gabriel right away. He was at the VIP lounge, flashing his signature smirk, surrounded by a couple of guys from our old circle–Damian, Hunter, Kaiden, Thaddeus and Andriuz. Wala 'yong ibang ulupong, siguro busy at may pinagkakaabalahan.

"Finally! The grumpy panda is here!" Gabriel called out, waving me over.

Naglakad ako palapit sa pwesto nila Gabriel, pero bago pa ako makarating, bigla akong napahinto nang may bumangga sa akin mula sa likuran...hindi malakas, pero sapat na para ma-distract ako.

Paglingon ko, kumunot ang noo ko nang makita ang isang babae. Nakahawak siya sa kanyang noo na bumangga sa likod ko.

She was wearing a simple dark blue dress, not the type that screams for attention, but the kind that makes you do a double take. Her hair was loosely tied and a few strands framing her face.

Nagulat ako nang bigla niya akong dinuro. "Hoy ano ba! Hindi ka ba tumitingin sa dinadaan mo, ha? O sadyang tànga ka lang talagang pu—"

Naputol ‘yung mura niya nang tuluyang magkasalubong ang mga mata namin. Her mouth was slightly open, as if the rest of her sentence just evaporated the moment she saw my face.

“What did you say?" I leaned slightly forward, lowering my voice just enough to make it sound like a secret between us. “You were saying something about me being what?"

Namula ang pisngi niya. She straightened up and cleared her throat.

"Ha? H-hindi ah, ang sabi ko ang tanga tanga ko talaga. Hindi ako tumitingin sa dinadaan ko. Pútangina ko talaga."

I don't know if she thought that excuse would work. But dàmn! It was kinda cute how she tried.

"I heard you loud and clear, Miss."

Nagkatinginan kami ng ilang segundo. And for a brief moment, parang huminto ang paligid. The noise, the lights, the music are all blurred out.

All I could see was her.

“Josephine!"

Pareho kaming napalingon sa direksyon ng boses na tumawag sa kanya.

A woman in a red jumpsuit was waving her hand in our direction. Mukhang close sila nitong babaeng bumangga sa’kin dahil agad itong naglakad palapit sa kanya. "Josephine, kanina pa kita hinahanap. Nandito ka lang pala."

And Gabriel, ever the opportunist, suddenly appeared beside me, grinning like a devil on a sugar high.

"Killian, tara na! We’re ordering tequila shots. Baka mag-back out ka na naman."

I looked at her one more time before turning to Gabriel. “Give me a minute, bàstard."

Bumalik ang paningin ko sa babaeng bumangga sa'kin pero papalayo na siya kasama ang kaibigan niya.

“Josephine…” I repeated her name under my breath. It rolled off my tongue naturally, like I’d said it before kahit ngayon ko lang siya nakita.

Josephine... a common name, yet it resonated with me in a way I couldn’t understand.

Stop it Killian! I shook my head, trying to push away the weird feeling.

But deep down, I knew there was something about that name.

Something about her.

TO BE CONTINUED ᯓ ✈︎ ✈︎

----------------------------------------

Important Reminders para sa mga First Time Readers:

Kung first time mo dito sa story ko, gusto ko lang pong ipaalala na slow burn ito. Ibig sabihin, dahan-dahan ang pacing at detailed ang bawat eksena. So kung napansin mong mabagal ang eksena, that’s intentional po. Every scene has a purpose.

Alam kong minsan gusto na natin agad malaman 'yung mga nangyayari, but I choose to take things slowly for a reason. I want every chapter to feel real, raw, and emotionally honest. At higit sa lahat, gusto kong maging maayos ang plot at solid ang character development.

Also, I tend to put a lot of feels in the small, quiet moments. Minsan, hindi agad obvious ang significance ng isang scene, pero eventually, everything will connect po.

Para sa mga dati nang nagbasa ng ibang story ko, you know the vibe, same slow burn, COMEDY, deep feels, and layered storytelling.

Thank you for giving this story a chance.

–Amarixx