Circulo Verde Series #1: Rough

Chapter 3

Espánia Valeria's Pov

I swallowed hard and breathe out before I remove Atlas' hand on my waist. He glimpses at me with curiousity.

Shit! Can I fake a stomach ache so I could go home? Kung alam ko lang na nandito pala siya hindi naman ako magbibihis ng gan'to.

"I don't like your hair," he commented. Marahan kong hinawakan ang hibla ng aking buhok na bagaman mahaba pa rin naman ay mas maikli na 'to kumpara sa dati. I moistened my lips and ignore his offending opinion.

Lahat ng tao na nakakita sa 'kin kanina sinasabing bagay sa 'kin ang bago kong hairstyle. Isa pa, ano bang pakialam niya sa buhok ko? Siya nga walang kwentang asawa pero hindi ko naman sinasabi 'yon sa mismong mukha niya.

Iginala ko ang aking mata at nang mahanap ko na si Pixie. Mas mabilis pa sa kisap-matang nilapitan ko 'to.

"Pixie, hindi mo sinasabi sa 'kin na nandito pala ang Kuya mo. Didn't you know that it'll be nice of you if you warn me about him?" walang hinga-hingang saad ko rito. Tumingin 'to sa likuran ko kaya sigurado ako na naroon lang din si Atlas. Sana lang hindi niya narinig ang sinabi ko.

Pasimple ko 'tong tinapunan nang tingin at nakitang kausap niya si Tham at Asa. Mabuti na lang.

Nagkibit balikat si Pixie. "I didn't know that he's coming. No one in fam knows that he's back. I heard from him earlier that he's planning to stay here for a long time." Bahagya nitong binangga ang aking balikat gamit ang kaniya para manukso.

I rolled my eyes on her. Magtatanong pa sana ulit ako kaya lang nawala na siya sa harapan ko. She's already enjoying the night with her other friends.

It's nearly December and the winds is a little bit colder. I shouldn't have wear something this short and revealing.

After I scan the Costello Tower's rooftop. I decided to settle in a sofa and watch everyone else party. Ang kakaibang silakbo sa 'king dibdib na nararamdaman ko lang sa t'wing nasa paligid si Atlas ay nararamdaman ko na naman. I don't know what this is but I'm sure that this is not love. Maybe it's a higher level of intimidation.

"Mother of Dragons. You're not enjoying this party. I wonder why." Ipinatong niya sa maliit na lamesang nasa harap namin ang isang lady's drink.

"What is it?" idinirekta ko na rito ang aking mga mata. "Bakit?" natatawa at painosente niyang tanong sa 'kin. Come on, it's not gonna work on me. I've been living with them for three years. I already know his style.

Napatango-tango s'ya sa 'kin. "Lime is sick. Pixie asked my band to plays acoustic music later... so?"

"No. Ayoko, Asa." I know where those words gonna end up so before he can asks the favor, I declined.

My eyes is restless. Talo ko pa ang spy sa pagiging mapagmatyag ngayon. Ilang saglit pa ay dumako ang paningin ko sa entrance. Saktong pumasok doon si Atlas kasabay at kausap ang isang hindi pamilyar na babae.

"Come on, isang kanta lang."

"Aniá?" marahang niyugyog ni Asa ang balikat ko. Hirap man akong alisin ang pagkakatingin ko kay Atlas at sa babaeng kausap niya ay pinilit ko ang aking sarili.

"Ano ba 'yon?" hindi ko na napigilan pang magtaas ng boses. My God, these mood swings and bothersome emotions, why am I feeling this?

"Ba't ka ba nagagalit—Oh, jealous."

I glared at Asa. At times like this, I actually hate his playful attitude. Kinuha ko ang cocktail drink na ibinigay n'ya sa 'kin at inubos 'yon sa isang inuman lang.

"Oo na. I'll jam with you just shut up." Bitbit ang clutch bag. Umalis ako sa sofa at pumunta sa counter para manghingi pa ng panibagong baso ng cocktail drinks.

Hindi mataas ang alcohol tolerance can but I can managed a four to five glass of lady's drink.

I'm still on my second glass when Asa's band starts playing acoustic music. Listening to his soothing voice, I finally felt a relaxation in this place.

Ibinaba ko ang wineglass at mahina iyong tinulak papunta sa bartender gamit ang aking hintuturo. "Another one---,"

"No, that's enough." A chilly voice whispered in my left ears. Smelling his natural minty scent, I already know who it is.

"Stop giving her drinks." Utos niya sa bartender.

Atlas made me wear his coat that I was about to give protest about but the way he stares at me made me shut my mouth quickly.

Hinawakan ko na lang 'yon saka inayos sa ibabaw ng aking balikat. Tahimik itong naupo sa bakanteng stool na katapat ng sa 'kin.

Mas malamig pa sa ihip ng hangin dito sa rooftop ang katahimikang bumalot sa 'ming dalawa.

"When did you start wearing something like that for night out?" pang-uusisa sa 'kin ni Atlas.

Nanatili ang mata ko sa babaeng bartender na abala sa pagmimix ng drink para sa iba't ibang tao. At kahit na hindi ko siya pinapansin alam ko at ramdam na ramdam ko ang mainit na tinging ipinupukol niya sa 'kin.

Hininto ko ang paglalaro ko sa mga singsing na suot at pinagsiklop na lang ang aking kamay.

"And you're not wearing our wedding ring." Pilit ko nang itinago mula sa kaniya ang aking kamay. Kailangan kong makaisip ng palusot ngayon. Madalas man akong naiinis at pasikretong nagagalit sa kaniya, ayaw ko naman na siya ang makaramdam ng gano'n sa 'kin.

"Espánia Valeria." Hinayaan ko munang lumipas ang ilang segundo bago ko siya hinarap matapos niya akong tawagin sa buo kong pangalan.

Inalis ko ang singsing na nasa ring finger ko at kinuha ang wedding ring namin na nasa loob ng aking clutch bag. I sighed and tried to met his gaze but I couldn't stand the intensity of it.

"Kahit naman hindi ko suotin ang wedding ring na 'to alam pa rin ng buong Pilipinas na kasal ako sa 'yo," bulong ko. Nang maisuot ko na 'yon ulit sa 'king daliri ay may pilit na ngiting nag-angat ako ng mukha at ipinakita 'yon sa kaniya.

The corner of his thick brows lifts. "And your dress?" pasimple kong hinila pababa ang laylayan ng damit na suot ko dahil sa naging komento nito.

Frustrated na naihilamos ko ang aking palad sa 'king mukha. "Why are you making my dress a big deal? Look around. Everyone is wearing a dress like this—it's even shorter. Pixie's dress is way more---,"

"I'm just asking. I know you often party but you never wear something like that."

"I wanna try something new, can't I do that? Am I not allowed too?" His statement replays in my mind, making me stop. "Wait, how'd you?"

"Dolce," maikli niyang tugon.

Thus that mean she isn't just a driver and bodyguard of mine? Para rin siyang spy sa 'kin ni Atlas? Kung gano'n, lahat ng mga sinasabi ko sa kaniya tungkol kay Atlas—nirereport niya rin 'yon?

I bite my tongue out of embarrassment. All my rants, my wishes and fuck... All those things that I have said earlier. Nasabi niya na kaya 'yon kay Atlas? Sana naman hindi.

"I-Is she telling you everything? E-even our private conversation?" He moved his head to deny it. I sighed. That's a relief.

"She's not telling me your conversation with her but I get to hear everything through her earpiece. I have an app in my phone. It automatically records everything that her earpiece is hearing.

That's it. Can I jump from here? Like, now?

"I'll go to the washroom—,"

"Can't that wait? Minsan lang tayo magkausap nang gan'to. Let's talk about your plans. You don't want to study anymore, right?" natigil ang aking paghinga.

I need to save myself from this humiliation. Play dead! I-I mean, play drunk.

"Atlas." I called him. His playful smirks widen and all that I can do is smile like a constipated sheep.

"If you don't want to finish college. It's fine but then, we must have a child—children rather. Should we leave Pixie's party and start making one?" he asks in a playful manner.

Nang hindi ko na matiis pa ang kahihiyang nararamdaman ko ay napilitan na akong takpan ang bunganga nito. Atlas throws dagger look at me that made me back off.

"Kasi naman! I-I was just..." malalim akong huminga. "No. We won't leave this party. No one's having children nor child. Definitely, you're not gonna touch me in this lifetime."

The spark of mischievousness in his eyes doubled.

"Hmm."

"Aniá, I need you now." Halos mahulog ako dahil sa matinding gulat nang bigla na lang sumulpot si Asa sa gilid namin bitbit niya ang isang gitara.

Atlas gives the two of us a questioning look but I don't care anymore. This is the escape that I need.

Tumayo na ako mula sa stool at hinila ito papunta sa maliit na stage. Mahina kong tinulak ang balikat ni Asa para mapalayo 'to sa 'kin nang inilapit nito ang mukha niya.

"Your cheeks is tomato red."

"Xanth, anong tutugtugin niyo?" baling ko sa drummer para baliwalain si Asa at ang pananadya nitong asarin ako. Gamit ang kaniyang drumstick. Itinuro ni Xanth si Kronus na itinotono naman ang kaniyang acoustic guitar.

"Best Part," Pixie requested it he says and began strumming the guitar. Inayos ni Asa ang stand at microphone na nasa gitna.

"Ba't isa lang 'yan?"

"Walang extrang mic." Aangal pa sana ako ngunit nagsimula nang magitara si Kronus. Agad na nagpalakpakan ang taong nanunuod sa 'min.

I glance at Atlas and when our eyes met. I swallowed hard. Hindi ko talaga kinakaya ang pakikipagtitigan sa 'kin ng Russo na 'yon.

"Oh, ey..." Asa and I started the song with a harmonization.

"Go, Aniá!" Pixie yelled to cheer me.

You don't know, babe

When you hold me

And kiss me slowly

It's the sweetest thing

And it don't change

If I had it my way

You would know that you are

I closed my eyes and feel the tingling sensation of song.

You're the coffee that I need in the morning

You're my sunshine in the rain when it's pouring

Won't you give yourself to me

Give it all, oh

Nang maimulat ko ang aking mata ay humarap ako kay Asa at nakangiting kinanta namin ng sabay ang chorus.

I just wanna see

I just wanna see how beautiful you are

You know that I see it

I know you're a star

Where you go I follow

No matter how far

If life is a movie

Oh you're the best part, oh oh oh

You're the best part, oh oh oh

Best part

Before the song finally comes to end. I saw Atlas walking out. Nagsipalakpakan ang taong nanunuod sa 'min. Habang kumakaway si Asa sa mga 'yon. Napatakbo na ako paalis ng stage para sundan si Atlas na mukhang hindi na maganda ang timpla.

"Atlas, uuwi ka na?" naabutan ko 'to sa tapat ng elevator. He pressed a button then c**k his head to my direction.

"I-Ingat, kina Pixie na lang ako sasabay." He narrowed his eyes on me. With lips pursing and jaw clenching. He pointed me.

"No. Go home with me, Espánia. Go home with me and let's eat dinner together," he reprimands.

Sinulyapan ko ang entrance ng rooftop kung saan nagaganap ang party na nasa kalagitnaan pa lang.

"Sige. Umuwi na tayo sa bahay," saad ko habang sinasalubong ko ang mata niya.