MY TWO FACED GIRLFRIEND

Chapter Two- Who Are You?

"Ivan, bro! Have you heard about the new transferee sa class natin?" napatingin ako sa barkada kong si Kurt who is standing in front of me. Nagpunas muna ako ng sweat then remove my jersey shirt saka nagsuot ng navy blue shirt and stand up. We are at the covered court now ng university, kakatapos lang ng practice game namin.

"May bago ba?"

"Oo, bro! Ang ganda ni Miss! Wala ka kasi kanina sa class kaya hindi mo nakita!" Silver said, kabarkada ko rin at kasama rin sa mga key varsity players.

"Alam niyo naman na may pasok ako kagabi right? Puyat ako kaya absent ako kanina." I grab my workout bag saka nagsimulang maglakad.

"Irregular yata siya, bro! Kasi after ng first class natin ay umalis na siya at hindi na bumalik! So malamang ay hindi natin siya bukas makikita!"

"Adik lang, Mervin! Update to the max, bro!" nakakatawang sagot ko sa sinabi ni Mervin na isa rin sa mga barkada ko. "Close na agad kayo bro? Hahahahaha!"

"How I wish na maging close kami ni Miss Beautiful, kaso mukhang suplada!" umakbay sa akin si Mervin at sumabay sa paglalakad ko.

"Mukhang nakaka-intriga ang new transferee na yan ah! Maganda ba talaga?"

"Maganda pa kay Selena! And way much classy than her as well!" pag-bibida ni Kurt.

"Kaso she looks snobbish, Ivan. Mukhang aloof sa mga tao. Tahimik lang siya the whole duration ng class kanina at wala rin siyang kinakausap. Nakaupo lang sa dulo ng room at the back." segunda na sabi ni Silver.

"s**t bro!" napatingin kaming lahat nang biglang huminto si Mervin. Nakalabas na kami ng cover court.

"What! High ka na naman ba Mervin!" we all laugh sa binanat ni Kurt.

"It's Selena, at 3 o'clock!"

Sabay-sabay kaming napatingin sa sinabi ni Mervin. Nandun nga si Selena, ang ultimate crush ko since first year in college. Agad akong tumayo ng straight and quickly brush my hair using my fingers. I am staring at her when she suddenly glance at our way, automatic na napangiti ako. Pero parang hindi niya ako nakita dahil agad rin siyang nag-alis ng tingin afterwards. She is with her friends who are also members of the university's elite cheering squad.

"You're still a shadow, bro." sinagi ni Mervin ang braso ko.

"Tara! May pasok pa ako mamaya kaya I really need to go home." nauna ulit akong maglakad towards the main building. Alam kong nakasunod lang ang mga kaibigan ko because I can hear them talking behind me.

"Bakit ba kasi kailangan mo pang mag-work, Ivan Lex Ynarez? You are richer than all of us!" I shook my head when I heard what Silver had said. I lessen my pace kaya naabutan nila ako.

"You knew my answer, bro. Alam na alam niyo ang sagot ko about that. It still doesn't change and I don't have any plans of changing it."

"I don't know about you, Ivan. Nagpapakahirap ka when you have everything you wish for in just one word." Silver said. I take a deep breath first before exhaling it exasperatedly.

"Kasi nga, he wanted to prove something to his Dad and to himself." Si Kurt na ang sumagot para sa akin.

"Nagpapaka-low profile ka Ivan which is not necessarily right. Nagtitiis kang mag-commute when you have your car and bike. Hanggang kailan ba yang katarantaduhan mong yan?"

"Mind your own damn business, Mervin. Hindi kita ginugulo sa pagiging two-timer mo." I answered back at Mervin.

"Tara na nga! What time ka later at the bar bro? Puntahan ka namin mamaya! It's Saturday naman!" tanong ni Silver when we reach the gate.

"7! I'm already there."

"We'll just see you there later, bro. Una na kami sa'yo! Or you want to hitch a ride?" alok sa akin ni Silver.

"No thanks, bro. I'm good. Mamaya na lang sa bar."

Nag-hiwalay na kami. I walk to the waiting shed where the jeepney stops as my friends head to the parking lot. As I've waited for my transportation to arrive, a female student stood a few meters away from me. Naka-headset siya at may dalang dalawang books which I knew was borrowed at the university's library dahil narin sa logo ng school sa side ng books. Saglit ko lang siyang sinulyapan then I remove my gaze at her. I get my phone from my bag and plug my headset saka ako namili ng music that I wanted to listen. Minutes after ay may paparating ng jeepney so I hide my phone inside my bag. Paghinto ng jeepney ay pinauna ko na ang babae because she is heading at the same destination as mine. The only vacant and available space inside the jeepney is beside the female student kaya dun ako umupo. The jeepney move but after a while it abruptly stops in a rough manner. My instinct told me to grab the person behind me para hindi ito mapunta sa unahan. I firmly grip the railing with my left hand. Minutes after ay saka ko lang napagtanto kung saan nakahawak ang right hand ko. Nagtama ang tingin namin ng babaeng student as she breathe fast with eyes wide open.

"Are you alright Miss?" nasa exposed legs niya ang right hand ko. Our school uniform kasi for women are tight fit, white skirt and black blouse.

"I'm fine." simpleng sagot niya then she look again at her legs na nakahawak pa rin ang kamay ko. Mabilis kong inalis ang kamay ko and I feel my cheeks burned in humiliation.

"Pasensya na po, mga Boss. May biglang tumawid na aso." the driver announced suddenly. "Ayos lang po ba tayo, mga Boss? Pasensya na po talaga."

I roam my eyes around to check on everyone. Mukhang wala naman napuruhan aside sa ilan pasaherong napunta sa dulo at may ilan na naipit. Pagtingin ko ulit sa babaeng katabi ko, nakatingin din siya sa akin.

"Are you sure you are really fine, Miss? Is there something na masakit sayo?" umiling siya then look away.

Grabe naman ang isang ito. Hindi man lang marunong magpasalamat. Why are there people who doesn't have some manners in them? Ni hindi man lang marunong magpasalamat. Napailing na lang ako sa naisip ko at hindi na pinansin pa ang katabi ko.

When I've reached at my apartment ay naligo muna ako before laying on my bed. I've got to sleep kahit ilan hours lang para makabawi ako at may bala ako para mamaya sa trabaho.

I am a 5th year Computer Engineering student at the University of Asian Pacific, 21 years of age at bunso sa tatlong magkakapatid. My dad and mom are both managers of a certain bank in Manila while my two sisters are both into business. They are managing their respective businesses that are in line with their respective fields. My build is athletic and medyo maputi ako because of my spanish blood, my mom's descendance is Spanish. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday ay pumasok ako sa MIXED UP BAR in the heart of Manila as a bartender. I used to hang at MIXED UP BAR during my 2nd year in college, kasama ko sila Silver, Mervin and Kurt na classmates ko na that time. Then one night nakita ko sa labas ng bar that they are in need of part-time bartenders. I've just tried my luck without hoping much dahil sa nag-aaral pa nga ako at hindi naman in line sa pinag-aralan ko ang inaplayan ko. But I was surprised to receive a call from the bar manager for an initial interview. Although wala akong litetal na experience as a bartender, I have knowledge in mixing and concocting drinks dahil narin sa mga social events na hino-host ng parents ko. Tinuruan ako ni Ate Lorie who has graduated in Hotel and Restaurant Management and owns a longue in the city as well.

Just like my friends, many people wonder why I still work while I study even if I have more than enough. Some even have thought na naghihirap na ang family ko kaya ako nagtatrabaho. My family was against it at first, lalong-lalo na si mom. My parents even added my monthly allowances at constantly narin na naghuhulog ng pera ang dalawang kapatid ko sa bank account ko. Binili rin ako nila dad ng car while my Ate Emily gave me a big bike. After much, and I mean much, deliberations and reasonings to them ay nakuha rin nila ang point ko why I badly wanted to work while I study.

Actually since I am the youngest of all at ang nag-iisang lalaki pang anak, lahat ng hiling ko ay never akong nag-dalawang salita. I get what I wished for. Spoiled na spoiled ako sa mga parents and sisters ko, most especially kay mom. Pero kahit pa ganon, I still wanted to have my very own money na galing sa sariling sikap at pawis ko. I wanted to have my own savings na ang laman ay mismong pera na pinaghirapan ko and not those na binigay lang sa akin. I wanted to pay for my own rent kaya kahit na tutol silang lahat ay wala silang nagawa sa decisions ko. Pati nga sana tuition fee ko ay sasagutin ko na rin but my dad frantically objected. He always tells me na hanggang sa nagtatrabaho siya ay siya ang nagpapaaral sa akin.

By 4 in the afternoon ay nag-prepare na ako for work. I should be at the bar by 6 since tonight is Saturday. Kung maraming patrons last night, I am definitely and positively sure na double ang dami ng patrons tonight just like any Saturdays at the bar. May kasama ako tonight, unlike last night. Kapag kasi Friday ay solo flight ako sa bar counter. Pero kapag weekends ay dalawa kami, me and Andrew. But my schedule is earlier than him, 6-2am ako while siya ay 8-4am. Matapos kong mag-prepare, I heat up the engine of my motorbike. Malapit lang naman ang bar where I work from where I rent and I also have my service so it will only take me less than 30 minutes to get there.

MIXED UP BAR is a high end bar that caters the elite and class A society. Its ambiance is cozy and homey but with class and elegance. Ang mga nakakapasok lang dito are those who are members and with VIP passes only. Mahigpit ang bar sa mga non-members and those who are walk-ins. Kaya lahat ng patrons ng MIXED UP BAR are at the book. They can invite guests but it is limited to 2 pax only.

Sa tagal ko na rito, almost everybody knew me already. Lalo na ang mga matagal ng patrons ng bar. Tip pa lang ay buhay na ang weekly allowances ko. Kapag sinabing Ivex, alam na ng mga staffs dito kung sino ang tinutukoy ng patrons.

"Hi Ivex!" a group of socialites stop at the counter. I smile at them saka kinuha ang mga orders nila. After kong maibigay ang drinks, Sheila handed me a 2 thousand bill.

"Keep the change, handsome." She seductively smiles at me then leans forward on the counter top before winking at me.

Sanay na ako sa mga babaeng kagaya ni Shiela dito sa bar na lantarang kung magpakita ng pagkagusto sa akin. Nung una ay naiilang pa ako at nahihiya but in the long run ay nasanay narin ako and I can already blend well with them. This is part of the bartender's job, ang maging friendly sa mga patrons. Madalas pa nga ay bukod sa monetary tip ay ililibre pa ako ng mga shots. I knew ladies sa mga ganitong lugar aren't serious at all kaya sa akin ay walang personalan at trabaho lamang. They just want someone to play with and fancy them for a while kaya nakikisabay lang ako sa tugtog na gusto nila, but I know my limitations kung hanggang saan lang ako pwede.

"Thanks, Sheila." I held the money pero hindi niya ito binitiwan.

"Kiss na lang ang change ko, Ivex." She lean even closer at me hanggang sa ilang pulgada na lang ang pagitan ng mga faces namin. She pointed the side of her lips saka nag-smirk. Hindi ako kumilos, I remained looking at her. "Hey.'" She reach for the collar of my shirt. "Don't go shy on me, Ivex. This isn't the first time naman right?"

Tama siya. Sheila is one of our regular patrons here at MIXED UP BAR and every time she orders at me ay nagbibigay siya ng malaking tip pero humingi siya ng kiss in return. Parang iyon ang pinaka-sukli niya sa binayad niya sa akin. I just don't know kung ganon rin siya kay Andrew dahil kapag andito ako sa bar counter ay sa akin siya palagi umoorder.

I lift the side of my lips and move closer to her. She snake her hand at my nape and pull me to her. Narinig ko ang pag-tili ng mga kasama niya when my lips touches the very side of hers.

"Thank you for the tip, Sheila." I whispered hoarsely.

"You're always welcome, Ivex. Join us later?" She traced my lower lip in a sexy manner.

"I'll try." I smile genuinely at her. Palagi naman ganun ang sinasabi ko sa mga nagyayaya sa akin na samahan sila sa mga tables nila. Binilinan kasi kami ng managers namin not to mingle with the patrons to the point na makipag-inuman kami sa kanila kapag naka-duty kami.

"Alright, I hope you can drop by later at our table." kita ko ang pagtingin niya sa lips ko before biting her own lips. Then she and her friends left the counter.

"Type ka ni Sheila, tol!" napatingin ako kay Andrew. "Madalas kang hanapin sa akin kapag nadadaan yan dito ng weekdays." I just smile. "Patusin mo na. Sayang lang at ikaw ang gusto pero type na type ko yan!"

"Sayo na, tol." umiling ako and assist some patrons na kakalapit lang rin sa counter.

Habang lumalalim ang gabi ay mas dumami pa ang patrons at umo-order sa counter. The place is now packed with party goers. Dalawa na kami ni Andrew pero marami pa rin ang naghihintay na mapansin namin sa mga orders nila. The night is so alive and wild at maya't-maya ay bumubukas ang door for new arrivals. Nang mabawasan ang patrons sa counter, nagsabi ako kay Andrew that I'll just make a pee. I sneak through the crowd saka pumasok sa men's room. Paglabas ko ay may nahagip ang mga mata ko, I don't know if namalik-mata lang ba ako but when I gaze again at the image ay nakita ko ulit siya.

She isn't wearing our classic school uniform tonight, in fact, she is in a red cocktail sophisticated dress that just reached half of her creamy white legs. Umangat ang eyebrow ko when she drinks her martini elegantly as she swayed her hips with the tune. May mga kasama siyang babae rin who are also grooving with the rhythm.

It was like seeing a two different woman but with just one face. Ibang-iba ang itsura niya now from how I've seen her kanina sa waiting shed. A total transformation ng isang simple student to a very sophisticated woman. Kung hindi pa ako nabangga ng isang babae ay hindi pa maaalis ang tingin ko sa babaeng kanina lang ay katabi ko sa jeepney.

"Who are you, Miss?" I silently uttered underneath my breath.

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