Painfully Yours (ENG-FIL)

Kabanata 1

"My God, Valerie! You're better than this! Napakatalino mong tao pero sa kan'ya napaka-stupid mo!"

Umikot ang mga mata ko sa sermon ng nakatayong si Piper sa harap ng table ko.

Si Piper ang nag-iisang kaibigan ko na alam kong totoo sa akin. Sa pagiging pranka pa lang niya sa lahat ng bagay na sa tingin niya'y mali ay harap-harapan niya iyong isasampal sa akin.

Naihilot ko ang aking sintido sa walang-katapusan at halos araw-araw na sermon niya. "Pi, please? Umagang-umaga nane-nermon ka na naman?"

Isinandal ko ang aking sarili sa backrest ng swivel chair, naka-krus ang mga braso sa aking dibdib habang matamang nakatingin sa kan'ya.

It was already 9:30 in the morning nang nakarating ako sa office ko. Medyo late na but it's okay. I have my team that handles the things that are needed to be handled except with the things na ako ang dapat gumawa.

I own a clothing line that I started when I was still 21 years old, third-year college pa ako no'ng panahon na iyon with a course of BSBA, Major in Marketing. Nag-boom ang business ko after one and a half years, I was 23 years old back then. After that four-year program, I also took the two-year, full-time program which is Master of Business Administration.

It wasn't easy since busy din ako sa clothing line ko no'n, but I finished it with flying colors since I already have my team that time that handled all the things that were needed to be handled.

I borrowed the initial investment from my mom that I used in making this business possible. Binayaran ko naman siya agad nang kumita ako ng mas malaki pa sa inasahan ko.

Naging matunog ang brand ko lalo na sa mga taong in sa fashion these days, mostly mga kabataan which is our target market talaga. I used that as an advantage, and now, I am enjoying the fruits of my labor.

May dalawang branch ako rito sa city namin at iilang branch sa ibang lugar. My work became easier now, especially I already have a team that helps me. From creating new designs to planning the entire business' finances. The fact that they are good at their work, makes me worry less.

"Huy!" Piper snapped her fingers in front of my face, pulling me from my thoughts. "Nakikinig ka ba?"

I rolled my eyes and put my arms on the armrest. "Obviously."

"Ano'ng sinabi ko?" stupid niyang tanong.

"Na ipagpapatuloy ko ang katangahan ko," pamimilosopa ko.

"Goodness gracious," nagpi-pigil niyang wika sa sarili.

Twenty minutes after I arrived, dumating din siya just to lecture me. Naputol ang pag-uusap naming dalawa nang nakarating ako sa office ko. Kaya naman narito siya para tapusin ang sermon niyang halos araw-araw naman niyang sinasabi sa akin.

Yes, I told her about the necklace that Oliver bought for me while I was driving my car earlier. At ito, imbes suportahan ako'y sine-sermunan ako. She never agrees with the agreement in the first place, though.

I sighed mentally.

Isn't she tired of saying the same damn thing almost every day? God, I'm already twenty-seven! Mag t-twenty-eight na ako five months from now. I already know what I'm doing with my life and she can't do anything about it.

Pagod ko siyang sinundan ng tingin nang patagilid siyang umupo sa dulo ng aking table, ang kaliwang kamay ay nakapatong sa ibabaw ng lamesa. May upuan naman sa harap ng table ko pero sa ibabaw ng table ko pa rin siya napiling umupo.

"You know what?" She crossed her arms on her chest, her prominent eyes were gazing right straight at me.

I rolled my eyes. "What?" I asked, uninterested.

"Mauubos ka niyan sa ginagawa mo. You're like playing with fire, Val, for Pete's sake! Hindi mo ba nakikita? And to think na that..." She heaved a sigh as if hirap siyang sabihin ang pangalan ni Oliver. "... that Oliver guy has someone he's willing to offer his life to, you'll never be his priority," dagdag niya na halos ibulong na ang mga huling salita.

Well, she's right. I'm playing with fire here. At alam ko na iyon noon pa man. Simula no'ng nagkaroon kami ng agreement ni Oliver, I already know from the very start that I'm playing with fire here. Especially una pa lang ay sinabihan na niya akong there's no string attached because he already has someone that owns his heart. He's only offering that kind of deal just for pleasure. Nothing more, nothing less.

And hell, the first time we did it gave me an unforgettable feeling that I kept thinking the next day, and that made me agree with the agreement he offered three days after. It's like a win-win situation for both of us, too.

I agreed because I thought hanggang doon lang 'yong mararamdaman ko. 'Yong hinahayaan ko lang sagutin niya ang tawag ng laman.

Putangina, pagkatapos ng ilang buwan na gano'n ang set-up namin pati puso ko tinatawag na rin siya.

Wala naman talaga sa planong mahuhulog ako sa kan'ya. I mean, pina-plano ba 'yon? Obviously, not.

If I were to choose, I would never choose that kind of deadly game. There's no guarantee with romantic feelings, for Pete's sake! No one wants his feelings to be not reciprocated. That's bullshit.

Pero tangina ang dami pa ring tanga. An'dami pa ring sumusugal kahit alam nilang simula pa lang talo na sila. Kasi deep down they are hoping, hoping that in between, a miracle will happen. Umaasang papanig sa kanila ang tadhana. But that's bullshit again because destiny is a f*****g trickster. It'll only give you false hopes and then will leave you almost dying 'cause you believed.

And guess what? I'm one of those dimwit people hoping for that impossible miracle to happen.

"He's worth the heartbreak, Pi," I simply stated and pulled myself up.

I walked towards the vase near the window. Katabi ng vase na iyon ay ang isang frame na may nakasulat na, "Believe that you can, and you can." I bought it not just for business purposes but to remind myself, too, that in life you just have to believe.

Kinuha ko ang mga tuyong bulaklak doon at pinalitan ng bago. A two-color of tulips. Red for love and romance; pink for good wishes. This is my favorite flower.

"Ewan ko sa 'yo! 'Pag talaga kayo nahuli ng original niya 'wag kang lumapit-lapit sa akin, ah!"

Napailing ako sa kan'yang sinabi. "Maka-original ka naman akala mo naman mag-asawa sila," natatawa kong wika at sinulyapan siya.

"Oh, my God! I don't know if I'm talking to that same Val na gabi-gabing iba-iba ang lalaki two years ago!" frustrated na niyang wika, ang mga kamay ay nakahawak sa kan'yang ulo.

I shrugged my shoulders as I continued arranging the new tulips that my secretary bought earlier.

"I think I prefer that version of yours. Kasi, I know you won't get hurt yourself emotionally and mentally with those men kasi you know your limitations, but this? With this guy? You're stupidly head over heels with this man na alam mong hindi mapapa-sa 'yo! Nahihibang ka na talaga!" Inis siyang umalis sa pagkaka-upo sa ibabaw ng table ko't hinablot ang kan'yang shoulder bag mula sa katabing upuan, dumadaing. "I'm going, bahala ka sa buhay mo!" she fumed as she walked out of my office, not throwing even a single glance.

"Ingat ka!" pahabol ko pa sa kan'ya, sinusundan siya ng tingin.

Natatawa na lamang akong ibinalik ang atensiyon sa vase at tinapos ang pag-aayos ng mga bulaklak nito.

She's always like that. Sasabihing bahala ako sa buhay ko tapos kinabukasan o sa susunod na araw sesermunan na naman ako.

I WAS BUSY checking the new designs in the sketch pad my designer gave me earlier when my phone beside my laptop rang. Kinuha ko iyon na hindi pa rin tinatanggal ang tingin sa mga design.

God, this is perfect for our new target market. I thought as I stared at those gorgeous designs.

"Yes?" I answered without glancing at the caller ID.

"Are you free tonight?"

Kumunot ang aking noo sa tanong ng tao mula sa kabilang linya. Pamilyar ang boses sa akin. I took a peek at my phone screen to know who the caller was, then rolled my eyes when I saw it was just Leo—one of my ex suitors and now is my great friend.

"Shut up, L. I'm busy." I groaned and leaned my back on the swivel chair, dropping the sketch pad on my table.

"Oh, come on. It's been a week since we saw each other."

Umikot ang mga mata ko. "Why? Is it necessary to see each other once a week?" tanong ko sa pabalang na tono.

"Well, I'm sorry to tell you but I'm already standing right here in front of your ten-story building, lady."

I heaved a sigh because of what he said. Here we go again with his pa-bigla-biglang pagdating para hindi ako maka-hindi sa kan'ya. Hindi siya aalis hanggat hindi ako um-oo. And it's frustrating sometimes.

"Leo, I'm really busy right now," I reasoned out when I remember one of my great friends invited me to her party. Sa isang kilalang club ito gaganapin and I just said yes because Piper will be there, I know.

Going to clubs is one of my stress relievers, pero sa party na ito ay hindi sana ako makakadalo dahil sa marami ko pang gagawin, but when Denise (the organizer) told me that Piper is invited, I said yes instantly. That b***h didn't even tell me she's going to a party.

"I'm coming in," I heard Leo from the other line said that pulled me out from my thoughts.

"Coming in? What do you—"

A sudden opening of my office's door cut me off from finishing my question. Niluwa doon si Leo na malaki ang ngiti sa labi at ang kaliwang kamay ay nakawak pa sa kan'yang phone na nakadikit pa rin sa kan'yang kaliwang tainga, exposing his expensive wristwatch.

Sa suot pa lang niyang tailor-made suit ay alam ko ng kagagaling lang niya sa kan'yang trabaho.

This man owns a f*****g five-star hotel with seven branches here in the Philippines and ten branches in five countries. And I heard he's planning to build another branch sa Canada? So why it seems like this man has all the time to goof around? Unbelievable.

"A pleasant evening to the most beautiful girl I've ever seen," pambungad niya na kina-ikot ko ng aking mga mata.

"Please, give me a break," I growled and placed my phone on my table with a deadpan look on my face.

Humalakhak siya at umupo sa sofa na nakalagay sa gitna ng aking office, sa harap niya ay ang maliit na coffee table at isa pang sofa.

"It's already 8 in the evening, and I'm sure hindi ka pa kumakain. Come on, ngayon nga lang tayo ulit nagkita," umiiling niyang wika at isinandal ang sarili sa backrest ng kan'yang inuupuan, putting his left leg on his right leg.

"Eating at 8 in the evening isn't healthy anymore, Leo," I remarked and put my arms on my chest, crossing.

"An empty stomach isn't healthy, too, Val," depensa pa niya na kinamura ko sa aking isipan.

"I can't, okay?" I let out a sigh.

His thick right eyebrow raised while staring at me. "I heard the party will start at 10?" aniya na kinalaki ng aking mga mata.

"W-what party?" nauutal kong tanong at umiwas ng tingin.

Marahan siyang humalakhak. "Oh, Val, I think you didn't know that Denise is one of my schoolmates before way back in college?"

Oh, God. I knew but I forgot.

But instead na ipahalata sa kan'ya'y nagkunwari akong hindi ko iyon alam. "Oh? I didn't know that," patay-malisya kong wika at nilingon siya na malaki na ang ngisi habang nakatingin sa akin.

"You're a bad liar, seriously," umiiling niyang komento at marahang humalakhak sa dulo.

I rolled my eyes at inayos ang mga gamit. Sh-in-ut down ko ang aking laptop at tumayo pagkatapos.

"You're going with me?" he asked with a hopeful tone.

Nilingon ko siya't ngumisi. "No, you're going with me."

Agad akong pumanhik sa sarili kong k'warto sa aking office at iniwan siyang laglag ang panga. Isang matagumpay na halakhak ang ginawa ko nang isinarado ko ang pinto.

Kumpleto ang mga gamit ko rito sa k'warto ko, in case na hindi na ako makakauwi sa condo at kina-kailangang mag-overnight sa office. Mula sa higaan hanggang sa mga damit at essential things na kailangan sa pang-araw-araw.

THE PARTY MUSIC enveloped my ear the moment we entered the club. The neon lights and the blinking lights were the only things that make the club bright. The smoke from the stage and the cigarettes flew freely in the air, dancing together with the people who were already intoxicated.

Goodness, people. The night's still young and you all are already drunk. Sabi ko sa aking isipan, umiiling.

Eleven na ng gabi kami nakarating sa club dahil nahirapan akong maghanap ng susuotin kanina. Puno ang closet ko do'n but as a girl that I am, hindi ko pa rin alam ano'ng susuotin at pakiramdan ko'y wala akong maisusuot. But then, may nahanap naman ako, luckily.

I was wearing a silver sequin spaghetti strap plunge V backless bodycon dress. I paired it with my black killer heels that I usually wear whenever I go to a club party. Nakalugay ang honey-colored kong buhok na plinantsa ko rin kanina.

Halos madaganan na ako ng dagat ng mga tao. Halos lahat din na nadaanan nami'y binabati ako at si Leo. Mapa-babae man o lalaki. Some faces were familiar while some were not.

An unfamiliar man almost hit me accidentally, thanks to Leo na kaagad itong hinarangan and his other hand was holding my waist for me not to get away from him. Kaagad na nag-sorry ang lalaki na hindi naman namin ginawang big deal since obviously, it wasn't his intention to almost hit me in the first place.

"Denise has a battalion of a party animal to party with," komento ni Leo sa aking tabi sa pasigaw na tono dahil sa lakas ng tugtugin.

Natatawa akong tumango at inilibot ang tingin, looking for Denise just to let her know that I am here and also for Piper to spend my whole night here in the club with.

I texted and called her earlier while we were on the way here pero hindi siya sumasagot. That b***h. Gusto yatang suyuin ko siya. Palibhasa walang sumusuyo sa kan'ya.

"Let's take a sit." Leo grabbed my hips and pulled me towards the vacant couch area.

Isang waiter ang kaagad na lumapit sa amin to offer us some alcohol. When I was about to order tequila as my starting drink, Leo stopped me from doing so and ordered a nachos instead.

"Are you for real?" I asked as I stared at the waiter walking away from our place before I averted my gaze at him.

"You haven't eaten anything yet, nachos is better than nothing," he replied with his shrugging shoulders.

I groaned and rolled my eyes.

"Oh, my! The great Valerie and Leo are here!" Denise popped out of nowhere holding a glass of rum in her right hand.

I immediately stood up and gave each other a beso-beso and giggled after.

"This party is lit!" I proclaimed with a wide smile on my face.

Denise looked gorgeous with her sexy spaghetti strap dress. Even though she was wearing high heels, mas matangkad pa rin ako sa kan'ya dahil sa suot kong killer heels, at kahit wala kaming suot na heels ay mas matangkad pa rin ako sa kan'ya ng k'unti.

"Glad that the great Valerie liked my party." She averted her gaze to Leo who was simply sitting on the sofa. "What's with the face, Leo? Not enjoying my party?" natatawang tanong niya at sumulyap sa akin.

"I turned down his invitation to eat dinner with him just to get here," I stated while laughing.

Natatawang tinapunan ng tingin ni Denise si Leo. "Wow, halatang may favoritism. I remember you said na hindi ka makakapunta sa party ko kasi busy ka, and now I just found out na inaya mo siyang mag-dinner? Mabuti na lang Valerie rejected your invitation," may kahabaang litanya ni Denise na may matagumpay na ngiti sa kan'yang mapulang labi. Muli niya akong tinapunan ng tingin. "By the way, where's Piper? I thought she'd come?" she asked with a curious look.

I shrugged my shoulders. "She didn't answer my calls."

Tumaas ang kan'yang kilay. She knows how close Piper and I. Kung saang party ako ay nando'n din si Piper, gano'n din ako sa kan'ya. Para kaming mga buntot sa isa't isa.

"That's odd. Nag-away kayo?"

I shook my head. "Nah, nagkasagutan lang kanina. As usual," kaswal kong sagot at kumuha ng isang baso ng whiskey sa dumaang waiter at tinungga iyon ng walang pag-alinlangan.

I took a glance at Leo who was shaking his head while staring at me, grinning at him.

"I hope she'd come, the great Valerie won't be the Valerie we know without her best friend," tumatawang wika ni Denise na tinawanan ko rin. "Anyway, please enjoy the party. Pupuntahan ko lang ang ibang kaibigan ko." She held my shoulder with her left hand and looked at Leo. "You, too. 'Wag ka masiyadong OA," dagdag niya at bumeso sa akin pagkatapos para sa kan'yang pag-alis.

Saktong pag-alis ni Denise ay ang pagdating ng in-order ni Leo na nachos. Tumabi ako sa kan'ya at kumuha ro'n, nakangiti siyang nilingon.

"You're really a brat," umiiling niyang wika na kina-kibit-balikat ko lamang.

When I was about to grab another piece of nachos, umilaw ang phone ko na nakapatong sa ibabaw ng lamesa.

I was expecting a reply from Piper pero ibang pangalan ang nakasulat doon na hindi ko inasahan, and it was an incoming call.

Oliver's calling.