Filling The Gentleman's Thirst (Filipino)

Chapter 6

I was at loss for words to say, I keep on scanning his face instead. Trying to spot some imperfections that I could use against him in my mind, so I'll stop admiring how manly he is. But there's none, just none. My heartbeat goes wilder as he breathed out calmly, stretching a gentle and sweet smile for me as he held the book beside my face.

"This is a historical book, about the lifestyle of our ancestors. It's my first time to encounter someone who also love old stuffs."

"I don't really like old stuffs," I finally found my voice, just because I don't want him to get me wrong.

I don't like old stuff, I just find the book interesting. Hands slightly trembling, I grabbed the book from him and hugged it tightly against my chest. I forced myself not to look nervous, because hell knows how much nervous I am right at the moment.

"Oh, I thought."

Bahagya siyang umatras kaya nakahinga ako ng maluwag, pero hindi no'n napawi ang kaba ko. Mas lumakas pa nga dahil mas tinitigan niya ako. Tinagilid niya ang ulo at bumagsak ang mata sa labi ko. Hindi ko naman napigilang kagatin ang labi kaya agad akong nasaktan.

"Ouch," I groaned.

He sighed deeply as he click his tongue, that got my undivided attention.

"What happened to your face? Your right cheek is swollen, are you hurt? Did someone bully you again?" Magkasunod niyang tanong at nangunot ang nuo.

"Wala, nauntog lang ako kanina. Nakagat ko rin ang labi ko."

There's no point on lying, he's smart and my reasoning sounds so futile. He'll definitely know if I'm lying. Same goes with Tristan, for sure he won't believe me.

Pero hindi ko inaasahang tatango siya sa'kin na para bang naniniwala siya, bahagyang naningkit ang mga mata ko. Hindi ko kasi 'yon inaasahan.

"Alright, masakit pa ba?"

I shook my head. He smiled as he slide his left hand inside his slacks' pocket and, in a split second, he's got a band aid in his hand. Not just a simple band aid since I saw some cute drawings on it. He expertly peeled it for me and I was just here, standing while in awe.

"This is pretty cute, maliit lang kaya hindi magiging sagabal sa maganda mong mukha," sabi niya sa pabirong boses at tinignan ang labi ko. I saw how his face softened and if I didn't know that it's for my wound, perhaps I'd think that he wanna kiss me. "Let me put it for you."

At kusa na akong nagpigil ng hininga nang ilapat niya sa gilid ng labi ko ang maliit na band aid. Kulay puti ito kaya malamang na hindi ito halata kapag titignan sa malayo. Ramdam ko ang gaan ng kamay niya nang saglit niyang inayos ang pagkakadikit ng band aid sa labi ko. Tapos ay tumango siya sa'kin habang nakangiti.

Tahimik kaming bumalik sa inuupuan kanina at nagbasa, pinilit ko ang sariling mag-focus at h'wag na siyang pansinin. Nagawa ko naman pero dahil sa trabaho ay iniwan ko na siya. Nagsimula na akong tapusin ang paglilinis dahil uuwi na rin si Miss Jasmine.

"Mauuna na ako, Miss Fidelin. I-lock mo na lang ang padlock dahil bukas naman 'yon."

"Opo, Miss Jasmine."

Nakangiti kong pinanuod si Miss Jasmine na magligpit habang ako ay nililigpit ang mga librong naiwan sa mesa. Saglit dumapo ang striktong mata niya sa'kin bago sa likuran ko. Naisip ko agad si Ali at ang iisipin niya kahit alam kong hindi naman siya gano'n. Nang lumingon ako sa likuran ay naabutan ko si Aliston na nililigpit ang mga librong nasa iba pang mesa. Bahagya akong napanganga, nagulat at namangha sa ginagawa niya.

"Sige, bilisan mo at tinutulungan ka na ni Mr Monte Grande. Isara mo agad itong library at umuwi ka na," malamig na paalala ni Miss Jasmine bago umalis.

Bahagya akong nangiti sa inasal niya, mukha lang siyang suplada pero iba ang tingin ko sa kaniya. Para lang naman siyang nanay na takbuhan. Nang maalala si Ali ay agad akong napanguso at nilingon ito.

"What are you doing?" Tanong ko. "I can do it alone, thank you for your help but this is my job."

"And? There's nothing wrong in helping you doing your job," he replied smoothly, lifting heavy books without any difficulty. "Besides, I just can't watch a woman lifting heavy books when I can help. Those untidy and irresponsible students, how hard could it be to return the books they borrowed from where they got it?"

"Trabaho ko naman 'yon, saka wala naman ako masyadong ginagawa rito maliban sa maglinis. Ang laki ng binabayad sa'kin ng management, e."

"And? It's a basic etiquette to return the things they borrowed, they're being spoiled because you're here to clean their mess."

"And that's my purpose here," bwelta ko at tinulungan na rin siyang ibalik ang mga libro.

Hindi rin naman kami nagtagal at agad ng isinarado ang library. Hinintay niya akong matapos saka kami magkasabay na naglakad paalis. Hindi ko in-expect na sabay pa kami, bakit ba hindi na siya nauna kanina? Habang naglalakad ay wala kaming imikan, wala naman kasi akong sasabihin. Nagsasalita lang ako kapag may tinatanong siya, pakiramdam ko nga ay siya pa mismo ang gumagawa ng paraan para magkausap kami.

I appreciate his efforts to make the atmosphere lighter, because of him, the awkwardness between us vanished and was replaced by our short laughters. He apparently can make me laugh by a single joke. He just cracked a funny line from the manga he reads.

Natigil lang kami nang makita ko si Tristan na nakaabang sa dulo ng hallway na nilalakad namin. Nakapamulsa ito at may kausap na babae, base sa lawak ng ngisi niya ay mukhang nakikipaglandian na naman siya. Nang makita akong papalapit ay tinanguan niya ang kausap at marahang tinapik sa ulo. Tila nagpapaalam na.

Ang babaero rin talaga nito.

"Jedah, Ali? Magkasama pala kayo?" Taka niyang tanong, saka niya lang din na-realized na kasama ko ang kaibigan niya. "Hey, how's work? Marami ba gawain? Sorry 'di na ako nakaabot, kinausap kasi ako ng group mates ko tungkol sa project namin."

"Ayos lang, 'di ka naman kailangan do'n."

"Ouch, that's foul." He chuckled, then threw his friend a questioning look.

"I did review related literature, for our research, too," Ali reasoned which is hundred percent true. "I didn't know she's a part timer."

"Well, she's hard headed. Ayaw makinig, hindi niya naman talaga kailangan magtrabaho. Marami naman kaming pera."

"Ano ka ba, Immerson. Ganiyan talaga mga babae, ayaw nilang binubuhay sila, ayaw nilang dumedepende lang sa boyfriend o asawa at magiging asawa nila." Medyo napakunot ang nuo ko sa sinabi ni Ali, kahit si Tristan napangiwi. "Hindi porque mayaman ka ay hindi mo na pagtatrabahuin ang girlfriend mo, hayaan mo siyang gawin ang gusto niya at support ka na lang. Palibhasa unang beses mong magseryuso."

"What the f**k, Ali? What the hell are you talking about, bro?" My brother asked in disbelief, while I bit my lip to suppressed my laughter. "Are you crazy? What are you saying?"

Aliston seems puzzled, he creased his forehead and shot us a quick glance.

"Why? Did I say something wrong? Tama naman, you two...are in a relationship, right?"

"What the heck?"

I actually avoided Aliston's gaze just for me not to laugh, while Trist bursted out laughing, leaving his friend in confusion. Then in a snap, Trist turned serious as he look at him flatly.

"Are you serious, Ali? Naniniwala ka ring magkasintahin kami ni Jedah? Seryuso ka?"

"Bakit, hindi ba?"

"Oh man, your driving me nuts."

"I'm sorry?" Aliston glanced at me, with furrowed eyebrows. "But I saw how you cared for her...well, nevermind. I don't wanna know further than this." He grimaced at Tristan. "You can't admit the real score, I get it and I'll respect that. But I'll definitely know the truth sooner, you know us."

"Yeah, yeah. Tsismoso kayo, e. Malalaman niyo rin kasi tsismoso kayo. Lalo na iyong dalawa."

Tristan reached for my hand and intertwined our fingers, holding it up for Ali. Nakita ko ang pagsunod ng mga mata nito sa magkahawak naming kamay at ang pagtaas niya ng kilay.

"Uwi ko na siya," nakangising saad ni Tristan at kinindatan ako.

Ali chuckled as he shrugged his shoulders, he was smiling when we left and even when we're inside Trist's car, I can't stop thinking of his smile. When we arrived at my apartment, Tristan stayed for a couple of hours before he went home. He even helped me in preparing my dinner and watched my favorite anime series with me. Also, he noticed something in my face. And as expected as it was, he found out the truth in a single glance.

Alas sais ng gabi nang maisipan kong lumabas at gumala saglit sa convenience store ilang metro ang layo sa apartment. Naka-gray jogging pants, gray hoodie jacket ako at tanging dala ay cellphone, earphone at pitaka. Marami pang tao sa labas ng apartment building.

It took me ten minutes to reach the convenience store, I ordered three hot and spicy cup noodles. Then five big pieces of bread and seeked for the table near the glass wall. I also bought a bottled water and three big chips.

Ganito palagi ang ginagawa ko kapag bored sa apartment at walang magawa. Gusto ko lang naman magsaya kahit mag-isa ako. Well, I don't need a boyfriend to be happy, just foods and I'm fine. Matapos lutuin sa mainit na tubig ang noodles ay nagsimula na akong kumain. Wala na naman akong pakialam sa paligid.

Three cup noodles and breads and a good song on my earphones and I'm good. Feels like, I've enjoyed my life well enough. Feels like there's no reason for me to be sad anymore. No problems. No school works. No worries. The feeling of freedom also taste good.

Nasa pangatlong cup noodle na ako nang may maumupo sa tabi ko at may narinig akong tumikhim. Wala sa sarili kong nilingon kung sino 'yon at muntik ko ng maibuga ang kinakain nang makita si Aliston. Mabilis lang talaga ako kumilos at natakpan ko agad ang bunganga ko sabay talikod sa kaniya.

Shit!

Narinig ko siyang mahinang tumawa, naghanap ako ng tissue sa mesa pero wala akong mahanap. I should give this convenience store a bad feedback for not providing tissue for customers!

"You okay? Here."

Sinilip ko ang panyo na inabot ni Ali, mas lalo lang yata akong nahiya nang makitang natatawa pa rin siya. Hindi na rin ako nag-inarte at tinanggap ko na ang panyo.

And when I wiped it to my lips, my eyes swoon, the handkerchief just smells really good. My cheeks burned and I just can't move to thank him. The white handkerchief smells great, feels soft and I don't wanna give it back. Ganun naman dapat, e.

Nang tignan ko siya ay nahuli ko siyang pinagmamasdan ang tatlong cup noodles na naubos ko. Sa tanang buhay ko, ngayon lang yata ako nahiya na malakas ako kumain. Parang kenuryente ako sa bilis magligpit, sa isang minuto lang naligpit ko na agad lahat ng kalat ko at naisupot pa.

"Thank you sa panyo," sabi ko at tumayo. Tumayo rin siya kaya napatingala ako sa kaniya, why naman ang tangkad? "Lalabhan ko muna bago ibalik sa'yo."

"No worries, you can have that," he replied, sliding both his hand inside his jeans's pocket. "Mag-isa ka lang? Saan apartment mo?"

"Diyan lang, hindi naman malayo. Ikaw, umabot ka pa rito?" Ang alam ko kasi malayo rito sa village ang bahay nila. "May kasama ka ba?"

"Yeah, gumala lang kami." Nilingon niya ang grupo ng tatlong lalaki at dalawang babae na bumibili rin. "Tagal na rin kasi naming hindi gumagala, 'di ko inaasahang aabot kami rito."

Tumango na lang ako at inayos na ang supot na dadalhin, busog na naman ako kaya uuwi na lang ako.

"Okay, gotta go," sabi ko at kumaway.

Tumingin muna siya sa labas bago sumagot, ngayon medyo seryuso na.

"Hatid na kita, madilim na baka ano mangyari sa'yo sa daan."

"Ha?! H'wag na, malapit lang naman saka palagi ko naman 'to ginagawa."

"Palagi?" Seryuso na siya ngayon at bahagya pang nakakunot ang nuo. "Masyadong delikado 'yon para sa'yo, baka mapagtripan ka sa daan at...alam ba 'to ni Trist?"

Shit, 'yan na nga ba sinasabi ko.

"Don't you dare tell him," I warned. "Kapag nalaman niya, ikaw malalagot sa'kin."

"Uhuh?" He smirked and arched his left brow, and he definitely looks cool. "Should I be scared? What are you gonna do to me if ever, hmm?"

Naks, nanghahamon. Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mata at sinamaan ng tingin. Malilintikan sa'kin 'tong lalaking 'to.

"Sinasabi ko sa'yo, Aliston. Tch, alis na nga ako."

"Jedah, wait."

Nahinto ako nang hawakan niya ako sa braso, hindi pa ako nakakabawi sa pagkagulat nang maramdaman ko ang pagdausdos ng kamay niya sa kamay ko at sa supot na dala ko. Napatingin ako ro'n at napakurap ng ilang beses.

"I'm serious, I'll walk you home," he said sincerely and with gentleness that, when he took the plastic from me, I couldn't even get to complain. "I just feel like, letting a woman go home alone doesn't feel good at all. It won't take me an hour, so why not? I will not bother you either, I'll just walk you home. Safely."

Malalim akong huminga at nakanguso siyang tinignan, mabagal akong tumango kaya napangiti siya. Hindi na ako nagsalita pa at nauna ng lumabas sa store. Habang naglalakad ay tinatago ko ang dalawa kong kamay sa bulsa ng jacket ko. Hindi ko kasi maipaliwanag ang nararamdaman, nae-excite ako na natutuwa. Gusto kong mangiti pero hindi pwede, baka ano pang isipin niya.

Why is he so persistent and caring? That even to me, someone he just knew, he cares. It's normal for a girl to go home alone, even when there are guys around who could walk her home. But he's different, he feels like it's a sin to let a woman go home alone when he can walk her home.

In short, pa-fall.

True to his words, we reached my apartment without us breathing a word. How noble. I thanked him then sent him away, he went off obediently after he flashed a sweet smile. With a soft, "Good night," escaping his lips.

And as for the record, our paths crossed four times today. Imagine that, four times? Were they all coincidence or what?

Kinabukasan maaga pang dumating si Tristan para sunduin ako, nauna na naman siya sa'kin. Laking gulat ko nang may naramdaman akong kumikiliti sa'kin habang siya tumatawa at ginigising ako. Grabe, iba rin ang trip niya sa buhay. Dapat yata bawiin ko ang spare keys na binigay ko sa kaniya.

"Tristan naman, sobrang aga pa. Inaantok pa ako, e," ungot ko at nagtalukbong ulit ng kumot.

Naramdaman ko siyang nahiga rin kaya medyo umuga ang kama, akala ko ay hahayaan na niya ako pero bigla niya na lang hinablot ang kumot. Napamulat ako at agad siyang pinukol ng masamang tingin.

"Ano ba 'yan? Nakaluto na ako ng agahan natin natutulog ka pa rin. Dapat yata rito na rin ako matulog total ako naman palagi nagluluto," sabi niya at ngumiwi. Dumapa siya sa kama at yumakap sa unan habang nakaharap sa'kin. "What do you think, sis? Should I move in here?"

My sleepy eyes squinted at him, he's just gonna be overly protective. Means he won't let me stroll around the village at night.

"No."

"Why not? It's a good idea, we can spend time together more often. You know, pambawi sa ilang taon na hindi tayo nagkasama."

"Maganda 'yang naisip mo."

"See? You also agreed," he said with conviction.

Akala siguro niya mauuto niya ako, hindi na ako bata, Tristan. Inirapan ko siya at nilibing ko sa unan ang mukha ko. Tumawa naman siya at niyakap ako gamit ang isang kamay. Marahan niya akong kinabig palapit para bumulong.

"Sige na, medyo ayoko munang umuwi sa bahay, e."

"Bakit?"

"May bisita kasi si mommy, babae, sobrang taray. Akala mo naman siya ang may-ari ng bahay, ayaw akong kausapin."

"Edi gawan mo ng paraan, gamitin mo charm mo. Ano namang silbi niyan?" Umayos ako ng higa dahil nawawalan na ako ng hangin.

"That's the thing, she has something against my charm. May pananggalang yata, hindi man lang tinatablan. Kahit isang minuto lang ayaw niya akong makita."

Nakangiwi ko siyang tinignan, seems like, the girl who can dispel his charm was born. What a good news. I smirked at him.

"She's the girl who can resist the irresistible charm, finally, you've meet someone who can't be charmed by you. Karma na 'yan!"

Tawang-tawa akong bumangon at siya naman ang naiwang nakahiga sa kama, mukha nga siyang problemado. Hindi maipenta ang mukha niya habang nakahiga at nakatingala sa kesame. Nagusot na ang suot niyang damit dahil sa pagkakahiga.

"Stand up, I'll clean my bed now."

"Just go to the shower, I wanna lay here for a minute. I'll fix the bed later," he answered without breaking his intimate eye contact with the ceiling.

I bursted out laughing the reason why he glared at me. He effortlessly grabbed a pillow and threw it at me.

"Stop laughing, nothing's funny."

"Meron kaya."

"At ano?"

"You, you and your expression!" I exclaimed, laughing harder. "You seems really bothered, Trist. Who is she anyway? Why is she in your house?"

"The spoiled daughter of my godfather, who else?" He answered, grimacing. "She's so spoiled, like a brat. Sobrang arte, daming alam, palamura, mapanlait, gusto palaging binibigyan ng atensyon. Mas malala pa siya kaysa sa akin noong bata pa ako."

Mukhang masamang balita nga 'yon, kahit ako napaisip. Bakit naman nandun iyong anak ng ninong niya? Kaya pala umagang-umaga pa nandito na siya.

"What a pain in the ass, kailan ba siya uuwi?"

"I don't know, mom wants her there. May problema na yata si mommy, gustong-gusto niya iyong babae na 'yon. Mas mahal pa kaysa sa'kin."

"Kaya ka nage-emote rito? Lumabas ka na nga, mabilis lang ako kaya ihanda mo na ang mesa."

I jumped off the bed and ran towards the bathroom. I heard his problematic sigh that made me chuckled. I think I want to meet the girl. Something is off, why is he so bothered anyway? If the girl don't like him, then fine, he can avoid her and live his life like usual.