FRIEND OF MINE (2nd Generation HUGS)

Chapter 6 -Para Mainggit Ako

Chapter 6 -Para Mainggit Ako

A week left and I will be flying out of the country once again. My vacation is almost done and I will be back at work na ulit. Balik na sa busy and hectic hours in front of my computer plus mga kabila-kabilang meetings with my trusted heads. This week that is left for me here in the country, balak kong sulitin kasama ang family ko and my friends. Kung pwede nga lang sana na mag-extend pa ako ng vacation but I really need to get back na talaga. Siguro makakabalik ako ng country after few months na ulit. 

Today my siblings and I decided to spend the day together, kaming tatlo lang. Core mentioned last night that he will treat us out ni Ezra on a shopping spree kaya naman kagabi pa lang ay excited na ang youngest namin dahil matitipid na naman raw siya sa gastos. Knowing Ezra, medyo thrifty and prudent ang isang yun unlike me na shop all you can carry palagi. 

I am already at our front garden reading one of the books na binigay ni Triton while waiting for my sibling na nagbibihis pa when someone caught my attention at the gate. Mabilis akong ngumiti upon seeing him. Naka-cargo shorts lang siya and tee but his effect on me doesn't waver a bit. Hindi na ako lumapit sa gate para pagbuksan siya, he let himself in and is now heading towards me. 

'Saan ang lakad mo at nakapang-gala ka yata now?' he kiss my cheek first before settling down at one of the metal chairs. 

'Core will treat me out with Ezra today. Way niya raw to bond with me since malapit na akong umalis.' I close the book I am reading and place it on top of the center table. 

'Oo nga ano. Paalis ka na nga pala. Hindi ko pa na sulit na kasama ka best friend yet aalis ka na ulit.' He said boyishly while scratching his nape.

'That's alright. You were quite busy rin with Phoebe lately.' nang tingnan ko siya ay nakatingin siya sa book ko. 

'Bago?' he reach for it and look at the back. After a while ay binalik na niya ang book kung saan ko ito pinatong. 

'Yeah. Bigay ni Triton the last time we went out.'

'Lumabas kayo? When? Bakit hindi ko yata alam ang tungkol dun?'

'Biglaan lang rin yun. He went here moments after our basketball game tapos ayun nagpasama na may bibilhin daw siya.'

'Bakit hindi na lang siya sa iba nagpasama? He can ask Arzel or JV, why you?'

'Hindi ko rin alam why. He just said that he wanted my meticulous suggestion on something that he wishes to buy for a certain girl.' nakangiti ako upon remembering that day. That silly pig, hindi pa ako tapos sa kanya. I will make sure na bago ako umalis ay makausap ko ulit siya.

'Why are you smiling all of a sudden Bella?' my gaze turns to him as my smile evaporates. 

'Am I? Hindi kaya.' He stared at me fiercely as if analyzing me.

'You did. Bakit bigla ka na lang ngumiti huh? Have I said something that you should smile at?'

'Nothing! Ikaw talaga kung anu-ano ang napapansin mo! Teka nga, why are you here by the way?' sumandal ako and cross my arms in front of me. 

'Wala lang! Naisip ko lang na puntahan ka dito. Bakit? Masama ba! Besides, I'll invite you out to somewhere sana since aalis ka na nga ng country but I guess you have other plans with your siblings.'

'You can come along with us Kuya Ziggy! I won't mind.' sabay kaming napatingin kay Core na kakalabas lang. 

'Nah. Bonding ninyo magkakapatid yan, I don't want to spoil the fun.' agad na siyang tumayo. 'I better be going.' 

'Sama ka na if you really want to.' huli na bago ko naisip ang sinabi ko. Actually if hindi lang ang mga kapatid ko ang kasama ko now ay ika-cancel ko ang lakad ko just to accompany my best friend. Masisisi niyo ba ako if I want to be with him? Yun na nga lang ang way ko to be with the man I love nang hindi obvious. 

'You sure about that?' 

Ayan na naman yung mga tingin niya sa akin that makes my knees wobbly and my heart palpitates. Yung tingin na parang nagpapa-cute na may kasamang panunukso. Mga style niya na halata naman na gusto niyang sumama pero gusto lang rin niyang pilitin muna. 

'Kung ayaw mo naman, huwag ka ng sumama Ziggy! You just want na pilitin pa kita! Tss! I knew you so well.'

'Hahahahaha! Sige na sasama na ako! If I know Bella, gusto mo lang talaga akong kasama! Kunwari ka pa. Hahahahaha!'

'Asa ka pa Mr. Reiz!'

'Are we leaving or what!' dinaanan lang kami ni Ezra and head to the garage. 

'I have my car with me, Core. Convoy na lang kami ni Bella sa inyo ni Ezra.' my brother just nodded so the two of us walked towards the gate. 

Tahimik lang ako while we are inside the car, wala rin naman kasi akong maisip na topic that we can talk about while at the road. Pero bigla na lang siya nagtanong that made my eyebrow arch.

'Did Triton finally say that he will be courting you, Bella?

How did he knew about that? As far as I have remembered ay wala akong sinabihan about sa message sa akin ni Triton the other day. Did Triton told Ziggy? Masasaktan ko talaga ang isang yun kapag nagkataon. 

'Have he said that he will court me?' I tried to look sternly para kunwari ay hindi ko pa alam ang plan ni Triton.

'He asked me and your siblings if he can ask you out on a date at the time na hindi ka nakapunta sa get together sa bahay. That is why I am asking you if he has finally told you na liligawan ka niya.' 

Bakit parang iba ang dating sa akin ng sinabi ngayon ni Ziggy? Is he jealous over Triton? Impossible! Pero bakit niya ako tinatanong ng ganito? What for? Bakit hindi si Triton ang tanungin niya instead of me? 

'He hasn't mentioned any to me.'

'Paano if one day he did mention it to you? What if he will say that he will court you? Anong isasagot mo?' bigla akong napatingin sa kanya. He is so serious at walang amusement na makikita sa mukha niya. 

'Well, matagal ko na naman kilala si Triton. He is also close to me, next to you that is. So siguro pwede naman.' I want to know his reaction, I am dying to know what will his reaction be. He remained focus on the road kaya inalis ko na ang tingin ko sa kanya. But suddenly he step on the break and the car stops. Then pagtingin ko sa kanya ay nakatitig na siya sa akin. 

'No!'

'Huh?'

'You can't allow him to court you Bella. Hindi ako papayag. That won't happen.' I am dumbfounded with what he just said. Ano raw?

'And may I know why?' my heart radically pumps.

'Basta!' I chuckled loudly sa childish answer niya. 

He is acting really strange lately. Napansin ko na yun during our ball game the other day. There is something odd by the way he stares at me even when our hands were clasped ng hinatid niya ako palabas sa gate nila after our game. Ayokong isipin na may gusto siya sa akin because that is far beyond possible. Mas masasaktan lang ako kung lalagyan ko ng ibang color and meaning ang kakaibang kinikilos niya lately. Besides, he has a girlfriend now at alam kong mahal na mahal niya si Phoebe kaya it is very impossible na magselos siya kay Triton. Pero bakit nga ba parang nag-iba siya ngayon? Bakit parang may kakaiba sa kanya? It really makes me wonder.

'You don't own my life Ziggy. I get to decide for myself.' mataray kong sagot pabalik.

'I perfectly knew that Bella. It's just that, ayoko lang na masaktan ka in the end dahil best friend kita.'

'It's as if Triton will hurt me. Hindi ganon ang pagkakakilala ko sa kanya. Saka, is he dating someone else already? As far as I know ay single siya ngayon.'

'So you mean to say that you will say yes to him if ever.' hindi patanong ang sinabi niya, it is more of a statement.

'Bakit hindi? I am single, hindi naman ako into a relationship with someone. So why not?' he release a heavy breath. 'Isa pa, you knew him well also. You should be happier na ang manliligaw sa akin ay kilala mo na, not unless...'

'Unless what?' his forehead is creasing.

'Unless you know things na hindi ko pa alam tungkol sa kanya. Unless you have a valid and massive reason kung bakit parang ayaw mo na ligawan niya ako.' nagpakawala ulit siya ng malalim na hininga which really makes me curious. He is acting strange lately tapos ngayon naman ay parang against siya na ligawan ako ng Triton.

'Never mind.' binuhay niya ulit ang car then silence filled our entire journey hanggang sa nakarating na kami at the mall.

The whole duration of our stay sa mall ay tahimik lang si Ziggy. He will just speak up kapag kinakausap siya ni Core while Ezra and I shop. Para ngang tatlo lang kaming magkakapatid ang magkasama, it's as if he is not with us. Nagtataka ako sa mga kinikilos niya but I don't want to dwell on it deeper. Kung ano man ang mga reasons niya sa pinag-usapan namin kanina sa car, nasa kanya na yun kung ayaw niyang sabihin sa akin why. I just enjoy my time with my siblings at hindi na lang rin pinansin ang tantrums ni Ziggy. 

---

'Darn!' I throw my car key at my bed the moment I enter my bedroom. Asar na asar ako sa mga sinagot ni Bella sa akin kanina. Why do I have the feeling na parang gusto pa niya na ligawan siya ni Triton? Si Triton kaya ang ultimate crush niya since childhood kaya parang excited pa siya sa ideya na ligawan siya nito? I slump heavily on my bed and tried to calm myself. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ba ganito ako ngayon. Hindi ko maisip kung bakit ganito na lang ang kinikilos ko suddenly pagdating kay Bella. Tama naman siya na single siya and if ever nga na ligawan siya ni Triton ay wala naman talagang masama dun at wala akong paki dapat dun dahil buhay niya yun. Pero bakit hindi ako in favor sa ideya na yun? Bakit hindi ako mapakali sa ideya na papayag siya na magpaligaw? It really pisses me dahil hindi ko maintindihan ang sarili ko. I exhaled several deep breaths saka nagpunta sa coffee table and switch on my laptop.

I try to divert my attention by opening my social media account. A new post that was tagged to me pops up, it's Ezra's recent post. Kanina ito when we were at the mall, while we were eating. Katabi ko si Bella and Ezra took a picture of us four. Tinitigan kong maigi si Bella, how she smile in front of the camera na akala mo ay isang model and how she leans her chin at my shoulder. Bago pa ako makapag-comment sa post, my phone beeps several times. Absent-mindedly ay kinuha ko ito sa pocket ng pants ko and answered it immediately without looking who the caller is. 

'I thought you don't have any plans of going out today.' I exhaled exasperatedly. Sa tone ng voice niya now ay hindi na naman maganda ang mood niya for sure. Siguro kung may nangyari na sa amin ni Phoebe ay iisipin ko na buntis siya sa mga mood swings niya.

'Wala naman talaga Babe.'

'Then ano yun tagged post to you? It was stated there na kanina lang yun.'

'Niyaya lang ako nila Bella.'

'How could you ZG? Niyayaya kita last night na lumabas tayo today but you turned me down because you've said that you wanted to stay home tapos ngayon makikita ko na you went out with her? Iba ka rin ano. Kapag ang best friend mo ang nag-invite sa'yo kahit anong oras and where ay sasama ka without thinking twice! Pero kapag ako?'

'Can we just talk about this tomorrow instead. Masakit ang ulo ko Phoebe, don't start please. I don't have time to argue with you now.'

'Fine!' then she end the call kaya mas lalo lang nadagdagan ang asar ko.

---

I was about to go to the bathroom to take an afternoon shower when my phone rings. Inabot ko ito from my bedside table and saw an unfamiliar number. Hindi ko na sana ito sasagutin but curiosity is killing me kaya sinagot ko na rin. 

'Bella? It's Phoebe.'

'Hey, napatawag ka? I'm sorry hindi ko alam na ikaw pala ang tumatawag, sorry to keep you waiting.'

'It's alright. Ahm Bella, can we meet?' nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Bakit niya gustong makipagkita sa akin? Nag-away ba sila ni Ziggy that she wants to have a girl to girl talk with me?

'Yah sure, when?'

'Now sana if you don't mind. I just need to talk to you lang kasi Bella. It's about your best friend.'

'I see. Sure, where will we meet?'

I am already at our meeting place ni Phoebe. It's a secluded coffee shop na hindi naman kalayuan sa village. Nasa area rin daw siya kaya dito na lang niya naisip na magkita kami. I am about to order a frappe when I saw her enter. Kaagad kong tinaas ang kamay ko for her to see me instantly. She gracefully sat in front of me paglapit niya.

'Have you waited long Bella?' I shake my head before smiling at her. 'Let us order first, what do you want to have?' sinabi ko ang order ko sa dining staff then ganon rin siya. 

'May problem ba kayo ni Ziggy? Is that why you wanted to talk to me?'

'Slight.' she sighs before leaning back.

'Was it the last argument you two have? The one na na-mention sa akin ni Ziggy?'

'No, we've already settled that thing. Iba naman ito this time but for the same reason.'

'I see.' I am wondering kung ano ang pinagtatalunan nila. Knowing my best friend, hindi siya ang type ng tao na mahilig makipagtalo especially not to a girl. Although makulit siya and such a teaser pero hanggang dun lang yun.

'Have he told you why we had fights recently Bella?' her smile suddenly disappears and she sounds serious all of a sudden.

'He hasn't. Ayoko rin naman na magtanong dahil private topic niyo na yun dalawa.' 

'I thought I've made the right decision in going here. Well, partly yes because I have met his family and friends. And you on that matter. Pero, somehow I regret going here.' I remained silent and just listened to her. Hindi naman siguro simple na chit-chat lang ang reason why she made an effort to meet me. 'You see Bella, you seem to be a nice person and I don't have anything against you. Kaya lang kasi, ZG seems to be very fond of you.' alam ko naman ang aspect na yun because magkakilala na kami since childhood days pa. Sa sobrang close nga namin ay maraming nag-aakala na kami. 

'Matagal narin kasi kaming magkakilala. Our parents have history of friendships as well.'

'I knew that. He already told me about that story.' we were interrupted nang dumating na ang orders namin. I am sipping my frappe when she continues. 'It made me wonder kung anong meron sayo why my boyfriend is so into you.' muntik ko ng mabuga ang liquid inside my mouth. 

'Pardon.'

'I knew that you two are close, as in really really close. I'm sorry to say this but I hate seeing that closeness. I hate seeing how close you are to ZG.' I am caught off guard about what she has said. 'Frankly speaking, you were and still is the reason why we are fighting Bella.' umangat ang eyebrow ko sa narinig ko. 

'Me? Why me Phoebe? I don't seem to recall that I have interfered with your relationship with my best friend.' 

Does Ziggy told her something kaya ganito ang sinasabi ngayon ng girlfriend niya sa akin? Saka bakit ako nasali sa arguments nila kung umiiwas na nga ako na maka-abala sa kanila? Several times na hindi na nga ako sumasama sa mga pag-alis nila para makaiwas ako sa sakit that I often feel kapag nakikita ko sila na sweet together. So why me? Why am I the reason sa mga pinagtatalunan nila?

'Honestly, can you be real to me even just for this moment Bella? Pwede bang wag ka na munang mag-pretend to be nice and sweet and just be frank kahit in front of me lang.'

Ano daw? Who the hell is this woman to tell me what to act and not? Ako? Pretending? To whom? To her? What the effin s**t is she talking about? Naguguluhan ako.

'Excuse me but, what you saw is the real me Phoebe. I also hate pretensions so I don't do that either.' I continue to maintain my composure dahil hindi naman ako pinalaki nila mommy and daddy na pala-away lalo na in public places. That's not my thing, that is not me at all. Kaya kong makipagsagutan when needed but I still maintain my standards and I don't stoop down my level.

'Is that so?' tinignan ko siya as she sips her coffee. Why do I have the feeling na parang away yata ang pakay ng isang ito sa akin now. 

'Couples have random arguments Phoebe, it's but natural. What's not natural is that you put the blame on someone who isn't involved in the first place. What's even funnier is, I don't see the point why I am included sa away niyo ni Ziggy. Why tell me this? Why not talk to him instead?'

'I already did that Bella. He just shut me out dahil ikaw na naman ang involve sa topic namin so hindi na ako nagulat dun. Now you tell me what I want to know dahil for sure ay alam mo why my boyfriend is like this.'

'Like what?' I lean back at the rattan chair and place a finger under my chin.

'Oh stop pretending that you don't know what I mean Bella.' natawa ako before shaking my head sa sinabi niya. Pero kasama ng pagtawa ko ang pagkainis ko sa kanya. Who is she to talk to me this way in the first place? Wala pang nagsalita ng ganito sa akin ever kaya it pisses me off.

'Sorry to burst your bubble barbie doll but I don't effin know what you are pertaining to.'

'Tell me bakit masyadong malapit sayo ang boyfriend ko to the extent that he chose you over me na makasama kanina.' I place a hand at my mouth to suppress my laughter. From a classy lady nang dumating siya dito to a barbaric cave woman ngayon sa harapan ko. I gaze around the coffee shop and some customers are looking at her.

Oh now I get her point. She is jealous about me being close to Ziggy. And by the way it looks like dapat lumabas sila kanina ni Ziggy but he prefers to come with us instead. Yun ang kinakagalit niya ngayon sa akin.

'Temper temper my dear. Don't put yourself in a wall of shame in front of several people. Nakakahiya kung magiging barbaric ka dito, we are just conversing right?' kumalma siya ng konti after looking around. 'Sa totoo lang, I don't give a s**t to what you feel Phoebe because I know that I haven't done anything para magka-ganyan ka. If you have a problem with my best friend, deal it with him and not with me. Wala akong pake sa affair niyo ni Ziggy.'

'Lumugar ka kasi! Best friend ka lang, ako ang girlfriend here!' she frantically pound the table that made me burst in laughter.

'Hahahahaha! Oh my gosh! Such a display of unmannered behavior you have there Phoebe. Hindi na ako magtataka if one day ay nauntog si Ziggy at iwanan ka. Wala kang breeding so to speak. You are just a pretty face Phoebe, nothing to boast about but just your pretty face.' she was about to slap me when I raise my eyebrow at her and lift my pointing finger. 'Subukan mo. Just try to touch an inch of my skin with that finger of yours, I swear to the devil that before this day ends ay hihiwalayan ka na ni Ziggy. Slap me kung ayaw mong maniwala.' I move malapit pa sa kanya and lean my face forward para mas maabot niya ako.

'You b***h! Napaka-two face mo. Miss Nice-To-Everyone pero hindi naman talaga. You're trying to ruin our relationship ni ZG dahil naiingit ka sa akin.' she smirk widely.

'Me? Si Pretty Bella Smith naiinggit sayo? How come you say that Phoebe?' I lean back again and stare at her with amusement and mockery. 'How much is your net worth para kainggitan kita? And how many companies do you own for you to say that? Oh and before I forgot, do you even have as much wealth as I have para mainggit ako sa'yo? Relationship lang ang meron ka Phoebe but me, I have the world at the palm of my hand.' I sip my frappe again as she is fuming with rage and anger. Kulang na lang ay kalmutin niya ako sa galit niya now. 'You see barbie doll, you don't know me yet for you to accuse me such nonsense and pathetic accusations. Hindi porket tahimik ako ay kakayan-kayanin mo na ako. Baka magulat ka kapag nalaman mo kung sino ang kaharap mo ngayon. Better search my name in the internet my dear so you have the full knowledge of who am I. Baka mahiya ka kapag nalaman mo kung sino talaga ako, baka manliit ka sa sarili mo my dear. So if I were you, better leave now bago mo pa maipahiya pa ang sarili mo which you already did in public at madamay pa ang prestigious name ko sa ka-cheap-an mo.'

'I am not through with you Bella. I am warning you, stop seducing my boyfriend.' I chuckle loudly upon hearing her last words.

'Seducing? Wala pa nga akong ginagawa Phoebe. What more if may gawin na ako? What will happen to you then?' She immediately stands up and is about to get cash inside her cheap bag. 'Oh don't bother, I'll pay for our bill. I can even buy you if I want to.' tinitigan niya muna ako ng masama before marching out of the coffee shop.

I just shake my head and smile victoriously as I continue drinking my frappe. 'No one messes with me na hindi uuwing talunan. And I mean no one, not even you barbie doll. Magsumbong ka pa sa boyfriend mo for all I care, as if kakampihan ka niya. Tawa ko lang if ever.' I whispered underneath my breath before flipping my hair.

Paglabas ko sa coffee shop, I went home. Nakakailang hakbang pa lang ako from the main door when I saw my best friend standing next to the grand staircase. I release an exhausted air and head to the living room.

'Let me guess why you are here.' he didn't say a word and just sit beside me. 'Syempre nagsumbong na kaagad sayo si barbie doll. For sure may mga additionals na yun, filtered na. If you'll argue with me about your pathetic girlfriend Ziggy...' nagulat ako nang bigla niya akong niyakap ng mahigpit.

'I want to say sorry for every words she have said to you Bella. It was my fault na niyaya ko pa siya na mag-vacation dito, sana hindi na lang para walang mang-aaway sayo ng ganito. I'm really sorry Princess, I really am.' kung nagulat ako sa bigla niyang pagyakap sa akin ay mas nagulat ako sa mga sinabi niya. He look at me with tears in his eyes. Naawa naman ako sa itsura niya, he look so sad and guilty.

'Don't cry silly! Bakit ka ba umiiyak jan! Hindi naman ikaw ang inaway hello! Ako kaya! You're such a cry baby talaga Ziggy even before!'

But honestly, my heart warmed up sa pinakita niya ngayon sa akin. It only proves how strong our bond is ni Ziggy. And with that kahit inaway pa ako ng Phoebe na yun, I am so happy now.

'Sinaktan ka ba niya?' He gently held my hand but there was anger laced in his words.

'Nah. She wouldn't dare do that to me.' I smile widely at him as I wipe his tears away with my free hand. 'Let's eat some ice cream, I have our favorite in the fridge.' He immediately smiled and pulled my hand towards the kitchen.

Kapag ganitong masama ang loob ko and him as well, it's either we eat brownies or ice cream. Our way to let our anger subside and forget the world for the meantime.

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