Twisted Souls

45. Share

Hindi ako nagdalawang isip na itulak siya palayo sa'kin. I looked at him, horrified. Tapos siya naman ay nakangiti lang na nakatingin sa'kin.

"Anong ginagawa mo?" I asked him with anger. "Are you flirting with me?"

Tinaasan ko ito ng kilay at hinintay ang sagot niya. Akala ko nga ay sasagot ito ng seryoso—but why would I expect that from him?

"Akala ko hindi obvious," amin niya sa'kin. Hindi manlang ito nahiya at talagang umamin sa'kin!

My heart ache even more. Kahit alam kong pabiro iyon ay dumagundong pa rin ang puso ko. Para iwasan ang kabog sa dibdib, mabilis kong tinalikuran si Javier iniwan siya doon. God, since when did I get affected? Really, Celestial? Talagang apektado ka na ngayon?

Oh, this is dangerous. Not even good!

"Hey baby! Why are you running away? Maliit ang bias ko, stop running!" Sigaw niya na ikinatigil ko naman.

Mabuti na lang talaga at oras na ng klase at walang masyadong tao! Why is he acting clingy now? Is he pissing me off?

I looked at him. "What the hell is your problem? Hindi ka ba kinikilabutan sa inaakto mo?"

He looked at me innocently. "Ako? Kinikilabutan? We are in relationship!"

"Fake relationship!" Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata.

Did he already forget our set-up? Kailangan ko ba talaga ipaalala kung anong meron sa'ming dalawa?

He just chuckled on me. Parang labag pa sa loob ng lalaki ang tumango-tango sa sinabi ko.

"Kaya hindi natin kailangan magpanggap kung wala namang tao, clear?" I told him again. Para akong kumakausap ng bata eh!

Ngumuso ito. Javier is hesitating to nod his head and agree with me. Kung gusto niya maglaro ay maghanap siya ng playmate niya pagbalik.

"Landing-landi ka na ba?" I cannot help but to ask him.

Kasi naman, these past few days, I notice that he is starting to get touchy... I hate it. Alam ko namang katawan ko ang lumalapit sakin pero...

Argh.

"Hey! That's foul, honey! Mukha bang landi lang ang habol ko sa lahat ng 'to?" Aniya sabay hawak sa dibdib. Akala mo ay nasasaktan.

Hindi ako nagdalawang isip na tumango. "Yes. So better fix our situation immediately para makalandi ka na kagaya ng dati."

Tumawa ito at inabot ang kamay ko ulit. I glared on him. Hindi ba talaga siya titigil kakahawak?

"Bakit pa ako lalandi sa iba? I have you already... Stop talking nonsense," he shut me up with his sweetful words again.

Napangiwi ako at inirapan siya. I was about to yell at him back again when a man's voice called me.

"Hey Javier! Kaya pala wala ka pa sa practice ha!" asar nito at lumapit sa'ming dalawa.

Dinamba ako ng akbay nito at sinakal pa ang leeg ko! I winced in annoyance because it's suffocating! Ngunit nakita ko ang tumatawa-tawa na si Javier sa harap ko!

"Aba, mukhang good mood ang girlfriend mo par ha? Hi president!"

Another version of Javier! Pansin ko sa mga nakapaligid sakanya—puro maiingay at mahilig makipag-basag ulo! How they greet each other is violent too!

Can't man greet each other formally? Kung hindi hampas sa balikat ay sakal talaga ang ginagawa nila!

Pasimple kong tinapik ang braso ng sumasakal sakin—but he make the grip more tighter!

"Paano mo nasabing good mood?" Javier asked.

I glared on him. Hindi ba niya pipigilan ang kaibigan sa pagsakal sakin?!

"Nakangiti eh! Minsan lang ngumiti 'yan! Pero noong simula naging kayo, kulang na lang maging Ms. Socially inclined kakakausap sa lahat!" The man explained to Javier. "Mabait ka naman pala, Miss President!"

I feel offended. Porket ba hindi nakangiti ay masungit agad?! And another thing—do I need to smile if I don't have any reason to do so? Isn't that weird?

Javier just laughed inside my body. "Mabait naman talaga ako! Wala lang sa mood for nineteen years... Tapos ayon, naging jowa ko si Javier.. Natuto akong sumaya." He dramatically explained.

"Yun oh! Ang tamis naman po pala ni Miss President! Nakakainggit naman at wala akong jowa!" the guy beside me whistle in return.

Napaamang ang labi ko at gustong sigawan siya sa sinabi. Nagmukha akong patay na patay sa sinabi niya!

Nagulat ako noong biglang binatukan ng lalaking may hawak sakin. Napaamang ang labi ko sa nangayari–at halatang nagulat rin si Javier doon. Hindi niya alam kung tatawa siya o ano.

"Pare, nagbunga talaga ang kakaasar mo kay president! Dapat ba maging bayolente din ako sa crush ko?" Tanong nito.

"Paano kung maging bayolente rin ako ngayon?" I gritted my teeth, but still showed a smile para kunwari ay hindi banas.

The man just laughed. Javier shook his head.

"Hey, stop hurting my boyfriend ha. Let go na," maarteng aniya.

Imbes mainis because he sounded so conyo, I feel thankful that the guy already let me go. Akala ko talaga ay malalagutan na ako ng hininga!

"Grabe, sa inggit talaga ata ako mamamatay!" Reklamo nito at tumawa.

Hinawakan ko ang leeg at napailing. I really hate guys!

"Tara na pre, after practice mo na lang harutin ang girlfriend mo," aniya at hinila ako. "Baka ma-late pa tayo, hundred push up pa naman 'yon."

What?! A hundred?!

Nataranta ako at basta na lang tinanguan si Javier. He just nod his head.

"Call me if hindi na kaya!"

"Yes, I will!" I answered. Push up ang pinaka-ayaw ko sa lahat.

Jogging ang pinakauna naming warm up. It felt easy. Nagtataka nga ako dahil kasi kung sa katawan ko iyon ginawa—baka isang lap pa lang ay nakahiga na ako.

The training consists of simple kicks and all. Ilang beses ako nasigawan kasi hindi ko alam ang tamang pag-sipa ng bola.

"Coach, I am so sorry," I hate getting scold because I am wrong—but this is sports. Nakakagawa talaga ako ng mali sa ayaw at gusto ko!

The coach knotted his head. "Are you serious, Javier. Hindi mo na alam ang basics?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya.

I nod my head. "Yes coach. But I don't like to give up. Ituro niyo lang po sa'kin. Surely, my body will remember..."

"Grabe tunay pala, kaya ayaw mo um-attend kasi hindi ka na marunong—" hindi na natuloy ng isa ang sasabihin niya kasi siniko siya ng isa kong ka-team.

The coach looks hesitant. Hindi ko siya masisisi dahil the star of football didn't even know the basics. How can he trust me on tournament?

"Are you still feeling unwell, Javier Castell? Kung hindi kaya ng katawan mo ay huwag ipilit," the coach advise.

"No, sir. My body is really fine... Nakalimutan ko po talaga kung paano," I confessed.

They nod their head. "Fine. Sit down on the bench and look at your teammates first. I will call you later to teach you the basics."

A guy wrap his arm around my neck again.

"Don't worry, Captain! Hindi ka namin papabayaan, ipapaalala namin sa'yo ang lahat from the basics!" He said.

"Tama!" Then the guys started to nod their head and tell that they will help me.

Tumaas naman ang kilay ko. Well... After all, guys knows when to help.

It was my first day of practice. Sa tanang buhay ko, ngayon lang ulit ako kinabahan ng ganito.

Actually, I am doing nothing. Nakaupo lang ako sa bench and waiting for the coach's call. Busy ako tignan ang movement ng mga teammates ko until my phone beeped.

Him:

Kumusta?

Me:

Nakabangko ka hahahaha

Gusto ko lang siya asarin sana.

Him:

Oh?? Buti pumayag si coach?

Me:

I said I hit my head hard at hindi ko na alam ang movement. He considered and will teach me the basics.

Him:

You're so determined

Hindi na ako nag-reply. Yes, I am determined. I know, I will not have the full benefit from this but... I just wanted to do it for him too. Besides, I know he is struggling as I am.

Hindi na ako nagulat noong mag-ring ang phone ko. I answered him.

"I am in training."

"Wow, sungit oh!" He chuckled. "I am just going to ask where is your data coming from these sheets?"

There, he is starting to do his research too.

By the phone, I told him the details about it. Hindi nagtagal ay natapos din ang usapan dahil doon ako tinawag ng captain. He gave me a nod.

"We will start now, okay? Basic lang ito, Javier so you don't need to feel pressure."

"Yes, coach."

I thought the world of Javier is just full of crazy men who is narcissistic and only think of their pride. But I guess, I got it wrong. They have a fun side where they will really help and comfort you in a different way.

"Cap naman, mali ang anggulo ng paa! Igilid mo tapos 'wag matamlay! Parang kulang ng halik kay President ah!" Asar nila.

I shook my head in disbelief. Tinawanan ko sila sabay inilingan.

"Loko-loko!" I told them.

Nagtulakan kaming lahat at wala akong ginawa kung hindi tumawa. I was busy practicing until the sun set down when I heard a cheer from the crowd.

"Go baby, galingan mo kung ayaw mo ma-bangko!"

It was Javier.

Natawa ako sa sinabi niya. The teammates also laughed.

Saglit lang ay the coach call it a day after six. Grabe, namamanhid na ang katawan ko!

"Should we head home?"

Ngumuso ako. "I am tired, bakit mo ako hinintay?" Takang tanong ko kay Javier noong makita siya sa labas ng locker room.

"I still need to get information from you. And hello, I will teach you how to properly stand and all."

Napanguso ako. "There is more? I am too tired already..."

"Fine. But let's go to our house, okay? Wala naman si Papa doon ngayon," aniya. "Teach me the basic of your experiment!"

Hindi na ako nakapagsalita ng kahit ano pagkadating namin sa bahay. Basta na lang ako nahiga, at sumunod si Javier bitbit ang aso na kinuha niya.

Kung okay na kami ni Javier–ang asong ito ay hindi ko pa rin kasundo.

"How is the training?"

"Fine. Sakto lang," I told him. "Your team are fun. Buti na lang talaga ay wala na si Alexis. Isa pa, they are open minded. Hindi naman pala sila bully kagaya ng inakala ko," dugtong ko pa.

"I am glad they treat you right!"

Nagmulat ako ng mata. I saw him sitting at the edge of the bed, holding a pen and paper. My forehead knotted.

"Ano yan? Are you going to ask me about my experiment?" I told him. "How is your first day?"

"Likewise. Akala ko ay purong boring lang ang mga tao sa laboratory... but nerds do really have a different humor, huh?

Nilingon ko siya. "Bakit? What happened?"

He started to tell what happened on his day. I didn't expect that he will have fun. Natawa nga ako kasi nakasira siya—and he thought it will be my end of career and so...

Nahiga si Javier sa gilid ko at huminga ng malalim.

"This is tiring," I muttered.

"Yeah... exhausting," he answered too. "Hindi naman ito ang buhay ko. Maybe that's why? But at least, I feel fun..."

I sighed. "Fun lang ba ang mahala sayo?"

Hanggang ngayon, mukhang laro pa rin ang iniisip ng lalaking ito. Well, I cannot blame him. Javier obviously lived for fun. Kaya wala na akong magagawa kung iyon ang hinahanap niya.

"Yes. Boring nga ng buhay mo."

I laughed in disbelief. "Masyado namang magulo ang sayo."

Hindi kami pareho nagsalita. But we both know what we wanted—to get into our body already.

Next day, traing ulit ang nangyari. This time, it's harder. Ang maganda lang sa practice ay hindi madali mapagod ang katawan ni Javier!

"Baby!" He called me again after my practice.

"Nandito ka na naman?" Takang tanong ko at ibinaba ang bola. "What?"

"Maaga ko nakuha iyong ginagawa ngayon so they release me already. Should I teach you?" Tanong niya sabay sipa ng bola na nasa paa ko.

Gabi naman iyon at wala ng tao. I am already practicing alone kaya hindi ako tumanggi sa alok niya.

"Aray!" I winced in pain when the ball landed on my stomach for the third time. "Javier, I will rip your hands the moment I come back in my body!" Sigaw ko dito.

"That's bad!" He shook his head. "Bakit hindi mo pa rin masalo ang bola!?" Sigaw niya.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "I am still practicing how to kick moron! Hindi mo ba nakikita?! You are so advance—"

"This just right! Now, kick the ball back!" He shouted with a smile.

"Just right!?" Hinihingal na tanong ko. Ngayon, parang nagsisisi na ako na hindi pinatulan ang alok niya na ayawan ko ito!

I should've quit! Why I did let my pride talk for me?!

"Kick it!" He provoke. "Bilis!"

Out of annoyance, I didn't expect that I will kick the ball so hard towards him! Buti na lang ay nasalo niya.

"Oh! You did a perfect kick!" He laughed and clap his hands.

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa sinabi nito. Did what? Really? A perfect kick?

Tinakbo ni Javier ang pagitan namin ng may malaking ngisi sa labi.

"You should always do that! Iyon ang magpapanalo satin!"

"I did it?"

"Yes!" He exclaimed.

"Ah! Finally!" I rolled my eyes and let my back fall to the ground. "Can I go home already? Masakit na ang likod ko!"

"How about dinner? Do you want to eat? Libre ko from my card," aniya.

Sino ba naman ako para tumanggi sa libre?

Javier and I ate a late dinner and after that, we proceed to his house. Dahil nga may kinain ay nagawa ko pang sagutin ang mga tanong niya. But after eleven PM, Javier told me he is going home na.

Hinahatid naman siya ng driver so walang problema sa pag-uwi.

But there is a problem with Mr. Castell.

"Anong sabi ko sa pagdala kay Faith dito, Javier?" He asked me.

I rolled my eyes. "We are doing a project–"

"Project? Should I look into that para malaman ko kung ano ang project na 'yan?"

I huffed in annoyance. "You don't need to know. And stop sniffing to my business. I date who I want to date—"

"Javier!" Sigaw nito.

Hindi ko din inaasahan na lalabas iyon sa bibig ko. Siguro ay dahil sa pagod din sa practice.

I just sighed and get a piece of bread. Wala ako sa mood na makipagtalo sa matandang 'to.

"We are not doing anything wrong. I am really helping her over something. So... just stop."

The first day feel... so ecstatic. Noong unang araw na gusto kong tulungan si Javier ay masaya ako and full of motivation. But now? I just want to lie in my bed... wala pa ngang one week!

The set up became like that. Bukod sa practice sa football, tinuturuan ko din si Javier tungkol sa experiment ko.

Javier is also teaching me how to do football in my room. Kung may lakas pa ako sa University, doon kami nagp-practice.

Pagod na ako.

"Ganito nga—"

Hindi ko pinansin si Javier at basta na lang nahiga sa sahig ng kwarto ko—at hindi namalayan... ang pag-iyak.

"Javier, this is so tiring. Why can't we just focus on our business?" I cried on him. "Sobrang sama ba talaga nating dalawa para parusahan ng ganito katagal, sa ganitong paraan?"

The smile fainted on his lips. I looked at him, desperate.

"Kaya bakit tayo lang ang pinaparusahan, Javier? What did we even do to deserve this..." I started to break down.

Hinila ako ni Javier at niyakap.

"I am so sorry, Celestial... Sorry." He hugged me.

"Nahihirapan na kasi ako... Wala akong tulog, maayos na kain, I am worrying in my experiment too—"

He caress my back, at doon ako lalo napahagugol.

"These are too much, Javier..."

Ramdam ko ang pagtango niya sa balikat ko.

"Yes... Too much for us..."

Hindi kasi... Kaya ko naman. But these day, I often feel exhausted and anxious... That something may go wrong because of our set up.

Naagaw ni Javier ang atensyon ko noong marahan niyang hinawakan ang aking mukha.

"Pero dalawa tayo dito, Celestial. Wag mo solohin ang bigat. I am here... share your burdens with me, okay?"