Love Somebody

Mistaken Identity

I was drinking alone inside a bar. My mind was wandering off somewhere. For the first time after five years, nagpakalunod ako sa alak.

Magulo. Maingay. Mainit at mausok. But I don't mind at all. May sarili akong mundo ngayon.

"Yo! What's up, bro?"usal ni Rayze, isa sa tarantado kong kabarkada.

Umakbay naman sa balikat ko si Trance. "Ang daya! May drinking-fest pala rito, hindi man lang nagyaya."

"Ace, were having what he's drinking. Samahan mo narin ng sisig. Mahaba-habang inuman ito."said Craze.

Sumaludo ang bartender. Trance, Rayze and Craize sat beside me. Pinagitnaan ako ni Craze at Traze, katabi naman ni Craze si Rayze. They were my high school buddies and friends, originally anim kaming magbabarkada, si Andrew at Auric ang kulang. The latter was still in the States nagpapayaman. Balita ko si Drew ay nagkukulong sa opisina. Madalas nga itong ireklamo ni Tita Aries, sapagkat bihira nalang umuwi sa mansion. Kundi sa opisina, sa condominium naman na pagmamay-ari ng pamilya ang lungga nito. That man is all work but no play. Mabuti nalang absent yun ngayon. I couldnt afford him to see me like this with the same freakin reason over and over again.

Trayze is the club owner. While, Craze is a famous movie director. Rayze is also known in his field as a basketball player. We were all busy in our own chosen career, but when someone's in trouble, ibababa lahat ang gagawin para damayan ang isa.

"We heard the news. Is she really coming back?"

Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Craze. Mas pinili kong tumungga sa beer kaysa sagutin ang tanong niya.

"Pare. I don't know if this will help your situation, but I just want to share what my sister told me. She's one of Carrie's co-worker in New York. Your ex-wife is planning to stay here for good. And she's already divorce with her husband a year ago."Rayce said, there was a hint of concern in his voice.

They knew everything. And I hate the fact, that all I could get from them now is the look of pity.

Two days ago, I receive a call from my estranged wife. Uuwi ito ng bansa at hiniling nitong ako ang sumundo sa airport. If not, nagbanta siyang susugod sa condominium just to talk to me.

What the-? The nerve of this woman. Ever the spoiled rotten childish brat that she was, until now iniisip parin nitong magagawang mapasunod ako sa lahat ng gusto nito.

"Bahala siya sa buhay niya!"

Nagkatinginan ang tatlo. Halatang hindi naniniwala.

"Are you sure you don't want to take this chance to get back together with her?"

I gritted my teeth. Hinding-hindi ako magpapaloko ulit.

"Concern lang kami. We don't want you to go back to your old self."

Those were the darkest days of my life. I never thought, I could ever move on, but I did. Now, the thought of seeing her again make me sick to my stomach. Inisang-tungga ko ang bote ng beer at nanghingi pa kay Ace.

Carrie, was the woman I met during college. It was love at first sight for the both of us. Both Filipinos trap in a different country and culture, we instantly connected well plus the undeniably physical attractions between us didn't quiet help.

What happened to us was the case of whirlwind romance. At our second year in college we got married. She move into my apartment. Pinagsabay namin ang married life at pag-aaral. At first, everything was full of fun, thrill and passionate lovemaking.

We lasted for three years, until one night she talked to me and ask for a divorce. She said, she doesn't love me anymore and our marriage was a big mistake. I tried to sort things out but she refuses to make amends.

I was devastated. Para akong gagong nagmakaawang ayusin ang lahat. She just kneel in front of me then cry, begging me to let her go. Doon ako natauhan. Clearly, the woman I love does'nt want to be with me anymore and who am I to resist that?

A week after, ako na mismo ang nag-file ng divorce. Anim na buwan ang lumipas bago bumaba ang hatol. Carrie, was already happy with someone else. It turned out, she was already cheating on me that moment she beg for divorce.

I feel betrayed. All along, I thought Carrie was just asking for freedom, iyon pala may iba na siya. Ang katiting na pagmamahal na natira para sa kanya, tuluyan kong pinatay at ibinaon sa limot.

Nakakatanga lang! Ang lakas maka-gago ng asawa ko! Ilang buwan akong naglagi sa New York, pa-bandying-bandying, party dito, party doon, chicks dito, chicks doon. My life was a total mess back then.

Natauhan lang ako ng sunduin ako nila Craze and reminded me I still have family and friends waiting for me in Manila. I was welcomed by an I told you so look by my family but still they all accepted me. Agad akong pinasabak sa pagma-manage ng kumpanya and since then my life revolve around the company.

"Walang balikan magaganap."

"Then, why are you here drowning yourself in alcohol?"

"This is not all about her. I just feel like drinking."

"Hindi ikaw ang tipong, basta-basta maglalasing. You have low-alcohol tolerance. Sa ating lima, ikaw ang pinakamahinang uminom."

"Tsk! Masama na bang mag-inom?" Yan ang hirap sa pagkakaroon ng mga kaibigan isang dekada mo ng kasama. Walang lusot.

"If you're worried you'll crawl back to Carrie once you see her, you should set a diversion or distraction."

"Distraction? Like what?"

"Find a girlfriend ASAP. Then introduce her to your ex-wife. That way, someone will be able to prevent the two of you in getting back together."

"Craze, absurd 'yan."

"Yeah, Race is right. He can always break off the relationship. Kapag na-realize niya, "if ever" that he still loves his ex. "

"Wala akong balak magseryoso sa ngayon."

"The more that you should show, Carrie you're fine. Kung totoo 'yung tsismis gusto ng ex-wife mo makipagbalikan, you will have a shield to deny her politely. Dahil may girlfriend ka."

"That is, if you really dont want to be with her."

"Ayaw mo na talaga?"

"I don't want her anymore. But your idea is crazy."

"What do you want? Ang abutan ka niyang single parin? She might think, you're still waiting for her to come back."

I paused. May point ito. Sa klase ng ugali ni Carrie, hindi malayong iyon ang isipin nito. She was a self-centered b***h who thinks she can get everything she wants.

"If you don't want a real girlfriend, you can hire a fake one."si Traze.

Hindi yata maaatim ng pride ko iyon. Why would I settle for a fake one kaya naman ng kaguwapuhan ko ang makaakit ng lahat ng babae?

"Sino ang papayag magpanggap na girlfriend ko? Baka samantalahin pa nila 'yun para pikutin ako."

"Marami ka naman babae diyan. You can pick one among them."

"Those girls, are head over heels in love with me. Mahirap na. I've had enough of problems. Ayokong dumagdag pa sila."

"Problema ba iyon? Get a girl who is immune to your charms."

Mayroon ba non? Lahat ng babae, nagkakandarapa sa akin.

Napapitik sa hangin si Rayze."Why not her?"

"Who?"

"Your secretary. "

Si Tia? Nah!

"I can't. She's important in my life."Napataas kilay si Race. "I dont want to lose a competent and briliant secretary, okay? Besides, in love siya kay Andrew."

"Is it really true?"

"Yeah, that girl is too naive and innocent. Obvious na obvious siya kapag kaharap ni Drew." Carrie might think she will be able to hide her feelings from Andrew forever but not from me. Noon ko pa napapansin may gusto siya kay Andrew.

It's either, Andrew is still caught up with his ex o dense lang talaga ito.

"That woman is treading on dangerous ground. Drew, is still not over with his ex."

"Come to think of it, you two are the same. Still in love with those women from your past. Magpinsan nga kayo."

That hit a core. When it comes to love, tanga talaga silang magpinsan. Well, stupidity really runs in their blood. "Stop it, Trace. Or I'll pounce you in the head with this."Itinaas ko ang hawak na bote ng beer.

Tatawa-tawang tumigil naman siya pero andon parin ang kakaibang ngisi nang nang-iinis. "Peace, bro."

"What was the name of your secretary again?"

"Tia. Tia Dimacuja."

"You say, she's in love with Drew right? Eh di, maganda! You want a woman who's not into you, and who can act as your fake girl? Here comes, your secretary."

Craze was right. Tiana was the best candidate. Being her boss, I have the authority over her. Kahit anong ipagawa o iutos ko na-a-accomplish niya ng maayos. At maganda ang track record niya. Professional at magaling tumrabaho.

Pero ibang usapan na ito. Baka, mahirapan akong kumbinsihin siya. The woman is stubborn in her own ways at may sarili itong prinsipyo.

If I offer her three times her salary, will she accept my proposal? I know she's not the type who chase after money. The biggest advantage she have among other women, is that she's in love with someone else. Meaning, kampante akong ligtas sa kanya.

My main goal are only these:

Number one: To drove away Carrie from my life for good.

Number two: Dapat hindi ako mapipikot ng kung sinuman fake girlfriend na kukunin ko.

That brings back everything to Tia.

I should think of ways on how am I going to lure her into my plans. Matalino si Tia, hindi ito papayag ng ganoon lang. Dapat makaisip ako ng paraan para hindi siya makatanggi.

If not, back to zero ulit ang plano. I should think things through before laying all my cards. Time is running out. Carrie is coming home soon...

-

NAALIMPUNGATAN si J-Ty nang maramdaman ang mahinang pagyugyog sa balikat ko. Sa kabila ng pananakit ng ulo na parang may pumupokpok na martilyo, nagawa kong ibukas ang mata.

What happened? I remember drinking with my friends when Carrie called up once again.

I remember her telling me how much she misses being with. How she was excited to see me. But never did I heard a single word of apology. Even after now, proud parin ito...

"You're awake. Mabuti naman. Hmp! Hindi na kasama sa trabaho ko ito, as your secretary. I should get some raise."

Tumingin ako sa nagmamay-ari ng boses. I was greeted by a familiar worried face who hunt me almost every night.

Carrie...

"You... What are you doing here?" I lift my hands then caressed her small face.

"Ha? Eh di, sinusundo kayo. Tumawag 'yung bar owner na kaibigan mo. Nakalupasay ka na raw sa dance floor, kaya pinapaka-ladkad ka niya sakin pauwi."

Napahigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa gilid ng mukha niya. I just want to make sure, she's here for real and not just a fragment of my imagination.

"Sir J-Ty? Aray naman! I was just joking. Ikaw naman, di ka na mabiro."pilit niyang inaalis ang pagkakahawak ko sa kanya pero mas malakas ako.

I was in awe to even utter a word. Kailan pa ito nakabalik? Did she really intended to surprise him?

Hinimas ko ang buhok niya. Her long straight her is now wavy and black. I look deeper into her eyes and felt the familiar pain in my chest.

"I am feeling kinda h*rny today, honey. I wish you were here with me, touching, kissing and conquering me like we used to before..." Carrie said in a flirty voice.

"You're disgusting, Carrie."

Tumawa lang ito. "I know you missed me, baby. After all these years, ako parin right? Don't ya worry, I'm coming back soon."

After our phone conversation, I found my anger grow deeper. Palagi naman itong ganoon, kung sa tingin nito walang pupuntahan ang usapan namin. She will find away to seduce me. Kung dating baliw na baliw ako sa kanya tatalab iyon, iba na ngayon.

"Hey, Sir J-Ty? Okay ka lang? Do you want me to take you to the hospital?"

I despise this woman very much. I want to punish her with all my might. I grab her head tightly, I was about to kiss her when she push me lightly.

"What? Playing hard to get now?"

Tss!

"S-Sir... Wait, this is not right..."

"Sir? Where did that came from? You used to call me honey, right?"

"Ha? Hindi kaya! Kailan kita tinawag na honey?"

"Every single moment were making love, baby..."Unti-unti ko inilalapit ang mukha sa kanya. I was hypnotized by her moving lips I just have to kiss her or else I'm going crazy!

For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw Tiana's frightened face but that's impossible!

"I miss you, Carrie..." I murmured.

"Carrie? Sinong Carrie? Iicck!"

Itinulak niya ako. Malakas na pagtama ng isang matigas na bagay sa ulo ko ang nagpaikot ng aking paningin.

"Sir? Sir J-Ty? Wake up, please! Patay ako nito."

Sir? Why does she keep on calling me Sir?

And then something hit me... s**t! I even cursed right before I lost consciousness.