Lips That Lie

Kabanata II

Attitude

I haven't been fully recovered by that kiss. It's still in my vein and whenever I think of it, all I can feel is disgust. I just have kissed by the man who broke me before. I don't know why he did that. He never speak. He never show any motive. He just did that!

A week have passed and tomorrow will be the official session of turning a lost prince into a fine ruler. At hindi pa rin ako handa. Hindi ko alam kung tama ba ang mga ituturo ko sa kanya. I have been in this industry for six years and I will tell you honestly that I didn't know it all. I started as a Sales Executive and made my way to rise and fall on this position. I really worked hard to rise. Not because I craved for power, but because I want to make my name beautiful. I don't care about the power it will give me, I will still be the same and down to earth.

"You have to hear me out," Jomar or Jomarie, but I prefer to call him Jom, my most trusted person in this place.

"If this is about the blind dates, please stop. You know I'm busy." He's been selling me out this past few days and I don't like it.

"No! This one is different. I know you will like him." Anito.

"I am busy," pangungumbinsi ko sa kanya. Ipinakita ko talaga sa kanya na busy ako. Pinatas ko ang mga papel sa aking lamesa nang nakitang nagkalat ang mga ito.

"I know. He knows. That's why he's waiting." He said. 

"Waiting? What do you mean?" Umupo ako sa aking rocking chair. At ngayon ay kaharap ko na siya. Hindi ko rin mapigialan na hindi tingnan ang aking pangalan na nakaukit sa maliit na piraso ng marmol sa aking lamesa. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa din ako makapaniwala.

"What time will you off for today?" He just won't give up.

"Seven or eight. Depende kung wala na akong gagawin." Sagot ko.

"Good! Then he will wait for you at our favorite restaurant." Isinakbit na niya sa kaniyang balikat ang bag nitong Prada. Ipinagmamalaki niya ito parati dahil nabili niya ito gamit ang sarili niyang pera.

"What?" I got confused.

"Alam ko ang oras ng labas mo at nasabi ko na sa kanya. I just have to confirm it. Okay, I'll go now. Kailangan ko pang madiligan." He said and then winked at me. 

"Be there! He's waiting!" Then he shut the door.

"What's his name?!" Pahabol ko. Ugh! I hate this! Nang marinig niya ang sinabi ko ay muli niyang binuksan ang pintuan ng aking opisina.

"He knows you. I gave him your picture. You don't have to worry. Just be there!" He shut the doors again.

That fast? In one snap I have a date? I don't even know him. Jom's selling me out as soon as I got my title. He said that I don't deserve to be alone. Well I am not alone! I am contented of what I am now. I have friends, I have my mother, I have them. I am not alone. What made him think of that?

And here I am, just arrive in the venue. He put an effort to get me in this and it's rude not to appreciate it. I know that I said that I hate it but here I am, with another blind date, for the third time. Now, where is he? I don't even know what he looks like?

"Excuse me, good evening. I'm sorry but can you please check-" I am just about to ask the receptionist but she cut me off. How rude of you.

"Are you Ms. Bethany Barcelon?" She asks me.

"Yes, I am." I answered.

"This way Ma'am," at ngayon naman ay hinihatid ako ng lalaking receptionist sa alin mang table dito sa restaurant. He is pointing at the direction with the outside view, near the window.

That must be him, my date. It's awkward to call it a date because it's a first time meeting. I don't know him and Jom said that this man know me. Maybe in name? He probably saw my picture that Jom gave. 

I am not even finding any boyfriend! I am not fond of it!

"Mr. Burnand," the receptionist called. 

The man turned as he heard his name. His eyes went on me immediately. All I could feel is awkwardness. As I looked into him, I can't help but agree to Jom. He feel so different. Young, masculine and I heard he's successful. He's a dream of any women.

"I'll take it from here. Thank you." He even tipped the man who sent me to him.

"Hello, Ms. Beth." He greeted. How did he know my nickname? I just use that at work. But he seems familiar to me. I don't know and I don't remember.

"Have we met before?" I asks.

"We've met several times," he guided me to sit. Such a gentlemen.

The waiter came and he handed us the menu. At noong nakita ko ang mga presyo ng pagkain ay agad ko iyong naisarado. Binigay ko ang menu sa waiter habang nakatingin ako sa kanya, he's busy looking ang picking order.

"I'll have what you're having," sorry, ang mamahal kasi. Wala pa akong sahod. Malayo pa ang katapusan!

"Two order of Lobster Pasta and Golden Opulence Sundae," nagulat ako sa inorder niya. Those dish cost a thousand pesos per order!

"And a bottle of wine, top selling wine." Pahabol nito.

Yes, this is our favorite restaurant as what Jom said. Dahil saka lamang kami nakakapunta dito kapag payday na. We can't afford the food here but we are satisfied by the taste. That's why it's our favorite. Pumupunta kami dito twice a year kasi nga hindi namin afford.

Ibinalik na niya sa waiter ang menu list at umalis na ito para asikasuhin ang aming order. I really can't believe na iyon ang inorder niya para sa aming dalawa. May mga dishes naman na mas mababa pa ang presyo pero hindi iyon ang kinuha niya. Wala pa akong pera ngayon kaya hindi ko alam kung paano siya babayaran. I've been into two blind dates before but I never pay for my own food. They never let me. Kaya ipanalangin na lang natin na hindi ako pagbayadin nito para sa order ko.

"It is good to see you again, Ms. Beth." He said.

"You knew me," that's not even a question.

"Yes. You assisted my travels." He said.

Always assisting his travels? So, naging kliyente ko na siya? Wait, hindi ko matandaan. Sa kadamihan na ng mga naging client ko, hindi ko na sila matandaan. Kahit pangalan o ang itsura man nila.

But his surname is Burnand. And my recent client before my promotion is the same of his surname. It's a two-way ticket from Manila to Sydney and Sydney to Manila.

Was his name James?

"James Burnand?" I called. I saw him smile with amusement.

"Now you remember," that's why he's familiar!

"Mr. James Burnand," hindi ako makapaniwalang siya ang kablind date ko ngayon. I stood up and extend my hand without even thinking. I didn't forget the formalities between client and employee.

"No, please. Skip the formalities. I'm not here for business." He also stoop up to guide me back to sit. He didn't accept my hand because as what the said, skip the formalities.

It's not for business. Does he want to date me? No! That can't be!

Dumating na ang pagkain namin. Tingnan ko pa lamang ang mga ito ay nakakagutom na. Kahit hindi naman talaga ako gutom pero ngayon ay nagutom na. Sa amoy pa lamang ng lobster. Mamaya pa daw iserve ang dessert kapag tapos na naming kainin ang pasta. Mauubos ko ba ito? Nanghihinayang ako kahit kagatan ko pa lamang ang pasta. Ang mahal nito ay hindi ko kayang bayaran ngayon.

"Mr. Burnand-" he cut me off.

"It's all on me. Don't worry. Just call me James, please." He scraped off all the meat of the lobster and switched his on mine.

Nabasa niya ba naiisip ko?

Why did he do this to me? Why is he being too gentle? What am I doing here in the first place? I shouldn't listen to Jom.

"Excuse me Mr. - James. I need to use the restroom." Hindi ko na hinintay ang kanyang sagot. Tumayo na ako at nagdiretso na sa CR. 

Padarag kong sinarado ang pintuan at humarap sa salamin. And s**t! I don't even wear any makeup, kahit lipstick! Nilabas ko sa aking purse ang aking cosmetic pouch at hinanap ang aking lipstick at compact powder. Dali dali kong nilagyan ang aking mukha upang magkakulay man lang. I look like ghost! Nakakahiya na ganito ang naging itsura ko noong humarap ako kay Mr. Burnand.

Matapos kong lagyan ng dalawang swipe ng lipstick ang aking bibig ay muli kong tiningnan ang aking kabuuan. Why would he date me? Ano bang mayroon ako na nakita niya? I am plain. I am boring. I am busy. I don't know what to do about this matter.

Bahala na! Magobserve muna ako, kung kaya ko, sige go. Kung hindi, ayokong pilitin.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I just have to put color on my face because I looked pale." It must be hard for him to hold his laughter when he saw me.

"No, it doesn't even bother me. You look more beautiful than earlier." He said.

"You really have a tongue of a men. Very flowery." I said sarcastically. 

"Oh it's nature," he answered back.

Akala ko magagalit siya. I know I overstepped my bounderies, I shouldn.t said that. But I was surprised that he didn't take that seriously. Well, that's a good thing. I am a straight going woman and I said things even without thinking.

Our first date went smoothly. Hindi ko nga inaasahan na mapapatagal pa ang gabi. We talked everything na maisip namin. We laughed, we seemed happy with each other, or it's just the first time. Hindi ko na nga alam kung mauulit pa ito. I am still not ready.

He insisted na ihahatid na niya ako pero tumanggi ako. May taxi naman na agad pumarada sa aming harap kaya doon na ako sumakay. I never expected na former client ko ang makakadinner ko ngayon. All that has between us was client - agent relationship, I never expected to exceed it this way.

Bago ko simulan ang pagtuturo ko kay Wilder, dadaan muna ako sa office para kumuha ng mga gamit. And maybe tapusin muna ang mga naiwan kong trabaho kagabi. Mahaba naman ng araw at marami pang oras para sa kanya. We agreed na sa condo niya na lang kami magmeet, I just agreed kasi wala nga namang place na maganda at madali siyang matuturuan.

"How was the first date?" Si Jom ang unang bumungad sa akin pagkapasok ko sa room.

"Please, Jom. Not now." Nilikom ko ang lahat ng papeles na nakapatong sa aking lamesa na dadalhin ko kay Wilder.

"What? I just want to hear an update." Kung saan man ako pumunta, talagang nakabuntot siya.

"Ano? Girlfriend ka na ba niya?" What?

"Ang bilis naman!" Singhal ko.

"Hindi ka na teenager para magpakipot. All you need right now is a man at your side, willing to take you forever as wife." Bulong niya. Ano ba naman itong si Jom, kung ano ano ang iniisip. I am just twenty eight at gusto niya dapat may asawa na ako ngayon.

"We just met, okay? And it's just our first dinner together. Huwag kang masyadong mabilis." Hinarap ko siya ng tuluyan para masabi ito sa kanya.

"Gaga! Matagal niyo nang kilala ang isa't isa. Last year pa po." Paratang niya sa akin. Parang nakalimutan niya ata na Senior niya ako?

"Our relationship before was just for business!" Sagot ko.

"It's the same thing! Kilala niyo na ang isa't isa." You just can't give up, huh?

"It's not the same thing, Jom." Inayos ko nang muli ang aking mga gamit. Tiningnan ko ang aking wrist watch at napagtantong alas dies na pala. I should get to Wilder now.

"Baka itulad mo siya sa mga nakablind date mo before," pahabol niya nang malapit ko nang palabas na ako ng office ko.

"We'll see," and I shut the door.

This is what I hate during summer. Ang sikat ng araw ay nakakapaso sa balat at naglalagkitan ang aking pawis. Malayo pa naman ang pupuntahan ko. Nasa Peninsula ako tapos yung condo ni Wilder ay nasa Taft, magcommute lang ako. Sumasakit ang ulo ko sa init habang naghihintay ako ng taxi. Sumabay pa sa init ng aking ulo ang pagtunog ng aking telepono. The number is not registered at doon ito tumatawag sa company phone ko.

"Thank you for calling. Beth's speaking." That's my greeting.

"Did you forgot?" Tsk! Wilder.

"I'm on my way," I said.

"I am not at my house," Is he serious? Alam niya naman na may meeting kami ngayon pero kung saan saan pa siya pumupunta. Ano? Susunduin pa ba?

"Go home. Papunta na ako." I'm about to hang up nang narinig ko siyang magsalita.

"Nandito ako sa office mo," anito. Nananadya ba siya? Napagkasunduan na namin ito ah!

"I'll be there," I said while gritting my teeth.

Bumalik ako sa office. 18th floor pa yun! Nararamdaman ko na nakikipaglaro itong si Wilder sa akin pero hindi ko lang siya maiwasan. His father made me a favor and I won't disappoint him. Hahayaan ko lang siya sa gusto niyang gawin at kapag hawak ko na siya, kailangan ko na siyang kontrolin.

Pagkabukas ng elevator ay dumiretso ako sa aking opisina. Gulat akong tiningnan ni Jom at ng aking sekretarya. Pagbukas ko ng pinto ay wala akong ibang nakita kundi ang mga bagay na nakasanayan ko nang nandoon. No signs of Wilder. Wala kahit isang tao ang nanggaling dito. Napapikit ako. Kailangan kong ikalma ang aking sarili.

"Ms. Beth bakit po kayo nandito?" Tanong sa akin ng aking sekretarya.

"I don't know," direkta kong sagot.

"Ms. Beth," Jom entered the room.

"Get back to work. Asikasuhin niyo ng maayos ang mga kliyente." Sabi ko at naglakad nang muli patungo sa elevator.

"Never lose your client!" Sigaw ko habang dumadaan ako sa bawat station ng team ko.

He's playing with me huh?

Ako:

Where are you? Tell me the truth.

Hindi ko na natiis. Nasasayang ang oras ko kaya kailangan kong malaman kung nasaan ba talaga siya. Wala na akong panahon para makipaglaro.

Devil (Wilder):

Did you find me there?

Konti na lang talaga sasabog na ako. Bagay talaga sa kanya ang pangalan niya sa contacts ko.

Ako:

I HAVE NO TIME TO WHATEVER GAME YOU'RE PLAYING. TELL ME WHERE YOU ARE AND WE'RE GOING TO START.

MY TIME IS PRECIOUS THAN YOU THINK!

Capslock talaga para ramdam niya na ako kayang paglaruan.

Devil (Wilder):

In my house.

Kapag ito laro na naman, titigil na ako. Babalik na ako sa opisina para gawin ang tunay ng trabaho ko.

Naghintay akong muli ng taxi. Hindi ko na alam kung anong nararamdaman ko dahil pinaghalong inis at galit ang nasa aking dibdib. Sisiguraduhin ko na kapag nakaharap ko na siya, kahit isang suntok o sipa o kaya naman ay sabunot, mailabas ko lang ito.

Kaharap ko na ang pintuan ng condo ni Wilder. Naririnig ko mula sa loob ang malakas na patunog nito. Napapairap na lamang ako. Isa iyon sa kailangan kong baguhin sa kanya. May kapitbahay siya at sigurado akong nakakaistorbo yun sa kanya. Pinindot ko ang doorbell at naghintay na bumukas ito. Hindi niya ata naririnig dahil sa lakas ng kanyang patunog. inulit ulit ko iyon na parang masisira ko na iyon.

"Who you?" Babae ang bumungad sa akin. Nakakasigurado naman ako na tamang address ang pinuntahan ko. Tamang floor, tamang room number.

"Is Wilder here?" Tanong ko. Sinipat ko ang babaeng nasa harap ko. Maganda siya ngunit magkaiba kami ng pananamit. She wears a shorts na halos makita na ang mga tinatago, a halter top na halos pumutok na ang dibdib.

"Bakit mo siya hinahanap?" Bakit ba ang dami mong tanong?

"Just call him please," bago maubos pasensya ko sayo, babae ka.

"Let her in, Vita." Namatay ang tunog at nagsalita si Wilder. Sumilip ako at nakitang nakaupo siya sa sofa. Halos sakupin nito ang kabubuan ng mahabng sofa. Matangkad siya kaya mahaba ang mga binti nito. At nang tingnan ko siya ay malawak din maging ang ngisi nito.

Nandito ka lang pala, pinaikot mo pa ako.

Muli niyang pinatunog ang maingay na musika gamit ang remote. Hinawi ko ang babaeng nasa harap ko at wala akong pakialam kung nasaktan man siya. Padabog ang aking mga lakad patungo sa harap niya. 

"Turn the music down!" Sigaw ko. Hindi niya ako sinunod imbis ay nagmustra lamang ito na hindi niya ako naririnig.

"The music!" Tinuro ko ang malaking speaker katabi lamang ng sofa.

"What?" He's really testing my patience.

"Trespassing itong ginagawa mo!" Pagsingit ng babae sa amin.

Let her," narinig kong sabi ni Wilder.

Kung hindi niya gagawin, ako ang gagawa. Pinuntahan ko ang speaker, pinagaralan ko iyon ng mabilis. Wired ang speaker na ito, all I have to do is to find where the socket is at bubunutin ito. There! I found it. Agad ko iyong nabunot kaya namatay muli ang musika.

"There, now we can start." Pagharap ko sa kanya.

Ngayon naman ay dalawa na silang kaharap ko. Magkatabi sila at parehong nakatingin sa akin. Ang pinagkaiba lamang ay ang paraan ng pagtingin nila sa akin. Wilder is amuse by my presence while the girl is annoyed seeing me.

"Do you know her, love?" Lumingkis sa braso ni Wilder ang maharot na babae.

"Paalisin mo na siya dito. Naiistorbo tayo. Let's continue na." Pagiinarte niya.

I have a short temper, girl. Baka ikaw ang matadyakan ko palabas ng kwartong ito! Kung makalingkis naman akala mo tarsier, well she's close to it. She has big eyes.

Hindi ko na lamang sila pinansin. Kung gusto nila may gawin sa harap ko, bahala na sila. Huwag ka na lamang tumingin, Beth. You know what, I don't find it sweet. Ang lampungan ginagawa dapat yan sa private place, yung silang dalawa lang. Hindi na nila dapat ipaglandakan pa dahil wala rin namang may pakialam. Nakakasira lang sila ng araw ng iba. It's bot being bitter or whatever, it's just being considerate and becoming private in life.

Binuksan ko na ang laptop ko, gumawa pa talaga ako ng presentation para lamang sa tukmol na ito. Kung may matutunan man siya o wala pagkatapos ng lahat ng ito ay wala na akong pakialam. I did my obligation. He is not my forever responsibility.

"Hey, can you please set aside first. We're having business here." Pagtukoy ko sa babaeng maharot na nakalingkis pa rin kay Wilder. Nakakapang ikot talaga siya ng mata.

"Excuse me, are you talking to me?" Maarteng pananalita nito.

"Yes, I am referring to you." Sabi ko ng diretso. Eye to eye. No expression needed. Enough for her to get my message.

Sa single sofa ako nakaupo pero naaalibadbadran talaga ako kapag nakikita ko siyang nakalingkis sa braso ni Wilder. Ito namang lalaking ito, nagdala pa ng babae alam nang pupunta ako dito. Don't get me wrong. Alam niya naman na pupunta ako dito dahil nga mentor niya ako, that's what I meant.

"Do you want some food?" Finally you talked! But I don't want food.

"No, thanks." I answered. Straight faced.

Hindi talaga ako makapagfocus habang ipinapaliwanag ang lahat kay Wilder. Kung kanina ay naglalampungan ang dalawa, ngayon naman ay pareho silang nakikinig sa akin. I only supposed to teach him but since she's here, I can't easily get rid of her. It was a serious and private matter dahil background at foundation ng kumpanya ang pinaguusapan namin dito. This topic was supposed to be just the two of us kaya nagiingat ako sa mga ginagamit kong salita.

"The company was founded by your father when he went to a business trip in Dubai and there he met the co founder-" the girl named Vita raised her hand that's why I stopped.

"Do you also like small ang simple design in jewelry?" She asked seriously with a hint of amusement.

Is she really asking me that? I thought she's being curious to the company but I was wrong. She is looking to the bracelet that wrapped around my right wrist. She's right, this design is simple and small. hard to notice because it was plain and common to other design. And I love the way it is. Is that why she's being attentive? Because she's looking at my wrist?

"Yes, why?" Tanong ko.

"Nothing, I'm just mesmerized by your bracelet. Which brand is that?" She looked happy.

"Oh! It's not branded. It's just a typical design that you can find anywhere. Divisoria, I think." I lied. I don't want to give her the details of my bracelet.

"Really? It's beautiful knowing that it's cheap." Parang may ibig sabihin yung mga salita niya. She really emphasized the word 'cheap' while looking at me.

I kept my straight faced to show that I am not affected to anything she say. Bahala siya sa gust niyang sabihin sa akin I won't stoop down to her level.

"Love, bili mo ako ng bracelet yung katulad ng sa kanya pero gusto ko branded." Pagpapabebe niya kay Wilder.

"Kabibili ko lang ng relo sayo last week, Timex pa yun." Really? Binili niya ang babaeng ito ng mamahaling relo?

"It's not the same thing, love. I want the bracelet." Tss. Gold digger.

"Hindi mo rin naman ginagamit. Nasaan na ba yung mga nabili ko sayo? Hindi ko nga nakikitang sinusuot mo." Hindi ka kasi madala. Bigay ka ng bigay yun pala sinasanla na.

Hinapit ng babae ang leeg ni Wilder at siniil iyon ng halik. Nanlaki na lamang ang mga mata ko sa nasasaksihan. Napatigil ako sa aking ginagawa at napatunganga sa harap ko. Wala talagang pakundangan ang maharot na babaeng ito. Walang pasabi!

"Please," she pleaded in between their kisses. Hindi ko mapigilang hindi mapangiwi sa pandidiri sa kanila. Why do they have to do that in front of me?

Okay! Maybe this slut shall learn her lesson. Tumayo ako sa aking pagkakaupo at pumunta sa kusina. Dumiretso ako sa fridge para kumuha ng pitsel ng malamig na tubig. Is this enough? No. It's too much. One glass will be enough to wake up her freaking senses! Kumuha ako ng tall glas at pinuno iyon ng tubig. Ang unang salin ay ininom ko muna upang pakalmahin ang aking sarili saka ko sinalinan ulit ito ng malamig na tubig.

Bumalik ako sa salas upang datnan na ganoon pa rin ang kanilang ginagawa. But she's now straddling Wilder while moving her hips. I don't know if she's dancing or what while Wilder's hands were roaming around the girl's back to her butt.

Eww.

Pinilip kong huwag masuka sa kanilang ginagawa habang papalapit ako sa kanila. I don't need any destructions right now. We need to rush things para matapos na ang lahat ng ito. Pagkatapos naman nito ay pwede na niya ulit gawin iyan sa kanya. I don't care, tapos na rin naman trabaho ko. Dala ang malamig na baso sa aking kamay ay kinulbit ko ang maharot na babaeng ito gamit ang aking kaliwang daliri. Noong una ay parang wala itong naramdaman, kaya inulit ulit ko iyon hanggang sa maputol nila ang kanilang ginagawa. She looks like a mess, her bold lipstick shade was slightly smudge, and her angry eyes we're glaring at me. 

Not today, girl.

Walang pagaalinlangan kong binuhos sa mukha nito ang malamig na tubig na dala ko. Don't you dare glare at me like that, kid. You have nothing to prove yet.

"Ah!" She screamed.

"What is your problem, Bethany?!" Wilder asked.

"Am I really the problem here?" Balik tanong ko sa kanya.

"What did I ever do to you, b***h?!" She said while aggressively wiping her face resulting to completely destroying the makeup of her face.

Ako? b***h? You're right.

"Oh sweet little girl, you're not yet seeing the b***h side of me." Hindi ko alam kung bakit habang sinasabi ko ito ay may kalahating ngisi sa aking labi. It feels like I'm turning into evil.

"Then show it! I don't give a damn!" Paghahamon niya.

Mahinahon kong binaba sa lamesa ang baso bago siya harapin. Wilder is looking at me like he is proud of what I've become right now. Buong lakas kong hinila patayo ang babae habang kinakaladkad siya palabas ng kwartong ito. She was screaming and whimpering from pain I gave her because I pulled her hair habang kinakaladkad siya.

"Never come back," I said before shutting the door in front of her. 

Iniwan ko siyang gulat sa aking ginawa. She pushed my limit, I had to let it out. I don't care if Wilder sees it.

"That's my girl," Wilder said as I faced him.

He was smiling at me while his hands were inside his pants' pocket. Looking proud.