Wind and Sail

Chapter 45

Chapter 45

“Talaga? Bakit wala naman akong maalala?”

“Nako, Sxan, tigil-tigilan mo nga ako. Kung sinabi mo kanina edi sana natanong namin pangalan ‘diba?”

“Hindi ko naman kasi alam,” paliwanag niya pa.

“Oh! Anong hindi mo na naman alam?!”

“Wala, wala. Wala naman akong maalala na tinanong mo ‘yon sa akin.” Humalukipkip siya at umusod sa dulo ng upuan.

“Baka wala kang maalala kasi napasarap kwentuhan mo ro’n sa babae,” bulong kong sabi.

Mabilis siyang umusod sa tabi ko at inilapit ang mukha sa akin. Nakakaloko ang ngiti niya kaya sinapak ko ang mukha niya.

He laughed. “You were there?” he said. “Bakit naman hindi kita nakita?”

“Malamang busy ka,” naiinis na sagot ko.

“Yes, watching him, not her.”

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. Ngumiti siya nang pagkalaki-laki at pinitik ang noo ko.

“Hah! Kaya pala…”

“Kaya pala ano?” mas nang-aasar siyang tumawa.

“Huwag ka ngang tumawa dyan!” Hinampas ko siya sa braso niya.

Ni-zip niya ang bibig niya pero nakangisi pa rin.

“Wala, pumasok ka na nga do’n! Tinamaan ka ata sa isang baso lang, e!”

“Hindi kaya, sa’yo lang naman ako tinaman, e,” sabi niya habang nakangisi at nakayuko. Sumulyap siya sa akin at umiling. “Nakita mo?” tanong niya.

“Ang alin?” singhal ko.

“Na isang baso lang?”

Hindi ako sumagot, uminom lang ako ng kape.

“Kaya pala naiinis ka sa’kin,” sabi niya.

“Anong naiinis? Lagi talaga akong inis, araw-araw at gabi-gabi!”

“Bakita ka ba naiinis diyan? Wala naman akong ginawa kanina na ikagagalit mo, good boy nga ako, e.”

What the… unbelievable. I scoffed. “Mas lalo lang kumukulo dugo ko sa iyo, e. Good boy pinagsasabi mo dyan.” Lumingon siya sa akin at tumango-tango. “Bumalik ka na ‘ron sa kainuman mo, baka kulang kapa sa alak para makatulog ka na.”

Kumunot ang noo niya at suminghal. “Ayoko nga.”

“So, may kainuman ka nga kanina?” huli kang gago ka.

Napatingin siya sa akin bigla. “Ano, ano ha? Ano pinag-usapan niyo?” dagdag ko.

Mabilis siyang nakabawi at sinabing, “E, bakit curious ka?”

“So, nag-usap nga kayo?” balik ko sa kaniya. He was caught off guard. “Ano, ha? Hindi ka makasagot?” asar ko.

He laughed. “I wasn’t talking to anyone! The glasses you saw were mine, I had two glasses, you dumbass.”

Pinigilan ko ang tawa ko dahil sa hiya. Inalis ko ang tingin ko sa kaniya at umusod palayo. Hinila niya ako pabalik sa tabi niya. Kinulong niya ako sa mga braso niya.

“Ano ba?” Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ba ako o maiinis.

“Oh, huli ka ngayon. Ano bakit hindi ka makasagot? Ha?” nang-aasar niyang sabi. Nagpumiglas ako at kumawala sa mga bisig niya.

“Nakakainis ka, diyan ka na nga! Inaantok na ako!” Hinila ko ang kumot ko at kinuha ang unan. Patayo na sana ako pero hinila niya ang kumot ko. “Akin na ‘to.” Hinila ko pabalik ang kumot ko.

Umiling-iling siya habang nakangiting nang-aasar ang mukha. Hinila niya nang malakas ang kumot kaya pati ako napasama. Bumagsak ako sa kaniya at agad niya akong kinulong para hindi makaalis. Nagpumiglas ako pero sadyang malakas talaga siya.

“Aray ko! Ano ba? Nasasaktan ‘yung kamay ko! Bitaw!” malakas kong sabi.

“Oh, sige, luluwagan ko nalang.” Ginawa naman niya kaso noong gagamitin ko na itong opportunity para makaalis ay hinigpitan niya ulit. “Dito ka lang, please?” he pleaded.

Tiningnan ko siya na magkasalubong ang kilay. His eyes are pleading, and he is f*****g serious.

“Please?” umangat ang kilay niya nang kaunti at ngumisi.

Sumuko na ako dahil sigurado ako na hindi ako bibitawan ng makulit na ito. Umayos ako ng upo at inayos din ang kumot. Sinandal niya ako sa dibdib siya at niyakap ako.

“You saw the woman, didn’t you?” he asked.

Tumango ako bilang sagot.

“She tried giving me a stupid shrimp, but I refused. I went to the counter to buy another drink for myself. She approached me first and said hey. We talked yeah, but only for a second because I told her that I wasn’t interested so I left,” he explained. “You didn’t see the whole story, did you?”

“Yeah, when I saw her waived at you, I left.”

“Hmm. Yeah, so I never gave her any of my attention because I was preoccupied watching the guy you and Clarene were dying to meet,” he said bitterly.

“I am not! It’s Clarene’s dude, I am just helping her.” I chuckled. “And yeah, I’m curious kung ano ba ang itsura no’n. He’s probably handsome since Clarene is head over heels.”

He hissed. “Handsome, my ass.”

Tiningnan ko siya, magkasalubong ang kilay niya at nakasimangot.

“You left because we were always talking about him. I’m right, aren’t I? Hah! I am always right.” I laughed.

“Yeah! You two were always talking about him. I was pissed, yeah, but not at you two.”

“I don’t like him!” I cackled.

“Well, I don’t like him too.”

“Halata naman, hindi mo na kailangang sabihin. Hindi ko siya gusto, okay? Kumalma ka riyan.” Tinapik ko ang braso niya na nakaakap sa akin. He reached for my hands and held it.

“Okay, I’ll ask around about him tomorrow para naman matahimik na kayong dalawa.” He sighed.

“Yeah, you should help hunting, we’ll still go tomorrow to the falls, right?”

He nods.

“Why did you bring me—us rather, here?” I asked him.

“When I went here for the first time, I knew I had to bring you here. I know you’ll like this though at the back of my mind, I was really worried that you might not,” he says. “I’ll bring you here every day if you want.”

I laughed and said, “But this is too far.”

“Nothing’s far if it’s for you.”

“That’s really cheesy, Sxan.”

“But it’s true.”

“Well, I am not sure what to say.”

“Just tell me and we’ll be on our way here, anytime.”

“Why would you do that for me then?”

We looked at each other, I am waiting for his answer. Could be anything, really.

“Because I like you, Dayn. Hindi ba halata?” he said.

I chuckled. “Well, uhm… you didn’t say anything. Malay ko ba kung ganiyan ka lang talaga sa lahat o gusto mo ako kaya ka ganiyan.”

I know that he’s not like this to everyone. He shuts people off whenever someone tries to befriend him. I’ve watched girls fall for him whenever he pass by the hall, but he never gave them any of his attention. He was actually mean and kind of rude like when we first met, but he’s still keeping the aura not too heavy for the girl. He would make excuses to get himself out of the situation. I can say that he is not very nice, but he’s kind and respectful. He never disrespects people who never disrespected him. I guess it’s I’ll treat you how you treat me. When everything is falling apart, he stays calm and assess the situation carefully, like I’ve said before and I am going to say it again, he is an observant one. It’s two totally different things, people out there can be nice and say nice things to you but actually has something planning behind your back. I think I have a good skill assessing people’s motives but I am having a hard time assessing him. Alright, I have a little trust issue here, it is mostly because I don’t know him. Or maybe I do. Maybe I really have to pull strings just to get to know this man, deeply.

“What?” he chuckled. “Sorry for not clarifying and giving you mixed signals. I wasn’t sure at first, I want to be sure, you know. Now, I am. I am sure that I like you, Dayn.”

Shit. Those words are like… arg! My insides are screaming, and my heart is having a marathon. I hope he doesn’t notice my cheeks because, I am telling you, they are red and hot as f*****g California reaper. It’s as if all my red blood cells decided to gather altogether and host a f*****g red themed party!

Since I am leaning back to him, I can also hear his heartbeat. I think his heart is participating in my f*****g marathon.

“Sino ba namang hindi magkakagusto sa akin?” nakataas ang kilay ko na sagot.

Tumawa siya. “Yeah, that’s true,” he said.

“Ano namang nagustuhan mo sa akin, ha?”

“Hindi ko alam kung paano ko ba ipapaliwanag sa iyo. I don’t have any reasons, honestly, but you have this incredible way of giving me mini heart attacks and arrythmia.”

I laughed softly. “Mini heart attacks and arrythmia?”

“Yup. And can you please stop laughing? It took a lot of courage to say this.”

Umiling-iling ako sa kaniya. “Well, thank you for telling me what you are really feeling.”

“It’s my pleasure, my love.”

Natawa ulit ako.

“My love?” I was taken aback by that.

“Yes?” he answered.

“What the heck? I wasn’t calling you!”

“I know, I was just kidding.” He laughs then hugs me tighter. “Be prepared for what’s coming because there will be more, Dayn. I am informing you just so you know. I’ll wait for you, but no pressure though.”

“What if it takes me too long?”

“It’s fine. I am the one who is waiting, you don’t have to worry about me. Just tell me when you’re ready.”

“What should I tell you?”

“What you really feel, then we’ll cross the bridge when we get there, for the meantime, if you could just let me like you, that would be nice.”

“How long are you willing to wait?”

“I have eternity, my love.”

I didn’t say anything. Inayos niya ang kumot at hinalikan niya ang buhok ko. My eyelids are getting heavy, and I feel drowsy. I am in a brink of falling asleep.

I couldn’t fight it anymore, so I fell asleep and the last thing I heard from him is, “Goodnight, my lovely daisy.”

And it was morning when I woke up. We slept beside each other. I looked at him, his eyes are closed and still sleeping. His breathings are heavy and slow.

Pinag-aralan ko ang mukha niya. Dahan-dahan kong hinawakan ang pisngi niya, I traced his eyebrows with my fingers. I gently tapped the point of his nose and softly giggled. His skin is soft and clear as the water that flows down the creek. His face is well-sculpted, as if it was done by an excellent sculptor. I still can’t believe that this man, this man that used to annoy me and always fight with me just told me last night that he likes me and is willing to wait for an eternity. Unbelievable. Well, he still annoys me, I don’t think that’s ever going to change. He moved his lips and sighed heavily. I thought he was going to wake up, but he didn’t so I continued to touch his face. I rest my hand on his face and gently stroke his cheek with my thumb. I was a bit startled when he put his hand on top of it.

“Oh, you wish you have this face.” Inalis ko agad ang kamay ko noong nagsalita siya. Dahan-dahang bumukas ang mata niya at diretsong tumingin sa akin. Ngumisi siya at bumati ng, “Good morning, love.”

“You should stop calling me love,” I said.

He closed his eyes again. He pulled me closer and hugged me. “Hmm-hmm,” he moaned and shook his head.

“Hey, don’t tell me you’re going to sleep more?” I asked. He didn’t answer. I slapped his face, not the b***h slap, it was soft and gentle. Instead of waking up, he just sighed and put his leg on top of mine. It was heavy so I did my best to remove it.

This asshole is not going to wake up. I looked at my watch, it’s five in the morning.

“Okay, just for another thirty-minutes, okay?”

He nodded.

Tatayo na sana ako pero hindi niya ako pinakakawalan. “Hey, I’ve gotta get up,” I said to him.

“No,” he said. “Let’s stay like this for a minute more.”

Umayos ako ng pwesto, kanina ay nakatagilid ako at nakaharap sa kaniya, ngayon ay nakaharap ako sa taas. Inangat niya ang ulo niya at ipinatong sa chest ko. Isiniksik niya ang ulo niya sa leeg ko at pinatong ang kamay sa baywang ko. Para akong may ka-cuddle na sanggol, taragis na iyan.

Paano kung niloloko lang ako nito? Paano kung may masama siyang balak? Paano kung hindi naman pala niya ako gusto? Should I trust my heart with this guy? Because, right now, all I know is that, I... I do like him. I will not let him come near me and do all of this s**t if I don’t. I should’ve admitted that to myself the moment he made my heart flutter.

Hindi ako nakatulog dahil sa kakaisip, pinanood ko lang siya sa loob ng isang oras.

“Hey, love, what time is it?” Kinusot niya ang mata niya.

Nagising na pala siya. Umalis siya sa dibdib ko at nag-inat ng mgaa braso.

“It’s six fifteen, Sxan.” Umupo ako at nagsuot ng tsinelas. “You should get up na, you were sleeping for an hour.” Tumayo ako at naglakad papasok sa sala. Dumaan ako sa kwarto para tingnan kung gising na ba si Clarene. Nakadapa pa siya at natutulog pa.

Lumapit ako sa table, kinuha ko ang thermos at nilagyan ng tubig para pakuluin. Naghanda ako ng dalawang baso.

“Do you want coffee, Sxan?” sigaw ko sa kaniya. Hindi gaanong malakas para hindi magising si Clarene.

“Yes, will you make one for me? No milk, please. Thanks, love.”

Aba, nasasanay na ata siya katatawag sa akin ng “Love”. Baka marinig pa siya ni Clarene at asarin ako nang asarin.

Sumandal ako paharap sa table habang hinihintay kumulo ang tubig.

Maya-maya ay may kamay na gumapang sa baywang ko. Niyakap niya ako mula sa likod at ipinatong ang baba niya sa balikat ko.

“Good morning po.” Inaantok pa ata siya dahil sa boses niyang mas mababa kaysa sa normal na boses niya.

“Walang good sa morning ko, maupo ka na roon,” sabi ko sa kaniya.

He chuckled softly and didn’t mind what I said.

“Can I kiss you good morning so that you’ll have a good morning?” he asked.

My gosh! Why would he ask that? Of course... not, just because he confessed his feelings last night it gives him a pass ticket to kiss me.

Umiling ako.

“No? That’s sad. I really want to kiss you.”

Sabay kaming lumingon sa isa’t isa kaya naman nangyari nga ang kiss na gusto niya. Putangina naman.

He giggled and his hugs tighten a little bit. “You didn’t want me to kiss you because you’re the one who’s going to kiss me. Okay, I understand and I like that like how I like you,” he confidently said.

Kumawala muna ako sa yakap niya at inalis ang ulo niya sa balikat ko saka humarap sa kaniya para pagalitan siya.

Magsasalita na sana ako pero nilagay niya ang daliri niya sa bibig ko para patikumin.

“Shhh,” sabi niya at saka may tinuro sa likod ko. Nilingon ko iyon at nakita na tapos nang kumulo ang thermos.

“Ligtas ka na naman. Ang lakas mo sigurong magdasal para mangyari ‘yon.”

He laughed. “Can you give me a kiss again, kahit sa cheeks?”

Agad akong lumingon sa kaniya at pinanlakihan siya ng mata.

“Just kidding. Perhaps I could give you a kiss then.” Lumapit siya sa akin at akmang hahalikan ako. Hinarang ko ang bibig niya gamit ang kamay ko.

“Hindi pwede, nakakarami ka na, ha!”

“Hmp, isa lang naman, e. Sa pisngi lang naman,” nagtatampo niyang sabi. Kinuha niya ang isang baso na may kape at nilagyan iyon ng tubig na kakakulo lang. Bago niya ibaba ang thermos ay nilagyan din niya ang akin. Umupo siya sa dulo ng mahabang sofa.

Umupo ako sa kabilang dulo at nag-cellphone. Maya-maya ay nasa tabi ko na siya. Noong lingunin ko siya ay umangat ang kilay niya.

“Akala ko ba nagtatampo ka sa akin? Bakit nasa tabi na naman kita?” masungit kong tanong.

“Nabawasan na kaastigan ko ron. Hindi naman kita matitiis kaya bati na tayo,” sabi niya at ngumiti sa akin.

Natawa ako. “Dami mong alam, diyan ka na nga.” Tumayo ako at naglakad papasok ng kwarto. Tumawa siya at sinundan ako ng tingin.

Gising na si Clarene pero nakatulala siya sa bintana.

“Huy, ayos ka lang?” Nilapitan ko siya at tinapik sa braso.

Nagulat pa ata siya. Umangat ang tingin niya sa akin. Inabot ko sa kaniya ang kape ko, kinuha niya iyon at uminom.

“Lutang ka pa ata, e,” sabi ko.

“Kanina ka pa gising?”

Tumango ako. “Oo, mag-ayos ka na, maya-maya aalis na tayo.”

Kinusot niya ang mga mata niya at saka nag-inat.

Lumabas ako ng kwarto. Wala na roon si Sxan, siguro’y nasa kwarto niya. Bumalik ako sa loob para magbihis.

Nag-bikini ako sa loob ng see through na blouse at shorts. Nagsuot nalang ako ng tsinelas dahil tiyak na kung magsasapatos ako ay mababasa lang iyon. Nilagay ko sa tote bag ang towel, sunscreen, spare underwears, and a shirt. I clipped my cap and hairclip onto the handle of my bag.

“Clarene, tapos na ako. Are you done na ba?” Kumatok ako sa pinto ng banyo.

“Yeah, I’m done na, nililigpit ko nalang ‘to,” sagot niya.

“Labas na ako sa sala, ha?”

“Okay!”

Lumabas ako at umupo muna sa sofa. Narinig kong bumukas ang pinto, lumingon ako para tingnan kung sino iyon. Si Sxan pala, akala ko si Clarene na. Naka-grey na shorts siya at white t-shirt.

“Wala pa si Clarene?” pagkatanong niya noon ay saka naman na lumabas si Clarene mula sa kwarto namin.

“I’m right here. Should we have breakfast first?”

“Okay, tara.” Binuksan niya ang pinto, hinintay niyang makalabas kaming dalawa ni Clarene bago niya ni-lock iyon.

Nauna si Clarene na maglakad habang nag-ce-cellphone.

“Alam mo na gagawin ha?” paalala ko kay Sxan na nasa tabi ko.

“Yup, I’ll ask more about the guy.”

“Good, let’s go.”

Pancakes, fruits, fried rice, fried dried daing, sliced tomatoes for breakfast.

I was eating peacefully when Clarene slapped my arm in succession while squealing.

Pinigilan ko ang kamay niya at pinakalma siya. “Ano ba ‘yon?! Tangina naman, kumakain ako, e!”

Tinuro niya ang lalaki na may hawak na tray.

“Is that him?” I asked her.

She nodded her head. Her eyes are sparkling and she can’t talk, she’s just squealing!

“Damn it, talk, Clarene!” malakas na sabi ko sa kaniya. Niyugyog ko ang balikat niya. “My gosh, he is hot,” I murmured. Dumapo bigla sa akin ang tingin ni Sxan. Narinig niya ata. Hindi ko na siya pinansin at si Clarene na ang inasikaso. “Hey, hey. Get it together!” sinampal ko siya sa mukha nang mahina. Huminga siyang malalim at tumango-tango.

“Let’s ask his name,” sabi ko. Iaangat ko na sana ang kamay ko nang magsalita si Sxan.

“His name is Denzel,” sagot niya.

Pareho kaming napahinto ni Clarene at nakakunot ang noo na tumingin sa kaniya.

“How did you know?” I asked him.

“I asked him yesterday?”

Bumagsak ang balikat ko sa sinabi niya. “E, bakit hindi mo sa akin sinabi kagabi?!” sabay namin na sigaw ni Clarene.

Humalukipkip siya sa upuan. “Hindi ka naman nagtanong?” Nagkibit-balikat siya.

Pumikit ako nang mariin at humingang malalim. Pigilan mo ang sarili mo na sapakin itong lalaki na nakaupo sa tabi mo, Dayn.

Biglang napaaray si Sxan. Sinipa siya ni Clarene sa ilalim.

“Paano mo naman nalaman? Ibig sabihin nakita mo siya kahapon noong kinuha ko ang pagkain?” tanong ni Clarene.

Tumango si Sxan. Inis na inis si Clarene sa kaniya.

“Saan mo naman nalaman ang pangalan niya?” tanong ko.

“What do you mean... Oh! Dito, kahapon. Siya kasi nag-abot nung shrimp na binigay nung babae. Namukhaan ko lang,” sagot niya.

I leaned back to my seat and scoffed.

“Then why you didn’t tell us that you met him?! Kahapon parang nakita ko na rin siya, e...” napaisip si Clarene. She greeted her teeth and looked at Sxan as if she’s ready to kill him. “Kaya pala inaya mo kaming umalis na agad kahapon! Hoy, Sxan! Alam kong nagseselos ka lang pero wala ka namang karapatan para idamay ako diyan!” galit na sabi ni Clarene.

Napatingin ako kay Sxan at inasar siya, “So, kaya pala umalis kahapon kasi nagseselos ka?”

Tumikhim siya at umirap sa akin. “Hindi kaya.”

Magsasalita pa sana si Clarene pero pinigilan ko siya dahil paparating ang lalaki niya.

“Shh, ayan na lalapit ata sa’yo,” sabi ko sa kaniya. Pinigilan ko rin ang paglingon niya. “Mahahalata kang gaga ka, huwag kang lumingon! Act normal!”

“Uhm, hello?” salita ni Denzel.

Hindi ata makasagot si Clarene kaya ako ang sumalo.

“Uh, yes?” sagot ko.

“Do you need anything? Are your orders complete?” he asked nicely. He looks at Clarene, and Clarene almost choked. Inabutan agad siya ni Sxan ng tubig.

“Uh, yeah. It is, thanks,” Clarene said when she recovered.

“Excuse me, you look familiar...” No, you don’t. This is the first time I’ve seen you. “Do you work here? Like... are you from here?” I asked. Sxan and Clarene are looking at me.

He smiled and answered, “Uhm, yes. I work here, in our own farm.”

Kumunot ang noo ko.

“Yes, This is our family’s farm and restaurant,” ulit niya. “I hope y’all are having fun. I’ve gotta go now. Enjoy your stay!” he said then left.

Clarene squealed again. She's really kinikilig.

“Oh, my god. If I wasn’t here, walang mangyayari!” I said, laughing at Clarene.

“His family owns this farm? That explains how good looking he is,” said Clarene.’

“Ano namang connect noon sa itsura niya?” tanong ni Sxan.

Sinamaan siya ng tingin ni Clarene.

“He must be wealthy, then,” I said.

Sxan agreed. “He’s interested in you, Clarene,” he said.

“And why do you say so?” tanong niya.

Uminom ako ng tubig habang hinihintay ang sagot niya.

“I just knew.”

“Don’t give me false hopes!” inis na sabi ni Clarene. Tumayo siya at pumunta sa ladies room.

“Paano mo naman iyon nasabi?” tanong ko kay Sxan.

“Noong lumapit siya sa atin, kay Clarene siya nakatingin. Noong kinakausap ka niya, sumusulyap-sulyap siya kay Clarene. Bago siya umalis, kay Clarene ang huling tingin niya,” sagot niya.

“Sapat ba ‘yon para masabing interesado siya sa babaeng iyon?”

“Oo naman. He didn’t approach any customers like the way he did to us.”

“Wow, you really are observant!”

“You asked me to. Look...” he signaled me to look at Denzel. Iginagala niya ang paningin niya, mukhang may hinahanap.

“Is he looking for...”

“Clarene? Yes. He glanced at our table for more than five times. Watch him when Clarene gets back,” sabi niya.

“Oh no,” naiiling kong sabi.

“What?”

Napakamot ako sa likod ng ulo ko at nag-aalala na tumingin kay Sxan. “Clarene is going to uncrush him once she knew that he’s interested in her.”

Kumunot ang noo ni Sxan at bakas ang pagkalito sa mukha niya. “What? Why?”

“She’s like that. She likes being the mouse. There was this one time, she told me that she has been liking this guy. So, she gave him signals, but then when the guy told her that he likes her back, this b***h pulled away like an electron! She just repelled so fast,” I told him. “So, if this guy Denzel likes her... he’s about to get his heart broken.”

Sxan was surprised. “My god, really?”

I nodded.

“What happens next?” he asked.

“Nothing. She’s going to act like nothing had happened. She’s next to her next victim. But, she doesn’t do this to everybody ha? She only gives signals to those she thinks are really super duper cute but jackass s**t guys. To those guys who will click the bait. She’s like a lesson to them. I told her to stop doing that because you never know how karma will get back at her, but she says that she is the karma for those guys.”

His eyes widened more. “Oh my god! You told me that I was her crush dati ‘diba? Oh, my god!”

“I wonder what happened to her to do that. I am sure she wasn’t like that before. She’s actually very sweet. Soon, makakahanap din ‘yan ng katapat niya. We’ll see by then.”

“Anong mangyayari sa mga lalaking iniwan niya?” tanong niya.

“Depressed? She really gives them a very had lesson. They deserved it, though. They are jackasses. I hope they learnt their lesson.”

“Yeah, but that’s really brutal," he said, sipping his drink.

“But once, she sleep talked and just kept on saying sorry. She didn't say any names though. I think she used to love someone before very dearly but probably didn’t go well.”

He agreed with what I said.

“Pero hindi sa lahat gumagana, Sxan. Sa iilan lang, may mga nagbago pero mayroon pa rin na ganoon pa rin. You can’t expect the medicine to work on everyone. Some moved on, some haven’t yet. But I never saw her felt sorry for those guys, she said that her work’s done even if it sometimes had failed.”

“She’s real good at masking feelings then. So you’re saying she was never serious in the first place?”

“Could be yes or no. What if she’s really just hiding her feelings?”

She once told me that she likes this one nice guy but she couldn't hurt his feelings so she’s just going to admire him from afar. She confessed her feelings and never gave him any mixed signals. She told him that she confessed para mawala na ‘yung feelings niya. She sucked it all up.

Dumating na si Clarene at umupo sa upuan niya kanina.

“Okay ka lang Sxan?” she asked.

“No, he isn’t.”

“Did you tell him?” tanong niya sa akin.

“Yeah.”

“Well, it’s fine. Where’s Denzel?”

“Are you about to break his heart?” tanong ni Sxan.

“Oh, my god! Dayn! I stopped doing that na!”

“Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you, she stopped doing that na raw. So do not worry.”

“Saang part doon ang nag-stop na?” tanong ni Sxan.

“Let’s just say that if both of them are ever to fall in love. Denzel is the one who is likely to fall in love deeper.”

“But you just told me that he’s about to get his heart broken?”

“I don’t know! The last one could be the last victim, if not then Denzel is.”

“Okay, you two stop! There’s no victim anymore okay? I’m past all that! Denzel could be my love or my future husband. I really like him, like serious, no plays, no cat and mouse games. It’s time for the true love that I really want. I explained to the guys I’ve hurt before,” she explained.

“What? Kailan?” tanong ko.

“Few days ago. I gave them a letter in person.”

“Wow! That’s a really great improvemet, Clarene. What did you explain to them?”

“That I am not sorry because they deserved that and wished they all learnt their lesson. They said it’s fine because I really taught them a good one. They even said thanks to me. I wished them well and we’re now all good. Some of them have girlfriends na. They are not jackass jerks anymore,” mahabang paliwanag niya. “So, now, I am in for the real deal. I’m going to find my way back to love or it is going to find its way back to me.”