SEE YOU

Chapter 10

Joreign's POV

"You shall now blow the candle." aniya ni Vin. Napatingin naman ako sa kandila.

"Wala namang apoy?" I said while scratching my forehead. Napatingin rin si Vin sa kandila at dali daling inilapag ito sa lamesa sabay kuha nang lighter sa bulsa. Nang masindihan na niya yung kandila ay itinapat na ulit niya ito sa'kin.

"Now, blow it." says him.

Hinipan ko na ang candle at pareho kaming tumawa. My heart was filled with bliss as we slice the cake together to celebrate. Ang babaw ko ba? I want to cry because my heart can't contain this much gratefulness.

"Titikman ko na ah." I said. Tumaas naman yung parehong kilay ni Vin.

"Tikim?" he mouthed. I chuckled.

"Yes, tikim...means taste." I said as I took a bite of the cake.

"Ah so, do you like the tikim of the cake?" Inosente niyang tanong. Imbes na maibuga ko yung cake ay nalunok ko ito pero na-stuck siya sa lalamunan ko. TUBIG!

"Acckk!" nabubulunan na ako dito kaya pinaabot ko yung tubig kay Vin.

"Ha! joke ba 'yon, Vin?" pagtatanong ko. Nakatitig lang siya. He looks like he's anticipating for my answer.

"Hay. Malayo pa ang pagdadaanan mo bago ka gumaling sa pag tatagalog."

"Huh?" nakangiti parin siya. Nakakatawa ata yung halos hindi ako makahinga kanina.

"You!" pagsigaw ko. Napa ayos naman yung upo ni Vin.

"I'll teach you tagalog!" pag dedeklara ko habang pinanlalakihan siya nang mata. Humanda ka Vin! papaduguin ko yang matangos mong ilong.

***

Kakatapos lang namin kumain kaya we are here sa mahiwagang lababo. Grabe ang daming hugasin, hindi ako natutuwa. Pero si Vin naman yung taga sabon at ako yung taga rinse nung mga sinabon niya kaya halos patapos na rin kami. Sa dinami dami nang pagkain kanina hindi ako makapaniwalang halos maubos ko 'yon. Kaonti lang kasi ang kinain ni Vin dahil para naman daw sa'kin ang mga 'yon. Hindi ko rin alam kung paano nagkasya ang lahat nang iyon sa tiyan ko.

"Again." paguutos ko. Nagumpisa na kasi yung lecture ko sa kaniya at ang una naming topic ay yung walang hiyang tikim na 'yan.

"Titikmen ko naa yong cake." medyo hirap siya sa pronounciation pero go! ip-pupush natin 'yan!

"What was the difference of tikim and lasa?" pagtatanong ko.

"Hmm." Napaisip naman siya.

"Remember that is still different from the words tikman at lasahan." pagpapa-alala ko.

"Anong tikman at lasahan pinagsasasabi niyo d'yan?"

Pareho kaming napalingon ni Vin sa nagsalitang si Dalta. Nakatayo at may bitbit na grocery sa pareho niyang kamay.

"Wala! tinuturuan ko 'tong kaibigan mong magtagalog."

"Hah!" inilapag niya yung mga grocery sa counter island at ngumiti-ngiti na parang sira-ulo.

"HAHAHAHA!" bigla na lang siyang tumawa.

"Wa---," napaiyak na siya sa kakatawa kaya hindi niya maibigkas yung sasabihin niya. "Wag na Joreign! ikaw lang ang mauubusan nang pasensya sa pagtuturo d'yan kay Cluvin." sabi niya. At aba, ang lalaking 'to parang walang bilib sa kaibigan niya?

"What's he saying?" tanong ni Vin.

"Ah, he says he'll teach you for today." Nakangiti kong sagot kay Cluvin, tumingin naman siya kay Dalta na hindi magkamayaw sa pagtawa.

"I don't want him. As if he can teach me." pagsagot ni Vin. Narinig naman 'yon ni Dalta kaya napatigil ito sa pag tawa. Napangiti ako, alam ko na ang sunod na sasabihin ng pinakamamahal kong pinsan.

"Hah! I can and I will teach you, you maderpakingtape!" kung ano ano na lang ang lumalabas sa bibig niyang si Dalta pag na oover hype kaya napa roll eyes na lang ako. Samantalang itong si Vin ay tila nakisabay sa uso, he gave Dalta a criminal offensive side eye.

"Come here my dear student! today I shall give you wisdom!" Basta na hinila ni Dalta si Vin kaya naiwan ako para tapusin ang natitira pang mga hugasin. Rinig ko naman ang pag-atungal ni Vin kay Dalta. Goodluck!

***

"So let's start with the basics. You introduce yourself in tagalog." Aniya ni Dalta. Nasa salas kaming tatlo at may hawak na white board si Dalta.

He wrote words on the board and showed it to Vin.

"Ako si [ur name]" ang nakalagay sa board. Napatango naman ako. Matino naman palang magturo 'tong si Dalta.

"Ako si Cluvin Von Quilton."

"'Yan! very good. Next. Your age."

"Ako ay Bente'y Kuwatro taong gulang." pag dedemonstrate ni Dalta.

"Ako hay baynte quadro tawong golang." pareho kami ni Daltang napahawak sa noo sa sagot ni Vin. Huminga ako nang malalim at si Dalta naman ay napabuga nang hangin bilang pampakalma. Naiinis na 'yan eh. Mas maikli kasi pasensya niyan kaysa sa akin.

"Hoo! okay let's try again, this time its your age. Bente'y singko taong gulang." Sinulat ni Dalta ang 25 sa board. Right. he's a two years younger than me.

"Ako hay..." hindi pa nakakarating sa gitna si Vin ay inis ibinaba ni Dalta yung board.

"Ay! Ay 'yon Quilton hindi hay. Bakla ka ba?" ayan na nga, nanggigigil na si Dalta. Agad ko namang inagaw sa kaniya yung board at pinaupo siya sa dulong bahagi nang couch. Akala ko matino siya mag turo hindi parin pala. Paano na lang pala kung may anak si Dalta? Edi nagkanda loko-loko na?

"Your doing good, learning a language is hard but you'll make it." pag e-encourage ko kay Vin.

"How about we start from the real basics? like the alphabets and numbers?" I smiled.

I started writing down the alphabets, the ABAKADA to be exact para ma umpisahan yung pagaaral niya sa tamang pronounciation nang mga letters at words. Para na rin hindi na siya mamroblema sa pag bigkas.

We were in the living room for a while nung biglang may nag door bell.

"Ako na." pag bobolontaryo ni Dalta.

"Try not to speak too softly." pag advise ko kay Vin. Malalambot kasi yung pag pronounce niya sa mga words eh sa tagalog naman ay kailangan ay buo ang pag bigkas mo.

"Hey, we have a visitor." Me and Vin looked at the entrance to see who the guest is.

"I missed you, Jubilyn." confident na sabi ni Tiboy. I just rolled my eyes.

At ramdam ko na agad ang tension nang tatlong lalaki sa paligid ko. Wala na akong nagawa noong pumasok siya dahil binuksan ni Dalta yung pinto. Nagdiretso kaming lahat sa sala at naupo.

I looked at Vin who was eagerly learning but was now staring at Tiboy at gano'n rin si Tiboy. Nakatingin ito kay Vin na para bang nagpapatagalan sila nang pagtitig. Baka kay Vin talaga may pagtingin 'tong si Tiboy?

"Ehem!" napatingin sila sa'kin.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito Tiboy?" Kinuha niya ang cellphone niya na nasa bulsa at iniabot ito sa akin. I titled my head in confusion.

"Number mo." he says while still holding the phone. My brows arched.

"Nabigay ko na." I stated.

"Nabigay mo nga eh expired naman." napa awang na lang yung bibig ko dahil hindi ko akalaing ang mabibigay ko na number ay yung hindi ko na ginagamit na sim.

"Teka! teka! teka! hoy, baka gusto mong magpakilala muna?" awat ni Dalta. Tumayo siya at pinag-krus sa dibdib ang braso sabay titig kay Tiboy ng matalas.

Tumayo naman si Tiboy mula sa pagkakaupo sa couch at in-extend ang kaniyang kamay kay Dalta.

"I'm Timothee Aubine."

"Dalta Meraki, Joreign's cousin s***h brother s***h protector slashing you in half. Anong intensiyon mo? Why approach Joreign?"

"I want to be her friend." Nagkatinginan naman kami ni Vin. Hindi ko alam kung bakit sakan'ya ako agad tumingin.

"No." simpleng sagot ni Dalta. Humarap naman sa akin si Tiboy.

"Will you be my friend?" Tiboy asked. All of the sudden all eyes were on me. Hindi ko naman gustong tanggihan but it doesn't mean na gusto ko rin siyang maging kaibigan. But...I think I owe him one.

"Mm-Hmm."

"What?" I mouthed to Dalta. Hindi kasi siya makapaniwalang um-oo ako kay Tiboy. I just sat on the couch while Dalta's eyes are still on mine.

"So, impossibleng dahil lang sa number ko kaya ka pumunta dito."

Napa palakpak naman si Tiboy sabay lingon kay Vin.

"I'm assuming you're her friend?" he says, and I don't know if it's just me but I sense a hint of mocking in his voice.

"I am." Vin firmly says. At muli ay nagkaroon ng katahimikan sa salas dahil nag tititigan na naman silang dalawa.

The silence was disturbed with a phone ringing. Someone's calling me. I was about to stand up pero nauna na si Vin na tumayo at tinuro niya yung taas, mukhang tinatanong niya kung nasa taas yung phone ko. I just nodded and he went straight up. I would've goten the phone myself pero nangingimay yung paa ko.

"Anyways, ilang taon ka na Jubilyn?"

"Hulaan mo."

"Hindi ko alam eh." Umiling pa siya.

"Kaya nga hulaan mo."

"Mmm...23?"

"Higher."

"43?"

Hinampas ko siya nung unan na nasa likod ko. Ang walang hiya ay mabilis na naka iwas habang tatawa tawa pa.

"Ikaw ilang taon ka na?" I asked. He was holding the pillow that I threw at him and jokingly smirks.

"Hulaan mo." Ayan na naman siya sa tonong nakakaloko.

"103?" Napa nganga naman siya sa sinabi ko.

"Grabe ano ako gurang?!" pag h-hysterical niya.

"Ay bakit hindi ba?" pag bibiro ko.

May sasabihin pa sana siya pero bumaba na si Vin dala ang selpon ko.

I looked at the screen to see who was the caller. It was my secretary.

"Bakit?" I asked. I clearly reminded him not to call me unless its an urgent matter.

"Uhhmm." he was hesitating to speak. May nakalimutan na naman 'tong sabihin sa'kin.

"Speak."

"I forgot to tell you that you have to attend a party." he nervously says. I just rolled my eyes.

"I hate parties." I said.

"But this one is different, miss this and you miss the opportunity to find suitable investors for your new business. I am on my way there to deliver your dress, I have texted you the venue and I will personally drive you there." napapikit naman ako. What a fine timing huh?

"You do know that I'm in Palawan right?"

"Yes, and I am almost there."

"Tsk! you should've told me earlier." panenermon ko. Hindi ko alam kung ako ba ang matanda sa aming dalawa kasi may time talaga na makakalimutin 'yan eh. Aish...

"I'm sorry Miss. I'll accept any punishments." After that I hung up.

"Ano raw 'yon?" pagtatanong ni Dalta.

"Never-ending parties." I stood up to get myself ready. I have to take a bath.

***

I was blow-drying my hair when I heard a knock at my door.

"Pasok." I heard the door opened.

"I deeply apologize Miss." it was Henry. My 5 year secretary.

"The dress?"

Agad naman niyang inilbas ang dress at laking gulat ko nang makitang isa siyang long mermaid gown na may slits at daring tingnan. Gulat kong tiningnan si Henry.

"Ano 'yan?" I am annoyed right now.

"The theme was bold and daring so I had no other choice. But trust me out of all the dresses that was ready this was the most decent one." Nakatungo siya habang nagsasalita at hindi ko mapigilang mainis.

I don't want to wear such dresses. I looked at it.

It was a mermaid cream colored dress, it has a slit on the right side and it has an open back. Diamond stones embroidered all throughout the dress. And the chest part is revealing, which I don't like. It is beautiful yes, I would've worn this confidently if I could but I don't want people to look at me with lust in their eyes. I've had enough.

I breathed deeply before calmly accepting the situation. Do I have a choice? it's a party, a grand party open only to those future business owners who wants to find themselves a great business partners and investors. I have to go and stirke them a deal, even if it means I'm wearing this gown.

"What time is the party?"

"The opening starts at 6 p.m so the party should start around 8. You have to get ready now so we can catch the flight and be there on time." I bit my lower lip. Dapat kasi ininform mo 'ko agad! Aish!

Kumukulo na naman 'yung dugo ko. If this was the normal days I would've straight up accepted this pero timing pa talaga na meron ako. Hindi man lang nakisama.

"Fine. Get out."

Agad akong nag ayos, I did my hair and make-up. I didn't want to go overboard kaya I just did a clean make up look that goes well with the dress i'll wear. My hair was tied up in a messy bun so it reveals my bare back. I would've just curled it but it'll be messy kasi malayo pa ang pupuntahan namin. I got my purse and just literally shoved my things in there. I went back to the mirror to check myself. And finaly I wore the heels that was also cream colored like the dress. I went back for one final look before I went out.

As I was going down stairs I could hear their voices. Mukhang may pinaguusapan sila do'n.

"Hindi, walang mag dadala nang date. Hindi ako papayag." I hear Dalta.

"But Sir, its a party she needs to have a date."

"Fine, ako ang date niya, I'll get ready." Paakyat na si Dalta kaya nakasalubong ko siya. He stopped and lifted his head to have a clear look at me.

"Aish. Hintayin mo 'ko. Hindi ka pwedeng lumayas dito mag-isa." He says. I finally got down and looked him in the eyes.

"I'm twenty-seven. I can handle myself."

"Kahit pa twenty seven ka, tignan mo nga sarili mo..." he scanned my whole body like a security. "Masyado kang maganda, baka mamaya hindi lang isa ang ma-fall sa'yo. Sasama 'ko." he went upstairs in a hurry. And I just smiled. In my life, I will always be grateful for him.

"This is new." the voice was owned by Vin.

"But are you comfortable? you look troubled...are you okay?" he was worried that I didn't felt comfortable?

"No. I'm still on my period and that's what makes this more uncomfortable."

"Well, you have Dalta...it should be fine."

"She'll go with you, you be her date." Napalingon kami ni Vin sa nagsalita. It was Dalta. He was holding his phone near his ear as if he was talking to someone.

"I can't go. May accident daw sa site." he put his phone back in his pocket and went straight to us.

"I can't go, you take my place instead." He says to Vin.