Her Hunky Tricks

Chapter 8

"NAG-IISA yata si Clarence?"

"Palagi naman ‘yang mag-isa."

"Ang gwapo talaga."

"Mas gwapo si Edrian."

"Ay girl, magkambal pinag-uusapan natin malamang parehas na gwapo ‘yan."

"Eeeh, depende ‘yan sa pormahan."

"Eh parehas din naman eh."

"Ay teka, sigurado ka bang si Clarence ‘yan?"

"Baka si Edrian?"

"Nasa Medical Department building eh, malamang si Edrian ‘yan."

"Oooy, ang isa sa Latwick oh, baka hinihintay ako girl."

So many buzzes of bees — I mean girls. Sa dinami-daming dumaraan at nagbubulungang mga babae sa huli lang ako napailing.

Sino siya para hintayin ko?

Nandito ako sa gilid ng pathway ng Medical Department Building at hinihintay si Clarence. Makapagpahintay akala mo babae. I am almost 3 minutes standing here and that's already enough for my patience. Ba't ba ang hilig magpahintay ng lokong ‘yon?

Maya-maya lang ay mabibilang nalang ang mga estudyante dahil dismissal time na rin.

I am standing here and testing my patience when a familiar girl came out running from the building like she's after her life. Exaggerated but it is really it. Her back is facing me making me to have time to read the surname in her jersey.

Clarete

Uh. Hemwe girl?

"Yo bro."

"Now, here's the brat," I said as I stood up straight and began to walk.

"Me? A brat?" Him, following me. We are making our way to the parking lot.

"Yeah," I said flatly.

"How come?"

"You're making me wait like you're a fvcking demure damsel in distress." At napangisi lang ang gago.

"Ayaw mo no’n? May training ka na, kung magkakagirlfriend ka na." Inakbayan pa ako.

"Fvck that thing," I said making him chuckle a bit with I don't know reason. "Para kang lalaking iniwan ng pinakamamahal mong girlfriend."

"That would never happen."

"Nagsalita ng tapos huh. Wanna bet? Within this year, you would get yourself a girlfriend." I turned to him and smirked. "Challenging me huh? You speak like you don't know me."

"And you speak like you hold your life in your own hands."

"That's deep."

"But seriously bro, wanna bet?" wiggling his eyebrows. Huminto na rin ako sa paglalakad. I faced him, " Game," and grinned devilishly.

"Woah, that's my man…" As he tapped my shoulder. "Anong ipupusta mo?" he asked making me confused. "Ano? Not how much?" I replied and continued to walk.

"Yes. A thing, not just a thing. What am I gonna do with your money? I have those."

"Then what?" Kinuha ko sa bulsa ang susi ng sasakyan ko at pinatunog iyon.

I was about to open the door when I heard him saying…  "This." As he taps his hand on the trunk of my car.

My eyebrows met. "Fvckin' serious?" I asked unbelievably. This is the only car I accept from our parents, so I am only using one. What am I gonna do with those numerous cars? Ipaparada?

Kung ito ang kukunin niya, wala na akong gagamitin and I know that he knows how I freaking hate to commute.

"Damn serious." He even closed his eyes.

"And what will you bet?" I asked and then realized why am I even asking? He chose what he wants, so should I. "Uh no… I'll choose."

Ngayon, siya naman ang napakunot noo. "I want your condominium building, I will sell it and will buy another car. Better and expensive than this one." I stated flashing my evil smile.

"You really know how to turn tables. But anyway, deal." Then, he offered a handshake.

"Deal," I replied accepting his hand.

Sumakay na ako sa driver's seat at siya naman sa passenger. Walang sasakyang dala ang mokong dahil isang araw pina-carwash. Ewan anong klaseng carwash iyon at aabutin talaga ng isang araw.

I started the engine and drove off to the coffee shop where I am working as a cashier. Simple lang ang part time job ko, akala niyo naman buwis buhay. I parked my car into the parking space allotted to the customers of our shop.

Pagpasok ko ay nagbihis na rin ako ng uniporme rito. Si Clarence nama'y umupo lang sa isang mesa rito at nagbasa ng aklat. A book recipe to be exact. He also ordered a coffee. Nagsimula na rin akong magtrabaho, masasabi kong maraming customers ngayon dahil sa maulan na panahon.

"Paki add nga, 256, 320 and 119," sabi ng isa kong kasama na siyang assigned sa pagtanggap ng mga bayad. "695," I answered kaya napatingin siya pati na rin ang nag-atubiling kumuha ng calculator. "Sabi ko nga ‘di na kailangan ng calculator. Oh ito, suklian mo." Sabay abot niya ng isang libong piso kaya nama'y sinuklian ko ito.

Ilang oras na rin ang lumipas nang mapansin kong nag-aayos na ng gamit si Clarence at lumapit sa kinaroroonan ko.

"Bro, una na ako mukhang uulan eh," paalam niya kaya tumango nalang ako.

Mga sampung minuto lang ang lumipas nang biglang bumuhos ang malakas na ulan and people outside came rushing with visible raindrops on their clothes.

Ang iba'y napilitan nalang umorder para makasilong na rin dito. The people keep going inside when I noticed a familiar woman, just like others who came in, she's also somewhat wet.

"Ay pare, ex ko. Shet," bulong ng katabi ko na siyang waiter para sa araw na ito. Their job rotates, the assigned for the bills, waiters and assigned in the counter, except me, the stable cashier.

Tiningnan ko ang tinutukoy niya at wala akong ibang nakikita sa pintuan kundi si Hemwe girl. Yes, the familiar woman is Clarence's hemwe girl. Hindi ko rin naman masyadong nakikita ang taong nasa likuran nito dahil matangkad si Hemwe girl. Ang malinaw lang ay naka all black ito habang si Ms Clarete ay naka uniporme.

"Your ex?" paglilinaw ko. Sinundan ko ng tingin si Ms Clarete hanggang sa makaupo na ito.

His exgirlfriend is Ms Clarete? Hindi ko alam na pumapatol pala si hemwe girl dito?

"Oo nga." Binawi ko na ang tingin at nag-concentrate sa pagbibilang ng pera.

"Oh, ano ngayon?" Not even glancing to whom he's referring to.

"Ay pre, kumakaway." Niyugyog pa ako gamit ang balikat niya.

"Gago, malamang o-order ‘yan," sagot ko naman.

"Nako pare, may kanya-kanyang in-entertain ang iba. Pwede bang ikaw muna?"

"Huh? Ano namang problema kong ex mo ‘yon?"

"’Yon na nga ang problema eh, makita niya ako, magbubunganga naman iyon at gagawa ng eksena."

Si Ms Clarete? Eskandalosa pala?

"Bahala ka, problema mo ‘yan."

"Pare naman eh. Baka ako pa ang makagawa ng eksena, kumukulo dugo ko sa kanya. Matapos akong gamitin at perahan? Manggagamit. And what's worst? May kinakasama siyang sugar daddy all throughout our relationship. What a sick, s**t whore."

Hindi ko maikakailang nabigla ako. His words are too much and to my other shock, is she really referring to Ms. Clarete? I tilted my head out of dissapointment. I better warned Clarence about this.

"Pare sige na." At tinulak pa ako ng mahina.

"I’m out of that." I don't want to be involved.

"Nakikiusap ako pare, sige na."

"Tsk. You act like a gay."

"Bahala na kung anong pinagsasabi mo basta —"

"Isang mocha frappe po, palagay nalang sa mesa."

Napaangat ako ng tingin and its Ms Clarete and I think hindi niya ako nakilala dahil sa cap. Kasi kung nakita niya ako ay malamang mapagkakamalan naman akong si Clarence. Agad namang nilapitan iyon ng kasama kong kanina pa nangungulit.

"Right away — ay bastos din." Naputol ang linya niya dahil agad na umalis si Ms. Clarete, wala ring modo huh.

"Acting like you don't know each other ang trip ng ex mo, Ram," sabi ko.

"Huh?" Him, with confusions painted all over his face.

"Huh," I mocked.

"Ano ka? Pinagsasabi mo? Ayun si Hazzy oh, ‘yong ex na sinasabi ko." Pointing the lady sitting alone next to Ms. Clarete's table. It’s the lady in black.

"Oh, I thought..." I trailed. Magkasabay rin kasi silang nagtaas ng kamay kanina. My fault, I misjudge Ms. Clarete.

I can't imagine though. Ms Clarete is such a sporty woman and yeah, I admit, she's cool. Seeing her is not like she's materialistic and a money-thirst.

"Akala mo ‘yong babaeng bastos?" I nod at his point pertaining to Ms Clarete not on his point na babaeng bastos. Matabil din dila nito eh. "Baka nagmamadali lang," saad ko, panghugas kamay na rin sa panghusga ko sa kanya kanina. "Your ex seems grieving, she's in all black outfit." Hindi na sumagot si Ram, nag busy-busyhan nalang ito at nag entertain ng ibang customer maliban sa ex na sinasabi niya.

I think about Ms. Clarete, what would be her reaction when she finds Clarence is here a while ago and left just before she came in.

ITS ALMOST 2 am and I haven't yet had my good sleep. I am facing my laptop and articles about synthetic and natural medicine is making me yawn but ironically, I need to read for the preparation of the debate tomorrow. Debate with the same department about the usage of synthetic medicine versus the natural medicine.

Actually, this is my first time, since I’m not into activities like this outside of the four corners of our room. But I was forcedly assigned by our prof —yes, forcedly so I have no choice.

After an hour and I can't really take it anymore, I shutdown my laptop and sleep.

Kinabukasan, as usual gumising ako nang maaga para maghanda. I also cook myself a breakfast. I know how to cook but not as how Clarence love cooking. After fixing myself, I drove off to the University. I parked my car and was about to leave the parking lot when I saw Ms. Sylvior having a hard time carrying numbers of big thick books plus rolls of cartolina and a box. I’m not a man who gives a damn to everything and who would help every needy, but I just can't afford seeing Ms. Sylvior in that situation.

She's not like other chic girls who would take advantage in this situation.

Nilapitan ko siya, "Need help?"

"Okay lang ba?" she answered directly. I just nod and took the box and books from her. "Thank you." Hindi na ako sumagot and we walk in silence going out of the parking lot.

Ang mata ng mga estudyante ay nasa amin na rin.

“Tsss." Wala na ba silang ibang magawa nang magkasaysay naman ang buhay nila.

Hindi ko alam kung saan siya papunta at hindi ko rin alam na hindi man lang ako nag abalang tanungin siya.

I don't know. There is something that stops me. It’s not the awkwardness. I just don't know.

We are already in the med department building making me to paused for a while. "Ay hanggang dito ka lang pala, ano? Sige, ako na magdadala. Salamat," she said in a smooth sailing voice.

"Pasaan ka ba?" Atlast nakapagtanong na rin.

"Sa SC office," maikling sagot niya.

"Let's go," I said and continued walking.

"Sigurado ka? Malayo pa ang SC office, babalik ka pa rito," she said with a concerned tone.

"It’s alright. It’s still early"

We continued to walk again in silence. The feeling with Ms. Sylvior is different. I sometimes—no, always irritated with women. They're nosy. This woman is different from them. She excels in academic, her dedication being an SC President is noticeable, but she still managed to let out her beauty. Unlike other  genius people who wears big thick round eyeglasses like they were outdated.

Wait, did I say beauty? What I mean is that the essence of being a woman is still there.

After a long walk, we reached SC office. "Maraming salamat, Edrian."

I am bit shock when she mentioned my name. It's just that he distinguished me from Clarence.

"You know me."

"Clarence doesn't go to school this early," she said flashing her genuine smile.

"How did you know?"

"He's always on the list of late comers."

"Ah, that man."

"Anyway, a big thanks again," still smiling.

I just nod and walk my way back to our building.

The day is still normal, and my classmates keep on cheering me for the debate later since this is also their first time to see me indulging such activity.

Later in the afternoon, whole medical department were gathered at the gym. I’m just sitting quietly and observing the noisy bees buzzing again. I noticed a woman walking in the front row which is really an eye catcher because she's not wearing uniform. I shifted my attention to the Prof which is already giving her greetings.

Pagkatapos ng kanyang pambungad ay pinaupo na kaming mga speakers sa harap.

I looked at our opponents and the woman not wearing uniform is sitting at the center. Nilinaw ko kung sino siya and oh, Ms. Clarete. Naalala ko tuloy ang nangyari kahapon sa coffee shop.

Ang malilikot niyang mata ay naglandas sa akin para magkatinginan kami. Agad namang nag-iba ang ekspresyon ng mukha niya na parang nagulat.

Like she lost her coolness.

Kung siya man ang makakalaban, well I think it will be a good one.