Chapter 3

NAGISING si Hera na may nakapulopot na kamay sa kanyang beywang. Napangiti siyang nalaman na sa tabi niyang natulog si Owen. Kinikilig siyang habang pinagmasdan ng maiigi ang mukha ng binata na mahimbing na natutulog sa kanyang tabi. Hindi niya napigilan ang sarili na haplosin ang pisngi nito. Inilapit niya sa maamong mukha ng kababata ang kanyang mukha at tinitigan ang binata nang buong pagmamahal.  Napabungtong hininga siya, alam niyang hindi siya maaring umibig sa kanyang kababata. Hindi ito tama, ito'y isang lamang kahibangan. Masasaktan lamang siya dahil kailanman man hindi siya makikita nito bilang isang babae. 

Para kay Owen isa lang siyang kababata, isang kapatid, isang kaibigan  and she don't want to settle for a brotherly love.

Bumuga siya ng hangin sa kawalan, at sinabi sa sarili niya na dapat na niyang itigil ang kanyang nararamdaman dahil wala naman itong mabuting idudulot sa kanya. It won't change the fact that Owen only care and love her as a sister. He could never give her more than that. 

"Why do I love you so much?" she wisphered in a weak voice, not caring if he would hear it.

Dahan dahan niyang inalis ang kamay ni Owen sa pagkayakap sa kanya. Bumangon siya sa pagkahiga sa kama, at tinitigan niya muli ang binata na may pilyang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi, bakit nga ba hindi sabi niya sa sarili.  

Walang pag-alinlangang niyang idinampi ang kanyang labi sa labi nito. Yes, She planted a peck on his lips. Hindi niya alam kung ano elemento ang tumulak sa kanya upang mangahas na halikan ang binata. Wala siyang pakialam kung mahuli man siya nito, nagpasalamat na lang siya at hindi ito nagising.

Tinignan niya ang oras sa phone niya. It's 5am, maaga pa pala wika niya. Sinulyapan niya uli ang binata bago lumabas ng kwarto.

Tumungo siya sa kusina, at tinignan  ang laman ng ref. She found hotdogs, bacon, sliced bread, eggs and three boxes of moon cake. May mga fruits and juice in cans din na naka stored doon. Kumuha siya doon ng ilang hotdogs, bacon, eggs at sliced bread.

Nagtimpla siya ng kape, she love coffee. Hindi kompleto ang araw niya pagwalang kape. While sipping her coffee, nagsaing  siya sa rice cooker. She fried eggs in sunny up side down, isinunod niya iprito ang bacon at hotdogs. 

Masaya siyang inalagay ang fried eggs, bacon at hotdogs sa isang malaking plato. Nag-toast din siya ng ilang slices ng bread.

Pagkatapos niyang magluto. Pumunta siya sa salas, at binuksan ang kanyang maleta. Kumuha siya doon ng isang halter blouse at skinny jeans. Pumasok siya sa uli sa kwarto ng binata, at natagpuan natutulog pa rin ito. Pumunta siya sa banyo, at nagsimulang maligo. Habang sinasabon niya ang kanyang katawan, biglang niyang naalala na may usapan pala sila ni Jasmine at Sarah na magkikita sa bahay ni Jasmine.

Ilang minuto pa ang nakalipas, lumabas na siya ng banyo na isang  manipis na towel lang ang bumabalot sa kanyang katawan. Not caring if Owen would see her, she started to get dressed. She is in the middle of drying her hair when Owen woked up.

"Morning, baby. Ang aga mo atang nagising. You're already dressed, saan ang punta mo?" Nakaunot noong tanong nito sa kanya ng binata.

"Sa bahay ni Jasmine. May usapan kami ni Sarah na magkikita kami today. Hero, its  7am na," ngumiti siya at umiling.  "Oo nga pala, nakalimutan kong you're not an early riser."

"Yes, and no, baby.  But it's Sunday, kaya kahit na late na akong magising okey lang."

Tumayo ang binata,  at hinakbang ang distansiyang namamangitan sa kanila. She was shocked when he  suddenly back hugged her.

"You look gorgeous even in the morning," he whispered in her ear.

She can feel  that her face in turning to red, kaya bigla siyang na-conscious. 

"You're blushing baby, and it makes you even more beautiful," he said huskily, and smiled at her widely showing his two dimples.

Oh my God,  he looks so handsome with that smiled sekretong sabi niya sa sarili. She frozed when he tighten his hugged even more, bringing their body even more closer. 

"Hey, stop teasing me, Hero.  You're annoying me!" saway niya sa kababata.

"Hindi ako nagbibiro, baby. You're beautiful and I'm glad your here with me. I miss you!" he kissed her cheek. 

Her heart beats even faster as he said that. 

"I miss you too!"she admitted in in a controlled voice trying  to concealed her nervousness.

"Let me dried your hair, baby," he said as he signaled her to  sit on side of the bed. Pinabayaan nalang si Owen na tuyoin ang kanyang buhok gaya ng lagi nitong ginagawa noon mga bata pa sila. Actually, she missed him doing it. She still can remember noon mga bata pa sila na Owen always  volunteer to towel dried her hair. At gustong-gusto pa nitong  suklayin ang mahaba niyang buhok. But things have changed, may kanya-kanya na silang buhay at bahay ni Hero. Simula na maging CEO ito ng Decini Shipping and Cruise Line ay madalang na silang nagkikita, magkausap or magsamang dalawa.

"What are you thinking, baby?" biglang tanong nito sa kanya.

"Nothing" she sighed.

"Don't lie to me, baby. Alam kong there's something going on that pretty head of yours. Care to tell me?"

"Wala ito, don't mind me. Just missing the old days"

"The feeling is mutual, baby. Kaya nga, I'm thankful na hindi ka nag atubiling tumuloy at mag-stay sa condo ko. Kahit sandali we can be together and catch up things."

"I'm happy to hear that. Mag-breakfast na tayo, Hero. Tapos pwede mo ba akong ihatid kina Jasmine?" she asked trying to change the subject. 

"Sure, baby. Saan mo gustong mag breakfast?". masuyong tanong nito sa kanya.

"Dito na lang.  I already cook breakfast for us two, naka-ready na iyon. Come on. Let's eat!" she stated.

"That's great, baby,"  he said, then hold her hand as they went to the kitchen. 

NAKANGITI siya habang pinagmamasdan si Owen na maganang kumakain. 

"Dito kana kaya tumira, baby? you can cook well, para hindi na palaging take out food ang drama ko," he said as he munching his food

"Really, I can cooked well! I'm a chef remember? Nakakahiya naman sa 'yo na sa ganda kong ito gagawin mo lang akong kusinera mo! No way! I've got dreams big bro kaya 'wag kang abuso! Mag-hired ka na lang kasi ng  kusinera mo. Saka marunong ka kayang magluto." angal niyang sabi.

"Matagal  ko ng alam na maganda ka, baby. You don't have to say it. Yes, I can cook but it's kinda lonely eating alone," he chuckled.  

"That's a simple problem Hero. Get married! Get yourself a wife to take care of you. You're not getting any younger,  ang tanda mo na kaya." pagbibiro niya dito.

"Oh I'm not old baby! Me? marrying? I don't think so, Why would I marry when I can ____" bigla tumigil ang binata sa pagsasalita, tinignan siya nito, para bang tinitimbang kung sasabihin ba ito. 

"Why marry when you can fuck a woman anytime! Iyon ba ang ang sasabihin mo ha Owen? Alam mo, I can't really understand you, bakit ba ayaw mo sa kasal when both our parents are happily married?" usisa tanong niya sa binata 

"Baby, don't say bad words. Married is not in my dictionary. I don't do commitment, and what's the rush I'm enjoying my bachelor's life"

he smirked at her. 

"Enjoying your what? Bachelor life?, baka sex life sabihin mo. Sometime, I can't help myself to hate men like you. Men treated women as though we're piece of shit, as if we were born or made only to satisfy your lustful need. Can you see we have feelings too?  I doubt if I can even find or meet a man who will look me with the eyes of full of love and not full of lust. I must be thankful that we're not siblings kasi 'pag nagkataon baka ako ang magiging karma mo sa dami ng babaing pinaiyak at ginamit mo." She resume eating her food, kaya hindi niya nakita ang pagkunot ng noo ng binata.

"Am I really that bad in your eyes? To clarify things to you, baby, hindi ko kailanman pinaglalaroan ang mga babae ko. Yes, I am a womanizer.  I have flings. I bedded women at every chance I can, but I never force them. They willingly spread their legs for me. You can't blame me, as a man I've got needs so don't you ever judged me that I used my women just like a piece of shit because women who associated themself with me also used my sexy body," he glared at her. She can see that he fumming with anger, and hurt is evident in his eyes.

"You're what? Im sorry if I offended you, but you can't blame me for saying it. You've change your  women like you changed your clothes, na parang  ice cream na lagi may flavor of the month! Siguro kung hindi mo ako kababata at hindi ka natatakot sa mga magulang natin baka isama mo pa ako sa iyong collection," sabi niya dito.  Hindi niya napansin ang pagdilim ng mukha ng binata dahil abala siya sa pagbabalat ng sugpo. Owen already annoyed her with his personal point of views of women. Yes, he might be her best friend but it doesn't mean she will shut up her mouth. He has to know that what he is doing is not right in her eyes.

"Dammit Hera! Will you stop this nonsense!Mag-aaway lang tayo dahil diyan, and don't you even compare yourself to all the girls I've dated and bedded!  Hindi ka katulad nila, and I never treated you like them," galit na sabi nito. Owen's eyes are like hawk pero magpapatalo ba siya? Though it hurts like hell na marinig niya mula sa kababata ang mga katangang sibambit nito 

Hindi ka katulad nila, and I never treated you like them. 

Damn, alam niyang he never treated her like them, not even glance her the way he did with his women. 

"Bakit ka ba nagagalit, ha? Nasasaktan ka ba sa mga sinabi ko. Thenstop from being a playboy." she hissed

"Is that what you want?" He asked her. His face is full of seriousness

"If I say yes, will you?"

"I can't promise you that I will but I will try. Baby, can I ask you something, I want you to answered me honestly?" He asked her, nawala na ang galit sa mga mata nito, ganoon naman sila. They talked, they argued but they never let the situatuon become worst. 

"Yes, basta wag lang algebra ha!" pilosopong niya sabi

"Paano kung may magkagusto sa 'yo, may manliligaw sa 'yo but he's a  playboy, a womanizer, would you believe if he say he love you? Would you give him a chance to court you?"

"Believe him? I don't know, Hero, I will always doubt his sincerity. Yes, I would give him a chance to court me, a chance to rock my world but for sure he's gonna have a hard time breaking my walls. Dahil sa totoo lang, I will not let myself fall for a playboy, cause he will tend to break my heart. And I hates rivals, I'm possessive when itsl comes to the man I love," pag aamin niya.

"Salamat naman kung gayon, pero sana isipin mo din, Heramarie na hindi dahil palit nang palit ng babae ang isang lalaki eh wala siyang kakayahan maging tapat. May mga rason kung bakit naghihiwalay ang magkasintahan, nandiyan ang hindi sila magkasundo, possesiveness, trust issue or talaga they were not destined to be with each other. Relationship is an serious matter Hera, kaya nga ayaw kong pakosin iyon. Why commit yourself if there is only lust not love?"

She took a deep breath, alam niyang galit si Owen sa tuno ng kanyang pagsasalita. the fact na tinawag siya ni Owen on a first name basis, he must be controlling his irrations. His face became darkened as  he look at her. And she don't like the idea of Owen being angry at her.

"Oh, I beg to disagree, coming from a guy who never experienced to be crazy in love! Dahil ang taong natural na sa kanya ang manakit ng damdamin eh hindi na magbabago. They say once a playboy always a playboy. "

"You're too judgemental for saying  that baby. At sinong nagsabi sa 'yo that I never been in love? Who are we to think that there's no chance of people changing, chances and incidents might and can change a heart over night, miracles do happen baby," he said as if trying to defend his side

"I don't know, Hero. Yes, people might do change but they can't change overnight, that's impossible, Hero. Once a playboy will always be a playboy but don't worry big bro, I don't hate you. It's playboys in general. May trust issue lang ako sa mga playboy. Ayaw ko lang ma-fall sa kanila, mga paasa sila," she laugh weakly.

"Paasa? Care to explain?" biglang naging interesado.

"Minsan muntikan na akong ma-fall sa isang playboy buti nalang napigilan ko ang sarili ko bago pa man ako mahulog ng lubusan kasi pinaasa lang niya ako. Oh basta, ayaw ko nang pag-usapan ang katangahan kong iyon," she told him pero hindi niya nasabi na ito ang playboy na sinasabi niya. She still loves that playboy so much, who is now debating with him, at kahit na kapatid lang ang turing nito sa kanya ay okey lang. Seyempre... Lokarit ang kanyang puso.  Contented nalang itong umibig ng palihim. 

"Baby, you surprised me. Ni minsan hindi mo 'yan na kwento sa akin," pailing na sabi nito sa kanya

"Paano ko magawa magkwento eh you're  so super busy with your work, dagdagan pa ng mga babae mo na halos kunin na lahat ng free time mo! You barely have time for me. Simula ng maging CEO, you always on the go, lagi out of town or country doing seminars, conventions at etc. You never found time to see me, buti pa nang mga bata pa tayo isang sipol ko lang sa 'yo, nasa tabi na kita," pagtatampong sabi niya

"Hey baby, 'wag kang magtampo. Mahirap maging CEO. I need to work hard. Napakalaking responsibility ang  nakaatang sa balikat ko. Is this the reason bakit mo gustong maging PA ko?" masinsinang tanong sa kanya ng binata

Isang tango lang ang sinagot niya sa binata. 

"Sige para mawala na 'yang pagtatampo mo, you can start to be may PA next week. Baby, wala namang nagbago sa pagtingin ko sa 'yo. I maybe busy but I will always find time to be with you. Ikaw nga itong busy. You're always roaming around the globe. Alam mo naman, I'm just a call me or text  away, di ba? I am always by your side whenever you need me, and will always stay by  your side as long a you as I'm alive. Always put that in mind,"  he took her hand and gently squeezed it.

She smiled at Owen, and mouthed Thank you. Pagkatapos nilang mag-breakfast ay ihinatid na siya ni Owen sa bahay ng kaibigan niyang si Jasmine.