Chapter 3

Silence enveloped us. When our bodies weren’t talking, it made me feel awkward. Ever since I met him — when Felix introduced me to him and his parents — we hadn’t had a conversation at all. He looked aloof and intimidating. I couldn’t really look him straight in the eye.

"So, is this just a one-time thing?" he suddenly asked. I shrugged. I had no idea. Kakayanin ko ba na mas maging malalim ang relasyon namin kung kamukha niya si Felix? What could I offer him? Could I really offer him anything?

"I’m not really sure, honestly..." sabi ko habang tinititigan siya sa mata.

He furrowed his brows and his jaw clenched. His cold eyes gazed at me fiercely. My breath hitched. He was silent for a moment, and his face was blank. I couldn’t read what he was thinking. He then cleared his throat.

"I-I can be the proxy..."

Kumurap-kurap ako. Hindi makapaniwala sa narinig. Tama ba ang dinig ko? How...

"Proxy? What are you, a freaking substitute?" Hindi makapaniwala kong saad.

"Of course, I'm kidding. Just makeup with your mind. I'm busy," he said as he got up.

Tiningnan niya ang oras at dali-daling pumasok sa CR. Narinig ko ang mabilis na daloy ng tubig. Why do I feel suspicious? Is he really just kidding?

Come to think of it, was it really just a coincidence that we met at the bar?

But it doesn't make sense. We really didn't have any interaction.

I only met him once at their family dinner when I was introduced to his family.

Maybe it was just his humor? I don't really know him. Maybe that was his way of joking?

Napatango-tango ako sa sarili kong iniisip.

Baka gano'n nga. Napaka-imposible naman yata ng iniisip ko.

Nang matapos siyang maligo ay ako ang sumunod. Paglabas ko ng cr ay wala na siya sa kwarto, nalimutan kong manghingi ng pwedeng maisusuot, tuwalya lang 'yung binigay niya kaya naghanap ako sa closet niya.

Napakalawak ng walk-in closet niya. 'Yung mga damit halatang mamahalin. Ang gaganda ng mga quality, grabe ibang klase din siya. Kinuha ko ang sando niya na naging dress ko at kumuha ako ng shorts niya. 'Yung perfume niya dumikit sa clothes niya, ang bango, para niya 'kong niyayakap.

Lumabas ako ng kwarto at pumanhik pababa. Habang nasa hagdan palang ay amoy na amoy ko na ang mabangong amoy ng pagkain. Tumingin ako kung saan nagmumula ang amoy.

Damn, 'yung nagluluto palang nakakabusog na. His back has a wings tattoo and it suits him. Ngayon ko lang napansin ang likod niya at ang mga tattoo niya. It really suits him. He was the manifestation of darkness, like a fallen angel vibes. Siya 'yung definition ng kasalanan na hindi mo gustong takasan, you will willingly obliged.

Nang humarap siya ay napangiti ako. He looked cute in his pink apron na may minnie mouse at the center. Ta's 'yung mukha niya napakaseryuso, ewan ko nalang talaga kung 'di ka matawa.

"What's funny?" He asked.

Pinigilan kong ngumiti nang malawak.

"Wala naman, you looked cute in your outfit."

Tiningnan niya ng mabuti ang kaniyang apron, his brows furrowed. He was finding something on it.

Hindi ko na napigilang tumawa nang malakas. He looks innocent. He doesn't really see it strange wearing a pink with a minnie mouse design.

"Wala, wala. Aherm. Favorite mo ba si Minnie Mouse?"

Tumango siya nang marahan.

"Yeah, she's my favorite. I love watching their shows, especially Minnie, she's cute."

Tumango na lang ako bilang pagsang-ayon.

Inilapag niya ang mga plato at baso sa mesa. Then he put rice in my plate and cordon bleu that he cooked. It was just how I like it. I tasted the cordon bleu and I love it! Favorite ko din 'tong inuulam.

"Wow, galing mong magluto. Alam mo ba fave ko 'tong ulam na 'to. If I'll be stuck in an island, mabubuhay talaga ako basta mayroon nito." I said.

Nagpatuloy lang siyang kumain at hindi nagsalita.

"How did you know how to cook?" I asked.

He shrugged. "Just watching tutorials. If I felt bored I cooked."

Tumango ako. Nakakaamaze siya. Napakarare lang ng mga taong marunong magluto lalo na kapag lalaki. Masarap maging asawa 'to...

"Ano pang ibang ulam na alam mo?"

"Depends, what do you want me to cook for you?" He asked casually.

"Ah, wala naman masiyado. Pero gusto kong tikman sinigang na luto mo ta's pasta."

"Okay, if I have time. I'll make it."

Napakurap-kurap ako. Ganito lang ba talaga siya? Like he will do your request? Is it really normal? I mean we really don't know each other... Like in a deeper level, he's just the twin of my ex-boyfriend...

"You know, I'm curious... You're a boyfriend material bakit wala ka pa ring girlfriend hanggang ngayon?" Hindi ko napigilang magtanong. Kasi naman, nakakapagtaka lang. Based on what I heard through Felix, Fletcher has no girlfriend. I don't know if he do flings but like officially I didn't hear him having one.

Napahinto siya. "I'm waiting for someone."

Napapalakpak ako.

"Wow, dakilang martir sa pag-ibig. Magkaiba nga kayong kambal." Napainom kaagad ako ng tubig.

Nakita kong kumuyom ang kamao niya. Until suddenly finishes and stands.

"Ilagay mo nalang 'diyan. Yaya Panyang will come here and will clean it." Bumilis ang pagkain ko. Gusto ko pa mang kumain ay itinigil ko nalang. Nagbihis siya sa pang-opisina niyang damit na black coat. Ibinigay niya naman ang jacket sa 'kin.

"Wear it, don't go out wearing my sando."

I was confused. Magagalit ba ang taong hinihintay niya kung makita akong suot ang sando niya? Hala, pa'no kung ako pa maging sagabal sa kanila? Isinuot ko nalang para wala nang issue.

Inihatid niya 'ko sa bahay ko. Ipinagbukas niya akong ng pintuan. Pero bago pa 'ko makakaway ay umalis na kaagad ang sasakyan niya.

"Napakamoody niya naman."

Pumasok ako sa bahay. When I finally opened the light I saw a fucking eyesore...

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Pigil na galit na tanong ko. Pasalamat talaga siya nakakapagtimpi pa 'ko. Nag-iinit na ang dugo ko dahil sa presensiya niya. Puta, sarap bigwasan eh.

Lumuluha siyang lumuhod sa harapan ko. Hinawakan niya ang binti ko at mahigpit na yumakap.

"Zara, I'm sorry. It wasn't me... She seduces me. She put something in my drink, thatywhy I did it. Please, Zara... Forgive me..."

What a freaking asshole!!! Does he think he can deceive me with his acting? Hell no! He has the audacity to blame the girl when in fact he was enjoying it!!

"Wow, galing mo ring magpalusot. Ibinunton mo ang sisi sa babae na parang hindi ka nag-enjoy. Sa nakita ko kagabi, grabe para kang nakalayang hayop na hayok na hayok!!! Ako pa talaga ang pinagloloko mo! Mababawasan sana ang kasalanan mo kung mas naging honest ka eh."

Umiling-iling siya habang tumutulo ang mga luha. Tinatanggal ko ang pagpulupot ng mga daliri niya, kapag mas hinihigpitan niya ay kinukurot ko.

"Bitiwan mo nga ako! Nandidiri ako sa 'yo!!! Wala na tayo Felix!!! You love fucking that woman, so go with her!!! Don't worry, nasarapan naman ako sa kambal mo. Buti pa 'yon mas worth-it kaysa sa 'yo!!!"

Doon na siya nawalan ng lakas at dumausdos ang kamay. Dali-dali akong lumayo, diring-diri sa kaniya.

"Get out, Felix!!! Fucking get out!!!"

Malakas ko siyang tinulak, dahil na rin sa panghihina nito ay kaagad ko siyang naitulak sa labas. Nang maisara ang p***o ay nanghihina akong dumausdos at umupo sa sahig habang tahimik na humihikbi.