Chapter 3

Kinabukasan nagising ako mga alas siyete ng umaga. Binuksan ko ang kurtina para masinagan ng araw. Naghilamos ako ng mukha at dahil walang toothbrush, nagmumog lang ako. Hindi naman ako bad breath. 

 

Nag stretching muna ako bago lumabas ng kwarto. Ang gaan ng loob ko ngayon. Napahawak ako sa aking tiyan. 

 

As far as I could remember, it's normal if a women will puke and will undergo some morning dramas during their pregnancy. Pero bakit parang wala naman sa akin?

 

Maybe my child is just caring, huh? Napatawa ako dahil doon. Bago paman ako tuluyang makababa, naabutan ko si Gabriel na aakyat rin sana ngunit huminto nang makita ako. 

 

“Good morning,” he greeted.

 

“Morning,” bati ko rin.

 

“Let's eat breakfast.” Pumasok siya sa kusina kaya sumunod nalang din ako. May pagkain ng nakahain sa mesa at mukhang bagong luto pa ang mga ito dahil sa usok. 

 

“Marunong ka palang magluto?” Natatawang tanong ko.

 

“Of course. I already have a...”

 

“Ha?” Hindi ko narinig ang huli niyang salita. 

 

“Nothing. Just eat now, Celine.” 

 

Kumain ako at nang matapos kami ay naghugas siya ng pinggan. He also wiped and clean the table. He doesn't let me do it, and I don't want to waste time either just to argue about small household chores.

 

“Do you have work today?” he asked as he wiped his hands.

 

Umiling ako. “It's weekend. Im free.”

 

“Great. Let's go somewhere.” Napakunot ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Nang malagpasan niya ako ay agad akong tumalikod upang sundan siya ngunit nabangga ako sa likod niyang mala great wall of china.

 

“Where are we going?” I curiously asked. He didn't turn around to answer my question. “Hoy!” I poked his back. 

 

”We'll visit a doctor,” sabi niya at naglakad patungo sa hagdan. I can't help but wonder why.

 

“Bakit? May sakit ka?!” Sinusundan ko siya sa paghakbang.

 

“No. We have to check your head,” mahina ang pagkasabi niya pero narinig ko pa rin. Medyo nagulat ako. Patungkol siguro ito sa nangyari kagabi. Mabilis akong humakbang para maunahan siya. I even heard him utter a cussed when I slightly run just to faced him.

 

“Be careful, Celine!” he slightly shout.

 

Dahil mas nauna ako sa kaniya ay nasa itaas ako habang nasa isang hakbang naman ang baba niya sa akin. I stopped him using my index finger. He stopped and look at me with furrowed brows. 

 

“What?” 

 

“My head is fine. W-we don't have to go to the doctor.” 

 

Pinagtaasan niya ako ng kilay at nilagpasan. “Your head is not fine...” he whispered in a messy voice. I don't know but I can feel tiredness from it. 

 

Sinundan ko siya hanggang sa umabot na kami sa ikalawang palapag ng bahay.

 

“I said I'm fine. There's no need for me to go to the doct—”

 

“Damn it, don't be so hard-headed! You're not fucking fine! Celine!” I was stunned when he suddenly shout at me.

 

Nagulat ako dahil sa sigaw niya. 

 

“I-I...” I can't utter a word properly. 

 

 

Nagulat din siya sa ginawa kaya kinalma niya ang sarili.  

 

“I'm sorry,” malumanay niyang sabi at inabot ang kamay ko. “Please, let's go for a check up.” Mapupungay ang mga mata niyang nakatingin sa akin.

 

“I'm not crazy, Gab.”

 

When he realized what I meant, he quickly panic a little. 

 

“No no no... It's not like that.” Bumuntong hininga siya. He bit his lip and looked at me with concerns in his eyes.

 

 “Fine, we won't go. Just tell me the details why your head hurts, okay?” His voice is now calm and careful.

 

Madali ka lang naman palang kausap.

 

 

I nod at him because of his hypnotizing soft voice.

 

 

I look deeply into his eyes. I tried to find answers why am I being like this. But I couldn't find anything, mas lalo lang akong naguguluhan nang bigla na naman akong nakaramdam ng isang pamilyar na pakiramdam. 

 

He licked his lip kaya napatingin ako roon. He held my hand and we started marching into his room. My heart is beating fast again.

 

“Maliligo lang ako. You can borrow some of my clothes,” sabi niya at binuksan ang drawer ng isang malaking cabinet at kumuha ng dalawang puting towel. 

 

He offered to me the other one and he directly went to the bathroom. 

 

Matapos kong kumuha ng damit ay dumiretso ako sa masters bedroom at naligo. Isang malaking white t-shirt at kulay itim na short ang isinuot ko. I also borrowed one of his boxers. Nang matapos ako sa pagsuklay ng buhok ay lumabas ako ng kwarto. 

 

I went to the living room and I saw him sitting in the couch while scrolling on his phone. When he sense my presence, he immediately look up and gave me a look from head to toe. I saw how his side lip rose a smile.

 

Umirap ako at umupo sa isang couch sa harap niya. 

 

“Why does your head hurts last night?” he asked directly.

 

“Why are you so straight to the point?” Pinagkrus ko ang dalawang binti at sumandal sa inuupuan. 

 

“It's your health we're talking here, Celine. Ang mga ganitong bagay ay dapat dinidiretso at siniseryoso.” 

 

 

His phone is now on the center table. He is directly looking at me while waiting for my answers. Bakit ba napaka straightforward nito?

 

I was about to answer when I remembered the reason why. For goodness sake! What should I tell him? Na sumakit ang ulo ko kasi nakita ko siyang ngumiti? 

 

I shut my mouth.

 

And why do you even care about that, Lena? He's your best friend! Why are you so awkward?

 

I let out a deep sight and look at the floor. I can't do that. 

 

“Leandra Celiñana.” Napangiwi ako dahil sa pagtawag niya ng full name ko. 

 

He's seriously looking at me and I still can't help but grimaced. 

 

I really hate it if someone's calling me in my full name. Good thing, only my mom, dad, nanay Miranda and Gabriel knows about it. 

 

I look at him. His dark eyes are waiting for me. His jaw clenched. He's being impatient. Tsk!

 

As I continue my gazed at him, I observed how he had this kind of dark aura if he's serious. But it eventually fades whenever he talks to me.

 

Now I know why some people partnered us as a couple, because Gabriel is always soft when it comes to me. And when it comes to other people, he's very serious and cold. 

 

“Celine.” For the second call, it has emphasis on it. It's way more better though, he didn't call me in my full name. 

 

 

Looks like he's irritated. But I was wrong...

 

 

“Tell me.” Pagsusumamo niya. He look at me with gentleness in his eyes. 

 

I bit my lower lip and look for the strength to utter the reason why my head hurts last night. 

 

 

“I-I don't k-know...” I stuttered.

 

 

Nakita ko kung paano kumunot ang mukha niya. He played his tongue inside his cheek and look directly at my eyes.

 

“Tell me, Celine.” Ulit niya sa seryosong boses. 

 

“I really don't know. It suddenly happened! M-May pilit inaalala ang utak ko k-kaya sumakit...”

 

“Anong pilit na inaalala ng utak mo?”

 

“It's... I-I don't k-know...” 

 

Hindi ko rin alam! I'm confused why! Miski ako ay nagtatanong sa sarili kung ano 'yon! The moment I started seeing pictures, is the moment I want it more. I want to see more kahit masakit. 

 

Pero ang hindi ko lang magustuhan ay ang kakaibang pakiramdam kasi sa iyo ko lang iyon nararamdaman, Gab!

 

I want answers too about the sudden pictures in my head but I am afraid about the unfamiliar feelings. It's making me nervous and giving me pain but still at the same time I want it.

 

I don't know! Mababaliw na talaga siguro ako! I should maybe go for check up!

 

 

Malakas ang paghinga ko kaya agad lumapit sa akin si Gabriel. Ang seryoso niyang mukha ay nababalot ng pag-aalala.

 

“H-hey. It's okay. Don't answer it anymore.” He held my cheeks and caressed it with his thumb. Nang medyo kumalma ako ay niyakap niya ako. “I'm sorry...” I can feel the sadness and concern in his voice.

 

I only nod as he hug and softly caressed my back.

 

 

 

Umiinom na ako ng tubig ngayon. Gabriel is staring at me. Mga isang oras na ang nakalipas sa pa interview niya sa akin kanina. 

 

“Are you sure you're okay?” I rolled my eyes for his eleventh question. When he saw my reaction, he heave a sigh and surrender. 

 

“Bakit ba pa balik-balik ka?” irita kong tanong.

 

“Opo boss sabi ko nga okay ka na.”

 

“Wala ka bang trabaho?”

 

Umiling siya. “May meeting ako sa ala una,” aniya at saka tumingin sa relo. 

 

May meeting siya sa ala una tapos napag isipan niya pang bumisita kami ng hospital kanina? I really admire the way he manage the time, huh? Note the sarcasm please, he's not punctual nor obedient when it comes to time. 

 

I look at him with bothered look.

 

 

“Then why aren't you getting ready?” I raised a brow.

 

 

“It's still 10.” Depensa niya

 

“It's already 11,” sabi ko nang makitang 10:49 na ang orasan. 

 

Tumaas ang isa niyang kilay habang pinaglalaruan ang dila sa loob ng pisngi. Tinaasan ko rin siya ng kilay. 

 

 

Narinig ko ang marahan niyang pagbuntong hininga.

 

“Alright.” Tumayo siya at dumiretso sa itaas na tila ba sumusuko sa labanan namin.

 

After 30 minutes, bumaba siya na naka puting polo na nakatupi hanggang siko. He's wearing black pants too and a pair of brown leather shoes. 

 

Naamoy ko ang pabango niya. It's familiar, but I nevermind it. Siguro dahil lagi naman kaming magkasama. I mean we're friends!

 

Umupo siya sa tabi ko. Kinuha niya ang cellphone nang tumunog ito. I saw the caller before he could even answer the phone call. 

 

“Giselle...” we said it together. But mine is only in my head.

Tumayo siya at lumayo sa akin. He's seriously talking. Napatingin siya sa relo niya, he also look at me at agad ring iniwas iyon. 

Let's bet, I guess his meeting is being moved early. When he came back and sat beside me, I can sense his frustration. 

 

“Pustahan tayo, napaaga meeting mo.” Panimula ko. 

 

Narinig ko ang mahinang pag buntong hininga niya. 

 

“Why did they changed my schedule for infact it's my company?” Pag-rereklamo niya. 

 

“Ang arte mo! Minsan ka na nga lang nagpapakita sa kompanya mo tapos nagrereklamo ka pa sa pa meeting nila.” Now I look like a good best friend scolding the pabaya na friend. “Anong oras ba meeting?” tanong ko nalang.

 

“It's a lunch meeting.” 

 

Napairap ako. 

 

“Anong oras nga?” mataray kong ulit.

 

Bahagya siyang natawa. “Alas dose po boss.” Napatingin agad ako sa orasan. 11:38 na!

 

“Hoy alas onse y media na!” I slapped his muscle. I immediately stood up and he look at me with confusing look why I did such thing.

 

“Where are you going?” Pagtataka niya.

 

“Ihatid mo ako sa bahay... Ay teka saan ba meeting mo? Kung hindi na kaya sa oras, mag tataxi nalang ak—.”

 

“What? No way!” Mabilis niyang putol sa akin. 

 

Nakakunot ang mukha niya ngayon na tila nairita sa sinabi ko. 

 

“Anong no way? Gago ka ba? Alas dose meeting mo!”

 

“It's just a meeting, Celine. I won't let you ride a taxi where infact I can take you home. At isa pa, we'll eat lunch together!” May bahid na galit sa boses niya. 

 

“Oh bat galit ka?” irita kong tanong.

 

His rough face suddenly became soft. His furrowed brows are now gone. He took a deep breath.

 

“I'm not. Let's eat lunch first,” sabi niya at nag-iwas ng tingin. 

 

Pasimple akong umirap. I really don't understand this guy sometimes. 

 

Pero mas mabuti na rin na ganito kami kesa sa pakiramdam na naramdaman ko nitong mga nakaraang araw. 

 

Napabuntong hininga nalang din ako. 

 

“Saan ba meeting niyo?” 

 

“Francién lang,“ tipid niyang sagot.

 

“Edi sa Francién nalang din tayo kumain.”

 

Tumingin siya sa akin. 

 

Nilalaro niya ang dila sa loob ng pisngi at tila may iniisip. Tumango siya sa akin. “Okay.” Maikli niyang sabi.

 

Kinuha ko muna ang maliit kong bag at cellphone bago naunang lumabas ng bahay. Mga ilang segundo pa ang nakalipas ay lumabas na rin siya at binuksan ang sasakyan. Pumasok ako at ganun din siya. Tumulak kami papuntang hotel. 

 

I'm only wearing my loafer shoes sandals. It doesn't match my outfit but it's okay, it's not that baduy to look at anyway. I was told that fashion depends on how the person carries it. 

 

We stopped in front of the hotel. The staff then immediately greeted us, who wouldn't? I am with their owner. 

 

The moment we entered the glass door, you can already say that the hotel is full of guests. 

 

Gabriel was left behind because he talked first with the staff while I continue my small step. We are just six meters away, I guess. 

 

When I looked behind they are still talking. Looks like they are talking about the hotel. I maintain my step para hindi makalayo masyado. 

 

Gabriel glanced at me and I immediately pointed the restaurant. “I'll go first,” I mouthed. I can see his wrinkled brows and his mouth moved a little. 

 

I didn't wait for him to react even more. I directly went inside the restaurant of the hotel and look for a vacant table. Luckily, there's a table in the corner.

 

I made my way to sit there and put my small bag in the vacant seat in front of me. Mahirap na baka may umupo pang iba, I don't like sharing tables with strangers. Though I know, I won't be sharing with some strangers right now because Gabriel is with me. 

 

The waiter came to me and gave me the menu. I told him that I will order later because my friend is not here yet.

 

Nakita ko si Gabriel sa entrance ng restaurant na nakakunot ang noo. I can even see how the staffs are panicking a little when they saw him. Two waiter approached him. I chuckled when I see how he can make them nervous. This man and his aura. 

 

They pointed my direction. Gabriel then erased the furrowed brows and immediately went to me. 

 

But his face is glowering as he walked towards me.

 

“Bakit ka nakabusangot?” Bungad ko sa kaniya nang makaupo siya sa harap ko. 

 

“You left me.” Parang bata niyang sabi. Inilagay niya ang aking bag sa katabing upuan. 

 

“Ang tagal mo kasi.” 

 

“You were just in a hurry. Bakit ka ba nagmamadali?” Annoyance can be heard in his tone. Oh don't you dare start a war at me, Gabriel Salazar.

 

I simply rolled my eyes at him. “May meeting ka kaya! Ikaw bakit ka ba nagsasayang ng oras?” 

 

He scowled. “I'm not wasting my time!” He's annoyed.

 

But I am more annoyed because the eyes of the people near us is awkwardly watching.

 

I slightly kicked his leg. “Ang lakas ng boses mo.” Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata. 

 

“Oh I can shout more.” Binigyan niya ako ng mapaglarong ngiti pero inirapan ko lang siya. I heard his chuckle with sarcasm on it. 

 

I didn't argue with him anymore. He's now seriously talking with the two waiters who were listing our orders. I look at my phone and it's already 12:19. 

 

I glanced back at them and I couldn't help but feel sorry for the two waiters. For pete's sake they are so obviously nervous talking to their boss. Nang inilapag nila ang mga pagkain at nang umalis sila ay nakita ko pa kung paano sila huminga nang malalim. 

 

I look at the man in front of me who's now looking at me too. 

 

How can this insensitive and bossy man became my best friend?

 

 

“What?” he asked.

 

I shook my head with disappoinment in it. “Nothing,” I said in a lazy voice.

 

He just nod and began to put some food on my plate. “Let's eat then,” he said. 

 

Napanguso na lang ako.

 

Tss. Minsan ang sungit at bossy. Ewan ko sa iyo Gabriel.