Chapter 42: Playful Hearts

I heaved a sigh as I felt all the tension melt away from my bones. Ang sarap ng massage at nakaka-relax yung aromatherapy. The strong fingers kneading all my pressure points are slowly lulling me to sleep. Beyond the curtain separating us, nag-e-enjoy naman si Trixie sa manicure at pedicure niya. I can hear her soft sighs of contentment.

She's one heck of a girl. Kanina habang nagpa-panic siya ang cute niya. Not what I'd expect from someone who shoots guns while hanging out of my car or goes after hardened criminals as her day job. I admire the work she did with my cars, especially Lady. It's unbelievable how much she maximized the output and I'm amazed at how brilliant the modifications are. I think I found the perfect mechanic.

And the perfect mechanic needs the perfect day out.

"Ma'am gusto niyo po ba ng house tea?" I heard the attendant ask her. Tapos na siguro ang mani at pedi niya. I know every girl adores being pampered and looks like Trixie is no exception. I'd love to see her dolled up. So far I've seen her in her overalls and leathers. I'd love to see her in something soft and comfortable.

Soft Alfredo? You used to like them aggressive and feisty. Bakit ngayon soft ang gusto mo para kay Trixie?

Bakit nga ba? Ano ba si Trixie?

Safe. She feels safe and comforting. She's not like the girls that I date. In fact she seems like someone who plays for keeps. Certainly a candidate for heartbreak.

Wala ka namang balak ligawan siya di ba? The funny thing is, kanina ko pa tinatanong ang sarili ko kung wala ba talaga akong balak ligawan siya. I mean andiyan sila Lily and Jem who are clearly game and willing to take a turn with me pero why did I choose to bring out the one who has been irritated with me all morning?

Kasi hindi mo ma-take na hindi gumagana yung charms mo? Kasalanan ko bang nasalin sa akin lahat ng kagwapuhan ng angkan ng Zabala? Everybody says I take after my Dad the most when it came to looks and attitude. Si Armando Zabala, matinik na Casanova.  

Hindi nga ba gumagana? She looked irritated earlier pero pagkatapos ng event ko mas lalo siyang naging mailap. Is she jealous?

The things I hate from my past girlfriends; mabilis ma-broken-heart, karaniwang nagiging clingy at worse, prone to victimizing themselves when the romance turns sour. I want relationships na open, yung easy lang, you enjoy me and I enjoy you. I don't like women who would demand this and that from my time, yung pinagseselosan ang lahat lalo na ang kotse ko at si baby girl.

My life so far has been all spit-fire romance, danger and fast cars. It's ironic that Trixie has been so far the only one who seem to understand my taste in cars. In fact before I met her, I've never been in an agreement with any mechanic. Hindi ko basta-basta iniiwan si Lady sa kamay ng kung sino-sino.

"Tea, sir?" My masseuse asked. I gave her my signature smile at nakita kong kinilig siya.

"Coffee please? Black." I'm not totally drunk but I'm not sober either. I need a bit of a kick from the caffeine.

"Yes sir, anything else?"

"No, thank you." I stood up from the bed and put on the robe they provided. "I'll be back. Don't tell my companion."

I slipped out of the room while Trixie is in deep bliss with her massage. Mukhang nakatulog na yata siya. I went back to my car and opened the trunk. Kanina inilipat ko itong box from Overlord. When I saw it at the store window, I felt like it should belong to Trixie.

I went inside the room and gave the attendant the package with instructions to let Trixie wear it. I hope she likes it.

I took a magazine and sat on the couch while the attendant started on my foot massage. Ang sarap talagang mag-relax after all that adrenaline in my blood. I heard a soft feminine giggle from the other side of the screen and the attendant earlier must have shown her the dress. I began to relax further into my seat habang hinihilot yung paa ko. I heard the swish of the curtain and  realized I closed my eyes.

Perfect.

That's the thought that crossed my mind when I opened my eyes and saw Trixie wearing the soft, cream pink silken number that I bought. She had a soft blush on her cheeks that complemented the shy smile on her lips.

"T-thank you," she mumbled softly.

"You're welcome mi bella," I stretched. "Are you done?" She nodded. "Sige, I'll be done in a little while then let's have a midnight snack."

After the massage I brought her to Bag of Beans which was just close to Sonya's for a little snack. They're quite famous for their hot choco na sobrang love na love ni baby girl.

We found a quiet table at the new garden. Trixie sat across me and I ordered us both the hot chocolate. Mabilis namang dumating yung order namin kasi kaunti lang ang customers.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" I asked her and she nodded eagerly. "Thank you for today, you were awesome."

"Huh? I wasn't the one driving."

"Yes, but you made sure we were safe and your work gave us the advantage," I touched her wrist, "Trixie do you want to join me again sa next tournament?"

"I'm sorry hindi pwede," I was going to protest but she continued talking, "Ngayon lang 'to pwede because Jaguar gave us time for vacation. When he comes back, we have operations to attend to."

"Aww... kahit manghingi ako ng clearance?"

"I doubt I'll get another one. We still have work piling up on us as we speak." Hihirit pa sana ako pero biglang may dumating sa aming table and I gaped at them.

"Grabe ang bilis ninyo," Jem sat on the seat beside mine and grabbed a menu. I can sense the confusion in Trixie. "You weren't answering my calls." Jem pouted as she signalled for the waiter.

"No fair Alfred," Lily purred from my other side. She had her hand on my arm while she leaned her head on my shoulder. "You didn't wait for us."

"I thought you wanted to race for a while." I tried to smile at Lily but I think it came out forced. Shet, mukhang hindi komportable si Trixie. She's concentrating on her mug of hot chocolate and refusing to meet my gaze.

"Who won?"

"Tie after twenty rounds," Jem replied. She looked up at the waiter. "I'll have a capuccino."

"I'll have a latte. With an extra shot of espresso."

I saw Trixie mull over her mug like the answers to the universe's questions can be found in it. Ano na Alfredo? How do you solve this?

"I would have won if we've gone longer," Jem arched a brow at Lily who smirked back.

"Well, why don't we try it again and I swear you'll eat my dust?"

"Girls, let's enjoy the rest of the evening," I draped my arms around their shoulders and they easily calmed down kahit na nagbabatuhan pa rin sila ng matatalim na tingin sa isa't-isa. "Are you not tired yet?"

"For you? Never." Lily answered me with a meaningful look. She's one of the hottest women I've ever met at ang daming nagkakandarapa sa kanya but she swears I'm the only one who can quench her thirst on the track and in bed.

"Don't you want to try and discover some new heights?" Jem pulled my face towards hers. She's also one hot mess. Sweet and dangerous at the same time.

"Uh, inaantok na ko," I heard Trixie break the tension of their staring match. "Good night guys."

"Trixie!" I disentangled myself from Jem and Lily na hindi naman ako halos napansin dahil busy rin silang dalawa sa isa't-isa..

"Wait lang," I caught her arm. "San ka pupunta?"

"Magpapahinga na. It was a long day."

"I mean, saan?"

"Maraming inns na nadaanan natin kanina. I can check in on any one of them."

"Okay, pero hintayin mo ako. I'll just get the bill." I turned to the waiter para kunin yung bill pero paglingon ko nakita kong mabilis na naglalakad si Trixie palayo.

What the h*ll?

"Trixie! Trix--" I caught her shoulder and spun her around. "Hintayin mo ako, ano ba?"

"Pwede bang lubayan mo nga ako!" She twisted off my grip and glared at me. "Look thank you for the treat and the dress. Kwits na tayo. Stay away from me."

"Ano bang problema mo?" Ang gulo naman nito, kanina okay naman siya tapos bigla-bigla na lang magagalit. "I thought you were different."

"Well wala akong pakialam sa kung ano mang gusto mong isipin. I'm not one of your girls so quit acting like I'm one. Subukan mo ako ulit sundan at babalian kita ng kaligayahan even if you are related to Jaguar."

What the fvck?

---------------------

"GGGGGIIIIRL!!!"

"Ay gulay!" Nagulat ako ng bigla akong tinalunan ni Sab pagkabukas ko ng pinto. Holly kamote, hindi ko yata gusto ang pagkalaki-laking ngiti niya. Shocks, tiyak kukulitin na naman niya ako at mamamatay ako sa hiya.

"Aya, 'lika dito baby girl," I saw Ate Lena and she gestured from the bed at pi-nat pa niya ito para sabihin sa akin na maupo ako. Parang gusto ko na tuloy mag-about-face at lumabas ng pinto pero kinapitan ako ni Sab and she bodily dragged me to sit with them.

Huhu... lagot ako.

"A-ate wala po kaming ginawa... ano po... kasi..." Natawa lang si Ate Lena at niyakap ako.

"Aya, kalma. Hindi naman ako nandito para pagalitan ka. Pinapatawag ka na kasi ng kuya Al mo for breakfast pero di ka pala dito natulog." Sumeryoso ang tingin niya. "May gusto ka bang sabihin kay Ate?"

"Kasi po ate, ano po... dun po ako kay Prince natulog." Paulit-ulit na tinutusok ni Sab yung tagiliran ko and I caught her hands, "Saaab!"

"Naku Aya, wag mo ko echosin ha... Nakita ko yung mga tingin sa'yo ni Prince kagabi," she pouted at me and dared me to deny her words.

"Walang ganon na nangyari!" I protested. "Nag-promise kami kay mommy. Sab naman eh," I pouted at her and she pinched my side. "Hindi ganon..."

"Hindi daw ganon? Eh bakit meron ka nito?" She pulled my shirt at the collar. Omaigulay, nilagyan nga pala ako ni Prince ng hickey!

"Sab, wag masyadong excited," Ate Lena pulled her hand off my shirt, "Aya?"

"Naku girl wag mo nang sabihing wala ha? Okay lang yan," Sab winked at me. "Grabe, our baby is officially a lady."

"Hindi po ate. Wala po talaga," I pleaded. "Usapan po namin ni Prince pang-wedding day po namin gagawin yun. Ayoko pong masira yung promise ko kay mommy saka kila kuya."

"Pero sabihin mo, anong base na kayo?" Sab grinned at me at nag-init na naman ang pisngi ko. "Ay naku sabi na eh! Third base na siya no?"

"Hindi!" I protested, "s-second lang." I mumbled softly. Sobrang nanliliit na ako sa interrogation ni Sab. Mabuti na lang andun si Ate Lena kasi niyakap niya ako and I buried my face on her neck.

"Ate hindi naman masama yun di ba?" I asked her and she smiled widely at me.

"Walang masama kung maglambing kayo sa isa't-isa," she assured me. "Pero Aya hindi maganda na doon ka natutulog sa kwarto niya. Remember, parating andiyan ang temptation kaya dapat mag-iingat ka rin. Pwedeng madala kayo tapos hindi niyo na mapigilan."

I nodded at her words. Kanina nga parang muntik nang mangyari yung ganun. I could feel my cheeks heating up at the memory of what I did for Prince this morning. Grabeee!

"Pero ate, mag-boyfriend naman sila, proteksyon lang naman ang kailangan," Sab laid down on the bed beside me.

"Well Sab, for some people ganoon pero may risk din ang contraceptives. I'm not saying hindi sila effective pero iba-iba ang tingin ng tao sa intimacy at levels nito."

"Saka Sab, ayoko pa kasi talaga ng all the way. Gusto ko kasi sana special yung wedding night ko."

"Aya nasa inyo naman kung paano magiging special yun. Pero kung yan ang gusto mo at nag-agree naman si Prince then gora!"

"Mabuti wala ang kuya Alfredo mo kagabi kung hindi baka kinatok kayo nun. Alam mo naman si Kuya mo, praning." Hindi ko napigilang tumawa. Buti na lang talaga kasi hindi ko ma-imagine kung anong gagawin ni Kuya. Kawawa naman ang Prince ko.

"Asan daw po si Kuya?"

"Sabi mauuna na daw siya sa Maynila. Hindi nga naming maintindihan kung sinong kasama niya dahil pare-parehong wala sila Trixie, Jem at Lily. Ayun umuwi tuloy agad si Bleu kanina sa lungkot."

"Shocks hindi kaya nag-four--- oh wait andito si Aya wag na nga..." Sab doubled-over in laughter. "Maygali talaga si Kuya Alfred!! Ewww!"

"Ano yun?" I asked bewildered. Anong meron?

"Wag mo na pansinin si Sab, Aya. Halika na at lumabas na tayo para makakain ng umagahan." Ate Lena stood up from the bed and we followed.

---------------------

"Anong meron at ang laki ng ngiti mo?" Adam asked as I stretched and yawned widely. Alas-sais na kami nagising ni Babycake ko pero inaantok pa rin ako. Hindi ako nakatulog agad kasi pinagmasdan ko muna si Red habang nakasiksik siya sa tagiliran ko.

Babycake Red.

Ayoko pa talaga siya paalisin pero may tumawag sa kanya galing sa HQ kaya napilitan na rin ako. I can't stop myself from smiling habang naiisip na pumayag siyang matulog in my arms last night. Kahit hindi niya sabihin, alam ko may ibang meaning ang pag-stay niya kagabi. She's not the type to say her feelings out loud.

My total opposite.

Pero ang cute niya kapag nagseselos siya. Alam ko naman kasi nakikita ko kung paano niya tignan nang masama yung mga nurse na ngumingiti sa akin kapag chine-check nila ako every four hours. Kapag medyo matagal yung hawak nung nurse nakikita kong hindi mapakali yung mga kamay niya at humahalukipkip siya. Buti na lang kumakalma siya kapag niyayakap ko pag-alis nung mga nurse. It's quite a revelation that my Babycake actually likes to be held when were alone. Pero kapag kaming dalawa lang kasi nung sinubukan ko na andito pa yung nurse, siniko niya ako ng malakas. Hindi tuloy ako makahinga for fifteen minutes at naawa naman siya at ki-niss ako. 

"Naman kuya para akong nakikipag-usap sa bato, uwi na nga lang ako," Nakita kong sumimangot si Adam. Inilabas niya yung phone niya at nawala bigla ang simangot niya. Umupo siya sa stool sa tabi ng kama ko at nagsimulang mag-text.

"Andito si Babycake ko kanina eh," I smiled sheepishly. Alam kong para akong baliw pagdating kay Red. Hindi ko alam kung dala na ba 'to nang naalog na brain cells ko or the sheer boredom of it all, pero parang lutang yung feeling ko kapag andiyan siya.

"Uh-huh," Adam replied without looking up from his screen. Tatawa-tawa siya at parang kakaiba yung feeling ko dahil buong linggo nang nagmumukmok 'tong kapatid ko pero ngayon naman eh mukhang masaya siya.

"Kami na ni Red," Sinusubukan ko yung reaction niya.

"Uh," mukhang aliw na aliw siya sa kung sino man yung ka-text niya.

"Papakasal na daw kami bukas."

" 'Kay."

"Ang gwapo ko kasi, di niya ma-resist. She can't get her hands off me..." Mukhang lutang? Bagong lovelife?

"Hmmm... ganon? Cute mo talaga," he murmured while biting his lower lip. "Lagot ka sa'kin mamaya."

"Magiging tito ka na. Isang dosena yung babycakes na ginawa namin eh," wala. Talk to the hand ang peg. Bwisit.

"Lumayas ka na nga!" I threw a pillow at his face. Mukhang nagulat siya at nahulog yung cellphone niya sa lapag.

" 'Langya naman kuya, ano bang problema mo?" He glared at me as he reached for his phone. "Buti na lang matibay yung phone ko."

"Bakit ka ba nandito?" Inis na sagot ko. "Wala kang kwentang kausap eh. Kanina pa 'ko nagsasalita di mo ko pinapansin."

"Weh, tampo ka? Di bagay." He chuckled as he checked his phone once again.

"Sino ba yan? Babae?" He smiled slightly. " 'Kala ko ba ayaw mo muna maki-pag-date?"

"Hindi naman kami nag-date." So babae nga. 'Tong kapatid ko 'kala mo lang tahimik pero matindi rin ang kamandag. Kaso mabilis nga ma-in-love parang mamamatay naman kapag na-broken heart. Minsan natatakot ako dito kay Adam kasi parang easy-going kahit hulog na hulog na. "We're just friends."

" 'Lul, ilang beses ko na narinig yan," I snorted. "That's not healthy, brod. Kaka-break-up mo lang. Baka naman mamaya maging rebound yan."

"Hindi nga kuya," he wrinkled his nose at me. "Baka upakan pa 'ko nito."

"Sino ba yang ka-text mo at mukha kang baliw diyan?"

"Si Z," he turned his attention to me. "Rin Ignacio, agent ni kuya Ali."

I gave a low-whistle,"Gaya-gaya ka naman eh. Manang-mana ka talaga sa akin."

"Yuck kuya, kilabutan ka," he threw the pillow back at me. "Kelan ka ba lalabas dito at lalo 'atang lumalala yung tama mo."

"Next week daw pwede na. Next month yung first surgery ko. Two weeks recovery tapos one month ulit until ma-complete ko yung buong treatment."

"Buti wala ka ng classes no? Grabe, nakakabato dito."

"Lagi niyo nga ako iniiwan. Buti pa si baby cake ko lagi akong binabantayan," I pouted at him. "Gusto ko nga sumama dun sa tournament ni kuya."

"Clingy mo. Kadiri ka!"

"May balita ka ba?"

"Nanalo daw sila. Si Prince nanalo ng half-mil," He announced happily. "Kaso umi-score yata dun kay baby girl. Buti wala si kuya Alfredo kung hindi baka mawala ang kinabukasan ni Prince."

"What?! Upakan ko yung gagong yun!" Ang bilis naman! 'Tong si Constantino tatlong buwan pa lang bi-nox-in na si baby girl. Hindi naman ako makaluma pero sobrang minamadali naman niya yung baby namin. "Asan daw ba si kuya Alfred?"

"Kasama daw ni Trixie. Nag-Tagaytay," he winked at me. "Chill ka lang. Nag-promise naman daw si Prince kay Kuya Alphonse eh."

"Hmm... tinamaan kaya si Trix sa kanya? Talaga yung charms ni Kuya Alfred walang palya."

" 'Kaw kasi di marunong maki-pag-date in real life," he poked me. "Buti pinagtitiyagaan ka ni Red."

"Mahal na ko ni baby cake," Kung alam mo lang kung gaano siya ka-sweet kagabi when she held my hand all night. "Saka mas masarap yung pinaghihirapan kesa yung dinadaan sa santong paspasan."

"Shet kuya nababakla ka na."

"Nagsalita ang hindi emo."

"At least hindi puro imagination girlfriends ko," He ducked when I threw the pillow at him once more. "Ikaw sa internet nagsimula, sa real-life nawawala."

"Iba na ngayon. She is one hundred percent real and I love her."

"Walang halong joke kuya, hindi ka talaga nag-ha-hallucinate?"

"Hindi nga sabi. Seryoso na 'to. Seryoso ako." I insisted. Parati na lang akala nila nagbibiro pa rin ako. I can't help it kung talagang nature ko na yung maging joker pero ang hirap pala kumbinsihin ng mga tao kapag talagang seryoso ka na.

"Okay sige, seryoso ka nga. Anong balak mo para mapasagot siya?"

"Well bro, tutulungan mo ba ako?"

"Sure kuya, what can I do para sa kauna-unahang non-virtual girlfriend mo?"

---------------------

"Baby," I felt Prince kiss my temple as he slid his arms around my waist. "Uwi na daw tayo."

"Prince wag muna tayo masyado PDA," I murmured to him. "Nakatingin sila kuya."

He turned me to face him and put his hands on my shoulders, "May problema ba?"

"SInabihan ako ni Ate kanina, masyado na kasi tayong PDA," I cupped his cheeks. "Holding hands lang muna, please?" He sighed and nodded.

"Kinausap din ako ni kuya Alphonse," he took my hand and twined it with his. "Sinabihan din niya ako. Naiintindihan ko naman yung sinasabi nila eh."

"Thank you." I hugged his arm. "Wag muna tayo super lambing. Lambing na lang."

He laughed and put his arm around my shoulders,"akbay naman baby. Pang-elem naman yung holding hands. At least high school naman tayo." He winked at me and I couldn't help but laugh.

"I love you Prince ko," I whispered to him.

"I love you more Goddess."

Si Prince ang nag-drive pauwi sa Manila.

"Aya di ba classmate mo si Nathan?" He asked me while he drove steadily.

"Oo," I touched his hand na nakapatong sa kambiyo. "May problema ba?"

"Well baby alam kong hindi naman dapat pero naaasar pa rin ako sa kanya," he looked sulky. "Tapos araw-araw kasama mo pa pala yun."

"Nagseselos na yung Prinsipe ko?" I kissed his cheek. "Wag kang magselos kasi ikaw naman mahal ko eh. Hindi ko papansinin yun."

"Kahit na. Iniisip ko pa lang na naglalaway yun sa'yo parang gusto ko nang dukutin yung mata niya."

"Grabe ka naman. Wala ka bang tiwala sa akin? Love na love na kita kaya hindi na ako maaagaw nun." Hala ka, oo nga pala ka-group ko pa yun sa immersion.

"Prince?" Gusto kong sabihin kay Prince kasi ayokong mag-alala siya kahit alam kong mag-aalala pa rin siya. Pero mas mabuti ng alam niya. "Wag ka magagalit please? Ka-group ko siya sa immersion." Nakita kong kumunot yung noo ni Prince.

"Di ka na ba pwedeng lumipat ng group?"

"Eh kasi nasimulan na namin yung work saka apat naman kami dun nila Issa at Mitch." Napabuntong-hininga siya.

"Basta sabihin mo sa akin kapag may ginawang kalokohan yun at uupakan ko siya."

"Hindi yun," I assured him. "Takot lang niya sa avenging angels ko."

"Basta baby if you feel uncomfortable with him sabihin mo sa akin," he said seriously. Alam kong super protective talaga siya saka sobrang naasar siya kay Nathan.

"Okay lang ako. Basta trust me Prince."

We drove in comfortable silence once more. Napag-usapan namin ni Prince na sasamahan niya ako sa pagbili ng gamit saka food para sa immersion starting Wednesday. Sabado na yung balik ko kaya ang haba ng nguso niya kasi ngayon lang talaga kami maghihiwalay na straight four days.

"Basta baby pagbalik mo maghahanda ako ng dinner for us," Grabe ang sweet niya talaga.

"Kahit ano basta makasama kita. Alam ko naman masarap yun kasi luto mo." I told him.

"Excited na ako, sana Sabado na," he grinned at me.

"Nyak, eh Linggo pa nga lang eh. One week pa kaya yun." I laughed and poked him.

"Basta gusto ko tapos na para andito ka na ulit." Parang bata niyang sabi.

"Basta Prince habang wala ako hintayin mo lang ako ha. Alam mo naman may tiwala ako sa'yo. Wag mo papalapitin yung ibang girls kung hindi lagot ka sa'kin." I pouted at him.

"Hindi ko papalapitin. Ha-hang-out ako with Adam para sure ka na may witness ako." I smiled at him.

"Thank you. I love you na talaga. Buti na lang love ka din nila kuya," Buti na lang talaga kasi kung hindi baka hindi ako ganito kapanatag. Mabuti na lang may tiwala na rin sila kuya sa kanya.

"Baby ingat ka din ha. I'll wait for you. I love you Aya."

-------------------

When she came in through the window I was ready and sitting up on my bed. Her eyes drank in the scene slowly—the scented candles, rose petals on the floor and the bed and the table set up for two. I started to play on my guitar and her hands came up to hug herself as I sang my heart out for her.  My voice almost broke at the first lines of The Only Exception, but I kept my eyes on her.

My heart is breaking as I recalled my own painful past but I want Red to understand how I feel.

Maybe I was really scared to fall in love before. Maybe that's the reason why I break up with my online girlfriends because the reality is so much better than what can be seen on the screen. Maybe I was waiting for the only exception to the rule.

I know I'm asking her to risk her heart with me as well. No person can have such hardship in sharing her emotions  if she had no deep, emotional scars of her own. I want to heal her. I want her to trust me.

"Aidan..." I wasn't able to finish the song because I felt her arms around me and her lips on mine.

"You are my only exception," I whispered when we parted. She had tears at the corners of her eyes.

"And you are mine."

-------------------

 A/N: The Only Exception - by Paramore

Bag of Beans - must try ang hot choco nila. Located along the road of Tagaytay, its one of the best cafes in the area with an awesome breakfast buffet.