#LGS2Layout #LGS2chapter11 #LaGrilla2

***

CURTIS just got out of the shower that night. Ilang oras na siyang hindi makatulog mula nang makauwi galing sa photoshoot nila ni Mosa sa tailor shop ng nanay nito. To cleanse his body and clear his mind, he took a warm shower.

Then, he got back to the tranquility of his dimly lit bedroom. Nothing but the soft yellow light from the lamp on his nighttable illuminated the white bed. He was contemplating if he should change the sheets because they were dirty . . . but his thoughts were interrupted by his cell phone’s ringtone.

Matinis ang tunog ng ringtone at masakit sa tainga, kaya nagmamadaling dinampot ni Curtis ang cell phone. Ni hindi na niya natingnan kung ang caller ID kaya nagulat na lang siya sa boses na bumungad sa kaniya.

“Hello, who’s—”

“Best.”

Muntik na siyang mapamura. ’Buti at naunahan siya ng kabado niyang paglunok bago nakasagot. “M-Mosa.”

“Best, nakauwi ka na?”

“Of course. Lagpas-hatinggabi na, e. Bakit?”

Mosa paused, but he knew she was still on the other line because he could hear her weak breathing. Hinayaan niyang makapaghanda ito ngunit mas pinatindi niyon ang kaniyang kaba. She must have called for grave reasons, for it was taking her a while to state her purpose on the phone.

“Curtis, naaalala mo pa ba ang usapan natin nitong nakaraan?”

He swallowed. “A-About the pictures? I’m still hesitant to sell them. Baka mapunta sa mga  . . . sa mga tarantado, e. Pero kung gusto mo talagang kumita sa mga picture na ’yon—”

“I still want you to sell them, pero hindi ’yan ang usapang tinutukoy ko.” Saglit lang na huminto si Mosa sa pagsasalita. Hindi niya na ito nasagot pa dahil nagpatuloy ito agad sa pagpapaliwanag. “This is about Claude.”

‘Now what did that dog do this time?’ he complained at the back of his mind. “About me, spying on my brother? What for? Hindi ba, ang gusto mo lang malaman noon ay kung ano ang pinagkakaabalahan niya? It’s clear now that he’s busy these days for their basketball practice, so why do I have to spy on him?”

“Si Bridgette kasi . . . Dalawang gabi na raw sabay umuwi sina Claude at Freya.”

Gumusot ang mukha niya sa narinig. Tumalim ang kaniyang mga mata at dumilim ang anyo. Curtis could not help having a flashback about what he saw last week—his brother dropping by that girl’s condo.

Mosa continued, unaware of his dark reaction. “Si Freya raw ang nagpupunta sa basketball court. Naghihintay raw kay Claude ’tapos sabay silang umaalis.”

“Why don’t you drop by the basketball court tomorrow night then?” he suggested. “Surprise my brother. Sabayan mo sa pag-uwi. Malay mo, matiyempuhan mo roon si Freya. E, ’di tanungin mo na nang personal kung bakit sinasabayan niya si Claude sa pag-uwi.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Ayokong mag-away na naman kami ni Claude para sa wala. What if, it’s just a group project or something? Kaya nagkikita sila ni Freya?”

“Group project pero silang dalawa lang ang nagkikita? Para saang subject naman ’yon? Anatomy? Biology? Sex Ed?”

“Curtis naman, e!” umuungot na saway ng dalaga sa kaniya. Kung katabi niya ito siguro ay pinagpapapalo na siya nito sa braso. “This is not the time for your sarcastic jokes!”

“I’m being sarcastic, Mosa. I’m not joking this time,” paglilinaw niya. Then, he thought helplessly. ‘Ikaw lang naman ang natatawa at nag-iisip na biro lang ang mga pagpaparinig ko.’ “So, how will you know if you won’t go there and do what I just said?”

“It’s risky, Curtis. Kung wala nga silang ginagawang kalokohan, magtataka si Claude sa pagpunta ko sa basketball court nang hindi nagsasabi sa kaniya o sa pagtatanong kay Freya. Si Freya naman . . . I don’t know how to make sure that she won’t lie to me. She might make up some kind of excuse, kung bakit inaabangan niyang matapos ang practice nina Claude.” Curtis could imagine Mosa shaking her head in confusion. “It’s not that I don’t love Claude or Freya’s not my friend anymore but . . . I-I just have to be sure, Curtis. If I go there and confront them right then, they can manage to lie to me or they might feel hurt and feel like I don’t trust them. Worst of all, iyong mga player na makakakita sa amin doon. As the SC president, I can’t be involved in . . . in situations that will compromise my good moral conduct, my position as an officer, you know? That's why I need other sources of information about their meetings . . . I can’t word it out, best, pero . . .”

Mosa could not word it out properly probably because her mind and heart were racing out of her overwhelming feelings and confusion. Gayunman, nauunawaan pa rin ni Curtis ang gustong mangyari ni Mosa dahil mula noon hanggang ngayon, tila nababasa nila ang isip ng isa’t isa.

“I understand.”

“R-Really?”

“You want the truth not from their mouths but from a solid, tangible evidence. You’re not comfortable with their sides of the truth, you want the only one version of the truth without risking your position in school. Right?”

“That’s . . . that’s exactly what I wanted.”

“You need to be sure before confronting them. I got it. Ako na ang bahala.”

“What are you planning to do? Baka may maitulong ako. After all, this is my dilemma. I am just asking for your help, best.”

He took in a deep breath and pulled out a sad smile that was illuminated by the dim yellow light from the lamp. “All I need you to do is to stay strong and composed for my plan to work. Can you do that for me?”

‘Because I might finally lose my temper when I see you crying for that dog again,’ he thought as he listened to Mosa agree to his condition then thank him before they bade goodbye.

***

CURTIS was feeling quite grumpy for a Wednesday morning. Halos hindi kasi siya nakatulog kagabi kaiisip kay Mosa. Idagdag pa ang pagkahati ng kaniyang puso para dito at sa kaniyang kapatid na si Claude. Kahit naman kasi magkalayo na ang loob nilang magkapatid, may maliit na espasyo pa rin ito sa kaniyang puso.

He still worried how his spying could affect his relationship with his brother. If the results turned out to be worse than he thought, it might be impossible for his brother to reunite with him and his mother. If not, Claude would hate him for assuming that he could do such a thing to hurt Mosa.

And Mosa? If they discovered something unpleasant, Mosa would be definitely hurt. She might breakup with Claude and completely avoid him too in order to stop crossing paths with his brother. On the other hand, if there was nothing wrong with Claude and Freya’s meetings, Mosa would be put on the hot seat. Tiyak na makakaaway nito si Claude kapag nalaman nito na pinaeespiyahan ito ng sarili nitong nobya. The mistrust in the relationship would definitely change everything between Mosa and her brother.

Nakasimangot tuloy si Curtis nang sumakay sa back seat ng sasakyan. Ni hindi niya binati ng ‘magandang umaga’ ang drayber. Hindi na rin naman niya ito kailangang kausapin dahil alam na nito ang schedule tuwing alas-singko ng umaga—ang ihatid siya sa university.

Once the driver dropped him off by the parking lot, Curtis checked the motorcyle parking area with his eyes. Natanaw niya na nakaparada na sa karaniwan nitong puwesto ang Harley Davidson ni Claude.

He took a deep breath and mustered all the courage before heading to the basketball court.

Pagdating sa court ay hindi pa nagsisimula ang basketball practice. He just simply sat on the fourth row bleachers and raised the professional camera that was hanging by the lanyard around his neck. Pinanood niya ang pagwa-warmup exercise ng mga manlalaro kung saan kabilang si Claude.

Claude paid no attention to him. It was obvious that he was also oblivious of his presence. Nakapokus lang ang kapatid sa warmup exercises ng team nito hanggang sa magsimula na ang kanilang game practice.

Curtis took some photos without using his flash, so that he would be unable to disturb the game. His camera rested lowly so that no one would notice that he was taking pictures. Hindi pa tapos ang game practice nang tumayo siya mula sa kinauupuan para umalis. Habang paalis ay binuksan niya ang sling bag at kinabahan nang lumuwa mula rito ang ilan sa kaniyang mga gamit. Pinulot niya ang mga ito nang mabagal bago tumayo anng tuwid at tumingin sa paligid. No one seemed to pay any attention to his embarrassing little clumsiness, so he sighed in relief so quietly . . . as quietly as his departure from the area.

He had to leave because of his next agenda—finding Freya.

To his surprise, he met Freya on the steps right outside the basketball court. Mas halatang-halata sa mukha ng babae ang gulat nang makita siya. Napanganga pa ito saglit bago nakabawi sa pagkabigla. She pulled out an awkward smile for him and hugged her sketchbook tighter against her chest.

“Curtis! Hi!” lapit nito sa kaniya.

“Hi,” malamig niyang bati rito. “Papunta ka’ng basketball court?”

Natigilan saglit si Freya at napatitig sa kaniya bago nakasagot sa pamamagitan ng pagtango.

“For what?” hilig niya ng ulo. Hindi siya nangiming ipahalata sa dalaga na interesado siyang malaman ang sagot nito.

“A, ano kasi . . . may naiwan ako kahapon sa court. Baka makita ko sa bleachers.”

“So, narito ka sa court kagabi?” tanong niya. Kunwari ay nagulat siya at walang kaide-ideya na sinabayan ni Freya sa pag-uwi kagabi si Claude.

“Oo. Bakit parang interesadong-interesado ka sa whereabouts ko, Curtis?” mahina pa itong natawa na sa palagay niya ay ginawa lang nito para ikubli ang nerbiyos.

“Because . . .” he already prepared for this since the day he saw Claude visit Freya’s condo. Ito na ang plano niya noong gawin para maespiyahan ang dalawa noong una itong ni-request ni Mosa sa kaniya. “Because I wonder if you’re already dating someone.”

Namilog ang mga mata nito. “Dating someone?”

“Is it one of the basketball players?”

Napalunok ang babae. Bahagya pa itong napaatras.

“One of Claude’s teammates?” he added, so that Freya would not have any idea that he had any suspicions toward her. “I just assumed because you’re here so early in the morning. Hindi ko naman alam na mahilig ka sa basketball o may kakilala kang player maliban kay Claude. I don’t think you’ll keep coming here for Claude too, right?”

Freya managed a breathy chuckle laced with an ironic mix of tension and relief. “Curtis, just get to the point. Ano ba ang kailangan mo sa ’kin?”

He lowered his eyes and tried to relieve his nerves by subtly fumbling his camera with his fingers. “Malapit na ang Valentine’s Ball, and I am not really that prepared . . . but I’m hoping, mapapayag kitang maging date ko sa event.”

Pag-angat niya ng tingin ay nakatulala na si Freya sa kaniya. Nalaglag pa ang panga nito bago tumuwid ng pagkakatayo at lumunok. Umurong yata ang dila nito dahil naglikot ang mga mata nito at napalinga sa paligid na para bang natotorete.

“Me? Date mo?” balik nito ng tingin sa kaniya.

Curtis nodded and gave her a small smile. “Kung wala ka pang date . . . at kung okay lang sa ’yo.”

Freya sheepishly lowered her head. “S-Sure. I mean . . . sure. Wala naman akong date, e.”

Nakahinga siya nang maluwag sa pagpayag nito. Ibig sabihin, matutuloy niya ang pag-execute sa kaniyang plano.

“Cool. Can we drop by your condo later tonight?” he asked that made her gasp under her breath. He immediately clarified things. “It doesn’t have to be at night. Maybe, after our classes? Hanggang anong oras ka ba rito sa school?”

“Why should we go to our condo?” tanong nito, tila napupugto ang hininga habang titig na titig sa kaniya.

“To discuss about our attires?” His tone had uncertainty on it. “I want to match the color and style of your outfit for the Valentine’s Ball, since we’ll be dates on that night.”

Nabuhay ang hesitasyon sa tinig ni Freya. “Pero—Hindi ba puwedeng dito na lang natin pag-usapan sa school?”

Mabilis naman niyang naunawaan ang pinanggagalingan ng pag-aagam-agam nito. “Oh, I know. Project n’yo para sa isang subject ang isusuot mo sa Valentine’s Ball, ’di ba? I know, because Mosa mentioned it to me. Don’t worry. You don’t have to show me the design of your outfit. I just hope you can help me pick out some clothes for me to wear. I don’t want to look trashy beside my beautiful date on that night.” Curtis smirked at Freya as playfully as he could. He was hoping this would break the awkwardness that was still lingering between them.

“Well . . .”

“I’ll bring some clothes in your condo. That’s why I prefer talking about our outfits there, kaysa rito sa school.”
Mabagal na tumango-tango si Freya, tila nauunawaan na ang nais niyang iparating at nakukumbinsi na rin.

“Later, ha?” Curtis stepped to his side, getting ready to leave before Freya could change her mind and blow his plan. “Let’s leave together. My car will follow yours.”

Then, he gave Freya a polite nod and started walking.

Nalagpasan na niya ang dalaga nang pumihit ito at tumawag sa kaniya. Mabilis niya itong nilingon.

“Three p.m. ang huling class ko for today.”

He smiled wider. Tuloy na tuloy na talaga ang kaniyang plano. “Half-day naman ako today. I don’t mind waiting though. I’ll be roaming the school, taking photos, while my driver will be making the rounds for my choices of suits and accessories.”

Freya nodded slowly. “Sige. See you later.”

Curtis nodded his head. This time, his smile was shadowed with quiet arrogance. “See you.”

He watched Freya enter the two-doors of the closed basketball court before heading to his first class of the day.

***

CLAUDE took a low jump with hands raised high. He took his shot and held his breath as he watched the basketball fly to the ring. Nang dumikit ang mga sapatos niya sa sahig, saktong pumasok ang bola sa ring. His teammates let out a short cheer, while their teammates assigned on the opposing team just puffed their breaths or shook their heads.

“O, nandiyan na ang side-chick mo!” tukso sa kaniya ng isa sa mga ka-teammate.

Claude glared at him before glancing quickly at the bleachers. Nakita niyang naghahanap doon ng mauupuan si Freya.

‘Hindi pa siya nakontento sa gabi-gabing pagsundo sa akin! Pati ba naman sa ganitong oras, nagpapakita siya?’ simangot niya.

His teammates were elbowing each other and bickering in low voices while stealing teasing glances at him.

“Shut up!” he growled at them. “Don’t give people any ideas! Hindi kami talo ni Freya, maliwanag?”

“E, bakit gabi-gabi, sabay kayong umuuwi?” pang-aasar ng isa sa mga kasama niya.

“You just saw us leave together for two night and you’re already having delusions, Jay. Mosa knows that Freya and I were friends. And that’s all we’ll ever be, so shut your mouths,” mabilis niyang sabi bago umalis agad para lapitan si Freya. Kumaway siya sa kanilang coach nang masalubong ito na nakatayo sa gilid ng court. Nagpaalam siya rito. “Mabilis lang ako, coach. Pasensiya na.”

He wasn’t really prioritizing Freya or anything. He just had to accommodate her at fast so that she would leave already. Naiinis na siya dahil kung ano-ano na ang naglalarong kuro-kuro sa isip ng mga kalaro sa basketbol. At hindi lang basta kuro-kuro ang mga iyon, dahil makatotohanan ang mga namumuong suspetsa ng mga ito na may namamagitan sa kanila ni Freya.

Nang matanaw na palapit siya sa bleachers, umupo naman si Freya sa third row. Claude reluctantly climbed and stood by the second row bleachers, facing her.

“Ano na naman ang kailangan mo?” iritado at pabulong niyang saad. “At bakit ang aga-aga, nandito ka?”

“Hindi tayo makakapag-meet mamaya.”

“Hindi mo ba puwedeng itawag o i-text na lang ’yan?” simangot niya. “At mabuti naman, tatantanan mo na ako. It means, you can give me your copy of the video.”

Her eyes slowly narrowed at him. “Pasensiya ka, Claude, but that’s not the case. May pag-uusapan lang kami ng kapatid mo, kaya hindi tayo makapagkikita mamaya.”

Naalarma siya sa narinig. “Si Curtis?”

Mayabang na tumayo ang dalaga at nagtaas-noo. “Oo. Magkita raw kami after class.”

Nagngalit ang kaniyang mga ngipin. Hindi na niya napigilang duruin si Freya. “Don’t you dare.”

“Dare what?”

“Wala kang sasabihin sa kaniya. Maliwanag?”

“Baka magtaka naman siya kung bakit hindi ako nagsasalita.”

“Huwag mo akong pilosopohin. Alam mo kung ano ang tinutukoy ko, Freya,” mariin niyang wika. “Sige na. Umalis ka na!”

Freya gave him an underlook and chuckled lowly. Then, she smirked and eyed him testily. “Okay. I just dropped by to let you know. Papupuntahin na lang kita sa condo ko mamaya, pag-alis ni Curtis.”

“You—” duro niya uli rito pero mabilis na ibinaba ang kamay at nagnakaw ng tingin sa paligid. Napansin niyang nakatingin sa kanila ang ilan sa mga ka-teammate niya at mabilis ding nag-iwas ng tingin ang mga ito. He returned his angry eyes on Freya. “Don’t give me any trouble.”

Freya shrugged. “Why should I? I don’t want our fun to stop yet, Claude.”

‘You’re the only one who’s having fun!’ he wanted to shout to her face, but Freya already left her before he managed to do so. Mabuti na rin na umalis na ito dahil kung nasigawan niya ang babae, tiyak na mapagtsitsismisan na talaga siya ng mga ka-teammate niya.

Claude took in a deep breath and tried to compose himself. Sa pagkakataong ito lang niya napansing kailangan niya ng tubig dahil bukod sa mainit na agad ang kaniyang ulo ay medyo napagod siya sa unang round ng game practice nila. He hopped the lowest bleacher where their bags were and took his water bottle to drink.

Ilang minuto rin siyang nagpahinga dahil naglaro na ang teammates niya nang hindi siya kasama. Nang pabalikin siya ng kaniyang coach sa game practice, nakita niya sa gilid ng kaniyang mga mata kung sino ang bagong dating.

Si Curtis.

As he jogged to the center of the court, he followed Curtis with his eyes. Nakita niyang umupo ang kapatid sa front row ng bleachers. Inilapag nito sa paanan nito ang bag, then he cradled with professional camera with his hands before hopping down to the side of the court. May sinabi ito sa kanilang basketball coach. Sa palagay niya ay humingi ito ng permiso dahil sinundan ito ng pagkuha ni Curtis ng ilang mga litrato ng kanilang game practice at ng kanilang coach gamit ang camera nito.

Despite his suspicions toward his brother, Claude decided to divert his attention back to the game.

***

KATATAPOS lang ng Fashion Marketing class nila nang lapitan si Mosa ni Freya.

“Mosa,” bati nito. Her dead-set eyes contrasted the lightness of the smile on her lips.

Tinapos naman ni Mosa ang pagpapatong-patong sa kaniyang sketchbook at dalawang libro bago nag-angat ng tingin dito.

“Freya,” magaang ngiti niya rito kahit sa loob-loob ay kinakabahan. Gumugulo pa rin kasi sa kaniyang isip ang ikinuwento ni Bridgette kagabi tungkol dito at kay Claude. “Yes?”

“May gusto lang akong itanong. I hope you don’t mind?”

Tumayo na siya para magpantay ang kanilang mga mukha. “Tungkol saan?” ‘Is this about Claude?’

“Well . . . what do you think of Curtis?”

Kumunot ang noo niya. “Curtis?”

Freya nodded and lowered her eyes. “Oo. I mean, his personality. Is he . . . nice? Suplado?”

“Freya—” Hindi niya malaman kung ano ang magiging reaksiyon. “Para namang hindi mo pa kilala si Curtis. You know that he’s nice. He’s just quiet and distant with people, pero kung close kayo katulad ko sa kaniya, you’ll see that he can be nicer and that he’s somehow funny with his sarcastic jokes.”

Nahalata niya ang nerbiyos ng dalaga. Napalunok kasi ito at napahigpit ang yakap sa bitbit na sketchbook bago tumango-tango. “That’s very generic, Mosa. I mean, as a date . . . how is he?”

Muntik na siyang masamid. “I . . . I don’t know. I haven’t dated him. And I haven’t seen him date anyone . . . I have no idea—” Natigilan siya at napasinghap nang may napagtanto. “He asked you out on a date?”

Nag-aalinlangan na napaiwas ng tingin si Freya. Her lips formed a smile, but Mosa could tell it was just a part of her coping mechanism, a way to disguise her anxiety. “I don’t know if I should take it seriously or not. I mean, baka lang wala siyang mahanap na ka-date kaya naisipan niya akong yayain. Para ’to sa Valentine’s Ball.”

Mosa held her breath. ‘Curtis asked Freya to be his date on the Valentine’s Ball . . .’ Nanghilakbot siya nang may maalala. ‘Ito ba ang planong sinasabi ni Curtis? Sinisimulan na niya ang pagkalap ng impormasyon para sa akin!’ Nakokonsensiyang napatitig siya kay Freya. Her friend looked sheepish, probably overwhelmed too and overthinking about Curtis’ invitation to be his Valentine’s Ball date. ‘Pero tama ba itong planong naisip ni Curtis? Paano kung walang katuturan naman ang mga hinala ko? What if Freya is acting this way because she likes Curtis, too? And she’s taking this Valentine’s Ball date seriously? Kakayanin ba ng konsensiya ko na panoorin si Curtis sa pag-reject sa kaniya kapag wala na siyang kailangang alamin mula kay Freya?’

“Mosa?” usig sa kaniya ni Freya.

Kinabahan siya dahil tila marami na ang nasabi ni Freya sa kaniya, pero wala siyang narinig ni isa sa mga iyon. Nagsunod-sunod na kasi ang mga agam-agam sa kaniyang isip.

She swallowed before answering carefully with a soft smile. “You have nothing to worry about Curtis. He’s been my best friend for six years. We have been in compromising situations before, yet he remained nice and respectful to me. He’ll be a real gentleman toward you, Freya. I assure you that.”

Freya smiled and nodded. “Baka naman espiya mo siya, ha?”

Napaawang nang bahagya ang kaniyang mga labi sa gulat. She felt her body turn to ice out of tension.

Mahinang tumawa si Freya. “Ngayon pa lang, sasabihin ko na, hindi ko ipapakita kay Curtis ang final output ng design ng isusuot ko sa Valentine’s Ball. Everyone, including him, will only see it on that very night, not a single day in advance!”

Nakahinga si Mosa nang maluwag sa narinig. Gayunman, medyo nagluha ang mga mata niya sa takot dahil inakala niyang may ideya na si Freya sa naging usapan nila ni Curtis. Mahina siyang tumawa para ikubli ang nerbiyos.

“Of course, girl. Hindi mo naman kailangang ipakita sa kaniya ang design mo. Grades ang nakasalalay, no! And I respect a healthy competition . . . a competition where no one cheats.”

Freya slightly narrowed her eyes at her and smirked. “I don’t think it’s cheating if you planned everything well, right? It’s still considered as . . . fair competition to outsmart your opponent.”

“Y-Yes,” she answered quickly to kill the awkward atmosphere between them, yet she was hesitant if what she said was right.

For some reason, Freya thought of something that made her demeanor shift from sheepishness into a proud confidence. “You know I planned my designs myself, kasi ipinakita ko pa ’yon sa ’yo. I just didn’t tell you the colors or the fabrics that I’ll use.”

Mosa just nodded and smiled softly in agreement.

***

Read advance and full chapters on Patreon: https://patreon.com/anamarive

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HEAT
La Grilla Series #2
Copyright: 2024
R-18, General Fiction, Sexy Romance, Drama

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