Chapter 3 | Play

"I didn't ask for you to find me."

With determined grit and fierce resolve, I mustered all my strength and broke free from his intoxicating hold. Eros remained silent, which made the atmosphere awkward. I desperately wanted to go home but knew he wouldn't let me get away so easily. His gaze was fixed on me as if he could read my mind.

"Nasa loob pa si Mia. Hindi pa nakaandar ang sasakyan namin. You better watch—"

He dared to roll his eyes on me. "Hindi naman si Mia ang girlfriend ko."

"Well, it's your job to look after Mia—"

"Mia's other guards are around her—"

"And I'm not your girlfriend," I said, ignoring him.

"Sure, we are not officially together, but everyone is convinced we are. Why can't you cooperate well? Is your competence in deceiving people fading?"

I frowned. "Look, I have own shits to handle. Hindi sa lahat ng oras, susunod ako sa 'yo—"

"You never did those. Ako lagi ang gumagawa niyan para sa relasyong ito."

Ano bang pinaglalaban niya? Anong pinaparating ng gagong 'to?

I chuckled. "Then, don't do it?"

Muli akong inirapan ni Eros na para bang nakakapagod akong kausap. I mean, I get it. I know for a fact that I am hard to handle. Even for my past flings, those relationships ended because these men who claimed to like me grew tired of my attitude. Sometimes, I do it on purpose. Sometimes, I do it to test someone. None of them ever satisfied me, including Eros.

"Kung hindi kita susuyuin, ano na lang ang iisipin nila?"

Walang pagtutunguhan ang usapang ito.

"Okay. You're right," I said, ending our conversation.

Feeling frustrated and ready to give up, I was about to leave him when his hand grabbed my arm. I turned back to look at him in surprise, unsure what he would say or do next. His touch felt firm yet gentle, almost as if he was pleading with me without saying a word. And for a moment, I hesitated.

"What is it this time? I'm exhausted and hungry—"

"Then, go out with me. Pinagod mo rin akong hanapin ka ngayong araw," reklamo niya.

"May gagawin pa ako—"

"Ako rin—"

"E 'di gawin mo na—"

"At iyon ang pasayahin ang girlfriend ko."

I could feel my fists clenching, ready to throw a punch and shut down his smug expression once and for all. Before my intrusive thoughts could win over my rationality, I stepped back and realized that giving in to my anger wouldn't solve anything. My eyes took a little twirl of annoyance, and what do you know? It was like comedy gold to him. Seriously, was getting under my skin his new favorite hobby?

"Gusto mong pasayahin ang girlfriend mo sa ganitong lagay, huh? As if she could ever be happy."

Eros' way of being could catch me off-guard. One moment, he's all warmth, drawing you in closer than you thought possible. Then, he's distant in a blink—a mystery you can't entirely solve. It's hard to tell if his friends notice these changes, these swings between too close and too far.

He's never been one to stir trouble, not at school. Everyone likes him; he's got that charm, that easy-going vibe that makes you want to be around him. However, it's that very ease, that almost too-good-to-be-true vibe, that makes me doubt him. It's like there's a depth to Eros that's both inviting and cautionary all at once.

"Why? Because of her issues? Everyone has their issues. She just cannot see the people around ready to offer her help and care."

Oh, how kind of him to think he knows me inside and out after just a few moments of conversation. It's funny when strangers take it upon themselves to judge your entire being based on a passing comment or two.

I'm already used to handling my problems alone, without the help of others, without anyone. After all, it feels like nobody really cares when you're having a hard time. The world keeps turning, no matter what you're going through. It doesn't stop for anyone, even when you wish it would just pause for a bit.

I had many things to argue about, but I felt he wouldn't understand.

"Uuwi na ako," I said instead.

He came back to his senses. "Ang kulit mo naman. Sabing kakain nga tayong dalawa, e. Tara na nga."

I rolled my eyes. "Kapag hindi ko nagustuhan ang kakainan natin, uuwi talaga ako."

Pinagbigyan ko na lang siya at sumunod na patungo sa kanyang sasakyan. Ayon sa kwento ng mga kaibigan niya, advance graduation gift daw ito kay Eros. It's one of those luxurious brands that could get any girl easily, not me, though.

"Wear your seatbelt," he said when he probably noticed I didn't.

I hate seatbelts, but I obliged anyway. He started the engine, and we were among the crowds on the road. My attention was fixed outside the car, and I observed the night city through the tinted windows. We were both quiet for the first few minutes. I prayed that he wouldn't speak anymore because conversations generally tire me... but then he started talking again.

"So why are you avoiding me?"

"I'm not avoiding you," I lazily answered.

"So convincing."

"Hindi nga talaga. Ikaw 'tong OA sa ating dalawa."

He sighed deeply as if he was already tired of my arrogance. "I want to know more about you, but you're like the Great Wall of China—"

"Huh? Hindi ako flat, excuse me!" I said defensively.

I had heard this lame joke from my classmates before, mocking flat-chested girls. I hated jokes like that, and now Eros was using it on me? He kept lowering my expectations.

"What?" he asked, clueless.

"I'm not flat-chested!"

"What the..."

Eros started laughing. Ako naman ngayon ang naguluhan kung anong nakatatawa. Seriously, I was tempted to tie the seatbelt around his neck.

"Look, I am not comparing your chest to the Great Wall. What I mean is your emotions are as tough as they are. Alam ko namang hindi ka flat. Kitang kita nga dahil sa seatbelt."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Agad kong tinanggal ang seatbelt at pinagpapalo ang kanyang braso.

"You thick-faced asshole, Eros Entel! Such a disgusting pervert!"

"Sumang-ayon lang ako sa 'yo. What's your issue, Serin? And I'm not a pervert. Saka mo na ako pagbintangan niyan kapag talagang may ginawa ako?"

"Ah, so may balak ka pa!"

Hinampas ko muli ang kanyang braso. Minsan pa nga'y natatamaan ang kanyang mukha. Ilang sandali rin ay pinilit ko ang sariling tumigil na at baka maaksidente pa kami ngunit ang loko goal yata talagang asarin ako buong gabi.

"Hindi ko iyon gagawin sa 'yo. Bibigay ka rin sa akin—"

I cursed him for the nth time. "Kilabutan ka nga! Sana maging pwet ng manok mukha mo."

"Hey, take that back!"

He skillfully parked his car in front of the restaurant. I was relieved it wasn't full of people. I was so attracted to the restaurant that I almost forgot what we discussed. I was about to open the door and finally get out when he locked the door.

"Bababa na ako—"

"Take it back first."

I smirked when I saw how much it bothered him. "What if I don't want to? You—"

He deliberately shifted closer, his presence unexpectedly near. Alarm bells rang softly in my head, not out of fear but from the unfamiliarity of his proximity. I forced a facade of cool indifference, hoping to mask my surprise.

There was something about him–perhaps the subtle scent that seemed to envelop me or the way his eyes caught the dim light, gleaming with an intensity that was hard to ignore. Being this close stirred an unexplained tension within me. He wasn't doing anything overt; his gaze merely locked on mine, yet it felt like everything.

"You wouldn't want to kiss a chicken butt, right?"

"Of course not—"

His lips met mine, a sudden collision that left me breathless. Time paused, and I became a willing captive to the warmth of his lips. My mind raced, torn between pride and surrender. Should I push him away, slap him? However, my body betrayed me, melting into the kiss. Minutes stretched into eternity. His touch was gentle, yet it seared through my defenses.

"True love's kiss always breaks a curse. Hindi na ako magiging pwet ng manok."

I narrowed my eyes and tried hard to return to my senses. "I don't love you, so it's still not broken. You can just admit you wanted to kiss me."

Malakas ko siyang tinulak kung kaya't nawalan siya ng balanse. I took that opportunity to open his car's door. Nang nakalabas, muli ko siyang nilingon.

"I'm hungry! Let's go!"

I didn't enjoy the dinner—siguro para kay Eros ay naging masaya iyon dahil tuwang tuwa siyang asarin ako. It didn't feel okay but was tolerable. At least last night, I didn't cry on my pillow or overthink things.

Eros asked me to come with him today before I shut him out last night. Hindi naman ako umo-o at humindi talaga ako. Kinulit pa ako ni Eros na umo-o dahil wala raw siyang kasama. Kung hindi pa ako tinawag ng guard, hindi pa ako titigilan ni Eros.

He was really persistent. Tulad ngayon, ginising ako ng isa sa mga kasambahay dahil may bisita raw ako. Hindi na ako nagulat nang nalamang si Eros iyon.

"Anong trip mo?"

I washed my face and wore a bra under my silky night dress. I wasn't aware of the time because I really didn't care. I planned to sleep longer today. He immediately turned around to face me. He was wearing his usual black v-neck shirt and black pants. I noticed he had his silver earring on his right ear, which he didn't usually wear at school.

"Niyaya kita kagabi," nagtatampo niyang sabi.

I impatiently rolled my eyes. "You have my answer last night; it's a no. Give me a break—"

He acted like he was hurt. "Grabe ka sa 'kin. I didn't give up on you yesterday, hinanap talaga kita. Tapos simpleng pagsama lang sa akin—"

"Hindi naman kita pinilit na hanapin ako. Isa pa, umalis si Mia kaninang umaga kasama si Lukan. Siya ang trabaho mo—"

"Sinundan ko na si Mia sa gym kanina. Pinaalis ako ni Lukan. I talked to Sir Niko kung pwedeng out muna ako ngayong araw since marami namang nagbabantay sa dalawa. He simply said yes."

"Paano pala kung humindi si Tito Niko?"

"Then I would ditch my job for today," he didn't hesitate to answer.

"Idiot. E 'di naparusahan ka—"

"At least nakasama ka bago ako parusahan."

I paused. I wanted to laugh. Eros sounded like an idiot.

"Your job is important—"

"You are more important."

I badly wanted to laugh. Eros, you weren't the first to say these words to me.

"I have a problem," I said, testing him. "I need to talk to Tito Niko and Armageddon today. Balak ko sanang pumunta sa HQ."

Eros was surprised but remained calm. "Ihahatid na kita."

I raised a brow. Why was he acting like this? He seemed to volunteer to walk on fire even if he knew it would hurt him.

"Baka magtagal ako roon, like whole day. Kung gusto mo, iwan mo na lang ako roon at gawin mo na ang mga gusto mo—"

"Gusto lang naman kitang makasama ngayong araw, Serin. Kahit saan, kahit ayaw ko ang lugar—basta kasama ka," he insisted.

"Bakit mo ba gustong makasama ako?" I asked, irritated.

He shrugged. "You need some time to enjoy, Serin. 'Wag kang magkulong sa kwarto mo."

"I know how to enjoy and entertain myself. I don't need you."

"Talaga? Paano? Tumitig sa ceiling o sa salamin ng buong araw?"

It caught me off guard for a short while. "Gusto ko lang matulog. Magpahinga."

He sighed. I thought he would argue again, but he remained still. Paano ko ba mapapaalis ang lalaking 'to?

"Kung sasama ako sa 'yo, saan naman?"

"Somewhere you like."

"You didn't prepare anything?"

"Of course I did... pero ikaw ang masusunod."

I questioned his motives and wondered if there was an ulterior motive behind his seemingly genuine kindness. Maybe I've become too cynical nowadays, where people often have hidden intentions behind their actions, or maybe my instincts were right.

"I want to go to Subic. Meet the dolphins," I said, one of my random goals.

He slowly smiled. "Seriously, dolphins?"

"What's wrong with it?"

He raised both hands, an act of surrender. "Nothing! Maghanda ka na. I'll ask some of my connections para makapasok tayo at makita mo ang mga dolphin."

My jaw hung open, a silent gasp escaping my lips. His fingers danced across the phone screen, dialing a number with practiced ease. I knew he could make things happen, so why did shock ripple through me? As he hung up, our eyes met—a silent understanding.

"We're not going. I only said that to prank you!"

He frowned. "I already booked us a—"

I didn't care if he had already reserved everything we needed. I was not in the mood to go anywhere, especially with him. I didn't care about what he could feel at this moment.

"I said it was a prank."

He sighed, but in the end, he nodded.

"Kumain ka na ba?"

"I'm not hungry."

"Huh? Kailangan mo ng kumain, anong oras na, oh?"

Suddenly, he felt like a different person again. Hindi na yata normal na pati pagkain ko ay parang concern pa niya. Wala naman kami sa school para magkunwari.

"Whatever. Ikaw? Kumain ka na?"

I decided to play along for my own amusement.

"Paano kung hindi? Sasabayan kita?"

I smiled. "Yes because I changed my mind. Gutom na pala ako. Sumabay ka kung gusto mo—"

"Gusto kita!"

I chuckled. Let's see how far Eros could go.