CHAPTER 3

TERRON woke up early to go to the bathroom and when he was about to go back to bed to continue his sleep, he received a message from Eva. She was asking for coffee. It seems she didn't have a good night sleep again. So, even when his eyes were begging for him to shut them, he went online and ordered Eva a cup of coffee and croissant. Only after that did he go back to sleep.

It was already past nine in the morning when he woke up again. And it was because his phone was ringing non-stop.

He grabbed the phone that he wanted to throw to the nearest wall and grumpily answered the call without looking at who was calling. "What?"

"Huh? It's already past nine. Kakagising mo lang?"

Terron felt like a headache was coming when he heard Knight's voice on the other line. "Fuck you. Let me sleep."

"What sleep? Don't sleep! There's an emergency in our group chat! Hurry! Mag-online ka na! Ngayon na!" Then Knight hanged up.

Thinking about the alarm in Knight's voice, he sat up and went online.

Nagbago na naman ulit ang pangalan ng group chat nila. From TOO HOT AND HANDSOME TO HANDLE yesterday to ARF STYLE with dog emoji at the end.

What the fuck is this...? Terron was so confused by the new group's name that he actually wanted to backread just to see who changed it.

Pero naalala niya ang emergency na sinasabi ni Knight. Thinking that he didn't have time to do anything else, he opened the group chat and read all the chats he missed.

Knight Velasquez: ???????????????

Knight Velasquez: What the fuck, Terron! Don't just tag me and disappear!

Knight Velasquez: What's with the angry emoji?! Don't hang me, you fucker!

Knight Velasquez: Hello! @TerronDashwood explain! Umalis ka lang sa BV, ginaganito mo na ako. Hindi ka nga nagpa-bbq at beer ng maibenta 'yong babay mo dito sa BV na nakapangalan kay Shun. Tsk!

Knight Velasquez: This is an emergency @TerronDashwood. Come out! Now! Umaga na hindi ka pa rin nagpapaliwanag. I'd been waiting. Kahit magalino ako, di ko maintindihan ang angry emoji mo.

Knight Velasquez: @everyone Help! Terron never sent me an angry emoji. Si Volkzki lang naman ang palaging galit dito sa group chat natin. Parang nag-a-andropause palagi si best friend. Sa bait kong 'to? I don't deserve an angry emoji! I deserve an emoji with heart eyes!

Tyron Zapanta: Isn't it early for this? 🥱

Lander Storm: I'm busy at work. Can't help.

Cali Sudalga: Yes. It is indeed early for this. Coffee, anyone?

Knight Velasquez: Heartless! Gusto ko lang naman na habang maaga, mapatunayan na inosente ako. I am not guilty! Terron Dashwood! Explain!

Khairro Sanford: Ikaw? Inosente?

Give me all your money 🔪: High-five @KhairroSanford.

Khairro Sanford: @GiveMeAllYourMoney🔪 Shun?

Give me all your money🔪: Who the fuck change my name again?

Knight Velasquez: Bakit ka nagtatanong? Mag backread ka nalang.

Valerian Volkzki: Isn't the one who changed @GiveMeAllYourMoney🔪 name you @KnightVelasquez?

*Knight Velasquez changed Valerian Volkzki's name to My Andropause best friend.*

Valerian Volkzki: I'm going to kill you, you motherfucker!!!

Knight Velasquez: Wow. So many exclamations point. 😮🫢

Knight Velasquez: I called @TerronDashwood. He just woke up. Now, clear my name, Terron. Prove my innocence!

Terron dropped his phone on the bed and massaged his temple. He couldn't believe that Knight woke him up for this! Akala naman niya kung anong emergency na. Tumawag pa talaga ang sinto-sinto na 'yon para lang mag-reply siya.

He was so irritated that he was gritting his teeth and cursing Knight in his mind a million times! He was so pissed that he went to the bathroom to take a cold shower to cool off.

Only after taking a cold shower did Terron calm down. At habang nagbibihis siya, tumunog ang cellphone niya.

It was a group chat call. And since he was not pissed anymore, he accepted. Only a few accepted the call. More than half rejected the call and sent a message saying they were busy or in the middle of a meeting.

"Wala ka bang duty ngayon, Chief?" Tanong ni Cali kay Khairro na tinanggap ang tawag.

"I'm off duty. Cutting fruits for my wife."

"You better take good care of my adorable, innocent little sister, Sanford!" Knight was still as overprotective as ever.

Bumuntong-hininga si Khairro. "Ilang taon mo na 'yang sinasabi. Hindi ka ba nananawa, brother-in-law?"

"Don't call me that. Nagtataasan ang balahibo ko."

"Anong emergency? What's with the call?" Evren asked. "I just finished talking to a client."

"It's Terron! Terron is the emergency!" Knight clicked his tongue. "Dashwood, what did I do to you to deserve such emoji, huh?!"

Hinilot ni Terron ang sentido. "Don't mind it. I was just feeling sour yesterday."

"What don't mind it?! I deserve an explanation! I deserve an acceptable reason!"

From the background, SM's voice was heard. "My lord, stop quoting movie lines. Hindi bagay sayo."

Natawa ang lahat ng nakarinig.

"Mi reina! It's Terron's fault. Nag-send siya ng angry emoji sa group chat namin at naka-tag ako!"

"Don't shout, my lord." Kalmadong saway ni SM kay Knight.

And Knight's voice immediately lowered. "I am aggrieved, Mi reina."

There was a soft kissing sound in the background, then SM spoke. "Just finished your commoner's coffee, Knight. I'm off to the café. Bye, baby."

"Bye." Knight sounded so down. "Now I feel so alone."

"But I'm still here, the fluffiest and chubbiest KN!"

"Yes. Yes." Knight said dotingly before returning his attention to the group call. "By the way, who changed our group chat name?"

"Calyx." Sagot ni Evren.

"Bakit Arf Style? Ano 'yon?" Tanong ni Cali.

"I'm wondering the same thing." Ani Terron.

"It was supposed to be 'Dog Style'. Pero mukhang nabasa yata ng anak niya at nagtanong sa kaniya anong ibig sabihin no'n kaya binago niya." Natatawang kuwento ni Tyron. "His son even suggested putting a dog emoji in the end. Masunuring ama si Calyx. Hayon nilagyan nga niya."

"Sino ang naka-schedule next week?" Tanong ni Khairro. "Kung sino ka man, desenteng group chat name sana ang ipalit mo. I can't still forget the embarrassment I went through last month."

"May hiya ka pala?" Natatawang tanong ni Shun.

"Fuck you, singkit."

"What happened last month?" Lysander asked. "Bakit hindi ako updated? Traitors!"

"Wait! Ako magkukuwento! Wala rito si Vergara, e." Knight then eagerly shared the story to Lysander. "There was a meeting in their precinct and Sanford used his laptop, then connected it to their projector. In the middle of the meeting, a notification popped up on the side. Guess which notification was it?"

Lysander's lips parted. "No way."

"Yep." Tuwang-tuwa si Knight habang nagkukuwento. "It's from our group chat. And at that time, guess what is the name of our group chat?"

"Last month..." Hinalukay ni Lysander ang memorya kapagkuwan ay malakas na natawa ng maalala ang group chat name nila nuong huling buwan. "Fuck, Sanford. What a bad luck."

Knight was laughing as he said, "I can imagine what the other people in that meeting might've looked like when they read a chat notification from Ako'y may mahabang talong group chat."

Khairro groaned. "Please. I don't want to remember."

"Want to see the CCTV footage?" Shun offered. "Pay up, lunatics. Nothing is free in this world."

"Singkit! That's illegal!" Khairro snapped.

Shun just laughed and started collecting the money.

Napailing naman si Terron. Yes. That was indeed a bad luck.

"Stop! Let's go back to our initial topic. Terron. Speak." Knight was back to pestering Terron again.

Terron sighed heavily. Sigurado siyang hindi siya titigilan ng sinto-sinto na 'to hanggan't hindi niya sinasabi ang totoo rito.

Terron inwardly groaned. "It was nothing. I was just pissed yesterday."

"Wait— magkasama kayo ni Eva kahapon 'di ba? I saw you two get in your car," Ani Khairro.

"Huh? Si Eva?" Kumunot ang nuo ni Knight. "May sinabi ba si Eva patungkol sakin na ikinagalit mo sakin? What is it?"

Terron closed his eyes, sighed and then confessed. "She told me you're more handsome than me."

Everyone became silent.

Then Knight suddenly declared. "Barbecue and beer on me! Ubusin natin ang barbecue mamaya nila Eva! Yes. Yes. I am indeed handsome. Guwapo na, magalino pa. Eva's eyes don't lie. I am indeed an adonis. Who cares if you're a duke and I'm just a count. Mas guwapo pa rin ako sa'yo." Then Knight proceeded to laugh so condescendingly that Terron just hanged up and left the group.

*Khairro Sanford added you to Arf Style 🐶 group chat.*

Terron sighed heavily and muted the group chat.

Nope. He would not entertain Knight's boastfulness. He was getting pissed again.

Half an hour later, he received a message from Eva.

'Anong nakain ng kaibigan mo? Binili lahat ng paninda namin. Umorder pa ng 1k pcs na bbq.'

Terron's jaw went slacked and sighed. 'I told him you find him more handsome than me 😒'

'Oh! Sabihan mo rin ang mga kaibigan mo na lahat sila guwapo sa paningin ko. Kailangan kong kumita ng pera. Help me, Your Grace 🤗'

'What a heartless little thing. I can buy everything in your store as well! How hard could it be to call me handsome?'

'Now, now, Your Grace. Let's not lie. It's bad.'

Pissed off by Knight and Eva, Terron went to take a cold shower again to calm down.

"ANONG nangyari?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni 'Nay Luz kay Eva ng makabalik ito mula sa palengke at nakitang walang ni-isang laman ang tindahan nila.

Nangalumbaba si Eva. "Binili lahat ng isang sinto-sinto at binigay sa orphanage."

"Ha?" Hindi pa rin napa-process sa utak ni 'Nay Luz ang nangyari.

Nang makita ni Eva ang ekspresyon sa mukha ng ina, napabuntong-hininga siya. "Huwag kang mag-alala, 'Nay. Hindi ka nag-iisa. Hindi rin maproseso ng utak ko ang nangyari."

Pinalibot ni 'Nay Luz ang matang puno ng katanungan at pagtataka. "Kung ganun, mamimili ka ulit ng paninda natin?"

Malakas na napabuntong-hininga ulit si Eva habang nakapangalumbaba. "Mukhang may baggage boy akong kailangang suyuin."

Pero bago siya manuyo, kailangan muna nilang ihanda ang order na barbecue ni Knight. Isang libong piraso din 'yon.

At tulad nga ng inaasahan ni Eva, hindi pa siya nakaka tatlong daang barbecue, wala nang lakas ang kamay niya. Tinawagan na ni 'Nay Luz ang pamangkin nito para tumulong pero hanggang sa gumabi, lampas limang daan pa lang ang nagagawa nila.

Eva was so closed to giving up. She just kept reminding herself that this was money.

Pero may mga bagay talaga na hindi mapipilit. Tulad nalang ng isang libong order ng barbecue.

"Ayoko na." Walang luhang umiyak si Eva. "Lahat yata ng daliri ko natusok ko na. Wala nang lakas ang kamay ko."

Naawa na kaniya ang ina kaya tumawag ulit ito sa isa pa nitong pamangkin. Habang ang una nitong tinawagan ay siyang nag-iihaw sa labas.

"Good evening, Manang Luz, Eva!" Ang pagbating 'yon ay nasundan na marami pang pagbati at napuno ng ingay ang buong tindahan nila.

Eva leaned on her seat while her hands were resting on the armrest. Nandito na ang maiingay.

"Hi, Eva!" Bati ni Knight kay Eva na nasa likod ng counter sabay kaway. "Pinapasabi ni SM na salamat daw dahil naguwapuhan ka sakin. I have a lovely wife, right?" Knight sounded so proud of his wife that Eva couldn't help smiling even though she was dead tired because of this lunatic.

"Espanyol, stop bragging for once!" Shun clicked his tongue.

"No fucking hope." Valerian muttered under his breath.

"What the fuck. You bragged about your wives every chance you got!" Reklamo ni Knight saka ito na ang kumuha ng beer sa ref. "Come on. Let's drink. Ubusin natin ang beer nila Eva."

"Siya nga pala, anong oras daw ang dating nila Phoenix?" Tanong ni Ymar.

"Nakaalis na yata sila sa Baguio." Sagot ni Khairro. "Give it two hours. Hunt is with them."

"How about the Coleman twins?" Cali asked.

"Dadaanan daw nila Phoenix yong magkambal sa dagat." Sagot ni Shun.

"Sabihan mo manghuli ng isda para ihawin." Ani Knight habang sumisimsim ng beer at kumakain ng barbecue.

Everyone looked at Knight dryly.

"What? Nasa dagat na sila. Tell Lash and Lath I want fish. Let's ihaw-ihaw it here."

Hearing that, Eva inwardly groaned. Kung isda naman pala ang gusto, hindi na sana ako nagtuhog ng maraming barbecue! Gusto kong magmura pero wala akong lakas!

"Velasquez, please, stop being conyo. Nagtataasan ang mga balahibo namin sa'yo." Saway ni Lander kay Knight.

"Wait! Wait!" It was Iuhence. "I'm calling Lysander. Gusto niya updated siya. And I take it upon myself to be his updater."

"What the fuck?" Train frowned. "Is updater even a word?"

"Vergara, magbayad ka na kay Wolkzbin. Kinokompara nila ako sayo. Unacceptable!" Si Calyx na ngayon ang naniningil kay Iuhence.

"Don't bother, Vargaz." Train dryly looked at Iuhence. "Masisira na lang ang esophagus mo, hindi pa rin magbabayad ang walang-hiyang 'yan sa fifty pesos niyang utang sa'kin."

As usual, Iuhence acted like he heard nothing while talking to Lysander and sharing all the petty gossips he knew.

"Manang Luz, magkakaraoke kami!" Imporma ni Khairro kay 'Nay Luz sabay bigay ng microphone kay Reigo. "Hanapin mo 'yong kantang Stupid Love. Duet tayo."

Knight glared at Khairro. "What Stupid Love?"

Biglang binawi ni Khairro ang sinabi. "Merry Christmas song nalang pala. Ber months naman na. You know, Jose Marie Chan's songs."

Then another set of noise appeared.

"Let's welcome the man of the hour and the man who sent an angry emoji to Count Knight Velasquez, future Duke Terron Dashwood." Evren announced. "Around of applause, everyone!"

Dark handed Evren a beer. "Just drink. By the way, where are Furrer and Muller?"

"On the way." Sagot ni Shun na nakaharap na naman sa laptop nito. "Libre e. Siguradong kompleto tayo ngayong gabi maliban nalang kay Callahan na nakikipag-tsismis kay Iuhence."

"Kailan ba may humindi sa libre?" Wika ni Shun. "Lahat nabubuhayan ng dugo kapag nakakarinig ng libre e."

These lunatics were all stingy with their money with it comes to their own circle of friends, but they were the opposite when it comes to their wives and children. Hindi sa mga kuripot ang mga ito, ayaw lang talaga ng nga ito na naiisahan lalo na pagdating sa bayaran.

"Here. Beer." Knight handed a beer to Terron.

Terron sighed before accepting it. Hindi niya alam kung ipagpapasalamat niya na sinabi niya ang totoo kay Knight o hindi. Sa dami nang inorder nitong barbecue, tiyak na pagod na pagod si Eva ngayon.

Unconsciously, his eyes wandered around the store until it saw Eva looking exhausted, sitting behind the counter.

Walang imik na naglakad si Terron patungo sa dalaga at walang sabi-sabing binuhat ang stainless steel na palanggana na may lamang karne na tutuhugin pa.

"Anong—"

"Just rest." Ani Terron kay Eva saka dinala ang palanggana sa lamesang inuukupa ng mga kaibigan at inilapag iyon sa harap mismo ni Knight.

"Velasquez, here's your book of life." Ani Terron sabay abot ng disposable gloves sa espanyol.

Kaagad namang kumuha ng disposable gloves si Khairro at inabot iyon kay Terron. "Book of life versus novel experience. What a magnificent combination!"

Knight and Terron both looked at Khairro flatly before the two nobles by blood and title, started skewing the meat, looking like experts.

"Singkit, video-han mo kami." Wika ni Knight. "Ipapakita ko sa asawa ko kung gaano ako kasipag. Barbecue ko, gawa ko, kain ko."

Pleasant laughters filled the store and Knight and Terron became meat skewers masters. Nang matapos ang dalawa, bumalik si Terron sa nakaparadang sasakyan at kinuha ang ointment na nasa compartment.

Then he returned to Eva while his friends were busy drinking, eating, and singing merrily.

"Can you lift your hands?"

Umiling si Eva. "Walang lakas ang kamay ko."

Terron squatted in front of Eva, then he carefully took her hands to inspect it. "It's red and swollen." As if Eva was a fragile item, Terron softly rub the ointment all over her hands while tenderly massaging and kneading them. "How do you feel? Sore?"

"Medyo, pero kaya naman."

"Are you sure?"

"Oo."

"Alright." Terron didn't want to be importunate. "You should rest."

"Ayokong tumayo. Masakit ang katawan ko."

"Should I carry you to your bed?"

"Baka masapak ka ni 'Nay."

Terron couldn't help chuckling at that. "My bad. What then? How can I help?"

Hindi sumagot si Eva. Sa halip ay tinitigan lang nito ang binata sa gitna ng maingay na kapaligiran. "Not sulking anymore, Your Grace?"

Terron snorted. "Still sulking."

"Kung ganun bakit mo ako tinutulungan?"

"Hindi kasi ako katulad ng iba riyan na walang puso."

Mahinang natawa si Eva. "Ayoko lang namang magsinungaling."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm not handsome. I get it."

"You're handsome in your own way, though, Your Grace."

Terron looked at Eva dryly. "If you are trying to cheer me up, it's not working, Ev. So heartless." Then he playfully flicked the tip of her nose. "You really should rest. You look really exhausted."

Sinubukan ni Eva na tumayo sa recliner na kinauupuan pero ni hindi nga niya na-i-angat ang sarili kahit ilang pulgada lang. Ang bigat ng bigat ng katawan niya kaya hindi na siya sumubok ulit.

Eva wholeheartedly accepted her failure to stand up.

"Need help?"

"Hmm."

Carefully, Terron picked up Eva, then he slowly put her down so she could walk by herself to her room to rest.

"Kaya?" Tanong ni Terron.

Tumango si Eva. "Kaya naman."

"Alright. Good night."

"Good night."

Pumasok si Eva sa loob ng kabahayan at lumabas naman si Terron sa loob ng counter ng tindahan. Napailing nalang siya ng makitang bini-video siya ni Khairro at Cali.

"This is evidence. Hard evidence." Tumatango-tangong sabi ni Khairro.

Cali looked at Terron teasingly. "I don't like her like that. Really?"

Hindi pinansin ni Terron ang mga kaibigan saka tahimik lang na uminom ng beer at kumain ng barbecue.

A few minutes later, he received a message.

'Thanks, Your Grace.'

Unknowingly, he smiled as he replied. 'Stop texting, rest your hand and go to sleep.'

'Okay.'

"Who are talking to?" Reigo couldn't help asking Terron.

"Hmm? Why you ask?"

"Because you look like someone who was just hit by a love bug."

Terron blinked at Reigo. "A what?"

Reigo just looked at Terron with amusement before patting Terron's shoulder. "You'll get there."

Terron frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing." Reigo clinked his bottle of beer against Terron's. "Just drink. You'll need it."

Bemused by Reigo's words, Terron drank his beer and hanged out with his friends throughout the night. He had fun as usual, but he couldn't stop worrying about that heartless little thing with sore and swollen hands.

Terron could only shake his head when he thought of something. It's no big deal. It's normal to worry about a friend... right?

CECELIB | C.C.