CHAPTER 4

SALAMAT sa isang libong barbecue na order ni Knight na hindi nila Eva natapos lahat gawin, ilang araw ang lumipas bago gumaling ang kamay ni Eva. Walang luha na lang siyang umiyak. Alam niyang dapat niyang ipagpasalamat ang isang libong barbecue na order ni Knight, pero sa likod ng isip niya, gusto niyang magmura.

"Kumusta ang kamay mo, 'nak?" Tanong ni 'Nay Luz sa ika-apat na umaga mula ng mamaga ang kamay niya.

"Okay na, 'nay. Magaling na."

"Buti naman. Pero huwag ka munang magbubuhat ng mabibigat baka mabinat ang kamay mo."

"Ayos lang ako, 'nay. Effective 'yong ointment na binigay ni Terron."

Lihim na napabuntong-hininga si Luz ng marinig ang pangalan ni Terron. "Eva, talaga bang wala kayong relasyon ni Sir Terron?"

"Ha?" Napatingin si Eva sa ina habang sumisimsim ng kape. "Sigurado akong wala, 'nay. Magkaibigan lang kami."

Bakas sa mukha ni Luz na hindi ito naniniwala. Kitang-kita ng ginang ang pag-aalala ni Terron para kay Eva at hindi 'yon simpleng pag-aalala ng isang kaibigan. "Wala ka talagang interes kay Sir Terron?"

Bumakas ang pagtataka sa mukha ni Eva. "'Nay, kaibigan ko lang talaga si Terron."

"Kung ganun, iwasan mo muna siya pansamantala." Suhestiyon ni Luz sa anak. "Siguro nga wala kang interes sa kaniya, pero nasisiguro kong interesado siya sa'yo. Hindi ka naman siguro bulag, Eva."

Gustong igiit ni Eva sa ina na magkaibigan lang talaga sila ni Terron. Na walang halong malisya ang relasyong mayroon sila pero pinili ni Eva ang sarili at tumahimik na lang.

No one understands her relationship with Terron. Maybe to other people, they had an ambiguous relationship. But to her, what they had was a special kind of friendship. It was the kind of relationship that she finds therapeutic.

And with her stress-filled life, she was desperate for something therapeutic and Terron gave that to her.

In short, walang stress na naibibigay sa kaniya ang binata. Kaya palagi niyang tinatanggap ang tulong na inaalok nito. She not only finds Terron stress-free, but he also helped her alleviate her stress sometimes. At sa mundong halos lamunin siya ng stress, sa presensiya lang ni Terron siya pansamantalang nakakapagpahinga.

Speaking of which, she received a message from Terron. Buti na lang naka-silent ang cellphone niya na nasa ibabaw ng lamesa.

Pasimpleng niyang binuksan iyon saka binabasa ang mensahe ng binata.

'How are your hands? Need more ointment? I can send you more.'

Then Terron sent another message. 'Btw, are you free this coming Saturday? There's a newly opened attraction. Wanna go with me?'

Eva subtly picked up her phone and replied. 'Sorry, Your Grace. Mamimili ako ng paninda namin sa sabado.'

'Sunday then.'

Hindi mapigilang napangiti si Eva. 'O iba na lang kaya ang isama mo?'

'Who?'

'Girlfriend?'

'I don't have that.'

'Then ask someone on a date.'

'Troublesome. And you're the only woman I'm comfortable going out with.'

Nang mabasa 'yon ni Eva, napataas ang kilay niya. Kung mababasa ito ni 'Nay Luz, mas lalo itong hindi maniniwala na wala silang relasyon ni Terron. Siya lang ang nakakaintindi na walang malisya ang salita ng binata.

He was just really comfortable being with her. That's it. Unless he stated otherwise. She was aware of Terron's honesty, after all.

'Sige. Sa Sunday.'

On the other line, Terron smiled when he received a confirmation from Eva. 'Do you need your baggage boy this Saturday?'

'Kailangan! 🤗 5pm din. Go?'

'Sure. I'll pick you up at 5pm. Saturday.'

'👌'

After setting an appointment with Terron, Eva looked at her mother. "'Nay, hindi ko iiwasan si Terron."

"Eva—"

"Trust me." Eva gave her mother a soft smile. "Never akong nagsinungaling sa inyo, 'nay. Alam niyo 'yon."

Napabuntong-hininga si Luz. "O, siya. Basta mag-iingat ka palagi. Hindi porke't hindi ka interesado ngayon ay hindi ka na magkakagusto kay Sir Terron. Hindi napipigilan ang emosyon, Eva."

Tumango si Eva. "Opo, 'nay."

Pinakatitigan ni Luz ang anak saka napabuntong-hininga nalang ulit bago umalis sa hapagkainan.

Nang maiwang mag-isa si Eva, tinapos niya ang pag-aagahan saka bumalik sa kuwarto niya para kunin ang isang cellphone na nakatago sa ilalim ng unan.

Kapagkuwan ay umupo si Eva sa gilid ng kama niya at may tinawagan. Kaagad namang sumagot ang nasa kabilang linya at narinig ni Eva ang pamilyar na baritonong boses na ilang buwan na rin niyang hindi naririnig.

"Ev, napatawag ka."

Lumambot ang ekspresyon ng mukha ni Eva. "How are you? How's work?"

"I'm okay. Just bored."

Eva rolled her eyes. "Hindi ka busy?"

"Nope. I'm having dinner."

Kumunot ang nuo ni Eva. "Dinner? Isn't it morning there?"

"It is? Hmm. Whatever. I'm just eating because I need to. By the way, I got an entire week of paid leave next month. I want to see you."

Hearing that brought immense happiness to Eva. "Okay. Just inform me of the exact date."

"Alright. Anyway, I missed you." There was no indication in his voice that he missed her, but it made Eva smiled.

"I know. Na miss din kita, Eth."

"Hmm." Ethan was silent for a long time before speaking. "How about you? Kumusta ka riyan?"

"Heto, kaka-recover lang ng kamay ko. Can you believe na nagtuhog ako ng mga ilang daang barbecue? Sa sobrang pagod ko, namaga ang kamay ko. It was so painful!"

"Nagpa-check ka na ba sa doctor?"

"No need. Okay naman na ang kamay ko."

"You should stop working already." There was a hint of displeasure in Ethan's voice. "I can support you."

Eva's expression softened. "Alam ko. Pero hindi puwede. Alam mo naman kung bakit ako nagta-trabaho 'di ba?"

Ethan said nothing for a while.

"Eth?"

"What?"

"I can't stop. Not now."

Ethan became silent again. Then he sighed. "Ev, you're the only one I have left. If I lost you too... you know how unstable I am. I'm going to go crazy."

Pakiramdam ni Eva parang may pumipiga sa puso niya. It was painful. "Hindi ako mawawala."

"How can you be so sure?"

Walang sagot si Eva sa tanong na 'yon ni Ethan.

After Eva's silence, Ethan squeezed his eyes shut. "I have to hang up now. Bye, Ev."

Eva didn't get to say goodbye when the phone call ended. Napabuntong-hininga na lang siya saka ibinalik ang cellphone sa ilalim ng unan.

"WHY ARE you looking at that?" Tanong ni Shun kay Terron ng makapasok si Shun sa barn ni Lysander at nakita si Terron sa salas na seryosong-seryoso na tumitingin sa house brochure ng Bachelor's Village. "Kakabenta mo lang ng bahay mo, bibili ka ulit?"

"Nah." Terron kept on turning the brochure's page. "Just looking."

Shun finds it weird, but didn't delve deeper into it. He was here to get his laptop's charger. Naiwan niya iyon nuong isang araw at ngayon lang siya sinipag kunin.

After getting his laptop's charger, Shun was about to leave the barn when a thought came to his mind. Tumigil siya sa pag-alis at bumaling kay Terron. "I'm curious about something."

Napatigil si Terron sa pagbabasa ng brochure saka tumingin kay Shun. "What is it?"

"Can you take it?"

Terron frowned. "What do you mean?"

Shun fully turned to face Terron. "Can you go back home without any regrets? And can you take it if you have any?"

Terron closed the brochure and took a careful, deep breath. "I can't run away from my responsibilities forever. And even if regret devours me, I will still go home and be a dutiful son to my parents."

Shun nodded. Themarie did tell him that Terron had always been an obedient son. "Then make sure that Eva won't be a part of your regrets." Shun turned around and waved his hand. "I'm going. See you!"

Hindi gumalaw si Terron sa kinauupuan at napatitig lang sa nilabasang pinto ni Shun.

Una si Reigo, ngayon naman si Shun. Ano ba ang nakikita ng mga ito sa kanila ni Eva na hindi niya makita? He was far from being blind, but he really couldn't see what they were seeing between him and Eva.

With his curiosity piqued, he sent a message to Khairro. Sanford was always the number one when it comes to pairing him with Eva.

'Busy? I have a question.'

It took Khairro a couple of minutes to reply. 'What is it?'

With a frown, he replied. 'What do you see in me and Eva that you keep pairing us? I can't see it.'

On the other side, Khairro was looking at his phone in disbelief after reading Terron's message. He can't see it? What kind of blindness is this? Or is this what they called denseness?

Khairro clicked his tongue. 'If I have a chance, I'll take a video of you when you're with Eva and then you see for yourself. Too bad hindi malinaw 'yong video na kinuha ko sa'yo nuong uminom tayo sa tindahan nila Eva.'

'Should I take a video of me and Eva then?'

Napailing si Khairro. 'Nope. Mas maganda kapag stolen shots. Mas genuine.'

'I don't get it, but whatever. Send me the video once you have it. I want to see.'

'Alright, bud. Leave it to me!'

After Khairro sent that message, he pulled Shun and his annoying brother-in-law into a group chat: Help Terron see the light.

Khairro Sanford: Help me take a stolen video of Eva and Terron together. That motherfucker's blindness is beyond me.

Knight Velasquez: 🤔 Wala talagang panama sa'kin ang duke na 'yon. I'm so great, my greatness knows no bounds!

Shun Kim: @KhairroSanford that'll cost you. 😎

Shun Kim: @KnightVelasquez since nandito ka rin. You're paying as well.

Knight Velasquez: Wtf ... me as well? 😱

Khairro Sanford: What the fuck?! Why would I pay for someone else's love life?!

Shun Kim: You asked. You pay.

Khairro Sanford: Wtf... speechless here.

Knight Velasquez: Since Sanford made this group chat, he's paying. I'm just an innocent bystander.

Khairro Sanford: I'm speechless.

Knight Velasquez: You're still talking though.

Shun Kim: Well? @KhairroSanford.

Khairro Sanford: Fuck! Fine! How much is it?

Shun Kim: Since it's for a friend, 1M will do. 😎

Khairro Sanford: 😑

Khairro Sanford: I can feel your fucking friendship.

Shun Kim: 😏

Knight Velasquez: Hurray for friendship! 🥳

Khairro Sanford: I'm being sarcastic.

Knight Velasquez: I know. Lol.

Shun Kim: You know my account. Pay-up first.

Khairro Sanford: Fuck. I feel cheated.

Back in the barn, Terron, who didn't know that Khairro just sent Shun Kim one million, received a video call from his little sister, Trinity.

"Fratellone! Come sei stato?"

Terron smiled when he saw his little sister. "I'm living a pretty peaceful life. Want to come visit?"

Trinity pouted. "You're only saying that because I'm graduating, and I don't have time to visit you."

Terron chuckled. "Yes. You guessed it right, sorellina."

Trinity stuck her tongue out at his brother. "I think Papá will call for you soon, fratellone. Nonno had been asking Papá every chance he got. Even Nonna had been urging Mamma as well."

Terron was not surprised. "It was father who gave me permission to leave. Only he could make me come back."

Trinity shrugged. "I think Papá is buying you time, fratellone. He always dodged nonno's questions these days."

Terron just smiled and changed the subject. "How about you? How's school?"

"School? Well, our faculty just welcomed a gorgeous professor."

Terron gave his little sister a strict look.

"What?" Trinity chuckled. "Our new professor is really gorgeous."

"More handsome than me?"

"Yes."

Terron let out a displeased sigh. What's with the women in my life not finding me handsome? "You're not allowed to date. You're still young."

Trinity rolled her eyes. "I just said our professor is handsome, not that I'm interested in him that way. And he's cold. I don't like indifferent men."

"Good. Anyway, it's early morning there, right? Not preparing for school?"

"In a bit. I just want to talk to you. So... how's your love life there, fratellone?"

Terron shrugged. "Nothing."

Trinity's eyes widened. "You don't have anyone you like?"

For some reason, Eva's simple yet stunning face entered his mind. "I have someone I like. But only as a friend."

Trinity looked at her brother dubiously. "As a friend? What a lousy reasoning."

Mahinang natawa si Terron. "What's the point of finding someone here when it'll only end in tragedy? I will go home someday, and I can't take her home with me. You know how our family is. They won't allow someone who is not of noble blood. So why start something that I can't take responsibility for?"

Natahimik si Trinity sa sinabi ng kapatid. "Mi dispiace, fratellone."

Terron smiled. "It's okay." Matagal na niyang tanggap ang kapalaran niya.

Trinity looked at her brother's nonchalant smile. "Maybe it's because you haven't fallen in love yet, fratellone."

"What?"

"Nothing." Trinity smiled. "Anyway, I have to go now. Ti voglio bene, fratellone. Bye!"

"Ti voglio bene anch'io, sorellina."

The call ended and Terron suddenly felt an urged to see someone. So, he left the barn and went to see Eva. Pero nang makarating siya sa tindahan, si Manang Luz ang nadatnan niya.

"Good morning." Bati niya sa ina ni Eva. "Si Eva ho?"

Ayaw sagutin ni Luz ang binata pero may respeto pa rin naman siya sa mga taong maayos ang pakikitungo sa kaniya. "Nasa loob. Nagpapahinga."

"Balik na lang ho ako mamaya kung ganun." Ayaw ni Terron isturbuhin ang dalaga.

Akmang aalis na siya ng pumasok Eva sa tindahan. Unbeknownst to Terron, his whole face instantly brightened upon seeing Eva. "Akala ko nagpapahinga ka."

"Pahinga? Hindi ko kilala 'yon." Pabirong sabi ni Eva. "Kailangan kong maglista ng mga kailangan kong bilhin sa sabado."

"Oh." Terron walked toward the counter and rested his elbows on it before leaning forward. "Need help?"

Eva looked at Terron flatly. "Bored ka na naman?"

"Kind of."

"O, siya." Walang pag-alinlangan na tinulak ni Eva ang papel at ballpen patungo kay Terron. "Isulat mo lahat ng panindan na sasabihin ko."

Terron immediately picked up the pen and went to work. "Alright. I'm ready."

And so Eva and Terron started working. Eva would say what was needed in their store, and Terron would listen and write it down. It was such a harmonious scene.

Napabuntong-hininga nalang si Luz habang nakatingin sa dalawa. Ayaw na niyang mag-komento pa at may tiwala siya kay Eva kaya naman iniwan niya ang dalawa sa tindahan at pumasok sa loob ng kabahayan.

"... sa canned goods naman tayo." Ani Eva saka isa-isang sinabi ang canned goods na palaging nasa tindahan nila kasama ang brand na gusto niya. As for Terron, he was diligently writing it all down. Sa sobrang seryoso nito sa ginagawa, iisipin ng makakakita rito na examination ang ginagawa nito. "Okay. Let's move to drinks. Dadaan mamayang hapon ang supplier ng soft drinks at beer. Ilista nalang din natin para mabilis ang transaction mamaya."

"Alright. I'm ready."

Malapit isang oras din ang lumipas bago natapos si Eva at Terron.

"Manghihiram ako ng SUV kay Vargaz sa sabado." Ani Terron habang tinitingnan ang listahan. "Hindi kakasya ang mga 'to sa kotse ko."

Ipinatong ni Eva ang mga siko sa counter, sa harap ni Terron, saka nangalumbaba. "Salamat ulit sa tulong, Your Grace."

Nag-angat ng tingin si Terron kay Eva. He wanted to tell Eva that she was welcome, but he ended up just staring at her.

Because of the hot weather, Eva was sweating a lot. Her hair was in a messy bun and some strands were sticking into her sweaty skin. A few drops of sweat rolled down her neck and he couldn't look away from it.

Terron was in dazed as he gulped. He could feel a strong urged to lean in and do some indecent things to Eva's neck.

"Your Grace?"

Eva's voice pulled him out of his indecent thoughts. Why the hell am I thinking of doing just now? When did I become salacious?

Terron leaned back, wanting to escape his thought, pulled himself together, then smiled at Eva. "I still have something to do, so... see you on Saturday?"

Tumango si Eva. "Sige. Salamat ulit, Your Grace."

Tumango si Terron saka wala sa sariling naglakad patungo sa nakaparadang sasakyan. His mind was too preoccupied that he was not even aware of how he got home.

He felt guilty. How could he have such thoughts toward his friend?

Terron cupped his head. "Fuck... my head hurts."

CECELIB | C.C.