Kabanata 33

People sometimes are already happy with what they have or on what they have experienced. Hindi na iniisip pa ang mga bagay na hindi naman na kailangan. But we sometimes tend to love the people who know and appreciate the little things we have or we want to have.

Greg always notices the things that even me, didn't know that I admire it. I just love what I have received and contented on what I have. Hindi ko alam na may ikakasaya pa pala ako.

The whole week, umuuwi ako sa condo ni Greg. Pinayagan naman ako ni mama pero may Presidente talaga ng nanggugulo at nambwibwisit sa amin. Kung hindi bumibisita tuwing gabi, isang oras na tumatawag kay Greg. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng problema ni kuya, pero mas malala kasi ang panggugulo niya ngayon kaysa noon.

Nasa Bar kami ngayon dahil mapilit si kuya. Nakwento sa akin ni Greg na simula nang magtrabaho si kuya Chevin, seryoso na ito at hindi na masyadong nagbabar. Kung pumupunta man sila, silang magbabarkada lang at nagkakasiyahan.

"Hayaan mo na. Minsan lang naman. May problema yata 'yang engot na iyan," bulong ng katabi ko.

Pinapanuod namin si kuya kung paano siya lumaklak ng alak. Akala mo'y mauubusan at wala nang bukas kung uminom ito. Hindi pa nga kami nagbente minutos dito, nakalabindalawang bote na ito.

Ito rin ang kauna-unahang hindi namin kasama si Keila. Tinanong ko naman si kuya pero sinabi niya lang na nagpapahinga na.

"Kuya, dahan-dahan. Baka hindi ka na makapagdrive nang maayos mamaya."

"Ok lang. Huwag niyo akong pansinin," sabi nito na nakasandal na ang ulo sa likod ng sofa.

"May problema ba kuya?" tanong ko dahil hindi naman talaga masyadong naglalasing si kuya.

Noon, kung bumababa ako sa kusina para uminom at naaabutan ko siya, nasa maayos at matino pa ito na kalagayan.

"Masyado lang siguro akong pagod. I am stress. I just wanna go party and forget my responsibility. I just want to forget this day..."

Nagkatinginan kami ni Greg. Kuya never keeps a secret on us. If he's tired of anything, he will tell immediately to our parents, to us. If he can't do or get something, he will ask our parents to teach or give him anything. It's my first time to see him breaking down into his passion. He's always excited and happy when we were going to our company. Ngayon lang nagkaganito.

"Just let him. Ako na lang ang magmamaneho sa kotse niya. Hindi na lang din ako iinom," saad ni Greg at sinandal na ang ulo sa balikat ko habang nakayakap din ito sa akin.

Pansin ko ang mga mata na nakamasid sa amin pero hindi yata alintana ng kasama ko ang mga ito na nanunuod sa amin.

"Tawagan ko kaya si Keila?" tanong ko. Inisip na makakatulong si Keila. Pasimple rin na hindi na pinapansin ang mga nakatingin sa amin.

"Don't. I think she is his problem."

"Bakit naman? Makakatulong kung nandito si Keila," lito kong sabi.

"Hindi naman 'yan nagkakaganiyan kung trabaho lang. Even he was stressed on works, he wasn't complaining. And this week, he's not focused. Parati na lang siya umaalis sa kalagitnaan ng meeting. Napapansin na rin nila tito, pero hindi pa muna nila kinakausap dahil gusto nila na siya na ang mag open up sa kanila," paliwanag ni Greg. Ramdam ko rin ang paghigpit niya sa yakap niya sa akin.

"Is it fine if I'll talk to Keila?"

"Their problem, they'll fix them. I mean, if it is a relationship problem, they should the one who talks. Saka na tayo sisingit kapag kailangan. I know you're concern, but we should know our limit."

I nodded at what he said. He's correct. We shouldn't meddle with their business.

The crowd at the bar was gradually filling up. It was loud and the people here were going wild. Some were drunk and some just want to party. Even the loud bang of music, people can still talk pleasantly and are happy to blast on their own.

It was my first time to go inside a bar. I never know how does it feel to be here. In truth, I never had the time to go party in New York. I attended some big formal events but I always declined my friends' invitation when they asked me to join them. I always drink wine on my own at home. Now that I'm here, it was good to party sometimes but I rather stay still in our house.

Greg ordered a lemonade and a one-shot of martini. Nakakabagot din naman talagang maghintay at kung papayagan lang din sana ako ng kasama ko na sumayaw sa mga kakilala ko rito ay baka hindi pa ako mabored. Para kaming mga tanga na nagmamatiyag sa ginagawang paglagok ni kuya.

"Payagan mo na ako. Mga kakilala ko naman ang kasama ko at puro mga babae lang kami. Sayang naman ang pagpunta ko rito," pagmamakaawa ko kay Greg.

Sumasakit na rin kasi ang pwet ko sa kauupo rito.

"No. You are sexy to be in the crowd's center. Mamaya may lumapit sa'yo na manyak," ani Greg sabay inom sa martini niya. Sinenyasan niya pa ang waiter. Akala ko ba hindi siya iinom?

"I won't let them. Do you think they can touch me? No. At kung sakali man, alam ko na ang gagawin ko at alam ko rin namang nand'yan ka."

Umismid ito sa akin at sa huli, tumango.

"You know how to get me, huh?"

Umiling ako at nagmamaang maangan.

"Just with the girls. I am watching you here."

I nodded but I kissed him first before I went to the girls I've befriended within modelling. Their table was full and almost of them were all girls, except to the two boys or I think barbie who were sitting comfortably among them. There's no seat or space already aside from one, besides of the boy with blonde hair and with a piercing on his ears. If I just didn't know that he was a gay because of his things- a bag that you'll know in the first glance, it's for girls or barbies-, a makeup on his face, and how he looked at me, I will think that he likes me.

"Guys, this is Blayr, our mate in modelling. I worked with her on one fashion show with Nicole, Lovely and Chellsie," Trisha introduced me with her friends while pointing too to the other models I'd work with.

"Hi." They greeted me.

"Hello. It's nice to meet you," I greeted back.

"You sit here, Blayr. Let's chitchat first," Trisha said while escorting me to sit beside of her blonde friend.

I sat with him but the way he glimpses at me, he looks like I did something off or he just like me? I laughed in my mind and shook my head to what I have thought.

"Matagal na ba kayo ni Greg?" matinis na boses na tanong nitong katabi ko. At lumabas din ang totoong kulay niya. Si Greg yata ang gusto. Sayang gwapo pa man din.

He raised his right eyebrow on me when I didn't answer him. Tsk! I am just disappointed. Sayang lahi niya!

"Hindi. Kakasimula lang ng relasyon namin," sagot ko na nagpairap ng mata niya. Problema kaya nito?

"Hindi kayo magtatagal," sinseridad nitong saad pero natawa ako. Sinamaan niya naman ako ng tingin. "Maganda ka girl, huwag mong sayangin 'yan sa paghahabol sa kanya."

I know his sincerity but I know Greg.

I looked at my boyfriend's place and he is looking darkly on the person beside me. He then stared at me with his pouty lip. He looked cute but I just smiled and shook my head on him. He rolled his eyes on me.

Did he just do that?

Trisha shouted 'dance' and her friends obliged to go with her to the center. She asked me to join them but I immediately wave my hand to reject her. She's too persistent so I couldn't do anything but to come along with them.

They danced smoothly at first but they went wild when the DJ change the music on an aggressive type. I know how to dance but I am nervous unto how I should move and thinking if I should copy their moves too.

"Don't be shy. Just move your body," the blonde boy whispered on me. I smiled and followed him.

I danced awkwardly but they are lively jumping in and out. Napatingin ako sa banda ni Greg, at nakatingin ito sa akin. He looked amazed and annoy at the same time on me but I bother on the girl beside him. She's talking and seems like discussing something but his eyes were on me at tila tuwang tuwa sa nakikita.

I continued to move my body while still looking at the girl. She even held Greg's thigh and I one-stepped but I stopped when Greg pulled it away.

Sinulyapan ito ni Greg at may sinabi. Nagpupuyos sa galit ang babae na tumayo at nag-isang tingin pa sa akin bago padabog na umalis. May kakaiba sa tingin nito na hindi ko mapangalanan. Hindi lang basta galit, may halong poot.

Nagpaalam ako kanila Trisha at hindi pa sana pinayagan kung hindi ko sinabi na pupunta na ako sa boyfriend ko. Lumapit ako kay Greg at tila kinakabahan ito.

"Wala lang 'yon. Kakilala lang ng kaibigan ko," paunang sabi niya at umayos ng upo. Natatawa pa ito na tila may tinatago.

"Ba't defensive ka? Hindi naman ako nagtatanong."

"I am just saying. At umalis ka rin doon so I assumed na you were mad or... jealous..."

"Bakit ako magseselos?" tanong ko pero kinakabahan sa pamamaraan ng pagsalita niya. Pero pinagkibit balikat ko na lang iyon.

Sobrang lasing ni kuya kaya sinakay na ni Greg sa sasakyan niya at ihahatid ito sa bahay namin. Mauuna na ako sa condo ni Greg para magpahinga na.

A week has been passed at nag aya si mama ng bonding sa amin. Namiss niya rin ang pagsama-sama namin kaya sa bahay ako ngayon. Sayang nga lang din at kulang sila ate. Tinawagan ko na siya pero wala pa rin itong lakas ng loob na tawagan sila mama. Sinabihan niya lang ako na siya na ang magsasabi kanila mama kapag handa na siya.

Kay Greg naman, may kakaiba sa kanya. I always sent him a message but he always replied me a two to three words or sometimes, just emoji. When I called him, he seems like he wants to dismiss the call immediately. Pero hinayaan ko muna iyon.

We watched a movie all day and even had the activities in our garden. Kahit ano lang ang naisip ni mama na mga laro pero nakakatuwa dahil para kaming bumalik sa pagkabata. Kahit si kuya na medyo mainitin ang ulo sa kompanya, naset aside niya naman dahil kita ko ang tunay niyang ngiti.

"Hope your ate Faye decide to come back home. Mabuti at naisipan niyang tumawag kagabi. After so many years, ngayon lang nagparamdam pero saglitan lang ito dahil may gagawin pa raw." Si mama na medyo naiinis habang umuupo sa sofa dahil manunuod kami ulit ng drama at katatapos lang namin maggolf sa garden.

"Intindihin na lang natin si ate, ma. Uuwi rin 'yon. Nag uusap naman kami parati."

Biglang humarap agad si mama sa akin na tila may iba akong sinabi. Napatingin din sila kuya kaya nagtataka ako. Saka ko lang narealize na sa akin lang pala nag oopen up si ate!

Patay na!

"So all this time, you knew where she is, Blayr? Hindi naman namin pinapakialaman ang buhay ni Faye pero, can she at least call us? Kumusta siya? At nasaan siya?" sunud-sunod na tanong ni kuya. Kung hindi ko pa maririnig ang dagundong ng tinig niya, hindi ko aakalain na nagagalit ito dahil sa hinahon ng boses niya.

"Sorry ma, pa... kuya. I can't tell you po. Siya na lang po ang magsasabi kung nasaan siya," nahihiya kong sabi kaya napayuko ako.

"She can't even call or replied to our messages then you'll tell us that..." kuya said in a thundering voice that made me jump in shocked.

He walked out in the room. I know he's just concern but the way he reacts to it made me creased my forehead. Kung mainit ang ulo niya, bakit niya sa akin dinadaan ang galit niya?

"Don't mind that. Stress siguro sa trabaho," pagpapakalma ni mama at tumango na lang ako.

We went silent after that. The plan to watch the movie was cancelled. I got up to my bed and went to sleep with annoying feeling to kuya.

Nagising ako sa tunog ng cellphone ko. Inabot ko ito at si mamang. It's been a month since the last time he called me. I think it's urgent because he wouldn't call me if it's not and I'm in the middle of my vacation.

"Blayr, what did you do?!" he asked, furious.

Bakit ba galit ang mga tao ngayon?!

Hindi naman talaga marunong magalit si mamang. Nagtataka rin ako kung bakit siya galit. At hinuha ko, naiinis siya ngayon. Pero wala naman akong ginawa? I didn't accept any offer. I always conform to his advise and instruction.

"I didn't do anything. I didn't accept any offer," I said. Confused about what he was talking about.

Bumangon na rin ako sa higaan ko dahil anong oras na. Magtatanghalian na!

"Kaya pala ayos na kayo ni Cedrix at itong Architect naman ang ginusto mo. Your face is all over the article! Kalat na rin sa social media. Nakasaad dito na third party ka. Buntis pala itong fiancee niya at naging off lang ang relasyon nang dahil sa'yo. Tell me that was not true, right?!" mahinahon pero may diin sa tanong ni Mamang.

I was dumbstruck. I couldn't speak. Of course, that was not true. Nilinaw na sa akin iyon ni Greg na walang namamagitan sa kanila. Na sinakyan lang nila ang magulang nila. Kung ano man ang nasa article, malamang gawa-gawa lang iyon. Gusto lang ako sirain. At sino'ng gagawa? Si Liezle? But why would she do that? We were even friends back then. Gusto niya si Greg? Or talagang may nangyari sa kanila?

"That's not true mamang. He's my boyfriend. Walang namamagitan sa kanila. They are just friends," mahina kong sabi.

I inhaled and exhaled to breathe air. I'm trusting Greg but there was a voice at the back of my head telling me to confront him. After the scene at the bar, he was distant at me and I know that something was off. I just couldn't name it because I thought it wasn't right to doubt him.

"Why would the girl tell the media about this? Malaking isyu ito lalo na't kilalang Architect ang lalaki. Maling sabi niya lang, mababatikos siya. She even had the guts to publicize it so apparently, it is true," kumpirma ni mamang na tila ito ang kasagutan sa kinatatakutan ko.

My heart was beating loudly and I felt the pain on it. I am in between of, I should drop the call now and phone Greg or I stay here and wait till he fetches me and tell me everything that Liezle was just lying and trying to get the attention of people.

"I know you, Blayr. Para na rin kitang anak at alam ko kung gaano kabusilak ang puso mo. You wouldn't dare to enter relationship para lang maging kabit or... to ruined it. Try to speak to the boy. Ako na ang bahala sa mga article and I'll call you if I took it all down."

"Thank you, mamang," nanghihina kong saad.

"Don't worry. Tawagan mo rin ako kung ok na ba or I'll give you a proposal."

Bumaba ako na nakapangalumbaba. I was trying to weigh everything. If I could just answer the questions I've been asking myself, sana hindi na ako kinakabahan at natatakot kung ano ba talaga ang nangyayari.

Hindi na rin ako nag abalang buksan ang social media ko, nagbabakasakaling baka hindi iyon totoo at imahinasyon lang ni mamang. But who am I kidding of? Even Keila and Jaye has been calling me since mamang put the phone down. I just put it on silent and still waiting for Greg's name to appear on my screen.

Mama was watching TV and I heard the interviews of Liezle with the press and some great news anchors in the Philippines. Greg is a big deal huh?

'Yes, we are going to have a baby soon. I had an on-off relationship with Greg but the third party thing is not true. I know Blayr for a long time now, and she is amazing.'

"Why put our Blayrie's name to that interview? She can answer all that question without mentioning her," Mama said and rolled her eyes on it.

"She's not our problem now. Our concern is our daughter. And please make your voice down so she could not hear it," Papa said to mama and looked at kuya. "Don't you ever let her use her gadgets. Let's make her happy. Let's wait for Greg to explain the real score. We know him and I trusted my daughter to him."

Hearing the interviews of Liezle, broke my heart. Parang hindi pa maproseso sa utak ko kung ano ba talagang nangyayari. But then, realization dawned on me when Mama screamed and immediately turned off the TV. She looks nervous when she gazed at me. Tila hindi pa alam ang gagawin o sasabihin sa akin.

"Hey, Blayrie. How's your sleep, anak?" Mama asked nervously.

"It was good. Dreamt about something," I said smiling, not making the atmosphere awkward.

"Ahh... kanina ka pa riyan?" kibit balikat na tanong niya.

"Hindi, ma. Kabababa ko lang."

"Alright. I'll make you brunch," she said and dismissed herself to the kitchen.

"You sit here, Blayrie. Let's continue watching the movie today," Kuya said and he looked at me sweetly while pointing the sofa beside him. Tila walang nangyari kahapon.

"Alright," I exclaimed.

I love Greg but if he is the father, I would accept it. I will move on and will agree to mamang proposal. I'll live permanently to America.