CHAPTER 5

"HINDI MO BA duty ngayon?" tanong ni Happy kay Blaze habang naghahanda sila para manood ng pelikula sa sala. Pagkatapos nilang kumain at magligpit ng pinagkainan, nag-aya si Blaze na manood ng pelikula.

And he chose the horror film, The Nun.

"Nope."

"Hindi ka on call?" she asked again. "Is that the term? Is my term tama?"

"Yes, but only if there's an emergency," sabi ni Blaze, saka umayos ng upo.

Siya naman ay nakaupo sa mahabang sofa. Si Blaze ay nakaupo sa sahig at nakahilig ang likod sa paanan ng mahabang sofa na kinauupuan niya. Mga ilang pulgada ang layo ng paa niya sa katawan nito.

Even his back looks manly. Napangiti na lang si Happy sa naiisip. Of course, his back looked manly because he was a man.

"Don't be scared, okay?" sabi sa kanya ni Blaze nang nag-uumpisa na ang pelikula.

"Okay." Hindi naman siya matatakutin kaya hindi problema sa kanya ang mga horror films. "Don't be matatakutin too."

Blaze puffed his chest. "I'm a brave man. I don't scare that easy."

"You sure?"

"If I get scared easily, I won't be one hell of a surgeon." May pagmamalaki sa boses nito.

Napangiti na lang si Happy at itinuon ang atensiyon sa pinapanood. At habang patagal nang patagal ang pinapanood, panay naman ng usod ni Blaze palapit nang palapit sa kanya. He was silent, focus and he was unmoving while watching.

And when the credits rolled, her legs and Blaze's body were already pressed together. Blaze was still unmoving while staring blankly at the TV. And Happy couldn't help but to chuckle silently. Matapang daw at hindi takot.

Let's see.

"Blaze!" panggugulat niya, sabay tampal sa magkabila nitong balikat.

"Holy fuck!" biglang nitong sigaw na gulat na gulat talaga at may takot. Parang bata itong umupo sa tabi niya at isiniksik ang katawan sa kanya habang nakaupo. "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Don't scare me like that! Fuck! What the fuck?!"

Hindi mapigilan ni Happy ang matawa nang makita ang hitsura ni Blaze na halatang takot na takot. "Did the nun scare you?" natatawang tanong niya sa lalaki.

"No..." Sumiksik pa ito sa kanya. "You did."

Natawa siya. "Akala ko ba you're matapang and not matatakutin?"

"I am brave!" he hissed at her before lying himself on the long sofa and resting his head on her lap. "But I'm agitated after watching that creepy movie. Calm me down, come on."

Umingos siya. "Why ko gagawin 'yon?"

Blaze looked at her while slightly pouting her lips. "Because I'm your bitch?"

Natawa siya. "Akala ko ba it's insulting for you?"

Lalong humaba ang nguso ni Blaze. "Just calm me down, damn it. Why did we even watch that movie? Fuck! Hindi ka ba natakot?"

Umiling si Happy habang nakakrus pa rin ang mga braso sa harap ng dibdib. "Hindi."

"Bakit?"

"Kasi hindi ako madaling ma-scare," she explained and smiled. "And I'm not a big baby and a softy like you."

Ang sama ng tingin sa kanya ni Blaze. "Why are you holding being a baby and a softy against me?"

"Because you are a big baby and a softy," natatawang sabi niya. "Kahit you're a badass in the operating room, you're still malambot at pa-baby."

Napaawang ang mga labi nito sa kanya, kapagkuwan ay tiningnan siya nang masama. "I hate you."

Ngumiti siya. "Okay."

Biglang may kaluskos na tumunog.

"Holy fuck! What is that?!"

Natawa na naman siya sa reaksiyon ni Blaze. He was really scared.

Pinaghiwalay niya ang brasong nakakrus sa harap ng dibdib niya, saka bumaba ang kamay sa buhok ni Blaze para haplusin 'yon. And she felt him stilled and saw him looked up at her.

"Calm down, ma bitch," nakangiting sabi niya habang hinahaplos pa rin ang buhok nito gamit ang daliri niya. "Calm down..."

Titig na titig naman sa kanya si Blaze. And for some reason, she didn't feel awkward. Hindi siya naiilang sa titig nito.

Maybe because he was just looking at her. No longing emotion in his eyes or any emotion that wasn't for her. Kaya naman sinalubong niya ang titig nito at nginitian ito kapagkuwan.

Si Blaze ang unang nag-iwas ng tingin. "I'm a badass and I can't believe I'm your bitch now."

Natawa siya, saka bumaba ang kamay sa mukha nito at ang pisngi nito ang hinaplos. "That's what happens when you're so matakaw."

Humaba na naman ang nguso nito. "I just love food. What's wrong with that?"

"Food or pride?" she asked.

Tiningnan siya nito nang masama. "It's like you're asking me if it's food or being your bitch!"

Malakas siyang natawa. "Aww, ma bitch is learning."

Hindi maipinta ang mukha na humalukipkip ito.

Napailing si Happy. Yes. Blaze was really a big baby. Nang una niya itong nakita at nakilala, akala niya isa itong tigasing lalaki, 'yong para bang magaspang ang ugali. Dahil siguro sa pananalita nito noong una. And maybe because of his tattoos too. She felt like he could kill someone with his bare hands but now... she was having second thoughts.

Blaze was a big baby and he liked making drama over small things. She knew that now.

"Why are you staring at me?" Blaze asked her after a long minute.

Nagkibit-balikat siya. "Wala lang. I was just thinking of something."

He wiggled his eyebrow at her. "Me?"

Tumango siya. "Yes. I'm thinking you, ma bitch."

Blaze glared at her. "Stop calling me your bitch."

Tumawa siya. "Bakit? Hindi ba maganda to hear for you?"

Akala niya galit si Blaze kasi ang sama ng tingin nito sa kanya pero bigla na lang itong natawa. "You're so cute when you're trying to speak Tagalog but ends up speaking in English."

Siya naman ang sumama ang mukha. "I'm learning and I'm trying really hard!"

"Yeah, yeah." Bumangon na rin ito sa wakas at inabot ang T-shirt na nasa pang-isahang sofa.

At hindi napigilan ni Happy ang sarili na magsalita. "Huwag ka munang mag-T-shirt."

Natigilan sa pagsusuot ng T-shirt si Blaze, saka nagtatanong ang mga matang tumingin sa kanya. "Say that again?"

"Don't put your shirt on." Bumaba ang tingin niya sa abs nito. "I'm still enjoying your body."

Blaze lips actually parted. He looked shock. "I am not a stripper, Happy!"

Pigil niya ang matawa. "I know that... but gusto ko ang body mo. Muscles in right places."

Blaze sighed and threw his shirt back to the sofa. He sat on the opposite edge of the sofa, facing her, then he looked at her in the eyes. "Feast on."

Natawa siya, saka napailing. "I'd been feasting on kanina pa."

Tumaas ang dalawang kilay nito. "Talaga?"

Tumango siya. "Ma bitch, you have an overflowing self-confidence."

Blaze shrugged. "What can I say? I love myself."

Napatitig siya sa lalaki sa sinabi nito. "Do you? Talaga?"

Natigilan ito at unti-unting nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi habang nakatitig sa kanya. And seconds later, she saw that pain in his eyes again.

Napabuntong-hininga si Happy dahil alam niyang siya ang may kagagawan n'on. Ipinaalala na naman niya rito na nasasaktan ito.

And she felt bad.

So Happy found herself moving closer to Blaze and kneeling on the sofa, in front of him, hoping to console him. She cupped his face softly. "I'm sorry," she whispered, "I didn't mean it that way... sorry ipinaalala ko. Hindi ko na... ahm, ano na 'yon, ahm, do it again?"

Blaze didn't reply, he was just looking—no staring—at her.

And without words, he just moved to press his lips on hers.

That was her second kiss... but this time, her knuckles didn't clench, and her fist didn't fly to punch Blaze.

She remained rooted in place, she didn't move to push Blaze or pull away, she let him move his lips against hers, letting the tip of his tongue trail on her lips, pushing his tongue in.

Happy literally had a goosebump when Blaze succeeded in penetrating her mouth with his tongue and teasing hers. Wala sa sariling bumuka ang bibig niya at hinayaang lumalim ang halik sa kanya ng lalaki. Ni hindi nga siya umangal nang sumapo ang isang kamay nito sa batok niya habang ang isa naman ay sa pisngi niya.

She just closed her eyes, savour the kiss while her lips were moving against Blaze's. She welcomed his tongue, copied what he was doing to her lips and mouth. And the next thing she knew, she was kissing him back, biting his lips and battling with his tongue.

Impit siyang napahiyaw nang ipalibot ni Blaze ang isang braso nito sa baywang niya at hinila siya paupo sa hita nito nang paharap habang nag-eespadahan pa rin ang mga dila nilang dalawa. She was straddling him now. She was shameless all right but she was enjoying herself.

She was enjoying the kiss. She was enjoying their breath mixing with each other, but it had to end. She didn't want it to end but she had to because someone was in the door.

Siya ang pumutol sa halik. Hinabol pa nga ni Blaze ang mga labi niya pero pinanlakihan niya ito ng mga mata.

"Happy..." ungot nito. "Come back here."

Umalis siya sa pagkakaupo sa hita ni Blaze. Siya na ang kumuha sa T-shirt nito at itinapon 'yon dito. "Put it on," utos niya.

Blaze immediately put the shirt on. And thankfully, they looked decent and not doing anything indecent when the person outside the house entered.

"Midnight," kunot-noong sabi ni Blaze habang nakatingin sa bagong dating. "Need anything?"

Holy shit! What was he doing there?! Was he friends with Blaze?!

The man frowned at them. "Am I... interrupting something?"

Siya na ang sumagot. "No." She smiled. "Hi. I'm Happy and I'm..." Sinulyapan niya si Blaze. "Leaving."

Blaze frowned. "What? Don't—"

Tumayo siya, saka kinuha ang susi ng kotse nito na nasa gilid ng mesa malapit sa pinto.

"Happy, what are you doing?"

Nakangiwing humarap siya kay Blaze. "Leaving? I'll borrow your car."

"What? No—I mean, do you even know the way?" He looked worried.

"No, but susubukan ko to manage," sabi niya, saka nagmamadaling lumabas ng bahay at sumakay sa kotse ni Blaze.

Nagmamadaling pinaharurot niya ang sasakyan palabas ng gate at nang bahagya siyang makalayo sa bahay, doon lang bumagal ang pagpapatakbo niya na nauwi sa pagtigil sa gilid ng kalsada.

At wala sa sariling napahawak siya sa mga labi. She could still feel his lips against hers... it was like he was still kissing her at that very moment!

Ako ba talaga ang nasa isip niya habang hinahalikan ako o 'yong ex niya?

Marahas niyang ipinilig ang ulo. No overthinking! That was her rule to herself.

I enjoyed the kiss and that's it. No overthinking, no assuming and lastly, no hoping.

Tumango siya, saka ngumiti bago pinatakbo uli ang sasakyan.

Happy was confident as she drove back to the hospital. But one hour later, her confidence faded as she slowed down the car she was driving.

"Where the hell am I?" tanong niya sa sarili habang inililibot ang tingin.

I'm pretty sure this is not the way back to the hospital.

MALALAKI ANG HAKBANG ni Blaze habang papasok sa ospital. Hindi niya nakita ang kotse niya na nakaparada sa parking space na para sa kanya kaya naman tinungo niya ang kuwarto ni Blake.

Hindi kumakatok na pumasok siya.

"Where's Lucky?" tanong niya sa kakambal na siyang tanging tao lang sa loob ng kuwarto. "Is Happy here?"

Blake shrugged. "Happy? She called Lucky earlier. I didn't get the whole conversation but I think she's lost or something."

"Fuck!"

"Yeah. Anyway, can you change my IV fluid? It's empty—"

Hindi niya pinatapos sa pagsasalita ang kambal, umalis siya at isinara ang pinto, saka nagmamadaling lumapit sa nurse station.

"Tammy," tawag niya sa nurse na unang nakita. "My brother needs something. Thanks. Bye!"

Nagmamadali siyang lumabas ng ospital habang tinatawagan si Lucky. And thankfully, Lucky answered.

"Yes?" Kalmado ang boses nito.

"Where's Happy?" He couldn't help but to worry. Hindi siya mapakali. "Nasundo mo na ba siya?"

"I'm on my way," sagot ni Lucky. "Sumakay lang ako ng taxi kasi hindi pa ako puwedeng magmaneho—"

"Ako na ang pupunta sa kanya," boluntaryo niya. "Nasaan siya?"

"Oh. Thanks!" Lucky chirped. "Sabi niya sa akin malapit siya sa isang embassy." Agad naman nitong sinabi kung anong embassy 'yon. "She stopped in front of a café nearby."

Napabuga si Blaze ng marahas na hininga. "Fuck." That was just thirty minutes away from their house. But it was on the other side. Definitely not the right way back to the hospital. "Ako na ang susundo sa kanya, bumalik ka na lang dito at bantayan mo si Blakey," sabi niya. "Give me Happy's number so I can call her."

"Okay. Thanks, Blaze!"

Agad siyang pumara ng taxi at nagpahatid kung nasaan si Happy. And seconds later, he received a text from Lucky containing Happy's number.

Agad niyang tinawagan ang numero ni Happy.

"Hello, who's this—"

"It's me."

Ilang segundong natahimik ang nasa kabilang linya. "Blaze?"

"Yes." All of the sudden, he felt relieved when he heard her voice. "Stay where you are, okay? I'm coming to you. Wait for me."

"Salamat nang, ahm... big."

Kahit paano ay napangiti siya sa gitna ng pag-aalalang nararamdaman nang marinig ang pagta-Tagalog nito na may kasamang accent na nauwi naman sa English.

Her Tagalog with accent was adorable. Every time he heard her speak with that accent, he couldn't help but to smile. A genuine smile.

She's trying really hard to speak Tagalog.

Napailing siya. "Stay where you are, okay?"

"Okay."

"Good. I'm on my way."

"Salamat again."

Napangiti uli siya. "Okay. I'll hang up now."

"Okay."

He ended the call and looked outside the taxi. Malayo pa pala siya kay Happy.

Damn! I shouldn't have cancelled that call.

Hindi alam ni Blaze kung bakit hindi siya mapakali habang nasa biyahe. Alam niyang hindi niya dapat 'to nararamdaman.

Happy's first kiss that he stole... their first kiss in the hospital, he didn't know what to feel about it. It didn't feel the same. No familiarity in her lips. Or maybe because it was a long time ago since he kissed Cassie? Hindi na niya maalala ang pakiramdam kasi masyado nang matagal 'yon.

And the second kiss? tanong ng isip niya.

Gumuhit ang pigil na ngiti sa mga labi niya. Well, that second kiss was good—no, not good—the word good was not enough to describe how it felt.

Yes, he had kissed someone after Cassie. When he was playing the role of a bad guy. He made out with a lot of women to get the justice they wanted, to perfect his bad role, but nothing compared to kissing Happy.

Maybe because she looked like his Cassie.

Or not! sigaw ng isip niya.

Marahas niyang ipinilig ang ulo, saka tumingin na naman sa labas ng bintana ng taxi. He was near.

Panay ang sulyap niya sa relong pambisig habang mabagal ang galaw ng taxi na sinasakyan.

"Boss," kuha niya sa atensiyon ng driver. "May ibang daan pa ba maliban dito na hindi traffic?"

Umiling ang driver. "Mayroon, Sir, pero mas ma-traffic doon."

Bumuga siya ng marahas na hininga at pabulong na nagmura. "Fuck."

Then his phone beeped. A text message from Happy.

Are you malapit na?

Napailing na nagmamadaling kumuha siya ng pera sa pitaka na nasa bulsa, saka ibinayad iyon sa driver. "Keep the change, Bossing," sabi niya at tinapik ang balikat ng driver bago lumabas ng taxi at tumakbo patungo sa gilid ng kalsada.

And because he was worried as fuck, he actually ran the distance towards Happy.

It was a five-minute run and he was catching his breath when he arrived at his destination.

Palinga-linga siya nang makarating, hinahanap si Happy. Nang makita ang kotse niyang nakaparada sa gilid, tumakbo siya para lapitan iyon pero walang tao sa loob.

Blaze was about to call Happy when she called him first.

"Blaze—"

"Where are you?" agad niyang tanong dito habang hinihingal pa rin. "I told you to stay, didn't I? Where the hell are you?! 'Di ba sabi ko pupuntahan kita? Bakit wala ka sa loob ng sasakyan—"

"Turn around."

Natigilan siya bago lumingon. His eyes were welcomed by a smiling Happy inside a café. Sumisimsim ito ng iced americano habang kumakaway sa kanya ang kamay nitong hindi hawak ang cell phone.

"I'm a little bit far from you pero nakikita ko pa rin ang frown mo," sabi ni Happy sa kabilang linya. "Huwag kang mag-alala for me, alam ko how to beat up someone. I punched you, naalala mo?

Hindi napigilang tumaas ang sulok ng mga labi niya sa pagsasalita na naman ni Happy. "Punta ako riyan."

Pinatay niya ang tawag, saka nagmamadaling lumapit sa café at pumasok. Dumeretso siya sa kinauupuan ni Happy at umupo sa kaharap nitong upuan.

Happy frowned. "You're sweating. Mainit ba sa taxi? Ang tagal mo kasi. Nakadalawang iced americano na ako."

Hindi siya makapaniwalang napatitig sa babae. Kung alam lang nitong tumakbo siya para lang makarating agad.

Bumuntong-hininga na lang siya at bumaba ang tingin sa iniinom nito. "That doesn't look like an iced americano to me."

Itinulak nito palapit sa kanya ang iced americano. "Taste it. I ask them to put two scoops of fresh milk in it. It's masarap, right?"

Pilit niyang pinipigil ang mapangiti. "Lose the accent."

Happy immediately pouted. "I told you, I'll get there."

"Yeah, yeah," he replied before standing up to order.

"Libre me, please?"

Kinagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi dahil sa cute nitong pagsasalita. "Ano'ng gusto mo?"

Umakto itong nag-iisip bago sumagot. "Cheese tart... Yes, I think they have cheese tart. Please buy me some."

Tumango si Blaze, saka pumunta sa counter para um-order. He ordered brewed coffee and two pieces of cheese tart.

Nang bumalik siya sa mesa nila at inilapag niya ang platito na mayroong dalawang cheese tart, nalukot ang mukha ni Happy.

"Two lang?" Tiningnan siya nito nang masama. "That's little!"

"Ilan ba ang gusto mo?"

Happy grinned at him. "Two boxes. Twelve na piraso ang inside niya. 'Yon ang like ko."

'Tapos nag-abot ito sa kanya ng isanlibo. "Here. Pang-pay."

Irritation filled his face while looking at her money. "To a man, that's an insult."

Happy's smile remained. "To a woman, that's respect."

Napatitig siya sa babae bago tinanggap ang pera nito. Minsan nakakalimutan niyang sa ibang bansa ito lumaki, iba ang mga paniniwala nito kaysa kay Cassie.

Bumalik siya sa counter at bumili ng dalawang boxes ng cheese tart. Bumalik siya sa mesa nila ni Happy at umupo. Then he offered her his hand. "Put your hand on mine. Open your palm."

Agad naman iyong ginawa ni Happy.

He put back her money on her open palm.

"Blaze—"

"It's on me. Libre ko. Okay?"

Tumango ito, saka matamis na ngumiti. "Sige. Salamat nang big."

Hindi niya napigilan ang matawa. "Salamat nang marami 'yon."

Napalabi ang babae. "Salamat nang marami, Blazey."

Para siyang binuhusan ng semento nang manigas siya sa kinauupuan. Alam niyang nakita ni Happy ang reaksiyon niya dahil napangiwi ito.

"Hindi na kita iko-call na Blazey. Sorry."

"No." He breathed out. "It's... ahm, it's okay..."

Nakangiwi pa rin ito habang nagpapaliwanag. "It's just that the name Blaze doesn't suit you. You're a big baby and a softy. Blaze sounds gangsters-like while Blazey sounds like a big baby and a drama king. Like you."

His face broke into a small laugh when he heard her explanation.

Cassie called him Blazey because it was Blaze plus baby—Blazey for short. But Happy called him Blazey because his name, Blaze, sounded like a gangster and she thought it didn't suit him.

He should be insulted but he was laughing instead.

"You're laughing na," sabi ni Happy na nakatitig sa kanya. "You're not galit anymore? You look galit earlier."

Umiling siya habang tumatawa pa rin. "No, no, it's okay, you can call me whatever you want."

"Okay. Thanks." Kinain nito ang isang cheese tart, kasunod ang isa pa, saka ang isa pa. Hanggang sa maubos nito ang dalawa niyang binili at ang isa sa dalawang box.

Napanganga siya sa babae. "Sino ngayon ang matakaw sa atin?"

"You because you're ma bitch." Sumimsim ito ng iced americano, pagkatapos ay nginitian siya bago nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

Napailing na lang si Blaze at kinuha ang brewed coffee, saka bumalik uli sa mesa nila.

They sipped their drinks in silent as Happy continued eating. Pasulyap-sulyap siya sa babae habang kumakain ito. Nginingitian siya nito sa tuwing nagtatama ang mga mata nila.

And then Happy gave him three pieces of cheese tart.

"What's that?" tanong niya. "Bakit tatlo? Stands for I like you?" biro niya.

Tumawa ito, saka nagpaliwanag. "It's thank you for coming."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "That should be four pieces because it's four words."

Agad nitong hinila palayo sa kanya ang box ng cheese tart na may tatlong piraso pang laman. "Don't be matakaw. Bad 'yon."

Hindi makapaniwalang tinitigan niya ang babae. "Ako pa talaga ang matakaw, ikaw itong ang dami nang nakain."

Inirapan siya nito. "I'm entitled because I got lost earlier and I was stressed!"

"Oo na, oo na."

Inirapan na naman siya nito, kapagkuwan ay tumingin sa kanya na para bang may naalalang sabihin. "I have a joke by the way. Naisip ko siya earlier when I got lost."

He sipped his coffee. "Not interested."

"Blazey!"

Blaze sighed. "Fine. I'll bite. What is it?"

"What did the traffic light say to the car?" tanong nito habang tumatawa na sa sariling joke.

Kumunot ang ang noo niya. "Ahm...You're fast?"

Happy laughed. "No. The traffic lights say don't look, car, I'm about to change."

He looked flatly at her after her joke. "Thank you, next."

"Oh! I have one!" She looked so excited. "What do you call a sad cup of coffee?"

He sighed. "What?"

"Depresso!"

He sighed heavily. "Please tell me you have no joke anymore."

"I have!" Ang lapad ng ngiti ni Happy. "What did the plate say to another plate?"

He didn't even bother thinking. "What?"

"Lunch is on me," Happy answered before laughing at her own joke.

Tinakpan niya ang tainga. "Have mercy on me! Stop it!"

"I have another one."

"No!"

"Do you think February can March?"

"I don't know," he uninterestedly answered.

"But April May." She laughed.

"Stop," he begged.

"I have another one again."

Blaze covered his ears with his hands as Happy told him jokes after jokes after jokes. Panay ang makaawa niyang tumigil na ito pero ayaw nitong makinig.

Ang rason nito?

"Ayaw." Umiling pa si Happy. "You're ma bitch so you listen to me."

Yep. Because he was her bitch. And he couldn't do anything but agree. Because he was here, listening to her lame jokes when he had better things to do in the hospital. He was here because he volunteered himself to come get her when he didn't really need to.

And that... makes me her bitch. And he felt insulted. But I can't do anything about it.

Great! Blaze Vitale was a bitch. My friends and enemies will party together if they find out about this.

Fuck!

CECELIB | C.C.