HINDI MALAMAN NI RENANTE KUNG NGINGITI O ANO. He was surprised. Malayo pa lang, natanaw na si Stacey nito. Halos magkandarapa sa pagtayo ang lalaki mula sa kinauupuan nang makalapit siya.

“Boo, what brings you here?”

She was pinching her shoulder bag’s strap, shifting her eyes between Renante and the woman he was with. Hindi man lang tumayo ang babae para batiin siya. She only glanced at them, then remained unbothered as her point finger moved across the tablet she was cradling with her other hand.

Pinukol ulit ni Stacey ang tingin kay Renante.

Damn. He’s so gorgeous in his tight pants and black button-down shirt with red patterns and sleeves folded on his elbows.

“Oh, I was about to go. Katatapos lang ng meeting ko rito. You are having your meetings at coffee shops now?”

Ngumiti ito. “Yes, Boo. This the nearest midpoint for VVatch and Gallardo’s company.”

She cocked her head to the side. Interested. “Gallardo?”

“Pierre Gallardo. Siya na ang presidente ng sewing factory nila.”

Pierre Gallardo. It took her some time to remember their college batchmate. Nung freshmen pa lang sila, nasa ikatlong-taon na nito sa kolehiyo si Pierre. Sikat si Pierre Gallardo dahil bukod sa alam ng lahat na apo ito ng pamosong fashion designer at founder ng sewing factory ng kanilang angkan na si Vicente Gallardo, aktibo rin ito sa unibersidad. Nakikipagkarerahan ito sa dean’s list at tinitilian ng mga babae tuwing may basketball competitions. Lalong dumami pa ang naghahabol dito mapa-freshman hanggang senior dahil masyadong mabait. He had this image of a role model, an ideal man.

Kaya hindi nakakapagtakang sineryoso nito ang pagta-trabaho sa kanilang kompanya. Sa factory. Hindi nakakapagtakang presidente na ito ng kumpanya ng mga Gallardo na nasa Muntinlupa raw ang main building.

“But he’s from far south!” Stacey gasped. “Mas malayo ang biyahe niya kaysa sa’yo!”

Mahina itong natawa. “Well, what a shame but what can I say? Mas willing mag-adjust ang mga taga-South kaysa sa atin na taga-Northern Manila, eh?” he shrugged playfully.

“So, he agreed that you’ll meet him here?” She was already worrying for Pierre Gallardo. Matindi pa naman ang traffic sa Manila.

“Ah, nope. Representative ng company nila ang pupunta rito. Also his secretary.”

Tumango-tango siya. Of course. If you are already in a big company, you send out representatives. When you are on the start-up stage, you do most of the work.

Medyo naawa tuloy si Stacey kay Renante. Hindi man aminin o ireklamo ng lalaki, alam niyang napapagod din ito sa trabaho.

“So…” she lowered her tone, shyly smiled at him. “How are you?”

His eyes flirted with her. A smile hinted at the corners of his lips.

“I’m great right now. I’m pretty—” he finally showed a smirk, “—inspired. How about you, Miss?”

Napabungisngis siya pero pinigilan din iyon agad. She was smiling when the corner of her eye caught Renante’s company.

“Oh, she’s?” turo ng paningin niya sa babae.

He looked at the woman over his shoulder swiftly. Then back at her as he gestured a hand at his company.

“Ah, this is Paige Uychengco, consultant at designer ng VVatch.”

Paige took it as her cue. She stood up, poised, well-mannered and cold, mirroring a skillfully sculpted Greek statue.

“Hi, I’m Paige,” walang kabuhay-buhay nitong bati sabay lahad ng kamay sa kanya.

Stacey released the strap of her shoulder bag and accepted the handshake briefly.

“I’m Stacey, Renante’s girlfriend,” she beamed proudly.

Wala siyang nakuhang reaksyon mula sa babae nang sabihin iyon. Nanatili itong walang sigla at seryoso.

Then, Paige turned to Renante. “Do you need some time alone?”

Renante glanced at her. Reluctance was in his eyes, only comforted when she smiled at him reassuringly. Stacey just could not believe at this connection. At this magic that makes two people communicate and understand what they were trying to stay with just a short exchange of meaningful glances and expressions. Of body movements and gestures.

“No, Paige.” Nasa kanya pa rin ang mga mata at ngiti ni Renante. “We just had a quick hello with my girlfriend.”

Lumapad lalo ang ngiti niya nang sabihin iyon ni Renante.

My girlfriend…

Stacey lowered her eyes, returned her hand on the strap of her shoulder back. Pinalipat-lipat niya ang tingin sa dalawa.

First, at Paige. “Bye, Paige. Nice meeting you.” Then to Renante. “See you later, Boo,” she leaned toward him and shortly pressed her lips on his’.

Nasa labas na ng café si Stacey nang madatnan doon si Kylie. Nakapwesto ito sa tabi ng nakaparada niyang kotse.

“How was it? Sino daw ‘yong babae?” was Kylie’s eager welcome at her.

Tumabi ito para makalapit siya sa kotse.

Stacey already pulled out her car keys. “Designer at consultant ng VVatch. Paige Uychengco.”

“Paige Uychengco…” Kylie murmured as if trying to recall something. Then her face lit up. “Oh, Paige Uychengco? ‘Yong sikat sa YouTube?”

Bukas na ang pinto ng kotse nang lingunin niya ang kaibigan. “Sa YouTube?”

“She has this YouTube account with milliona of subscribers,” Kylie narrated enthusiastically, hugging her tablet. “She uploads her speedpaintings there.”

Napaiwas si Stacey ng tingin. Tinuon iyon sa harap kahit blangko ang tingin.

“Super updated ka yata sa mga tao sa paligid ni Renante.”

Natawa ito. “Not really! Siguro, ganito talaga kapag sidekick ka.”

“Sidekick o sidechick?” Stacey accidentally murmured.

“Ha?” kunot ng noo nito.

Napailing siya. This is wrong. Why was she being rude all of a sudden. Nilingon niya si Kylie, magaan itong nginitian kahit pagdududa ang nasa kanyang mga mata.

“I said, sidekick?” she spoke clearly. “Like, paanong sidekick?”

“I’m your sidekick now, hello!” Kylie smiled bigger.

Sidekick… ko?

“I did not really intend to,” paliwanag nito. Kylie really tend to overexplain at times. “But, I don’t know, coincidentally, I just know things that you need to know—” She waved a hand. “Teka, teka! How come you don’t know Paige Uychengco?” Naeeskandalong nanlaki ang mga mata nito. “Some of her videos are viral on social media! I understand na hindi mo siya makilala at first glance, she doesn’t show her face on her videos or on her social media accounts. But the name! The name!”

“Calm down, will you?” nangingiti siya kay Kylie. “What if kapangalan lang niya ‘yon?”

“Kapangalan? Come on!” Kylie sounded so sure. “Designer siya ng VVatch. Iyon din ang nakalagay sa bio niya sa twitter. Watch Designer! I just… I just don’t expect that she’s pertaining to VVatch!” Napatingala ito, nakaharap sa bandang kaliwa. “Or maybe, she’s freelance? Hindi siya exclusive designer ng VVatch kaya hindi niya ini-specify sa bio niya?”

There was just something endearing about her when being this enthusiastic. It brought out her inner child charm, her innocence, her cuteness.

Those things made Kylie seem ageless. She could bounce from adult to inner child with ease anytime she wants to.

Kaya rin siguro mukhang wala itong kinai-stress-an sa buhay.

Now, it made her wonder, how did Kylie deal with the pain? When she liked Renante way back then and saw it with her own eyes how Renante liked Sondra.

And how he ended up with her.

Did it hurt her the way it did to her?

Did it destroyed her like how she experienced it?

How could she manage to handle those emotions without, even her, noticing?

“Dala mo ba ang kotse mo?” tanong niya rito. “Let’s go somewhere else? ‘Yong malayo rito dahil baka natiyempuhan na naman tayo nila Renante.”

Kylie smiled knowingly. “I know the right place!”

The right place that Kylie was talking about was this secluded restaurant along one of the narrow passages in the streets of Intramuros.

“Why do you know a lot about Paige?” tanong ni Stacey habang naghihintay sila ni Kylie sa kanilang mga in-order.

“Because I’m one of her followers, duh!” natatawa nitong amin. “I study some of her digital art videos. How she mixed colors, etcetera! Stace naman. Don’t tell me hindi ka nagi-internet?”

“It’s too loud for me. Masyado kang maraming nakikita na hindi related sa isa’t isa. All that random info and shared thoughts flooding your screen in every swipe,” she sighed. “And after the stalker issue I had before, mas lalo kong iniwasang magpopo-post sa social media.”

She must be playing too tough to even admit that until now, the stalker issue she had had already instilled this fear in her. This trauma, if it were the right term.

Stacey grew more comfortable in keeping her cirlce small and composed of people close to her.

Ang dinanas din siguro ang dahilan kaya ang bilis niyang mawalan ng tiwala sa mga tao na nagiging kaduda-duda sa kanya. Like, Kylie. No matter how long Kylie have been a friend to her and treated her kind, just that one drunken revelation was all it took for her to completely doubt her only friend.

Kylie wore a sympathetic smile. “Oh, yes. That stalker thing…” Umiling ito at pinasigla ang boses. “My goodness. Bakit ba napunta na tayo sa past? Let’s now talk about you and your future—” excited na pinaalon pa nito ang boses, “—mother-in-law!” Kylie slightly leaned over the round table between them. “I’ll tell you first the things I know about Renante’s mom! Or,” umatras at tumuwid ito ng upo, “ano? Magtanong ka muna ng gusto mong malaman? Tapos sasagutin ko?”

Stacey cocked her head to the side.

“You go ahead and tell me what I need to know about Renante’s mom. Ano ba ang personality niya? What is her soft spot? How can I make it up to her for what happened the last time?”

Ngumiti ito ng matamis. Sumeryoso ang mukha bago sinimulang sagutin ang kanyang mga tanong.

.

.

RENANTE TURNED TO PAIGE. Tuwid ang pagkakaupo ng dalaga pero nakayuko ang ulo. Abala ito sa pag-swipe sa screen ng tablet. The bluish white glow of the screen reflected on her lifeless eyes, touched her naturally pale face.

Ilang minuto nang nakaalis si Stacey. Renante just could not take her off his mind. Galing daw ito sa isang business meeting. His heart swelled at the thought that his girlfriend was acing it. She was doing well with her own business. She managed to run it with ease along with taking care of his heart and their growing relationship.

Lalo tuloy siyang nabuhayan ng loob. Nagkaroon ng kumpiyansa.

Sa unang mga taon ng VVatch, maganda ang naging takbo ng kompanya. The pandemic happened. Sales declined a bit. Then boomed. But just when their sales spiked at all time high, problems with shipping and newly implemented restrictions had risen.

Kahit tapos na ang pandemic, nag-iwan pa rin ito ng anino na tumataklob sa VVatch.

Minsan, nakakapanghina ng loob.

Nakakapagod.

Pero ewan.

Just seeing Stacey strive in her woven bags business…

Just simply seeing her…

He’s instantly recharged in mind and spirit.

He’s inspired.

“Paige,” aniya rito, “how are you?”

Hindi man lang ito nag-angat ng tingin. Mas abala ang babae sa social media. Kung hindi nagche-check ng stats ng posts o uploads nito, dinadaanan lang ng tingin ang newsfeeds.

“I’m good. I don’t mind the wait, Renante, don’t worry.”

Binalik niya sa harap ang tingin. At saka lang napansin ni Renate na may kanina pa nakatingin sa kanila.

Bahagyang napaawang tuloy ang kanyang mga labi.

They were told to meet a representative of Gallardo’s company and his secretary. Kaya laking gulat talaga niya nang makita ang tatlong tao na papalapit sa kanila.

“Nandito na sila, Paige,” walang lingon niyang usal kaya naalerto ang babae.

Her movements remained smooth and solid as she immediately put the cover of the tablet case over the screen of the gadget. Binaba iyon ni Paige sa mesa at nasabayan siya nito sa pagtayo.

Pierre Gallardo and his employees were now in front of them. Nasa likod ng lalaki ang babaeng naka-pleated skirt na kulay pula. She matched it with a black button-down blouse and three sets of matching silver and beaded necklaces. Maganda ang pagkakaladlad ng kulot at brown nitong buhok na lagpas-balikat. Bilugan at buhay na buhay ang mga mata. Amoy metikulosa dahil sa klase ng tingin na binigay nito sa kanila. Ang isa pa nitong kasama ay lalaking naka-fitting shirt na asul. May kalakihan ang katawan. Itim, maikli at malinis ang tabas ng buhok. He looked strict, eyes were narrow.

“Renante!” Pierre greeted.

Medyo nagulat siya dahil mas mataas na ang boses nito. He got used to Pierre’s seriousness way back in college, his usual use of lower voice. He even assumed that as he gets older, his voice will deepen. O baka dahil sa tagal na nung huli niya itong nakita? Kaya hindi na niya masyadong tanda ang tunog ng boses nito? Kasi ngayon, parang mas lalong bumata pakinggan si Pierre. He had a higher voice this time. Livelier.

And his looks? Sobrang layo sa Pierre na nakilala nila at sumikat noong college.

Simple lang noon manamit si Pierre. Simple pero malakas ang dating. Dalang-dala nito ang polo shirt na puti na naka-tuck in ng maayos sa puting pantalon nito na may itim na belt at itim ba pares ng sapatos.

Ngayon, buhay na buhay na ito pagmasdan. Hindi lang malakas ang dating, agaw-atensyon din nang mabawasan ang kasimplehan.

He wore a pair of brown ankle boots made of smooth leather. Medyo nakakubli ang itaas na parte ng sapatos sa dulo ng dark blue jeans nitong mahigpit ang yakap sa mahahabang binti. Pierre matched these with a bright olive green v-neck pull-up sweater. Humahakab ang long-sleeved na damit sa katamtamang payat ng katawan nito. He sported some silver and mood rings on several fingers of his left hand. Pierre's hair was licked up slickly into a big buff of thick brush-up. His black hairstrands of faint blond dye touches looked like waves of grass over his diamond-shaped face.

“Pierre?” Hindi pa rin makapaniwala si Renante.

Lumapad ang ngiti nito. Mukhang natabunan na talaga ng kahapon ang seryoso at walang kabuhay-buhay na si Pierre. His eyes even crinkle now when he smiles.

“Ako nga,” hila nito ng upuan para sa sarili at nilingon ang bodyguard nito. Sinenyasang umalis na. Then Pierre returned his eyes on them. “Nice meeting you again, Renante. And?” napunta ang tingin nito kay Paige.

“Paige. Paige Uychengco,” pakilala ni Renante sa babae. “She’s VVatch's consultant and designer.”

Paige remained her normal self— cool and composed. She extended a hand for Pierre.

“Good morning, Mr. Gallardo,” she was still offering him a handshake.

Magaang tumawa ang lalaki. “What are we? In the 70s? 80s? We’re modern day entrepreneurs now. Let’s not be too formal now, shall we?”

Hindi natinag si Paige kaya napipilitang nakipagkamay si Pierre dito. For some reason, Pierre didn’t want to touch people’s hands. Pero pagdating sa kanya, hindi naman nag-atubiling makipagkamay si Pierre.

“Thanks for coming,” pakikipagkamay na rin ni Renante rito para hindi maging awkward para kay Paige na ito lang ang nakipagkamay kay Pierre.

Then they all got seated.

Pierre gestured a hand to the woman beside him.

“This is my assistant. Pwede na ring secretary but I prefer to call her my assistant, Cherry.”

“Hi, Cherry,” bati ni Renate sa babae.

Paige only gave Cherry a polite nod.

“Hi, Mr. Villaluz,” masigla nitong bati, malakas ang boses.

“Pareho kaming maalam sa weaving, so you can ask what you want to know to the both of us. But—” sandal ni Pierre sa kinauupuan, kinakaway sa kanila ang hintuturo nito, “—the decision-making is always mine.”

Nervousness and excitement wrestled in Renante’s chest.

“Got it,” Renante clasped his hands. “So, should we start with the proposal now?”

“Sure.” Pierre grinned. “But before business matters, I wonder how is Ronnie doing?”

Ronnie. Pierre obviously meant his brother.

“He’s good, Pierre,” maaliwalas niyang sagot.

Wala namang masama kung mangumusta si Pierre. Naging kaklase ito sa ilang subjects ni Ronnie noong college. Nakapunta na rin sa bahay ng isa’t isa dahil sa ilang mga school projects at extra curricular activities.

“How good is good?”

“You can just visit him, you know. Villaluz Metalworks is so easy to find.”

“He’s CEO now?”

Renante smiled proudly at Pierre as a response.

“That man,” Pierre pinched his chin, all eyes on him, “he really gets what he wants so easy, hm? It’s like, the heavens just drop his every wish on his lap, hm?”

“Agree,” he shrugged, full of pride. Sinimulan niya nang ibida ang kapatid sa dating kaklase. “Being CEO. Being the favorite son. He’s rich and stable. Also, he got a girlfriend as well. He really tend to have it all. What can I say?”

“A girlfriend?” gumawi ang mata nito kay Paige.

Hindi nakaligtas iyon kay Renante. “Good eye.”

Pinasadahan ni Pierre ng tingin si Paige. “So… it’s you.”

“Yes,” walang buhay na tugon ni Paige.

Pierre’s eyes lingered for quite some time on her. Napaisip tuloy si Renante kung ano ang kinikilatis nito kay Paige. First time lang ba nakita ni Pierre ang babae o dati pa nito ito kilala? They seemed to act like strangers toward each other… so far.

Tumuwid ng upo si Pierre. “I’m happy to know that. I guess, I’ll drop by and visit Ronnie some other time. If I’m not busy.”

“I’ll let him know. Na kinumusta mo siya.”

“You better not. Or you’ll ruin the surprise!” magaan nitong tawa at binuklat ang journal na hinanda ni Cherry sa parte ng mesa na katapat nito.

Natawa si Renante sa tinuran nito. “Anong surprise naman ang binabalak mo? Susugurin mo ulit siya tulad ng ginawa mo nung college? Nung ‘di siya nag-aambag man lang sa group project niyo?”

Tumawa si Pierre. But there was a crack in that laughter. As if the thought about college years was too painful for him, yet work a laugh or two.

Cherry also handed Pierre a ballpen. “So, about the proposal?” huma ng lalaki.

“Ah, yes,” nilabas na ni Renante ang mga files galing sa document bag na nakapatong sa gilid ng kanyang kinauupuan.

.

.

“HUWAG WEEKEND,” ani Kylie.

Nasa kalagitnaan na ng pagpaplano sila Stacey kung kailan niya kakausapin ang nanay ni Renante. Kung kailan siya babawi sa hindi nila pagkakaintindihan nitong nakaraan. Nasa kalagitnaan na rin sila ng pagkain ng inorder nilang platter ng taco chips na may salsa dip.

“Why not?” kunot-noo niya.

“Eh kasi, mostly, sinasamantala niya ang weekends para bumisita sa mga friend niya. Para mag-shopping. Or… I don’t know. Maybe go out with Tito on a date!” Kylie waved the taco chip she was holding. “Isa pa, kung weekend, baka samahan ka ni Renante niyan. Eh ‘di malalaman pa niya ‘yang secret mo.”

“That’s right,” sandal ni Stacey sa kinauupuan. Maybe I’ll visit her on a Wednesday.”

“Wednesday afternoon,” Kylie added. “Para on time pa rin ang uwi mo sa bahay.”

Dumampot ulit ng taco chip si Stacey. Sinawsaw sa dip. She made sure dipping would make her scoop up some fresh vegetable slices from the salsa as well.

“Para hindi rin time consuming para sa Mama ni Renante ang pagbisita ko.”

Kylie smiled.

“One more thing, Stace. Call her Tita.”

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. “Agad?”

“Anong agad?” napaatras ang ulo nito, parang matatawa na ewan sa kanya. “Kami nga nila Sonny, Tita ang tawag sa kanya dati pa. Bakit ba kasi bigla kang nawawala noon kapag kasama ka namin, tapos napapadaan si Tita Luz?”

Kasi nahihiya ako. Kasi nanay siya ng… ng crush ko.

Napakagat si Stacey sa taco chip para iwasang sagutin ang tanong na iyon.

“Call her Tita. Make her feel na, gusto mo maging close kayo. Na may care ka sa kanya kasi nanay siya ni Renante. Kahit doon ka pa lang muna magsimula. Then, eventually, kapag napadalas na ang pagba-bonding ninyo, I bet you’ll start caring for her not just because she’s Renante’s mom. But because she’s really special to you.”

Tumango-tango si Stacey. One problem already got a solution. May dalawa pang kailangang maresolba.

Ang paglilihim niya kay Renante tungkol sa kawalan ng negosyo.

At prinoproblema rin niya kung paano matutulungan ang binata sa problema nito sa VVatch.

“Hoy. Bakit ganyan pa rin ang hitsura mo? Worried ka pa rin kay Tita?”

Nilayo niya sa mga labi ang nakalahating taco hip. Stacey licked her lips. Then, returned her eyes on Kylie.

“Iniisip ko lang si Renante. Hiningi niya ang tulong ko na maging designer, in collaboration, para sa VVatch. Designer ng straps at bands ng mga relo. Woven kasi ang naiisip niyang alternative sa metal at leather straps.” Napabuntong-hininga siya. Nahihiyang nag-iwas ng tingin sa mapagsimpatyang mga mata ni Kylie. “But since, I don’t want him to know yet na wala sa management ko ang Hibla… hindi ko tinanggap.”

“Kailangan bang dumaan sa business process iyan? Can’t you just help him with that as a girlfriend? ‘Yong walang contracts and stuff like that?”

“I don’t think Renante will agree to that. Business is business to him. He departmentalizes things now. Natuto na siya sa nangyari noon sa kanila ni Sondra na pinaghalo ang personal sa negosyo.”

Napalabi si Kylie. Napatitig sa kawalan. Napaisip.

Napailing tuloy siya. She pinched the bendable straw of on her iced tea drink and took a sip.

It was cool and yet she didn’t feel refreshed at all.

Problems never seemed to get off her back lately. Stacey was starting to wonder, para saan ba ang lahat ng ito?

Sumuko rin si Kylie sa pag-iisip. “You know what? At saka mo na isipin iyan. One problem at a time! May solution na tayo d’on kay Tita Luz, kaya iyon ang una mong asikasuhin.”

Kita ni Kylie na nag-aalala pa rin siya. Her way of expressing her worry is by wearing this resting bitch face.

“Para nababawasan na natin ang mga inaalala mo,” she patiently continued her attempts to convince her. “Okay?”

Nakaabang ang umaasang ngiti ni Kylie sa kanya. Medyo nakonsensya siya. Pasingit-singit pa rin kasi sa kanyang isip ang pagdududa para sa kaibigan.

What if, she’s genuinely being a friend to her after all?

What if, her crush for Renante was all in the past?

Wicked alcohol. Paano nito nagawang mapaamin tungkol doon si Kylie?

Stacey remained staring at Kylie’s uncertain smile. Sinuklian niya ito ng ngiti.

Ngumiti siya kahit may mga agam-agam pa.

“Okay. Si…” Natigilan siya. Should she say it?

Maybe she should. Para masanay na siya. So that she’ll sound natural when saying that on Wendesday.

“Okay,” buga niya ng pinigilang hininga. “Si Tita Luz muna ang uunahin ko. Who knows? Baka mas maganda ang kalabasan ng collaboration ng VVatch sa kompanya ni Pierre Gallardo. Then, it’s like two problems are solved at the same time.”

At isa na lang ang poproblemahin ko…

“Alright!” paglaki ng ngiti ni Kylie. Buhay na buhay na ulit ang kilos at ekspresyon nito. Pero may naalala ito. “Wait? Pierre Gallardo? ‘Yong gwapong dean’s lister na 2-time MVP basketball player na apo nung sikat na fashion designer—” she paused to breathe because he exhilaration turned Kylie into a nonstop tape playing, “—oh, my goodness! Ang crush ko!” She excitedly hurried her eating. “You know what, Stace? Dalian na natin ang pagkain. Para masilip ko man lang si Pierre sa cafeé bago ako umuwi!”

Naguguluhang napatitig na lang siya sa masayang kaibigan. Sa huli, nangingiting tinuloy ni Stacey ang pagkain.