D’Trios
“Pare, I can’t still believe it! Andito ka ngayon sa Pilipinas at nakikipag-inuman sa amin,” turan ng kaibigan niyang si Drazen. Nasa counter sila ng bar na binuo nilang tatlo noong nasa college pa sila.
“Imagine that! Noong huli kitang makita para bang kahit magunaw ang mundo hinding-hindi ka na babalik dito,” patuksong turan naman ni Dave. Siniko siya ni Drazen sa tagiliran and they both uncomfortably looked at their friend.
“Stop that look! It’s fine, it’s been five years already and I’ve moved on.” Nginitian niya ang mga ito to wash out the awkwardness. “And besides, we’ve already talked about it last year when you visited in the US, forgiven and forgotten. No need to think of the past. Hindi ba kayo masayang andito na ulit ako? Huh!” he smirked. “Dadami nanaman ang tao dito sa bar especially women…sexy and beauteous women,” sabay lingon sa naggagandahan at nagseseksihang mga babae sa gitna ng dance floor.
“Aba! May kakompetensya nanaman tayo Drazen, sounds like fun,” sabay tapik sa balikat ni Drazen.
Ngiting-ngiti si Drazen habang kumakaway sa isang seksing babaeng dumaan sa harapan nito. “I agree, back to the old age…seeking leisure and pleasure.”
“Cheers to that!” sabay taas ng tatlong magkakaibigan sa bote ng alak na iniinom ng mga ito for a toast.
Kahit may jet lag at pagod sa byahe dito na dumiretso si Marsden pagkatapos niyang dumaan sa bahay nila. Gulat na gulat ang yaya niya ng bigla na lang siyang dumating ng hindi nagpapasabi. Namiss talaga niya ang Pilipinas at ang mga taong kasama niya sa bahay. Habang mag-isa siyang nakaupo sa bar counter nang makipagsayaw ang mga kaibigan ay biglang bumalik sa kanyang alaala ang nangyaring ‘di inaasahan kanina. Napapangiti na lamang siya ng maalala ang magandang babaeng walang tugal na gumamit sa kanya para gantihan ang boyfriend nito. Pity! Naibulong na lamang niya sa kanyang sarili.
★★★
Kinakabahang bumaba si Trisha ng taxi sa harapan ng sikat na D’Trios. Hindi pa nila ito napupuntahan ni Chloe, ilang beses na nilang plinano pero palaging nauudlot. Pinakalma niya muna ang sarili at huminga ng pagkalalim-lalim. Naku naman! Para naman akong may susugurin nito. Tumigil ka nga Trisha, kausap niya sa sarili. Andito ka para maglasing at kalimutan ang lalaking ‘yon, ang walang hiyang lalaking ‘yon. Nakaramdam siya ng galit nang maalala si Drake.
Hindi siya makatulog dahil hindi talaga siya makapaniwalang ang Drake na kakilala at minahal ay nagawang manloko ng ganito. She believed na honest itong tao, respected women and definitely wouldn’t hurt one by cheating with another. At 10:00 in the evening nang unti-unti na siyang dalawin ng antok dahil narin sa pagod sa pag-iyak, may narinig siyang katok sa pintuan ng kanyang kwarto at nang ito’y bumukas, nakita niya ang nobyong nakatayo dito. Hindi siya agad bumangon dahil akala niya it was just a dream. Maybe she thought of him so much that even in her dreams he was lingering there destructing her resolve to forget him. Pero nang dahan-dahan itong umupo at the end of her bed napabangon siyang bigla.
“Hindi to panaginip! Anong ginagawa mo dito?” galit niyang turan at agad tumayo to prepare herself.
“T-Trish,God!” nanlulumo itong nilagay ang mga palad sa mukha. “I-I’m really really sorry for what I did! I really don’t mean to hurt you like that. I hated myself for it but I, I…” agad itong tumayo sa harapan niya and he almost lose his balance. Because of the shocked she felt na andito ngayon ang nobyo, hindi niya napansin kanina ang glassy eyes at swaying steps nito, even the reeked of alcohol surrounding her room. How much alcohol did he drank? She knew Drake can hold his liquor more than other people do so seeing him now drunk as it is, meant he drank too much.
“I…I…need her more than you think,” sabay hawak sa shoulders niya to stop her from bolting.
Masakit man marinig ang mga sinasabi nito nanatiling nakatayo si Trisha at pilit pinakalma ang sarili. “Do you love her?” Maybe she can take it if he told her he did love Chelsea, at least her brokenheart will be worth it knowing Drake’s happy with his ‘the one’, even though that ‘the one’ wasn’t her. See, she’s a hopeless romantic and she’s like that ‘others first before herself’. Tumingin siya sa ex-nobyo plus ex-friend and she’s ready to let go until…
“My mother is sick!”
“What?!” She didn’t expected those words.
“She has cancer and…and…Chelsea’s supporting her chemotherapy and other needs. So when… when she showed interest in me I can’t just reject it. I love my mom so much and she’s my pillar, I can’t lose her. Trish, I know you’ll understand, you love her too right, you’re close. Sasabihin ko na sana sa’yo kaso lang nangyari to.”
Hindi siya makapaniwalang ganito ang sitwasyon. She love Martha like her own mom but…it’s so unfair that Drake wanted her to accept and undertand it all especially the fact na may relasyon sila ni Chelsea behind her back.
“You could have told me, I’ll do anything to help. I have my savings we could use. We’ve been sharing things with each other since then. Hindi kailangang humantong sa ganito.” She wanted to say things that would make him realized how he’d hurt her pero nang nanghihina itong napaupo sa floor and despair clothe him like a shell, pinigilan niya ang sarili. Hindi ito ang tamang oras dahil unti-unti na rin itong pinapatulog ng kalasingan. Hindi na niya alam ang gagawin, with mix emotions kumuha siya ng damit and decided to change sa comfort room situated outside her room. She wanted to clear her mind with all the negativity if she wanted to stay sane.
Pagpasok niya ay dumiretso siya sa counter at umupo sa mataas na silya sa harapan nito. Puno ang bar, everyone was enjoying themselves, laughing, drinking, dancing and she also saw some guys checking her out. ‘Buti na lang itong paborito niyang red dress ang isinuot niya. Medyo daring ito, pero kung ikokompara sa ibang babaeng andito nabibilang pa ito sa konserbatibo. May maliliit na spaghetti strap at hubog na hubog ang mga katamtamang asset niyang dibdib at purmadong pang-upo. Balloon ang ibaba nito na nasa mid-thigh lang ang haba. O-order na sana siya ng tequila nang marinig ang usapan ng mga katabi niyang babae.
“Girls, you must try their specialty, dito mo lang malalasahan ang pinaka-masarap na drinks.”
“And take note, ang tatlo mismo ang nag-invent nito,” kinikilig nitong bulong sa kaibigan.
“I wanna try it,” excited na turan ng isa. “Ang gagwapo talaga nila, nakita ko nga ‘yong isa kanina at nag-smile siya sa‘kin. Oh my gosh! Pwede na akong mamatay,” at nagtitili ang mga ito.
Promises, promises! Bulong niya sa sarili. Ang mga babaeng ‘to kung magtitili sa mga lalaki. Kainis! Muntik na siyang matawa sa reaksyon…Bitter much! Pero nacurious siya sa drink na pinagsasabi ng mga ito kaya naman ‘yon din ang inorder niya. Tiningnan niya ang hawak-hawak na maliit na basong naglalaman ng color yellow green na alak. Hindi siya sanay uminom, especially mga mamahaling inumin. Kapag gusto nilang maglasing ni Chloe which is minsan lang kung mangyari, sa apartment lang sila para safe. Pero iba ito ngayon, ang gusto niya makalimutan ang sakit na nararamdaman. A bitter taste with spice and sweet flowed down her throat that almost made her sputter when she quickly drank it but the heat it brought definitely warmed her. Hindi parin siya nakakalimot kaya naman humingi pa siya ng isa. Sa paglipas ng oras hindi na niya namalayang pitong shots na ang naubos niya. Nahihilo na siya at naiiihi. Tumayo siya at hinanap ang comfort room. She felt light. Para siyang lumulutang at nagsisimula ng umikot ang mundo at ‘di niya maiwasang ngumiti at sumabay sa indayog ng musika nang mapadaan siya sa gitna ng dance floor. Kumpul-kumpol ang mga sumasayaw na walang pakialam sa tunay na mundo. Just dancing with abundance in their own world. How wonderfull where that be and she joined them, also enjoying her own.
“I really did miss you babe, ang tagal mo ring nawala,” malanding saad ng babaeng katabi ni Marsden sa sulok habang nakaupo sa U-shaped na sofa at may malapad na mesa sa gitna.
Inilapit niya ang mukha dito, looking at her lips seductively and smirked. “Did you? So what can I do to appease that?” Hinalikan niya ito ng dahan-dahan hanggang halos mabaliw na ang babae in anticipation. Flirting is so easy especially sa mga babaeng tulad nito.
“Ouch! Goodness! Tinamaan na ata ako,” sabay tawa at hawak ng isang babae sa paang natisod sa paa ng kanilang upuan.
Napatigil si Marsden at tinitigan ang babaeng nakapula at tila lasing na ata. She looked familiar, even in the dim light he can see the gorgeous figure of the woman crying or laughing in pain. Napangiti siya ng marinig ang babae.
“Ihing-ihi na ako nasa’n na ba ang CR, ang laki-laki naman kasi ng lugar na ‘to.”
“Mind if I help you with that?” charming na offer ni Marsden dito. Hindi na niya pinansin ang inis na tinging ipinukol sa kanya ng kalandian.
“Excuse me? I can manage,” at pinagpatuloy na nito ang gigiray-giray na paglalakad papunta sa kabilang direksyon ng comfort room.
He was still looking at her staggering steps and a prick of concern came unexpectedly. She glanced back at him and gave Marsden the sweetest smile he ever received. Suddenly, the woman at the airport visited his mind and realized that it was her, definitely her, he can’t mistake it, as if her face had been engraved in his memory and Marsden smiled.
“Well, I just wanted to tell you that you’re going to the wrong direction. What you need is right there,” sabay turo niya sa kabila.
Tumigil ito at tumungo sa direksyong itinuro niya without giving him a single glance.
Naiwan siyang natatawa. Curiosity striked him dahil hindi man lang siya nito nakilala and the second time around hindi na naman siya nakareceive ng thank you.
2:30 am ang nakalagay sa wristwatch ni Marsden nang sulyapan niya ito. Kakaalis lang ng dalawa niyang kaibigan at ibinigay sa kanya ang space to sleep at the awesome room they’d designed as their escape situated just under the bar. Nagsisimula ng magsara ang mga trabahante nila, kanina pa walang tao. Marsden was preparing to leave ng lumapit sa kanya ang isa sa kanilang utility.
“Sir Marsden, mayroon po kasing customer sa CR,” napakamot ito sa ulo, “kanina ko pa kasi ginigising ayaw eh.”
Huminga siya ng malalim at pinuntahan ang kung sino mang lasing na customer who should have known better how to go home. Naiirita niyang binuksan ang Girl’s Restroom, to think na isa itong babae added to his ire but surprisingly it faded the moment he saw who was the drunkard sleeping comfortably on the toilet seat with her head on the tank cover. Nilapitan niya ito at marahang tinapik sa balikat. “Miss, It’s time to get up we’re closing.”
Umungol lamang ito in annoyance and ignored him. As he decided what to do, unti-unti niyang sinuri ang appearance ng babae. She looked innocent sleeping like she’s in her room safe from any bad things from the outside. Bigla siyang nakaramdam ng inis at awa at the same time. Knowing the situation he understood but only slightly, it doesn’t even justify the fact that she’s here alone and vulnerable. She really looked familiar coming from a memory in the past. Tinapik niya ito ulit, dahan-dahan nitong iminulat ang mga mata, looked right through him at biglaang tumayo at diridiritsong naglakad palabas. Natatawa niyang sinundan ang babae. Lasing parin ang lakad nito at ilang beses din niyang pinigilan ang mga braso nito sa tuwing itoy matutumba. Inakala niyang lalabas na ito ng bar ngunit bigla na lang itong naupo sa sulok na sofa nearest to her at tila ba nanghihinang ipinikit ang mga mata. “God, nahihilo ako…mamatay na ata ako!” Nilagay nito ang mga palad sa noo at huminga ng napakalalim.
Marsden amusingly sat beside her. “’Yan ang parusa sa pag-inom ng alak.”
Huminga nanaman ito ng pagkalalim-lalim at tumitig sa kanya. Glassy eyes were staring at him. “Shino ka?” Hinawakan nito ang mukha niya at pinisil pisil ang magkabila niyang pisngi sabay tawa. “Anghel ka ba, shinusundo mo na ako?”
Dahan-dahan niyang inalis ang mga kamay nito. “Miss, lasing ka lang…drink coffee and you’ll live.”
“Gusto ko ng shocolate, milk shocolate…pahingi, shege na,” pangungulit nito sabay hawak sa kanyang leeg. Bago pa siya makapagsalita ay ibinuhos na nito ang lahat ng ininum nito sa baro niya at nanghihinang napapikit at humiga sa sofa.
Naiinis siyang tumayo at iniwasang tingnan ang suka sa sofa at lalong-lalo na sa kanyang dibdib. He pinched his nose and calmly reminded himself to sympathized with the woman. Looking at her now, peacefully sleeping with her head in the armrest of the sofa, she looked stunning even in her current state. Marsden can’t avoid to admire the curves that tickled his imaginations. Her long light brown hair gorgeously touching her cheeks and surrounding her pretty face. Something hot struck Marsden as he gazed down at the woman’s dishabille, but he swiftly stopped it, closed his eyes and covered his face with his palms and loudly sighed, its been months since the last time he had a woman in his bed, that explained his silly attraction to this woman.
Pagkatapos niyang tanggalin ang sandals nito and carefully made her position comfortable dali-dali siyang nagshower sa kwartong nasa ilalim ng bar. There’s no use asking the woman where she lives, she was knocked out cold so the only solution was to let her sleep in the room but Marsden for sure won’t let her inside an air-conditioned room with her dress reeking strongly of puke and liquor. Nang balikan niya ang babae upang ilipat ito sa kwarto hindi niya inaasahan ang malakas na hilik nito. Napapailing na lamang siya ng kargahin ang babae. In just one day, this woman made him smile a lot unexpectedly.
Napakalamig ng panahon, napakasarap matulog lalo na kung ang kumot mo ay napakabango, smooth na, makapal pa. Ngunit iba ang pakiramdam ni Trisha nang imulat niya ang kanyang mga mata. Umiikot ang paningin at tila ba may maliliit na dwendeng pumupukpok sa kanyang ulo. Dim ang light na nanggagaling sa lamp shade kaya naman hindi niya gaanong makita ang paligid. Nakaramdam siya ng ginaw ngunit nang hilahin niya ang kumot tila ba may nakadagan ditong nagpapabigat. Bigla siyang natigilan, bumalik sa kanya ang mga pangyayari kahapon. Nasaktan siya sa pagtatraydor ng pinsan at ng kanyang nobyo. Gusto niyang makalimot kaya naman pumunta siya sa isang bar at naparami ang inom. Ngunit hanggang d’on lang ang clear na naaalala niya. Lumalala lamang ang sakit ng kanyang ulo sa pagpipilit na maalala ito. Her heart suddenly beats fast, her headache is getting worse. Oh my God! Ganito ang mga nangyayari sa pelikula, malalasing ang babae at magkakaron ng one night stand! Naalarma niyang bul
“So, how’s ‘the thing’ huh?!” kinikilig na tanong ng ka-officemate ni Trisha, even quoting with her hands when she mentioned ‘the thing’. Nasa cafeteria silang dalawa situated at the ground floor. It’s been a week since the incident at hindi pa sila nagkikita ni Drake dahil nasa Conference ito. He didn’t even contacted her nor she did to him. It just like both of them were avoiding the issue. Natigilan siya kahit alam niyang itatanong ito ni Abby sa kanya. “Ano bang pinagsasabi mo?” Pilit siyang ngumiti para hindi nito mahalata that there’s something wrong. “Ano ka ba! It’s your Third Anniversary, don’t tell me nothing happened?” pangungulit nito. Actually, something happened. “I’m not ready yet!” pagsisinunghaling niya dito. “Hay naku! Alam mo ba kung gaano kagwapo ‘yang boyfriend mong ‘yan? Everyone wants to do him, except me of course, and that’s because you’re my frie
Kakalipat pa lamang nila Marsden sa BLUE STREET Subdivision nang makilala niya ang dalawang batang magiliw na naglalaro sa maliit na park inside the Exclusive Subdivision. Palaging wala ang mama niya dahil palagi itong nasa business trip kaya naman sa parke siya lumalage pagdating niya galing sa eskwela. Maraming gustong makipagkaibigan sa kanya lalo na ang mga batang babae dahil na rin sa looks niya. Pero dahil sanay siyang mag-isa, walang kapatid o matalik na kaibigan hindi niya alam kung paano ewe-welcome ang mga ito kaya naman palagi siyang mag-isang naglalaro ng skateboard sa sementadong daanan within the park. “Kuya naman eh, ang daya daya mo, enemy na tayo,” sabay kabit ng matabang batang babae ng little finger nito sa batang lalaking nakaupo sa damuhan. “Sige na nga, o ikaw nanaman,” binigay nito ang brick game sa kapatid. “Kainis naman oh!” with pouty lips the girl was annoyed nang h
Marsden was busy reading through the reports for the new expansion in Mindanao when his bestfriend and company lawyer entered his office. Kakabalik lang nito from Davao. Napangiti siya when he saw his annoyed face. “You should get over it man.” Napaupo ito sa harapan ng malaki niyang table. “Erase that smile bro, I haven’t forgiven you yet.” “Come on Max, it’s been a week since I got home and let me reminds you you’re out of town if you forgot.” “You should have called me or even just a text from you would suffice. Learning from someone that your bestfriend finally came back without even telling you hurts bro.” Para itong batang nagmamaktol but he can’t blame him, afterall he is like a brother he never had. Every year Max would tell Marsden to visit the Philippines even for just a while so they could party together and be wasted together just like the old days but he always reasoned that their branch in New
“Trish?” Biglang napalingon si Trisha sa kanyang likuran and something within her changed, like her heart was being wrung out and her tears were pooling at the corner threatening to fall. Nakatanga lamang siya habang nakatingin dito. His saying something but she doesn’t care. Looking at the man who have helped her twice already made her realized how she desperately needed comfort right now. She remembered to glanced at her back and thankfully no trace of Jade. “Hey!” protesta ni Marsden when she suddenly grabbed his hand and hurriedly looked for some place to hide before Jade could see them. Thankfully may nakita siyang pintuan at the corner situated just outside the hall where the girl she bumped into came from. Binuksan niya ito habang hila-hila pa rin si Marsden papasok sa loob na ngayon niya lamang napansin na isang maliit na storeroom. Dahil sa liit ng storeroom at laki ng lalaking kaharap nakalapat ang likur
Tahimik si Trisha habang lulan sila ng kotse ni Marsden. Hindi niya alam at wala siyang pakialam kung saan siya nito dadalhin. Surprisingly, she felt calm and safe with him and at the moment she doesn’t want it to end. Kinuha niya ang kanyang cellphone at muntik nanaman siyang maiyak nang makita ang 20 misscalls from different numbers, marami rin notifications for text messages, nakasilent ito at ngayon niya lang naalalang echeck. Trisha closed her eyes, so her friends must have seen the photo even Chloe. Nang tatawagan na sana niya si Chloe ay tumunog ang phone niya, tinatawagan siya ni Jay. “Hello?” Buti na lang kalmado na si Trisha nang sagutin ang phone. “Trish, Oh my God! Finally, sinagot mo rin…Nasa’n ka ba? We’re so worried, akala namin nasa Ladies’ Room ka lang nang puntahan ka ni Abby but you’re not there. Where are you? Okay ka lang ba? Kung tungkol do’n sa kumakalat sa social media, huwag kang mag-al
Dinala siya ni Marsden sa isang up hill park. Heaven’s View Park ang nakalagay sa sign nang masilayan niya ito at the park’s entrance. Gabi na kaya wala ng tao pero madaming pathway lights illuminating the whole place and Trisha liked the place already. At the center there’s a playground with slides, seesaws and swings. Marami ring mga sementadong upuan surrounding the park…akala ni Trisha doon sila papunta sa playground. Para siyang bata na excited kung saan siya dadalhin ni Marsden. Mas lalo siyang naging komportable dito nang malaman niyang ito pala ang patpating Marsden na kaibigan niya noon. Trisha glanced at Marsden observing his manly built stealthily. The skinny boy was no longer there but he is still tall as she remembered at the storeroom. Trisha just reaches his chin with her 5”4’ height. “We’re here,” lumabas na ito and opened the passenger door to help her out. Nag ala-gentleman in a date ito offe
Tanghali na nang bumangon si Trisha and lazily went to the kitchen to prepare something to eat. Ginising siya ng kumakalam niyang sikmura. She was yawning when the front door opened and revealed her bestfriend. “Chlo!” sabay takbo ni Trisha and affectionately hugged her bestfriend. Niyakap din siya ni Chloe at natatawa sa ginawa ng childish niyang bestfriend. Minutes passed, Trisha was still clinging to her. “I’m so glad you’re here,” prolonging the so. “So how are you?” Chloe asked as she pulled Trisha towards the sofa. “I’m fine,” hinawakan niya ang mga kamay nito. “Really, I am,” pangungumbinsi niya dito nang mapakunot-noo ang kaibigan. She really did feel fine. Remembering Marsden’s help last night, she told her friend everything that happened. “That Jade I would really skin her alive, bruha talaga. Friends with the same feathers really flucks together,” galit na galit na turan ni