Kinabukasan nagising ako mga alas siyete ng umaga. Binuksan ko ang kurtina para masinagan ng araw. Naghilamos ako ng mukha at dahil walang toothbrush, nagmumog lang ako. Hindi naman ako bad breath.
Nag stretching muna ako bago lumabas ng kwarto. Ang gaan ng loob ko ngayon. Napahawak ako sa aking tiyan. As far as I could remember, it's normal if a women will puke and will undergo some morning dramas during their pregnancy. Pero bakit parang wala naman sa akin? Maybe my child is just caring, huh? Napatawa ako dahil doon. Bago paman ako tuluyang makababa, naabutan ko si Gabriel na aakyat rin sana ngunit huminto nang makita ako. “Good morning,” he greeted. “Morning,” bati ko rin. “Let's eat breakfast.” Pumasok siya sa kusina kaya sumunod nalang din ako. May pagkain ng nakahain sa mesa at mukhang bagong luto pa ang mga ito dahil sa usok. “Marunong ka palang magluto?” Natatawang tanong ko. “Of course. I already have a...” “Ha?” Hindi ko narinig ang huli niyang salita. “Nothing. Just eat now, Celine.” Kumain ako at nang matapos kami ay naghugas siya ng pinggan. He also wiped and clean the table. He doesn't let me do it, and I don't want to waste time either just to argue about small household chores. “Do you have work today?” he asked as he wiped his hands. Umiling ako. “It's weekend. Im free.” “Great. Let's go somewhere.” Napakunot ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Nang malagpasan niya ako ay agad akong tumalikod upang sundan siya ngunit nabangga ako sa likod niyang mala great wall of china. “Where are we going?” I curiously asked. He didn't turn around to answer my question. “Hoy!” I poked his back. ”We'll visit a doctor,” sabi niya at naglakad patungo sa hagdan. I can't help but wonder why. “Bakit? May sakit ka?!” Sinusundan ko siya sa paghakbang. “No. We have to check your head,” mahina ang pagkasabi niya pero narinig ko pa rin. Medyo nagulat ako. Patungkol siguro ito sa nangyari kagabi. Mabilis akong humakbang para maunahan siya. I even heard him utter a cussed when I slightly run just to faced him. “Be careful, Celine!” he slightly shout. Dahil mas nauna ako sa kaniya ay nasa itaas ako habang nasa isang hakbang naman ang baba niya sa akin. I stopped him using my index finger. He stopped and look at me with furrowed brows. “What?” “My head is fine. W-we don't have to go to the doctor.” Pinagtaasan niya ako ng kilay at nilagpasan. “Your head is not fine...” he whispered in a messy voice. I don't know but I can feel tiredness from it. Sinundan ko siya hanggang sa umabot na kami sa ikalawang palapag ng bahay. “I said I'm fine. There's no need for me to go to the doct—” “Damn it, don't be so hard-headed! You're not fucking fine! Celine!” I was stunned when he suddenly shout at me. Nagulat ako dahil sa sigaw niya. “I-I...” I can't utter a word properly. Nagulat din siya sa ginawa kaya kinalma niya ang sarili. “I'm sorry,” malumanay niyang sabi at inabot ang kamay ko. “Please, let's go for a check up.” Mapupungay ang mga mata niyang nakatingin sa akin. “I'm not crazy, Gab.” When he realized what I meant, he quickly panic a little. “No no no... It's not like that.” Bumuntong hininga siya. He bit his lip and looked at me with concerns in his eyes. “Fine, we won't go. Just tell me the details why your head hurts, okay?” His voice is now calm and careful. Madali ka lang naman palang kausap. I nod at him because of his hypnotizing soft voice. I look deeply into his eyes. I tried to find answers why am I being like this. But I couldn't find anything, mas lalo lang akong naguguluhan nang bigla na naman akong nakaramdam ng isang pamilyar na pakiramdam. He licked his lip kaya napatingin ako roon. He held my hand and we started marching into his room. My heart is beating fast again. “Maliligo lang ako. You can borrow some of my clothes,” sabi niya at binuksan ang drawer ng isang malaking cabinet at kumuha ng dalawang puting towel. He offered to me the other one and he directly went to the bathroom. Matapos kong kumuha ng damit ay dumiretso ako sa masters bedroom at naligo. Isang malaking white t-shirt at kulay itim na short ang isinuot ko. I also borrowed one of his boxers. Nang matapos ako sa pagsuklay ng buhok ay lumabas ako ng kwarto. I went to the living room and I saw him sitting in the couch while scrolling on his phone. When he sense my presence, he immediately look up and gave me a look from head to toe. I saw how his side lip rose a smile. Umirap ako at umupo sa isang couch sa harap niya. “Why does your head hurts last night?” he asked directly. “Why are you so straight to the point?” Pinagkrus ko ang dalawang binti at sumandal sa inuupuan. “It's your health we're talking here, Celine. Ang mga ganitong bagay ay dapat dinidiretso at siniseryoso.” His phone is now on the center table. He is directly looking at me while waiting for my answers. Bakit ba napaka straightforward nito? I was about to answer when I remembered the reason why. For goodness sake! What should I tell him? Na sumakit ang ulo ko kasi nakita ko siyang ngumiti? I shut my mouth. And why do you even care about that, Lena? He's your best friend! Why are you so awkward? I let out a deep sight and look at the floor. I can't do that. “Leandra Celiñana.” Napangiwi ako dahil sa pagtawag niya ng full name ko. He's seriously looking at me and I still can't help but grimaced. I really hate it if someone's calling me in my full name. Good thing, only my mom, dad, nanay Miranda and Gabriel knows about it. I look at him. His dark eyes are waiting for me. His jaw clenched. He's being impatient. Tsk! As I continue my gazed at him, I observed how he had this kind of dark aura if he's serious. But it eventually fades whenever he talks to me. Now I know why some people partnered us as a couple, because Gabriel is always soft when it comes to me. And when it comes to other people, he's very serious and cold. “Celine.” For the second call, it has emphasis on it. It's way more better though, he didn't call me in my full name. Looks like he's irritated. But I was wrong... “Tell me.” Pagsusumamo niya. He look at me with gentleness in his eyes. I bit my lower lip and look for the strength to utter the reason why my head hurts last night. “I-I don't k-know...” I stuttered. Nakita ko kung paano kumunot ang mukha niya. He played his tongue inside his cheek and look directly at my eyes. “Tell me, Celine.” Ulit niya sa seryosong boses. “I really don't know. It suddenly happened! M-May pilit inaalala ang utak ko k-kaya sumakit...” “Anong pilit na inaalala ng utak mo?” “It's... I-I don't k-know...” Hindi ko rin alam! I'm confused why! Miski ako ay nagtatanong sa sarili kung ano 'yon! The moment I started seeing pictures, is the moment I want it more. I want to see more kahit masakit. Pero ang hindi ko lang magustuhan ay ang kakaibang pakiramdam kasi sa iyo ko lang iyon nararamdaman, Gab! I want answers too about the sudden pictures in my head but I am afraid about the unfamiliar feelings. It's making me nervous and giving me pain but still at the same time I want it. I don't know! Mababaliw na talaga siguro ako! I should maybe go for check up! Malakas ang paghinga ko kaya agad lumapit sa akin si Gabriel. Ang seryoso niyang mukha ay nababalot ng pag-aalala. “H-hey. It's okay. Don't answer it anymore.” He held my cheeks and caressed it with his thumb. Nang medyo kumalma ako ay niyakap niya ako. “I'm sorry...” I can feel the sadness and concern in his voice. I only nod as he hug and softly caressed my back. Umiinom na ako ng tubig ngayon. Gabriel is staring at me. Mga isang oras na ang nakalipas sa pa interview niya sa akin kanina. “Are you sure you're okay?” I rolled my eyes for his eleventh question. When he saw my reaction, he heave a sigh and surrender. “Bakit ba pa balik-balik ka?” irita kong tanong. “Opo boss sabi ko nga okay ka na.” “Wala ka bang trabaho?” Umiling siya. “May meeting ako sa ala una,” aniya at saka tumingin sa relo. May meeting siya sa ala una tapos napag isipan niya pang bumisita kami ng hospital kanina? I really admire the way he manage the time, huh? Note the sarcasm please, he's not punctual nor obedient when it comes to time. I look at him with bothered look. “Then why aren't you getting ready?” I raised a brow. “It's still 10.” Depensa niya “It's already 11,” sabi ko nang makitang 10:49 na ang orasan. Tumaas ang isa niyang kilay habang pinaglalaruan ang dila sa loob ng pisngi. Tinaasan ko rin siya ng kilay. Narinig ko ang marahan niyang pagbuntong hininga. “Alright.” Tumayo siya at dumiretso sa itaas na tila ba sumusuko sa labanan namin. After 30 minutes, bumaba siya na naka puting polo na nakatupi hanggang siko. He's wearing black pants too and a pair of brown leather shoes. Naamoy ko ang pabango niya. It's familiar, but I nevermind it. Siguro dahil lagi naman kaming magkasama. I mean we're friends! Umupo siya sa tabi ko. Kinuha niya ang cellphone nang tumunog ito. I saw the caller before he could even answer the phone call. “Giselle...” we said it together. But mine is only in my head.Tumayo siya at lumayo sa akin. He's seriously talking. Napatingin siya sa relo niya, he also look at me at agad ring iniwas iyon. Let's bet, I guess his meeting is being moved early. When he came back and sat beside me, I can sense his frustration. “Pustahan tayo, napaaga meeting mo.” Panimula ko. Narinig ko ang mahinang pag buntong hininga niya. “Why did they changed my schedule for infact it's my company?” Pag-rereklamo niya. “Ang arte mo! Minsan ka na nga lang nagpapakita sa kompanya mo tapos nagrereklamo ka pa sa pa meeting nila.” Now I look like a good best friend scolding the pabaya na friend. “Anong oras ba meeting?” tanong ko nalang. “It's a lunch meeting.” Napairap ako. “Anong oras nga?” mataray kong ulit. Bahagya siyang natawa. “Alas dose po boss.” Napatingin agad ako sa orasan. 11:38 na! “Hoy alas onse y media na!” I slapped his muscle. I immediately stood up and he look at me with confusing look why I did such thing. “Where are you going?” Pagtataka niya. “Ihatid mo ako sa bahay... Ay teka saan ba meeting mo? Kung hindi na kaya sa oras, mag tataxi nalang ak—.” “What? No way!” Mabilis niyang putol sa akin. Nakakunot ang mukha niya ngayon na tila nairita sa sinabi ko. “Anong no way? Gago ka ba? Alas dose meeting mo!” “It's just a meeting, Celine. I won't let you ride a taxi where infact I can take you home. At isa pa, we'll eat lunch together!” May bahid na galit sa boses niya. “Oh bat galit ka?” irita kong tanong. His rough face suddenly became soft. His furrowed brows are now gone. He took a deep breath. “I'm not. Let's eat lunch first,” sabi niya at nag-iwas ng tingin. Pasimple akong umirap. I really don't understand this guy sometimes. Pero mas mabuti na rin na ganito kami kesa sa pakiramdam na naramdaman ko nitong mga nakaraang araw. Napabuntong hininga nalang din ako. “Saan ba meeting niyo?” “Francién lang,“ tipid niyang sagot. “Edi sa Francién nalang din tayo kumain.” Tumingin siya sa akin. Nilalaro niya ang dila sa loob ng pisngi at tila may iniisip. Tumango siya sa akin. “Okay.” Maikli niyang sabi. Kinuha ko muna ang maliit kong bag at cellphone bago naunang lumabas ng bahay. Mga ilang segundo pa ang nakalipas ay lumabas na rin siya at binuksan ang sasakyan. Pumasok ako at ganun din siya. Tumulak kami papuntang hotel. I'm only wearing my loafer shoes sandals. It doesn't match my outfit but it's okay, it's not that baduy to look at anyway. I was told that fashion depends on how the person carries it. We stopped in front of the hotel. The staff then immediately greeted us, who wouldn't? I am with their owner. The moment we entered the glass door, you can already say that the hotel is full of guests. Gabriel was left behind because he talked first with the staff while I continue my small step. We are just six meters away, I guess. When I looked behind they are still talking. Looks like they are talking about the hotel. I maintain my step para hindi makalayo masyado. Gabriel glanced at me and I immediately pointed the restaurant. “I'll go first,” I mouthed. I can see his wrinkled brows and his mouth moved a little. I didn't wait for him to react even more. I directly went inside the restaurant of the hotel and look for a vacant table. Luckily, there's a table in the corner. I made my way to sit there and put my small bag in the vacant seat in front of me. Mahirap na baka may umupo pang iba, I don't like sharing tables with strangers. Though I know, I won't be sharing with some strangers right now because Gabriel is with me. The waiter came to me and gave me the menu. I told him that I will order later because my friend is not here yet. Nakita ko si Gabriel sa entrance ng restaurant na nakakunot ang noo. I can even see how the staffs are panicking a little when they saw him. Two waiter approached him. I chuckled when I see how he can make them nervous. This man and his aura. They pointed my direction. Gabriel then erased the furrowed brows and immediately went to me. But his face is glowering as he walked towards me. “Bakit ka nakabusangot?” Bungad ko sa kaniya nang makaupo siya sa harap ko. “You left me.” Parang bata niyang sabi. Inilagay niya ang aking bag sa katabing upuan. “Ang tagal mo kasi.” “You were just in a hurry. Bakit ka ba nagmamadali?” Annoyance can be heard in his tone. Oh don't you dare start a war at me, Gabriel Salazar. I simply rolled my eyes at him. “May meeting ka kaya! Ikaw bakit ka ba nagsasayang ng oras?” He scowled. “I'm not wasting my time!” He's annoyed. But I am more annoyed because the eyes of the people near us is awkwardly watching. I slightly kicked his leg. “Ang lakas ng boses mo.” Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata. “Oh I can shout more.” Binigyan niya ako ng mapaglarong ngiti pero inirapan ko lang siya. I heard his chuckle with sarcasm on it. I didn't argue with him anymore. He's now seriously talking with the two waiters who were listing our orders. I look at my phone and it's already 12:19. I glanced back at them and I couldn't help but feel sorry for the two waiters. For pete's sake they are so obviously nervous talking to their boss. Nang inilapag nila ang mga pagkain at nang umalis sila ay nakita ko pa kung paano sila huminga nang malalim. I look at the man in front of me who's now looking at me too. How can this insensitive and bossy man became my best friend? “What?” he asked. I shook my head with disappoinment in it. “Nothing,” I said in a lazy voice. He just nod and began to put some food on my plate. “Let's eat then,” he said. Napanguso na lang ako. Tss. Minsan ang sungit at bossy. Ewan ko sa iyo Gabriel.While we were eating peacefully, his phone rang.Dahil nasa lamesa niya lang nakalagay iyon ay agad kong nabasa ang pangalan ng caller. ‘Giselle...’Hindi niya iyon sinagot at tanging pag mute lang ang ginawa niya.“Your meeting is waiting,” I said without looking at him. I continue eating my food. “Let them wait.” I glanced at him and he is seriously eating too. Mukhang wala talaga siyang balak na magmadali at sumipot sa saktong oras, huh? Hays.Ang kapal talaga ng pagmumukha ng lalaking 'to.Bahagya nalang akong napailing at nginunguya ang kinain. While looking at him intently, my view shifted to the entrance of the restaurant. I saw four people na kakapasok lang at naka corporate attire ang dalawang lalaki at isang babae. The other woman is wearing a color beige above the knee pencil cut skirt and a white long sleeve polo na manipis ang tela.The staff then guided them to one of the private dining rooms.I couldn't help but raise a brow at her. I don't know, uminit lang bigla an
Lumabas ako ng kwarto. Naabutan ko si Nanay Miranda at iba pang kasambahay na naghahanda na para sa mga lulutuin. “It's too early to cook. Do we have visitors po?” tanong ko sa kanila.Ngumiti ito sa akin at banayad na hinawakan ang aking likod.“Celine anak, natural magluluto talaga kami ng maaga...” “Bakit po?”“Syempre nandyan ang iyong— ay palaka!”Hindi matapos ni Nanay ang sasabihin ng biglanh nahulog ang takip ng kaldero.“Hala sorry po...” Paulit-ulit na pahayag ni Glenda, isang working student. Maagap naman siyang pinagsabihan ni Nanay. Natawa nalang rin ako dahil bahagya pa siyang pinapalo rito sa balikat.“Ikaw talaga Glenda, may pinupusuan ka na ba kaya parang wala ka sa sarili?” Pinagsingkitan siya ni Nanay ng mata. Na alarma naman si Glenda. “P-Po? Pinupusuan agad? hindi ba pwedeng nadulas lang ang takip?” “Sus kapag ikaw talaga nakita ko na may nobyo na, kukurutin ko talaga iyang patilya mo.” Pagbabanta ni Nanay. Napakamot na lamang si Glenda sa ulo. Don't worry N
I went to the University early in the morning. I have a class to teach as a part time instructor for Bio. Limang oras lamang ang schedule ko today at pagkatapos ay wala na. Pagkatapos ng klase ko ay napag-isipan kong magpunta sa isang restaurant upang kumain mag-isa. It was lunch time and the traffic was really bad that the taxi couldn't even pass through to the bustling road. “Pasensya ka na, ma'am. Ganito po talaga kapag rush hours,” ani manong driver bago napabuntong hininga. Tumitingin-tingin siya sa labas bago nagsalita ulit. “Pero mukhang mas malala po ata ngayon. May disgrasya sigurong naganap doon sa harap.” Pagkatapos sabihin ni manong iyon ay saktong dumating ang ambulance at mga police. Nakichismis na rin ang ibang mga tao sa kalsada while I was sitting uncomfortably in my seat due to the sound. There's something in the wail of the ambulance that stings deep inside my heart. Gumalaw na ang traffic. Nang madaanan namin ang duguang kalsada ay sumikip bigla ang puso ko sa
Tanging katahimikan lamang ang naghari sa pagitan namin ni Gabriel simula nung sumakay ako sa sasakyan niya. Ewan ko! Oo nagtatampo ako sa kaniya!Sino ba kasi ang hindi magtatampo eh hindi man lang siya nagsabi sa akin na ka date niya pala ang babaeng 'yon! At nagawa niya pa talagang magsinungaling sa harap ko.Meeting daw pero silang dalawa lang? Anong klaseng meeting 'yon? By partner lang? At saka meron bang meeting kung saan casual na casual lamang makipag-usap ang secretary sa CEO at may-ari ng kompanya?Tsk!Nakatingin lamang ako sa labas habang nakasandal ang ulo sa upuan. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero nagagalit talaga ako sa pagsisinungaling niya. Pwede niya naman kasing sabihin sa akin na hindi siya available! Bakit inilihim niya pa talaga? Ano ba 'tong mga pinagsasabi ko!Napabuntong hininga ako at biglaang napaubo. Lumingon siya sa akin na may pag-alala sa mga mata.“Are you okay?” Hindi ko siya sinagot at tumikhim na lamang bago umupo nang maayos.Nang makita ko ang gate
I already prepared my self to accept all of this. Nilunok ko ang pride ko papunta dito, hoping everything will be fine.But I wasn't inform it will be this hard.Akala ko madali lang kung patatawarin ko siya at magsisimula ulit kami sa uno. Akala ko lang pala...Dahil ngayon, nandito ako sa madilim na sulok sa ilalim ng malaking puno kung saan tanaw ko ang dalawang taong naghahalikan. Kahit sobrang lalim na ng gabi at malakas pa ang ulan, agad akong nagtungo dito sa subdivision kung saan ang bahay niya upang ipakita ang pregnancy test kong may dalawang linya. Nagtungo ako dito kahit ilang araw na niyang hindi sinasagot ang mga text at tawag ko. I came here hoping to reconcile and wanted to surprise him. Pero mukhang ako ata ang nasorpresa dahil sa bumungad sa akin. Kahit umuulan ay ramdam na ramdam ko ang bawat pagtulo ng mga luha ko.Nanatili akong nakamasid sa dalawang tao at walang ni isang salitang ibinigkas. Kasi pakiramdam ko kung magsasalita ako ay mababasag lamang ito at b
My heart won't stop racing. Kanina ko pa pinagsasabihan na kumalma pero kahit anong gawin kong pagpakalma dito ay tila wala naman itong epekto. What is this? What's happening? Why am I feeling weird stuffs like this?Ah. This may be one of the side effects of being pregnant. Yes, I shouldn't overthink. This is just normal. Huminga ako ng napakalalim.“Are you okay?”Malumanay niyang tanong kaya napabaling ako sa kaniya. Napansin niya sigurong kinakabahan ako. Tumango na lang ako para makaiwas muna ng pagsasalita. “I'm sorry a while ago, I was just shock.” Dagdag niya pa.“It's okay. I understand.” Huminto ang sasakyan sa labas ng malaking black na gate. He look at me for a moment after licking his lip. “I-I should go,” sabi ko at kinalas ang seat belt. Marahan lang siyang tumango habang nakatingin pa rin sa akin. “I should go too.”Pagpapaalam niya. Hinintay ko muna siyang makaalis bago pumasok sa loob.Pagkapasok ko ng bahay, si Papa agad ang bumungad sa akin. “Celine where were y
“Saan tayo pupunta?” tanong ko sa kaniya habang naglalakad sa lobby ng hotel. “Uuwi,” tipid niyang sagotMay problema ba 'to? “Ayoko munang umuwi.” Napatigil siya at lumingon sa akin. Mas nauna siya sa akin ng mga dalawang hakbang kaya nang tumigil siya ay naunahan ko siya sa paglalakad. “Gabi na, Celine.” Mahinahon niyang wika.“It's still 9, Gab. Please 'wag muna tayong umuwi.” Pagmamakaawa ko at nilingon rin siya. Narinig ko ang kaniyang mahinang pagbuntong hininga. Magkasabay na kami ngayon. He was about to talk to me when his phone suddenly rang. Sinagot niya 'yon.“What? No. I'm busy,” sabi niya sabay tingin sa akin. Ay may lakad pala siya? I suddenly felt guilty. That's maybe the reason why he wanted to go home early. Sana pala dinala ko ang sasakyan ko, why didn't I think of that? My gosh, Lena!Ibinaba niya ang phone at magsasalita na sana nang naunahan ko siya. “May importante kang lakad? You can go, ihatid mo nalang ako sa bahay.” I did my best to sound guilty pero baki