Risks and Chances

5

Kabanata 5

Boyfriend

Napapailing na lang ako habang papalabas ng bar. I can't really believe that I had that kind of conversation with a stranger. Usually, I find that topic very sensitive. I mean, its not something to talk about even if those people are close. What more to a strangers like us?

He surely isn't in his normal state anymore. Telling me that he has a thick and long...

"Gosh! I don't want to think about it anymore." I muttered under my breath as I rummaged my hand bag for my car key.

Nang makapa ay agad ko itong pinindot at pinatunog ang sasakyan. Thank heavens the alcohol didn't took my sanity. I can still go home without having bruise or any scratches due to reckless driving.

Napahinto ako nang marinig ang tunog ng cellphone. Binuksan ko muli ang bag at kinuha ito. I found a message from Mommy.

Mom:

Are you already sleeping, anak? Don't forget our lunch tomorrow.

I sighed. Kapag nalaman niyang nasa bar ako ay siguradong magagalit na naman iyon at ipapasundo ako kay Zadriel na siguradong nasa kandungan na naman ni Tate.

Me:

Already preparing for sleep, My. Darating po ako bukas.

Ibinalik ko ang cellphone sa bulsa. As soon as I lifted my eyes, I saw the monkey leaning against my car with his corded arms crossed above his chest.

"Are you following me?" I asked, my brow raising in a scowl.

He smirked. I swear. He could pass a a GQ model with that kind of grin. I still rolled my eyes on him and puffed out a breath.

"Sungit." natatawang aniya.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. Mas lalong sumibol ang nakakalokong ngisi sa mga labi niya.

"So sinusundan mo nga ako?"

Ngumuso siya. "Conceited..."

"E, ano nga?"

Seriously. Why do I feel like I'm talking to a kid?

"I was also about to get in my car until I saw you. Iniwan mo akong mag-isa sa loob. Wala na akong kainuman."

"FYI, hindi naman tayo magkasamang dumating dito at mas lalong hindi tayo magkainuman. I don't even know you."

"I'm—"

"Trajano." I cut him off.

"I thought you don't know me."

"I don't. I just saw your face on billboards and remembered which clan you belong."

"I belong in the clans of handsome Gods!" he laughed.

"Yeah. A God who has been cheated by his girlfriend."

The smile on his face instantly vanished and was immediately replaced by a pout. He looks like a sad little boy who got stolen by a lollipop.

"Coming from a queen who got cheated on by his king, huh?" he fired back, the smirk on his lips was now back.

Bilis nakabawi.

"Fine. We are both betrayed but unlike you, I'm not being dramatic."

Naglakad ako palapit sa kaniya at astang bubuksan ang pintuan ng sasakyan ko pero nanatili lang siya roon na nakasandal at hindi man lang natitinag.

"That b***h—"

"Will you please stop calling her a b***h if you keep on saying that you still love her."

He sighed. The smell of his breath accidentally lingered in my nostril. I've never expected that the scent of alcohol and mouthwash is so addicting.

Ah. What the hell, Ania?

"She's really a b***h for cheating on me," he whispered. "Pero tangina, mahal na mahal ko pa rin."

Kusa akong napahinto sa paghila ng pintuan ng kotse ko at hindi sinasadyang napatingin sa kaniya. I saw him biting his lowerlip while looking into a far distance. He looks hurt. His eyes couldn't hide it.

I wonder what could be the reason why that b***h cheated on him? Obviously, this man could be every woman's ideal guy. He's handsome and rich. He has sense of humor, too. Walang tulak kabigin.

Inalis ko ang mga bagay na tumatakbo sa isip ko at muling hinila ang handle ng pintuan ng kotse ko.

"Go and win her back again. Problem solved."

The monkey still didn't move. Marahas akong bumuntong hininga at iritado siyang tinitigan. Nakatingin lang siya sa akin. Titig na titig rin.

"Maganda ka pala sa malapitan."

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Kahit sa malayo."

"Well, I have to admit that but you're frowning the first time I saw you on a business party."

My forehead creased. "You've already seen me before?"

He grinned. "Monasterio..."

Maliit lang talaga ang ginagalawan namin sa mundong meron kami. Sino ba ang mag-aakala na magkukrus ang landas namin nitong unggoy na ito kung dati ay nakikita niya lang pala ako sa isang party.

"Our fathers are friends." he added that snapped me out of my thoughts.

I shrugged my shoulders. "That's not surprising."

"Bakit ang sungit mo?"

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "You just don't know me personally kaya sa tingin mo ay masungit ako. At isa pa, if ever I'm being harsh to you, it's reasonable because I don't even know you either."

"Kaya ka siguro ipinagpalit ng boyfriend mo."

Ramdam ko ang biglang pagiinit ng pisngi ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Naningkit ang mga mata ko ngunit mas lalo ko lang nakita ang pangaasar sa mukha niya.

I've never punch a man before in his face. This might be the first time.

"Excuse me! That asshole cheated on me just because I didn't let him to have s*x with me—"

"So you're still a virgin?"

Eyeballs almost popped out as I tried to control my breathing.

"Are you seriously asking me that?!"

The corners of lips rose.

"Yes, hun. Don't worry. You don't need to answer me back. I can read between the lines." He winked at me.

I pursed my lips together, trying to supress my irritation towards this man. Ayokong ipakitang nagagalit ako sa kaniya lalo na at nasa public place kami. We are both known people. I don't want to see my face on the internet tomorrow.

Itinulak ko siya at astang bubuksan na ang pintuan ng kotse ko nang pigilan niya ito. Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses ko na siyang sinamaan ng tingin. But if my glares could kill, he's pretty dead right now.

"What!!!" mahinang sigaw ko at luminga-linga. I saw some people looking at us.

Natawa siya, luminga rin bago ibinalik ang tingin sa akin.

"You hate public attention?"

"Who would want it anyway?"

"Ako rin, ayoko."

"Wala akong pakielam."

"Sungit mo talaga."

"Wala pa rin akong pakielam!" anas ko.

"Sama ka sa akin—"

"Wala sabi akong pakiela—" kusa akong napatigil sa sinasabi nang maisip kung ano ang sinabi niya. "Ano?"

He chuckled. "Sama ka sa akin."

Suminghap ako. "At bakit ako sasama sa'yo? Kung sa gagong 'yon nga hindi ako pumayag makipagsex, sa'yo pa kaya!"

I had a glimpse of girls whispering while looking at us. Sigurado akong narinig nila ang sinabi ko dahil sa klase ng tingin na ipinupukol nila sa akin. Pero wala na ata akong pakielam dahil literal na mainit na ang ulo ko dahil sa lalaking ito!

Nakaawang ang bibig niya nang balingan ko. Hindi nagtagal ay ngumisi siya, tila may balak na naman akong asarin.

"Dearie me, I didn't know you're thinking of having s*x with me." he sounded so amazed. "I'm sorry, hun. Having s*x with you will also make me a cheater."

Daig pa ng isang kumukulong lava ang dugo ko dahil sa kaniya. Simula pa kanina ay wala na akong narinig sa kaniya kung hindi puro kalokohan. Kung hindi ko pa narinig magmula mismo sa kaniya na mahal niya pa rin ang ex girlfriend niya, iisipin kong baliwala lang sa kaniya kahit niloko siya nito. Hear the way he talks to me?!

"Get the f**k out of my face before I punch you—"

"Let's have an ice cream. It's better than sex."

Pumikit ako ng mariin, ramdam ang unti-unting pagiksi ng pising nagdudugtong sa pagiging kalmado ko. Nagmulat ako ng mga mata. Naabutan ko siyang nakatitig sa akin, nakangisi na parang bata at inaabangan ang magiging sagot ko. He even wiggled his brows as if it's my lost if I didn't eat ice cream with him.

"I know an ice cream parlor who sells the best chocolate ice cream. You will love it for sure." dagdag pa niya, daig pa ang nagse-sales talk.

I leered at him. "I don't eat sweets."

"That explains your attitude! Kulang ka sa tamis." Humagalpak siya ng tawa.

Hindi ko alam kung saan kumukuha ng kapal ng mukha ang unggoy na ito para asarin ako ng ganito. Kung si Zadriel ay hindi ako kinakausap sa ganitong paraan, siya na kadugo ko pa.

"Sweets are just for weak people," I rebounded. "Just like you."

"Well, unfortunately, you tend to become weak when you love too much, hun."

Is he saying that I didn't love Kris too much?

Well, uh... he's maybe right on that part.

"And look where loving too much led you?" bawi ko, hindi nagpapatalo. "You look depressed."

He breathed out and looked at the ground. Nag angat rin siya agad ng tingin sa akin at kinagat ang ibabang parte ng kaniyang labi. Why does he have to be so hot when biting his lips?

"Yeah, I'm somehow depressed. And s*x is my way of coping up but unfortunately, you're a virgin and I don't do virgins. So, Ice cream with me?"

Bwisit talaga!

"No f*****g wa—"

Hindi ko na naituloy pa ang sinasabi ko nang biglang tumunog ang aking cellphone. Still glaring at this monkey, I bore my attention to my phone as my brows crumpled seeing a call from Kris' mother's number.

I have no idea if she's already aware that her son and I are already done. However, I still respect her even if Kris and I have seperated ways. Mabait siya sa akin at wala naman sigurong masama kung magkaroon pa rin kami ng komunikasyon.

Why is she calling me, anyway? It's already midnight.

Hindi na nagisip pa, sinagot ko ang tawag habang ang paningin ay hindi sinasadyang tumama sa unggoy. He's looking at me, arms folded above his chest.

"Tita Griselda?" I greeted.

"Hi, Zeph. I'm sorry I called you late. I'm in the hospital right now."

Napatuwid ako ng tayo. "Why? What happened, Tita?"

"It's Kris. He got into trouble. He's beaten by some group inside the bar."

Umawang ang bibig ko nang marinig iyon. I had a glimpse of the monkey creasing his forehead while looking at me.

"Send me the address, Tita. I-I'll be there."

Dali-dali kong binuksan ang pinto ng kotse ko at sumakay roon.

"What happened?" the monkey asked but I just ignored him.

Saktong dumating ang text ni Tita Griselda tungkol sa address ng hospital ni kinaroroonan ni Kris kaya nagmaneho na ako paalis roon.

Kris and I maybe done but that doesn't mean that I don't care about him anymore. Lalo na sa pamilya niya. They have been my second family for the past year and our break up won't change that fact.

Halos lumabas ang sungay sa ulo ko nang makita ang unggoy na bumaba rin ng sasakyan niya pagkarating ko ng hospital.

"Sinusundan mo talaga ako!" sigaw ko, wala ng pakielam sa mga taong dumadaan.

Ngumuso siya habang naglalakad palapit. "You look worried awhile ago. Anong nangyari?"

"It's none of your business. Go away!"

Huminto siya sa paglalakad. Itinaas niya ang dalawang kamay at nagkibit balikat. Mabuti naman at marunong siyang makinig. Kaunti na lang talaga ay bubugahan ko na siya ng apoy.

Tumalikod ako at pumasok na sa loob ng hospital. Hindi pa man ako nakakalayo ay ramdam ko nang meron sumusunod sa akin. Marahas akong lumingon at nakita ang unggoy na mabilis na nagkunwaring binabasa ang isang chart sa hallway. He simply took a peek at me and immediately looked away when he found that I was already glaring at him.

"What the hell do you want from me?!"

Lumingon siya sa akin, luminga-linga at itinuro pa ang sarili niya.

"Are you talking to me?"

Naningkit ang mga mata ko. He scratched his forehead and walked towards me.

"Who are you going to visit here?" he asked, trying to sound innocent.

"A dying man,"

Umawang ang labi niya. "Dadasalan mo siya?"

"Gago."

Tumalikod na ulit ako at naglakad na patungo sa kinaroroonan ni Kris. The monkey keeps on talking but I tend to ignore it and continued walking. Nakarating ako sa kwarto na sinabi ni Tita Griselda.

She smiled sadly when she saw me. My eyes transferred to Kris who's lying unconsciously, some bandages are on his body.

Mukhang napuruhan ang gago.

"Salamat sa pagpunta, Zeph." It's Tita Griselda. She had a warm smile on her face while looking at me. Bahagya lang itong nabawasan nang tumingin siya sa bandang likod ko.

I sighed under my breath.

Tumango lang ako bilang sagot.

"Maiwan ko muna kayo."

She held my hand a bit before walking pass me. As soon as I heard the door close, I walked near Kris and stared at his bruised face.

"Who is he?" the monkey asked.

"My cheater ex."

"A f*****g ugly asshole."

Napairap ako. Hindi na sumagot pa.

"Maganda ka naman. Anong nagustuhan mo diyan?"

Sinamaan ko ng tingin ang unggoy na ngayon ay nasa tabi ko na at titig na titig kay Kris. Disgust was very visible on his face.

"Ikaw, anong nagustuhan mo sa girlfriend mo? Mangloloko naman. Baka nga pang ilan ka na sa mga nakarelasyon noon."

The monkey glared at me through his merciless eyes. Ngumisi ako dahil alam kong tinamaan siya doon.

He then shrugged his shoulders. "She's virgin when I got her."

"I thought you don't do virgins?"

He casted me a mocking gaze. "I see. Still remember what I said, huh? Affected ka?"

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay saka nilingon si Kris. "Why would I get affected, you dumbass."

"I don't know. Maybe you want me to do you," he leaned on my ear as I felt his warm breath there. "Am I right?"

"Kapal talaga ng mukha mo. Ano bang ginagawa mo dito? Obviously, you have no business here."

"I want to watch you pray him over." He chuckled.

Nakita ko ang paggalaw ni Kris hindi kalaunan. He slowly unlocked his eyes until he found me.

"A-Ania," he called out through a raspy voice. "You're here."

"No, man. This is just her shadow."

Halos mapapikit ako ng mariin sa naging sagot na iyon ng unggoy. Dumapo ang tingin sa kaniya ni Kris.

"Who is he?"

I breathed out. I know getting back with Kris after of what he did to me is impossible to happen. Hindi ako ipinanganak para maging tanga. Alam kong oras na maging maayos siya, babalik na naman siya sa pangungulit sa akin.

I held the monkey's hand and showed it to Kris who looks clueless and dumbfounded.

"This is..." Uh, what the hell is his name? "My b-boyfriend!"

Gumuhit ang gulat at pait sa mukha ni Kris. Ramdam ko ang paghigpit ng hawak sa kamay ko. I know this is wrong but it's just for a show. Magpapaliwanag na lang ako sa kaniya paglabas namin rito mamaya.

The monkey moved closer to me until there's no more space left between us.

"I have business here now, huh?" He chuckled smoothly. "It's Alas Trajano for you, hun."