My Boyfriend's Bestfriend

T H I R T E E N

"Babe..."

Tumitig lang ako nang tawagin ako ni Devin. Madilim na nang makarating kami sa bahay nila at nakaalis na rin si kuya Darius. Buong biyahe akong nakapikit, pretending that I was asleep. But it just made sense kasi dinahilan ko rin sa kaniya kanina na pagod na ako at gusto ko nang umuwi.

I mean, what can I say? I felt cheated. Hindi ko alam kung bakit. We barely even talk about our pasts and we certainly seem to not need it now. But the fact that he brought me to a place where his ex-girlfriend lives and made me believe it was a special place set for us the whole time makes me feel like this relationship is nothing but a complete lie.

'Unfortunately, I couldn't agree more,' Aego says.

Sa sobrang hindi ko alam kung paano magre-react kanina dahil may balak pa silang lahat na hindi sabihin sa 'kin, isang malutong na PLEASED TO MEET YOU lang ang nasabi ko. Hindi ko kasi pwedeng sisihin si Devin, e. Kasi ano bang isisisi ko?

Nakakahiya dahil sabi pa naman ni Devin, gusto akong ma-meet ng parents ni Sunny. But I've had too much of these Larquezas for a day and I think I can't handle them all at the same time. Masyado akong kino-consume no'ng feeling na six years akong naniwalang may something sa kanila ni Sunny. 'Yun pala, sa kapatid ni Sunny. And they remained friends the entire time. Why? Para may balita pa rin siya kay Bree? Come on. When Catherine broke up with my brother, we never remained friends. Nor did my brother remained friends with Catherine's siblings, kahit pa best friend din ni Ren si Christian na kapatid ni Catherine.

"Babe, may problema ba tayo?"

Ang dami kong gustong sabihin sa kaniya, actually. Pero hindi ko alam kung saan mag-uumpisa so I end up shaking my head with a dismissive answer, "Wala."

Nakaupo ako sa kama niya kaya lumapit siya sa 'kin sabay luhod sa harapan ko. "Babe..."

Ngumiti lang ako. "O, ano 'yan? Proposal?"

"Babe, you're mad. Talk to me."

"Alam mo, mas nakakabwisit 'yung hindi ka naman galit pero pinipilit sa 'yong galit ka. Itigil mo na nga 'yan at tumayo ka na."

"Hindi ako tatayo until you tell me what's going on."

"Puwes, lumuhod ka hanggang umaga. Inaantok pa rin kasi ako, babe. Natural tinatamad akong makipag-usap. Why can't you just drop the subject and let it go? Ikaw ba, hindi napagod sa biyahe? Kasi ako, pagod na pagod na."

Finally, nakinig din siya at tumayo na. Nagbihis na rin ako. Kung dati, laging papansin ang mga kilos ko sa tuwing nagpapalit ng damit para akitin si Devin, this time, feeling ko naging conservative ako bigla. Dinala ko 'yung damit ko sa bathroom niya at doon nagpalit pagkatapos magshower. Ang suot ko rin ngayon, wholesome na wholesome. Pajama pants and shirt.

"Good night, babe. Kiss ko?"

Nag-pretend na lang ulit akong tulog na kahit pa obvious namang gising pa ako kasi kakahiga ko lang. Hindi ko na siya pinansin.

Madaling araw.

Bumaba ako sa kitchen nila Devin dahil nagising ako bigla na parang nanunuyo ang lalamunan. Nakaupo ako sa sink pagkatapos uminom, tulala. 'Yung above the oven light lang ang bukas kaya medyo dim tapos nakalimutan pang patayin ang centralized AC kaya medyo malamig. Buti na lang, hindi tinipid sa tela ang suot ko.

"Babe?"

Napalingon ako sa entrada ng kitchen when Devin calls out to me quietly. Naglakad siya palapit, parang naalimpungatan lang din siya.

"Why did you leave me there?"

"Obviously, nauhaw ako. Babalik pa naman ako, e."

Yumakap siya sa 'kin at hinayaan ko lang. Nandito 'yung katawan niya bale sa pagitan ng mga hita ko. "'Pag mahal mo raw, hindi mo iiwan," sabi niya pa.

"Bakit, mapapawi ba ng pagmamahal 'yung uhaw ko? Edi ikaw na lang ang 'wag uminom."

Naramdaman ko 'yung mahinang tawa niya. Sinubsob niya 'yung mukha niya sa leeg ko. "I didn't get my kiss."

Nag-ready na ako para bumaba pero humigpit 'yung yakap niya sa 'kin bigla. Ayoko ng ganito. Ganitong posisyon, ganitong ambiance. Sawang-sawa na 'ko sa tukso tapos wala lang sa kaniya lahat. Kaya hangga't maaari, iiwas na lang ako.

"Babe, stay. Please."

Wala na akong nagawa. Naramdaman kong nag-loosen 'yung yakap niya tapos tiningnan niya ako sa mukha.

"You're beautiful. You know that?"

Kung dati, madali akong kiligin sa banat ni Devin, parang bigla akong naumay ngayon. Perhaps this is still because of what I found out about sa kanila ng kapatid ni Sunny.

'Sunny na naman,' inaantok na singit ni Aego.

Hindi pa ako nakakasagot, naramdaman ko na lang ang halik niya sa labi ko. Pumikit ako sa kagustuhang mag-focus na lang kay Devin at kalimutan ang lahat ng inis ko sa kaniya. Hindi naman naging mahirap 'yon, lalo na't ang sarap ng halik ni Devin.

I feel him moving his lips gently against mine. Bumibilis ang paghinga naming pareho hanggang sa lumalim 'yung halik. But for the first time, I feel myself being in utter control of my desires for him. Parang ayoko na masyado ng malisya. Kung ano na lang ang meron, ganoon na lang.

But just when I'm starting to accept the fact that he can't do it with me unless we're married, naramdaman ko 'yung kamay niya above my abdomen. Slowly, his hand travels up to my stomach as we exchange kisses. I hear myself moaning against his lips. Inaasahan kong itigil na niya as soon as he hears that but he continues kissing me like we never kissed before.

I drape my arms around his neck. Naramdaman ko 'yung kamay niyang binubuksan ang butones ng pink pajama tops na suot ko but he's careful not to be aggressive. He pulls me closer kaya automatic na pinulupot ko sa kaniya ang mga binti ko.

"Babe," I breathlessly say against his lips in between our kisses.

His hand moves from under my shirt. Mainit 'yung kamay niya but my skin is just as equally warm. Hot, even. Kahit hindi pa namin ginagawa ni Devin 'to, I know he's about to get to my first base.

Alam kong all the while, I wanted this. But right now, as it happens, I suddenly feel panic rising in my chest. Napadilat ako and I push him slightly away from me. Maagap kong hinawakan 'yung kamay ni Devin bago niya ako mahawakan sa dibdib.

"Babe?"

"No," hinihingal na sabi ko.

"No?"

"No, as in 'no'. Like no, let's not do it yet."

Confused, tumango na lang si Devin. Bumaba na ako mula sa sink at naramdaman ko rin for the first time that he's hard. Sa aming dalawa, ako 'yung laging walang kontrol sa ganito. Kaya ngayon, malamang parehas kaming nagtataka sa magkaibang dahilan.

The next morning, wala na si Devin sa tabi ko when I wake up. May text siya na nauna na siyang umalis kasi may gagawin siyang importante sa coffee shop on a freaking Sunday. And not that I don't care, I honestly feel relieved na wala siya ngayon because I'd hate to explain myself of my attitude towards him last night.

Nag-unat ako ng katawan. Funny how I never dreamed of anything sensual last night aside from stormy gray eyes staring at me from afar.

Pagdating ko sa apartment, nag-check ako ng emails ko agad. After that, naglinis ako. Naligo. When I check on my phone, inaasahan kong may text si Devin para man lang magtanong kung kumain na ba ako or what. Pero wala siyang text.

Surprisingly, message ni Sunny ang nandito.

Sunny: How are you? Are you okay?

Hindi ko na pinalampas pa ang pagkakataon with little miss quiet.

Rain: You should've asked me that yesterday when I was feeling nostalgic.

Sunny: Sorry. My sister's such an arse.

Rain: Actually, it wasn't any of your sisters that I was pissed at.

Sunny: Who was it?

Rain: I don't know. You tell me.

Sunny: Devin?

Rain: Seriously?

Sunny: Okay, then. What did Kathy do to you?

Rain: Ugh. Stop texting.

Sunny: Don't reply if you hate talking to me.

Rain: Just stop bothering me.

Sunny: Hey, you bothered me yesterday.

Rain: If I seem to recall correctly, you actually opted not to be bothered as you spent the whole afternoon locked up in your room with your little friend.

Sunny: Oh. So that's why you're pissed.

Rain: Shut up.

Sunny: Open the door.

Bigla akong kinabahan sa last message niya. Napatayo ako mula sa kinahihigaan ko. 'Di kaya nanto-troll lang 'to?

Rain: Why?

Ang tagal bago siya nakasagot. Naglakad na ako papunta sa sala.

Sunny: Probably because Superman will ask for cookies, that's why.

Inayos ko saglit 'yung buhok ko. Sh!t. I'm a mess. Sana man lang kasi nagsabi siyang pupunta siya, e.

Pagbukas ko ng pinto, wala namang tao kaya napairap ako. No'ng isasara ko na, napansin ko yung nasa doormat.

FLOWERS. ROSES, TO BE EXACT.

Napatakip ako sa bibig ko. "What the hell," pabulong kong sabi. Obviously, galing sa kaniya.

"Sorry I acted weird yesterday." -SS

Napangiti ako bigla habang umiiling. Pumasok ako sa bahay at naupo sa sofa. May text agad siya.

Sunny: Did you like it?

Rain: Did I like... What?

Sunny: The cookies. Hell, what else was even there to ask, Rain? Of course, the roses.

Rain: Oh, you mean that puny little garbage? I threw it in my bin.

Sunny: Sure.

Rain: What was the bouquet for?

Sunny: It could have been your food for dinner but I assume you don't eat garbage.

Rain: I'm enjoying your sarcasm. I swear.

Sunny: You'll get used to it.

Rain: Sometimes, I think you are only good with conversations over text messages because you don't talk to me a lot in person.

Sunny: Oh, I could try. It might be fun. Specially when your BOYFRIEND is around, that would be lovely.

Rain: What is it with you and Devin? It's not like he'd hate it if he finds out we're getting along just fine.

Sunny: Says the GIRLFRIEND who can't even tell him that we have each other's numbers.

Rain: Does your BEST FRIEND know you sent his GIRLFRIEND a bouquet of colored Roses?

Sunny: Don't worry. I'll let him know.

Rain: Enjoy your sarcasm, Sunshine. Why are they colored, anyway?

Sunny: They remind me of Rainbow.

Napapangiti ako habang binabasa 'yung salitang RAINBOW. Kung sana ganito kami mag-usap sa personal, baka nag-overnight pa kami ni Devin kagabi. Pero syempre pinili niyang 'wag akong kibuin sa harap ni Devin kahit harap-harapan niya kung harutin 'yung Kaizer na 'yon! Ugh! Naiinis na naman ako! Iinisin ko rin siya para fair...

Rain: Oh, great. I'm more reminded of Ice when I look at them than myself.

Sunny: Fortunately, you're the only one who threw the roses like garbage. Because Kaizer has hers on a nice glassed vase on her center table. I put them there myself. :)

Mukhang baliktad ang nangyari. Imbes na inisin ko siya, mas nainis pa ako sa kaniya kaya hindi na ako nagreply.

Nilagay ko 'yung flowers sa kwarto ko, sa desk. Humilata ako ulit. Naisip kong magbawi ng tulog pero wala pang ilang segundo, nag-ring 'yung phone ko. Inis na napatingin ako sa screen...

Sunny 

Incoming call...

"What? You suddenly got bored with texting?"

"Babe?"

Napabangon ako bigla. Tama naman, ah? Number ni Sunny, pero bakit si Devin ang nagsasalita?!

"Babe?" pag-uulit niya.

"Devin?"

"Is there anyone else calling you 'babe' aside from me?"

"Don't start with me in this game. Where the hell have you been?! Bakit ngayon ka lang tumawag?! Kaninong number 'to?! Nasaan ang phone mo?!" sunud-sunod kong tanong para makalimutan na niya agad 'yung bungad ko sa kaniya kanina. Obviously, magkasama sila ngayon ni Sunny pero hindi niya pinaalam sa 'kin.

"Babe, calm down, please?" Narinig kong huminga siya nang malalim. "This is Sunny's number. I don't wanna worry you but I could really use some of your comfort right now."

Nag-abang ako sa susunod niyang sasabihin.

"I'm in the hospital and I just woke up."

"WHAT?!"

"You see, my college friend, Aries, fortunately have Sunny's updated number. Magkikita-kita sana kami kanina but I was held up. 'Yung phone ko nakuha. Binigay ko naman kaso ayon nga, sinaksak pa rin ako. I couldn't remember what happened next."

"Oh my gosh, Devin?! Where are you?!"

As soon as he tells me he's in MMC, nag-drive na ako agad paalis. Pagdating ko sa room niya, there are three guys na nakatayo sa gilid tapos nakaupo si Sunny. Napatingin silang lahat sa 'kin. Lumapit ako agad at niyakap si Devin.

"Careful, babe. May gasgas sa tagiliran."

Nang maalala ko bigla ang katangahan niya, kumalas ako sa yakap at tiningnan siya nang masama. "Ikaw, ano bang ginagawa mo kasi, ha?! Nasaan ka at nadali ka ng mga hold up goons na 'yan?"

"Nasa Tondo kasi ako. We were surprising an old friend. Naligaw ako, magtatanong sana ako sa mga tao. Pagbaba ko sa kotse, tinawagan ko 'tong si Aries. Ayon, sakto tinutukan na ako."

"How's the car?" Sunny asks. Nagtawanan 'yung tatlong lalaki.

"Best naman."

"How could you be so stupid? Kahit Tondo pa 'yan o kung saan man, you don't bring your phone out to the public," sermon ko. Konti na lang papalit na 'ko kay Aego sa pagiging nagger.

"Lesson learned. I'm sorry."

"Sabi ng doktor, hindi naman malalim. Nawalan lang daw ng malay si Devin dahil nakakita ng dugo," one of the guys says.

"Before I forget, guys. This is Rain, my girlfriend. Babe, these are my college buddies. Aries, Noel, and Danny."

We shake hands. After some time, nakatulog din si Devin ulit. Pasimple kong tinawag si Sunny sa labas.

"Does he know that you have my number?" I immediately ask.

"Rain, your boyfriend is lying on a hospital bed with an injury. Whether he knows it or not must be the least of your worries."

"May usapan ba kayo ni Devin na magkita ngayon?"

"We met before his damned appointment with his college buddies, alright."

"Bakit? Anong pinag-usapan niyo?"

She looks up, closes her eyes, and breathes in deeply. "It's personal."

"Well, news flash. I'm his girlfriend, and I'm a part of his personal life, too, Sunny."

"If you really are the girlfriend as you claim to be then you better start acting like one."

Sa sobrang nainsulto ako sa sinabi niya, nasampal ko siya bigla. "May gusto ka ba sa boyfriend ko?"

"Seriously?" Tumingin siya sa 'kin nang diretso. Nagulat ako no'ng bigla niya akong tinulak pasandal sa pader. Masakit, sobra. Pati diin ng dalawang kamay niya sa magkabilang balikat ko, masakit. Magkalapit na kami ngayon ng mga mukha. "We both know that if I ever get in between you and Devin, he isn't gonna be the issue."

Nakatitig lang din ako sa kaniya. Naaamoy ko 'yung hininga niya. 'Yung kinakapa kong pakiramdam kay Devin kagabi as we kissed, ngayon ko nararamdaman. And we're barely even touching, for crying out loud.

"Ikaw ang tatanungin ko. Mukha ba akong may gusto sa boyfriend mo?"

Napalunok ako tapos umiling.

Finally, binitawan niya ako. "I was planning to give you a surprise visit today, Rain. To make up for what happened yesterday. And yet you suspect me of having a thing with your boyfriend who I happen to know far longer than you do. I have my way with words and charm. If I wantred to have your boyfriend I could've had him years before."

Maglalakad na sana siya pabalik sa room ni Devin pero nagsalita ako agad. "Why did you see him first before meeting me today? If he's really just you best friend, why are you prioritizing him every so often?"

She walks back right in front of me and that deadly impassive face is back. "Funny. You talk as if you wouldn't do the same thing if you were in my shoes."