The Coffee Guy, Jarvis

CHAPTER 6

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"Here."

Napatingin si Naia kay Jarvis nang iabot nito sa kanya ang biniling gamot pati na rin ang isang bote ng tubig. Dumaan sila sa isang botika bago napadpad sa isang bakanteng lote overlooking the city. They were still inside his cousin's car.

"Para sa sakit ng ulo. Kumakain ka pa ba ng maayos, Naia?" tanong nito. "You don't look well. Lagi ka ring namumutla. You should take good care of yourself."

"Salamat," aniya. Wala naman siyang choice kundi kunin mula dito ang gamot at ininom iyon.

She still can't believe Seven tricked her. Again. Sa susunod talaga'y magiging extra cautious na talaga siya sa batang 'yon.

"Jarvis—"

"How are you?" tanong nito bigla. "I know I get to see you almost every day in class pero, iba pa rin yung nakakapagusap tayo kahit konti."

"Okay naman..." mahinang sambit niya. "Stressed lang ng konti sa majors but I'm fine."

"Malapit na midterms, right?" Tumango siya. "Don't worry. Simpleng term paper lang naman ang kailangan for Psych. And don't worry. Highest mark na ang makukuha mo from me."

"Easy A?" ani niya sabay ngiti. "Because you had your way with me?"

"No!" tanggi agad nito. "It's not like that. Nakita ko kasi yung paper mo from last time and I think Miss Rivera gave you a much lower grade than what your paper deserved. And I know you're up for Latins kaya naisip kong dito sa midterms paper 'yon bawiin. I didn't mean to offend you in any way."

She let out a sigh.

"I'm dropping out of your class," anunsyo niya na ikina-kunot ng noo nito.

"What? Why? Pa'no na yung grades mo—"

"I'll get by," putol niya dito. "Hindi naman siguro ako mamamatay kung di ako makapag-Summa."

"Look, Naia. Hindi mo kailangang i-drop yung subject," saad nito. "I can keep my feelings in check if that's what you're worried about—"

"That's the thing, Jarvis," she said as she felt a slight sting in her eyes. "You can keep your feelings in check but I can't."

Hindi ito agad na nakasagot as she dropped the bomb at him. Maging siya'y hindi na rin umimik as she had nothing else to say.

So, she did what she thought was the best thing to do at that time. Kinuha niya ang kanyang gamit at lumabas ng kotse.

Tumatakas nanaman siya. That's her go-to play. Pero mukhang nabadtrip na sa kanya si Lord kaya biglang umulan.

"s**t!" di niya napigilang hiyaw.

Using her bag as an umbrella, she hurriedly ran away. Yung tipong hindi niya alam kung saan ba dapat pupunta pero diretso pa rin.

"Naia!" rinig niyang tawag ni Jarvis.

He was outside of the car too at tumatakbo ito kasunod niya kaya't mas binilisan pa niya ang pagtakbo papalayo.

"Naia! Stop it! Magkakasakit ka sa ginagawa mo!" saway nito as he ran after her.

But she didn't care. Kailangan niyang makalayo mula dito.

Pero bakit? Bakit ba patuloy siyang lumalayo dito? Why does she keep pushing him away?

Because I'm scared, sagot niya sa sarili. I'm scared of the possibility that I might fall in love with him and end up disappointing dad. Or grandpa.

"Leave me alone—"

She felt a strong tug on her wrist and on stimuli ay napaharap siya dito. He caught up with her. Then he used his suit jacket to cover her from the rain. Nakaramdam siya ng paninikip sa kanyang dibdib.

"Ako na lang ang aalis," sambit nito. Tulad niya'y basang-basa na rin ito sa ulan. "I can send a request to assign someone else for Miss Rivera's class."

He held both her shoulders as he talked.

"You don't need to do this, Naia," patuloy nito. "This is all my fault so hindi mo dapat gawin 'yon. If it makes you uncomfortable, I'm willing to step back. Sana sinabi mong nahihirapan ka. That's the last thing I wanted you to feel."

Hindi niya maintindihan ang nararamdaman niya ngayon. She wanted to be with him. Pero natatakot siya. What if malaman ng lahat ang relasyon nila? Imagine the granddaughter of renowned business mogul caught in a scandalous relationship with a college professor. Imagine the disappointment she'd bring to the family.

Pero masakit. Sobra. Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit ba masakit. She just met him. Ni hindi pa naman talaga sila nagkakakilala ng mabuti. Kaya bakit? Bakit ganito ang nararamdaman niya agad?

"You need to get back inside the car," anito. "Basang-basa ka na't baka magkasakit—"

All of a sudden, she can't hear him clearly. At ang paligid, it started to blur. But his face... his beautiful face remained in focus. Sumakit nanaman bigla ang kanyang dibdib.

"Naia? Are you listening? Naia hey—Naia!"

That was the last thing she heard before everything went pitch black.

"Thanks for bringing her here," narinig niya maya-maya na sambit ng kanyang pinsang si Uno. Ibubuka na sana niya ang kanyang mga mata but she immediately froze when she heard a very familiar baritone voice.

"I'll go now," ani Jarvis. "I don't think gugustuhin niyang makita ako when she wakes up."

Nagtulog-tulugan siya. What just happened? Last thing she remembers was running.

"Isama mo na 'yung pinsan mong gago," dagdag ng kanyang pinsan. "Stalker ba 'yang hinayupak na 'yan? Pano niya nalaman 'tong condo ko?"

Itong si Isadora talaga. Ang bibig! Naku!

Paiinumin ko na talaga 'to ng muriatic...

"Pasalamat ka't alam ko address mo," sagot naman ng isang di pamilyar na tinig. Mukhang ito ang tinutukoy ni Uno na stalker. In fairness, ang gwapo ng boses. "Kundi baka binahay na ni kuya 'yang pinsan mo!"

"Mukha namang matino yung kuya mo 'no! 'Di tulad mong gago ka. Crush mo 'ko 'no?"

"Yuck! Kadiri ka! Si Seven lang naman nagkagusto sa'yo kasi wala 'yong taste! Ako meron!"

"Bitter ka lang dahil kin-rush back ko siya dati," asik ng pinsan niya. "Di hamak naman kasing mas gwapo siya sa'yo."

"Gwapo? Hindi naliligo 'yon! Wala kang taste—"

"Mauna na kami, Uno," narinig niyang biglang sambit ni Jarvis. She could also hear a muffled voice. Mukhang tinakpan nito ang bibig ng kasama. "Please remind her to eat properly. At yung problema niya? I'll handle it."

"Salamat, Kuya Jarvis," sagot ni Uno. "Pwede Jarvis na lang? Kasi kung ayaw sa'yo ni Naia, pwede naman akong proxy—"

"Kuya tara na nga! Babaho hininga mo kapag kinausap mo 'yang si Dora!"

"Inamoka, Giovanno!"

Then she heard the loud slam of the door. Maya-maya pa ay bugla siyang hinataw ng kung ano sa mukha.

"Aray!" hiyaw niya sabay bumalikwas sa pagkakahiga. Isang nakangising Isadora ang bumulaga sa kanya na may hawak na unan. "Ano 'ba?!"

"Sabi na nga ba. Gising ka na. Anong drama nanaman 'to, Ate? Di ka kumakain?"

"Pagod lang ako," pagdeny niya. "Saka busy mag-aral. Malapit na midterms."

"Tapos ang lakas ng loob mong magpaulan? Sabi na nga ba. Between you, me and Third, ako talaga 'yung pinakamatalino."

Inirapan niya lang ang pinsan bago muling humiga sa sofa. Ramdam niya ang pagsipat nito ng tingin sa kanya.

"Ano?" asik niya dito.

"May kinwento sa'kin si Ken nung nakaraan."

"Look, Uno. Wala akong oras sa mga pangaral mo—"

"Since when did I lecture you?" ani agad nito. "Malaki ka na ate. Saka mas matanda ka sa'kin. Alam mo na kung ano ang tama sa mali."

"Then what's the point of you telling me na may kinwento sa'yo si Ken?"

"Wala lang. Share ko lang. Bawal na ba ngayon mag share?"

Muli ay inirapan niya ito. Napansin niya sa may coffee table na may isang bowl ng lugaw, isang baso ng tubig at gamot doon. Si Uno ba ang naghanda 'non?

"Si Jarvis may gawa niyan. You know I can't cook to save my own f*****g life," sagot nito as if nababasa nito ang kanyang isipan.

She felt her chest tighten again. She really feels guilty. Bakit ba kasi ang komplikado. Bakit kailangan niya pang maging professor niya? Bakit ba ang wrong timing?

"Alam naman namin na matalino ka, Ate," biglang sambit ni Uno. "Pero minsan, uso yung hindi pagooverthink. Not everything can be answered logically. Kailangan 'din kasi magpahinga niyang utak mo. So what if he's a professor? As if naman bobo ka para ibenta mo katawan mo for grades. Talino mo kaya. Kaya nga nahihirapan ka ngayon kasi sa sobrang pagka-genius mo, kung anu-ano na iniisip mo. Date pa lang naman. It's not like he's asking you to marry him agad. Live a little, ate. Pag-enjoyin mo naman 'yang golden pechay mo."

Hindi siya binigyan ng pagkakataong makapagsalita ng pinsan dahil bigla itong tumalikod. Maya-maya pa'y inihagis nito ang isang suit jacket mula sa kusina.

"Naiwan niya 'yan. Di ko na pinaalala kasi sabi ko, baka pwede ko maging rason 'yan para makita siya uli," anito na parang wala lang sa kanya. "But I'm a good cousin kaya ikaw na lang ang magabot niyan sa kanya. Nakakaturn-off na rin kasi pinsan din pala siya 'nung mongoloid na si Giovanno. Sayang."

Then napatingin ito sa hawak na telepono.

"Lagot. Alas-singko na pala. Susunduin ko pa si Lantis saka yung chaperone niya," anito bago inabot ang wallet at susi nito. "You can stay the night if you want. Pero kung balak mong umalis, pa-lock na lang."

And then she was left alone. She then turned her attention to the single article of clothing on her lap. Pinagmasdan niya nang maigi iyon habang binabagtas ng kanyang mga daliri ang malambot na tela nito.

Everything happened so fast. Bakit parang ang dali niya bumigay dito? Nakausap niya lang ito sa café then sinuko niya na agad ang sarili niya dito like she knew him all her life.

Not everything can be answered logically.

Masama ba? Masama bang i-save ang sarili siya from the possible pain? Yung posibleng sakit na pwedeng idulot ng pagmamahal?

Then her gaze fell on the porridge he prepared for her.

Nasasaktan na din naman siya ngayon sa paglayo niya dito. What difference does it make?

Ayoko na. Ayoko na magisip. Mababaliw na ako!

And with that, she grabbed her things and ran out of the room. Dali-dali siyang sumakay sa elevator, lumabas ng building at pumara ng masasakyan. It didn't take long 'til she reached Café Haven.

"Naia? What are you doing here?" Tanong sa kanya ni Yoon. Mukhang shift nito ngayon.

"N-Nasan si Jarvis? I need to talk to him," tanong niya dito. Sakto namang napatingin sa kanila si Box na naroroon pala.

"Nasa taas siya," agad na sagot nito sa tinanong niya kay Yoon. "I can take you there if you want."

The guy led her to the kitchen then out into the back exit. A few steps after itinuro nito ang isang steel staircase papunta sa isang apartment.

"That's his man-cave," ani ng lalaki. "You can go straight right in. 000301 ang lock combination."

Isang tango lamang ang ibinigay niya sa lalaki't agad binagtas ang daan patungo sa tinutuluyan nito. Huminga muna siya ng malalim bago tumipa sa security lock at buksan ang pintuan.

Pagpasok niya ay sakto namang paglabas ni Jarvis mula sa pinto sa kanyang kanan. Nanlaki ang kanyang mata nang makitang nakatapis ng tuwalya lamang ito. He must've taken a shower after being drenched in the rain.

"Naia?"

Hindi na niya binigyan pa ng oras para makabawi ito. She instantly wrapped her arms around his bare torso and buried her face in his chest. Naramdaman niya rin ang paghapit nito sa kanya.

"I thought—"

"Don't," putol niya agad sa sana'y sasabihin nito and their gazes locked as tilted her head up. "Don't say anything. Baka umatras nanaman ako. It's now or never, Jarvis."

Naguguluhang kumunot ang noo nito. He was staring at her intently. Like studying her or something.

Ayaw na ba nito? Did she ruin it? Dahil ba sa pagiisip niya ng kung anu-ano... did she lose him? She was on the verge of tears kaya't napayuko siya. Hindi alam kung ano ba dapat ang gagawin.

Then his hand found its way to her chin and slowly their eyes met and again--drowning in them. Her heart skipped a beat when he smiled.

"Okay."

They kissed and eventually ended up on the couch making up for lost time.

"Please say something," ani maya-maya ni Jarvis habang nilalaro nito ang kanyang buhok while she laid on top of him. "Kinakabahan ako dahil baka tumakbo ka nanaman paalis pagkatapos mo 'kong pagsamantalahan."

Nangunot ang noo niya sabay tapik sa braso nito.

"Grabe ka sa pagsamantalahan!" asik niya na ikinatawa nito.

His laughter. For some reason ay napakagandang pakinggan niyon. Just as how addicting it was to see his smile.

"But seriously, Naia. Please say something," he pleaded. "Does this mean you're okay with it? Okay sa'yo na magka'ron tayo ng relasyon?"

Dahan-dahan ang naging pagtango niya.

"I'm sorry if I've been very difficult, Jarvis. Hindi... Hindi kasi ako sanay sa ganito. I mean, I don't do stuff like this. And... I... well, pinangunahan nanaman kasi ako ng takot ko. You know?"

She unconsciously bit her lower lip.

"It's something out of the ordinary for me," patuloy niya. "And... well, I'm not a fan of breaking the rules. Tapos 'nung naisipan kong mag-take ng risk, halos lahat ng kakilala ko eh alam na ang tungkol sa'tin. Feeling ko tuloy, I can't pull this secret relationship off even before it started."

Jarvis tucked the loose strands of her hair behind her ear. Then gently caressed her cheeks with his thumb.

"It's okay to be scared, Naia," sambit nito. "But I'll never put you in a dangerous position. Pasensya na rin sa mga pinsan ko. But I trust them. Hindi ka nila ipapahamak."

"I know," mahina niyang sambit. "I... I just chickened out."

"So, what made you change your mind?"

"Schrödinger's cat," saad niya. "Pa'no ko malalaman kung hindi ko susubukan, right?"

"Hmm… You're making psychology references now," he said chuckling. "You do realize that's a major turn-on sa isang Psychology professor tulad ko, right?"

"I'm very much aware," she replied. "But honestly speaking, Uno made me realize na hindi dapat ako natatakot sumubok. That I should just go for something that makes me happy."

"Do I make you happy, Naia?" tanong nito in his oh-so-sultry voice. She smiled.

"Yes," agad niyang sagot. "Kahit maikling sandali lang kita nakasama, it was the first time in a long while that I felt relaxed. Talking to you felt like I've known you since forever. Ewan ko ba, pero, you make me happy, Jarvis. Really happy."

Lumapad ang ngiti nito before he planted a chaste kiss on her lips.

"Then let me make you happier, Miss Uychengco."

She let out a soft scream when he suddenly scooped her up and carried her to his bedroom.

At wala na siyang pakealam kung ma-late pa siya bukas. She has a feeling na male-late din ang professor niya.

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