Pleasure and Pain (Not your typical love affair)

Kabanata 2— Fuming mad

MATAGAL akong napatitig kay Juddah. Him, being here, is not sinking on my head. What the hell is happening? Don't tell me, he's Marhianna’s suitor?

     “What's with your clothes, Maldrid? Why are you wearing that kind of—” she stop.

     My gaze averted to my Mother. Halatang hindi niya nagustuhan ang suot ko. What's with my clothes? It's just a crop top and a high waist ripped jeans. Compared sa mga sinusuot ko kapag nagka-clubbing, mas conservative pa ang isang 'to.

     Pilit ang ngiting bumaling ito kay Juddah. My gaze traveled down on Marhianna's hand when she caressed his arm. “I'm sorry, if you have to see my daughter like this. By the way—“ Bumaling siya sa 'kin. "Maldrid, this is your Tito Juddah. And Juddah, she's the one I'm talking about. She's Maldrid, my daughter.”

     I secretly grimaced. It's just so awkward to call him Tito. He's not that old I might say.

     “Hi! How old are you?” I walk towards them at inabot ang kamay ko kay Juddah. My right brow arched when he immediately shook it. Gusto kong mapairap. Parang nung isang gabi lang sa club ay hindi niya kinuha ang kamay ko para kamayan. Pero ngayon, walang pagdadalawang isip na inabot n'ya 'yon. Napangisi ako nang tuluyang maramdaman ang kamay niya sa 'kin.

     “Nice to meet you, Maldrid,” he said in a baritone voice. He's brown eyes bore at me like I am just nothing. My lips curved up a bit. He didn't answer my question.

     “Ditto,” I nonchalantly said and shrugged my shoulder. I nodded my head at him before facing Marhianna, “So, what's our dinner for tonight?"

***

THE whole duration of our dinner, masasabi kong mabibilang ko sa aking mga daliri kung ilang beses lamang nagsalita si Juddah. Madalas ay kami ni Marhianna ang nag-uusap. When I finished with my food, I excused myself and went up stair to my room. I took a half bath before applying a cream to my face saka ako nahiga sa kama. Inabot ko ang phone and went online to my messenger. Tumawag ako sa chat group namin and gladly, agad namang sinagot nila Gia at Adrianna.

     “Guess what girls, you wouldn't believe what I'm going to say,” I said, rolling my eyes at them.

     “Oh, okay. Don't tell it to us then. Hindi naman pala kami maniniwala.”

     I leered at Adrianna's teasing tone. Natawa naman si Gia. “Che! Pero seryoso, hindi talaga kayo maniniwala.” Then I started telling them na ang manliligaw ni Marhianna ay isa sa mga bachelors na nakilala namin noong isang gabi.

     “Really?! What the hell Maddi! Nakita ka ng soon to be daddy mo na nilalandi ang kaibigan niyang si Caleb. Paano kung magsumbong ‘yon kay Marhianna?”

     I grimaced. Napangiwi ako dahil sa sinabi ni Gia. “Daddy? Are you serious with that, Georgia?” Never had I imagined that I'm going to call him Daddy. Hindi bagay. He's too young for me to call him Daddy. The latter just laughed at my reaction so I glared at her.

     “She will never call him that Gia, coz I know, Juddah's her type,” sabat ni Adrianna.

     I glared at the latter. “What the hell, Adrianna? My type? Nah! Ayoko sa kanya. He's too silent and cold. He's like a stiff man! Ang boring n'ya kayang panuorin!” I will never deny to myself na naging interesado ako kay Juddah. But when I've learned that he's Marhianna's suitor, I rather back off. Hindi kami talo ng sarili kong ina. Nakakakilabot lang na mag-aagawan kami dahil lang sa isang lalake. Hindi pa ako nababaliw para gawin 'yon. And just like what I told them, Juddah's seems boring. And it's a big turn off to me already.

     “It's not what I've saw when we were at the bar, Maddi.”

     I heaved a sigh. Adrianna's too persistent at talagang pinipilit kung ano ang nakikita niya lalo na't alam niyang may punto siya.

     “Alright, at first, he was my type. He looks sexy. But c'mon girls, tatalunin ko ba si Marhianna? Masyadong maraming lalake sa mundo. Hindi ako mawawalan,” I smirked at them. He's just Juddah Ferranci. He may be rich but it's no big deal in my part. Madaming hot Bachelors sa Pinas.

     Madami pa kaming napag-usapan bukod sa manliligaw ni Marhianna at pinutol lamang nang makitang alas dose na ng madaling araw. 

     I yawn. I'm already sleepy but I felt thirsty so I went downstairs to drink water. After that, agad na rin naman akong pumanhik sa taas but I stopped mid step when I saw Marhianna and Juddah at the living room, they are at the couch. Their hands were intertwined while having a chit chat.

     Crossed arm above my chest, I walk towards them. I cleared my throat and smiled when their gaze darted at me. “Hindi pa ba siya uuwi, Marhianna?" My forehead creased, nabura ang ngiti sa labi ko nang mapansing tila hindi nagustuhan ni Juddah ang tanong ko. He's clenching his jaw while looking at me.

     “What? It's already twelve midnight. Wala ba kayong trabaho bukas, guys?” Muli kong sinupil ang ngiti sa labi para makita nilang hindi ko intensyon na pauwiin na ang bisita.

     “Maldrid…” Marhianna rose up on her feet and was about to say something but Juddah interrupt and held her arm.

     “Your daughter's right, Marhianna. I should go now.”

     I shrugged my shoulder and turn my back at them. Hindi ko na kaylangang tingnan kung paano sila magpaalam sa isa't isa. It's inevitable that they are going to press their lips with each other and it's just gross and awkward seeing my mother kissing someone in my front. Plus, it's their privacy we are talking about here.

     I went directly to my room and lay down on the bed. Matagal akong nakatitig sa kisame hanggang sa nakarinig ako ng katok.

     “Come in.” I get up on the bed when Marhianna sat beside me. She tuck my hair behind my ear and stared at me for a minute.

     “What Marhianna?” I asked. Hindi kasi siya nagsasalita at pinagmamasdan lang ako.

     “What can you say about Juddah?”

     I arched my brow. She looks nervous. Maybe she's anticipating with what I'm going to answer. Kapag kasi hindi ko gusto ang manliligaw niya, kahit gaano niya pa iyon kagusto, when I say no, she will immediately dump him. Ilang beses ng nangyari 'yon noon.

     “He looks so… stiff. Are you sure with him?”

     She gripped my right hand. “He just look stiff. But trust me, Maldrid… kapag kami lang na dalawa ang magkasama, he is so sweet. Madaldal rin siya.”

     Tumango-tango ako. “How old is he by the way? He didn't answer me kanina.”

     “I’m… four years older than him.”

     Umarko ang kilay ko. Hindi naman halata na mas matanda si Marhianna kay Juddah. The man's look rugged and mature. While my mother, she looks just like twenty three.

     “So, do you like him or not?”

     I shrugged my shoulder. “I can't tell it now. Ang tipid masyado magsalita kapag tinatanong. Kaya hahayaan na lang kitang mag-desisyon.”

     Ngumiti si Marhianna, tila nakahinga ng maluwag. Mahina akong natawa dahil d’un. I know, my decision's always matter to her. “Thank you, Maldrid. Don't worry, hindi ako sasaktan ni Juddah. I assure you that.”

     Ngumiti na rin ako at niyakap siya. “Kaylan mo siya sasagutin?”

     She grimaced. "Malapit na. But Maddi, its Tito Juddah for you."

     I leered. Whatever.

***

MY whole week is so damn boring. Hindi ako makasama sa pag-clubbing nila Gia dahil bantay-sarado ako ni Marhianna. Madalas na bahay at opisina lang ang pinupuntahan niya. Kaya ganun rin ang naging routine ko nang ilang araw na. Mabuti pa siya't nagdi-dinner datae kasama si Juddah. Gusto kong pumuslit pero hindi ko magawa dahil inuuwi din siya bago mag-alas dyes ng gabi.

     Ugh! That suitor of her won't just break the rule. Kahit matatanda na’y hindi sila inaabot ng umaga ni Marhianna sa labas. I really want to party tonight. Lalo na't tinawagan ako nila Gia na nasa club na sila.

     “Yes Maddi? Do you want anything?” Marhianna asked as I knocked on her door. It's already ten in the evening and she's on her lingerie already.

     “Are you going to bed already?” I went inside and sat at the edge of her bed. I stared at her reflection on the mirror as she put some cream on her face.

     “After this matutulog na ako. So, do you need anything?”

     I smiled and shook my head. "I just want to ask where you met your suitor. Did you already meet his parents? At kung magiging kayo na, anong plano niyo? Magpapakasal ba kayo agad?” I asked simultaneously. Masyado lang akong curious lalo na't nabanggit sa 'kin ni Gia kanina kung gaano kayaman at ma-impluwensyang tao ang manliligaw ni Marhianna.

     According to the article that Gia read—at the young age, after he graduated, he started making his name in the world of Business. Juddah Ferranci has his own company now; he's into beach and resorts, also have a construction firm and oil company. And despite of his family's business, he's a self-made billionaire.

     I'm just worried dahil baka hindi magustuhan ng pamilya ni Juddah si Marhianna. Knowing mga mayayaman, karamihan sa kanila ay matapobre. And I don't want that to happen. Ayokong apihin nila ang nag-iisang magulang ko.

     She chuckled by my questions. She stood up and sat beside me. “What's with your questions, Maldrid? Are you worried about me?”

     I nodded. “Ayoko lang na masaktan ka.” After what happened to her when she was still young, ayokong pagdaanan niya ulit na api-apihin na lang. Madami nang nangyari sa kanya noon. Sa pagbenta pa lamang sa kanya ng mga magulang niya, masyado nang masakit 'yon.

     “Don't worry about me, Maldrid. Juddah's planning to introduce me to his parents. Hindi lang mangyari dahil nasa labas ng bansa ang mga magulang niya. And about your question, he's my boss's cousin. And were dating for five months now.”

     Tumango-tango ako. Masyado pang bago. Hindi pa ganun katagal ang limang buwan. Pero nakikita ko namang seryoso si Juddah sa kanya kaya hahayaan ko na lang.

     “And about the marriage thing, we didn't reach to that point yet. But who knows, right?”

***

AGAD din naman akong umalis sa kwarto ni Marhianna matapos naming mag-usap. I went back to my room and heaved a sigh. Tunog kasi nang tunog ang cellphone ko dahil sa tawag ni Gia.

     Natutukso na akong tumakas kaya sa unang pagkakataon, tinakasan ko si Marhianna. After checking if she's asleep already, I immediately went back to my room to change my dress. Wearing my black skin-tight shiny leather skirt, paired with a white shirt, I smiled to myself. I look so simple but elegant.

     Before I left my room, pinagdikit ko ang aking dalawang unan pahaba saka iyun kinumutan para kung magising man si Marhianna at sumilip sa kwarto ko, she would just think that I am covered with my blanket.

     “Where are you na, Maddi? You're so matagal!”

     I chuckled on Adrianna at the other line. “Just chill, girl. Hinanap ko pa yung key sa car ni Marhianna. Wala akong masakyan eh.” Sisiguraduhin ko na lang na uuwi akong bandang alas dos para hindi niya malaman na ginamit ko ang sasakyan niya.

     Nang makuha ang susi ay agad na akong nagpaalam kay Adrianna sa kabilang linya at lumabas ng bahay.

***

MABILIS ko pang pinark ang sasakyan nang makarating sa club.  Napapasayaw pa ako dahil sa indayog ng musika nang makapasok ako sa loob. Damn! I really miss this! I really miss to party.

     Sinalubong agad ako ni Gia at inabutan ng tequila. Agad ko naman iyong ininum saka nakipag-beso sa kanya.

     “Paano ka nakatakas?”

     I didn't answered her, I just wink on her.

     “Where's Adrianna, by the way?” tanong ko mayamaya.

     She rolled her eyes. "Oh with some guy again.”

     That night, I didn't flirt with some random man. Wala akong gana at walang makapasa sa standards ko. Uminom lang ako nang uminom at sumayaw sa dance floor.

     I was shouting because of the beat of music. May kung sino na ring nakikisayaw sa likod ko at dahil sa kalasingan, pinatulan ko. Halos ipagduldulan ko na ang sarili ko sa estrangherong kasayaw ko.

     “Do you want to go somewhere private?” He asked in a husky voice.

     Gumuhit ang ngiti sa aking labi. I caressed his hard chest and was about to say something when someone snatched me away from the stranger. Feels like my world turn upside down dahil sa pagbuhat sa 'kin ng kung sino.

     “H-hey, put me down!” I even punched his back when he carried me and put me into his shoulder. Gladly he obliged dahil agad niya rin akong binaba pagka-labas ng club.

     I shook my head and massage my temple. Nahilo ako bigla. Nang maramdaman kong ayos na ako'y saka lang ako tumingala para singhalan ang kung sino mang nanghila sa ‘kin.

     I ready my death glare. “What the f**k is your problem—” Natigilan ako nang makilala kung sino ito. But instead of reacting, I just turn my back on him. We're not close for me to talk to him.  I took a few steps to go back inside the club pero hindi pa man ako nakalalayo when he grab my right arm and gripped it and forced me to face him. I grimaced dahil sa diin ng pagka-hawak niya.

     “Where are you going?!” He darkly said.

     Instead of answering, I leered even Juddah's fuming mad while looking at me.