In a RelationTrip

Chapter 4 - Worth it

Alas nueve pa lang ng umaga ay may kumakatok na sa kwarto niya.

“Yaya Cita, maaga pa,” pabulong niyang tugon kahit na tuluyan pa rin ang pagkatok na naririnig sa kanyang pintuan. Ilang katok pa ay nagbukas na ang pinto at may matipuno at matangkad na lalaking pumasok sa kanyang silid.

Nang makita ni Dara ang taong pumasok ay nagtalukbong kaagad siya ng kumot. She wasn’t prepared for any company, especially the man who just entered her room. Sinilip ni Dara ang desk clock sa may kanan niya at saka nagsalita. “You’re supposed to come here at ten am! It’s only 9 in the morning. Leave. I still have to shower and pack.”

“I just came in to let you know that I’m already packed and ready to go.” Napairap si Dara. Kung anong klaseng packed at ready to go ang tinutukoy niya ay huwag niya ngayong ipakita kay Dara dahil mainit ang ulo niya.

Hinila ni Darren ang kumot. Dara was only wearing an oversized and very thin white shirt without anything else on. Ibinaba niya ang t-shirt niyang suot upang takpan ang kung ano mang makikita ni Darren. His eyes knew where to look and it was at her chest. Dahil masakit ang ulo ni Dara at naiirita siyang ginising siya nito ng wala pa sa oras, inihagis niya papunta kay Darren ang unan sa kanyang tabi at saka siya tumakbo patungong banyo.

“Dara, ang KJ mo. I told you, I’m ready.” Narinig niyang natatawang sabi ni Darren na nahiga na sa kanyang kama.

Dara knew that she had to go out dressed for them to leave the house on time. Kapag nakita muli ni Darren ang alindog niya ay siguradong hindi na sila makakalabas doon. Hindi pa siya handa na masaktang muli pero hindi rin naman niya magawang humindi.

Malaki ang bathroom ni Dara. Para itong lobby ng isang kwarto. May claw foot bath tub ito sa tapat ng isang lazyboy couch at lababo. Sa bath tub na ito siya madalas magbabad upang mag-relax. Bukod pa ang bath tub na ito sa jacuzzi at rainshower with various shower jets na nasa enclosed partition sa may dulong bahagi ng bathroom. Dahil bilang lang ang oras at may naghihintay sa kanya sa labas, sa shower na lang siya nagtagal ng mahigit sampung minuto. Nang matapos ang paliligo ay nagpatuyo muna siya ng buhok gamit ang blow dryer habang nakatapis ng puting robe.

Nakuha niyang makapagbihis ng isang pulang sundress at puting ballet flats sa loob ng walk in closet na may passageway galing sa kanyang malaking banyo. Mula sa mga paper bags ng mga designer brands galing sa huli nilang shopping trip na magkakaibigan, nakapaghanda siya ng mga gamit at bagong damit na dadalhin sa kanilang out of town trip ni Darren. Lagi namang nakaready ang maleta niya kaya’t dinagdagan na lang niya ito ng mga bago pang gamit na trip niyang dalhin at isuot.

“I’ll wait for you downstairs, Dara. I’ll have some coffee first.” Narinig niya ang malakas na tinig ni Darren sa may pintuan ng banyo.

Matapos magbihis at mag-ayos ng pustura, bitbit ang isang malaking designer’s black luggage at kanyang handcarry bag ay lumabas na siya ng kwarto at pinuntahan ang lalaking naghihintay na sa sala.

“Let’s go.” Napatingin si Darren sa malaki niyang maleta at napailing ito. Umirap naman siya bilang sagot.

“How have you been? Magkwento ka naman, Dara.” Pangungulit ni Darren kahit na halata namang wala siya sa mood makipag-usap habang patungo sila ng airport gamit ang sasakyan nila Dara. She shrugged and closed her eyes. Nagpanggap na inaantok upang hindi na siya kausapin pa.

Mabilis lang ang check in at boarding nila dahil local flight lang naman kaya’t ilang minuto pa ay nakasakay na sila ng eroplano at binabaybay na ang himpapawid. Dito na muling nangulit ang kasama ni Dara.

“Kumusta ka naman?” May paglambing na tanong ni Darren. He looked at her and she just stared at him in return.

“Huy, ano? Kumusta nga?” muli niyang tanong.

“Same old, same old.” Maiksing sagot ni Dara naman habang bumaling sa bintana ng eroplanong sinasakyan nila papuntang Cebu.

May mga bagay talagang hindi maintindihan si Dara at isa na doon ang ginagawa niyang pagpayag sa kahit anong gustong gawin ng lalaki sa tabi niya.

Their trip to Cebu was uneventful. She was not in the mood for any chat or talks. Sa biyahe papuntang hotel ay hindi na rin niya ito pinapansin. May hungover pa siya dahil sa isang bote ng alak na ininom niya pagkarating niya ng bahay noong nakaraang gabi. Her reason for drinking is that she wanted to forget but the person she wanted to erase from her mind was right beside her.

Pagkarating nila ng resort ay agad na nagyayang magswimming si Dara.

“Let’s go sunbathing near the pool area,” anyaya niya. Tumango naman si Darran na parang nagsisimula nang mainis sa kanya.

They were sitting beside her on the lounge chair of the hotel where they would be staying for two days nang magsimula ang lahat.

“Dara, stop giving me the silent treatment. I’ve had enough of your tantrums. Kung ayaw mo palang sumama, sana sinabi mo na lang.” Nagpantig ang tainga ni Dara sa sinabi ng kasama. She lifted the shades from her eyes and looked at him with disgust. Habang tumatagal ay napapalitan ng pagka-irita ang pagtingin niya sa kaibigan. She fixed her white two piece swimsuit para pantayin ang bahagyang tumagilid na pang-itaas. She made sure he would stare at her body before she answered.

“Don’t give me that f*****g attitude, Darren. I’m not throwing tantrums! You literally forced me to be here. You’re right. I don’t want to be here at all. Excuse me.”

She was in a hurry as she walked away from her supposedly bestfriend when she bumped into someone so stiff and hard.

“Watch where you’re going!” Siya pa ang may ganang sumigaw at itulak ang nakabangga niya.

“You were the one who--, teka, I know you.”

“f*****g great.” Napaismid at irap si Dara nang mabosesan at mamukhaan ang lalaking nakabangga. It was the same one who grabbed her breast at the party the other night.

“f*****g me would be really great. Want to try?” Bibigwasan na sana niya ng sampal ang lalaki nang biglang may humila sa kanya.

“Is this guy bothering you?” She would have let them fight with each other. Tutal naman naisip niyang magkasing level sila ng kayabangan at testosterone levels ngunit nakaisip siya ng mas magandang plano. Mukhang desidido naman ang lalaking hambog number one na maikama siya, gagamitin muna niya.

“No. As a matter of fact, you’re bothering us. Bestfriend, I want you to meet my newest boyfriend. Boyfie, this is my BFF for life, Darren. Now that you’ve met each other, let’s go to your room.” Base sa pagkabigla ng mukha ng dalawang mayabang na lalaki ay nakuha niya ang atensiyon ng mga ito. She made her point clearer when she leaned closer and kissed hambog number one while hambog number two, her bestfriend watched. When their lips met, she felt a tingling sensation on her toes at mas nagibayo pa ito nang pumulupot ang kamay ng lalaki sa likuran niya, pressing her body closer to his as they deepened the kiss.

“Dara! Stop this. Kung ginagawa mo lang ‘to para pagselosin ako...” She had to use a lot of self control to stop herself from the kissing spree which she was enjoying at the moment dahil kailangan niyang pagtuunan ng pansin ang kaibigan niya.

“Why would I make you jealous? Bestfriend lang kita, hindi boyfriend. Go back to Canada and to your womanizing ways. I will not be waiting for you anymore. I’ve had enough. Come on babe, let’s finish what we’ve started.” She pulled the man she was just kissing a few moments ago, not knowing where exactly they were going. A few steps more and they were hidden from Darren.

“Bayad na ‘ko.” Pagbitiw niya ng kamay ng lalaki ay bigla niyang sabi.

“What? Anong bayad?” He was confused. Hindi naman niya ito masisi dahil sa bilis ng pangyayari, kahit si Dara ay nalito na rin.

“Bayad na ‘ko sa paggamit ko sa’yo kanina.” He frowned and she had that sudden urge to reach out and smoothen the crease from his forehead.

“What the hell do you mean?”

“I kissed you and you kissed me back. So technically, we’re quits. Thanks for the help!”

“Hey! Wait! Ganun na lang ‘yon? Look what you did!” She was about to leave when he pulled her towards him, her back pressed on his bulge.

“Sorry, babe.” She twisted his arm and he had no choice but to let her go.

“f**k! Why do you have to hurt an innocent man like that?”

“You don’t seem too innocent when you were kissing a stranger like me earlier. Anyways, I really have to go. I have to leave before that scumbag friend of mine finds out the truth.” He looked at her like she grew four heads. Paalis na sana si Dara nang hilahin siya muli ng lalaki.

“Look, I don’t care about your f*****g friend. I think it’s better if we stick together for a while. You know, until the coast is clear. For sure, hahanapin ka niya ulit. Mas mabuting kasama mo pa rin ako when that happens. My room is big and I have friends with me. You’ll be safe with us than roaming around here dressed like that.” Hindi manhid si Dara upang hindi mapansin ang malagkit na titig sa kanya ng lalaki. Ngunit tama ito, hindi nga titigil si Darren hangga’t hindi sila nagkakausap. She was just not ready to talk to him and spend time with him like nothing happened. Masyado na siyang nagiging mukhang tanga.

“Fine. I’m Dara. You are?”

“I can’t believe you don’t remember who I am. I introduced myself to you at the party.” Napailing pa ang kausap. She was just messing up with him. Sino bang hindi makakakilala sa lalaking kaharap kung ilang beses niyang narinig ang pangalan na ‘yon noong gabing ‘yon.

“So? Kung nagpakilala ka kailangan matandaan ko?” Her feisty attitude always gets her into trouble ngunit ang kausap ay mukhang naaaliw pa sa kasungitan niya.

“Of course. I’m irresistibly gorgeous and my name is either being moaned or shouted in ecstasy.”

“Fine. Who are you then? Let’s get this introduction over with. I have to get my things from the hotel room.” Tiningan niya ang mga kuko niya para ipakitang bored na siya. She saw him sigh then offered his hand to her.

“Stone Dash Fuego. Nice to meet you, Dara?”

“Dara Nikka Valencia. Now that we’re acquainted. Do your part and help me get my things.” She smiled as sweetly as she can as she shook his hand. May kung anong kuryenteng dumaloy sa katawan niya nang maglapat ang mga palad nila. She felt weird.

“You look prettier when you smile.” She rolled her eyes at him.

“Giving me compliments won’t get me into your bed, babe.”

“I know. I don’t need to give you compliments.” May pagka-sinister ang pakakasabi nito na ikinakaba ni Dara. Ngunit alam niya ang kakayahan niya pagdating sa mga lalaki. She could wrap them in her fingers and make them do anything she pleases. Maliban sa isa na ngayon ay iniiwasan na niya.

“Fine. Enough with the flirting. Let’s go.” She pulled his hand and they walked hand in hand to the elevator. Pinagtitinginan sila ng mga tao dahil sa suot niyang two piece bikini at board shorts naman sa kasama. Kahit mga foreigners ang kasama nila sa hotel and resort na iyon sa Cebu, marami pa ring mga Pilipino ang naka-book doon at sila ang may mapanghusgang mga mata.

“Why do they even bother looking at us wearing swimming outfits when we are in a freaking resort?!”

“Binabawi ko na ang sinabi ko.” He looked amused at her outburst.

“Ha?”

“You look hotter and prettier when you’re irritated.”

“Baliw. Wait here. Titingnan ko lang baka nasa loob si Darren.”

“Nope. We’ll go inside together. Baka kung ano pang gawin ng bestfriend mo.”

When they got inside, the scene was not as she expected. Tama lang pala na lumayo na siya sa kaibigan.

“Dara? I thought you left.” He tried to cover the girl on his bed but she already saw who it was. Iyon ang babae sa reception ng hotel.

“I’m about to. Don’t mind me and my boyfriend. We’re just here to get my things.” Carry on you asshole.”

Wala siyang karapatan masaktan ngunit hindi niya mapigilan. Seeing him for the third time with other women was like a slap to her face and a s***h to her heart. Sa maling tao pa siya nagtiwala at nagmahal. She pulled her suitcase from the closet. Agad naman siyang tinulungan ng kasama.

“Dara, let’s talk. Please? ‘Wag naman ganito. Itatapon mo na lang ba ang ilang taon nating pagkakaibigan?”

“Oo naman. Bakit hindi? You never even valued what we had. So why would I? Hindi na ikaw ang kaibigan ko, Darren. You changed for the worst. Each year na inuuwian mo ako sa Pilipinas, ginagamit mo ‘ko tapos ano? Wala na. I’ve had enough. Let’s go, babe.” Paghila niya kay Dash na agad namang sumunod sa kanya.

“Dara!” Nang makalabas sila sa pintuan ay humabol pa si Darren. Ipinihit siya nito upang pigilan ngunit agad naman itong hinila ni Dash at ibinalya sa pintuan.

“Don’t touch my girl again or else I will punch you so hard you won’t even recognize your f*****g face!”

“Let’s go. He’s not worth it.”

She pulled Dash from his hold on her ex-bestfriend. Sa bawat paghakbang niya papalayo kay Darren ay unti-unting pagbigat ng pakiramdam niya. Halo-halong emosyon ang nararamdaman ni Dara. Pagkabigo, panghihinayang at pagkabalisa. How will she cope without him?