In a RelationTrip

Chapter 3

“Miles, sino ‘yung chick na ‘yon?” Pagkakita ni Dash sa manager ay ito agad ang tinanong. Itinuro ang babaeng naka royal blue na mini dress.

“O, himala, bakit sa’kin mo tinatanong? Why don’t you ask her yourself?” He looked at him at napaawang ang bibig nito. Kumapit pa sa dibdib na parang gulat na gulat. “OMG to the heavens and back! May umisnob sa kamandag ni Stone Dash Fuego?”

“Shut up! Someone might hear.” Luminga-ling si Dash at nagpasalamat na malayo ang ibang tao. Siniguradong walang nakarinig ng nakakahiyang banat ni Miles habang humahalakhak pa ito na parang nakakaloko.

“I want to meet this hot foxy lady that snubbed the most sought after bachelor of the dance floor.” Palapit na si Miles nang hilahin siya ni Dash.

“What do you mean you want to meet? You mean you don’t even know the girl? This is your party!”

“Who said I have to know everyone here? I don’t even know half of my relatives let alone this entire crowd!” Napailing na lang si Dash habang sinusubukan pa ring pigilan si Miles.

“Don’t! Akala ko lang kilala mo. Nevermind. She’s not that interesting anyways.” Tinitigan pa nito ang babaeng lumagok ng laman ng isang flute ng champagne bago lumingon muli kay Miles na nakamasid pala sa kanya.

“Yep! You’re not interested alright.” Sarkastiko nitong tugon. Umiling lang si Dash at tinapik na sa balikat ang manager at nagpaalam nang umalis. He lost the good vibes to party dahil sa nasira nitong diskarte.

Once he was at the driveway, he looked for his matte black Lamborghini Aventador that he parked just in front. He got in, revved up the engine and was about to leave when he spotted the girl in the blue dress walking towards the gates. Pinaandar nito ang kotse at sinabayan ang babae. She did  not even looked his way.

“Miss, do you need a ride?” He heard her groan. Nabosesan siya nito.

“Yes I do but definitely not with you.”

“Ouch. Don’t be too harsh. I have a neat car don’t you think?” Nakuha ni Dash ang gusto niyang reaction. He stopped the car as the girl stopped walking and stared at him looking irritated. Nakataas ang isang kilay nito at humalukipkip pa. Napatitig tuloy siya sa dibdib na umalsa mula sa harapan ng damit. He would have stared more sa malambot na parteng iyon na gusto niyang hawakan muli ngunit dahil yumuko ang babae at inilapit ang mukha sa kanya ay napilitan siyang tumingala. Her doll liked pretty face was flushed perhaps from irritation.  

“Your car is neat but you are...not.”

“I don’t deserve this kind of hostility. I haven’t even done anything to you.”

“Do you want me to remind you?” She challenged him.

“Would you let me touch it again?” Napanganga ang babae sa sinagot niya. She clearly did not expected him to say that. Sinamantala niya ang distraction ng babae. He took his phone and quickly took a picture of her face. Nobody dares ignore him and he wouldn’t let this girl be the first one to do so.

“Maniac. Just leave me alone!”

“I just need a name then I’ll leave you in peace.”

“Rest in peace.”

He was amused by how she straightened up and rolled her eyes at him then resumed her walk towards the gate. The opened gate was not that far at nang marating nila ang labas ng bahay, a white topdown Porsche Boxster stopped in front of her. May bumabang isang lalaki at ipinagbukas ito ng pintuan at hinintay makasakay. Both of them did not even acknowledge that he was staring at them from inside his car. The girl leaned at the guy and kissed him at the lips. Kitang kita ni Dash nang maghalikan ang dalawa ng ilang minuto bago muling pinaandar ng lalaki ang kotse. Naiwan siyang nakatanga doon at nakahinto. When he snapped out of the trance, he put his car on reverse and went back inside the house.

He definitely has to hook up with someone that night. Kailangan niyang mapatunayan sa sarili na hindi nawala ang appeal niya. Pagbalik niya sa loob, sakto namang nagsisimula na ang sayawan. He knew how to get girls, kahit dalawa o tatlo pa kung gustuhin niya. All he needed to do was dance and they will come flocking at him like bees to its hives.

***

“When did you arrive? Bakit hindi ka nagsabi na uuwi ka na? Bakit ang aga yata? Hindi ba dapat next month pa?” She stared at Darren, her childhood bestfriend and neighbor. Limang taong gulang pa lamang silang dalawa ay magkaibigan na sila at magkasama. They were inseparable until he had to leave ang migrate to Canada. Umuuwi lang siya every year for a month to visit Dara and his grandmother.

“Barrage of questions? You’re not even saying Hi?” Umirap lang si Dara at hinawi ang buhok na pinapaspas ng hangin. He slowed down the drive when they were only a curb away from their houses.  “Fine. It was supposed to be a surprise. Kanina pa kita inaabangan sa bahay ninyo. Mabuti naawa sa’kin si Yaya Cita at tinawagan ka. Nagpalit ka ng number without telling me?” He sounded hurt but she was not fazed. Wala siyang karapatang mag-demand ng kahit ano mula sa kanya.

“I don’t have to tell you anything, I thought I already made that clear. Isa pa, sabi ko naman pwede na ‘kong maglakad, sinundo mo pa ‘ko. Tatlong kanto lang naman.”

“When did I ever let you walk? Besides, I missed you.” She had to admit, mukhang na-miss nga siya ni Darren with the way he kissed her when she got in his car. She was caught off guard. Hindi niya napigilang gumanti ng halik. Maybe it was her reflexes that took over.

“You’re just saying that because you’re here. Next month, pag-alis mo—“

“Hey. I said I’m sorry okay? Nandito na ‘ko. I’ll be here for two months. Congratulations on your graduation. Ang lupit talaga ng bestfriend ko. Magna c*m Laude!” He tried to make the conversation lighter when they reached the front of their houses. Magkatapat ang mga bahay nila. They usually greet each other every morning shouting at their balconies before one of them comes over to spend the day, sometimes even night. She heard again that hated word, bestfriend.

“I’m tired, Darren. I just need to sleep.”

“Then, sleep with me. I’ll give you your favorite and well deserved massage.” His hands made his intentions clear. He caressed her cheeks, down to her neck and the v of her dress. He knew she could not resist him and he was using that to his advantage. But she learned her lesson and learned it hard.

“No. I have to go. I’m really tired.” Marahan niyang inalis ang kamay ni Darren at binuksan ang pintuan. She was already at the front steps and the guard opened the gate when he regained his senses.

“I booked us tickets to Siargao and Cebu. We’ll be leaving tomorrow. I’ll meet you at 10 am.”

“Okay.” It was one word that sealed her fate again for the next two months. Kailan ba siya matututo? Darren Lawrence is and always has been her weakness. She needs to do something about it or else, she might drown again.