The Bad Girl's Gentleman

= Code 15 =

The Bad Girl's Gentleman

= Code 15 =

PEOPLE WILL NOT STOP OBSESSING OVER YOU UNTIL YOU GIVE THEM SOME JUICE. Ewan ko din ba kung bakit ako na lang nang ako ang kinukulit nitong si Stefan at Via. Palibhasa kasi mga walang mahaharot ngayon.

"Blooming ka talaga. Ang ganda mo," sabi ni Via.

"Baka nakatikim. Ganoon daw 'yun eh," sabat ni Stefan. "Kasi kapag—"

"Shh! Shut up! Nakakainis na kayong dalawa ha? Imbis na maghanap kayo ng mapagpaparausan niyang ka-L-an niyo wala kayong ginawa kundi bungkalin 'yung buhay ko eh no?" sabi ko. "Hoy, Via," sinipa ko siya sa ilalim ng lamesa. "Anon a si Pete? Wala pa ding nangyayari?"

Sumipa din siya pabalik. "Makipagkita ka na kasi ulit kay Enzo ah?!" reklamo niya. "Nahihiya akong magyayang lumabas."

"Wow, kailan ka pa naging ganyan?"

"Hoy, wag mo naman kasi akong igawa sa'yo no?" pag-irap niya. "Harot harot," she mutters.

"Mana lang sa'yo," pag-irap ko din.

"I don't know about you bitches but I am puzzled why am I still single?!" Stefan says. "I look at my a*s and I'm like 'b***h, you sexy af why them boys not on their knees?' I mean, I don't get it you know?"

I look at Stefan and his always made face. Ang galing kasi mag-make up nito eh. Daig pa mga beauty queen. Sa totoo lang, ang ganda ni Stefan. That kind of unusual beauty. Hindi naman siya masyadong nagbibihis babae at mas lalong hindi siya nagpapahaba ng buhok. Pero ewan ko ba... thinks just works out for him when it comes to appearance.

"I know, dude," sabi ko sa kaniya.

"I know, dude, ka diyan? Sinong may boyfriend sa'ting tatlo? Ikaw, di ba?—"

My phone buzzes. I immediately smile when I see Baz's name on the lock screen. I'm supposed to be meeting him this afternoon after class because... I don't know? We just want to see each other?

"What the f**k," I say when I read his message.

From: Baz

Something came up. Can't meet you at 4pm today :(

"Oh ano?" tanong ni Stefan.

"Baz stood me up," I say and throw my phone face down on the table. "What the hell?"

"Anong gagawin mo?"

"I don't know." I twirl the straw in my finished drink. Akala ko pa naman dahil seryoso na kami hindi kami magkakaroon ng ganitong eksena. Pero s**t. Waiting game na naman ako. Wednesday ngayon. Ayoko naman maging demanding dahil last Friday ko lang nakita si Baz. Pero akala ko ba he wouldn't last a week na hindi ako nakikita?

Bumalik ako sa apartment nang hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko. Dapat pala hindi ko muna tinatapos lahat ng schoolwork ko para may ginagawa ako kapag wala akong magawa. Nagpalit muna ako ng damit at nahiga sa kama. Nagbasa ng ilang saglit hangga't hindi na ako makapag-focus s amga salita.

It's only past four. Ang bagal talaga ng oras kapag bored ka. s**t. Matutulog na lang sana ako nang biglaang—puntahan ko kaya si Baz? Hindi naman siya makakatakas sa'kin kapag nando'n na ko, di ba?

Oo na, hindi na ko nag-iisip. Mabilisan akong gumawa ng sandwiches gamit ang roast beef na in-order namin ni Via noong nakaraang gabi at nagpalit muli ng damit. Nag-pants ako at isang top na maluwag. Medyo mainit kasi ngayon kaya tinali ko din ang buhok ko sa isang maluwag na ponytail.

Ni hindi ko nga alam kung papapasukin ako sa Noble & Rico Enterprise building eh. Nakapasok lang ako dati noong pinuntahan ko si Baz dahil nabayaran ko 'yung isang guard. Nobody can imagine my joy when I see he is the one guarding the doors.

"Ma'am!" sabi niya nang nagulat.

"Hello, Kuya," I say to him with a sweet smile. "Sa twenty-seventh floor po ulit. Sa foundation."

At pinapasok na nga ako ni Kuya Guard. Pero alam kong hindi naman doon matatapos. Paglabas ko ng elevator, isang reception area ang bumungad sa'kin. Again, nakapasok lang ako last time dahil si Basil na lang ang natitira sa buong floor.

"Can I help you?" tanong ng babaeng kulay blond ang buhok. She looks pretty enough to be intimidating. Nagtitipa pa rin siya sa kaniyang keyboard.

"Hi, I'm looking for Basil Noblerico. Is he here?"

Napatingin siya sa'kin. Ngumiti ako. Sana lang hindi talaga ako mukhang bata or what dahil kung hindi, hindi ko alam kung paano ako makakapasok. "Do you have an appointment with him?"

"Uh, no," I say to her. "I came here unexpectedly. It is about his affiliation with Ostfort Univeristy?"

"Ah," the lady nods her head. "But I'm afraid you have to setup an appointment with him as this is a business-related matter. Or I can call up his secretary to see if he is free right now."

I bite my lip a second. Well, there goes the surprise down the drain.

"Or maybe you can just leave here what you have to give him—"

"No," I say. "I have to give it to him personally. Please check his schedule."

Kung saan-saan dumapo ang mata ko habang tumatawag siya. Mayroong gold-plated na nakadikit sa wall na nagsasabing De Los Nobles Foundation. Mahahaba ang glass walls sa kabilang banda at granite ang receiving area. Hindi ko na napansin ang lahat ng ito sa una kong pagpunta. Ang dilim naman kasi.

Naagaw ang atensyon ko nang biglaang humagikgik ang receptionist sa hawak nitong telepono. Kamuntikan ko na siyang taasan ng kilay dahil nakita ko siyang nakatingin sa'kin. I just smile at her even though I want to claw at her face.

"Mr. Noblerico's office is at the end of the hallway right side. His secretary will meet you there."

I say my thanks and walk the long hallway. Mabuti nalang at busy din ang mga tao. Who knew ganito pala kadami ang tao sa isang foundation? Everyone is buzzling around with papers. May isang kumpol ng tao na nakaharap sa isang dingding kung saan may mga nakadikit na pictures. The office is lively. Halos hindi nga siya mukhang opisina. Wala ang traditional na mga cubicle kada tao kundi may mga malalaking lamesa at iba't ibang kulay ng upuan. Iba-iba din ang kulay ng bawat dingding at kung ano-ano ang nakasabit sa ceiling. Amoy kape at sobrang lamig pa din. Ano kayang pinag-uusapan at pinagkakaabalahan ng mga taong 'to?

Nginitian ko lang ang sekretaryang naghihintay sa'kin katabi ng pintuan ng opisina ni Baz. She has a smaller table but the same blond hair and annoying smile as the receptionist. Tinignan niya ko ulo hanggang paa. Hindi ko din alam kung bakit. Tingin niya ba isa ako sa mga naghahabol kay Baz? Jeez, how pathetic. "Name?"

"Gwen Guinto from Ostfort Univeristy."

Nagtipa siya panandalian sa kaniyang computer. "I don't have any records of you."

"You don't," sagot ko sa kaniya. "But I'm the student representative for Ostfort's NSTP program. I have a few proposals with me."

"Mr. Noblerico is around but I don't think—"

"Can you just tell Basil that I'm here?" I force a smile at her. Ang dami kasing etche eh. Nang makita ko ang nagtataka niyang mukha tsaka ko lang napagtanto na ginamit ko pala ang first name ni Baz. "I mean, Mr. Noblerico pala."

Patingin-tingin pa siya sa'kin habang tumawag sa telepono. Like s**t. Has she has no shame? Hindi ba siya marunong magtago ng mga nararamdaman niya? She's rude. Ugh. Pero mas rude naman yata ako. Pero nakakahiya kung hindi ako papapasukin ni Basil. s**t. Late na para maisip ko ang consequence. Kung hindi niya ko papapasukin, asahan na niya ang breakup message ko sa kaniya mamayang gabi kapag lasing na ko.

"Okay, sir." Tumayo na ang babae at inayos muna ang perpektong pagkaplantsa ng damit niya. "Mr. Noblerico will see you now."

I smile at her. Makapang-asar lang din. Kumunot naman ang noo niya na parang sino ba 'tong babaeng 'to?

I flick my hair at her face when I pass by her. Hmph.

"Thank you," I say to her when I step inside the office. Before she closes the door, I catch a glimpse of her glare at me. Lalabasin ko na sana kundi lang nagsalita si Baz.

"Hey," he says from his table.

I spin on my heels and plaster a small on my face. "Hey! Oh, just stay there," sabi ko ng akmang tatayo siya. "You look really busy. I'm sorry for coming in on like this."

"It's okay," he smiles yet his eyes don't leave his computer screen. I toss my bag on one of the couches and I walk towards him. He just looks so serious and it makes him look so hot I feel like I can watch him sit there for the rest of the day.

Manonood na lang sana ako but unfortunately, mas gusto ko siyang lapitan. I lean down from behind him and wrap my arms on his shoulders before giving him a hard kiss on his cheek. "Hi."

"Hey, baby," he grins.

I nuzzle my nose on his neck. He just really smells so good.

"You look like you're about to kill somebody."

"I'm going to kill your receptionist and your secretary. You wouldn't mind, right? They are a pain in the ass."

He laughs. "I'll tell them to just let you inside next time."

"I'm not going to make it to this room. Your secretary would have killed me by then." I smell him again and look at his computer screen. "You're exchanging a day with me for a movie?"

"I didn't. I had a sudden meeting earlier. I didn't know you were coming so I just want to be productive."

"What is that about?"

The movie is in black and white and there are English subtitles in the lower part. It kind of has a low quality but you can perfectly see the frail little bodies of a group of boys in the frame.

"Child labor," Baz answers with a sigh. He pauses the film and reaches for me. I stand in front of him as he holds both my hands. "Do you know how lucky you are?"

"What do you mean?"

"A lot of kids in the world are being forced by their parents to work just so they can have food on their table for that day. They are too selfless and filled with love for their families that they don't ask questions. Maybe they understand life more than we do. You should see their desire to go to school," he says and let goes of me. One of his hands goes straight to ruffle his perfectly messed hair. "It bothers me."

I stay quiet because I don't know what to say. His eyes look troubled and he smiles at me because I know I am looking at him worriedly.

"The kids in the film work in a slaughterhouse in unholy hours of ten p.m. to four in the morning. They don't get paid. They are allowed, though, to take thin slivers of fat from the animal they are skinning or shaving with sharp blades. Those fat, they sell and that's their profit for the night. Seventy pesos, Gwen. You can't even buy a proper meal with that.

Another set of kids work as hornal in farms. Meaning they move places where there is work and receive installment pays every weekend. Twenty-six pesos a day. The kids get burnt underneath the sun, stripping wild grass off the land. Another set carries about two-hundred-fifty cement sacks a day in a shipping port. About one hundred pesos a week and the kids only get ten or a five for a snack."

Tumingin sa'kin si Baz. "Can you imagine working in a s*******r house? All those flies buzzing on your ear, damping on your skin? The smell of blood and death and cries of pigs and cows as they die? In a farm where you'd easily get sunburned in less than half an hour, crouched on the ground with your blade? Or carrying a sack of cement, about forty kilos each on top of your head, and dust filling your lungs with each breath?"

Baz withdraws his eyes away from me and turns his seat to the glass walls surrounding his office. I follow his eyes and see the tall buildings, success, work, money, and profit. No poverty in sight. No mountains in sight. Only skyscrapers. "These are just kids. About six to fifteen years old perhaps. They grow slower with the work taking a toll on their small bodies. They should be in school. They should be playing. They should be tucked in the night safe and sound and eat three meals a day. You know... one of them wants to be a lawyer. He says he wants to solve problems."

After a while, Baz turns back to me. An easy apologetic smile on his lips. "I'm sorry. I got a little carried away. It's weird, isn't it?" he laughs but I know that his thoughts really bother him. "It's just that," he says and licks his lips while his looking at his table. "Why does life has to be so unfair? Why did I get to study and be born in a good, wealthy family, while the others out there are suffering?"

Napaiwas ako ng tingin. Ouch. Medyo sapul lang ako do'n. I've asked myself that a thousand times. Why do some people live in misery while others live in their riches? Why is life unfair? Why the poor does exists? Why do they have to struggle when we can breathe easily?

There is only one context in how life is fair.

Life is fair because it is unfair for everybody else.

"It's okay," I finally say.

He nudges my toe with his to get my attention. "Did I weird you out?"

"No. It seems nice to have someone in this world like you." I tilt my head to the side. "I won't be able to answer why life is unfair but I do have an insight about it. Maybe marginalized people exist to wake the privileged ones. To help them. To come up of ways to break the norm and free the people—both privileged and unprivileged from the problems of how to live another day of life, free of guilt and worry consequently. Maybe you are here because you are capable of changing the way of the world."

Baz stares at me and I blush, my blood making its way to my cheeks and neck and shoulders.

"I said something weird, didn't I?"

He smiles. "No."

"You're judging me."

He laughs and stands up, pulling me inside his arms in a loose warm embrace. "There's just really too much to know about you, huh?"

"Stay tuned," I mumble. I put my arms on his shoulders. "So this is what you do, huh? Come up of solutions on how you can help?"

He hums in affirmation. "I try to."

I pout. "Kawawa ka naman. You must be so stressed, 'no? Buti na lang girlfriend mo ko. I made you a sandwich."

"Really?" he asks, his eyebrows shooting upwards.

"Yep." I pull him to the couch and make him sit down. I hand him a sandwich and he carefully tears the paper off. Nanatili akong nakadikit sa kaniya. Wala namang masama. "Uso ba sa family niyo mabilis mapanot?"

"Uhh, I don't think so. Why?"

"Sa dami kasi ng iniisip mo baka maubusan ka na ng buhok. Takot pa naman ako sa kalbo."

Baz laughs. "No worries, baby."

"How's the sandwich?"

"Good," he says through a mouthful.

"I have something else for you," I say, opening my bag and taking out the wooden case.

He stops eating and eyes the case. I know he knows what it is. "Where'd you get that?"

"I stole it," I say, repeating his words to me.

"Seriously, though. That's Vulcain. That's expensive. Where did you get it?"

"I got it for free. Don't ask," sabi ko at binuksan na ang case.

Baz's eyes a fraction bigger.

"Do you like it?"

"Yes. I can't accept it though."

"Why not?"

"How are you able to afford that watch?"

"I told you, I got it for free." He eyes me for a second and I roll mine at him with a sigh. "Please, Baz. Don't ask questions. It'll make me really happy if you wear it. Do you want to try it on?"

I can see the hesitation in his eyes but then he gives him. "Alright."

Alam ko namang mamahalin ang mga gamit nito ni Basil. No wonder kung naka-Rolex siya ngayon.

"It suits you."

"It's a pretty good watch."

"I know," I say and cling to his arm. "Ganda ng taste ko eh."

He chuckles. "But seriously, where did you get it?"

I groan. "My brother. Don't ask anymore, please."

"Okay."

Then he eyes the watch on his wrist, his finger tracing the black leather on it before circling to silver outline of the timepiece. I remember our conversation earlier.

"That's the last expensive gift you'll ever receive from me," I say to him. "We shouldn't take things for granted, right?"

"Right."

"No more expensive things for me to, okay?"

"I work for the things I give you. I deserve that money and you deserve to be spent on."

"Money that other people will spend better than us. Let's keep it low key from now on. It's not like I want all those things anyway." I put my head on top of his shoulder and wait for him to look at me. I just want a kiss.

I am about to kiss him when someone knocks on the door. Tinapik ni Baz ang mga braso kong nakapulupot sa leeg niya at bumitaw na ko.

"Come in," sagot niya dito.

"Sir, the team is ready," matamis na pagbukas ng sekretarya niya sa pintuan.

"Hmm," sagot ni Baz at tumingin siya sa'kin. "I have a team meeting. I'll be back in half an hour. You have the whole office. Knock yourself out."

Tumango lang ako sa kaniya. So kahit pala nandito ako hindi pa din siya makakatakas sa trabaho. Bitbit ni Baz palabas ang sandwich niya kaya kinain ko na din ang akin. Ang ganda lang din ng opisina ni Baz eh. Ganda ng overlooking tas medyo chill 'yung datingan.

Nag-connect ako sa wifi at nag-scroll muna sa mga account ko kahit wala naman akong mapapala. Hanggang sa nagbasa na lang ako ng ebook. Lumagpas ang thirty minutes pero hindi pa din bumabalik si Baz. Maingay sa labas. I should've seen this coming.

Sa sobrang pagka-bored nahiga na ko. At syempre, mahi kasi ako eh. Mahiga tulog. Kaya pagmulat ulit ng mga mata ko madilim na sa opisina. Napaupo ako at may nalaglag na purplish na kumot mula sa mga balikat ko.

"You slept well?"

Nagkakamot ako ng mata na tumingin kay Baz na nakaupo sa may lamesa niya. "Hindi mo manlang ako ginising."

"You were sleeping soundly."

"Ba't ka may mga kumot at unan dito?"

"I sleep here sometimes."

Tumayo na ko at inayos ang damit ko. "Hindi ka parin ba tapos?"

"I'm done," sagot niya at namatay na ang ilaw ng desktop niya. Tumayo na din siya at hinatak ang coat niya na nakapatong sa sandalan ng silya. "Are you staying with me tonight?"

"Can I?"

"Sure."

================

"If you ever want to see me you can just come here," sabi ni Baz habang binubuksan ang kaniyang apartment. "You already know the code."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, why not? Hang around here if you want. Wait for me to come home, you know?"

Natawa ako. "Housewife feels?"

"Yeah, kinda," he says and pushes the door open.

"Just so you know I dont have any plans on being a housewife if ever..."

"We'll see about that," panghahamon niya. Aba anong gusto niya? Sa bahay lang ako? Hindi naman yata pwede sa'kin 'yun. Bakit pa ko nagaaral kung itetennga niya lang pala ako sa bahay?

Matutulog na lang kami dahil nakapaghapunan na kami bago pumunta dito. Alas-onse na ng gabi at wala na kong balak maligo. Si Baz naman nag-shower habang nagpapalit ako ng damit. Natatahimik pa din ang paper bag ng mga damit na binili niya sa'kin noong nakaraan. Mas gusto ko talagang damit niya suot ko. Ewan ko ba. Parang instant yakap, gano'n. Haha.

Lumabas si Baz ng banyo habang nagliligpit ako ng gamit sa closet niya na may hawak na telepono sa kaniyang tainga. "...Yes, it's okay. I understand. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"What's up?" tanong ko sa kaniya pagbaba ng tawag.

"Work," he answers and opens one cabinet and pulls out a huge bag. "I have to leave tomorrow morning."

"What time?"

"Five."

"What?!"

"I'm sorry, babe."

Naupo ako. Baka kasi mamaya hindi ko mapigilan ang inis ko. Trabaho naman 'yun eh. Pero kahit na. Nakakainis. Ts. "How long will you be gone?"

"Until Saturday."

"That long?"

He grins at me over his shoulder. "We can go a week without seeing each other, right? This trip is only for three days."

"Kahit na ba."

"You'll be fine," sabi niya at sinarado na ang bag niya. "Come on, I have to get sleep."

Hindi na muna ako sumunod sa kaniya kasi nga naiirita ako. Pero naisip ko na nagsasayang lang ako ng oras sa pag-iinarte ko.

"Can you not go?" I try when I'm pushing myself underneath the blanket.

"I have to."

"This sucks."

"I know," he says and pulls me in the circle of his arm.

"Knowing you're leaving sucks. Sana hindi mo na lang sinabi para hindi kita mami-miss."

He kisses my forehead and tilts my face so he can kiss me on the lips. "You're here yet I still miss you."

I pull his face closer and I kiss him. "I hate you."

"I know," he whispers before kissing me again.

Ang bilis ng oras. Parang kakapikit ko palang biglaang dumilat na naman ako dahil humawak si Baz sa bewang ko.

"Babe, I'm leaving."

Kumapit ako sa braso niya. "Stay for a few more minutes."

"I have to go."

"Stay. Three minutes."

Baz sighs and lets me push him down the bed. Nakabihis na siya pero wala akong pakialam kung malukot man damit niya.

I put myself above him, curving my body to his. "I'll miss you."

"Gwen," he groans in between the good bye kiss. "You're making me not want to leave."

"Then don't."

He pulls me closer, his fingers sinking in my back that it almost hurt.

"Baz, you'll be late," I whisper to him.

"I'm the boss. I'm only late when I say I'm late."

I smile against his lips. Umagang-umaga kinikilig ako.

"Sleep some more, okay?" he says and squeezes on my fingers when he pulls away.

He presses my head on my pillow and kisses me one last time before leaving me alone in his apartment.

But then, kinabukasan paggising ko, may nag-iingay na sa loob. Sino 'yun?