The Bad Girl's Gentleman

= Code 17 =

The Bad Girl's Gentleman

= Code 17 =

BACK TO NORMAL WITH BAZ.

Siya busy. Ako nagpapaka-busy. Grabe, I miss him so bad!!! But, as we all know, I don't want to be the clingy girlfriend. Ayoko din naman na maging clingy siya sa'kin.

Hay, pakiramdam ko kapag nakita ko siya makakagat ko siya sa cheeks nang wala sa oras. Free cut ko ngayon at heto naman akong napapa-stalk sa f*******:. Hinanap ko 'yung event ni Basil noong huli niyang alis at nakakita ako ng mga pictures doon.

Hindi nagtagal, pag-scroll ko... may lumitaw na din na picture ni Basil na kasama ang mga tauhan niya.

Napangiti ako. Naka-shades siya at ang laki ng ngiti sa camera. May kasama siyang isang babae sa selfie. Pero hindi ko naman magawang magselos dahil magkalayong-magkalayo naman ang kanilang mga katawan. Iyong tipo bang nakasalubong niya lang si Basil tapos niyaya niyang mag-picture biglaan? Gano'n.

Sinave ko ang picture at nag-crop para mukha lang ni Basil ang makikita ko.

Finally, may picture na din siya sa phone ko.

Ina-admire ko palang muli ang mukha niya nang—wait, i-delete ko kaya 'to? Psh, kalian pa ba na ako ang nag-save ng picture? Kung mags-save ako dapat may mga mukha din ako ni Basil sa phone niya. Aba.

I text him.

To: Basil

Babe?

Hanggang sa text lang naman akong may lakas ng loob na tawaging siyang ganyan, kapag harapan na hindi ko na lang siya tinatawag ng kung anong pangalan. Nag-scroll pa ko. Iilan lang ang picture na kasama si Basil. Paminsan nga singit lang siya sa frame.

Natapos naman nang payapa ang mga klase ko at habang naglalakad pauwi kasama si Via, tumawag biglaan ang mama ko.

"Are you coming home this week?"

"Uhm, I don't know," sagot ko nang nagkakamot ng ulo. Baka naman kasi may lakad pala kami ni Basil...

"You didn't come home last week. Umuwi ka."

I groan. "Can I not?"

"Why not? At saan ka pupunta?"

"Uhm... wala? Dito sa apartment?"

"Gwyneth!" sigaw niya. "Teka nga... ngayon ko lang naalala. May boyfriend ka nga pala! Kaya ka ba hindi uuwi? Aba ka talagang bata ka..."

Inilayo ko ang cellphone mula sa aking tainga. Wow, ngayon pa talaga siya nagsermon.

"...baka kung saan-saan ka na nakakarating. What if something happens to you? We don't even know who you are dating! Get home right this instant! Or else I'll tell your father about this myself—"

"Alright, alright. Gee," pag-ikot ng mga mata ko. "I'll go home, okay? I just have to finish up a project then I'll go straight home."

"No later than nine, Gwyneth!"

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."

"Group project?" nagtatakang tanong ni Via.

"Lie," I smirk.

"Bakit? Pinapauwi ka na eh."

Siya naman ang inirapan ko. "I have to check in with Baz first. If he's not so busy maybe he can drive me home."

"Drive you home," pagtawa niya.

"Eh bakit pa ko nag-boyfriend na may kotse kung hindi ko lang din naman siya gagawing driver?"

Natawa pa siya lalo. "User ka talaga."

"Excuse me ha," I disdainfully look at her. "It's not like ako lang ang nanggagamit?"

"Eh ano bang napupulot ni Baz sa'yo?"

"Katawan ko," pagbibiro ko na sarili kong tinawanan.

"Gaga ka talaga," sagot niya.

I mumble, "Totoo naman."

Habang nag-aayos ako ng mga gamit na iuuwi ko sa bahay tumawag si Baz. Agad akong napangiti. Nae-excite lang talaga ako kapag alam kong maririnig ko ang boses niya. Parang namimilipit 'yung tiyan ko na ewan.

"Hey!!!" masigla kong pagbati sa kaniya at pumlakda sa kama.

He takes a second to respond. "You seem lively."

Ultimong marinig ko lang boses niya kinikilig na ko. I can't help giggling. "Wala. Where are you?"

"Where else, babe?"

"Office," pagsagot ko sa sarili kong tanong. "Hey, listen. I have to go home tonight... I was wondering if you wanna see me before I go?"

"Hold a sec."

Hold a sec? What the f**k. Kailan pa ko na-hold sa tawag? Ang annoying pala ng sound habang naghihintay kang matapos siyang makipag-usap sa kung sino. Stress.

Less than two minutes later, nag-reconnect na ang tawag ni Baz.

"Babe."

"Yeah?"

"Can't you just sleepover in the apartment tonight? I'll see you there."

Napabusangot naman ako. "I told you. I have to go home tonight. My mom's gonna kill me coz I didn't come home last week."

Ang tagal niya bago sumagot. Hindi ko alam kung anong iniisip niya pero isa lang naman ang rason kung bakit pinapapunta niya lang ako sa bahay niya.

"You're busy," I said.

"Honestly, to say that is an understatement."

"I'm sorry."

"About what?"

"I'm getting in the way of your work."

"You're not."

I roll my eyes. "Whatever. I'm going to hang up now, okay? Bye."

"Text me when you get home."

"Sure."

"And, babe?"

"What?"

"Don't be mad."

"I'm not."

I hear him sigh from the other end of the line. I imagine him massaging his forehead. "I'll call you later."

"Okay," nanlulumo ko na ding sagot sa kaniya. I almost say "I'm sorry" again. Myghad, Gwen, when did you get so pathetic.

Psh. Uuwi na nga lang ako.

Ayoko kasi talagang umuuwi nang walang kasabay. Nakakatamad mag-commute. Ayaw naman akong bigyan ng driver nila mama. Ayaw din nila akong matutong mag-drive. Ang tindi talaga. Ayoko naman sumabay umuwi kay Ate Cass dahil mamayang gabi pa iyon.

Wala naman akong choice. Kung ayaw kong gabihin at masali sa traffic ng rush hour kailangan ko na talagang umalis.

Nag-small bag na lang ako at ang mga gamit na dapat dadalhin ko ay iniwan ko na lang dito sa apartment. Mahabang lakarin na naman ito bago ako makalabas ng campus at makasakay ng tricycle. At oo, kahit naman ganito ako ka-syosal natuto din akong mag-tricycle. Mas mabilis kasi akong makakauwi kapag nag-LRT lang ako kesa mag-taxi o kung anomang sasakyan.

Kailangan kong lakarin ang kabuuan ng Ostfort para lang makarating ako sa may sakayan. Hanggang sa may biglaang tumawag ng pangalan ko.

"Gwen!"

Si Enzo.

"Hey!" I greet him with open arms.

He hugs me quick and fast. "San ka punta?"

"Uuwi," nag-pout ako. Nakasuot siya ng shorts ng Ostfort at isang university shirt. "Mag-training ka palang?"

"Nope. Kakatapos lang kani-kanina."

"San ka na?"

"Uwi," he leans down with a bright smile on his face. "Sabay ka?"

Mabilis akong tumango at napangiti. "Doon ka parin ba nakatira?"

"Bumalik lang kami do'n ngayong college. Mas convenient eh, tara na."

"May car ka?" I hopefully ask.

His arm immediately goes around my shoulders and with his other hand, he pinches my nose. "Oo, mayroon," nanggigigil niyang sagot.

"Ah!" I swat his hand away.

"Bakit, hindi ba sasabay kung magc-commute ako?"

"I mean, wala naman na kong choice kung pareho tayong walang kotse."

"Ba't 'di mo tawagan boyfriend mo?"

"Work."

"Oh ba't ang asim ng mukha mo?" he teases.

Nahampas ko tuloy siya sa balikat.

"Aray! Puhunan 'yang balikat na 'yan 'wag kang magulo."

"Ikaw lang magulo!" sagot ko sa kaniya at nag-cross arms.

"Biro lang," sabi niya at inakbayan na kong muli at hinatak na ko papunta sa parking lot. "Sorry na. Nakalimutan ko lang naman na mas advance 'yang boyfriend mo kaysa sa'tin. Seriously, though, is he giving you enough time?"

"He gives me what little he can."

Enzo rubs my shoulder comfortingly. "Okay lang 'yan. Mararanasan mo din 'yan kapag nagtrabaho ka na."

"He doesn't want me to work. Magiging housewife niya lang yata ako."

"Iyon ay kung kayo pa din sa future."

Mabilis siyang nakalayo sa'kin at imbis na siya ang masuntok ko, hangin lang ang tinamaan. "I hate you. Wag na uuwi na ko mag-isa. Thanks na lang sa offer. Bye!!"

"Ito talaga hindi mabiro," sabi niya at hinatak ako sa braso papunta sa passenger seat. "Oo na. Forever and ever na nga kayo eh, sabi ko nga. Hanggang sa ma-deads kayo sa isang kabaong lang dahil gano'n niyo kamahal ang isa't isa."

"I don't love him," I say as I buckle my seatbelt.

"Sure you don't," he scoffs.

"Legit nga."

"Oo nga! Ano bang sabi ko?"

He smirks at me and shakes his head as if to say why are you so defensive?

Inirapan ko lang siya. Hindi naman ako defensive. Nagsasabi lang naman ako ng totoo.

I don't love Baz. I like him. Just a little over a lot.

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

IBA TALAGA KAPAG BIGLAANG NAG-PANIC MODE ANG MAMA MO.

Akala ni mama boyfriend ko na ang naghatid sa'kin sa bahay kaya naman kitang-kita ko ang gulat niyang mga mata nang makita niyang si Enzo ang bumaba sa driver's side. Kilala kasi siya nila mama dahil naging ka-close ko nga si Enzo dati, pumupunta siya dito sa bahay para lang makigulo sa kung anong ginagawa ko.

"Tita!" sigaw ni Enzo at mabilis na yumakap kay mama.

Over Enzo's shoulder, her eyes ask me is he your boyfriend?

Mabilis akong napailing. Yuck naman. Si Enzo, boyfriend ko? What the hell?! Funneh.

"Nako," sabi ni Mama at hinawakan sa magkabilang pisngi si Enzo. "Ang laki-laki mo na! At teka, why are you wearing braces? Maayos naman ang ipin mo ah?"

"Papogi lang, Tita. Tsk," sabi niya at gumawa pa ng check gamit ang mga daliri niya.

"Hindi mo naman na kailangan, anak," pagtawa ni Mama. Mom has always been too fond of Enzo. Kapag kasi wala kaming magawa noon, habang busy ako sa patagong pagpitas ng bulaklak sa mini garden namin, tumutulong si Enzo na ayusin ito. Kung anong ginagawa ni Mama, ginagawa niya din.

Ewan ko din ba.

"What is this all about?"

Napaangat ang tingin ko at nakita si Dad na pababa ng hagdan.

"Dad," I say and kiss his cheek.

"Hi, Tito," pagbati ni Enzo.

"Oh, Cereno, isn't it? Ngayon lang kita ulit nakita." Kinamayan siya ni Daddy at tinapik sa balikat. "Come, join us for dinner."

"Oo nga, anak. Tara na."

Hindi na sila naghintay ng sagot at dumiretso na lang sa dining area. Enzo and I shrug our shoulders at each other.

Kinamusta nila kung kamusta na ang mga magulang ni Enzo. Kung okay pa din ba ang business nila at kung anong bago. Paano siya napunta ng Ostfort at kung paano kami nagkitang mula. The basic stuff.

"What about you, Gwyneth? Where were you last week?"

Agad akong tumapak sa paa ni Enzo, baka sakaling sumagot siya ng kung ano eh. "I had a makeup class since our professor went on an international conference. We missed two meetings and he wanted to make up for it."

He grunts. "He should. The money we spend for you to go to that school is no joke. Tell me," he says. "Are you two dating?"

"Hindi po, Tito," mabilis na sagot ni Enzo. "Ah!"

Tinapakan ko na naman kasing muli ang paa niya. Baka mamaya may kadugtong pang sabihin.

"Hindi po," sagot ko din.

"Well, what are you kids waiting for?" tanong niya sa'min.

"Raphael," pagpigil na ni Mama.

"What, Michelle? They will be a good match for each other."

"Why don't we let the kids go for tonight and let them find their way to each other?" Mom pulls a tight smile and I know we are already dismissed from the table. She gives me a pointed look. Just look at what your father wants. You are in trouble.

"Hindi ko alam 'yun ah," sabi ni Enzo nang natatawa.

"Neither do I."

"Akalain mong gusto pala ako ni Tito para sa'yo."

"I know right? But... you have always been good anyway."

"Was I, Gwen?"

He catches my eyes and I see the stare he is giving me. Hindi ko kinaya kaya napabawi ako bigla. A little few memories comes flooding to me. "Okay, maybe not."

Enzo smiles warmly. So he hasn't forgotten what happened before. He hangs around for a few more minutes. Hinintay niya lang na matapos kumain sila mama para makapagpaalam siya.

"Who's your boyfriend again?" tanong ni Mama nang makaalis na ang kotse ni Enzo mula sa harap ng bahay.

"I never said his name."

"But who is he?"

"Someone you wouldn't like."

Tumalikod na ko at naglakad na papasok ng bahay.

"What did you just say? Gwen? Gwen! Gwyneth!"

"Never mind, Ma! I don't think you'd ever meet him anyways!"

Habang nakahiga ako sa kama at naghihintay ng tawag ni Baz, hindi lang maalis sa isip ko kung anong dapat kong gawin. Nai-imagine ko na kung anong mangyayari. And it's not going to end well. Paano na kaya? I'd be lying if I'll say that my anxiety is not killing me.

Around midnight, my phone rings. I don't bother looking at the caller ID because I know it'll be just Baz.

"Hey," pagbati niya. That voice again. Nakahiga na siguro siya kaya ganito kalalim ang boses niya. Pero hindi ko magawang kiligin sa kaba na nararamdaman ko.

"Hey," sabi ko lang din at tumagalid sa kama at yumakap ng unan.

"I'm in the ranch."

"Hmm, I bet."

"Are you sleepy?"

"What?"

"Why does your voice sound like that?"

"Like what?"

"Down, I guess?"

"Oh, nothing," I say, trying to make my voice cheerful. "I just have a lot on my head."

"Like what?"

"Stuff."

"Will you tell me?"

"It's embarassing."

"It's fine."

Should I or should I not?

"Is it heavy?"

"Hmm, yeah. Kinda. It's about my family."

"What about them?"

I scrunch my nose. Baka naman mamaya takbuhan na ko ni Baz kapag nalaman niyang pinagiisipan ko kung anong mangyayari kapag pinakilala ko siya sa parents ko.

"Babe?"

"Oh, sorry," I laugh nervously.

"If you really can't tell it's fine."

"No, no. I want to tell you anyway." I bite my lip. "Uhm, it's about... well not really about you meeting my parents but I'm just imaging what could possibly happen if... I'm not saying for you to meet my parents or something like that--"

"Do you want me to?"

"What?"

"Meet your parents."

"Uhm, I don't--no, I think--uhm," s**t.

He chuckles from the other end of the line. "Just say so if you want me to. I wouldn't mind."

"Aren't you scared?"

"Of what?"

"Meeting my parents?"

"Should I be?"

"Why wouldn't you be?"

"Is there something I should be scared about? Won't your parents like me?"

"That's my concern. I mean, you're everything and everything and all but..."

"But..."

"Baz, you're a lot older than me."

"Only of five years."

"That's a lot for a seventeen-year-old."

"Well, it's not really going to matter in the long run."

"Long run?" I smile. "You think na magtatagal tayo?"

"I see no reason for us not to last long."

I smile wider. So he's really serious about me? He wouldn't say this if he isn't, right?

"Did you tell them you have a boyfriend?"

"My dad doesn't know."

"Why not?"

"Because..." I trail. Ano, anong sasabihin ko? Eh kanina nga lang pressure na kay Enzo tapos biglaan ko na lang isisingit si Baz sa usapan? "If I mention you to him he'd want to get to know you for sure. And... I have no idea how that might end. And, another thing... I just have no plans of... separating from you so soon."

"You think he's going to oppose this relationship," he concludes.

"He's my father. That's his job." Okay, maybe not for Enzo because clearly, he wants the dude for me.

"True enough. If I have a daughter as beautiful as you, I'd probably be doing the same thing."

"Beautiful?"

"Yes. You're a lot beautiful."

Hindi ko naman mapigilang mapangiti. Basil, enebe. Eww yuck. Ang harot ah.

"Oh, babe. I miss you."

"Hey," I say.

"Yeah?"

"You call me babe now. What happened to baby?"

"Do you like baby better?"

Okay. This is awkward. "No, I just noticed."

"It's kind of stepping up the ladder," he says. "Babe is on the more serious note."

"Is it?"

"Yeah," he breathes out. "For me."

"I think we should sleep," I say, noticing the way his voice goes another tone deeper. "You sound tired."

"I am sleepy."

"Let's sleep?"

"I'll see you next week."

"I hope."

"Sing me a song."

"What?" I laugh.

"Sing me a song."

"What song?"

"A lullaby. Whatever. Just sing. First song that came to your mind. Please?"

"Okay. Good night."

"Sing, okay? Good night, babe."

With a little more flutter in my stomach, I start to sing Over the Rainbow. Hindi ko marinig ang paghinga ni Baz sa kabilang linya. Nevertheless, when the song ends, I sing another one... then I realize, I am also singing myself to sleep.

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

IBA YATA TALAGA ANG DEFINITION NG BACK TO NORMAL WITH BAZ.

Bakit gano'n? Ganito na lang ba talaga cycle ng relasyon namin?

Pagpasok ko Lunes na Lunes at mainit ang dugo ko dahil ang aga kong gumising pero na-traffic pa din kami ni Kuya Archie dahil hinatid niya ko sa school.

Pagdating ko ng classroom, wala pa akong limang minutong nakaupo sa silya ko nang kung ano na namang nahagip ng mga tainga ko mula sa bibig ni Trixie.

"Oh hey, speaking of NSTP," kwento niya sa kaniyang mga kaibigan. "I saw 'yung sponsor natin sa Grand Hotel last Friday. Si Mr. Noblerico? In fairness ha, he has good taste sa girls. Ang pretty ng girl na kasama niya and he was so much of a gentleman! Grabe parang ang goals! He pulled out a seat for her and everything pero gusto ko 'yung kamay niya nando'n sa likod ng babae like inaaalalayan. Grabe ang sweet! Sana may gano'n din akong boyfriend."

Sumangayon naman ang mga kausap niya.

Samantalang ako kumukulo na ang dugo ko. Si Basil lang naman 'yun, 'di ba?

What the f**k?!

Kalma, Gwen. Baka naman mamaya asawa naman pala ng kuya niya 'yon.

Pero sa hotel? Anong gagawin nila do'n?

Maybe a friend or a client?

Tama bang hawakan mo ang kliyente mo sa may bewang ha? Gawain ba ng magkaibigan 'yun?

Perhaps... uhhmmm... cousin niya?

BULLSHIT, ANO COUSIN NA NAMAN?!

Gentleman naman talaga si Baz in the first place. Maybe he was just trying to be nice kung sinoman 'yung babae na 'yun?

Pero Friday? That was the day na umuwi ako. I asked him kung gusto niya ba kong makita. He was busy.

I pound my fist on my desk.

Sino na naman ba 'tong babaeng 'to para ipagpalit siya sa'kin ni Basil?