The Bad Girl's Gentleman

= Code 12 =

The Bad Girl's Gentleman

= Code 12 =

THERE ARE THINGS BETTER LEFT AT IMAGINATIONS. Kaya naman nang makabalik ako nang Lunes at nakipag-lunch kasama si Stefan at Via, wala na silang ginawa kundi kulitin ako kung ano daw bang ginawa namin ni Baz.

"Ano ba?" angal ko sa kanilang dalawa. "Wala nga kaming ginagawa! Porket doon ako natulog may nangyari na agad? We sleep. Innocently."

"Wooshoo, baka bading nga si Baz. Bigay mo na lang siya sa'kin, girl," pangungulit ni Stefan.

Alam kong nang-aasar lang siya pero bumigay naman ako. "Baz is not gay alright?"

"Hmmm, if that's so, you better have proof." Sinanggi ni Via ang balikat ko. "Ano, malaki ba?"

"Yuck, Via!"

"Were you worried it wouldn't fit?"

"Ano bang pinagsasabi mo?"

"I hope you didn't worried. The muscle walls stretch."

"Ugh." I bury my head in my forearms on the table. Bakit ba ang hirap paliwanagan ng dalawang 'to? I rise up again. "I don't feel the need to explain to the two of you. Bahala na kayo kung anong gusto niyong isipin."

Then Via whispers something to Stefan and he laughs. I pretend I don't notice.

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

'Pagbalik namin ng building at habang naglalakad sa hallway, mayroong isang kumpol ng tao sa kalagitnaan. Naki-isyoso naman kami sa malaking bilog na nagawa.

"Wow, how classy," I comment with a roll of my eyes. May dalawang babaeng nagsasabunutan. Funny, hindi ba? Not the first I had witnessed. Hindi ko naman kilala ang dalawang 'yun so I hardly care.

Pero dakilang tsismoso 'tong si Stefan at tinapik ang babae sa unahan. "b***h, what's happening here?"

"Seems like someone stole someone's boyfriend. We don't know who is the legit one," pagtawa ng babaeng nakikinood lang din.

"Issue!!!" nagpaypay si Stefan gamit ang kamay niya.

I pull them both away from the crowd and walk towards our room. Hindi alam kung sinong tunay na girlfriend? What?! Haha!! Ano 'yun? I make a mental note to tell the story to Baz when I see him again. Papasok pa lang ako ng classroom nang maka-receive ako ng text.

From: Enzo

San ka??

Akala ko si Baz na. Pero asa naman na magt-text 'yun.

To: Enzo

Class. Y?

From: Enzo

Lunch sana hahahaha!!

To: Enzo

Wrong timing ka naman

From: Enzo

Next time :)

To: Enzo

Definitely. X

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

My mom contacts me and asks me to come to a nearby mall after class. Nasa isang bookstore sila. I immediately see Guiliana in the entrance, checking some colorful children's books. "Ate!" she greets and holds her arms out to hug my legs.

"'Sup, kid?" I say and pat her shoulder.

"You got any books to buy?" tanong ni mama na naghahanap sa magazing section.

"I'll look for something."

Nothing is better than free books. I browse through the classics sections. Gusto ko kasing mag-invest. Nabasa ko na Wuthering Heights, The Catcher in the Rye, The Great Gatsby, at Little Women. Mahirap intindihin pero... ewan ko ba. Nakakainis lang na may bagay ako na hindi ko maintindihan. I want to be able to understand how classic books work.

In the end, I come out with three new books; Gilly with four new children's book; and mom with two new Housekeeping magazines. Nagpunta kami sa isang pizza parlor. Nag-pasta lang ako at isang pirasong chicken.

"I have to tell you something," I tell my mom.

"Yeah?" she asks while wiping Gilly's cheeks clean.

"I have a boyfriend."

"Huh?" napatingin siya sa'kin panandalian bago bumalik sa ginagawa niya. "Sino?"

"I can't tell you."

"I have to know who he is," she stresses. "Kapag nalaman ng daddy mo 'yan na walang nakakaalam sa'min kung sino 'yang lalaking 'yan, nako, lagot ka."

"It's not something serious."

"Then what's the point telling me if you're just going to breakup with him?"

Napatungo ako. "I just want you to know."

She forks her lasagna and sets her eyes at me. I always liked my mom's face. She's not old. She's barely forty-five, I think? Hindi naman na kasi siya nagt-trabaho at nags-stay na lang sa bahay at inaalagaan si Gilly. She was an interior designer; that was how she and my dad met. "Is he handsome?"

I can't help but smile. "Very."

"Do you have a picture?"

"I don't."

"Why not?"

"I don't think he likes pictures that much."

"Is he from Ostfort too?"

"Queenslane."

She nods her head. The thing is, the school is what they care about. If you're from Ostfort, Queenslane, Pryston, and Westerhaven, you get the immediate green check. Kung hindi ka naman galing do'n, you have to prove that you have money and that you came from a good wealthy family.

"What does he study?"

He's working already. Pero s**t hindi ko pwedeng isagot 'yun. Ano bang program ni Baz? He's in law school, is already from the tip of my tongue when Gilly suddenly shouts "Peppa Pig!!"

Napatingin kami doon sa isang batang may hawak-hawak na stuffed toy. My sister is a sucker for that pig. Madali ko namang dinugtungan ang pagsigaw niya ng "Let's go buy!" at tumayo na ko at hinawakan ang kamay niya.

Tumakas na ko sa mommy ko.

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

I was in the middle of class when Baz calls on Wednesday. Masyado akong excited na sumagot na hindi pa umo-oo ang prof ko lumabas na ko kaagad ng room.

"Hey!"

"Hey."

"Bakit ka tumawag?" bigla naman akong nainis sa boses ko. Para kasing tuwang-tuwa ako na tumawag siya. But hell, I am really happy.

"What time is your class on Thursday?"

"Eleven."

"Can you stay with me tonight instead on Friday?"

"Miss mo na ko 'no?" I tease.

He chuckles. "Something came up. I have to leave Middle on Friday."

Oh. "Okay."

"I'll see you later, baby."

"Bye!"

Buong maghapon wala na kong ginawa kundi tumingin sa orasan. Ewan ko ba pero parang ang bagal ng takbo ng oras kapag may hinihintay ka. Mukhang mags-sleepover na naman ako kay Baz pero hindi na ko nagdala ng pamalit na damit. I like wearing his clothes. May washing machine naman siya doon na pwede kong paglabhan ng uniform.

Hindi na ko mapakali. I just really want to see him. Parang Saturday morning ko lang siya huling nakasama pero nami-miss ko na siya. Hays. Chill, Gwen.

But I can't f*****g chill.

Finally, around nine in the evening, my phone rings and I jump to answer it. Hinayaan ko munang mag-ring ng ilang beses para kunwari hindi ako naghihintay.

"Hey," I say to him.

"I'm here."

"Alright."

Sinadya kong bagalan ang paglalakad ko para kunwari hindi ako nagmamadali pero legit na nangati bigla 'yung legs ko na parang gustong manakbo. Nagpaalam naman na ko kay Via kanina.

"Hi," he says and scoops me in his arms before kissing the side of my head.

"Do you always bring this car?"

"I like driving this one. Do you want me to switch cars?"

"No," I say as he helps me climb to my seat. So he has other cars.

"You okay?" I ask him when he has been silent for too long.

"Yeah," he answers and pulls my hand to his thigh where he draws lines on my palms.

"You look tired."

"I am," he groans. "I'm too busy this week. It's not even funny anymore."

"You could've canceled meeting me this week."

He glances at me. "Don't you want to see me?"

"I do. But you're busy... why should you see me still? I mean, work comes first?"

"If I do that then I don't see you for two weeks."

"I'll make an appointment with your secretary so she can fit me in your schedule."

He smiles at this. "I'll make time for you."

Pagdating namin doon, as usual kumain muna si Baz. Small talk. Yada, yada, yada. Nauna akong matapos sa paggamit ng banyo at nakahiga na sa kama niya habang suot-suot ang mga damit niya.

"Why is it so freaking cold tonight?" tanong ko paglabas niya.

"There's a wiring problem with the air-conditioning system."

"Can't we just turn it off?"

"It'll get too hot," he answers and climbs on the bed. "Don't worry, it will automatically restart itself at certain degree."

"You mean when we're already freezing to death?"

"Yes," sagot naman niya nang nakangiti. He reaches for my knee and pulls me to him. "What are you looking at?"

I scroll through this new trend in Twitter. "A scandal."

"What happened?"

"A hot make out session in public. Apparently, one of them is famous so..."

"Are you going to watch it?"

"I have the time to waste." One more scroll and there's finally a video. "Are you going to watch it? Is it even noble for you to do so?" I tease.

"No, it's not. But I'm interested. Play it."

And so we watch this a-minute or so video. It has crappy quality but you can definitely see the kissing, the biting, and the tongue-ing. Kung sila Via ang kasama kong nanonood nito malamang tawa na kami nang tawa. Pero si Baz 'yung kasama ko na nasa likudan lang at nakasilip sa ibabaw ng balikat ko. The video is a little gross to be done in public but, alright, it does looks kinda hot that I can feel my cheeks heating up.

"Wow," I say after the video freezes on its end. I turn to Baz who turns to me and slowly smiles. "Aren't you going to say something?"

"Does my opinion matter?"

I don't answer.

"Then it's better that I just shut up."

"Well said," I nod and turn back to my phone. Gusto ko pa sanang magbasa kung anong mga pinagsasabi sa social media pero nahiya naman ako kay Baz kaya naisipan kong mag-scroll lang sa phone ko.

"You know," he says lowly on my ear. "We can spend our time better than looking through your phone."

"Like what?"

"Lying down and sleeping early?"

I let out a laugh. We both know we're not going to sleep when we lie down. So instead I just kiss him right then and there. His arms circle around me and pull me to his chest and place me in between his legs.

"Wait," I say.

"Yeah?"

I start to smile even before I ask. "Is there even a right way for you to kiss a girl?"

He laughs and smiles at me wide enough that his dimple shows up. He looks shy about it though. So cute. "Apparently, yes."

"Really?" I twist a little to look at him. "Did you, like, take kissing lessons or something?"

"It's an etiquette class—"

"Etiquette class," I laugh. Since when did kissing got so formal it damn needs etiquette?

"Yes," he defends. "Our professor said we had to be gentle and take it slow. There is no need for us to rush and always consider how the person we are kissing feels."

"Are you serious right now?"

"Yeah."

"Where did you take these lessons?"

"At home."

"Home? They teach you these kinds of things?"

"It's an etiquette class."

I bite my lips to stop myself from laughing. "Uh-huh, what else did they teach you there?"

"They also teach us to give gifts when it's applicable."

Then I watch as he fastens something on my wrist. It is only when he pulls his hands that I get to see the gold bracelet he put there. I gasp. It has circle bells attached to the plain golden bond.

"It's beautiful!" I cry and completely twist to give him a kiss. But in the middle of it I remember. "Wait, what is it for?"

"Hmm?" he asks, propped against his pillows.

"What is the bracelet for? Is it my birthday?"

He grins. "I thought you'd be someone who'd keep count."

"Of what?"

"Years, months, weeks, days... hours?" I raise an eyebrow at him and he adds, "It's our first month."

"Oh," I say, then it further sinks in and I'm laughing. "Is it really?"

"It was actually last week."

"You kept count?"

"I didn't," he says. "We got together Friday. I just counted the times we slept together and I thought, hey, isn't she supposed to be mad I forgot about it, or maybe she was just drunk last week that she also forgot?"

"I don't count. I'm not really the festive kind," I say and scrunch my nose at him.

He takes my hand and pushes his fingers between mine. His eyes sparkles and I get ready for his blow. "Is it because nobody actually lasted a month with you?"

"Ouch."

He chuckles and pulls me closer. "I'm kidding," he says and kisses me.

Totoo naman talaga. Ang span lang ng mga nakaka-fling ko madalas dalawang linggo lang. Pero alam ko may isang tumagal sa'kin ng isa't kalahating buwan eh... I just don't remember his name. Oh well, past is past.

I pull away slightly. "Thanks for the gift though," I say to him and wriggle my wrist and the bells jingle, only then that I remember that Gilly and my siblings and I used to have bell bracelets when we were infants. "I feel like a baby."

"Aren't you my baby?"

I am, I'd answer but it just sounds so... I don't know... weird? Instead I just kiss him again. Kissing Baz has always been slow and sweet and gentle, just like how he said he was taught it those etiquette classes he spoke off, it's like there's an electric current that crawls under my skin. It was only last time that it went a little beyond borders. And also those hickies.

Baz is my human pillow. Legit. Tuwing magkasama kami siya lang ang kailangan ko. Chos. Haha!! I mean to say hindi ko na kailangan ng iba pang unan. I can throw all my limbs at him and he wouldn't care. Lagi lang nakaunan ang ulo ko sa balikat niya and most of the time we sleep sideways and it makes it easier for me to hug him. This time, though, I don't. Ang lamig kasi kaya niyakap ko na lang ang sarili ko. The lights are already off except for his two night lamps on either side of us.

"Can I ask where you are going on Friday?"

"Somewhere," he mumbles, he already has his eyes closed.

"Is it far?"

"A bit."

"Will it require a plane?"

"No."

"Drive?"

"A long one."

"Who's coming with you?"

He grins at this and pulls me closer. "Nobody."

"Should I ask if I can come?"

He opens his eyes and I can tell they are sorry. "Next time." Then he adds on my confused face, "It's not a place for you."

"For me?"

"Someone who doesn't know."

"Doesn't know what?"

"I'd tell you next time." Then his eyes are pleading for me stop pressing the issue. Whatever this is, it is something important to him.

"When will you tell me?"

"Soon."

"Do you promise?"

"I promise," he says and takes my hand, easily switching our topic. "Your fingers are cold."

He brings my hand to his lips and slowly kisses the middle knuckles in each of my fingers and his hot breath toasts my cold skin. I fight the urge to kiss him.

"That's like the sweetest thing," I tell him.

He peers at me through his lashes. "Is it?" then he pressed his lips fully on my skin and something warm swells inside my chest. I take an involuntary breath. He notices this and I get too embarrassed.

"What are you doing to me?" I whisper.

He contemplates this, lips still on my fingers and eyes on me. "No," he shakes his head. "What are you doing to me?"

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

That morning Baz wakes me up at six in the morning. Ayoko mang bumangon pero hindi niya ko tinigilan hanggang sa nasa loob na ko ng banyo. Ihahatid niya pa kasi ako bago siya pumasok sa opisina. Pero ang lahat ng iyon, gusto niya daw akong makasamang mag-breakfast kaya naman nandito kami sa isang kilalang restaurant, ang aga-aga.

"Are you sure that it's okay that we're outside?"

His frowns. "Why not?"

"I mean, people can see us together."

"Why is it an issue?"

"Is it okay for you to be seen with someone like me?"

"Someone like you?" he smiles and flips open a menu. "What type are you?"

"A college student," I hiss under my breath as if it's not obvious enough. Hello, naka-uniform ako.

"I don't really care, baby." He turns to me and leans down to whisper. "Are we keeping our relationship secret?"

"No?"

"Then I don't see any problem going out with you. Besides, it is the first time I took you out for a proper meal. What are you going to eat?"

Nag-order siya ng pancakes pero mahaba ang araw ko at wala na kong break hanggang alas-tres ng hapon kaya um-order ako ng Salisbury steak. The gravy is to die for.

Baz starts to read the newspaper and is sipping his coffee as he is done with his food when a waiter approaches us with a huge box.

Napatingin ako kay Baz at sa waiter. But he keeps his eyes on the paper. Papaalisin ko na sana si kuya waiter, na maling table ang pinintahan niya but then Baz speaks up. "Looks like somebody's got another present."

"What?" I mutter, confused.

Baz folds his newspaper and thanks the waiter and he scoots away. "Here. Open it."

Nasa tabi ko lang si Baz pero parang ilang milya ang inabot ng kamay ko. Ewan ko ba kinakabahan ako. The box looks expensive with its matte black color and fat pink satin bow at its top. Napatingin muna ako kay Baz pero naghihintay lang siya na buksan ko.

So then I open the lid.

"No f*****g way," na lang ang nasabi ko. Natatabunan pa ang bag ng wrapper nito pero alam ko na maganda na agad.

"You're okay with pink, right?"

"Everything pink is pretty," I say to him and dig in for the gift. I pull it out. It is the prettiest mini bag pack in the world. I feel in awe and I can't help but gasp, like, loudly gasp. "Oh my God, it's so pretty I can cry."

I fumble with the straps before zipping it open for yet another surprise. "It's Versace."

"Yeah."

"It's Versace."

"Hmm-hm."

"It's f*****g Versace."

"I know, baby. I picked it out myself."

I can feel my face contorting. I'm so happy tears won't even come out. I choke out, "It's beautiful."

"I'm glad you liked it."

I look at Baz and he has this huge smile on his face. How come I have a boyfriend as handsome as he is? I throw my arms around him and nuzzle my face on his neck. "Thank you! Thank you!"

"It's all good," he says and pats my forearm.

"As if the braclet was not expensive enough."

He turns his face to me and whispers, "I stole it."

I laugh and pull away slightly. "Of course you did." I kiss him on the cheek. For once, I didn't care if people see us.

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

"Woah," sabi ni Stefan nang ipatong ko ang bag ko sa lamesa. "Is that what I think it is?"

"What?" tanong ko. I know it's Versace but... what's the big deal, really?

"Yeah, it is what is," sabi ni Via at inabot ang bag ko at binuksan. Then she screams. "Omg! It really is!"

"b***h, true?" sabi ni Stefan at nakisilip sa loob at sumigaw din. "Oh my God! It's a Medusa bag!"

"Medusa bag?" tanong ko sa kanila. Really, I'm comfused.

"b***h!" sigaw sa'kin ni Stefan. "You don't know the Medusa bag? Like, Gigi Hadid has a black clutch bag like this. Freaking A-list models have this kind of bag and you have one. Why aren't you celebrating?"

"Really?" I say and hug the bag to my chest. I didn't know it is that special.

"Is that Versace?" pagsingit ni Trixie na nanlalaki ang mata.

I swell with pride. "Uh-huh."

She looks like she's ready to tear the bag off my hands. "It's expensive!" then she glares at me. "Who gave it to you?"

"My sugar daddy."

Via and Stefan laughs behind me.

Wala pa kaming prof kaya naman noong bumukas ang pintuan, akala namin siya na. Isa pala sa mga guard ng building. "Guinto? Gwen? Nandito ba?"

"Po?" tanong ko.

"Delivery."

Napatingin naman ako kay Via at Stefan at nagkibit balikat habang pinapasok ni Kuya kung anoman iyon at pinatong sa isang vacant seat. It is a bouquet of flowers and another box smaller than the one I had earlier.

"Thank you po," sabi ko kay Kuya bago siya umalis. Inangat ko ang takip ng box at puno ito ng chocolates. "Damn," I say. Pinapataba yata talaga ako ni Basil eh.

There is a note the middle of the beautiful bouquet. I smile because it reminded me of the conversation I had with him last night.

Just look at the things you're making me do. - B