I was staring at the windshield. It's been an hour with this super silent road trip. I looked at Magen. Mukhang wala rin talaga siyang balak na kausapin ako. I looked back at the road when in a few minutes a three policeman sign a stop. I looked at Magen, his brows immediately furrowed when he give me a quick glance. He just shrugged before looking at the rear mirror and finally stopped the car.
"What's wrong?" I asked him, worriedly.
Hindi niya ako pinansin at binaba na lang ang bintana nitong kotse. He nodded at the police.
"Lisensya mo..." the police said and handed his hand.
I saw Magen's forehead furrowed "Why?"
"Over speed..." walang gana na sagot ng pulis.
Agad naman nagsalubong ang kilay ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Magen didn't over speed! I looked around to find a cctv.
"Miss ganda, tingin mo ba dito kami rorota kung may CCTV?" Bumaling siya ulit kay Magen na seryoso ang itsura "Ibigay mo na ang lisensya mo,"
The other police laughed and tapped the shoulder of the police "H'wag ka naman masyadong nakakatakot. Siguro naman pwede 'to pag-usapan diba... boss?"bumaling siya kay Magen habang may nakakalokong ngiti.
Magen just nodded out of boredom. He looked one by one to the police. Nodding like a defeat one. This police are disgusting! They didn't know ba na nadudungisan ang mga pulis dahil sa mga taong katulad nila? They work as a police just to collect money to those innocent citizens? If that's there purpose and aims to this world then they didn't deserve anything but a training to be a well-mannered person!
"How much?" Magen seriously said.
He even crossed his arm and gave the policeman a dreadful glare. Parang wala lang pakialam si Magen sa mga nangyayari dahil kalmado lang siya. The fear and nervous is not qualified to his vocabulary?
"Magen! Hindi ka nag-over speed! It's obvious naman na mamemera lang 'yang mga pulis na 'yan. Wait... do I need to call y'all a policeman? Because to be honest, y'all are not capable to be one. Dinudungisan niyo ang figure ng mga police!" I hissed out of annoyance.
The three police guys chuckled with disbelief "Miss, manahimik ka nalang baka samain ka sa 'min..." he even pointed his index finger to me!
My eyes widened, the fear evident on my system when he smirked at me like a demon. I keep my mouth shut because I can't say anything because I'm damn nervous! Pa'no kung dalhin nila kami sa malapit na Police station? Then they will add some violations to us?!
"Just tell me your price. I don't have any big amount of cash. I can give the both of you a half a million pesos. I'll call my ninong to lend me a money since he's near here..." Magen said seriously.
Nakita ko naman agad ang pagsilay ng ngiti ng mga kausap niya. Hindi makapaniwalang napatingin ako kay Magen. I even held his arm to stop him but he just nodded at me. I just pouted, sayang ang pera dahil ibibigay niya lang sa mga walang kwentang pulis na 'to. Nakakainis, ba't ba sila nandito pa? Why they're looking for a innocent one than not?
"Madaling kausap naman pala 'to si Boss. Sige tawagan mo na," the police who approached us first said wearing his big smile.
Nakakadiri sila.
Magen dialed something. He put his phone infront of his ear. I moved and trying to hear what the other line said. Sumandal pa si Magen sa head restraints chilling like a villian. Wow ha? Can't he feel the nervous that I can't felt?
"Hello, Nong?" Magen said using his serious tone.
He lifted his head and stare at the three police who's busy talking with each other. Just wow! They looks like they are planning their future that Magen's money can! Hindi ba sila nahihiya?
"Oh, napatawag ka?" The other line said.
Mas nilapit ko pa ang tainga sa cellphone para marinig ang usapan nila. I pouted when Magen put his phone on his another ear hindi ko na marinig!
"Nong, I need a half a million cash. Right now, please make it faster. I'll text you the address..." Magen said and nodded as if his ninong can see him "Thanks, Nong..."
He hanged up and type something. Binalingan pa kami ng pulis bago ngumingiti sa kasamahan. Inis kong binalingan ng tingin si Magen.
"Alam mo, magna cum laude ka pero hindi ka nag-iisip. If you're going to pay a half a million cash then pay for the penalty! I think hindi pa 'yon lalagpas ng 5k! You know, Magen? My best liptint is more relevant than your magna cum laude award! You can't use your brain properly!" I hissed before glaring at him.
Paying for the thing that we didn't do is not fair but in this world being fair is not enough.
He just sighed and massage his temple "Just shut up, Heart. You can sleep if you want," he said in hushed tones.
"Sleep? How can I sleep if there's a police and telling us that you are a violator?" I enraged murmured.
He put his tongue in cheeks before combing his hair like I really annoyed him because of my non-stop mouth. He stare at me with his pleaded eyes. He want me to stop? then no! I can't! I'll stop him as long as I can. Alright, I admit it... I was nervous and afraid! They have the power!
"Hindi ako tanga, Heart. Chill ka lang d'yan..." he even laughed?!
Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata "How can you laughed with this circumstances?" I said using my frustrated voice.
Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko sa kaniya. I just glare at him trying to scared him but his gaze looks intimidating.
He shrugged "Just chill,"
I rolled my eyes, inis akong sumandal sa head restraint bago mahina na pinatunog ulit ang chunky boots para makapaglikha ng ingay. He don't want to listen to me then he might listen to this disturbing noise. Narinig ko naman agad ang pagngiwi niya pero hindi ko na siya pinansin. I put down the window car and feel the polluted air coming from me. I irritatedly put the window car, up. I don't know what do I need to do? This road trip is boring because of this trashes! Ah! I hate it!
"Hey, are you mad?" He asked using his manly baritone voice.
I crossed my arm "What?!" I hissed as I glare at him.
His eyes widened, he even blinked and clenched his jaw. "Galit ka na naman... It's our first day of having a relationship but here you are being mad woman again. Why are you always mad?" He asked while irritatedly rubbing his palm on his face.
"Why you always making me mad?!" I immediately fired him back.
Why he keeps on doing and asking things that can annoy me?! Hindi na siya kumibo sa halip ay nag-iwas na lang siya ng tingin. Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas bago may huminto na sasakyan sa harap namin. The guy in his 40's get out of his car. Magen smirked, lumabas siya ng sasakyan. I followed him even I was afraid on what's happening. I was trembling so hard. I held Magen's arm reason why he gave me a serious glance. Halos mapatalon ako ng hawakan niya ang kamay ko bago ako hapitin sa baywang at taas noo na balingan ang lalaki.
"Magen... napadalaw ka dito sa Cavite?" The guy said and tapped Magen's shoulder and give me a widened eyes.
"I was going to meet someone, Nong." Magalang na sabi ni Magen bago bumaling sa mga pulis. "... but they told me that I violated something,"
The guy in front of us is wearing a simple black polo shirt partnered with his jeans and brown sneaker boots. He looks good too with his posture. Parang sa tindig niya ay nando'n ang superior sa bawat hakbang niya.
"Hello! Girlfriend po pala ako ni Magen. It's nice to meet you, Ninong," mabilis na pagsingit ko.
Magen tightened the way he held my waist. Bigla kong naalala na secret relationship nga pala ang set up naming dalawa and being proud of is impossible. So, I shut my mouth immediately! I lifted my head to see the better view of Magen's reaction. I don't know if he's mad or what because he has a expressionless face.
"Oh, hi!" Natatawang bati sa 'kin ng ninong niya at nginisian kaming dalawa ni Magen.
"Boss... baka naman," the police interrupt and massage the back of his head.
Wow, shy? Just wow ha.
"Are you excited? Just wait, okay?" I rolled my eyes. They glared at me when I chuckled like I was very bored talking to them.
"Hey..." saway ni Magen sa 'kin kaya mas lalo akong nairita.
I felt like my blood is now boiling because of this three idiots! Ah! I hate it talaga. Ang useless nila bilang mga pulis! Ayaw kona, pwede ba magteleport na lang sa pupuntahan namin? If we can then please!
"Sir, Pakisabihan 'yang kasama mo na umayos ng mga salita lalo't nag-over---"
I immediately cut his lies... "Over speed?! What the hell is wrong with you?! Hindi naman nag-over speed 'tsaka namemera lang kayo e," himutok ko. I crossed my arm and raised my brows even I know that deep inside I was showering many drops of nervous.
I rolled my eyes again to annoy them. Well, it's working!
"Staff sergeant Romel Mendoza, Police Officer Jes Rivera at MSrgt. Deniz Selis?" Tanong ng ninong ni Magen na nagpagulat sa 'kin at sa tatlong pulis na kaharap namin. "Kilalang kilala kasi kayo..." nahihiyang dagdag niya.
Nagtawanan pa silang apat so I lifted my head to look at Magen. He looks so damn serious but I can see the boredom on his handsom face. Naglakad saglit ang Ninong niya bago kunin sa driver niya ang isang suitcase. I rolled my eyes when I saw the devil smile of this police! Dahan-dahan naman binuksan ng ninong ni Magen ang suitcase. Inside the suitcase is a three handcuffs. Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko kasabay ng mabilis na pagbukas ng pinto ng sinasakyan ng Ninong ni Magen. Many guys form a line, all of them is wearing a all-in military camouflage uniform and in the other side of their sleeve is the letters "CITF"
Naglakad si Magen pabalik sa sasakyan. I didn't follow him because I can't move!I was staring at the three police that looks shocked too. I blinked twice when Magen give something to his Ninong before walking back, beside me and held my waist.
"That's my black box car record. You can see clearly that I didn't violate something," Magen emotionless said using his husky voice.
His Ninong chuckled before nodding and looking at the three police. "Staff sergeant Romel Mendoza, Police Officer Jes Rivera at MSrgt. Deniz Selis. Kayo ay inaaresto kahit walang warrant dahil sa pangongotong at paghingi ng pera sa isang sibilyan kayo ay papatawan ng robbery extortion. Kayo ay may karapatang tumahimik at di magsalita, ang anumang sabihin niyo ay maaring gamitin laban sa inyo. Kayong tatlo ay may karapatang humingi at magkaroon ng abogado sa harap ng anumang napipintong interogasyon ng pulis, at karapatang mabigyan ng libreng abogado kung hindi niyo kaya kumuha," he said while putting an handcuffs.
My lips parted while watching them! Hindi ko alam pero sobrang lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko habang pinapanood sila na papasok sa sasakyan. The three police glare at Magen reason why I held his arm, tighter.
"Salamat, Magen. Matagal na may nagsusumbong sa tatlong 'to pero hindi kami makahanap ng sapat na ebidensya. Baka sampahan namin sila ng roberry extertion pero hindi pa sigurado kung ilang ang ikakaso sa kanila," his ninong said and give me a glance. "Ija, Ikaw ba si Phoebe? Naku! Mabuti naman sinagot mo na ang inaa--"
"Nong...." alanganin na tawag ni Magen bago umiwas ng tingin.
Naiwan sa ere ang ngiti ko bago dahan-dahan na mawala. My chest feels so heavy hearing those words. It feels like I lost my whole confidence. I avoided their gaze because I'm not comfortable anymore. Si Phoebe? Na naman? Kilala ng Ninong niya? So? Magen is really serious about her, huh? Hearing her name again makes me weak too!
"What?" Natatawang tanong ng Ninong ni Magen na mukhang hindi parin alam ang sitwasyon.
Oo nga naman, why my feelings here is important? I'm in a relationship with Magen but it's a secret relationship. So to be specific, I still have the rights to be jealous... to be hurt... to be in pain... but in a secret way too. Kasi ako 'yung girlfriend na hindi naman mahal. Na susubukan lang naman mahalin. Na susugal sa larong alam kong mahirap ipanalo. Kasi sino nga ba naman ako?
I'm just a burden to him and he will never look at me the way I want him to look at me.
"A-ah, ahm.... pasok na ako sa loob," nahihiyang paalam ko.
Nahihiya ako sa harapan si Magen mas lalong sa harap ng ninong niya. I can't look at their eyes, I felt like my eyes is starting to turn in a blurry state. I bit my lower lips. I was about to go back inside the car when Magen held my elbow reason why I stopped. I sighed, still looking at the ground. I was annoyed because I was hurt but I had no right to be hurt. I was annoyed because I felt the massive of my chest and I was weak but I was more annoyed because.... I still did not have the right to act like this.
"P-papasok muna ako..." I said with my fluttering heart.
I stepped forward, staggering but before I take another step he held my elbow again. Nakakainis! nakakaiyak! shit! I must go inside and avoid the topic and let Magen handle it with his Ninong if he lie then it's fine. Yeah.... It's fine... I need to understand it very well that... it's fine.
Hindi kona siya pinansin. I force myself to start walking. I can't talk to him with this situation. Kinakabahan ako, baka magmakaawa na naman ako.
"Hon..." He called me that made me froze and looked at him.
My heart beats so loud and my chest vibrates the way I was scared of. I closed my fist to gain more energy to face him. I felt my knee is now soft like a soft marshmallow.
I swallowed hard before giving him a small smile. I understand if he don't want to be embarrass then it's alright because being with him being fine all the time even it's really not.
"You can talk to your...." I smile to him and his Ninong. "...Ninong. I don't mind since--"
He cut my words "Nong..." he softly said. "This is Poena Heart Nazario. My first and will be my last girlfriend..." he introduce me.
Naramdam ko ang unti-unting panlalaki ng mata ko at pag-awang ng labi. I'm his first girlfriend and will be the last? Is this a joke? Is this an act? Or not? He wrapped his arm on my waist and force me to look directly at his eyes. His jaw clenched when he saw my teary eyes because of the different emotions. He tapped my waist, softly. Assuring that it's alright.
"Oh?! Sinabi ni Kumare na Phoebe ang pangalan! Ano 'yan bago? Pero... alright, My name is Romeualdo Lumina, Magen's Ninong. You can call me, Tito Rome. Nice to meet you, Ija." He smiled and smile playfully to Magen before looking back at me. "Unang girlfriend ka niyan. Paniguradong masarap 'yang magmahal ang inaanak ko. Responsable 'yan ta's maaasahan..." he added, complimenting Magen.
I bit my lower lips, trying to stop to fake my smile. I don't know if I can be happy hearing those words because I know that I'm not the one. Magen looks red because of what Tito Rome said.
"We need to go, Nong. Thank you," Magen seriously said and smiled awkwardly.
Tito Rome nodded "Alright, 'yung record nung sa black box ay malaking tulong kaya salamat talaga. Sige na..." bumaling siya sa 'kin ng nakangiti. "Mag-ingat kayo, Ija." He warned.
I nodded "Y-yes po... take care po..." I said shyly.
We go back inside the car. Magen didn't say any words. He keeps his eyes on the road. He looks serious and not care surrounds him. How can he be like this? How can his aura right now is black? And scary?
"Hon, Where are we going?" I broke the silence and look at him waiting for an answer.
"Stop calling me using that!" He hissed.
My eyes widened "Why are you shouting?! Ikaw unnag tumawag ng gano'n ta's magagalit ka?! Ang angas mo naman.... hon," natatawang sabi ko. He didn't say a words. Hindi na niya ulit ako pinansin.
"Alright! Where are we going, Dawn Magen Villafueno..." I sarcastically asked.
"We need to stay here in Cavite for 3 days. I need to fix something. I need to avoid Anica for now..."
"What?!" Gulat kong tanong.
I even stamped my chunky boots while my eyes is widening. Napapikit pa siyang nag-iwas ng kaunti. Para bang nabulabog ko and eardrums niya dahil sa malakas na sigaw ko.
"Heart! Pwede ba? Tigilan mo kakasigaw? It's...." he stopped.
"What?" Mabilis kong tanong.
He sighed, trying to calm himself. "Just 3 days, Heart. Please... cooperate,"
Kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa seryosong sinabi niya. Naguguluhan akong tumingin sa kaniya.
"What cooperate? Is this a group study? School works?" I sarcastically asked. "Why you need to avoid Anica?" I asked out of curiousity.
He did something wrong to Anica?! No! No! It can't be.
"Stop being sarcastic... I can't tell you, alam kong madaldal ka. I need to take this a secret for Anica," he said with a serious and manly baritone voice.
"We're in a secret relationship then secret again? Are you fond of clandestine?" I ask full of gibing.
His bloodshot eyes met mine. I swallowed hard and avoided his gaze. He stopped the car in front of big house. It looks fancy with a color white and brown mixed color.
"How I can be fond of clandestine? secret? It's terrifying..." he said before opening his door.
Inayos ko ang pagkakahawak sa small bag ko bago sumulyap sa rear mirror at ngumit. Agad akong lumabas ng makita siya na nagdoor bell.
"Where are we?" Tanong ko ng makababa ng sasakyan.
"Cavite..." walang gana niyang sagot bago magdoor bell ulit.
"I know!" I hissed out of frustration.
Napapikit na naman siya dahil sa sigaw ko. I made my lips into a one thin line because I can see the annoyance on his handsome face. Baka siya naman sumigaw sa 'kin.
"Nako, sir! Pasensya na dahil naglilinis ako ng mansion...." a girl said while opening the gate.
She's wearing a maid's uniform. It's color black and white. She smile sweetly at Magen and me. She even wave her hands like we're close so I smiled at her too. She looks cute tho.
"Pupunta ba dito si Mint?" Seryosong tanong ni Magen sa maid.
He didn't even accompany me! Naglakad agad siya palayo na para bang hindi niya ako kasama. Na parang wala siyang kasama! I saw how the maid shook her head and Magen nodded.
"Hello, Ma'am. Ang ganda mo, ano mo si sir Magen? Jowa?" Curious niyang tanong. Medyo mahina.
I looked at Magen's back. He's walking faster. So, I walked faster too. The big and wide door is opened. He entered the mansion and look at me while his hand inside his pocket.
"I'm his friend..." I answered the maid's question before stopping beside Magen who stopped walking too.
"Oh! Akala ko po..." the maid said and pouted.
"She's my girlfriend, Liza." Magen said seriously before rolling his eyes and started to walk again.
Left me here with a parted lips and widened eyes.