"Huy! Kabog ka," natatawang sabi ko at dinuro pa si Mint. He raised his brows before rolling his eyes. I looked at Liza, humihikab siya.
"Do I look like I'm joking? Kung hindi galit si Kuya kay Papa baka hanggang ngayon nandito parin kami sa Cavite..." he mocked like a kid.
So, Cavite is their hometown eversince huh? Dito rin kaya sila pinanganak? Or lumipat lang sila dito? I sighed before looking at my nails. Actually, it's not my first time here. Wave have a house here at Bacoor and Munchy is staying here too. I'll visit her tomorrow or after tomorrow.
"By the way, nagcommute ka? It's late na. Pinabyahe ka pa ni Magen," I pouted as I look at him.
It's already 11:14 PM!
He made a puppy eyes "I have car..." mayabang niyang sabi kaya napairap ako.
I know, as he said their Dad is the C.E.O of VLFN Holdings, Inc. As far as I know, they handling the Mingen Group Corporation which is a wine and beer products and they also owned the VLFN Bank of the Philippines! Imagine the amount of money that their family can make!
Agad napabaling ang tingin ko kay Liza na humikab. "Liza, you can sleep na if want mo. Don't bother to stay awake because I was," I sincerely said at Liza. She looks sleepy.
She widened her eyes and shook her head like she was fine enough to stay awake and listen to us. "Kaya ko pa, Ma'am," she stood up straight.
"Para kang lasing, Liza. Matulog ka na... tatlong araw pa ako dito kaya may tatlong araw kapa para matitigan ako. Bukas na ulit, over-time ka na," mayabang na sabi ni Mint na nagpamula sa mukha ni Liza.
Liza didn't bother to say a words. She runs toward a room. Maid's room? But I don't think so... mukha kasing ordinary room lang. Maybe Magen let her stay on a comfortable room?
"So, Magen choose to leave Cavite because he hates your Dad?" Usisa kong tanong habang nagsasalubong ang kilay.
I don't want to seek more deeper to gather information about them but it's killing me knowing that I'll think about it over and over again. He stood up, he opened his duffles bag. I was just watching him boredly. I sighed when Magen's mad face appeared on my mind. He's really mad! Do I need to ask for his forgiveness? Right now? Tomorrow? After tomorrow? No! I can't... hindi naman dahil sa ayaw ko lang. It was because I'm scared! What if because of annoyance he will kick me out of his house?! What if he broke up at me?! Wow! Kinareer ko na talaga 'to ha?! Well, It's not bad.
Nabalik ang tingin ko kay Mint dahil may mga nilabas siyang mga chocolates. It almost five big packed of chocolates! For sure Mint have a diabetes because of this!
"Gusto mo?" He asked pertaining the chocolates.
I smiled at him and nodded. He chuckled while giving me a one packed of kitkat. He walked towards the fridge and put the chocolates inside of it.
He gave me a glance before smirking. "Palagi ako nabili ng chocolates kapag may training kami sa Campus. It's good at boosting someone's energy." He explained before going back to his seat while closing the zipper of his duffles bag. He's staring at me and watching me opening the chocolate. I take a bite on it, I wiped my side lips irritatedly when some of chocolates spread on it.
"I know, Mint. No one ask," I said full of sarcasm tone while wipping my side lips.
"Wow, Pa'no ka naging girlfriend ni Kuya? It's impossible..." iiling-iling niyang tanong.
Can I tell him that is because I force him? No... mas mabuti na h'wag akong magsabi ng kung ano-ano sa kaniya. I'll let Magen deal with him and for those others who will ask us.
I glared at him deadly because of what he said. "Just shut up and answer my question. Magen leave Cavite because of your dad?"
He nodded boredly "Yeah... My Mom told me to follow him in Manila. Kaya do'n narin ako nag-aral pero ayos lang naman," he stopped and stroke his hair using his fingers "By the way, stop asking question about it especially when kuya can hear you. Magagalit 'yon..." he said seriously. Magen, he don't want to talk about it? Maybe he was hurt too?
I nodded and stood up to get water inside the fridge "Your Kuya is mad at me..." sumbong ko na parang bata bago ilabas ang pitcher at ilapag sa dinning table.
"Lagi naman galit 'yon sa mundo. Pinaglihi 'yon ni Mama sa sama ng loob," he said and smirked.
Agad ko naman siyang sinamaan ng tingin kaya napawi ng mabilis ang nakakaloko niyang ngiti. Sinalinan ko ang baso ko ng tubig at agad na tinungga at padabog na umupo sa upuan. I sighed, Defeated.
"He is mad at me, literally mad, Mint. He shouted at me so damn loud. Parang nabingi nga ako ng ilang seconds kanina! I just throw his phone because I'm so annoyed but he exploded like a bomb!" I explained like a kid throwing an explanation to her parents.
"W-what?! Ba't mo binato?!" He asked.
"He's ignoring me..."
"Kaya binato mo?!"
"Why are you shouting at me?!"
"Binato mo talaga?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya.
Inis kong binuksan ang isa pang chocolate. I immediately take bite at it again. It taste good! I nodded "Yes... pero nagalit na siya. I'm just annoyed because--"
"Gago, lagot ka talaga do'n..." he teased playfully.
"Why ba?!" Inis kong tanong. "As if he don't have money to buy another one!" I rolled my eyes.
Ang yaman yaman nila ta's pambili ng cellphone wala?! Then I'll buy another one for him if that's the only way to stop him acting like a weird one!
"Hindi naman dahil sa pera. He needs his phone..."
"Then he can use mine!"
"Nakulong ang ate ni Anica. The contact number of the attorney is in his phone not in sim card. Hindi siya mahilig magsave sa sim card dahil madalas siya nagpapalit ng number kaya sa phone niya sinesave. How can he contact the attorney?"
I bit my lower lips when he raised his eyebrows while waiting for an answer. Bahagya akong nakaramdam ng guilt at the same time fear. Why he didn't save the contact numbers for both sim card and phone?! Then how can he contact the attorney? does it mean that no one can help Anica's sister?! Wait, then it means Anica will be mad at me?
"Heart!" Magen voice thundered when he opened the door of this dinning area.
I swallowed hard, I can't even look at him because I felt already numb. Pinigilan kong h'wag huminga na para bang kapag huminga ako ay sasabog kaming lahat dito sa Mansion niya. I bit my lower lips to stop myself to say anything.
"Where's your phone?" He asked using his cold baritone voice.
I lifted my head to look at his facial expression. Parang gusto ko nalang na lumubog sa kinauupuan ko habang iniiwasan ang seryoso at mapanganib niyang titig.
"B-bag..." simpleng sagot ko bago mag-iwas muli ng tingin.
I can't count anymore how many time I swallowed hard and wishing for my own luck. Wishing for the stars to give Magen a calm and very unsderstanding state right now so I can survive and met my happy ending.
"Where?" matigas niyang tanong.
He walked and sat beside Mint's seat. He is watching my nervous expression. I saw how he looked at Mint who crossed his arm over his chest and looked at me playfully, teasing!
"Aray!" Mint murmured when I kicked his knee under the table. He glare at me but I acted like I didn't know anything. I just raised my brows like asking why he's glaring at me.
"Go inside your room, Mint. Lubayan mo ako baka samain ka rin sa 'kin..." Magen said seriously using his scary voice.
Mint brows furrowed "Kuya, ako nauna sa 'yo dito sa dinning area kaya ako ang lubayan mo. Gan'tong pagod ako ha..."
I just watched them looking at each other. Parang naglalabanan sila ng titig sa isa't-isa.
"You keeps on talking back, Mint. Baka nakakalimutan mong kuya mo ako," Magen mocked irritatedly before crossing his arm over his chest and leaned on the backrest of chair.
Mint made his lips into a one thin line. He stood up and held the string of his duffles bag and give Magen a playful smile. "Okay, I'll leave and give the both of you a quality time. Mukhang may dapat pag-usapan ang magjowa," He said playfully and tapped Magen's shoulder.
I just rolled my eyes when he looked at me. Pero agad na nawala ang ekspresyon sa mukha ko ng samaan ako ng tingin ni Magen. He even raised his intimidating thick brows at me like he doesn't want to see any drops of emotion on my face!
"Just go," Magen said and glare at Mint.
I watched Mint, he was whistling while holding the strap of his duffles bag. A moment of silence when Mint successfully leave the dinning area. I looked down looking for a mercy that I can shower at Magen. I rubbed my hands together.
"I'm asking..."
I took a deep breath "M-my bag is inside your room..." I answered honestly without any drops of doubt.
He rolled his eyes before he stood up. "Umuwi kana bukas ha..." he said with a frustrated tone.
Agad ko naman nakagat ang labi ko dahil sa sinabi. He said we will stay here for 3 days but he wants me to go home tomorrow? He really is mad at me? Can't he forgive me?
I stood up and stopped him for walking away while helding his masculine arm. "M-Magen, I'm sorry. I'll be a good girl for you. S-sorry if I throw your phone...." I nervously said while shooking my head.
I saw how his jaw clenched, his dark eyes met my gray eyes. I swallowed hard, nilaban ko ang nakakatakot niyang pagtitig sa 'kin. Kahit na alam kong ako ang matatalo sa kaniya. I avoided his glare because it was really scary. Hindi ba siya marunong tumingin ng mahinahon? Bakit parang laging may sama ng loob?
"Let go of me..." Mahina pero sapat lang para marinig kong sabi niya.
I let go of his arm because I was afraid that he will shout at me and be mad again. I wiped my lips using my wet tongue. I looked at him using my pleaded eyes. Please, Magen. Take the bait!
"I'm sorry na, Magen. Sorry for being immature...okay? I didn't mean to be immature and throw your phone. I promise that I'll be a good girl, right now. Hindi na ako gagawa ng ikagagalit mo. Please, I want to stay beside you..." I begged with teary eyes.
It looks like he didn't care of all the words that I said to him. Parang lumabas sa kabilang tainga niya ang mga sinabi ko. His face is emotionless but at the same time... it was dark. Scary.
"Just go home tomorrow..." he said without mercy and continued walking away.
"Magen naman!" I panicked said while following him.
He didn't bother to say a words or give me another glance. Patuloy lang siya sa paghakbang sa hagdan na parang wala siyang naririnig na nagsasalita.
"I said, I'm sorry. H-hindi ko talaga sinasadya.." I explained when he opened the door of his room.
"Sinadya mo..." He accused me before walking beside the side table and get my bag.
"Hindi ko sinasadya..." I explained "What are you doing?" I ask when he tapped something on my phone screen.
He sat on the bed so I sat too. He give me a quick glance because of what I did. Seryosong-seryoso ang mukha niya na parang kapag may mali akong ginawa ay mapapahinto na ako sa paghinga.
"You have Attorney. Merllih Nazario's contact number?" He asked before creasing his forehead.
I nodded "Yeah.. her name is my lonely Attorney..." Napakamot ako sa ulo ko bago mag-iwas ng tingin.
The judgement trace on his handsome face. Merllih Nazario or Attorney Merllih Nazario is my cousin too. Anak kasi siya ni Tito Sacky sa dating kasintahan niya but she passed away. She is Lami and Neejan's half sister. She is older than us. We don't talk about her ever since because we don't know how to start a conversation with it. She was a good one, approachable but have a serious expression on her face. She suffered too much by living without her mother. Tito Sacky still in contact with her even she refuse to stay on Tito's house.
"My cousin will represent your friend's case?" I asked him curiously.
Bahagya naman siyang natigilan at nanliliit ang mata na tiningnan ako. "How did you know about my friend?" He even raised his brows.
"Mint told me..." I answered honestly.
He chuckled "You two are close now, huh?" He said full of sarcasm tone.
"He told me something about you... and about Kaela, Anica's older sister..." I said and smiled awkwardly.
"Don't tell Anica about this,"
"Don't you think it's unfair? She needs to know that truth kasi e. So, It means she doesn't have kasama sa bahay nila--"
"Just don't tell her and shut your mouth, "he said harshly before type something on my screen phone. "I'll text her, ako muna gagamit ng cellphone mo since sinira mo 'yung akin," pinagdiinan niya pa ang huling sinabi niya.
Wala naman siguro akong karapatan na sapawan pa ang sinabi niya dahil totoo naman. Kaya umayos na lang ako ng pagkakaupo at pinakatitigan siya na diretso ang tingin sa screen ng phone ko. I just watched his shoulder turned upside down. His smell is so manly. His pointed nose is like higher than my pride. He was distinguished with his great charisma!
"Sleep, Heart..." He command me while his gaze is still on my phone.
I shook my head "I don't want pa. You texted her already? Mabuti na lang may number niya ako," I said and smiled awkwardly.
"I'm going to use this phone for now. May mga kailangan akong asikasuhin. If you need to text or call someone then tell me so I can return this to you but if you don't need this for awhile then ako muna ang gagamit..."
I nodded "You can use it forever..."
"I can buy one for myself but I want to buy in U.S..." he said seriously.
"So, you're going in U.S? When? Sama ako, Magen..." I pouted and held his arm.
He sighed, para bang alam niya na sasama ako at talagang sasama nga ako. Inis siyang tumingin sa 'kin. I made a puppy eyes and smiled at him sweetly.
Gusto ko sumama sa kaniya. We can datw there too! Go with different places there and take picture as a memories and remembrance! I want to eat with him there too! Imagine, eating with Magen there!
"I'm going there after Kaela's problem is solve. Maybe next week, I'm not sure..."
"Please... sama ako," I begged and put my palms together.
Hindi siya sumagot sa halip ay tumayo siya. He watched towards the bathroom and close the door without any sound. He's just calm like no one exist. I pouted and sighed while staring at the bathroom's door. Malamya akong humiga, I covered my body with his manly scent white blanket. It feels like Magen is hugging me! I close my eyes and tried myself to sleep.
"You slept with my cousin?" I heard a familiar voice asked.
I slowly opened my eyes when a light coming from the Sun reflected on my face. I rubbed my eyes safely to remove the blurry vision that I have.
"We just share with my room and bed. Nothing happen so stop looking at me like I'm a criminal," Magen serious tone echo inside this room.
Bumaling ako kung saan nanggaling ang mga boses. There I saw Magen holding the door knob while my cousin, Merllih is in front of this room while holding the hem of Magen's black t-shirt and glaring at Magen. My cousin's dress is very simple but I still can sense her profession.
She is wearing a white Cable knit sweater dress partnered with her block heels while Magen is wearing a black t-shirt and black trouser partnered with his favorite white loafers. They looked good together. Para bang kakauwi lang nila galing sa isang masayang date.
I stood up and with that I hooked their attention. I seriously looked at the both of them. They looked close with each other. Why my cousin holding my man's shirt? Is she not inform? Did Magen tell her that I'm just his maid? That I'm just a big nothing in his life? So, she don't need to worry about me? That's it?
I saw how Magen jaw clenched when our eyes met. He's staring directly at my eyes, parang wala siyang balak na lumabayan ako ng tingin gamit ang mapanuri niyang mga mata. I swallowed hard and tried my best to avoid their serious gaze. Naglakad na agad ako papasok sa bathroom.
My chest feels heavy remembering them. Parang biglang nauubos ang confidence ko. Syempre maganda rin ang pinsan ko kahit saang sulok ng mukha niya ay makikita ang kagandahan. I was just a little bit insecure, she has the body, face, attitude and the profession that for sure Magen's like! Ako... ako lang 'to. The girl who still in progress of finding my path. Yes, I have the body and face that every women's goal.
I admit it that I don't have a stable attitude. Sometimes, I'm rude and harsh but I know too how to be kind and humble. When it comes with my profession? I can't say anything.. wala akong mapagmamalaki dahil kahit ako hindi ko parin alam kung saan ba dapat ako magsettle. It so hard! Ang hirap-hirap kapag ikaw mismo hindi mo alam ang path na tatahakin mo. Gusto ko sana lumabas at tanungin si Magen kung bakit gano'n ang akto ng pinsan ko but there's something about me that I'm scared of.
"I need to be a good girl..." pagkumbinsi ko sa sarili ko bago lumabas at kunin sa side table ang isang paper bag.
Pagkalabas ko ng bathroom ay wala sa pinto si Magen at gano'n rin ang pinsan ko. Maybe they're downstairs and talking about something. I sighed, agad kong hinanap ang small bag ko. I decided to go at Manchy's condo. Bumalik rin agad ako sa bathroom. I looked at white simple t-shirt and black high waist short, H&M. I immediately wear them.
Inaayos ko pa ang chunky boots ko dahil bahagyang hindi nakaayos. I stare at the reflection of myself on the mirror. Nakatucked-in ako pero sa harapan lang. The short is above the knee not too short for me. I brush my hair using the hair brush inside this bathroom.
I slowly take a steps so I can disturb anyone. Baka kasi nag-uusap sila Magen at ang pinsan ko tungkol sa mahahalagang bagay. I roamed my gaze when I can't find them. Hinanap ko rin sila sa kitchen at sala, wala rin. They go out together? Iniwan nila ako?!
"Liza, nasa'n si Magen?" I asked Liza.
Bahagya pa siyang nagulat dahil pumasok ako sa kwarto niya. "Ay Ma'am, nando'n sila nung babae sa likod nitong mansion. Nag-uusap sila at mukhang seryosong-seryoso..." I nodded and smiled at her.
Hinawi ko pa saglit ang buhok ko habang naglalakad pero agad akong napahinto dahil sa nakita ko. I felt like my world suddenly stop seeing Magen hands on my cousin's waist. Nakatagilid silang pareho sa 'kin. I bit my lower lips, pakiramdam ko sobrang bigat ng dibdib ko.
My tears fell down on my cheeks while watching Magen's lips rubbing on my cousin's lips. Parang binugbog ang puso ko habang pinipigilan ang makapaglikha ng ingay. Gusto kong sumigaw at awayin sila dahil kahit secret girlfriend ako may karapatan rin naman ako. Hindi ko na alam kung ilang beses akong napalunok habang pinigilan kong h'wag iparinig sa kanila ang nakakaawa kong paghikbi.
Wala akong magawa dahil mayroon sa akin na pumipigil. Wala akong magawa dahil sa totoo lang ay wala akong dapat na gawin dahil ginusto ko ito. I want this... To be attach to Magen because I really like him because I love him. So I must endure the pain. So I have to cope with the bad feeling that envelops my system. So I must be strong and my love for him. I really have no right after all. So it was only right that I be hurt because this is actually the most painful. I am for him but he is not for me.
This is a secret relationship so I should also heal, secretly. So it's also a secret if I get hurt and cry. So it was also a secret as I repaired the wound that was the result of how I felt. I was hurt not because of the pain but because of Magen. I am hurt because of Magen.
Another day with Magen.
Another day I love him.
Another day the scar on my heart widened because of this unbelievable love.
Another day... another tears... another wounds... another scars.