Confused In Love Four (Part 9)

By: Akhi

I was humming to the tune of Eliza Doolittle's song "Rollerblades" as I was preparing pancakes and some hotdogs for breakfast para sa mga housemates ko. I made the table at nilagay sa bawat corners ang share ng isa't isa. This morning made me feel so thankful that I was moving on. On top of that, my friends are always there. Binigyan nila ako ng surprise birthday party just yesterday and it was so fun that I never felt depressed even a minute of the day. I think it was still about 6:30am when I woke up. Maya maya pa, isa isa nang nagsigising ang mga housemates ko at pumasok sa dining area.

Harold: Wow. You're awfully sprightly today.

Akhi: Good morning Harold! Kain na!

Celine: Hmmmm... Mukhang inspired ito si Akhi, at mukhang masarap ang hinanda nyang breakfast... Patikim nga!

Akhi: Oh Celine, I didn't know you stayed. Is Lyssa also here?

Celine: Nako magkasama silang umuwi ni Andrew. *licking syrup from her finger*

Akhi: You're usually inseparable. Anyways buti marami akong hinanda. There's more for everyone.

At umupo narin si Celine na nakapatong ang isang paa sa upuan. Then Gideon came in.

Gideon: Morning my loves. *kisses Celine on the cheeks*.

Akhi: Oh? My loves? Kailan pa naging kayo?

Celine: 40 years ago. Akhi, masyado ka nang late sa mga bagong chika ngayon.

Akhi: So sorry.

Tinabihan ni Gideon si Celine.

Rocel: Hey guys.

Rocel came in, still looking so sleepy rubbing her eyes and still on her PJs.

Harold: Ross! Goodmorning! Join us. Tabi tayo.

Nakangiti ng abot tenga si Harold habang inaanyayahan si Rocel while she just stared at him without any expression. Deep inside, everyday and everytime she sees Harold, she feels a pain in her chest. Parang gusto nyang maiyak pero magmumukha naman syang tanga if she did. She took a long and deep breath, exhaled and replied:

Rocel: Sige lang. Tabi nalang kami ni Akhi.

Then she sat at the chair in between mine and Gideon's with shoulders slumped.

While everyone else started eating, nakatingin ako kay Rocel at Harold. Harold looks so confused looking at Rocel. He's oblivious about her feelings kase ang ate mo, palaging nag iinarte at itinatago ang nararamdaman nya para kay Harold. On the other end, Rocel is looking at her food and looks so down. Maya maya pa, she took a fork and slowly took a piece of the pancake.

Akhi: Ummm... So Harold, aalis ka nanaman ba ulit today?

Harold: I have to. May kailangan kaming puntahan ni Grace ngayon.

Hearing that, Rocel sighed and rolled her eyes then returned her attention to the food.

Harold: Ross, are you okay?

Rocel: Yeah yeah... I'm fine. I'm totally fine.

Harold: Would you like to talk?

Bigla syang tinitigan ni Rocel ng masama. Then her face was slightly screwing up. Like she was trying hard not to burst into tears. Tumayo sya and excused herself.

Rocel: Teka lang guys ha... Enjoy your meal. I forgot may kailangan pala akong gawin sa kwarto.

Judging by her voice, she's really close to breaking down. When she walked away tumayo din si Harold and held her in the arm to stop her.

Harold: Uy, may nagawa ba akong masama? You seem so upset with me...

Hindi nya matingnan si Harold and just like that, tumulo na luha nya but she wiped it up immediately. She took a deep breath and replied.

Rocel: *hoarse voice* Wala... May problema lang talaga ako.

Harold: Hey, I maybe a little dumb for you but you know you can talk to me... Kahit ano pa yan.

Rocel: Hindi mo rin naman maiintindihan Harold. Just finish your breakfast at baka ma late ka sa lakad nyo ni Grace.

Then she continued on her way.

Umupo ulit si Harold, unable to eat with a sad face looking at his food.

Akhi: Haro...

Celine: Jusko! Ayan na nga ba sinasabi ko eh. Nagseselos yang si ate mo!

Akhi: Celine?!

Celine: Eh totoo naman diba?! Eto kaseng si Harold, hindi alam yung mga signals na ibinibigay ng babae. Kung hindi sya lalapitan, hindi nya malalaman. Eh kaya nga naging sila ni Grace diba kase unang nagpakita ng interes ang lola mo sa kanya?

Gideon: My loves preno ka naman. Kain nalang tayo dali. *sabay subo ng pancake kay Celine*

Harold: Malabo yang sinasabi mo. Palagi nga akong inaaway nun. Tapos kapag binibiro ko, nagagalit sya sakin.

Celine: Ayan! Ayan mismo ang sinasabi ko sa'yo ha? Kung may kurso lang sana about sa behavioural understanding sa mga babae ipapa enroll kita promise libre lahat!

Gideon: sssst ssst! Tama na. Kumain nalang tayo.

Harold: *sigh* sige... Mauuna narin siguro ako.

Tumayo na si Harold at papunta sa kwarto nya upang maghanda para makaalis.

Akhi: Ang alam ko I prepared this breakfast with so much love and happiness, bakit iba ang epekto sa inyo?

Gideon: Well I don't know about you but this is good.

Celine: Hayaan mo sila. Hangga't hindi umaamin si Rocel at hindi nagkakaroon ng clue si Harold, mananatili lang silang ganyan.

Akhi: Celine, you didn't really have to point it out to him.

Celine: Eh so ano? Hahayaan mo nalang silang ganyan? Nako! Hindi pwede sakin yan.

I just shook my head then continued eating.

Akhi: Whatever Celine.

Then my phone buzzed. It was Cherry calling.

Akhi: Hello bessy?

Cherry: My gad Akhi!!! This morning ko lang talaga naisip.

Akhi: Ha? Ang alin?

Cherry: Remember, sabi ko sa'yo noon gusto ko magtayo ng Café pero kailangan ko lang mag ipon ng puhunan?

Akhi: Yeah you may have mentioned it.

Cherry: Naisip ko kase, since natanggal ka sa trabaho, pero may savings ka naman, bakit hindi tayo magsosyo?

Akhi: Ha? I'm not sure my savings are enough for that.

Cherry: Noooo worries bakla! I can always borrow money from James you know. I'm his fiancee after all!

Then bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko and I was getting so excited!

Akhi: Oh my... Teka lang... Hindi ako makapaniwala... Is this going to happen? Like... For real?!!!!

Cherry: Nako! Believe it! My gad beshy believe because it's already happening!

Akhi: Yeaaaahh!!!! My gad it is! Could this day get any better? Gosh!

Cherry: Sige let's meet up in the afternoon about 3pm sa Cat's Eyes ha? We'll talk about the details.

Akhi: Sure thing! 1pm palang andun na ako!

Cherry: Okay sige byes!!! Later beshy.

She hung up.

Celine: Oh, anung meron at mukhang lagpas langit ang kaligayahan mo jan?

Akhi: Nako I'll tell you nalang later!

Then I finished up my breakfast and went inside my room at nagtatalon sa kama sa tuwa.

In Rocel's room, she's sitting on top of her bed with her legs drawn up and her chin rested on her arms crossed and propped to her knees. She's been crying. She hates the fact that she couldn't shake it off... The feeling of regret and jealousy. Naisip nya, if she had been a little more open about her feelings towards Harold baka hindi naging sila ni Grace... Yes... Regret is always at the end. Then she lay down to her bed and tried to just sleep it off.
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After lunch, Naligo na ako at nagbihis dahil excited na ako sa meeting namin ni Cherry. While I was inside my room reading a fantasy novel titled "Forever's End", my phone buzzed. I answered it.

Akhi: Hello?

Richard: Hey there new friend. How are you?

Akhi: Richard?

Richard: Didn't you save my number?

Akhi: I must've forgotten. Anyway what's up?

Richard: I was getting bored so I wonder kung pwede ba kitang maimbitahang lumabas?

Akhi: Well may lakad kase ako this afternoon.

Richard: Pwede ba akong sumama?

Akhi: Hmmm... Well... Maybe... I could use a ride.

Richard: Great!

Akhi: Kaso baka lalo ka lang ma bored.

Richard: Gad anywhere else other than this office would make me feel better.

Akhi: Well then come and pick me up, mamayang 3pm pa naman yung meeting namin ni beshy maybe we could get to talk for a bit pagdating don?

Richard: Okay. Be there real quick! *hung up*

Akhi: It's getting better and better! I love this day!

Then I lay down in my bed, day dreaming while waiting for him. A few minutes later, his car pulled over by the house and honked. I went outside and got into his car. Nang makita ko sya sa loob napatulala ako. Ang gwapo nya talaga tapos his perfume is all over the place. Then nalungkot ako bigla pero nakatulala parin sa kanya.

Richard: Hmmm... *smiles* alright, take your time... I don't mind.

Akhi: Uh what? *snapped out of it* oh sorry.

Richard: No worries. I'm flattered.

I swear I can feel my face heating up at siguro ay namula ako ng bongga.

Richard: So, where to pare?

Akhi: Ha?

Napasimangot ako sa "pare".

Akhi: Um... You know where Cat's Eyes cafe is?

Richard: Yeah. So are we good to go or do you need some more time?

Akhi: What do you mean? I just stared at you because I was a bit surprised.

Richard: About what? That wasn't what I meant. Kako baka may naiwan ka pa o may dadalhin ka pa. Kaw talaga. Tsk tsk.

Ang potek talaga sobrang nahiya ako. Kaya sumagot ako ng mahina lang.

Akhi: Ay wala na. Tara na.

By the way, nalungkot ako kanina kase, pareho sila ng perfume ni Gab. Naalala ko sya. We went on our way and I remained silent for the rest of the trip.
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We arrived at the cafe at pumwesto in a table for four. Umorder kami and then talked.

Akhi: So um... Tell me about yourself.

Richard: Well, there's nothing much interesting, other than I ran away from my own wedding because some random guy made a rant in the middle of it.

Akhi: Gosh Richard do you really have to torment me about that?

Richard: Haha! I was just kidding. Anyway, I am 28, I live alone in my house in Carlton and I am single.

Akhi: Obviously. Sige pa, paalala mo pa.

Richard: Hahaha I just love how you react to me.

Akhi: *blush* well go on. I'm listening.

Richard: Hmmm... I have a sister named Sarah...

I was thinking "oh! Sarah... Aakalain ko talaga na si Sarah ito na kababata ni Gab kung hindi ko lang alam na kasama sya ni Gab sa plane."

Richard: ... and she's a stylist.

"A stylist? What a coincidence." thought to myself.

Richard: Of course my father wanted to give her a position in the company but she's so stubborn that he gave up. She's so sweet and delicate. I hope you'd get to meet her someday.

Akhi: I see. That would be nice.

Sa di kalayuan, habang nag uusap kami, someone familiar to him was sitting at one of the couches. It's Lorraine! She's on the phone talking to someone.

Lorraine: Okay good. I'll let you know about the details of the design tomorrow. Thanks... Bye...

She hung up and then noticed Richard and I.

Lorraine: That horrible excuse of a man! What is he doing here anyway?! He seems too happy considering what he did to me!

Then napalingon sya sakin at namumukhaan ako. She's trying to remember kung saan nya ako nakita. Then naalala nya that I was the guy who ruined her wedding day.

Lorraine: That stupid nobody! At kasama pa ni Richard?!

She stood up, threw her handbag over her shoulder and her red stilettos clicking on the floor as she furiously walked towards our table habang kami naman ay nagtatawanan ni Richard.

Lorraine: So you actually planned it all out you son of a b*tch!

Sabay sampal kay Richard.

Richard: Lorraine?! What are you doing here?!

Lorraine: I happened to be around and I'm so glad I am. So you actually know this guy huh? *pointing at me*

Richard: Akhi, I'm so sorry about this...

Lorraine: How much did he pay you? *talking to me* and how much do you need to confess to everyone that the scene you've caused in the wedding was all a scheme?!

Akhi: Wait, I'm sorry about what happened in the wedding but I don't really know what you're talking about.

Lorraine: Don't play dumb!!! I know he hired you to do that!

While I was feeling sorry for her, medyo nag init narin ang ulo ko dahil nag cacause na sya ng commotion and everyone's attention is on us so tumayo ako.

Akhi: Excuse me, miss Lorraine! Hindi nababayaran ang prinsipyo at konsensya ko! What I did at the wedding... I know it was out of line, but I needed to voice out my opinion. I can't just sit and watch someone else ruin his life when he has a choice not to!

Ako naman ang sinampal ni Lorraine

Lorraine: You son of a b*tch! You think you can talk like that to me after what you did?!

Tinanggap ko lang ang sampal ni Lorraine.

Richard: Akhi!

Tumayo si Richard

Richard: Lorraine pwede ba?! Wag ka na manggulo! It was my decision after all!

Lorraine: Which wouldn't have been encouraged if not for this nosy fool!

Then she slapped me one more time sa kabilang pisngi.

Richard: Tama na!

Sabay pigil ni Richard sa kamay ni Lorraine.

Akhi: No Richard, it's okay. I can handle this...

Then I stared at Lorraine eye to eye.

Akhi: The first two slaps, I accept them. One for losing your groom, and another for ruining your wedding...

Lorraine: hahaha that's not enough!

Akhi: But the next time your palm land on my cheek one more time, I'll make sure to return the favor... Just as stinging as you'd do to me.

Natigilan si Lorraine at nagtitigan lang kaming dalawa ng masama. Tapos bigla syang tumawa na para bang naloloka.

Lorraine: Oh I see... You're gay? ho my gad. Hahaha

Akhi: You do realize that I don't care what you think of me, don't you?

Lorraine: So that's why you ruined my wedding day you sneaky little bastard! Gusto mong agawin saakin si Richard?!

Akhi: Hahaha you're crazy.

Lorraine: F*ck that b*tch! You know I am right? Else why would you be here with him, sitting over coffee and laughing like you're lovebirds?

Akhi: Jealous much?

Mainit na talaga ang ulo ko so I decided to activate my *taray mode*. Her face screwed and she can't come up with a comeback.

Akhi: Isn't it funny? *arms crossed* Right after Richard ran away from your wedding, he already got over you tapos ang ipapalit sa'yo, ako? oh hahaha! Now this is something.

Lorraine: You....!!!

Hindi na sya makapagsalita.

Akhi: what's wrong? Cat got your tongue?

She stood closer to me and our bodies just half a feet away and looked me in the eyes.

Lorraine: B*tch you have no Idea who you're up against. I can crush you like a bug under my foot and make your insignificant life miserable!

Akhi: Well girl, I'd like to see you try! *grin*

Lorraine: We're not done here!

Then she walked out of the cafe leaving me and Richard and the onlookers around. Naupo ulit kami but I'm sure pinaguusapan na kami ng mga tao sa paligid...