C2 CHAPTER 01

"One, two, three, four ..."

Apat lang? Tang ina. I can't believe he only collected four today. Ano ang ginawa niya sa isang linggo? Nakatambay lang sa hotel at namasyal? Dang. Mas maganda siguro kung araw-araw akong magtatrabaho at siya na lang ang bahala sa bahay. I will leave him and live alone. He's getting annoying for me. He is getting useless! I don't know if I'll believe that's all he gets in a week, pumunta siya sa isang mayaman na party! It would be a shame if he collected we're only four.

He could have sold that without telling me. Nag-shopping siya nang nag shopping hanggang sa hindi niya namalayan na nag-aaksaya na pala siya ng oras at naubos na pala ang dala niyang pera.

But, he's not kind of that man.

Nope, that's not the reason. Maybe... he sold what he got and he bought gifts for his girlfriend.

OH. MY. GOD.

I would really kill him if that is true. Darn you, Viel!

Agad kong iniligpit ang mga alahas at ibinalik sa maliit na drawer. Lumabas ako at agad ko siyang hinanap. Buti na lang nagpakita siya agad, he's in the kitchen, enjoying the coffee he's drinking. I smiled. Right. Enjoy that, Viel. Kailangan mo nang gawin yan ngayon. Because you are about to go back to your old life.

I cleared my throat to show him that I'm on his side. "Viel,"

Hinubad niya ang kanyang sunglasses at ang dyaryo na nakabaligtad. Tss. Really, Viel? Napaka-arogante talaga.

"Good morning," He smiled while showing his white teeth. Like he always do.

I rolled my eyes and took some hot water.

"Walang good sa morning," I said bitterly.

I heard him tsked. "May good sa morning basta ikaw ang una kong makikita sa umaga."

I stopped sipping water and looked at him in surprise. Before he knew it, he was already at the terrace. Drinking coffee. He drank it very slowly. Feeling ko talaga, nagkukunwari lang siyang umiinom para mapagkamalan siyang umiinom. Wala lang. Pampa-cool. Imposible namang may kape pa siya hanggang ngayon, kanina pa siya gising. Tsk.

During my time with him, I already know his character traits. His weakness, his wants and his goals in life. That day, we knew that are goals we're same, so, why'd not together do that? After that, it was all happened. He suggested we get married, we're so young before and I don't know what's right and wrong. I was so naive to the point that he fooled me. And I could do nothing but accept that fact.

But as the days goes by, I know that our relationship won't last longer. Ang libro lang ang may happy ending. Syempre, fiction 'e. What do you expect?

I was going to prepare my breakfast when I saw some food on the table. Fruits with milk. It was my favorite breakfast food. Hindi ako mahilig sa karne at tinapay. Well, I also eat that but only occasionally. I don't want to break my healthy lifestyle. Hinanap siya ng mata ko pero hindi ko siya makita. Siguro, nasa gym na naman siya. Busy playing with his friends. Siguradong isang oras pa siya doon. Siguro mahigit isang oras pa nga.

The fruits were so delicious and pretty. He's really creative. Every time I have breakfast, he always puts a design on the fruits. He's not playing with it, he's just praising it while doing some carves in it. Napakasarap tingnan kapag kinakain ko iyon. Kaya hindi ko na kayang maipasok sa bibig ko at dalhin sa tiyan ko. Because, it was so indeed gorgeous and cute.

"Let's go,"

Napatigil ako sa pagbibilang ng pera nang pumunta siya sa harapan ko. Napakaganda ng pananamit niya. He's wearing a Lapel Collar Tartan Print Blazer & Pants. He's so formal today. He really likes dark colors.

"Fyre?"

I blinked twice. Nagulat ako ng makita kong napakalapit ng mukha niya sa mukha ko. I swallowed hard and stood up and walked to the bathroom.

Dang. What is he thinking? Tss.

"Where are we going today?" I said while fixing my seatbelt.

"Azievra,"

I stopped. That place is familiar. Pilit kong inaalala kung ano ito, madalas itong binabanggit sa mga mayayamang lugar.

"It's a hotel, right?"

He hummed for an answer. I looked outside as he drove quietly. A few minutes ago, his phone rang. A woman named Lou appeared on the screen. He put a pair of airpods on his ear and answered the call.

"Hello? Yes. I'm coming. Ofcourse, I will. Okay. Bye."

"Who's that?" Tanong ko nang i-end na niya ang tawag.

He briefly loosened his bow tie and looked to the other side. I thought he would answer my question but he didn't. Nakarating na kami sa hotel ng hindi man lang ako kinakausap. Tiningnan ko siya ng masama nang makababa na kami. I knew he noticed it but of course, dahil nga isa siyang dakilang manhid, at walang pakialam sa lahat, hindi niya iyon pinansin at nagpatuloy lang sa paglalakad kasama ko.

You're so annoying, Viel!

Buong gabi sinundan ko lang siya. Nainis ako at nilibang na lang ang sarili ko sa pag-inom ng sari-saring inumin na binigay sa akin ng waiter. It's not the time already. Viel has not taken any action yet. I'm getting annoyed. Mukhang wala siyang balak gawin iyon ngayon. Nakakainis. He was flirting with the woman in the silver dress. Tsk.

Tumigil ako sa pag-inom at pinindot ang call button sa airpod.

"Anong meron? Naiinis na ako dito." Suway ko sa kanya habang iritadong nakatingin sa kanya sa malayo.

I winced when I saw the woman with him lean her head on his shoulder. She even manages to link her arms on Viel's waist! I tightened my grip on the goblet. Oh, what a wonderful couple.

"Ano 'ring meron? Humanap ka na ng lalaki diyan, huwag kang puro inom." Pabalik na sabi niya sa akin.

I was surprised when the other line suddenly answered. I didn't expect him to answer. I looked in his direction and found him looking at me as well. I don't know why my chest suddenly throbbed so hard. Feels like it was having a race on the inside. I didn't know where that from is. But all I know is I need to cut this having an eye contact with him. My mind keeps telling me that it is not okay, it's not right, so I do it. Laging tama ang isip kaysa puso, kaya walang dahilan para hindi ko ito sundin.

At si Viel na mismo ang nagsabi, I have to move. Hindi ako dapat na nakatunganga lang dito.

I laid the goblet on the table in front of me and looked for a target. It's so many. Sa sobrang dami hindi ko mapili. Maraming mayaman, gwapong mayaman, matandang mayaman, matandang mayaman na malapit nang mamatay at kung anu-ano pang uri ng mayayamang tao.

Oh please, give me a courage to flirt with someone. I don't know why I'm not in the mood right now, that I have no desire to entertain. Parang gusto ko na lang umuwi at uminom nang uminom ng alak sa bahay hanggang sa maubos ang alak sa mga istante. I massage my temple. Dang. I haven't started yet but I getting tired right away.

What's fucking going wrong with me? Shit.

I was busy texting Viel when a man approached me. I can tell it that he is a young man because of his strong yet playful perfume. Binaba ko agad ang phone ko at nilagay sa bitbit kong bag.

I faced him while an enticing smile applied to my lips.

Oh, another player. Easy.

"Hi," He stated and wink.

I laughed and offer my right hand.

"Sofia," I introduce my fake name.

He stared at my outstretched hand for a long time, I thought he would accept it but he didn't. Instead he grabbed my arm and approached me for...

Make a whisper?

Dang. This man is a wild one. I knew this type of guy. Ayoko pa naman ng mga ganito. Ngayon lang ako nakatagpo ng ganitong klaseng lalaki, hope this one was successful. I have never made a mistake. So I knew I could do it well.

He invited me on his unit. He said he's the owner of it. He said he could give it to me as long as he had sex with me tonight. Tss. hindi pwede. Hinding-hindi ko hahayaang hawakan iyon ng iba. Kahit na ganito ang trabaho namin, hindi ko pa ito ipinakita at ginamit sa iba. No. Never. Sa lalaking hindi ko pinapahalagahan at hindi ko mahal? Tsk. Isang malaking ekis.

"Let's make it speed, okay Sofia?" He said as he opened the room. He smiled at me. Damn. It's so creepy. He even managed to touch my hair! Tsk.

I surveyed the rest of the room. I gritted my teeth to stop from smiling. Dang. This room is so huge! Is this an apartment? I thought the facilities were small because on the outside. But damn, the size! Shit. Marami kaming makukuha dito kapag naibenta namin 'to.

I saw him taking off his clothes. I grabbed my watch. Why did the sleeping pill take so long? Shit! I almost used up the whole medicine. Tsk. Anong uri ng bituka ito? Bata pa siya pero parang... Tsh.

"Uhm, Bryan..." I called him as he decides what position he will take later.

"Why?"

"Can we turn off the light? Mas komportable kasi ako kapag nakapatay ang ilaw. "

I pinched my hand as it stared at me for a long time. Shit. I smell something. Dang.

He nodded. "Sure,"

He was about to put his suit on the shelf when something fell out of his pocket. It was a ballpen. He would have taken it but I was the one who presented. When I picked it up, a one thing reflected in my eye. I immediately handed the ballpen to him as if nothing had happened.

So, he's not a businessman all this time? Hmm ... I kept looking around until I even saw a camera. Not just one, but many more. There are so many in the corners. Baka pati sa gilid ng likod ko meron pa. I grinned. Darn this kind of people. I know that there's a karma soon to all of you for doing this shits.

"What now, Sofia? Come join me! The light is off already."

Tsk.

Pasimple kong kinuha ang syringe sa loob ng dress ko habang lumalapit papunta sa kaniya. Dang. Kailangan kong gawin ito ulit. I want to end this already. Nakakasuya ang pagmumukha niya. Bata pa pero parang matanda nang tignan. Tsk. Ang baho. Para akong sinusuntok sa sikmura sa tuwing maaamoy ko ang pabango niya at mga kinain niyang hindi ko mapangalanan. Tangina. Kumakain ba 'to ng kanin-baboy? Kadiri.

"Take off your clothes, baby..."

I rolled my eyes. "Asa,"

Pagkasabing-pagkasabi ko na iyon ay kaagad kong itinurok sa kaniya ang syringe na hawak ko. Hindi pa nga iyon sapat. Pampatulog lang iyon. Hindi ko pa natuturok 'yung isa, pampalimot nang mga nangyari. Mabubura ang lahat nang mga memorya niya magmula nang gumising siya sa umaga hanggang sa mangyari ang insidenteng ito. He will ended up with a hangover, na may nakasiping kagabi. Well, iyon lang naman ang maiisip niya dahil huhubarin ko ang damit niya, mula ulo hanggang paa para mas kapani-paniwala na nakipag-siping siya sa iba. Kadiri man pero iyon ganoon talaga dapat. I was damn used to it already.

"'San ka na?" Viel asked.

"Sa-"

Shit.

Naputol ako sa pagsasalita nang may humila sa akin mula sa likuran. And I knew that he is. Sino pa ba ang hihila sa akin? Sino ba ang kasama ko sa kwarto? Siyempre ang manyakis na lalaking 'to. Nagpumiglas ako nang nagpumiglas ng mahigpit niya akong yakapin mula sa likuran. Hindi ko maigalaw ang mga braso ko dahil sa sobrang lakas niya. Gosh. Ang payat-payat niya, how come na naging malakas siya ng ganito? Damn!

I kicked him on his balls. Saka ako nakawala at bago pa man siya umaksyon ay naunahan ko na siya. I immediately kick him on his face, dalawang sipa pa lang iyon ngunit nakita kong nahimatay na siya kaagad. Tangina. Ganoon ba kalakas 'yung sipa ko? Para makumpirma, nilapitan ko siya at tinignan kung wala na talaga siyang malay. He's already have a blood on his mouth. I put my two fingers on his neck and checked if he was really not breathing anymore.

"Shit, napatay ko yata." Mahina kong bulong.

"Hello, Fyre? Fyre? Sumagot ka, Fyre!"

Nabingi ako sa sobrang lakas ng mga salita ni Viel. Idagdag pa ang pagsigaw niya sa akin sa huli. Napangiwi ako nang magsalita pa ito ng magsalita na para bang hindi ako ang kausap niya. Para siyang magulang na pinagsasabihan ang anak. Hindi tuloy ako makadiskarte.

"I'm here, Fyre. Nandito na ako. Saang floor ka? Sumagot ka naman! Damn!"

He's here? Paano niya nalaman na nandito ako? Sumilip ako sa bintana at nakumpirma ko ngang nandito siya. Bumaba siya nang sasakyan habang nagmamadaling tumakbo papunta sa apartment.

Walang tunog akong tumawa.

"Seriously, Viel?" I sarcastically said.

Nakita ko siyang napahinto at hinawakan ang airpod niya.

"Nasaan ka? Saang floor?"

Napangisi ako at naglakad-lakad.

"Hanapin mo..." I sang with a low voice.

Hindi ko na mapigilan ang matawa nang makita ko ang reaksyon niya. Panandalian siyang nainis ngunit tumawa rin kalaunan. I miss his laughed voice. Parang iyon pa lang ang pangatlong beses nang marinig at makita ko siyang tumawa nang totoo. Ang sarap pala sa pakiramdam. Nakakagaan ng loob at mas nadadagdagan ang saya ko. I don't know. It's just... it's just different if I see him like that. Tumatawa nang totoo, 'yung hindi peke at malaman na ang kasiyahan niyang iyon ay dahil sa akin.

Mariin akong napapikit sa mga nakakatakot na naisip. What the heck, Fyre? Anong sinasabi mo diyan? Damn. Dala na siguro 'to ng pagod. Kung ano-ano na-iimagine ko. Tsk.

"Tulala ka na naman diyan," Ang boses ni Viel ang nagpamulat sa akin kung ano nang nangyayari.

Sinilip ko siya sa bintana ngunit wala na siya doon. I opened the door and surprised to see that he's there. Nakatayo at masama ang tingin sa akin.

Ano na naman ba'ng problema ng lalaking 'to?

"What now?" Asik kong sabi.

Napaatras ako nang bigla siyang lumapit sa akin para yakapin ako. It was out of the blue. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang magiging reaksyon at gagawin ko. He hugged me! Damn! And this hug was giving me a weird feeling that I've never felt before. Feels like it's so unreal. Ngayon lang kami nagkaroon ng ganitong closure. Niyakap ang isa't-isa dahil walang dahilan. That's why it's so surprising for me. At hindi ako makapaniwala na siya pa ang gagawa niyon sa akin. I didn't expect this from him. Akala ko ay puro cold messages lang ang ibabato niya sa akin araw-araw, marunong rin pala siyang maging matamis paminsan-minsan.

Ilalagay ko pa sana ang mga braso ko sa likod niya nang bumitaw na siya sa akin, buti na lamang ay hindi iyon nahulog kundi lagot ako. Mapagkakamalan akong assuming kahit gusto ko lang namang yakapin siya pabalik.

He smiled like he always do before. Akala ko ay ipapaliwanag niya kung bakit niya ako niyakap pero bigla kong naisip kung bakit kailangan niya iyong ipaliwanag sa akin, 'e baka naman na-carried away lang siya. Tsaka kung tatanungin ko siya, alam ko naman na wala lang akong makukuhang sagot, magmumukha lang akong tanga.

"You're done?" Pagtutukoy niya kay Bryan.

Tumango ako at lumingon dito. "Para ngang napatay ko. Napatay ko ba?"

He laughed at lumapit sa lalaki. That time, alam ko na kung ano ang gagawin ko. Binuksan ko ang pintuan at nilisan na sa apartment. Nilaro-laro ko ang susi habang naglalakad papunta sa kotse. I looked on my watch. It's one p.m. in the midnight. Kaya pala inaantok na ako at namamaga na ang mga mata ko.

Few minutes ago, nakita ko siyang bumababa habang may hawak na supot ng plastik. Napangiti ako. Finally.

"How's he?"

Binigyan niya ako nang nagdududang tingin. "Concerned?"

Inirapan ko ito. Concerned? The heck that word. Ew.

"Kadiri, Viel." Nasusuya kong sabi sabay bukas nang pintuan ng kotse. Sasakay na sana ako nang tawagin niya ako.

Paglingon ko ay may hinagis siya sa aking bracelet. It was gold. A fucking gold! Alam kong tunay iyon. Kahit kailan naman ay hindi naging peke ang mga nakukuha naming alahas. Napangiti ako at nang-aasar pa siyang tinignan.

"Sure ka?"

Napahinto siya sa pagsakay at binuklat ang kaliwa niyang palad.

"Ayaw mo?"

Napangisi ako at tinapik ang nakabuklat niyang kamay.

"Kailan ko pa natutong tanggihan ang grasya?"