Weariness surrounded me as I work on relaxing my breath pattern. I just got home after going through another failed interview. I took off my coat and heavily threw myself on the bed. I hugged the soft pillows. It felt so warm and cozy.
“Where did all the luck in the world go?” Mahina kong bulong sa sarili. I always insert great effort when it comes to having the chance to prove my capability, pero lagi na lang akong nabibigo. It was as if I had been scammed for a million times.
“Should I just die?” I added. After a few seconds, a loud laughter escaped my mouth. Kinapa ko ang bulsa ng suot ‘kong pantalon at mula doon ay kinuha ko ang isang panyo. It is a white, high-quality fabric with a golden flower embroidered on one of its edge. Such an exquisite item!
“I don’t want to be scolded by that boy.” I smiled while staring at the hankie. It was a gift given to me by someone who saved my life. Years had passed but I can’t seem to get him off my mind. I grew up wondering when and how our paths might cross again in the future. I hope that chance comes to me very soon.
“Apo, halika nga rito at may iuutos ako!” Naputol ang pagmumuni-muni ko nang marinig ko ang boses ni lola.
Tumayo na ako saka maingat na itinabi ang panyo sa loob ng cabinet ko. Pagkatapos, pinuntahan ko na si lola. As expected, nasa kusina na naman siya at nagbabalot ng ulam. I bet she’s going to give those again to that cheeky gorilla.
“Why are you sending him a lot of freebies? It’s not like we’re indebted to him or something.” Naiiling kong sabi at umusog palapit sa kanya.
“Huwag mo nga akong englishin.” Saway sa akin ni lola.
“Ayoko po, hindi ko ‘yan dadalhin sa lalaking ‘yon. He doesn’t deserve any of our kind gesture.” I firmly refused, hoping that she’ll reconsider letting me eat that delicious meal, instead of handing it over to that insolent creature.
I was about to step out when my grandma rapidly grab my ear and pressed it hard. “Aray!” Napahiyaw ako sa sakit. Kung minsan talaga ay gumagana ang pagka-amazona niya.
“Dalhin mo iyan doon Khaela, sumasakit ang tuhod ko.” Inirapan niya pa ako bago siya naglakad palabas ng kusina.
Napabuntong-hininga na lamang ako. Isang matalim na tingin ang ipinukol ko sa pagkaing ipinack ni lola. Mauubos ang mga inipon ‘kong tupperware dahil sa lalaking ‘yon!
Two consecutive knocks on the door got ahead of me before I could even budge it open. I checked my wristwatch, eleven thirty na ng tanghali. Sino naman ang bibisita ng ganitong oras?
Pinihit ko ang doorknob at dahan-dahang binuksan ang pinto. “I just want…” I didn’t let him finish his sentence. I slammed the door close in front of him. Why is he here?
“May narinig akong kumakatok.” Lumapit sa akin si lola. Napatingin siya sa hawak kong paper bag kung saan nakalagay ang free foods na ipinapa-deliver niya sa kapit-bahay. Umaliwalas ang mukha niya at nakangiting bumaling sa akin.
“Sino ‘yung kumatok kanina?” She asked. Dapat ko bang sabihin na nandito ang mayabang naming kapit-bahay?
“Ah, m-may naniningil po kasi ng utang. M-maling bahay ‘yung napuntahan niya.” Pagsisinungaling ko.
“Ganoon ba? Akala ko naman ay kung sino.” Pilit akong ngumiti upang hindi siya maghinala. “Sige, ako’y matutulog muna sa silid ko.” Paalam niya.
Nang makaalis na si lola ay ibinalik ko na rin ang atensyon ko sa pinto. Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago ko pihitin ang doorknob. I opened the door for him.
“What do you need?” I lifted my gaze to check his expression. His face is all serious, no trace of curiosity nor being surprised. I admit it, he is definitely creeping me out. How can he remain so relaxed after seeing me again?—The woman who holds a deep grudge against him. Should I punch him and check his reaction?
This man surely has a horrible attitude. He seems emotionless at times, though he also knows how to smile—an irritating smile that can make my blood pressure raise to the highest level. Ewan ko ba, this is only the third time na nakita ko ang pagmumukha niya but the inner me is already protesting, I want him to get the hell out of my sigh.
I scanned his whole, starting from his head, down to his feet. His attire makes him appear like an average person but his look says a different thing. Something seems a bit off.
Tumikhim muna ako bago magsalita. “Why are you here?”
He raised his right hand. Napatingin ako doon at nakita ko ang hawak niya. It is an empty tupperware. I distinctly remember lending it to him the other day. Doon nakalagay ‘yung pagkain na ipinabigay sa kanya ni lola.
Akmang kukunin ko iyon sa kanya nang bigla niya itong ilayo. “What are you doing?” I asked while glaring at him.
“I didn’t come all the way here to give this back.” Aniya na kung magsalita ay aakalain mong sobrang layo ng pinanggalingan. He’s an expert when it comes to exasperating people. I’d give him that.
“Then what brought you here?” Mataray kong tanong at pinagkrus ang mga braso ko.
“I came here to collect debt.” Umarko ang kilay ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Utang? Umutang ba sa kanya si lola? Kaya ba pilit siyang pinapadalhan ni lola ng mga pagkain? Omyghad!
I plastered a wide smile on my face.
“Here, pinapabigay pala sayo ni lola.” Iniabot ko sa kanya ang paperbag na hawak ko.
Traces of disbelief marked out his entire face. “Your memory stinks and you’re also slow-witted. How did you manage to live your life?” Naiiling niyang sabi at inihagis sa akin ang walang laman na tupperware. Mabuti na lang at nasalo ko iyon.
“Hoy! Anong pinagsasasabi mo dyan?” Just like what he did to me before, hindi niya ako pinansin at dire-diretsong naglakad pabalik sa bahay niya. He’s weird!
Pumasok na rin ako sa bahay namin at padabog na isinara ang pinto. That guy is really getting on my nerves!
Dumiretso ako sa kwarto ko. Dala ko pa rin ang tupperware na isinauli niya, inis ko ‘yung itinapon sa trash bin ko saka ako pabagsak na bumalik sa kama.
“He came to collect debt?” I laughed like a crazy old hog. “Hah! Sinong niloko niya? Where did he even get that idea?” Natigilan ako nang may pumasok na realization sa utak ko.
Narinig niya ba ‘yung pagsisinungaling ko kay lola? Dang it! I can’t believe that my brain cells operate slower that a turtle. How come na hindi ko man lang naisip ‘yun? Now, he’s really looking down on me, thinking that I am a fool who doesn’t know anything. Shit naman!
Napabalikwas ako ng bangon at inis na napasabunot sa buhok ko. Masyado akong ginugulo ng lalaking ‘yun. This is just embarrassment, mawawala din ito in due time. Hindi ko dapat hinahayaan na mawala ang focus ko sa aking goal. I shouldn’t waste my time thinking about that malevolent fool.
--
I’m late for my interview! I slipped unto my doll shoes and quickly fastened the buttons of my shirt. Hindi na ako nag-abala pang tumingin sa salamin at dali-dali na akong tumakbo palabas ng bahay habang patuloy pa rin sa pagsusuklay.
Napapadyak na lang ako nang wala akong makitang sasakyan sa harap ng bahay namin. It has been a five minutes since I called for a cab, pero hanggang ngayon ay wala pang dumarating. “Fuck this fucking life!” I cursed.
Of all the days na pwede akong malate sa paggising, bakit ngayong mismong araw pa ng interview ko?
“What’s with the rush?” Napalingon ako sa nagsalita. It was that jerk, wearing a plain white shirt and a black trouser that match really well with his messy-looking hair. Mukhang kagigising niya pa lang dahil papikit-pikit pa ang mapupungay niyang mga mata. He looks too innocent with such get-up.
“Why bother asking?” I rolled my eyeballs.
“Yeah, why did I even bother?” He scoffed then snuffled as if he’s some sort of a kid who had something stuck inside his nose. That was cute—I meant disgusting!
Dumating na ang hinihintay kong taxi. Nagmamadali akong sumakay doon at hindi na nag-abala pa na magpaalam sa kausap ko. Besides, hindi naman kami close at mukhang never na mangyayari ang bagay na ‘yun. We’re now like cats and dogs. We just happened to naturally possess bad blood towards each other.
Nang makarating ako sa entrance door ng Heican building ay tila rumaragasang tren na naglakad ako sa pagitan ng napakaraming tao. I have to attend that interview, no matter what happens.
“I have to take the elevator.” Bulong ko sa sarili. Sakto naman na nahagip ng paningin ko ang elevator, nag-uumpisa na ang pagsara ng pinto nito kaya naman mas binilisan ko pa ang takbo ko.
Sobrang lapit ko na pero hindi sinasadyang mabangga ako sa kung sino, dahilan para ma-out of balance ako. “Omygod!” I was about to fall to the ground again so I just decided to close my eyes. This will happen so fast, I won’t even feel anything.
“Are you okay, miss?” I heard someone asked. Wait!
Why am I not hurting? Did everything froze or what? Unti-unti kong iminulat ang mga mata ko.
A man wearing a semi-formal black tuxedo welcomed my sight. His chestnut-colored eyes, pointy nose and thin lips directly reminded me of someone.
“Rude punk?!”