Episode 54: Toyang

                 •|• TUTTI •|•

I WAS SCROLLING my phone for some good memes while listening to Toyang by Eheads using my AirPods.

Naglalakad ako papunta sa Tindahan ni Aling Nena sa may Kalayaan dahil naghihintay sa akin doon si Rum. Nauna na 'yong tatlo kasi tapos na 'yong klase nila while I joined my group in Short Filmmaking in discussing and brainstorming about the film we want to come up with after our final period.

"Bahay nami'y maliit lamang
Pero, pero, pero, pero malinis 'to pati sa kusina
Kumain man kami'y laging sama-sama
Pen, pen, pen de sara pen, de kutsilyo de armasen
Haw, haw, haw de carabao, de carabao de batuten
Pengeng singko pambili ng puto
Sa mga tindera ng bitso-bitso-"

Natigil ako sa pagkanta at nagfocus sa isang post na nabasa ko. I clicked the share button then immediately type a comment and mentioned Rum on it.

____________________________________
Tuttieana Darcy Vega           °°°

Shit wtf! *sinuntok ang pader* sorry, Momma Rum, gusto ko lang ng Super Meal sa Jabe. Damn.
____________________________________
▫▫▫▫ ▫▫

Paano mo awayin ang boyfriend mo?
____________________________________

I turned off my data and pocketed my phone in my PE pants then I continued singing the song while slightly jumping my way to Nena's.

"Mahal ko si Toyang pagkat siya'y simple lamang
Kahit namomroblema basta't kami ay magkasama..."

Napangiti ako nang matanaw si Rum mula sa pinto na nagbabasa sa loob suot-suot ang eyeglasses niya.

Itutulak ko na sana pabukas ang pinto nang biglang lumapit si Dahlia sa kanya at naupo sa gilid niya na may dala-dalang cotton at betadine.

Rum didn't notice her at first so she cupped his chin and made him look her way. He looked shocked at that but the later just dampened the side of his lip with the cotton, treating his wound there.

Binuksan ko ang pinto at kaagad pumasok. I switched off my music and took off my AirPods. They both looked at me. Si Rum maagap na dumistansya kay Dahlia na tahimik namang inaayos ang kanyang kit.

My brows furrowed. She has that?

She glanced at me when she heed my confusion. She smiled at me. I don't like it.

"I'm a Nursing student now. I just shifted last week," she explained.

Medical course na rin pala siya. That means they're on the same building now.

"Doll."

Pareho kaming napatingin ni Dahlia kay Rum nang magsalita siya. His eyes shifted repetitively from me to her and her then back to me.

He sighed when he realized everything. Masuyo niyang hinawakan ang pulso ko.

"Umuwi na tayo?"

Tumungo naman ako dahil nakaupo parin siya. Kinunutan ko siya ng noo.

"Gusto ko pang kumain ng bacsilog ni Aling Nen-"

"Leo, heto na ang order mo, hijo," Aling Nena announced as she approached us while holding two cups of bacsilog.

Rum stood up and courteously took it from Aling Nena. Binalingan naman ako ng huli pagkatapos.

"Hija, take out na lang daw sabi niya."

Napatingin naman ako kay Rum.

"Rum, gusto ko na talagang kumain," maktol ko.

He sighed defeatedly and ushered me to the table next to Dahlia. Titig na titig si Dahlia habang inaalalayan ako ni Rum na maupo at ihanda ang bacsilog ko.

"Bibili muna ako ng maiinom. Anong gusto mo?" he asked, standing up again.

"Coke," I smiled widely while looking up at him.

"Orange juice na lang. Kaiinom mo lang ng coke kahapon."

"K, fine," matamlay kong sagot sabay awra bahagya.

He chuckled and pecked on my cheek before advancing to the counter.

Paglingon ko sa banda ni Dahlia ay nasa kay Rum parin ang atensyon niya, hinahabol ito ng tingin. Nagkatinginan kami nang mapabaling siya sa akin.

No one talked nor threw some snide remarks towards each other. We're just there, sitting while engaging in some silent staring contest which I know for sure both of us feel competitive.

She smiled later on and stood up. I glanced at Rum for awhile. He was busy talking to Aling Nena he didn't catch that.

Dahlia walked her way towards me. She stopped just in front of me and spoke in a sweet hush tone.

"I tried forgetting about my horrible past but Rum's the most beautiful thing that's ever happened to me and I intend to keep him."

I smiled at her too. "I hope you're also aware that who you intend to keep isn't someone you have right now."

She eyed me and resumed.

"Babawiin ko siya," Dahlia, 2020.

"Kung magpapabawi naman siya," I shrugged.

"Heto na. Pasensya na kung natagalan."

Matik agad ang ngiti ni Dahlia pagbalik ni Rum.

"Mauna na ako-"

"'Wag, bata ka pa. Char lang!" singit ko naman.

Kru kru kru...

Napalunok si Dahlia at binalingan ulit si Rum.

"Lumapit lang ako para magpaalam."

"Mag-iingat ka," ngiti ni Rum sa kanya saka upo na sa tabi ko.

She looked at us and faked her sweet smile again before finally exiting.

Bakit kailangan niya pang magsinungaling na may amnesia parin siya?

Was she fooling her mom?

Or manipulating us, especially Rum's feelings?

I don't know and I don't really understand.

Naguguluhan ako kaya dumukot ako nang marami sa kutsara ko ng bacsilog at inubos iyon sa isang subuan lang.

Uy, alamak! Ang sarap talaga nito! May melted cheese rin kasi ito kaya sobrang bet na bet!

Sinunod-sunod ko na agad ang subo sa sobrang sarap para rin madaling maubos ito at makaulit pa ako ng isang cup.

Rum chuckled and tucked some strand of my hair at the back of my ear. He then leaned in to whisper.

"I know what you are trying to do. Sorry pero hindi ka na makakaulit, doll. Sulitin mo na 'yan."

I glared at him but he just chuckled again and pecked on my pouting lips.

                 •|• QUEEN •|•

I GLARED AT the Chinese nuno when she took two pieces of my cookies.

"Uy, brownies!"

Sinamaan ko agad ng tingin si Snow nang humagikhik siya sa tabi ko. Pareho kaming naka-apron ngayon. I have asked her to help me bake.

"Those are cookies, idiota!"

She mouthed 'oh' and stared intently at the cookies she was holding. I rolled my eyes nang magduling-dulingan siya habang nakatitig parin doon.

"Sunog na cookies are the new brownies."

She shoved it in her mouth nonetheless and delightfully munched on it.

"Masarap naman," she commented while nodding.

"Alam ko namang mag-iimprove pa si Queen sa susunod naming pagbebake," smiled Snow.

I rolled my eyes but didn't answer back because I want to learn more and improve.

"Where are you gonna bring that?" I asked the nuno when she scooped in her arms the bowl of cookies.

"Sa kwarto natin. Nagne-Netflix ako, e."

"Just get three pieces, okay? That's for someone else."

The nuno retreated towards the kitchen counter and pouted sadly while slowly batting her eyelids, nagpapacute ang gaga.

"Pwede pong lima?" tawad niya. I rolled my eyes.

"Fine."

"E, seven?"

"That's too much."

"Pleaseee..." ngiti niya nang malapad pero 'di kita ang ngipin, her cheeks turning puffy also. Bahagya pa siyang nakatingala because I'm taller.

I looked down at her and noticed that her brown slippers have big Grizzly Bear heads. 

I rolled my eyes.

Goddammit, this nuno. She's so small and cute.

"Fine, fine," I said and took seven pieces of cookies from the bowl she was holding.

I turned to my back to get another smaller bowl for her. I spun around and was shocked to see her already munching a cookie.

"It's already eight! You took another one from there!"

"Queen, i-minus mo na lang sa hawak mo ngayon," Snow suggested.

I agreed to it and just let it passed. The nuno was happily jumping her way back to our room, hugging the bowl of cookies.

Pumasok narin si Dean sa kusina. He was about to pick up a piece but I slapped his hand.

"Tangina, anong problema mo? Nagugutom na ako."

"Love, gagawan na lang kita. May pagbibigyan niyan si Queen, e.

Dean narrowed his eyes on me teasingly with a smirk on his goddamn face.

"You're going to give him burnt cookies?"

"You want to eat all these then?" I spat.

"No, thanks," he smirked and went behind Snow to hug her from the back.

"Love, huwag mong sunugin ha," parinig pa ni Dean.

I rolled my eyes and started wrapping my homemade cookies. At least, a royalty like made an effort for someone.

Why is no one's pointing that out?

I returned to the room and changed quickly to meet Alas so that I can give him those.

I decided to wear a Gucci white off-shoulder holographic midi dress with ruffles and white Prada shoes. I also took with me a sling bag with tiny pearl strap. I'm not sure where Mommy Serena bought this. Perhaps, Chanel or D&G, but I really love it. I put on a pearl embedded clip at one side of my hair then side-twisted it to match it with my outfit.

Since the other two girls won't go anywhere today, they just wore their usual pambahay clothes. Tutti's donning a navy blue oversized tee shirt tucked in her white denim shorts. Snow's sporting her mustard crop off-shoulder top and high rise denim shorts.

Nagpaalam muna ako kay Rum bago umalis. He reminded me to take care and to be back before nighttime kasi kung hindi ay susugod daw siya. I darted him a glare but he chuckled and hugged me before driving me to the gate with the Jeep Wrangler. Busy kasi si Dean kay Snow.

I HANDED ALAS the square container with cookies inside when I arrived at the café. He smirked when he noticed the red ribbon I wrapped around it.

"Wow, babe, pinaghandaan mo talaga 'to? I'm so touched," he remarked with his hand on his chest, acting he really is.

I rolled my eyes at him. He sounds so bakla.

Tutti said they're old friends. Halata nga because they're both so annoying doing that.

He smilingly untangled the ribbon and opened its lid.

"Wow, brownies! Pero bakit round?" he asked me.

Hindi ako nagsalita.

Nag-init bigla ang ulo ko.

Lahat ba nang makakakita niyan, they will think they're brownies?! Stronzo!

"Those are cookies," I corrected him calmly.

He mouthed 'oh', an expression very much like the nuno when they realized or being taught about something.

"Pero bakit itim? Ah, siguro chocolate flavor."

I inhaled sharply then exhaled.

I need to calm down. I am trying to become an understanding and calm girlfriend here.

I don't know which one's better, he points out that it's burnt or ang hindi niya talaga alam that those are actually cookies.

"I will eat this. Upo ka muna r'on, babe. I will just change. Tapos na rin naman ang duty ko," he told me as he pecked on my cheek and gestured the seat nearby with his head.

I nodded and sat there. Dala-dala niya parin ang cookies ko pagpasok niya ng locker room nila.

He was already wearing a black v-neck shirt under his denim jacket and ripped jeans then brown boots when he went out of the locker room. I stood right away and met him.

"Let me hold this," I said and took the cookies out of his hold to lessen the burden.

Hawak niya rin kasi ang mga helmet namin. I was about to get mine also when he pulled it away and out of my reach.

"Ako na rito. Kakausapin ko lang sandali si boss. Tinatawag ako, e," paalam niya.

A man with thick-rimmed glasses gestured Alas to come forward. I nodded and let him.

"I'll wait outside," I told him while pointing outside. He nodded and smiled.

Naglakad na ako papunta sa pinto at tinulak na ang glass door. The moment I stepped outside, a woman approaching bumped me really really hard. The container slipped from my hold and all the cookies fell on the floor.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

I glared at her instantaneously. She did it intentionally, I know!

She bumped me really forcibly on the shoulder even though she saw me approaching! I just confirmed it when I saw her smirked.

She has a ginger bob cut hair that's curly. Her lips are red and provocative. She's wearing a vermilion deep v-neck halter strap dress and an equally bloody-red pair of killer heels.

"Are you blind or plain stupid, red bumping fool?" I spat.

There was a slight change to her expression but she immediately covered it up with a smirk.

"Maybe you're both since you didn't step aside when you saw me," she replied while stepping forward.

She's turning the tables and putting all the blame on me. The fuck.

"Look at what you did to my cookies!"

She looked at the cookies scattered on the floor then she smirked. Again.

"Those are burnt, anyway. You should thank me instead because I just did you a favor of throwing them."

"Pick them up or I will burn you on the exact spot where you are," I remarked with conviction as I advanced towards her.

I hate this girl.

"Tinatakot mo ba ako?" She stepped forward also.

"Inuutusan kita, idiota," I smiled sweetly yet mockingly at her, giving emphasis on the last word.

"Bab-" Alas stopped calling me when he saw us.

He quickly went behind me and pulled me on the waist.

"Let's go, babe," he whispered using a grave tone.

Tumunghay ako sa kanya at naabutan siyang seryoso at may pagbabantang nakatitig sa babaeng nasa harapan namin.

I faced the smirking woman again.

"Let me go. I'm not yet done with her," I ordered Alas.

"Halika na. Let's just go someplace without nuisance."

"I said let me go- Alas!" He scooped me in his arms and carried me away from the woman.

He only put me down when we're already beside his Ducati. I crossed my arms and looked away from him.

Naiinis ako. Nag-iinit ang ulo at nanggagalaiti. I want to get even with that woman!

"Babe..."

He tried holding my arm but I just pulled away each time.

"Babe, I'm sorry."

"Why did you do that?! I told I'm not yet done with her! I still want to get even! Ah, stronzo! I hate you too!" I lashed out.

"I'm sorry..." nasabi niya sa maliit na boses pagkatapos.

I rolled my eyes and was about to walk out when he pulled me again by the waist and caged me in between his arms as he leaned on his motorbike, making me slightly sit on his lap.

I tried breaking free but he was stronger. Of course, Queen!

What would I expect from those big biceps?

I rolled my eyes in my own kabobohan and crossed my arms.

"I'm sorry, babe. Please don't hate me," he whispered while giving me small feathery kisses on my bare shoulder.

"My cookies. She bumped me forcefully so my poor cookies fell on the ground," I narrated my side of story.

He stopped kissing my shoulder and looked at me, surprised. "She did?"

"Yes, and she even insulted them! Can you believe that?" baling ko sa kanyang maagap naman niyang tinanguan na parang tuta.

"Just let it slip, babe. You shouldn't waste your time with people like her."

"But I really made those cookies for you!"

His mouth slightly went ajar after hearing that. He smiled and pecked on my lips once, twice, and thrice.

"You just don't know how happy you made me. I'm looking forward to more burnt cookies soon, I guess," he chuckled and I slapped him on his bicep.

"You're so assuming, aren't you?"

"Na ano? Nabibigyan mo ulit ako ng cookies?"

"That they will gonna be burnt again!" I rolled my eyes as I said that.

                 •|• SNOW •|•

KANINA PA PANAY ang yakap sa akin ni Dean mula sa gilid ko habang nagmamasa ako ng dough. Nakasubsob din ang ulo niya sa leeg ko.

Si Tutti naman matiyagang naghihintay at manghang nanonood sa ginagawa ko habang nakapangalumbaba gamit ang mga kamao sa may kitchen island.

Si Rum tinatapos pa ang mga paperworks sa opisina niya kaya lumabas lang nang inihatid si Queen.

"Ano ka ba naman, Dean? Para ka namang tuko, kapit ka nang kapit kay Snow. Let her breath some fresh air. Polluted ka na, e."

Dean untangled his arms from me saka niya pinitik sa noo si Tutti na napahawak naman doon.

"Love, huwag mo kasing saktan si Tutti!" saway ko sa kanya saka binalingan si Tutti. "Beh, ayos ka lang?"

Tumango naman siya saka nagsalita. "Pero mas magiging maayos pa ako kapag luto na ang doughnut mo, beh."

Natawa na lang ako habang namura naman si Dean.

Maya-maya pa ay natahimik na din ang kusina. Iyon pala ay nawala bigla 'yong dalawa. Isinalang ko na sa oven ang mga minasa ko at sinet na ang init niyon para maluto ang mga doughnut.

Naghuhugas ako ng mga kamay nang may marinig akong strum ng gitara na papasok sa loob ng kusina.

Napangiti ako nang malapad din ang ngiting pumasok si Tutti dine habang kuskos pala ang ukulele niya na noong una akala ko ay gitara.

Pamilyar ako sa tunog na iyon dahil theme song iyon nina inang at itang na paborito ko naman.

"Tudutudu
Tudutudu..."

Natawa ako bahagya nang sunod na pumasok si Dean habang pinipitik ang mga daliri sabay sa ginagawa niyang intro ng kanta.

Di nagtagal ay kumanta na din si Tutti.

"I know your eyes in the morning sun
I feel you touch my hand in the pouring rain
And the moment that you wander far from me
I wanna feel you in my arms again..."

In-off ko ang gripo at hinintay si Dean na hindi pa din matigil sa pagpitik ng mga daliri kasabay ng saliw ng kanta habang papalapit sa akin.

"And you come to me on a summer breeze
Keep you warm in your love then you softly leave
And it's me you need to show
How deep is your love?"

Nang makalapit siya ay ibinigay niya sa akin ang tatlong oras na tinago niya sa likuran niya na tiyak kong kinuha naman niya sa mga tanim ko sa labas. Kaagad niya din akong isinayaw habang nagpatuloy pa din sa pagkanta si Tutti.

"How deep is your love, how deep is your love?
I really need to learn 'cause we're living in a world of fools
Breaking us down when they all should let us be
We belong to you and me..."

"Pasensya ka na, love. Si Tuttieanak na 'yong pinakanta ko. Baka kasi pumiyok na naman ako."

Natawa na lang at tumingkayad para abutin ang labi niya. Nagulat siya pero nagpatuloy pa din kami sa pagsayaw hanggang sa ngumiti na din siya at hinalikan ulit ako sa labi.

"You're the light
You're my life... Sanaol!"

Sabay na lang kaming natawa sa hirit ni Tutti saglit bago itinuloy ang pagkanta at tugtog na sinabayan na din namin.

•|• illinoisdewriter •|•

There you have it, Charmings! 💕 Sorry for the short update.

Do vote and comment your thoughts because I love 'em! ✨