Chapter 37 | Jealous

"Kanina ka pa nandito?" I asked Trinity when I saw her inside my office.

She sent me a message earlier saying she would wait for me inside the office, I got busy of assessing things kaya't hindi nakasagot sa kaibigan.

"Sakto lang, hindi naman boring dito sa loob. Your office here in the Philippines is much comfortable than the one in California," she said to me.

Hinubad ko ang suot na white coat, I didn't usually wear coats and I only wore one today to look presentable and blended with the hospital.

"Mamayang eight ng gabi ang meeting, tama? Saan muli?" I asked her and drank my glass of water.

"Sa Circle Park bandang Quezon City, gusto mo bang daanan na lang tayo ni mommy para sabay na papunta?" tanong niya sa akin.

I swallowed and answered, "No need. Sa akin ka sasabay?"

She nodded and shifted her position as she spoke, "I have an idea."

Nilingon ko ang kaibigan nang puno ng pagdududa ang mukha. Wala akong tiwala sa mga ideya nitong kasabwat ako. Back in college, she was the carefree but clever kind of student. When I said clever, as in the one who slayed the ranking and assessments.

She playfully smirked at me like how she smirked when we almost got a detention because of her idea sa science lab noon. She hated someone from our chemistry class and she planned to destroy that girl's unfinished work for a small revenge. Childish but I won't deny it was fun.

"Cut it, huwag mo akong idamay," suplado kong sagot.

She laughed and teased me, "Traumatic ba, Lukan? Don't worry, this time it ain't risky. . . in fact, you might thank me in the end if ever."

"Trinity, alam kong balik kampo na si Fred pero huwag mo naman akong pagdiskitahan," natatawa kong paki-usap.

"Hindi naman!" she defensively said, "Let's just say I'll conduct a research."

"Research na ako ang biktima," dagdag ko sa kanyang sinabi.

She laughed hysterically and it pained my ears. Pumasok ako sa comfort room ng aking opisina upang makapaglinis ng sarili. Even when I was taking a bath, the demon won't just shut up.

"Huwag kang kabahan, Lukan, I won't get you into trouble this time!" paninigurado pa niya sa akin.

I didn't say anything back and tried dismissing her even after I cleaned myself. She had this annoying yet amusing look on her face, I couldn't tell if I was mad or entertained.

"Then tell me what's your idea para hindi ako mabigla't magalit," I told her.

"Madali lang naman, Lukan, you don't need to exert such effort. Be cooperative lang let everything roll," she said instead.

"Ano nga iyan, Trinity? Pakiramdam ko si Satanas ang may hawak ng buhay ko," I joked.

"Grabe ka sa akin, hoy! Baka nga matuwa ka pa if ever this succeeds—"

"And what if it wouldn't?" I fired back.

"Then okay, I can conclude that the both of you isn't meant to be—"

"What? Sino pang involve sa research mo bukod sa akin?" I asked and got alerted.

She made this what-the-hell-motherfucker face as she insulted me, "Lukan, matalino ka't masipag pero huwag ka namang maging bulag o ignorante."

"What?" I asked endlessly, "wala akong alam sa sinasabi mo, Trinity. Natatakot na ako sa 'yo, iba ba ang hangin dito sa Pilipinas?"

"Alright, listen to me carefully," she ordered me.

I put all of my attention to my ridiculous friend and waited her to drop the truth.

"I'll conduct an experiment between you and your childhood sweetheart, Thera Mia C. Zorron to see and prove if she still has feelings for you—"

"Okay, what the fuck?" natatawa kong putol, "you're just bored, Trinity. Saan mo ba gustong gumala?"

"Come on, this is your biggest comeback! At least be proud and slap her all of your achievements. Kung gusto mo ay mag-post ka pa ng ako nga pala ang sinayang mo quote—"

I couldn't stop my laughter anymore, mga ideya talaga ng babaeng ito, hindi ko maintindihan.

"Look, I may have achieved great things but I don't want to boast for her to feel guilty or regretful of letting me go. For sure she already forgotten me or my presence doesn't bother her anymore like before. Trinity, sometimes you need to consider the word change before trying to get us back—"

"Susubukan lang naman, Lukan! Trust me, babae ako, alam ko ang pakiramdam," she convinced me.

"Alright, then... alam kong hindi ka magpapatalo. What will you do, make her jealous as a trap?" natatawa kong tanong.

"Exactly, my goodness, ginamit na rin ang common sense!" she said as if I hit the jackpot.

"Fine pero ngayong gabi lang. If she doesn't show any of your signs, quit it. Huwag nating pilitin ang ayaw, baka pumayag," I told her.

"Okay," she said, full of confidence.

"I really can't understand girl language, ang gulo ninyo," I joked.

"Wow, ha? Kung ikaw ang tatanungin ko, mahal mo pa rin ba siya? For sure you can't answer that clearly and straight to the point," palaban niyang rebat.

"Well, that matter isn't for you to find out. If I love her, I'll tell her directly and prove it. Kayo kasi kapag may gusto, ang dami pang denial stages—"

"Nahihirapan kasi kaming magtiwala at tinitimbang namin ang lahat—"

"Gets ko naman pero tingin mo ba kaming mga lalaki ay hindi nahihirapang intindihin kayo? I know I need to understand her but ang hirap namang umintindi kung kayo mismo ang ayaw magsabi. Obligasyon pa naming obserbahan kayo't suyuin kahit hindi alam kung may ginawang mali," I calmly said.

"Matatanda na tayo, hindi na uubra sa akin ang ganyang galawan. Umay na umay na ako sa ganyan," I added.

"Okay, calm down," she told me.

"I am calm, Trinity. Ayaw ko lang pumasok sa relasyong pangbata pa rin ang sistema. Hindi naman ako namimilit," I informed her.

"Talaga? Bakit mo niyayang magtalik?" she fired.

I stopped. So, she knew.

"Who told you—"

"Doesn't matter, Lukan," she hissed.

We got silent for a minute and only stared at each other.

"I didn't force her to come with me, I only asked her—"

"Pero tinanong mo pa rin. Alam mo, mabuti na ring tumanggi siya dahil napakalaking kamalian ang ginawa mo—"

"Alam ko, Trinity, anong akala mo? I didn't regret what I said? I struggled living with the shame and I couldn't accept myself. I'm over it now, bobo na lang ang gagamitin pa iyon laban sa akin," I cut in.

"If people can't accept how I improved and changed good, hindi ba't parang sila ang may problema?" I asked and shrugged afterward.

"Right, sorry for bringing it up," she immediately apologized.

"It's nothing, ayos lang," I assured her.

"And sorry, I forced Fred to tell me it in details," she added.

I sighed and forgave my friend.

"Why are you doing this anyway? Balak mong pumalit kay Aphrodite?" I asked her to lighten up the mood.

"I think second chance is applicable for the both of you. I'm not a believer of second chances but... malay mo, sa inyo naman ay mag-work out?" she answered, unsure.

"Goodness, you think of this too much, huh?" I joked.

"Oo kaya, balak ko sanang hindi sabihin sa 'yo at baka magalit ka—"

"Hindi ako galit," I informed her.

"Good. Ngayong gabi lang naman. If she doesn't reach my judgement, ititigil ko na," Trinity told me.

"Tara na, mauna ka ng lumabas," yaya ko.

Sa sasakyan ay patuloy kaming nag-usap ni Trinity tungkol sa kanyang research. Nang na-stuck kami sa traffic ay napilitan siyang ayusin ang aking buhok dahil na-stress daw siya sa gulo nito kahit maayos namang tingnan.

"My god, Lukan, hindi mo man lang inayos ang buhok mo. Guwapong guwapo ka sa sarili, bhie?" she mocked me.

"What is bhie? Nagagaya mo na ang mga salita nila, natatakot na talaga ako," I told her.

"It's cute kaya as a best friend call name. Bhie is the last sound in baby but spelled like B-H-I-E—"

"Saan mo natutunan 'yan?" natatawa kong tanong.

"Internet, bhie. I'll call you that para isipin ni Mia na may call name pa tayo—"

"Abnormal, bakit naman niya papansinin 'yan, common naman palang gamitin—"

"Let's just see later. For now, stay fucking still dahil inaayos ko ang buhok mo. Hindi ka pa nag-coat para mukhang professional, jusko, bhie!" she ranted.

"Ang init kaya, bhie," sabi ko pabalik.

She laughed and stopped combing to clap her hands.

"Bakit ang ayos kapag ikaw ang nagsasabi? Naalala ko tuloy ang endearment mo kay Mia—"

"Geez, can you not?" natatawa kong paki-usap yet she only laughed, "bata pa ako noon."

"Prinsesa lang malakas, kaya ka ni-deny, e!" she spat.

Hindi matanggal ang ngiti ko sa pang-aasar niya.

"Pasalamat ka at hindi ko alam ang inyo ni Gierro," I said.

"Duh, kahit alam mo ay hindi mo iyon magagamit pang-joke time," she said back.

Sa pagbaba ay inayos niya rin ang taas ng aking pantalon, konti na lang ay lagyan ako ng bimpo nito sa likod at magmukhang nanay ko. She kept on whispering me to remain emotionless para kunwari raw ay wala akong paki sa kanya.

I couldn't wait for her research to end tonight.

The place had vibrant lights that perfectly fitted the night. There were people who had individual groups and everyone seemed having fun. Naglakad kami ni Trinity patungo sa isang restaurant at may karamihan ang tao sa loob.

"Huwag kang kabahan—"

"Hindi naman ako kabado," I told her and chuckled.

"Basta, remember what I told you—"

"Lukan, Trinity!" may tumawag sa amin.

We neared the long table consisting tita Aneia, Dominiko, Rhea, Mia and Eros. Meeting the same people felt different.

"Good evening po," ako ang unang bumati nang tumayo silang lahat.

My eyes were fixed in tita Rhea because she had this smile that could comfort you anytime. I felt welcomed of her bright aura.

"Oh my? Is she Trinity?" tita Rhea asked tita Aneia.

"Yes, Rhea."

"Wow! You grew up well, Trinity," puri ni tita Rhea.

"Thank you, po, but no one can beat your beauty, tita. Walang kupas, oh," Trinity casually said back.

Ang galing talaga nitong makipag-usap. Umupo kaming lahat at katabi ko si Trinity, sa aming harap ay sina Mia, ang mag-asawa at si Eros. I didn't glace at them specially to her.

The conversation went smooth hanggang sa natapos kaming um-order ng pagkain. Trinity shined because of her communication skills, hindi ko man sadyang pinapansin ay nahuhuli ng aking tingin ang mga maliit na galaw ni Mia.

She didn't look impressed of Trinity but she tried to be cool with her... or maybe I was just putting meanings on things. She looked at everyone like that anyway.

Hanggang sa napunta na sa kanya ang topic. Hindi pa rin siya gaanong nagsasalita kahit pa subukan ni tita Aenia tanungin siya ng kailangang mahabang sagot.

"Are you okay, Mia? Is something bothering you perhaps?" Trinity attacked her.

I wanted to smirk when Mia faced her with a total blank face.

"I'm fine," she answered shortly.

And what did that supposed to mean?

I looked away before she could even see me observing her. Her brown and highlighted hair was really distractingly beautiful. Lips covered with red lip stick and fierce look—pakiramdam ko ay hanggang sa pagtulog ay ito ang aking makikita. Her body was still chubby yet the curves almost awaken the demon inside me. I knew she'd change but I didn't expect it'd make me go crazy.

Parang imbis na siya ang magsising pinakawalan ako ay ako pa itong nanghihinayang.

"Wala naman ng problema sa treatment, we read the whole document from the hospital. Lukan or is it Mr. Fortelleza?" tita Rhea asked me.

"Lukan pa rin po," natatawa kong sagot.

"Lukan, goodness, first of all... I'm happy for everything you've got. Thank you for considering our girl on your hospital. I can see that you are finally stable," she said.

"Walang anoman po, thank you too and you trusted us regarding with your daughter's health," sabi ko rin.

"Excuse me, maghuhugas lang po ako ng kamay," Trinity announced.

"Oh, sure, no problem!"

She touched my shoulder and came near my face. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Mia got shocked of Trinity's move.

"Bhie, samahan mo ako," Trinity purposely made her voice seductive.

"Sure," namamaos kong sagot, hindi makapaniwala sa reaction ni Mia.

Pinulupot pa ni Trinity ang kanyang braso sa aking braso at sabay kaming naglakad patungo sa wash area.

"Shit, effective," bulong niya sa akin habang naghuhugas.

"You're over reacting," pilit ko kahit gano'n din ang pakiramdam.

"Babae ako, Lukan, okay? Ramdam na ramdam kong uncomfortable siya—"

"Ganoon naman siya lagi kahit noon," I reasoned.

"In fairness, your type of girl is really the standard. I mean, just look at her," she ordered me yet I didn't.

"She has the body that can give you sleepless nights and god, I swear her legs are perfect. Natural siyang maputi and her skin feels soft to even look at. Gosh, plus her lips, Lukan—"

"Can you stop describing her?" I commanded Trinity.

Seriously, the details were too much to absorb!

She chuckled and teased me, "Why? Does she makes you hard?"

I looked up and swallowed hard.

She laughed and said, "Grabe, tapos aayaw ka pa sa research ko? Ang dami mo pang sinabi noon pero ngayon, ano, Lukan? Wala pang isang oras, uhaw ka na."

"Hindi ako uhaw—"

"Why can't you look at her? Feeling like sinner yet, Lukan?" she teased more.

"Dapat talaga'y hindi kita sinamahan," pagsisisi ko.

"Oh, she's getting near. Maghuhugas din yata, watch me," Trinity whispered.

When Mia arrived, Trinity talked to her as if they were close.

"Mia, I'm planning to throw a party for Lukan kasi, celebration lang for his success dito sa Philippines," maarteng sabi ni Trinity.

I stood near her and observed Mia. She was still silent at tila pa napipilitan lamang making kay Trinity.

"I don't know anyone to help me kasi. If you don't mind helping me think of ideas, then is it okay to seek assistance from you? After all, you and Lukan are friends, I believe," Trinity continued.

Goodness, could someone give Trinity the best actress award already!

Mia's eyes trembled yet she tried to remain calm.

"Sure, okay lang," sagot niya.

Trinity jumped of excitement and hugged me as if it wasn't scripted.

"I'm so proud of my bhie kasi. He deserves the best," ngayon ay tunog malandi na ang kaibigan ko.

Mia, sharply gazing at Trinity's hands all over me, was about to say something when Trinity kissed me on the cheeks... the same spot where Mia kissed me years ago before our speech.

I noticed how her lips parted and a foreign emotion crossed her eyes. I wished that I wasn't making up things.

"Thank you, Mia, ha?" Trinity said.

Mia hardly closed her eyes as if she witnessed something bad. When her eyes opened, she was back with a blank expression... but I knew better.

"N-No problem, and by the way," she said, "it's Thera for you. Don't call me Mia, second name basis is a thing on our family. Hearing it from you is irritating."

She smiled wickedly at Trinity and said, "I don't want my second name be called by someone like you."

She turned around after roasting Trinity and it shocked the hell out of me.

"I told you," Trinity whispered happily and let go.