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#MyFavoriteDesire

Ivan Anthony Fraizer; Ericka's ex.

CHAPTER 9

Natulog muna ako sa hotel na hindi ko alam kung saan banda ng Pilipinas para lang palipasin ang gabi at saka ako ba-byahe pabalik ng Manila. Alot of things happened tonight.

Sumasakit ang ulo ko, kung bakit nila ako kilala at bakit hindi ko sila maalala? Like I'm new to this place but I'm familiar with the things around.

Ngayon lang naga-absorb sakin ang mga nangyari. Well, I've never seen a slide phone before but to my surprised, I knew how to use it. Anyway, the good thing was, I felt alive, powerful and... Dirty.

Pero bakit ang naalala ko lang 'yong dinala ako sa isang club ng Tiya Judith ko. Madaming lasing na tao at nakasuot lang ako ng kapirasong tela.

And the man who picked me, dinala niya ako sa kanyang kwarto. He said we would explore my other fantasy, not that I didn't know it.

Because my childhood friend ---Zach, and I actually doing it every now and then. Hindi kami opisyal, we were just trying to help one another to cope up from our traumatic past.

We ended our friendship six months ago kaya hindi ito ang tamang oras para tawagan ko siya. Ma-pride si Zach pero mas ma-pride ako sakanya.

Plus, parang may pumipigil sakin na hindi ko alam.

Pumikit ako bago pa tuluyan sumakit ang bwisit na ulo ko. I freaking need a rest so I fell asleep.

13 missed calls from Rake Alicante.

Ayan ang bumungad sakin pagkagising ko. I ignored it. Hindi ko naman kasi siya kilala. Customer ba siya na pinakilala sakin ni Tiya Judith? That's not possible. If he was, I'm dead. Mabubugbog nanaman ako ng Tiya dahil lumabas nanaman ang malditang ugali ko at sa customer ko pa.

Kinuha ko nalang ang phone ko. I needed someone who would help me when it comes to this. Kinuha ko ang cellphone sa gilid ng mesa.

Hinanap ang pangalan sa contact list. It was Sharmaine. My ex boyfriend's bestfriend. Hindi ako nagpakilala as Ericka dahil ayaw na ayaw sakin ng babaeng 'yan kahit nung kami pa ni Ivan. But atleast, she's idiot enough to gave me his information.

Ilan oras din ako bumyahe para lang hanapin ang tukmol ng buhay ko. I was now standing here, waiting for him and his date to finish.

Nang maaninag ko na sila naglakad ako papalapit sa kanila. As usual, taas-noo akong naglalakad. Of course, hindi parin kasi ako nakakapagpalit ng damit.

I'm confused. Nagbago ang itsura niya pero nakita ko na siya dati. I shook my head to vanish my thought.

"Look who's here," I crossed my arms, kunwari nasalubong lang talaga sila.

Tamang-tama naman na lumingon sakin ang babae ka-date niya, tinaasan ko siya ng kilay dahil para akong inoobserbahan nito.

"Ericka..."

I didn't smile even when I heard him say my name. Oh my Ivan, I still had that same effect on him. He's the other version of Zach.

Tumingin ako kay Ivan. "Boy, it looks like you seen a ghost. I'm alive. Gulat ka ba na pupuntahan kita?" I smirked, his mouth was hang opened but no words coming out.

"Who's this?" tanong ko agad sa babaeng kasama niya. Well, she's cute, hindi nga lang marunong magsuklay. At ang cheap na suot niya.

"Ah, she's---"

"Your new flavor of the week, fuck buddy or what?" putol ko agad sa sasabihin niya. I don't want to hear it.

Huminga ng malalim si Ivan tila nahihirapan. "She's special to me."

I rolled my eyes. "Special? Kailan ka pa nagkaganyan, ha?" natawa ako ng mapakla. "Anyway, I just came here to ask you something. People keep telling me something I don't understand and I need your help to fuck up their mind."

Huminga ng malalim si Ivan. "Peping, ginawan na kita ng pabor dati. I have a reputation, hindi ako pwede basta-basta gumawa ng mga bagay na ikasisira ng pangalan ko."

Peping... Oh, that name...

"Huy, Ivan, una na ako."

Natigilan ako sa biglang pagsasalita ng babaeng kasama niya. Hinawakan ko siya sa braso bago pa tuluyan makalayo.

"Bitiwan mo braso ko. Sasampalin kita, teh. Hindi ako nagbibiro."

I was taken aback but I didn't show it. Well, nagmamatapang siya, huh? Ngumiti ako para asarin siya while slowly removing my hand that was touching her.

"Nice meeting you, what's your name again?" pang-aasar ko lalo.

"She has nothing to do with you. If you want something from me, Ericka, hindi ko mabibigay 'yong tulong ngayon. Text me or email me. I'm not accepting any proposal tonight."

Mabilis pa sa alas-kwatro na hinawakan ni Ivan ang kamay ng babae. It's my chance, too, para ilagay ang letter ko sa bulsa niya. Just like the old times... He didn't flinch an inch as if nothing happened.

"I'm Ivan's ex. Watch out for me, dear," sigaw ko habang pinapanood silang lumayo.

I know, he would call, I'm certain about that.

Naglalakad na ako pabalik nang may familiar na katawan na nakatayo sa di kalayuan sakin. Napahinto ako nang lumapit siya sakin.

Sobrang seryoso ng mukha niya at parang hindi ito nakatulog kagabi.

I crossed my arms. "Rake, right?" tanong ko. Hindi nagbago ang ekpresyon ng mukha niya. "Well, hindi ako na-inform na may pagka-stalker ka pala."

"Anong naaalala mo?" seryosong tanong nito.

But my eyes were all focus on his sleeve that was all rolled up. Hell, he looked fucking sexy. Pumapatol kaya siya sa bata?

"Ericka, answer me."

Taas-kilay akong tumingin sa kanya. I was being chicky that's why I smiled sweetly. May iba sa kanya na nagpapangiti sakin. It reminded me of someone I couldn't remember, so I change the way I treat him.

Let's start.

"Two things, Mister, wala akong maalala at hindi kita kilala." humawak ako sa braso niya.

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. "Hindi ito ang oras ng biruan, Ericka."

"Okay, okay! Sorry, Mister. Kung annoying ako pero sagutin mo muna tanong ko," I said, feeling the excitement in me.

"What?" iritadong tanong nito.

"Pumapatol ka ba sa mas bata sayo?" I sexily said then bit my lip.

Umiling siya sakin, napakunot naman ang noo ko. Bakit hindi niya sineseryoso ang tanong ko?

"May mali ba sa sinabi ko? I'm just asking you, come on. Saka mukhang magkakilala na tayo dati, eh?"

He breathe out. "Come on, I'll take you home. Mukhang hindi kita makakausap ng maayos."

"Na-ah-ah." pigil ko sakanya. "Hindi kita kilala. Don't talk to stranger rule, right?"

"Okay. I'm Rake Alicante," sabi nito tila sumuko na sa kakulitan ko.

"Okay, Rake, how old are you?" I naughtily asked. It's actually my biggest fantasy to sleep with a man who's way older than me.

"I can't tell you that," sagot nito. "My mom once said to don't trust a stanger." Balik nito sa sinabi ko kanina.

"You're being naughty, are you aware?" I playfully said while twirling my hair. "Just so you know, I like to do naughty things... Game ako sa lahat. I have an unlimited energy."

"It's frustrating but dammit. I think I'm liking this version of you." pumikit siya at parang may pinipigilan. Pagkagdilat niya, iba na ang tingin ng bughas na mata niya.

"What's your name?" tanong nito sakin.

"Mama said to don't give your name to stranger."

"I already gave you my name. It's your turn." tila nauubos na pasensya na sabi nito.

Ngumiti ako sa kanya. "Okay, kung ano lang ang ise-share mo sakin, hanggang dun lang din ang kaya kong sagutin. I'm Mae,"

"Mae?" gulat na gulat na tanong nito at mas lalong kumunot nanaman ang noo.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang pagtawa ko ng sobra. "You know I'm not Mae, don't you? I'm sorry but---"

"Your mama told you something?" he asked, irritatingly.

"Nah, may Tiya Judith, actually taught me. Na kapag tinanong ka ng lalaking kakakilala mo lang hindi mo pwede sabihin ang pangalan mo sakanya. So. . .I guess, I'm Mae for the moment." I winked at him.

Napasuklay ito sa buhok niyang nakaayos. "Let's just go home. You're giving me headache."

"Bakit ba ako sasama sayo?"

"You need to rest and we need to see someone tomorrow."

Napahinto ako bigla. I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not? Tiningnan ko muna ulit siya kunrg worth it ba ang gagawin ko. Well, wala naman ako titiran muna ngayon gabi.

Saka sabi ng Tiya Judith ko, kapag sasama ka sa isang lalaki kailangan i-check mo muna kung mayaman at kung sakaling mabuntis ka ba kaya kang buhayin habang buhay.

Sa pago-obserba ko, mukhang mayaman naman siya. Madatung. Mabango. Malaki. . .ang bahay.

"Let's go, nakapadesisyon na ako na sumama sayo," hinila ko siya. Sumunod naman ito sa paglalakad ko.

May kinuha ito sa bulsa at pinindot. May sasakyan naman na tumunog. Paglingon ko, napa-holyshit ako ng paulit-ulit.

"You owned this baby? Hell! Mercedez Benz, not even in my dream would I ever imagine to ever like ever-ever to experience this."

Napangannga nanaman siya sa sinabi ko. Oh, he was speechless. Ang sabi kasi ng Tiya Judith ko, once na sumama kana dapat magustuhan ka niya. So you have to act as if you're not a boring person. You have to entertained him the moment you put your hand on him.

Pagkasakay ko, ngiting-ngiti na ako. Dahan-dahan kong hinimas ang iba't-ibang parte nito. What the hell, amoy na amoy ko ang presyo nito.

Kahit ang mga amo ko dati, never ako pinasakay sa ganito. Palagi lang kaming nasa loob ng kwarto, Lumalabas lang kami pag may kailangan sila sakin na ipagawa na trabaho.

Napahinto ako. Dahil may pilit akong inaalala na lalaki. Pero hindi ko siya mamukhaan, but I know he was the one helping me out whenever I felt crazy because he's crazy too.

"Ericka, stop doing that, naninibago ako."

Hindi ko napansin na hawak-hawak ko na pala ang ibang bagay sa sasakyan niya.

"I'm Mae, remember?" sabi ko sakanya. "Teka nga, magbigay ka na lang sakin ng ibang pangalan mo para pareho tayo. You know, I really like to play some game." nag-seat belt na ako. "Come on, don't be a kill joy, choose."

Kahit madilim sa sasakyan at nagsimula na siya mag-drive. Kitang-kita ko ang pagbabago ng ekspresyon ng mukha niya.

"Hey, ano na? Pangalan lang hindi kana makapili? Kahit ano, tatanggapin ko. Saka, makakalimutan ko rin naman agad 'yan eh."

"And why's that?"

Napakalumbaba ako. "Because life is a never ending process and change is inevitable. You have to move forward to forget and to find what you're looking for," pagpapabibo ko sa kanya.

"Then what are you looking for?" halos magsalubong na talaga ang kilay niya.

Gusto kong matawa. But I kept my posture still.

"A man," mahinag sagot ko.

"A man?" ulit nito.

Tumawa ako at hinampas siya ng bahagya. "Hindi, a woman, are you okay? Kailangan uulitin pa ang sinasabi ko."

"I was making sure. Then what are you looking for a man?" He was focus on the road but I could feel his pheriperal vision looking at me and he was waiting for my answer.

"Uy, bakit ka intiresado? Maga-apply ka ba?"

"Maybe. Only if I'm qualified."

"Hell!" hiyaw ko. "You are! Papakasalan mo na ba ako?"

Natigilan ito at muntikan pang makabangga ng tao.

"Hey you, careful!" suway ko sa kanya. "Eyes on the road. Eyes on the road."

"Sabihin mo na," ulit nito.

"Gusto ko syempre lahat ng M."

"What M?"

"Matino, magaling, mayaman, mabait, malaki. . .ang bahay, mahaba. . .ang pasensya, mabilis. . .mag-isip. So, hulaan mo 'yong last M?"

"I've heard it before," he chuckled.

"Than say it."

"Matanda na madaling mamatay."

Bigla ako pumalatak ng tawa. What? I maybe, a dirty human being but I would never like ever-ever want that for someone.

"Wrong!" sigaw ko. "Grabe ka naman, I'm not that bad."

Nagkibit-balikat ito. "Then what is it?"

"Mababaw lang ako na bata, Mister. Gusto ko lang naman ay 'yong. . .may swimming pool sa bahay."

Huminga siya ng malalim. "I wish I could have met you when you're that younger. You are cooler than I thought."

"Ano ba pinagsasasabi mo? Of course, I'm really cool because I don't have a problem. The only problem I know is how to make money."

"Make money? Bakit naman? Wala ka bang kasama sa bahay nung nasa ganyan edad?"

"Nakaka-confuse 'yong question mo, Mister," sabi ko sakanya.

"Rake," he corrected. "Don't call me Mister, we're not yet married."

I laughed again. "Okay, pero hindi mo pa kasi sinasabi anong gusto mong ibang pangalan? Game. Ano na?"

Bumalik nanaman 'yong dilim sa mga mata niya. I kept my mouth shut. Para rin bumabalik ang katahimikan ko sa pagkatao ko.

Actually, iilan tao lang nagpapalabas ng ganitong ugali ko, either it's my customer or someone I didn't know make me comfortable in an instant.

Kahit tinarayan ko sila kahapon at hindi maganda ang record ko sakanya. But hey, I could definitely change that. Not every first impression lasts.

I could be a bitch right now and the next second, I could be a sweetheart.

"You really want to know what?"

I nodded. "What?"

"You can call me James."