CHAPTER 2

NAPAILING AT NAPABUNTONGHININGA na lang si Zehannah nang makatanggap siya ng text message galing sa Papa niya habang nasa trabaho siya. Hindi na niya kailangan pang buksan ang text nito. Alam niyang nagrereklamo na naman ito dahil 'inaapi' na naman ito ni Papi.

And she was right.

From: Papa

'Zehan, inaapi ako ng Papi mo. He didn't kiss me goodbye when he went to work this morning. Hindi lang 'yon, inubusan niya ako ng coffee creamer. Tapos nalaman ko mula sa mga hugasan sa lababo na nagluto siya ng pancake. And you know what? Hindi niya man lang ako tinirhan! How dare he! Maghihiganti ako.'

Kaagad na nag-reply si Zehannah sa Papa niya para pigilan ito. 'I advise against that, Papa. Baka sa sofa ka na naman matulog, sige ka. Tapos magrereklamo ka sa 'kin dis oras ng gabi.'

'You always take your Papi's side. Nagtatampo rin ako sa 'yo, Zehan.'

Nagpakawala ng buntonghininga si Zehannah sa reply ng Papa niya.

'Papa, taglamig ngayon. Malamig sa sofa.'

'Oo nga pala. Sige, sa summer na ako maghihiganti. Mainit na no'n.'

Hindi alam ni Zehannah kung matatawa o mapapailing siya sa Papa niya. Well, he was always like that. Complaining about her Papi's attitude and personality, but at the end of the day, he still loves her Papi, and he never left his side.

Bumalik na sa trabaho si Zehannah pagkatapos ilapag ang cellphone sa ibabaw ng lamesa niya.

Zehannah was busy, but it still felt like a very dull day. Napapansin ni Zehannah, nitong mga nakaraang buwan, parang nagiging monotonous ang buhay niya. Parang naghahanap ang katawan niya ng bagong mapaglilibangan at hindi puro trabaho at bahay lang.

Bumaling ang atensiyon ni Zehannah sa pintuan nang may kumatok doon.

"Pasok," aniya.

The door opened, and Dexter entered with a smile. He's a head from a different department, but he never missed a day without visiting her office to ask her out.

"Are you free tonight? Have dinner with me."

Awtomatiko ang naging sagot ni Zehannah. "I can't. Maglilinis ako ng condo ko mamaya pagkauwi ko."

"Oh." That was a no, but that did not deter Dexter. "I can help if you need a hand."

"No. Thanks." Zehannah smiled. "I can do it alone."

Nawala ang emosyon sa mukha ni Dexter. "You can't do everything alone, Zee."

Nagpantig ang tainga ni Zehannah. "Of course, I can. Everyone needs to know how to be alone. Dahil hindi sa lahat ng oras ay may kasama at may maaasahan ka."

Dexter instantly knew he misspoke. "I'm sorry, Zee—"

"No need to apologize. Just please, don't call me 'Zee'." Zehannah went back to work and didn't bother sending Dexter away. Kusa na itong lumabas ng opisina niya na ikinahinga niya nang maluwang.

As she aged, her preference in men had changed. Siguro kung noong bata-bata pa siya, hinayaan na niyang manligaw si Dexter sa kaniya, pero ngayon? Wala na nga siya sa mood, napakamapili pa niya.

She knew that people always said to lower one's standard when looking for a partner, but really, for her, that's just plain bullshit. She would never lower her standard because she was sure that she'll be the one to pay for it in the end.

People who have standards were the people who knew what they wanted and their worth. If she chose to lower her standard, then it also meant she chose to disappoint herself and she didn't want that.

Bahala nang tawaging pihikan. Ang mahalaga, masaya siya at kontento sa pinili niya.

Nagpakawala ng buntonghininga si Zehannah nang tumunog ang alarm niya na nagpapaalala sa kaniya na uwian na. She was excited to go home and clean her condo until it became spotless.

When she entered the elevator, Cassia was inside and Cassia immediately rested her head on her shoulder.

"Tired?" tanong ni Zehannah sa kaibigan.

Tumango ito. "Ang dami kong tinapos na bukas na ang deadline at dumagdag pa si Mariz na nagpapakalat na naman ng tsismis tungkol sa 'kin."

Napabuntonghininga si Zehannah nang marinig ang pangalan ni Mariz. "Ano na naman ang pinagkalat ng tsismosa na 'yon?" Si Mariz ang leader ng mga marites sa buong kompanya.

"Hindi ko alam paano niya nalaman na may asawa na ako. E si Sir David lang naman ang pinagsabihan ko kaya nagulat ako sa tsismis na narinig ko. Pinagkakalat na naman ng grupo ni Mariz na totoo raw na may asawa na ako, pero pinagkasundo lang daw kami at tinatago ko kasi raw walang itsura at kinakahiya ko."

Zehannah snorted. "Buti natama nila 'yong pinagkasundo, mga bobo pa naman ang mga 'yon." Inis na inis si Zehannah kay Mariz at sa grupo nitong mga marites. "Naku! Ibalandra mo nga 'yang asawa mo rito nang manahimik ang mga gagang 'yon. Nauubos na ang pasensiya ko sa kanila."

Ngumiti si Cassia. "Hayaan na natin. Mapapagod din ang mga 'yon."

Umingos si Zehannah. "Kapag napagod sila, siguradong gagawa na naman 'yon ng panibagong issue." Ganoon naman palagi. "Sa dami ng tsismis nila tungkol sa 'yo, puwede nang gawing isang magazine."

Tumawa lang si Cassia saka nauna nang lumabas ng elevator nang bumukas 'yon. Kaagad namang sumunod si Zehannah pero parehong natigilan ang dalawa nang makitang umuulan sa labas.

"Great." Bumagsak ang mga balikat ni Cassia. "Kung kailan sira ang sasakyan ko, saka naman umulan."

"Sa condo ko kaya ikaw magpalipas muna ng ulan," suhestiyon ni Zehannah sa kaibigan dahil malapit lang naman ang condo niya. "Saka ka na umuwi kapag tumila na."

"Sige," kaagad na sagot ni Cassia.

Napabaling naman dito si Zehannah nang mapansing natigilan ang kaibigan sa paglalakad. Pasimple niyang sinundan kung saan ito nakatingin babang binubuksan ang payong na dala. Lihim na lang siyang napabuntonghininga nang makita kung sino ang tinitingnan nito.

It was Cassia's persistent boss. Ang boss nitong hindi makaintindi ng 'ayoko' kahit pa isampal sa mukha nito.

Handa na si Zehannah na ipagtanggol ang kaibigan laban sa boss nitong may ubo ang utak ng makuha ang atensiyon nila ng grupo ni Mariz. May kinakausap ang mga itong isang guwapong nilalang na kaagad na ngumiti nang makita si Cassia.

Instantly, Zehannah assumed he was Cassia's husband. That charming smile of his that was only meant for Cassia said it all.

And the two proceeded to talk as if no one was around while Zehannah was just staring at Cassia's husband. Halos nakatanga na siya rito dahil sa kaguwapuhan nitong taglay at dahil na rin naglo-loading ang utak niya habang inaalala ang mga kinuwento sa kaniya ng kaibigan.

This guy... this drop-dead gorgeous guy is gay?! Instantly, Zehannah didn't believe it because of the way he acted around Cassia. The way he spoke to her. The man's body language. His smile. His eyes. As if he only saw Cassia and no one else, he focused all his attention on her. Nope. This guy is not gay.

Biglang natauhan si Zehannah nang maramdamang may kumurot sa kaniya sa tagiliran. It was none other than her airhead friend, Cassia.

"What?" tanong niya kay Cassia habang pasulyap-sulyap pa rin sa asawa nito.

"Uwi na ako," anito saka kaniya bago tinuro ang lalaki sa harapan nila at ipinakilala sa kaniya. "Ahm, Zehan, this is my husband, Thorn Calderon. Thorn, this is my best friend since college, Zehannah Sevil."

Cassia's husband quickly offered his hand and Zehannah accepted it.

"Nice to meet you," anito. "Come by our house if you have free time. Let's have dinner."

Tumango si Zehannah. This guy is so handsome. He's on par with Reigo in that department. If there was one thing, no, two things she couldn't forget about Reigo, it was his handsome face and his big 'D'.

Kinurot na naman siya ni Cassia bago nagpaalam ang kaibigan at naglakad patungo sa magarang sasakyan ng asawa nito. Pero pagkalipas lang ng ilang segundo, bumaba si Cassia at naglakad pabalik sa kaniya.

"May nakalimutan ka?" kaagad niyang tanong sa kaibigan.

Her airhead best friend didn't answer her and just pulled her to her husband's car.

"Cassia, what the heck are you doing—"

Bago pa matapos ni Zehannah ang tanong, binuksan na ni Cassia ang backseat saka pinasakay siya at isinara ang pinto.

Naglo-loading pa ang utak ni Zehannah nang marinig niya ang boses ng asawa ni Cassia na nasa driver's seat.

"Masyadong malakas ang ulan. Mahihirapan kang umuwi. Ihatid ka na namin."

"Thanks," Zehannah muttered as she observed Cassia's husband.

Bigla siyang naging detective Zehannah sa backseat habang nasa biyahe at pinapakinggan ang usapan ng dalawa.

Hindi na kailangan ni Zehannah ng pruweba. Sigurado siyang hindi bakla ang asawa ng kaibigan niya. Nope. Hindi. Siguradong nagpapanggap lang ang isang 'to. Why? She didn't know. Maybe it had something to do with Cassia's 'airheadedness'.

"Saan ka pala namin ihahatid?"

Nabigla si Zehannah sa tanong na 'yon dahil mukhang may sariling mundo ang mag-asawa sa harapan niya. Pero siyempre, binigay niya ang address niya na isang liko na lang ay nandoon na sila.

"We're here," anunsiyo ni Thorn.

Ngumiti siya. "Thanks." Then she tapped Cassia's shoulder from the backseat. "See you tomorrow, girl."

"See you."

Tumango si Zehannah kay Cassia saka lumabas na ng sasakyan.

Habang pinagmamasdan ang papalayong sasakyan, gustong sabihin ni Zehannah sa kaibigan na hindi bakla ang asawa nito pero naalala niya na may hangin ang utak nito kaya hindi na lang niya itinuloy. Siya ang ma-i-stress panigurado.

Kaya nga ako hindi nag-jowa dahil ayokong ma-stress, pero stressed naman ako sa love life ng iba. Tangina.

Nakasimangot na sumakay ng elevator si Zehannah at tinungo ang unit niya.

And just like planned, she cleaned her condo until it was spotless. Well, she tried her best. Then she cooked for herself while talking to her parents over the phone, had a peaceful dinner after, and enjoyed a glass of wine while watching a series on Netflix.

Her day was supposed to end smoothly with her, sleeping peacefully until her body woke her up in the morning, but that night was just full of bad luck.

First, her Papa called to inform her that her Papi fell on the stairs and was now on the way to the hospital. Second, when she arrived at the hospital worried sick and looking like she just won a wrestling contest with a freaking bear—her hair was everywhere since she used her scooter to avoid traffic and her helmet was only half—she saw her drunken, stupid mistake exiting the hospital and yep, as cliché as the movies, their eyes met.

But she's Zehannah—freaking—Sevil. She pretended like she didn't see anyone she knew. She looked straight ahead and then she entered the hospital like a queen with hair that looked like something exploded in it.

But she didn't care because she knew she had slayed her entrance.

Yeah. And then she worriedly ran towards the E.R. to check on her Papi.

Thankfully, her Papi's condition was not severe, but he had to take a leave from work and stay in the hospital for a couple of days. Hindi naman 'yon problema dahil kasama nito ang Papa niya na halos hindi makahinga sa sobrang pag-aalala.

"Papa, si Papi ang aksidenteng nahulog sa hagdan. Bakit ikaw ang umiyak?" sita niya sa Papa niya na namumula ang mata.

"I thought I'm gonna lose Dan," her Papa whispered and held her Papi's hand. "Akala ko tumama ang ulo mo sa semento. I couldn't think straight."

Her Papi smile softly at her Papa before his attitude turned one-eighty degrees and glared at her Papa. "Hindi ba sinabi ko sa 'yo na ayos lang ako, pero hindi ka nakinig! At tinawagan mo pa ang anak natin." Tinuro siya ni Papi. "Tingnan mo naman ang itsura ni Zehan, parang nakipagsabunutan sa aswang!"

Kaagad na sinubukang ayusin ni Zehannah ang sabog na buhok pero wala namang nagbago. Sabog pa rin. "Sorry naman. Nagmamadali kasi ako kaya nag-scooter ako para makaiwas sa traffic." Kapagkuwan ay ngumiti at niyakap niya ang ama. "But I'm happy that you're okay, Papi. Pinag-aalala mo kami ni Papa kaya huwag mo nang pagalitan si Papa. He's just worried because he loves you so much."

Cameron smiled at his daughter for being a sweet talker and for helping him out. While Dan just sighed and smiled before intertwining his hand with Cameron's.

"O siya, umuwi ka na at magpahinga," anang Papi niya sa kaniya. "Ayos lang kami rito ng Papa mo. Don't worry."

Seeing their daughter being reluctant to say yes, Cameron helped his partner. "Ako na ang bahala sa Papi mo. Huwag kang mag-alala."

Tumango si Dan. "You trust your Papa, right? Ayoko ring magtagal dito. Ang daming nagnanakaw ng tingin sa Papa mo akala naman nila kung sinong guwapo."

Natawa si Zehannah sa Papi niya. But it was indeed true that her Papa was a handsome man even though he was already nearing his fifties. Hindi halata sa mukha ng Papa niya ang edad nito. He was fit and very healthy, after all. Same with her Papi.

"Siyempre. Mana ako kay Papa," nagmamalaking sabi niya. "Guwapo si Papa, maganda ako."

Dan looked at her daughter flatly. "Sa Papa mo lang?"

Zehannah grinned at her Papi. "Siyempre, mana rin ako sa 'yo, Papi." Kaagad na napangiti si Dan pero kaagad ding nabura 'yon nang sabihin ni Zehannah kung anong namana nito rito. "Basagulero."

Biglang bumangon si Dan. "Ano'ng sabi mong bata ka—"

"Zehan. Run!" her Papa hissed under his breath and Zehannah immediately took off running.

Tumigil lang si Zehannah sa pagtakbo nang makalabas siya ng E.R. Hindi na napigilang matawa ni Zehannah nang maalala ang mukha ng Papi niya. Siguradong patay ako kay Papi kapag nakalabas na siya ng ospital. Kailangan kong kasabuwatin si Papa para mawala ang galit niya. Yeah. That's what I'm going to do. I have to—

"Zee."

Zehannah remembered the nickname and the one who gave it to her, but she didn't give him the reaction he wanted. She pretended like she heard nothing and walked towards the exit.

Zee was not her name, after all.

"Zehannah!"

That was the only time she stopped and turned around to face her drunken, stupid mistake. "Yeah? You need anything?"

Namulsa si Reigo. "Remember me?"

Zehannah could lie and say she didn't, but she had no reason to. "Yeah. Anything else?"

Reigo's lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but alas, he pressed his lips together and shook his head.

Zehannah smiled with her business smile. "I'm going then. Nice seeing you."

Reigo just stared at Zehannah before he nodded and watched Zehannah leave the hospital.

And just like that, Zehannah slayed her second coincidental meeting with her drunken, stupid mistake. And she planned to slay it every time since she felt like fate was playing a game with them.

But what fate didn't know was that she's Zehannah—freaking—Sevil. Whatever was thrown at her, she'll slay it. Because that's the queen her parents raised her to be.

Oo nga't guwapo pa rin ang gago, pero maganda pa rin naman ako. Patas lang kami.

CECELIB | C.C.