7 // Careful, You Might Tell the Truth

Nakabusangot pa rin ako hanggang makauwi galing sa mall. Imbes na sa bahay ay sa cafe ako dumiretso dahil nandoon sina Jules.

Ipinatong ko ang naglalakihang paperbag sa coffee table bago umupo. Buti na lang matangkad ang mga ito, at least hindi maabala ang mga customers sa asim ng mukha ko.

Lumapit si Jules. "Okay, spill. Ano na namang nangyari?"

Tamad akong tumingala para tingnan ang pinsan ko. I just blinked... and blinked. Hindi ako nagsalita kasi, wala, tinatamad na rin akong mag-explain.

Hindi mapigilan ng lalaking nasa harapan ko ang ngumisi. When did he get here, I wouldn't bother knowing anymore.

"Come on, Vie. Lagi kang asar-talo," amused na amused na sabi ni Jules. Itinuloy na niya ito sa pagtawa nang inirapan ko siya. "I bet our cousins would love to see your face right now! Especially Elon, he'd have a mini-heart attack laughing at you."

I blinked slowly while I said how I felt about her, "I... hate... you."

Pabibo siyang huminga nang malalim at nag-kibit ng balikat. "I know!"

Ikinakawit niya sa mga daliri niya ang handle ng paperbags nang tingnan si Jerrick. "Any order?"

"Hindi na. Paalis na rin ako."

Napapikit ako sa saya. My arms automatically spread out of relief. Parang may naririnig pa akong mga anghel na kumakanta.

So dahil tinaglay ni Jules ang mga paperbags ay wala nang namamagitan sa amin ng kaharap ko. Literally.

"Why were you so upset? Nagbibiro lang naman ako," he said, halatang may nagtatago pa ring ngisi sa labi niya. Kahit anong gawin niyang pagtago ay kita ko pa rin iyon, ano!

"I'm upset with myself because I actually came with you."

"Paano 'yan, hindi ako aalis? So, do you plan on being upset forever, o nasa plano mo rin ang mag-sanay?"

"Gago, wala."

Humalakhak siya. "That is definitely meron."

Pakiramdam ko ay namula ang pisnge ko sa pagka-inis. Huminga ako nang malalim habang kinakalma ang sarili. Dapat composed ako! Kasi kung hindi, there's going to be another point for him in our invisible score board!

His phone rang. Maagap siyang tumayo at tinanaw ang labas. As if on cue, a car pulled over in front of the café.

"Aight, sunshine. I gotta bounce."

Okay, loser. Whatever.

I pretended to be busy looking for something outside. Pero hindi siya nagpatinag, kinatok niya ang table para kunin ang attention ko.

I rolled my eyes. "What?"

"Don't miss me much," he said with a wink.

Ampuuu~

I need not to forget that he's a hotshot in this game—his game. He cooks sweet words for breakfast, and eats innocent girls' heart for lunch, all these just so he could sleep satisfied at night.

But okay, 'cause I am not just a girl. I am Viennica. I've gone through the rough road so I'm sure I can handle him. And I will handle him.

Come Friday we were really busy. Hmm. At least they were, especially my cousin. Chill lang ako because that's just who I am.

All were busy running around the hotel. Going back and forth, and being just the crazy people that they were. Pero kapag naman may inuutos sila sa akin ay of course, G lang ako. I really don't have a knack with organizing and all but I'm not a snob of the event, ano! I really want Juju's birthday to be a blast and successful.

So now I'm helping Jules arrange the souvenirs for the kids on the table.

"I still can't believe I have to ditch classes for this! Kung bakit naman kasi weekday pinili ni Kuya mag-celebrate!"

I shrugged. "It's Juju's first birthday. I think it's just okay to do it on the exact day."

"You don't have to remind me. I just wanted to whine," she grunted.

See that? See that trait? It runs in our blood.

"So, okay," she started again, and successfully changed to business-ready version Jules. "We just have to greet some of the guests, especially Kuya's in-laws who came all the way from the province pa."

"Pero hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko..." I pouted.

"That. Just charm them with that pouting of yours," sabi niya kasabay ang irap. Tumayo siya at maingay na ibinagsak ang kamay sa table. "Also, find your sunshine! We don't want to miss any special moment on camera."

I huffed. "Why do I have to find him? You're the one who hired him."

"Because you have no use for anything else, Viennica! Now, go..."

Tumayo na ako kasi nanlaki na ang mata ni dear cousin. And of course, I'm still in on my goody-good-obedient-cousin persona today only because I love Juju.

Ginawa ko na ang best ko para hanapin ang dapat hanapin. Habang umiikot ay sinunod ko na rin iyong sinabi ni Jules na bumati sa mga bisita.

I saw Kuya Lenard with Baby Juju in one corner. May kausap sa phone si Kuya habang umiiyak ang pamangkin ko. And me being the superhero that I secretly was, I carefully took Juju from Kuya.

"Thank you," mouthed Kuya Lenard.

Kumindat ako like it's no big deal. "Yeah, I got this..."

When I got Juju safely in my arms, I started to roam around the place. Hindi pa rin siya tumitigil sa pag-iyak, so I tried to skip and even did rhythmic movements in hopes that I would make it fun for him.

Yeah right, I got this. I thought sarcastically.

"Stop crying na, baby..." halos paiyak ko na ring sabi. I'm also almost getting frustrated. Almost lang kasi ang cute pa rin niya!

I still kept on rocking him because I don't know what else to do. My eyes fished the crowd for his mom, or one of my cousins where I could pass him to.

"Wow. Now I wanna cry... just so you would call me baby."

When I looked at the person, I only saw the devil's lips smirking because his eyes were hidden behind his camera.

Bad shot! Again!

"'Wag ngayon, please," I pleaded with a roll of eyes.

Halos mag-break dance na ako habang karga si Baby Juju para lang mapatahan siya. He's already holding his milk bottle. I don't know what's wrong now.

"Jules said not to miss any moment. And this," tumigil siya para ngumisi. Muli, ay itinaas niya ang camera sa kanyang mata at itinuloy ang sasabihin, "is definitely a moment."

His camera flashed. Napakagat na lang ako sa labi ko dahil sa frustration. Pumadyak ako at mabilis siyang tinalikuran.

So, he already knew what to do. To just click and click and click. I didn't have to talk to him about that anymore.

Good! Because God knows that talking wasn't really possible with us.

Baby Juju struggled to move so he could look at something behind me. Nang inikot ko iyong katawan ko para sana tingnan iyon ay malakas na naman siyang umiyak.

Okay, sabi ko nga! So I twisted my body back again so that he could see what he wanted to see. Now he's surprisingly calm!

I'm thankful, but what was it ba?

"Hi, Juju on da beat! You like my shirt?" bibong sabi ni... oh, wow!

"Jerkrick, I swear... 'wag mong paiiyakin ito!"

Inosente siyang napahalakhak. "What? Ako nga ang nagpatahan sa kanya. Look, he's reaching for my shirt."

I made an effort to look without tearing my nephew's gaze away from him. Juju's short arms were really reaching for the shirt, with his cute little fingers clawing as he tried. Apparently, the design on the shirt caught his attention.

I let out a small laugh. What. A. Cutie!

"I can hold him for a while," he offered.

As usual ay ready na akong tumanggi, but then I heard a very familiar voice from behind. So I panicked. Mabilis kong nailipat si Baby Juju sa braso ni Jerkrick.

"You gotta be careful, Vie..." kumento niya. "This is a real-life baby. Pamangkin mo pa."

Nanginginig na ako. Hindi ko na mapansin-pansin ang sinasabi niya dahil sa presensya ng taong hindi ko gustong makita ngayong araw... o kailan man.

"I will look for Lenard," I heard Tita Lar said. "Please, find a seat first. Babalikan ko kayo kasama siya."

"No worries, Tita Lar! Maybe I'll find Lenard later instead so I could greet him and Juju," the familiar voice answered.

Here he was again with that lively voice of his. That voice and personality always worked well with the elders. Because, of course, who wouldn't want a respectable and lovable guy for their daughters, right?

I understand that segment, but never the part where he—

"Oh, there's Viennica, Wyatt," I heard Tita said.

Here's we go...

Jerrick was just watching me turn pale white. He was so distracted being confused he got taken aback when I snatched his camera, taking the lanyard over his shoulders.

"Vie..." called Wyatt.

Nagmadali akong magtago sa likod ng camera. It was a futile attempt, I know! But this was all I could do now.

"Juju... look at Viennica. Baby Juju," I called him in a sing-song voice. Nagpanggap ako na kinukuhanan siya ng picture kasama si Jerrick.

From the viewfinder, kitang-kita ko ang pagtataka ni Jerrick. Hindi niya alam kung ngingiti ba siya o hindi kaya in the end ay nagmukha lang siyang constipated na sealion.

Malakas akong natawa. Tapos siya, kumunot lang ang noo niya. I'm really enjoying it every time he looked so lost, or really losing his shit.

"Hi, Vie," Wyatt started. Matamlay at medyo mahina iyong boses niya pero rinig ko pa rin iyon.

I can already see him from my peripheral view, waiting for me to notice him. Ngunit nagpanggap pa rin ako na hindi siya napapansin.

Lumapit si Jerrick nang sobra hanggang sa matakpan ng dibdib niya ang lens ng camera. I glared at him when I looked up.

"Vie, let's change jobs now." Nilapit niya ang labi niya sa tenga ko. "Also, I think there's a relative waiting for you."

His head nodded to where Wyatt was, but I didn't let my eyes follow that direction. The last time I took that route, I got completely lost. So, never again, hah!

Wyatt is so not a relative, but also not relevant to my life anymore.

Umatras ako, hindi ko pa rin ibinabalik kay Jerkrick ang camera niya.

"Vie, can we talk?" pursued Wyatt.

I guess I do have to face him to get rid of him. Huminga ako nang malalim. Pagkatapos ay nag-ready ako ng matamis na ngiti sa labi bago ko siya hinarap.

"Uy, buti nakapunta ka? It's nice to see you here! Have you seen Kuya Lenard already?" masigla kong tanong. I think sa sobrang sigla nang kinalabasan ng acting ko ay halos napatulala na lang siya.

I need to work on this pretending thing. Hindi pa ako magaling!

"He's on his phone when I saw him a while ago. Mamaya ko na lang siya aabalahin," he gently kidded. Mahina pa siyang tumawa.

Muntik nang ako naman iyong matulala dahil sa ngiti niya. But then Jerrick nudged my shoulder, thank you.

"Vie, my camera," he whispered again. Tinayuan ako ng balahibo dahil sa hininga niya niyang umabot sa tenga ko.

Napalunok si Wyatt at maagap na umiwas ng tingin.

Lumayo ako ulit kay Jerrick! Nanginginig nang slight ang kamay ko nang iabot ko kay Wyatt ang camera.

"Sorry, is it okay? Take a picture of the three of us?"

I saw that he was a bit shocked for a split second. When he recovered, nahihiya siyang ngumiti at kinuha ang camera.

"Sure! Sure," maagap niyang sabi.

"Thank you!" I said sweetly. Iyong sobrang tamis pwede na siyang magka-diabetes.

When I looked back at Jerrick, tila nag-triple ang pagtataka niya. He looked at me as if asking, "What the heck is happening?"

Pinandilatan ko siya at sinabing, "Just smile, please? It's a truce for now. Let's be mean to each other later."

Napangisi siya. "I'm not following you, Vie. But okay. I'll only say yes because your beautiful face right now exhibits a clear sign of desperation."

I made a face. Kainis, eh. Babanat pa, hindi na lang ngumiti.

Umayos ako ng postura sa gilid niya. I readied a perfect smile for the camera. But really, who am I kidding? Itong ngiti kong ito ay para sa taong nasa tapat ko. Iyong kukuha ng litrato ko at ng mga inosenteng tao na dinamay ko.

I needed to give him the smile of my imaginary success. Gusto ko makita niya na masaya ako ngayon—that I am doing frickin' good with my life right now.

It's gonna make me feel good if he assumed that he's worth nothing to me now.

Kinuha ni Jerrick ang baywang ko para ilapit ako sa kanila ni Baby Juju. Nawala ang ngiti ko at napasinghap ako nang bahagya dahil sa ginawa niya.

I'm almost ready to glare at him when he said, "Temporary truce, right? This is how I am with good friends. So let me."

I rolled my eyes, but then smiled again. Nakadungaw pa rin siya sa akin nang ngumiti siya pabalik at mahinang napahalakhak. For a second there, his smile seemed genuine to me.

"Marami na..." paningit na sabi ni Wyatt.

Oh, done already? Pero hindi pa ako nakakangiti nang maayos na nakatingin sa camera.

"Ah, okay." I laughed shyly then reached to take the camera back.

Kung bakit tila tumiklop ako kaagad ay hindi ko alam!

"Sunshine, don't pout. I'll take your solo photos later," mahinang kumento ni Jerkrick habang natatawa.

"It's not that!" Hinampas ko ang braso niya. Kinuha ko na rin si Baby Juju sa kanya pagkatapos kong ibalik sa kanya ang camera.

"Viennica," called Wyatt again in the middle of my conversation with Jerrick. "I'll just catch up with you later."

Marahan siyang tumango bago naglaho sa paningin ko. A part of me felt victorious because he looked rather disappointed at something, but another part of me was just outrageously confused and pissed.

Wala dapat siyang dahilan para maging disappointed. But I am well aware that he is. Or... I don't know, baka mali na naman pala ako. Hindi naman yata ako tumama pagdating sa kanya.

I shooed Jerrick away so that he could continue with his job. I know he's doing it for free, pero wala namang namilit sa kanya. Well, okay, iyong pinsan at mga kaibigan ko.

Binawi na ni Kuya Lenard si Baby Juju sa akin at nagsimula na ang program. Sa kalagitnaan ng program ay nakihalubilo ako sa mga pinsan ko. Some people in our family were absent because it's still a Friday and they have work, if not classes. Like my mom and dad, who were always on a hustle.

It was fine for Kuya Lenard dahil may paparating naman na family dinner. This event was just for the other guests.

"Girl, tingin nang tingin sayo si Wyatt," sabi ni Cara pagkalapit niya sa akin. "Susunggab ka na ba ulit?"

I scoffed. "Hoy, anong ulit? Never ko 'yan ginawa! And can I just say... wala nang dapat ulitin."

She mockingly nodded at me, as if saying she won't believe anything I'll say. "Yeah, uhuh..."

"Seryoso ako. If I say that I am done with a person, I legitimately am."

"Yeah, okay—wait, see?! Did you see that? He glanced again!" she squeaked. Nanlalaki pa ang mata niya habang nakaturo siya sa gawi ni Wyatt.

Kinuha ko ang kamay niya para ibaba iyon. Hinigit ko siya palabas ng event hall.

"Kalma, Cara! Baka makita tayo ng mga pinsan ko at magkaroon pa ng ibang impression sa kanila!"

"What impression?"

"Na gusto ko ulit iyon!" I grunted. I couldn't believe I had to say that out loud, as if the answer wasn't obvious enough.

My cousins? Hindi pa rin sila nakaka-move on sa amin ni Wyatt. Which I do get and don't, both at the same time. Only my girl cousins were mad at him. But the boys, they were cruel to him at first, but as a family friend they got civil.

Palagi nila akong inaasar about my silly heartbreak. But it died down dahil medyo matagal na iyon. Ngayon, kung magkakaroon sa kanila ng kahit anong impression, then I know that I'll be doomed. It's gonna reignite a fire for sure.

"Sige na, I'll stop," she surrendered. "Pero kasi mga naka-three times siyang sumulyap sayo in the span of one minute. Grabe!"

"Cara!" I called to stop her, shaking her on her shoulders. "Cara, what did I say?"

She rolled her eyes and puffed out a sigh. "Hindi na tayo kita ng mga pinsan mo. But fine!"

I think I needed some air. Lumabas ako ng event area to look for the mobile bar. Yes, the adults needed to hide the cool stuff from the kids.

When I saw the bar after a turn in the hallway, I told myself, "not to this kid, no."

Hindi ako madalas uminom, yet I am not new to alcohol. But I just couldn't really remember the names of signature drinks, so ang hiningi ko na lang ay kung ano iyong recommended ng bartender.

There's just a few people getting drinks from the bar. And just now, Jerkrick added to the list.

And, oh! Before I forgot, I have to break the truce. It's hard being nice to him, especially now that I'm having the urge to drive him away again.

"Hey. Cosmo," suwabe niyang sabi sa bartender. For a second there, I thought Cosmo iyong pangalan ng bartender.

Sa gilid ng mata ko ay pinapanood ko siya habang hinihintay niya ang in-order niyang cocktail.

After he got it, he finally spoke to me, "Who was that?"

He's still curious, huh. So I just shrugged and answered like it's not big of a deal, "Just an ex-crush."

"Ah, hindi naman gwapo," kaswal niyang sabi. Then he drank his cocktail straight-up. Slamming the cocktail glass on the counter surface, he turned to the bartender for another one, "Black Russian."

Awtomatikong tumaas ang isa kong kilay. "At ikaw, gwapo?"

Both of his hands rested on the bar so he could support his weight. Because of my rhetorical question, he tilted his head a little down to the side so he could hide a smirk.

He could try, but I'll always catch it!

Marahan niyang ibinalik ang tingin niya sa akin. Namumungay pa ang kanyang mga mata. His body was still slightly lowered, and because of that angle his jaw was accentuated.

Kumurap ako nang mabilis at tinapos ito sa pag-irap para mukha akong strong pa rin. I am trying so hard not to swallow the lump in my throat!

Tuluyan nang lumitaw iyong ngisi niya noong umiwas ako ng tingin.

At habang may mayabang na ngiti sa labi niya, sinabi niya sa malamig niyang boses, "Tingin ka sa akin para makuha mo ang sagot."

Hindi ko na kinaya. Kinagat ko na ang labi ko habang nagmumura sa isip!

"If you're brave look at me, Viennica..."

Fuck.

I scoffed and turned my back on him so I could storm off. I am brave, but not that brave!