#OLASweetNemesis

Chapter 20
Better

Keno wore a deep frown while we waited for Nikko to arrive. Hindi ko sinunod ang gusto niyang mangyari na huwag nang isama si Nikko. The little devil on my left shoulder wanted to rebel against him, and it won against the angel. Kaya bukod sa pag-i-invite kay Nikko, I even asked him to pick me up at home.

I enjoyed seeing him annoyed and frustrated. I felt relieved that I could somehow get even that way.

A minute before our promised time, Keno checked his wrist watch, then looked at me and said, "He's late."

Inirapan ko siya at humalukipkip. Wala pa nga late na agad?

Bago pa lumipas ulit ang isang minuto, I saw a familiar car approaching the driveway. I smiled and made a face at Keno. "See? He's just right on time. Never akong pinaghintay ni Nikko."

Napakunot ang noo ni Keno. "I never made you wait. I was always on time."

Yeah, he's technically right, but I'm talking about something else kaya hindi ko na siya papatulan.

Lumabas si Nikko mula sa driver's seat. Mukha pa ring pang K-Pop idol ang pormahan niya. Even though the weather was hot and humid, he wore a brown drop-shoulder cardigan over his beige top and pants. He looked so clean and smart. No wonder girls would give him a second glance every time we were out to stroll in the mall, lalo na 'yung mga chinito.

"Good afternoon," Nikko greeted with a bright smile on his face. "Sorry. Did I make you wait?"

"Yes."

"No."

Napakunot ang noo ko nang nakisabay sa pagsagot si Keno. Nilingon ko siya't sinamaan ng tingin. Mukhang sinasapian na naman siya.

"Oh. Sorry. I'll come earlier next time," agad namang sabi ni Nikko na mas nadinig ang sagot ni Keno.

"No, no. It's totally fine at hindi naman ako naghintay. You're just right on time. Maaga lang ako natapos mag-ayos," sabi ko naman.

"Okay, then..." Nikko smiled and nodded. "Shall we go now?"

"Sure!"

Nikko offered me his hand, which I immediately took. Pinagbuksan niya rin ako ng pinto ng sasakyan. Nang makapasok naman ako sa loob ay agad kong nakitang sumakay na rin si Keno sa SUV na nakaparada sa harapan. Parang tinatagalan niya pa talagang paandarin ang sasakyan bago kami nakaalis dahil siya ang nauuna sa amin.

"Does your bodyguard know where we're going?" tanong ni Nikko nang parang sinusundan namin si Keno.

"Yes," sabi ko. "It's his ex-girlfriend's coffee shop."

"Oh, wow." Nikko glanced at me. His face screamed amusement. "Is it okay for him to attend the opening?"

"They ended their relationship on good terms, I think. Wala silang sama ng loob sa isa't isa," I told him. "I even think they still have lingering feelings for each other."

"They do?"

Tumango ako. "I'm planning to help them get back to each other, kaya pupunta tayo roon. He won't come kapag siya lang. He takes his job very seriously, and he doesn't want a day off."

"You will?" Nikko sounded a bit doubtful.

I gave him the brightest smile I could. "Yup! I'm gonna be their cupid." Their stupid cupid.

Medyo mabilis lang din kaming nakarating sa venue. Nasa ibaba ng isang commercial building ang coffee shop. It wasn't as big as I expected. Parang medyo mas malaki pa ang kwarto ko, but Cess already told me beforehand that it was just a small café kaya nahihiya pa siyang i-invite ako noong una.

The theme was more on the industrial side. The walls looked unfinished, and her furniture consisted of gray, white, and black. She didn't go for a cute Korean style with white and wood aesthetics like how I wanted mine to look, kaya nakahinga ako nang maluwag.

Hawak ang dala kong bulaklak as a congratulatory gift, I went down the car. Naghihintay na agad si Keno sa side na 'yon. Inabot ko sa kanya ang bulaklak at ilang segundo niya pa 'yong tiningnan bago nag-angat ng tingin sa akin.

"What?" Keno asked.

"Ikaw na ang magbigay kay Cess. She'd be happier to receive it from you," I said, forcefully grabbing his hand to hand the bouquet over.

Nang maibigay ko na sa kanya ang bouquet, lumapit na ako kay Nikko upang sabay kaming pumasok sa loob ng coffee shop. Si Joseph ang sumalubong sa akin na nakita na ako sa labas pa lang. Agad naman sumunod sa kanya si Cess na iniwan ang kausap upang malapitan ako.

"Welcome po! Buti nakapunta kayo. I reserved a table po," tuwang-tuwang sabi ni Cess at binati niya rin si Nikko.

"Of course." I smiled at her. "By the way, nasa labas si Keno."

Napaawang bahagya ang kanyang mga labi. Her eyes immediately searched for Keno outside.

"Ayain mo na rito sa loob, girl! Ako na bahala kina Ms. Hari at sa date niya," sabi naman ni Joseph na mukhang todo suporta rin sa kanilang dalawa.

"Uhm... okay..." medyo nag-aalangan niyang pagpayag.

Joseph led us to our table and took our orders. Biniro ko pa siya na may oras pa siyang mag-part time kahit na patayan na ang schedule niya sa trabaho dahil kay Kuya Xavi.

Ang mga nasa katabi naming lamesa ay nakatingin din sa labas at mukhang pinapanood ang pagkikita nina Keno at Cess. Ang isang babae pa sa kanila ay hindi maitago ang kilig. I couldn't help but eavesdrop while we were waiting for our order.

"Grabe! Sila pa rin pala talaga no?" namamanghang sabi ng babaeng kinikilig.

"Nag-break sila alam ko! Nagkabalikan siguro ulit."

"Soulmates talaga. Meant to be."

"Uy grabe kayo! Paano kung friends na lang pala sila talaga?" suway ng isa.

Tama! Bakit nila ina-assume na nagkabalikan silang dalawa or sila pa rin hanggang ngayon? They should look at reality na may possibility na hindi sila. Baka maging awkward pa ang dalawa.

"Friends na may pa-flowers pa?"

Excuse me! I prepared the flowers! Sa kanya ko lang pinabigay.

I wanted to butt in and correct them, but I stopped myself from showing my fangs.

"Bawal ba magbigay ng flowers sa kaibigan?" the woman argued.

I'm liking this woman! She nailed all the points that should be brought up in their conversation.

"Grabe naman, Aira. Parang ayaw mo silang magkabalikan," the other one sounded offended as their friend kept popping their bubble.

"I'm just trying to be realistic. Nakakahiya rin kina Keno at Cess kapag hindi na pala sila. Baka magkailangan pa 'yung dalawa."

Muntik na akong tumango bilang pagsang-ayon. Buti na lang at napigilan ko rin ang sarili.

"'Di ba umalis si Keno after nila mag-break ni Cess?" kuryosong tanong ng lalaking kasama nila.

"Nasaktan talaga siguro. Sino ba naman kasing mag-aakalang makikipag-break sa kanya si Cess, 'di ba? Ang sweet-sweet pa naman nila noon."

"Kaya mas lalong hindi dapat tayo magpadalos-dalos, guys," sabi ni Aira.

"Hay, ewan! Basta ako ship ko pa rin silang dalawa."

"Same!"

"Prom queen at king natin 'yan, e!"

They laughed in unison while reminiscing. My brows furrowed as I learned more about their past relationship. However, despite the envy and pain harboring inside me, I still wanted to hear more, so I kept quiet while pretending to scroll through my phone.

"Ay teka! Naalala ko pa, sabi ni Cess dati na si Keno ang ideal husband niya."

"Oo, at si Cess din ang ideal girl ni Keno. Feeling ko sa altar na talaga ang ending nilang dalawa," sabi pa ng isa.

I bit my lip hard, tasting the bitterness of insecurity. Hindi ako makapaniwala. Ako? Mai-insecure?

I mean, I don't want to brag, but I have almost every material thing that anyone covets. Wala na dapat akong problema. Hindi na dapat ako maiinggit dahil mayaman ako at ang pamilya ko kaya nasa akin na dapat ang lahat. Napaka-ungrateful ko naman kung hindi pa ako kuntento sa buhay na mayroon ako, 'di ba?

"Hari."

Natigilan ako sa pakikinig sa kabilang table nang madinig ko ang pagtawag ni Nikko sa atensyon ko. I turned to him with my eyes wide open, like I was caught red-handed.

"Yes, Nikko?" I said, trying to keep myself composed.

"Are you okay?" Napakunot ang noo niya sa pag-aalala. "You suddenly went quiet... and looked really bothered."

Nikko was really observant. Ilang beses ko nang napatunayan 'yon tuwing umaalis kaming dalawa. O baka talagang nagiging madali na lang para sa ibang tao ang basahin ako as I felt like I had been putting my guards down more often these days.

"Nothing. Naging interested lang ako sa topic nila," sabi ko nang medyo mababa ang boses upang hindi marinig nang mga nasa kabilang lamesa. "Sorry for being so engrossed with eavesdropping on other people's chika. This is embarrassing."

"It's not something you should be embarrassed about..." Tipid na ngumiti si Nikko. "I guess you care about your bodyguard so much if you wanna learn more about him."

"Uhm, not really. I'm just thinking na maybe tama 'yung isa... Hindi na dapat ako makialam or whatever. I should just let nature take its course."

The truth was, I couldn't seem to make sense of my own words. Hindi ko na maintindihan ang sarili. I was so confused. My thoughts were unstable. Hindi ko na alam kung ano ang gusto ko talagang mangyari. I was rooting for them to get back together to completely move on, but I also hoped they'd remain ex-lovers or just friends so I would have a chance.

It was actually terrifying how he could easily affect me... to see how much I had changed after meeting him or, maybe, after I fell in love with him.

I badly needed to make up my mind. I couldn't let myself be easily swayed. If I wanted to push him away, I had to do it with more conviction. I couldn't keep hoping every time I saw a glimmer of hope, like a fool waiting in vain.

"Ito na 'yung drinks ninyo saka cookies." Nakabalik na si Joseph kasama ang order namin.

Napatitig ako sa cookies at naalala ang sarili kong gawa. For him, it tasted mediocre. I wasn't sure if it was really my pride talking, but I wanted him to hear more praise from him. Hindi 'yung para siyang napipilitan na masarapan sa cookies ko.

"Thanks, Joseph," bati ni Nikko sa kanya.

"You're very much welcome," sabi naman ni Joseph bago tumingin sa akin. "Tawagin mo lang ako if may iba pa kayong gusto o kailangan."

I nodded and smiled at Joseph. Muling nagpasalamat si Nikko sa kanya.

Saktong pagkaalis niya sa table ay siyang pagdating ni Keno kasama si Cess. His eyes were fixated on me right away. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at uminom na lang ng iced coffee, lalo na nang tawagin siya ng mga mutual friend nila ng ex-girlfriend niya.

"Keno! Long time, no see!"

"Hindi ka na nagparamdam sa amin!"

"Mas gumwapo ah!"

"Si Cess lang pala ang magpapalabas sa 'yo ulit!"

Kumuha ako ng isang cookie. No matter how bitter I felt, I still took a bite while the table beside us continued making noises I'd beg not to hear. Ayaw ko sanang pansinin, pero dinig na dinig ko.

"Syempre, Keno wouldn't miss this for the world. Siya ang number one supporter ni Cess, 'di ba?" pang-iinis nila sa dalawa.

"Uy, huwag kayong ganyan. Nakakahiya kay Keno," pigil ni Cess sa kanila.

"Naalala ko lang kasi kwento mo sa akin noon, Cess. Sabi mo super suportado ka ni Keno sa dream mong magkaroon ng coffee shop someday tapos nagkatotoo na at nandito pa siya!" Hindi mapigilan ng isa ang pagsasalita. I bet she was the biggest shipper of them ever since.

"Magkaibigan lang kami ni Cess," paglilinaw naman ni Keno.

"Magkaibigan na dating magka-ibigan," sabi ng isa.

"Muling ibalik na kasi..." kantiyaw pa nung lalaki.

Ibinaba ko ulit ang cookie sa platito. I suddenly lost my appetite.

I forced a smile as I looked up at Nikko. It seemed he had been watching me for a while, especially when our eyes met.

"Do you want to go out? I saw a park nearby. You might want to take a walk," Nikko asked, as if he could sense how much I wanted to leave.

"Yes, please," I said to him, my voice sounding a bit eager.

"Let's go." He picked up both his iced coffee and mine before standing up. "I'll bring this for you."

Sumunod na rin ako sa kanya sa pagtayo na siyang dahilan kung bakit napatingin sa amin si Keno. Humakbang siya palapit sa amin. I glanced at his friends and saw them a little confused when their friend attended to me. Agad akong napaayos ng tayo at taas-noong tumingin sa ibang direksyon.

"Where are you going?" tanong ni Keno at mabilis na sinulyapan si Nikko.

"None of your business," I coldly said.

Keno opened his mouth to speak, pero naunahan na siya ni Nikko.

"I invited Hari on a walk at the park nearby," Nikko told Keno, glancing at me as if offering support.

Keno's expression tightened, revealing his hesitation. "Sasama ako."

"No need," I quickly intervened. "You can stay here."

"I'll come—"

"Aalis na kayo, Hari?" Naputol ang pagsasalita ni Keno nang lumapit sina Joseph at Cess. "Ang bilis naman."

I smiled at Joseph. "May pupuntahan lang kami ni Nikko," sabi ko saka nilingon si Cess. "Thank you for inviting me. I'll come visit to buy coffee if ever na magawi ako ulit here."

"You're always welcome here po, Ma'am Hari. Thank you po ulit sa pagpunta," sabi naman ni Cess.

"Hatid ko na kayo sa labas, Hari," alok ni Joseph.

"No need. Kaya na namin ni Nikko," pagtanggi ko.

Umayos ng tayo si Keno at saka humarap na rin kina Cess at Joseph. "I'll take my leave, too—"

"No." Pinigilan ko si Keno sa pagpapaalam. Napakunot ang noo niya sa akin. "Ayos lang sa akin na mag-stay ka rito. I don't mind. Your friends are here. You can spend time with them. Kasama ko naman si Nikko, so it's okay."

Cess seemed a bit embarrassed. I gently tapped her shoulder, smiled at Joseph, and then left with Nikko. Hindi naman na nagpumilit pa si Keno sa pagsama kaya baka gusto niya naman talagang manatili.

Pinagbuksan ako ni Nikko ng pinto at inalalayan papasok sa kanyang sasakyan. He then gave me my iced coffee before he closed the door and went to the driver's seat. Inilapag niya ang inumin niya sa cup holder bago pinaandar ang makina ng sasakyan.

"Your seatbelt, please," paalala niya sa akin.

"Oh, right..." sabi ko na parang medyo wala sa sarili. Inilagay ko na rin sa isa pang vacant cup holder ang iced coffee bago isinuot ang seatbelt.

After fastening my seatbelt, I glanced ahead and noticed Keno, who had just exited the coffee shop. Akala ko'y sasakay na rin siya sasaskayan niya upang sumunod sa amin, ngunit nanatili lang siyang nakatayo sa labas. He stayed put, gazing fixedly at the car window to meet my eyes. I sensed the brewing anger in his gaze, despite his calm demeanor.

I was about to avert my eyes when I saw Cess, who followed him outside. Tumayo siya sa tabi ni Keno at kumaway sa amin bilang pagpaaalam. I hated admitting it, but they really looked good together. Tama lang ang height difference nila, and I could tell they have a lot of similarities.

Nikko honked once to acknowledge their presence. He then skillfully drove the car out of the parking lot and onto the main road. And once they were out of sight, I rested my back on the seat and couldn't help but exhale heavily.

"You know..."

I craned my neck to look at Nikko nang bigla siyang magsalita. His tight grip on the steering wheel made him seem a little hesitant to speak his mind.

"I don't really know what's going on, but..." Nikko began, his voice gentle as he looked back at me. "I just want to let you know that I can treat you better, Hari."

My lips parted, uncertainty clouding my expression. It was comforting to hear those words from him, yet the weight of my emotions held me back from fully accepting them.

"I'm serious about dating you..." he said earnestly. "If you'd let me... I'll show you what I truly mean."