CHAPTER EIGHT

KABABALIK lang ni Howell sa clinic niya nang maabutang naghihintay sa kanya ro'n si Margo Alcaraz. They are both resident doctors in Banchero Medical Center and her family is one of his family's close friends.

"Hi, how was the operation?" Margo asked and kissed his cheek.

It's very normal; he's used to it. Margo is such a sweet woman. Pero sa mga sandaling 'yon ay medyo napaatras siya nang dumampi ang malambot nitong labi sa kanyang pisngi.

Margo giggled when she noticed his sudden reaction.

"What's with that, Howell? It's just a kiss in the cheek," she teased and made her way to the sofa.

Howell removed his white coat and put it above his swivel chair.

"Nothing..."

"You must be tired. It took you six hours for that heart operation. How's the patient?"

Naupo siya sa swivel chair, nakararamdam na rin ng pagod. Kung wala lang si Margo ay sa silid niya siya dederetso para makapagpahinga.

"The operation was successful."

They did the coronary artery bypass. It was very risky, but he's confident that it will be successful with the help of his father and his colleagues. He's a resident doctor and being surrounded with the best doctors in Asia is already an achievement for him.

"Tito Wesly is really the best," Margo praised his father.

"Yeah," he agreed.

The truth is, his father was planning to have his early retirement. Kaya naman kailangan niyang mag-doble kayod pa para mapalitan ang ama. It doesn't pressure him because ever since, he knew that he's bound to replace his father's position.

Howell rested his head at the head rest of his chair and closed his eyes. He was trying to relax for a while, until he noticed Margo's footstep coming towards him.

"Need some massage?" Margo asked sweetly.

She is already behind his chair and slightly massaging his shoulder.

"No, it's fine."

"No, I know you need this. Just try. Marunong ako."

Wala na siyang nagawa nang marahang masahiin ni Margo ang kanyang balikat. Isang katarantaduhan kung sasabihin niyang hindi niya nagugustuhan ang masahe ni Margo. She's good. He's not sure if she took classes for it, but the way her fingers touched every part of his shoulder, it was very good.

"You're good," he whispered, it really relaxed him.

"Talaga?" He could almost feel her lips on his nape.

Napapikit siya. Kahit na gusto niya ang pagmamasahe nito, hindi naman siya sang-ayon sa maaaring kahantungan ng ginagawa ni Margo sa kanya.

"I think that's enough, Margo."

Hinawakan niya ang mga kamay ng dalaga upang pigilan dahil nararamdaman niya na ang paghalik-halik nito sa kanyang leeg.

"Hindi mo ba nagustuhan?" Nasa likod niya pa rin ito, nanatili ang mga brasong nakapayakap sa kanyang leeg.

"I like it. But that's enough for me. Thank you."

"Well... hindi ako tumatanggap ng thank you lang." Her voice became teasing.

Napailing siya nang bigla itong kumandong sa kanya.

"What?" he asked, tilting his head back to avoid her lips.

"I wonder if you already have a girlfriend." Margo's eyes narrowed. "But, if ever you have a girlfriend, your parents would not like her, unless she's in the medical field."

"Tapos na ba ang duty mo?" pag-iiba niya ng usapan.

"No, it's my break."

"Your break, but you're here, huh."

"Because I wanted to see you. Ilang araw kang wala. Hindi ka rin nagre-reply sa mga text message ko sa'yo. Where have you been?" Margo trailed her fingers on his jaw line. "Were you with your girlfriend?"

Not that he doesn't like Margo but what the fuck would he do if he doesn't see himself having sex with her? She's like a female friend to him. He's aware that Margo has something for him, but he always chose to ignore it. Still, he respects her and her feelings like what she deserves.

"Maaga pa ako bukas. If you mind..." He motioned the door.

"Pwede ba akong matulog dito kahit paminsan-minsan lang?"

Margo was looking at the door of his room.

"You're funny. You live near the hospital, just a next street from here."

"But... I still want to try to have a sleep over here. Unless, you let your girl sleep here? Hmm?"

Howell chuckled at that. She was trying to fish some information about his love life, but they both know she won't get any little information about his women.

"Maybe next time? So, for now, you better go back to work and let me rest."

Pareho silang napatingin sa ibabaw ng lamesa sa harap nila nang mag-vibrate ang cellphone niya at rumehistro sa screen kung kanino galing ang mensahe.

"Baby, huh," Margo murmured bitterly.

Imbes na sumagot ay hinawakan niya sa baywang si Margo para umalis sa kandungan niya. Inabot niya ang cellphone at binasa ang mensahe.

From: Baby
You lied to me. You said you don't have girlfriend, but you have. Kaya pala guwapo ka palagi dahil active ang sex life mo.

Nagsalubong ang mga makakapal niyang kilay habang binabasa 'yon. Where the fuck did she get that idea?

"Howell..." Margo kept on bothering him, but damn. Yane's message bothered him.

"Can you go back to work?" malamig na sabi niya sa dalaga. Pinipigilan niyang wag maging malupit dito.

Ayaw niyang sumabay si Margo lalo at nararamdaman niyang magkaka-problema siya ilang sandali pa.

"Oh, okay. Have a good night."

Margo looks a bit scared, but still managed to wave at him before walking towards the door and closed it.

GIGIL na gigil talaga si Yane sa mga sandaling 'yon. Hindi niya matanggap na nagsinungaling sa kanya si Howell. Kahit sabihing hindi naman sila magkaibigan o hindi sobrang close, pero sapat bang paglihiman siya ng binata? Gayong ang lahat ng ipinakita niya rito ay totoo at walang halong biro?

If felt like she's being played by him and she can't accept that fact because she knew to herself that she doesn't deserve it!

Pabaling-baling siya sa higaan dahil hindi na siya dinalaw pa ng antok, hanggang sa marinig niya ang doorbell ilang minuto pa ang nakalipas.

Yane's eyes narrowed when she imagined Howell's face outside the door, trying to explain himself.

Paano kung hindi naman talaga si Howell ang magpupunta ng gano'ng oras? Paano kung ibang tao? O magnanakaw? Lalaking may masamang balak? Tapos ay pagsasamantalahan siya?

Pinuno ng negatibong pangyayari ang isipan niya. Napalitan ang pag-ngingitngit niya ng takot dahil sa mga naiisip. Tiningnan niya ang balkonahe at nang makitang medyo hindi nakasara ang makapal na kurtina ay mabilis siyang tumayo at hinawi 'yon dahilan kung bakit hindi niya na makita ang labas.

Nasundan pa ang unang doorbell. Kung magpapatuloy ang pagtunog niyon, marapat lang na tingnan niya kung sino ang nasa labas! She hurriedly went to her shoulder bag and got the pepper spray.

Yane slowly walked towards the door. Napaigtad pa siya sa pangatlong pagtunog ng doorbell! Kakaba-kaba siya nang mabagal na sinilip niya sa peephole ang tao sa labas, nagbabakasakali na sana ay si Howell na lang kaysa lalaking hindi niya kilala at mukhang hindi mapagkakatiwalaan!

Yane's heart almost skipped a beat when she saw Howell outside. He looks problematic, waiting for her to open the door. Ngunit bumalik ang iritasyon niya nang makita ito, sa totoo lang!

Nanliliit ang mga mata nang galit na binuksan niya ang pinto. Mahigpit ang hawak niya sa pepper spray.

"Ano ang ginagawa mo rito? Sinabi ko na sa'yong ayaw kitang makita, ha! Bakit ka pa nandito?!"

On the other hand, when she opened the door and when Howell saw her, he looks relieved.

"Ah, kaya ka nandito dahil gusto mo mag-explain?" Pinangunahan niya na ito. "Well, I don't need your explanation, Doc Howell. Just keep it to yourself and I hope you can sleep well!"

Akmang malakas na isasara niya na ang pinto ang maagap nitong mapigilan na para bang wala lang ang pwersang pinakawalan niya!

Hindi niya 'yon nagustuhan kaya dumoble pa lalo ang galit niya sa kaharap!

"You look even prettier when mad." May aliw sa tono nito na nagpamanhid sa ulo niya.

"Don't use your charm on me!" Halos duruin niya ang doktor.

Pakiramdam niya sa sobrang galit niya ay namumula na ang buong mukha niya at parang dragon na handang-handa nang magbuga ng apoy sa kaaway. At itong kaharap niya ay animo tuwang-tuwa pang pinanonood siya sa pag-aalburoto niya.

"Why are you so mad at me?"

"Because you fucking lied to me!" she screamed angrily.

Nag-iinit na ang magkabilang sulok ng kanyang mga mata dahil marahil sa sobrang galit niya. Taas-baba rin ang dibdib niya. Umaalpas talaga ang emosyon niya.

Howell slowly closed his eyes when he realized that she was really mad. Bumuntong-hininga ito. Nang magmulat ng mga mata ay nabaanag niya na ang pagod dito.

"Listen-"

"I said, I don't want to hear your explanation!" she cut him off.

Howell pursed his lips, as if he's really amused. His reaction is not helping though. Is he making fun of her? Bakit aprang pinipigil nito ang matawa sa kanya?!

"I don't have a girlfriend. I made it clear to you." Marahan ang boses nito.

She can't look at him directly this time. Kinakalma niya rin ang sarili.

"Kung wala kang girlfriend, okay. Can you leave now?" magaspang na sabi niya.

"No. You're still mad at me. I need to do something for that."

Marahas siyang bumuntong-hininga. Ipinararamdam niya rito na hindi niya na ito gusto pang makausap o makita man lang.

"Who cares if I'm mad at you? For sure, makatutulog ka pa rin naman nang maayos kahit alam mong galit ako."

"Hindi." Napatingin siya kay Howell. Malamlam ang pagod na mga mata nito. "Hindi ako makatutulog nang maayos kapag alam kong galit ka sa'kin."

Halos irapan niya ang sarili nang makaramdam ng ginhawa sa sinabi nito. Ano? Kanina lang ay galit na galit siya ha. Saan na napunta ang galit niya sa kausap? Tinangay ng hangin?

"No, your conscience is the reason, not me."

"Yane, look..." Tila nahihirapan ito na i-explain ang sarili. "Ano ba ang gusto mong gawin ko? Gagawin ko, huwag lang tayong ganito."

Napanguso siya. Umirap siya at nag-iwas ulit ng tingin. Why the hell does he look so stressed at her?

"Patingin ng cellphone mo." Matapang na inilahad niya ang kamay sa harap nito, nakataas ang isang kilay.

Tiningnan ni Howell ang kamay niya tapos ay napabuntong-hininga ulit. Kalaunan, kinuha nito ang cellphone sa bulsa na lihim na nagpangiti sa kanya. He put the password before giving to her.

Yane's cheeks burned so bad when she saw his wallpaper. It was her!

It's a stolen shot from the infinity pool of Altaraza Hotel while she was watching the sunrise. It was their third day. She's wearing a royal blue two piece swimsuit. Her long hair is wet and straight.

Umasta siyang hindi big deal ang wallpaper nito sa kanya pero sa loob-loob niya ay hindi magkandamayaw ang pintig ng kanyang puso.

"Can I come inside?"

Sinulyapan niya lang ito bago tinalikuran at nag-umpisa nang kalkalin ang gallery nito. She heard the closing of the door and Howell's footsteps behind her.

Sa silid siya dumeretso at naupo sa kama niya. Hindi niya na pinansin pa si Howell na sa balkonahe niya dumeretso. He checked outside and the locks.

"It's raining," Howell informed her, but she's too busy looking at his gallery and finding some evidence that he has a girlfriend.

Ang hindi niya lang inaasahan ay ang mga nakaw na litratong kuha nito sa kanya nang magkasama sila sa hotel. Iba't-ibang anggulo. May tahimik at nakatawa rin.

Sa huli, wala siyang nakitang ibang litrato ng babaeng kasama nito. Pawang mga patungkol sa medisina at doktor ang imaheng naroon. Bukod pa sa mga kasamahan nito sa hospital. Staffs and nurses. Bilang lang sa daliri ang group picture.

"May nakita ka ba?" May bahid ng kompyansa at yabang sa tono nito.

Umirap lang siya at inubos talaga ang laman ng gallery hanggang sa mapukaw ang atensyon niya ng isang litrato. Dalawang babaeng magkasama, kapwa nakasuot ng puting mahabang coat. The first one is in her mid fifties, while the other one looks like Howell's age.

"Who are they?" Ipinakita niya kay Howell ang screen.

"It's my mom and... Margo." Kung bakit ay nagduruda siya sa babaeng nag-ngangalang Margo. "She's just a family friend," dagdag nito na para bang nalaman ang pagduruda niya.

"Can I open your messages?" she asked. Was it too much?

"Go ahead, if that makes you feel good. I don't mind at all."

Hinawi nito nang bahagya ang makapal na kurtina at napansin niya ang malakas na buhos ng ulan. Nagmo-moist na rin ang salamin na pintuan.

Naupo si Howell sa couch at sumandal habang nakatingin sa labas.

Her finger tapped his inbox and saw that he has unread message and it was from... Margo! Kahit hindi niya buksan ay nababasa niya naman ang laman ng mensahe.

From: Margo
Hi Howell, I hope you enjoyed the massage as much as how much I enjoyed doing it to you.

Kumulo ang dugo niya at muntik nang ibato ang cellphone kay Howell na naabutan niyang nakapikit na ang mga mata, nakasandal.

"May text message si Margo sa'yo," kalmadong sabi niya.

"Read it for me please."

Nakapikit pa rin ito habang siya ay nanggagalaiti na naman sa galit!

"Margo said..." Napalunok siya. "Hi Howell, I hope you enjoyed the massage as much as how much I enjoyed doing it to you." Sinadya niyang lambingan ang boses habang binabasa.

The image of Howell and Margo in one room popped up in her dirty mind. Nakahubad si Howell at minamasahe ni Margo. Saang parte kaya minasahe itong lalaking 'to?!

Pagod na dumilat si Howell at napahilot sa sintido. Sumakit yata ang ulo. At nang makitang tumayo siya sa kama at gigil na susugurin niya ito ay kalmado itong umayos ng upo, naghihintay sa kanya para sa apoy niyang ibubuga.

"Sayo na 'tong cellphone mo!" Hinagis niya sa tiyan nito iyon nang makalapit siya. "Nag-enjoy ka ba sa massage session niyo? Si Margo kasi nag-enjoy."

Inilapag nito ang cellphone sa gilid at akmang aabutin ang mga kamay niya pero mabilis niyang iniwas ito kaya napabuntong-hininga ito.

She's standing angrily in front of him. Tila mas galit pa siya kaysa sa malakas na buhos ng ulan.

"Let's not talk about it-"

"No, let's talk about it!"

"Goddamnit,"h murmured a curse.

"Massage therapist ba si Margo?" hinuha niya.

Kung oo, siguradong mapahihiya siya sa inaasta niya, pero kung hindi? Nakagagalit!

"No."

"Bakit ka niya minasahe? Nagpamasahe ka?" pag-iimbestiga niya pa na animo boyfriend niya si Howell at nag-cheat sa kanya.

"Hindi."

"Minasahe ka?"

Howell let out a frustrated breath. He looked up at her; he looks really tired. Tila ba pinipilit na lang nitong magising para lang pakinggan siya... and to deal with her and her behavior at the moment.

"Sa balikat lang."

"Minasahe ka nga!"

"I did not expect it though."

"Nagustuhan mo naman?" Nanliliit ang mga mata niya at baka nanlilisik pa nga.

"She's good."

His honesty is making her annoyed!

"Eh, di, do'n ka na sa kanya!" Tapos ay tinalikuran niya ito.

Ang hindi niya inaasahan ay ang paghila nito sa kamay niya kaya napaupo siya sa kandungan nito. Hindi siya kaagad nakapag react!

"I'm really, really tired... but I couldn't rest because I need to deal with this little dragon," he whispered tiredly.

"Hindi ako dragon!"

Yane tried to escape, but Howell didn't let her. Masyadong matigas at mabigat ang mga braso nitong nagkukulong sa kanya.

"I didn't know you're a jealous type."

"I'm not!" mariing sagot niya. "I didn't know that you're like your friends, womanizer!"

Howell let out an amused short laugh. His minty breath hit her neck.

"Womanizer, huh. Saan mo ba nakukuha ang mga salitang 'yan?"

"Wag mong ibahin ang usapan-ay!" tili niya nang magdilim ang buong paligid na sinabayan ng malalakas na kulog at kidlat na ang repleksyon ay pumapasok sa loob.

Sa pagkabigla at takot ay napayakap siya kay Howell nang mahigpit. She buried her face on his neck and to be honest, he fucking smells good.

"W-Wag kang uuwi," bilin niya, na may halong pagbabanta pa.

"Do you want me to stay?"

"Bakit? Iiwan mo ako nang ganito ang sitwasyon?" medyo kabado niyang tanong.

"Of course not." Howell gently brushed her hair. "I will stay... with you," he said and planted a small kiss above her head.

Unti-unti siyang nag-angat ng tingin, ngunit sa sobrang dlim ay hindi sinasadyang magtama ang kanilang mga labi.

Nanlaki bahagya ang kanyang mga mata. Sa lambot ng labi nito at sa pagkabigla niya ay hindi siya kaagad nakapag-react.

Did they really kiss?

Howell groaned before he moved his lips sensually, urging her to move.