M A X E N E

Nagising na lang ako nang tamaan ng sinag ng araw ang mga mata ko. Ang sakit ng ulo ko. Pakiramdam ko naikot na naman ang paligid ko kahit hindi naman ako nakasakay sa merry-go-round. Sinubukan kong tumayo at tulad ng nakaraan nagising ako ng naka-underwear lang ako.

Teka deja vu ba ito? Nasaan ba ako?

Bago ako mag panic, sinuri ko muna ang lugar, pamilyar naman ito at nang tumingin ako sa bandang pintuan, nakita ko si Travis na seryoso akong pinagmamasdan, kaagad ko namang tinakpan ang sarili ko dahil nga naka-underwear lang ako. Kanina pa ba siya diyan? Bastos! "What the hell am I doing here?" sigaw kong patanong sa kanya. I noticed that he has those dark circles around his eyes, puyat ba siya o nag-adik kagabi?

"Are you up?" he asked, it's obvious on his face that he is exhausted, "Pupunta pa akong school, please tell me your schedule." malumanay niyang pakiusap sa akin. Himala, hindi ata siya inis ngayon?

I checked my phone, "May shoot ako mamayang hapon. I told you that yesterday."

"You did. What you didn't tell me was you went to a bar last night alone." may diin ang ilang salita sa kanyang tugon habang seryosong nakatingin sa akin. Para siyang may pinapagalitan na bata, "Mahirap bang i-update ako sa kung ano ang gagawin mo?"

Napalunok ako. Ang aga-aga, sermon.

"That's just me taking care of my boredom?" palusot ko sa kanya, nakita ko siyang umismid at umiling na parang walang kwenta ang dahilan ko sa kanya, "So bakit ako nandito ulit? I'm sure I have my keys in my purse. You should have driven me home."

"Drunk Maxene is dangerous," he says monotonously, "And drunk Maxene is stupid."

"Ano naman ang ibig sabihin noon?" dumiretso siya sa side table at iniwan ang gamot kasama ng isang basong tubig.

"Drink that." utos niya sa akin at humikab.

"Are you going to school, eh mukhang pagod na pagod ka eh." I uttered with a friendly tone yet he glared at me. Teka, may kasalanan na naman ba ako sa kanya?

"Dalian mo kumilos para sabay na tayong umalis dito." reklamo niya at sabay na rin lumabas ng guest room. Dali-dali naman ako dumiretso sa banyo para sana maghilamos at magsipilyo. Kainis! Wala pala akong baon na toothbrush sa pouch ko. I smelled my breath... Yuck! I tried to use Travis's mouthwash para naman kahit papaano, mabawasan ang baho ng bibig ko mula sa mga alak na nainom ko kagabi. Sa bahay na lang ako mamaya maliligo at mag totoothbrush ng maayos. Laking gulat ko na lang nang biglang pumasok ang puyat na si Travis at sinampay ang tuwalya niya sa may rack. Ano kayang ginawa ng taong ito para mapuyat ng ganoon? Sobra ba siyang tumutok sa review kagabi?

He lifted his shirt that made me swallow an invisible apple. Obvious naman kasi na may tao sa banyo, hindi ba? Nagawa pa niyang tumingin sa akin at ngumisi ng nakakaloko, "Are you going to leave or are you going to watch me take a bath?"

"Alam mo namang nasa loob ako, hindi ba?" naiinis kong paalala sa kanya, "You should have knocked." I look at him disappointingly.

"This is my bathroom, why would I ask for your permission?"

Pinipigilan kong mainis dahil para akong napahiya sa sinabi niya. Napapikit na lang ako at lumabas na ng banyo. Binagsakan ko siya ng pinto sa inis ko. Ang aga-aga badtrip siya!

Agad naman akong nakapagluto pagkalabas niya ng banyo, "Kumain ka na dito." niyaya ko na rin siyang mag-almusal at nilagyan ang plato niya ng ilang bacon and eggs. I see that his hair is still dripping, his towel is on his shoulder. Hindi man lang niya pinatuyo ng maayos ang buhok niya. Sinalinan ko na rin ang tasa niya ng kape at dinagdagan ng ilang loaf ang plato niya. Buti na lang at may maayos akong naluto sa mula sa loob ng ref niya. Marunong kaya siyang magluto? Impossible naman na inaasahan niyang ipagluluto ko siya, hindi ba? Wait, that last question really didn't fit.

Nilagok niya ang kape na parang tubig lang sa kanya, "Another coffee, please."

"At least sana kumain ka muna, hindi ba?" muling paalala ko sa kanya, mamaya kasi mapasobra siya.

Seryoso niya akong tiningnan ulit, "Max, kape. Please." he's trying his best to maintain his cool in front of me. Mukhang masamang binubungangaan siya ng puyat siya. Kaagad ko namang sinalinan ulit ang baso niya ng kape. Tahimik siya buong breakfast at inubos naman niya ang pagkain na nilagay ko sa plato niya.

"Ako na maghuhugas nito," suhestiyon ko, "You should go, baka ma-late ka pa sa school." tiningnan ko siya at malumanay pa rin ang mga mata niya.

"Don't forget to lock the door when you leave." bilin niya at nagtungo sa pinto palabas ng penthouse niya. Gusto ko man siya pigilan, pero alam ko naman na hindi siya papapigil. Baka importante rin ang araw na ito sa school nila. Ano ba naman ang alam ko, eh hindi nga ako napasok sa school. I sighed. Wala akong iniwang bakas na ikalalait niya sa penthouse kaya handa na akong umalis.

I noticed a folder on the top of the center table of the living room. To my curiosity I opened it because I saw his name, his student number and I guessed this is to be submitted under this professor's name dated today.

Today.

Shit!

He forgot his paper.

T R A V I S

Nakakahiyang nakatulog ako sa klase ni Mrs. Santiago kanina. Hindi ako kailanman nakatulog sa klase sa tala ng buhay ko. Pero dahil sa nangyari kagabi, sobrang bigat ng utak ko na kahit ata mapasandal lang ako, makakatulog ako agad. Bwisit na babae talaga iyon! Nakakapagod siyang bantayan.

Break time na namin ngayon at gusto ko na lang munang umidlip, kahit isang oras lang. Ibinaba ko ang ulo ko sa lamesa at ipinikit ang mga mata ko.

"This is the first time you look exhausted Travis, anong nangyari?" tanong sa akin ni Pierre na nakaupo sa harapan ko.

"My course isn't that easy. Give me a break." mamaya ko na lang siya haharapin.

"Told you, you should have taken a course much easier than law." he added and let out a small laugh. Bahala muna siya diyan. Gusto kong matulog kahit saglit lang talaga.

"Travis!" biglang bati sa akin ni Joshua na may kasamang paghampas sa balikat ko. Umayos na ako ng upo at pinilit ang sarili kong ngitian siya kahti na gusto ko siyang balibagin. Tama bang ibagsak niya yung bag niya sa lamesa kung nasaan ang ulo ko? "Balita ko nakatulog ka kanina sa klase," natatawang tukso niya sa akin, "Aba, first time ata nangyari iyon sa iyo ano?" ngumisi siya sa harapan ko.

"Tao rin naman ako, napapagod." tanging kumento ko sa kanya at kaagad ko ring naaninag si Gerard palapit sa pwesto namin at binati kami isa-isa.

"Anyare sa iyo dude?" Gerard asked, looking at me. I smiled, shaking my head.

"You know that you could still shift course Travis." nakangising suhestiyon ni Pierre.

"I'm good. Para namang hindi kayo bilib sa akin." pagmamayabang ko sa harapan nila.

"Yang itsura mo, parang kulang na lang mamatay ka na sa puyat." muling panunukso sa akin ni Josh.

"Kinulang lang ako sa tulog." bigla kong naalala kung sino ang salarin kung bakit ako napuyat. Tsk!

"Nagulat nga ako nung tinawagan ako niyan ni Travis kagabi," tiningnan ko si Gerard, shit– "Tapos bigla siyang pumunta sa bar."

"What, why would he do that?" Pierre asked him, assessing my reaction. He probably thinks that I'm out of character, and change for Pierre isn't good. He likes to take things in order.

"Sana sinabihan mo kami, edi nagkaroon pa tayo ng session sana kagabi, more girls more fun." banat sa kanya ni Josh, "Masyado ka kasing competitive sa girl-count mo Ge. So Tell me, mas marami bang naki-sit in kay Travis kaysa sayo?"

"Well kasi-"

"I just wanted to take a break for a little while," I answered cutting Ge, bago pa madagdagan ang kwento niya. I smiled and looked at him, "You know, loosen things up." tiningnan ko si Pierre, "Nakakapagod din ang aral ka ng aral."

Tinawanan ako ni Josh, "Tama ka naman do'n pre, wag tayong masyadong serious. Chill lang, like good old high school days."

Yeah, but high school is different than college.

"Maybe let's hang next time," Pierre suggested and looked at Gerard, "We can also play in your bar."

"Kapag trip ko kayo imbitahin," pagtatampo niya sa amin, "Iniiwasan ko nga kayo pumunta doon kasi I'm sure, lalaitin niyo lang ako."

Natatawang ginulo ni Josh ang buhok ni Gerard, "Hindi porket may nagpapicture sa iyo na magandang babae, hindi ka na olats."

"Hoy, naging classmate ko iyon noong fourth grade. Sabay kami kumuha ng music lessons." sagot ni Ge kay Josh.

Now that's something I didn't know.

Dahil mukhang hindi na ako makakatulog sa ingay ng mga ito, mabuting aralin ko na lang ulit yung ginawa ko kagabi.

I searched the paper inside my bag, "Shit!" pabulong kong nasabi pero huli na nang marealize kong napalakas ata ang boses ko.

"What's wrong dude?" tanong ni Josh.

"I left my paper back home." kailan pa ako naging disoriented?

"May bago sa'yo Travis," puna ni Pierre na nakapalumbaba sa lamesa, "You look disorganized."

"Come on P, his course isn't as light as ours." depensa ni Gerard sa kanya, "Masyado mong pinagtitripan si Travis."

"I'm just saying, kasi masyado mong sineseryoso ang law school. You can just pay your professors to make your life a little easier." payo ni Pierre sa akin na akala mong makakatulong sa sitwasyon ko ngayon.

Napailing na lang ako at napangiti, "I can't buy knowledge P," I paused and he looked amused from my reaction, "I have to earn it." I'm very out of character and it is a little alarming. O baka naiinis ako dahil masyado niya ata akong minamaliit. I shake my head, "I guess I'll have to go back to get my paper." kaya ko naman bumalik in five minutes.

I was about to leave our spot, not until I saw a familiar person asking for directions and thanked them right after.

The wind creates a wave on her face from the length of her hair. The way she wears herself speaks simplicity and class. She's wearing a beige collared shirt, tucked in her dark denim skirt that is above her knee.

Her figure is so visual as she walks with grace with a friendly face. She stood out so well among the crowd that some people couldn't help but look her way. Hearing different descriptions and preferences about her from left and right makes me uneasy.

It's making me uneasy that some the other guys look at her like she's some sort of object that they want to possess.

Teka, bakit naman ako matatakot kung makita siya ng iba, dapat nga ikatuwa ko iyon hindi ba?

"Hey, new student ba 'yon?" Joshua's voice stood up among the rest.

Kung tutuusin, isang trophy na magkaroon ng isang babae tulad niya.

"Now that's 36-28-36. Tapos ang tangkad pa. Amp!" rinig ko ang boses ni Josh na may halong pangigigil. Nagawa pa niyang sumipol ng nakakaloko, "I give her a solid ten!"

Napailing na lang ako at nilapitan na rin agad si Maxene bago pa siya makarating sa pwesto namin.

As soon as she found who's she's looking for, her round eyes locked on me.

She approached me and greeted me with a bright smile, "Heya, Travis." she put up two fingers up giving me a peace sign. Parang siyang batang nakikipagbati ang pormahan niya ngayon sa harapan ko.

"Napadaan ako para ibigay ito sa'yo," She handed me the folder I left earlier. "Naiwan mo kasi kanina." I slowly took it from her hand, facing her impassively.

For all I know, she's just happy that she had this reason to go into my school. Yet the expression on her face shifted, as her eyes paint the word 'I'm sorry.'

Nakakatawa na makitang hindi siya nagma-maldita ngayon sa harapan ko ngayon. Mukhang marunong din siyang makiramdam.

"Thank you, for this." I uttered and saw her nod awkwardly. Her genuine reaction almost made me smile inwardly.

I like this obedient version of her.

"Hey Max C!" Gerard called her attention, I didn't notice that he's standing right next to me, "So, what's up?"

"Just did some delivery, Baby G." she answered him with a cheeky smile.

Baby G?

Kailan pa siya nagkaroon ng endearment sa olats na 'to?

"Sabi naman sa iyo Max, Gerard na lang." nahihiyang ani Gerard sa kanya at matamis na tinawanan ni Maxene ang reaksyon ng katabi ko.

Tahimik kong pinagmamasdan si Gerard at umiwas siya ng tingin saglit na para bang naipit siya sa sitwasyon kung saan hindi naman siya dapat na-involve.

"Bakit baby G ang tawag mo sa Gerard namin?" nilapitan siya ni Josh at tiningnan siya mula ulo hanggang paa na para bang dinadaan niya ang babae sa intimidation niya.

"I believe we haven't met." I looked at Maxene and saw that fire in her eyes, she didn't like Josh. I can feel that, "Maxene Campbell nga pala." she held out her hand but another person grabbed her.

"Pierre Azazel Valentine," he kissed her hand looking at her intently which sent fire to my stomach. Keep your cool Travis. I reminded myself. Kaagad akong tumingin kay Maxene at kaagad din naman niya iniwas ang kamay niya kay Pierre na may malambing na ngiti. I see how Pierre smiled at her like the way he wanted to score a woman. I won't let him do anything to her. "So how did you two know each other?" Pierre started asking her. Maxene looks at me as if she's asking me how she'll answer his question. Sa totoo lang, the less he knows the better.

"Wait, you're the one who was with Gerard last night, aren't you?" tanong sa kanya ni Josh. Agad naman tumingin si Josh kay Gerard na parang gusto niya kumpirmahin ang sagot mula sa kaibigan, "She's that person, hindi ba?"

"Yeah, sabi sa inyo, hindi ako olats eh." ani Gerard at pabirong binatukan din siya ni Josh.

"Joshua Wheeler nga pala." presko niyang pagbati sa babae; para kay Josh, kapag maganda, dapat mabait ka kaagad.

"Not interested." pagtataray ni Maxene kay Josh. That somehow made me smile a little at nang mapansin niya iyon, napaiwas siya agad ng tingin sa akin.

Nagulat na lang kami nang marinig namin na tumawa si Pierre, "Since the princess denies you, ikaw na ang olats Josh."

"What, but that's unfair." kunwaring nagmamaktol ni Josh sa harapan namin.

Muling kinuha ni Pierre ang kamay ni Maxene, "I love touching your hand, to think it's just your hand." he encircles his thumb on her hand that made her a little uncomfortable. She attempts to take her hand away from him, pero mas hinawakan pa iyon ng Pierre ng mahigpit, "No one says no to me." mariin pero mahinahon niyang sagot.

Maxene looks at me and fear is visible in her eyes.

"Let her go." It was really out of my character to protest against Pierre, but I should do it. He looks at me amusingly.

"Now, why would I do that?" he asked, raising his eyebrow at me as if he's telling me to know my place. Maxene looks at me worry in her eyes as I look back at Pierre, he is intimidating me. Pero siya ang wala sa lugar.

I know I have to say it. "She's my fiance. She's mine."

"Ooooh, fiance naman pala." Joshua teased amusingly beside me but my eyes were still on Pierre.

"Oh," Pierre finally let go of her with a surprised look on his face, "Sorry bro. Akala ko kasi, pass time mo lang." he smirked. I don't 'do' pass time. He faces Maxene with his hands in his pocket, "How did you two meet?"

"Why would you ask?" she asked him back. She's smart.

"For all I know kasi iyang si Travis, loyal iyan sa isang babae lang," he just dropped the bomb in front of my face, "Kaya siguro kung ano mang meron kayo, it's just play pretend, am I right?"

Maxene looks at me and I couldn't help but keep my cool in front of him because Pierre is playing his little game. He's trying to get inside her head. Kung ano ang marinig niya mula kay Pierre, wala na akong kontrol doon.

"I'm sorry, do I look I care?" muling pagmamaldita ni Maxene sa harapan niya. Napangisi ulit si Pierre sa reaksyon niya. I looked at Maxene and saw how she faces Pierre with her best behavior but unlike me she's going to snap anytime now.

"Aren't you a little worried na may kaagaw ka sa kanya? Not unless may feelings ka sa kanya?" Pierre is playing his cards on her.

"Feelings aren't necessary." Maxene answered. She just snapped. She just gave him a clue.

"So you were arranged?" pabalik akong tinignan ni Pierre, "Interesting." tumango tango siya kay Maxene, "What if pala kung isa sa amin ang naiarrange sa iyo? Let's exclude Travis, of course. Who'll you pick?" Maxene eyes on the boys, me and Pierre.

"Wala, I might ditch you all." she answers as she crosses her arms and looks at him with a little disgust on her face.

"You one prideful woman," Pierre commented, "But why would you accept Travis then?" she looks at me with uncertainty, "What makes him special that you pick him?" her eyes hid her emotions immediately with a smug facade on her face.

"Why ask so much? Kaibigan niyo siya hindi ba?" pabalik niyang tanong sa kanya, "At least you should know him better than I do." I didn't expect to hear that from her. I maybe friends with the boys for so long but from how she answers Pierre pakiramdam ko, mas nakilala niya ako sa loob ng ilang araw kaysa sa mga nakasama ko ng matagal na taon.

A smile formed at Pierre's face, "I like you. Feisty vixen." he confesses, biting his lip with a playful smile, "If ever you find Travis boring, I'll take you with me."

Back off Pierre.

Maxene frowned looking at him in disbelief, shaking her head. I look at Pierre and I don't like the idea that he'll take her to be his own.

She's mine first.

"I will gladly satisfy you with all that I have." he says with dominance and arrogance in his eyes.

I suddenly felt my fist clenching with that thought alone. I know, I should contain these thoughts in my head. The safest way to avoid this confrontation is for me to take her away from here. Not until I see how she raises her hand and slaps him in front of everyone. Pierre looks at her with fire in his eyes. Ayaw na ayaw niyang napapahiya siya ng ganito. Hindi ko mapigilang hindi mag-alala para kay Maxene pero nang balikan ko siya ng tingin, nag-aapoy ang mga mata niya sa inis sa kaibigan ko.

"I don't need anything from you, boy!" Maxene couldn't hide her anger as if she was insulted by him, "Greed wouldn't give you everything," she looks at him with disgust, "Because nothing will be enough for a person like you. Greedy egocentric asshole!" she snaps and she looks at me frowning. I can say that she's disappointed that I wasn't able to stand for her. She perfectly delivered her thoughts through her eyes, she also cursed me in her mind. I couldn't look away, because I'm at fault. She walked out of the campus and all the people were looking at her. I'm so proud of my woman.

"Dude, you okay?" Joshua and Gerard approach Pierre and for some reason I know I have to, too.

"I'm sorry for what she did to you." I told Pierre hiding my amusement. Of course I'm not sorry for what she did, you deserve it. You're an asshole and she said it herself too, "She can be a little difficult to deal with." I added monotonously. That statement is true.

Pierre smiled at my direction, "No wonder you changed so suddenly." napailing siya, "A woman like that is involved. She's really something. Nawala na ba ang sungay mo gawa niya?" he's now laughing at me and I said nothing but smiled.

"So that means you've moved on from Moe?" tanong sa akin ni Josh.

I know I haven't.

"Well, for what is worth Travis," Pierre faces me head on, "I'm interested in her." his statement is either a confession or a threat, "So I guess enjoy her company while it lasts." Tinapik niya ako sa balikat at nauna na umalis sa amin.

"Anong ibig sabihin noon?" pagtataka ni Gerard.

"Malay ko." Joshua paused, "Hindi ba sa samahan, walang talo-talo? Kung ano ang kay Pierre, kay Pierre at ganoon din naman kay Travis," dagdag ni Josh, "Baka naman walang ibig sabihin iyon."

He has his eyes on her, I got his attention and he badly wants her.

Kapag nangyari iyon, hindi na tuluyang makakalaya si Maxene.

That idea alone made me realize how much I wanted to protect Maxene. Mas kampante pa ako kung makipagbalikan siya kay Kenzo at least magiging masaya siya doon. Huwag lang kay Pierre.