That Summer In Brooklyn

Chapter 13

13: Getting To Know

Max

"GAME na Max. Umpisahan natin sa favorite color, food, hobbies, dislikes, and likes."

My forehead creased after hearing what Bea just said to me. From the time I agreed to her plan, Bea didn't stop bugging me and kept suggesting weird things for me. I know how to act in a fake relationship. I know the golden rule, and acting like an average couple is still the best way. We have to go with the flow, I said to her, but Bea insisted that she knows how to row a boat.

"Do we really have to do that?" Tanong ko sa kanya dahil mukhang seryosong-seryoso siya.

Bea heaved a deep breath.

"Getting to know nga eh. Mahirap kaya umarte kung hindi mo kilala ang kapareha mo,"

I scoffed.

"You don't know me, but I know you."

Hinampas niya ako ng throw pillow saka tumayo na at dinampot ang asong si Sasha sa sahig. Nana Zeny came out of the kitchen removing the pot holder on her hands.

"Akala ko bumaba ka na Bea," aniya kay Bea.

"May tanong lang po ako kay Max. Sige po baba na ako." Paalam niya sa amin saka lumabas na ng tuluyan sa apartment. Nana Zeny eyed me as if I did something bad to anyone especially to her best human, Bea.

"She asked something... and I think I pissed her off." Pag-amin ko kay Nana.

I really know Bea, but that's based only on the victim's perspective. Hindi ko nga alam kung pakikinggan ko pa ang mga kwento niya. Baka kasi peke iyon at sa bandang huli, niloko lang ako ulit. Our deal shall need rules aside from the golden one. And, what's the golden rule?

Never fall in love with each other.

Tumayo ako at inayos ang throw pillow na hinampas sa akin ni Bea. Nagpaalam ako kay Nana na aalis at hindi sa bahay mag-hahapunan ngayong gabi. Hindi kinalimutang ibilin na ihatid ko si Bea bago magtungo sa lakad ko. Pina-bitbit pa iyong pa-baon niya kay Bea na sobra sa niluto nito. Three days have since Nana hired Bea. Sobrang close na nila ngunit wala akong ideya sa pinag-uusapan nilang dalawa.

Magaling mag-kwento si Bea, iyon nga lang hindi mo malalaman alin ang totoo sa hindi. She has a lot of secrets, and I think getting to know plan is a good idea. Pagbibigyan ko na nga pero kailangan ko tandaan iyong golden rule.

Not again, Max. Not again.

Bumaba ako sa lobby at hinanap si Bea. Wala siya sa pwesto niya at itong pagiging malikot niya ang pinaka-ayaw ko. I checked her bags inside the reception cubicle and it's still there. Nasa loob pa siya ng building pero saan? Umakyat ako sa pinaka-rooftop ng building at doon nakita ko siya. Kasama niya pa din si Sasha at nakatanaw sila sa Brooklyn Bridge. Hindi naman siguro siya tatalon doon? Saka anong dahilan? Did I hurt her feelings?

Damn, the truth hurts, and I should keep that in my mind.

"Beatriz..." Nilingon niya pero saglit lang at binalik na ulit ang tingin sa tulay. "Fine, get down there and let's talk about 'getting to know' plan you have."

In an instant, Bea's face lit up. Nagpatulong siya sa akin bumaba. It's crazy to think that she could easily climb that fence, but going down is hard for her. Una niyang inabot si Sasha sa akin na binaba ko naman agad sa lapag saka inalalayan siyang makababa.

"Tara na ba at mag-d-date na tayo?"

"Hindi. Uuwi ka na at eto bigay ni Nana." Inabot ko sa kanya iyong tupperware ng ulam.