The Price Of A Sinner

Chapter 11

Tahimik lang ako habang nakatingin sa labas ng bintana habang nakikinig ng music sa loob ng kotse ni Dos. He insisted on bringing me with him to one of his restaurants in Lipa. And since I didn't have anything else to do and I wanted to relax, I agreed to come along.

"Do you want something to eat? Medyo traffic, baka magutom ka. Nagkape ka lang kanina," tanong niya habang panay-panay ang tingin sa akin at sa mga sasakyang halos hindi umuusad sa harap namin.

"Nah, okay lang ako. Don't worry," sagot ko habang nakasandal pa rin sa upuan.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah... I'm sure." I gave him a small smile. He returned it with a nod, and the cars ahead inched forward.

"Uh... Dos, can I ask you something?" I asked hesitantly.

"Yeah, sure. What is it?"

"Do you... have a girlfriend?" I noticed his grip on the steering wheel tighten, but I pretended not to.

"Girlfriend?"

"Yeah... a serious relationship with someone. You know..."

"Why?" he asked with a little laugh.

"Wala lang."

"Kung meron ba, iiwasan mo na ako?" Sumulyap siya saglit sa gawi ko bago bumalik muli ang mata sa kalsada.

"Depende..."

"Depende saan?"

"Depende kung gusto mong tapusin na ang relasyon natin—"

"What relationship?" His question made me freeze. When I didn't answer right away, he looked at me again, and I flinched slightly.

"F-friends... with benefits," I finally said.

He chuckled softly. "Friends with benefits, huh? Pinaganda lang ang tawag sa fuck buddies."

He laughed quietly and shook his head. I didn't know why, but his words stung a little.

How could I forget that we're just fuck buddies? We both agreed to this kind of setup. He's just been extra attentive to me lately and has been spending more time with me, and I somehow forgot what we really were.

"But... you're happy with this, right?" he asked.

"Y-yeah..." pilit kong ngiti kahit parang pinipiga ang puso ko.

"Same. I'm happy when I'm with you. Kaya kahit mayroon man o wala akong girlfriend, we'll stay like this. As long as we're both happy, isn't that okay?"

"S-sure... no worries," I said quietly.

"Good."

I am happy whenever I'm with him. My mistake is expecting things to go deeper without realizing it. I keep forgetting that I'm just a secret, someone he only meets behind closed doors.

I'm happy with this kind of relationship, so I might as well enjoy every second of it. I feel safe, even if I don't feel real love.

Pagdating namin sa restaurant niya sa Lipa, wala pang gaanong tao. Nagpa-prepare agad siya ng pagkain para sa aming dalawa. As usual, ipinakilala niya ako bilang friend. Sanay na ako. Pero minsan, gusto ko ring marinig na iba ang tawag niya sa akin... kahit alam kong imposibleng mangyari.

"Where's the restroom?" I asked after we finished eating.

"There's a hallway to the right of the exit. Two doors — one for girls, one for boys."

"Oh... okay, I'll be back in a minute." I stood up, bringing my pouch with me.

"Sure, I'll wait here."

I smiled and walked toward the restroom.

The restaurant was beautiful and spacious. According to Dos, this was his main branch. It was Italian-inspired because he loved Italian food, he even studied in Italy.

It was called Cucina Speciale, Italian for "Special Cuisine." It was located in the city of Lipa, near a mall, a university, and several office buildings, a perfect spot for a business like this.

Matapos kong mag-retouch, agad din akong lumabas. Pero pagbalik ko, napansin kong dumami na ang tao. May mga nagkakantahan, nagpapalakpakan, kumakalansing ang mga wine glass.

"May event siguro ngayon..." bulong ko sa sarili.

Hindi ko makita si Dos. Kaya naisip ko na lang na tumawag habang hinihintay siya sa labas. Hinugot ko ang phone ko sa pouch pero natigilan ako sa natanaw ko mula sa labas ng restaurant.

She had just stepped out of the restaurant, smiling brightly, and walked toward a car to get something. She was on her way back in, holding a box, when she suddenly stopped and that beautiful smile slowly faded from her face. Mili...

"M-Mifi..." she said in disbelief. "W-what are you doing here? I mean... w-who are you with—"

"I'm with my... f-friend. Ikaw? Akala ko nakaalis ka na?"

"Oh... no. I surprised my fiancé here. Akala niya nakaalis na ako, pero na-move ang flight ko kaya... yeah, I came here for him."

Tumango ako. Siguro nga, para sa fiancé niya ang event sa loob.

"Okay, I see... Alam ba nina Mommy na hindi ka pa pala nakakaalis? Baka mag-alala sila sa favorite child nila. Ayaw na ayaw nilang nagagasgasan ka o makagat ng lamok," sarkastiko kong saad.

Nagbuntonghininga siya sa narinig. Pilit ko mang maging mabait kahit sandali, hindi ko talaga kaya. Pakiramdam ko, tuwing lumalapit siya, may kukunin na naman siya sa akin. Lahat na lang ng nagpapasaya sa akin, inaagaw niya.

"They knew..." sagot niya. "I'm gonna go. My fiancé is waiting for me. Excuse me."

Tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay bago niya ako lampasan at bumalik sa loob.

"Tss. Edi ikaw na ang may fiancé. Arte."

I dialed Dos's number, but I couldn't reach him.

"Don't tell me he changed his number again? Seriously? Tss." I tried calling several more times, but I still couldn't get through.

"Mifi..."

I turned at the sound of his voice behind me.

"Oh, Dos! Kanina pa kita tinatawagan, pero patay 'yong phone mo. Lumabas muna ako kasi parang may event sa loob, ang daming tao."

May kasama siyang isang lalaki, mukhang tauhan niya.

"A-ah... y-yeah... I'm sorry. Biglaan kasi 'yong event."

"Ganun ba? Okay lang. Hintayin na lang kita sa kotse mo—"

"My driver will take you home." He cut me off. I froze mid-step, glancing toward his car. Then he looked back at the restaurant, still bustling with people. "I'm sorry... My employees need me inside. And I can't guarantee that this won't take long, so I'll have Arthur take you home." He gestured to the man behind him.

"O-oh..." I answered, feeling embarrassed. "O-okay, no problem. Mukhang big event talaga 'yan. Sige, mauna na kami. Thanks for the food." I forced a smile.

"Sorry... I'll make it up to you next time," he said before turning to the man beside him. "Hatid mo siya hanggang Taal, sa mismong bar niya. Okay?"

"Yes, sir," the man replied with a bow.

"Take care, okay?"

"Y-yeah. Thanks again," I said before turning around and following his staff toward the back of the restaurant. I didn't ask any more questions especially when I saw our car waiting to take me back to Taal.

It was disappointing that we spent almost four hours in traffic just to eat. Our plan to have a movie marathon at his condo was postponed.

Why did Mili have to hold an event there, of all places? Tss.

Teka... kung event niya talaga 'yon, dapat nandun sina Mommy. Siguro hindi kanya 'yon, baka invited lang siya para i-surprise ang fiancé niya. Kahit kanino pa, wala akong pakialam.

Basta isa lang ang sigurado. Sinira nila ang araw ko.