PARADISE OF THE DEVIL (GONCALVES 1)

Chapter 4

I left Jair alone in the cubicle. He was so infuriating! How could he just barge in here in the women's restroom? He really had no sense of order.

Bumalik ako ng table at doon ko naabutan na nakabalik na pala si Joerex. Umakto ako na parang walang nangyari at sumali sa usapan nila. Ilang sandali din ay napalingon ako kay Jair na bumalik din sa table nila. I thought he would look dismayed, but he looked rather triumphant.

Umiwas ako nang inangat nya ang tingin sa akin. Fuck! I should stop glancing at him. His pride would just fly to the sky. It was like I was letting him win.

Habang nag-uusap kami ng mga kaibigan ko ay biglang may naglapag ng isang bottle ng tequila. Walang nag-order ni isa sa amin kaya ay pareho kaming nagtaka.

Hindi sinabi sa amin kung kanino galing pero may kutob na ako. Hindi nga ako nagkakamali at nahuli ko si Jair na nakangisi na sa akin. I wouldn't fall into his trap; I was not drinking what he bought.

"Sumasakit na ang ulo ko. Kayo na ang uminom nyan," sabi ko kay Rach at Joerex. "Nasusuka na ako," dagdag na palusot ko.

"Do you want to smoke?" ani Joerex sabay labas ng isang pack ng sigarilyo. He knew exactly what I did to lessen my nausea.

"It's alright," I refused.

"No," he insisted as he pushed a pack of cigarettes with a lighter on the table. "We don't want to see you throw up around."

"You know that I don't do that," I made a point.

"Because you smoke," he said.

I took a deep sigh and grabbed those on the table. I didn't feel like smoking yet. Tumayo ako at tumalikod para lumabas ng bistro. I could just act like I was smoking.

"Eden!" rinig kong habol ni Savin sa akin.

"Yes?" I answered as I faced him.

"I'll give you company."

"What?"

He smiled. "Samahan na kita sa labas."

I nodded. Pinagbuksan ako ng pinto ni Savin. Napakagentleman nya talaga. Pinapanuod ko ang likod ni Savin habang una syang naglalakad sa akin. He knew where the smoking area was, so I followed him.

I decided to not smoke and keep the cigarettes in my pocket. May ilang tao at medyo hindi maingay dito. Tumabi akong umupo kay Savin sa bench habang pinapanuod ang fountain di kalayuan sa amin.

"Aren't you cold?" he asked.

"No, I'm alright," sagot ko.

"Here," aniya.

Before I could refuse, he took his coat off and put it on me. Nahiya ako sa ginawa nya. Hindi naman kami masyadong close at ikalawang beses lang itong pagkikita namin pero isinusuot na nya sa akin ang gamit nya.

"Why do you like me?" I asked.

Hindi makapaniwalang bumaling si Savin sa akin. Wasn't this act of service a sign that he liked me? Or maybe, as I have mentioned, he was only a gentleman. But he wouldn't waste his time with me here if he wasn't.

"Don't like me," I told him. "I might be like one of my friends that you accused of swindling. Baka perahan lang din kita."

"Hindi mo ako mapeperahan, I'm not wealthy."

I scoffed in humor. He was not only a gentleman, but he was also even humble. Sapat na ang pananamit at istilo nya para masabi ko na mayaman sya. I knew all of the famous brands and I could recognize his coat.

"Is it okay to ask for your digits?"

"Oo naman."

"Do you like me?" he asked.