Dancing with the Devil

Chapter 6

The next day, when I went to the shop, I immediately recognized the familiar build of a man. The café was packed with customers, but I saw him sitting in my favorite spot. Hindi siya yung tipo ng tao na mabilis mong makakalimutan lalo na at ang dami kong kahiya-hiyang bagay na ginawa sa kanya. Sa sobrang hiya ay ni hindi ko maikwento sa mga kaibigan ko ang nangyari o kahit kay Gallo! Which is unusual thing for me to do, kahit ano pa 'yan ikukwento ko yan sa iba, syempre!

I tried to ignore his presence and focused my attention on helping my staff with the workload—but I failed. He just stood out from the crowd. Even the other customers were shamelessly gawking at him, especially the women—I could see the evident hint of admiration and lust in their eyes... They were lusting over him.

He was wearing the same attire, except this time, he had a laptop with him. Hapit sa katawan niya ang damit, yakap na yakap siya. Even from where I stood, I could vividly see his muscles bulging perfectly against his sleeves.

Pinutol ko ang tingin sa kanya at yumuko, kunwari ay abala sa machine sa harap ko nang bigla siyang lumingon sa gawi ko. I bit my lower lip lightly, preventing myself from looking back.

Kalaunan ay tuluyan ko rin namang nakalimutan ang tungkol sa kanya nang mas dumami ang tao, ni hindi ko na rin napansin kung kailan siya umalis. Nang magsasara na ay doon ko lang naalala na hindi ko man lang nalaman ang pangalan niya. I was too flustered last time to even ask his name or write it on the cup he ordered. I was at the counter the whole time—what were the chances of me not knowing his name?

I heaved a sigh. Masyadong malalim na hindi ko alam kung para pa ba sa pagod ko 'yun na nararamdaman ngayong araw o sa kadahilanang hindi ko man lang nalaman ang pangalan nung gwapong na 'yun.

Kumunot ang noo ko. I smack my head out of irritation. Bakit naman ako manghihinayang na hindi ko nalaman pangalan nun?! Like, it's not clicking! Gwapo siya, oo, pero wala ng bang rason 'no!

"Tama walang rason."

"Anong walang rason?"

Napatalon ako sa kinauupuan ng makita ang mapanghusgang tingin sa akin ng nanay ko.

"Ano," kinamot ko ang batok habang napipilitang tumawa, "Walang, ano...rason para hindi," I look away, contemplating what should I say. "A-ay ewan ko, Ma!"

"What were you saying again?" I ask instead. Tuluyan nang nakaahon sa nakakalunod na pag-iisip tungkol sa mga bagay na hindi ko naman dapat pagtuunan ng pansin.

"Sabi ko kumusta ka? Yung shop ba? Your father wants to visit but he's too busy right now to do it on his own. Kaya ang magaling mong ama ay ako ang inuutusan." Lintaya niya. She was busy removing the freshly baked cookies from the tray. She likes to bake in her free time, which I surely got from her (minus the fact that I don't have that magic touch in baking), and it inspired me to start my own business.

"Hindi na rin naman kailangan, Ma. I know he's busy with work. And you, with my brother."

"He's insisting on it, Maia! At malaki na ang kuy—"

"Yet, you all act as if I'm still a kid," he cut our mother off. Speaking of which, the devil in the house.

"Because you act like one," ngumsi ako sa kanya. "Dinaig pa ni mama ang nag-anak ng isang dosena sa sobrang pasaway mo."

His eyes turned wide, readying himself to attack me. Nahinto siya ng hinampas ni mama ang braso niya na puno ng tattoo, "ikaw para ka pa rin talagang bata kung umakto!"

"Wow na wow talaga! I felt like I'm not welcome to this family, you're all such a bully," reklamo niya at naupo sa tabi sa harap ng counter table.

"Akala niya naman! Mature na kaya ako, at itong bata na 'to, ma? Kayang-kaya ka ng bigyan ng apo!"