The Author's Rewritten Drafts

[xliv]

[xliv]

She was talk of the shop for a week.

Hindi man niya naririnig ang usapan ng mga ito, kita naman niya sa mga mata ng kanyang mga tauhan. Sometimes, Magda would hear some giggling and envy sighs. Apparently, Matias Donovan is a well-known playboy in town... Her description of him in the book is like a god descended from Mt. Olympus. It was indeed the case.

Kisig is vintage kind of guwapo. Agila is such a fantasy level. Then, Matias... the man is truly the next level. Hindi niya masisi ang mga staff na panay hagikhikan. Halos naglagi siya sa opisina upang iwasang makasalamuha ang mga tao.

Napatigil siya sa kanyang ginagawa nang kumatok sa pinto. Sumilip si Angelyn, isa sa mga barista ng shop. "And'yan po si Sir Xandro, gusto raw ho kayong makausap."

Yeah, the ex-boyfriend.

Tumango siya at sumunod sa babae. Xandro was waiting while occupying a table. Sumulyap siya sa lalaki, imbes na tumuloy sa inuupuan nitong table, humakbang siya palabas ng shop. Alam niya ang gusto nitong mangyari, gusto niyang makipagbalikan... for her to be trampled around the second time.

Somehow, that's how men work. Of course, not all. But who knows who's who and who's not?

Nanahimik ang babae tapos bigla nilang guguluhin at sasaktan.

Nagsalubong ang kilay na sumunod si Xandro kay Magda palabas ng shop. The inside caters coffee lovers, outside has various selection of flowers. Kadalasan marami rin ang customers niya.

"Didn't you miss me?" Malambing na tanong ng lalaki. He was fishing for an answer to make his ego bloat. Unfortunately for him, it wasn't the same Magda he used to know. Hindi na niya ito basta-basta maapakan.

"No, I actually forgot about your existence. I'm quite busy with the shop." And the task.

Xandro looked amused.

He was liking the sudden change of the woman in front of him. She, somewhat, was capable of looking hot in his eyes. Madalas na manang naman ang suot ni Magda, para siyang nagmula sa sinaunang panahon.

"Come on, in the days we were apart, I reflected so much. Do you know what I realize? Hindi ko pala kayang mawala ka sa buhay ko. Give me another chance. Give me another chance to prove myself how much I love you..." His eyes were too dramatic, if she didn't know better, it was convincing.

"Nagkamali ako. I'm sorry. Inaamin kong nagsimula ang relasyon natin sa isang pustahan, pero kung hindi dahil sa pustahang iyon, hindi ko mapapagtanto ang totoo kong nararamdaman." He was full of emotions.

Xandro was dedicated, Magda would give him that. His reasoning might even pass to others. Isama pa ang ekspresyon ng mukha nitong puno ng hinagpis at pagmamakaawa.

Hindi siya sumagot. Nanatili siyang nakatingin sa lalaki. Patuloy ang titigan sa pagitan nilang dalawa.

"What's that look, babe? Tayo na ba ulit?" Ngumisi si Xandro.

Gusto niyang tumawa sa inasta nito...

"You're so unfair with other characters, Magda. Tsk." Himutok ni Boy Buwesit sa kanyang isipan. "Iyong ibang characters, binigyan mo ng green flag male leads. Kawawa naman ang isang 'to, palibahasa supporting character lang. Kita mo ang klase ng lalaking binigay mo? Mukhang dugyot na nga malakas pang humambog na animo'y regalo siya sa mga kababaihan. You ain't treating them fairly."

Nakagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi. "Life's unfair, stupid hoe. If not, why am I here instead of Serene?"

He was about to kiss her. Umiwas si Magda bago pa man maglapit ang labi nilang dalawa.

"I'm busy and not interested with your offer. I have a job where I'm needed unlike you that the only accomplishment is having a birth certificate and a surname of someone who peaked in the late nineties and still trying to get a bit of clout from that." She said without any emotion at all. Hindi siya galit. It wasn't even mocking. It was about just stating facts.

Xandro's mouth parted. "W-what did you say..."

"You heard me just fine."

Akmang hahakbang na si Magda paalis sa harap ng lalaki nang pigilan siya nito. Halos itulak siya nito. It was impactful that her glasses fell. Hindi pa naman niya magawang makakita ng walang gamit na salamin.

"Ang kapal ng mukha mo! Wala namang ibang pumapansin sa'yo kundi ako! Baduy ka kasi! Para kang manang! Hindi ka rin maganda! Your sister is fuckable, while you? You're fucking disgusting! Nilulunok ko ang pandidiri ko sa'yo mahalikan ka lang noon! Masyado ka pang pabebe! Hindi man lang ako naka-score, tangina!" Galit na galit ang boses ng lalaki. Wala namang pakialam si Magda, lumabas lang iyon sa kanyang tainga. Her focus was to find her glasses. Before she could do so, it was stomped by the man.

Then, she heard a loud punch. Instinctively, inilagay niya ang kamay sa kanyang ulo upang protektahan ang kanyang sarili.