UNCOVER JANE DOE

Chapter 39: Who's making ligaw?

"Narda..." anas ni Regina.

Nakapikit pa s'ya pero kinapa na n'ya ang katabing higaan. Pero agad rin s'yang nadisappoint ng wala s'yang makapa sa tabi n'ya.

"So you left me again without saying goodbye."

Napabuntong-hininga nalang s'ya sabay bangon saka saglit na sumandal sa headboard ng kama n'ya habang nakatitig bahaging tinulugan ni Narda.

Umaga palang pero mukhang sira na kaagad ang buong araw n'ya. Ganitong ganito rin noong unang natulog dito si Narda dito. She expected na mag-uusap sila kinaumagahan pero ang sulat na iniwan lang nito ang nakamulatan n'ya.

"Alam mo ba na kapag wala ka dito, iniiisip kong may iba kang babae. And this is not so me. I shouldn't worry about you, coz what we have is just a mere connection to a prophecy pero wala namang tayo. And kung ganito rin lang ang gagawin mo lagi it will be easier for me to shake you off of my life kasi hindi nga talaga magiging tayo."

Tumayo na s'ya at inayos ang sarili. She decided to go on her morning yoga nalang to calm her nerves.

She expected Narda to be beside her when she wakes up but no. She ends up waking up the same way she wakes up everyday... cold sheets beside her.

Sanay naman s'ya sa mga nakaraang babae n'ya, na kung hindi s'ya, 'yong mga 'yon ang umaalis without saying goodbye. Which is beneficial for her by the way. The most awkward moment for her is waking up the next morning, tapos hindi naman n'ya alam kung paano papakitunguhan ang katabi. One night stands are like that naman, 'di ba? You had fun and you go your separate ways after. No emotional attachment needed.

"Sanay naman na ako sa ganito eh. But with Narda I don't know why I feel this way now. Parang ang sama agad ng gising ko kasi hindi ko s'ya katabi. Its like I silently wish it will be different kahit pa ayaw tanggapin ng isip ko ang idea na 'yan."

"I hate what i'm feeling right now. I'm regreting giving this a thought too. Sanay akong mag-isa and it will always remain like that. Hindi ko kailangan ng kahit sino to wake up beside me each morning. Fuck! I can't believe that this prophecy shit is affecting my mood and my life's decisions. So I better stop. I should be working with Beast's painting soon. I need Narda as my model for some sketches for the actual artwork but if she continue disappearing on me like this I might ask for a replacement from the agency soon."

"Good morning."

"Fuck!" Nagulat si Regina ng bumukas ang pintuan na s'ya rin sanang dadaanan n'ya papunta sa likod-bahay. She plans on taking that same door to the patio where she usually do her yoga.

"A-andito ka pa..." halos anas nalang 'yon. Maybe just a statement for herself.

"Where will I be?" Tanogn nito pabalik. Narinig pa rin pala nito ang sinabi n'ya. "Pero excuse muna ha? Iaakyat ko lang 'tong dalawang balde ng tubig sa banyo mo. Walang lumalabas na tubig sa faucet eh. Mabuti nalang may balon ka sa likod-bahay for your plants. Doon na rin ako sumalok. I hope you don't mind me fetching water from the well for you."

Napataas ang kilay n'ya pero tumango nalang din saka hinayaan na itong iakyat ang dalawang balde ng tubig ng bitbit nito sa magkabilang kamay.

"By the way, you look extra pretty today with that confused expression on your face. Balik ako." Kumindat pa ito ng magkaharap na sila.

Narda is sweaty but she still smell nice. Hindi n'ya rin napigilang sundan ito ng tingin matapos s'ya nitong lampasan.

"Her backside is so... hay tingnan ko nga muna 'yong connection sa labas."