Babae sa Sulok(Completed)

Chapter 4

Maine

Armed with the new determination to stop this forbidden affair, I gave in to Sheena. Tinanggap ko yun hamon niya na makipag-date sa iba para matauhan daw ako sa kalokohan ko kay RJ. Labag na labag sa kalooban ko ang gagawin ko pero kailangan na rin siguro na matauhan ako.

Sheena arranged a blind date for me. Isa daw doctor na single ang ipapakilala niya sa akin. And because meron akong isang salita, wala ng pilitang nangyari.

Eto ako ngayon, papasok sa isang mamahaling restaurant sa BGC. Tumingin ako sa paligid. Then this guy, waved at me. From where I stand, I can see that the guy is totally an eye candy, just like my RJ. Gwapo, mukhang malinis at maputi. He has dimples. Oo, si RJ has one in his left cheek while this guy has dimples on both. He stood up to assist me. Uhhm, gentleman din.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. I'm Jake Ejercito by the way."

"Maine Mendoza."

"Of course I know you. Ikaw yun famous celebrity stylist."

"Famous ka diyan."

"Yeah! I know you. I think everybody knows you."

"Thanks for the compliments."

"Let's order na. What would you like?"

"Anything. You do the honors."

"Okay."

Jake ordered the house specialty. I would say masarap ang food choices niya. He was attentive, serious when he talks but also comic. He is a good peron to talk with, well conversed and most especially he was an optimistic person. I was enjoying his company and for the first time in a long time, medyo nalimutan ko si RJ.

"So, Maine how was it working with top celebrities?"

"Okay naman. They're like ordinary to me. The difference is, sikat sila and I have to meet their expectations unlike yun mga regular clients ko na hindi naman sikat. But all the same,I give them 100% guarantee that they get what they totally deserved. How about you? What do you do?"

"Well, I'm a Professor of Business Administration in De La Salle University. A part time model and a modest businessman."

"Impressive. Nahihiya naman ako sayo."

"Don't be. Ano ka ba? Mas matindi kaya yun mga artistang nakakasalamuha mo."

"Kunsabagay."

"Anyway, may I ask you something. Okay lang ba?"

"Is it too personal?"

"Hindi naman."

"Then what is it?"

"May boyfriend ka ngayon?"

"Hmm, mahirap ang tanong mo. Anyway, let's just say it's complicated."

"Wow, Facebook Status?"

"Hindi naman. Complicated lang talaga siya."

"So you mean to say, you're in an exclusive dating relationship pero hindi labeled?"

"I don't know kung ganun nga."

"So mali ba itong pagkikita natin? Magselos ba siya if ever makita niya tayo?"

"Don't say that. Pero maybe. Hindi ko alam."

"Bakit di mo alam?"

"It's just that.."

"What?"

"Wala. Kalimutan mo na yun. Basta I'm single."

"Single? Pero it's complicated."

"Let's end that topic."

"Okay.  okay. Sorry. Why don't we  just have coffee?"

"I'd love that."

And after the dinner lumipat kami sa isang coffee shop.

We talked about everything under the sun. And I must admit he was a good companion. We stayed there for 2 hours. Nakailang coffee din kami.

We separated by 10pm kase I was so tired. Galing pa ako sa shop nung umaga. We parted with the promise na magtatawagan kami. And I am looking forward to that. But syempre only as a friend muna. Let's see where this would go. Ayoko naman na maging rebound siya and besides RJ and I are still together.

When I entered my condo, I was stunned to see RJ waiting for me. May hawak siyang alak.

"Where have you been?"

"Ah, why are you here?"

"Tinatanong kita. Saan ka galing?"

"Sa shop." I turned away from him.

"Don't turn your back on me kapag kinakausap kita. Wala ka sa shop. Pumunta ako doon kanina."

"Lasing ka ba? Why don't you go home to your wife."

"No! Saan ka galing?"

"Bakit ba makulit ka?"

"Masama na ba malaman kung saan nagpunta ang girlfriend ko?"

"Girlfriend? Yeah girlfriend."

"What do you mean? What's with the sarcasm?"

"Please let's not argue about this now. I want to rest. Go back to your wife muna."

"Bakit biglang ganyan? Dati ayaw mo akong umuwi, pero ngayon pinagtutulakan mo na ako!"

"That should be the right thing to do."

"What are you saying? Ayaw mo na? Kase sa tono ng pananalita mo, para mo ng sinabi na layuan kita."

"What if I say I want you to leave me alone and go to hell with your wife? I'm so fed up with us! Pagod na ako sa sitwasyon natin. Pagod na pagod na ako sa paglimos ng atensiyon mo! Pagod na ako sa kahihintay sayo! Pagod na akong mahalin ka!"

"Pagod ka na? E ako? Hindi ba ako nahihirapan sa set up na ito? Pagod na rin ako!"

"Okay. Then let's end this. Pagod ka na rin pala e. Tama na. Go back to her."

And then I walked away from him. Nilock ko ang pintuan ng kwarto ko at iniiyak ang lahat ng sakit na nararamdaman ko. I heard him begging me. He was trying to open the door. He was already sobbing like a child.

"Babe, please open this up. Nabigla lang ako. Mahal na mahal kita."

"Go away, RJ. Tapusin na natin ito."

"Ayoko. Di ko kaya. Mahal na mahal kita."

"I'm sorry RJ, kailangan na nating maghiwalay. Matagal na tayong nagkakasala dahil sa ilusyong ito. Hindi tayo magiging masaya kung may ibang tao tayong sinasaktan."

"Babe, I'll stay here. Hanggang sa marealize mo na mahal mo ako. Hindi ako aalis."

"Please, go. Leave me alone. Tama na. You're making this more painful for me."

"Huwag ganito. Babe, please.. i love you.."

"I love you..." it was a whisper. I never wanted him to hear it. Baka kase lalo lang siyang mahirapan. Mabuti na rin ito.

I just stayed curled in my bed. In our bed. Crying myself out. Walang future ang pagmamahalan namin. Hindi naman niya kayang iwan ang asawa niya. He just can't. Ayoko naman pilitin siya na iwan ito. It's not right.

I did not hear him leave. Natulog ako sa pagod sa kaiiyak. Hindi na nga ako nakapagpalit ng damit. Nagising na lang ako because it was already morning.

Nagshower agad ako. My phone beeps, meron nagtext. It was Jake. He was asking for a lunch date. I accepted it.

Time to move on.

A/N Alam kong walang future ang nga ganitong uri ng love story pero I can't belp writing it. Gusto ko kaseng nasasaktan. Ahahaha. Joke lang po. Nadala kase ako sa panloloko nun DTBY Benjie kay Sinag. Feel na feel ko yun drama.