Crossing the Line

Twelve

Hindi alam ni Mella kung mapapangiwi ba siya sa sitwasyon niya ngayon. She tried to meet Connor's eyes but he's busy talking to Mrs. Hermosa. Or baka talagang sinasadya ng lalaki na huwag siya tignan dahil alam niya nito na kung nakakamatay lang ang mga titig ay kanina pa patay ito. Napatalon siya nang may dumaang pusa sa may paanan niya at dahil naka-shorts lang siya, dumampi sa mga binti niya ang balahibo ng pusa. She's so gonna kill Connor for signing her up for this!

"Okay na ba, Mella?"

Her eyes shifted from the cat to the old lady. Mrs. Hermosa is looking at her while patting her dog in her arms. She looked at Connor at ang lalaki ay hindi talaga tumitingin sakanya.

She smiled at Mrs. Hermosa. "If you're ready po ma'am, we can start."

Six freaking hours.

Six long fucking hours.

Ganyan katagal siya nakaupo para ipinta ang buong "fur family" ni Mrs. Hermosa. Hindi na nga niya mabilang kung ilang buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan niya para lang humaba ang pasensya niya. This is the first time she's doing something like this. She agreed to do this work thinking that it can add to her credentials and portfolio as an artist. Yes, given na kaya niyang tumagal sa workroom niya ng mahabang oras pero iba iyon. Doon walang distractions, tahimik, hindi siya naste-stress, walang tahol ng mga aso o pag-"meow" ng mga pusa.

"You okay?" Connor appeared at her side, handing her a bottle of water.

Hindi niya sinagot si Connor pero tinanggap niya ang bote ng tubig. Inisang lagok niya iyon. Pakiramdam niya natuyo hindi lang ang utak niya kundi pati ang lalamunan niya. Pakiramdam niya pagod na pagod siya eh a-apat na portraits lang naman ang ipininta niya ngayon. She suddenly felt drained.

"Mella, uy. Talk to me, please?"

She didn't respond. Inis siya kay Connor. Mali. Inis na inis siya kay Connor. Nanggagalaiti siya kay Connor. Gusto niya itong bulyawan pero kahit iyon ay hindi niya magawa kasi nga pakiramdam niya ay pagod na pagod na siya.

"Mella.." Connor trailed.

He was about to touch her when Mrs. Hermosa appeared.

"Mella, the portraits are amazing! Thank you for doing this, hija."

She smiled at the old woman despite her irritation. "No problem po, Mrs. Hermosa. I'll get the portraits framed and deliver it to your house."

Mrs. Hermosa smiled and looked at the both of them. "Dito na kayo mag-dinner."

She was about to decline when Connor butted in and did it for them.

At least marunong makiramdam ang gago.

"Thanks for the offer, Mrs. Hermosa, but Mella's a bit tired. Maybe next time?"

"Of course, of course. That's very insensitive of me." sagot ng ginang na may bahid ng pag-aalala sa mukha."Sige na, hindi ko na kayo pipigilan pa. Salamat ulit, Mella, Connor."

She smiled and hugged Mrs. Hermosa and bid her goodbye. Nauna na siyang naglakad palabras ng bahay dahil pakiramdam niya ay sasabog na siya makarinig lang ng isa pang tahol ng aso. She waited for Connor to come out. Sabay lang kasi sila nagpunta ditto sakay ng Rover nito. Hindi naman siya pinaghintay nito ng matagal at nakita na niya itong naglalakad palabras dala-dala ang mga gamit niya. Nilabas nito ang key fob at pinindot para buksan ang pinto ng Rover nito. She did not wait for him, she climbed in his car.

Maingat nitong nilagay sa passenger seat ang mga gamit niya bago ito sumakay sa driver's seat. She can tell that he's looking at her from time to time but she kept her blank face on.

"Mella.."

"Shut up."

Napansin niya na may ngising lumitaw sa mukha nito. "At least you talked."

She let out a loud sigh.

"Sorry na. I didn't know that it'll be a chaos."

"It's a disaster, Connor." she spat.

"I know, but look on the bright side, your portraits turned out beautiful."

She didn't commented on that because it's true. But still, this will be considered as a nightmare for her. Akala niya nung una madali lang pero akala lang pala, the "fur babies" are more impatient than her. Hind mapirmi, some even jumped on her and toppled her materials. Na-culture shock ata siya dahil ang gulo. Dogs are barking, cats are meowing, Mrs. Hermosa is speaking loudly at her babies, Connor and one maid are chasing some of Mrs. Hermosa's pets. It was a total disaster. Hindi nga niya alam kung paano niya natapos ang trabaho niya.

"Hey, you're not talking again."

She glared at Connor who looked at her with that innocent eyes of his. Hindi siya nag-effort na ipahalat ditto ang inis sa mukha nito. He should get it by now. Matalino ito kahit gago gago.

He sighed. "I know you're pissed at me. Believe me, hindi ko rin naman alam."

She didn't answered. Hindi na rin naman na nagsalita pa si Connor. Naramdaman na rin siguro nito na ayaw niya makipag-usap. Pero siyempre, since this is a disastrous day for her, sumabay pa ang malakas na pagtunog ng tiyan niya.

Connor looked at her amusingly. Bago pa nito maibuka ang bibig, binantaan niya na ito.

"Not. A. Word. Connor. Subukan mo ko."

Ngumiti lang si Conno. "C'mon. Let's get you something to eat."

"Nakakainis siya talaga! Ang kulit niya!"

Marky eyed her like she's a clown.

"Oh, ba't ganyan ka makatingin?" pagtataray niya sa kaibigan.

Marky sipped on his drink and then looked at her. "Ano ba kinukulit sa'yo ni Con?"

She rolled her eyes and leaned her head on Vera's shoulder. "Naiinis talaga ako sakanya!"

Tumawa ang katabi niyang si Vera. "Bakit nga?"

"Kailan ka ba hindi nainis kay Con? Like, besides me, Connor is the only man who can get in your nerves." nakangising sabi ni Marky sakanya.

She shot Marky a deadly glare but he just laughed it off. Nandito sila sa Le Plaisir. Nagpalibre siya kay Marky nang maabutan niya ito doon na kausap si Adam na umalis din at sinabing may pupuntahan pa raw ito.

"Connor is just sorry for the other day."

She gaped at Vera. "How did you know about that?"

Napangiwi si Vera. "He might just asked me some help."

She groaned. "Vera.."

"Sorry! Pero justifiable naman kasi rason niya. Hindi naman talaga niya alam na ganoon kagulo ang mangyayari. Tsaka, hindi ka naman niya pinilit, you agreed to do that project."

"Right." Marky agreed, nodding his head.

She crumpled a tissue and threw it to Marky. "Makikisawsaw pa, wala naman alam!"

"Hey, may alam ako!"

"Epal. Kaya ka iniiwasan ni Moana eh, kasi epal ka."

Umasim ang mukha ni Marky sa pagbanggit niya ng pangalan ng girlfriend nito. "Nagpapalambing lang 'yon."

Vera looked at Marky with wary in her eyes. "Make up with your girlfriend before it's too late."

Tinawanan lang ni Marky ang sinabi ni Vera. He shakes his head and didn't utter a word.

Vera sighed and returned her attention to her. "And you.."

Umungol siya bilang protesta dahil alam na niya ang sasabihin sakanya ni Vera.

"Pansinin mo na si Connor. Ayoko ng may magkaaway sa birthday ko next week!"

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