Second Chance

THEODORE 19

Saturday morning, we were scheduled to have a meeting in WAR. I was already hesitant to go dahil alam kong makikita ko na naman si Soyi. Yesterday was already hard for me to get through the whole day. Nagkamigraine ako and I needed to go home early. Wala ako halos natapos na trabaho.

But since the actual preparations will start today, I decided to go. When I got to the conference room, Soyi was already there.

“Mr. Ramisses.”

She walked towards me and gave me a bag from Starbucks.
And yes, my morning was ruined easily.

“Gusto ko lang sanang magpasalamat for giving Mr. Kim a chance. I heard from your secretary na inapprove mo na yung proposal ko.”
“So have you decided who will take his place while he’s gone?”
“Yes. And I’m ready to take the responsibility.”

I was actually hoping she wouldn’t accept my suggestion. Makikita ko lang ulit siya and it wouldn’t be easy for me.

“Please just contact my secretary then. She’ll let you sign some papers.”
“Ahh at saka pala eto.”

Naglabas siya ng isang malaking paper bag ulit. It was huge, almost kalahati ng taas niya yung kahon. Pano niya nabitbit yan??

“For what happened the other night…binilhan kita ng bagong bed sheet. Pasensya na talaga sa abala.”

I just looked at it.
Tas mas nilapit niya sakin.

“Ms. Kim. You didn’t have to.”
“Ah kasi, sobrang nahihiya kasi---”
“Please. Just don’t do it again. Dahil I don’t think I can help you again the next time.”
“Sorry talaga. Please just accept this, makabawi man lang ako.”

I’ve had enough. Tumayo na ko sa kinauupuan ko.

“Stop. Take those back.”
“H-ha?”
“Stop doing this. We’re here for business. So please, don’t talk to me unless you have important matters to talk about.”

I walked out of the room and left the building. Seriously?? Umagang umaga punong puno na agad ako??? I just can’t have Soyi in my sight or in my mind right now. Masyadong toxic.

Trish, my secretary, called me to where I was. Sinabi ko na lang sa kanya na ituloy ang necessary signing of papers with the board then wrap it up. Dumiretso na lang akong office to work on other things.
Hours later, Sabrina entered my office.

“Sab??”

She was dressed so casually kaya nagulat ako. She knew this is a professional workplace! Bakit ganun suot niya?? She was wearing maong shorts with a loose buttoned shirt.

“Why are you dressed like that?”

Tapos may nilapag siyang dalawang ticket sa desk ko.

“Come with me.”

I looked at the tickets. Summer festival???

“Sab ano na naman ba to---”
“I forgive you. Can’t you just go para makabawi ka man lang???”

Again, I wasn’t even sorry. She’s the reason why may crack ang phone ko. She should apologize.

“Look. I know I’ve overreacted. But Theo, can’t you at least tell me that she’s your neighbor?? Para naman tayong walang pinagsamahan.”
“I didn’t think she’s worth telling you.”

Then I saw her mood changed. She was smiling now.

“Oh ayan. I bought you a new phone.”

It was a new iPhone model.

“Sab, you don’t have to buy me. Saka san ka nakakuha ng pambili nito???”
“I borrowed from mama muna. Use it or magagalit ako.”

I opened the phone.
But it was already opened. I saw that the screensaver was the photo of us together with Becca.

“Don’t change that!”, sabi ni Sab.
“I didn’t say anything.”

Then biglang nagring phone ko.
A caller id named, Best Girl 💕, appeared.

“Don’t change that too!”

Ugh seriously? Sino ba talaga gagamit nito? Ako or siya?
But knowing Sab, I just didn’t argue. Saka ko na lang papaltan.

“Fine.”
“Gamitin mo yan from now on, ok???”
“Yeah thanks.”
“So are you coming with me? Or kakaladkarin kita out of here?”

Did she give me a fair choice???
Kaya napasubo na lang ako. I told her I’d finish my paper works first so she just waited for me. After almost an hour, I finally finished.

“Akala ko kakaladkarin na kita palabas eh.”, sabi niya.
“Tumayo ka na dyan. Let’s go.”

I let her drive the car as I don’t really know where we’re going. Then I heard my old phone beeping. Kukuhanin ko na sana but Sab grabbed it first.

“Hey. I told you wag mo na gamitin yan.”
“Yeah but yung contacts ko---”
“Ugh. Just transfer them later. You promised me, remember???”

Seriously. She is so frustrating kapag may gusto talaga siya. Talagang wala kang kawala eh. Mauubos lang lakas ko dito pag nakipagaway pa ko.
She parked the car in front of an open ground. Dito na yun?
We walked towards the entrance of barricades then they let us in. Meron pa ngang kinabit na admission ticket around our wrist.

“This is stupid.”, I tried removing it pero apparently, it was kind of hard to remove it.
“Wag mo tanggalin! They might think you didn’t pay for it!!”
“Tss. I can even buy all the tickets here.”
“Ah basta! Wag mong tanggalin!”

It was really crowded. What kind of a concert is this? Bakit walang chairs?
Then Sab led me to a more crowded spot.

“Sab. This is too confining for me. And are just going to stand here??”
“Wag ka nga maarte! This is an open ground concert and a lot of bands will play. So duh, nobody would want chairs.”

I would!! Pero mukang wala ngang upuan elsewhere.
The first two bands that played were quite a bore for me. When I look at everyone, they were just having fun while actually singing songs I haven’t even heard before. Sab too, was singing her heart out.

“Wag ka ngang kj! Ifeel mo kasi yung music!!”
“I’d rather want to feel my toes. Namamanhid na yung mga paa ko, Sab.”
“Tsk! Hay nako bakit ba kasi--- ay ayan na! May tutugtog na ulit!”

A band was setting up again. When they started playing, I think I knew the song.
Ahh finally something that I know of.

~~~ There's nothing I won't try
Just to make you mine ~~~

Wait. That voice?
I looked at Sab. She was as shocked as I was.
Tinignan ko maigi yung lead singer. Di ako nagkakamali, si Kian nga.

~~~ Oh why dont you smile my only star
Shine on baby
Smile my only star ~~~

“L-let’s go…”, narinig kong sabi ni Sab.
“Ha? Why? Kian’s playing.”
“Since when did you become friends with that guy???”

She was mad now.
Bakit? Ano bang masama sa sinabi ko? We were classmates before that’s why.

“Look. Ikaw nagdala sakin dito tas magyayaya ka na?”
“Kung ayaw mo, then stay here!”

She pushed her way through the crowd hanggang sa di ko na nga siya makita. Syempre, sinundan ko siya.
When I got close to the exit, I heard Kian speak from the microphone.

“I dedicate  this song to my good friend, Athena, who’s here tonight! Thank you! We are Catharsis!!!”

Athena? Andito siya??
I tried to scan the crowd like an idiot. But Sabrina grabbed me.

“Ano aalis na ba tayo or what???”

Magpapahila na sana ako sa kanya pero my body moved into a different direction.
I walked towards the backstage. What was I doing???

“Theo!!! Where are you going??!!”

I didn’t listen to her. Fuck. Whatever. Titignan ko lang naman if magkasama sila Kian and Soyi.
When I got close to the backstage, I saw Kian with his band.
Tapos nakita kong lumapit si Soyi and then she hugged him.

“Ano bang ginagawa mo---”

Sabrina saw them too.
After a few seconds, Kian got a sight of us.

“Theo??? What are you---”

He looked like he saw a ghost. Then I reliazed kung kanino siya nakatingin.
He saw Sab. Oh ano namang issue nilang dalawa?

“Theo?”

Soyi saved the situation.
Pero ako naman ang naipit. Bat nga ba ako dinala dito ng katawan ko???

“Uhh, we heard Kian singing. We just wanted to drop by.”
“Actually, siya lang.”, sabat naman ni Sab.
“Ahh ganun ba. Baka gusto niyong sumama samin? We’re going to have an after party. Right, Athena?”

I looked at Soyi. She agreed.

“No, we’re going too. Diba, Theo??”

I looked at Sab. Talagang kulang na lang lumabas na mata niya kakapangdilat sakin.

“But I guess it won’t hurt to come with us, right? Sab and Theo?”, sabi ni Soyi.

We all looked at her. She wants us to tag along??
I mean, pagkatapos ko siyang ipagtabuyan kanina? Why???
I pretended to look at my watch.

“Okay. We’ll go.”

So guess who was tortured by Sabrina’s loud complaints? Ako lang naman.
While we were on the road, she was completely pissed off na di siya tumigil kakadada niya.

“Theo naman! It was supposed to be just us tonight! Tapos gusto mo pa sumama sa kanila??? What were you thinking???”

I didn’t answer. I don’t know what to answer, to be honest.

“Why??? Is it because Athena’s there??? Ha??!!”
“Sab, stop overreacting. We’re neighbors, remember? We practically can see each other everyday.”
“So bakit nga? Bakit ba tayo sasama???”
“An after party sounded more fun.”
“UGH!!!”

Hay finally she gave up. Buti na lang din tumigil na din yug sinusundan kong kotse nila Kian. It went inside a two story house that looked like a vacation house.
When we got there, I was surprised to see tons of people partying around the pool area.

“Guys, tara.”, pagyayaya ni Kian.

He led us to the second floor balcony area and we settled in a table of four. His bandmates went partying downstairs

“So, what can I get you? Shots ba??”
“Ay hindi. Juice lang ako Kian.”, sabi ni Soyi.

Good. Natuto na siya.

“I don’t want anything.”, sabi naman ni Sab.
“I’ll just have a beer.”
“Okay! Be right back!”

It was so awkward with us just 3. Buti na lang the music was loud and a lot of people were either shouting or cheering. A few minutes after, Kian showed up with the drinks.

He was good in keeping the mood light and easy, which was a relief. He was telling a story of how their band started and so on and so forth.
I can’t concentrate on his story dala ng I was bothered by two things: One, Sab was acting strange as she kept on showing her annoyed face and two, Soyi was just distracting. Okay, I meant with her clothes. Pano ba naman kasi she was wearing this tight pants with a sheer sleeveless top. I almost wanted to give her my coat sa sobrang nakakailang.

“So that’s it yeah. We’ll be doing a lot more gigs this month around the country. It’s really going to be busy.”, pagkkwento pa ni Kian.
“That’s why I wanted Athena here to attend tonight’s gig. I don’t think I’ll be able to invite her in our other shows. Malalayo na kasi eh.”

He put his arms on Soyi’s shoulder and I can’t help but stare. I just drank from my bottle of beer.

“Kayo, how did you know we were playing??”
“We don’t even know you guys. I just happened to have tickets and sinama ko si Theo.”, sagot ni Sab.
“Oh. So I guess…date night niyo??”, tanong naman ni Kian.

I almost choked from my beer. I looked at Soyi, she looked uninterested.

“That’s not your business anymore, Kian.”, mataray na sagot nitong si Sab.

Ako lang ba talaga ang nakakaramdam ng tension sa pagitan ng dalawang to???
Buti na lang, Soyi’s phone beeped.

“Ahh…sorry guys I think I need to go.”
“Huh?? But we just started Athena.”, panghihinayang naman ni Kian.
“Yeah, kami din. Theo let’s go.”

Tumayo na nga din si Sab but Kian stood up too.

“Well isabay nyo na si Athena. She didn’t bring her car. Diba neighbors lang kayo, Theo?”
“Kian. No need. I can just call a cab.”, sabi naman ni Athena.
“Yeah, besides ihahatid pa ko ni Theo.”, dagdag ni Sab.
“I don’t see a problem with that.”, mabilis na sagot ni Kian.

Ugh. I hate these situations. Nakita ko namang tinignan ng masama nitong si Sab si Kian.
I just decided to start walking downstairs and Sabrina followed.
Lumingon naman ako kay Soyi.

“Let’s go. We’re neighbors, right?”

Sumakay na nga kami ni Sab ang Soyi bid her goodbye to Kian.
Then he hugged her.

“I’ll see you soon. Take care, okay?”

Hinigpitan pa niya.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5….aba, 5 seconds ng nakayakap???
Buti na lang bumitaw na si Soyi.

“Yeah, you too.”, sabi nito.

Soyi sat at the back seat while Sabrina was beside me. After a while of leaving Kian’s place, we were all quiet. It was actually deafening.

We got in Sabrina’s condo and she almost got out of the car without saying a word.

“Ay oo nga pala. Here. Your phone.”

She handed me my old phone.
But before she gave it to me, she checked the notifications.

“Just give me that.”, pag-aagaw ko dito.
“Uhh, Theo? Paul has been calling you.”
“Huh?”
“Kaya pala vibrate ng vibrate kanina eh! 22 missed calls!”

What??? Ano kayang nangyari---
Holy shit. It was our meeting today with that international client!!! How could I forget that???

“Fuck.”
“Well, just call him back. Mauna na ko.”

Sab then closed the door without even acknowledging that Soyi was there too.
Sinubukan ko munang tawagan si Paul.

Now, he’s not answering.

“Shit.”
“Uhh, Theo? Is everything okay?”, tanong ni Soyi.
“Huh? Yeah.”
“Okay lang din naman if I take a cab from here.”

Paul is still not picking up. Ugh.

“No. Come here.”
“Ha?”

Tinignan ko naman siya sa back seat and asked her to sit beside me again.

“I’m not anyone’s driver, Soyi.”
“Ahh! Okay wait.”

She transferred seats then I drove back to our condo. After trying to call Paul many times, my attention was diverted to the scene earlier. I still can’t get my mind off Kian’s hug. Ugh, masyado naman atang napahigpit yun??? Tas napakanipis pa ng suot ng babaeng to. Di ba siya naconscious???

While we were still stuck on the road, she finally spoke.

“Nasan pala si Becca?”
“Si Becca? Why?”, pagtataka ko dito.
“Ah kasi, you and Sab went out…I was just wondering kung nasan siya ngayon.”

I looked at her, still confused.

“She’s with Sab’s mom.”
“Ahh…”

Then it went awkward again. On my peripheral vision, nakikita ko naman na kinakalikot niya yung mga kamay niya. It was a habit of hers even before. That only meant something’s bothering her.

“What is it?”, tanong ko na sa kanya.
“Huh?”
“You’re bothered about something. Ano ba yun?”
“Ahh…I was just, uhm, wondering…since when…”

I looked at her, she still seemed like she can’t form her sentences. Ano bang nangyayari dito?

“When what?”
“Since you and Sabrina got…uhm, together?”
“Together?”
“Uhm, you know, when you got….marr---ayun.”

She cleared her throat so loud ni hindi ko naintindihan masyado yung tanong niya.

“Anong ayun???”
“Yung kayong dalawa….alam mo na??”
“Anong alam ko na???”

Napahagod na naman siya sa ulo niya.

“Since when you got married! GODS!”
“Bakit ka galit???”

She looked really frustrated. Eh bakit niya ko tinaasan kasi ng boses???

“I’m not mad! I just…don’t want to say the word…..married. Ms. Graciel told me na sensitive ka sa mga ganung bagay…”
“She did??? Well, dati na yun.”

She didn’t respond again. So I just had to answer her question.

“And no. We’re not married. Legal guardian lang ako ni Becca. It just happened to be that way.”
“H-hindi ikaw ang daddy niya??”
“Biologically, no.”
“Ahh…”

I was really distracted nung napatingin na naman ako sa kanya. Hinubad ko naman yung coat ko then I gave it to her.

“Suotin mo muna yan.”
“H-ha? Bakit…”

I cleared my throat.

“Malamig.”
“Hindi okay lang ako---”
“Just wear it please.”

Buti na lang di na siya nagreklamo pa. After what I felt like long minutes, we finally arrived at the condo’s lobby. Pinababa ko na lang muna siya.

Then I parked the car.
Pagkaakyat ko sa unit ko, I saw the huge box Soyi was carrying earlier. There was also a note.

Please just accept this. Nakakahiyang amoy suka ko yung kama mo.

Tss. Ang tigas talaga ng ulo eh.

Nevertheless, I picked up the box at pumasok na nga ko sa loob.