Sari
Malik's project was successful and so was my campaign launch and we were excited to share the results with our teams back at the office. Our bosses were so happy that we were both in talks about a promotion.
"Ang saya!!!" Malik exclaimed that night. He had been dancing around their garden since we got home.
"I hope it goes through!" I said, hoping that we both get it. "Uuwi na ako. Magluluto pa ako eh."
"Dito ka na lang kumain. At dun ka na sa guest room namin matulog. Wala yung mga magulang mo hanggang next week, di ba?"
I nodded.
"Tara. Kuha tayo ng clothes mo, tapos tatawagan ko si Tito na itatanan na kita."
"Ano?!"
"Ay, ano... joke lang. Unless gusto mo."
I pinched him. "Kulit! Kulit! Kulit!"
*
The week went by fast. Malik and I had been spending more and more time together even though the visions had been decreasing.
"Nakakamiss din makita yung flashback," he once commented.
"Oo nga. Pero Malik, when it shows us those moments naman, sobrang linaw. Parang nandun na ako eh."
It was true. It also often happened when we were close. One time, just as we rode the car after having a quick bite at the mall before heading home, an image came.
Sari was laying on the grass with the Datu on top of her. They had been kissing non-stop since she came down from the tree. Her clothes were in disarray and she is begging the Datu to touch her more intimately.
"Maaari mo ba akong pagbigyan, Mahal ko?" She asked. "Kailangan ko lamang maramdaman..." then she moved his hand to where she wanted him to touch her.
There was a lot of moaning and grinding after that.
Malik stopped commenting on it. I knew he was embarrassed and was worried about my comfort so we would let the image finish and the act like nothing happened.
Except he was seeing other images and it seems to be taking a physical toll on him.
I only found out when, during a movie screening we watched, he suddenly doubled over in pain.
"Malik! Are you okay?"
He nodded. "Oo. Nakita kong yung Datu. Parang he was in some challenge, maybe it was one of those tasks given to him. Basta... he encountered a rival group and I felt this one blow to his stomach."
I frowned. "Malik, this is not good."
"Don't worry about it. It passes naman eh. Just give me a little time."
But I did worry. The visions had no physical effect on me, only with Malik. "How can I help?"
He looked at my hand that clasped his. "Can I hold on to you for a little bit?"
I nodded.
I barely recall what the rest of the movie was about. I spent part of it worrying about Malik feeling better, and then most of the rest distracted that he didn't let go even when he already seemed okay.
When we rode his car to drive home, he turned and asked, "Pwedeng pa-holding hands ulit?"
"Masakit pa yung tiyan mo?"
"Hindi na," he blushed. He thought I didn't want to, so he didn't insist.
But, when we were on our way and his right hand was free, I placed my left one in his grasp.
He said nothing but gave me a grateful smile.
*
Hmmm yes, if you've noticed Malik and I have been taking one car together to go to work and yes, we've been going out.
Since we came back from the province for that three week stint, we'd always prefer meals together or hanging out like we used to do when we were staying with Lola Meding.
Our conversations have evolved as well and we don't focus on our past lives. He still teases me and minsan nagkakapikunan but even then, hindi ko para layasan.
"I like hanging out with you," I told him once.
"Really?! Me ha? Not the Datu."
"Yes! You."
"Good. Where do you want to go today?"
We went to a coffee shop and I noticed that he dropped my hand when we ordered our drinks.
I called him out on it. "Maganda lang yung cashier binitawan mo na ako?"
"Huh? Hindi. May nahawakan kasi akong malagkit after ko magbayad."
I made a face and rolled my eyes at him.
"Bakit ang clingy mo?"
I didn't answer.
"Uuuuuuuyyyyyy. Mahal mo na ako."
"Mahal agad. Hindi ba pwedeng gusto ko lang hawakan yung kamay mo."
He honestly looked like a giddy child. He took my hand and we stayed like that for the rest of our time together.
But, as happy as we were lately, things did not all work out. When we got to the office the following week, we got word from the bosses: I got the promotion.
"Congratulations!" Malik said. "Libre mo ako ha?"
"Malik, no. Why didn't you get it?"
He shrugged. "Ganun talaga eh."
Neither of us said it but we both knew Ms. Essa was on the voting committee for VP promotions.
I felt bad for him.
"Hey, not like that," he reprimanded. "You deserve this. Don't put down this achievement just because I didn't get mine."
I promised I would celebrate it. "When do you want to go?"
"This weekend? Masakit lang talaga yung ulo ko. I... I saw the Datu suffer a fall and hit his head and now I have a massive headache."
I frowned again. "Malik, maybe we should go back to ask sila Lola Meding why this is happening to you."
He cupped my face. "I'm fine. Really. Don't worry. Magpapahinga lang ako. You'll be okay to drive home later?"
I nodded.
I went home early that afternoon and passed by a pastry shop to get Malik some of the macarons he likes. But when I got there, no one was home.
My mother noted my puzzled look.
"Wala po, Nay. Akala ko lang magpapahinga si Malik ngayon. Masama pakiramdam niya kanina eh."
"Naku, anak. Tinakbo siya sa ospital. Walang malay nung nakita ng mommy niya sa kwarto."
