My Playboy

Thirty Four

Chapter 34

Worst torture

Loise

Dinala ako ni Brix sa isang coffee shop na hindi pa masyadong sikat but, damn, this place is so good! Walang masyadong tao plus may pampagaan ng loob sa harap ko – which is cheesecake – this is the perfect time para mag-open sa kanya.

“Spill it now, Loise. Binigyan tayo ng cut-off time ng kuya mo.” He snorted. Upon hearing that, hindi ko mapigilang di mapairap. Up until now, hindi pa rin kami masyadong okay ni kuya. Call me maarte or childish, pero hindi niyo maiintindihan yung feeling na parang mas importante pa yung pesteng Code code nila kesa sa happiness ko.

“Let him.” I answered. “C’mon, Brix, we’re here to talk about something. Let him wait.” He just nodded at me and looked at me. “I am in love with Martin.” I told him directly. But upon saying those words, my heart flinched like saying those words are hazardous.

He looked at me seriously. I can’t read the emotions in his eyes. “Talaga? Kelan pa?” he asked.

I shrugged, “I don’t know, Brix.. I just woke up one day, feeling alive, and happy knowing that I will see him again..” I stated. Nakita ko ang iba’t-ibang expresyon na gusto niyang ilabas pero parang may pumipigil sa kanya. I continued, “but then came the day I knew about the girl, Fei..” and I started to choke. Naalala ko ang major heart break na natanggap ko sa kanya sa mismong event ko pa. And I know, right there, tears were starting to form, again. “I knew that she was his past love and bestfriend. Sh-t really happens, Brix. Cause the moment I knew about that was the moment I realized that I have fallen for him, hard.” Hindi ko na napigilan ang isang luhang kumawala sa mata ko. I tried to hold it back pero sadyang masakit pala talaga kapag nanggaling mismo sa’yo. “I don’t know what to do.. I love him, but I should stop. And can you please explain to me what’s the f-cking bro code?” I gave him a pleading look, hoping he’d answer me.

And as if odds are on my side, he nodded. “Listen carefully, Loise. That code is a set of rules meant to be a guideline for us, men. You see, for the four of us, one of our rules is ‘Never fall for you bro’s girl OR sister.’ We highly value these rules the way we value our friendship.” Paliwanag niya. Nung narinig ko ‘yung isa sa mga rule nila, muntik na akong matawa dahil sa dalawang rason. May rule palang ganun?

Gusto kong matawa kasi napakababaw ko. Oo, for the first time, nakita kong may mali din ako dahilan kung bakit ako nasasaktan. I got mad at my twin, whose only intention is to make sure that I won’t get hurt. Well, saan mang anggulo tignan, mali ako. I was selfish. Happiness ko lang ang iniisip ko, habang si kuya, nahirapan between my happiness or their friendship. Sabi ko pa noon sa sarili ko, I will never let anything ruin their friendship. Naikwento kasi sa akin ni Kuya na mula pa nung college sila, magkakaibigan na sila.

“I’m sorry..” I choked my tears. Kanina pa tumutulo ang luha ko dahil sa mga realizations na dumating sa’kin. “I almost ruined your friendship..”

“Shh. Hush, Loise. It’s not your fault. If you fell for one Martin, it’s not your fault. If you had a misunderstanding with your brother, it’s not your fault..” kalmado niyang sabi habang lumipat sa tabi ko at inalo ako. Indeed, he’s my guy best friend. “I guess, you just need a talk with your brother..” I nodded at him and smiled, enough to show how thankful am I to have him.

“But I wish you fell for me instead..” he said in a small, soft voice. W-wait, did I heard it right? Or it was just an imagination?  

Pagtapos nang ilang minutong katahimikan ay nandito na kami sa bahay. Hinatid na ako ni Brix total mas makakabuti na hindi na lang daw muna ako sa office pumunta na sinangayunan ko naman.

Bumaba na ako ng sasakyan at binaba niya naman ang bintana sa passenger side. “Thank you, Brix.. ingat ka.” Ani ko at kinawayan siya.

“Bye! Masaya ko kasi sa’kin ka nag-open.” Aniya at ngumiti sabay salute pa. Baliw talaga ‘to. Sinarado na niya ang bintana at pumasok na ako sa bahay.

**

Brix

“Bye! Masaya ko kasi sa’kin ka nag-open.” I told her while smiling. Kita kong napailing siya, siguro kasi ang baliw ko. Tanga, baliw ka naman talaga. Sinarado ko na ‘yung bintana ko at pumasok na siya. Ilang segundo bago ako umalis, “Bakit ‘di nalang kasi ako, Loise? Handa naman akong i-break ‘yung code na ‘yun para sa’yo..” bulong ko sa sarili ko at umiling. “Damn Alvarez, cupid’s arrow struck you.” Bulong ko ulit sa sarili ko. Sh-t baliw na nga yata talaga ako.

Pagkaalis na pagkaalis ko ay dumiretso ako sa opisina para pauwiin si Von nang magkaayos na sila ng kapatid niya. Alam kong sobra ding nahihirapan si Von nung mga nakaraang araw.

Pagdating ko ng opisina, dumiretso agad ako sa lift at bahagya pang nagulat ang limang babaeng nasa loob. I smiled at them at halata naming kilig na kilig sila. Sana ganyan din si Loise. Tangina! Brix magtino ka nga! Hindi ko nalang pinansin ang bulungan at hagikhikan ng mga babae sa likod ko. Nang makarating ako sa top floor, bumaba ako at agad pumasok ng opisina para lang abutan si Chip na nandon.

“Where’s Von?” / “Where’s Sera?” sabay naming tanong sa isa’t-isa. Tinignan ko siyang mabuti hindi dahil sa tanong niya, pero dahil sa galit sa boses niya.

“I don’t know.. Where’s Sera?” he asked me again, intimidating me. Huh, as if maiintimidate ako ng gago.

“Why are you curious? Where’s your gir—“

“Where the f*ck is Sera, Alvarez?!” he held me by the collar. “Where did you bring her?” he glares at me as if he’s a predator ready to attack its prey.

I was about to answer when Heath and Von came in. “Woah, bros, what’s with the mood?” hirit ni Heath. Agad napahiwalay sa’kin si Chip at nagsukatan kami ng tingin. Tangina neto, dahil sa kanya umiiyak ‘yung babaeng mahal ko.

I didn’t bother to answer Heath’s question, instead, I face Von, “Go home. Nandun si Loise, I tried comforting her a while ago ‘cause she’s crying..” I paused, sinadya kong mambitin at pakiramdaman si Chip. And as if on cue, I felt him stiffened and tensed. “..but it’s no use. I think it’s you who can make her feel better, Von.” He smiled at me and mouthed his thank you.

I’ll do anything, everything, to make you happy, Loise. If that’s the best way to make you feel my love for you, then I’ll do it. Even if the fact that you love him is the worst torture for me.