CURSED

21- The Mystery Woman

One week. One week nang hindi nagpapakita si Deus at nag-aalala sina Bleik at Garren sa lalaki. Pero wala silang magawa para rito. He was still in pain and he needed time to heal. He needed time to mourn a lost love.

But they also need to check on him kaya heto si Bleik, ilang beses nang nag-doorbell sa apartment ni Deus. Limang minuto yata siyang nakatayo sa harap ng pinto bago siya pinagbuksan ng binata. His messy hair was a bit longer and he clearly hadn't shaven for days. Namamaga ang mga mata nito at nakasuot lang ng puting tank top at itim na cotton shorts. Nevertheless, he was still gorgeous.

Napalunok si Bleik dahil pakiramdam niya ay bigla siyang nabilaukan. Naaawa siya rito. He looked stinky but he actually didn't smell at all. If that made sense at all.

"Bleik, may problema?" tanong nito. He sounded tired. Very tired. Kaya mas naawa pa si Bleik dito.

"I'm here to check on you. Buti naman buhay ka pa," pinilit niya ang sariling ngumisi. She wasn't funny. Her jokes were the worst.

Isang maliit na ngiti ang sumilay sa mga labi nito bago nito niluwagan ang pagkakabukas ng pinto. At least he found humor in what she said.

Bleik looked around the living room. In fairness, malinis ang buong lugar. "In fairness, hindi makalat."

"I don't like mess. Mas nakakadagdag pa sa depression ko," he simply replied before going to the kitchen. "You want something to drink?"

"No, thanks," komportableng umupo si Bleik sa couch na naroon at naupo naman si Deus sa harap n'ya. May bitbit na itong can ng beer mula sa fridge. Alas-diyes pa lang ng umaga pero umiinom na ito ng alcohol. Pero hindi na lang iyun pinansin ni Bleik.

"So, what's up?"

"Hindi ka pwedeng bisitahin?"

"Bleik, you don't come here without any reason. Did Garren force you to come here? I don't want to burden you or anyone. I'm fine."

"Maging thankful ka na nga lang na binisita kita," aniya saka ito sinimangutan. He smiled a little bit. For someone hurting, Deus still looked so good.

"I am thankful, Bleik. I really am. Ayoko lang na maisturbo ka."

"Ang totoo n'yan, Garren did tell me to check on you but she didn't need to force me. I want to come here. Isang linggong wala kaming narinig sa'yo. Nag-aalala kaming lahat sa'yo."

"I'm really fine. Thank you though. Isa pa, I told you about my curse so I am not going to be around always."

"Buhay pa naman kami kaya no worries."

Tinitigan ni Deus ang hawak na beer bago tumingin sa kanya. "S'ya nga pala, technically, you're still working for me. I didn't fire you and you didn't resign. I should give you your salary."

Tumaas ang kilay ni Bleik. "Is that the grief talking nonsense?"

"Bleik..."

"Are you really okay? Deus, I understand that you're hurting right now and it's okay to mourn. It's alright to feel pain. But please make sure that your brain is still functioning well. I am not here for your money."

Bahagya nanamang natawa si Deus pero agad naman iyung nawala. "Honestly, I don't know what to feel anymore. I kinda feel numb."

"I won't say na makaka-relate ako kasi hindi naman ako nagkaroon ng relationship na katulad ng sa'yo. I loved Arun but we were not really together. Our time didn't come. But I still felt pain. Paano ka pa kaya? Ang tagal n'yo ring magkarelasyon. Malaking parte siya sa buhay mo. So, I will not say na kalimutan mo na s'ya. Alam kong mahirap gawin 'yan. Ang masasabi ko lang is lilipas din ang sakit. One day. We don't know when but one day you will not feel the pain anymore. You will not forget it but you will definitely feel better one day."