It Started Without Love

Chapter 9

Nagising ako ng maramdaman ko ang pag-uga ng kama. I move a bit and look at the glasswall of our room, I think it's already morning. Natatabunan ang glasswall ng makapal ng kurtina pero kita ko ang maliwanag na na kalangitan.

Ibinaling ko ang katawan ko nang umuga na naman ang kama. I saw Liam shifting his body. Napalapit siya sa akin dahil sa pag-ikot niya. Akala ko ay gising na siya pero naramdaman kong banayad pa rin ang paghinga niya. I reached for my phone at the bedside table, I checked the time. It's already 5:30 AM. Instead of going back to sleep, I stood up and headed straight to the kitchen. I started cooking breakfast for the both of us,siguro ay may pasok na siya.

I laughed lightly when I realized na wala talaga akong alam sa kanya. Ang hirap naman nito. Baka mamaya, hindi niya pala gusto 'tong mga niluto ko. Pero hindi naman siya siguro magkakaroon ng stock ng mga ito kung hindi siya kakain.

Nagcheck pa ako ng ibang pwedeng lutuin pero talagang itlog at bacon na lang talaga ang natitira. I checked the shelves and found only a box of cereal, kalahati na nga lang din ang laman. Wala na ding laman ang box ng fresh milk na nasa ref kaya't tinapon ko na lang.

I heard footsteps habang naghahanda na ako ng hapag. I saw Liam in a white long sleeve dress shirt, tucked in his black slacks. His coat is in his arms and he is still fixing his tie when he entered the kitchen. I was about to help him with his tie like what I used to do with dad pero narealize kong hindi niya siguro magugustohan.

"Good morning. Sorry, nakialam na ako sa kitchen. Breakfast?" napabaling siya sa akin na parang kung hindi pa siguro ako nagsalita, hindi niya pa marerealize na nasa harapan niya ako.

"Morning." Napakaikling sagot nito at umupo na rin sa table. Kumuha ito ng mga pagkain at kumain na. Tahimik lang din akong kumakain. He stood up when he finished eating.

Naglapag siya ng card sa table, I guess it's a credit card. Napatingin ako sa card then sa kanya.

"Your cards will be cut off from today until the process of transferring your name to mine will be done. Kung may bibilhin ka ngayon, just use mine." Ayaw kong gamitin ang kanya dahil bibili ako ng mga gamit ko for school. It's already Friday and next week, classes will start. I will buy books, ang mamahal ng mga iyon.

"Uhm Liam, can we move the process on Monday? I have to buy books and other school stuffs kasi ngayon, it'll cost big. Cards ko na lang muna ang gagamitin ko." I protested. He is already standing and is ready to go. Dala niya ang isang suitcase sa isang kamay, isang malaking bag naman sa isang kamay na marahil ay naglalaman ng mga books niya sa Law. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay may trabaho din siya sa kompanya ng papa niya. I wonder how he managed his time from all the works and the studies.

"Just use my card, if kulang, you can call me." he said dismissively but still stayed in front of me.

"I mean, that's not my money. I mean..." hindi ko maipahiwatig ang nais ko. Nahihiya lang akong gumastos gamit ang pera niya.

"Just use it." He said then left. I heard the door closed. Maybe pwede pa namang gamitin siguro this morning ang mga cards ko. I'll just try it.

And so, after eating and cleaning the unit, naghanda na agad ako para makaalis. Nagbihis lang ako ng isang fitted white shirt and I tucked it in my highwaist ripped shorts. Nagsuot lang din ako ng puting sapatos and then I'm already good to go.

I just rode a taxi heading to the mall. Nang makapasok na ako ay nailang agad ako. There are people who shifted their gaze abruptly when they noticed me. Like they saw someone who just died and then go back to life. I was just distracted from looking back at them when my phone rings.

"Hello?" I answered without even loking at the screen.

"Hello, Reese?" It's ate Lindsy.

"Yes ate?"

"Where are you? Can you please accompany me?" Pumayag na lang ako ng sabihin niyang magpapasama lang siya dito sa mall, I just informed her that I am already here. Ready naman na siya kaya't ilang sandali lang ay nakarating na rin siya.

I accompany her in buying baby clothes and some baby stuffs. Bumili na rin kami ng mga maternity dress niya dahil mas lumaki na ang tiyan niya ngayong almost third trimester niya na.

"Where will you head after this Reese?" She asked when we are having our snacks in McDo. She said na nagkicrave daw siya ng fastfoods.

"Ihahatid na muna kita ate sa sasakyan. Pupunta pa ako ng NBS para bumili ng mga kailangan ko sa klase eh." She look at me as if I mentioned a hidden treasure's location.

"Sama ako." She pouted. I know na there are changes in a preggy's mood pero di ko nag-expect na ganito ko lala.

"Ate 'wag ka na lang sumama, mapapagod ka lang." she shook her head in protest.

I sighed and then let her do what she want. But before kami pumunta sa mga pakay ko, pinakuha muna namin sa driver niya ang mga pinamili namin.
I am already at the counter at palinga-linga kung nasaan si Ate Lindsy. Nagulat ako ng bigla siyang sumulpot sa likuran ko.

"May binili ka ate?"

"Wala."

Napabaling ako sa cashier ng tawagin niya ko para sabihing nakaoffline ang cards ko. Ate Lindsy saw that and she immediately offered her card instead.

"No ate, I just checked it if hindi pa ba na freeze ang cards ko. Pinagamit naman ni Liam ang card niya sa akin." Ate Lindsy's eyes widened when I handed a black card to the cashier. The cashier ask me to sign something to confirm na ako nga ang gumagamit nito. There are only two people authorized to use the card aside from the owner. Sino kaya ang isa? Hindi makita kung sino ang dalawang authorized persons because confidential ito.

I saw how ate Lindsy's eyes turn from being happy to angry. Maybe she knows who the other one is.

"Ate, kaya pa? I'll just have groceries, wala na kasing stock ng pagkain sa unit eh." Her gaze shifted to me.

"Why don't we shop for your new clothes Reese?" napabaling ang tingin ko sa kanya. Bakit naman bilaan 'tong nagyaya ng shopping, ngayon pa talagang hindi cards ko ang gamit ko.

"Hindi akin ang card na gamit ko ate. Maybe next time."

"When will Liam realize na mas better ka kaysa kang Tatiana? That girl keeps in wasting his money for nonsense. Bags, shoes, clothes. That's what Tatiana been buying using his card. Alam mo ba kung sino pa ang isang authorized person to use that card? It's Tatiana. That bitch."inis na inis si ate habang nagsasalita.

Instead of answering to her rants, I just smiled. He loves her. Wala namang ibang rason kung bakit hinahayaan nating abusuhin tayo eh, it's because of love.