Chapter 6

CAREER

"Ky.. may banyo ba kayo?"Natatarantang tanong ko.

"Oo naman. Nakalimutan mo na kung saan? You've been here before.."naguguluhang tanong ni Kyla.

Ay oo nga pala. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng lumabas si Peter na naka white uniform pa at diretso ang tingin sa akin. Sobrang sexy nyang tignan. At parang umaapoy ang mga mata sa galit?

Kumabog ang dibdib ko nang mabilis at tinalikuran siya.

"Punta lang ako Ky.." sabi ko sabay takbo. Bakit panay ang takbo ko ngayong gabi?

Nang makapasok ako sa toilet nila ay umihi ako , naghugas ng mga kamay at inayos ang nagulo kong buhok. Nang makontento ay lumabas na ako. Napatili ako ng makita ko si Peter sa labas at bigla nya akong tinulak papasok ulit sa banyo.

He crouched down and covered my mouth with his lips.

Napakapit ako sa mga braso niya at gumanti ng halik. He ended it before I could even bite his lower lip.

"Retire early huh?"he said in his usual dark expression. Napakagat labi ako. He pressed my chin hard for me to release my lip then placed his hand back to my waist and pulled me closer.

"Biglaan lang Peter! Kyla told me about Carsen's birthday this afternoon."Palusot ko. At humawak sa dibdib nyang matigas.

"Hmmm.. that's why you didn't want me to call you.."he said while clenching his jaw. He crouched down again and leveled our faces.

I looked away. Tama naman kasi siya.

"Sorry to tell you this love.. but I won't let you get near that boy." Napatingin ako sa mukha niya. Hindi makapaniwala. Akala ko susumbatan niya ako.

Dahan dahan akong tumango at yumakap sa batok niya. Narinig ko ang mabilis na tibok ng puso niya.

"Sorry.." i whispered. I felt so guilty.

"You have to tell me everything love. There's no need to hide anything from me. Please.." napatango ulit ako at yumakap ng mahigpit. He squeezed my small waist hard then placed his hands on my back. Caressing it softly.

"I'll be your partner tonight.." Napaangat ang tingin ko. Nagtama ang mga ilong namin.

"Pero may pasok ka pa.."

"No more. I rather be with my love.."he said slowly then kissed my lips softly.

Napabuntong hininga ako ng mabilis din niyang pinakawalan ang mga labi ko at hinila na ako palabas.

Kyla was smiling so wide nang makita kaming palapit sa kanila.

Pinakawalan ako ni Peter at hinayaan akong lumapit sa classmate ko while he went to his brother.Napairap ako ng makita ko si Kuya Lindsey na nakangisi. He even lifted his champagne flute para bumati sa akin nang nakakaloko.

"Double pala sila! Ipakikala mo naman ako sa twin nya Shanelle.."nakikiusap na sabi ni Kyla.

"Masasaktan ka lang dyan." Sabi ko at hinila siya papunta sa inumin.

"Malay mo mapagbago ko.."wishful na sabi niya. Umirap lang ako.

"Please.."

"Hindi yan marunong magseryoso girl. You'll cry a river." Ayokong magkasira kaming dalawa.

Napabuntong hininga siya. "Sabagay. We're friends. And you know them.."

"Kay Train ka na lang. Kasi halata ring may gusto sayo. Doon ka sa sigurado na." I advised.

"Oh my!! Sabi ko na nga ba eh. Akala ko guni-guni ko lang.." kinikilig na sabi niya. I just laughed.

When the party started Peter sat beside me with Kuya Lindsey. Ang sarap burahin ang ngisi sa mga labi niya..

Hindi na rin nakalapit si Carsen. Halatang nag aalangan sa mga naglalakihang lalaki sa tabi ko.

We went home after they opened the dance floor. I even saw Kyla dancing with Train when we left the place.

Next day after the party, Peter flew to Caticlan to report on his job. Siguro kung hindi sila ang may ari, matagal na siyang nasibak sa trabaho nya.

Palaging umaalis kung kailan nya gusto. At dahil yon sa akin! Kaya nanahimik nalang ako kahit anong pilit sa akin ni Kyla na magpunta kami sa kung saan saan.

I spent my afternoons video calling him kapag may byahe siya. Tapos minsan sa head office din siya nagwowork para makatulong kay Kuya Lindsey. He was busy so I didn't want to burden him with petty things.

"Love, I'll just get us something to drink.." Peter said then kissed my head.

We were having our lunch outside his balcony. He has a big balcony overlooking their driveway and the main road.

Napasilip ako when I saw a white car parked on their driveway near my car.

I got curious when a skinny and tall woman went out of the white car. She was wearing a fitted dress that showed her curves.

Bigla akong napatingin sa katawan ko at napasimangot. Malaki kasi ang dibdib noong babae.

I took my empty plate with me and followed Peter. Maybe she was Kuya Lindsey's fling?

My eyebrows almost hit the roof when I saw her kissed my boyfriend on the corner of his lips and hugged him tight. Peter hugged her back too. I paused. My heart beat slowed down. I felt something isn't right..

If I hadn't known Peter, I could definite say that they're like a couple. Because they looked so good together. The way the woman hold my man, the way she smiles and looks at him. Hindi ko nga lang makita ang reaction ni Peter because his back was on me.

I held the plate tightly. Then walked slowly. Bawat hakbang ay katumbas ang kabog ng puso ko. It was painful to see. Was there something going on between them?

I took a deep breath and tried to clear my thoughts. I've heard from someone that men liked their women to be mature. So I needed to act one. Ayokong mag away na naman kami dahil lang sa baseless jealousy ko.

And he promised to marry me. So she was out of the picture already..

I cleared my throat and both of them snapped their heads on my direction.

The woman's smile faltered. Peter came up to me and held my waist. Then we walked together towards the woman.

I flashed her my sweetest smile and looked at Peter.

"Love.. this is my childhood friend Penelope. Pene, this is Loveria..."

Hindi na pinatapos ni Penelope ang introduction ni Peter dahil hinila niya na ako para makipag beso beso. I caught her sweet scent. When she pulled away, her big smile came back. She squeezed my shoulder before turning to Peter with her affectionate eyes.

"Glad to meet you Shanelle. I'm his girl best friend since diapers days. Penelope Mateo" She said then grinned at me.

"Sorry Peter.. I'm too excited to finally meet her. Loveria right?"Napatango ako. Her voice was like a lullaby. Her face was so lovely. Angelic and her body was a killer. She was so perfect.

And I was shocked that they've talked about me..

"And you're his?.."she asked.

Napakunot ang noo ko. Not really pala.. What should I tell her? Should I say I'm his girl? His best friend's sister? Or a friend? I was suddenly confused. But he said I'm his girl before..pero walang ligawan na nangyari..

Tumawa ng mahinhin si Penelope. Maybe she could see my confusion.

I swallowed hard and touched my bangle.

"Pene, stop it." Peter said then pulled Pene's wrist and guided her towards the dining area. Samantalang ako naman ay nakatayo lang habang nakatingin sa kanila.

Napahinto si Peter at Penelope.

"Love you okay?" He said. Napatango lang ako at humabol sa kanila. Penelope smirked then looked away.

Nagmadali akong lumakad papunta sa kitchen para magpahanda ng pagkain ni Penelope. And since Peter haven't finished his lunch, pinababa ko na lang ang plato niya at kinuhanan siya ng bago.

"It seemed like you're always here Shanelle." Penelope commented.

I smiled at her. "Yes. I always bring him food to try cause I'm starting to learn how to cook." I shyly said.

"Oh really? He likes Bicol express. You should learn that first." Napatango ako. Peter pulled me to sit beside him when their plates were prepared.

"I still remember how bicol express became your favourite dish.." she said then tasted my food. Suddenly I wanted to impress her. If she's his best friend, I should make her like me..

She crunched up her nose and ate slowly.

Well, her body was a model type. Kaya siguro mahina siyang kumain. I was waiting for her comment on my cooking but it never came.

"I cooked him that Bicol express on our third year highschool. Then until now, he couldn't forget it." Napatigil ako sa pagnguya ng cupcake ko. Probably, she taught Peter how to cook that too.

"And I taught him that too. Have you tried his cooking expertise? He loved cooking for me before. Cause I love to eat." Napalunok ako. I could only eat so much. Peter always finishes my food kapag napasobra ang bigay niya.

I kept quiet and ate my cupcake that I baked while Penelope talked about their time together.

Nang makita kong tapos na si Peter ay kumuha ako ng cupcake and gave it to him.

"Oh.. so she made you eat sweets?"her perfect brow raised up.

Napatigil ako at ibinaba ang kamay ko sa lap ko. I really felt so out of place. Even though Peter kept asking if I'm okay, it wasn't enough.

"Pene.. just stop."

"No Peter! She's poisoning you!" She said that made my eyes almost pop out.

"You didn't know? He gets diarrhea when he eats sweet." She said in her annoyed tone.

"I didn't k-know." I stammered and tried to remove the cupcakes.

"No love. I'm good now. Don't worry." He said then bit on his cupcake then smiled. He held my hand under the table.

I swallowed hard when Penelope looked at me angrily. Bigla akong kinabahan. Marami pa pala akong hindi alam sa kanya..

I was practically poisoning him whenever I put something sweet on his plate.. I felt ashamed and bad.

"Love.. don't worry, that only happened once and it was long time ago. Penelope's just upset until now and doesn't let me eat sweets." He tried to coax me. But it made me feel more hurt.

She has a big spot in his life. He grew up with her. She knew his likes, dislikes and even his allergies while I knew nothing.

Penelope took his cupcake and ate it. Napaawang ang bibig ko.

"Shanelle, don't ever feed him sweets ever again." She said after chewing it.

Napatango lang ako. I couldn't look at her. I was so embarrassed and hurt.. it was too painful to watch Peter talked to someone he was so comfortable with.

"By the way Shanelle, my stepfather's also a ship captain in America. He's willing to take Peter in his wing but this man declined." Napatingin ako kay Peter. He just smiled and squeezed my hand.

"I told you.." I whispered.

"Everything's okay love. Don't worry." He said then pulled my hand to kiss me.

"Well, how can he gets a proper job if he's baby sitting someone else's sis-"

"Shut it Penelope. " Peter cut her off.

Baby sitting? Ako ba yon? I pulled my hand out of his grasp and stood up.

"I'll just go to the toilet." Mahina kong sabi at lumakad ng mabilis.

Tumayo rin si Peter. "Love.." he called me and ran after me.

"I'm fine.. just continue your chat. My hands are just sticky. I need to wash them." I said while looking away.

"We're good right?" He said uncertain. Napatingin ako sa kanya at ngumiti ng marahan.

"Of course.." i said then walked inside the toilet.

When the door closed behind me my tears fell. My heart felt so heavy and throbbing painfully.

I know Peter would explain later. She didn't know anything about us. Kaya siguro nasabi niya yon. At siguro kung magiging kaibigan ko rin siya, she wouldn't be too hostile to me.

When I was finished I went out of the toilet and found Penelope just outside the toilet waiting. Smirking.

"Oh sorry. You can have a go." I said then quickly gave her way.

"You okay?" She asked me then her smirked disappeared. I nodded my head.

"Good. Since we're alone, I just wanna be frank with you. You're hindering his career. We all know that America is the best for everything. If he works there, he'll be more capable. And you're making it hard for him to get his dream. Because he has to baby sit you!" I swallowed the lump in my throat.

I played with my bangle. My heart was in so much pain. I couldn't believe she was saying this to me..

"So be a good girl and stop acting stupid so he can go get his dream." She tapped my head and stepped inside the toilet.

"And by the way, Peter's catching up with my mom.. they usually spend at least two hours on the phone. Do you have anywhere else to go?" She said with her pouted red lips.

"Yes.."

"Okay then. Just leave and I'll let Peter know." She then closed the door.

Para akong robot na naglakad papunta sa living room where I left my bag and walked quickly outside the big door.

I called Kuya Ram and after five minutes he came out rushing from the side of the Allison's house. It was so hot and I was so sweaty. I was melting under the sun. Bigla akong naawa sa sarili ko.

He opened the door for me and waited for me to get in before he went round the driver's seat.

"Kuya sa mall po.." i closed my eyes. Then my tears fell.

After couple of hours, I went back home. I waited for Peter to call me until late. He told me that we will eat together tonight here but he never came..

I had a bath then went out of my room with my bathrobe on. I dried my hair and changed into my satin nightie. I felt so tired..

My phone rang so I quickly got up and grabbed it.

"Love.. how's everything?" Peter's husky voice greeted me.

Napaiyak ako. I thought he forgot about me.

"Hey.. I'm so sorry Love. Something came up in our head office so it took me long time to call you. Penelope said you told her that you're needed somewhere else."

I wanted so bad to tell him that it was Penelope who almost kicked me out of their house.

"Love.. I'll make it up to you tomorrow. Coles told me about your favourite actress movie got released today.. we can watch it tomorrow afternoon after your classes." He said. Napatango ako. I couldn't talk without my voice breaking.

"So tomorrow?" He asked.

"Yes.." i croaked.

"Great love. I'll pick you up tomorrow." He said. I heard Penelope's voice. Biglang sumakit ulit ang puso ko.

"W-where are you?" I asked.

"Pene came with me to the head office.. I'm driving back home now." He said. I touched my bangle again. Ang sakit..

They were together the whole day. He was busy but still got time to have Penelope with him. While he just called me when they were finished. And it was so late already.

"Have you eaten?" I asked.

"Yes. Penelope told me about this restaurant. They're good. Maybe we can try it next time.."

I sobbed. It was too much.. he was supposed to eat with me tonight. But he ate with someone else at some restaurant and now he wanted me to try it too.

"Good night." I said then dropped the line.

I couldn't eat now. I just lost my appetite.

This was the most sleepless night I've ever had.

Three is a crowd sabi nga nila. Kaya ako muna ang mag aadjust.

Pilit kong kinukumbinsi ang sarili.

Dapat mature akong mag isip. Para maging karapat dapat kay Peter.