Chapter 6

She Heart Her

Chapter 6

(Adriana's POV)

I stopped and looked at Zakkiyah.  It's been a month since Mrs. Aldeguer moved her into my team. Hindi na ako tumutol nang sinabihan ako ni Ma'am na sya ang ipapalit niya sa slot ni Jenny. Zakki's intelligence, knowledge and skills were exceptional and I know that she would be an asset to my team. In fact, since she became our member, we already had 4 approvals from the top management, na sya namang  kinakagalit ni Enzo.

Zakkiyah stood up and went to Jessica, they're discussing about something. And then she laughed.

Sighed.

I miss her.

I missed talking to her, I missed laughing with her, I missed hanging out with her... I missed her smiling to me, I missed her giving me her attention... I missed everything about us. And also, I missed everything about her.

Ngayun, hanggang tingin nalang ako.

Then I opened my drawer and looked at the photo taken on my graduation, that was the last family picture we had before mom and dad had an accident, and Zakkiyah's the one who took it, yep, I've known her since 4th year college, we went to the same school. Graduating ako while sya naman ay 1st year. Also, she's in my department too, and same course kami.

Flashback...

"Wow, Ano yan?" Sabi ni Bea nang makita niya ang Starbucks Coffee sa harap ko.

"I don't know." Walang ganang Sabi ko habang patuloy parin sa pag laptop, I have to submit this before noontime or else mawawala ako sa candidacy ng 'with High Distinction'.

Umupo ito sa tabi ko. "Ayaw mo sa kape bigla?" Saka kinuha yun at tiningnan.

"I'm not in the mood." Sabi ko.

"Ah kaya pala." Sabi nito as she red the note in it. "Kay Peter pala galing."

'I'm sorry. Please, Bati na tayo. -hon'

Then tumawa ito. "Ano tu? Nag loko nanaman ba boyfriend mo?" Peter's my boyfriend, he's an engineering student, and yes, he's a playboy.

"I saw him kissing someone in the club last night."

"Ohhh shit... so okay lang?"

I smirked. "Well, I also kissed someone last night."

Napa nganga naman ito. "Does he knew?"

Umiling ako, Ano ako tanga na ipaalam sa kanya? Mas mabuti nang isipin nito na siya ang May kasalanan. "No. It's just a waste of time telling him that."

Then May pumasok na mga babae sa cafeteria, nag tatawanan. I looked at them. "Sino mga yan? Ang iingay."

"First year mga yan, MA din. Sila yung sumayaw nung Acquaintance party last August, remember?"

"Ahhh...." Okay? Sorry, di ko sila na pansin. Then Napatingin ako dun sa babaeng nasa huli, she's holding a camera, parang inaayos nito yun then tinuon niya sa mga kasama niya ang cam then click. After nun ay lumapit dito ang isang kasama nito, tiningnan ata yung shot niya then parang May binulong ito rito dahilan para mapangiti ito.

And then suddenly my heart skipped a beat nang makita ko na nang mabuti ang mukha nito. Wow, she's beautiful, especially, her smile.

"Hon?"

Snap back.

That was Peter, he's holding a bouquet of roses.

"I have no time for that." Sabi ko as I rolled my eyes at bumalik na sa ginagawa ko sa laptop. This is more important than him.

April.

Graduation Day.

I graduated with High Distinction as expected.

"1,2,3–smile!"

There she goes again. Taking photos.

As always. Ever since that day I noticed her always holding her camera and taking photos. Bea told me she's part of Photography Club, kaya siguro, and also, sila yung nag papasa ng mga pics sa Editor ng School News Paper.

"Anak, congratulations! I'm so proud of you!" That's my mom.

"Me too, anak!" Sabi naman ni daddy Sabay suot sakin ng garland.

"Thank you, dad, mom." Then hugged them.

"Ate, I'm so proud of you!" That's Andrea.

"Yow, Congratz!" That's Kuya Andrew, my older bro.

"Hi! Picture po?" Napalingon naman ako nun sa likod ko. It's her.

"Please, hija. Salamat." That's dad?m, then we posed for a pic.

"1, 2, 3—" then she stopped. "Ahmm Teka lang po." Sabi  nito  Saka lumapit sakin.

Napahinto naman din ako nun.

Inayos nito ang cap ko at ang tassel, nilagay nito sa left side.

Then again, my heart skipped a beat.

"Okay na." Saka punwesto na ito para piktyuran kami. "1, 2, 3– smile!"

Click!

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"Miss Alvarez, can I have a moment?" Napatingin naman ako dun sa taong dumangaw sa pinto ko.

Mr. Ramona, General Manager ng company.

"Yes, sir." Saka tumayo na ako at lumapit dito.

"The top management would like to talk to you about something." Saka nag lakad na kami papunta sa conference room.

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"Congratulations for another approval, Miss Alvarez." That's one of our board of directors congratulating me for another project approval.

"Yes, sir,  thank you very much." Sabi ko naman Saka nag ayos na para lumabas. And that's the 5th approval for the month.

Andrea calling...

"Hey, Drei?"

Andrea: ate, Anong Oras ka pupunta kina mom and dad?"

I looked at my watch. It's 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

"Ngayun. Mag e early out nalang ako."

Andrea: okay, Sabay nalang tayo.

"Okay, sure."

Death anniversary ngayun nina Mommy and Daddy.

Pagka pasok ko ng office ko ay napahinto ako when I saw Zakki in there, naka tingin ito sa grad photo ko, I'm sure she recognizes it, since sya ang kumuha nun.

"Ngayun ko lang tu nakita." Sabi nito.

Nag lakad na ako papunta sa table ko at inayos ang konting kalat para maka alis na rin.

"I didn't even saw this hanging at your house."

"Nakalimutan kong ipa enlarge. Since mom and dad died, dala dala ko na yan sa bag ko." Sabi ko, lagi ko kasi silang namimiss.

"Ahhh... okay." Then nilagay nito sa table ko ang isang folder Saka tumalikod na.

"Zakki..."

Huminto ito Saka lumingon sakin.

I looked at her. "I uhhh... i know it's kinda too late... but... thank you."

"Ha? Saan?"

"For taking this photo." Sabi ko. "This was actually our last family photo na kumpleto kami."

"Oh... okay." Saka ngumiti ito. "You're welcome."

And then katahimikan.

"Anyways, I won't be here tomorrow so kindly inform them na we will be having a meeting on Monday. Also, tell them that we got another approval."

She smiled. "Sure."

"Thank you."

At lumabas na ito.

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Nilagay ko na ang tig iisang flower basket sa puntod nina mommy and daddy.

"Do you miss them?" Andrea asked.

"Always." Sagot ko.

Then she wrapped her arms around my waist.

"I missed them too, always." Akmang tutulo ang luha nito kaya inakbayan ko siya.

"Sssshhh... mom and dad won't be happy if they'll see you like this."

"Okay."

"Smile."

Then she smiled.

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Flashback...

6 years ago

Production Team

Andrea calling...

Agad kong kinuha ang phone ko sa bulsa Saka cinancel yun.

"Miss Alvarez, are you listening?"

"Yes, sir."

Then nag vibrate ulit yon.

Andrea calling...

Cinancel ko ulit yun Saka tinurn off ang phone ko. Ano ba kasi kailangan nito?

"Miss Alvarez."

"Okay po, okay po."

Around 4pm ay natapos na rin ang meeting namin, Agad kong tinurn on ang phone ko para maka tawag May Andrea.

3 msgs from Kuya Andrew and 7 msgs from Andrea

Calling Andrea...

"Drei, what's up?"

Andrea (sobbing): wala na si mommy and daddy.

"Ha? What do you mean na wala? Di pa ba sila nakakabalik from La Union?"

Andrea: no, ate, what I'm trying to say is—- wala na sila... (and she cried harder)

"Drei? That's not a good joke."

Andrea: I'm serious, ate, in fact, andito ako ngayun sa hospital... that's why I kept on calling you kanina kasi nag aagaw buhay sila.. but then.... Wala eh, wala talaga, di nakayanan ng katawan nila ang impact ng aksidente... nabangga ng truck ang sasakyan nila kanina sa highway, ate.

At parang gumuho naman  ang mundo ko nun.'

"No... no..." at sunud sunud nang tumulo luha ko.

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I woke up early and decided to cook Drei's favorite breakfast, daing, spam, scrambled egg and fried talong. Minsan na kasi kami nag kakasamang kumain ng breakfast since naka night shift ito. Nakipag swap lang pala ito kahapon sa kasamahan nito para makapag day off sya ngayun.

"Wow, ate! Ang bango!" Sabi nito pagka baba nito.

I smiled. "Tara, kain na tayo."

At kumain na nga kami.

I looked at her as she eats. When was the last time ba na nag kasama kami ng baby sis ko sa dining table, di na kasi kami nag kakasabay kumain, usually kasi, around 9 or 10 na ako umuuwi, pagkadating ko, it's either nag aayos na itong umalis para mag duty o di kaya naka Alis na.

"Anong gusto mo sa lunch?" Tanong ko Saka nag simula na ring kumain.

Nag isip ito. "Ahmm... sinigang na baboy!"

I smiled. "The usual." And then I remembered her. Magkapareho kasi sila ng favorite. Yep, si Zakki.

Flashback...

"Sinigang na Baboy?!" Sabay na Sabi ni Andrea and Zakki.

Natawa ako nang mag kasabay sila.

"Ate, paborito mo rin?"

Tumango si Zakki. Then tumawa si Andrea.

"Shit! Duda na talaga ako, long lost sister baka kita!" Tuwang tuwang Sabi nito.

Napailing nalang ako. Mula nong naging close kami ni Zakki ay palagi na syang nakatambay dito sa bahay, minsan nga nag seselos pa ako kasi mukhang mas magkapatid pa sila ni Drei sa dami nang pinag ka kasunduan nila, Anyways, 3 yrs lang naman kasi ang gap nila.

I looked at Zakki.

Yep, I admit it, I admired her ever since the day I noticed her in the cafeteria. Ewan ko, there's something in her that's so very attractive. But then we never got the chance to know each other formally. Pero Kahit na ganun, she's like made a big impact on me, since sya ang huling kumuha ng family picture namin. Anyways, I'm so happy she's part of my world now. That we're part of each other's world now.

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Pagka labas ko ng grocery ay Mejo malakas ang ulan, I texted Andrea kung gusto niyang daanan ko sya sa LBC, May kinuha kasi ito dun na order. Pero di sya nag rereply so I've decided na dumiretso nalang muna sa bahay, since di ko naman alam kung aling branch ito kumuha ng inorder.

Kakapark ko lang sa garahe nang May humintong puting MG 6 sa harap ng gate namin. Kumabog naman nang todo ang dibdib ko. Of course, it's her car.

Then bumaba sa front seat si Andrea.

Agad kong kinuha ang naka handa nang payong sa garahe  at sinundo ang kapatid ko para di mabasa.

"Ate Zakki, pasok ka muna. Mag luluto si Ate ng sinigang." Sabi ni Drei.

"Naku, wag na, Drei..."

Then Napatingin ito sakin.

"...Sa susunod nalang." Sabi nito.

Andrea looked at me as if asking permission na papasukin si Zakki.

"Ahmm.. next time nalang, Drei, umuulan ng malakas, uwian ko muna si Meiji sa condo."

"Ahhhh... Sige, Ate, cuddle mo nalang ako kay Meiji later ha."

Zakki nodded and smiled.

"Ingat!" Sabi  ni Drei Saka sinarhan na ang pinto.

"So... pano kayo nag kita ni Zakki, Drei?" Tanong ko kay Andrea nang maka upo na ako sa hapag.

"Ahh.. nadaanan niya akong nag aantay ng taxi."

"Ahhh..."

"Susunduin niya raw si Taylor..."

Napahinto ako Saka Napatingin dito. So, andito pa pala ang Taylor Uy na yun ha.

"Don't worry, I'm sure they were just friends." Hindi lingid kay Andrea na bisexual si Zakki, and also, I could feel na na sesense niya kami dati ni Z, yep, Z, I call her Z, and she calls me A.

Agad akong umiwas ng tingin. "Paki ko ba sa kanila." Saka kumain na. I hated Taylor, and yes, I still do, I really do. The fact na she's Zakki's fling before naging kami, sorry, correction, hindi pala naging kami but we had something special. Anyways, yes, I still hate Taylor,  kahit na matagal na naming pinutol ang anumang ugnayan namin ni Zakki sa isa't isa, but the fact na up til now ay nakikipag landian parin ito kay Zak, damn, please do prevent me from hurting her physically. Nakaka inis talaga sya.  Agh, last month, talagang napasugod ako nang wala sa Oras sa condo ni Zakki, the thought of her with that Taylor is killing me. Okay, I know I know, hindi na dapat, at hindi na talaga dapat, kasi I'm back with Tyrone like 8 months ago now, and I love him, I love him very much to the point na nung binalikan niya ako ay Agad kong pinutol ang anumang meron kami ni Zakki, I love Tyrone, and I love dreaming about having a beautiful family with him.

Sighed.

"Ang sarap pa rin."

Napa tingin ako kay Drei. "Ha?"

"Yung luto mo, Ate, masarap pa rin." Sabi nito saka ngumiti.

"Thanks." At napangiti na rin.

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Sunday.

Video call with Tyrone while working at home

Tyrone: no, hon, that's not the point. This should be like this.

"Yeah, that's way better nga..." Sabi ko still looking at my laptop.

Tyrone: hey you're not looking naman.

I stopped what I'm doing and looked at my phone, Tyrone's lives in London, he's a freelance graphic designer, he also owns a tattoo shop there, di naman na mahirap  yun sa kanya since dun na naka tira ang buong pamilya nito, yep, he's half British, actually, after naming ikasal, eh baka dun na rin kami bubukod.

"It's beautiful... I love it, hon."

He smiled.

Tyrone: I know you will do.

Then he looked at his watch.

Tyrone: it's getting late in here... I think I need to rest.

Tumango ako, magkabilang mundo nga talaga kami.

Tyrone: I miss you.

I smiled. "I miss you too."

Tyrone: I can't wait to see you.

"Me too..." Hindi ko pa alam kung kelan ang balik ni Tyrone dito. By the way, Tyrone grew up here, kaya kami nag kakilala, also because of his mom too, his mom was my mom's best friend, kaya malapit din ako sa mama nito, she became my second mom, kya siguro mahirap din sakin dati ang balewalain ang pakikipag balikan ni Tyrone sakin.

Tyrone: kelangan ko pang pumunta ng hospital bukas... na confine nanaman kahapon si granny.

May sakit kasi ang lola nito, the reason why their family decided to live there, only son lang ksi ang papa nito.

"Oh..."

Tyrone: yep... so, good night, hon. I love you.

I looked him.

He smiled.

Tyrone: I know you love me too. (The he gave me a flying kiss.)

End.

2 years ago, Tyrone broke up with me for the reason na hindi pa sya handa sa anumang serious commitment like marriage. Now, He has changed, he became mature, he became the man I'm dreaming to be having a family with, and I'm so glad with it. Sino ba namang babae ang hindi masasayahan diba?

And also, my mom would be very happy if I will marry him.

FLashback...

10 years ago...

18th Birthday...

I'm so devastated right now, Kirk broke up with me for the reason na hindi sya ang 18th rose ko at last dance ko.

"Come on, ngumiti ka naman, pinapahalata mo naman sa kanila na ayaw mo sakin." Sabi ni Tyrone, Tyrone Mcdonnie, sya ang nilagay ni mama na maging last dance ko, and now andito kami sa gitna at nag sa sayaw ng last dance.

"I hate you."

"Come on, don't hate me. Nilagay lang din ako ng mama ko rito."

Kababata ko si Tyrone, anak sya ng bestfriend ni mama na si Tita Anj na naka pangasawa ng isang Briton.

"Matagal pa ba tung kanta?"

Tumawa ito. "Don't worry, nasa huling chorus na tayo." Then he looked at me. "Maganda ka pala nu."

I looked at him and rolled my eyes. "Ikaw naman pangit."

"Pangit ba ako? Eh diba crush mo ako nung elementary?"

Well, totoo nga, crush ko sya nung elementary, well, up til now naman, I still got a thing with him.

"Gusto mo tayo nalang?"

Nag taas ako ng kilay. "Di ka naman nanliligaw." True, Kahit na lagi nito akong sinasabihan na gusto nito ako Pero never pa itong nanligaw sakin, Tapos naman kung single ako, sya naman taken, kung taken naman sya, single ako, di kami nag kakasabay.

Tumawa ito. "I'm with Mia right now, so bawal. Kung gusto mo, MWF si Mia, TTh ka."

"Gago!"

At tumawa ito ng malakas.

"Look, anak, bagay na bagay talaga kayo ni Tyrone oh." Sabi ni mama habang tinitingnan nito ang mga pics sa digital camera namin. "You know, what, talagang mapapanatag talaga ako pag naging kayo, I've known this kid since he was just an embryo sa tyan ni Anji, kaya alam kong mabuting tao ito." Then my mom looked at me. "And I will surely be happy to see you with him someday, anak, kasi alam kong hinding hindi ka niya pababayaan."

I looked at Tyrone na ngayun ay kausap ni Kuya Andrew at Papa. Well, that's true, Tyrone been like my brother, bestfriend In one person. Nung May nang aaway sakin dati, siya ang nag tatanggol sakin, nung natumba ako sa bike at sugatan ang paa ko, sya rin ang tumulong sakin at pina sakay ako sa likod nito, nung nag kasakit ako, lagi din syang nasa tabi ko. Actually, kahit nga hanggang ngayun, kahit na lagi nito akong binubully,  ramdam ko parin ang care nito sakin. Actually, Tyrone's my first love, and also my first heart break.

And then came the accident, namatay ang parents ko. And Tyrone's the one who's always there for me every time nag be break down ako.

6 years ago

The Accident

Lakad takbo akong pumasok at hinanap ang emergency room kung saan sina mama at papa, and then there, I saw Andrea crying really hard habang hinahawakan nito ang kamay ni mama at papa.

"Ma! pa!" At humagulhol na ako sa iyak.

Hindi ko alam kung pano ako nakarating sa hospital ng ganun kabilis. Ang alam ko lang, kelangan kong makita ang mga magulang ko.

"No! No! No!" Sabi ko habang umiiyak.

Parang gumuho ang mundo ko nang makita ko ang mga magulang ko na wala nang buhay.

Then Tyrone came and he hugged me tight.

Tyrone didn't left me the whole time. Kahit na after ng funeral ni mama and papa, he's still there checking up on me and Andrea. Especially nung bumalik na nang Cebu si Kuya Drew. Lagi rin sya sa bahay at tumutulong samin, sya rin yung taga ayos nG mga sira sira, in short, he never left us.

And then one day, he came with a bouquet of flowers And chocolates, gusto niya raw manligaw sakin, he became a good boyfriend, actually, everything's perfect naman until the night I asked him about his future plans especially kung Ano ang plano niya sakin. Dun na sya naging cold, I know, he doesn't like commitments, also nung time na yun, hindi pa nito alam kung Ano ang gusto nitong gawin unlike ngayun na isa na syang graphic designer ng isang company and also a tattoo artist (he owns a tattoo shop in London), And I am so proud of the man he become. And yes, I can't wait to build a future with him.

Ting

Notification:

Instagram: @itsmeZakkiyah posted a photo

And then there comes Zakkiyah.

I opened the notif and saw her pic with Taylor. It was taken last night at a club.

Sighed. And then drank the coffee left in my mug. I really hate the fact that she's with that 'napaka wild na babae'. Hai malamang, umuwi namaman itong si Taylor na tu sa condo niya at malamang nag laplapan nanaman ang mga ito.

Saka tumingin sa relo ko,mag a alas diyes palang pala ng umaga, Ano kaya ang mabuting gawin, mag isa lang ksi ako rito, nag duty na si Andrea.

So, I've decided to call Bea, one of my closest college friends.

Bea: Hey, beautiful!

"Hey, are you free?

Bea: Why?

"I'm bored. Let's hang out."

Bea: San ba tayo?

"Ewan, Basta na bobore lang ako. Entertain me nalang, Bei."

Tumawa ito.

Bea: Okay, timing ka, friend, gawin kitAng driver for the day ha, marami akong orders na idideliver.

Part time online seller kasi ito. Sa weekdays teacher ito, yep, pinursue niya talaga ang dream niya maging teacher.

"Ha, seryoso ka, San ba husband mo?"

Bea: Umuwi sa kanila.

"Why? Inaway mo nanaman?"

Bea: Hindi ah! Nilock ko kasi ang gate kagabi, eh Sabi ko sa kanya gang 12 lang sya aba eh alas tres ng umaga umuwi so Ayon, di ko pinapasok, umuwi sa kanila.

"Ahhh.. iba ka talaga, friend."

Tumawa ito. "So Ano? Pag d drive mo Na ako?"

"Oo na Oo na."

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Naka limang deliveries na kami nang mag decide kaming kumain sa isang pasta resto.

"So, kumusta kayo ni Tyrone?" Tanong nito bigla.

I looked at her. "We're okay naman."

"Sure ka?"

Tumango ako. "You don't look happy when I mentioned him."

"Bei...."

"Everytime I mentioned him, you looked sad. And til now di mo pa rin sinasabi why."

I laughed. "Bei, I am not sad, okay. Siguro dahil LDR kami, that's all."

"Okay. Reasonable naman sagot mo."

Well, maybe, yan din ang reason kung Bakit laging pumapasok sa isip ko si Zakki, kasi wala rito si Tyrone. Okay, erase erase.

"Kelan ba balak nun umuwi? When was the last time pala na umuwi yun dito?"

Nag isip ako. "I think, 3 months ago."

"So, Ano balak nun?"

"Ewan di ko alam. Busy kasi yun ngayun, Tapos yung granny niya na hospital ulit."

"Ahhh... Basta ha klaro ang plano ni Tyrone sayo ha, ayoko kasing umiyak ka nanaman dyan."

Tumawa ako. "Oo nga. Engaged na nga diba? Baka next year."

"Aba dapat lang! Para May baby Tyrone and baby Adriana na rin kayo."

Tumango ako. "Oo, sayo ko sila papabantay!"

"Hala! Jusko! Wag na! Okay na ako sa baby Bea and baby Peter ko." Yep, si Peter ang napangasawa nito, yung ex ko dati, hahaha kaya pala di nag wowork out relasyon namin ni  Peter kasi sila pala ang meant to be.

"Anyways, saan tayo next?"

"Kay Zakkiyah Montemayor..."

Napa hinto naman ako nun at Napatingin dito.