Chapter XII

CONFLICT

"Here's for you. What do you want coffee or tea?" Inabutan siya nito ng plato na may toasted bread, scrambled egg, ham and bacon.

"Coffee na lang. Ang sakit ng ulo ko eh." Sabi niya dito. Inabutan naman siya nito ng isang tasa na kape.

"Yan' ang napapala mo sa ka iinom. Heto ang hang over medicine, inumin mo pagkakain." sabi nito at inabutan siya ito ng tableta ng gamot.

"Wow! Ang bait mo ata ngayon, magugunaw na ba ang mundo?" Pang aasar niya dito.

"Siguro mas magandang kumain ka na lang dahil male- late ka na. Di' ba may pasok ka pa? Pasado alas siyete na" Balik aman sa kanya nito. Tila doon naman siya natauhan.

"Oh crap!" Sabi niya at binilisan na lang kumain.

"Dahan dahan at mahina ang kalaban maaga pa naman." Pagpapa- alala nito.

"Ikaw kasi may kasalanan nito eh! Kung hindi ka na lasing sana naka uwi ako." Asar na sabi niya dito.

"Well, partly may kasalanan ako pero bakit mo naman kasi sila sinunod. Gusto mo rin naman iyon." Pagdidipensa nito sa kanya.

"Ewan!" Inis na sabi niya. Tapos na silang kumain. Niligpit niya ang kinain nila at hinuhugasan ang pinag kainan nila.

"Are you sure na ikaw ang maghuhugas niyan? Baka ma late ka na niyan'." Paalala nito sa kanya.

"Alangan naman na ikaw pa ang paghugasin ko nito. Samantalang ikaw na ang nagluto. Saka it's just a small thing lang naman. I can manage." Sabi niya saka ngumiti.

"Okay, you win. But don't smile on me like that baka hindi na kita pa uwiin." Sabi man nito at ngumisi ng nakaka loko. Kinuha naman niya ang cord ng gripo at binasa ito ng konti.

"Shoo. Shoo. Umalis ka na baka may pasok ka pa." Pagtataboy niya dito.

"Yeah, that reminds me. Maliligo muna ako huwag kang aalis hanggat wala ako. Intayin mo ako." Sabi nito sa kanya. Tumango lang naman siya dito.

"Basta bilisan mo dahil pag natapos ako dito at wala kapa. Uuwi na ako." Sabi naman niya.

Pumasok na ito sa kuwarto at naligo siya naman ay abala sa pag uurong.

Tapos na siyang mag urong ng lumbas ito ng kuwarto na naka bihis na naka amerikana na ito at may dala itong suitcase. Titig na titig lang siya dito. Nakaka panibago kasi ang ayos nito.

"Tapos ka na ba? Puwede naman na dito ka na maligo eh.."

"Pakatapos ay idadaan na lang kita sa tinutuluyan niyo para makapag bihis at ihahatid na kita." Pagkukumbinsi nito sa kanya, nakakaloko din and ngiti nito.

"No thanks. I'll pass, mamaya pasukin mo pa ako sa banyo. Bakit ba ganyan ang ayos mo? Bihis na bihis ka ata para kang ibuburol. " Pintas niya dito.

"Well, ang totoo niyan mag aaply ako ng mas disenteng trabaho." Pagsisinungaling naman niya dito.

"Talaga lang huh? Why just don't you tell me he truth kung ano ba talaga ang trabaho mo." Suwestion niya dito. Tila naman nagulat ito sa sinabi niya.

"And you know what? Liars go to hell. Kaya huwag ka ng magsinungaling. Saka hindi mo naman ikamamatay ang pagsa- sabi ng totoo." Dagdag pa niya dito.

"Actually, hindi naman talaga ako nag sinungaling dahil ikaw ang nagka- mali ng akalain mo na bartender ako kaya hindi na ako nakapag paliwanag."

"I own that bar nagkataon lang na umalis ang bartender ko.."

"Kaya ako ang pumalit dahil kulang na ako sa oras para maghanap pa ng kapalit. But how did you know na hindi talaga ako bartender lang." Tanong naman nito sa kanya at nakinit balikat lang siya.

"Hinulaan ko lang, malakas lang talaga animal instinct ko. So totoo pala, then you're really rich huh?" May sarcasm sa boses nito.

"I'm not that rich and if I am may masma ba doon?" Tanong naman nito sa kanya.

"Wala naman, so hindi totoo na iniwan lang sa iyo ng lolo mo ang Pentouse na ito?" Dagdag niyang tanong.

"Actually hindi. Kabibili ko lang nito pagdating ko dito last week. Sorry." Pa umanhin naman ito sa kanya.

"No harmed done." tumango siya dito. Malamig din ang tono ng kanyang boses. Kinuha na niya ang kanyang mga gamit para maka alis na siya.

"Paano ma una na ako. May pasok pa kasi ako." Nag dere- deretsiyo sa papunta sa pinto.

"Ihahatid na kita sa ino tutal ako naman ang may kasalanan kung bakit ka nandito." Pagpipigil nito sa kanya.

"No, kaya ko na ito magta- taxi na lang ako."

"And don't worry isipin mo na bayad ko na lang ang pagtulong ko sa'yo sa alak kagabi. I'll just see you around. Goodbye Ten." Paalam niya at lumabas na siya ng pinto. Hindi na niya inintay pa ang sasabihin nito.

"What the hell is wrong with her?" Natanong nalang ni Ten sa sarili pakalabas ni Heather.

Kanina lang ay nagbi- biruan sila tapos ngayon galit naman na ito. Galit ba ito dahil nag sinungaling siya?

Di' ba sa kanya na nga din nang galing na no harmed done? Oh women!

*****

"Where have you been?" Jane asked me as I arrived at the house.

"I baby seat a drunk head who can't bring himself home." I told her in sarcasm. She just rise her eyebrow on me and smile.

"Oh, is that so? Let me guess it's the "bartender dude? Huh?" She asked.

"Yeah." I answer her boringly.

"So let's go? I think our little boss is waiting for us." And we go on our way to the Lakewood's Mansion.

A month Later

Mirza Del Al Hotel,

Manhattan New York.

We arrived at the hotel, gusto ng little boss namin na dio ganapin ang kanyang birthday sa isang araw so she's making the reservations.

Nais ko na mapa sipol sa ganda at glamuroso ng hotel. Semi old fashion at high tech ang ambiance sa hotel. Hindi naman na iyon nakapagta- taka dahil 5 star hotel ito.

One of the most best quality service in the world. Ngayon ko lang talaga na realized kung gaano kabigatin at kayaman ang boss namin.

"Oops." Sabi ng lalaki na nabunggo ko, tumama ang noo ko sa dibdib nito dahil sa sobrang tangkad nito.

"Oh, Heather is that you?" Sabi sa aking nang lalaki.

"Vash?" I asked him with confused look.

"Yup! How are you? How's Ten doing? Have a seat." At doon naman umasim ang mukha ko.

"What about Ten? We're not that close and I haven't seem him in almost a month." I replied to him boringly.

"Oh! I see. I thought something going on to both of you. You look really close as I see it." Tila nanghihinayang na sabi nito.

"Change the topic, by the way what are you doing here?" I asked him to change the topic.

"I just finished attending our monthly meeting. I have a small shares her-" Tila na tiil ito sa pagsa- salita dahil parang may mali ata sa sinabi nito.

"So you're super rich too, huh? Like Ten, by the way just finished what you are saying.."

"Alam ko naman na mayaman siya but, I don't know that all of you are so damn all rich." I said with a smile and amusement.

"Yeah something like that. Well we are a kind of hard working. So, are you still in the middle of the work? Is that your uniform?" He asked me and give me an amusing look on his face.

I am now wearing a girly type black coat, tie and slocks. Matching with black lat shoes and a white long sleeve.

"Yeah. This is my uniform. Astig no'.?" I asked at him.

"Absolutely, I don't think a woman will looks good on tuxedo too." He said in amusement.

"Well, thanks. Ikaw ang unang naka kita sa suot ko na ito sa inyong magka- kaibigan." I said to im and he looks surprised.

"Even with Ten?" He asked me and I just nodded at him. And that's the time he smiles at me friendly.

"Why is it always with Ten? Are you hooking me up with him?" I said irritatedly.

"Uh-oh, no need to be angry kiddo! I just thought the both of you have a special thing. Am I wrong?" He asked me mocking at me.

He's still smiling. I just give him the best "your dead look".

"Oh. A lovers quarrel huh? Why just don't we order a coffee or something? Para naman lumamig ang ulo mo." He suggested and then he calls the waiter.

He orders a black americano and I order an iced tea and a sandwich. He dial he's cellphone.

"Hey buddy! What areyou doing?" Tanong nito sa ka usap. I just watch him.

"Don't put the line down. I'm here at the hotel, remember the Mirza Del Al? I'm here with James." Dagdag pa ito.

"Hey, who are you talking to?" I asked at him confusedly.

"See? I'm not joking. You heard her voice. So see you! Bye!" He said to the phone and cut the line.

"It's Ten. I'm just saying a hi to him. Now, what will I do to you?" Nakapanga lumbaba ito at waring nagpa- pacute sa kanya.

"Huwag ka nangmagpa cute Mr? Ano nga ba surname mo?" I asked at him stupidly.

"Del Rios, Ms.?" Pang aasar naman nito.

"Dobrev. And for the record, huwag ka nang mag pa cute Mr. Del Rios. You're creeping me out. Baka di' ako matunawan niyan. Are you all like this? Always flirting with girls?" I asked at him straightly. He looks surprised.

"You really are interesting. Well we're not flirting with girls because we don't need to do that. They are the one who afters us. But, you are the first who talk to us like that. I see how Ten, likes you." He said as if reasonably to her.

"By, the way are you all narcissist? Oh just asking." I teased at him.

"Nah, I am just telling the truth." At biglang may lumapit sa direksyon nila. It's her little oss and Jane.

"Oh, ma'am are you done with the reservation and the food tasting?" I asked at her.

She didn't answer as if he didn't here me. Her attention are on Vash and she looks really stupid and also Jane.

"By the way Ma'am this is Vash a a.. friend of mine. And Vash this is my boss Emma and tis is Jane my co- bodyguard." Nasabi ko na lang.

Nag unahan ang dalawa sa pakikipag kamay dito at napapa- iling naman ako. Ngumiti naman si Vash ng paka tamis tamis.

"Nice to meet you. I have to go. I still have some appointments." He said politely.

Naramdaman siguro nito ang paghanga sa mukha ng mga ito kaya naging awkward at nag paalam na ito. Hinabol naman ito ni little oss at inabutan ng invitation.

"I hope you can come. It's my birthday in Saturday." She said flirting to him.

He just nodded and give me a wink before he says goodbye. Pinanlakihan ko lang naman siya ng mata at ngumisi lang naman ito.

"Who's that hot guy! Oh my God! Do you have his number? Give it to me now." He commanded me at umiling ako dahil wala naman ako number nito.

"Where did you meet him? How do you know him? He's a super hot and rich bachelor. He's also famous. I think he owns a share in this hotel." The little boss said crazily and I just nodded.

Nakaka baliw talaga ang mgakabaro niya. Lalaki lang indi na magkanda malay sa sasabihin.