Complicated Love By: Akhi Miko: Excuse me? Lalo pang natakot si Rocel nang magsalita si Miko. They sound so much alike. Narinig nami...
Complicated Love
By: Akhi
Miko: Excuse me?
Lalo pang natakot si Rocel nang magsalita si Miko. They sound so much alike. Narinig namin ni Cindy ang sigaw ni Rocel so we rushed outside at halos magkasabay kami nila Gideon at Harold. Napatulala din silang dalawa sa nakita nila. Manghang mangha na may halong takot ang itsura nila ngayon. Miko was about to move closer to her nang biglang dumampot ng flower vase si Rocel.
Rocel: W-wag kang lalapit sakin!
Miko: What?
Harold: A-a.... Anong...
Harold's voice trails off while Gideon is stunned and speechless.
Cindy: Kuya Akhi, what's going on?
Lumapit ako kay Rocel and try to calm her down.
Akhi: Uh Ross, put the flower vase down bago may masaktan.
Rocel: Hindi mo ba nakikita ang nakikita ko?
Tulala parin si Harold at Gideon at nalilito naman si Cindy.
Akhi: Ross sya kase yung...
Before I could finish my sentence, lalapit sana sakin si Miko kaya ibinato ni Ross ang flower vase towards him pero bago pa man sya matamaan nito ay naharangan ko ito pero ako naman ang tinamaan sa ulo which knocked me down unconscious.
---
Nagising ako na masakit ang ulo at nakahiga sa sofa at sa pagmulat ng mata ko I can see Rocel beside me looking so worried.
Rocel: Akhi sorry talaga hindi ko sinasadya. I just freaked out.
I looked around and andun din sila Gideon at Harold.
Akhi: Anu bang nangyari?
Gideon: Nabato ka ng flower vase ni Ross sa ulo remember?
Bumalikwas ako ng upo
Akhi: Si Gab?
Then as I look past behind them Miko and Cindy were standing there.
Akhi: I mean, Miko are you okay?
Miko: I'm alright. Hindi naman ako ang tinamaan. Ikaw, okay ka na ba?
I sighed of relief. Pagnagkataon nakakahiya naman sa kanilang dalawa ng kapatid nya because I invited them over at ganun pa ang mangyayari.
Akhi: Okay na ako... I think. Anyway I have to explain some things.
Miko: There's no need. They already told us everything.
Rocel: *sigh* I'm sorry for earlier but can you blame me? He looks and sounds so much like Gab. Like how often do you find a person who's exactly the same as you or someone you know? It's a one percent chance.
Harold: One in a million I'd say.
Gideon: For the past few hours I've been trying to convince myself that this guy isn't him but I'm still failing.
Sa isip ko I was saying "I know how you feel Gideon".
Cindy: So that explains why out of nowhere bigla mo nalang niyakap si kuya Miko sa park. They showed me Gab's picture and the resemblance is uncanny, but I can assure you my brother isn't Gab. How so? Because I grew up with him, and I know him so well.
I don't know why but when Cindy spoke the words "I know him so well" I saw a pained expression on her face that she instantly shifts to a smile.
Rocel: Sinabi nila samin kung bakit dinala mo sila dito pero sana you gave me a call before you did or at least tinawag mo muna kami pagkarating nyo para naiwasan sana natin yung eksena kanina.
Akhi: Akala ko naman kase wala kayo sa bahay. Anyway, sorry din sa inyo Cindy and Miko. I can understand kung tatanggihan nyo na ang offer ko.
Cindy: Are you kidding? Of course not kuya Akhi! We like it here.
Miko: Wait, I didn't agree to this just yet.
Cindy: And eventually you will kuya because I said so or else sasabihin ko kay mama yung secreto mo nung 25th birthday mo.
Miko looked so confused for a moment there. Then he resigned to his sister and said
Miko: Haaaay nako. Sige na nga.
Cindy: Haha I always win this game.
Rocel saw how relieved I was that they will be staying here. She placed her hand on my shoulder and smiled at me.
Harold: Welcome to our home Ga, I mean Miko.
and they made a handshake.
Gideon: Welcome.
Miko: Thanks guys.
Cindy: We have to get going now. Aayusin lang namin mga gamit namin then lilipat na kami ni kuya bukas.
Akhi: Okay mag iingat kayo.
Pagkaalis na pagka alis nila tumahimik bigla ang paligid at nakaupo lang kami lahat sa may sala.
Harold: Hindi parin ako makapaniwala.
Gideon: Yeah I know right? I mean yung magkamukhang magkamukha sila, pwede naman yun. Kaso yung pakiramdam eh.
Rocel: You felt it too? I thought I was the only one.
Gideon: Yung nararamdaman ko, syang sya talaga eh. Ewan, basta! Di ko maipaliwanag.
Akhi: And here I thought I was the one over thinking it.
Harold: hmmm....
Akhi: Don't push it guys. Wag nating lokohin mga sarili natin. We all saw him there. Laying down in that coffin.
Gideon: Yeah if the plane didn't crash on the ocean at narecover ang katawan nya sasabihin kong sya talaga si Miko. Or I mean Miko is Gab.
Rocel: And all this stuff made me so hungry.
Harold: Look at the time, it's already 6:30pm.
Akhi: Let me cook dinner for you guys.
Rocel: Oh no. Don't get me wrong Akhi, we love your cooking but we've been eating at home eversince dumating ka sa buhay namin. I'd say we go and eat outside.
Harold: Oh so you'd be okay if I was around?
Rocel: *sigh* Harold, wala lang ako sa sarili lately at aburido but I am okay now. I'm sorry for the way I acted.
Harold: So balik tayo sa dati?
Rocel: Wala namang nagbago unggoy ka!
Gideon: Haha finally for the first time in a long time. I see this familiar atmosphere.
Rocel: Aaaah I know right? Feels so good.
Harold: Yeah, Nostalgic and strange.
Rocel: Parang feeling ko soon buo nanaman tayo.
Upon saying that, naalala nya ang sitwasyon then she looks at me concerned.
Akhi: What?
Rocel: I'm not saying na parang ni re-replace namin si Gab.
Akhi: Wala naman akong sinasabi. It's alright Ross, gaya ng sabi ko sa'yo, I'm already getting over it.
Rocel: Buti naman.
Harold: Well guys, decide now. What are we gonna eat?
Gideon: I feel like eating fastfood for a change.
Rocel: Nakakamiss din naman.
Harold: Tsk! Mababawasan ang abs ko nyan.
Rocel: *rolls her eyes* pwede ba. Sa sobrang bato ng katawan mo Harold kahit ihampas ko pa sa'yo yang lamesa di ka parin matitinag.
Harold: Hahaha! ang harsh mo parin sakin babes.
Rocel: Pakyu! Hayup ka!
Akhi: Ahahaha! Fast food it is then!
Lumabas kami ng bahay ng masaya at nagtatawanan with some kind of a default setup I mean yung ginugulpi ni Rocel si Harold, si Gideon ay may sariling mundo at ako naman... Oops... Wala nga pala si Gab... Wala ang sweet couple... How sad... But I guess this is better than how wrecked we were just yesterday...
---
I pulled Rocel to a corner as I was aching to ask her about something.
Akhi: Ross mag tapat ka sakin.
Rocel: Anu naman yun?
Akhi: What changed?
Rocel: Change?
Akhi: I mean you and Harold. Parang naka get over ka na sa kanya. You seem okay now. It's not that I don't like it but it's a bit strange and sudden.
Rocel: Ah, yun ba?
Rocel rubbed the back of her neck and looked in Harold's direction.
Rocel: Wala din naman akong magagawa dahil mukhang masaya na sila ni Grace...
Akhi: Ross I...
Rocel: Oh don't give me that look. I'm not sad anymore. Besides... May iba na akong nagugustuhan ngayon.
Akhi: Seriously?! Spill!
Rocel: Umm... Kashe nakakahiya keshe eh...
Akhi: Ang arte naman! ano?! Sino? Kilala ko ba?
Rocel: Oo...
Akhi: Sino nga kase? Dami pang pa thrill eh.
Rocel: Si Richard.
Then I fell silent. May naramdaman akong kakaiba. Di ko maipaliwanag.
Rocel: Huy! Natahimik ka jan?
Akhi: A-a si Richard pala? Hehe pano nangyari yun?
Rocel: Well first of all, type ko itsura nya, then mabait sya everytime na nasa appartment sya magaan pakiramdam ko.
I was thinking, kung alam mo lang Ross he is so much like Gab which turned you off in the first place.
Akhi: A-a ganun ba?
Rocel: Parang napaka gentleman nya. At recently nga pala we've been exchanging messages.
Akhi: O-oh that's... Nice.
Rocel: Anu namang problema at parang di ka masaya?
Akhi: What? Me? No! I mean I'm happy for you.
Her eyes narrowed into crinkled slits and looks at me with suspicion.
Rocel: Do you like Richard?
Akhi: Ha?! Of course not!
Rocel: Talaga lang?!
Akhi: Promise.
I don't know but feelings inside of me are protesting. Nilalabanan ko... It doesn't feel right... Especially now...
Rocel: *sigh* well that's a relief.
I took a deep breath and held her hands then look her in the eyes.
Akhi: Ross, if this is what makes you feel happy, then go for it.
She smiled at me and said
Rocel: Thank you Akhi. Kung di mo sya nakilala, hindi ko rin sya makikilala. So, let's go back and join the others?
Tumalikod na sya at bumalik sa table namin and our orders have just arrived. Naiwan akong nakatayo at tulala as I was examining myself. "What is this I'm feeling? What's going on with me? Am I falling for Richard?" Then I shook my head. "No! This can't be! I have to focus... And anjan si Miko... I'm not sure but I will find a way... Kung straight man ito si Miko I'll find a way to charm him like I did to Gab... Gosh I am terrible..." Then I joined the group.
Masayang masaya kaming kumain at nagdecide ang grupo na gumala pa at mamasyal. We took our time hanggang mag gabi at umuwi narin kami.
---
After about an hour na nasa bahay kami may kumatok sa pinto. Nanunuod ng tv sa sala si Rocel while ako naman ay nag soscroll sa phone ko.
Rocel: Akhi buksan mo ang pinto.
Akhi: Hello? mas malapit ka jan.
Bigla syang humiga mula sa pagkakaupo nya sa sofa.
Rocel: But I'm like a cat... I'm too tired for anything...
Napailing nalang ako.
Akhi: Kaya ka tumataba eh! Soon from being a cat, magiging baboy ka na.
Rocel: What evs... Just open the fucking door bitch...
Akhi: Haaay nako sige na nga!
As I opened the door nagulat ako. Andun si Richard nakatayo holding a bouquet of flowers. Nakabaligtad ang ulo ni Rocel na nakahiga nang makita nya si Richard kaya bigla bigla syang umupo ng maayos.
Rocel: Hi Richard!
Richard: Akhi, can I talk to you?
Akhi: What? Umm...
I looked at Rocel and she seemed so confused.
Richard: I wanted to talk to you about...
Akhi: Rocel! I know right?! You wanted to talk about Ross. Come on in!
Naguluhan si Richard but he didn't try to finish his sentence anymore. Pag kasara ko ng pinto, he stood in front of me.
Richard: Anyway, this is for...
As he was handing me the bouquet and talking, mabilis kong inabot ito at inalok kay Rocel.
Akhi: You Ross! Yes this is for you.
I looked at Richard again.
Akhi: This is so sweet Richard!
Napasimangot sya.
Rocel: Wow, thank you... Hindi ko to ine-expect.
Bago pa makuha ni Rocel mula sa mga kamay ko yung flowers nakita kong may card pa sa gilid kaya umikot ako tapos with a swift slight of hands kinuha ko yung card na may pangalan ko at message at dahil nag panic na ako, nilagay ko sa bibig ko. kaya sa pagharap ko wala na yung card.
Rocel: May paikot si Mayor?
Akhi: *mouthfull* Oo dafat vongga ang fag avot. Hehe he he...
Rocel: May nakain ka ba?
Pagkakuha nya ng flowers agad akong pumunta sa bintana at kunwari ay naubo. Dun ko niluwa yung card.
Akhi: Ah may bubuyog... Oo napasok ng bubuyog yung bibig ko.
Rocel: Kadiri. Haha anyway thank you Richard.
Richard: Umm... Your welcome... I guess...
He said hesitantly while looking at me.
Rocel: Anyway, what's with the flowers?
Richard: Well...
He was unsure what to say.
Richard: Actually I intended to...
Akhi: Congratulate you Ross!
I couldn't help but finish every sentence that comes out of his mouth. He looks at me again looking so confused.
Richard: Ummm... Rrrriiiight...
Akhi: Yes that's right!
Rocel: For what? Wala namang something special na nangyari lately.
Akhi: Um... But there is! He wanted to congratulate you for being such a good friend.
Rocel: Friend?
Akhi: I mean for now! Who knows what's gonna happen tomorrow diba? He he he...
Richard sighed of dissapointment. Then naisipan nyang sakyan ang kalokohan ko.
Richard: Yes actually.
Then he said with a sarcastic tone.
Richard: You are such a good friend Ross. Especially to Akhi. I couldn't be happier. Looking forward to what's next.
Rocel: Anu ka ba? Wala yun! Natural lang yon ano. Upo ka muna at paghahanda kita.
Richard: Hindi na.
He gave me a peeved glance.
Richard: Pumunta lang naman ako dito para "makita" ka saglit. Uwi na ako.
Then he walked out the front door.
Akhi: Hatid ko lang sya Ross ha? Anyway may nakalimutan ako sa car nya.
Rocel: Uh... Okay see you again.
Pagkalabas nya and obviously he's pissed I hurriedly followed behind. He unlocked the car at pumasok sya sa driver's seat at madali akong pumasok sa kabila.
Richard: What are you doing here?
Akhi: Teka lang ha? What was that all about?
Richard: I should be the one asking you.
Akhi: Aba?! Suddenly you show up here bringing flowers at may card pa with my name on it. So it is for me.
Richard: So?!
Akhi: Anu yun? bakit? Para saan?
Richard: Obvious ba?!
Sabay tingin nya sakin.
Richard: I don't know what you did to me! Ginayuma mo ba ako or something, pero in love na ako sa'yo pare!
Oh shit! I hope he didn't say that out loud enough for anyone at home to hear.
Akhi: Richard, I didn't ask for that!
Richard: You didn't have to!
Akhi: Richard anu ba?! Naguguluhan na tuloy ako. Ginugulo mo isip ko!
Richard: Well then that's a good sign! It means you like me too!
Akhi: But Ross is one of my best friends!
Richard: Anu namang kinalaman non?!
Akhi: She likes you!
Richard: So dahil gusto nya ako hindi na ako pwede mamili? Hindi na kita pwedeng gustuhin? Puta pare, hindi ko tinuruan ang sarili ko na gustuhin ka. Nangyari lang bigla. Ni hindi ko alam kung pano o bakit!
Akhi: Pwede ba?! Tama na!
He suddenly pulled me and forced a kiss. I struggled to break from it.
Akhi: Richard!
His eyes were furious.
We didn't realize na nasa harap pala ng sasakyan nya si Miko at Cindy at nakita nila ang lahat. Lumapit si Cindy at binuksan ko ang bintana.
Cindy: Kuya is he bothering you?
Akhi: No. There's just a misunderstanding.
Nakita kong dala dala na nila mga maleta nila and their cab just left. Lumapit si Miko kay Cindy.
Miko: Wala naman palang problema. Hayaan mo na sila Cindy.
Feeling ko base sa itsura ng mukha ni Miko that he's extremely pissed but his trying to hide it.
Cindy: Okay sabi mo eh.
As they were about to enter the house
Akhi: Cindy wait!
Cindy: Anu yun kuya?
Akhi: Please don't mention this to anyone, especially sa mga kasama natin sa bahay.
Cindy: Uh okay...
Miko: Tara na Cindy.
He didn't even look at me nung pumasok na sila.
Richard chuckled humorlessly.
Richard: So sya pala ang dahilan.
Akhi: Anong sinasabi mo?
Richard: You've just met him pero nagustuhan mo na kaagad sya?
Akhi: It's not like that.
Richard: Enough... Please just... Get out of the car... Uuwi na ako.
I placed my hand on his shoulder but he removed it.
Richard: Don't do that. It's not gonna help.
So I just slowly and quietly got out of his car then he drove away...
Akhi: Something tells me things are only gonna get worse...
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