Call Center na Virgin

Melanie as in Lany. Yun ang name nung girl na nag-text sa kanya noong isang araw. Nawala ang nararamdaman kong guilt. Heto ako at pilit na sinu-supress ang feelings ko kay Andrew, ngunit ang gago kong boyfriend is busy sleeping around.

That weekend ay may usapan kami sa ni Ruben. Bibili ng regalo para sa ikakasal niyang ka-officemate. Alas diyes ng umaga ang usapan namin pero inagahan ko ang punta sa kanila. Hindi pa siya nakakapaligo. Habang naliligo siya ay pumasok ako sa kanyang kuwarto at hinanap ko yung wallet niya. Nakita kong may Black Card discount card ito sa Victoria Court. Tapos may nakita akong mga resibo ng charges. He doesn’t even try cover his tracks. Napakadali kong nahanap ang mga ebidensiya.

Napaluha ako ng ma-confirm ko ang kanyang pagloloko. Napaluha ako kasi I feel that I’ve been cheating on him as well, maybe not physically but emotionally. Napaluha ako kasi we’ve been together for 2 years and it’s about to end.

Gusto ko sana ay makipag-break ng maayos sa kanya pero bigla siyang naging agresibo at nag-umpisang manumbat ng i-confront ko siya.

“You know it’s your fault. You’re such a tease. Alam ko namang gusto mo rin pero lagi kang tumatanggi. Lalaki lang ako Rose, I have needs.”

Then he went on and on and on…I stopped listening to him. Hindi ako nakapagpigil at nakapagsalita na rin. “You know what? The reason why I won’t sleep with you is because you’re lousy in bed. I don’t want to lose my virginity to someone who’s selfish and clueless on pleasing his woman.” Maiyak-iyak kong sabi sa kanya.

“Goodbye Ruben. Say hello to Melanie for me.”

“Biiiittttcccchhh…!!!” sigaw niya.

Umiiyak akong umalis ng apartment nina Ruben. Ewan ko ba at naisipan kong tawagan si Andrew. I needed someone to talk to at hindi ko namalayang dina-dial ko na pala ang number niya sa cellphone ko.

“Hello Andrew. This is Rose. Is it a good time? I really need to talk to someone right now”, halos humaghagulgol na ako habang nagsasalita.

“Andrew honey who is it?” Nagulat ako ng may narinig akong boses ng isang babaeng may French accent.

Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. “Sorry I didn’t know that you have company. I’ll talk to you later.” Binaba ko ang cellphone ko. I was so confused and angry. Naka-ilang missed calls si Andrew sa akin pero hindi ko sinagot. In the end ay pinatay ko na yung cellphone ko.

Ilang araw ko ring iniwasan si Andrew. Ewan ko ba kung bakit parang mas nasaktan pa ako ng malaman kong may kasama siyang ibang babae kaysa sa break-up namin ni Ruben. Wala naman akong karapatang magalit sa kanya kasi wala naman kaming relasyon. I was so infatuated with him at inimagine ko na he liked me too. Ang tanga-tanga ko talaga pagdating sa mga lalaki.

After two weeks ay may nag-buzzer sa gate ng bahay namin. Si Andrew.

Kahit may tampo pa ako sa kanya ay hindi ko naiwasang matuwa. Miss na miss ko na kasi siya, hindi ko lang malulon ang pride ko.

“Andrew what are you doing here?” Hindi ko pinahalatang tuwang-tuwa akong makita siyang muli.

“ I just have to see you. We miss you at our lunches.”

“You know that you can’t come inside. Boys are not allowed.” sabi ko.

“Can we go somewhere to talk? ” pamimilit niya.

“Ok, let me change first. Wait in your car.”

Nagulat ako sa sarili ko. Nakapag-shower ako at nakapagbilis in 10 mins. Dali-dali akong lumabas baka kasi inip na inip na si Andrew.

“You smell nice.” Tangkang compliment niya sa akin.

“Let’s go.” Hindi ko pinansin ang kanyang compliment.

Dinala niya ako sa isang cafe na malapit sa bahay.

“So what is it then?” kunwari ay naiinip kong tanong.

“How are you doing? I heard that you broke up with your boyfriend.” Mukhang concerned siya.

“What is it to you….? Yes. I broke up with the cheating bastard. The same night I called you.” Nalilingid na ang luha ko.

“I am sorry, I tried to call you back but you weren’t answering your call. Since.”

“I turned it off — haven’t opened it since.”

“I ‘ve been meaning to come here sooner but I wanted you to have some space but I can’t wait any longer — I miss you so much.”

Bumuntong-hininga ako. “ I hate myself. I hate myself because I was hurt more from the thoughts of you having six with that French woman than with the end of my two-year relationship.” Nagpipigil pa rin ako sa pag-iyak ngunit di ko napapansing pumapatak na ang aking mga luha.

“I can’t bear the thought of you making love with another person”, dagdag ko pa . Nangangatog na ngayon ako habang nagsasalita.

“You know that that doesn’t mean a thing. It’s just six.” Inalo niya ang pisngi ko in an attempt to calm me down.