Ludic Selcouth #1: Cracked Beat

Hit #8

Matiwasay kaming nakalapag sa Manila, walang sumalubong na kahit anong media. Siguro ay hindi nila natunugan na uuwi na si Tase, biglaan din naman kasi.
Gayunpaman ay balot na balot pa rin si Tase habang palabas kami ng airport, heʼs all black and heʼs wearing an aviator, baseball cap and a mask.

Nang tuluyang makalabas ng airport ay may naghihintay nang Lexus sa ʼmin. The man who climbed out of the car gave the car keys to Tase. He nodded at him before the man completely left. Walang pasabi niyang kinuha ang maleta sa kamay ko at inilagay sa trunk ng kotse.

I secretly rolled my eyes.

Agad akong pumasok ng passenger seat at hinubad ang shades na suot. I sighed heavily when Tase also entered the driver seat. “Ideretso mo na ako sa unit,” I said without looking at him. I tried my best to just look in front while heʼs driving.

“Later. Youʼll come with me first to see Gail." dahil doon ay tuluyan na akong napalingon sa kaniya. Seryoso lang siyang nakatingin sa daan. Heʼs gripping the steering wheel tightly.

“Now?”

“Yes.”

“Pwede bang iuwi ko muna ang maleta ko?” naiinis na tanong ko. Bakit isasama niya pa ako? Wala naman akong gagawin doon!

“Weʼll do that after meeting with her,” seryoso niya pa ring sabi. Marahas akong napabuga ng hangin. I just want to go home and lock myself on my room right now. Hindi ako makahinga nang maayos kapag nasa paligid siya.

“Why do I even have to go with you?” he remained silent.

Nanahimik na lang din ako at isinandal ang ulo sa windshield. I feel so stressed again because of him. Nang maalala ko pa ang naabutan ko sa hotel room niya ay muling nanikip ang dibdib ko. Just seeing him with another woman is already making my chest heavy, ano pa kaya iyong nakita ko?

He obviously fucked that woman.

Mariin akong pumikit habang pilit na pinapa-ayos ang pakiramdam. I hate this feeling. I shouldnʼt feel this, it will break me.

Tumigil ang sasakyan sa tapat ng malaking building. This is Disenthrall Music, the management thatʼs taking care of Ludic Selcouth. Tase went out of the car but Iʼm having second thoughts, do I really need to go with him? I donʼt have any business here. Umikot siya at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto. I just stared at the open car door. “What are you still waiting?” I glared at him.

“Ayokong pumasok. Hihintayin na lang kita rito.” kumunot ang noo niya dahil sa sinabi ko. Umiwas ako ng tingin at tumitig sa dashboard ng sasakyan. His phone suddenly rang. I can still feel his stares while answering his phone. “Iʼm already here, Gail. Can you just fucking calm down?" he said, irritated.

“Iʼm here outside the building, just wait,” sabi niya at saka ibinaba ang tawag.  He suddenly grabbed my arms and forced me to get out of the car. Hinawakan niya rin ang likod ko para hindi mabuwal. I glared at him even more.

Agad akong lumayo at umayos ng tayo. Walang sabi-sabi niya akong hinila papasok ng building. “Sumusunod na ako, let go of my hands,” bulong ko dahil pinagtitinginan kami ng mga staffs pagpasok namin. Bakit hindi?! Heʼs holding my hand!

Hanggang sa makapasok ng elevator ay hindi niya pa rin ako binibitawan. He pressed the 15th floor. I can see our reflection on the elevator. He already removed his mask and aviator, baseball cap na lang ang natira. I silently scanned his face on our reflection.

I canʼt clearly see his eyes but the perfect pointed nose, sharp jaws and heart-shaped red lips were so eye-catching. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kamay niyang nakahawak sa ʼkin. My cheeks suddenly heated when I realized that we look like a couple. Pasimple akong tumikhim at medyo lumayo sa kaniya. He just pulled me to him even more.