Kailan Ka Magiging Akin Bestfriend

CHAPTER 1

“DAMN!” Lovelle stumped her fist on the steering wheel as her car’s engine purred a pathetic sound. After a few seconds, her Toyota Corolla suddenly stopped. She found herself stuck in the undeveloped, rural road of Santa Barbara.

Bumaba siya ng sasakyan at malakas na ibinalibag pasara ang pintuan. What the hell was she going to do now? Wala siyang alam sa pagmemekaniko.

Binuksan niya ang hood ng kanyang second hand na Toyota Corolla. Isang taon na niyang minamaneho ang sasakyang iyon at ito ang unang pagkakataong itinirik siya ng kotse. Siguro ay dahil sa maraming lubak na nadaanan niya kaya bumigay ang sasakyan.

She cursed aloud. Hanggang ngayon ba naman, hindi pa rin sementado ang daan papasok ng Santa Barbara. Five years ago, makipot at maalikabok ang daan pag summer, marami namang lubak sa panahon ng tag-ulan. She had never seen any sign of improvement. By the looks of it, things got even worse these days.

Ang mga pulitiko nga naman sa bayan nila. Napailing na lamang siya sa naisip.

Sinilip niya kung ano ang sira sa kanyang kotse ngunit nagmukha lang siyang tanga. Walang usok na lumabas sa makina at mukhang wala namang sirang piyesa.

Oh well, she was dead ignorant about these things so how would she knew? Ang tanging alam lang niya ay ang magmaneho ng sasakyan at dalhin sa talyer ang kotse niya kung merong aberya.

She stole a brief glance at her wristwatch to check the time. Alas-singko kuwarenta na ng hapon. Lalo siyang nanlumo dahil sa mga oras na iyon ay wala ng pampasaherong trysikel na bumibiyahe papasok sa baryo nila.

Mga limang kilometro pa ang kanyang layo mula sa kanilang bahay. Kung maglalakad siya, tiyak aabutan siya ng dilim sa daan. And to add more to her dilemma, she was wearing high heeled boots!

What a day! She breathe hard. Unti-unti na siyang nakaramdam ng pagkayamot.
She silently prayed for a private vehicle to pass. That was her only hope else she will end up walking her way home.

Ngunit iilan lamang sa baryo nila ang may sariling sasakyan. And she was in a province, kung saan maagang umuuwi at natutulog ang mga tao.

Isinara niya ang hood ng sasakyan at wala rin naman siyang maayos mula roon. Muli niyang binuksan ang pintuan ng kotse at dinukot sa handbag ang kanyang cellphone. At gusto niyang magmura ng malakas ng makitang naka-off iyon.

Damn, but she forgot to charge her cellphone! Ini-on niya ang maliit na aparatu ngunit kaagad na namatay din ang baterya niyon; battery empty.
This is what you call a bad day!

Bad trip at frustrated na sinuklay niya ang buhok ng kanyang mga daliri. Inabot ang pakete ng chewing gum sa dashboard ng sasakyan, kumuha ng tatlong piraso and chewed the gum hardly inside her mouth, releasing the growing tension in her nerves.

Sampung minuto ang lumipas ngunit wala pa ring sasakyang dumaan. At unti-unti na ring lumalatag ang kadiliman sa paligid. Naririnig na niya ang huni ng mga kuliglig at iba’t-ibang kulisap at nagsisimula na siyang kabahan. Maybe she had no more choice but to walk so she can go home.

Kausap niya kanina sa telepono ang kanyang Mommy at sinabi niyang bukas pa siya uuwi. Ang balak naman talaga niya ay bukas pa umuwi. Sabado ng araw na iyon at wala siyang pasok sa opisina. She decided to buy pasalubong for her family, so she left her apartment in the morning. Her plan was to take a nap in the afternoon so that she will be in good condition to drive home the next day.

Santa Barbara was six hour drive from Manila and it was a long and tiring journey lalo pa at mag-isa siyang bibiyahe.

Ngunit na badtrip siya ng umuwi sa inuupahang apartment pagkagaling niya sa mall. Nadatnan niya doon si Rod, ang on-and-off boyfriend ng kanyang kaibigan at kasama sa apartment na si Maegan. Ilang beses ng niloko ni Rod si Maegan and the last time they had a fight, her friend cried a river of tears.

Rod was such an asshole and she hated his kind. At siyempre siya naman, inalo si Maegan and motivated her to move on. Na hindi si Rod ang lalaki para dito at hindi ito karapat-dapat sa pagmamahal nito.

Rod was a womanizer and an infidel. He was a hopeless case. She thought Maegan had learned her lesson. Nangako ito sa kanyang hindi na patatawarin ang nobyo, that she will go on with her life without Rod.

But the momet she saw Rod in their apartment, she knew, the two were a couple again. Maegan broke her promise to her. She was disappointed. Ayaw na ayaw pa naman niya sa babaeng martir. Hindi na uso iyon sa modernong panahon ngayon. But she had no control over Maegan’s decision. She can gave her advices but at the end of the day, ang desisyon pa rin nito ang masusunod.

She should have burned Rod in hell if she was Maegan. Oh well, in the first place she will not fall for a bastard like Rod. Her jaw ground in hate.

Hay, ang mga lalaki nga naman mga walang kuwenta!

Umilap ang mga mata niya sa puntong iyon. Isang mapait na ala-ala ang kaagad na itinaboy niya sa isipan bago pa makapasok iyon. It has been five years since then and she had moved on.

She despised to reminisce the pain her first love carved in her heart. She was foolish if she let the past affect her present. Walang kuwentang pag-aksayahan niya ang mga bagay na hindi karapat-dapat isipin.

Isang malalim na buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan niya at inilock ang pintuan ng kotse. She started to walk. She cringed at the thought that she had to walk for five kilometers but she had no other choice.

God, help her and her high heels!

She loved wearing high heels because it makes her taller ngunit sa pagkakataong iyon, gusto niyang hubarin na lamang ang suot na boots at itapon. Pero maraming maliliit na bato sa daan na masakit sa paa if she’ll walk barefoot.

She did not like the idea even more so she chose the lesser evil. She continued to walk and strutt her stuff with a high heels on a rocky and powdery road of Santa Barbara.

She walked for a few minutes. She was enduring a pain in her feet when she saw a vehicle in her horizon.

“Oh thank God!” Hindi niya napigilang isigaw iyon ng makitang may isang pickup na papalapit sa direksiyon niya. Kaagad na pumagitna siya sa kalsada upang hindi siya malampasan ng driver niyon. She knew every people in their barangay kahit pa sabihing limang taon din siyang nawala. She needed help, at hindi niya palalampasin ang ganitong pagkakataon.

Mabilis ang takbo ng pick-up ngunit ng makita ng driver ang dalaga sa gitna ng daan, bumagal ang takbo niyon and eventually stopped in front of her. She released a sigh of relief but it instantly vanished as she recognized the driver’s face.

Hindi tinted ang salamin ng sasakyan at kitang-kita ng mga mata niya ang driver niyon.

Si Joel Philips, isang kababata at ex-bestfriend!

Her face hardened. Kaagad na tumabi siya sa daan at ipinagpatuloy ang paglalakad. Maglalakad na lamang siya at bahala na kung madilim na sa paligid.

Let worse come to worst, but she will not bend her pride nor ask help from this guy. She cursed him years ago!

Malaki ang kasalanan sa kanya ng lalaking ito, along with Mart. Those traitors! Her face hardened even more.

“Lovelle!” Buong-buo at lalaking-lalaki ang boses na lumatag sa paligid. It has a certain sense of authority that nobody can simply ignore.

Napilitan siyang lumingon. At lihim na napasinghap sa nakita.

What she saw was a very virile male figure and the familiar handsome face.
Nakalabas na ito sa sasakyan at ngayon nga ay nakatingin sa kanya. He was taller with a sturdy body and was wearing a white body-hugging tee and faded maong jeans.

Napakurap siya ng ilang beses.

My goodness, but Joel Philips changed a lot! She can’t help but notice his physical sleekness.

He was not the tall lanky boy that he was five years ago. Lalaking-lalaki na ang anyo nito ngayon. She can’t imagine how he managed to acquire this manly look and charisma. Though he was still sporting the same F4 long hair, chinky eyes, arrogant nose and red lips.

Goodness, ngunit sa klase ng anyo ng kababata sa ngayon, tiyak na ilalampaso nito pagdating sa tindig at katawan ang mga miyembro ng bandang F4. His skin tanned, na mas lalong nakadagdag sa lalaking-lalaking anyo nito.
Lalaking-lalaki! Huh!

Gusto niyang magsusuka sa naisip na description para sa kababata. Kung hindi lang niya ito kilala all her life ay maniniwala siya sa nakikita ng kanyang mga mata.

And hell, but she can’t take her eyes off him!

She felt the strange thud in her heart and winced secretly. Hindi yata niya kayang tanggaping nalulula ang damdamin niya sa bagong anyo ni Joel Philips.
Gaga siya kung makakaramdam siya ng paghanga dito. Alam niya ang totoong pagkatao nito!

“Bakit ka naglalakad sa daan?” He asked while eyes not leaving her face.
Isang kibit ng balikat ang isinagot niya sa tanong na iyon ng lalaki. Pagkatapos ay muling tumalikod at ipinagpatuloy ang paglalakad.

“Lovelle!” Malakas na tawag nito at sinundan ang dalaga.
“None of your business JP!” She shouted back, hindi lumilingon. “Gusto ko lang maglakad.”

Nagkasalubong ang mga kilay ng binata. Lumingon ito sa pinanggalingan ng babae at nakita ang kotseng nasa gilid ng daan sa may kalayuan.

Malapad na palayan ang nasa magkabilang gilid ng daan. There was no obstruction and from where he was standing, he can see her second hand Toyota Corolla in the distance.

“Nasiraan ka ba ng sasakyan? Ihahatid na kita sa inyo.”

Tumigil siya sa paglalakad at hinarap ang binata. Isang nakakalokong ngiti ang naglalaro sa kanyang mga labi. “Playing a gentleman, huh!?” She mocked. “No use pretending JP, I know your kind, very much!”

Sukat sa narinig ay biglang nagdilim ang anyo ni Joel Philips. Nagtagis ang mga ngipin nito sa galit.

She was enjoying the anger and the effect of her insult on his face. She saw his jaws moved as he ground his teeth.

But he deserved it! Mas masakit pa doon ang naramdaman niya limang taon na ang nakalilipas.

Her heart was shattered into bits and pieces and she was never been the same again. Though she hated him, she can’t help but reminisce how they became best of friends.

Magkapitbahay sila ng lalaki sa Santa Barbara at sabay na lumaki. His family’s ancestral house was a kilometer away from them. Iyon ang bahay na pinakamalapit sa kanila.

Dalawang taon ang tanda nito sa kanya ngunit hindi naging hadlang iyon upang magkasundo silang dalawa.

Mabait ang lalaki at mahilig sa mga pambabaeng bagay. Kasama niya itong naglalaro ng kanyang mga manika, nagluluto at nagbabahay-bahayan. They became best-of-friends as they grew up.

Alam niyang lalampa-lampa ito at napakamahinhin but she never thought he was gay. He never told her he was gay.

She just thought that he was only soft, idagdag pa na malapit ito sa ina and malambing. Kahit na sinasabi sa kanya ng mga kaibigan sa school na bakla ang bestfriend niya, hindi siya naniwala.

Well, until she caught him hugging and kissing her boyfriend! A revelation na hindi niya kayang tanggapin and was forced to leave Santa Barbara and never came back after five years.

Sa Maynila na siya nag-aral ng kolehiyo at kaagad na nag-apply ng trabaho. Nang makagradweyt siya sa kolehiyo, hindi siya umuwi sa kanila kahit pa gustong icelebrate ng mga magulang ang kanyang pagtatapos.

She told them that she had a job already and that she had no time to go home. Kaagad na natanggap siya sa isang sikat na advertsising agency as junior executive. Pinaluwas na lamang niya sa Maynila ang buong pamilya at doon na nagcelebrate ng kanyang graduation. She did not want to go back to Santa Barbara. Mapait ang ala-alang hatid sa kanya ng bayang sinilangan.

At kung hindi nga lang ikakasal ang Kuya Angelo niya at isa siya sa mga abay ay hindi siya uuwi. Madalas din kasing lumuwas sa Maynila ang mga magulang niya at doon na sila nagkikita.

She despised Santa Barbara. Dahil naroroon si JP at Mart. Ang ahas na bestfriend niya at walanghiyang boyfriend niya na pumatol sa kapwa lalaki.

“Lovelle!” His voice hard and rough. His fist balled tightly. He knew that she was still angry with him. Oh well, hindi nito masisisi ang kababata.
She was badly hurt. And it seems to him that she did not yet recover.

“Knock it off JP. Don’t ever bother.” This time ay kalmado na ang boses niya. “I can manage. Umalis ka na. Alam kung may pupuntahan ka pa.”

Ngunit nanatiling nakatayo sa harapan niya ang binata. He did not move. His chinky eyes bored to hers. And she found herself staring at him too.

Ngayon niya napagtantong sa kabila ng galit niya dito, she badly missed her bestfriend. Their friendship lasted for over ten years. Hindi madaling kalimutan ang pinagsamahan nila sa loob ng maraming panahon.

“I’m glad to see you again Love. I missed my best friend for the past years.” He whispered sadly.

“But of course!” Pauyam na sagot niya.

Isang malalim na buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan ng binata.
“You did not give me a chance to explain.” He whispered softly. “Instead, you vehemently threw our friendship away. Matagal kang nawala. But I’m glad you’re back.”

“Yes I’m back.” Her was voice hard. “Only because I need to. Hindi ako bumalik upang sariwain ang nakaraang kinalimutan ko na. And besides hindi ako ang sumira sa pagkakaibigan natin. Ikaw iyon JP!” The accusation in her voice was like a dagger. And how dare he talk about the past in front of her face! Spite him!

“If you will only give me a chance to explain—“

“Huh!” She bitterly cut him off. “There’s no need to explain. Hindi ako tanga!” She hissed. “Sa lahat ng tao ay ikaw ang nakakaalam kung gaano ko kamahal si Mart. Delicadeza lang sana at respeto sa pagkakaibigan natin. I trusted you.” She blew some air. “But you forsook me,” bahagyang nanginig ang boses niya. “Oh well, you know, all those craps happened in the past. It’s been five years. Kinalimutan ko na ang mga nangyari.”

He breathed deeply. “Maybe we can start over again?” He dared to ask after a few moment.

“Never JP!” Matigas na turan niya. “Our friendship was dead and it can never be resurrected. Hindi ibig sabihin na kinalimutan ko na ang nakaraan, napatawad na rin kita. That was far from it. I can forget, but I can never forgive you.” She boldly stated. She felt her body trembled in anger.

“Love…” He whispered huskily. There was deep sadness in his eyes. And a yearning that was there for five years.

She needed to control herself or else she’ll break down. “That’s life JP.” Binalewala niya ang ligaw na damdaming sumibol sa puso niya sa paraan ng pagbanggit nito sa petname niya. “I can’t trust you anymore, our friendship was broken. There’s no more ‘us’. Besides, hindi na Santa Barbara ang mundo ko ngayon. Pagbalik ko ng Maynila, our paths will never cross again.”

Nagfile siya ng isang linggong bakasyon sa opisina dahil nga ikakasal ang Kuya Angelo niya. Tutulong din siya sa pag-aasikaso sa ibang detalye ng kasal. At kailangan niyang magpasukat ng damit pang-abay ilang araw bago ang kasalan.

Ang kasal ni Angelo ay sa darating na Linggo. After the wedding, she will go back to Manila. She had her job there. She considered the city as her new world and not Santa Barbara anymore.

“You will stay in Santa Barbara Lovelle.” There was firmness in his voice.

Isang ngising aso ang naging tugon niya sa sinabi nito. Surely she had no reason to stay in this damned place! With this traitor around!

“It’s now dark. Ihahatid na kita sa inyo. Pagkatapos ay babalikan ko ang sasakyan mo at titingnan ko kung ano ang sira.”

“Why, thank you!” She said the gratitude with deadly sarcasm. She turned her back on him at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

“Lovelle, huwag matigas ang ulo mo. Malayo pa ang lalakarin mo bago ka makauwi. Ihahatid na kita.” His voice turned solid.

“Talk to my hand JP.” She shouted angrily, hindi lumilingon.

“Don’t give me the option to force you Love. I will if you won’t cooperate.” Banta nito habang nakasunod sa dalaga.

Napilitan siyang tumigil sa paglalakad at iritadong hinarap ang binata.
“Kaya kitang buhatin at ipasok sa loob ng sasakyan.”

Tumikwas ang kilay niya sa sinabi nito. She wanted to laugh sarcastically but he eyes landed at his wide, muscled chest and strong, virile biceps, she realized he was capable of doing what he warned.

She looked at him with hard expression. He fought her stare with firmness. Matagal silang nagsukatan, bawat isa ay ayaw sumuko.

After a few moment she was forced to accept defeat. She realized that she can’t fight his intent stare. He was looking thoroughly at her face and she can’t help but feel uncomfortable.

She wanted to scold herself. What happened to her? Limang taon lamang niyang hindi nakita ang kababata at ngayon ay nagkakaganito na siya. She felt strange.

“I don’t need your help JP,” she shook her head.
“Don’t think too much about this Lovelle. I know I have hurt you so much. I want to make up for everything. This favor is nothing compare to what I have done to you, right? Wala kang tatanawing utang na loob. Malaki pa ang babayaran kong utang sa iyo.”

Napabutong-hininga siya. Kung hindi nga lang gabi na at may magagawa pa siya, hinding-hindi siya papayag na magpapahatid dito.

She hated the idea na magkakaroon siya ng utang na loob sa baklang ito!
He did not wait for her to articulate her response. He grabbed her elbow at inalalayan siya papunta sa sasakyan nito.

Bahagyang napapitlag ang dalaga ng dumikit ang balat ng binata sa kanyang balat. Ang init na galing sa palad nito ay nanalaytay sa bawat himaymay ng kanyang mga ugat. Bigla siyang naconscious sa hawak nito. Ipiniksi niya ang kanyang braso.

“I used to hold you before Lovelle, for Christ sake, don’t act as if nandidiri ka sa hawak ko.”

Nandidiri? Surely hindi iyon ang naramdaman niya. At nahihiya siyang aminin sa sarili na apektado siya sa hawak ng lalaki.

“Kaya kong maglakad JP. You don’t need to assist me. Im not a baby or a lola.” She can’t help but be sarcastic. Nauna na siyang lumakad palapit sa pick up.

Sumunod ito sa likuran niya. Binuksan niya ang pintuan sa driver’s seat at pumasok sa loob.

Her nose basked in a manly scent as soon as she got inside the car. The manly scent was an expensive musk. Pati pabango ng kababata ay panlalaki na rin ha. She grinned. Na kaagad na itinago niya ng pumasok sa loob ng sasakyan si JP.

Tahimik na pinaandar nito ang pickup. At sa maikling durasyon ng kanilang biyahe, walang salitang namagitan sa kanila. Nang tumigil ang sasakyan nito sa harapan ng kanilang bahay, saka pa lamang siya nakahinga ng maluwag.

“Anyway, thanks!” Akma niyang bubuksan ang pintuan upang bumaba na when he held her hand and stopped her.

“Goodnight Love,” he stared adoringly at her eyes and smiled.

Si Lovelle ay namalikmata sa titig at ngiti ng binata. Ilang sandaling hindi siya nakahuma. And silently cursed herself ng maisip na naaapektuhan siya ng mga titig nito.
Hindi siya dapat makaramdam ng ganito sa lalaki. But she totally lost her ground when he lowered his head and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

“Just a goodnight kiss Lovelle. Can’t help it. A token for seeing you again after five long years.” His eyes flashed. “I missed you.”

She was left stunned. Gusto niyang magalit sa naging kapangahasan nito but she was more enamored by her body’s reaction.

Namumula ang mukhang kaagad na lumabas siya sa sasakyan ng binata. Goodness, but she never dare think na maapektuhan ng ganuon sa simpleng halik ng lalaki. Of all people, si JP pa!

She can still feel the aftershock of the kiss kahit nasa labas na siya ng sasakyan nito. Pakiramdam niya ay nanginginig ang kanyang mga tuhod. Oh dear Lord, what’s happening to her?

Gayun na lamang ang pasasalamat niya ng makitang nakabukas ang bakal na gate ng bahay nila. Kaagad na pumasok siya sa looban ng kanilang bahay.

She needed to stay away from Joel Philips. Hindi niya gusto ang damdaming sumibol sa puso niya sa pagkikita nilang muli.

She was not expecting this. At hindi niya papayagang magmumukhang tanga for entertaining stupid feelings and thoughts to a guy she knew was fake.