Terminal [[o3.16.2oo9 - End]]

[ayreezh]

Terminal

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"I'm not afraid to die..
I'm afraid of not being with you..."

[banner 1]
[character chart]

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[1] . [2] . [3] . [4] . [5] . [6] . [7] . [8] . [9] . [10] . [11] . [12] . [13] . [14] . [15] .
[16] . [17] . [18] . [19] . [20] . [21] . [22] . [23] . [24] . [25] . [26] . [27] . [28] . [29] . [30] .
[31] . [32] . [33] . [34] . [35] . [36] . [37] . [38] . [39] . [40] . [41] . [42] . [43] . [44] . [45] .
[46] . [47] . [48] . [49] . [Epilogue].

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I never believed in love...
I thought it's just an overrated emotion where the hormones take over a girl's heart..
I don't have time for that.

Then I met Gerard..
He was obnoxious.. arrogant.. selfish.. creepy..
We did not get along..
But there was something that attracted me to the freak..

Before I knew it, I couldn't let go..
The overrated emotion I once shunned was suddenly the pushing force of my universe --
with the creep smacked right in the middle..

And it all started at the terminal...

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.doc & .pdf copies are available for free download
here & here.

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Are you done reading this story?  Still want to know what happened next?

The Sequel to Terminal:

All Over Again

[ayreezh]

1: (Venice's POV)

I don't believe this!


Tinignan ko uhlet ung relo ko.. Almost 9 AM na.. Kailangan ko na talagang magbagong buhay... Anak ng tipaklong.. Ma-llate nanaman ako!  Sinoh bang genius kaseh nag-imbento ng Snooze button!?!?


Okay... Relax... Take a deep breath...

Nasa dulo man ako ng pila, gagalaw at gagalaw din yan..  and may.. mga 1.. 2.. 3... at least 8 na lang na tao.. kasya pa ko dyan!  slim naman ako... 


And lucky enough, may dumating na jeep... and luckier enough, as people started to go in, mukhang kakasya pa ko! bwahahaha iba na talaga ang hatak ko sa taas..


Kaya lang... all of a sudden, just when I'm about to step up, someone suddenly cut in front of me at pumasok sa jeep..


O__O


Tinulak ang beauty ko?!?



Ako: Excuse me?!?


Tumingin sa'kin ung guy na nakaupo na sa loob..  And ung expression pa ng mukha nya!  parang nang-aasar na crooked smile na parang tinutukso akong patayin sya..
Napatingin pa ko sa school uniform nya.. Ever!  Schoolmate pa!


"Miss, sasakay ba kayo?"


Naputol bigla ung assassination plan ko nung na-realize kong ako pala ung kausap nung driver..


Ako:  Uh, opo..


Pumasok na rin ako -- late na nga ako, ma-llate pa lalo.. Nag-usugan ung mga people para bigyang space ang magandang estudyante tulad ko op corz..
At sa kung anong kabaitan ng mga people na toh, ung space pa na binigay nila, eh dun sa tabi ni kuya schoolmate...


Syempre, no choice, alangan namang mag-revolution pa ko dahil lang sa upuan di va?  Umupo na rin ako..

..and with all the subtlest ways of doing it, sinampal ko ung shoulder bag ko sa gwapong face ni kuya schoolmate na tinulak ako..


Kuya Schoolmate:  Ouch!
Ako:  (naupo sabay smile sa kanya)  Ai sorry.. Masakit?
Kuya Schoolmate:  Nananadya ka ba?!
Ako:  Ohhh of course not..

Charing! bwahahaha

Tinignan nya lang ako then shook his head and looked the other way...


Vic-toh-rii! hahaha 


After some time, tumigil na rin ung jeep sa stop namen to be able to go to school.. Op cors, since nagmamadali ako, hindi ko na tinignan si kuya schoolmate and tumayo na lang ako bigla to get off.. Pagbaba ko nung jeep, nakaka-dalawang steps pa lang ako, may bumunggo na nang pagkalakas-lakas sa shoulder ko!!!  Madapa-dapa pa tuloy ako!

And guess who?


Anak ng daga!  Nananadya na yata talaga toh eh!


Yes.. Si Kuya Schoolmate nanaman..




"ARRRRGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"


Lunch time... binagsak ko ung bag ko sa cafeteria table na inuupuan nung best friend ko, si Sheena, and ng official tsismis radar ko, the vaklush queen, Kenny..


Kenny:  Anong pinagka-"argh" "argh" mo dyan?


Naupo ako sa tabi ni Sheena and took a deep breath..
I know..  ilang hours na ang nakalipas, and ehto pa rin ako.. high blood pa rin..


So.. pagkaupo na pagkaupo, nakooooo total rant kagad ako..  Starting from the-abusive-tulak-para-lang-mauna-sya-sa-pagpasok-sa-jeep  hanggang sa  pagbaba-namen-and-pagsagasa-nya-sa-fragile-na-ako incident..


Ako:  Tell me nga, I'm 5'3..  Posible ba na hindi nya ko nakita?!?!
Kenny:  (inom nung Pepsi nya) Eh baka kaseh nagpapakarampa ka pa sa paglalakad, natagalan si kuya schoolmate, kaya ahyun, sinagasaan na ang beauty mo..
Ako:  Ang laki-lakiiii ng kalsada noh!
Sheena:  Ay nako, Venice.. Relax ka lang.. Baka bago lang un sa school kaya ginanun-ganun ka lang..



Well.. That's true..  If that guy has been in this school for as long as I have, then hindi ako magagawang saga-sagasaan lang nun..

Miss popular, queenbee... whatever you call it, I'm that person..  Everybody knows me, everybody either wants to be me or wants to be with me..


and yes.. malakas ang self-confidence ko.. 


My name is Venice Zhao..  I'm 18 years old..  and aminado ako -- I'm self-proclaimed vain.. wahahaha  My dad was Chinese, and my mom is Filipina..  Halfie..  and as everyone knows, may kung anong fascination ang mga people sa mga halfie na tulad ko..

Hindi ako sanay sa rough treatments..

kaya ganito na lang siguro ang taas ng boiling point ng attitude meter ko..



Gwapo pa naman sana si kuya... isa nanamang nasayang na species of testosterone..  Lord talaga..  konti na nga lang ang gwapo, nilagyan pa ng kung anong glitch sa brain si kuya schoolmate..


Kenny:  Ganito na lang isipin mo: (bats his eyelashes)  Ang ganda-ganda ko!
Ako:  (natawa)  Ai gaga!  alam ko na un noh!
Sheena:  Well, you can just hope na hindi na uhlet kayo magkikita.. or at least di kayo magsama in any close environment..


Hayyyyy wish ko lang talaga sana!

[~*AsTriTH AkAsHi*~]

Wow! New story ate Irish! =) Krisha nga pala. Reader ng past stories mo. May attitude ata si Kuya schoolmate. Apir apir! 

[ayreezh]

Krisha
ay ang taray ng lola... nakilala ako!   apir apir? lol


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

2:  (Venice's POV)

"Why? Why? Why?!?!??"


Kahit na masisira pa ung floor ng hallway dahil sa pagdadabog ni Sheena, eh wah care pa rin ako.. Hindi ako papayag na mauna sya sa mall at mag-total shopping splurge nang wala ako noh..


It's late afternoon after class, and supposedly, diretso sana kami ni best pwend sa mall right after lumabas.. Kaya lang, pinatawag ako ni Ate Marian, si Ms. President ng Drama Club.  She's been planning (dreaming, obsessing...) to stage a musical she wrote herself, with some of her favorite songs weaved into the script.  Sabi ko copyright infringement un, pero sabi nya for "educational purposes" daw... ehwan ko kung legal un...-__-


Pero anyways, ako ang favorite nyang female lead.
Kaya kahit na ilang buwan pa bago mag-Pasko (originally, gusto nya maging Christmas play un, kahit wala namang kinalaman sa Pasko ung story line..), binigay nya na sa'kin ung script.. and naghanap na rin sya ng potential male lead.  Ung script ng play for the "Linggo ng Wika", pinaubaya na sa ibang members.. Ganyan nya ko kamahal..


And this morning... talagang pinagka-hunting-hunting nya pa ko para lang sabihin na "thiz iz it!"


So I know she finally found my future partner..

Kaya here we are, kinakaladkad ko si Sheena papunta sa auditorium where Ate Marian said she'll introduce my partner, her cousin -- na PAMATAY raw ang boses, NAKAKAMATAY ang looks, and MAMATAY-MATAY raw ako pag nakatrabaho ko na ang napaka-"charming" nyang pinsan.


naisip ko tuloy.. baka bangkay ung pinsan nya..XD
pero sikret na lang naten un.. baka ako pa ang mamatay nang wala sa oras..



"Ay..."


Napa-stop ang thoughts ko nang biglang tumigil si Sheena sa heavy footsteps nya -- kung kailan ilang hakbang na lang, pinto na nung auditorium, ngayon pa tumigil!


Ako: Anoh!??
Sheena: SSSHHH!!! Di mo naririnig?


Tumahimik naman ako.

And sure enough, may narinig nga ako..

A song.. coming from the auditorium...


A husky, soft rock voice.. mellow, pero hindi parang marshmallow.. hhmmmmm... -___- Chito Miranda.... that's right!!! Halos kaboses ni fafa Chito ng parokya -- kung ito magiging partner ko -- wish ko lang, sana naman poh eh hindi sya kamukha ni Chito...-__-


I know this song... "Here I Am" by Bryan Adams... it fits his voice PER-FECT-LY.. O__O


Sheena: (napatingin sa'kin) Ahyan na ba un?
Ako: Maybe..


Nung natapos ung kanta -- which is probably a minute later -- sinugod namen kagad ni Sheena ung pinto para makita kung saan galing ung golden voice...


Pagkapasok na pagkapasok namen, dumiretso kagad sa stage ung mata ko.. And there.. in front of a microphone, may nakatayo na mukhang kung anong entity of divinity..
kulang na lang ung blinding light na nakikita sa pictures o kaya sa movie pag may angel na sumusulpot..


But I can't see the face...


Hinila ko si Sheena palapit sa stage para naman maka-adjust ung mata ko.. And when we were near enough to recognize the person, I immediately focused on his face and----


o_o

>_<

o_o

>_<

O_O

O_oO


Ohhhh helll nawwwww!!! <'O_oO'>


Sheena: (bulong sa tabi ko) Oh my golay! Ang gwapooohhh! Nalaglag yata panty ko. @_@



"Venice! You're finally here!"


Hindi nag-waver ung stare ko from the stage, kahit nung naramdaman kong nasa tabi ko na si Ate Marian.  I continued to follow with my eyes as the person singing a while ago jumped off the stage and walked towards us.. At kahit nung tumigil na sya sa harap namen and tumabi kay Ate Marian, speechless pa rin ang beauty ko.


Ate Marian: Venice, this is my cousin, Gerard. He's going to be the male lead -- your partner!


Then he smiled... a crooked smile... the same smile dun sa jeep.. ung nakakaasar na smile that he flashed before.. Suddenly, naramdaman ko ang blood pressure ko tumataas!

Anak ng tokwa! Eh pag di nga naman ako namatay!



Ako: Ikaw!??!?!?!?!
Gerard: (still smiling his stupid smile) Ah, you know me..



Ang--!!!! may nerve pang maging sarcastic?!?!!?


Ate Marian: (napatingin sa'ming dalawa) You know each other?
Ako: Jeep! Abuse! High Blood!
Sheena: (turo kay Gerard) Ahhhhh! Kuya Schoolmate! O_O


Napatingin ako kay Sheena... Tama bang gamitin ang screen name na ginamit ko?-__-


Gerard: Eh? 
Ako: (tingin kay Gerard) Ikaw! The guy from earlier! You-----!!!!


Hindi ako makabuo ng isang sentence sa sobrang shock!  My golay!
Tumingin ako bigla kay Ate Marian.. She can't possibly expect me to work with this-- this-- this--- kung ano mang species sya!


Ako: Ate.. You can't be serious! He can't possibly be playing the lead.  Extra! Extra lang dapat sya!
Ate Marian: Why? Perfect naman sya for the role.. My cousin starred in almost every single play sa high school nya.. And inabot pa ko ng syam-syam just to persuade him to finally take part in this school play..
Ako: Pero, ate... I don't want to work with him.. -__-
Gerard: It's not like I'm particularly doing this because I want to work with you.. Who wants to work with you anyway?


Gasp! Ever the face?!?


Ako: (sarcastic) Awww.. how ironic.. I was thinking the same thing.
Ate Marian: (claps her hands -- in glee) Great! You two have mutual feelings na! This is working wonderfully already!


-__-


Alam kong eccentric tong si Ate Marian, pero is it possible na natuluyan na ang pagka-abnormal nito while writing the play??!


Napatingin si Ate Marian sa relo nya, then looked at me..


Ate Marian: So anyways, I gotta go soon.. You know how I want my characters developed.. realistically, I mean..


Oh crap...

Ehto ang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit humahaba ang listahan ng mga stalkers ko.. at ng mga gusto na ring magpa-assassinate sa'kin.


Ate Marian: I want you two to develop your chemistry over the following months ok? (collected her school bag from the floor) So try to get along well, and spend as much time together as possible..


Are you crazy? O___O


Lumakad sya papunta dun sa pinto, and just before stepping out, tumingin ulit sya sa'kin.


Ate Marian:  I want to see a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship.. Ok? See ya!


O__O


Why is this happening to me?  T^T


Gerard: Well.. strict orders from the president.. how about that, huh, GIRLFRIEND?


I turned to glare at him... Feel the wrath!


Ako: Go drown yourself.


Then I stomped out of the auditorium -- with Sheena following closely behind me.


Sheena: (chuckles) NOW I'm glad I went with you.
Ako: Shut it.

[xang]

new reader po here!! ang taray ni venice!! kisha po pala!!

[im_numb10]

...wow ...

...napancn q ung saying may hawig sa twilight

...keep up...zai here ate irish

[ayreezh]

Kisha
Hello! thanks for dropping by!

Zai
haha ahling saying ung may hawig sa twilight?  hello nga pala!


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3: (Venice's POV)

"This is stupid.. unbelievable.. crazy... ridiculous.. foolish.. freaky.. creepy......"


Nag-isip pa ko ng ibang adjectives na alam ko na pwedeng mag-describe sa current situation ko..  pero naubusan na ko ng synonyms..


Tumingin uhlet ako sa taong naka-upo sa harap ko..


sigh... How did it end up like this? T-T


Gerard:  You don't have to sound so disappointed..
Ako:  I AM disappointed!  I'm supposed to be in the mall right now.. shopping.. getting new clothes.. trying on new shoes.. looking at new jewelries... Instead... (tingin uhlet ako sa kanya)  haayyy.... -.-


Ehwan ko nga rin ba kung anong nangyari...  I remember, I walked out of the auditorium with Sheena..  Pero di pa kami fully nakakalayo, humabol na tong unggoy na toh at nagtuloy-tuloy on how we should start getting to know each other -- NOW..

Mukha namang nang-aasar lang pala, dahil nung biglang nag-agree si Sheena (traydor! traydor!), halatang-halata na nagulantang din sya..


At bago pa man ako makapagreact, nakatakbo na palayo si Sheena, naiwan na ko kasama ni Gerard, at hindi na ko nakapalag nung niyaya ako ni Gerard na kumain sa labas...  Mahirap tanggihan ang gutom ng tyan.. *bow*


Gerard:  (kagat nung cheeseburger nya)  What's so great about shopping?
Ako:  "What's so great about shopping"?!?  Abno ka ba?! What's not great about shopping??
Gerard:  Spending a lot of money.


Well yea... but still!


Ako:  You wouldn't understand..


Tinusok-tusok ko ng tinidor ung palabok ko.. sa sobrang sama ng loob ko, pati ung palabok kong mahal, hindi ko ma-appreciate..  Tumingin uhlet ako kay Gerard..


Ako  Haayy... -_-


Lalo pang sumama ang loob ko..


Gerard:  I just said that you don't have to sound so disappointed... Malay mo, someday, you'll think back on this day as one of the days before you fall in love with me..


Weh?


Ako:  Adik ka ba? Feeling mo naman ka-inlab lab ka..  Excuse me noh, mataas ang standards ko..
Gerard:  Oh really?  At anong klaseng standards naman yan?
Ako:  Syempre, kailangan ko ng mabait.. gwapo.. matalino.. loving.. loyal.. and most of all, ma-iin love lang ako sa lalakeng magsasabi sa'kin ng: (with dreamy eyes look) "You... complete me.."


Ay!  Kilig!

...

.....


Nung wala akong natanggap na feedback, pinutol ko ung dreamy aura ko, then looked back at Gerard... na tinitignan lang ako..
Panira ng pantasya eh.


Ako:  What?
Gerard:  Nothing.
Ako:  Really? No retort? 
Gerard:  (inom nung softdrinks nya)  Well.. yea.. I guess you really do need somebody to "complete" you..
Ako:  Oh?
Gerard:  (turo sa ulo nya)  Yup... sounds like medyo nakulangan yang utak mo eh..


I knew it!  Kontra talaga sa pantasya!


Ako:  Do you wanna die now?


That's pretty much how we spent our dinner...
Sya, aasarin ako.. Ako, nagpplano kung pano sya sasagasaan ng truck...  Kaya nung nag-offer sya na ihatid ako sa bahay, halos gusto ko nang umiyak sa sobrang disagreement..


..Pero syempre, kahit anong palag ko, sumunod pa rin sya sa'kin hanggang sa bahay.. seriously, nagtanong pa eh noh?


Pagdating namin sa harap ng gate, nakaharap na rin ako sa kanya with the most genuine smile -- dahil sa wakas, mawawala na sya sa paningin ko!


Gerard: (tingin sa bahay) Your parents waiting for you?
Ako:  No.. I live alone.
Gerard:  (napatingin sa'kin)  Really?
Ako:  Yep... My dad passed away when I was three.. and my mom is in the US, working..  I used to live with a housekeeper, pero sayang lang ang pera kaya my mom and I decided it's better that I live alone..
Gerard:  Oh.. ok..


Tumingin uhlet ako sa kanya..

Di ka pa ba aalis?


Haaayyy.. out of curiosity, tinuloy ko na rin ung conversation..


Ako:  Ikaw?  San ka nakatira?
Gerard:  I don't live too far from here... About a couple or so blocks away..


Amp!  Ibig sabihin magkapit-bahay pa tayo?!?!


Gerard:  I live with Marian and her brother, Anthony..
Ako:  Eh?  Talaga?  San parents mo?
Gerard:  They're both in the States.. My dad's an American, and he took my mom when they got married..  I just came back here a few years ago..
Ako:  Eh bakit nandito ka?
Gerard:  (smiled then looked down)  Personal reasons.


Chuchu nito.. personal-personal reasons pa..


Gerard:  Oh well.. I better go..
Ako:  Already?


Pero deep inside ko lang.. rejoice! rejoice! rejoice!


Gerard:  Yep..  Baka ma-rape mo pa ko eh..
Ako:  Iba rin ang kapal ng epidermis mo noh?!?


Tumawa lang sya then started to walk away...  But after just a few steps, he turned around again to face me..

..with such a serious face na kahit si heart ko, natigilan...


Ako:  What? O_O
Gerard:  Will you do something for me?
Ako:  Eh?
Gerard:  Try not to get too close..  Don't get too attached to me..
Ako:  Huh?
Gerard:  It's for your own good.


After that, umikot na uhlet sya then walked away na talaga..

Ako naman.. nawindang ever...  Feeling nya naman...


Glue ba sya na ma-aattach ako!??


Ka-attach-attach ba sya?!??









But then again.. his face back then..


His face said it all..



He really didn't want me to get too close..

Weirdo.



____________________________________
To Be Continued.

[xang]

ano ibig sabihin nun?? an gulo ni gerard!!

[~*AsTriTH AkAsHi*~]

Sus! May pa-attach attach pang nalalaman si Gerard. Haha! =)
Next na po. 

[ayreezh]

Kisha
may ibig sabihin un.. di ko nga lang din naintindihan..


Krisha
Ay ay.. nakalimutan kong sabihin.. natutuwa talaga ako sa avatar mo! haha



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4: (Venice's POV)

Seven... It's been seven days, one week, and.. (look sa relo) about 4 hours.
Ganyan na katagal nakadikit sa'kin tohng bubwit na toh..  Kain sa labas.. hatid-sundo sa bahay.. hintay ng jeep.. Asar.. pikon... making my life a living hell... -___


And today, umariba nanaman ang pagiging feeling close nya.. For some reason, ang aga-aga, eh nakatambay kame sa Washington Sycip Park sa may Greenbelt..  pasalamat sya at Sunday ngayon, lazy day ko.. otherwise, hindi nya ko ever mahahaltak palabas ng bahay..


I don't even know kung bakit ako kasama dito.. Sya naman tong nagpapaka-photographer at kung anu-anong pinipicture-an.. pati ung ducks na nanahimik naglalakad, ginugulo..  ako naman, wala..  nakaupo lang dun sa may pond na may human-made na waterfall..


Ako:  How come I find myself hanging out with you more and more everyday?
Gerard:  Coz you like hanging out with me.
Ako:  At sinoh naman nagsabi syo nyan?
Gerard:  (tuloy sa pag-photograph)  You can just easily say "no" every time I ask you to go out...



Yea right.. as if naman nakikinig sya pag nagsasabi akong ayoko..


Nanahimik uhlet ako and just watched him click-click with his Canon Digital Rebel XT..  yes alam ko ung exact model nung camera nya -- dahil sinubukan nyang ituro sa'kin lahat ng tricks nung camera, how to produce a good picture, at kung anu-ano pa...


wala nga lang nag-register.. masyado lang ako polite para sabihin sa kanya un, since masyado syang excited na maging camera teacher ko..



Ako:  So.. kaya mo lang ba ko sinama dito para manood syo manghabol ng ducks, butterflies, at kung anu-ano pang insektong dumadapo sa halaman?


Tinignan ako ni Gerard, then he flashed his stupid smile again.. Medyo na-iimmune na ko sa smile nya, kaya hindi na masyadong nakakaasar..


Gerard:  I just thought you might need a change of scenery..
Ako:  (stretch) Anong change ng scenery?  I need to study.. I have an essay due the day after tomorrow na gusto ko nang umpisahan..


Tumigil sa ginagawa nya si Gerard then walked over to where I was sitting.. Sinabit nya ung camera sa leeg nya, then umupo dun sa grass, sa tabi ko..


Gerard:  What's the rush?  You should really learn how to relax.
Ako:  I AM relaxed.
Gerard:  Well.. then look at your life..  Masyado kang focused dyan sa studies mo. I don't think you're having time for yourself anymore. That's why I take you out as much as possible..
Ako:  Soooorrryyy... I was raised na isipin na education is the key to success.


Pangaral ng nanay ko..


Ako:   I don't have time na magliwaliw dyan sa tabi-tabi noh..
Gerard:  (starts picking the grass by his legs, then whispered)  But life is so short...


Napatingin ako sa kanya.. Even though I'm starting to feel like we're knowing more and more things about each other (alam nyo bang takot sya sa spider? ), parang lagi na lang may isang bagay sya na tinatago -- na ayaw nyang ipaalam...


I mean not that I particularly care.. Kung ayaw sabihin, eh di wag..
pero bothersome lang kaseh.. natural na tsismosa ako eh.


Ako:  Why is your name "Gerard"?
Gerard:  (napatingin sa'kin)  Why?
Ako:  Wala lang.. Sobrang simple kaseh..  Wala man lang ka-chuva chuva.. wala lang.. Mister "Gerard Sheen" ka lang..
Gerard:  Sorry kung hindi kasing unique ng name mo ang name ko..   Hindi kasi naisip ng parents ko na paikutin ung globe at kung saang city dumikit ung finger nila, un na magiging name ko.
Ako:  Hoy, excuse me.. Hindi ganun ung way ng pagpili ng name ko noh!
Gerard:  Oh yea?
Ako:  Yea!  My dad and my mom went to Venice for their honeymoon.. Then I was conceived.. So they thought to name me after the place where I was conceived.. Pure creativity...
Gerard:  (tingin sa'kin) I think your name is weird.


..

...

....


Ako:  Excuse me?!?
Gerard:  I said I think your name is weird..  It's like the city.
Ako:  Duh!  At least unique ang name ko noh.. Eh ikaw, "Gerard".. what is that?   At nakikinig ka ba sa story ko?  The reason my name is "Venice".. It IS the city.
Gerard:  Well I don't like it.. I'm just gonna call you "V" from now on.


"V"?


Ako:  Fine. I'll call you "G" then.
Gerard:  GD..
Ako:  (napatingin sa'kanya)  What?
Gerard:  My cousins call me "GD"
Ako:  Bakit?
Gerard:  I dunno
Ako:  Pssh..
Gerard:  Anyway.... here.... smile!


Bago pa man ako nakagalaw, maka-react, nag-flash na ung camera nya sa mukha ko. O_O  Wala man lang 1 2 3!


Ako:  (blink blink)  Anoh ba yan?!?!  Warning naman muna!
Gerard:  (tumawa) It's called a candid shot.
Ako:  Di man lang ako nakapag-smile!  Burahin mo yan!
Gerard:  What? Why?
Ako:  Mag-ppose muna ako!


Tumawa si Gerard. Kala nya ba nagbibiro ako!??  Mag-ppose talaga ako noh!
Tinignan nya ung picture sa camera nya.. Akala ko buburahin, tapos bigla ba namang pinatay na lang ung camera.
Ang loko!  Tinignan lang ung picture?!?


Gerard:  It looked good.. Wag ka na mag-pose.. baka masira pa ung camera ko.
Ako:  O_O   Anong tingin mo sa'kin?!?
Gerard:  Trying hard
Ako:  Yah! Do you want to go swim with the ducks!?


Tinawanan nya lang ako.  After a few moments, tumayo na sya and then offered me his hand.


Gerard:  Come on, V..  Let's go home.. Gutom na ko.. Pagluto mo naman ako.
Ako:  Hindi mo ko muchacha noh
Gerard:  But aren't you supposed to be sweet and caring to your boyfriend?
Ako:  Ulol.  Kailan kita naging boyfriend ha?!?
Gerard:  Since that time you first agreed to hang out with me.
Ako:  Adik ka ba?  Out of sympathy lang un noh.


But I took his hand anyway so he can help me stand up..  We started walking papunta dun sa may sakayan ng jeep.


Ako:  And besides..  unless gusto mong magkaron ng sunog, you should never put me in the kitchen..
Gerard:  (tumingin sa'kin)  Bakit?
Ako:  Well.. remember when I told you I lived most of my life with a housekeeper?
Gerard:  Yea?
Ako:  A housekeeper isn't really a "mother"...  I wasn't taught how to cook..   Takot ako sa mantika, kaya not even frying would do.


Napatigil sya sa steps nya..  Then stared at me with a dumb expression..


Ako:  Kaya!  If it's about food, di kita maaalagaan.. kaya wag ka na umasa.. 



I know.. It's weird that I can't cook..  Pero I'm sure I'm not alone naman di va??  Medyo na-shy lang akong aminin..  Stereotypical kaseh di ba na ung babae ang magaling magluto..


Tumingin ako sa kanya to see his expression.. I'm sure pagtatawanan nanaman ako nito.. May kung anong smarta$$ comment nanaman..




..or maybe not..


Ngumiti lang sa'kin si Gerard, then all of a sudden, he took my hand and pulled me to start walking again..


Gerard:  It's okay that you can't take care of me...  I'll just take care of you.

[ayreezh]

5:  (Gerard's POV)

I took Venice back to the apartment, which I'm sharing with Marian and Anthony..  We already did the groceries -- I tried to point out to her what we need, pero hopeless case..  She doesn't even want to touch the pork.

Kaya I ended up doing most of everything, and ang bitbit nya lang ay ung mga gulay.  I told her next time, I'll make sure to bring her to the seafood and fish area..  Un ang hawakan nya!


Anyway, we got to the apartment after a few hours in the market.  Nakasalubong pa namin si Marian na paalis kasama ung boyprend nya.  She and Venice exchanged a quick greeting, tapos tumuloy na kami ni Venice papasok sa loob.


Anthony was in the living room, sprawled on the carpet, watching some anime on TV. Venice immediately jumped on him.


Venice:  ANTON!!!
Anthony:  (napatalon) Venice!?!?  Anong ginagawa mo dito?!?
Venice:  Lunchtime..
Anthony:  (excited)  Makikikain ka??


Venice and Anthony are close acquaintances.  They don't hang out often, pero magkakilala sila.  Anthony used to hang out around the auditorium waiting for Marian; syempre, nandun din si Venice.  Nagkasundo sila, ang bam!  Instant friendship.  Marian and Anthony were both captivated by the charisma of this girl they call Venice.


I put the groceries in the kitchen and then walked back to the living room.  Busy na ung dalawa sa animated chatter nila.


Anthony:  Gusto mo ng tour?
Venice:  Ay sure! 
Anthony:  Okay.


He started pointing from one direction to another -- ni hindi man lang gumalaw dun sa pagkakaupo nya.


Anthony:  That door is my room.  The one next to it is Gerard's.  Then, the next one is a bathroom.  Ung isang pinto na un, ahyun ung master's bedroom.  Kwarto ni Ate Mars.
Venice:  Hoy.  Hindi man lang ba tayo maglalakad?
Anthony:  Eh bakit pa?  Kita mo naman ung mga tinuturo ko from here.
Venice:  Kaya ka tumataba eh
Anthony:  What?!?  Nasaan ang taba?!? O__O


Anthony started to frantically feel his stomach.  He gets a little crazy pag sinasabihan syang tumataba na sya.  Wala namang ginagawa kundi tumunganga..


Ako:  I'm gonna get lunch started.
Anthony:  Insan!  Fried chicken!
Ako:  Yea, yea..


I stood up and went back to the kitchen.  Balik nanaman sa usapan ung dalawa.. Na-ignore na ung TV.  Sayang kuryente.

I started preparing all the ingredients.  Nagluto na rin ako ng sabaw para di masyadong dry ung lungh namin.  Mabuti nang healthy di ba?


"Hey, G!"


"G"??


Umikot ako and saw Venice peeking at me.


Ako:  What?
Venice:  Is there anything I can help with?
Ako:  Akala ko ba, keep out of the kitchen ka?
Venice:  Yea-ha.. But I can set up the table or something right?
Ako:  Tell Anthony to do that.
Venice:  Natulala na un sa TV eh.. So, plates?


Tinuro ko ung cupboard sa may right ko, then the drawer on my left for the forks and spoons..  I let her work as I finish the chicken and the soup..  Kung san sya masaya, sige lang.. Sya na rin ung nag-sandok ng kanin and put it in a big bowl..


Maya-maya, nakigulo na rin si Anthony.  Umupo kagad sya dun sa mesa, all set nang kumain.


Anthony:  GD, I'm hungry..
Ako:  Yea yea..


After putting the steaming rice in the center of the table, umupo na si Venice sa tabi ni Anthony.


Venice:  Reklamo ka pa, di naman ikaw nagluluto...
Ako:  Oo nga..
Anthony:  Pagtulungan ba ko?


I finally finished frying the chicken.  Naglagay ako ng sabaw dun sa isang malaking bowl.  When the food is all ready, I put both dishes in front of two very happy kids.


Ako:  There.. Kain na.
Anthony:  (helped himself with the rice)  Talagang kakain ako!  Ay, Venice, alam kong wala kang hiya, pero sasabihin ko na rin just in case nakabili ka this week..   Wag kang mahiya, kain ka lang..
Venice:  Chaka mo!  Anong walang hiya?!?  Demure ako noh!
Ako:  Really?!?


She started helping herself with the food.  Feel at home na feel at home.. Demure daw..


Venice:  Shut up.
Ako:  Hala, nagtatanong lang eh..  Hindi kaseh kapani-paniwalang demure ka..
Venice:  Wala namang nagsasabing maniwala ka eh..
Anthony:  Awwww... tignan mo kayong dalawa.. Ang sweet-sweet nyo na.. Close na kayo.. Parang kailan lang, pinapangarap ka lang ni GD..
Venice:  Eh?



I shot Anthony one of the most extreme looks I can muster.  Sinubukan kong i-send ung "SHUT UP!!!" message using my psychic abilities..


pero iba talaga ang kapal ng skull nung gunggong..  Dineadma lang ako!


Anthony:  (kuha ng chicken)  Yea.. Nung una kayong nagkakilala, probably like 2 years ago, nakooo.. walang ginawa yang kundi sundan bawat galaw mo.. Naisip nga namen ni Ate Marian na kaya yan dito nag-college at di na bumalik sa States kaseh nagayuma mo..


Is it possible to throw a plate in Anthony's face and make it look like an accident?


Anthony:  Kaya nung sinabi ni Ate Marian na ikaw ung mag-sstar dun sa Christmas play nya, aba!  Pumayag kagad na maging lead role sa play -- faster than you can say "bom chika wah wah!"
Ako:  Are you DONE yet?!?


Dun tumingin sa'kin si Anthony, and when he saw my face, he suddenly looked at Venice.  When he saw HER face, he looked back at me -- at ang mokong, ngumiti pa!


Tumingin ako kay Venice, na by then, was already staring at me..


Ako:  Don't mind anything he said..
Venice:  You knew me before?
Ako:  Well.. not exactly.. I met you a couple or so times....  Trivial meetings.. Small talks.. I'm not surprised you don't remember..
Venice: But.. you knew me before...



I don't know what to make of her face.. She looks confused.. confused.. and more confused..


Anthony:  Yea he knew you before. Halos maging stalker mo na nga yan eh..
Ako:  (glared at Anthony) Do you really wish to die now?
Anthony:  What?  I'm just telling the trut and nothing but the trut!
Venice:  So.. how come you acted like never tayo nagkakilala?  And why can't I remember seeing you around school before?  Why-- Why..    Why?


Napatingin ako kay Anthony.. then balik kay Venice..  Anong isasagot ko?  Sasabihin ko na nahiya ako?  Na ang dami kasing laging nakapaligid sa kanya?  Na nakaka-intimidate kasi sya?

Mukha naman akong torpeng hindi maintindihan sa mga palusot na un.


Ako:  I don't know.  Does it matter?



She pouted her lips, thinking for a bit.  Then she shrugged her shoulders and went back to eating.
I guess it doesn't matter.


Venice:  Well.. Ang gulo lang.  Ang weird mo talaga.
Ako:  Gee... Thanks.. -__-


That was the end of that conversation.  I glanced at Venice as she talks to Anthony about some girl from one of her classes.  May crush daw kay Anthony, blah blah blah..

Venice looks so carefree.  How can I tell her na kaya hindi ko sya nilapitan dati, it was because I didn't think it was worth it?



Anthony:  Nga pala... (tingin kay Venice)  Bakit ka nga pala uhlet nakikikain dito?
Venice:  Dahil apparently, may isang taong marunong magluto dito.
Anthony:  May turo-turo naman dyan ah..


Venice looked at me and smiled.

Venice:  Nah... Gerard said he'll take care of me.




_________________________
To Be Continued.

[~*AsTriTH AkAsHi*~]

Aba't--?! Stalker pala itong si Gerard... Bakit naman kaya? Haha! May tinatago... Hahaha!

[xang]

na wiwirduhan ako sa "Life is too short." ni G!! weirdo nga!! hidden feelings pala ha!!

[jamielle]

what wrong with G?
is he sick? i mean... he kept on saying "life is too short"
maybe that's one of the reason why he goes back...
matagal na nya gusto si V! haha
crazy names, V and G... very good

[ayreezh]

Krishna
stalker... lol.. wala lang.. for some reason, amused na amused ako dun sa word na un..   muztah?


Kisha
hahaha uu nga! weirdo nga talaga..   ay i lab hidden feelings kaseh.. hahaha


jamielle
halleringness! welcome!   ay ay ay.. natuwa ako.. ngayon ko lang din na-realize..   "Very Good" nga naman! hahaha


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6:  (Venice's POV)

"Can I go now?  Can I go now?  Can I go nowwwww?!??"



Sinulyapan lang ako nung dalawa, tapos total ignore na uhlet..-__-


Ilang oras na kong nakatunganga dito.  After lunch, naglaro kami ni G ng PS 2..  ung fighting game, one-on-one patayan..   After my 25th K.O, na-frustrate na yata si Anthony, inagawan na ko..


Kaya ehto.. tunganga ever. Di naman ako makauwi dahil di ko naman alam kung pano uuwi galing sa apartment nila. Ni sakayan ng tricycle ayaw pang ibigay..  Yoko naman mag-adventure mag-isa.. Mawala pa ko..



Gerard:  (tuloy sa pindot nung joystick) Hold on! Sandali na lang..
Anthony:  Oo nga!  Hayaan mo munang talunin ko ung boyprend mo!
Ako:  Excuuusseee me noh, sinong boyfriend?
Gerard:  (tingin sa'kin then smile) Eh di ako.
Ako:  Ay, delusional?


Hihirit pa sana ako nang biglang bumukas ung main door, tapos binagsak.. as in, BAM!  Sa sobrang lakas, pati ung dalawa, napatalon..


Anthony: (tingin kay Gerard) Anu un?
Gerard:  Eh di ung pinto..  Anoh pa pang babagsak nang ganun? Ung bubong?


Tumayo ako then pumunta dun sa front hallway para makitsismis.
And there sa pinto, nakatayo si Ate Marian.. Dalawang bag ng beer ang dala. O_O


Ako:  Ate..  Anong meron?


Tumingin lang sa'kin si Ate Marian, sabay diretso sa dining table nila para ilabas lahat ng alcohol na dala nya.


Ate Marian:  Nag-away kami ng boyfriend ko. Mag-inuman tayo!
Ako:  ... But it's Sunday!
Ate Marian:  Alam ko.  Nagsimba pa ko kanina!


@__@

Nagsisimba pala si ate...

Tinawag ni Ate Marian ung dalawang mokong na natapos na yata ung laro -- mukhang natalo nanaman si Anthony since sya ung madaldal na "one more game" ng "one more game".


After nyang ihilera lahat ng bote, inabutan ako ni Ate Marian ng baso -- oo, as in basong ginagamit pang-inom ng tubig.


Ate Marian:  Damayan mo ko..


Ako naman si mabait, kinuha nga ung baso at umupo.  Sumunod sina Anton tsaka si Gerard sa pag-upo.. Ang alcoholic na si Anton, kumuha kagad ng bote.


Anthony:  Ate, nabuhat mo lahat toh mag-isa?
Ate Marian:  Oo naman.
Gerard:  Masculada talaga.. 
Ate Marian:  Tigilan nyo ko.. Bitter ako ngayon! (tingin sa'kin) Oh, Venice, inom ka lang..


Kumuha na rin ako ng isang bote, kahit na medyo labag sa kalooban ko..

Ako:   Pero may pasok ako bukas...
Anthony:  Ok lang un.. Ako rin naman..  Wag kang mag-alala, pag di ka nakapasok bukas, tawagan mo lang ako.. Dadamayan kita..  (taas nung bote nya) Mapasa-hang-over man o pagsusuka!  Cheers!
Ako:  Akala mo naman tatabihan kita habang nagsusuka ka?!?



Bumigay na rin ako sa tukso ng magkapatid..  Nangangalahati na ung baso ko nang napansin ko si G.. Umiinom din sya.. Umiinom ng TUBIG.  @_@


Ako:  (tingin kay Gerard)  Bakit yan iniinom mo?
Gerard:  What's wrong with water?
Anthony:  Haaayyy nako, Venice..  Wag mo nang pagkaabalahan yang taong yan.. Kahit anong pilit mo, di mo mapapainom si GD..
Ako:  Bakit?
Ate Marian: Health-freak yan!  Balanced diet, exercise.. Pati ung mga pills-- vitamin pills! Kinumpleto na yata ung buong alphabet ng vitamins!
Ako: Di nga?   (tingin uhlet ako kay G)  May balak kang maging health expert?
Anthony:  Ay nako! Ma-oover-qualified ka naman nyan, insan!
Gerard:  (blush)   Tigilan nyo nga ako.. =__=


Waaahh nag-bblush ung unggoy!  Nag-bblush!!


Ako:  (pindot nung pisngi nya) My golay! you're red!  (tingin kay Ate Marian)  Capable pala ang mga monkeys na mag-blush?!?


PAK!


Ako:  Awwww!!!


Batukan ba ko!?!?

PAK!


Gerard:  Ouch!  What'd you do that for?!?
Ako:  Eh bahket mo ko binatukan?
Gerard: Coz you're being dumb!
Ako:  You're dumb!
Gerard:  You're dumb-ER!
Ako:  You're dumb-EST!
Ate Marian:  Washa-sha!  Manahimik nga kayo!
Anthony:  (chuckles)  Dumb and Dumber.
Gerard & Me: (glare kay Anthony) Oh shut up!
Anthony:   So mean... T-T


We continued drinking.  Si Ate Marian, nag-total vent out na.  Di ko masyado na-gets kung bahket sila nag-away ni boyfie nya.. Every other word naman kaseh, *toooottt!!!*...   Si Anthony, mukhang happy-happy na makainom.. Alcoholic..


And si G... ay nako..tubig.. psh..


Ako naman... moderate drinking lang poh.  Don't drink and go to school the next day nga..   It's bad for your health.

(Gerard's POV)

Seriously..


"Jack and Jill went up the hill
to fetch a pail of waatteerrr
Jack came down and broke his crown
and Jill came tumbling aaaffteerrrr!"


I slung Venice's arm around my neck, and then tried my best to steady her as walk papunta dun sa sakayan ng tricycle.

Venice, Marian, and Anthony drank for hours.  Napasarap yata sa pag-inom as they gossiped and swapped stories with each other.  Before I knew it, Venice was drunk -- extremely drunk.
Ate Marian passed out on the couch, and si Anthony, nagbibilang ng mga stars na nakikita nya -- sa ceiling ng apartment namin. -__-

Anoh pa bang choice ko?  I took the liberty na ihatid si Venice sa bahay nya.  Handling a drunk Venice isn't easy.  She sways from side to side.. She slurs.. and for some odd reason, she's been singing "Jack and Jill" non-stop since we left the apartment.


Ako:  V, ssshhhh.. people are already sleeping, you know?
Venice:  (tingin sa'kin)  Bakit b-ba?  Di naman nila ako kilala
Ako:  Well, after this, I'm sure, makikilala ka na nila.
Venice:  Alam mooooo... Relax ka lang...  If they are sleeping, hindi na nila ko mapapansin noh..
Ako:  You do realize how loud you are, right? -__-
Venice:  Ohhhh boowie!


"boowie?"  Who says that?


We finally reached the terminal, and thank heavens there was a tricycle na naghihintay!


I helped Venice inside, then sumunod ako sa loob.


Venice:  Where are we goingggg??
Mr. Driver:  Hala, iho, ok lang ba yang kasama mo?
Ako:  Overly drunk lang poh kuya..  She'll survive.


Binigay ko ung street address ni Venice dun sa driver.  Sumandal ako, all the while, hawak sa braso si Venice dahil baka biglang tumalon palabas ng tricycle.  Pag ganito kalasing ang kasama mo, anything can happen right?  Mann... You'd think she'd be exhausted by now!


Oh but noooo....



Venice:  (sings) G and I went up the hill
to fetch a pail of waah-ter
G fell down and broke his crown--
Ako: Oh my gawd, V!  Shut up!
Venice:  Don't tell me to shut up.. Why are you taking me home anyway??! I don't even like you!


It's not like either of us has choice.. -__-


Ako:  I'm not telling you to like me..
Venice:  (slur) Oh but I know.. that you know.. that I know.. that you want me to want you to want me.. rrrriiggghhttt??


..

....


Ako:  ... Anoh?
Venice:  (tumawa) Wahahaha jay-kay!  Just kiiiiidding!


Just kidding daw.. Di ko naman naintindihan ung sinasabi nyang "just kidding" lang.
She's so drunk.


Ako:  And you're asking why I'm taking you home..  Obvious naman, you won't be able to go home by yourself.
Venice:  Yes I can!  (tumingin dun sa tricycle driver) Di ba, manong driver?!?
Mr. Driver:  (natawa) Oo, oh sige, iha..


After a few more minutes, nakarating na rin kami sa bahay ni Venice.  I helped Venice out, tapos iniwan ko muna sya dun sa harap nung gate para makapagbayad ako kay Manong Driver.

When I turned back to her, nakasandal na sya dun sa gate.  Her eyes are closed, at parang konti na lang, dun na sya matutulog.

At last!  She's exhausted!


Ako:  Huy.. Wake up. Where are your keys?


Hinalungkat nya ung bag nya, and after some time, she finally pulled out a key with a butterfly keychain.  She handed it to me without too much fuss.  Akala ko bibigyan nanaman ako ng kung anong banat nya..


Ako:   Anoh?  Wala ka nang energy noh?


Umalis sya sa pagkakasandal nya dun sa gate.  I almost tripped sa pagmamadali sa paghawak sa kanya, dahil she literally swayed from side to side. O_O

Venice:  Oh shut up and just put me on my bed..
Ako:  I'm going all the way inside?
Venice:  Chyea


I reluctantly opened the gate, since I'm afraid if I don't get her at least to the main door, baka humiga na sya dun sa sidewalk.


Ako:  But you're all alone!


She suddenly stopped wobbling and turned to face me.


Venice:  Who would've known..
Ako:  What?
Venice:  May virtues ka pala.
Ako:  What?!?


Eh kung bitawan kaya kita at panoorin kang bumagsak dyan?!?


Pero syempre, di ko naman magagawa un. -___-  I opened the door and helped her walk inside.


Ako:  Pasalamat ka lasing ka..
Venice:  Okay.. Thank you I'm drunk.. I'm drunk drunk..
Ako:  *sigh*  Where's your room?


Venice pointed at the stairs.


Venice:  2nd floor.. the door at the end of the hallway.. *yawwwnnn*


Isa lang ang masasabi ko:  It's a miracle na nakaakyat kami sa second floor without any bruises. -_-  I didn't even know it was possible to trip up the stairs! -- well, Venice showed me that she's capable of doing just that -- trip up the stairs.


We finally reached her room -- which is all white, may I say.. reminds me of a psychiatric ward..   ung mga unan lang sa kama nya ung may colors (pink and purple).


Binagsak ko si Venice dun sa kama, then took off her shoes. Then.. Di ko na rin maalala kung pano ko nagawa, pero somehow, I managed to put Venice in the middle of the bed, and cover her with her blanket.

Sa wakas, she's comfortable and all set to sleep.  Gusto ko na rin humiga sa sobrang pagod. -__-


I turned around to leave, nang bigla akong tinawag ni Venice..


Venice:  G?
Ako:   Yea?
Venice:  ...... uhmm...  ung susi..
Ako:  Oh!  Yea!  Uhmm.. I'll just leave it under the rag dun sa front door ok?
Venice:  *yaawwwnn* ok..
Ako:  Ok.. See you tomorrow then..


Sus.. Kala ko naman mag-tthank you!  Ni isang "thanks for taking care of my drunk self", wala!


Venice:  G?
Ako:  Yep?
Venice:  You know I don't like you.. I think you're annoying as hell..
Ako:  Thanks...
Venice:  *yaawwwwwwwnnnnnn* But you're really not that bad after all.. I'm kinda starting to like being with you... -__-





Huh.....  She fell asleep..


But I heard what she said..


I finally turned to leave. I glanced one last time at Venice's sleeping figure before I turned off the lights.  I walked out of the house, making sure to leave the house key under the front door mat (just like I told her I would).


All the while, I was smiling to myself at what I just heard...
She said she's starting to like being with me.
Isn't that interesting...



____________________________
To Be Continued.