Rugged Men Series 6: Jackson Cruz (TAGALOG)

Chapter 1

“YOU don't have to congratulate me,” wika ni Heather at tipid na umismid. “I am grateful, but you don't have to waste time on me.”

“We are not wasting our time on you,” sagot ni Alexandria at isinukbit nito ang braso sa kanya. “You are our Heather, our friend. This achievement of yours deserves to be celebrated. You are an executive TV newscaster now under PBSN. We are so proud.”

“I agree,” wika ni Mika at kumindat sa kanya. “The boys will be here any minute and when I say boys, we mean including Jackson.”

Kumunot ang noo ni Heather at naguguluhan na tumingin lamang kay Mika bilang tugon. Napapadalas na ang pang-aasar ng mga ito sa kanya kay Jackson kaya naman sa tuwing naririnig niya ang pangalan ng binata ay hindi niya na napipigilan na pamulahan ng pisngi.

“Didn't you hear me?” tanong ni Mika at siniko ang kanyang tagiliran. “I said Jackson will be here.”

Nagtataka na nag-iwas ng tingin si Heather bago ibinalik ang mga mata dito. “And so?”

Nagkatinginan lamang ang tatlo at sabay na napailing-iling.

“What? Why are you shaking your heads at me like that?” tanong ni Heather, hindi makapaniwala.

Muling nagkatinginan ang tatlo at nakangiti na umiling-iling dahilan para mas lalo siyang maasar.

“You guys suck,” wika ni Heather at pinaikot ang mga mata.

“Come on, Heather,” ani Shania at nagpangalumbaba sa harap niya. “You don't have to be shy. You can tell us what happened on Alex's anniversary.”

“Alex's anniversary? That's like almost two years ago?” hindi makapaniwala tanong ni Heather. “Why don't you ask Mika about being married to Kyron? I bet she’ll be willing to answer your question.”

Tumingin si Shania kay Mika at umiling. “Nah, Mika's relationship with Kyron is too transparent. I even heard them making out in their room when I visit. Kaasar, walang patawad. Hindi na nahiya.”

“Ang tawag diyan ay naiinggit,” pagtatama ni Mika at maarte na humalukipkip. “At least I'm not desperate trying to get Isaac back as my fuck buddy. Hindi halata na gustong-gusto mo iyong tao.”

“For the record, we were talking about Heather and not me,” giit ni Shania at pilit na natawa. “Isaac is so moody, he just ghosted me for an unknown reason. Hindi naman masakit. Parang kagat lang ng dinosaur. Didn't even apologize for what he did to me on the airport. Even shouted at me and punched Jakovo. Ang kapal ng mukha. Kung hindi lang magaling ang dila niya ay hindi ko iyon hinahabol ngayon, ano! Ayoko na. Suko na ako. Hanggang doon na lang ang kaya kong paghahabol sa kanya. Hindi ko na siya gusto, promise.”

“Well, I have heard from Kyron that Isaac will come to celebrate,” ani Mika para mabuhayan ang mukha ni Shania.

“Really?” tanong ni Shania, nagniningning ang mga mata. “Will he come?”

“Of course he won’t,” diretsahang pagbawi ni Mika para kumupas ang saya sa mukha ni Shania. “He knew you will come so he won’t.”

“Damn you, Isaac!” asik ni Shania at tumungga mula sa nguso ng Agiane beer. “Damn you too, Mika. Balang-araw ako naman ang hahabulin mo.”

Sabay na pumalatak na lamang sina Alexandria at Mika pagkatapos ay sabay rin na tumingin sa kanyang gawi. Pahapyaw na nagbawi ng tingin si Heather at uminom sa nguso ng Agiane para mabaling ang atensyon ng mga ito sa iba.

“Okay, Heather. Eyes back on us, we're not done with you,” ani Alexandria para mapaungol na lamang siya kinauupuan.

“What? Are you really going to ask me what happened two years ago? I barely didn't remember what Jackson and I talked that night,” sagot ni Heather.

“Kunwari naniwala kami, Heather...” sarkastikong tugon ni Shania at makabuluhan na ngumiti. “Something must have happened after that? I heard that you two got close?”

“Just because we exchange conversation doesn't mean we are close now, Shan,” sagot ni Heather at pinaikot ang mga mata. “Besides, can you not pair me up with Jackson?”

“Why not?” sagot-tanong ni Mika. “You two looked good together. Alexandria is happily married with Alejandro and have two kids now. Kyron and I are the same with twins. As for Shania...” Napangiwi si Mika at pinakatitigan si Shania na lumabi lamang bilang tugon. “She could be with Isaac if she just, I don't know, change?”

“Change?” tanong ni Shania at itinuro ang sarili. “Are you kidding me? I am good as I am now, Mika. Si Isaac ang problema, hindi ako.”

“You have a point there, my friend. Mika is just trying to make you laugh there, Mika didn't mean it,” wika ni Alexandria at bahagya na natawa. “Right, Mika?”

Kumunot ang noo ni Mika at sandaling hindi nakasagot. Nang mariin itong tingnan ni Alexandria ay nagpaikot ito ng mga mata bilang pagsuko. “Of course, Shan. I'm just kidding. As if I have a choic—”

“See?” sabad ni Alexandria at sabay na tinapik-tapik ang balikat ni Shania at Mika. She saw Shania smile in agreement and then watched how Mika pushed aside Alexandria's hands and glowered.

“And your right, Shan. You are never been more right. Isaac’s the problem not you, babe,” nakangiting wika ni Alexandria. “You are strong. Huwag ka magpa-apekto sa mga ganyang bagay.”

“Finally! Somebody agrees with me! Thank you for that,” ani Shania at mayabang na tumingin kay Mika.

Mika rolled her eyes in return and looked at her. “Yeah, whatever. Where were we again? Oh, yeah, about the pairing. Alexandria and Alejandro. Kyron and I. Shania and Isaac by God's will and there's you... compatible with Jackson.”

“Compatible my ass,” Heather mumbled on her seat. “Whatever. No matter what you guys do to pair me with Jackson, we are always going to be just acquainted gals. Hanggang doon na lang iyon. We're not going to be friends or close friends. Especially, lovers just like what you guys anticipated. I am not called a spinster for nothing. I don't believe in marriage or love. It's bullshit.”

”See? Sixty-two words when it comes to Jackson,” pagbibigay-alam ni Mika at napangisi. “Longest words she said for today, this deserves a celebration!”

“Sabi ko na dumaldal, eh,” segunda pa ni Shania para mapailing-iling na lamang siya sa kinauupuan at mapahilamos gamit ang kamay.

“Kay Jackson lang dadaldal ang peg ni Heather,” natatawang wika ni Alexandria at kumindat sa kanya. “Halata ka na, my friend. Kay Jackson lang talaga.”

Heather rolled her eyes and scowled. “God, what am I going to do with these three?”

“Do everything you want because we are not going to stop shipping you two,” Mika exclaimed making her sigh.

“Well, do everything you guys do. Ship me all you want, I don't care,” tugon ni Heather at mayabang na ngumiti. “I never see myself falling for that man anyway. Jackson is not my type.”

“I think I just heard my name.”

Sabay-sabay silang napalingon sa likuran ni Alexandria at nakita ang mga kaibigan ng asawa nito. Kagaya ng sabi ni Mika, hindi dumalo si Isaac sa hindi nila alam na dahilan. When he didn't see Isaac on the group, Shania's excitement fades. Si Alexandria naman ay lumapit sa asawa at sinalubong ito ng mahigpit na yakap at halik. Mika, on the other hand, welcome her husband Kyron with a slithering kiss that made her eyebrows shot up. Nakita niya rin ang pag-asim ng mukha ni Shania habang nakaupo ito sa kanyang tapat.

Ang sumunod na dumating sa mga ito makalipas nang ilang minuto ay ang mga kaibigan ni jackson. Huli na napadako ang tingin niya kay Jackson na nakatitig sa kanya. He didn't smile at her but his eyes were. It was more than smiling looking towards her. It has glee in it and with so much admiration which is unbelievable to just think for the fact that he is committed with a famous prosecutor.

Nagbawi ng tingin si Heather at napatitig sa mga yelo na nasa isang bucket. Muling sumipat siya kay Jackson bago ito napaupo sa kanyang harapan. She could feel the heavy tension between them even though they were in a circle. Para bang sandaling nawala sa kanyang paningin ang ibang tao maski na ang kanyang mga kaibigan at sila na lamang ang naroon.

When he saw him smile at her, she withdrew her gaze and drink Agiane. She doesn't want to see that smile because she knew it would be a good memory. And she doesn't want that. She wouldn't associate any memory with anyone because it would spoil her. Iyon ang bagay na kanyang pinakaiiwasan.

“We were just talking about you, Jackson,” ani Alexandria at nang-aasar na sumipat sa kanya. “Heather was telling us how good you are as a lawyer.”

Kitang-kita niya ang gulat na mga reaksyon na mga kaibigan nito habang ang kanyang mga kaibigan naman ay tila wala pa ring pakundangan sa pagbigay ng makabuluhang pagtitig.

“Oh, god...” Heather mumbles in her seat before faking a smile at the table when everyone looked in her direction, waiting for an answer.

Napatingin siya sa mga kaibigan at paghudyat lamang ng mga ulo patungo kay Jackson ang kanyang natanggap galing sa mga ito.

“It's true. Yes, I did say that,” sagot ni Heather, pilit na ngumiti at tinanggihan ang pagtama ng mga mata kay Jackson. “I... I admire Jackson’s good argument in court. That's all. Nothing more.”

Tumingin ang lahat sa kanya at pag-iwas ng tingin lamang ang kanyang naitugon sa mga ito. Well, it's because she lied, again. Jackson has been stiring her feelings whenever he's near. It was always been like that since the day she met him.