Rugged Men Series 4: Wyatt Hernandez (TAGALOG)

Chapter 9

“THEN that’s good!” aliw na palahaw ni Elijah at nagdekuwatro. “Isn't it? Without string attached is better than there is one. You and Madison have been friends since forever and a relationship will wreck the hell out of you two. It's better if you keep it than lose her for love that is not constant.”

Napataas lamang ang mga kilay ni Wyatt at itinuro ito bilang pagsang-ayon.

”But it's unbelievable, don’t you think?” tanong ni Arthur at nagpatuloy na sa pagpinta. “I’ve been dealing with a lot of exhibits lately and then Madison feelings for you has suddenly fade. Now, that's unacceptable.”

“How is it unacceptable? There is Alvarez that is always on Madi’s side,” pagpapaalala ni Elijah at nanunukat na sumipat sa kanya. “I see it coming.”

Tipid na pag-ismid lamang ang naitugon niya kay Elijah.

“Yeah, I know. But come to look at it. Madison wouldn't have to agree on Wyatt's term if Alvarez and Madison is a thing,” pagbibigay-diin ni Arthur at napailing-iling. “Use your brain, dingus.”

Napaisip si Elijah at napatango kalaunan. “That makes sense, I didn't think of that.”

“Naturingan music genius pero ang bobo pagdating sa basic logic,” biro ni Arthur at inilapag na nito ang hawak na paint brush. “Sabagay ika nga ng iba, nobody's perfect. However, there's me, so I don't believe in that saying.”

“Don’t f**k with me, Tan. What I have in mind is Madison's success on moving on from Wyatt,” wika ni Elijah at muling kinalikot ang gitara. “Besides, it’s a great achievement and somehow a loss. Wyatt is here now. Wrong timing lang para sa akin. I'm one of the Wyason shippers, can you blame me?”

Natahimik lamang si Wyatt at hindi na rin umimik si Arthur marahil bilang pagsang-ayon.

“Madison deserves to find love but with her new decision, it's kind of irrelevant. Sleeping with your best friend is good... but not too good when got attached,” Elijah said, strumming the guitar. “That's the downside of peer pleasure.”

“And we both are responsible, so that's not going to happen to us,” pagtitiyak ni Wyatt. “And I don’t see myself falling for Madison.”

Arthur suddenly scoffed on his seat. “Hindi mo sure. Mapaglaro ang tadhana, Hernandez. Maaring matagpuan mo na lamang ang sarili mong kinakain ang mga sinsabi mo kalaunan.”

”Shut up, Tan. Wala ka namang alam kundi magpinta at magpaiyak ng mga babae,” pang-aasar niya dito.

“At least ako harap-harapan kong gingawa, I’m taking risk when it comes to women,” ani Arthur sa marahan lamang na paraan. “Hindi ako katulad mo na playing safe at dindaan sa friends with benefits.”

“Ha! That's called securing the future,” depensa ni Wyatt. “Being friends with Madison is the best thing that happened to me. Losing her because of inconsistent love would literally kill me.”

“Your choice, bro, your choice...” wika ni Arthur at mahinhin na pinunasan ang paint brush gamit ang basahan. “But don't come regretting on me when it happens, Hernandez, you know what I’m going to say.”

“I told you so, yes, I know...” taas ang mga kamay na ani Wyatt bago siya bumalik sa pag-eensayo.

He picked an arrow and put it on the arrow rest. Buong lakas na hinila niya ang kuwerdas at hinigpitan ang hawak sa pana bago niya pinanatili ang mga kamay sa ere. Sumipat siya sa tudla at binitawan ang kuwerdas dahilan para mapakawalan niya ang palaso at dahil sa lakas ng kanyang pagtira ay nahati niyon ang nakabaon na palaso na na nakabaon kanina sa gitna.

Sumipol si Elijah sa sobrang pagkamangha nang makita ang pinakamatindi niyang tira bago ito napailing-iling.

“As always, you do it like it's easy,” papuri ni Arthur sa patag na tono. “But having creative hands like mine makes me shine brighter than being an athlete like you. Perfect is not even the right term for me.”

Sabay silang napailing-iling ni Elijah sa kayabangan ni Arthur bago sabay napatingin nang masama sa kaibigan bilang pagtutol. Arthur finally clean his things and show them his canvas. Nagulat si Wyatt nang mabanaag na si Madison iyon na suot ang lab gown at hinahangin ang buhok habang ang mga kamay nito ay nasa bulsa. She was sweetly smilling just like she always does. Madison is wearing a simple dress in the canvas. Hindi iyon katulad nang suot nitong tila kahali-halina noong nakaraan gabi pero nararamdaman niya pa rin ang kakaibang pagsirko ng kanyang tiyan. He was reacting at the wholesome painting. Ngayon, nakumpirma niyang hindi sa damit o sa bago nitong kulay na buhok o sa suot nitong kolerete para makaramdam siya ng kung anong pangangailangan para sa kaibigan.

Madison really attracts him.

After six years, she finally attracts him.

Sa sobrang ganda ng pagkapinta ni Arthur ay wala siyang nasabi na kataga at napatitig na lamang siya obra. Hindi niya na napagilan ang pagngiti habang nakatitig sa napakaganda na kaibigan na si Madison.

“Hands down, god bless your hands...” komento ni Wyatt at tumimgin sa nagmamayabang na si Arthur sa kinatatayuan. “How much?”

Naningkit ang mga mata ni Arthur at ngumiti na tila makabuluhan. “I knew you would say that that's why I already got a price. One million is the lowest price.”

“Lowest price?” hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Wyatt. “That is your lowest price? Are you f*****g kidding me?”

“I’m not f*****g kidding you, Hernandez. Alvarez even bought my other Madison painting for two million, mind you...” pagbibigay-alam ni Arthur para mapakunot ang kanyang noo.

“Well, make mine a three million then,” pagmamayabang na sambit ni Wyatt at tiningnan ang obra.

“Okay. Another painting sold!” palahaw ni Arthur at itinuro siya. “You know my bank account number. Wire it the payment today. Extend it for at least an hour and I will sell it to Zacharias instead.”

Tiningnan niya nang masama si Arthur. “Don’t even try. I’m going to wire it today, fucker. Kahit ngayon pa gusto mo, eh.”

Inilabas ni Wyatt ang cell phone at nag-iwan sa mensahe niya para sa kaibigan niyang si Jasper na nagmamay-ari ng isang sikat na banko sa Pilipinas. Nang makatanggap ng mensahe si Arthur ay agad nitong tiningnan ang cell phone.

Arthur smiled and nodded at him. “Thanks. Sa uulitin, aking kaibigan.”

Nang bumaling si Arthur kay Elijah ay napapantastikuhan napalayo dito ang kaibigan. “Hindi mo ako mauuto gago. Ang yaman-yaman mo na, sumasideline ka pa! Pota, baka daigin mo na si Bill Gates niyan?”

Napahalakhak si Wyatt sa dalawa at bumaling sa obra at napangiti. Bagay na bagay iyon maging palamuti sa kanyang bahay dahil iyon ang uri na obra na titingnan pa lamang ng iba ay mapapangiti na.

Madison’s smile is really contagious.

”SHUT UP...” hindi makapaniwalang wika ni Annie at napailing-iling. “Madison, that’s insane. How can you agree to that?”

“That is why I keep this to you because I knew you would react like this...” sagot ni Madison at napapikit. “I need to do this for the sake of my feelings, Annie. I have a feeling that I can make him fall for me, don’t you?”

Naikiling ni Annie ang ulo sa pagkalito. “You’re beautiful. Smart. Independent and empowered woman. Kung lalaki ako ay walang duda na magkakagusto ako sa iyo, Madison. Pero itong ginagawa mo ay hindi na makatarungan. We are talking about purity here. Would you really do such thing for the love you think you deserve?”

Napatingin lamang si Madison dito at napa-isip.

“Purity is prestine. It is not something you can just offer for something you badly want, Madi,” dugtong ni Annie para mas lalo lamang siyang matauhan. “Wyatt is great as per you say, I don't get to say something with that. But if he doesn't like you then he doesn't. Don’t force it. Hindi lahat ng gusto natin sa buhay ay nakukuha natin. That’s how life works.”

”But I don’t want my life to work that way,” pagsalungat ni Madison. “When I know I didn't want to be a businesswoman, I fight for it even if that made my dad disappointed. When I realized I am not happy about being a trauma doctor, I quit and build a business I can call my own and my home. With my own money. With my own way because I want it to happen. When I want something, I will fight for it no matter what. Annie. I want this to happen, so I am taking risks. It would make me the happiest if I succeed. I want him to fall for me because I deserve it. I deserve Wyatt.”

“But do you think he deserve you?” tanong ni Annie para mawalan siya ng kataga. “Wyatt is a good friend but maybe, that is his extent to your life, Madi. A friend. Best friend.”

Nanatiling tahimik si Madison dahil kahit papaano ay may punto ito. Unlike Alexandria and her friends, Annie and her didn't know each other long enough, but she got close to Annie like they know each other forever. That's why she understands Annie because a friend always worries. If she has Wyatt as a guy best friend. She has Annie for a woman.

And her insights are acceptable. But people wouldn't know a thing if they won't try. At least, in her part, she doesn't want to miss something, especially a part with Wyatt. She has always been so optimistic about making the move. And no matter how close she is to Annie, a friend's advice will not make her change her mind.

“What if you don't succeed, huh?” tanong ni Annie. “I know I didn’t witness how you cry for Wyatt when he left for his career but the way you told me your story breaks my heart. Hindi ko pa nasaksihan ang oras na iyon pero hindi ko kinaya. Ngayong nandito ako ay hindi ko hahayaan na mangyari iyon ulit. Seeing you hurting will break my heart, Madi. You are the only one person I treat as my family after I ran away from home, so forgive me if I am being too much right now because I really care for you.”

Madison was awed at Annie’s words and she closed their distance. Sinalubong niya ito ng mahigpit na yakap. “I'm sorry if I am being insensitive, Annie. But you need to trust me on this. I may like Wyatt so much but I’m still guarding my heart, okay? As I said, I am strong. If I get hurt, I can get through it. I get through it because I have you.”

Nag-aalala na tumingin sa kanya si Annie kaya napangiti siya dito nang puno ng katiyakan.

“If he will hurt me, you can punch him in return, I am so damn letting you that,” biro ni Madison para matawa ito nang mahina.

“Hindi ko lang siya susuntukin, bubugbugin ko siya,” ganting biro ni Annie para makaramdam na siya ng kaginhawahan.

“I’m almost thirty next year and if there's a man I would surrender my virginity it would be my best friend,” pagbibigay-alam ni Madison at hinawakan ang kamay nito. “I trust him as much I trust you.”

“Well, I don’t trust him,” ani Annie at humalukipkip.

“And you don't need to trust him. Trust me, Annie. Everything will fall into places as long as I believe it would,” pagtitiyak niya sa kaibigan. “Let’s attract positive vibes from now on. Don’t worry, I will be fine. Having s*x is not a life trial.”

Napaismid si Annie at napatango. “Fine, if you really want it. I will guard you. But don't expect me to be kind to Wyatt. I am team Zacharison.”

Tiningnan niya nang masama si Annie. “You know that Zacharison won't happen, right?”

“I know, but I’m still hopeful,” wika nito at ngumiti. “Besides, you and Zacharias could really make a great couple than Wyatt.”

“Bias...” komento ni Madison at natatawang naningkit ang mga mata. “Tomorrow is our day-off, you got plans?”

“No, I'll watch Netflix all day,” sagot ni Annie at sinalansa na ang mga gamit nito sa mesa. “You?”

“Netflix and Chill,” sagot ng pamilyar na boses para sabay silang mapatingin ni Annie sa pinto.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Madison sa binata na suwabeng nakahilig sa pinto habang pinapaikot-ikot nito ang susi sa daliri bago napatingin kay Annie na ngayon ay nakakunot na ang noo.

“Going home?” tanong ni Wyatt at inihudyat ang ulo sa labas. “Let’s go.”

Pilit na napangiti siya kay Annie bago inihudyat ang kamay sa labas senyas bilang pagpapaalam bago hinila si Wyatt patungo sa parking lot.

“What was that?” tanong ni Madison nang makarating na sa parking lot. “I thought we agree on doing it on Saturday night?”

”Yes, saturday night it is. The deal is still on. I just missed you that's why I visit,” paliwanag nito at pilyo na lumapit sa kanya. “Didn’t you miss me, hmm?” tanong nito sabay hinapit siya palapit para magdikit ang kanilang katawan.

“I do,” sagot ni Madison at nakangiti na napakagat-labi. “Especially your finger sliding inside me.”

Wyatt teasingly drew some circle in her back making her panties wet and her mouth gape. “You know, my buddy down there is better than my finger, babe...”