Denudation: Chapter 1

By | 21:58 Leave a Comment



… because sometimes, persons who are good in taking care of others, are also those persons who are in need of someone who will take care of them.


Ella sat comfortably on the soft cushion in the middle of the Hebe’s living room. She browsed the magazines, flipping each pages one by one and settled on the sports corner. She was reading the columns when Hebe came down from the kitchen with a tray of snacks on her hands. When she saw her, Ella immediately stood up from the sofa and strode her way to Hebe, trying to offer her assistance. Hebe then, refused her offer and asked her to sit back on the couch because she’s the visitor.

Hebe settled the tray in the centre table and sat on the couch opposite Ella’s. She grabbed a piece of cookie and started eating.

“So, how have you been?” Ella asked as she reached out for the glass of orange juice Hebe prepared. Hebe raised a brow at her, as if asking her to elaborate further. “I mean, about you and… the guy,” she said, unable to name the person she’s pertaining to.

Hebe licked her lips thoughtfully and said, “I’m fine Ella. After all, I know that in time, he will learn to love me too.” She smiled at her and grabbed another piece of cookie.

Ella drew a deep breath and tried to shove away the tinge of pain she felt in her heart when she heard Hebe’s statement. She’s always been there for her. Why is it that she never noticed her importance in her life? She’s willing to give her everything she could ever want. Why can’t she just give her a chance to prove herself?

“Hebe, I’m always here for you,” she assured her, reaching out to place a hand over Hebe’s. She tried to stop herself from opening the topic about the two of them; about her real feelings for her. She wanted and needed them to be more than friends. She’d always felt something beyond sisterly love for Hebe since they were in puberty stage. But Hebe doesn't feel the same. For her, Ella’s just another friend.

Though the state of things isn’t easy for Ella, she refuses to let go just yet. She’d been holding on to this love for her best friend for more than a decade and she will not let those years of waiting for her love to be requited go to waste. She will stay in Hebe’s side until she realized that she’s the one for her, that she’ll be happy with her; that she can give her everything other men cannot.

Hebe merely smiled at the thoughtful act of her friend and gently removed her hand from Ella’s hold. She reached for a glass of juice and took a quick sip. She had been Ella’s friend since they were in preschool. She knows everything about Ella and she’s not dumb enough to deny the fact that her friend is always trying to make steps and advances on her. And yet, Hebe refused to ditch away their years of being friends only because of Ella’s insistent feelings for her.

“Don’t worry about me, Ella. I can take care of myself. And besides, I just met a man last month. He approached me when I was crying because I saw Aaron with another girl. That was after I told you that I need some time alone,” Hebe narrated, happiness is reflecting from her eyes as she recalled the scene. The man was undeniably handsome. His gestures portray protection and strength.

Ella took a glance at Hebe as she told her the story about how the man she just met wiped her tears with a tissue and comforted her like he had known her for years already. He had been there for a stranger. Ella kept her eyes on the magazine with her head hanging low so that Hebe will not see how she scrunched her nose in indignation on how Hebe described his features. She said he has spiky black hair, with his bangs covering half of his beautiful doe-like eyes; he has royalty-carved nose; prominent cheekbones; strong and manly jaw line; kissable, thin, and luscious lips. He has broad shoulders, towering height, and hypnotic smile.

Ella’s lips twitched in disgust. Hebe must’ve been exaggerating the state of things. How can someone look like an alive and breathing Adonis? They’re already faced-out in this world.

“So you sought comfort from other person’s arms after you turned down my concern for you?” Ella muttered softly, trying to convey to her friend the pain seeping through her heart in the least confusing way. She doesn't want Hebe to feel bad and guilty but she thought she needed to know how she feels. She just ditched away her assistance and offer of help, saying she wants to be alone. And yet, she just wanted a man’s presence. She knows that she doesn't have all the necessary parts to be a man but she is man at heart. She’s as strong as a man. She knows that. But Hebe couldn't see it.

Hebe’s eyes widen at Ella’s mild accusation. She shook her head from side to side, and tried to explain herself to her friend, “It’s not like that Ella. It’s just that I found him amusing. I’m just sharing an experience Ella. I’m not trying to replace you in my heart.” Hebe explained herself sincerely, though at times, she can also feel herself getting a little fed-up because of Ella’s intrusion in her personal life.

Hebe looked down. After all, Ella was right. A part of her wanted a man’s strength, a man’s support, and a man’s care. She’s still a woman, and she wanted a man to be her other half. She wanted a pleasant and romantic love story but whenever a man is there to approach her and shows interest in her, Ella will always do something to get that man out of their lives. She never wanted anyone to get near her. And it killed her chances for a good relationship with other man.

It’s a good thing that Ella didn't intrude in her relationship with Aaron, after she asked her not to, of course. Hebe had been in love with Aaron since she was in her college years but Aaron’s attitude is inexcusable. And yet, she refuses to give up just yet. She will not give up on him. She will just let him enjoy his womanizing ways. After all, when everything is over, when he finally realized that he’s sick of the way his world evolves, she knows that he will come back to her.

“It’s okay. I understand that I am not good enough for you, Hebe. But I will not give up. I will protect you no matter what,” Ella said in pure determination.

Hebe nodded her head, smiling lightly. Good thing Ella understands her. “Anyway, how’s your relationship with Jiro? I heard that you had a fight together,” Hebe inquired. She felt sorry for the poor guy when she figured out from Selina that Jiro got beaten up by Ella. From what she’d gathered, Ella beat Jiro up because she doesn't want him to approach her (Hebe). So, to sum it up, Jiro was beaten because of her. She bit her lip at the thought.

Ella’s face broke in an unfriendly smirk, “Yeah. I haven’t seen him for the past weeks. That poor guy. He’s not even man enough to fight back. I don’t want other guys taking advantage of you, Hebe. So, when you told me that you want to be left alone, I followed him. I cornered him in an alley and I beat him up. I wasn’t contented yet but a friend of him came and intruded.”

Hebe nodded, trying to picture what happened in her mind. Ella was way too much but she’s trying to be patient with her. Ella needs attention and support from a friend because she barely has one.

“The other guy shoved that poor man aside and aimed at me. I was about to beat him too but he refused to continue our match, saying that I was a girl,” Ella’s face flared up when she recalled how that man degraded her personality. She hates it when people call her a girl. She doesn't want to be one and she refused to acknowledge the thought that she has feminine parts. If she’ll be given the chance to change her gender, she’ll most definitely choose to be a guy. Then, she could ask Hebe’s hand for marriage.

“That bulky man refused to fight with me, saying and stressing that I was a girl,” Ella ranted, her nose flaring in exasperation. “But before I left, I threatened them not to step a single toe out of line,” she smiled triumphantly as she finished her story.

Hebe smiled at her friend. Ella’s willpower sure is strong but she knows that somewhere inside Ella’s heart, there’s still a soft spot. Despite her cold and strong exterior, she’s still a girl.

And, though how much she tried to shove it, she can never erase that one obvious fact.

A familiar tone emanating from Hebe’s phone cut their conversation. Hebe excused herself and reached out for her phone. The number wasn't registered on her phone book  Nonetheless, she pressed a green button and placed the phone close to her ears, “Hebe Tian speaking. Who is this?”

A vaguely familiar voice greeted from the other line and Ella watched as Hebe’s frown morphed in a delighted smile. She cannot make much sense of what the two are talking over the phone but she sure knows that whatever it is, it passed Hebe’s liking.

“No. No it’s fine. Don’t worry I’ll come,” she heard Hebe said. And then, she was silent again, listening to what the person on the other line is saying.

“Yeah. Okay then. I’ll be ready. But… can I bring a friend with me?” Hebe asked lightly, and took a glance at the eating Ella. Though Ella isn't looking at her, she heard clearly what Hebe had said. She’s thankful, though, that despite what she did to Jiro, Hebe didn't change her treatment to her.

“Yeah. Thank you… bye,” she said and cut the phone call. She turned to Ella, smiling widely.

“Ella, be ready at six tonight, okay? We’re going to watch a movie together,” Hebe said in an excited tone.

Ella frowned and sipped a few drops of her juice, “We and who?”

Hebe’s smile didn't waver a bit. Instead, it even grew wider, “Wu Chun.”




A man wearing his black, snugly fitting collared shirt, dark blue pants and white rubber shoes stood erectly in front of an apartment. He checked his watch and it beamed five minutes before six. Taking gentle advancing steps, he raised a finger to ring the doorbell.

He remembered how he’d asked her to watch a movie with him earlier that day. This is his chance with her. He tried to look for a perfect timing when he could finally pursue her and after a month of keeping her phone number on the silver platter, he finally gathered all his courage and gave her a call. Asking her for a movie will be the first move to countless more dates he will invite her in. This could’ve been a perfect timing to ask her everything he wanted to know about her, as a foundation, that is. But she’d asked him if she could bring a friend with her. And despite the fact that her friend will spoil the privacy he wanted to have with her, he cannot say no to her either.

A few seconds later, he heard the door screeching open, revealing a dazzling lady with pixie-cut hair. She offered him a smiled and he returned her courtesy with a manly smile. He can still remember the smile she offered him after she finished crying a month ago. It was the same heart-warming smile she’s giving her just now.

“We still have to fetch my friend. Don’t worry. Her apartment is just a few blocks from mine,” Hebe said shortly.

Chun assisted her to the passenger’s seat of his car and started the engine. He sighed. Maybe some other day, he’s going to have his privacy with this alluring lady. Some other day, but definitely not today. He can only hope that Hebe’s friend isn't monstrous. He doesn't want to have the same fate as Jiro’s.

Through Hebe’s assistance and direction, they arrived at Hebe’s friend’s apartment. Chun parked the car just in front of the doorstep. He went out of the car and assisted Hebe by opening the door for her. Murmuring a brief thank you, Hebe made her way to ring the doorbell. Chun stayed behind Hebe, trying to figure out ways on how to make a good impression. After all, it’s not only Hebe whom he needs approval from but also from this friend of hers, whoever she is.

A few minutes later, someone wearing a black baseball cap, grey shirt, black pants and white rubber shoes tore open the door. Chun watched as Hebe’s friend put on her black jacket. Chun wondered how the two of them became the best of friends. Hebe is wearing a pink shirt, khaki skirt and pink flats while her best friend is the total opposite. Quite the contrary, in fact, since she looked like a guy. Her head is hanging low, and he cannot see her eyes with the shadow from the baseball cap covering half of her face.

Hebe reached over and raced a few steps to snake her arms on her best friend’s arms. She smiled brightly, and pulled her friend over to Chun, “Ella, this is Wu Chun. He’s the guy I've been telling you whom I've met about a month ago.”

“Chun, this is Ella, my best friend since God-knows-when,” she introduced the two gleefully. Chun frowned, and tried to squint his eyes to get a clearer view of the person’s face. She looked quite familiar. He extended his hand to offer a handshake, “Hi. I’m Wu Chun.” He tried to flash a dazzling smile while looking at Hebe’s friend. He needs to make a good impression.

The person raised her head and adjusted the baseball cap so that she can get a clearer view of the man whom Hebe had been fanatically telling her about. A smiling man met her eyes and when both of their gazes were already locked at each other, the man’s smile faded gradually and morphed in disbelief.

Pointing an index finger at each other, they said incredulously.

“You?!”

0 comments: