They Had their Happy Ending nadaramang mga nilalang.
Her current patient is a girl about her age,
If you're looking for the perfect fairytale with the beautiful princess, the
knight in black with his shiny unicorn and the bad witch who would curse the
princess to a deep sleep and oh, only be awaken by a true love's kiss; if you're looking
for a fairytale with the badass guy-who after a while would try to give the one he
loves, hearts and flowers and would always say the right words and would sweep off
her feet, then this isn't for you. But if you're someone who gives nothing but a damn
to your life, currently waiting for the huge turning point, then I might say that, go
ahead and read this shit, pay a little attention for this isn't the most wonderful book,
but a product of boredom.
Chapter 1: Baguio
"So I suggest you take this medicine twice a day para sa sakit ng sikmura.
Isang beses sa umaga after you eat your breakfast and also after dinner.
These pills are for your injured ankle, before ka matulog tsaka ka lang
iinom. I also want to tell you to take an exercise regularly, kahit simpleng
jogging lang or you can do some at home. Balik ka sa 'kin after three days if
you're still not okay, then we'll conduct some tests para maobserbahan ka
pa."
Christine was calm as usual and very gentle while discussing to her current
patient the things that the girl should do. Mukha syang hindi makabasag
pinggan at parang anghel na hinulog ng langit padala sa madaming
dumadaing ito na masakit daw ang sikmura na parang sa may bandang tyan
naman.
Confirmed rin na injured ang ankle nito. The girl was pretty despite the fact
that she looks pale at may malalaking eyebags. Ilang araw na raw itong
walang tulog. Her round brown eyes are so deep and her auburn hair is in a
messy bun. Nakasimpleng t-shirt at leggings ito tsaka flipflops. Parang
pinilit lang nito ang sarili na magpunta sa doctor ngayon.
Christine wondered kung naligo ang babae dahil, feeling nya hindi nya
mahahalata kung sakali man na hindi nga ito naligo, because she looks clean
with her pale white skin, white teeth at hindi oily na mukha. Naimbyerna
tuloy sya sa sarili, because kapag sya ang hindi naligo sa isang araw ay
mukha na syang basura. Ayaw pa man din nya sa germs at dirt.
"Doc, pano pag wala talagang development at masakit pa rin talaga yung
sikmura ko mamaya?" The girl asked in a hush voice that pulled Christine
out of her little reverie. Parang any minute ay pipikit na ang mga mata nito,
pagod na pagod na ito and Christine can tell that hindi lang sikmura at ankle
nito ang masakit. She smiled to the patient then tumayo sya.
Inutusan nya ang pasyente nya na tumayo at mahiga sa kama sa loob ng
mismong office nya, then itinaas nya ang damit nito at medyo ibinaba ang
leggings para mapakiramdaman ang puson.
"Okay, Clarisse tell me kung masakit kapag diniinan ko ha. Tell me also
kung lilipat sa kabila ang sakit after." She calmly told her patient na
nanghihinang tumango. She gently pressed the left side of her lower
abdomen, bandang puson ni Clarisse. Umungot naman sa kirot ang
pasyente.
"Did that hurt?" She asked in a sweet tone. Tumango si Clarisse. Christine
already has a theory kung anong sakit meron talaga ang babaeng kaharap.
"Doc, parang masakit din sa kanan kanina. Makirot po." The girl told her.
Confirmed nga ang nararamdaman nito, though Christine didn't voice it out.
Tumango tango sya tsaka nya muling pinabangon ang pasyente. Namumutla
na ito. Christine returned to her seat at muling nanguha ng mga papel na
sinulatan ng mga kung ano ano.
"O sige, wag ka na muna umuwi. Is that alright?"
Kumunot naman ang noo ng pasyente nya. Nakaupo ito ngayon sa harap ng
lamesa nya habang hawak hawak ang puson at pinag papawisan ng
malamig, kahit na air-conditioned ang buong kwarto. The doctor smiled at
her, genuinely.
"Clarisse, listen to me. You need to be confined. I'll also recommend you to
some doctors I know na may specialization. Hindi kasi ako pwede mag-
opera kung sakali man na appendicitis yan or anything. So you need
someone para samahan ka because you don't look well. I will call my
assistant para mai-admit ka sa isang hospital at bibigyan ka nya ng
instructions. Hospital na ang bahala sa 'yo if ever and I'll make sure na alam
na rin nila ang gagawin mamaya."
Kumunot ang noo ni Clarisse pero tumayo na rin after saying thank you to
the doctor at tuluyang lumabas ng office ni Christine.
That was her last patient this morning at natapos nya na rin bigyan ng
instructions si Sherwin- her assistant. She's already free to leave, since
almost lunch na rin naman. She opened her drawer then checked her phone
and she saw a text coming from her mom. Napakunot ang noo nito sa
nabasa.
Christine, we'll be having a family lunch together. Dumating na kasi ang
tito Bernard mo at tita Betina. Maraming pag-uusapan, so make sure to be
there. – Mom
Her blood immediately boiled. So andito na ang mga pesteng kamag-anak
nila ng mama nya, and oh, nag-aya pa talaga ng lunch as a family? Mukha
talagang sinasadya ng mga ito na bulabugin sya ng husto. Pati sa mommy
nya ay naiinis sya, because she's not even aware na ayaw nyang makasama
ang mga ito. As a mother, dapat nasense nya yun una pa lang.
Ayaw naman nya ipahiya ang mommy nya so she gave up debating with her
mind whether to attend or not. Agad syang lumabas ng office, nagbilin ng
ilang instructions sa dalawang assistant at tuluyan nang lumabas ng clinic
para sumakay sa kanyang Porsche Cayenne papunta sa isang Japanese
restaurant na ibinilin ng mommy nya.
--
Christine unbuckled her seatbelt nang maipark ang sasakyan sa parking lot,
then she removed her coat and stethoscope and she placed it nicely on the
passenger seat, pero napatingin sya saglit sa suot nya. It's a sleeveless grey
turtle neck, dark jeans and four inches stilettos. Wait, wrong move yata
dahil nakikita ang mga braso nya ngayon na pwede na rin isali sa brasohan
gaming at ang dalawang bilbil nya. Paki ko ba sa kanila? She thought and
rolled her eyes heavenwards.
Bitbit ang purse na may lamang card at phone, she entered the restaurant.
--
She was immediately approached by a waiter and he led her to the VIP
room, where she found a lot of people sa isang mahabang lamesa.
Nagtatawanan ang mga ito at akala mo ay magkakasundo talaga. Akala mo
mga professionals talaga e. She rolled her eyes. Nakatayo pa rin sya sa may
pintuan, she was not notice immediately by her relatives at her mother's
side.
"Oh, look! Christine is here. Hi darling, kanina ka pa ba? C'mon have a seat
here with me."
Matamis ang ngiti ng tita Evelyn nya sakanya na akala mo hindi kaya mag
sabi ng kung anu anong tsismis sa likod nya. Napatingin naman sa
direksiyon nya ang iba pang kamag-anak. Napilitan syang ngumiti sa tita
Evelyn nya nang mapatingin sakanya ang mommy nya na para bang
sinasabi nitong "Manners, Christine", kahit na hindi ito nagsalita.
She sat by Evelyn's right side. Binati sya ng iba at ang iba naman ay dedma
lang. Madaming plastic sa paligid nya at may mga nananaksak rin patalikod.
Nakaka stress ng ganda ang mga taong nakapalibot sakanya.
"Christine, buntis ka ba?"
Napatingin naman sya sa pinsan nyang nasa right side nya. Oh, it's Jennifer.
Napalakas ang pagkakasabi nito kaya napatingin sakanya ang mga kamag-
anak. It went silent, para bang nag-aantay ang mga ito ng isasagot nya.
Suddenly it's hard to breathe. Pilit syang ngumiti kay Jennifer and she
politely said no.
"Oh, I see. Parang lumapad ka kasi. Healthy natin ah."
Puna pa nito na nakapagpataas ng kilay nya. She felt her blood boiled again.
Ano? Ipapangalandakan talaga na lumobo sya ng ganon kagrabe dahil
tamad sya mag work out ngayon? Palibhasa patpatin si Jennifer at flat
chested na parang stick na bininat sa height nitong 5'9. She smiled at hindi
nalang nagbigay kumento.
"Christine, wala ka pa bang ipapakilalang boyfriend sa 'min? Halos lahat
sila dito may mga pamilya na. Etong mga pinsan nyo nalang at ibang batang
pamangkin ang wala syempre. Nahuhuli ka na yata sa byahe, anak."
Her auntie Celine stated as a matter of fact. Kagaya ng kanina ay natigil
nanaman sa paguusap-usap ang mga kamag-anak at sya nanaman ang
pinagkakaisahan. Gusto nyang mangalmot ngayon kaso wala syang mga
kuko, dahil pudpod ito, ayaw nya naman magpahaba dahil ayaw nyang
nasisiksikan ng dumi.
Christine smiled again politely, akala mo ang haba ng pasensya eh.
Napalibot pa ang tingin nya sa mga kamag-anak na naroon. Oo nga, bukod
sa mga chikiting at mga teenagers na pinsan at pamangkin nya ay sya nalang
ang wala pa.
"I've got no time for that." She answered shortly na hindi naman pinalampas
ng Auntie Betina nya.
"Christine, you know sayang naman ang lahi kung hindi ka mag-aasawa.
Matutuyot na rin ang matres mo."
Betina commented. Gusto na talaga mangalmot ni Christine ngayon.
Sasagot sana sya kaso ay sumingit nanaman ang patpating si Jennifer.
"Tita, hayaan nalang muna natin sya, baka ganon talaga. Walang panahon
kasi wala rin namang nangangahas na manligaw, lalo na ngayong super
healthy nya."
Kinuyom ni Christine ang mga kamay sa ilalim ng lamesa. Kaunti nalang at
mapipigtas na nang tuluyan ang pasensya nya. Ano ba ang paki nila kung
may nanliligaw sa kanya o wala? Dami talagang tsismosa sa mundo.
She wants to wrestle Jennifer at pagbali baliin ang mga buto. Palibhasa ay
kaliwa't kanan ang napatol sa patpatin nyang pinsan. Hipon naman. Kadiri.
Wala na talagang laban ngayon ang mataba kahit maganda, lalo na kung ang
kalaban ay isang hipon na mukhang dugong.
"Kung sabagay, naging healthy ka nga talaga ngayon anak. Emily,
pinabayaan mo ba sa kusina ang anak mo ngayon?"
Panggatong naman ng uncle Bernard nya na kambal ni Betina. Napairap na
lang sya. Ngumiti naman ang mommy nya. Napayuko sya sa kahihiyan, her
mom looked younger than fifty. Baby face ang mukha.
"Kulang sa tulog kaya sa kain bumabawi. Tamad naman mag exercise these
past few months." Was her mom's statement. Nasaktan sya, but she knows
that it's the truth.
"Wala na rin time mag work out? Girl, sama ka sakin minsan sa gym. Nga
pala, I'm also into boxing these past few months. Alam mo naman, figure
ang puhunan ko sa modeling." Pagmamayabang ni Jennifer sa tabi nya.
"Ah, no wonder patpatin ka. Mabuti hindi ka nababali?" Painosente nyang
sabi. Maging sya ay nabigla sa nasabi nya. Napatingin naman sakanya ng
hindi makapaniwala ang pinsan at ibang nakarinig sa angkan nila.
"W-what did you just say?"
Mabuti na lang at dumating na ang mga in-order nila kanina, kaya nawala
ang atensyon sakanya. Kwentuhan dito, kwentuhan dyan. Kapag nagsama
sama ang angkan nila sa isang kwarto talaga or event ay makikita mo ang
pagka transparent ng ugali ng mga ito. She hates it. She wonders though
kung gano'n rin ba kaingay at ka plastic sa father side nya.
Technically professional ang angkan ng mommy nya at sobrang laki nito.
Pang apat ang mama nya sa fourteen na magkakapatid at ngayon nga ay
dumami na sila ng dumami. Karamihan ay nasa business industry, ang iba
gaya ni Jennifer ay into modeling at ang iba ay mga abogado, kaya di
nakapagtataka na mga nasa ganyang propesyon din ang napangasawa ng
mga pinsan nya. Sya lang ang napunta sa medical field.
Maya maya pa ay napunta naman sa mga trabaho nila ang usapan. Halos
lahat sila ay nagkakaintindihan, dahil halos lahat sila ay nasa iisang field.
Maging ang mommy nya at si Jennifer ay nakakasabay sa usapan, sya lang
itong nakatahimik.
Doon na nga nagsimula ang pagkaramdam ng out of place ng diyosang bida.
That seemed okay to her, kaysa naman ma-hot seat nanaman sya. Ayaw nya
ng ganun, pero mukhang nagj-joke sakanya si Bathala at muling natuon ang
atensyon sakanya.
"How about you, Christine anong projects meron sa 'yo ngayon?" Her aunt
Mildred asked her. Napag-alaman kasi nila na may project sa Macau si
Marco- ang pinsan nyang business man. May itinatayong branch doon ng
kumpanya nito. Anong isasagot nya? At bakit nanaman tinatanong sya ng
mga ito?
"Nothing," was her short answer again.
Napatingin nanaman sila sakanya na para syang alien. Ayaw nya ng
atensyon na nakukuha galing sa pamilya nya. Nakaka suffocate. Hindi sya
makahinga. Nangangamoy plastic. She then smiled at them shortly tsaka
tumayo.
"I gotta go. It was nice seeing you again. Sorry, my patients are now waiting
for me. Bye."
She lied to them with a sweet tone, na akala mo e totoo tsaka sya tuluyang
lumabas ng VIP room at tuluyang umalis sa restaurant. When she got to her
car, she dialed her dad's number. Sumagot naman agad ito sa pangalawang She came home at exactly two pm. She packed her things at naligo na rin.
ring. There's nothing left to do. Na-double check nya na rin kung may nalimutan
ba syang dalhin. Nagpa-deliver sya ng pizza and natapos nyang ubusin ang
"Yes, sweetie? Mamaya pa ang alis mo papuntang Baguio di ba?" isang box while watching on cartoon network, after that she brushed her
teeth again.
Napahinga sya ng malalim.
By 5:30 in the afternoon ay umalis na sya ng bahay nya sakay ng isang
"Yes dad, I just called to tell you na tatawag nalang po ako mamaya once na tricycle. She didn't bring her car with her. She'll be riding a bus heading to
makarating na 'ko jan sa Baguio." Baguio at six pm ang alis nito. Sakto lang ang dating nya sa bus station
dahil hindi naman traffic.
She explained. Narinig naman nya ang mahinang pagtawa ng tatay nya sa
kabilang linya. Wala naman kasi sya sa Manila. She lives in Isabela particularly in
Santiago. Madalas syang umalis due to work kaya hindi na unusual sa
"Yes, sweetie. You just said that a while back. Wag ka mag-alala di ko mommy nya nang magpaalam sya via call na pupunta syang Cavite to have
malilimutan." a vacation. Hindi mahirap gawin kasi her mom doesn't live with her. Isa pa,
she's on the right age para mag lakwatsa. Binilin na lang sya nito na
"Okay, dad. See you." tumawag pagkarating sa Cavite.

"Okay."
Then she hang up the call. Napahinga sya ng malalim. Ang lakas ng tibok
ng puso nya. Kinakabahan sya, dahil una hindi alam ng mommy nya na
makikipag kita sya sa daddy nya at pangalawa ay hindi alam ng mommy
nya na kilala nya na ang daddy nya.
Sa terminal sya ng Victory Liner bumili ng ticket at nagpa reserve ng upuan.
Medyo maraming papunta ng Baguio ngayon kahit hindi peak season at sa
kasamaang palad, hindi sa tabi ng bintana ang nakuha nyang upuan.
Pinalagay nya ang kulay itim na malaking maleta sa lalagyan ng mga gamit
sa bus at ang isang malaking black hiking bag naman ay isinama nya
sakanya sa loob. Seat number 32 ang nakareserve para sakanya.

--
She's wearing a simple black hanging blouse, high waisted black shorts at
white sneakers. On her right hand is her black jacket, on her left hand is her
hiking bag at ang kanyang black sling bag na naka sukbit sa katawan nya.
Pagkaupo nya sa upuan ay bakante pa sa tabi. Natempt tuloy syang lumipat,
pero it's rude kung gagawin nya yon ng walang paabiso sa pasaherong
nakaupo talaga don. Mangilan ngilan nalang ang bakanteng upuan at any
moment ay aalis na ang bus pero wala pa rin ang katabi nya.
Inilapag nya muna doon ang hiking bag na mabigat tsaka umayos ng upo at
nagsuot ng shades tsaka pumikit, pero ilang segundo pa lang ang nakalilipas
ay may kumalabit sa kanya sa kaliwang balikat. Sinilip nya ito sa shades na
medyo bumaba hanggang tungki ng ilong nya, at hindi sya nagsising
nagmulat ng mata nang makakita ng tinulak pababang anghel ni San Pedro
mula sa langit.
Lalaki. Matangkad about 5'8-6'0 ang tantya nya, kulot ang brown na buhok
nito na maayos ang pagkakagupit... mukhang ang lambot hawakan, tisoy ito
at light brown ang mga mata na may makapal na pilik at kilay, matangos
ang ilong, yung labi nya ay maninipis na kulay pink, at tama lang ang
katawan nito. Ang western ng looks ni kuya. Ang yummy. May bitbit itong
isang malaking back pack na kulay pula at naka bag na gitara na nakasukbit
sa kanang braso.
"Uhm, excuse me."
Napaayos naman ng upo si Christine at napaiwas ng tingin. Halos malaglag
ang panty ng bruhang late na maglandi. Ang swabe ng boses. Hindi ganon
kalalim, but his voice is like a soothing melody to her ears. Pinilit nyang
wag tumili at ngumiti. Kailangan composed lang sya. She took a deep
breath, breathe in, breathe--
"Miss, bag mo?" Napatingin syang muli sa gwapong nilalang at halos
maputulan ng hininga nang makita nyang kausap syang muli nito. He
snapped in front of her, then she blink.
"Ah, oo." Sabi nya at nahihiyang kinuha ang bag na itinuturo ng gwapo.
Nanginginig ang kamay ng bruha, tsaka nya ibinaba sa may paanan ang bag.
Naupo naman ang lalaki sa tabi nya, at nagulat sya nang muli syang
kalabitin nito habang nakapikit sya, kaya lalong namilog ang malalaki
nyang mata pagmulat, lalo na nang magtama ang mga paningin nila. Ni
hindi nya naramdaman na umaandar na pala ang bus.
"Y-yes?" She asked, her voice biglang pumabebe.
The guy chuckled at gustong matanggal ng panty nya dahil sa sexy ng tawa
nito. She mentally shooed her fifty shades thoughts.
"I like the color of your hair."
Parang bumagsak ang langit at lupa kay Christine. Hindi makapaniwala.
Bakla ang gwapong nilalang? Kumunot ang noo nya.
"W-what?" nahihiyang utal nya, the guy chuckled again at napakamot sa
batok. Ang sexy tignan. Nakakainis. Hindi pwedeng bakla ito.
"I said I like the color of your hair. Looks cool on you. By the way I'm
Claudio."
Sabi nito sabay lahad ng kamay sakanya. Nagulantang si Christine. Biglang
nagwala ang mga butete sa tyan at tumalon ang ninja turtles sa puso nya.
Nahihiya nya itong tinanggap.
"Call me, anytime."
Wala sa sariling sabi nya na nakapag patawa ng bahagya sa lalaki.
Napabitaw sya at nahihiyang umayos ng upo. She cleared her throat tsaka
nahihiyang nagsalita. Tapos ng tumawa ang gwapong lalaki at hinarap sya
nitong muli.
"I mean, I'm Christine."
Halos bumulong na sya sa kahihiyan at gusto nalang nyang magpasagasa
bigla sa ten wheeler truck. The guy chuckled again. Namumula ang buong
mukha ni Christine at feeling nya sobrang init sa loob ng bus kahit na air
conditioned naman ito.
"Okay, Christine. So sa Baguio ang baba mo or what?"
Nagulat sya nang muli sya nitong kausapin, pero agad rin syang nakabawi.
Sa umpisa lang naman sya mahiyain sa mga conversation e, but after a
while, mas madaldal pa sya sa palakang nabasa ng tubig.
She doesn't mind kahit ga'no pa kagwapo ang iharap mo sa kanya. Sanay
naman kasi syang makipag usap talaga, pero syempre mas may confidence
sya kapag naka coat sya ng pang doctor at may stethoscope. It boosts her
self- esteem.
"Yes, I'm heading to Baguio. Ikaw ba?" She asked calmly habang
nakatingin dito. Claudio shrugged then he smiled at her.
"I guess so," he answered as if he's not sure.
Christine arched a brow.
"You're not sure?" She asked unbelievingly.
Claudio nodded and he smiled again, flashing Christine his vibrant white
teeth. Napamaang naman si Christine.
"Then why in Baguio?" She asked again, more like she's prying, but the guy
didn't mind. Sumandal ito sa upuan at tsaka ito ngumiti ng nakakaloko sa
kawalan.
"Wala, gusto ko lang lumayas saglit. Polluted sa Manila, boring sa Santiago,
what more?"
Napailing si Christine habang ngingiti ngiti. Mukhang alam nya ang dahilan
ng lalaki.
"Naghahanap ka ng turning point."
She stated habang naka sandal sa upuan ng bus at nakatingin sa harapan.
She saw the guy in her peripheral vision and he looked at her like she just
blurted out an alien word.
"Are you reading my mind?" The guy asked her again, this time ay hindi na
ito nakasandal. He's looking at her with a smile on his face and this time,
Christine shrugged and smiled as she closed her eyes.
--
Christine woke up when she felt like the bus isn't moving. Una nyang
napansin ang bakanteng upuan sa tabi nya then nakita nyang nakaparada ang
bus sa harap ng isang kainan na kubo at sa tabi nito bandang harap ay may
malaking sari sari store. Nasa Bambang na sya at nag stop over sila. Alam
nyang baka umihi lang o kaya kumain saglit ang katabi nya, because his
things are still there.
She fished out her phone from her sling bag and she saw a message from her
assistant and her dad. Sherwin updated her about the condition of Clarisse.
Maooperahan raw ito dahil pumutok ang appendix at nag swell naman ang
right fallopian tube nito, samantala ang dad nya naman ay nagtatanong kung
asan na sya. She called Sherwin first to instruct him, kaya hindi nya
namalayang nasa tabi na pala ulit nya si Claudio at umaandar nang muli ang
bus.
"Sherwin, kunin mo yung record ni Clarisse sa pangalawang drawer ko sa
loob ng office, yes, itinawag ko na kay Marsella. Kase matagal tagal ako
mawawala, maybe a week then babalik ulit ako ng Baguio after. Oo, alam
na ni Marsella ang gagawin kay Clarisse. Let's hope that her operation will
turn out well...wait raptured ovarian cyst? Yung left fallopian tube? Sige
sige, after a week I'll be back."
Then she hang up the call, she texted her dad na nasa Bambang pa lang sya.
She got a reply from him saying na mag-ingat sya. She didn't reply then at
napatingin naman sya kay Claudio nang alukan sya nito ng isang malaking
fish crackers. She smiled at him.
"I don't eat junk food," napatigil naman sa pag nguya si Claudio and he
looked amused.
"Vegetarian ka?" he asked, she nodded.
"Woah, it must be hard." He commented, natawa naman sya.
"Yeah, at first. Parang kambing nga e. Puro gulay kase ang akala ko nung
una ang dapat lang kainin." She smiled at him, and the guy offered her
bottled water which she also turned down tsaka nya dinukot sa bulsa ng bag
ang tumbler na malaki. Nailing naman ang lalaki tsaka ibinasura ang junk
food container sa net sa harap ng upuan.
"So, what do you do for a living?" Claudio asked her after drinking her
water. Napatingin naman sakanya si Christine.
"Well, I'm a doctor." She said blatantly.
"Seryoso?"
Napatingin sya sa lalaki na parang amazed na amazed sa sinabi nya. She
smiled and nodded.
"Realtalk kase, you don't look like one." Mangha pa rin na sabi nito habang
nakatitig at nakangiti sakanya. Napailing na lang sya.
"You're more like a writer or a costplayer to me. Lalo na yung kulay ng
buhok mo. Ikaw unang doctor na nakilala at nakita kong kakaiba ang kulay
ng buhok, parang nagrerebelde." He commented na ikinatawa naman nya.
"Oh, no. Tamad nga ako magbasa ng pagka kapal kapal na libro, magsulat
pa kaya? And hindi ako mahilig sa anime, that's why."
She explained. The guy nodded. Akala nya ay tatahimik na ito, pero muli
sya nitong tinanong.
"And how would you explain the hair?" She giggled.
"Well, I look like a white lady kapag pure black ang buhok ko because I'm
pale, obviously." She smiled, but the guy seemed unconvinced.
"But why blue? Why not auburn or red or green?"
Nailing si Christine habang naka ngiti. Ang kulit ng kausap nya, parang bata
na nagtatanong kung anong nauna sa itlog o manok.
"Well, kalmado kasi tignan. It's like the sky or the ocean. Hindi fiery, hindi
boring. Sakto lang. Simple, calm and deep. Mahirap abutin, pero masarap
titigan."
She said in a very calm voice. Napatingin sya sa katabi na ngiting ngiti.
"Naks, ang lalim ni doktora." He almost whispered na ikinatawa nila
parehas.
After that, nabalot sila ng katahimikan. Claudio's looking outside the
window while Christine is busy on making herself comfortable.
Nagsisimula na syang ginawin so sinuot nya ang jacket nya, kaso malamig
pa rin dahil naka shorts sya. Ayan, sige sinong gaga ba ang nagsabi sa yo na
mag shorts? Sinong tanga ngayon Christine, huh? She thought.
Napatingin naman sakanya si Claudio na nakakunot ang noo. Ang gwapo
talagang nilalang kahit nakakunot noo.
"Are you cold?"
He asked in a concern tone. Nahihiya man, pero tumango pa rin si Christine.
Claudio smiled at umakto itong tatanggalin ang grey na sweater. Sandaling
kinilig ang mataba. Nagising at sumipa ang ninja turtles sa puso nya, ready
mag karate, kaso hindi tinuloy ni Claudio na hubarin ang jacket nya, instead
in-off ni Claudio ang air-con sa tapat nila na todo tapat sakanya kanina. He
turned it to the other way, tsaka nya nginitian si Christine.
Biglang nahulog ang ninja turtles simula sa puso hanggang sa kalamnan
nya. Nag suicide. Ayun. Tegi. Ano disappointed ka? Assumera ka kasi. She
thought. Pilit syang ngumiti dito. Ayos lang, kahit papaano ay nabawasan
naman ang lamig. She closed her eyes and tried to fall asleep.
Chapter 2: “Next Time”
Claudio turned his attention to the sleeping woman beside him. Kanina pa
sya nakasandal sa may bintana ng bus at nag-iisip ng lyrics sa kantang
ginagawa nya, but his mind is in no condition to decipher for some words.
Gustong nyang matawa ng makita ang itsura ng babaeng katabi. Kunot ang
noo habang nakapikit at galaw rin ito ng galaw. Halatadong hindi
kumportable sa posisyon. Her head facing him and her bag hurled on her
lap. She's also embracing herself, halatang ginaw na ginaw na ito.
Claudio smiled at himself. She looks cute, he thought. Napatingin syang
muli sa bintana ng bus and he can tell na malayo layo pa ang byahe nila.
The bus stopped again sa isang kainan. Right on time dahil nagsisimula
nanaman syang magutom. He's about to stand, but he noticed Christine's
eyes opened at busangot itong nakatingin sa kanya.
"Uy, hi."
He greeted her awkwardly. Nag angat ng kaunti ang kaliwang parte ng labi
nito. She seemed so tired and... bored.
"Gusto mo kumain?" Claudio asked her again which she politely declined.
Claudio shrugged.
"Sige, kakain muna 'ko."
Paalam nito sakanya tsaka tumayo at naglakad pababa ng bus. Christine
blinked while looking at his back. Well, that's fast. Nag-eexpect pa sya ng
something more than that from that guy, more specifically, she's expecting
him na kukulitin sya.
She turned her attention outside at kita nya ang isang karinderya na nago-
offer naman ng lugaw sa gabi. Nakita nyang pumasok na si Claudio sa
karinderya at nagpunta sa may counter.
Mukha namang malinis ang kainan, pero maarte lang talaga sya. Wow,
Christine. Vegetarian ka, but you love pizza? Sinong ginago mo? She asked
herself mentally then grunts when she heard her stomach grumble.
--
Claudio looked busy while removing the shell of his boiled eggs for his
lugaw. Kunot noo itong nagbabalat while sitting on a chair good for four
people. Madami ring tao sa loob ng karinderya at maging ang driver at
konduktor ng bus nila ay kasalukuyan ring kumakain.
"Paabot ng tissue, please."
Napaangat naman ang tingin ni Claudio sa babae na nakaupo sa harap nya
ngayon at nakayuko. Nag-apply muna ang babae sa harap nya ng hand
sanitizer and just like him, nagbabalat din ito ng nilagang itlog. She looked
at him when he didn't move. Kunot ang noo ni Christine at bumaba ang
ilang strands ng asul na buhok nito sa may mukha nya. She tucked them
behind her ears.
"Huy,"
Christine snapped in front of his face. He blinked tsaka nya kinuha ang
lalagyan ng tissue sa tabi nya at itinulak ito papunta kay Christine. She
smiled at him a little and murmured her thanks tsaka ibinalik ang atensyon
sa lugaw nya.
He watched her while she put the egg in her bowl and while she wipes her
utensils using the tissue before finally using it.
"Hey, it's rude to stare." She commented while smiling which made Claudio
a little bit uncomfortable. Hindi nito alam ang gagawin kaya nagsubo nalang
din sya ng lugaw nya.
None of them talked for at least three minutes, ang awkward tuloy, but it
seemed okay to Christine. Prente itong kumakain ng mainit na lugaw at mas
nauna pa itong nakaubos kaysa sa kanya, but she didn't go back to their bus.
Pinapanood sya nito kumain, it's like she's observing him.
"So, who's the patient again? And what's with that 'raptured ovarian cyst'
thingy?"
Claudio asked habang nakayuko pa rin. He decided to break the silence
since hindi sya kumportable sa situation nila parehas.
"Ah, yun? She's Clarisse, o-operahan sya bukas. Pumutok na kasi yung
appendix nya and namaga yung left fallopian tube nya sabi sa 'kin ng
assistant ko. Mejo tanga na nga yung naging move ko kanina since di nya
sinabi agad na sobrang sakit pala tsaka di nya ma-determine kung paano
idescribe.
I even told her to exercise at inuman ng some pills and anti-biotic para sa
ankle nya, then mabuti na-check ko ulit sya. Ayun I told her na dapat sya
ma-confine and I recommended her to some surgeons whom I know."
Christine's voice is very professional at iisipin mo na hindi ganon ka-rebelde
ang itsura just by listening to her. Claudio looked at her na nakakunot noo.
"I'm sorry, I think I didn't catch up, doctora."
Claudio smiled and Christine chuckled.
"So bakit hindi ba pwede na ikaw na lang yung mag-opera mismo? I mean
bakit kailangan nya pa magpunta sa ibang doctor kung meron ka naman?"
Claudio asked again. Eto nanaman, dumadaldal nanaman sya and he can't
help but to look at Christine. He wants to read her like an open book. Para
kasing ang dami nitong alam. Christine didn't seem to mind dahil panay ang
ngiti nito, ang kalmado rin.
"You see hanggang reseta lang ako ng mga gamot, ganyan. I'm an internist
and hindi ako pwede mag opera."
Claudio nodded tsaka sumubo ulit ng lugaw.
"But why are you here? I mean, you've got a patient there waiting for you
after the operation but you're here heading to Baguio. And from what I've
heard, one week ka mawawala?"
Looks like Christine wasn't expecting the question. For a second, Claudio
thought that Christine looked weary but it vanished easily as she smiled
again at him.
"Well, it's complicated."
She answered simply.
"Okay."
Claudio said and after that ay kasabay din ng pagkaubos ng lugaw nya. He
stood up and bought two cans of coke tsaka sya bumalik sa upuan nila ni
Christine, but when he got there, there was no sign of her kaya bumalik na
lang sya sa bus.
He was right, Christine was already there. Nakatutok ito sa phone nya na
hawak ng kanang kamay habang ang kaliwa naman ay ginagamit nya para
uminom sa blue tumbler nya. Hindi sya napansin nito na naupo na sya tabi
nya.
He offered her the coke. She glanced up at him at ibinalik nya ang tumbler
sa bulsa ng bag then kinuha nya ang coke as she murmured her thanks.
Claudio didn't know what to say. He was shocked na kinuha ni Christine
ang offer nya. Napailing sya habang ngingiti ngiti. Nag-umpisa nang
tumakbo ang bus.
"I thought you're a vegetarian?" Hindi nya napigilang tanong sa babae na
katabi. Natawa naman ito tsaka inalis ang atensyon sa cellphone at hinarap
sya.
"What? Hindi na ba ko pwede sa cheat day ngayon since I gained more
weight?"
Natawa naman si Claudio. Christine rolled her eyes as she returned her
attention to her phone. Busy sya sa instagram.
"Can't believe na naniwala ka sa vegetarian joke ko."
Mas lalo syang napangiti.
"So you were just kidding then?"
He asked for a confirmation and without looking at him, Christine answered
his question.
"Well, I was a vegetarian, pero mahirap tumanggi sa pagkain lalo na kapag
stressed kang tao."
"Point taken," he commented tsaka tumango tango. After that, nasundan na
yon ng ilang oras na katahimikan at dinalaw ng antok si Claudio. He closed
his eyes while looking outside the window.
--
Nakapatay ang ilaw sa loob ng bus, but Christine is wide awake. Hindi lang
sya kumikibo, she wondered if the guy beside her is still conscious. She
can't sleep because she feels like she's going to throw up any moment.
Paliko liko na kasi ang daanan at paakyat na ng bundok.
She closed her eyes. Kaya sya tumahimik kanina ay dahil busy sya sa
instagram and all the while, napansin na nya ang pagkahilo. Her phone
vibrated inside her sling bag so she fished it out. She opened it and saw that
it's a notification on instagram, a post coming from Jennifer. She opened it.
Hindi pa man sya tuluyang nasusuka, her mouth tastes sour and bitter. She
saw the post of Jennifer. It's a photo of her cousin and her boyfriend. The
photo looked romantic.
It's at Jennifer's place with the fireplace lit with fire and the whole place is
dark yet very wonderful at nagsilbing ilaw nila ang yellow Christmas lights
sa paligid. Though hindi kita ang mukha ng pinsan nya at boyfriend nito
dahil sa dilim ay makikilala mong sila nga ito.
Magkaharap ang mag jowa at nakatayo si Jennifer at naka luhod naman ang
kaliwang tuhod ng boyfriend nitong model din at makikita mo na
outstretched and isang kamay ni Jennifer as if may inilalagay dito na
singsing. Gusto matawa ni Christine sa photo caption. Ang corny para
sakanya. Jennifer says: Okay, I'm ready to start the new chapter of my life
with you. To infinity and beyond. I love you so much @EmmanDelaCruz.
She read the comments at samu't saring puso ang inabot nito. Comments ng
mga fans, kaibigan at syempre makakaligtas ba naman ito sa mga kamag-
anak? She rolled her eyes at io-off na lang sana ang phone kaso ay nakita
nyang na-mention sya ng tita Evelyn nya saying: @It'sChristine dear,
nahuhuli na talaga ang matres mo. Makakahanap ka pa kaya ng magiging
lifetime partner?
Naikuyom ni Christine ang kamao. Nasundan pa ang comments ng
pangangantyaw din ng mga kaibigan at mga kamag-anak. Maging si
Jennifer ay nakisabay sa mga ito. Mariin syang pumikit at huminga ng
malalim then she opened her eyes. In-off nya ang data ng phone nya at
umayos ng upo, but the unexpected happened.
Naramdaman nyang may mabigat na nakasandal ngayon sa kanang balikat
nya. Christine's eyes widened in shock as she turns her attention to the guy
beside her, his head resting on her shoulder. She can smell his scent. It's
manly but not too strong. It's sweet pero hindi amoy bakla o babae. Amoy
baby and it's heavenly. She suppressed a smile forming on her lips.
Under the light of the stars and the full moon, kita nya ang mukha nito na
prenteng natutulog. Kung hindi lang ito estranghero at matagal nya na itong
kilala ay baka crush nya ito ngayon. Gosh Christine! Ano ba mga pinag-iisip
mo? She thought and rolled her eyes. Christine cleared her throat and she
poked Claudio's cheek. He didn't move. Now, she rolled her eyes.
"Claudio," she called tsaka tinapik ng mas malakas ng kaunti ang pisngi
nito. He moved then mukhang nagulantang naman ito sa posisyon ng ulo
nya kaya umayos sya.
"Sorry," he murmured, his voice husky because he just woke up. Claudio
rested his head on the window, but she can see that he's no longer sleeping.
Nakatanaw lang ito sa daan.
"We're already in Benguet." He announced at napatunghay din sya sa daan.
Pansin nga nya na mas lumamig na rin at mas dumami na ang pataas at
paliko liko nilang daan.
"May girlfriend ka?"
Napalingon si Claudio kay Christine. He's shocked by her abrupt question.
Her eyes twinkling because of the reflection of the dim light of the stars and
the moon. He didn't know that she'd ask such a question out of the blue.
Crush ba sya nito? The thought made him smile. Girls and their curiosity.
Napailing na lang sya which sent Christine a signal.
"So, you don't have one."
She concluded at napatango tango ito.
"Why? Maga-aaply ka ba?" He teased which made Christine roll her eyes
heavenwards and smile.
"Boys and their wrong assumption about girls. Tsk." Christine said smiling.
He chuckled, but he can't tell if she felt giddy or nairita ito.
"Then why did you ask?"
He tried to catch her in the corner but she looked at him with a playful smile
na hindi nya alam kung magsasabi sya ng gusto nya marinig na kadalasan sa
mga babae o kung iibahin nito ang topic. Ganon kadalasan ang mga babae
na kilala nya, lalo na kapag natunugan nyang may gusto na ito sakanya.
"Why would you wanna know?"
Christine retorted with the playful smile still plastered on her face.
"Were you expecting that I'd say something to boost your ego, Claudio?"
She added. Claudio's brows arched in amusement. This girl's very
unpredictable. Feeling nya tuloy nahiya sya.
"Well, what would you expect from girls? They're all like that, you know."
He explained. Napailing naman si Christine.
"Well now you know that not all of them are like that."
"Yeah, you're kinda different."
"I know."
Claudio smiled again. He's really amused on this girl.
"So am I saying the right words that boosts your ego, doc?" He asked and
Christine can't help but to smile.
"Definitely."
She answered and he can see the victory on her face.
"Tell me Christine, nagka boyfriend ka na ba?" He asked at nakita nyang
naging seryoso ang mukha nito.
"Why'd you ask? Mag-a- apply ka?" She asked and she looked at him
seriously. Their eyes met again and for a while hindi nanaman nya alam ang
sasabihin sa kanya, so he smiled.
"Girls and their wrong assumptions," he teased. Christine arched a brow.
"I was just asking, and you are stealing my line." She retorted as he chuckle.
"Hey, hindi mo sinagot tanong ko."
Claudio nudged her.
"What was that again?" She asked as if she didn't hear what he said a while
back. Nakatuon nanaman ang attention nito sa phone.
"Kung nagka boyfriend ka na ba,"
He told her. She pressed her lips together at muling ibinalik sa sling bag ang
phone nya tsaka sya tumingin sa lalaki.
"Boys and their curiosity. Ikaw ang magkwento. Kanina ka pa tanong ng
tanong sa 'kin simula sa byahe ah."
Claudio rolled his eyes heavenwards. Talagang ayaw magsabi. He wanted to
ask kung big deal ba yung tanong nya or what, but he didn't.
"What do you want to know?" He asked which made Christine smile. She
really looks mysterious yet very sweet. How can that be?
"What do you do for a living?" She asked. Ano to, balikan lang sila ng
tinatanong sa isa't isa? He sighed again.
"I'm a lead guitarist on our band and a music professor."
"I see."
Tumango tango ito bilang sagot. Claudio waited for another reaction coming
from her just like how every other girls show eagerness when he tells them
about his job, but he failed when she asked him another out of the blue
question.
"How old are you?"
"Thirty three,"
Now she arched a brow. Ha! Nahuli nya din kung paano sya babasahin. He
knows what she's gonna say, something like, 'Really? You don't look like
one. You look like you're on your early twenties', something like that or
she'll tell him her age too, something that'll boost his ego.
"Oh, thirty three and still enjoying the single life huh, baka matuyot ka na
nyan."
Good heavens, why is she like this? Claudio thought at napatitig na lang kay
Christine na mukhang wala lang sa kanya ang sinabi nya.
"What?" She asked innocently, but before he could answer, her face lit up at
tumuro ito sa may labas ng bintana.
"Oh look how wonderful it is." She commented and for a brief moment
Claudio saw her smile genuinely. Like a kid with a huge cotton candy. He
turned to the direction that she's pointing. The view was breathtakingly
beautiful.
"Yeah, it's very beautiful." He agreed.
Baguio shines like a magical place at night. Kapag nasa taas ka at malayo ay
makikita mo kung gaano ito kaganda at kaliwanag.
"It's like a city of stars." Christine added. Napalingon naman sa kanya si
Claudio and he can see that her eyes are twinkling. Nakakahawa ang ngiti at
kasiyahan nito, parang bata. He also smiled.
"First time mo sa Baguio?" He asked her, agad naman itong tumango. Para
itong wala sa sarili and for once hindi mo nanaman aakalain na isa syang
professional doctor, but that brief moment vanished when they're already
inside the city. Balik nanaman sa normal self nya si Christine, umayos sya
ng upo.
"So, saan ka mismo bababa?"
She asked.
"Well, sa mismong terminal, ikaw ba?"
"Same." She shortly replied.
Silence ate them again, pero maya maya ay nag vibrate ang phone ni
Christine and hindi sa pagiging tsismoso ni Claudio pero napatingin sya sa
caller at bago pa man nya mabasa kung sino ay nasagot na agad ito ni
Christine. Her face lit up as she smiled. Parang bumalik yung itsura nya
kanina nung papasok pa lang sila ng Baguio. The caller must be special to
her, he thought.
"What? Okay, love you too."
Yan lang ang narinig ni Claudio then Christine hung up the call. Must be her
boyfriend, he thought again.
"So, saan ka tutuloy after?" Christine asked, pero ibinalik nya ang tanong
dito.
"Well, may kakilala ako dito." She replied shortly. After that ay parehas
nanaman silang natahimik.
They talked again when they arrived at the terminal at nang makuha nila
parehas ang bagahe sa compartment. It was very cold and Christine's lips
are quivering. The bus left at nagsimula na rin mag alisan ang mga tao, but
they both remained there, standing. He wanted to give her his jacket pero
naunahan sya ng hiya, so he just asked her since hindi pa rin ito umaalis.
"May susundo sa 'yo?"
He wanted her to say that no one's fetching her, para sana makausap nya pa
ito ng kaunti, but his hopes faded when she answered his question.
"Ah, oo. Ikaw ba?"
"Well wala." He replied.
He's thinking kung iiwan na ba nya si Christine o magpapaka gentleman sya
at mago-offer ng time para samahan ito mag-antay lalo na't first time nito sa
Baguio. Maginaw ang paligid at madaling araw pa lang kaya wala
masyadong tao sa paligid.
"Hindi ka pa aalis?" Christine asked again habang naka yakap sa sarili.
"Wala pa yung sundo mo...So I was thinking na mag-antay din muna saglit."
He explained. Tinawanan naman sya nito.
"Ano 'ko bata? Sige na, mauna ka na. I can handle myself. Padating na rin
yung sundo ko, malapit na daw sya."
Napakamot sya sa tenga. Kakaiba talaga 'tong babae na 'to , the thought
made him smile like a kid. Aangal pa sana sya kaso ay may pumara na taxi
sa harap nila at nagpumilit si Christine na mauna na sya. So he did, but
before he entered the cab, she called him again.
She's smiling at him and akala nya ay sasabay ito but she blurted another
word that made him smile.
"The next time we see each other, I'll tell you something. Naghahanap ka pa
rin naman ng turning point di ba?"
Christine smiled hopingly. Tumango naman sya.
"Okay. See you, then."
She told him at ito pa mismo ang nagtulak sa kanya papasok sa loob ng cab.
Natanaw nyang kumaway si Christine sa nakaalis na taxi na sinakyan nya.
He wondered kung magkikita pa ba ulit sila, since he doesn't even know her
full name at wala rin syang number nito. Napasimangot sya sa naisip, pero
since optimistic sya ay pinaniwala nya ang sarili na magkikita pa nga sila.
Chapter Three "Abrupt"
Claudio arrived at Thelma's place at exactly 4:45 am. He has a spare key to
her home since madalas sya sa Baguio and besides, Thelma treats her like
her own son since he first came there a few years ago. Isa sa mga transient
house ang bahay ni Thelma. The house can be found at the upper part of
Baguio that's why the temperature there is colder.
It's a two storey home with five rooms. It also has two bathrooms, isa sa
baba at isa sa taas. Sakto lang ang lawak nito and from the sliding windows
mapa baba man o taas na parte ng bahay ay matatanaw mo ang city ng
Baguio. Maganda ang kinatitirikan na parte ng bahay, hindi naman ito
ganon kalayo sa mismong siyudad, but the ambiance up there is just so
refreshing.
The exterior looks plain, but the interior looks cozy with the dark hardwood
floors and navy blue sofas, narra coffee table plus the blue and white
curtains. Plus, the spiral like wooden staircase up to the second floor looks
cute too. The kitchen can be seen easily. May round table na narra, good for
six people, a sink with a faucet that faces the city too since may bintana sa
tapat nito, an oven a gas stove at ang restroom.
The house is clean since ang nakatira lang naman do'n ay ang pamangkin ni
Thelma na nagtatrabaho sa isang salon sa Baguio bilang manager, well
kapag nando'n sya, there are three people in the house.
The smile on Claudio's face is still plastered when he entered Thelma's
place, kaya binati sya ng kanyang mama Thelma.
"Oh, anak! You're here early, and you look happy."
Napatingin si Claudio sa babaeng nasa mid fifties na bumati sa kanya. He
smiled at her. She saw him even if she's in the kitchen because the house is
not that big and onting lakad lang simula sa living room ay kitchen na.
"Pagod lang po, mama Thelma." He greeted her then he went to the kitchen
para magmano at tsaka naupo sa isa sa mga upuan na nakapalibot sa dining
table. His baggages are in the living room. Inabutan nya ang babae na
nagkakape at agad na tumayo ng makita sya.
"Your face says the other wise, sweetheart. Oh ano, kumain ka na ba? Eto
sandali lang, magtitimpla ako ng kape mo."
Claudio smiled at the woman at hinayaan nya na lang ito na gawin ang
gusto. She's been like that, simula nang una syang mangupahan sa bahay
nito ay talagang accommodating na si Thelma, mabait rin ito, maasikaso and
she makes sure that you'll feel at home when you're at her place.
"Anak, mamaya pupunta ako sa PLDT para ipaayos yung wifi kaya kung
aalis ka, i-lock mo na lang yung pinto."
Bilin sa kanya ni Thelma tsaka nito inilapag sa tapat nya ang mainit na
kapeng barako. Um-oo naman sya habang nagbabasa ng ebook sa cellphone
nya. Prente syang kumain ng pandesal at nagkakape pero maya maya ay
kinausap syang muli ng matandang babae.
"Malapit na nga pala matapos yung bahay mo. Naku anak, ang ganda
ganda!" Thelma was so ecstatic habang ikinukwento sa kanya ang tungkol
sa bahay na ipinapagawa nya since last year.
"Naman ma, thank you po sa pagtingin tingin. Hayaan nyo at kapag
napatapos ko, ikaw ang una kong bisita do'n." He assured her with a wide
smile. Kita ang mga kulubot sa may bandang mata ni Thelma when she
smiled.
"Aba sige ba! Ay oo nga pala anak, kamusta ang pamilya mo sa Maynila?
Siguro hindi nanaman nila alam na pumunta ka dito."
Claudio smiled again and he scratched his nape. Napailing ang kanyang
mama Thelma. He knows na tatalakan sya nito, but he got used to it and it's
okay to him.
"Ikaw talagang bata ka, aba eh papaano na lang kung napano ka?"
"I'm safe, ma." Pangangatwiran nya sabay subo sa natitirang pandesal.
Pinaningkitan sya ng mga mata ng matandang babae.
"Eh pano nga kung hindi? Hay naku ka talagang bata ka! Mag-aalala
nanaman ang pamilya mo sa 'yo nyan lalo na ang mama mo." Ngumiti lang
si Claudio at ibinalik ang tingin sa cellphone, habang kinuha naman ni
Thelma ang basahan at nagpunas sa lamesa tsaka tuluyang inilagay sa
lababo ang dalawang tasa.
"Ma, pahinga po muna 'ko sa taas."
"Okay, basta mamaya ha, yung bilin ko."
"Opo"
Then Claudio grabbed his things at nagpatuloy na sa pag-akyat sa second
floor.
Inilibot ni Claudio ang tingin pagkaakyat sa ikalawang palapag ng bahay.
It's still the same, white walls and dark hardwood floors. Sa kanan nya ay
may dalawang pintuan at sa harapan nya ay may dalawang pintuan ulit.
A few walks to his left at may isa pa ulit pintuan which is kwarto ng
kanyang mama Thelma. Onting lakad pa at patungo na ito sa bathroom at
washing area nila which is sa labas ng bahay, kung saan kita ulit ang
magandang view sa gabi at ramdam ang sobrang ginaw ng paligid mapa
umaga man o gabi.
Claudio entered the first door on his right side at agad na sumalubong sa
kanya ang mababang kisame at half circle window na pwedeng buksan at
nakaharap ito sa labasan ng bahay. Tanaw ang ilang kabahayan at kulay
blue at puti na kurtina ulit ang nandito. His room is like a doll house pero
hindi girly.
He remembered Christine again and he can't help but to smile. May isang
queen sized bed sa right side nya na may apat na unan at kumot na purong
kulay puti and on his left side is a single bed na may dalawang unan at
kumot na kulay puti rin.
The whole room looks so cozy at sakto lang ang laki nito. He put his guitar
beside the bedside table na katabi ng single bed, he put his bags on the floor
and he closed his door and he locked it tsaka sya naghubad ng damit at
nagpalit ng white t-shirt and jersey shorts before finally collapsing to the
bed since kahit nasa loob sya ng bahay ay ramdam pa rin ang ginaw, maybe
he could get some sleep.
--
Claudio woke up a bit later in the afternoon, at ramdam na ramdam na nya
ang ginaw sa buong kabahayan kahit nasa loob sya ng sariling kwarto at
nakabaluktot ng parang fetus sa ilalim ng kanyang blanket. He pulled out his
phone under his pillow and he pressed the power button. 5:30 pm, it flashed
on his screen.
He wanted to get some more sleep, but he knows that what he had's already
more than enough so he stood up at and he did some stretching para
magising ang buong diwa tsaka nya kinuha ang twalya sa bag at lumabas
para magpunta at maligo sa cr.
It took him no longer than thirty minutes to finish his bath and finish
dressing up. Malamig ang tubig at sira ang heater kaya gising na gising ang
diwa nya ngayon. He's wearing a red hoodie jacket, a black shirt, black
sweatpants and black Nike running shoes. He checked himself in the whole
body mirror before finally going out.
Pagbaba nya ng hagdan ay nakailaw na ulit ang buong kabahayan, and the
tv's on. Hindi rin nakaligtas sa pang-amoy nya ang nilulutong adobo ng
kanyang mama Thelma from the kitchen which sent a signal to his stomach,
causing it to grumble. Nagmamadali syang bumaba at pumunta sa dining
table.
Nagsisimula nang paghahain ng kanyang mama Thelma sa lamesa. Thelma
looked at him and smile, tsaka sya nito pinasandok ng kanin at pinakuha ng
kutsara at tinidor. They started eating while they catch up on some things
from the past few months.
"Ano ka ba naman anak, kawawa naman yung mga bata na ibinagsak mo
lalo na't major nila ang subject mo."
Pangangaral sa kanya ni Thelma. He's talking about the students who failed
his class na major din ang music. Claudio teaches in an art school owned by
his cousin in Manila. He sighed.
"Ma, hindi ko sila ibinagsak, sila ang nagbagsak sa sarili nila. Kapag
ibinagsak ko kasi, ibig sabihin intention ko talaga na h'wag ipasa yung bata
pero they did that to themselves. I played my part and they didn't. So they
must learn to face the consequences."
He explained his side very well, pero hindi pa rin maialis ang panglulumo sa
mukha ng kanyang mama Thelma. Concerned na concerned talaga ito sa
mga bata na bumagsak sa subject nya.
"Pero anak, still. Kawawa naman yung parents nila na naghihirap para lang
makapasok sila sa eskwelahan at kayod kung kayod ang ginagawa."
Claudio sighed and didn't glance up on his mama Thelma as he speaks
again.
"Ma, I get you point, but then they wanted to learn it the hard way. Madali
lang naman ako kausap, tsaka, nakikita ba nila yung paghihirap ng parents
nila para lang makapag-aral sila? I guess nakikita naman nila, hindi lang
pinapansin at iniintindi, because if they do, then the endgame won't be this
way."
He faced Thelma who looks concern but then the look on her face says that
he's absolutely right and very clear on his point.
"Anyway ma, I'll be going for a walk later and I'll catch up some fresh air."
Paalam nya sa matanda. Tapos na sila kumain at nagsimula na magligpit ng
kinainan si Thelma.
"Sige, ay paki sundo na rin pala si Trisha sa trabaho nya. Pagdating nyo dito
at tulog na ko, don't forget to lock the main door, okay?"
Bilin nito habang naka talikod sa kanya at nakaharap sa sink para hugasan
ang mga kinainan nila. He said yes and he head for the bathroom to brush
his teeth, after that ay tuluyan na syang lumabas ng bahay at nag-abang ng
taxi.
The surrounding is very cold lalo na't gabi na, but he didn't mind.
Nakasakay naman agad sya ng taxi at nagpahatid sya sa Burnham which
took a few minutes to drive. Maliwanag na maliwanag na sa Baguio since
palalim na rin ng palalim ang gabi. Madaming ilaw at medyo traffic because
it's rush hour.
Nang makababa sya sa taxi ay naglakad lakad sya while texting Trisha who
happened to be Thelma's niece. He told her that he's gonna fetch her from
work and sabay na lang sila, Trisha replied and said yes. He informed her na
magtetext na lang ito kapag nagsara na ang Salon, that's why Claudio
decided to take a walk para magrefresh.
His feet took him to Session Road and find himself walking without
thinking kung saan sya pupunta. He's looking for an inspiration, and he can't
stop thinking about Christine- her witty remarks, her playful smile and her
blue hair. Hindi nya namalayan na ang laki laki na pala ng ngiti nya.
Napailing na lang sya at nag baka sakali na magkasalubong silang dalawa
ngayon.
Claudio found himself in front of the huge National Bookstore at hindi nya
namalayan na pumasok na pala sya at napadpad sa mga Philippine
Literature section. He's looking for something to read, something easy but
deep to read, something that'll remind him of Christine. Ayaw naman nya
magpunta sa Sci Fi section dahil alam nyang mapapalaki nanaman ang
gastos nya.
He grabbed a small book. It looks simple at hindi rin ito gano'n kakapal. The
picture of the cover page is different kinds of pen. Merong ballpen na
binalutan ng tape para mapanatiling nagagamit, may nagtatae at kung anu
ano pa. It simply says: "Stainless Longganisa" by Bob Ong. He smiled, and
without reading the synopsis, he headed for the counter para magbayad ng
libro.
He didn't know kung ilang oras ang itinagal nya sa paglalakad lakad at
pagtingin tingin sa paligid, pero giniginaw na rin talaga sya. Sakto naman na
naka receive sya ng text galing kay Trisha, saying na sunduin nya na ito sa
Salon dahil pwede na itong mag-out, so he started to jog heading to Trisha's
workplace.
Trisha looked exhausted when Claudio got there, exhausted but very
beautiful. Kulot ang blonde na buhok nito na lagpas lang ng onti sa balikat.
Hapit rin ang white three fourths nito at black pencil cut skirt, showing her
beautiful curves. Hindi agad napansin ni Trisha si Claudio dahil naka side
view ito at nakikipag-usap sa ibang empleyado at sa isang customer. She
beemed when she saw him approaches her.
"Hi! Kumain ka na?" She greeted at nagtinginan naman sa kanila ang ibang
tao sa loob ng salon. Maliit lang ng kaunti sa kanya si Trisha dahil
matangkad talaga ito at idagdag pa ang killer heels nito ngayon. He smiled.
"Yep, nagluto si mama Thelma ng adobo. You look exhausted." Bati nya
rito, pinaikot naman ni Trisha ang mga mata.
"I know right! We're about to close na rin naman. Samahan mo muna ko?"
Yaya nito sabay kawit ng braso sa kanya. Alam nyang pinagtitinginan sila
ng ibang tao sa loob ng Salon dahil ramdam nya ang mapang usisang tingin
ng mga ito. It's like they're watching a romantic film, kulang na lang ng
popcorn.
--
They decided to grab a snack at greenwhich and while their orders are being
served, they talk about random stuff.
"Lagi ka na lang nilang pinagkakamalang jowa ko. Nakakaloko na ha. Ilang
taon ka na nilang nakikita kapag nandito ka na hatid sundo mo 'ko. Lagi nila
kong pinupush sa 'yo, and I don't know why. Shocks."
Reklamo ni Trisha sabay paikot ng mata na ikinatawa naman nya.
"Gano'n talaga, gwapo sundo mo eh." Biro nya dito. Napa angil naman si
Trisha.
"Duh," she replied but there's a smile plastered on her face tsaka ito sumubo
ng pizza.
"Kung gusto mo totohanin natin, para di ka na mahirapan." Claudio offered
Trisha with a smug smile on his face. Pinamulahan naman ng mukha ang
babae at yumuko ito sabay higop sa drinks nya.
"Tumigil ka nga, baka di ko makayanan at patulan ko yang joke mo." Trisha
murmured pero narinig ito ni Claudio that bought him to a bunch of
laughter.
"Joke lang nga! Ang seryoso mo talaga sa buhay." He told her while
smiling. Nakayuko pa rin ito tsaka ito sumubo ng pizza. He's aware that
Trisha likes her, but the thing is, he doesn't feel the same and he's acting like
he doesn't know it because he doesn't want the whole situation to get
awkward, lalo na't sa isang bahay lang sila tumutuloy ng dalaga at isa pa ay
kaibigan nya ito.
"Alam mo naman, di ba?"
Trisha asked as she sips her pineapple juice and she looked at him in the
eyes. She's not smiling, but she's not also frowning. She looks serious/
"Knew what?" He asked. Their eyes locked on each other. She smiled, but it
didn't reach her eyes.
"That I like you."
Natigilan si Claudio. Hindi alam ang sasabihin, kasi hindi nya naman alam
na bigla bigla itong aamin and it's starting to get awkward. Iniwas ni Trisha
ang tingin at muli itong sumubo ng pizza, but he's still looking at her like
she just blurted out an alien word.
"Kumain ka na, masyado mo naman sineryoso, pinatulan ko lang yung joke
mo. Mukha kang constipated." Trisha said as she tried to lighten up the
mood.
Claudio smiled too, pero the entire time that they're eating, they became
quiet. Mabuti na lamang at maingay sa loob ng fastfood chain na kinakainan
nila.
--
"Are we gonna walk?" Trisha asked when they finally got out of
greenwhich. Nabura na ang awkward ambiance nila, at parang wala lang
nangyari dahil nagagawa nanaman nila na magbiruan. Claudio smiled
sheepishly. He knows that Trisha doesn't want walking with those heels.
"Yeah, we'll be walking for a bit. Let's enjoy the night." He winked at her
and she smiled at him.
So the two of them walk and walk until their feet hurt. They stopped for a
bit at naupo sa isa sa mga bench. Nakarating sila sa Burnham. Maliwanag
ang paligid at maginaw ang gabi. Nagdadaldalan sila at nagbibiruan kaya
hindi nila namalayan ang oras na gumalaw.
Trisha looks beautiful, like a real woman. Pwede sya rumampa sa Victoria's
Secret fashion show dahil sa tangkad, pwede sumali ng pageant dahil sa
ganda at talino, but Claudio can't fathom the reason why she can't fall for
her. It'll be easy then kung mahuhulog sya kay Trisha, but he can't. He never
sees himself waking up on the bed with her. Not even once na naisip nya na
mag spend ng future with this woman. Hanggang kaibigan lang talaga.
"Tara, uwi na tayo." Maya maya'y untag ni Trisha. Um-oo naman sya dahil
malalim na rin ang gabi.
The ten minutes drive seemed hours, because no one between them spoke.
Pagod sila parehas at mukhang sobrang lalim ng iniisip ni Trisha. When
they got home, the whole house is already dark meaning to say, Thelma's
already asleep. They both said goodnight at nagkanya kanya nang punta sa
mga kwarto nila.
Kanina pa paikot ikot si Claudio sa kama nya, but he can't just sleep. Sakto
naman na tumunog ang phone nya sa bedside table. He grabbed it and saw a
message coming from his cousin. He's asking of where on the world is he,
because his parents are being worried again and kailangan na sya ulit sa
school na pinapasukan nya. A lot of errands are waiting for his comeback.
He sighed at napahilot sa sentido. Tuluyan nang nawala ang antok nya so he
decided to take a night walk kahit sobrang ginaw ng February sa Baguio.
Sobrang gulo din kasi ng mundo nya at sobrang dami nyang iniisip. He's
frustrated and he needs fresh air.
--
Claudio's feet lead him to Burnham Park. He went inside and he walk some
more until he stopped in front of the lake and sat on a bench near it. It's a
quiet night and it's very peaceful. Napahinga sya ng malalim at dinukot nya
sa bulsa ng sweatpants nya ang phone nya and he started typing some words
on his memo.
When his mind felt empty, he looked at the surroundings. He felt like he's
being watched... and true to his senses, a few walks away, he can recognize
the girl with the waist length blue hair who's looking at him intently. Under
the dim light of the moon at night with the cold breeze, their eyes met and
everything happened so fast.
Claudio felt excited just by seing Christine, so he called for her but as he
stood up and tried to walk towards her, she started walking back then little
by little, Christine ran away. Claudio tried chasing her, but she seemed fast
and in a blink of an eye, she's nowhere to be found. He didn't know if it was
true or he was just hallucinating, but it felt real.
To be continued...