A Vidente

Chapter 7

EACH student examined the newly discovered bones excavated around the cave, the newly discovered cave in Tuguegarao after the earthquake, near the Callao cave. These fossils, according to researchers, are comparable to those fossils unearthed in 2003 at Callao Cave, which they believe belong to a new species of early human dubbed Homo luzonensis. Homo luzonensis exhibits a combination of ancient and contemporary characteristics: most of its teeth are tiny and simple in shape, comparable to modern humans; while its finger and toe bones resemble those of Australopithecus, the progenitors of humans who last wandered in Africa some 2 million years ago. They also studied the material remains such as artifacts. 

Their attention was drawn to their professor as he approached them.  He was accompanied by a man in his seventies.

"Everyone, this is Archaeologist Armadillo Tavarez, a leader of this project."

Sabay-sabay na bumati ang lahat sa lalaki. "Good morning, everyone. I'm delighted to meet all of you, future archeologists. I'm hopeful one of you will join our team in the future." With a smile on his lips, he cast his glance to the students. His eyes passed her, but then he did a double take, it was as if he recognized her or noticed something strange. The instant his gaze met hers, the smile on his lips vanished. Awkward na ngumiti si Beatrix. Naiilang siya sa pagtitig ng lalaki sa kanya. 

***
NANG mapagod sa pagpapa-picture ay naupo si Beatrix sa silyang nasa ilalim ng tent. Nakuntento na lang niyang pinanood si Luna at Faro na kumukuha ng larawan. Ginawa nilang photographer si Luna. Ayaw naman ni Luna magpakuha ng larawan kaya sila na lang ni Faro ang kinuhanan nito. Hindi pa rin tapos si Faro. Lahat na anggulo na yata ay ginawa nito. Tingin niya kung wala lang itong obligasyon sa Paganus ay baka nag-model na itong si Faro. GGSS pa naman ang isang ito. 

Mula sa mga kaibigan ay bumaling si Beatrix kay Mr. Armadillo Tavarez nang tumikhim ito. Tipid niya itong nginitian. Bumaba ang paningin nito sa bakanteng folding chair, humakbang at naupo roon. He let out an audible sigh. That sigh is an indicator of how at ease he was. Nakakarelax din  naman kasi talaga ang lugar na ito. Kahit saan mo ibaling ang paningin ay berde ang kulay na matatanaw dahil sa iba't ibang halaman na naroon at nagtatayugang mga puno sa paligid. Sumimangot siya nang mahagip ng paningim ang nakakakasira ng ganda ng lugar–ang malaking hukay sa paligid ng kuweba. Doing a scientific excavation is not only costly, and time-consuming, but destructive to nature.

"We are responsible archaeologists." Naibalik niya ang tingin sa lalaki. Mukhang nahulaan nito ang nasa isip niya. Tipid na ngumiti si Beatrix. 

"Why are you interested in this field?" he asked. 

"Women with beauty premium would prefer to pursue modeling career o di naman kaya'y pag-aartista. They are more inclined to utilize their attractiveness to get more money in an easy way. Tingin ko mas bagay ka sa modeling kaysa sa ganitong field. Panlalaki ang ganitong career. Nakakapagod."

Ang baba naman ng tingin ng lalaking ito sa mga babae. "Baka iyon po kasi ang gusto nilang career…katulad din ng mga lalaking piniling maging modelo. Women are free to do anything they choose. "There is no job that a woman cannot do as well as a man."

"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to offend you." 

"No, sir." Hindi naman siya na-offend para sa sarili niya kundi sa pagtingin nito sa kakayanan ng isang babae. Maraming kayang gawin ang babae. Si Luna nga naging life saver ng angkan ng Paganus at Lycan. Tumanaw ito sa malayo at ganoon din siya. 

"Pero hindi ko naman po talaga ito bet noong una. Hindi ko nga alam kung ano ang gusto ko. I couldn't decide. Ginaya ko lang si Luna…iyong kaibigan kong 'yon." Itinuro niya si Luna na buong tiyagang sinusunod ang gusto ni Faro.