Between Us

one

One

I’m no God or saint, but I can make any person kneel before me in a snap of a finger. Some might think that I’m exaggerating but boy, I’m not.

Humans are easy to manipulate. They’re no different from the books we’re reading. Just observe them for quite some time, know them like the back of your hand, and you can read what’s going inside their minds or in other circumstances, their next moves. In my case, I can know a person’s deepest darkest secret. In just a simple touch, I can know their dark history. And I’m a fool if I won’t use my one-of-a-kind ability to my own advantage! Wanna see an example?

I was busy sucking my lollipop when I accidentally bumped into someone masculine. He’s probably six feet tall. Clean cut, mestizo, sharp nose and jaw line. In short, gwapo.

“Sorry,” I said, feigning concern. I helped him collect the books that he dropped. Ang dami naman niyang libro, saan niya ba gagamitin ‘to?

If you think that this scenario is like all those shitty cliché love stories where the protagonist would bump into someone and voila, their love story will bloom in the next chapters, you’re a fool. Sa tinagal-tagal ko nang nag-aaral, I can guarantee you the it would never happen in real life.

Anyway, I faked a smile as I hand him the books. He reciprocated the smile and stretched out his hands to receive the books. Our hands accidentally  touched as I pass him the books. Series of events flashed in front of me as if I’m just watching Netflix. The scenes got by really fast but I managed to get some important details.

Bingo.

I tried to hide my smirk. It would be creepy if I smirk all of a sudden, right? The handsome guy stood straight and said his thanks. Before he took another step, I whispered something that made him stop.

“You didn’t attend your classes yesterday,” I glanced at him. “You cut classes, sneak out of our university, and met someone probably four years older than you.”

I saw him gulped, his adams apple moving up and down. Gotcha. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I stifle a laugh. “Oh, don’t be ridiculous. Of course you know what I’m talking about.”

“I’m sorry but I have no time for your bullsh—“

“You guys went to a motel in another city and did some things for hours,” I interrupted. His eyes widened as he stared at me. “I didn’t know you’re a bottom.”

“You--!”

“Don’t worry,” I cut him up, again. “I have nothing against that. I support your relationship with whoever that guy is and you can have sex as long as you want.” I took a step closer to him. “But the problem is. . .you’re closeted. Walang nakakaalam that you’re gay, right?”

Kitang kita ko ang pagtibok ng ugat sa ulo niya. Good. “What do you want?”

“Simple,” I answered. “’Tong bibig ko kasi, parang tubong butas. Titigil lang sa pagtagas ang tubig kung tatapalan. Pero hindi tubig ang lumalabas sa bibig ko. An information about you that when shared with everyone, all hell would break lose. At hindi vulca seal ang pantapal dito.” Lalo akong lumapit sa kanya. “Pera.”

His nostrils flared as he stare at me. “You think you can use that against me? To extort money from me? Well, you’re wrong! Kung gusto mo sabihin mo pa sa lahat ng nandirito sa hallway ‘yang nalalaman mong ‘di ko alam kung saan mo nalaman.”

“Oh,” I said, feigning a shocked expression. “Didn’t know that you’re this brave. We learn new things everyday nga naman. But are you sure that I can say that little secret of yours in front of everyone else?”

“Oo! Kung gusto mo samahan pa ki—“

“Even if you’re not yet out to your family?” that shut him up. I smirked. “You’re closeted. Ayoko rin namang pangunahan ka sa pag-out mo. But if you don’t give me what I want, your little secret would spread like a wildfire. Don’t be surprised if your father knows it by the end of this week. Oo nga pala, sundalo tatay mo, ‘di ba? I wonder what would happen to you ‘pag nalaman niyang power bottom ang anak niya. Madami kasi akong naeencounter na hindi matangga—“

“How much do you want?” he asked with contempt. Hay, madali naman palang kausap ‘tong isang ‘to. I gave him my sweetest smile.

“500 pesos para sa pagtatago sa sexcapades mo sa lahat at another 500 pesos to make sure na walang makakarating sa tatay mo. We might not know each other but I have a lot of resources, pwede kong makilala ang tatay mo bukas at madulas ako about sa secret mo. Anyway, 500 plus 500, simple math. 1,500 lahat.”

“Gaga!” he hissed, looking so annoyed. Wow, lumalabas din pala ang soft side  niya ‘pag naiinis. “1,000 lang!”

“Ay,” I laughed. “Sorry. I slept on my mathematics class when I was in grade one. Sige, 1,000 pesos na lang dahil I love gays like you.”

“Can you shut your mouth already? Baka may makarinig pa sa’yo!” he said pagtapos ibaba ng mga librong hawak niya at kinuha ang wallet niya sa kanyang bulsa. He revealed a 1,000 peso bill at iniabot sa’kin. “I don’t know who you are and how you knew about my secret but I don’t care! Just make sure na walang makakalabas na kahit ano. ‘Pag may nabalitaan akong chismis dito sa campus, kakasuhan kita!”

I happily received the bill smelled it. Hmm, I really love the smell of money! “Makakaasa ka, my lips are already sealed.”

He shoot me one deathly glare before walking away. Muli akong napangisi. Mission accomplished.

Now, you already know that poor guy’s secret so keep your lips sealed, okay? I might be called nosy for knowing other people’s secrets and use it against them but I know how to keep promises so you should, too.

Like any other human beings here, I do have a secret, too. A secret that no one should know or else, I’d be crucified by these nincompoops. Wanna know what it is?

Promise me that you won’t tell anyone. Not a single living soul, okay?

I, Psyche Alejo, is a psychometric.

***

Note: I don’t condone the act of blackmailing and extortion but I have to do this for the sake of the story.