Dandelions in the Wind

12

Nanatiling malakas ang buhos ng ulan, maging ang ihip ng hangin ay hindi nagpatalo sa hagupit ng bagyo at makikita ang lakas ng ulan sa labas ng bintana. Maaliwalas ang loob ng cabin. Mistulang maliit lang na apartment kung maikukumpara ngunit kumpleto ito sa gamit at may maliit na kuwadra sa likod. Tipikal na wooden cabin ang disenyo sa panlabas. May sala, kusina, isang kuwarto at banyo na may jacuzi. Napagpasiyahan na lang nina Charlotte na pansamantalang mamalagi sa cabin habang hindi pa tumitigil ang ulan. Nakapagpalit na rin sila ng damit at bumisita rin si Clarissa sakay ng jeep para maghatid ng pagkain.

"Yep. Obviously, he's gay." Walang anumang turan ni Charlotte habang nanonood ng telebisyon. Pareho silang nakaupo ni Dionne sa mahabang sofa at pinapanood ang balita tungkol sa isang sikat na male celebrity na napabalitang kinasal at nag-file ng divorce pagkatapos ng tatlong buwan. "How did you know? He's married. Why would he end up gay?" takang tanong ni Dionne. Ininom niya ang hawak na baso ng red wine at kumain ng potato chips.

"Well, he's struggling to mention the pronoun. He married in secret and he revealed it after the divorce. Listen to the words he used: person, civilian, and private citizen. Why it's so hard for him to use ex-wife or wife?" paliwanag ni Charlotte. Ininom din nito ang hawak na red wine. "Do you want to change the channel?" Kinuha niya ang remote at inilapag sa tabi ni Dionne.

"Can you change it, please? I feel like I can't breathe watching this entertainment show. They're too shallow." Napasandal si Dionne sa sofa. "So, if a person is in a closet, they really have a thing about pronouns?" Interesadong tanong nito at lumingon kay Charlotte.

"Yes. When they give answers, it's usually vague." Nakangiting turan ni Charlotte at inilagay sa menu ang screen ng telebisyon. "Ever heard about gaydar?"

Umiling si Dionne. "I'm sort of straight? I don't know how it works?" Naaliw na tumawa ito.

"It's really hard to explain, it's more on intuition, Dee."

"Do you have a gaydar?" tanong ni Dionne.

Napataas ang kilay ni Charlotte at mahinang tumawa. "I guess so?"

"Do you use dating apps?"

"No, I don't have dating apps. I'm don't even have social media accounts. I value privacy," tugon ni Charlotte.

Napakunot ang noo ni Dionne sa naisip at hindi maiwasan magtanong. "How do you date, women? I mean how will they know you're gay and ask you for a date?"

"Same as straight? It starts with flirting. You look for body language and gauge the interest." Paliwanag ni Charlotte, inayos ang pagkakaupo at sumandal. "If a girl likes you a lot they will ask you out on a date."

Mas lalo naguluhan si Dionne, lumingon sa katabi at umusog hanggang naging malapit ito. "Isn't girls likes to hang out? How will I know it's a friendly date? Besides, girls likes to admire girls, it's common. Men don't usually compliment each other but girls do. We say how we like their clothes, make up, and other things." Nakakunot noo na pahayag nito.

Inakbayan ni Charlotte ang sandalan ng sofa, lumingon kay Dionne at komportableng tinukod ang ulo. "Or they can be direct and tell you they really like you. Honestly, it's not really that complicated. Why do you want to know?"

Itinukod din ni Dionne ang kaniyang ulo at tumingin kay Charlotte. "Men are easy to read. I just ask them out. But girls can be confusing."

"What do you mean?"

"Men don't usually give compliment to any girl. Sasabihin nila maganda ka kung talagang gusto ka nila. Girls are easy for them to give compliments. So, how will I know if a girl gives compliments or she's flirting?" Pinaikot ni Dionne ang suot na sing-sing sa hintuturo habang nagsasalita, saglit na tumingin sa katabi at kumunot ang noo. "I don't really do small talk with a lot of people so it's hard to gauge their motives."