CHAPTER TWENTYTHREE
SUMMER OF 2005
"The weather is killing me," nakakunot ang noong sabi ni Chino. Pawisan na ang lalaki. Ginawa na nitong pamaypay ang itim nitong baseball cap. "Have some water, Liv." Ngumiti itong ibinigay ang malamig na bote ng mineral water kay Olivia, na noo'y naka-indian seat sa damuhan sa tabi ng kalsada.
"Thanks." Olivia gave him a quick smile and accepted the bottle but made no attempt to open it.
"He likes you," Caitlyn, who was sitting beside Olivia, whispered. Kinikilig pa itong nakatingin sa likod ng papalayong lalaki. "But Domino is hotter."
Awtomatikong bumangon ang galit sa kalooban ni Olivia nang marinig ang pangalan ni Domino. Naalala na naman nya ang nangyari ilang buwan na ang nakalipas. She was angrier with herself than with him.
Olivia liked him. She was disappointed with herself for trusting Domino. She was blinded by his attractive personality. He's both extremely handsome and intellectual until she found out he's a psycho.
They were on the same school that specializes in Business Management and Media- Mendershausen University. Olivia met him at a Leaders' Forum. She was his seatmate and admired him for being witty and clever.
He pursued her. They dated for few months. Although she liked him very much, she wanted to know him more before commiting. She was grateful because he was very patient and understanding.
While enjoying pasta and wine in her condo, Olivia suddenly felt dizzy. She realized Domino put a drug on her drink. She tried to fight him while still conscious but her black belt in kick boxing was useless.
Lucky for her to have a trustworthy bestfriend. Rayanne, who had a spare key to her condo, walked in on them that night. She saved her from Domino by breaking Olivia's newly purchased expensive vase on his head.
"Told you, someone named after a pizza is very suspicious." Rayanne tried to make her smile.
Olivia laughed and threw a pillow at her bestfriend, who called the police.
"Too bad he dropped out," komento pa ulit ni Caitlyn. "Are you okay?" Hindi na namalayan ni Olivia na napahigpit na pala ang hawak nya sa bote ng tubig. "Kung ayaw mo nyan, sa akin na lang. I'm parched." Ibinigay nya ang tubig dito.
Kaklase nya sa lahat ng subject si Caitlyn at naging kaibigan na rin. What happened with Domino was dealt with in private. She didn't want to draw attention. Hindi na nya ipinaalam pa sa mga kaibigan. Pinalabas na lamang na nagdrop- out sa school si Domino. Hindi na kailangang isapubliko pa ang pagkakakulong nito.
Naging active volunteer si Caitlyn sa The 11 Foundation. Kapag may oras, sumasama ito kay Olivia.
Patungo sila ng araw na iyon sa isang komunidad na nakatira sa isang bundok sa Quezon Province for volunteer teaching at iba pang community service.
They were somewhere in Batangas when the bus broke down. Nasira ang makina. Ayon sa driver at konduktor, medyo matatagalan ang pagkukumpuni nito. Pinili na lang umupo sa labas ng mga volunteers kagaya ni Olivia.
Tumawag na sa head quarters ang OIC nila ngunit baka matagalan din magpadala ng kapalit na bus since na-deploy na sa iba't- ibang lugar ang mga unit para sa volunteer work.
Olivia felt her Nokia 7710 vibrated in her pocket. It was her Lola Esmeralda calling.
"I'm afraid there's no bus we could get on short notice." Her Lola sighed. Busy ito sa pagde-delegate ng mga volunteers.
Layunin ng Foundation na makarating sa mga liblib na lugar para maghatid ng edukasyon ngayong summer vacation at para na rin pag-aralan ang mga tulong na maaari pang ibahagi sa mga ito.
Alam ng Lola nyang disappointed sya sa aberya. They were in the middle of nowhere. There were only fields, trees, the blue sky and the scorching sun.
"There's a bus going straight to Brgy. Manlupig." Napakunot ang noo ni Olivia sa sinabi ng Lola. She researched the route going to Mt. Hangarin. There's no commuter bus that goes through Brgy. Manlupig. Nearest jump off point was an hour away. "It's an old bus. I'll let your OIC know. Pwede ng mauna ang ilan sa inyo." Batid nitong naiinip na sya.
Pagkatapos ng tawag nila, nakita nyang may kausap na ang OIC nilang si Karen sa cellphone nito. Nagtataka man pero hindi na nagtanong pa si Olivia. Baka nga may available ng commuter bus papunta sa lugar na iyon.
Lumapit sa kanya si Karen matapos nitong kausapin ang karamihan sa mga volunteers. Lima ang pumayag na mauna na mula sa dalawampung kasama nila.
Kasama ni Olivia na mauuna sina Caitlyn, Chino, na mas na-excite at naghint pang gustong makatabi sya sa bus, at dalawa pang volunteer na galing siguro sa ibang university kagaya ng lalaki.
Mga bagong volunteers marahil ang dalawa dahil hindi sya pamilyar sa mga ito.
"I'm Miranda." Nagpakilala ang isa sa mga ito. Lumabas ang dimples nito sa kaliwang pisngi nang ngumiti ito.
"Olivia." Nagkamay sila nito. Napasulyap naman si Olivia sa walang- kibong isa pang babaing volunteer na nasa likuran ni Miranda. Nakatingin lamang ito sa kanila. "Hi! What's your name?"
Hindi nagsalita ang babaing katabi ni Miranda. Nanatiling nakatingin lamang ito sa kanya.
"Rude," Olivia thought irritably but didn't show it, she smiled at the girl instead. Sapalagay nya'y nasa Senior year na ang mga ito sa college. Pero hindi yun excuse para maging magaspang ang ugali.
"Pasensya ka na sa kaibigan ko. Nainitan ang bumbunan," Miranda whispered and they both giggled. "She's Erin by the way."
Despite having an angelic face, Erin was unfriendly. Olivia noticed Chino checking out the stoic girl, she had the urged to smack him. She couldn't blame him though.
Even Olivia had to admit, Erin was beautiful. Her heart shaped-face, high nose, light brown eyes and pouty mouth were screaming for attention. Not to mention her long legs visible from her denim shorts and her arms proudly exposed from her sleeveless white blouse. There's a long sleeved checkered shirt wrapped around her sexy hips. Her long wavy stylishly messy hair was being ruffled from time to time whenever the wind blew. Olivia noticed blue highlights when it caught the sunlight.
Olivia turned her eyes away when she saw Erin smiled briefly and amusely at her.
Olivia's cheeks burned. Akala nya nakaligtas na sya rito nang huminto ang isang lumang ordinary bus na may pula at dilaw na pintura sa harapan nila. Bumukas ang pinto ng bus at isang nakangiting middle-aged man ang bumati sa kanila ng magandang araw. "Saan ang biyahe nyo mga ineng?"
"Barangay Manlupig." Si Miranda ang sumagot.
"Tuloy kayo," masiglang sabi ng lalaki. Dala-dala ang kani- kaniyang bag pack, sumakay sila sa medyo puno ng bus.
Sa may pinakadulong upuan pumuwesto sina Chino, Caitlyn at Miranda, na kumindat pang itinuro ang pangdalawahang upuan sa harapan nito. Isa na lang ang bakante. Walang pagpipilian si Olivia kundi umupo sa tabi ni Erin, na nakatingin sa labas ng bintana at hindi man lang sya sinulyapan.
Hindi maintindihan ni Olivia kung bakit parang pamilyar ang pabango ni Erin. Her heart beat fast when she smelled watermelon. She wondered where she caught a whiff of that scent?
Maging ang magandang mukha nito'y tila nakita na niya noon pa.
"Nice earrings." Sinubukang i-engage sa conversation ni Olivia ang walang-kibo pa ring katabi lumipas ang dalawang oras na biyahe. "Is that customized?"
Erin was wearing a pair of miniature swords with a swirling wind from its hilt to the middle.
"It is," sagot nito na medyo ikinasurpresa ni Olivia. She didn't expect her soft voice either. Nang tumingin ito sa kanya, napatitig sya sa mga mata nito. "Kanina mo pa ako tinititigan."
Nag-init ang pisngi ni Olivia dahil totoo ang sinabi nito. Saan nga ba nya nakita si Erin? Hindi kaya commercial model ito? Sa ganda nito hindi sya magtataka. "You...you look familiar that's why." She's usually confident talking to anyone but Erin made her very conscious.
Ayan na naman ang malakas na tambol ng puso nya nang ginawaran sya nito ng ngiti. Erin's smile had a mystery on it, like she held all of the secrets in the universe. Even that was familiar to Olivia.
"Do you do this all the time?" Maya- maya'y tanong ni Erin.
Hindi agad nakasagot si Olivia. Of course she doesn't usually stare. She wanted to speak but she felt her cheeks reddened.
"Volunteer teaching, I mean." Matipid ang ngiti nito pero mukhang na-amused to sa kanya. Kanina lang si Erin ang ayaw kumibo ngunit bakit si Olivia na ang halos hindi makapagsalita?
Olivia took a deep breath and composed herself. "It's my first time to do volunteer teaching. I usually participate with activities related to the environment. Like tree planting, educating people regarding global warming and climate change." Something inside Olivia fluttered. Erin was very attentive and she could see genuine interest on her eyes which made her talk more. She got her confidence back. "We do clean up drives, sponsor community gardens, protect watersheds and the wilderness," she paused, "I'm not boring you, am I?"
"No, you're not." Ngumiti ito ulit. Gustong sabihin ni Olivia na bagay nito ang laging nakangiti pero nagpigil sya. Hindi sila closed. Isa pa napakamisteryoso ng ngiti nito. Baka bigla nyang itanong kung ano ang sikreto ng Bermuda Triangle at magmukha syang katawa- tawa.
"I always value education. I know it's cliché...naniniwala akong kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. Hindi lahat ng bata ay previleged na makakuha nun. It's a basic need and yet unreachable to some. Hinahangaan ko rin ang mga guro...their passion and dedication. Gusto kong makatulong sa kanila para hindi mamatay ang kagustuhan nilang turuan ang mga bata. I want to spend my time helping others."
"You are very admirable. Parte ka ng kabataan at sa nakikita ko isa kang pag-asa ng kinabukasan." Erin was sincere and Olivia was again at a loss for words. There was something more in her eyes. Pride.
Olivia dismissed it. Bakit naman ito magiging proud sa kanya? Hindi naman sila magkakilala.
"What about you? Ngayon ko lang kayo nakita ng friend mo. Karamihan sa mga volunteers mga kakilala ko na." Pakiramdam ni Olivia masyado na syang madaldal kaya sya naman ang nagtanong. Isa pa interesado rin sya sa kausap.
"Our small business would like to give back to the community..."
"Wait, business?" Hindi napigilan ni Olivia na i-interrupt ito.
"Yes. Two years ago, my friends and I opened our business. So far, we are doing okay and we want to share our blessings."
"You are not in college?"
Tumango ito. "House of Elondres supports the advocacy of your Foundation. We reached out to your grandmother and extended our help. We are already in talk with other NGOs to build toilets with certain communities that don't have access to it. Especially those areas where cholera is endemic."
House of Elondres? Calling it a small business was an understament. It was a fashion house known for its minimalist yet stylish and affordable designs including hand bags, ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories. Its Creative Director/ designer, Miranda Elondres, was popular among celebrities and elites for designing formal, cocktail and wedding dresses.
Miranda, who was cheerily talking to Chino and Caitlyn at the back of an old bus, was the Miranda Elondres. Olivia couldn't believe it.
"Aside from financial aid, Miranda and I want to participate personally."
"That's so unfair!" Olivia blurted.
Erin frowned. "What's unfair?"
Natawa na lang si Olivia sa inasal nya. "Sorry. Hindi lang ako makapaniwala. It's just that you look so young."
Erin's laugh sounded melodious in Olivia's ears. "Well, I am still young. I'm just 29. Nasa kalendaryo pa rin naman ako."
"See, it's really unfair. How can you be 29 and look like 20?" They burst out laughing.
Paano nangyaring kanina lang ay halos mautal sya habang kausap ito at maya-maya'y nagtatawanan sila na parang matagal ng magkaibigan?
"I should call you Ate then," Olivia said good naturedly.
"Sure." Mas lumiwanag ang ngiti ni Erin. "I can be whoever you want me to be." Napatitig sila sa mata ng isa't- isa pero nauna itong nagbawi ng tingin. "We should catch some sleep. Matagal pa ang biyahe natin. We'll need our strength later." Inilabas nito ang iPod saka ipinasak sa teynga ang earphones.
Nadismaya si Olivia nang pumikit ito. Sinubukan nyang matulog ngunit gising ang diwa nya. Lalo at nililipad ng hangin ang mabangong amoy ni Erin sa gawi nya.
"You know you're inlove when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." Nagulat si Olivia nang biglang magsalita si Erin. Hawak nito ang tinanggal nitong ear phone mula sa kanang teynga at nakatingin pala sa kanya. "That's according to Dr. Seuss."
"Para sabihin ko sayo, Ate Erin." Olivia emphasized ate kaya napangiti at napailing ito. "I'm not inlove. Ayoko munang ma-inlove." Nakita nitong sumeryoso sya kaya nagtatanong ang mga tingin nito. "Funny though. I kept having this dream since I was a child." Iniba na lang nya ang usapan. Ayaw nyang masira ni Domino ang mood nya. "I was flying on a big Taro leaf. Everything was magical. The huge mystic moon, the twinkling stars, the vast oceans and hundreds...no...thousands of fireflies." She sounded silly but Erin was listening raptly. "Minsan gusto kong matulog nang matulog hoping to dream about it over and over."
"Malay mo, totoo lahat ng panaginip mo," seryosong sabi nito. "Who knows, you'll fly again."
Idinaan na lamang ni Olivia sa tawa dahil dumagundong ang puso nya sa pagkakatitig nito. "Sinakyan mo rin ang kabaliwan ko, Ate."
"Here," inabot nito sa kanya ang isang earphone, "Music will help you sleep."
Tumitig muna si Olivia sa earphone saka sa mukha nito. "O-Okay." Inilagay nya sa kaliwang teynga. Sumandal sya habang pinagmamasdan ang mga nadadaanang puno, palayan at bundok.
Unti- unti syang nagrelax nang marinig ang musika. "I hear her voice in the mornin' hour, she calls me. The radio reminded me of my home far away. Drivin down the road, I get a feelin'. That should've been home yesterday, yesterday."
Olivia fell asleep thinking that Erin liked old songs. She must have started dreaming for she saw rainbow on Erin's eyes.