CHAPTER THREE
"Doc, kinain niya ang pusa namin! Magka-away kasi sila at palagi kong nakikita si Brownie na nakatingin ng masama kay Fluffy!"
Pigil-pigil ko ang matawa sa itsura ni Uncle Pitt. Tila hindi niya alam kung maawa ba siya o matatawa rin. It was just an ordinary day here in UNCLE PITT'S PAW CLINIC. Isa siyang vet, dedicated sa pag-sagip ng mga hayop. I shared the same dedication and passion regarding animals welfare kaya palagi ko siyang tinutulungan dito sa clinic niya. Gusto ko ring maging Veterinarian katulad niya kaya iyon ang kinukuha kong korso sa college. Habang si Candice ay Business ang kinukuha.
A licked on my knuckle turned my attention to the Cat in my hands. Tinuloy ko ang pagsuklay sa makapal niyang puting balahibo habang nakikinig kay Uncle Pitt at Mrs. Norton na regular customer namin.
"Please, Doc, ibalik niyo si Fluffy sa akin! Kung kinakailangan niyong magsagawa ng operation kay Brownie gawin niyo maibalik lang ang pusa ko!"
Nakangiwi akong tumingin sa tutang nasa examination table. Malaki ang tiyan nito at halos hindi na makatayo. Wala akong ibang maramdaman kundi awa, may sakit na nga siya pinagbintangan pang kumain ng buong pusa.
Tinanggal ni Uncle Pitt ang salamin, maingat na pinatong sa tabi ng mug at ngumiti sa customer. "He was overfed. Kailangang bawasan ang binibigay na pagkain niya at painumin ng tubig. Here are the vitamins to help obliterate some substances in his stomach." Hinaplos niya ang ulo ng tuta matapos bigyan ng gamot ang amo nito.
"Hindi niya kinain si fluffy?"
Mahina akong tumawa. Nagtataka akong tinignan ng pusa sa kamay ko kaya kinindatan ko ito.
"Hindi, Mrs. Norton."
"Eh nasaan ang pusa ko?"
Just then the chimney announced someone's entering the clinic. Pumasok si Geoff, anak ni Mrs. Norton bitbit ang malaking grey na pusa.
"Nakita ko na, nasa tuktok lang ng kabinet," anunsyo niya.
"Oh, Fluffy!" Mrs. Norton beamed, pulling the huge cat in her arms.
Tumingin si Geoff sa akin saka ngumiti.
"Hi, Everiss" He showed me his pearl white teeth proudly stating his regular meeting with his Dentist. Malaking tao si Geoff malaki rin ang pangangatawan, iniiwasan siya ng mga tao dahil bukod sa bully ito ay nababalitaan din na nasa gang. Though it was a rumor, sometimes I wanted to believe it was true from the cunning glint in his eyes he always wore. "Gumaganda ka palagi," dagdag niya habang binababa ang tingin sa katawan ko. Binasa pa niya ang labi na mas lalong nagpatindig ng balahibo ko.
Tipid at alanganin akong ngumiti. He always creeps me out, minsan napapansin ko siyang dumadaan sa bahay namin nang sumisipol. Napapansin din iyon ni Nana kaya palagi niya akong pinag-iingat.
"Thanks."
Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang lumabas na silang mag-ina pero bago isara ang pintuan ay lumingon pa sa akin si Geoff.
"Balita ko naghiwalay na kayo ni Drake? Mabuti naman. See you around, Everiss!" He licked his lips once more before shutting the door close.
Lumunok ako at wala sa sariling niyakap ang sarili. That guy really creeps me out.
"Sweetness?"
Lumingon ako kay Uncle Pitt na nagtatangal ng laboratory gown. "Okay lang ba kung iwan kita dito? Nagpapasama ang Nana mo sa akin sa kabilang bayan. She saw a free tomato ad and you know she's a sucker of tomatoes."
Natatawa akong tumango. "Opo! And please wear your patience coat."
Lumapit siya sa akin at niyakap. "Baka gabihin kami, make sure to lock the door. We have keys so do not wait for us, okay?" Tumango ako at ginantihan ito ng yakap. "Be aware while we're gone."
"Yes, po."
"Alright, bye sweet cheeks. Do not entertain good-looking client."
"Uncle, alam mong hindi na ako mafa-fall sa mga gwapo."
Saglit niya akong pinakatitigan bago lumabas ng clinic. Pinanood ko siyang sumakay sa kanyang luma at may kupas na kulay orange na Toyota.
"Bye bye, Uncle!" Winagayway ko ang kamay ni Benjamin, ang pusa, hanggang sa mawala sa paningin ko si Uncle Pitt. "Okay, time to clean! Diyan ka lang muna — " I squatted in front of the huge cat. "And don't try eating Meatballs."
Lagi kong dala-dala ang goldfish ko. Meron kasi siyang separation anxiety. The last time I left her, she almost died in longing.
He meowed, rolled over the table, and showed his belly to me. Rolling my eyes, I scratched his belly until he made a satisfying meow. Spoiled.
"Okay! Let's hit it!"
Kinuha ko ang walis tambo at nagpatugtog ng Shakira.
→→→
(Van outside the clinic)
"Now what?" Gus asked eyeing outside the pet clinic with boredom. He shouldn't be here, wasting his time stalking a random girl Dashiel was into, or what he assumed was. He should be surveying Kazmus perimeter, securing the vast of his lands with his incredible and most advanced cameras. Hindi dapat makapasok ang mga kalaban sa teritoryo nila nang hindi niya nalalaman. Curse Dashiel for dragging him into his nonsense.
Pinanood ni Gus ang paglabas ng dalawang tao—mag-ina, hula niya, mula sa pet clinic. The pet clinic itself was clean looking from the outside, the flowers outside adorned the place if you do not look closely you would mistake it as a flower shop, not a pet clinic. He cringed inwardly, he wasn't a fan of animals. He prefers petting a gun and taunt breasts than petting a dog who pisses the carpet.
"Now we wait," Dashiel announced at the driver's seat. Nasa loob sila ng isang puting Van, gustong matawa ni Dashiel nang maalala ang mga batang nagsisitakbuhan sa takot nang makita ang sasakyan nila. Who wouldn't be scare though? The car was intimidating because the people inside were intimidating and handsome.
"What the fuck are we doing here by the way? And I hate—what the fuck was that smell?!"
Pigil-pigil ni Dashiel ang matawa nang makita ang mukha ni Gus. Ipit-ipit nito ang ilong habang tila masusuka ang mukha. Hindi siya sumagot at sinilip mula sa rearview mirror ang naka-upo sa backseat. Angus, a huge Russian-bearded dark man. Pang-apatan ang upuan sa likod pero nag-mukhang pang-isahan dahil sa malaking pangangatawan nito. His muscles were hard and bulging, his arms were crossed over his chest intimidatingly as his eyes closed. Mukha siyang natutulog pero alam ni Dashiel ang totoo. Subukan mong sundutin ito habang natutulog at hindi pa dumadampi ang daliri mo ay nahiwalay na ito sa katawan mo.
Angus remains unfazed as Gus rolled down the window and dramatically drags lungful of air.
"That's it! Kapag hindi mo pa sinabi ang ginagawa natin ditong punyeta ka babarilin na kita!" Gus threatened Dashiel.
Dashiel chuckled, "Chill lang, pre. Hindi mo ba alam ang kasabihan? Kapag lagi kang high-blood hindi ka magkakaanak," he bluffed and he almost laughed loudly when Gus paled. He nods towards the pet clinic. "Ginawa mo ba ang sinabi ko?"
Gus glared at him but nodded nonetheless. As much as he hated Dashiel's gut he still respected him as a brother. "Done. Bakit ba gusto mong paalisin ang Doctor diyan? Kinailangan ko pang bilhin lahat ng kamatis sa kabilang bayan at ipamigay ng libre," simangot niya. "I should have used the money for buying condoms."
Dashiel chuckled, amused at his friend's outburst. It was really fun teasing him. "Malalaman mo rin, at kapag nalaman mo na hindi ka manghihinayang sa pera mo," makahulugang sabi nito.
"Ano bang kailangan natin diyan at bakit kasama 'to?" tukoy ni Gus kay Angus.
Dashiel laughed this time, "Basta!" Hindi naman talaga niya kailangan ang dalawang ito sa gagawin niya pero gusto niyang makilala nila si Everiss.
If Kazmus wanted to drag the commoner's life into his mess, Dashiel needed their most trusted men to meet her first. Hindi naman kailangan pero pakiramdam niya dapat makilala ng mga kaibigan niya ang gustong asawahin ng Boss nila. Nagu-guilty pa rin siya na idamay si Everiss sa magulo nilang buhay, lalo at kapag hindi na siya kailangan ni Kazmus ay susunugin na niya lang ito katulad sa ibang babaeng dumaan sakanya.
Everiss was innocent, kind, and sweet, and damn, Dashiel was a sucker for someone as gentle as her. Sa magulo, madugo at brutal nilang pamumuhay, bihira ka makatagpo ng taong titignan ka ng walang pag-huhusga. Though Everiss did not know what kind of their life, Dashiel knew she would understand. Hindi niya alam, pakiramdam niya lang.
At malakas ang pakiramdam ng mga gwapo.
"Hoy! Saan na naman lumipad ang utak mong puros hangin ang laman?"
Dashiel snapped back to reality. Tumingin siya ng nagtataka kay Gus. "Ha?"
"Ang sabi ko umalis na iyong Doctor!"
"Oh," Dashiel grinned mischievously. "Angus, pakikuha ang mga nasa likod ng sasakyan." Malakas ang loob na utos niya sa malaking taong nasa backseat.
Angus opened his eyes, looked at him blankly but obliged nonetheless. Halos pumalakpak ang tainga ni Dashiel at namutla naman si Gus nang makita ang hawak-hawak ni Angus.
"Now we roll it!"
→→→
"Benjamin..."
The cat froze, turned his gaze innocently as if he wasn't trying to sneak out Meatballs from her fishbowl. Umiling ako at pinagpatuloy ang pag-wawalis habang nakikinig kay Shakira. Swaying my hips, I sweep the floor gracefully.
"Istaminamina eh eh waka-waka eh eh," I sang along but forget the lyrics so I mumbled what I know. "Istaminamina—"
"Ehem!"
"Ay, stamina!" Napatili ako sa gulat nang may biglang sumulpot na matangkad na lalaki sa harapan ko. "Pasensiya na po, hindi ko kayo napansin na pumasok!" Tinabi ko ang walis at pinatay ang music. Muli akong humarap sa lalaki, naka-taas ang isang kilay nito at naka-angat ang gilid ng labi.
"Uhm—whoa! Hamster ba 'yan?" Singhap ko nang makita ang dala niya.
The man looked suddenly irritated as he handed me the small cage. Nagtatagis sa bagang at matatalim ang tingin niya sa Hamster na nasa loob. "Yeah, Hamster." He spat disgustingly.
Inangat ko ang kulungan ka-level ng mukha ko at nginitian ang furiend sa loob. "Hello, cutie! What's your name?" Sumulyap ko sa mama.
Nanigas siya at ilang sandali pa bago nakasagot. "Ham—Hamham."
"Hamham! How cute!" I beamed, placing the Hamster's cage on the examination table carefully. "Okay, let's see," sabi ko habang binubuksan ang kulungan.
Nanatili namang nakamasid ang mama habang nilalabas ko sa kulungan ang Hamster.
"Oh! I'm the Vet's assistant slash pamangkin by the way. Umalis lang saglit ang Uncle Pitt ko para samahan si Nana pero h'wag kang mag-alala, mapapagkatiwalaan mo naman ako. I'm a Vet student. You can call me Everiss or Eve or whatever you prefer as long as it is related to my name. Pero kung gusto mo akong tawagin sa ibang pangalan, pag-usapan natin iyan pero sinasabi ko na sa'yo ayaw ko ng mga endearments. So, anong problema ng pet mo?" I looked at the customer, blinking as I saw him frozen on his spot.
"Well?"
Kumurap-kurap siya bago sumagot, "I don't know."
"Ha?"
"N-nginangatngat niya ang sapatos ko. He doesn't do that before."
"Oh!" I looked at the healthy-looking Hamster in my hands, lifted him to my eye level, and examine his teeth. I see no problem. Actually, mukhang alagang-alaga ang pet na ito.
"Anong sakit niya?"
Binaba ko ang pet at ngumiti sa customer. "Wala naman siyang sakit, thank the Lord for that." The customer grimaced and he tried to hide it from me. "I think he's just hungry. Give him enough supply of food."
"Okay. T-thanks."
Matapos niyang kunin ang alaga ay basta na itong lumabas nang walang lingon-lingon.
Benjamin jumped on the table, brushing his fur on my hands to get my attention. Hinaplos ko ang makapal na balahibo nito. "I know. That's weird."
Pinagpatuloy ko ang pagwawalis at pagkalipas ng limang minuto ay may muling pumasok na customer.
"Hello, goodmo—" Natikop ko agad ang bibig nang pumasok ang malaking tao sa clinic. His skin was deep brown, muscles taunt almost ripping his shirt, he has a long beard that fell under his neck. He was intimidating, eyes blank as he held out a Frog—yes, a frog.
"May sakit. Malubha," he said, voice were rough and grave. Tumingin siya sa hawak na palaka saka tumingin ulit sa akin.
Lumunok ako at agad ngumiti sakanya. "H-hello! My name is Everiss, the Vet's assistant!" I looked at the Frog in his hand. "Aww, dalhin mo siya dito. What happened to...uhm...anong pangalan niya?" tanong ko habang umuupo sa recliner chair ni Uncle Pitt.
The bulky man's eyes showed gentleness but it was gone almost immediately like it never happened. "Froggy."
"Froggy! What a nice name! So, may kakaiba ba sakanya?" tanong ko habang sinusuri ang palaka na halos hindi gumalaw sa kamay ng mama.
The Frog looked tensed actually. His legs were shaking and his eyes were unsettled.
Hmm...
"Tumatalon."
"Sorry, ano po ulit iyon?" binalik ko ang tingin sa malaking mama.
"Tumatalon siya," ulit niya at binitawan ang palaka na agad tumalon pababa ng lamesa. Benjamin immediately sprang to action and chase the frog.
"No, no! Benjamin, don't!" Sinundan—I mean hinabol ko ang pusa na hinahabol ang palakang nagtatalon sa Clinic ni Uncle. "Benjamin!" Binuhat ko ito bago pa niya maabutan ang palaka at dinala sa isang bakanteng pet cage. "Stay there and do not chase a customer's pet!" I reprimanded him.
He meowed guiltily, he doesn't want to be scolded. I sighed, picking up the frog and bring back to the table.
"Pasensiya na po sa pusa ko. He was just being playful and he thought Froggy was his toy." Ngumiti ako sa mama na wala man lang kibo. "Sa tingin ko wala naman pong problema kay Froggy. Normal lang po ang pagtalon niya—err, kumbaga sa ahas na gumagapang, sa isdang lumalangoy, ang palaka po ay tumatalon para maka-alis sa pwesto. Normal lang po, kasing normal ng taong naglalakad."
Tumango lang siya, dinampot ang palaka—oo dinampot at lumabas ng Clinic na parang walang nangyari.
I blinked at the closed door. Another weird customer.
Hindi ako umalis sa pagkakaupo ko sa recliner chair in Uncle, umaasang may darating ulit na customer. I indeed had a new customer after a few minutes. Nang magbukas ang pintuan ay agad akong tumayo at binati ito.
"Hello! Good morning!"
Tumingin sa akin ang panibagong lalaking customer, nanlaki ang mga mata na tila nagulat. The guy was tall and handsome, he flashed his white shining teeth that I only see in commercials. Pamilyar siya, siya si...Dashiel!
"Whoa! Destiny played well, huh. Looks who's here, Everiss!" masaya siyang lumapit at binuka pa ang mga braso na parang yayakapin ako. I stayed behind my Uncle's table.
"Dashiel! Teka—anong ginagawa mo dito? Bayad na ako ng utang ko, ah," sabi ko.
Binagsak niya ang mga braso, ngumiti ng malapad saka sinabing, "Hindi ko alam na nandito ka hehe. And yes, bayad ka na sa utang mo. Nandito lang ako para bumili ng pagkain ng alaga ng kaibigan ko." Tumingin siya sa paligid, tumango-tango pa na parang nagugustuhan niya ang mga nakikita. "So, you work here?"
"Yup! I'm the Vet's assistant. Uncle ko ang may-ari nito pero wala siya ngayon kaya ako muna ang tumatao dito."
"Pinagtatagpo talaga tayo ng tadhana!"
Ngumiwi ako, naalaa si Drake. He once told me the same line. Kilig na kilig pa ako noon iyon pala ginaya niya lang sa lyrics ng kanta.
"Ano bang alaga ng kaibigan mo?" tanong ko.
Dashiel saw Meatballs' bowl and crouched down to watch my fish swimming aimlessly around her bowl. Ngumisi siya saka lumingon sa akin. "Lion."
Napasinghap ako. "Wow! Talaga may Lion ang friend mo!?" Sa Zoo lang ako nakakakita ng Lion at noong bata pa ako iyon!
"Oo," Tumawa siya na parang may naalala. "Kasing bangis niya ang amo. Parehong matigas ang ulo, walang pinakikinggan at bayolente. Pinapatay niya lahat ng nagtatangkang lumapit sakanya."
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "Pinapatay? As in kinakain? Kung delikado pala siya dapat ilagay siya sa kulungan."
Tumawa si Dashiel. "Believe me, walang kulungan ang hindi niya kayang lusutan."
"How about a sanctuary?"
"He has a sanctuary but it wasn't enough to tame him."
Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi. Naalala ko noong eleven years old ako, dinala ako ni Uncle Pitt sa Aquarium park ng kaibigan niya. May nag-iisang dolphin sa aquarium, mailap sa mga tao at hindi kumakain. It doesn't swim too, it just stays at the corner of the pool. Hanggang isang araw may na-rescue silang sugatang dolphin sa dagat. They took it in, tend its wound, and fed it. Nang ilagay nila sa pool ng isang dolphin nagulat ang lahat nang nagsimulang lumangoy ang matamlay na dolphin noon. It circled the newcomer, they circled each other gracefully like a long-lost couple reuniting again. The lone dolphin found a purpose to live again, to swim and enjoy the freedom they have in the waters. That moment was magical, and I was enthralled. At that age, I realized love formed universally. I seek that kind of magical moment so when I met Drake I thought I was in a fairytale. How wrong I am though. Minsan pinangarap kong maging dolphin nalang.
"He needs someone to stay with him," I said softly.
Umiling si Dashiel. "It didn't work. The last time someone tried to stay, it was now buried six feet under the ground."
I ignore the chill that runs down my spine. Ang bangis nga talaga ng Lion ng friend niya.
"I mean, he needs a wife."
Dashiel froze, then suddenly he grinned from ear to ear. "Oh! That's exactly why I'm here for! He needs you!"
"Ako? Bakit ako?"
"Dahil ikaw ang a-asawahin niya."
I laughed, waving my hand in the air. Joker talaga 'to. "Hindi naman ako leon pero may kilala akong may sanctuary. We can make arrangements if you want though, I mean with your friend's approval."
Hinaplos ni Dashiel ang invisible balbas sa baba at tila may malalim na iniisip. Hindi ko alam kung guni-guni ko lang din ang kakaibang kislap sa mga mata niya at nakakapangilabot na ngisi. He looked like he was planning something wicked, for a moment I regret offering help but my heart can't say no to a Lion.
I pictured the lion as a lonely and misinterpreted animal, not all of them are wild and beast. They just needed someone to stay, anchored them, and love them. At gagawin ko ang lahat matulungan lang ang mga hayop na nag-iisa dahil naniniwala akong lahat ng nilalang, ilang pares pa ang mga paa o walang paa ay kailangan ng mag-aaruga sakanila. No one deserves to be lonely! Everyone deserves to be happy!
"Hmm, mailap ang friend ko. But with a little convincing I know he'll give in," Dashiel licked his lips mischievously. "Hey, can I get your number? Gusto kitang tawagan kaagad kapag pumayag na ang friend kong bigyan ng asawa ang alaga niya."
Agad kong binigay ang number ko. "Please call me, my heart was reaching for the lion. He needed to be saved before he went feral."
Dashiel laughed as if he knew something that I didn't. Nagsisimula nang magbago ang isip ko sa pagkakakilala ko sakanya.
"Sweet innocent heaven, he's already feral."
Kung ganoong mas lalong ipa-asawa na siya agad.
"Anyways, pabili ako ng dog treats."
"Akala ko ba lion food ang bibilhin mo?"
He chuckled. "Nah, may mga katawan pa naman doon na naka-reserve na kakainin niya." I paled and Dashiel laughed again.
I have this weird deep feeling that he wasn't talking about a normal animal body. I shook my head and charge him for the dog treats.
So much for a day in a pet clinic.