Kabanata 9
Mind Games
I went shopping for my gown in accordance with the theme.
Isinama ko si Maricel na maraming side comments sa mga gown na isinukat ko. Ang ending, wala akong napili. It was a disaster. Sana hindi ko na lang siya isinama, pero may punto naman ang kanyang mga puna.
Maricel is less harsh with her comments, paano na lang kung si Daxiel Gustav Jr. ang isinama ko?
He's busy. He's busy working his ass off for my extravagance and luxury. Baka ma-bankrupt siya ng wala sa oras.
Dumako naman kami sa mga boutiques na pambata, hinayaan kong pumili ng items si Maricel para sa kanyang mga anak. Malapit na rin naman ang pasko. Namili rin ako ng panregalo sa kanilang lahat.
We also bought decorations for the occasion.
They couldn't go home on most occasions. Madalas na salitan sila ni Jemaima sa pag-uwi. Kailangan ko nang katulong sa pag-aalaga kay Gustav, hindi ako p'wedeng maiwang mag-isa dahil mahina na ang asawa ko.
Maybe, this is the year they could celebrate both with their families.
Siguradong maninibago akong mag-isa sa selebrasyon ng pasko, hindi ko alam kung anong plano ni Daxiel. Maybe, he wasn't around at that time. Baka wala na siya sa mansyon.
Kumain kami sa isang restaurant bago tumungo sa grocery store upang mamili ng mga kailangan. Usually, Maricel can do her shopping alone. Sumama na lang din ako para maidagdag ko iyong mga gusto kong bilhin.
Ipagluluto ko si Daxiel. I haven't thanked him properly for bringing me to Batangas last time. Hindi ko rin siya napasalamatan sa pag-aalaga niya sa aking noong may sakit ako at binigay niya pa sa akin ang black card.
It was a suspicious act. Why would he be kind to me? I know he has plan all along. It's just one of his mind games.
Balak ba niyang i-expose ang gold-digging scheme ko kaya binigay niya ang black card? Well, say less.
I picked the ingredients for the dishes I'm going to make for him.
After spending time shopping in the mall, sinundo na kami ng driver. Pagod na rin ang aking mga paa sa kalahating araw na lakad sa mall. I took pics of the things we bought and sent them to Daxiel.
To: Daxiel Gustav Jr.
Money well-spent. Thanks, papa de asukal. ;*
Nag-reply naman siya ng thumbs up. Humalakhak ako.
Muli akong nagtipa ng mensahe.
To: Daxiel Gustav Jr.
Dito ka mag-dinner? I'll cook for you. ;*
I waited for his reply. Speech yata ang sinusulat niya sa tagal ng three dots.
From: Daxiel Gustav Jr.
Okay.
Napairap naman ako sa ere. I shook my head. Akala ko pa naman napakahaba nang ti-nype niya, okay lang pala. Gosh, I was expecting more. I just took a selfie of my reaction and sent it to him.
Inilapag ko ang phone ko. Nagpahinga muna ako ng ilang oras bago bumaba sa kusina upang simulan ang pagluluto kong gawin. I was tired from all the shopping we did.
***
It was a feast.
Nagluto ako ng iba't ibang dish. Mula sa pancit na paborito ko, bokchoy with garlic sauce, pakbet, paksiw hanggang sa fancy steak. Siniguro kong marami siyang pagpipilian sa vegetable, fish and meat dishes. Naunang kumain ang mga kasama namin sa bahay.
I even decorated the table with beautiful flowers and scented candles. Hinintay ko ang kanyang pagdating. To my surprise, he was accompanied with a woman and another gentleman.
Tiningnan ko naman ang phone ko, hindi ko nabasa ang texts niya na mayroon kaming mga bisita. Binilisan ko naman ang pag-aayos ng mesa at dinagdagan ang mga plato.
Nakakainis naman si Daxiel!
He was setting me up to fail. He should've called me when I didn't respond to his texts.
Oh, he actually called. I was just really busy in the kitchen.
Once I was done adding more plates, I went to the main door to greet the visitors.
Pasimple kong kinurot si Daxiel Gustav Jr. I was introduced to the man and woman, it was Mr. Tan and his daughter. May partnership yata si Daxiel sa matandang lalaki. Hindi naman ako pamilyar sa mga terminolohiyang ginagamit nila sa kompanya.
"I'm sorry for the short notice. They invited me to dinner, but you already texted me you were cooking. Instead I invited them over." He explained to me.
Ilang minutong tumingin ang kasama niyang babae sa akin.
"You have a wife?" Tumaas ang kilay ng babae.
She looked at me from head to toe. Kahit tingnan niya ako nang may panghuhusga, hindi naman ako mapapahiya sa kanya. I was presentable enough for the dinner. I was rarely not prepared, only during times I wasn't feeling well.
Right now, my spirits were high.
"Actually, I'm his father's wife. I just recently met Daxiel," I smiled at her.
I guided them toward the dining area. Nauuna kaming dalawa ng babae samantalang busy naman ang dalawang lalaki sa pag-uusap sa likuran namin.
"So, after his father's death, you're onto your next target?" Her tone was taunting me.
She was smiling mockingly. Nanatili akong nakangiti.
Sanay na sanay na ako sa ganoong klase ng tao. Honestly... they were right.
"Yes, next target agad para umariba. Right? You think you have a chance, huh? I'm sure, next time you'll be here, kasal na ako sa kanya." I sighed dreamily.
"He's an educated man, he wouldn't be swayed by a woman like you."
"Oh, dear. His father is an educated man as well, it didn't stop him from marrying someone like me." Kinindatan ko siya.
Isang tingin pa lang sa babae, ramdam ko na agad ang kanyang pagtingin kay Daxiel. She was into him. Tumitibok iyong pagkababae... este, 'yong puso niya para sa lalaki. I couldn't blame her, the man's good-looking with biceps and a body of a god.
Iba't ibang paraan ang atake ko sa mga kagaya niya. It depends on my mood. Minsan umaarte akong parang isang api, may mga pagkakataong pinapantayan ko lang ang kanilang energy. They hate it more.
They call me gold-digger. It's the truth, I give them that. I own it and they can never use it against me.
"Shall we eat?" I asked them.
Naglabas ako ng mamahaling wine na kasingtanda ng una kong asawa, charot. I served the dishes, still warm. It was a good thing I cooked so many, the visitors could have choices.
"Oh, thank you, Gustav! You're so sweet!" She even looked at me as she was saying those words.
Pasimple naman akong natawa lalo nang masilayan ko ang ekspresyon ng mukha ni Daxiel. He hates being called in his second name.
"Daxiel," pag-uulit niya.
I was giggling.
The dinner turned out quite entertaining. Patuloy ang pag-uusap nila tungkol sa kompanya, ganoon din ang flirting attempts ng heredera. It was horrible. Hindi man ako maka-relate sa usapan nila, may free entertainment naman ako.
She could flirt with him on my face, what could it even do? Eh, madalas kong kasama si Daxiel. Hanggang dinner time lang siya, habang kaya ko iyong gawin 24/7. Anong laban niya sa akin?
I was complimented with the meal by Mr. Tan. Hindi na ako pinansin ng anak niyang babae hanggang makaalis sila. Iniligpit ko naman ang mga pinagkainan namin at tinawag si Daxiel upang siya naman ang maghugas ng utensils.
"What?"
Inginuso ko ang dishes sa harap niya.
"What am I going to do with that?"
"Huhugasan n'yo po, mahal na senyor." I answered him sarcastically. "Tulog na sina Maricel, wala ka namang awa kung gigisingin mo pa sila para pahugasan mo ang mga pinagkainan natin."
"Why don't you do that, then?" Pinagtaasan niya ako ng kilay.
I crossed my arms around my chest. "I cooked our food, you have to wash."
Mukha siyang naguguluhan sa harap niya. Itinuro ko naman ang dapat niyang gawin. Madali siyang natuto, pinagmasdan ko na lang ang bawat galaw niya.
Bumuntong hininga siya. "The girl was complaining earlier,"
"Well, akala yata niya aatrasan ko ang pagiging maldita niya." I shook my head. "Mas maldita ako, Daxiel."
Nakita ko naman ang ngisi niya sa labi. Siya lang yata ang naatasang maghugas ng mga plato na pangisi - ngisi pa. Pinanood ko naman siya. Idinetalye ko naman sa kanya ang araw ko kahit hindi siya nagtanong. He knew that, actually.
"We went to the mall earlier to fit some gowns for the party. Wala naman akong nagustuhan. Namili na lang kami nina Maricel ng mga kailangan sa bahay at dekorasyon. I also bought gifts for them this coming Christmas," pagkukuwento ko habang naghuhugas siya ng mga plato.
"I know. You sent photos and I received notifications of your purchases."
Naningkit naman ang aking mata. Yeah, I forgot. My purchases were monitored.
"So, you were notified I purchased some vibrators and dildos?" Tumaas ang kilay ko.
I need the new ones to satisfy myself.
Sunod - sunod naman ang kanyang pag-ubo. Marahan ko namang hinaplos ang kanyang likod. "Dear, don't you have experience yet? Gusto mo bang ibili rin kita ng sex toy?"
"Millaray..." There was warning on his tone.
I laughed.
"Ang cute mo naman, Daxiel," pang-aasar ko lalo.
Sex was a casual talk to me. Wala namang masamang pag-usapan ang bagay na iyon. It was a natural part of life. Parte siya ng reproduksyon ng henerasyon.
Pati pangalan ng maseselang parte, hindi mabanggit - banggit. At mas malaswa raw kapag tinagalog. Puki, puday, pukelya is vagina. Titi is penis. Walang mali sa lengguwahe, baka sa utak pa meron.
Nagiging malaswa lang ang isang bagay kung binibigyan ng malisya.
He finished washing the dishes. "What's your plan on Christmas?"
"I don't know yet. Pauwiin natin sina Maricel, ha. Hindi kasi sila makauwi dati ng sabay. Let's give them a good break for the holidays." I told him.
"Is it okay with you being alone in those seasons? My father's dead. It's your first time celebrating Christmas without him." Kumuha siya ng dalawang tasa sa cupboard, nagtimpla siya ng kape at tea naman para sa akin.
"Ayos lang 'no, hindi naman ako ang bida sa pasko... Bida - bida lang." Ngumiti ako at nagpasalamat sa tasa ng tsaa. "How about you?"
"I'll probably stay with you," seryoso niyang sagot.
My eyes widened. "Trivia lang, Daxiel. Malibog ako tuwing holidays..."
Mabilis niyang tinapos ang iniinom na kape.
"I don't need to know that, Millaray." He shook his head. "Good night."
***
Nagising akong mayroon daw designer na naghihintay sa akin sa ibaba. Ipinadala sila ni Daxiel Gustav Jr. dahil nabanggit kong wala akong napili sa mga gown sa mall. Oh my gosh!
I was so excited to meet the designer. I showered and changed into a full bodysuit. Mabilis akong tumungo sa sala upang i-meet ang fashion designer.
"Sexy, mamacita!" matinis nitong bati. Bumeso siya sa magkabila kong pisngi. "Gorjas, gorjas, girl! What's your secret? How do you maintain your shape? Mario Debora at your service."
Hindi na niya kailangang magpakilala. I knew him. Ilang Miss Universe candidates na rin ang kanyang dinamitan sa evening gown competion.
"Olga Millaray..." Inabot ko ang kanyang kamay. "I dance. That's what I do as exercise."
Madalas exercise, minsan naman upang akitin si Daxiel Gustav Jr. Charot.
"Millaray, Millaray. Golden, right? Golden flower. Kitang - kita sa shape mo, mamacita. You look gorjaaaas! What kind of gown would you like for the event?"
Inanyayahan ko naman siyang umupo. We were down to business immediately. I described what kind of gown I like to wear for the event. It's only needing a little fabric.
Kinuha niya ang sukat ng katawan ko mula sa shoulder hanggang sa legs at iba't ibang parte ng katawan ko. Ngiting - ngiti ako hanggang matapos ang session namin. Agad kong tinawagan si Daxiel nang makaalis ang designer.
"What? I'm in a meeting." Hindi ko pinansin ang pagmamadali niya sa kabilang linya.
"You just made my day! Thank you, Daxiel!" I grinned.
"That's my way of thanking you for the dinner last night." He told me. "The food was delicious."
"Shall I make your dinner tonight, too?" Natatawa ko namang tanong. "I'll take advantage of your kindness."
"Do whatever you want, Millaray," seryoso niyang saad. "I'd love to eat whatever you make."
"P'wede ko bang ihain ang sarili ko sa mesa?"
His breathing hitched. Tumawa naman agad ako.
"Stop teasing me, woman." His tone was threatening.
"Make me."
I ended the call.
Nakangisi naman akong bumalik sa aking kuwarto. Buo na nga ang araw ko, nainis ko na naman si Daxiel Gustav Jr. Nakipaglaro muna ako kay Gustav the Third bago ako nagbihis ng swimsuit.
It's the best time I could swim. Walang asungot, hindi ako madi-distract, ibinilin ko na rin kay Maricel na tingnan niya ako kung buhay pa ako sa pool. Sumama sa akin ang furbaby namin.
Inilagay ko si Gustav the Third sa watermelon floatie niya. Ilang minuto akong nag-float bago ko naisipang lumangoy ng ilang laps. Sumisid din ako sa ilalim ng pool. I actually know how to swim, it was just leaving my body when Daxiel was around.
Kinapa - kapa ko ang gilid ng pool, umahon ako hanggang leeg. I opened my eyes.
My eyes widened facing a handsome man.
"I'll make you stop, then."
Muli naman akong lumubog sa tubig. Suddenly, I was out of breath.