Chapter 7
"Why should I think it over first?"
Pinagmasdan lang ni Max ang kanyang ama. Malapit nang matapos ang kanyang plano. Mabuti na rin dahil nitong huli ay panay na ang tawag sa kanya ni Gail at tinatanong kung kailan daw ba siya babalik ng Philadelphia.
It had been almost four months. He had Jaye hook, line, and sinker. At ngayon ay sinabi na niya sa kanyang ama ang relasyon niya sa babae at sinabi niyang seryoso na siya sa dalaga.
Hula niya ay nasabi na rito ni Jaye ang lahat kaya hindi na tulad ng inasahan niyang matinding reaksyion ang makukuha rito. Pero heto at sinasabihan niyang pag-isipan daw muna niya. Kahit kailan ay hindi ito nagbigay ng payo sa kanya sa mga personal na bagay na tulad niyon. Pero siyempre nga naman, iba kapag si Jaye na ang pinag-uusapan.
"Kakikilala mo pa lang sa kanya."
"So?"
Nagkibit ito ng balikat. "I just think you should take it slow."
"I want to marry her." Of course he had no intentions of marrying that bitch, but he wanted to see his father's reaction. At nakuha niya ang reaksiyong inaasahan niya. Natigilan ito.
"But you only met her, son."
Son? Now you're calling me son? Nasaan ka noong mga panahong kailangan ko ng tatay? The old man did not give a rat's ass about him all his life, now all of a sudden he cared about his love life? Sa paraan pa ng pagsasalita nito ay para bang isa lang itong concerened na ama.
Wala naman itong dapat ipag-alala, hindi rin naman niya talaga pakakasalan ang babae nito dahil hindi pa siya baliw. Iyon nga lang, sisiguruhin niyang pagtatawanan na ito ng lahat sakaling balikan pa nito ang babae.
He made sure everyone knew about his relationship with Jaye. At sisiguruhin niyang malalaman din ng lahat ang gagawin niyang pag-iwan dito. His father would never have her back.
Mukhang apektadong-apektado ito ngayon. Kasalanan din nito iyon. It was his karma bill for making his mother's life miserable.
"I don't care. I'm gonna marry her."
"She's not the one I see you growing old with."
Sure. 'Cause you see yourself with her. You're disgusting. I can't believe you're my father. You had an affair with a woman young enough to be your daughter at the expense of the lady who spent all her life taking care of you? I will never be able to forgive you. You're cold-blooded. Exactly like that bitch Jaye.
"And why is that?"
"I just don't think she's the type of woman who could stay home and take care of you and your family."
He was getting sick in the stomach watching his father lie to his face. Hanggang sa huli, mas pinili nitong pagtakpan ang kalokohan sa kanya. Hanggang sa huli, sarili lang nito ang iniisip nito. Sana man lang ay nagtapat na ito sa kanya, baka mas marespeto pa niya ito.
Kung totoo ang concern nito sa kanya, sasabihin na lang nito sa kanya ang katotohanan. He was his son, for God's sake! Pero mas gusto pa nitong panatiliing lihim sa kanya ang naging relasyon nito kay Jaye. He was a selfish bastard. Sariling anak, handang ipahamak. Ano bang klaseng tao ito?
He was so sickened he decided to leave. "I love her. And I will formally introduce her to you." Iyon lang at lumabas na siya sa kabahayan.
On the way back to his apartment he pictured how their formal dinner would be like. It would be fun to watch them both, feigning casualness for his sake. Not knowing he knew everything and hated them both.
"CAN I talk to her for a moment, son?"
Kinakabahan si Jaye. Tumango lang si Max at ngumiti sa kanya, saka iniwan na sila ng ama nito sa sala. Tapos na silang mag-dinner. Kailanman, hindi niya inasahan na kakabahan siya sa harap ng matanda.
Pormal na siyang ipinakilala rito ni Max bilang nobya nito. Ang sabi ng binata sa kanya ay nasabi na nito sa ama na napag-uusapan na nila ang pagpapakasal. He already proposed the night before. She said yes. At nauunawaan niya naman kung bakit nais siyang kausapin ng matanda.
Siguro ay nabibilisan ito sa mga pangyayari. At siyempre pa ay anak nito ang involved doon. Hindi iyon isang business deal, hindi iyon isang presentasyon. Gayunman, natutuwa naman siyang dama pa rin niya ang pamilyar na pagkakomportable nito sa kanya. They did not work together for years for nothing.
"S-sir?" aniya rito.
"Call me, 'Tito.'" Ngumiti ito. "So, you and my son, huh? That quite amazing."
"I know." Hindi niya mapigilang mapangiti nang maluwag. "Alam ko po na mabilis, Tito, pero m-masaya po kami ni Max."
"I can see that." Ginagap nito ang palad niya. "I just have one thing to ask of you, Jaye. And I hope you say yes to me."
"S-sure."
"I've not been with him most of his life. And I'm afraid in a lot of ways, you know him better than I do. I'm not particularly proud of the way I did my father role to him. But I love my son so much. It's just that I never was there. I wish I could undo some things in our relationship but I can't. And so I'm asking you to take care of him. Puwede bang ibawi mo ako sa anak ko?"
Magkakasunod ang ginawa niyang pagtango, bigla'y naluha sa sinseridad na nabasa niya sa mga mata nito. "I p-promise, Tito."
Dumiin ang kamay nito sa kanya. "I know you love your job so much. I've seen you through the years, Jaye. But when my son marries you, please make him your top priority. I will be your number one enemy if you don't."
Muli ay panay-panay ang naging pagtango niya. "I swear to you, Tito. I love him a lot. He's... he's... God, I don't even know how I survived without him in my life. I know it sounds corny but..."
"That's all I need to hear." Dalawang kamay na nito ang sumakop sa isang palad niya. "Welcome to the family."
"Thank you."
"Everything all right?"
Sabay pa silang napatingin kay Max. Nakakunot ang noo nito. Lumapit ito sa kanya at naupo sa armrest ng upuan niya. Sa kanyang pagkabigla ay sukat hinigit nito ang kamay niya at siniil siya ng halik sa labi. Pulang-pula siya nang tumigil ito.
"Everything's all right, Max. You take care of her."
"Oh, I certainly will, father."
Hindi niya alam kung dinaya lang siya ng kanyang pandinig pero tila ba may bahid ng sarkasmo ang pananalita nito. Napatingin siya rito. Muli na naman siya nitong siniil ng halik sa labi.
"M-Max! Ano ka ba?" Nahihiyang napatingin siya sa ama nito.
"It's all right," anang matanda. "You two take care now."
Nagpaalam na nga sila dito. Habang nasa sasakyan ay panay lang ang pagsasalita niya, inilalabas ang kanyang excitement na tapos na ang lahat ay naroon pa rin sa dibdib niya. After all, it was the very first time a boyfriend introduced her to a parent.
Napansin lang niyang tahimik lang ito nang malapit na sila sa bahay niya.
"Is there anything wrong?"
"No. Everything's perfect, baby. Everything's perfect."
Bigla na lang siyang kinabahan na hindi niya mawari, pero agad niyang pinalis iyon sa kanyang sistema. Naisip niyang naninibago lang siya sa sitwasyon. Ganoon lang iyon talaga.
Nang makarating sa kanyang apartment ay inilabas niya ang isang champagne at ihinain niya ang cake na in-order pa niya para dito.
"Ooh, a celebration, huh?"
"Yup!" She poured them champagne and sliced them cake. "Taste this. Order ko pa ito kay Mrs. Lopez. I never thought she could bake so well. Akala ko sa tsismis lang siya magaling." Bumungisngis siya at sinubuan ito.
"You even ordered a cake for this. Wow."
"Is there anything wrong?" Bahagya siyang nagtaka. Tila hindi ito natutuwa, bagkus ay parang sarkastiko ang dating ng sinabi nito sa kanya. Or was her mind getting all crazy again because of too much happiness?
"What are you talking about?" Tumawa ito at sumubo ng cake. "It's really good. Really good. Where's Maxine?"
"Na kay Shelley. Alam mo namang kapag wala ako, hindi ko maiwan si Maxine. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin siya potty trained."
"Good. We have this place all to ourselves. No pooping to interrupt our lovin'." Ngumisi ito. Iyon lang at kinuyumos na siya nito ng halik.
Halos mapugto ang kanyang paghinga. The intensity of the kiss was overwhelming. It was a very demanding kiss. And she thought it figured. Kay tagal nang parating hindi nauuwi sa inaasahan niya ang halik nila. Parating may interruption. Yes, she had been yearning to be made love to by this man.
He took off his shirt and gently took off her dress and her underwear. His hand immediately cupped her breast and his lips went to its tip. His other hand kneaded the other mound. All she could do was sigh in delight.
"You are so beautiful, Jaye..."
Hinayaan niya ang kanyang kamay na maglakbay sa dibdib nito, sa tiyan nito.
Hinagkan siya nito. "Go further down, you coward."
Bigla ang pag-iinit ng kanyang mukha. Bahagya itong tumawa. He guided her hands towards where he wanted them to be. With almost trembling hands she unzipped him and brushed her palm against him.
Isang anas ang kumawala rito. She loved that sound coming from him. She pulled down his boxers. Bigla siyang napalunok. She didn't know if she was going to admire his male beauty or get frightened seeing something she had never seen before. The feeling was surreal.
"It won't bite, baby." Dagli siyang napatingin sa mukha nito. Umaalog-alog ang balikat nito. "What's the matter?"
"N-nothing. You're... y-you're beautiful."
Nabura ang ngiti nito at agad na sinakop ang kanyang labi. Muli, para bang mapupugto ang kanyang paghinga. His fingers moved so carefully over her skin. She was almost trembling, but in a good way.
Bumaba ang mga labi nito sa kanyang leeg, matapos ay sa kanyang dibdib. And then his tongue drew a straight line from the valley of her breasts, down to the top of her bellybutton.
His hand gently urged her thighs to open up. She gasped when he lifted her leg up his shoulder. An almost terrified-very excited sound came out of her lips when she felt his breath on her skin.
Ang init niyon ay tumulay tila sa bawat himaymay ng kanyang katawan at umakyat sa kanyang gulugod. And then his tongue brushed up her very erogenous spot. She shivered. It did not take long for her to enjoy each sensation his wonderful mouth was giving her. She felt so hot, so glowing, so delicate, so beautiful.
That was when she felt all that sensation come together and build up a ball of fire inside of her. And it burst so suddenly and so powerfully that she shuddered.
"Oh, Max!"
He kissed her. She felt him brushing against her now-so-very sensitive spot. The sensation was even more awesome. Just then she heard a rather loud knocking on her door. Nagkatinginan sila ng binata.
"Ignore it," he said.
Pero nagpatuloy ang pagkatok. Narinig niya ang tinig ni Shelley. "I know you're in there, Jaye! Please open up! Now!"
"Oh, my God!"
Hindi siya magkamayaw sa pagdampot ng underwear niya. Tawa ng tawa si Max at dinampian siya ng halik sa labi. He zipped up and told her to relax. Tumakbo naman siya sa gilid upang hindi makita ni Shelley. Hindi pa rin siya magkamayaw sa pagsusuot ng salawal. Ito ang nagbukas ng pinto.
"Yes?"
"Oh. Where's Jaye?"
"She's naked at the moment and unavailable."
"Max!" tili niya. Tumawa lang ito. "Shelley, uh, give me a minute, okay?"
"No need! No need! I just dropped by because Maxine here pooped all over my house. She's sick. She has diarrhea. I will call you tomorrow. Bye!"
Magkabilang kamay niya ang naihilamos niya sa mukha. Isinara na ni Max ang pinto, hawak ang leash ni Maxine. Nakagat niya ang ibabang labi. Pagkatapos ay bigla na lang siyang napahagikgik. Lumapit siya sa nobyo at naglalambing na niyakap ito, saka dinampian ng halik sa pisngi.
"Bummer, huh?"
"Yeah. Sometimes I regret getting us Maxine. Itong lukaret na ito ang parating istorbo sa atin, eh. Tingnan mo, kapag nagsimula tayo, bigla na lang magpapakitang-gilas ang puwit niyan."
Ang lakas ng tawa niya. Parang kay sarap ilabas ng aso pero may sakit ito, kawawa naman. Dinala na lang niya ito sa likod-bahay, sa laundry area na hindi naman niya nagagamit.
Mukhang nag-aalala rin naman para dito ang binata. Tinabihan niya ito ng upo habang hinimas nito ang ulo ni Maxine na pinainom nito ng tubig.
Nakangiting bumaling ito sa kanya. "What? You look funny."
"Nothing. I just can't believe how lucky I am to have you."
"Yeah?" Tumayo ito at itinali ang leash. "Well, I'm l-lucky, too. Dalhin natin bukas sa vet itong isang ito."
Pumasok na ito sa kabahayan. Bahagyang kumunot ang kanyang noo. Sumunod lang siya rito. He put on his shirt and grabbed his keys.
"Aalis ka na?"
"Yup. It's getting late. Maaga ang meeting natin bukas, 'di ba?"
"Oh, yeah. Bummer."
"Tell you what..." Kinuha nito ang isang susi sa key ring nito at inabot sa kanya. "Here's the key to my apartment. Surprise me."
Ngumisi siya at agad nang ibinulsa iyon. Ikinawit niya ang braso sa leeg nito at mariin itong hinagkan sa labi. "Oh, I will."
"I will be waiting. Ruff!"
Oh, he looked so cute acting idiotic. Ihinatid na niya ito hanggang sa labas. She sighed, so very happy of what was happening in her life. Hindi pa naman nagpo-propose ito pero malaki ang hinala niyang malapit na iyon. Sa susunod na linggo siguro ay ipapakilala na niya ito sa kanyang ina. Maybe she could make her mother see there were still wonderful men in the world.
Oh, she couldn't wait to introduce to each other the two most important people in her life.
Before she went to bed she called Shelley to apologize. Ang bungad nito sa kanya ay: "Did I stop you from making love? I'm so sorry!"
Ang lakas ng tawa niya. Agad niya itong pinayapa. Hindi pa nagtagal ay nagkuwento na ito sa kanya. Dahil naging abala siya sa love life niya nitong huli ay hindi siya nakasama rito at kina Alexandra at Lulu na ibalik ang mga gamit ni Mrs. Filomino sa asawa nito. Ang mga ito na ang gumawa noon. Medyo natagalan ang mga ito dahil nagdalawang-isip si Lulu. Baka daw mapabarangay pa ito.
Nang makumbinse na ng mga ito ang babae ay pumayag na rin ito. Kaysa naman daw isauli ng mga kaibigan niya ang box nang hindi ito kasama, lalo na itong malalagay sa alanganin.
"And so we showed him the picture. And he just freaked out."
"He freaked out? Si Mister Filomino? Paanong nag-freak out?"
"He looked awfully devastated and left. But he talked to all of us the very next day. Alam mo kung ano ang sinabi niya? Ang sabi niya, kaya daw siya nabigla dahil hangga't maari daw, gusto sana niyang itago ang nangyari kay Mrs. Filomino noong mga huling mga araw. Apparently, Mrs. Filomino had psychological problems."
"What?"
"He said Mrs. Filomino was schizophrenic. He even showed us her medicine. Clozapine. He said Mrs. Filomino had been taking it for years. He said lately she had been sending him notes, sending herself notes---that's whenever she failed to take her medicine. Makakalimutin na rin daw kasi minsan si Mrs. Filomino noong huli. He said he's pretty sure the photo was taken in their garage."
"Naniniwala ka?"
"I don't know. Ang sabi niya puwede daw kaming pumunta sa garahe nila kung gusto namin. Pakiusap lang daw niyang huwag nang malaman ng iba ang tungkol kay Mrs. Filomino."
She sighed. Somehow it made sense. Wala man siyang nakitang indikasyon na may sakit ito sa pag-iisip, kung ganoong nakakaligtaan nitong uminom magkaminsan ng gamot, maaring totoo nga ang sinasabi ng asawa nito.
Sa huli, naisip nilang wala na silang magagawa pa sa bagay na iyon. Ang simpleng katotohanan ay nagpatiwakal ito at hindi naman pinatay. It was her choice.
"What about Lulu?"
"Hindi naman siya pinabarangay, pero nadismaya si Mister Filomino. Hindi na siya maglilinis pa doon. No choice siya kundi aminin na akala niya may alahas doon sa box kaya niya ipinuslit. Anyway, how's it going with you and Max?"
Napangiti siya. "I'm in heaven, Shelley. This is the happiest I've ever been."
"I miss my happy in love days." Bumuntong-hininga ito. "When Marcus and I were still okay, you know what I used to do? I used to go to his office and leave puzzle clues in his drawers. Kapag nahanap na niya lahat, maso-solve niya ang puzzle. Usually, ang sagot sa puzzle, kung saan ko siya hahalikan kapag nagkita kami ulit."
"You know what? I think I'm gonna do that." She grinned.