Wild Imaginations
"CONGRATULATIONS, RUTH CHRISTIE MELCHOR!"
Halos mabasag lahat ng babasagin sa loob ng bahay dahil sa tili ni Kaye. She's on the other side of the line.
"Sakit sa tainga, Kaye," reklamo ko.
"I'm just happy for you!" She giggled. "So? Masaya na sina Tita at Tito?"
I smiled weakly. Kahit hindi naman ako makikita ni Kaye ay pakiramdam ko kailangan ko paring ipilit ngumiti para makumbinsi siya.
"My mother is really happy," sagot ko. "Si Dad... Walang reaksyon. Hindi ko alam kung masaya rin ba siya para sa'kin o hindi pa enough sa kanya ang nakapasa ako sa board exam."
"Ano ka ba? Tito must have been shock and you told me once that he's not expressive, right?"
That may be a fact but I know Kaye's just saying that to make me feel better.
"Did they throw you some thanksgiving party dahil nakapasa ka?" Tanong niya.
Hindi naman kasi tulad ng mga magulang niya ang mga magulang ko. Her mother thrown a party after her first fashion show with Tita Lucina Salvaloza, Lucas' mother.
"Nagtanghalian kami sa isang restaurant tapos umuwi," sagot ko. As much as I want to deny it but I'm dripping with bitterness, right now... or maybe even jealousy.
"Let's have a little get together then?" Kaye suggested.
"Okay."
"I don't know about Lucas but we'll have a little get together whenever we're free," aniya.
Successful life is busy life.
Paano kaya kapag ako magiging successful? Magiging busy rin siguro ako!
Biglang may kumatok sa pinto. "Ruth?"
Nabigla ako sa pamilya na boses na narinig. Pinagbuksan ko agad ng pinto ang aking ama.
"Dad?"
He's different approach is new to me. I usually see him with hard eyes, firm posture and frowning face. Now, he's eyes are gentle and his expression soulful.
"You're now a certified architect. When do you want to start working for the firm?" Tanong niya.
Kumislap ang aking mga mata sa sinabi niya. I'm finally one of the architects of the firm. My only dream!
"Next week?" I said. I want to start fresh on Monday!
Biglang may inabot siya sa aking five thousand pesos.
"This serves as your reward." Matipid na ngumiti si Dad. "You may want to treat your friends."
Hindi ko mapigilang hindi ma-touch. "Thanks, Daddy."
Tumango siya at napatikhim. "Sige. I need to meet some clients kaya gagabihin kami ni Rave."
"Opo."
Shit! Sa Lunes na ako magtatrabaho! Agad kong inayos sa isang clearbook ang mga bagong disenyong nagawa ko. I can't wait to show these to our clients. From classical to modern, they can choose from it.
Kung ako ang magpapatakbo ng firm, I will not just target the middle class. My target market would be everyone.
Hindi ko mapigilang makilig kakaisip na magtatrabaho na ako. I even checked my wardrobe if I have some decent clothes.
Ngunit, napangiwi ako. Ngayon ko lang napagtantong, tama nga si Kaye. I frigging need decent clothes. I can't work to my workplace with just my signature outfit!
Dad and Kuya Rave wears polo shirt and slacks. Corporate attire, kumbaga! Mom would always wear her casual dresses. Napaka-impormal ko sigurong tingnan sa shirt at pants.
I have three polo shirts, a denim dress and lots of t-shirts.
Fuck! I only have one sandal and a lot of sneakers.
My phone buzzed. Halos mapatalon ako sa sobrang gulat.
Jairus calling...
Agad ko 'yung sinagot. Kanina ko pa hinihintay ang tawag niya para mabalitaan siya. I told him through text but I want to know his reaction.
"Congrats, Ruth," bati niya.
"Thanks to you, Jai," sabi ko.
"Should we celebrate?" Aniya. Natawa ako. Sabi ko nga, makapasa lang ako, lilibrehin ko siya.
"Sure. Kailan mo gusto?" Tanong ko.
"No. Kailan mo gusto? I can adjust with that."
"But, I can't tell when you're free. Paano kung hectic ka?"
He chuckled lightly. Even his laugh sounds gentle. "I'm the boss of my company. I can free myself from work."
Pa-fall din ang isang 'to, no?
My best friends would search for their free time to get to be with me. But, he would trade off his work just to celebrate with me.
"Okay. Tomorrow night. Would that be good?" I asked.
"Sure."
The call ended. Napatingin ulit ako sa cabinet. Maybe I could wear the denim dress!
Tumunog ulit ang phone ko. Nataranta ako dahil hindi ko na alam kung nasaan ko nailagay ang phone ko. Kinapa ko pa sa kama, sinusundan ang kung saan nanggagaling ang tunog, only to find it under the matress.
Bakit doon ko isinilid?
When I saw the name, there would always be an abrupt reaction occuring in my body. Minsan ay parang nahuhulog ang puso ko mula sa mataas na gusali. Minsan parang nag 100 meter sprint ako sa bilis ng pintig. Minsan hindi ko namamalayan na hindi na pala ako humihinga dahil sa sobrang kaba.
Minsan hindi ko na alam kung epekto lang ito nang pagkakagusto ko sa kanya o sadyang maagang sintomas na 'to ng altapresyon.
I tap the button to answer his call.
"Lucas?"
"Ruth..."
His cold yet soothing voice is like music to my ears. Lalong-lalo na na binanggit niya ang pangalan ko.
"Congrats."
"T-thanks!"
Ano ka ba Ruth? Kahit gusto mo siya, hindi ka naman nagiging ganito dati ah? Dahil ba minsan na lang kayo nagkaroon ng interaksyon kaya medyo awkward?
"Shall we celebrate tomorrow night?" Tanong niya.
Shit! Mas lalong naghurumentado ang puso. Pakiramdam ko'y nais nitong kumawala mula sa dibdib ko at kumaripas ng takbo. Nais nitong kumaripas ng takbo dahil guilty ito.
Is it really rightful to get close to Jai when Lucas doesn't really approve of it?
Ruth, you're well aware of how Lucas feel for Jai! Hayaan mo na lang sila. Baka nasa isip ni Luke ay ikaw ang balakid sa kanilang dalawa ni Jai.
Napasapol ako ng noo. Wild imagination, Ruth!
"Ruth, are you still there?"
Napasinghap ako. "Hmm? Yah. Of course! Yes!"
"So... about tomorrow night?"
Napakagat-labi ako. Kanina pa ako paikot-ikot dahil sa kabalisaan. "Kasi... Luke, kasama ko si Jai bukas ng gabi..."
"Jairus?" I heard him hiss. Mariin kong ipinikit ang akin mga mata. Sabi ko na nga bang magseselos eh!
"Jairus is not a good influence. Believe me!" Nagsimula naman siyang mangaral.
"He is a good influence." Kailangan kong depensahan si Jai dahil nakita ko kung gaano siya kabait.
"Nalasing ka dahil sa kanya!" Lucas spat as if that is the strongest evidence he has. "You don't know how many flings he has. You don't know how many girls he has bed. I bet it's one of his move to lure you to satisfy his satisfaction."
"I passed because he patiently tutored me!" I told me. I can't take it anymore. Hindi ako maniniwala hangga't hindi ko mapapatunayan. I can't judge people without seeing it firsthand!
He paused before speaking again. "Tutored? Why didn't you told me?"
"You never asked," I muttered like a kid.
We may be kilometers apart by I can sense his deep vexation. Narinig ko ang mabigat niyang hininga sa kabilang linya.
"I can tutor you, too, you know..."
It was barely audible but I think that's what I've heard.
"I don't think I can find another time for us to be together, Ruth." Bumalik ang pagkalamig-lamig na tono ng kanyang pananalita.
"But, I'll be with Jai."
Nauna si Jai na magset ng date. I can't just ditch the poor guy after everything he did for me.
"You want us to be together, right? Now that I'm asking you for your time, you'll refuse," he said.
Ramdam ko at nanunuot hanggang sa buto ko ang iritasyon niya.
Tama naman kasi siya eh. Na-guilty ako tuloy.
He will do everything for me to stay away from Jai. Malamang! Mechanism na siguro niyang maging territorial sa taong gusto niya.
I mean... his brother is territorial when it comes to Kaye. Marahil ganoon din siya!
Isa pa. Guilt washed over me when he mentioned that. Ako ang nagrereklamo na lumalayo na kami sa isa't isa. Now that they're trying to get in touch and reach out to me, ako naman ang tumatanggi.
"We'll have dinner tomorrow night with Jairus. Is that okay?" That's the better thing to do. "Of course, I have to tell Kaye about this."
"Fine."
The call ended abrubtly. Napabuntong-hininga ako.
Bakit agaran ang pagsagot niya ng 'Fine'?
Dahil ba alam niyang wala na akong natitirang choice? O dahil alam niyang magkikita sila ni Jai?
I literally slapped myself.
You're having wild imaginations, Ruth!
Wild imaginations that's not impossible to happen.
🏙
So far, how is it?
Hope you enjoy reading!