Slow Dancing

Chapter 2

“WHY IS PICASSO MESSING WITH ME?” ani Iya habang tinititigan nila ang mukha ng isang batang babae sa mga hugis at pormang hindi nila mawari. “I mean, the other painting of the dog is better than this.” 

“Picasso and his cubism,” sagot na lang ni Ari. Nalibot na nila ang buong museum at wala nang ibang mapuntahan dahil sarado ang ilang parte ng lugar. “What did you like best? Ang dati niyang style o itong cubism?” tanong niya.

“Personally, when I look at it, it’s like a child’s painting. And you just slap his name on it. So...” sagot nito.

“True enough. Same sentiments. But I like the monochromatic scheme.” 

They ended up buying postcards at the store under the building. “Oh, lookie, lookie,” aniya at iwinagayway ang nagustuhang postcard. A woman lying on a bed while someone is eating her and a pussycat at their side watching them. After buying as much as they can, kidding, Iya paid for it, they left the place. 

Napag-usapan nila na i-meet ang best friend niya na si Alejandra or Ale for short. Kasama nila itong magdi-dinner. Nasabi niya na sa kasama na isa ring lipstick lesbian si Ale. Matagal na niyang kaibigan si Ale, simula pa lang nang bagong salta siya rito sa Espanya. Ang personal agenda niya ngayon ay maging matchmaker ng dalawa. Who knows, chemistry won’t lie. Kung hindi naman, ayos lang. 

Naglakad-lakad muna sila habang bumababa ang araw at unti-unting sinisindihan ang mga ilaw sa daanan. Lahat ng makita nilang makipot na eskinita, o mga establisyimiyentong niluma ng panahon at pinaganda ng modernong mga kasangkapan at palamuti ay pinasok nila. They’re having a grand time right now. Walking aimlessly has never been this fun and enriching to the soul. She feels that way because that’s what Iya is bringing to the table. Meaningful conversations and hearty laughters, banters and sarcastic one-liners, cheap gelato and more streets to discover with this girl is kinda life changing. 

Amari’s not overreacting. Good neighborhood and company does wonders to a soul. And this is it. This is one of them. This doesn’t happen every goddamn day. 

“Day three ko na and we can’t still find a tote bag with Barcelona imprinted on it,” hinaing ni Iya. “Gusto ko talaga no’n.”

“We’ll find one. Iyong mura lang,” sabi niya. Nagsama silang parehas na kuripot. 

“Question. Saan tayo kakain? Hmm, anong cuisine?” tanong nito. 

“I’m craving for nachos. How about you?” aniya at sinubukang maghanap sa phone ng malapit na restaurant na meron niyon. “Right. Gusto ko rin. Out na ba ni Alejandra?” tanong nito.

“Well, we still have an hour to kill. We can leave and go to a mall na overlooking sa dagat,” suhestiyon niya. 

Instead of doing that, they went directly to the beach and laid on the sand. May mga dumadaang nag-aalok ng mojito at ibang inumin. Meron ding braid service at mga nagtitinda ng beach towels. Naupo lang sila roon at nagkwentuhan, nagpalipas ng oras hanggang sa pwede na silang i-meet ni Ale na palabas pa lang ng trabaho nito. 

They agreed to meet at Rosa Negra near Ale’s workplace. Pagdating nila roon, hindi muna agad sila pumasok at hinintay na asikasuhin sila at dalhin sa isang mesa. Saka lang sumunod ang balingkinitang si Ale sa suot nitong work attire—blue fitting slacks showing her popping hips, ruffled white blouse, and heels. She wanted to say “I dig this look. Yas, giiirl.” But she sat there quietly and hoped Iya would like what she’s seeing. Well, Ari saw a smile, however short it was. Or she’s reading too much into it. For all she know, nginingitian lang nito ang bagong dating para hindi ito magmukhang masungit. 

Sinalubong niya si Ale, niyakap at nakipag-beso rito. “Hips poppin’, nude lippy, very ‘hello how may I help you’ vibes. I like this Ale. Girl, you didn’t have to show off,” tukso niya. 

“Can you imagine ourselves way back with jogger pants and an oversized T-shirt?” natatawang tanong nito. 

“Transition, baby,” aniya at dinala ito sa mesa nila.

“Glow the f**k up, it is,” si Ale.

Pinakilala niya si Iya rito. “Alejandra, si Iya. Iya, si Ale,” The usual pleasantries and kiss on both cheeks. 

“So, how’s it going? Marami na ba kayong napuntahan? Na-e-enjoy mo naman ba ang Barcelona?” pagkumusta ni Ale kay Iya. 

“It’s been fun. Ari is squeezing me in her schedule. I couldn’t complain. I love it here,” ani Iya. 

Dumating na ang waitress at kinuha ang order nila. They ordered nachos with extra guacamole and frijoles, quesadillas, and assorted tacos. 

“Para beber?” 

“Anong drinks mo?” tanong niya kay Iya. “Beer. I’ll have a beer,” mabilis na sagot nito.

“Una agua, por fa,” ani Ale habang hinihintay ng waitress ang order nila.

“With lemon?” tanong niya ulit kay Iya. Tumango ito. 

Siya naman ay tumingin kay Ale. “b***h, what is agua? I don’t know you,” Sabay tingala sa nakangiting waitress. “Una cerveza, un vaso con hielo y limón, y un tinto de verano.” Inulit nito ang order nila at nang kumpirmahin nilang tama ay saka ito umalis.

“How was work?” ani Iya kay Ale.

“Bitchin’,” sagot ni Ale. “Nah, I’m kidding. Okay lang. Nakaupo lang naman ako. I had to dress pretty because you see this face the moment you step inside our building.”

“What is it you actually do?”

“Oh, I’m a concierge,” Tinapunan siya nito ng tingin. “Wala kang booking?” 

“Ano ‘yon? Nakakakain ba ‘yon?” aniya.

“Hindi ‘ba?” si Iya.

“Nakakakain pa nga,” si Ale.

“Alam ba niya?” ani Iya na ang tinutukoy ay ang bagong dating. Pero hindi niya alam kung ano ang gusto nitong itanong. 

“Kung ano man ‘yan, malamang oo ang sagot,” Si Ale na ang tumugon. “Ako lang naman ang kaibigan niyan dito. Walang ibang matakbuhan. Sa totoo lang, tatlo talaga kami kaso ‘yong isa naming kaibigan ay cabin crew at naka-destino sa Brussels. Nagpapayaman. Kami rito, mayaman lang.” 

“Tangina, nagbuhat na naman ng buong sala set,” aniya. “But yes, mayaman lang. Tipong buma-bakasyon sa Pinas once a year,” sakay niya sa trip ng kaibigan.

Tinuro ni Iya ang sarili at sinabing, “Sa tingin niyo magpapatalo ako? May dugong Pilipino ‘to.”

They both agreed. “Filipinos be like.” si Ale.

“Diplomat ‘yan, eh,” gagad niya.

“Ay, wow,” si Ale.

“Mga Pilipino talaga, inunahan na ako,” ani Iya. “Naputol na ‘yong train of thoughts ko.”

“Nag-‘wow’ lang ako pero hindi ko alam kung ano ang ginagawa ng isang diplomat.” sabi naman ni Ale.

    “Well, it helps a person explore different cultures while living and working overseas. We create and repair relationships between nations. Nakikipag-negotiate, bumubuo ng dialog kasama ang ibang mga international representatives.”

“Tip of the iceberg info,” puna ni Ale. “But that’s really interesting. I wonder how you create dialog with someone in top position or even the president of Ghana, for example.”

Tumawa si Iya  na parang nahihiya. “Like this but professionally?” anito at nagkibit-balikat, ‘di sigurado kung nasagot ng tama ang tanong. “But enough about that. I’m here for a vacation. ‘Gotta unwind.”

“Sure. Do you mind?” Ipinakita ni Ale ang mobile phone nito at iniharap ang camera sa kanilang tatlo. 

Nang matapos silang mag-picture ay dumating naman ang mga drinks nila. “Water therapy lang?” puna niya kay Ale. 

“Oo, ilang araw nang nananakit ang lalamunan ko. Ayoko munang uminom. Tsaka time out daw muna sabi ng atay ko,” anito.

Si Iya naman ay isinalin ang beer sa baso na may lemon at yelo.

“Ano na iyong sinabi mo kanina Iya? Kung alam na niya na ano?” tanong niya rito nang maalala ang nabinbing tanong.

“Na, you know, you’re meeting that girl na may boyfriend,” anito.

“Ugh,” agad na sabi ni Ale. “It’s one thing if they both agreed after the fact. Pero iyong patuloy niyang itinago iyon at saka lang sinabi after a few meetings, I don’t know about that.” 

“Are you saying you are okay with a setup where they could sleep with someone who is taken?” gulat na tanong ni Iya. 

Nagtinginan sila ni Ale. “Alam mo,” singit niya. “It’s weird, it’s disgusting for some, but,” Itinaas niya ang mga kamay sa ere na akala mo ay ipinapagsadiyos na lang ang mga susunod niyang sasabihin. “It’s either kink mo ‘yon or you both agreed.”

“Not the best setup there is, but believe me people do it. I don’t, but some,” ani Ale sabay tingin sa kanya. Nakamata na ang dalawa sa kanya. 

“Come on,” tungayaw niya at sumandal sa upuan. “Not fair. I didn’t know, okay? In my defense, wala akong kaide-ideya.”

“And how is it that you’re still seeing her?” agad na tanong ni Iya sabay halukipkip. Si Ale naman ay hindi malaman kung paano ipakita na sang-ayon ito sa una at kung anu-anong wagayway ng kamay ang ginagawa nito.

 “Well,” piping umpisa niya. 

“And it’s not like she’s only seeing one,” singit ni Ale at nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa narinig. It’s a friendly banter and she knows Ale skin deep and Ari doesn’t mind this kind of questioning. Naikwento na rin nya iyon kay Iya kaya napatango-tango ito at hinihintay ang magiging sagot niya.

“A wise woman once said,” aniya. “It’s to explore different cultures while living and working overseas,” aniya sabay kibit-balikat. Napabunghalit ng tawa ang mga kasama niya at ‘di maiwasang makita niya ang mga ngalangala nito.

“Of course,” si Iya na pinupunasan ang mga mata nito. Naiyak na sa sobrang tawa. “Create a relationship between nations. I like that.” 

“We’re representing our flag here. That’s it. That’s the tea. Philippines, represent,” dagdag ni Ale na hawak-hawak ang nananakit na panga.

“Duh,” sabi na lang niya.

“I still can’t process how that innocent girl I once met at a birthday party turned out to be this wild. Pretty wild, sis. I am… shocked but also, weird enough, proud. You’re out here representing,” si Iya. “Aye,” dagdag pa nito at iginewang ang balakang habang nakataas ang mga kamay.

“The dating scene right now is wild,” Ari agreed. “And toxic.” dugtong niya. Iyon ang ‘di maproseso ng utak niya. Nakakaupos minsan, madalas tamang backseat gaming. They live for the thrill. But to what extent? Hindi na rin naman siya bumabata. Ari has it twisted right now, being in a relationship. Nagulo na ang konsepto ng commitment. At ang mas bumabagabag sa kanya ay pakiramdam niya  hindi niya kayang mag-stick sa isa lang. And she couldn’t imagine it. She wants them all. 

“Can I just say, being bi and hooking up randomly is tough,” aniya.

Dumating na ang mga in-order nila.

“Bummer,” ani Ale na hinaluan ng mapang-asar nitong tono. 

“I can get caught because of it. And what do I explain first to my family? That I am bisexual and also casually f*****g someone? Maybe they will finally acknowledge my s****l orientation when they see me with another woman. I guess that’s one way to get kicked out of the family. ”

“Or,” Iya said while eating her share of nachos. “Get a tattoo. That’s easier. Less hassle pa.”

Natawa sila ni Ale. “How about doing all those three and say f**k it all?” si Ari.

“You have a tattoo?” tanong ni Iya.

“We both have,” ani Ale. “Hindi namin ipinaalam.”

“‘Di naman kami napalayas,” aniya. “Iyon nga lang ang dumi-dumi na raw ng balat namin.”

“You can still try your luck with getting caught doing the other two.” si Iya. “You know, since you’re seeing other people, why not ditch her and see someone else? Not that I’m totally okay with you sleeping around.” Hininaan nito ang boses sa huling sinabi. 

Napamaang siya rito. “Wow. Close ba tayo?” She really meant it as a joke.

Iya smiled at her as if she’s a child. “You know what I mean,” masuyong sabi nito.

“Alam ko. I guess, I still prefer to see her because she’s consistent. Unlike the others. Five working days bago mag-reply,” sagot naman niya.

“Nasa ibang bansa nga kasi ang boyfriend. Kaya anytime, pwede kayong magkita,” si Ale naman.

“Sabagay,” sabi na lang niya. “Panahon na nga siguro para ‘di ko na kitain ‘yon.” Kumain na lang siya at binusog ang sarili.