Fiery Temptations Book 1

Chapter Two: Bambirita's Offer

After three long years we've met again. Bambirita was a transex gender who happens to be a 'TNT' of Thailand. Kung paano ko siya nakilala? Ganito kasi 'yon.

Three years ago, I was strolling around in one of the finest mall in Thailand, hanggang sa may umagaw sa aking atensiyon. May tatlong Thai policemen, looks like they were beating up someone. Due to my curiosity, nilapitan ko sila. There I saw this transvestite---blue and red.

I politely asked those policemen why there were beating up this gay. They answered me that this gay stole something from a food cart at nang mahuli nila ito at hiningi ang passport ay wala itong maipapakita.

Weakly, this man, well sort of kasi mukha siyang babae pero ma-no-notice mong bakla talaga ito, he stared at me. Hindi na niya kailangang magsalita, he needs my help.

"Excuse me," untag ko sa kaniya. "But are you a filipino?" I asked him. His face brightened up, and he just like popped came kneeling down at my feet.

"K-kabayan, t-tulungan mo ako...baka papatayin ako ng mga dayuhang ito," halos bulong na lamang iyon. My heart melted and I pity this poor man, on the contrary kababayan ko pa.

I helped this poor being stood up, I talked with the three thai policemen. I need to tell them white lies, and I used my charm to make them help me.

Mabuti na lang kumagat ang mga ito. They escorted us to the Philippine Embassy. Luckily mababait naman ang mga kababayang nagtatrabaho dun. They have decided to deport this man, wait I still don't know his name.

"Ano pala ang pangalan mo?"

"Madame, ang totoo ko pong pangalan ay Roberto Manlinlang, but you can call me Bambie or Bambirita." He was smiling at me. I took a glance at him from head to foot, talagang kaawa-awa.

"Ano pala nangyari sa'yo? I mean, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Madame, nagpunta ako dito dahil sa boyfriend kong malaysiano," he paused. I think he has been through a lot, I can sense the sadness in his voice. "Nag-meet kami rito after my surgery. It was like a fairy tale dream come true, subalit nang gabing nadiskubri niyang hindi ako isang tunay na Eva, ay sinaktan niya ako at muntikang mapatay. Kinuha niya lahat ng gamit ko, including my money and passport. That's how I ended here in Thailand. Parang hayop, mas pa sa daga kung saan-saan lang."

"There...there..." Alo ko sa kaniya, trying to ease his pain. "Don't worry I'll help you get back home." I assured him.

He smiled at me, and held my hands. I can feel his sincerity when he said thank you. Dahil may Tita akong nag-ta-trabaho sa embassy ay agad na-process ang papeless ni Bambirita. Makakauwi siya ng Pililipinas in within two days.

On the day of his departure, hinatid ko siya sa international airport. He was shocked and teary eyed nang abutan ko siya ng envelope na may nilalaman na pera.

"Miss. Heleina, this is too much," he said between his sobs. "Ang dami mo ng naitulong sa akin," pumiyok ang kaniyang boses.

"No, it's nothing. It feels great helping others, and I'm happy helping you with all my heart," I smiled and gave him a hug.

That was the last time I saw Bambirita, we waved goodbye at each other.

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Narito kami ni Bambirita sa cofetria ng ospital. He invited me for a cup of coffee, maayos naman lagay ni Mommy, kaya I accpeted his invitation. It's been three years, mukhang maraming nagbago sa baklang ito. Mas gumanda siya, kung titignan ay hindi mo aakalaing isa siyang transex gender.

I blankly stared outside, it was heavily raining and the coldness of the weather is coming inside. Tamang-tama para sa kape sa isip-isip ko, then I just realized nagugutom na ako. I didn't eat pa pala.

"Miss Heleina," lumingon ako, it was Bambirita. He was carrying a tray with two cups of coffee on it. Umuusok-usok pa ito dahil sa init. Nilapag niya ang isang tasa sa aking harapan, pagkatapos ang isa naman sa harap niya. "Hintayin na lang natin ang clubhouse sandwish," nakangiti niyang sabi.

"Thank you," I answered with a smile. I took a sip, oh! That really taste good parang dinaig pa ang kape ng starbucks at hard rock cafe, siguro dahil sa gutom lang.

"I'm so happy to see you again Miss Heleina! Akalain mong magkikita din pala tayo muli!" She said full of excitement, mukhang marami siyang ikukuwento sa akin---it's written all over facial expression naman.

"Me too Bambie, so how are you? You look great." I commented. Totoo naman yun.

"Hmmm... I'm okay naman Miss Heleina nakaraos rin kahit pa ang lakas ng bagyo sa buhay ko, and if it weren't for you I should have been a dead meat in Thailand," he paused and held my helds. "I owe my life to you and I will be forever greatful hanggang sa ako'y mamatay."

That was touching, I smiled somehow it enlightens every burden I'm feeling right now. "Don't mention it Bambie, I'm happy for you. Mabuti naman at naka-move on ka sa iyong buhay," I weakly smile at pinisil-pisil ang kaniyang mga kamay.

"Miss Heleina, bakit nga pala nandito ka sa ospital?" Bigla niyang tanong, then his expression changed, siguro na-sense niya may something ako.

"My mom is here..." I paused for a while. Baka kasi hindi ko mapigilang mapiyok ang aking boses. I had enough for this day, not just enough but too much. "Nasa ICU siya, with a congenital heart disease." I heavily sigh.

"I see, so how is she?" D*mn! Kaya ayaw kong makipagkuwentuhan. This is not an easy one on one, heart to heart. Mababaw kasi luha ko, and I'm weak.

Then suddenly...

I just bursted into tears... Hindi ko na kaya. I can't get through this on my own, and I feel I need someone whom I can turn to. Someone who will understand me, someone who will listen to me...someone who will help me.

"Miss Heleina? I don't think tama ba kung tatanungin kita ng 'are you okay' kasi hindi ka okay!" He looked so sorry for me. Kahit hindi ko sasabihin I know he feels me. He sat by my side and gave me a hug! That feels much better, ang sarap lang umiyak. Everyone in the cafeteria is looking at us, f*ck them all! I don't care. "Ssshhhh... Sige i-iyak mo lang. Just let it go...let it go...let it go."Natawa akong umiiyak, tsk! Mga bakla nga talaga oo.

After that good cry, I find myself telling Bambirita all of my burdens. From Daddy's death, mga utang, our properties, my pastry house, my mother's condition and the heart transplant.

"More or less I need 1.5 million for Mommy's heart transplant Bambie,kaya lang saan ako kukuha?" I desperately said. "I only have 168 thousand? Saan ako lulugar? Saan ko ilulugar ang aking kaluluha?" Ayan umiiyak na naman ako. Wala kasi akong magawa! Wala akong silbi! Luha lang ang alam kong gawin! I hate myself!

"Miss Heleina, I have a big heart to help you. I want to help you in return sa lahat ng naitulong mo. Pero paano? Kulang din ang perang naitabi ko." I look at him and smiled. I know gusto niya akong tulungan but this is not his problem. Ayokong bigyan ng pasanin ang ibang tao.

"It's okay Bambie, you are not obligated to help me in return just because of that 'utang na loob' thing. Hindi ako ganun."

"Miss Heleina, hindi sa ganun. I want to help you with all my heart." His eyes was full of sincerity. I just hug this gayfriend of mine. I'm happy atleast nalaman kong may nagmamalasakit parin pala sa akin.

Back to the hospital hall, kasama ko parin si Bambie. He said that he'll accompany me for the meantime habang hinihintay ang result ng kanyang blood chem.

As we were walking, patungong ICU. Nagulat na lang kami dahil may tumunog na buzzer. Then came out running were nurses and doctors.

Ganun na lang ang aking pagkawindang nang makitang sa intensive care unit. Then a nurse came running, pushing a chart with a maedical facility on it, yun bang parang plantsa ang itsura na ipinapatong sa dibdib ng pasyenteng nawalang ng heartbeat. I don't know what they call that thing, but I'm sure they'll use it to revive my mother.

"Mommy!" I shouted and running. I wanted to go in pero hinarang ako ng isang nurse. Wala akong nagawa kundi umiyak! Pesteng iyak ng iyak! Bambie never left me, he was there all along.

After half an hour, thank God na-revive nila si Mommy. I waited for the doctor, with a sad face he went near me.

"I'm sorry Miss Aragon, we have no other options but to push the heart transplant. It's the only choicw and option that's left for your mother's survival."

Para akong nauupos na kandila. Wala na hilong-hilo na ako! Para akong nasa isang roler coaster ride. The doctorks gone, I don't remeber kung ano ba ang isinagot ko.

"Miss Heleina, are you alright?" I heard Bambie asking me. I stared at him blankly, I thought umalis na ito hindi pa pala.

Napayakap uli ako sa kaniya, mahigpit na mahigpit, tila ba sa kaniya ako humuhugot ng ng enerhiya. "Bambie! I don't want to lose my mother! Saan ako kukuha ng malaking halaga?" I cried desperately.

"I think I can help..." Bulong niya. I stopped crying. With a questioning look I stare at him waiting for answers. "Perhaps I can help, easy money, but if that is kung papayag ka."

"Paano? Paano Bambie? I'll do anything, I have no choice! I need to save my mother's life!"

"Miss Heleina, i-i'm... Paano ko ba sasabihin?" He paused and turned away his gaze from me.

"Bambie please! Help me!"

"Isa akong mamasang na bading sa isang first class casa blanca! I hold first class prostitutes for dirty old men, mga lalakeng hayok sa laman and they are willing to pay a high amount just to take you out!" Walang prenong sabi ni Bambie. I just stared at him, hindi ko alam ano ang i-re-react.

"That's the only way I know I can help you i-meet ang malaking halagang kailangan mo Miss Heleina. This is me, this is my way of living where easy money comes." Napakurap ako, I just can't imagine myself being getting laid with a dirty old man. Gosh! That's so... Ewan ko! "Nasa sa iyo parin yan Miss Helena, I'm not forcing you to, sabi nga ng mga alaga ko kailngang halang ang mga bituka! Kapit sa patalim but in the end makikinabangan naman nila ang pera."

"B-bambie..." I murmured out his name. Silence for a while, nakikidama rin siya. Bahala na! Isang beses lang naman! Bahala na! Bahala na!...

"I-if that's t-the only way..." Tumingin ako sa

kaniya. "Then help me..."

Itutuloy