Keep Me in Check

Chapter Eight

M I L L E R

“Thanks for your time, Mr. De Leon.”

Nauna na akong lumabas. It looks like Ma’am wouldn't allow us to take the subject without us collaborating together. She seems serious.

Napabuntong-hininga ako paglabas ng dean’s office. Why do I feel like nothing has been going my way since that incident? I know that I've been unfortunate pero bakit ngayon pa? I have been careful to not ruin my schedule and routine dahil alam ko na mahihirapan ako sa sandali na may sumingit na bago. When I decided to return to school I promised myself not to stray away from the path I’ve prepared. Medyo strict but it is the only way for me to be back on track as soon as possible.

“Better keep moving.” I sighed.

“You're right, you better keep moving,” sabad ng lalaking kalalabas lang ng dean’s office – si Axel Wesley.

Lumingon ako saglit sa kanya at nakita ang nakangiti niyang labi. He is showing a mischievous smile. Combined with his gorgeous face, his smile becomes too charming enough for even a man like me to acknowledge it.

“So, we'll be partners from now on?” sabi niya as he stretched his arms to me, offering me a handshake.

Akala niya ba na being partners with hime is something to celebrate about?

It doesn't matter if he’s smart and can do the work fast, as long as he carries attention, things won't work out. I'm sure na hahabulin siya ng tingin kapag magkasama kami sa library or cafe. 

“Don't be too excited,” I replied then left his hand hanging. Umalis na ako at lumabas na ng CAS faculty. He just makes me feel uncomfortable and troubled.

Paalis na ako ng faculty nang biglang nag-vibrate ang cellphone ko sa bulsa.

Sara is calling …

A familiar four-letter name appeared on the screen. 

Hindi alam ng mga professor sa loob ng faculty ang anuman na nagbabadya na posibleng magandang balita. Kaya alam ko na hindi na kailangan itong nararamdaman ko. But I can't help but to get conscious about it and look around before checking if someone saw my phone screen.

After having a quick panic, I walked out the faculty with wider strides. Hinahabol ko ang pag-ring ng cellphone at baka huminto pa ito.

“Thank you, ma’am,” mabilis kong bati sa professor na malapit sa pinto ang cubicle. Of course, she ignored me and I had to continue leaving the room.

Paglabas ko ay agad kong pinindot ang berdeng icon sa screen.

“Hey, Sara. It's been a long time,” I answered in a welcoming tone of voice. Tanging sa isang customer ko lang ginagamit ang ganitong tono ng boses kaya nagtago na muna ako sa bahagi ng hallway na wala masyadong tao.

“Hello there, Miller. Indeed, it’s been a while I was even wondering if you have already forgotten about me,” a woman’s voice said on the other line.

Just like any independent woman that frequents our club, Sara also has her pocket oozing with money. She is an heiress to a big shopping industry in Hongkong. I heard that her father will retire soon and she’s preparing to take over the business.

“No, I should be the one to worry about being forgotten. I thought you already found someone and decided to be loyal.” I teased her a little.

“Mn. That won’t be impossible. I will soon have my father’s business and I’m sure that he will have me marry a man from a prominent family in Hongkong.”

“What’s this? Are you trying to say goodbye to me, or are you just teasing me?”

Narinig ko ang kanyang mahinang pagtawa sa kabilang linya.

Ah~ this feminine chuckle of soft voice and hint of bashfulness will always be a bonus in this job.

“You could say it’s the latter. I won’t say goodbye to your host club yet. It’s one of a kind in this country. This is only to inform you that I will soon be taken.”

She actually doesn't have to mention that to me.

“So… is there any other reason aside from that?” tanong ko ulit.

I am sure na may iba pa siyang kailangan, at alam na alam ko kung ano ito. It’s forbidden for us to contact our customers outside the club. It is always Dan and the manager who answers the calls. So, calling me personally could only mean one thing.

“Ooh, Miller. I know that you know what I want,” tumawa ulit siya ng mahina na para bang nabasa niya ang nasa isip ko, “I am in the country right now. I’ve been working in the office nonstop for almost two months and I feel dry and lonely down there… ahn, so…” Nagsimula nang magbago ang ihip ng hangin, at hindi rin nagtagal ay sinabi na rin niya sa wakas ang mga kataga na kanina ko pa hinihintay na marinig. “I want to do it. Name the price, I’ll give you any amount. I am just a little bit itchy between my legs and I can’t wait to have a guy to help me.”

Bingo! Finally. Makakabawi na rin ako ngayong linggo.

“Sure,” I replied in the coolest manner I can be at this moment, “You got me. Kailan ba?”

Nagagalak lang ako na malaman na makakaligtas na naman ako sa gulo sa linggo na ito.

“Tonight.” Of course, it’s tonight. Hindi na nga siya makapaghintay sabi niya, ‘di ba?

“Okay, got it. Text me the address. I will be there 10 minutes before the scheduled time.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that.” Tanggi ni Sara, “I don’t have much time myself either. I will have to attend a meeting in a hotel the next day near the red light district so I will have to be up early and find a hotel close to that district. But my father has been tailing me. He wanted to make sure that I don’t play around too much to not tarnish my reputation before the engagement. You know the stuff old fashion people do before marrying their child off to people they don’t even know – a background check. My father is quite wary about that so he put bugs in every hotel in the city. So, once I check in, the staff will report to my father and tell him what I did to the hotel, who I was with, who they are, and what they do and more annoying things…  I don’t want that.”

Ah. She’s as talkative as ever.

“Then, where should we go then?”

“You live alone, right?”

“Yes.”

“Great. So, let’s do it at your place.”

“M-My place?”

Oh shoot. I know it’s a small space, yet it’s still pretty decent. Kaya lang hindi ako nakapag-linis ng maayos ngayong linggo. I’ve been tossing my clothes around the whole week because I was busy with the thing about Axel Wesley while dealing with my quota.

“Why, it isn’t available?”

“N-No. It’s available. My home is always available for you, Sara.”

“Ooh! That sounds great. See you later then.” Hindi pa man ako nakasagot ay kaagad na niyang pinatay ang tawag.

Mukhang kailangan ko ata na umuwi ng maaga ngayon at maglinis.

* * *

“Thank you for your patronage, madam!” masigla naming bati sa papaalis na kustomer ngayong gabi. Kasama ko na naghatid sa kanya sa pinto si Kian. That woman is his regular, nasa lamesa lang nila ako ngayon dahil naglalaro sila ng Uno cards.

“Dan, ilan na lang ba ang naiwan na mga kustomer?” tanong ko sa receptionist namin.

“Hm, ‘yang anim na lang diyan sa loob. Pero alas diyes pa naman, madadagdagan pa ‘yan,” tugon niya habang kinakalikot ang telepono sa lamesa. May tatawagan ata siya.

“Eh, may dumating na ba na host para pumalit sa akin?”

“Oo. Kararating lang at nagbibihis na. Teka, ikaw ba ang nag-request kay boss ng part timer?” sabi niya, saglit na huminto sa ginagawa niya si Dan at ibinaba ang telepono.

“I also have to rest, so I'm leaving early tonight.”

“Woah, talaga? Ang rare naman ata ng salitang rest para sa’yo, Mill.”

Tumawa ako ng mahina at medyo awkward habang nagkakamot ng batok. “He.He. Sa totoo lang uuwi talaga ako ng maaga para maglinis ng bahay. Ilang araw na kasi akong hindi nakakapag-linis,” pag-amin ko sa kanya. Uh, but not the whole truth.

Totoo na uuwi ako ng maaga para maglinis ng bahay, pero hindi lang naman paglilinis ng bahay ang kaisa-isa kong sadya sa maagang kong out.

“Ah, oo nga. Nabanggit mo sa akin na gipit ka na naman ngayong linggo kaya sinisipagan mo. Uhm, sigurado ka ba na uuwi ka ng maaga?” Dan asked, a little doubtful of my sudden early out despite the hectic due date. “Ah! May nakita ka bang sideline kanina na malaki ang kita? Nakabawi ka na ba sa hulugan mo?”

Woah. Woah. Woah. Muntik na niyang matumpak ang rason ko.

Yes, I have found a sideline that pays big enough to cover my payments this week. Kaso, it’s the extra service not just a regular sideline.

“Somewhat like that,” I answered in a simple and safest manner.

“Mabuti naman. Deserve mo talaga ang maaga na pag-uwi.”

Sa huli ay umuwi na rin ako. Hinintay ko lang saglit na matapos sa pagbibihis ang part timer namin bago nag-log out at umuwi.

As soon as I arrived, I immediately folded the laundry that has been hanging in my small sofa. Inayos ko na rin ang mga nakakalat na libro at mga plastik wrapper ng mga pagkain na pinapapak ko sa tuwing umuuwi ako bago pumunta ng host club. Nagwalis, at nagligpit rin ako ng kama. We will do it in my bed so I have to change the sheet with some decent one I have. Nagluto na rin ako ng konting merienda para ihanda sakali na gutumin si Sara sa kalagitnaan ng himala. At bilang huling parte ng paghahanda ay pumasok na ako ng banyo para maligo. I have to be fresh when my customer arrives. Nakahanda na rin ang isang kahon ng cond*m na binili ko kanina pauwi.

All is ready, ako na lang ang hindi. Kasusuot ko pa lang ng tuwalya ko nang mapansin ko ang pulang ilaw sa itaas ng screen ng cellphone ko.

It’s a notification.

“I’m almost there.” Binasa ko ang preview ng text na nasa notification screen ng cellphone ko. Noong una ay nakaramdam pa ako ng pagkakampante, but then I noticed the time indicated beside the message.

5 mins ago.

“Oh. Shoot!” I whispered while I swiftly took my tank top.

Hindi ko pa man tuluyan na ibinababa ang damit ko ay narinig ko na ang katok sa pinto ng munti kong tahanan.

Sara is here.

Binuksan ko ang pinto. Tumambad sa akin ang babaeng may suot na office suit; a long deep cut in the bust that shows her meaty cleavage. An hourglass body that is even toned by her tight and short pencil skirt. Her heels white and high, making her long legs even sexier. To top it all, Sara has wavy hair with beautiful volume. With her seductive looks she could be a protagonist in an office themed adult video.

“Good evening, beautiful,” I greeted her.

With her naughty eyes it’s obvious that she longs for the warmth. Hindi pa man siya sumasagot ay mabilis ko nang sinunggaban ang kanyang bewang at kinarga siya ng bahagya para ipasok sa bahay ko.

“Such a cozy home, anh!” she whispered in my ears, which I followed with a fast grab on her bun sanhi para umungol siya ng mahina.

“Mn? I think it’s cozier with you here,” sabi ko tapos sunod siyang hinalikan sa labi.

At dito na magsisimula ang mahabang gabi naming dalawa ni Sara.