Archanghel: Tale of the Universe

Chapter 28

I’ve been receiving endless greetings as the news of my pregnancy scattered all over town. Janus was all proud and smiley when people specially visited us to say their greetings or if neighbors would talk to us whenever we were walking on the streets. Everybody was happy for both of us. Well, except one person. Liza.

We saw her yesterday at the public tub. It was at the perfect moment when I asked Janus his whereabouts before he came back home.

“Oh, I just paid Manong Rene for the bananas I bought yesterday.” Janus smiled at me.

Liza had just arrived at the public tub and the older women had been telling her about the good news Janus and I had. I saw how her expression changed from a smiling one to a scowl. She must've realized it as she quickly schooled her face again. She nodded at the person talking and continued walking towards us.

“Hi, Cleo.” She greeted my husband, who in return nodded at her briefly and didn’t pay her any more attention. Janus focused himself on inquiring about me.

“Isn’t that heavy? Let me carry that over there.” Janus said.

Liza looked at me and I saw jealousy in her eyes. She stared at me for a little while before she smiled. And how I hate the fakeness of it all.

“Hi, Rachele. Didn’t see you there.”

I don’t have much choice but to smile at her back. I said my courtesy and went to Janus, who was arranging our laundry on one of the rocks near the water pole. I inspected his work and noted that he had separated the whites from the colored clothes.

“Cleo, I'll be moving to Manila next week. I will be studying there for four years,” Liza, who was once again behind us said. I didn’t notice that she had followed us.

“Okay,” Janus said without looking at her, “Rach, are you okay at this height? Should I adjust the rocks?” Janus said while looking at me tenderly.

“Cleo, I'm just in my first trimester. Everything is still normal,” I said.

Janus considered that for a bit and nodded his head. He then went on to look for something. He passed by Liza and the woman was shocked when Janus just brushed his shoulder on hers. Liza was bewildered by what happened and looked at Janus. She stared at his back before she backed off and stomped her foot.

That was the last encounter I had with Liza. I heard that she had left for Manila earlier and that she would not be coming back for four years. I can’t help but sigh in relief. I’m not saying this because I had something against the woman, but whenever I saw her near Janus, I just wanted to explode and rush at her to fight. I’m glad that those thoughts won’t visit me again.

“Rachele, can you come over here for a while?” Manong Rene called to me.

I was sitting on the front porch of Lola Isma’s house and was just sitting while relaxing. Manong Rene was standing in the road waving his hand at me, looking all excited. I waved my hand too and tried to get up from my seat.

“Is something wrong, Manong?” I asked.

Manong Rene met me in the bush going up to the road to assist me. He was wearing a huge smile on his face and I could really see that he was very excited about something. He must’ve seen the confusion on my face as his smile broadened before answering me.

“Well, we need you to see this. Come on.”

Manong Rene held my hand and helped me walk. We were taking the road towards the *barangay hall, the school and the covered court. We were greeted along the way and I can still hear congratulations from people as we walked by.

“Manong, where are we going? I didn’t tell Lola Isma that I would be leaving.” I tried to engage Manong Rene in a conversation.

“Oh, don’t worry. We will just be quick. Besides, your husband will be there.” Manong Rene didn’t disappoint me.

I furrowed my eyebrows when I heard Janus’ name. He had left home earlier saying that he would be playing basketball with the other boys. Maybe we will go to the court and watch their game. I don’t see what’s so special when it was just a game. But I went silent after that and just went on walking.

When we arrived at the court, there was a little commotion in there and one of the boys there noticed us and announced our arrival. They all looked at us and I was taken aback by their reaction and flushed. I saw Janus standing in the middle of the court and waving at me. He passed the ball to one of the players and ran to where I was standing.

“You’re here.” He huffed. Sweats were dripping down on his forehead. His shirt was sticking to his body.

“Manong Rene fetched me. He was looking so excited, saying that he wanted to show me something.” I answered him. Janus looked at me and went over to Manong Rene.

“I felt like this was a special moment,” Manong Rene shrugged.

“Oh, thank you, Manong,” Janus said.

I saw Janus smiling excitedly, just like how Manong was earlier. Manong Rene left us and joined the group at the side of the court. Janus and I watched him for a brief moment before he looked down at me and smiled.

“What’s happening?” I asked Janus.

“I actually managed to be on the official team. This is our game now, against the team from the next barangay. This is some sort of competition...” Janus trailed off. He went silent for a moment and then he looked at me, waiting for my reaction. I saw how his shoulder sagged in relief when he saw me smile.

“Really? I really wanted to see that!” I beamed.

Janus surprised me when he hugged me tight and lifted me off the ground. Everyone cheered when they saw me and that made me all embarrassed. Janus then slowly put me on the ground and kissed my forehead. He led me to one of the bleachers on the side of the court. He let me sit down beside the jury and bid goodbye. I whispered good luck to him and he rushed off to the court to play.

The game starts when the horn blows. I settled myself on the bench and watched the game. Janus was really improving. He was just a novice when we first came here but watching him play, I can see the huge improvement he had. Janus did really put effort into blending with the people around him. He had been betrayed before and was unconsciously putting a gap between him and the people he came to know.

He didn’t want to be betrayed again, so he was afraid to trust people. I have learnt that about him from the first day I met him. And seeing him now enjoying the game, making memories with people, and living as he should be, produced a ting of anger and sympathy within me.

Anger towards Kuriel and sympathy towards Janus. I sighed. It's all in the past now. Janus is finally living the life he was robbed of, so I think all will be well.

The woman beside me heard me sighing and thought that I was not feeling well because she looked at me with worry and asked if I was okay. I politely smiled at her and made some excuse that I was fine and was just a little tired from the walk earlier. She smiled at me and I could see that she was eyeing me from the side to make sure I was really okay.

I ignored her and focused all my attention on the game. The game ended with Janus' team's victory. The other team was shaking hands with them as they congratulated each other. After a while of pleasantries, Janus ran towards me. Drips of sweat fell down his face and he quickly removed his shirt. I have seen his body for a lot of time, but seeing him sweating and naked with a lot of people around was a sight.

“Did you enjoy the game?” He asked.

“I did you were great.” I smiled at him proudly.

Janus was grinning from ear to ear when he heard that. It was as if he had won a lottery and it mattered more than winning the game. I was also proud of him. On what he had become.

“Let’s go home? I bet Lola Isma was waiting for us.” He then suggested.

The crowd was already dispersing and the only people left were the kids who wanted to play a game too and some of the cleaners.

“Do you need a moment of rest before we walk home?” I looked at Janus when he asked me and chuckled.

“I think you need it more than me. Are you really asking me that?” I commented back.

“Right?”

Janus laughed shyly and he rubbed the back of his head. That made me laugh out, seeing how cute Janus can be.

We decided to wait for a moment so he could take a breather before we went home. And all the while, he was telling me stories about the game and the team. Of how he was practicing every day to show me that he was getting better. How he would think of me every time he threw the ball. And it all made me warm inside.