Majesty

Kabanata 4

            When Sunday came, I was so over the moon. Parang nasa himpapawid ako dahil ang bata kong puso ay lumalayag sa saya. Why, it was the day for Sergeant Alicante and I to meet again. Hindi na kami kasi nagkita simula noong huling punta ko sa kampo dahil masyado akong naging busy nitong week sa school.

            I definitely got sadder, not to mention irritated, for the rest of week. Who wouldn’t be when all you wanted to do was to look at your favorite person… tapos ay mga ibang pagmumukha naman ang nagpapapansin sa’yo?

            As if almost hearing my thoughts, one of those faces popped right up in the middle of the road. Sa harapan ng coffee shop kung saan kami magkikita ni Hilda, pumarada ang isang SUV at iniluwa si Lawrence.

            My beaming smile faded until my whole face turned into a frown. Mama didn’t want me doing that. Said I looked like my grandmama, Papa’s mum, whom she didn’t vibe with. Pero kagaya ng malupit niyang facial expression, pareho rin siguro kami ng nararamdaman sa tuwing ginagawa iyon – ang walang hanggang iritasyon, ang pagtatanong sa tadhana kung bakit…

            Bakit nasa harapan ko ang taong ito?

            “Rana?” Lawrence, my current suitor of the month, tried evading the blistering sun by ducking under his raised arm. Nang ma-realize niya na hindi nga siya nag-iilusyon at ang babaeng sinasamba niya ay nasa kaniyang harapan, tila ba umilaw ang kaniyang mga ngipin at ngumiti. “What a coincidence! Hello!”

            And here I was, thinking I could have a day without him bugging me…

            Did I happen to mention his shenanigans at school?

            Noong Monday, pagkatapos na pagkatapos pa lang ng weekend, siya kaagad ang sumalubong sa akin sa gate na dala-dala yata ang pinakamalaking bouquet na nakita ko sa tanan ng buhay ko. It was so huge that I struggled to carry it around.

            The next days weren’t so bearable either because Lawrence was either feeding the whole school in the cause of my name or he’s calling me lovey-dovey names each chance he could get. Tuwang-tuwa naman ang mga batchmate ko dahil pati sila ay nalilibre. Even some of the professors too doted on us, thinking we’re the adorable juniors.

            Disgusting.

            “Hi!” mabilis kong bati, pinanonood si Lawrence na mag-jogging patungo sa tabi ko. “What are you doing here?”

            “Gagawa ng assignments. Ikaw?”

            “I’m waiting for Hilda. We’re going out.”

            “Si Cat kasama?” Bahagyang kumunot ang kaniyang noo. “Ahh. Girls’ day out ba?”

            Umiling ako. “Hindi. Si Lucio lang ang kasama namin.”

            When his frowns deepened, I concluded it wasn’t even half of the one I was sporting ever since he appeared. Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba sa mga bata pa kami at baby face pa si Lawrence pero sa kadahilanang iyon ay hindi niya bagay ang itsurang ipinakikita ngayon sa akin. Under the harsh white light, I could perfectly see his naturally poreless cheeks which screamed, “I haven’t worked a day in my life.”

            Though I think mine was different as it said, “You’ll work for me every day day in your life.”

            “Saan ba kayo pupunta, kung ganoon?” nakangiting tanong ni Lawrence.

            “Malling lang.”

            “Screw the assignments. Mind if I tag along?”

            “Yes.” My voice came out flat. “Yes, I do mind.”

            “Ha?” Unti-unting nawala ang buhay sa mukha ni Lawrence. “W-Why can’t-”

            Kung hindi pa siguro dumating ang kotse ni Lucio ay baka may nasabi na akong kung ano sa kaharap ko.

            Kaya kahit kabababa pa lamang ng dalawa, parang sinisilaban ng sili ang pwet ko nang magtungo kaagad sa kanilang pwesto.

            “Thank God, you’re here! Kanina pa ako rito!” Bumeso ako kaagad kay Hilda.

            “Hi, Rana!” Bumeso rin si Lucio, her boyfriend from the seniors. “Sorry, medyo natagalan kami. Hilda isn’t feeling fine.”

            Napatingin ako kaagad sa aking kaibigan na saktong napaubo naman. Noon ko pa lamang napansin na medyo namumutla nga. Sinamaan lamang niya ako ng tingin, halatang badtrip din, pero nang mapagtantong hindi ako nag-iisa ay umawang ang kaniyang bibig.

            “What’s up? Aalis daw kayo?” bati ni Lawrence sa dalawa.

            Pinandilatan ko si Hilda na pabaling-baling ang tingin sa aming dalawa.

            “Uhh, oo sana…” aniya, paubo-ubo pa rin. “Pero inaatake ako ng asthma ko ngayon e. I don’t know if I can go with Rana today.”

            “Sure, she can!” mabilis kong sabi, slight panicking. “That’s just mild allergic rhinitis. It’ll go away soon, babe. Don’t worry!”

            Don’t worry? More like, don’t panic! Mukhang seryoso nga ang hika ni Hilda ngayon na pasumpong-sumpong talaga kung minsan. At kung minamalas nga naman, nasaktuhan pang si Lawrence ang kasama ko ngayon!

            No… No… No… This couldn’t be!

            Umiling kaagad si Lucio. “Oh, I don’t know about that, Rana. Mukhang malala talaga-”

            “Hindi!” putol ko sabay lingon kay Hilda, hindi na alintana ang pagkunot-noo nina Lucio at Lawrence. “Sasama ka. Right, Hilda?” I made sure to pronounce my words very, very clearly.

            Kumunot ang noo nito sabay tingin kay Lawrence. Then she looked back at her boyfriend who went to the car to get some wipes. Sabay balik na naman kay Lawrence ang tingin, umuunat na ngayon ang mukha.

            “I will gladly accompany Rana if you can’t-”

            “Ako na ang sasama sa kaniya,” mabilis na putol ni Hilda. “Lakad naman namin ito e. It’s better if you stay… here. To study.”

            Isang malaking buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan ko.

            “Are you sure?” Bumaling sa akin si Lawrence kahit na si Hilda pa naman ang nagsasalita. “Paano na si Rana kung magkasakit ka? Sino ang mag-aalaga kay Rana?”

            I only gave Hilda a look before she started explaining our bullshit. Humihirit pa nga talaga iyong isa pero mas matayog ang mga rason ni Hilda. Though I couldn’t complain with it because it worked. Umalis din si Lawrence pagkalipas ng ilang minuto dahil may nakalimutan daw na kung anong notebook sa bahay.

            Umirap na lamang ako. Sigurado namang hindi coincidence na nagkita kami rito sa coffee shop. This was me and my girls’ favorite hangout place. Maybe he just happened to see me and thought he could hit on me again. Ganoong-ganoon ang ginagawa niya sa school e.

            I didn’t know why he’s doing all those things though. I mean, looking dumb and borderline creepy for a girl you’re supposed to be professing your undying love and interest to. Sa dami ng mga nanligaw na sa akin ay mayroon naman iyong mga disente.

            Ganoon ba talaga ang mga nagmamahal? Nagiging tanga, mayabang at walang modo?

            Well, what do I know if I haven’t done and felt it before?

            “I’m really sorry, Rana. I know you’re really looking forward to this day,” malungkot na sabi ni Hilda na sisinghot-singhot. “If only I didn’t inherit this stupid asthma, then I would gladly go with you.”

            “Ano ka ba? It’s okay. No biggie.” Ngumisi lamang ako.

            Kanina ko pa nga iniisip iyon e. Naiinis ako dahil ang tagal-tagal nila ni Lucio pero nang makita ko ang kalagayan niya, parang umilaw ang bumbilya sa gilid ng ulo ko. Though I think most of the time, it was the exact opposite of a ‘bright idea’.

            “Thanks for understanding. Well, we better get going now,” ani Lucio na panay ang bigay ng tissue sa girlfriend. “Ingat ka sa pag-uwi, Rana.”

            Napanguso si Hilda rito sabay baling ng tingin sa akin.

            “Will do. Kayo rin ha, take care!” I gave a happy wave, too happy in fact.

            Sa palagay ko ay magsasalita pa sana si Hilda. Kaso ay inatake naman siya kaagad ng walang humpay na mga ubo kaya nagmamadaling pumasok sa loob ng kotse. Halos humalakhak ako sa isip-isip ko.

            Masama na ba ako? Would I actually go to hell upon feeling ecstatic because my friend is currently sick?

            I don’t know about that. But... maybe lying would.

            Mabuti na lamang dahil hindi ako marunong magsinungaling. E uuwi naman na talaga ako. Iyon nga lang, hindi ngayon. Mamaya pa pagdating sa kampo kung saan alam kong naghihintay na sa akin si Sergeant Alicante.

            An hour after, that thought materialized as I saw myself walking towards his way.

            “Good morning! S-Sorry, natagalan.” I waved shyly.

            I didn’t know seeing him wear the casual clothes would make my knees all wobbly. Ngayon ko pa nga lang yata siya nakitang hindi suot ang uniporme. Iyong casual lang talaga. Wearing his pristine white polo shirt and dark jeans, he unfolded his arms and stood up straight, his hooded eyes making me all shy and girly.

            “Uhh, kanina ka pa ba naghihintay?” Napanguso ako, pinipigilan ang pagngiti.

            For some unknown reasons, I was drawn at his hands. It was so big and rough and calloused compared to mine, but the silver watch clasping his thick wrist was what completed the look. The shiny material acted like it was his trophy for being so elegant and manly.

            “Ayos lang, Miss Delgado. Wala naman akong masyadong ginagawa,” ani Sergeant Alicante.

            Or… should I call him that if he’s not wearing the battledress?

            “O-Oh. Okay then,” ngisi ko.

            “Aalis na ba tayo?”

            “Yes.”

            “Sige. Kukuhanin ko lang ang sasakyan.”

            “May sarili ka?” mabilis kong tanong.

            Napahinto tuloy si Sergeant Alicante sa pagpihit upang bahagya akong lingunin. “Hindi pwedeng sa iisang sasakyan tayo, Miss Delgado. Mas ligtas kapag nakikita ko ang sasakyan mo.”

            “Right.” My cheeks turned red. “I knew that. I had escorts before and they did just like that too.”

            It’s worth the try though.

            Tumango lamang si Sergeant Alicante.

            “Well, we should be going. I’m so excited for today!” mabilis kong bawi.

            Nagpaalam na lang ulit si Sergeant Alicante at pumasok na sa loob ng kampo. Naiwan tuloy akong pinagmamasdan ang kaniyang likuran. Even his backside looked so ripped. I thought I was drooling by the sight of his thick nape because his hair was always cut clean.

            “Miss Delgado?” biglaang saad ni Manong Obet na kanina pa nasa gilid ko. “Nasaan na ho si Miss Fuentes? Hindi ba ay kayong dalawa ang magkasama?”

            “She’s right here beside me.” Nakatingin pa rin ako sa likuran ni Sergeant Alicante.

            “Ho? Nasaan dito?”

            “Nasa tabi ko nga, Manong Obet,” I murmured right before turning to him with my open-mouthed smile, one that I knew scared him shitless. “She’s here with us, right? Look, she’s waving right now!”

            “Sabi ko nga ho…” Napakamot na lang sa ulo ang aking driver.

            The trip to the mall took about a couple of hours. Wala akong ibang ginawa kung hindi ang mag-retouch ng makeup kung sakaling magkakaroon kami ng stopover. Syempre ay sa tagal ng biyahe, malamang ay mukha na akong nalantang petchay. Luckily, I already knew these things at a young age which came in handy especially when your favorite person was just in a vehicle tailing behind you.

            Nang makarating kami sa mall ay ginugutom na ako. Bandang pananghalian na rin kasi. Iniisip kong kumain na nga muna kami para naman kahit papaano walang masasabi si Sergeant Alicante.

            Though when we were walking inside, I could no longer bear to keep calling him that. Sergeant Alicante. Sergeant Pogi. Sergeant Beautiful eyes or whatever. I had this strong urge to just… know what his first name could be.

            And God, I wished I didn’t.

            “Hey, sergeant! Hey, wait!” habol ko dahil ang bilis niyang maglakad.

            Mukhang sinusuri lamang pala niya ang lugar pero mabilis ding naglakad pabalik sa akin. Pagkatapos ay nagsabay na ulit kami.

            “Bakit, Miss Delgado? May problema ba?” aniya.

            “Oh, nothing. I just want to, you know, since we’re already out here in the open and not in the camp anymore…” Napanguso ako. “Know your name.”

            “Ano?” Sa pagkunot ng kaniyang noo ay para bang hindi niya ako naiintindihan.

            Lalong namula ang mga pisngi ko.

            But I must really be the daughter of Apollo Delgado because that didn’t deter me from getting what I wanted.

            “What’s your name?” tanong ko.

            Lalo namang kumunot ang kaniyang noo.

            I fluttered my eyelashes at him.

            “Mickey.”

            “What?”

            “Ang pangalan ko…”

            “Mickey?” pag-uulit ko. “Like the mouse?”

            Now, a smug smile was written on his lips. I felt my whole face burning.

            “Mikhail Alicante…” mas malinaw niyang saad.

            Namilog ang bibig ko. Medyo nalito pa ako noong una pero rumehistro rin sa aking utak. And when it did, I might have melted a bit. Mickey, Mikhail. Michael. I… liked that!

            “Nasaan na nga pala ang mga kasama mo? Hindi ba ay tatlo kayong sasamahan ko?”

            Sa sobrang pagkakatunaw ko ay noon ko pa lamang ito napansin na palinga-linga pala sa paligid. Sa gilid ko ay napaubo na lamang si Manong Obet.

            “Miss Delgado? Nasaan ang mga kasama mo?” mas mariing tanong ni Mickey.

            Suddenly, my feet felt like they were dragging a huge rock.

            “Uhh…”

            What happened to the Rana that never, ever lied in her life? Because that’s what I was feeling right now. Like I was about to lie, which was the first thing to avoid when doing so!

            Kumunot ang noo sa akin ni Mickey. Napalunok na lamang ako.

            Fine…

            Fine!

            At least I wouldn’t lie anyway.

            “They’re not here,” sabi ko. “My friend is sick. Her boyfriend is currently taking care of her. Ako lang ang sasamahan mo.”

            Nang umigting ang panga ni Mickey ay para bang umurong ang sikmura ko. Man, he looked so tough and mean whenever he’s angry. He looked like he’s about to beat the s**t out of me for… lying!

            “Bakit hindi mo sinabi kaagad?” mariin niyang tanong.

            “Because I wanted to go here.”

            “Gusto mo o may pupuntahan ka pang iba?”

            “What?”

            “Ginagamit mo lang ba ako para takasan ang Papa mo?” Nagkiskisan ang mga ngipin niya.

            “What? No!” I threw my hands up in the air.

            In the middle of our way inside the mall, our bickering definitely got the by passers’ attention. Mga patingin-tingin pa nga!

            “Kilala ko ang ugali ng mga kagaya mo, Miss Delgado. Sana pala ay hindi ko na lang sinayang ang oras ko sa’yo,” Mickey said so smoothly it went straight to my heart.

            Fine.

            Gusto niya pala ng ganiyanan, ah? Fine!

            “Hindi ako tatakas sa’yo dahil ikaw nga ang pinunta ko rito!” I stopped walking and jabbed a finger at him. “Can’t you see, Mickey? I’m here because of you!”

            Napahinto rin ito sa paglalakad ngunit natahimik naman.

            Despite my sudden anger, my smirk appeared. I knew full well that it made me look like the cunning, scheming, and all-powerful Don Apollo himself. Sabi nga nila, kung ano ang anak, siya ang bunga. So, just like my father, I just couldn’t help but to get my hands on the things that I so wanted desperately.

            “Because I like you so much, soldier…” ngisi ko.