Lips That Lie

Kabanata XIII

Sweet Toast

"Can I take you out tonight?" Rashid's persistence is to the top.

Ilang araw na rin ako nitong kinukulit. Sa message, sa tawag o di kaya'y pupuntahan pa ako sa opisina. Gusto niya na palagi akong makasama dahil nalalapit na ang larong pambansa. Binilhan na rin ako nito ng entrance ticket para wala na akong maidahilan pa.

"I don't know. Where will we go?" Tanong ko sa mahinang boses habang ang aking cellphone ay nasa kaliwang tainga.

"You will find out if you say yes," Rashid answered in the other line.

Habang kausap siya sa telepono ay panay naman ang pagtipa ng aking mga daliri sa keyboard. Kailangan kong matapos ito sa araw na ito para mapasa ko na sa email ni Chairman Dela Calzeda.

Katapusan na kasi ng araw ngayon para sa buwan ng Hulyo. Monthly report na iyong ginagawa ko. Dumidilim na rin ang kalangitan sa labas at mabilis na umuusad ang mga kamay ng orasan. Hinahabol ko ang oras at minamadali na ang mga gawain para hindi ako maabutan ng over time sa trabaho. Gusto ko rin naman umuwi ng tama sa oras.

Monthly report is an essential requirement in every department to my field of work. It summarizes the whole sales of each travel agents. Number of customer leads collected all through out the month. The diagrams of each products sold in the month of July.

This is the difficult part of my job. Summarization. I really have to go thoroughly and collect precisely on the reports of each agents.

"I'll try. I am not yet done with my work." I said.

"Okay. I'll wait." He answered.

I can't do anything about his annoying belief of persistence.

Bumukas ang pintuan ng aking opisina. "Beth, I'll go ahead." Jom said.

"Okay. Take care." I replied.

Pumayag na ako sa kagustuhan ni Rashid. Dahil kaunti na lamang naman ito, sa tingin ko ay matatapos ko na naman rin ito ng sakto sa oras. Susunduin ako sa baba ng building kaya kailangan ko itong matapos ngayon.

I happened to look at Wilder's monthly report sent through email. Without a second thought, I browsed it thoroughly. He have made sales now. And his inquiries are all qualified. I guess he has a good sales talking ability.

Mayroon din naman palang napapatunguhan ang mabubulaklak niyang mga salita.

I can't help but smile while browsing his reports. Hindi ko na nga namalayan na tatlong email na pala ang nabuksan ko. Ang ganda lamang ng ayos ng reporting niya. Each table was being introduced first and he actually included some insights and explanations for those. He was proud whenever he have sales fo a day that he couldn't contain himself to include that to his assessment.

"He's really improving," I said to myself.

Normally, hindi ko binabasa ang mga reports na pumapasok sa email ko. Sa kadamihan, unang parte lamang ang binabasa ko. But then, when it comes to his, I am willing to take over time just to read his emails.

"I tried to finish it on time but I guess it can't." I explained to Rahid as soon as I hopped in to his car.

"No problem. I understand." He said.

"Sorry," I said while doing my best to act guilty.

"It's really fine," he chuckled. "Don't worry."

Pinaghintay ko pa kasi siya ng mahigit labing limang minuto dahil hindi ko na namalayan ang oras. Hindi ko napansin na sarado na ilaw sa room namin dahil mas napupukaw ang aking atensyon ng mga emails.

Alas siete y media na at nakakaramdam na ako ng gutom. Hindi kasi ako kumain kaninang tanghalian dahil nakipag-usap pa ako sa accounts patungkol sa sweldo ng mga ahente.

"Where are we going, by the way?" I asked when we passed the traffic lane.

"Have you been to Italy?" He asked while his eyes were fixed on the road.

"Not yet," naguguluhan kong sagot.

"Good," he simply replied.

Anong kinalaman ng Italy sa tanong ko?

Hindi nasagot ang tanong ko. O mas magandang sabihin na hindi niya talaga sinagot ang tanong ko. Kaya naman heto ako at iniisip ng paulit-ulit ang koneksyon ng tanong ko sa sinagot niya sa akin.

Umabot ng bente minuto ang byahe bago kami makarating sa mall. Ngayon ko lamang napagtanto na lumabas kami ng Makati at narito kami ngayon sa Taguig City kung saan matatagpuan ang McKinley mall.

Now I know what he was talking about. It all makes sense now.

Venice Grand Canal Mall is located alongside McKinley road. Venice Grand Canal is known for its design and architecture and is popularly considered as the most romantic mall in the country. The mall sports an Italian-inspired architectural design inspired by the Grand Canal in the classical city of Venice, Italy.

"You're not yet eating, am I right?" He asked as soon as opened the door at my side.

"Yeah," sagot ko. Saan naman kami kakain?

Limitado ang mga tao sa mga oras na ito. Marahil wala namang ibang okasyon kaya hindi ganoon karami ang mga tao.

"I'm craving for pizza," he said.

I was thinking the same! How did he know?

We entered the Italian-inspired restaurant near the canal to order a pizza. Mabuti na lamang at doon kami pumwesto sa labas kaya kitang-kita ang asul na tubig sa canal. Si Rashid na ang pinag-order ko ng aming kakainin.

"We're here in Italy," he announced metaphorically.

"Yeah," I said with sarcasm.

Minutes after, our order arrived. The smell of freshly baked crust and the melting cheese on top makes my saliva dripped through my mouth. The smoke from the toppings made its way through my nose and it is so soothing.

"Enjoy your meal. Ma'am, Sir." The waiter said.

"Thank you," Rashid answered.

Hindi na ako makaimik dahil nakapokus lamang ang aking tingin sa pizza. Ilang linggo ko nang hindi ito natitikman at panigurado ako na mapaparami ang kain ko nito.

Rashid gave the first slice to me and place it on my plate. The second slice was placed to his plate. He even got us a whole bottle of wine.

"Are you sure that we can consume all this wine in the bottle?" I asked. One glass is enough for me.

"If not, then I will take it home. I paid for it, anyway." Yeah, right.

I started to slice the pizza into small bite pieces with a bread knife. I took the first bite and almost choked when I saw Rashid rolling the pizza like a croissant.

"What are you doing?" I asked curiously. Shocked by what he's doing.

Is he crazy? How can a pizza be eaten that way?

"This is how I eat a pizza," he took the bite on the edge.

The excess tomato sauce dripped to his plate as he bite it. I can't help but to cringe since this is my first time seeing a man eating a pizza this way. This is very new.

"I'm sorry," I said as he saw me cringed uncomfortably.

He chuckled. "You have the same reaction when my mother saw me eating a pizza this way," he bite again.

I let him eat the pizza his on way. Kinain ko na lamang ang nasa plato ko at hindi ko alam kung kukuha ba ako ng panibaging gayat. Once in a while, I sipped the wine to erase the greasiness. Kapag ubos na ang nasa plato nito ay humahati niya ng bago at inilalatag iyon sa kanyang plato. Nilagyan pa talaga niya ng potato fries bago iyon muling irolyo.

"Is this your first time seeing an Egyptian eating a pizza this way?" He asked out of the blue.

Napatingin ako sa kanya dahil nilalaro ko na lamang ang pinyang inalis ko.

"Yes. I never thought that there are other ways on how to eat a pizza." I sipped the wine. Hmm, Carluccio's.

"Whenever I eat a pizza, I imagined it as Aish Baladi." He said.

"Aish Baladi?" It was my first time hearing those.

"It's an ancient Egyptian flat bread," he even showed me a picture of it.

"We spread hummus all over and baked chicken breats that cuts into small pieces on top. Then we roll that like an omelet before eating." He explained.

"I never tried that bread," my curiosity feeds me.

Actually, I have never been into places. Hindi ko pa nararanasang umalis ng Pilipinas para magbakasyon. O kahit ang mga lugar sa loob ng bansa ay hindi ko pa nalilibot. Tanging Maynila at bahay sa Batangas lamang ang napupuntahan ko. Ginugugol ko ang oras ko sa trabaho.

"We'll go to Egypt, so you can try it." He suddenly offered.

Napatingin ako sa kanya dahil seryoso ang kanyang sinabi. He is serious about bringing me to his hometown just to taste an ancient bread?

May bangka na dumaan sa aming harapan. Kagaya ng mga napapanood ko sa TV, sinasagwan ito ng isang tao habang ang mga turista ay nakaupo sa likuran nito. Itinuro ko iyon sa kanya para maiba ang usapan. Hindi ko rin naman alam kung ano ang dapat na sagot sa sinabi niya.

"I wanna try it," I insisted. Narito na lanng din naman ay lulubusin ko na.

"You do?" He asked.

"Yeah. It's kind of romantic." I said.

Inubos ko ang wine na natitira sa aking kopita. At totoo nga ang sinabi ni Rashid, pinabalot niya sa kahon ang bote ng wine dahil dadalhin niya ito pauwi. Binayaran niya naman ito kaya nararapat lamang na dalhin niya iyon. Marami pa naman ang tira niyon at masasayang lang kung iiwan namin dito.

Pagkatapos namin kumain ay nagpunta kami sa bangkang walang sakay para rentahan ito. Mabuti na lamang at pumayag pa si Manong dahil sa oras na ito dapat ay nagpapahinga na siya. Alas otso na ng gabi at nasisiyahan ako sa mga ilaw na pumapalibot sa tulay na madaraanan ng bangka namin.

"First time niyo po ba dito Ma'am?" Tanong sa akin ni Manong na nagmamando ng bangka.

Kahit ang bangkang sinasakyan namin ay may ilaw rin at para talaga akong nasa Venice dahil may musika pa akong naririnig.

"Opo. Ang ganda po dito." Manghang sagot ko.

Hindi ko mapigilan ang aking kamay na landasin ang tubig. Amoy chlorine ngunit hindi naman masakit sa pang-amoy. Naisipan ko tuloy magswimming kahit alam ko naman sa sarili ko na hindi ako marunong lumangoy.

"How was it?" Rashid asked.

"I almost feel that I am in Venice," I answered without looking at him. Focusing on the water.

"Did I make you happy?" He asked again.

This time, I stopped my hand and faced him. I wiped my hand with my handkerchief while looking at him. Smiling.

"Of course, you did. Thank you." I said.

He is smiling while his eyes says something different. He is happy when I'm with him, giving my time to him. But as I look into his eyes, it is always serious that I can sense that there is something he wanted to say. His thick eyebrows that compliments his brown eyes, his long and pointed nose, his natural bow-shaped lips and a well-shaved beard. Any woman will want to be with him because of his handsome features.

"Will you dump me if I tell you the truth?" His serious eyes resurfaced.

"What truth?" What is he talking about?

"Laa yumkinu lilkalimati an tasifa hubbi laka," he said in Arabic.

I didn't get it since that was long. He said it seriously but I cannot understand. How am I supposed to answer that if I didn't know the meaning?

"What?" I asked curiously.

But instead of answering me with words, he tilted his head to the side while leaning to reach my dried lips. My eyes widened and I don't know hiw to react. We passed the small bridge while classic Italian melody is still playing along the background. He didn't move, but his lips was just pressed to mine.

"Words cannot express my love for you, so I acted it." He said after parting his lips to mine.

We are still close and I am still stunned. I did not expect that to happen. I did not expect him to just kiss me without my consent.

Dumistansya ako sa kanya sa abot ng makakaya ko. Hindi ko siya kayang harapin dahil ako ang nahihiya sa ginawa niya. At ang kapabayaan ko ay hinayaan ko siya sa ginawa niya. Hindi ako naka-isip agad ng kilos para depensahan ang sarili ko.

I am not a type of woman who gives kisses like it was nothing. A kiss on the cheek is okay, but a kiss on the lips is not. It is too personal and I wanted to grant it to one person only. To the man I will spend the rest of my life with. And as of this moment, I still do not know who that man is.

"I think I wanna go home. It's getting late, though." I said without facing him.

Nang tumigil ang bangka dahil tapos na ang pagrenta namin ay tumayo ako agad. Tumulong si Manong para makababa ako sa bangka.

"Salamat, Manong. Sa uulitin po!" Sabi ko. Sa uulitin ngunit sa ibang tao na siguro.

Hinintay ko na makababa ng bangka si Rashid para makaalis na rin kami dito. Hindi naman ako pamilyar sa lugar na ito at hindi ko rin naman alam kung saan nakaparada ang sasakyan nito. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin siya matingnan ng tuwid. Ang aking mga mata ay nananatiling nakatingin sa aking sapatos habang kinakausap siya.

I have this feeling called awkwardness that have been surfaced after that unexpected kiss.

I never plan on giving him one!

"Enjoying the night, yeah?" I heard Wilder's voice.

Pagkarinig ko ng boses niya ay agad akong humarap sa direksyon na pinanggalingan nito. A sight of relief. Mabuti na lamang at dumating siya.

"Wilder, anong ginagawa mo dito?" Kyuryoso kong tanong.

Ano nga ba ang ginagawa niya dito? Sinundan niya ba ako? Paano siya nakarating sa lugar na ito?

"Hey, man. Nice to see you again." Rashid talked behind me that gave me chills.

"Would you mind if I take Bethany home? It's getting late. We still have work tomorrow." He said straightforwardly.

"I am with her. I will take her home now." Rashid grabbed my arm to lead the way going to his car but Wilder grabbed the other to stop us.

My hands were hand-gripped by two guys with different personalities. Wilder held it like a fragile vase that I can't feel any pain. While Rashid obsessively gripping hands.

"You have done your part, man. Let me have mine." Wilder gritted his teeth in anger.

"You don't have part here. Just leave." Rashid confronted.

There's a thin electric line between them that would break any minute from now. Bago pa iyon mangyari ay dapat kumilos na ako.

"Enough, you two!" I yelled. Marahas kong binawi ang magkabila kong braso. "I can go home by my own!" Giving them a glare.

Iniwan ko sila roon na hindi man lang natitininag sa pakikipagtitigan na para bang kung sino ang unang kumalas ay siyang mamamatay.

Ngunit saan nga ba ako pupunta? Hindi ako pamilyar sa lugar na ito. Hindi ko alam kung saan ba ang tamang sakayan para makasakay ako ng taxi pabalik sa Makati.

I was relieved when Wilder came. But I didn't expect them to fight in front of me with words. They didn't need to grab my hands aggressively like I am some toy owned by one of them.

"Bethany," someone called.

Hinayaan ko ang boses na iyon at binilisan pa lalo ang aking lakad. Malapit na ako, nakikita ko na ang mga taxi na nakaparada sa gilid ng kalsada kaya mas lalo ko pang binilisan ang aking lakad. Half running and I will get there in time.

"Stop walking, will you?" I heard Wilder's voice.

"Sinabi ko naman na kaya kong umuwi mag-isa, hindi ba? Kaya lubayan mo ako!" Sigaw ko.

"Hindi mo alam ang lugar na ito. Ihahatid na kita." Anito.

"May taxi naman doon!" Turo ko sa mga nakaparadang taxi habang patuloy pa rin ang paglalakad.

In one swift motion, he grabbed me by the waist that made me gasped. "Nakaparada ang mga iyon dahil tapos na ang kanilang ronda. Please, huwag ka nang makulit. Ihahatid na kita. Umuwi na tayo." Pagmamakaawa nito.

Hindi ko naman kayang tumanggi sa kanya kaya ang kinahantungan ay narito na ako sa loob ng kanyang umaandar na sasakyan. Tinatahak na ang daan papuntang Makati kahit gabing-gabi na.

"Anong ginagawa mo doon? Sinundan mo ba ako?" Tanong ko. Nagkukunwaring galit.

"Bumalik ako sa opisina sa pagkakaalam na hindi ka pa umuuwi. Ngunit nang nakita kong pumasok sa sasakyan ng arabong iyon ay sumunod ako." Paliwanag nito habang nasa kalsada ang tingin.

"Bakit mo kami sinundan?" Galit pa rin ang aking tono.

"I don't trust that guy, Bethany." He simply answered. That's it?

"And I was not mistaken. I saw what he did to you." Nakita ko ang paghigpit ng kapit nito sa kanyang manibela at narinig ko rin ang pagtunog ng leather nang bahagyang kumiskis ito sa kanyang palad.

"You saw that?" Gulat kong tanong.

He saw us? He saw how Rashid kissed me?

"I waited there for almost half an hour just to fetch you," he said.

I am moved, actually.

"I have trust in you, baby. But do not expect me to trust someone I don't know. He may be good and look professional, but he still have motive in you." Pinapangaralan na niya ba ako nito?

Hindi na ako sumagot pa at piniling putulin na lamang ang usapan. He was right after all. Hindi naman talaga dapat pinagkakatiwalaan ang lahat ng tao. Kahit malapit pa sila sayo, kailangan mo muna silang suriin nang mabuti para maligtas ka.

Natuto na ako na hindi basta magtiwala sa ibang tao. Lalo na sa mga sasabihin nito. Maaaring mababango at puno ng admirasyon ang mga salita ngunit may tinatago pala iyong nakakasakit na sandata. Na pwede mong ikabuwag. Na pwede mong pagsisihan sa huli.

"You looked thinner. Kumakain ka ba ng maayos?" Nagulat ako sa biglang tanong nito tungkol sa katawan ko. Hindi ko inaasahan iyon.

"What?" Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata.

"I held you. I've felt that you've lost weight." Sabi nito.

Pati ba naman katawan ko dapat pa niyang kwestyunin? Hindi ko nga napapansin ang mga pagbabago sa sarili kong katawan samantalang siya pa ang nakapansin.

"Shut up!" I felt embarrassed.

The night was ended by Wilder, giving me a ride back home. Nakakapagod dahil nalibot ko ang kabuuan ng Grand Canal.

Another morning to get off to work. Ilang araw na lamang at magaganap na ang sports festival na pinaghandaan naming mga manager ng iba't ibang departamento. Nararamdaman ko na rin ang pagkasabik ng mga staff dahil sa araw na iyon ay wala silang iintindihing trabaho o mga kliyente. 

They will surrender their company phones to their team leader so that they will not get distracted by it. We came up with this idea because we want the staff to love their work even more. We wanted to remind them that they also need to take a break from everything to recharge and function again.

My personal phone beeped. I rarely used it when at work but when I saw Wilder's name on it, I got curious by his text message.

Did he just used his personal phone at work?

Wilder:

Kumain ka na ba?

Iyon lamang ang laman ng mensaheng pinadala niya sa akin. Alas dies na ng umaga ngayon at nakakasigurado akong wala pa ang ibang mga staff dahil magkaka-iba naman ng oras ng pasok ng mga ito.

Pagbibigyan ko siya ngayon. Ngunit sa susunod na gamitin niya ang personal na telepono habang nagtatrabaho ay hindi ko na iyon palalampasin pa.

Ako:

Oo. Kumain na ako. Itago mo ang personal phone mo. Hindi dapat iyan ginagamit sa oras ng trabaho.

Pagbabanta ko. Siguro naman ay nabasa na niya ang mensahe ko kaya ilang minuto na ang nakakalipas at hindi na ako nakatanggap pa ng mensahe mula sa kanya.

Muli kong binalik ang aking atensyon sa aking monitor. Unang araw ng bagong buwan kaya naman tutok ako sa trabaho. Panibagong mastersheets ang gagawin, panibagong plano para sa buwan na ito at panibagong quota. Lahat nang iyan ay kailangan kong matapos sa araw na ito para maipamahagi na sa magaganap na monthly meeting bukas ng hapon. Darating ang mga pinuno at maging si Chairman Dela Calzeda ay dadalo sa magaganap na pagpupulong.

"I don't believe you," Wilder's voice resurfaced.

Binabaan ko ang volume ng aking maliit na speaker para mas marinig ko ang mga sasabihin niya.

"I told you to knock, right?" Hindi na naman nito tinatandaan ang mga tinuturo ko.

Imbis na sumagot siya sa aking sinabi ay lumapit pa ito lalo sa aking lamesa. Ipinatong niya dito ang maliit na bag na hindi ko napansing bitbit niya pala.

"Ano ito?" Tanong ko.

"Breakfast," sagot nito.

Binuksan ko ang bag at pagkaing pang-almusal nga ang nakalagay dito. May timpladong kape pa na kasama na binili siguro doon lamang sa baba ng building. French toast at banana pancake ang nakalagay na label sa bawat tupperware. Nilagyan pa niya talaga, maging ang kape ay may nakasulat na pangalan ko.

"I'll take the coffee, thanks." Kinuha ko ang kape at ipinatong iyon sa tabi ng aking keyboard.

"Hindi ako aalis hangga't hindi ka kumakagat man lang sa pancake na ginawa ko," pagmamatigas nito.

Ginawa niya ang mga ito? Totoo ba ang narinig ko?

"This is work area. I will not eat it here." I said.

As I scan his expressions, he remain silent and still. But his ears are turning red all the way down to his nape.

"Have at least one bite," he said.

Kilala ko na siya bilang isang makulit na tao lalo na sa akin. At alam kong hindi ito titigil hangga't hindi nasusunod ang gusto niya. At ngayon ay pinapakita niyang muli iyon sa akin.

"Fine. I'll go to the pantry." Pagsuko ko.

Sumilay naman ang ngiti nito nang sa huli ay mapapayag niya ako. Tumayo ako at binitbit ang bag na dala niya para magpunta ng pantry. Pagkalabas ko ay kakaunti pa nga ang mga sales agent na narito. Tahimik at tanging pitik lamang ng mga keyboard ang aking naririnig.

"Susundan mo pa talaga ako hanggang sa pantry?" Nanatili ito sa likod ko hanggang sa makapasok kami sa pantry.

"Hindi nga ako aalis sa tabi mo hangga't hindi ko nakikita na kumakain ka," sagot nito.

Binuksan ko ang tupperware na naglalaman ng french toast. It looks good. It looks delicious. Humarap ako sa kanya saka kinagatan ang tinapay. Unang kagat ay napatigil ako sa pagnguya. Alam ko ang lasa ng french toast dahil madalas itong gawin ni Mama sa aking tuwing umaga. But Wilder's version was far too sweet for my taste.

I look at his reaction and he is patiently waiting for my judgement. Should I tell him the truth or not? What if I tell him the truth? He will be hurt for sure. I don't want to downgrade his effort of making these just because it wasn't passed for my tastebuds.

"I had a bite. You can go back to your work." I said.

"Leave the bag here when you're done," he happily said. Does he mean that I need to finish all these?

It's too sweet! I need water.

Iniwan niya ako sa pantry na hindi alam ang gagawin sa mga pagkaing ito. Hindi ko alam kung kakainin ko ba o iiwan ko na lamang din dito. Pwede ko namang sabihin na nakalimutan kong ubusin dahil sa sami ng trabaho ngunit ayokong masaktan siya.

He exerts effort making these and if I ruin it by my stupid pride and standards, I would end up breaking his heart.

Bahala na nga. Hindi ko na lang siguro ngunguya-in at diretso lunok na lamang. Ngunit habang tumatagal naman ay nasasanay na ang dila ko sa lasa nito. Hindi naman pala ito ganoon katamis kumpara sa unang kagat ko kanina. At pinupuri ko siya dahil tama naman ang kapeng binili niya. Nakuha nito ang tamang timpla at istilo ng kape na gusto ko.

After all, he did a great job.

Alas tres na ng hapon at kalahati na ang natatapos ko sa aking trabaho. Nakaligtaan ko na naman ang pagkain ng tanghalian ngunit busog pa rin naman ako sa pinakain sa akin ni Wilder.

The door by the reception area swang open when Mr. Chairman entered. All the employees that saw him bowed and greet him before returning the favor to them. His aura was bright and he is smiling all the way inside. Nang makapasok ito sa silid ng aming kwarto ay maligaya ko siyang sinalubong.

"Welcome, Chairman Dela Calzeda. Good afternoon." Just like the other agents, I bowed my head as an act of my respect to him.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Barcelon." He greeted back.

Ang iba pang ahente na narito sa loob ay bumati rin sa kanya. Maging ang anak nito na si Wilder ay bumati rin sa kanya ngunit hindi man lang nito tinitingnan.

"The meeting will be held tomorrow, Sir. I think you came early." I reminded him about the monthly meeting tomorrow.

"I am not wrong. I came here to have a word with you." He said with full of authority.

"A word with me? May I know what is it all about?" I gracefully asked.

"I want us to talk in private. Lead me to your office." The boss said.

"My office is small, Sir. We can talk to the meeting room instead." I offered. Wala rin akong sofa sa loob ng aking opisina.

"That would be okay," he turned around and stopped in Wilder's direction. He was focus on something while talking to the client on the phone. As I look at the Chairman's face, his lips are curving into a smile.

Seeing his son working and dedicated. It was a fulfillment for a parent like him.

"All our efforts will never go to waste," he whispered suddenly. With full of hope.