Episode 19: Versace

                 • • • QUEEN • • •

I INSTANTLY STOOD up from my seat and took my Balenciaga bag by the arm right after our class.

"Queen..."

I looked over my shoulder at my classmate who called me. She's part of Student Body Organization of CAS.

"May screening kami sa Mr. and Ms. Intramurals for College of Arts and Sciences sa Lunes. Baka gusto mong sumali? You're our top choice kasi kaya sayang kung hindi ka sasal-"

"No, thanks," I cut her off.

I'm not really fond of pageantry despite a lot of people pushing me to do so since I have the assets as they always say.

She sighed, "Sa katunayan si Rum Sandros nga ang gusto rin namin para sa male representative kaso baka kinuha na siya ng sa Medical Laboratory Science o baka busy siya."

Napatigil ako dahil doon at hinarap siya.

"Sa tingin mo, papayag ba siya?" she asked me. I shrugged my shoulders.

"I don't know but let me know if he agrees because I will join too. I will only accept the offer if he will be my partner," I told her.

She smiled and clapped her hands, hopeful she can persuade Rum and me consequently.

"Sige sige, Queen. Sasabihin ko sa'yo kung anong desisyon niya."

I nodded and silently wish for Rum to join.

I SAT WITH Rum on a circular two-seater table outside the Overlook and near the garden cemetery at the weekend. We were having our afternoon tea. He was reading a medical book while I was scanning through my phone.

Sina Tutti at Snow naman ay nagbubungisngisan sa may halamanan habang nakaupo roon. They're supposed to trim the plants and formed them into the shape of a spade. Pero mukhang naaliw na sa kwentuhan ang dalawa.

Sumakit pa ang mga mata ko nang makitang pareho na naman sila ng hairstyle. Naka-braided na pigtails, only that Tutti was wearing an orange bucket hat.

Snow was wearing a white off-shoulder top and a black printed knee-length skirt. She reminds me so much of the wife of the probinsyano guy I once saw on a primetime show. Tutti, on the other hand, was sporting on her usual clothes. It was an oversized black graphic tee shirt tucked in her high rise denim shorts. I am wearing a yellow crop spaghetti strap top and a black high rise shorts.

Sabay kaming napabaling ni Rum nang may Ducati motorbike na huminto sa may unahan. Tinanggal nina Dan at Tita Gina ang mga helmet. This was the motorbike Dean had given him as a gift.

"Tita Gina," Rum called and stood up to make mano to her.

Inalok niya rin ang upuan sa tapat ko sa ginang. My brow shot up when Dan's brows furrowed at me. He shook his head and looked away.

"Nagluto kasi ako ng suman at kutsinta at naparami ko kaya sinabihan ko si Dan na dalawin kayo upang ibigay ito," aniya sabay lahad ng dalawang malaking Tupperware.

"Suman? Kutsinta? Saan na?" sabat ng bulilit na Instik na sumulpot at sumilip bigla mula sa likuran ni Rum.

Rum and Tita Gina chuckled.

Basta talaga pagkain ang talas at ang bilis din ng pandinig nito.

"Heto, hija. Halika," saad ng ginang  sabay lapag ng mga dala sa lamesa.

"Medyo kumita rin kasi kami kuya dahil kinuha ulit sa dati niyang trabaho si nanay," sabi pa ni Dan na maagap na nginitian ni Rum.

"What work?"

"Kindergarten teacher sa may amin po."

"Oh, a teecha," Rum smiled, his Queen's English surfacing. He was speaking with normal accent these past few days but his native British accent just sometimes came out.

"But I told you, it's all on us. Wala na kayong dapat pang alalahanin," he continued to remind Dan.

"Kahit sa mumunting pagtulong ko na lang dito kuya ay hayaan niyo sana akong makabawi," the other insisted.

Rum smiled again and tapped Dan's shoulder, "Sure."

Maya-maya pa ay lumapit na rin si Snow at inalok na rin kami ni Tita Gina ng mga dala niyang pagkain. Si Tutti naman kain na nang kain, hindi na nangingilala ng tao.

"Dan," Dean called when he came out of the Overlook.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito? Oh, Tita Gina, magandang hapon po," tuloy niya sa sasabihin.

"Dean, hijo, kain ka nitong ginawa kong mga suman at kutsinta," alok ni tita.

"Salamat po," magalang na sagot ng kaibigan ko bago binalingang muli si Dan.

"Balita ko bukas na ang acquaintance party niyo sa Criminal Justice, ah."

Napakamot naman ng batok si Dan.

"Naku, hindi na ako sasali roon kuya. Wala akong susuotin saka dagdag gastos lang 'yon," tugon naman ni Dan.

"Sinabihan ko ngang ako na ang bahalang maghanap ng susuotin niya pero ayaw niya parin. Gusto ko sanang pasalihin dahil first time niya sa mga ganoon," paliwanag ni Tita Gina.

"Susuotin ba? 'Wag ka nang mag-alala at maraming ganoong order si Queen na hindi pa niya nagagamit. Pwede niyang ibigay sa'yo 'yon. Di ba, Queen?" baling ni Dean sa akin.

I silently hissed but Rum smiled to the idea.

"Magandang ideya 'yan. Queen, baka pwede mong ibigay kay Dan ang isang suit na naroroon sa wardrobe para magamit niya bukas," sabi niya sa akin.

When I turned to Dan, he was already looking at me. His cheeks flushed and immediately looked away.

What's wrong with him?

"What's the theme of your acquaintance party?" I asked him.

He glanced at me for awhile and then drifted his attention somewhere else, still with flushed cheeks.

"Hindi na. Ayos lang."

I rolled my eyes.

"Just answer it."

"Ahmm... Mafia... pero ayos lang talaga," giit niya pa.

"I have an Armani suit reserved there. It was my favorite but it's navy blue in color. You may have the black Versace suit and tie instead. Dean, can you get it? It's easily spotted because of its cover that has the brand name on it," utos ko kay Dean na kaagad kumunot ang noo.

"Do I fucking look like your assistant?" he snapped.

I rolled my eyes.

"Just get it, alright." Tinatamad akong makipag-usap sa kanya.

"Ako na kukuha. Dan, sumunod ka na lang sa akin," pag-ako ni Rum upang pigilan ang bangayan sana namin ni Dean.

Rum went inside and he was joined by Dan afterwards.

"Ang sarap po ng mga dala niyo, Tita Gina. Sana po palagi kayong bumisita rito sa amin," dinig kong sulsol ni Tutti sabay akbay at halik sa pisngi ni Tita Gina na natawa na lang.

SNOW AND TUTTI still weren't over with their little chit-chats later that night.

Humiga na ako sa gitna nila para matulog pero patuloy parin sila sa pag-uusap. Si Tutti kung maka-indian sit suot ang floral long sleeves tea-length dress niya ay akala mo hindi babae. May paikot na headband pa siyang tenga ng pusa habang yakap-yakap ang teddy bear niya. Nakakainis sa mata.

Tutti seems childish looking. Si Snow naman simpleng dalaga lang din sa suot niyang puting spaghetti strap top at itim na floral pajama. I guess I look more ladylike and a sophisticated one at that with my nightgown and peignoir.

"Alam mo favorite ko talaga 'yong Supernatural TV series. Kinalakihan ko na rin kasi 'yon, e. Saka, grabe ang cool ni Dean Winchester d'on tapos ang gwapo rin at astig habang gamit 'yong Colt," Tutti narrated with matching gestures na natatangay pa pati teddy bear niya sa ere.

"Wow! Ako din pero sa movies anong pinakagusto mo?" si Snow.

These two both love horror movies. Si Snow ang kilala ko na talagang matatakutin na mahilig matakot.

"Ang hirap pumili pero alam mo na mahilig ako sa makaluma kaya The Shining talaga 'yong pipiliin ko. It was really a game changer in the field of horror movies at that time. Very unique 'yong concept, ang eerie n'ong setting at ang galing ng mga bida. Gustong-gusto ko 'yong laki ng mga mata at bunny teeth ni Wendy," kwento pa ng Instik sabay hagikhik.

Palibhasa, singkit ka kasi.

"Can we just all rest? I'm tired," putol ko sa kanila.

Hindi naman nagreklamo ang dalawa at sumunod na. Snow led the prayer before sleeping.

I WOKE UP the next morning unable to breath. Napaupo ako bigla sa kama kaya mabilis na inalis ni Tutti ang mga daliring umipit sa ilong ko.

"Wake up, Your Highness. We're going to attend the eight o'clock mass this morning," she greeted with a smile like as if she hadn't brought me to near death.

I darted her a glare. This isn't the first time she did this. She does this every time I wake up late.

"Then, why can't I have a normal alarm clock?"

"You have one," she retorted smilingly why raising her hands up her shoulder level.

"And these batteries never die," she chanted again while shaking her hands and that made me groan in annoyance.

The girls and I wore dresses for the mass. Si Snow nakaputing spaghetti strap knee-length dress na sinapawan niya ng lavender na cardigan at puting sneakers. Nakalugay lang ang umaalon niyang buhok. Tutti was donning a puff elbow sleeves beige buttoned front dress with white notched collar and white Oxford shoes. Nakatali pa-half ponytail ang buhok niya gamit ang isang puting satin na laso. She looked like a lady straight from the '90s. I am sporting a Versace raglan sleeves navy blue wrap dress and white Prada Mary Jane heels.

Si Dean naman naka-itim na hapit na tee shirt and denim pants saka Doc Martens niyang boots. His body muscles were very showy. Rum was dressed more humbly with his dark blue short sleeves dress shirt tucked in his white trousers paired with black loafers.

I couldn't help but smile. We look like a couple because the colors of our clothes were matchy.

Pumasok na kami sa loob at naupo na magkakatabi. Nasa dulo si Dean katabi ni Tutti tapos si Rum, ako at si Snow.

Nang malapit nang matapos ang misa ay pansin kong yuko nang yuko si Rum sa banda ng pandak na Instik dahil bulong ito nang bulong sa kanya. I leaned slightly to eavesdrop.

"Daan tayo sa stall ng cotton candy ha," bulong niya kay Rum tapos ayos na nang tayo.

She gestured Rum to crouch a bit again so that she can whisper something again. I eavesdropped again.

"Tapos daan din tayo roon sa may shake at hotdog," she added and Rum couldn't help his chuckles before standing properly.

Tutti quickly whistled and faced the altar when she caught my glare, pretending she didn't see anything.

"You're unbelievable. You're already planning for your food trip while the mass is still ongoing," I told her.

And just like how she planned everything right after the mass, we went to all those stalls. Tuwang-tuwa naman sila ni Snow.

                 • • • TUTTI • • •

TODAY IS THE DAY.

The showing for the movie adaptation of one of my favorite novels starts today. I can't miss the premiere!

"Norma, busy ka? Nood tayo n'ong bagong movie," I smiled at her while crossing my fingers that she'll join me.

"Naku, may date kami ni Gol after class, Tutti. Sorry," she apologized and I nodded smilingly.

"Ikaw, Whiskey? Libre ko. Sama ka?" suhol ko sa kanya.

"Siz, may long test tayo bukas. Magsusunog ako ng eyebrow kasi hindi naman ako kasing talino mo sa Technical Writing na kahit naka-close ang eyes ay keribels parin," tanggi naman niya.

I sadly pouted, nagpapaawa sa kanya. He sighed.

"Siz, sorry talaga. Magstudy ako uy kay 'yong nanay ko sa Zamboanga baka pauwiin ako kapag betlog na naman ako sa ten items na test natin sa Technical Writing. Si sir naman kasi, e, parang paggamit lang ng comma ang namali ayaw pa i-consider. Oxford- oxford comma na 'yan, na-jojowa ba 'yan?" he explained.

"Isa pa, siz. Takot akong manood ng horror sa sinehan. Noon ngang sinama ako nina Norma at Goliath sa It Chapter Two ay hindi nakayanan ng shukla mong friend at nahimatay agad. Ang swangit pa naman n'ong katabi ko. Hay, mas kinikilabutan ako tuwing naaalala ang fez n'ong chaka."

Bigo akong napabuntong-hininga at tumango.

"Sayang, kung si Lee inaya mo talagang papayag agad 'yon uy. Iyon pa mismo ang manlilibre sa'yo," dagdag niya pa sabay halakhak.

"Sayang nga, e. Nauna nang umuwi si Lee. Matagal ka pa naman n'ong gustong maka-dat-"

Kunot ang noong napabaling ako kay Norma na kaagad namang siniko ni Whiskey at pinanlakihan ng mga mata kaya natuptop nito ang bibig.

"Ha?"

"Ah, wala. Ang sabi niya kung si Lee ang isasama mo ay para kayong nagdet-det gan'on."

Tumango ako sa paliwanag ni Whiskey.

I assessed their statements but I just shrugged the result and even the thought of it.

Alam ko namang isa akong kaakit-akit na dilag pero imposible namang may HD si Lee sa akin.

Natawa ako sa naisip kaya napatingin sina Whiskey at Norma sa akin.

SA HULI AY wala rin naman akong napilit kaya mag-isa na lang akong nagtungo sa sinehan yakap-yakap ang malaking lalagyan ng popcorn.

I took a fistful of popcorn and shoved them inside my mouth as the movie started.

"Sorry, na-late ako."

Napabaling ako sa nagsalita sa tabi ko. Napaawang ang puno ko pang bibig kaya naglaglagan ang ilang laman n'on. Nang marealize na nagsasayang ako ng pagkain ay kaagad kong tinikom iyon.

Ibinaba niya muna ang satchel bag niya saka siya naupo. Suot niya parin ang uniform niya gaya ko.

"What are you doing here?" I asked then he turned to me.

"Ngayon ang premiere ng gusto mong palabas, 'di ba?" he smiled.

"Paano sina..." I trailed off, unable to finish my question.

"Sabi ko may importante lang akong lakad," he said when he got what I meant.

"Paano mo nalaman na rito ako nakaupo?"

Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mga mata. "'Hi-nypnotize mo ba 'yong babae sa ticket booth?"

He chuckled, "Hindi. Tinanong ko siya nang maayos kung saan nakaupo 'yong cute na Chinese."

I narrowed my eyes even more. He wasn't lying. He didn't use his hypnotism pero natuto na ako kaya alam ko na kapag sinasabi niya na 'maayos niyang kinausap' means marupok ang kausap niya dahil sa maamo niyang mukha.

Isa pa, naka-chopsticks ang naka-double bun kong buhok ngayon kaya wala na siyang ibang Instik pa na matuturo kundi ako.

His smile suddenly turned sad.

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi na pupunta ka pala rito nang mag-isa? Nagtataka lang ako kasi lagi naman tayong magkasama sa panonood ng paboritong mga palabas mo noon."

I drifted my eyes on the big screen.

Obvious naman siguro kung bakit hindi ko siya sinama.

Mahuhuli na naman kami.

I sighed and offered him my popcorn. Greedy ako sa pagkain pero okay lang basta siya ang manghihingi.

He shook his head and smiled.

"Ayos lang. Alam kong para sa'yo 'yan," he remarked softly.

Pinanood namin ang palabas kagaya ng lagi naming ginagawa noon. Sa tuwing nagiging maingay na ako sa pagre-react sa mga eksena ay matatawa siya pero paaalalahan akong hinaan ang boses.

"I knew it! Pinlano niya lahat!" I reacted at the revelation part while pointing the screen and half-standing.

May ilang umangal at sumitsit sa akin sa likuran dahil sa ginawa ko.

"It's okay, doll. Sit down, now."

He reached for my hand and gently pulled me to sit back.

"Sino 'yon?"

"Ewan ko nga, e."

"Ang lakas ng boses, ang liit-liit naman."

"Hindi ba R-18 'to at bawal ang mga bata?"

"Hala, oo nga no. Bakit nakapasok siya?"

Napasimangot ako sa narinig na bulong-bulungan at humilig sa upuan ko sabay halukipkip.

"Gan'on ba talaga ako kaliit?" baling ko sa katabi.

He lightly chuckled and extended his arm at my back and pulled me close to him.

I leaned my head on his shoulder and he pecked on my head.

"I don't mind, though."

WE EXITED THE cinema after the post-credit. Some significant scenes are actually shown in there. That's something I've learned from my major class in Filmmaking.

Hawak-hawak niya ang kamay ko palabas ng sinehan at papunta sa baggage counter.

Sabi niya kakain daw muna kami bago umuwi. Sino ba naman ako para tumanggi?

Ako lang naman si Tutti na gutom na gutom na.

"Kukunin ko lang sandali 'yong iniwan ko," paalam niyang tinanguan ko naman.

He advanced nigh the baggage counter and lined up for his turn. Sumandal muna ako sa pader sa likuran ko at napayuko.

Napakunot ang noo ko nang mapansin ang makintab at malinis kong school shoes.

Wala naman akong matandaan na pinunasan ko 'to at nilagyan ng shoeshine, ah.

Hay.

Si Rum talaga.

Hindi ko napansin 'to kanina kasi nagmamadali na si Dean, binubungangaan na naman ako.

Napaangat agad ako ng tingin nang bumungad sa harap ko ang isang bouquet ng pink tulips. Ang paborito kong bulaklak.

He immediately kissed my cheek when I looked up.

Gusto ko sana siyang pagsabihan na baka may makakilala sa amin pero pagsalubong ko sa matamis niyang ngiti ay umurong lahat ng masasamang words na balak lumabas sa bibig ko.

"Happy anniversary," he smiled.

Napatulala ako sa kanya pero kaagad ding napangiti dahil natatandaan niya.

Hindi ko siya ginulo sa buong araw kasi nakikita ko namang madalas siyang busy sa school o 'di naman kaya ay sa funeral home.

Pero hindi niya pala nakaligtaan kung anong araw ngayon.

Today is actually our second anniversary.

Napawi rin naman ang ngiti ko nang may mapagtanto.

"Wala akong... regalo sa'yo," I sadly admitted but he smiled at me with much understanding.

"I told you, doll. You are more than a gift for me 'cause you are a blessing," he responded thoughtfully then pecked on my forehead so gently I closed my eyes.

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