Episode 45: Periwinkle

                 •|• SNOW •|•

KATATAPOS KO LANG palitan ng blue and white periwinkles ang centerpiece vase sa round dining table namin nang sabay na pumasok sina Queen at Tutti dine.

Nasuot pa din si Tutti ng coral pink niyang sleeveless mini dress na may printang puting ulo ng teddy bear na sumusungaw sa itim na bulsa sa gitna. Si Queen naman ay suot din ang pantulog niyang pink crushed velvet terno camisole and shorts.

Maaga akong naligo kaya nagbihis na lang ako ng blue printed with white lilies camisole at denim shorts.

Si Queen pumunta sa pantry upang kumuha ng extrang creamer. Naubos na kasi 'yong nasa mga ceramic na lalagyan.

Si Tutti naman naupo na sa pwesto niya sa dining table, tulala. Naalala ko tuloy 'yong meme na pinakita niya sa akin noong isang araw. 'Yong Black American na cute na bata na kagigising lang at naupong nakatulala sa may couch nila.

Nang matapos si Rum sa pagluluto ng tocino at kanin ay inilapag ko na 'yon sa dining table. May mga plato na r'on na kanina ko pa nilagay. Maya-maya pa ay pumasok na din si Dean.

Naupo na sina ni Queen sa mga pwesto nila kaya sumunod na din ako.

"Magsimula na kayong kumain. Para pagkatapos niyo r'yan ay makapaghanda na kayo papasok. Tatapusin ko lang tong ginagawa ko," ani Rum mula sa kitchen.

"Yes, mum!" sagot ni Dean.

Nagdasal muna kami bago kumain. Nagsimula na si Dean na magsandok ng kanin nang mapatigil siya nang mapansin si Tutti.

"Hoy, ang laki ng problema mo ha," tukso niya dine.

Inabot ni Dean ang bandihado kay Queen pagkatapos niya.

"Iniisip ko si Ma'am Ferrer. Okay lang kaya siya sa engagement ni Yorme this weekend?" sabi ni Tutti.

Inaya kami ni Yorme kahapon na dumalo sa engagement party nila ni Miss Esther ngayong weekend. Kahit ako nag-aalala din kay Ma'am Lia. Ngumingiti lang siya para ipakitang ayos lang lahat sa tingin ko.

"Nuno, that's life. Some people are meant to be part of your life romantically while some are just bound to change your life in a way that's beyond romance. Just look at me and Rum," Queen pointed out while sipping on her coffee.

Ngumiti ako. Naka-move on na talaga siya. It's not easy to sacrifice your love but Queen really let it go.

"Naiintindihan ko naman 'yon."

"Oh, e, anong pinoproblema mo d'yan? Nakakapanibagong wala kang ganang kumain ngayon," sabat ni Dean.

"Ha? Sinong nagsabing wala akong gana? Hinihintay ko lang naman 'yong fried ground pork na niluluto pa ni Rum."

Napahagikhik na lang ako. Umirap naman si Queen habang naungot si Dean.

"Heto na. Snow's request," hayag ni Rum sabay baba ng platong may laman ng mga hinihintay ni Tutti.

"Actually, si Tutti nagrequest niyan kagabi. Maaga akong nagising kaya ako na lang nagsabi sa'yo," ngiti ko sa kanya sabay turo kay Tutti.

Nagulat ako nang hawakan ni Dean ang nakaturo kong kamay sabay baba n'on.

"Love, 'wag mong ituro. Baka ma-nuno ka."

"Rum, si Dean, oh!" pagsusumbong ni Tutti sa pambubully nito sa kanya.

Natawa lang ang tatlo sa pagngingitngit ni Tutti. Kinagat ko ang labi upang pigilan ang sarili kong matawa din. Baka kasi isipin niyang wala siyang kakampi ngayon.

Pagkatapos naming kumain ay nagbihis na kami ng Type B uniform namin. Si Rum naka-navy blue scrubs niya din, ang Type B niya. Si Dean lang ang naka-Type A sa amin.

Queen put on a bronze-carved mini roses headband. Si Tutti naman nakatirintas ang buhok na may cute na tiny pink bow knot tie holder sa dulo. May laboratory kami ngayon kaya pinusod ko lang 'yong buhok ko gamit 'yong hairnet na may itim na bow.

"Mommy Rum, may babayaran po akong 200 pesos sa registration fee namin sa CAS ngayon," sabi ni Tutti kay Rum.

"What 200 pesos you mean? It's only 150," pambubuko ni Queen na nakunot ang noo.

"Paano kasi bobo sa Math," asar ni Dean sabay tawa.

"Wow ha. Hiyang-hiya naman ako sa'yo. Of course, I love Math!" giit ni Tutti.

"Weh, di nga? Ilan ang square root ng 10, 000?" panghahamon ni Dean.

"Sus, pabibo ka talaga. Ibang Math naman kasi 'yong tinutukoy ko. Merienda, Almusal, Tanghalian, at Hapunan."

"Tangina mo talaga! May balak ka pang isahan ang inahin natin ha," si Dean.

"Parang 50 pesos lang, sumama na agad ang loob mo? Ikaw ba hinihingan ko, Dean? Ikaw ba?"

"Aba! Tangina, ang lakas ng loob mong sumagot ha. Matuto ka ngang gumalang sa nakakatangkad sa'yo!"

At naghabulan na naman silang dalawa.

"Kids, tama na 'yan. Aalis na tayo. Tutti, bakit pinapasobrahan mo ang bayarin mo?"

Nahinto si Tutti sa paghabol kay Dean at binalingan si Rum.

"Para may extra akong snacks mamaya."

Napailing na lang si Rum at binuksan ang satchel niya saka hinugot ang pitaka at kumuha doon ng pera. Binalingan niya din kami pagkatapos.

"Nasa bank accounts niyo na 'yong mga sweldo niyo. Pwede niyo nang gamitin," he told us.

"Salamat, Rum," ngiti ko sa kanya. Papadalhan ko sina inang mamaya tapos iipunin ko na lang 'yong kalahati.

"May pang-date na ako kay Snow," natutuwang kindat ni Dean sa akin.

                 •|• TUTTI •|•

AFTER OUR DISCUSSION in Communication, Culture, and Society, our professor announced a surprise test.

"Get two to three sheets of yellow paper and answer these ten questions in essay form and it should not be less than 200 words each."

Some of my classmates groaned, na-depress agad. The writers at heart, on the contrary, rejoiced. Hindi naman kasi lahat sa BA-Com, writers. Ang ilan photojourns, videographers, digital artists and aspiring filmmakers ampeg.

"Anymore questions?" our professor asked. I quickly raised my hand.

"One whole po, sir?"

He narrowed his eyes into slits at me. Unbeknownst to him, the devil inside me was laughing. Iniinis ko lang talaga si sir para makalbo na talaga siya nang tuluyan. Ang sakit kasi sa mata nang napapanot niyang ulo dahil sa konsumisyon.

"Gusto mo bang gawin kong dos ang uno mo, Vega? Sa pagkakatanda ko, big deal pa naman ang grades sa mga Chin-"

"Get two to three sheets of yellow paper and answer these ten questions in essay form and it should not be less than 200 words each. Tanda ko na po pala sir," I repeated his words and smiled toothily.

Hinila ko ang pad ng yellow paper papunta sa tapat ng lamesa ko.

"Oy, may papel si Tutti!" my classmate sitting at the back exclaimed.

Napalingon ako sa kanila. Malapad 'yong ngiti nila sa akin, halatang manghihingi.

"Pengeng papel, Tutti. Promise, last na 'to. Bibili na talaga ako sa susunod," pangako ng isa na noong first sem pa napako.

"Oh, hayan." Binigyan ko na nga. Kawawa naman.

"Tutti, ako nga rin," another one requested. Demanding ka, siz? Pinagbigyan ko na lang ulit.

Naguguluhan talaga ako sa kung bakit ang yayamanin nga nila sa car at phone ay ang po-poor naman nila sa papel. Ang dami ko na ngang iniisip, dumagdag pa sila.

Hay nako. Ang sakit sa bangs.

In fairness, konti lang naman 'yong mga nanghingi. Mga sampu tapos tig-ta-tatlong papel sila.

"Oy, baka galit ka na niyan ha. Sorry na at ang bait mo talaga," pambobola pa n'ong bigatin naming video editor sa klase.

"Sus, ano ka ba. Maliit na bagay," sagot ko naman with matching hampas sa balikat niya.

"Tutti, pwedeng isa pa? Baka kasi hindi magkasya," nahihiyang wika ni Maurice.

"Oh, heto. Boto mo ko sa eleksyon ha. PIO ng SBO," sabi ko sa kanya sabay bigay ng papel.

"Talaga? Tatakbo ka? Oo, iboboto kita."

"Promise 'yan ha. Basta hindi ko kayo bibiguin sa food tasting."

"Ha? Trabaho ba 'yan ng PIO?"

"Oo. Pagkain In-charge Officer."

"Sit down y'all!"

Napaupo naman ang lahat sa sigaw ni prof. 'Yong mga kaklase ko abala pa sa pangungutang ng papel, siya naman tapos na palang magsulat ng mga tanong sa white board. Real quick.

"May pera kayo pang-night life pero walang hiyang nanghihingi ng papel sa klase! Ang gagaling talaga ng Block A kaya favorite ko," panunuya ni sir.

"Wala nang manghihingi! Punitin niyo 'yong mga notebook niyo kung walang papel!" habol niya pa.

Kumuha ako ng limang papel sa pad. Segurista ako, e. Saka ko ibinalik iyon sa pinaghilahan ko sa tabi ko kanina at pinlantsa pa gamit ang mga palad ko. Binuksan ko ang pencil case at kinuha ang pangmalakasan kong flexstick na ballpen. Mura na kasi 'to, ang ganda pa ng tinta. Sobrang convenient talaga. Wise consumer here. So proud of you, self.

Nagsimula na akong sumagot nang pa-hum-hum na pumasok ang nagbanyong si Whiskey sa Speech Enhancement Center. Absent si Norma ngayon dahil may lagnat. Si Lee naman excused dahil napiling representative ng UP sa isang international master class sa photojournalism.

Pag-upo niya sa tabi ko ay napabulalas agad si bakla.

"Owemji! Hala! Bakit konti na lang 'yong yellow pad ko?! Kabibili ko pa lang nito kahapon ha!"

I let him deal with his own problem. Basta quiet lang ako. I looked at him through my peripherals when he looked behind him.

"Hoy, Jerome! Bakit may papel ka? Nakakapagduda. Presensya mo lang naman ang dinadala mo lagi kapag pumapasok ka. Paano ka nagkapapel?" tanong niya rito.

"Ang sakit mong magsalita, ah! Binigay 'to ni Tutti sa akin. Ang generous nga, e. Di gaya mo, ang greedy sa yellow paper."

Nakaka-flatter naman.

"Wooow," sarkastikong baling ni Whiskey sa akin.

I pretended innocent and busy with my essays. Itinaas ko pa ang braso ko sa lamesa at kunyare ay sinasapo ang sumasakit kong ulo.

"Ang generous naman talaga. Papel mo, ghorl?"

Kinurot niya ako sa tagiliran kaya natawa na lang ako.

"Dapat ina-appreciate mo ako, beks. Ambait ko kaya. Namimigay ako ng papel kahit hindi akin."

"Hoy, bayaran mo 'tong gaga ka. Kabibili ko lang nito," saad niya at hinampas nang mahina sa akin ang pad niya.

"Oo na! Oo na! May sweldo na ako kaya mababayaran na kita. Bilhin ko pa buong buhay mo, e," sagot ko naman sa kanya na sinabayan ko pa nang pag-awra.

"Zobel and again Vega, are you done?" sigaw ni sir sa amin nang mapansin kami.

"Ay, grabe siya, oh. Sir, kauupo ko lang po galing sa pagbabanyo."

"E, bakit nagdadaldalan na kayo gayong hindi pa kayo tapos?"

"Na-shookt lang po ako, sir. Ang aga kasing namigay ng gifts ng isang dwarf ni Santa," he reasoned and the whole class burst out laughing.

I silently hissed at his lowkey mockery. Siguro naman quits na kami.

I AM WITH the Charmings at the Registrar right now. Pagkatapos ng klase namin ay dumiretso kami rito.

Ngayon balak magcross enroll nina Dean at Queen. Ang una sa Educ Major in Physical Education. Ang huli naman ay sa Fashion Design and Marketing program.

My male friend was still hoping he'll graduate next year in Civil Engineering kaya sa halip na magshift ay nagcross enroll na lang siya. The both of them had taken all the minor subjects already so they will immediately proceed to the major ones.

The two looked back at us when the registrar finally handed them the papers. Rum smiled at them for assurance and support when we noticed the nervousness and inhibitions in their faces.

Nginitian din namin sila ni Snow para palubagin ang mga loob nila. They smiled at us too then they filled up the papers. They were then given their assessment and prospectus. They just have to go to their respective departments after for confirmation and further info.

"Nagtaas na pala talaga ang miscellaneous natin ngayon, no?" Dean informed us while looking at his assessment.

"Mabuti na lang at may scholarships tayo," pagsang-ayon naman ni Snow.

"Patingin nga," I stated and tiptoed to see his paper.

At ang kampon ni Satanas ay tinaas pa lalo ang kamay niyang may hawak ng assessment niya, halatang nang-aasar. Lumipat na lang ako sa paninilip sa papel ng reyna sa inis. Natawa naman ang lintek na dimunyo.

"Oo nga no. Tumaas nga," sabi ko habang tumango-tango.

"Pati nga mga bilihin tumaas na, e. 'Yong gas din. Tangina, lahat naman ata, e. Height na lang talaga ni Tutti ang hindi."

Sinuntok ko sa braso si Dean sa sobrang inis. Natawa pa siya lalo, halatang-halata sa nagtataas-baba niyang mga balikat.

"Oh, oh, tama na 'yan. Nagkakasikatan na naman kayo," saway ni Rum at pumagitna sa amin.

Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko at nagpameywang naman gamit 'yong isa kamay.

"Na-high blood ako r'on, ah."

"Kita mo na. Mabuti pa 'yong dugo mo tumataas, ikaw na lang talaga," tawa ni Dean.

Sinugod ko ulit siya at sinubukang hablutin kaso nakaharang si Rum.

"Dean, tama na 'yan," saway ni Snow sa kanya kaya napakamot na lang siya ng batok.

                 •|• QUEEN •|•

I AM WITH the girls at the nearby café, lounging. We're wearing civilian clothes instead of our uniforms. Napilit ko sila kaninang umaga.

Snow was wearing a black spaghetti strap daisy printed midi dress topped with her white cardigan then white sneakers. She tied her hair on a loose side braid using a sunflower tie holder. The Chinese nuno was dressed in a dark blue sweater with a white Crudites print at the center. Underneath it was a white blouse na nakalabas ang collar atop the sweater and she paired it with a white metallic pleated midi skirt then she had a blue with white docksides as footwear. She let her hair down but she put on a dark blue beret.

I'm sporting a black ribbed sleeveless mock neck top tucked in my coral pink floral lace midi skirt. Both are from Zara. I matched it with my black pumps from Ferragamo. I parted my hair at the center and put on a coral pink padded pearl embellished headband. I wore my single pearl necklace along with my navy blue sling ID just like the other two. I also have with me my peach with black Chanel vanity case and my sketchbook. I'm officially a Fashion Design and Marketing student.

"Alamak..." Tutti mumbled while pressing her phone screen heavily with both hands.

"You're playing ML again?"

"No, it's GTA this time and my rp is a gangsta robber who's being chased by some slowpoke cops," she laughed evilly and I grimaced.

Snow was busy reading her modules. Nakaorder na rin kami ng lunch kanina. Nakadalawang ulit pa nga ng snacks 'yong isa r'yan.

I'm already done sketching my evolution of clothing timeline for our History of Design major subject. Surprisingly, marami kaming enrollees ng new program na 'to ng UP. Some are even professionals already.

I looked around. Alas winked at me when our eyes met. Napairap na lang ako. Two blushing female senior high schoolers went to the counter, nagtutulakan pa. My forehead creased when instead of ordering they bantered with Alas like as if they already clicked. The girls were even giggling whenever he smirked. Ang pabibo talaga.

I turned to my friends when Tutti's phone alarmed. She pushed the cuff of her sweater aside to see her black thin strap wristwatch. Namilog ang singkit niyang mga mata.

"Alamak! Twenty minutes na lang male-late na ako."

She picked up her white backpack with the three small We Bare Bears characters embroidered at the center. She slung its straps on her shoulders.

"It's still too early. The uni's just technically outside," I told her.

"Beh, I'm half Filipino but I was raised as wholly Chinese. They count every second as gold and a minute late means you're dead. Better not show your face or else the whole clan will remove you from the bloodline record."

I rolled my eyes heavenwards.

Gosh, here we go again with these weird Chinese philosophies. She even called me using that cringey endearment.

She pecked on our cheeks and then walked to the glass double doors before waving smilingly at us.

"Susulat ako palagi!"

Napahagikhik si Snow. Pairap naman akong ngumisi. Gaga talaga 'tong isang 'to.

I lifted my gaze confusedly at Snow when she started gathering her things too.

"Where are you going? You don't have class, right?"

"Tinext ako ni Dean. Nag-aaya siyang magdate..." She bit her lip, her cheeks crimsoned.

"Yeah, right. Just go and you two have fun."

She smiled at me gently before pecking on my cheek then she waved goodbye.

I sighed and started picking up my things.

"You're leaving already?" Alas asked, holding a cup of my favorite milk tea.

I didn't order that awhile ago because we had our light lunch here instead.

"I'm not paying for that," I told him, referring to the milk tea.

"My treat."

I slung the strap of my vanity case on my shoulder and held my sketchbook to my chest.

"Why are you doing that, really?" I asked him.

"I told you. I like you."

"Oh, come on, Alas. I don't believe you. We just met for days and weeks. That can't be like at first sight."

"I think liking at first sight is more believable than love at first sight," he insisted.

I rolled my eyes. Tinatamad akong kausapin siya kaya nilampasan ko na siya.

I stopped when he held me by the arm.

"What do I give so you'll accept my offer?"

"None," I smiled at him fakely. He smirked.

"That means otherwise in women's vocabulary. I'll do everything then."

"Challenge accepted," he added and winked at me.

I WAS WALKING my way back to the university when someone catcalled me.

"Woah chicks, pre."

I didn't mind and just continued walking. If you'll give them the attention, they will just get that chance to act worse.

"Snob, pre. Lapitan natin."

I kept on walking until they barred my way. There were three of them and they're all wearing the same ID sling as mine. I shot a brow up, annoyed.

"Miss beautiful, baka pwedeng makipagkilala?"

I stared at his hand then held my head high and passed by them.

One held me by the arm. I took it from him forcibly. They all laughed.

I want to summon my daggers and give them some good beating but I won't let them get into my nerves and soiled my freshly manicured nails.

I'm better than them.

I ran my gaze from their heads down to their feet then I smirked.

"How old are you? Eighteen? Nineteen? Tsk. Tsk. You're not in some sort of brothel with strippers who sat while dancing on your laps. You're inside a university with a name to keep and a prestige to maintain. So, keep your balls calm together 'cause we kick shits out of here."

They all went mute. One even pressed his lips into thin line, apparently unimpressed with the things that came out of my mouth. But one hunghang laughed. The ugliest one.

"Ingles, pre. Hanudaw?" his binobo remarks.

"Simple. Sinisipa namin pabalik sa basurahan ang mga basura," I explained in complete Filipino.

"You think we can't be here because you think we're trashes? We passed the exam so we're here," the unimpressed guy retaliated.

"Then act like educated ones."

"Miss, hindi ka naman namin mababastos kung hindi ganyan ang suot mo," sabi pa nang pinakapangit.

"The policemen are busy protecting you and your goddamn rights as women but here you are wearing clothes that show skins for what? You are only encouraging rape culture," the mautak talangka argued.

My lips parted in disbelief then I laughed humorlessly. I wasn't even showing so much skin today. This is simpler and far modest than my usual outfits. Talagang nilamig lang ako ngayong umaga kaya ito ang sinuot ko.

"Fuck you, little boys," I mocked them with conviction.

"You, you, and you," duro ko sa kanila isa-isa.

"Remember me and this lesson I will be instilling in your twisted minds and shallow understanding about women and harassment. I won't explain why I'm wearing something like this because I dress myself in my very own accord. It's not an encouragement nor promotion for harassment. It's called self-expression. You and your cheap egos partnered with your low morals and weak principles just can't handle that."

I'm enraged but still the prettiest of them all so I did my infamous hair flip and I smirked.

"Whether we're in bikinis or fully covered with sheets, a rapist will always think like a rapist. And you already have zero arguments to make with that."

They grew silent until the mautak talangka guy groaned and tried to reach for me. I stepped aback and then a black Ducati motorbike u-turned in between us and parked.

The rider who's sporting a black moto jacket under a black v-neck shirt, ripped jeans, and Doc Martens, stepped on his stand then took his helmet off his head.

"Are they bothering you, babe?" Alas asked while looking at the little boys.

I rolled my eyes dramatically. They slowly stepped aback then they ran away afterwards.

He turned to me and smirked. He handed me the pink helmet that was safely placed in front of him.

"Sakay."

My brows furrowed. Is he ordering me around?

"And where are we going?"

"Date?" he shrugged, still smirking.

"No, thanks."

He stood up from riding his motorbike and walked towards me. He crouched a bit since he's taller than me and smirked when I finally met his marvelous grey eyes.

"What are you gonna do?"

He took off my headband and put the pink helmet on my head.

"Did you know that headbands have been around for at least 2,500 years, with ancient Greeks and Romans who wore hair wreaths?"

I groaned in annoyance.

"You messed my hair!"

He chuckled then gave me my headband.

"Let's go, babe. We'll go on our first date," he winked at me.

♦♣♥♠

"Date? You don't do dates! You bed women not date them!" Spade hissed at the unbothered Alas who was putting on his black moto jacket.

Joker giggled at the side.

"Chill, Spade. Masyadong kang napaghahalataan."

"Well, this woman doesn't want to be bed so I will just date her," Alas retorted as he put on his Cartier silver wristwatch.

"Does madame knows about this? Isusumbong kita," Spade threatened.

"Sasamahan pa kita," taunted with a smirk.

"Who is this girl, by the way?"

"The prettiest of them all," he shrugged in retort.

Spade rolled her eyes and stormed off his room. Joker walked towards him.

"Boss, nagseselos 'yong isa," he giggled.

"Let her be. It's not like as if I care."

"Paano kapag nalaman niya at umaksyon siya para saktan si Queen?"

"I'd like to see her try," he smirked.

•|• illinoisdewriter •|•

Hi, Charmings! Do you like this chapter? Click the star button and comment your thoughts. I'd like to hear them too. Sayonara! 💚