Martin Casper Lexington

I moved my glasses down to take a look at the man in front of me. He looked as old as my dad wearing purple button down shirt.

"Buongiorno," he greeted.

"What buongiorno?" I scoffed and smiled. "Walang good morning kung unggoy ang makikita mo sa umaga."

"Yes! Yes!" Ang masaya niyang sigaw na ikinapikit ko. "Good morning. Good morning, beautiful. Wow."

His strong accent no longer surprises me. Almost a week here in Italy and I don't feel like going home anymore. Their food is to die for. Aside from unexpected greetings from the locals wala naman akong mai-c-complain dito.

"So," ang panimula ko. "What do you want from me?"

"I buy you something good."

Umiling ako at natawa. "Like what?"

"Anything." Ang determinado niyang sagot na ikinatubo ng sungay ko.

If I woke up on the other side of the bitch, I mean bed, kanina ko pa to pinalayas sa harapan ko. But I woke up feeling light and just happy in general kaya I'll entertain this one for a few more seconds.

"Then buy me this." Itinuro ko ang restaurant sa aking tabi.

I'm eating outside of the resto dahil feel kong magmuni-muni habang nagb-breakfast. But instead of enjoying the lively ambiance of the morning sun ginawa pa kong entertainer ng matandang 'to.

"Food? Sure. Sure. You choose."

I cackled. "Food? No. I'm full. What I want is that. The restaurant."

Natahimik siya at napatitig sa tinuturo kong lugar. Seconds passed by and he remained quite. Tumunog na rin ang phone ko upang ipaalam na oras na para tumungo sa susunod kong destinasyon.

I  signaled the server to hand me the bill. The man in front of me watched me pay my own bills before I stood up. "I can buy what I want so if you can't, that's too bad." 

I swiftly moved away from that place. I would have stayed longer kung hindi lang ako inabala ng isang 'yon. I've been getting my breakfast from that resto for awhile now and I don't think I'll grew tired of it so soon. Just hoping for a peaceful breakfast next time. 

My phone rang and when I saw the caller's ID ay kaagad ko itong sinagot.

"Julia darling," I called playfully. I heard her laugh at the other side of the phone.

"Mhara baby," she called back and the corners of my lips immediately raised.

"Kanina pa ako naghihintay, bitch. Take me away from here."

She just laughed at me at nagpaalam na ibaba na ang tawag dahil nagd-drive siya.

I fanned myself. Summer in Italy is hot but being born and raised in the Philippines na parang naka-trial card sa impyerno this is tolerable.

I texted Julia of my whereabouts bago nagsimulang maglakad-lakad sa paligid. Rome, Italy. What a dream for so many. I would have enjoyed this place more if I'm not on the run.

Julia was a workmate of mine noong nagp-part time job pa ako sa isang fast food resto sa Pilipinas. Sumasama ako sa kaniya sa kahit anong raket na pinapasukan niya. From being a dishwasher to cleaning toilets, I did all of that. I was bored and I was curious about those kind of work.

I'm proud I did all of that. It made me fearless. It made me confident and learn more about myself. Kaya I don't want to be tied down. Ayokong dinidiktahan ako sa gagawin ko. Kasi alam ko sa sarili ko kung anong mga kakayahan ko and I am not selling myself for other people's gain.

I got bored after walking around kaya  naupo na lang ako sa isang bench sa labas ng isang maliit na flower shop. It's tucked away from the eyes of excited and fast-paced travelers kaya hindi crowded. There were people going in and out but you can only count them with your fingers unlike those on the busy streets of Rome. 

I was busy scrolling past recommendations about Sorrento when I sensed something... familiar...coming its way to me. I looked up (I probably shouldn't have) and I saw him. 

Him. The damn devil. Looking all expensive and glorious in that sky blue oxford button down shirt, white trousers, khaki cap and black glasses. 

God! Let this man calm down. Ayokong nagsisisi sa mga desisyon ko. 

Napailing na lamang ako sa naisip at muling ibinalik ang tingin sa phone ko. We're practically strangers so no need to be all worked up over getting noticed. I'm pretty sure he feels the same way as I do. 

Pero sa laki ng Italya bakit kailangan pa naming magkita? Can't this country get a hint? I don't want to be near this man. 

Meron siyang kasamang isang may katandaang babae, probably around mom's age, holding his arms and talking to him with a smile on her pretty face. I'm guessing it's his mother. Meron pang dalawang lalaki na nakasunod hindi kalayuan na naka civilian but with their stance sigurado akong mga body guards niya ang mga iyon. 

Now I'm curious kung gaano ka-importante ang lalaking iyon sa bansang ito. 

Lola would go nuts if he turns out to be extremely rich and powerful at nalaman niyang nakipaglandian ako doon. Mahina akong natawa at napailing. 

Julia:

Malapit na ako. 'Wag ka ng umalis diyan.

Me:

K, bitch.

She responded with a laughing emoji na hindi ko na pinansin. I went back to scrolling travel blogs when I felt someone sat beside me. I turned to look at them dahil ramdam kong nakatingen siya sa akin. 

It was his mom. 

She smiled at me kaya plastic din akong ngumite sa kaniya. 

"Tourist?" She asked me. Tumango ako. "I love your glasses, btw. "

Bahagya kong ibinaba ang suot-suot na sunglasses para makasalubong ang tingin niya. "Thank you." 

"Where are you from?" Ang muli niyang tanong sa akin. Saan ba ang anak nito at sa akin nangungulit? 

I glanced around and saw the two guards talking while looking at us, probably reporting to their boss. I smiled at saka sinuklay ang buhok patalikod. I need a haircut. My hair is getting long. 

"Philippines," I simply answered at saka nag-check sa phone. 

Ang tagal ni Julia bakla. I'm not good at entertaining people like this. Iyong mukhang mabait. Parang isang biro ko, iiyak na. 

"Wow? Really? What a coincidence! I'm half-filipino. Can you speak their language?" She asked enthusiastically, like she found something she's been looking for a long time. 

"Kaya naman. Matagal ka na dito?" I asked na lang parang ang dami niya kasing gustong sabihin pero hindi niya masabi-sabi. Kaloka to si auntie. Saan kaya nagmana iyong anak niya?

"Yes, when I married my husband 35 years ago dito na ako nakatira. Nami-miss ko na nga ang Pinas," she shared happily pero ramdam kong may halong lungkot iyon. 

Edi umuwi siya di ba? Mukha namang mayaman sila so I don't think it's going to be hard. Bakit may lungkot-lungkutan? Hindi ako si madam Charo, please lang!

"Uwi ka rin paminsan-minsan. Mas mainit nga lang at maalikabok." 

"I would love to someday kapag okay na akong mag-travel ng malayo. I can't for now dahil sa health reasons. Anyway, saan ka nga pala tutungo? You can go with us if you want to," she offered. 

Seriously? She's going to invite strangers just like that? Paano kung scammer or magnanakaw ako di ba? Hindi naman siguro to inaapi sa bahay nila? Alam niyo na, uso ang matyr-martyr-an sa mga pinay kahit tapos na ang pananakop ng mga dayuhan. 

"Ma."

Sabay kaming napatingin sa lalaking sumulpot sa likuran naming dalawa. The sunglasses he was wearing awhile ago is no longer worn. Nakasabit na ito ngayon sa damit niya. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay nang magtagpo ang paningin namin. What? 

"Lucas!" His mother called happily and stood up. "Hai finito?" Are you done?

"SÌ, mama, ho preso questo per te." Yes, mama, and I got you this. 

He handed his mother a bouquet of  sunflowers after that. Lumaki ang ngite ng mama niya nang matanggap ito. 

I couldn't understand what they were saying so I started fiddling with my phone, spamming Julia with messages so she can do something and get to me as fast as she can. 

"Ijo," the woman called... me? I guess? Kaming tatlo lang naman ang malapit sa isa't-isa. 

"Yes?" 

"This is my son, Lucas." Ang pakilala niya sa kaniyang anak na malamig ang mga tinging ibinabato sa akin. I can sense the hatred going along with it. 

Pilit akong ngumite at inabot ang kamay ko dito. "Nice to meet you. I'm Mhara." 

Akala ko ay hindi niya aabutin ang kamay ko dahil tinitigan niya lamang ito. Ngunit nang akma ko na itong babawiin ay inabot niya iyon. "Lucas. Lucas Alejandro Mariani." 

Lucas fucking Alejandro Mariani huh

Pinigilan ko ang sarili na magbato ng masamang tingin sa kaniya nang higpitan niya ang kapit sa kamay ko. This fucking brute!

I snatched my hand from him and discreetly wiped my it on my pants. Maybe I'll visit the Vatican City saglit at baka kung ano ng kasamaan ang bumalot sa kaluluwa ko. Mukhang nakita niya ang ginawa kong pagpahid ng kamay dahil tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. 

"Your name is very unique, Mhara. I like it. I'm Lucia pala." Iyong mama naman niya ang makipagkamay sa akin. 

"It's my pleasure to meet you, Lucia." Kailan ba ako tatantanan ng mag-inang 'to? I just want peace! Can't the world hear my pleas? Oh, lagot! Poetic na ang bakla. 

"Kakain kami sa paborito kong resto, ayaw mong sumama? My treat, ijo." She asked eagerly again. Buti na lang at maganda siya kaya hindi ako masyadong naiirita. My mother's pretty clingy as well maybe I'm reminded of her.  

Anong meron kay tita at parang gustong-gusto akong isama? I mean, I do look quite nice in this blue turtle neck sweater, straight denims and black boots but is that enough reason? Maybe. 

"I would love to, Lucia, but my date will be here any minute now. I can't cancel last minute," ang alibi ko. I made sure I sounded disappointed para tigilan na niya ako. 

"A date!" She repeated, looking excited and lively again. "Sige, I won't bother you. So nice to meet a kababayan here. Tayo na, anak." 

I looked at Lucas and smiled sweetly at him. He was just staring at me. Problema nito? Hindi ko mahulaan kung anong nasa isip niya. 

"Come with us." He invited, no, demanded using the voice he frequently used against me. 

I blinked. Nawala ang ngite sa mga labi ko. What is he playing? "No, thanks."

"Where are they taking you?" Ang tanong niya sa akin na parang nagi-interrogate. 

"Huh?" I chuckled. "That's none of your business."

Para siyang natauhan sa tanong ko. He coughed and adjusted his cap. "Be careful around here."

"Sure," I answered casually and clicked my neck. Kapagad tumingala sa kaniya. Higante yata ang lalaking 'to. 

"Ma, let's go." Aya niya sa mama niya na nakangite pa rin sa akin. 

"Good bye, ijo. And please be careful around here. God bless you." 

Tumango ako at pinanood silang lumayo sa akin. A sleek car moved close to them nang makalapit sila sa main road. Lucas helped his mother settle inside the car. Nang maisara niya ang pintuan ng sasakyan ay nilingon niya ako. 

I smiled cheekily at him and waved goodbye. 

His expression remained stoic when he rode the car kaya natawa na lang ako. Ang lamig talaga. Akala ko ba expressive ang mga italians? Parang pinaglihi sa sama ng loob ang lalaking 'yon. 

Hindi nagtagal ay dumating na rin si Julia. Kung kailan di ko na siya kailangan doon lang susulpot. Sarap sabunutan eh.

"Bitch!" She screamed when she saw me from her car. 

Nginisihan ko siya. Tumayo na ako mula sa pagkakaupo at tinungo ang kaniyang sasakyan. After I got inside the car ay sabay kaming napatili dalawa. 

"Hayop ka, bakla! 'Pag nalaman ng lola mo na tinulungan kita dito sa pagtakas-takas mo lagot ako," ang naiiling niyang sabi sa akin. 

I rolled my eyes at her. "Buti sana kung kasing laki ng dickavility ng asawa mo ang etits ng chikwa na 'yon. At ano pang silbi ng general mong asawa kung hindi ka niya pro-protektahan?" 

Tinawanan niya lamang ako at nagsimulang mag-drive. 

Julia married an Italian soldier who turns out to have a pretty important position. Niloloko ko pa siya dati na baka bogbogin lang siya at baka may ptsd. I'm glad it remained a joke. She's loved dearly by her husband and her in-laws na deserve niya. 

"Mayaman ka na ba?" Ang tanong ko sa kaniya nang mapansin ang klase ng sasakyang ginagamit namin ngayon. Mukha ring bulletproof ito. Taray, kinabog ang sasakyan nila mayor. 

Malakas siyang tumawa. "Kung ikukumpara sa inyo, bakla, alikabok lang kami." 

I scoffed. "You can marry off your daughters to wealthy men kung gusto mong pumantay or kung abnormal sila kagaya namin. Business tips."

"'Wag ka ng mag-drama, gaga. Mapapagod din 'yong lola mo kakahabol sa iyo." 

Then what? Pagkatapos ko siguradong pipistehin niya naman ang mga pinsan ko. Whose after me? Morgan Kyle? Chorie? Colley? Loraine? Tangina parang high-class bugaw lang ah. 

Isinandal ko ang katawan sa sandalan at pumikit. I'd rather not think about it. Hindi ko namalayang nakatulog na pala ako. Paggising ko asul na dagat na ang nakikita kong nadadaanan namin. 

"Beh, ako lang ba or parang may nakasunod sa atin? Kanina pa 'yan nakabuntot sa sasakyan habang natutulog ka." 

Malakas na kumabog ang puso ko sa tanong ni Julia sa akin. Sinilip ko ang side mirror at napalunok.