Kahel

It was the morning after.

I was lying supine. My butt hurt pero hindi ko maipaliwanag ang pakiramdam ko. I felt so happy habang nakatitig sa nakadapang si Drake.

Nakaharap siya sa akin habang nakadapa. His beautiful eyelashes perfectly matched his curly hair na sumasayaw sa hangin mula sa nakabukas na bintana. I could see him smiling even as he sleeps. I hope I made him happy last night because I know he made me happy.

Gaya ng dati, he was using his muscular arms as his pillow. The breaking dawn is beaming soft sunshine at his beautiful physique. I can clearly see the contrast of the yellow rays of the sun highlighting his triceps, trapezius, and even his extensor obliques.

"You look like you came out of my anatomy book," I said while laughing quietly.

I extended my hand. I followed the trail of the sun on his tanned skin. I brushed the back of my fingers like a feather from his pelvis up to his torso, going to his wonderful arms and finally reaching his face.

Gaya ng mga bituwing unti-unting lumalabas sa langit sa takip-silim, marahan niyang imunulat ang mga mata niya.

"Bonjour, mahal ko," he said in his deep, happy voice.

"Good morning, Drake," tipid kong sagot.

But he does not look disappointed with my cheap response. Instead, he reached for my hand on his face and started kissing it.

I was just looking at him, smiling as he made sure that he kissed every knuckle. When he was done with it, he locked my fingers with his at ipinatong ang malambot niyang pisngi.

He leaned closer, making sure that I wouldn't let him go habang inuunanan ang isa kong kamay at tinititigan ang mukha ko.

"So, what are our plans today?" tanong niya. Pinalaki niya ang mga mata niya, kinunot ang kaniyang noo, sabay pout.

I hate it when he makes this silly face. Ibang-iba sa maangas na Drake sa school. He looked silly but so darn cute.

"I dunno," tugon ko. "Ikaw, anong gusto mong gawin today?"

"Wanna get married?"

Bigla akong naubo. Tila ang mga natuyong laway at kung anumang isinubo ko kagabi ay nagsimulang iritahin ang lalamunan ko.

"Alam na alam mo talaga saan ang inis ko ano, ungas?"

"Oo naman, mahal. Pero alam ko rin saan ang kiliti mo."

Napalunok ako. Nakita ko kung paano niya isinubo ang daliri niya sabay pinasayaw niya ang kilay niya.

Akmang lalapit siya lalo sa akin nang taasan ko siya ng hinlalato. Mabilis kong itinakip sa puwet ko ang isa kong kamay.

"Taena mo Drake, nakailan ka na kagabi ha?"

He then pulled me from my waist. Magkadikit na ngayon ang mga ilong namin habang yakap niya ang hubad kong katawan.

"Well, if you don't wanna get married today, we can have sex the whole day instead."

Bigla kong pinitik ang ilong niya.

Napatakip siya ng ilong habang natatawa sa reaksyon ko.

"Baliw!" tukso ko.

Natatawa akong tumayo sa gilid ng kama kahit medyo nanginginig pa sa ngawit ang mga hita ko.

"Where are you going?" sigaw ni Drake.

"To make us breakfast."

"Kaya mo ba?" natatawa niyang tugon.

Tinaas ko ulit ang hinlalato ko habang nakatalikod. Ikaika akong naglakad habang inaalalayan ang bewang kong tila na-dislocate.

I hear him get up immediately. Sa isang iglap ay binuhat niya ako, iyong parang lover's cary.

"Drake, what the—"

"Shhh! You rest. I know last night was your first."

Napakagat ako ng labi. Ramdam kong namula ang pisngi ko.

"Mahal, don't be shy. It's okay." Drake carried me back to the bed. He tucked my blanket, sabay halik sa noo ko.

Doon ko lang napansin na wala kaming parehong suot dahil nakalawit ang sandata niya sa harapan ko.

"I will make our breakfast," sabi ni Drake habang nakapamewang. "What do you wanna eat?"

Napatingin ako sa kabilang direksyon dahil sa hiya. I feel so silly dahil sa reaksiyon ko knowing that I was just riding that thing last night.

I heard him laugh. Pero hindi niya na ako tinukso.

Marahan ko siyang nilingon, I saw how he was putting his trunks on his bubble butt bago nagsuot ng pantalon at lumabas ng kuwarto.

***

Nasa lamesa na kaming apat. Kumakain kami ng agahan. Katabi ko si Drake habang sa harapan namin ay parehong magulo ang buhok nina Lance at Matthew.

"So, Kahel, ano na ang plano natin?" Lance asked.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. Nagdadalawang-isip pa rin ako kung sasabihin ko ba sa kanila ang mga plano ko mamayang gabi o tatakasan ko silang tatlo.

"Remember, the more of us, the easier it is to find Mr. Pegasus," dugtong naman ni Matthew habang inaagaw ang gatas ni Lance.

"Fine," I finally said na may kasamang malalim na hininga.

Ikinuwento ko sa kanila ang lahat. Ang mga bagay na nalaman ko kay Uncle Sebastian at kung paano nila nakilala ni Papa ang taong hinahanap namin.

"In a fashion show, huh?" tanong ni Drake. He immediately pulled out his phone na tila may kinakalikot na kung ano.

"Tamang-tama, Valentino," sabi ni Mathew. He was smiling habang nakatitig kay Drake na seryoso ang tingin sa cellphone nito.

"Anong meron?" sabay naming tanong ni Lance.

"Can you guys walk?" tanong sa amin ni Matthew. Lance nodded yes but...

I know I can't.

***

Kinahapunan ay nasa tapat kami ng Eiffel Tower. The Ball was meant to happen the day before Paris Fashion Week. The organizers made a venue in front of the Eiffel. They put on a huge stage, a wide catwalk, and countless seats around it.

The catwalk extends to a bridge between two long pools sa tapat ng tore. At the far end of the pools is a magnificent view of the huge park.

The most beautiful thing about this place is that the catwalk is perfectly aligned under the path of the sun as it moves towards the west.

At this very moment, everything is orange. Ang langit ay tila binuhusan ng kahel na pintura gamit ang mga kalat-kalat na ulap. There is no definite pattern in the sky. The wind is scattering the clouds making a renaissance painting out of the orange and bright red hues.

"So," pagwasak ni Lance sa mga iniisip ko. "Since hindi ka makalakad for some unknown reason na ayaw ninyong aminin sa amin ni Drake—"

"Hindi ka pwedeng sumasa sa amin sa stage kasi you won't be able to walk kahit gustong-gusto kang isali ng organizer ng event," dugtong naman ni Matthew.

I made a straight line with my mouth.

"Nasaan si ungas?" tanong ko.

"Nandoon sa backstage at binibihisan," sabi ni Matthew.

Matapos naming i-review ang plano at ilan pang paalala, they left me alone.

Maaga pa at umupo na ako sa front seat na pina-reserve ni Drake para sa akin. Lumipas ang ilang oras at unti-unti nang bumabagsak ang araw.

The sky that used to be orange is starting to turn reddish gold. Sa isang iglap ay napansin ko nang dumarami ang mga tao at mga naglalakad sa redcarpet sa bandang labas ng venue.

It was a total of two hours of waiting.

Hindi naman ako nainip dahil panay ang lakad ng mga staff sa paligid ko to prepare for the venue. At hindi rin ako nakatunganga lang. I have been scanning every person that has been entering the event for anyone na nakamaskara ng kabayo or anything na kakaiba.

Then, the event started. Napapalibutan na ako ng mga taong magaganda ang damit at halatang mataas ang estado sa lipunan.

Hindi naman papahuli ang suot ko. I am wearing a fashionable trenchcoat with an asymmetrical design. Brownish to orange ang color na may parang mga stained glass na kulay purple na ibinurda upang dumikit rito. I am wearing skinny blue pants in contrast to my top and my red scarf made of Valentino prints. Lastly, my boots are made out of snake skin na kumikinang sa kulay green.

"Kahel!" biglang sumulpot sa gilid ko si Victoria. She is wearing leopard jeans, green tube at isang malaking feathery brown shoul bilang pantakip niya. "Why aren't you at the backstage?"

"Hello, look out kasi ako, I wanna make sure na nandito ang taong hinahanap namin."

"Look out, for who? For Uncle Sebastian?"

"A, e, oo—" Hindi na ako nakapag-isip nang mabuti. I don't want to involve her in our mess regarding the real person we need to find right now.

"E, ayan na siya, o," biglang sabi ni Victoria. Nakaturo siya sa likuran ko.

Behind me is an aisle of very important people. Lahat halos ng upuan sa hilera ko ay may tag na VIP. Pero ang katabi kong upuan ay blanko. When I lifted my head, I saw a tall, muscular man in a red tuxedo slowly walking towards me.

Lahat halos ng tao ay nakatingin sa kaniya. He's smiling at all of them hanggang sa huminto siya sa harapan ko.

Nakatitig siya sa akin. Hindi ko napigilang tumayo, gayundin si Victoria.

"Good afternoon, Tito," she said.

"Magandang hapon po," dugtong ko.

"You two look so good. Lalong-lalo ka na, Kahel," bati ni Uncle Sebastian,

He was about to pat me in the head nang bigla akong yumuko at agad na ipinikit ang mga mata ko.

He stopped bago pa niya ako madikitan. But I could feel his hand at the tip of my hair.

Habang nakapikit pa rin ako, naramdaman kong umupo na silang dalawa ni Victoria.

I quietly followed.

Nagsimula ang event, wala kaming imikang tatlo. Panay palakpak ang mga tao habang iba't ibang modelo ang naglalakad sa aming harapan.

At first, magagandang autumn clothes ang mga suot nila. Mostly trench clothes na halos pang winter na nga; mga damit na dati ay sa magazine ko lamang nakikita. There were clothes that were cut in a way na parang architectural design. They look so odd pero napakaangas tignan.

Napakaraming sikat na modelo na sa TV at magazine ko lamang nakikita. May iba na nakikita ko lang bilang model sa SM store na pinagtatrabahuhan ko. Modelo sa cover ng brief, cover ng sando at minsan ay cover ng condom. Hindi ko in-expect that I get to see them walk in person.

I saw Drake come out.

People started clapping like crazy. He was wearing a black trenchcoat pero hindi nakatakip sa katawan niya. Instead, they made him tie it in his waist kaya nagmukhang jersey jacket na lang ito na bagay sa elephant jeans na suot niya. His body was so muscular, mala-Adonis sa laki. They made sure that he was covered in oil to compliment the shade of his skin with the theme of the first event. His hair was combed all the way back. He is also wearing a thick black eyeliner with green wings na bagay na bagay sa maangas niyang mukha.

Dumaan siya sa harapan ko.

I saw him look at me. He gave me a wink, then immediately returned to his blank expression bago nagpatuloy sa kaniyang paglalakad.

He was then followed by Matthew na sinundan din ni Lance na halatang hindi sanay sa mga ganitong event. Still, Lance was able to keep up with Matthew while wearing almost the same kind of trenchcoat pero magkaiba sila ng sombrerong suot.

Abala ako sa panonood sa kanila. As time goes by, nag-iiba ang tema ng kanilang kasuotan at halata sa mga mata nilang tatlo na may hinahanap silang tao sa audience.

"They will never find him," biglang bulong sa tenga ko ni Uncle Sebastian.

Mabilis ko siyang nilingon. Nakadantay siya sa kaniyang mga tuhod habang nakatitig sa catwalk at magkasalubong ang kaniyang mga kilay.

"But you said, you and Papa were able to find Mr. Pegasus this way?" mahina kong tanong.

"I told you that he found us, not the other way around."

"Kaya nga po kami nandito, para lumabas siya at magparamdam sa amin."

"Kahel, hijo. I'm pretty sure that he is not interested sa mga kaibigan mo sa taas," seryosong saan ni Uncle Sebastian. Nakataas ang kilay nito.

"Then, what should I do?"

"Matalino ka Kahel. Alam kong alam mo na ang sagot sa tanong mo."

I bit my lips. Napakamot ako sa pagitan ng mga kilay ko. Huminga ako nang malalim bago mabilis na tumayo.

"Bahala na nga!" I dashed from my seat. Before standing up, I could see from my peripheral vision that Uncle Sebastian was smiling.

Kinakabahan ako sa binabalak ko dahil this would be my first time. But I know Lance was able to survive this, hindi rin naman siya modelo dati.

***

Sobrang gulo sa backstage.

Napakaraming modelo na halos walang saplot! Para akong na-stun. Naked Sean O'Pry sa gilid. Ang matambok na puwet ni Pietro Boselli sa kabilang sulok. Even the famous Francisco Lachowski was smiling at me.

Inalog ko ang ulo ko.

"Focus, Kahel Edknell Robinson! Focus!"

They are all almost naked na tila kung saan-saan na lang nagbpibihis dahil wala na silang time to get change privately, dahil nga this is a fashion walk.

Nakita ko ang tatlong mokong sa sulok. Lahat ay walang salawal sabay-sabay na mine-makeup-an

"Drake, put me up there!" bulalas ko.

"Ed?" tanong ni Matthew

"K?" usisa ni Lance

"Mahal, anong ginagawa mo rito? Hindi ba masakit ang—" hindi na natuloy ni Drake ang tanong niya when I started stripping in front of them.

Bigla akong pinigilan ni ungas. "Kahel, anong ginagawa mo?"

"We are running out of time, hindi pa rin siya lumalabas!" bulyaw ko.

I saw Drake's nose flare habang hinihintay ko siyang sumagot. I am already topless, but he immediately held the button of my pants to stop me from unbuttoning them.

"Drake, we don't have time," pakiusap ko. I widened my eyes, slanted my eyebrows to show him that I'm begging.

Drake inhaled deeply. "Fine!" he finally said. He let go of my pants. Bigla niyang nilingon sina Matthew at Lance. "Kayong dalawa, talikod!"

Natatawa siyang sinunod ng dalawa.

I was completely naked behind the three of them. Hindi ko na rin pinansin ang ibang naggaguwagwapuhang at naggagandahang modelo na ninanakawan ako ng tingin.

Alam ko namang walang-wala ang katawan ko sa kanila pero naiirita ako dahil kanina pa panay ang ikot ni Drake sa palibot ko na tila inaangasan ang kung sinumang makita niyang tumitingin sa akin.

"Back off! Isa ka pa! Perds-toi d'ici! (Get lost!)" Ilan lamang ito sa mga isinisigaw ni ungas habang abala ako sa paghubo.

Drake asked one of the assistants to dress me. Hindi naman na sila tumangi since anak siya ng may-ari ng brand na ibinabalandra nila sa harapan.

As I was slowly putting on whatever clothing it was, and as the makeup artist was making art of my face, hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti sa pamilyar na anyo na kinalabasan ko.

***

The theme of the walk I will be joining is Ancient Greek Gods.

Nakasilip ako mula sa backstage. As the sun was slowly setting from the horizon directly in front of us, all the stage lights started shining in rainbow colors. Naglabasan rin ang mga skylight mula sa likod ng entablado na lalong nagpaganda sa kulay lila na langit. They were like fireflies dancing in the cloudy sky habang nag-iiba ang kanta.

The first model to come out was Matthew. He was wearing a black robe with dark makeup na mala Hades and theme. Ang fierce ng itsura niya. They turned his hair blue and hairsprayed it upwards, looking like an azure flame. He was bare-chested; his chisseled abs were highlighted by the beautiful vantablack belt pants na suot niya. He looked amazing. People were already clapping with him as the opening act.

Sinundan siya ng ibang modelo na halatang may iba ring lahi.

Then Lance came out. He was wearing a bright golden robe, golden sandals, and steel-plated silver shorts na contrasted sa pagkatao niya. He was wearing a golden crown adorned with flowers and a metal plate in his head shaped like the sun. He was holding a harp as he walked down the catwalk. He successfully pulled off the Apollo look.

Kasunod nood ay iba pang modelo. Halos ang iba sa kanila ay hubo't hubad na dahil sa nipis ng kanilang suot.

Napatingin ako sa suot ko. Lalo akong kinabahan.

My attention was caught by the sudden uproar of the crowd. There was a loud wave of applause that made me turn back to the stage.

It was Drake.

He was almost wearing nothing. May maliit siyang tong na kulay ginto but he has a huge male lion skin na nakasabit sa likod niya all the way to the top of his head. It is as if he is wearing a hoodie using the lion's mouth. The lion's fangs were lining his face, the lion's upper head was on his hair, and the mane was so majestic that it lined his whole back. The lion's upper arms were dangling from his back to the front of his chest and the rest of the lion's skin was on his back like a cape.

"Hercules," bulong ko.

People were giving him a standing ovation dahil sa ganda ng katawan niya. When he turned back to the stage, I understood why people were going crazy for him. He looked like a demi-god. His chest was so big and hairy, and his abs were shining like it's sculpted from a marble stone.

He was smiling at me as he walked back towards me sa likod ng entablado.

Bigla akong nahiya sa itsura ko.

"Ang guwapo ko ba?" bungad ni Drake.

Marahan ko siyang tinanguan.

"You look good, too, mahal," dagdag pa niya.

"Huwag na kaya akong tumuloy?" tanong ko.

"You sure?"

Napalunok ako ng laway. Sinilip ko ulit ang mga tao na pinapalakpakan ang mga modelo.

"Nahiya kasi ako sa itsura ko," I said.

Drake reached for my head. I was still wearing my glasses at that time. He slowly removed them.

"There, better," he said. "But you're still hotter with glasses. I still like you with glasses. Mas bagay lang na wala kang suot—"

Panay lang ang daldal niya. I know that he was trying to distract me dahil sa kaba ko. I put my hands on his face and started squeezing it.

"Ang dami mong sinasabi," halakhak ko.

He smiled. Iyong ngiting hindi nakakaloko. Iyong ngiting hindi mayabang. Iyong ngiting nagpapapula sa pisngi ko. Iyong ngiting may kasamang pagpatag ng mga kilay niya at pagngiti rin ng mga mata niya.

"Wait, I have something for you," sabi ni Drake. He swiftly ran to a drawer, where we sat down to have our makeup on at may kinuhang maliit na kahon. Nakabalot ito na parang regalo. "Here, gift ko, open it."

"Ano 'yan?" usisa ko.

"Just open it. You are about to walk next."

Dahil sa kaba ko sa sinabi niya ay aligaga kong binuksan ang kahon.

"Wait," pagtataka ko. "Is this—"

"Happy Devirginization Day, mahal," nakangiting bati ni Drake.

"Ungas ka talaga!" halakhak ko. Kinurot ko ang dalawang utong niyang tayong-tayo sa harapan ko.

"Aray, aray," he squealed, laughing.

In my hands is a box of contact lenses. I opened it and they were— "Orange?"

"Sorry, it's the only one available. Kanina ko lang binili noong nalaman ko ang plano mo—"

I kissed him immediately. Niyakap ko siya mula sa kaniyang leeg. "I like it!"

"Really?"

Tinanguan ko si Drake.

"Dali, suotin mo na Kahel, at malapit ka nang lumabas."

Agad ko itong inilagay sa mga mata ko. Sakto naman at pinalabas na ako ng direktor noong naka-adjust na ang paningin ko.

Nakayuko akong lumabas. Hindi ako sanay maglakad sa ganito. Madalas kaming maglaro sa kama ni Lila na kunwari ay mga fashion model noong mga bata pa kami. Ginagawa naming damit at wig ang mga kumot ng higaan habang kumekembot kung walang tao. Isa pa, madalas ko nang mapanood ito sa Victoria's Secret, kaya alam ko naman kahit papaano ang dapat kong gawin.

In my back was a huge pair of white, feathery wings. Wala akong pang-itaas. May hawak akong bow and arrow habang may puting robe na nakabalot sa ibabang bahagi ng katawan ko. My hair was curly at nilagyan nila ng mga iba't ibang bulaklak. The one that gives away my look is the huge crystal broken heart na tinutusukan ng arrow na hawak ko sa aking kaliwang kamay.

Napatingin ako kay Victoria sa bandang harapan. She was smiling at me habang panay ang palakpak.

That gives me a little confidence na tama ang ginagawa ko.

I leaned my head toward the person almost beside her. I saw Uncle Sebastian. He was leaning comfortably, looking so proud. Then he uttered the word "Eros" which gave me confidence na tama ang itsura ko.

I started raising my head. The director told me in the backstage not to give a stoic face because Eros or Cupid was a fun creature na mapagbiro and I am the one representing him. Kaya ginandahan ko. I walked handsomely with a smile bago ko pa makalahati ang buong catwalk. I was not looking straight. I was watching the crowd's faces. Seeing their smile gives me their approval.

"Fuck, I look good," bulong ko sa aking sarili.

Kakatingin ko sa kanilang lahat ay may napansin ako sa dulo ng catwalk.

A guy in a black tuxedo was wearing a horse-shaped geometric mask.

I felt my heart pounding. He was just standing there, looking weird pero hindi siya pinapansin ng ibang taong dumadaan sa harapan niya.

It was as if no one else could see him.

My slow, steady walk on the catwalk increased in phase. People were already looking at me, at nag-aalangan ako sa ginagawa ko pero he was there...

The person we came here for. Right there!

I dashed.

I felt like a plane taking off, complete with wings, and the catwalk was my runway.

Nagsimulang magpalakpakan ang mga tao sa ginagawa ko, like it's part of the show. I passed the catwalk all the way to the bridge. I was like Eros himself, flying above crystalline water while the golden sky was painted in my background.

I saw Mr. Pegasus walk away. Marahan sa una hanggang sa mabilis na siyang naglalaho.

People were already standing behind me, wondering kung saan ako pupunta. Then I heard a louder applause from the viewers.

But I ignored them.

Binilisan ko pa ang takbo dahil ilang dapa na lang sa akin ang mamang naka maskara ng kabayo.

Bigla siyang lumiko sa kanto sa pagitan ng dalawang estatwa malapit sa pool.

When I turned, he was gone.

I was panting. Pero hindi na ako hinihika this time. Iginala ko ang tingin ko but he was nowhere to be found.

Mabilis akong napaluhod out of frustration.

"Kainis!" Sinapak ko ang simento dahil sa galit. I felt the warmth in my eyes and everything was turning green. Ipinikit ko ang mga mata ko. "He was already there! Ano ba!"

"Anak—" I heard Papa's voice.

I immediately opened my eyes. I looked up. The sky was back to orange.

"Papa?" Mabilis kong ikinalat ang mata ko. Pero walang niisang tao.

Then, at the corner of my eye, I saw something.

An orange light that is from the sky is being reflected from a piece of glass.

I ran towards it.

A smile sprouted on my lips and it slowly grew brighter as I reached it.

"Ito ang—"

Mr. Pegasus' mask was left in front of a statue.

I slowly picked it up. Napatingin ako sa estatwang pinagiwanan nito.

"Pegasus?" aniko. In front of me is a statue of a winged horse. His front legs are lifting in the air, and his wings are spreading to their farthest extent.

"Kahel!" I heard Drake calling me from behind. I turned around and there were Lance and Matthew too, still wearing their Greek attire. They were running towards me.

I stared down at the mask. Something from within it was calling for me.

I looked back at Drake. They were still running towards me. Everything was in slow motion.

Napalunok ako as my hands automatically put the mask on my head on their own.

I was about to open my eyes from inside it when suddenly—

"No!" It was Uncle Sebastian. Gulo-gulo ang buhok niya habang hinihingal pang inalis sa ulo ko ang maskara. "Don't you dare wear this. This is how Martin died!"

Natulala ako sa sinabi niya.

Bigla akong hinila ni Drake from the front of his dad at niyakap akong bigla.

"Kahel! Ayos ka lang ba, mahal?" Drake asked. I could feel his loud heartbeat banging on his chest while he was squeezing my face on it.

"Oo," hinihingal kong sagot. I slowly looked up. Drake was looking at his father. Angrily. With disdain. With malice.

I saw the sad look on Uncle Sebastian's face while staring at the mask.

Inabot ko ang mukha ni Drake. I gently touched his cheeks. Marahan kong pinagpantay ang mga kilay niya.

"Ayos lang ako, Drake," malambing kong bigkas.

Hinarap niya ako ulit. Maluha-luha na siya. Bigla niya akong niyakap nang mahigpit. Nasabalikat na niya ngayon ang ulo ko.

"So did you find anything?" biglang tanong ni Lance.

"Si Mr. Pegasus ba iyon, Ed?" usisa pa ni Matthew.

Hinaplos ko ang likod ni Drake while slowly pulling myself away from his arms.

"Hush!" sabi ko kay Drake as I try to calm him down.

Binalikan ko ang mga kaibigan ko.

"Bumalik na tayo ng Pilipinas," bigla kong saad.

"Ha? Bakit?" sabay-sabay nilang tanong.

"I know now who Mr. Pegasus is," panimula ko.

I extended my hand to Uncle Sebastian. He slowly gave me back the mask.

"How did you know who he is, Kahel?" tanong ng daddy ni Drake.

I put the mask near my nose. I started using my other talent—my keen sense of smell.

"Because this mask is reeking with the smell of a familiar brand of chlorine."