Chapter 9-Cabin

"I'm sorry Mrs. Austen, I don't understand filipino." Mr. Murray smiled.

"Of course,I know I'll be surprised if yo do." Aniya pa ng mama niya. At biglang natataranta na itinapon ang dala dala sa loob ng bedroom niya. 

"I'm here to ask your permission to borrow your daughter for the weekend. I need her to assist me with paperworks." He murmured while gesturing his PA. To go and pick up some clothing and things she might be needing.

"Ah no problem. You're not going to alop with my dother no?"

"Pardon what?" Mr. Murray asked and lifted a brow.

"Aloop ba. Yo know, when boyfren and gelfren make tanan, nak ano nga yung tanan sa english nak?" Sabay sigaw pa nito habang papasok siya sa bedroom nila.

"Ma, huwag ka ngang OA jan. Kung makatanan ka dyan eh, di ko naman jowa yan, at wala namang magtatanan na magpapaalam kaya nga tanan eh." Pasigaw niyang sagot.

Mr. Murray was smiling. It was obvious the two had a loving relationship, the mother was smiling and checking him out.

"Mr. Murray never mind those questions, she just asks you the location of the cabin. Being a good mother she is." She shouted back,pahamak naman itong mama niya, makabenta ng anak, diyan pa sa herodes niyang amo. Eh di naman siya type niyan. Teka lang, kailangan ko ba ng maraming damit? Okay na siguro itong tatlong pair, magdadala na lang din ako ng pang swimming. Merong hot spring daw dun eh, yun sabi ng may ari. Kaya nga daw nagustuhan ng amo niyang bilhin yun.

Makalipas ang limang minuto, natapos na siya at palabas na kasama ang navy backpack niya. Kasama ang isang folder na na nilagay niya sa plastic case na binili niya pa sa book store.

"I'm done." His PA announced. He was surprised on how fast she was. He expected her to do some make up and change into a new outfit yet she did none of those. He was rather having a good time with the mother, who knows how to make him laugh with her never ending story about Mary Jane childhood. Somehow he loves hearing how crazy his PA was. It was surprising though, Mary Jane has never behaved in such a way where he might smile or even give her a look. She has this honed appearance she conveys where she was always with the eyeglasses, long sleeve blouse and pencil. Not even a skin expose for him to ogle with. Yet checking her now with the jeans and hiking shoes. She has the curve in all the right places. He couldn't help but admire the view of her behind. He knew he was checking her and the mother was watching his every move so he feigned a boring and a not interested look, he just hoped he was a good actor. "Okay, good have you got all the papers and contracts? I need them all with some of the blueprint and the list of contacts.

"Yes, I have it here but not everything though, I don't have a list of contacts. It's in the office. But the rest are here."

"Okay then, that's good enough."

Tumayo na ito at akmang kukunin ang backpack niya,aba gentleman naman pala ang kumag. Nakangiting nakamasid ang mama niya, at alam niyang sa pag uwi niya hindi siya tatantanan nito sa kakatanong. Nakataas pa ang isang kilay at nakamasid sa amo niyang dala na ngayon ang backpack niya. "Nak, nagbago na isip ko, huwag na pala natin siyang kulamin, kung pwede pikutin mo na lang, ang gandang lahi oh, bagay kayo nak." Anito.

"Ma, maghunos dili ka nga. Baka maintindihan ka niyan nakakahiya ano kaba." 

"Char, kinilig ka naman. Namumula ka oh, masyado kang halata uy. May dala ka bang magandang panty at bra baka naman yung luma ang dinala mo nakakahiya baka tikman ka niyan." Patawa pa nitong saad habang nakasunod sa kanila pa labas.

"Ma, naman eh, nakakaintindi ng damit pang babae yan ano kaba."

"Oh, sige na nga. Kung makablush ka di halatang may balak ka ha."

Napatawa siya ng bahagya at yumakap na dito at humalik. "Ma, baka bukas ng gabi uwi namin, depende sa plano ng isa. Huwag kana mag partime mamaya ha kasi may sahod naman daw itong pagsama ko sa kanya. Magrest kana lang muna."

"Aw! Abat maigi naman pala." Bumulong pa ito sa tainga niya. "May dala ka bang condom?"

"Ma, ano ka ba."

"Naniniguro lang ah. Pikotin mo na at ng magkaapo ba ako."

"Bye na nga kung ano ano na naman naiisip mo. Bye! Ma."

"Bye anak, bye Mr. Murray. You two tek ker ha?" ka OA naman sa pinay accent niya, alam niyang hindi naman ganito ito magsalita.

"Bye Mrs. Austen. Don't worry, we will be back shortly and safely. I'll take care of your daughter." He uttered and gestured a bye. He might as well learn their language, the two have been giggling and he wasn't born yesterday not to know that they have been talking about him. 

Two hours passed, and they were now on the trail towards the cabin. Snatching her navy backpack from the back seat, Jude changed into a pair of hiking white shoes, locked his car, and set off on the route. They passed through the fence, passed the treeline, and pursued the path into the wilderness for a couple days of isolated privacy. Imposing an adequate pace, they resolved into a steady rhythm, strolling up the path towards the family cabin. Jude's breath brings down into sync with their strides, heeding the sound of their soles trudging on the earthen route, flapping her arms in time. He felt her heart rate increase, his body warm from the recreation. A trace of perspiration glazed his fair-skinned below his hiking shorts, his bare arms, his partially open compact linen white shirt. The air felt nice on his lightly perspired face as miles passed. He watched his assistant stroll behind him at a solid pace.

Grave naman kalayo pala nito, at nakakapagod kanina pa kami naglalakad ah, nagugutom na siya. Sulit naman sa ganda ng view at sa fresh ng hangin,malamig ang panahon ngunit pinapawisan siya kaya tinanggal niya ang kanyang jacket. As she sauntered, her mind wandered—things she wanted to do at work, lolo niya sa pilipinas, her grandmother's health, of her past and failed relationship, recurring commitments that restrained and wore down her diligence, her self-image.Ang hirap pala maghanap buhay sa lupang ikaw ay banyaga, lahat ng galaw mo ay de numero. She worries about everyday thoughts and memories that would never elude her mind, heartaches, pain. Ex niyang walang kwenta t pinagpalit siya sa bakla. Hay buhay nga naman. Ang gago hiniraman pa siya ng pera di naman binayaran.

"Are you okay Miss. Austen? Would you like to take a rest?" He asked as he stops for a moment and turned his head, he wasn't worried about her thought, he was worried about the foreign feelings he has, yet a concerning enthusiasm left his heart feeling alone, him wanting a warmth love, to be caressed. Desiring to be wanted by someone, someone who doesn't wants his money. He sighed as he sauntered. Even now, fleeing life for a few days, he couldn't avoid himself. His heart lingered heavy. Chaotic and uncertain for what life lies ahead about his long decisions and life goals.

"I'm good. Later."Saan niya, nakakahiya namang magreklamo.

Lost in their thoughts, their body went on autopilot as an hour passed or more, slogging off along the path under the dense tree canopy. Except for scattered rabbits, squirrels and birds, small snakes, and spiders. Jude was entirely at peace, checking Miss Austen from time to time, left with her thoughts. Reaching a small river, they saw a couple of old wooden picnic tables to the sides of the trail and decided it would be a good place for a late day lunch and a well-deserved rest. "We should rest and eat something."

Hay salamat naman, gutom na gutom na siya. Buti naman naisipan ng isang ito na pakainin siya, nakakapagod na ngang maglakad nakakagutom pa. Ano bang pagkain meron ito. Lumapit siya sa wooden table at umupo sa harap nito. Binuksan ang dalang baon na nasa lunchbox, infairness akala niya delata ang dala nito. 

Jude sat down at the table, breathing deeply and stretching, appreciating the feel of rest and taking the weight off his feet. He grabbed a tuna and egg sandwich and a water bottle out of his backpack and the set of lunchbox and set them on the table in front of them, but for some reason, he wasn't too eager to eat his lunch. However he watched his PA eat gusto, thanks to his butler he added lots of foods.

His mind was too preoccupied with all his innermost sentiments and problems. He sat, glaring at the dried bread of his sandwich, idly tracing his fingers along the plastic rim of the sandwich pocket. 

Bakit ba hindi ito kumakain? Di ba ito nagugutom? Bahala ka dyan basta ako kakain ako.