Chapter 3

Farrel Juancho

I was just silently tapping my fingers on my lap while watching tv when I heard the door at my right side opened. Zavier, my cousin was shocked upon seeing me in his office.

“Hey, Juancho. How are you? Ngayon ka lang ulit nadalaw dito sa Manila,” pambungad niyang  turan.

Nandito ako sa hospital kung saan siya ang Doctor at anak ng isa sa mga may-ari nito.

“Hm. Medyo maluwag ang schedule ko ngayon sa hacienda kaya may oras ako para dumalaw sa’yo,” sabay ngisi ko rito.

“Really? If I know madalas naman na maluwag ang gawain doon, ayaw mo lang talagang maglagi rito dahil kukulitin ka na naman ni Tita Fiona sa mga anak ng kaibigan niya.”

“Tsk. Sort of. I don’t know why she can’t understand that I am not comfortable when she’s setting me up to a date. Hay.”

Tumawa ang gago at nang asar pa. “Oh, man. Why don’t you just accept it? Hindi ka na bumabata, months from now mawawala na ang edad mo sa kalendaryo,” aniya.

“Wala pa sa plano ko ‘yan. Besides, hindi ko nakikita sa mga ipinapakilala sa akin ang qualities na gusto ko sa isang babae. Zav, you know me. Hindi ako tumitingin sa panlabas, mas gusto ko pa rin kung ano ang totoong ugali,” sagot ko rito.

“Then why don’t you look for yourself? Hindi yung tinatanggihan mo mga pinapakilala sa’yo ni Tita,” sermon nito sa akin.

“Naniniwala ako na hindi ‘yun hinahanap, kusang dumarating ‘yun,” bigkas ko.

“Really? I didn’t know you had such corny quirks! Look at me, I can’t believe na sa fixed marriage na ito ko pala makikilala ang babaeng mamahalin ko habang-buhay,” may ngiti nitong sabi sa akin.

Napatitig ako sa pinsan ko habang nagkukwento siya tungkol buhay may asawa. Isa lang ang masasabi ko, fixed marriage really worked to them. Hindi naman ako against do’n but I have my own belief, and that, it is not meant for me. That’s why I am getting annoyed every time my mother is calling me saying that she set me up for a date.

“By the way, how’s Vera?” pangangamusta ko sa asawa nito.

“She’s doing great. Why are you asking? If you’re thinking something to ruin us, better stop that Juancho. That will never work, trust me.

Hindi ko mapigilan mapatawa sa sinabi nito, “Talaga ba, Zavier? Wala akong plano na agawin si Vera sa’yo,” wika ko habang napapailing pa.

“Just making sure. Remember when she came with you to Bulacan? Ang dami niyang pwedeng pagtaguan na lugar do’n niya pa talaga naisipan sa hacienda at ikaw pa ang kasama!”

“Why don’t you just accept the fact that Vera once had a crush on me back then,” pang-aasar ko pa.

“Fuck you, get out will you! Don’t you dare try to steal my wife or else I will forget that you’re my cousin.”

Tuluyang uminit ang ulo ng loko dahil sa sinabi ko. Napahagalpak ako ng tawa at itinaas ko ang aking dalawang kamay hudyat na sumusuko na.

“And oh, I forgot. She’s pregnant.”

“Oh, Congrats then. Seems like I have two person to take away from you,” pahabol ko pang turan.

“GET LOST, JUANCHO!!”

Before he even beat me, I hurriedly went to the door, open it and immediately shut it. Before proceeding to walk, I fixed and composed myself first. After that, I started walking. Everyone is greeting me, including patients who knows me by my name.

Palapit sa elevator ay may nakita akong batang tumatakbo, sa likod niya ay isang babaeng humahabol din. Tumatawa ang bata na tila ba’y nasisiyahan dahil hindi siya maabutan, subalit sa hindi inaasahan ay bigla itong nadapa. Mabilis akong tumakbo papalapit dito at itinayo agad siya.

“Miko!” isang malamyos na tinig ng babae ang aking narinig.

“Auntie! Nadapa po ako pero hindi po ako umiyak, sabi mo po kasi ang big boy hindi umiiyak, ‘di ba po!” turan ng batang nagngangalang Miko.

“Naku, sorry po Sir! Naabala pa kayo ng makulit na ito. Halika na Miko, matatapos na rin si Lola,” turan ng babaeng nasa harap ko, sabay lahad ng kamay sa bata.

I finally saw the face of the woman closely. I was mesmerized by her beauty. With her short curly and wavy hair, a set of deep brown eyes and the typical skin color of a Filipina, which is morena.

I was stunned for a moment, though I used to see and encounter a lot of women, I can’t understand myself why can’t I take my eyes off of her.

“U-uhm. Mister? Salamat po sa pagtulong sa pamangkin ko. Mauuna na po kami, pasensiya na rin po sa abala,” sabay talikod nito habang kinakausap ang bata.

Nakapagpagising sa aking pagkakatulala ang kaniyang malamyos na boses. Natuon ang pansin ko sa kanilang dalawa ngunit sila’y nakatalikod na. Get a hold of yourself, Juancho.

“Wait, Miss!” pagpigil ko sa susunod na hakbang nito. Lumingon ito sa akin na may pagtataka sa mukha.

“B-bakit po?” bakas ang pagtataka sa kaniya kung bakit tinawag ko siya.

“Uh, nothing. I-I just want to ask, what’s your name?” nauutal na sambit ko.

“H-ha? A-ako po si Bea,” may pag-aalinlangan na sagot nito.

“Okay. Bea, it is. Hm, I-I hope we see each other again,” nahihiyang ngiti ko rito.

Nagulat man sa ginawa ko ay ngumiti rin ito pabalik sa akin at nagpatuloy na sa paglalakad. I think I’m having a heart attack when she gave me her sweetest smile.

Kaya kahit nasa elevator at makasakay sa kotse ko ay hindi maalis ang ngiti ko. Nakarating ako sa mansiyon ng magulang ko at si Mommy agad ang una kong hinanap. Natagpuan ko ito sa garden, nagdidilig nang kaniyang mga halaman.

“Mom!” pagtawag ko rito.

“Juancho! Oh my god. You’re here! Mabuti naman at naisipan mong dumaan dito,” lumapit ito sa akin sabay halik sa magkabila kong pisngi.

I remember, its been 3 weeks since I last visited them. I was busy handling the factories in Bulacan, and well let’s just say that I am also avoiding what my mom doing every time I am here in the city.

“I missed you Mom. Where’s Dad?”

“In his office, bibisita na sana kami sa Bulacan. Mabuti at dumating ka. Wait, why are you like that?” may gulat sa mukha nito.

Hindi pa nito napigilan ang sarili at sinuri pang mabuti ang aking mukha.

“Hey, Mom. What are you doing? Please stop it.”

“You look happy. Ngayon ko lang nakita ang ganiyang kislap sa mata mo. Tell me, you already have girlfriend? ” natutuwa at may pagdududang turan ni Mommy.

“I don’t have one, Mom.”

“Really? Then I will get you one! Ready yourself for tomorrow, your Tita Agnes and her daughter Melisa will visit.”

“Mom! Not again. Could you please stop doing that? Pairing me with your friends’ daughter. Besides, may nakilala po ako kanina. And I think, I had a crush on her,’” pag-amin ko.

“Juancho! Crush? Look at yourself you grown up man!”

“Mom, does having a crush requires age?”

“I am not saying that, hijo. Maybe you’re just attracted to her for now. I am sure naman na hindi na kayo ulit magkikita pa. Do you know her name? Where did you met her?”

“Well, we met at the hospital. I visited Zavier, earlier and her name is Bea.”

“That’s it? You only knew her name, Bea? Do you even hear yourself, Juancho? Just Bea? Do you think you can find her with that name?”

“What’s the use of Zavier’s connection, Mom. I’m sure they have records.”

“Records for what? What if she just passed by in the hospital to visit her relatives or friend?”

“Mom, please. Just leave it to me. You will meet her soon. And please, hear my favor. Okay, Mom? Now, if you’ll excuse me. I’ll just go upstairs to greet Dad and rest for a moment,” tuluyan akong nagpaalam sa kaniya at humalik sa noo nito bago pumasok sa loob ng aming mansiyon.

Looking back from the scene earlier, I cannot stop thinking of that woman. Am I really having a crush on her?

Kung ano man ito. Isang bagay pa rin ang gagawin ko. Hahanapin ko siya upang maintindihan ko itong nararamdaman ko sa kaniya.