N APATAYO si Blanca nang makarinig ng magkakasunod na pagkatok sa pinto. Kinabahan siya. Hindi ganoon ang pagkatok ng isang taong walang urgent need. Kung ano-anong pangitain na ang pumasok sa kanyang isip at halos magkumahog siya sa paglapit sa pinto.
Nang buksan iyon, napanganga siya nang makita si Daniel, karga-karga si Len-len. Naka-cowboy attire si Daniel, habang ang bata ay naka-mermaid costume, pero may butas para sa mga binti. Biglang tumili ng pagtawa ang bata.
“Come quickly, I’ve kidnapped her and we need to go,” sabi ni Daniel.
Of course, she knew he was kidding. “Ano’ng pumasok sa isip mo?”
“Ang sabi mo, hindi ka pa nag-trick or treat. I don’t think they allow adults to do it so we need her help. She’s willing. Aren’t you, cutie?”
Tumili na naman sa saya si Len-len.
Natatawa si Blanca. Ang cute-cute nina Daniel at Len-len. Hindi niya napigilan ang sarili sa paghalik sa bata. May wig pa ito na kulay-pula at ang bikini top ay mukhang may kinakapitan dahil na rin sa katabaan ng dibdib. Kung ang ibang bata, maiirita sa wig at sa costume, si Len-len ay parang feel na feel iyon. Ito lang ang Little Mermaid Ariel na singkit at pagkataba.
“No kiss for me?” hirit ni Daniel.
“Oh, all right.” Hinalikan ni Blanca sa pisngi ang lalaki. Pumihit ito para ang mga labi nila ang maglapat. Tumawa na naman si Len-len. Inirapan lang ni Blanca ang lalaki kahit ngiting-ngiti. She liked it, too, what the hell?
Nagpunta na siya sa kuwarto. Wala siyang nakahandang costume kaya hindi niya alam kung ano ang isusuot. Sa huli, nakakita siya ng isang itim na dress na puwedeng pumasa bilang Wednesday Addams. Hinati na lang niya ang buhok sa gitna at itinirintas. Naglagay siya ng makapal na foundation at dark lipstick, saka lumabas.
Mukhang hindi naman nainip si Daniel sa labas sa kakakulit nito kay Len-len. Looking at them made her heart yearn for him more. A life with him. She wanted him in her life, she couldn’t lie about it.
“Ready?” sabi niya.
“Let’s go.”
“But where? Iisa-isahin natin ang mga bahay dito?”
“Nope. I asked around. They in fact do treat or treating in rich neighborhoods. I bet the candy they give are fantastic. Come.”
Umalis na nga sila. Si Blanca ang may hawak kay Len-len sa biyahe. Hindi naman nila kailangang lumayo. May malapit na magandang subdivision sa kanilang lugar. May mga nakita rin silang trick or treaters doon. Hindi pa nagtagal, naglalakad na rin sila sa sidewalk, tulad ng ibang mga bata.
Parang nasa carnival si Len-len, tuwang-tuwa sa hitsura ng mga kapwa nito bata. Sa unang bahay na napuntahan nila, dalawang chocolate bar ang kanilang nakuha. Habang naglalakad papunta sa pangalawa, nagkomento si Daniel. “Cheap ass family.”
Ang lakas ng tawa ni Blanca. “Come on, they must be saving for a lot of kids.”
“Still, two small bars?”
“Teach Len-len to be thankful.”
“I did. Didn’t I make her say ‘thank you’ even if she can’t? She should’ve told them that word you taught her though.”
“Dan!”
Ang lakas ng tawa ng lalaki. Sa pangalawang bahay, mas marami-raming candies ang nakuha nila. Mukha ring tuwang-tuwa ang may-ari ng bahay at kinunan pa ng picture si Len-len.
“Your first born?” tanong ng babae. She was middle-aged, with a huge smile on her face.
“Yes,” sagot ni Daniel.
“Ah, children. Mine are all grown. Got them early. How many do you plan to have?”
Napatingin si Blanca kay Daniel na parang hindi man lang pinag-isipan ang isasagot. “As many as we can.”
“Wonderful. Hard, but wonderful,” sabi ng babae.
Nakakataba ng puso na makita si Daniel na ganoon kung magsalita tungkol sa “plano” nila. Alam ni Blanca na sumasakay ito sa usapan, pero masarap pa ring marinig na wala itong apprehension sa boses.
Nakasampung bahay sila, pero ni hindi nangalahati ang dala niyang pumpkin pail. Mukha ring napagod na si Len-len at nakatulog na habang karga ni Daniel. Natatawa sila sa bata dahil naghihilik ito.
“You know we owe her, because we always laugh at her,” sabi ni Daniel, napapangiwi, pero natatawa pa rin sa batang karga. Nakanganga si Len-len, humihilik habang himbing na himbing. “You know this kid can get kidnapped and she wouldn’t care at all.”
Ang lakas ng tawa ni Blanca. Parang ganoon nga si Len-len, walang pakialam sa kahit na sino pa ang may karga rito. “Sana ganyan din ka-carefree ang lahat ng tao, nakakatulog sa kahit saan, humihilik, walang pakialam kahit naka-bra lang.”
Tawanan sila nang tawanan. Sumakay na sila sa kotse. Ipinuwesto nila si Len-len sa baby seat sa likod. Ang music nila ay ang hilik ng batang suot pa rin ang mermaid outfit. Hindi nila mapigil ang pagtawa.
“But you know, trick or treating is hard work. I think it teaches kids a lesson,” sabi ni Daniel.
“I disagree. Kapag trick or treat, lalapit lang sila sa mga bahay, may candy na sila. It doesn’t work like that in real life,” sabi naman ni Blanca.
“Touché. Did you have fun?”
“I had so much fun! Did you?”
“More than I expected.”
“Can we keep her?” tanong ni Blanca, nilingon ang paslit sa likod.
“I wish. But we have her for the night.”
Hindi na iyon ipinagtaka ni Blanca. Madalas na naghahanap ng mag-aalaga ng anak ang nanay ni Len-len sa dami ng gawaing-bahay at dami ng inaasikaso. Nang makarating sila sa bahay, nagising si Len-len at hindi na masaya ang disposisyon nito. Nagtimpla ng gatas si Blanca, pero ayaw tumigil sa pag-iyak ni Len-len.
“Mabait na bata `yan, titigil sa pag-iyak,” kanta ni Daniel habang inihehele ang matabang baby.
Lalong lumakas ang iyak ni Len-len. Pinapadede rin ito ni Daniel, pero ayaw ng bata. Tumingin sa kanya si Daniel. “Help me?”
Agad na kinuha ni Blanca ang bata at unti-unti itong tumahan. Napadede niya si Len-len, parang gutom na gutom sa pagsupsop. Ipinaghele niya ang bata, napatingin kay Daniel na ang sinabi lang ay, “I’m impressed.”
Kinindatan niya ang lalaki. Naubos ni Len-len ang laman ng feeding bottle, pero gusto pa rin nito at umiyak na naman. Na-stress siya. “Should we be feeding her more?”
“I don’t know. It might not be a good idea. I better call the mother.” Agad na tumawag si Daniel gamit ang cell phone at saglit na nakipag-usap, saka sinabi sa kanya, “She’s all good. Said she needs a bottle and a half. No wonder she’s chubby—not to body shame her or anything like that. She’s adorable.”
Natawa si Blanca kahit umiiyak pa rin si Len-len. Nagtimpla agad ng gatas si Daniel at hindi pa nagtagal, natahimik na si Len-len at unti-unti na ring napapapikit. Tama ang sinabi ng ina ni Len-len, kalahating bote pa at bagsak na naman ang bata. At humihilik na naman. Nagkakatawanan sina Blanca at Daniel. Nang lumakas ang tawa ng lalaki, idinikit niya ang daliri sa mga labi nito.
The laughter stopped. Suddenly, their gaze seemed like a secret shared by lovers. But it was obscene to think about such thoughts with Len-len between them. Mukhang ganoon din ang naiisip ni Daniel. He carefully took the baby from her and gently placed it on a one-seater, put pillows around her.
“She’s adorable,” sabi nito.
Bilang sagot, humilik na naman ang bata. Tinakpan ni Blanca ang mga labi at tinakpan din ang mga labi ni Daniel. Their smiles faded and they kissed. Long, wild, passionate.
DANIEL couldn’t get enough of Blanca. He had never felt that kind of lust before. It was very powerful, all-consuming. They both were moving quickly. He was almost afraid to wake up from the trance, if that was what that was.
“I want you,” he said, clear as a bell.
“I want you, too,” Blanca said between gasps. They were still kissing each other hungrily, moving around the house. Natabig nila ang isang vase na nasalo ni Daniel bago pa iyon tuluyang bumagsak para lumikha ng ingay.
They laughed against each other’s lips. Pero saglit lang ang mga ngiti sa kanilang mga labi. Somehow, it was more important for them not to stop kissing. It was as if the kiss was their lifeline. At that moment, it probably was. Daniel pinned her against the wall. Her breathing and soft moans were driving him insane. He pressed himself against her, made her feel just how much he wanted her.
Her eyes widened, obviously feeling him. “Oh.”
The delighted expression on her face drove him wild. Itinaas niya ang binti ni Blanca. He massaged her thighs. Hindi naghihiwalay ang kanilang mga labi. Her skin was driving him insane. His hand started to move towards the part between her thighs. His finger ran through the thin fabric. It told him she indeed wanted him. Very much so.
Daniel gently pulled the fabric to the side and rubbed her. She was gasping for air. He wanted to taste her. He kneeled and stroked her with his tongue. He wanted more of her, he wanted all of her. He placed her leg over his shoulder and started to discover her more. Blanca was breathing heavily, stroking his hair.
Noon nag-ring ang cell phone ni Daniel. He felt her stiffen. “Ignore it,” he said.
Pero dahil sa ingay ng phone, nagising si Len-len at natural na umiyak. Agad na ibinaba ni Blanca ang binti nito at tinamaan si Daniel sa ulo, dahilan para bumagsak siya sa sahig.
“Oh, sorry. She might fall.” Nagmamadali pa rin si Blanca at agad na kinarga ang bata at ipinaghele.
“Shit,” he muttered under his breath.
The moment was gone, thanks to that chubby baby. Hindi alam ni Daniel kung matatawa o maiinis. There he was, still trying to catch his breath, and that baby was slowly piping down and a moment later, she was laughing. Isang indikasyon iyon na wala nang balak pang matulog ang makulit.
“She’s a little devil, isn’t she?”
Natawa si Blanca. “She felt it. Now she’s making us feel guilty. This is her little revenge. She’s thinking these two adults shouldn’t be goofing around while I’m asleep. I own these two so they always have to be at my beck and call.”
He laughed. “All right, I will need a cold shower.”
“Go. I’ll take care of the brat. I’ll go after.”
Nagpunta na nga si Daniel sa banyo sa kuwarto ni Blanca. Hindi siya makapaghintay. He was still hard as a rock. It was obscene to still want her even with Len-len awake. Sa totoo lang, iniisip niya kung paano mapapatulog agad ang bata at kung sakaling hindi ito agad makatulog, mas maganda sigurong sabihin sa ina nitong mag-tricycle na lang papunta roon para sunduin si Len-len. Or maybe he could book Uber for her, give her some cash or some other incentive.
“God,” sabi niya, nilakasan ang pressure ng tubig. It took another minute to lose the erection. Still, he couldn’t stop planning on ways to get the baby to sleep. Kahit alam niyang imposible na iyong mangyari kung walang milagro. Kanina pa natutulog si Len-len. Naistorbo ito ngayon. It might take an hour or two at least to get her to sleep again.
Damn it. You’re not supposed to be with her that way. That’s low. Even with you who have a plan.
And just like that, Daniel remembered everything. Why he was there, what he needed to do so he could function and continue on in his life. He suddenly felt sick to his stomach. He was falling for her charm. He couldn’t even see if she was playing him. He was a good catch for her, of course. He must always remember that he was playing a game. Not just any game. The enemy was cunning and ruthless, willing to sarcrifice whatever dignity she had to get what she wanted.
Blanca was also not without any trace of humanity. And that spark of humanity was what was making him forget what he came there for. It was an amateur mistake, one he silently vowed never to forget.
Nang matapos sa banyo, lumabas si Daniel at naghanap ng tuwalya. He tried his best not to smell Blanca’s towel but it was impossible. The freshly washed towel had a faint smell of her hair. Nagbihis na siya. Nag-ring ang phone. Ang ina ni Len-len ang tumatawag.
“Hello?”
“Kumusta ang matabang makulit na batang `singganda ng ina?”
He had to smile. Kung kanina tumawag ang babae, malamang na pinapunta na ito roon ni Daniel. Ngayon, maliwanag sa kanyang kailangang naroon si Len-len. He must not be distracted. “Okay naman.”
“Hindi ba nangulit? May mga gabing hindi `yan natutulog agad.”
“Gising pa siya.”
“Puwede kong sunduin, sir.”
“No need.”
“Sure ka?”
“Yes. Ihahatid ko na lang siya sa inyo bukas nang umaga.”
Mukhang natuwa ang babae. Matatapos daw nito ang pinapanood sa TV, sa wakas. May kung anong lungkot sa puso ni Daniel. It was for a life lost—his. He wanted a simple life, much like the life of Len-len’s family. He thought he had it. Alam niyang hindi siguro kailanman magiging ganoon kasimple ang kanyang buhay dahil magkaiba ang kanilang simula. He would always have the burden of having someone like Johnny raise him, but that man was dead. Sa lahat ng trauma na hatid nito sa buhay nilang mag-ina, nangibabaw ang pagmamahal at katapangan ng kanyang ina.
But having his mother die the way she did… that was very hard to accept. Pinagmasdan ni Daniel ang kinaroroonan. It was a simple room. Malaki iyon para sa tradisyunal na kuwarto sa Pilipinas. Blanca had a big closet but he saw earlier that the clothes she had weren’t enough to fill it. May dresser, may full-length mirror, at may king size bed. The walls were painted a dull yellow, faded now. He wondered how many times she used the room to plan saving her brother at the expense of others. Did she gaze at those walls trying to think of ways how to outsmart everyone?
Nakarinig siya ng pagkatok sa pinto. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.” Lumapit si Daniel sa pinto. Nang buksan iyon, nakita niya si Blanca, nakangiti, karga si Len-len sa mga bisig. “She’s still wide awake.” Itinaas ng bata ang mga braso papunta sa kanya. “Oh, and she wants me.” Agad niya itong kinuha.
“My turn to take a quick shower. May nakasalang na ako sa kusina.”
“I hope it’s not beef Wellington.”
Ang lakas ng tawa ni Blanca. “Of course not. I need to be more creative than that!”
He smiled at her and kissed her cheek. Mukhang hindi natuwa si Len-len na agad itinulak ang mukha ni Blanca. Natawa nang malakas si Daniel.
Pinindot ni Blanca ang ilong ng bata. “Possessive ka, ha? Paano kung i-kiss ko siya?” Hinalikan siya ng babae.
Umungol si Len-len, halatang hindi natuwa.
“Ah, gano’n, ha? Pagkatapos mong pasakitin ang braso ko sa bigat mo, ayaw mo akong i-kiss si Tito mo? Sige nga, sige nga.” Hinalikan uli siya ni Blanca sa pisngi.
Nalukot ang mukha ni Len-len, parang papaiyak na. Inilapat nito ang matatambok na kamay sa mga pisngi ni Daniel na parang sa liit ng mga iyon ay kaya pa ring takpan ang kanyang mukha para takpan iyon mula sa mga labi ni Blanca.
They played a silly game—Blanca was kissing him while Len-len was trying to “protect” him from Blanca, and he thought how ironic, that the child was actually telling him exactly what he needed to remember.
Daniel was starting to feel uncomfortable being so close to Blanca emotionally. He needed to play a game. Ang problema, hindi siya sanay sa ganoon. Pero hindi ibig sabihin na hindi siya puwedeng manalo. So far, he had the winning hand. There was absolutely no way he would let her see it.