G AANO katagal na ba akong hindi nakaka-attend ng ganito? Everyone looks shiny and youthful. I feel so old , sa isip-isip ni Blanca habang hawak ang champagne flute. Sumama siya kay Helen sa isang party dahil nahihiya na rin siya sa madalas na pagtanggi rito. Maybe her friend was right—there was nothing wrong about going out and having some fun.
Ang sabi ng kaibigan, may ka-date daw sila. May ka-date itong lalaki at sinabihang magsama ng ipapakilala sa kanya. Helen was dating a lawyer. Sa totoo lang, walang tiwala si Blanca sa mga abogado kaya hindi niya alam kung mag-e-enjoy sa gabing iyon. Napakatagal na panahon na mula nang maka-attend siya sa ganoon at hindi na siya komportable.
She realized she didn’t miss the glitz and the glamour. Parte lang iyon ng kanyang kabataan na madali na para sa kanyang kalimutan. Even then, she didn’t really have fun. Dahil noon, kahit bata pa, iniisip niya ang negosyo ng pamilya. Maybe she could relearn this, as Helen suggested. Ang problema, wala naman siyang pang-sustain sa isang party lifestyle. Hindi siya tulad ni Helen na hanggang ngayon, walang trabaho dahil may sustento mula sa mga magulang at sa dating asawa. Her ex-husband was very glad that she gave him custody of the child that he was willing to support her forever. Hindi na rin nakapagtataka dahil mayaman ang napangasawa ni Helen.
Kung minsan, naiinggit si Blanca sa kaibigan. Gusto niyang magkaroon ng ganoong klaseng buhay—iyon bang minsan, hindi na siya magmamadaling gumising sa araw-araw dahil kailangan niyang kumayod. She sometimes wanted to have someone to manage everything for her. Pakiramdam niya, buong buhay siyang nagtatrabaho at hindi iyon malayo sa katotohanan. Was it not human nature to dream of a break from the daily grind?
Realistically speaking, isang bagay iyon na mahirap gawin. Ilang tao sa mundo ang nagtatrabaho hanggang sa pagre-retire ng mga ito. In other countries, people retired at age sixty-five. Medyo matagal-tagal pa ang lalakbayin ni Blanca bago makarating sa retirement age. But to rest and not have to worry about the business… that would be great.
“Oh, here they are.”
Napatingin si Blanca sa paparating. Muntik na siyang mapangiwi. Nakakadismaya ang hitsura ng lalaking papalapit. Guwapo naman, pero hindi niya type. Unang-una, ang bigote ng lalaki. It made him look… sleazy. Pangalawa, ang makintab nitong suit. Siguro nga masyado na siyang matagal na hindi nakaka-attend ng mga ganoong okasyon kaya naninibago siya sa ganoong damit. He did not look like a lawyer, he looked like a fashion forward pimp or a drug dealer.
“Are you sure?” pabulong niyang tanong kay Helen bago makalapit ang lalaki.
“I know he looks sleazy because he is. I like that about him. Plus he’s got a big dick.”
Bago pa makasagot si Blanca, nakalapit na sa kanila ang lalaki. Agad nitong hinalikan ang kaibigan niya at pinisil sa puwit. Blanca found it disturbing, to be honest. Mukhang natuwa naman si Helen.
“Blanca, I would like you to meet the apple of my eye, Drake. Drake, this is Blanca. Did you bring the friend you told me about?”
“Unfortunately, he can’t make it tonight, but I did call a client and he said he’s coming. I told him about the wonderful things you told me about Blanca here.”
“Oh, great,” sabi ni Helen.
Ngumiti na lang si Blanca kahit ang totoo, parang gusto niyang sabihin na huwag nang patuluyin sa party ang kung sinong kliyente ng lalaki. But then, why not be open about this? Hindi ba at sinabi ni Helen na baka makakita na siya ng hinahanap niyang lalaking mayaman at matanda? Oh, Helen was naughty. Pero baka nga oras na para buksan niya ang pinto.
Pumuwesto sila sa isang upuan at nailang siya dahil parang kahit walang takip, handang magkapaan ang dalawa. Why must they do that with her around, seriously? Siguro, kung wala roon si Blanca, kanina pa umalis sina Helen at Drake para gumawa ng milgro sa kung saan. She had always known Helen was a passionate woman, but she never expected this from her friend.
Maybe she was being a prude. Baka iyon na ang uso ngayon. Sa Facebook, may mga nakikita siyang kabataan na wala pang boobs, may prenup pictorial na. Baka siya ang napag-iwanan nang panahon. Baka siya ang dapat na mag-adjust. Not that she had any other choice. Kung hindi lang darating na raw ang ka-date niya, nagpaalam na sana siya sa dalawa. She was not needed there, that much was obvious.
Nang mag-agawan ng cherry sina Helen at Drake gamit ang bibig at may nakita pa si Blanca na sumilip na dila, tumayo na siya. Hindi na niya kayang mag-stay para panoorin ang dalawa. Pero noon dumating ang isang lalaki na nakapagpatigil sa kanya.
Tumayo sina Helen at Drake. Ipinakilala ni Drake ang bagong dating. His name was Daniel. And he was the most gorgeous man Blanca had seen. Ever.
DANIEL woke up and looked at his clock. It was three in the morning. Naka-set sa araw-araw ang kanyang alarm, pero madalas na nauunahan niya iyon ng isa o dalawang minuto. It was like a challenge, to wake up before it rang and break the dead silence of the land. All six hundred acres of it.
He took a shower and put on his work clothes. Lumabas siya ng kuwarto at binuksan ang percolator. He brushed his teeth and grabbed an energy bar he made himself. Inilagay niya iyon sa lunch box, kasama ng isang thermos na nilagyan ng kape. It was a start of yet another work day.
Una niyang nilagyan ng pagkain ang feeder para sa cattle. Automatic na iyong nagpapakain sa mga alaga niyang Angus cattle. He bred them and sold them. Nang matapos iyon, tumuloy na siya sa barn kung saan naroon ang control ng irrigation system ng buong farm. Nang masigurong walang problema roon, inisa-isa na niya ang pag-check sa mga equipment, saka nilinis ang mga baka at ang kulungan ng mga iyon. It took less than an hour. Everything was done mainly by machines.
Bumalik na si Daniel sa bahay at naligo uli. He called a farmer and said he was coming over for repairs. Isa sa mga gawain niya ay ang pagse-service ng mga heavy equipment sa mga farm. He used to work for Caterpillar until he decided to resign, thanks to his ex-wife, Miranda.
Miranda was no longer with him. May isang taon na silang hiwalay. She said he was too stern. Ang sabi rin ng babae, wala siyang oras dito, paano pa raw sila magkakaroon ng pamilya? She said he needed to work on his personal issues. Daniel was working on it, had been working on it, since she left. Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit hindi na siya bumalik sa Caterpillar, kahit maganda ang posisyon niya roon.
He wanted his own family. He wanted to fill that house with laughter from kids. He was hoping Miranda would come back, like she promised. Ang sabi ng babae, basta raw makita nitong may pagbabago sa kanya, na naharap na niya ang kanyang mga personal issues, babalik ito.
It took some time before Daniel arrived at this stage. He needed four sessions with a shrink to accept that something was wrong with him. Ang mga bagay na hindi niya nagawa noon at pilit isiniksik sa likod ng isip ay hindi niya puwedeng habang-buhay na itago. Hindi puwedeng kalimutan.
That part of him was not in the States. It was in the Philippines. Ang mga nangyari noon, ang kanyang ama. Ilang gabi siyang hindi pinatulog ng mga isipin, ng mga pagdududa sa sarili.
Natapos si Daniel na mag-service sa farm bandang alas-dose ng tanghali at umuwi na rin sa farm. Nagbihis siya, pumitas ng mga bulaklak mula sa hardin na mine-maintain niya para sa ina, at nagpunta sa sementeryo kung saan ito nakalibing. She had always loved roses. Noong bata siya, may rose garden ang kanyang ina sa farm na winasak ni Johnny minsan. Magmula noon, hindi na muling nagtanim ng rose ang kanyang ina, maliban noong nasa Pilipinas sila. Nang mawala ang kanyang ina, nagtanim siya ng rose para dito.
Inilagay niya ang mga bulaklak sa puntod ng ina. “I have always thought you wouldn’t like me to make them pay, Mom, but for my peace of mind, I think I’d have to do it.” Naikuyom ni Daniel ang kamay. Kailangan niyang aminin sa sarili na hindi siya kuntento sa lahat ng nangyari—na hindi naparusahan man lang ang taong responsable sa kamatayan ng kanyang ina.
Isiniksik niya ang ideya sa likod ng isip, palaging sinasabi sa sarili na hindi iyon gusto ng kanyang ina. It turned him into an unfeeling man, much too cold for his own wife. He just knew his life would never be the same until those people were still enjoying the benefit of their evil ways.
“They pushed you too far,” sabi ni Daniel sa harap ng puntod. “You, me, Sharon…” May kung anong paninikip siyang nadama sa dibdib. “I can never rest with the thought that I let them win, so please forgive me. I tried my best, but I can’t keep ignoring it. It has cast a dark shadow in my life. I can’t let it go… I just can’t without seeing justice served. I’m going to do it for me, Mom. For me and you, for Sharon. We deserve it, don’t you think so?”
He silently walked away. Nang makarating sa bahay, tinawagan na niya ang isang kaibigan at nagbilin. Hindi na siya natulog. Dalawang oras pa ang lumipas at sakay na siya ng pickup truck papunta sa airport. He had been planning his move for months now. Siguro, pagkatapos ng lahat ng iyon, matatahimik na rin siya. Sa wakas.
DANIEL was not expecting things to be easy. Ngayon, nalaman niyang nasa kulungan si Mitchell, ilang taon pa bago makakalabas. May negosyo pa rin na tulad noon ang kapatid nitong si Blanca. But it was not doing well. He came for revenge prepared. He would take everything she had. Not that it was going to be a sweet victory because she practically had nothing. It was quite a let down, knowing that Mitchell was in prison. It was fine, he guessed. At least he had his work cut out for him.
Kailangan ni Daniel na pumasok sa mundo ni Blanca. He found out she had a good friend, someone named Helen. Helen was quite popular in social media. From there, it was easy to find out whom Helen was dating. Hindi naman itinatago ng babae at nagpo-post pa nga ng mga picture kasama ang isang abogado.
He went to the lawyer’s office, saying he was looking for someone to represent him in purchasing assets. Isang machine distributor ang pakilala niya sa sarili. Interesado siya sa negosyo ni Blanca, kahit pa nga hindi niya iyon sinabi sa abogado, natural. His plan was rather simple—to run the business to the ground. It would only be too easy. A few defective machines would be the start. Sa naghihingalong negosyo na tulad ng kay Blanca, sa palagay ni Daniel ay higit pa sa sapat ang ilang depektibong makina. He planned to sell her those, of course. It would seem like a good deal, but in the end, the products would be defective and she would miss production deadlines and clients. He had a list of agents he would ask to talk to the companies Blanca supplied with her products.
It was an evil plan. But she was evil as well. At least she wouldn’t die. Habang ni hindi kukurap sa pagkawala ng buhay ng iba ang babae, hindi iyon gagawin ni Daniel dito. But what was clear was he had to do something.
Mukhang sa kanya kakampi ang mundo. Kausap niya ang isa sa mga agent ng zipper factory sa Bulacan nang makatanggap ng tawag mula kay Drake, ang boyfriend ni Helen. And what do you know, the laywer was looking for someone to come with him on a date. Wala sana siyang balak sumama, pero nang kumbinsihin siya ng abogado na kaibigan ni Helen ang makaka-date niya, natural na na-curious siya. He found out the woman’s name was Blanca and so naturally, he said yes. It seemed fate was also making way for his revenge. It was about time.
Hayun na sila ngayon. For the first time in his life, fate was on his side. Or maybe this was karma. For her. And for him as well.
He was pretending to be a city Romeo, not the farmer that he was. He played the part quite well. Miranda always said he cleaned up well. Isang suit na gray ang suot ni Daniel. His hair was cut clean, he was shaved though he maintained a shadow on his face. Malayo iyon sa hitsura niya kapag nasa farm. Sa farm, hindi mahalaga ang pag-aahit at wala rin siyang balak gawin iyon doon. Dahil mahal magpagupit, bihira din niyang gawin iyon. Not that he couldn’t afford it because he could. Nagkataon lang na malayo ang bayan at wala siyang makitang dahilan para magpagupit. Of course, now he had a reason to look “clean.” It fascinated him to see that it was working. This was going to be too easy.
“Blanca, I would like you to meet Daniel. Dan, this is Blanca,” pakilala ni Drake sa kanilang dalawa.
Inilahad ni Daniel ang kamay sa babae na agad nitong tinanggap. “It’s lovely to meet you,” he said.
EVERYTHING about the man made Blanca’s knees weak. Hiling niyang sana hindi nito masyadong nahalata na hindi siya mapakali. She was restless because of a man, talk about first times! Hindi niya kayang ipaliwanag. Daniel was sophisticated but at the same time seemed tough, the kind of man other men only aspired to be. He was like 007, but a bit more rugged. A blue jeans kind of guy, but very sophisticated, if that was even a thing.
She wondered why he was still single… O single nga ba ang lalaki? Siguro naman. Drake would not bring someone married, would he? Ang daming bulag na babae sa mundo. But then who was she to know what kind of a person this man was based only from his looks? Baka naman may mali rito. She would find out. She was, in fact, very excited to find out.
“Would you like another drink?” tanong ng lalaki, nakangiti. Ang ganda ng mga ngipin nito.
“Sure,” sabi ni Blanca, kabado.
Umalis si Daniel para kumuha ng inumim. Sumunod dito si Drake. Napatingin si Blanca kay Helen na ngiting-ngiti. “Oh, my God, he’s gorgeous!”
“I know!” Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Blanca.
“Looks like someone is smitten.”
“I’m so not!”
“Yes, you are.”
Biglang napahagikgik si Blanca. Walang silbing mag-deny pa. She was mesmerized. “I wonder what’s wrong with him. He’s still single, why?”
“Hay naku, hindi lahat ng lalaki sa mundo atat na mag-asawa, lalo na kung ganyan. Marami siyang pagpipilian. Why would he settle for less?”
“And what have I got to offer?”
“Honey, you’re beautiful—inside and out,” sabi ni Helen.
I wish , sa isip-isip ni Blanca. Sa dami ng stress sa buhay niya, hindi na naging kasingkinis ng kay Helen ang kutis niya. She was always overworked. Ni hindi niya naramdaman ang kanyang kabataan noon at nalipasan na siya. She felt exhausted all the time.
“I’m not twenty anymore,” sabi niya.
“Oh, honey, men don’t like girls in their twenties anymore. Young girls are for dirty old men. Our kind are for the modern men who know what they want. We are what they want—mature women who wouldn’t be too demanding or clingy. Modern women like us.”
Hindi na lang umimik si Blanca dahil mas may alam ang kaibigan sa mga ganoong bagay kumpara sa kanya. Ano nga ba ang alam niya?
Bumalik na ang dalawang lalaki. Nagpaalam na sina Drake at Helen at hinayaan na ni Blanca ang dalawa. Mas nakakailang kung mag-stay pa ang mga ito roon at maghahalikan at magkakapaan.
“Would you like to go someplace else? Somewhere a little more quiet?” tanong ni Daniel.
“Yes. I would love that.”
Inalalayan siya nito hanggang sa labas. May sasakyan ang lalaki, isang SUV. Walang dalang sasakyan si Blanca dahil sabay sila ni Helen na dumating sakay ng kotse nito. Ipinagbukas siya ni Daniel ng pinto. He was a gentleman. Sa lahat ng galaw nito, hindi mahirap makita na isang gentleman ang lalaki. She had a thing for men like him. Kung ang ibang babae mga bad boy ang gusto, siya naman, iyong may sophistication, iyong alam ang ibig sabihin ng chivalry.
Dinala siya ni Daniel sa restaurant sa loob ng isang hotel. She ordered dessert. He had coffee. Madalas niya itong mahuling nakatingin sa kanya. Sana hindi mahalata ng lalaki na sa bawat pagtitig nito, parang sasabog ang dibdib niya sa lakas ng tibok ng kanyang puso. Damn, those eyes were smoldering without trying. It was as if his eyes saw more into her.
“Tell me about you,” sabi ni Daniel.
Hindi maipaliwanag ni Blanca kung bakit parang napaka-sensual ng dating ng lalaki. Maybe there were men like him who could charm a woman effortlessly.
“Wala bang sinabi si Drake?”
“He told me you’re a businesswoman and Helen’s friend.”
“Well, I do manage a business. And you?”
“The same.”
“How come you’re still not married?” tanong ni Blanca bago pa naawat ang sarili.
Tumawa ang lalaki. “Should I be?”
Bigla siyang nailang, bahagyang napahiya. Kung minsan, hindi niya nagagawang pigilan ang bibig. “I don’t know.”
“I was, actually. I’m divorced.”
“Divorced?” Kumunot ang kanyang noo.
“Yes. I got married in the States.”
“No kids?”
“None. You?”
“Never been married. No kids.” Kahit pa nga noon, pakiramdam ni Blanca ay may anak siya sa katauhan ng kapatid. Kahit malapit ang kanilang edad, napakaraming pangangailangan ni Mitchell noon.
“Must be my lucky day then.” Daniel smiled. It was such an enigmatic smile. Kung alam lang ng lalaki ang epekto nito sa kanya, malamang na natawa na ito. She was no modern woman like what Helen said. May modernong babae bang hindi mapakali dahil sa ngiti ng isang lalaki? Nakakahiya siya. Baka tama si Helen at kailangan na niyang lumabas-labas. Masyado nang matagal na panahon na wala siyang concentration sa pakikiharap sa opposite sex kaya parang naninibago siya.
Ngumiti si Blanca kay Daniel, kahit hindi magawang salubungin ang mga mata ng lalaki. Umaasa siyang hindi lang ito nambobola. Hindi siya sanay makipagbolahan. Ang komento ng isa niyang ex, masyado siyang direkta kaya nawawala raw ang “fun” sa relasyon. Maybe so. Maybe she was boring as hell. Hindi niya masabi. Pero ano’t anuman, umaasa siyang hindi maiisip ni Daniel na boring siya. Umaasa siyang makikita nitong maganda siya. Kailangan niyang maging totoo sa sarili—she liked him a lot. She had never felt that kind of attraction to anyone before. She wanted to keep that feeling. Because it made her feel… human, alive. She realized she had not felt alive in many, many years.