I CRASHED BACK TO REALITY when Juanito started waving his hand in front of my eyes as if he was waking me up from a deep slumber. "Carmelita ... are you okay?" he asked. I blinked a few times. "I was just kidding," he continued, his words bringing me back to the here and now.
I stifled a cough and Juanito let go of my hand and scanned our surroundings. He probably realized that he shouldn't have held my hand. I wanted to pull out his hair for making me nervous. Judgment day will come to this buffoon.
“Wait a while. Wait for me here. Don’t leave,” he followed Mother inside the meat shop. I looked to my left and right. It seemed like nobody saw us.
I continued looking all around me. Not a single soul knew that I was not from here. It’s nice to see that even if this is another period in time, you could still see the cheerful spirit that is a Filipino trademark. Everyone’s greeting each other, it’s as if they know everyone. This made me think. Why hadn’t I noticed this before? Why had I never ever been to the market and witnessed how simple yet happy ordinary people’s lives were?
I saw Juanito making his way out of the shop. He had a huge smile on his face. "Binibini, where do you want to go?" I noticed that he was panting, but he was still beaming widely at me.
"Huh? What about Mother … didn’t she say that we should … " Juanito interrupted me mid-sentence. “I asked permission from Mother. She allowed me to show you around. I will be the one to bring you home,” he responded. I could only stare back at him. Was he trying to say that we were going on a date?
“Just tell me where you want to go. I got you,” he said. I looked away. My heart started going into overdrive again. Carmela, don’t be easily swayed by his smile and his words. He’s just being nice and friendly. That’s all! Plus, honeyed words are already all too common in this day and age!
Before I knew it we were already walking down the road. Many people recognized Juanito and would greet him. He would smile at and greet them in return. It seemed as if he was quite the popular guy.
“Do you want to go there and have a look?” he pointed to my right. It was a shop selling baro't saya, kolorete, jewelry, and other trinkets. I nodded in amazement at all the pretty things I saw on display.
“Just choose whatever catches your fancy,” he continued. I looked at him. Wow! So, Juanito is generous. “What are the things that ladies usually love?”
I placed the kolorete and jewelry I was examining on the table and faced him. “For Helena?” I asked with a smirk. Now it was my turn to tease him. He scratched his head and shyly nodded. “Don’t be shy!” I exclaimed. It seemed fun to tease Juanito.
“Helena loves flowers. She loves red roses best. She also loves to read, cook, embroider, and dance the *Cariñosa." I rattled off what I remembered from my chat/interview with Helena the other night. Otherwise, I would look like an imbecile today.
“She is really a delightful binibini." Juanito said, trying to conceal a smile. "Do you think she will like this?” he held a gold necklace with a heart-shaped pendant to my face.
“A-are you serious?” I didn’t notice that my mouth had already been hanging open. This is real gold here. The Alfonsos are indeed loaded.
“This is a family heirloom dating back to my grandmother. She left this to me and said that I should give this to the woman for whom I’ll be willing to give my whole heart without any doubts,” he explained. I nodded several times while he was talking. I couldn’t remove my gaze from the necklace. If I steal and bring it back to my time, how much would it be worth? I wondered.
I cringed at my own thoughts. I didn’t want to go down in history as a great lady robber! No way!
“So? Were you touched by the story about my grandma?” he pressed me for an answer. I raised an eyebrow. I was never a fan of sentimentality. I wanted to tell him instead, Yes, I was touched by how much money I’ll earn should I be able to sell that!
"Hmm ... I think that’s a good plan. I think Helena will like that,” I just expressed my agreement. I didn’t expect Juanito to be this cheesy.
“You don’t seem to be convinced. Why is that?” Juanito asked, confused. I creased my forehead. What was going on in his head? He could be very confusing. A while ago, his mouth was close to being torn open because of too much smiling. Now, he was in drama mode.
"Fine. I just think your plan is a little corny," I wanted to add that it creeped me out a bit, but I didn’t want to upset him.
"Co-corny? What do you mean?" He seemed even more confused. I let out a sigh. I would have to think of an accurate translation again.
“Uhm … corny means baduy—ah no … it sort of means ‘unacceptable’,” I felt my head throbbing.
“It’s as if I heard those words for the first time today,” he said, looking pensive. His brains would have dried up but he still wouldn’t know where those words came from.
"Uhm ... we invented those, Sonya, Helena, and me," I managed to utter an alibi. This made Juanito smile again.
“It seems you’re the one who influences your friends on those kinds of things. I will ask Sonya to stay away from you as she might take after you,” he teased me. I blinked at him. What was he trying to say? That I was a bad influence?
I leered at him and turned my attention to the cosmetics and accessories in front of me. What will I ask Juanito to buy me?
“Good morning, Señor Juanito! Good thing you were able to drop by,” I heard a chubby woman say. She must be the store owner. Why wasn’t she here when we came in?
“A pleasant morning, too, *Aling Trinidad. How have you been?” Juanito greeted her and they started talking. It was obvious from how comfortable they were that they have already known each other for a long time. Juanito surely loves going around town.
I let them talk while I looked at the items on sale. But, only a few seconds passed when the lady turned her attention to me. “Señor Juanito, I hope you don’t mind if I confirm if the lady you’re with is the youngest of Don Alejandro’s children?” she whispered to Juanito. She made the effort to whisper but I could still hear her clearly.
“Yes, she is Señorita Carmelita Montecarlos," Juanito introduced me but I didn’t bother to look at her. Juanito took me by my shoulders and turned me around to face Aling Trinidad. I was then left with no choice but to smile and slightly bow my head.
“Kindly excuse Carmelita, Aling Trinidad. She’s very shy. It’s also her first time in your town,” Juanito explained. It was as if they were always ready to explain to everyone how I didn’t like going outside the house and that it was my first time seeing the world. Aling Trinidad gave us a faint smile in return.
“I’m happy to have finally met you, Señorita Carmelita. I’ve seen and proven with my own eyes that what they say is true—that you are indeed a lady blessed with extraordinary beauty," said Aling Trinidad. Her compliment made me smile.
"Thanks … uhm ... Maraming salamat po," I smiled at her even if it felt a bit awkward.
"Señorita, if you allow me, I would like to take this opportunity to ask you a favor,” Aling Trinidad looked serious. I remember how people here would ask permission first before asking a question. I nodded.
“Could you please ask your Father if it’s possible for him to not raise the rent of the farmers in your hacienda? What my husband, who is working for your Father, and I are earning are not enough to meet the needs of our family,” she pleaded.
I wasn't able to respond. What? So Father was making life hard for the farmers?
I looked at Aling Trinidad then at Juanito. They were waiting for me to answer. “I will let my Father know, Aling Trinidad.” She smiled and took my hand.
"Maraming salamat po, Señorita, you are heaven sent," she gave me a warm smile and I nodded my head in response. I don’t have the slightest clue on how Don Alejandro manages Hacienda Montecarlos, but I’ll talk to him later when I get home.
“Anything caught your fancy, Señorita?” asked Aling Trinidad. I looked at her items again. “Oh … We’re just looking around …” Juanito interrupted me midway and said, “I think this one suits you,” he handed me a hair tie with a red flower.
Was he serious?! I will look like a figurine or something. I’m also not fond of flowers. “I will buy this for you,” he added without waiting for me to respond. Wait! I never said that I liked it!
Aling Trinidad handed the hair tie to me. What a waste. I wish I had chosen something more expensive.
“It will certainly suit you, Señorita,” Aling Trinidad smiled. I’m only imagining it and I’m quite sure it will not look good on me. Juanito’s fashion sense is unbelievably tacky!
“If you’d let me, Señorita, please accept this as a souvenir from your first visit here and also for agreeing to send my message to your Father,” Aling Trinidad said while handing me a butterfly hair clip. This was prettier than what Juanito gave me.
I thanked her and dipped my head in a bow to show my respect. I was caught off guard when Aling Trinidad enveloped me in an embrace. I turned to look at Juanito who just smiled and nodded at me as if saying that I shouldn't complain.
"We’re going ahead. Until we meet again, Aling Trinidad," Juanito bade her goodbye and we stepped back into the bustling market.
I LOOKED AT JUANITO when he started talking again. “It seems as if you’ve grown fond of going on a boat ride.” Why did it seem as if he was making fun of me? We were now halfway through our boat ride back to San Alfonso. We were sitting side by side with a few items separating us in between.
“Go ahead … suit yourself. I know that you take delight in poking fun at me.” This made him laugh. He really is very cheerful.
“It’s so fun teasing you … your eyebrows merge into one,” he added, causing me to furrow my forehead. I touched my eyebrows and sneered at him. I was already tired. I wanted to go home.
Juanito stayed silent for a while. Maybe he noticed that I wasn't in the mood to joke around with him. I was mistaken, but after a few seconds, he started talking again. “Carmelita, when we were in Aling Trinidad’s store … When I asked you what you wanted … why didn’t you …”
I didn’t let him finish because I butted in, “It was nothing. I really didn’t want to buy anything.” It was as if I could ask him which the most expensive item was.
“Why so? I’m willing to pay for anything that you want. I wanted to give you something to thank you for helping me and Helena out.”
“Oh. It’s alright. It’s okay if you don’t give me a gift.” I’m really not fond of receiving gifts. I also didn’t mind if people gave me gifts or not.
“Oh is that so? If ever you have your heart set on something, please don’t hesitate to let me know,” he said with a faint smile. I didn’t see his teeth this time, but the smile still suited him all the same.
“What kind of gift would you like anyway,” he continued badgering me for an answer.
It made me think, though. For sure he would be able to afford it had I asked him to buy me jewelry and gold and diamonds. But I didn’t want to be seen as a golddigger, whether in this time or in my own.
"Hmm ... Anything will do," I answered the usual reply of those people who couldn’t think of an answer.
“Anything? Well, that’s hard,” he complained. Juanito was so persistent. I thought he wouldn’t stop until he squeezed an answer out of me.
“I know! Anything that has been worked hard for,” I finally said. I said without thinking twice, and probably complicating matters even more.
"Worked hard for?" he looked so puzzled. He might be thinking that I was such a weird person.
“Yes. Anything that was acquired after much hard work and perseverance. Something that can’t be bought or obtained just from anywhere,” I answered curtly. I thought that finally shut him up. It wouldn’t be easy for him to look for something that would fit my description. Even I myself didn’t know what it was that I was talking about. Ha-ha.
“That sounds hard,” he complained and scratched his head absentmindedly.
I didn’t know what made me suddenly smile and say, “Of course! I’m difficult to woo, don't you know?” Playing hard to get is my peg after all!
WHEN WE ARRIVED at our mansion, I asked Juanito to wait for me outside. I hurriedly went to my room to fetch Helena’s letter for him. I didn’t ask him to come inside anymore because the family might see him.
“This is from Helena?” Juanito asked as if making sure that the letter was indeed from Helena. I raised an eyebrow at him. “Does it look like I will invent a letter for you?" How annoying. What I was doing for them was already charity. I was not even getting any tips from both of them.
"Maraming salamat, Carmelita." He smiled. I didn’t know what to say. He kept on smiling and I really hated the idea of getting fond of … him.