VANE JASON
My morning started with a stroll, a hot cup of coffee, a delicious french toast, and an unexpected call from my furious mother.
"Are you even thinking of buying Kate an engagement ring or do I have to do everything on my own, Vane Jason?" was what she said when I accepted the call. I took the shades off and made sure she heard the heaviest exhale I could ever produce before I responded. "You fool."
"Má, have you forgotten that Kate and I..." I cleared my voice, "are not in love with each other? How come I still need to get her an engagement ring? Is that another part of our agreement? I didn't receive a memo."
The pool water glistened and the wind rustled the leaves that sparkled under the heat of the sun. It was as if nature wanted me to drop my mother's call and pay attention to it instead. To be honest, I am very much tempted.
"That attitude is the exact same reason why I cannot fully entrust the company to you. It will fall in your hands because of that arrogance, that... that hardheadedness! Kaya kailangan mo si Kate sa tabi mo habang pinamamalakad mo ang Clohessy, Inc. We need the partnership and you need to learn business strategies from her."
"Have you forgotten that I took up business administration and have already gotten my master's degree, Ma?"
"Still, you need someone who is actively involved in business. Kate is a suitable pair. Get her a ring."
"Only if she gets me a new car..."
"Vane!" My mother's tone held finality. I laughed, knowing how annoyed she is with me right now, thinking her only son has not changed at all. I could imagine her with a stern expression inside her office, sitting stiffly on her leather swivel chair, and tapping the tip of her pen on the table.
"I was kidding! I will. Does she want it gold? Silver?" I sniggered. "Alloy?"
"Vane Jason!" She was seething. "You will not get Kate a ring made of alloy! Do you even know how fast it fades? In a blink of an eye! Kinakalawang na ba ang utak mo?"
"But everything fades, Ma. Even us humans."
"Do that and you'll fade earlier than others."
My laughter echoed. I reclined on the poolside chair more comfortably this time, one leg on top of the other. "I'm glad I got Papa's sense of humor."
"His ridiculousness, you mean!"
"That, too. I miss you, Ma. Once I fly back, I promise to shower you with more of my ridiculousness."
"Horrendous," she answered. I could tell that there was a small smile on her face when she said that. "I have to go. I'll see you in two months. I mean it, Vane. At least get the poor child a ring."
"Poor child?"
"Yes. She's getting married to you, is she not?" Her sarcasm was overflowing. When the call ended, I spent the rest of the almost beautiful morning looking for a list of trusted and renowned jewelry shops in the world. I can't give Kate a worthy proposal, so at least I'll let the ring do the talking. How utterly unromantic.
A notification banner from viber appeared. It was Kate. Your mother called to apologize that you have not given me a ring yet. I told her I didn't need any. She insisted.
Getting you one rn, I replied. How does Cartier sound?
Fab.
What's your ring size?
It took her an hour to reply to that. Six.
Got it. After that reply, she left me on seen.
That was it. That was basically our entire conversation for the entire week. If my mother seriously thinks Kate and I are going to work out, then she's wrong. Her ship, no doubt, will start sinking as soon as it leaves the dock. Looking back, what puzzles me is the reason Kate agreed to this entire set up. She's beautiful, educated, and well-mannered. Men will fall at her feet. She has her life ahead of her. Yet, here she is, putting up with her soon-to-be husband— a person who, other than his investments and properties, have no other thing in the world he can be proud of.
Poor Kate. My mother is right. She does deserve an engagement ring at least. A small compensation for all the headache she will have to endure in the near future.
In the end, I made the obvious choice of getting Kate a classic Cartier Destinée solitaire engagement ring that was made of 950% platinum. It had a tear-shaped brilliantly-cut 5.99-carat diamond center that was a showstopper. I paid for it using my American Express card and I got an e-mail saying it will be delivered to her home address within 2-4 days.
"Senyorito Vane, nandito ho si Sir Maverick," pukaw ni Lisa sa atensyon ko. Tinanguan naman ako ni Mav bago siya naglakad palapit sa akin.
"What are you doing here?" Kunot-noong tanong ko. Sinapak niya ang balikat ko at nanlalaki ang matang pinandilatan niya ako.
"Man, your memory is terrible!" sarkastikong saad niya. "'Di ba ay ngayon tayo pupunta sa pinapatayong bahay ni Harvey to see its progress? That indecisive man is going to complain non-stop if you do not show up. You know how much he needs help with the interior, right?"
"Right." Tumayo ako. "I completely forgot."
"I noticed. Ano ba ang tumatakbo sa isip mo nitong mga nakaraan?" tanong niya na sinagot ko sa pamamagitan ng pagkibit-balikat. Ipinatong ko ang shades muli sa ibabaw ng ulo ko at nagsimulang maglakad pabalik sa mansion para magbihis. I don't want to show up there wearing beach shorts as if I was in Bahamas.
"Random stuff."
Maverick looked at me funny. "Random stuff? Tulad ng isang volunteer teacher sa kabilang barangay?"
"What the fuck, Mav." I got defensive all of a sudden. When he saw how I reacted, he immediately grinned and backed a few steps away. I exhaled and dropped all the tension as my shoulders relaxed.
"I was kidding, Vane. No need to be so worked up over it. I just happened to be passing by the area yesterday and I saw your car, so I got curious. Pagsilip ko ay nakita kitang parang nananaginip na nakatingin doon sa babaeng nagtuturo." He nodded. "I remember her. Siya rin 'yung babaeng pumasok dito sa Villa, 'di ba?"
Humugot ako ng malalim na buntonghininga. I know Maverick and he is not just going to drop it. "Yes. That's her."
"She's beautiful."
She is fucking gorgeous, Maverick.
I ignored his remark and headed inside the mansion. My abuela was reading a newspaper on the lounge area when we got in.
"Good morning, abuela," Mav kissed her cheek and she patted his arm. She set her newspaper down momentarily to ask us where we were off to.
"Harvey's new house. The guy needs second opinions about the designs and whatnot. I'm taking the pickup, abuela."
"Can you take Marcia, too? Napakaingay niya kanina pa," nakataas ang kilay niyang saad. Si Marcia na ngayon ay kausap ang boyfriend niya sa telepono ay agad na umusog palayo. Natatawang umiling-iling ako bago umakyat sa kuwarto.
I changed into a simple dark blue shirt and shorts that I folded slightly. I put on white sneakers and grabbed the same shades I had on this morning and went down.
Maverick bid my abuela a goodbye before we hopped inside the four-seater black pickup where I took the driver's seat. Mav strapped the seatbelt on and I started the engine and drove out. Harvey already sent us a location, so now I'm just following what route Google maps is telling me to.
"Rhodora is crazy about you, man." Maverick snickered. "She's got a poster of you at home. Would you mind coming over to sign it? And also so she can take a little photo for her instagram and shit?"
"Yeah, sure." Iniliko ko ang sasakyan sa kaliwa at parang may kabang biglang umusbong sa puso ko sa hindi ko malamang kadahilanan. Ito na ang daan palapit sa bahay nila Asheng. Pinilit kong umaktong normal habang nagmamaneho. Hindi man lang nakalipas ang dalawang minuto bago nagsalita si Maverick.
"Yo! There's that chicka you have cold feet for!" Malakas na tumawa siya bago itinuro sa labas ang isang nakatalikod na babae na naglalakad sa gilid ng bangketa. Base sa tayo at mahinhing lakad nito ay nakumpirma ko agad na tama siya.
I squinted. Asheng is carrying an eco bag — a green one.
"Is she seriously walking to get to the grocery or the market? Sa susunod na taon pa siya makakarating kung ganoon," Mav said as he shook his head. I took a deep breath and drove a little bit faster. Takang tinignan ako ng katabi ko na tila alam niya ang gagawin ko pero hindi siya nagsalita.
Nang malapit na kami kay Asheng ay binalingan ko siya ng tingin. "Move to the back, Mav."
"What the... To the where?"
"To the back. Dali na. Kawawa naman siya. I want to give her a ride."
Tumalima naman ang kaibigan ko at agad na isiniksik ang sarili niya sa pagitan ng dalawang front seat bago pabagsak na naupo sa backseat. Iniurong ko ng kaunti ang sasakyan bago ibinaba ang mga bintana.
"Asheng!" I called.
She turned... and good God. Those eyes.
"Hi, Vane." Binigyan niya ako ng maliit na ngiti. "Magandang tanghali sa'yo."
"Ma... magandang tanghali rin." Ginantihan ko ang ngiti niya. Narinig ko ang impit na pagtawa ni Maverick sa likod ko, ngunit hindi ko siya pinansin. Mas nakatuon ang pokus ko kay Asheng na parang nagliliwanag ngayon sa ilalim ng araw.
"Are you going to the market?"
"Yes. Ikaw rin ba?"
"Ah, oo!" Agad na sagot ko. "Why are you walking? Hop in. I'll drop you off."
She looked at me dead in the eyes as her smile slowly disappeared. Agad akong kinabahan. Am I too forward? Did she think juts ako? I mean... Did she think I have bad intentions?
"'Wag na, kaya ko naman. I like walking. It reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke," sagot niya.
I thought it was fucking cute.
"I know. Pero mainit," I rationalized.
"Kaya ko naman. Salamat." Tatalikod na sana siya.
"Wait!" I called. Lumingon siya uli sa akin, naghihintay. I swallowed. "I'll walk with you. Samahan na kita sa pamamalengke."
"Ha?" sabay na tanong ni Maverick at ni Asheng. Sinipa pa ni Maverick ang likod ng upuan ko.
"Vane." He hissed from the background. "Harvey is going to be so pissed if you don't show up."
But I've already unstrapped my seatbelt.
"Vane." Maverick looked like he was indisbelief.
But I've already got down the car.
"Vane." Maverick looked at me again.
But I've already slammed the car door shut.
"Tell Harv I'll go visit the house tomorrow instead. You can bring the pickup back to the mansion after or you can have Mang Elmer pick it up instead." Tumalikod na ako at lumapit kay Asheng na hanggang ngayon ay takang nakatingin pa rin sa akin. Nagsimula na siyang maglakad, pero halata pa rin ang lito niya, kaya hinayaan ko muna mamayani ang katahimikan sa pagitan naming dalawa. Maya maya ay nalagpasan na kami ng pickup na minamaneho ni Harvey at sinundan ito ng tingin ni Asheng.
"Bakit mo 'yun ginawa?" mahinang tanong niya.
I didn't say I don't know, because I do know. Humalukipkip ako bago sumagot. "I guess I didn't really want to die of heart disease or stroke."
It took her a minute before she let herself laugh. I laughed with her as we continued walking.
"You are so silly," she mused.
"Yeah," pag-sangayon ko. "I know. Do you know that walking also improves your balance and reduces your fats?"
Tumango siya. "It builds your endurance, too."
"See?" I smiled. "We're working out."
"Ano?" agad na agap niya.
"Working out, uhm, because... walking is... it's an exercise, right? So technically, para ka ring nagwork out sa gym." Tumango tango siya na parang nakukumbinsi. Pagkatapos ng halos bente minutong lakad ay narating na namin ang city center. Nandito lahat ang mga buildings, groceries, at malalaking mga business. Our side of the town is mostly more secluded and peaceful.
Pumasok kami ni Asheng sa grocery store at ipinaghila ko siya ng cart. Nakita ko ang pamumula ng pisngi niya na dahil siguro sa init ng araw kanina.
"Pasensya ka na at haggardo versoza na ako, ha."
"What?" I asked. Pinunasan niya ng panyo ang butil butil ng pawis sa mukha bago sumagot. This woman's vocabulary perplexes me.
"Haggard. Turo uli sa akin ni Manang 'yon. Sabi niya 'yun daw ang uso ngayon na pananalita."
"Ganoon ba? Well... I dare say hindi ka haggardo versoza. You still look..." I looked away. "Okay. You look okay, so don't worry about it."
"Thank you, Vane, pati sa pagsama sa akin sa paglalakad at dito sa grocery store. Ikaw ang isa sa maraming mababait na tao rito sa Daet."
Tumango na lang ako. Hindi ko kayang sumagot doon. Inilabas niya ang isang listahan sa bulsa at binasa ito ng malakas. Idinirekta niya ako sa unang aisle kung saan nandoon ang mga dairy products. Pinanood ko siya at sinundan habang umiikot kami sa buong store.
She told me she really liked doing the grocery. It helps her relax. I have never met someone who gets relaxed doing their grocery. Asheng is the first one.
Napuno namin ang isang basket bago niya sinabing nakuha niya na ang lahat ng kailangan. I pushed the cart toward the queue for the cash register.
Habang nakapila at naghihintay ng turn ay iniisip ko na kung paano ko sasabihin kay Asheng na ako na ang magbabayad ng pinamili niya. Nang kami na ang pangalawa sa linya ay itinulak ko ang cart palapit.
"Vane?" Kinalabit niya ako. "I hope you're not thinking na pagbabayarin kita ng mga pinamili ko. Hindi ako pumayag na samahan mo ako sa grocery para roon."
I was tongue-tied. I nodded. "Of course." I tapped my fingers on the side of the basket, trying to think cohesively. "Hindi ko iniisip 'yon. In fact, ang iniisip ko nga ay hihingiin ko itong Pringles na binili mo."
Maluwag na ngiti ang sumalubong sa akin. "You can have it."
"This is my favorite!" dagdag ko.
"Next!" sigaw ng cashier. Magsisimula na sana akong ilagay ang mga pinamili ni Asheng sa counter nang mapansin kong nakatulala sa akin ang cashier lady na parang hindi siya makapaniwala.
"Kilala kita!" Natutop niya ang bibig. "OMG!!!"
I suddenly felt conscious and uncomfortable. I looked at Asheng and she was looking at me and the lady, confusion all over her face. I put a palm on my face. I'm not ready for Asheng to know about... about me being an actor in Spain. About having a bad reputation.
"Hindi ko sure kung ano'ng sinasabi mo, miss." Mahinahong sabi ko sa cashier lady.
"Hala! Nagtatagalog ka pala!" Namumula na siya. "Nakakaloka! Pinanood ko ang movies mo."
Napalunol ako. "Miss, kung —"
"Fan ako ng High School Musical!" sunod na sabi niya na nakapagpatigil sa akin. Napalitan ang kaba ko ng lito.
"Wait... Ano?"
"Ikaw 'yung artista, 'di ba? Si... si Zac?" she added. Paglingon ko kay Asheng ay tumatawa na siya sa likod ko.
"I'm not Zac," I replied, slightly amused. Mukhang hindi naniniwala ang cashier lady kaya hinatak niya ang nasa katabing cashier at tuwang tuwang itinuro ako.
"Angelu, tignan mo, si Zac Epson nandito!"
"Apron 'yon, gaga!" sigaw ng babaeng tinawag na si Angelu bago umirap sa kasama. "Magtrabaho ka na nga!"
Zac Apron sounds like someone with mad kitchen skills.