Under the Jasmine Flowers

Chapter 2-1

Chapter 2

The white Lexus SUV showed up right on time, and when Adam and Pete stepped from the air-conditioned Starbucks to greet Erwin, Erwin was already opening the car door to allow them to take their seats inside.

“Hello again, Mr. Adam,” Erwin said. Adam nodded and shook his hand, finding it interesting that Erwin’s accent was strong in some of the consonants.

“I’m Pete, by the way.” Pete shook Erwin’s outstretched hand.

“Erwin.” Erwin stopped for a second and then asked, “Are you Filipino?”

“Part,” Pete answered. “My mother is from Vigan.”

“So you can speak Tagalog?” Erwin asked.

“Just a little,” Pete said, then to emphasize, he said, “Konti lang, po.”

Erwin laughed. “Well, that’s good you have a Pinoy friend, Mr. Adam.”

“It doesn’t hurt,” Adam said as he slid into the front seat of the Lexus. “Where are we headed? Jojo didn’t say where the golf course was.” Adam buckled his seat belt as Erwin drove out into traffic.

“We are head to the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club,” Erwin said. “Depending on traffic, it’s really not far from here. Master Jojo has golf clubs and bags ready for you there.”

“I’ve heard about Wack Wack,” Pete said. “I heard it’s nice.”

“It’s one of the oldest golf courses in the country. You can see the high-rises of the business district from the golf course. There are two eighteen-hole golf courses.”

“Do you play?” Adam asked.

“Not much of a golf player. Now, Jojo’s tatay, brother, and sister were and are. They all used to play golf on Sundays after church.”

“So how long have you worked for Jojo?” Adam asked.

“Me? I think Master Jojo was five or so when I started. He had finished Montessori school, and I started taking him to Ateneo grade school, then its junior high, then its senior high. His father, Don Antonio, wouldn’t let him drive to school and back, even when he got a license. So, maybe twenty-five years? Except when he was in California at university, I became more of his mother’s driver, and I helped around the household more when he was away, studying engineering.”

“Wow, that’s a long time,” Pete said.

“Maybe, but I’ve enjoyed it. My wife was his yaya, too. So we have been part of Master Jojo’s life a long time.”

“Yaya?” Adam asked.

“Nanny or nursemaid,” Pete whispered.

“Nanny,” Erwin corrected. “She never nursed him. That was his mother I think. I met Janeth, his yaya, when I came to work here. She and I have been married twenty-two years now. “

“Does he still have a yaya, though?” Pete asked. “Don’t kids stop having yayas when they go to school?”

“Master Jojo had my wife as his yaya through all his school years up to high school. She became the family chef so when her yaya duties were scaled back, she took over as cook because Doña Margarita, Master Jojo’s mother, likes my wife’s cooking. My wife, myself, and Doña Margarita are from Cebu, and our dishes there are slightly different than other island cuisine. My wife, Janeth, still makes his meals for him, and makes him lunches to go. We do not have kids, so I don’t mind that she dotes on Master Jojo. He has been very good to us.”

Adam sensed the pride in Erwin’s voice, almost like the tone a father would take when about crowing about a son, but Adam stopped himself from asking any more questions.

As both Pete and Adam watched the traffic on the opposite ends and listened to the local pop station during the stop and go traffic, Adam marveled at the different vendors at the intersections. They were selling newspapers, individual cigarettes, religious dolls, handheld fans, candy, and pork rinds with small bags of vinegar. The colorful Jeepneys, each with their own hand-painted art whizzed on by, full of passengers, some of them with handkerchiefs over their faces because of the diesel fumes from the buses and Jeepneys.

“Wack Wack has a pool, bar, and conference rooms,” Erwin added. “We are only a few minutes away.”

They passed down side streets teeming with people going about on a hot Sunday afternoon. Security guards in front of every bank, women walking with kids, street vendors pushing carts full of coconuts for drinking. Modern day Manila littered its streets with advertisements for McDonalds, Pizza Hut, KFC, and the local Filipino hamburger chain, Jollibee. Casino ads and department stores popped up here and there as they made their way to the golf course. More than fourteen million people lived in the city per the official census. Probably more if you counted the people who lived in squatter developments.

The Lexus slowed and pulled up to a security gate. After Erwin showed his driver’s license, they went through the gate, and soon Erwin was at the porte cochere. Jojo walked towards them as they pulled around.

Adam’s heart raced. In the sunlight, Jojo was even more handsome. Jojo wore a pink golf shirt, khaki shorts, and golf shoes. Two caddies appeared by his side bringing out four sets of golf clubs. Another gentleman flanked Jojo. Adam surmised that this was the fourth golfer in today’s outing. He was slightly shorter than Jojo, and with a tan brown complexion, practically the same complexion as the caddies, but to a lighter degree than Erwin.

Adam was completely mesmerized by Jojo and his welcoming smile. Where’s this guy been the last year or so since I was in the Philippines?

“Thanks, Erwin, for bringing our guests. They’re serving lunch in the main dining room. I saw a favorite of yours, chicken adobo, as today’s special.”

“Salamat po,” Erwin said. Facing the man that Adam didn’t know, Erwin said, “Have fun golfing, Roger.”

“Will do.” Roger had a thick accent, too, just like Erwin, but otherwise spoke perfect English.

“This is Roger Cabral by the way,” Jojo said, introducing him to Pete and to Adam. “My sister seems to like him, so we keep him around.”

“And I’m Peter Salazar.”

“Filipino?” Roger asked. “Born here or in the states?”

“Born in the states, and my mother’s family is from Vigan,” Pete said.

Adam caught Jojo studying him, and he couldn’t resist smirking.

So, he does like me.

His face flushed with excitement. His anxiety about this moment, since seeing Jojo at the club, this day, lessened. “Can I be honest? I’m not really good at golf. I’ve only played maybe two, three times, and if you count putt-putt, maybe four.”

“Same for me,” Pete admitted.

“Whew,” Roger exhaled. “Glad I’m not the only one who has a golf handicap that’s pretty high.”

“We’re here just to enjoy the Sunday,” Jojo said. “It’s hot. So, why don’t we just play nine holes, instead of eighteen? We’re still in the tail end of the rainy season, so it’s going to be humid. They already warned me earlier that between last night’s rain and this morning’s sprinkler, the grass is pretty slick, so if you didn’t bring golf shoes, the club has shoes for your use. We can relax afterward, get a bite to eat. Janeth is out shopping spending Erwin’s money, so Erwin is perfectly content to relax and enjoy the air conditioning, the food, and ogling the lovely ladies by the pool.”

“Really?” Pete asked. “There’s a pool full of women?”

“Unfortunately, one of them here is Jojo’s ex,” Roger said, shaking his head as he did so.

“Well, I unpaired her from my iPhone schedule today so she and I will never be able to access each other’s calendars from today on,” Jojo said. “I’ll chalk it up to coincidence that she’s here.”

“Yeah, right,” Roger said, rolling his eyes as he spoke.

Adam chortled. He liked this Roger guy.

“Sir, may we escort you to the locker rooms so you can change your footwear?” Adam turned to the caddy that spoke, then he glanced at his sneakers. The same caddy spoke to Pete. “We have golf shoes you can wear, too, sir. Club rules require golf shoes.”

“I didn’t know.” Not wanting to make a big deal out of it, Adam shrugged. “Okay, we’ll follow you.

Jojo nodded and pointed. “We’ll be by two golf carts down that hill.”

“Okay.” Adam smiled. He watched Jojo head that way with Roger, each carrying a golf bag. He tried not to look too obvious that he was checking out Jojo’s butt, but Pete caught him.

“Dude. Don’t be so transparent about it.”

Their conversation was cut short by another, “Sir, please,” as the insistent caddy beckoned them to follow. The second caddy had walked down the hill following Jojo and Roger, carrying the remaining golf bags.

They walked through the inviting lobby, and its floral display, and then to the pro shop. “Mr. Arias has requested you pick out a pair of golf shoes, and if you desire swimming later, a pair of swimming trunks.”

“Are these for rent?” Pete asked as he browsed through the shoes.

“Mr. Arias has an account here. He insists that you use golf shoes for your safety, and he’s taken care of any necessary charges.”

As Adam walked around, the caddy followed him. Adam found a pair of Footjoys that fit his size twelve feet.

“Good choice sir. We don’t have many shoes your size so unfortunately there’s not much of a selection.”

Adam nodded, sat down on chair, and tried on the shoes. He walked several steps one way, then back.

“It looks perfect on you sir,” the caddy said. They were actually very comfortable as golf shoes went. Pete selected his pair then walked up to the cash register. The caddy brought out several swim trunks encased in sealed clear plastic, each with stickers showing the different sizes. Some were cut too high for Adam’s personal taste.

“Mr. Arias is also paying for the swim trunks, whether or not you use them here or anywhere else,” the cashier said.

Pete leaned in and whispered. “You have to accept the gift, otherwise Jojo might be offended.”

The cashier overheard and spoke again. “There are board shorts, and different styling, for your choosing.”

Adam picked the board shorts for himself, and Pete did the same. Once they were done, the caddy escorted them to the locker room, past the wall of prior winners. The caddy brought them to two long lockers, side by side. The caddy opened each and handed a key on a chain to Pete, and then to Adam. Each locker contained a towel and a robe, and shower sandals. A small gift set of travel-sized soap, shampoo, and conditioner were also inside the locker. The caddy left them to change shoes.

Pete leaned down to untie his street shoes. “Are we supposed to stay for dinner? It wasn’t clear. Not that I mind. I just have to tell my girlfriend.”

“I think so.” Adam exchanged his athletic shoes for golf shoes, and then waited for Pete.

“I’m ready. Are you?” Pete asked.

“Yeah, let’s go.”

Both of them walked out and headed down the hill and where they heard Jojo and Roger laughing. Adam couldn’t make out why they were laughing until he got closer.

“Okay, sis, our friends are here so we got to play golf now. And I promise if Roger makes another crazy golf shot I’ll share it with you. Or if he takes twenty putts again at one hole.”

“Hey, that’s because one shot my golf ball landed in the sand bunker.”

“Okay, you keep to that story,” a voice said, coming from the speaker. “Jojo, if any of his shots are as great as the ones you just texted me, I can’t wait.” Her voice was light and slightly sing-songy.

“Nice, I’ll try not to do that then.” Roger leaned closer to Jojo’s iPhone and said to Jojo’s sister. “Love you.”

“Love you back,” she said.

The small cleats on their shoes made noise on the sidewalk, and Jojo greeted them. “Hey guys, ready?” Jojo asked.

“We’re ready to embarrass ourselves,” Pete said.

“On that note, I’ll take Adam,” Jojo said. “And Roger will be your golf partner, Pete. We figured it was the fairest way to even out the experience levels.”

Pete smirked, and Adam wanted to elbow him to make the smirk disappear. Luckily, Pete’s smirk quickly vanished.