MR. RIGHT, MS. WRONG

5 NIKKA

5

NIKKA

Nakatunganga ako sa sekretarya na nakaupo sa upuan sa loob ng cubicle habang nandito naman ako sa waiting area. Nilalamig na ang pwet ko sa stainless na upuan dahil sa lakas ng air con. I’m not nervous. Hindi lang talaga ako sanay sa air condition.

Ako ang isang babae na walang kinatatakutan na makaharap kahit na leader pa ng mga Mauti group sa Marawi.

Twenty minutes na ako rito dahil may kausap pa si Jamie Rix de Lorenzo sa loob ng office niya. I can see various numbers of men gaping at me whenever they pass by, and they aren’t only gawking at my face but they pay attention to my overly exposed thighs. I wonder. Ngayon lang ba sila nakakita ng babae na 5’7 ang taas at mahahaba ang hita na medyo balahibuhin?

Mga manyak!

Napatuwid ako ng pagkakaupo nang makita ko na lumabas na ang kausap ng President, at isa iyong matandang lalaki na may akay na batang lalaki, pero kaagad na tumigil sa paghakbang ang bata.

“Lolo, I want to stay with Papa Adam. I’ll wait for, Daddy. Will you let me?” seryosong tanong niyon sa matandang lalaki. The boy looks so serious and it's not ordinary for a kid like him to act as strange as that. Para siyang matanda kung umawra. He’s a bit lonely and I can see it in his deep green set of eyes.

Ang ganda ng mata ng batang lalaki.

The old man didn’t nod right away and I see how he heaves a sigh as he gently nods after a while, giving the little boy a warm, consoling smile.

“Go on. Wait for your Dad. I wonder where he is.” Anang matandang lalaki saka hinaplos ang ulo ng bata na may suot na pulang sombrero, katerno ng kulay ng mukhang mamahalin na sapatos.

“He’s with his girlfriends, I don’t wonder, Lolo.” Malungkot na sabi ng bata sa matanda bago iyon tumalikod.

Girlfriends? Ang dami naman. Ang pogi siguro ng Daddy niya kaya may mina ng girls.

Sumulyap ang batang lalaki sa akin at nakanganga lang ako. Ang pogi niyang bata—sobra. I smile at him but he doesn’t send forth even just his lightest smile.

Sandali! Parang nakita ko na siya. Lalo akong napaupo nang tuwid nang mamukhaan ko ang bata! Ang batang aalagaan ko! Tanga talaga ako.Pero kung hindi niya Daddy ang nasa loob ng opisina, sino?

“Miss Huelgas?” untag sa akin ng sekretarya na nakatayo sa may pinto ng office ng President.

I blink away my thoughts and look up at the woman. I close my mouth and I pull together my lost sanity.

“S-Sorry po. Ano po iyon?” ngumiti ako at napatulala siya sa akin.

“Pasok na raw, sabi ni President.” Sabi niya sa akin na lalong ikinangunot ng nop ko. Ilan ba ang Jamie Rix de Lorenzo? Bakit ang dami yata? The boy said that he’d wait for his Dad. So obviously, it wasn’t his Dad who’s inside that office. Tapos, sabi naman ng babaeng ito, si President ang nasa loob. Baka si President Franklin Roosevelt kamo. Nabuhay ang bangkay at pumunta sa building ng Infinity.

Bahala sila sa buhay nilang maguluhan.

I stand up and fix myself.

The secretary gave a warning knock and what followed was a deep, sweet voice. “Send the applicant, in.” he said softly but full of authority.

The secretary named, Kelly pushes the door for me. Hindi ako nagdalawang isip na pumasok. A quick blue light scans me when I take few steps forward. Tumingala pa ako at nakita ko ang ilaw na parang laser na umanalisa sa akin. Baka naman magkapira-piraso ako sa laser na ito.

“Closer now, Miss.” The President demandingly commanded.

I look forward and was taken aback when I see the President sitting on his chair at his aquamarine glass desk. Bakit siya? Nakabunggo ko siya kanina, bakit nandito na siya?

I part my lips and ogle him. He has those fiery eyes which show great possession. And gosh! He’s really gorgeous! Kambal ba ang Presidente ng Infinity?

“Quit staring, Miss Huelgas, I’m married. Come forward.” He c***s his head and purses his red lips.

I softly giggle with his remark. “S-Sorry, ang pogi niyo po kasi.” Ngumisi ako at parang gumaan ang awra ng mukha niya dahil gumuhit ang ngiti sa isang sulok ng labi niya habang naglalakad ako papalapit sa mesa.

He’s kinda different from that guy I saw who’s making out inside the lift with a beautiful woman. This one is a bit stern, and that one back there a while ago was a bit authoritative but flirty. But their smiles are sorts of cookie-cutter, a lot. Can hardly tell the difference because I think, there’s no difference at all. Parehong nakakabasa ng panty ang mga ngiti ng dalawa.

I know those things. As I’ve said, I’m not naïve, though I’m a virgin.

I glance at the child sitting on the couch while holding a thick book about Chemistry. Susmaryosep! Sa pagkakaalam ko ay pitong taon pa lang ang bata pero bakit iyon ang hawak niya? Is he only looking at those pix inside the book or really reading its contents?

Bago pa man lang ako makarating sa harap ng mesa ay bumaba ang bata sa couch at tumakbo papalapit sa lalaki. “Look, Papa Adam. Tell me if I got it right, H2O is actually made up of two hydrogens, and one oxygen. And common salt is actually NaCl or Sodium Chloride.” Ngumiti iyon sa tinatawag niyong Papa Adam habang ipinakikita ang libro na malaki pa sa isang Encyclopedia.

Ito pala ang Adam de Lorenzo.

Pero hindi si Adam ang interes ko. Ang concern ko ay nasa bata. What kind of child is he? He’s such a genius. How can he even determine that salt is actually made up of Sodium and Choloride? Lugaw ang utak ng mga kaklase ko noon sa Chemistry, when I was still in my 9th grade. I was the one who excelled, making perfect scores naming compounds and analyzing them according to their components. At alam ko kung gaano iyon kahirap, but this young boy. Wow! Ang galing niya!

I love chemistry and I dreamt of becoming a Chemist, but that would remain a dream even for the longest time of my life. Baka kahit nga franchise ng Generics Pharma ay hindi ko kayang bumili, maging Chemist pa kaya?

“Yes, that’s right, Andi. Go back to the couch. I have to talk to this young lady.” Adam pats the boy’s shoulder.

The boy looks at me with a stifled face. Tulad kanina, hindi siya ngumiti. Parang hindi siya ngumingiti. Masungit yata siya. My brother has a down syndrome but he’s kinda sweet. Alam ni Byran kung paano ako lambingin kahit na special siya. But this boy, parang wala siyang kalambing-lambing sa katawan.

Siya ang batang kikidnapin nina Jesmond?

Bigla akong parang naparalisa. But Jesmond assured me that they would not hurt the kid. Pera lang naman daw ang gusto ng nagpapa-kidnap sa bata at palalayain din. I also made sure of that. My conscience won’t let me live at peace if they will kill him. Isa pa ay bata ito at walang muwang.

Shit! Hindi pa ako nag-uumpisa pero nakokonsensya na ako. I have to flush it out of my system!

I render the kid a genuine smile and not minding if he’ll smile in return. And my heart leaps when the corner of his lips quirks up into a very inconspicuous smile. Ang ganda ng ngiti niya at naging matiim ang titig ng mga mata.

I never settled my butt on the chair in front of the desk when I’ve reached it. Nakatayo lang ako at nakatingin ng diretso sa mukha ng Adam na ito. Naalala ko na. Siya ang nagmamay-ari ng napilas na mukha sa magasin, malamang Adamson de Lorenzo siya at ang isa ay ang Jamie Rix. But how can I possibly get the job if Jamie Rix isn’t here? Nandoon iyon kasama ng babae, at tema ng paghahalikan ng mga iyon kanina, mukhang sa kama ang bagsak ng niyon at ng babaeng na mukhang may mina ng gluta sa katawan.

Nang mag-angat ng tingin si Mr. de Lorenzo ay mas lalo ko siyang tinitigan.

“Holy f**k!” Mr. Adam cusses as he smirks on his own and locks away his gaze. “Don’t you ever dare stare at my twin brother like that, Miss. It’s either you’ll lose it or he’ll lose it.” Bulong niya na hindi ko naman naintindihan ang ibig niyang sabihin.

Lose the what?

“Sit down.” He looks back at me and beckons his hand to offer me a seat.

I smile at him and he’s not even blinking while he’s openly staring at me. As if I was a celebrity in his eyes. s**t his eyes!

“So—” he glances at my resume on the table. “You’re here to become a nanny?” he forms his brows in curves.

“Yes po.” I nod and smile.

Ibinalik niya sa akin ang mga mata.

“You never came even directly from the agency, sweetheart. And you’re just 18, turning...nineteen? No experience. How come you’ll pass?” seryosong tanong niya sa akin.

I am gaping at him and can’t help but to open my mouth. Ano bang tanga ni Jesmond? Bakit naman isinabak niya ako rito na hindi pa pineke ang lahat? Parang gusto ko tuloy magpalamon sa sahig nang buo.

Is it time for drama? Yes, Nikka ganda!

“Actually—” I start and Mr. Adam crosses his arms over her chest as if waiting for me to speak.

I dig myself into the vent of emotion. “Sadya po na mag-apply ako, though I awkwardly knew that I didn’t come from a certain agency. As for your information, Mr. President, kahit po ipagbackground check niyo pa, I have a brother and he’s special. I need to work hard for his medication and needs. Please give me the chance, Mr. de Lorenzo.” I beg.

Half of what I said was true. I’m really doing this for Bryan, more than how I badly needed it for myself.

Kung ako lang ay makakakuha ng trabaho na hindi ko mailalagay sa peligro ang puri ko, kahit saan papasok ako ng trabaho para hindi na mangyari na masasangkot ako sa pagkuha ng bata. Pero kapit sa patalim ako. Kaya lang nasubukan ko na. Hindi naman ako pwede sa matataas na establisyemento kasi junior high school lang ang natapos ko. Paulit-ulit na pumasok na katulong, kung hindi napagbibintangan na magnanakaw, sinasaktan o kaya pinagtatangkaang reypin. Did those things bring me any good? No! Not any of them did.

Nagkatingin lang sa akin ang Presidente at parang inaaral niya ang hitsura ng mukha ko kung nagsasabi ba ako ng totoo.

“Why not Senior High, young girl?” he asked again.

I’m giving him the eye contact he’s been looking for. Besides, hindi naman ako nagsisinungaling sa parte na mga sinabi ko na at hindi rin ako magsisinungaling ngayon.

“Not Senior high because I can’t compensate for my financial needs. I tried working but I ended up failing. I even tried applying for scholarship, but—” I fasten the words I have in mind so I bow my head. I am wondering if he’s in favor of the shitty government which actually no doubt rules the country and the people who live in it.

Mayaman siya at hindi ko alam kung maiintindihan niya ang katotohanan kung paano umiikot ang mundo naming mga tao na mahihirap pa sa daga na ipinanganak ngang api, mas inaapi pa.

I look at his eyes again and I feel belittled. I nearly forgot that it’s a de Lorenzo whom I am talking with, a no doubt billionaire! I feel so much pitty for myself. s**t! This is what I hate. I hate to cry. I am strong enough though I’m very young.

I blink away my tears and smile wearily.

“Go on.” Utos niya sa mababang tono pero seryoso pa rin.

“I tried applying for scholarships but none of them qualified me, though I had an utmost rank during my junior high days. I was a Valedictorian but supposedly, the scholarship intended for my slot was given to another person even though he had the capability to attend to Senior high. Anak siya ng isang teacher. I fought for it but I didn’t win it back. For one possible reason, maybe because I didn’t have a parent who could’ve even fight for me. I’ve tried scholarship examinations but still, none worked for me. Hindi lang iyon nakakababa ng pagkatao, nakakababa ng self-esteem. Akala ko tanga ako pero alam ko ang kapasidad ko. Those people in higher positions had released the slots for the people that they know, not for those who really needed it. Praktikal lang siguro ako, Mr. President na hindi ko na ipinaglaban ang alam kong hindi ko kailanman mapapanalunan.” I told him.

“Would you mind, are you half?”

“No I won’t.” I shake my head. “Mama po ay pure Filipina, father was Latino-American, but they’re both gone.” I said.

“Sorry about that.” He raises his brows and heaves a sigh. Then, he presses his lips. “No doubt you’re a Valedictorian! You’re hired!” he extended his arm toward me na ikinaluwa ng mga mata ko.

Parang gusto kong mapatalon sa tuwa na sa pinakaunang pagkakataon ay may taong nagtiwala sa isang katulad ko. I wanna rejoice because I was hired, not because I was hired to kidnap a kid. I was hired because I didn’t lie.

“Thank you po.” Parang bigla akong naging emosyonal sa hindi ko maipaliwanag na dahilan.

“You remind of someone...special, my wife. Well, congratulations. Basically, attractive woman, checked! Personal hygiene, checked! Intelligence, checked! It will help a lot for my genius nephew. About a 161 I.Q level, sweetheart. Einstein’s brain. He’s Andi, your new baby.” Inginuso niya ang bata na ngayon ay nagbabasa pa rin ng libro.

Genius?

Paktay!

Mabilis ko pa rin na tinanggap ang kamay ng lalaki at kamuntik akong himatayin sa lambot ng kamay niyang malaki. I wanted him to stand on his foot and see what could be the possible difference between him and his identical twin brother, for I think, none. Oh! Except for the mole. Walang nunal ang lalaking ito. Iyong sa elevator ay meron.

“You’ll move in tomorrow. I will inform my kuya.” Ngumiti siya kaya lalo siyang pomogi. Tapos ay binalingan niya ang pamangkin niya.

“Hey Andi, buddy!” tawag niya roon na kaagad naman na nag-angat ng mukha. “Did your Dad hire a new nanny for you?”

Nagkibit balikat iyon at lumabi. “Not sure, Papa. He’s a busy man and I’m not quite sure what he’s been so busy all about. I think he’s chasing those big boob bitches.” Sabi niya. Batang boses at aura pero ang salita ay hindi.

I cover my mouth with my palm to muffle my giggle. Babaero nga ang ama ng bata. Tama si Jesmond. Walang duda, sa nakita ko elevator, baka pilik mata lang ng babae ang walang latay.

“In that case, I’ll hire this young girl as your new nanny.” Sagot ni Mr. Adam na parang balewala lang ang sinabi ng pamangkin na pipitong taon pero marunong kumilatis ng mga babaeng malalaki ang s**o.

Sinilip ko ang akin. Buti hindi niya nahalata na may kalakihan din ang dibdib ko. I move my eyes to check after Mr. Adam and I catch him ogling me.

Shit! Amuse siya na sinisilip ko ang dibdib ko sa ilalim ng kamiseta.

“What are you doing?” takang tanong niya.

“May umihi pong butiki.” Sabay tingala ko sa kisame. Tumingala rim siya kaya tumawa ako.

“Sorry for that. Lizards are friendly anyways.” Sabi niya at mukhang naniwala nga. Nakakatawa dahil ang taas na sobra ng kisame para makarating pa sa akin ang ihi ng butiki kung saka-sakali.

“Good luck, Miss Angela. You better talk to my brother about Andi’s case. He’ll explain it further. May ugali kasi siya na bayolente kapag inaabot. It’s the inconvenience of having a gifted child. I bet you know that.” Paliwanag niya na tinanguan ko lang.

Gifted. Ilang kotse na kayang paandarin ng tubig o ilang gamot sa mga walang lunas na sakit ang kayang gawin ng batang kikidnapin ko?

Sa librong binabasa niya, walang duda na chemicals ang hilig niya. He could be the next possible person who will own the largest pharmaceutical industry, making numerous kinds of drugs to cure incurable diseases. He could be the future of those people who had already lost their hopes to get well.

Kaya ko bang kidnapin siya?

Shit! Kaya mo Nikka!