Presque Vu [Phenomena Series #3]

Chapter 09

Chapter 09:

Two days before Christmas, I drove Twila to Baguio. It was the longest drive I've ever done since I met her. Hindi ko akalain na kahit gaano ako napagod, naging masaya pa rin ako dahil ngayon ko lang ginawa 'yon para sa isang babae. Hindi pa ako nainip sa pagmamaneho dahil kahit na apat na oras ang byahe at madaling-araw kaming umalis, hindi siya natulog; nilibang niya talaga ako.

"Nandito rin ba ang Mommy mo?" I asked when we finally entered Baguio.

Umiling siya. "Mom hates Papa. Ngayon nga lang ako pinayagang mag-spend ng Christmas dito, eh."

Hiwalay nga pala ang parents niya. Bakit ba naitanong ko pa?

"Sabagay," I sighed. "If ever we'll get married soon, I promise we'll not end up like our parents."

She laughed. "Future agad inisip mo."

I smirked. "It's the best thing to think, though. I love thinking about my future with you."

She rolled her eyes, laughing, like it was some kind of a corny joke, when I am dead serious when I told her that. Napapailing na lang ako. Itinuro niya sa akin ang daan papunta sa bahay ng Papa niya, hanggang sa pumasok kami sa isang exclusive subdivision.

Sa entrance pa lang, ang dami na kaagad checkpoint. Ipinakita ni Twila ang ID niya at maraming sinabi. Tumawag pa ang guard sa telepono bago kami tuluyang nakapasok. Malayo-layo pa ang d-in-rive ko hanggang sa makarating kami sa napakalaking bahay, habang sa harap ay ang gate na napakalaki rin; itim at gold ang combination ng kulay nito. May guwardiya rin at halatang mahigpit ang seguridad.

"Dito na lang. Sorry, hindi kita maaaya sa loob. Hindi kasi talaga mabait ang Papa ko, sa totoo lang, lalo na sa mga nagiging boyfriend ko," she laughed. "Pero ikukwento kita sa kan'ya mamaya."

Tumango ako at lumapit sa kan'ya para patakan siya ng halik sa labi. "Okay lang. Enjoy your stay here."

Ilang ulit na halik pa ang ginawa niya habang hawak ang magkabilang pisngi ko, na dahilan ng pagtawa naming dalawa, bago siya tuluyang lumabas ng sasakyan at kumaway. Pinanood ko siyang mag-doorbell at kausapin ang guard. Yumuko pa ito nang bahagya sa kan'ya bago papasukin. Tumingin si Twila sa huling pagkakataon bago tuluyang isarado ang gate.

It was my cue to leave. Damn, I'm fucking tired! I should've booked a hotel for me to stay in while I rest but I have a damn plan with my fucking friends. Argh!

Bago ako tuluyang lumabas ng Baguio, kumain muna ako ng breakfast sa restaurant na nadaanan ko para naman magkaroon ako ng kahit kaonting lakas sa pagdi-drive. After an hour of eating and resting, I started driving again away from Baguio.

The eyesore I had when I saw a facility with a politician's name and face on it. Even the school's waiting shed, may pangalan pa ng mga letseng politiko. Tangina, kailangan ba 'yon sa lahat ng proyekto? Kailangan bang ipagduldulan sa mukha ng mga taong kinasasakupan mo na ikaw ang gumawa niyan?

Nobody should thank a politician for the projects their doing; it was their money that was used for that damn project. It was their taxes so I don't see the point for the thanking and honouring them.

Well, aside from their efforts and the job they've done, I don't really see the point. They chose to run for a government's position so it was their job to do those projects.

I can't see the fucking point why the politicians, business tycoons, and other elites are being honoured for simply doing their job. I mean, how about the simple employees? The janitors, teachers, street vendors? Can't we thank and honor them the same way people and thanking and honouring the politicians and business tycoons?