Mon Amour (My Love)

CHAPTER 5

"Wag kang masyadong magovethink, King." said Jane while I was driving. We're on our way to the hotel kung saan gaganapin ang 'night out' nila ng mga friends niya. "Trust me, it's gonna be a lot easier than you think."

"How do you know?" I asked. "Don't tell me..."

"Hoy, King. Hindi no!" she said quickly. "Yung mga friends ko lang na bakla ang naguuwi sa mga lalaki, hindi ako at yung iba pang girls. Wala pa naman siguro sa hitsura ko na kailangan ko nang magbayad ng lalaki para lang may makasex ako di ba?"

I did not respond. Truth was, sobra akong kinakabahan. Akala tuloy ni Jane, naoffend ako sa sinabi niya.

"Uy, King, I didn't mean to offend you. I mean, iba naman kasi ako, King. Babae ako. Imagine naman how humiliating it would be on my part na magbayad pa for a guy to have sex with me. Hindi pa naman siguro ako ganoon katanda to do that. Eh kayo, mga lalaki naman kayo so OK lang, do what you want."

"Yeah I get you. Don't worry."

"Thanks." she said. "Basta King, kapag dumating na yung escort na binook ng friend ko, exit na kayo kung gusto mo. You don't need to stay."

"No. That's OK. Gusto ko rin makilala ang friends mo anyway."

"OK. Whatever floats your boat." she said. She checked her phone. "Naroon na sila. Tayo na lang ang hinihintay."

"Mon dieu."

"Why? Are you nervous?" She laughed. "You don't want to look nervous in front of your bitch later, do you?"

"I'm just too anxious. Syempre, I don't know what's going to happen. But this is it, Jane. I'm gonna lose it tonight, one way or another. I just hope I have my beginner's luck."

"You have the money, King. Don't forget that. Those bitches will do what you want if the price is right. Just enjoy your first sex. And, safe sex, King ha?"

I nodded. "I know."

We reached the hotel and were escorted to the room where Jane's friends were already waiting. They're pleasant naman. Pagdating pa lang namin, sinalubong na nila kami kaagad.

"Oh Jane. Bakit kasama mo yung escort?" one of her gay friends asked.

"Gaga. Si King 'yan." said Jane as she laughed. "Anong escort ang sinasabi mo diyan?"

"OMG! You mean, siya yung friend mo? Hala Girl, ang pogi. Akala ko nung una siya yung escort natin tonight."

"Sinend ko yung picture ni King sa GC, bakla ka. Echuserang 'to."

It's funny how Jane's language shifted from King's-friend's-Tagalog-English to the playful one she used in talking with her friends.

"Charot lang!" her friend said. "King, it's nice to finally meet you. Bukambibig ka nitong si Jane sa amin mula pa noong first year college. Finally, in the flesh. I'm Rhodora, by the way."

"That's a beautiful name." I said as I shook his hand. "How do you do?"

"I'm fine, thank you." said Rhodora. Jane and her friends laughed. Pati ako, natawa rin.

"Bakla, hindi sinasagot ang tanong na 'yun. Tinuro sa'tin 'yan nung college. Nakakahiya ka."

"Alam ko, girl. How do you do too? O di ba?"

Jane and her friends laughed again.

"So yun nga, King. Ganyan lang talaga yang si Rudy pero ganyan talaga siya."

"Oy girl, anong Rudy? Rhodora nga eh."

"Rodolfo kasi ang totoong pangalan." said the other gay friend. "Lalaking lalaki hindi ba?"