The Queen & I (WLW)

Chapter 40 : The Point of No Return

——

Sculptures.

I have no idea how to mold, cast, carve or even assemble one. Napaisip lang ako, kasi lahat ng Philippine Consulate na napuntahan ko for a courtesy call, there was always a sculpture of our national hero, Jose Rizal.

Now, looking at a bronze bust sculpture of the famous hero at the foyer of the consulate office here in New York, I thought about how people can look so stoic like this metal piece if they lose their soul or passion. I stared at the blank eyes of the metallic figure — it felt empty and sad.

"Nananalo ka na ba sa staring contest niyo ni Rizal?", manang MJ bumped my arm.

"Mananalo na sana kung hindi mo ako inistorbo", I snickered and was about to say something about Rizal, but I saw Mama J together with the Philippine Consul General and some of the attachés walk towards us. Both nang MJ and I fixed our posture.

"Ladies, this way please", a man wearing a barong said. His hand touched the small of my back and grinned.

We were led to the function hall of the consulate wherein several Filipinos were seated already, waiting for me to enter the large room. The man who assisted us pulled a chair for me to sit on.

"Thank you po", I told the man politely. His grin never left his round face. Parang kanina pa nga, ganoon na yung ngisi niya.

"Parang yan yung may hashtag malice sa 'yo ah", MJ whispered. Natawa na rin ako, kasi totoo nga naman. May pagkalagkit din kasi yung tingin.

"Baka dito pa ako mas ma-issue". I searched for the person and he was apparently just sitting behind us. "Sugurin pa ako ng asawa niyan, nang".

MJ stifled her laughter, "Yez, but baka hindi lang asawa yung susugod. Mukhang may mag hahagis din sa'yo ng sangkaterbang Durian all the way from Thailand".

"Huy, siraulo—masakit yun ha".

"Sus, alam ko naman hindi ka papatol diyan saka ayaw mo naman maging baku-bako yung mukha mo dahil sa balat ng durian", MJ looked at me, "—-magkikita kayo mamaya?"

I parted my mouth, but pursed my lips quickly.

"Langga—", she sighed and pivoted in her seat so her body could face me. "—it's okay. You can tell me. Besides, I've seen and heard more than enough to know what's really going on. The other night palang eh—"

"Hindi ko naman alam nalasing na ako nun", I frowned trying to recall the very first time I invited my girlfriend around for dinner with my team.

"Huwag ka nalang uminom kapag hindi mo kaya. Ang bigat mong lasing ——Hi!—", manang MJ waved at a waiter carrying a pitcher. "Pahingi po kami ng water".

I shook my head and watched our glasses get filled with the infused water.

"Salamat, kuya. Tatawagin ka namin ulit mamaya for refilling", MJ tapped the shoulder of the waiter and smiled.

"So, ano?"

"Ha?"

"Jusko naman Ibyang, iisa lang tanong ko diba? — kikitain mo ba mamaya ang binibining pangkalawakan?"

I chuckled, "literal, nang MJ ha. Yung kabaklaan mo talaga, walang pinapatawad".

"Of course", she flipped her hair and drank water. "Eh yang kabaklaan mo? Wala rin namang patawad ah, ayaw magpauwi".

I flustered as images of a half-naked Amanda waking up beside me the other morning flashed in my head. Mas marami pa atang laway yung nalunok ko kaysa baso ng tubig sa harapan ko.