The Hector's Game

Chapter 2

INFERNO

Alexander Woods

June 11 - June 13

At 6 in the evening

The day has come.

After receiving the message, I talked with Kuya Joseph, the shop owner, over the phone the next day. Nagpaalam ako na may aasikasuhing mga papeles. Pumayag naman siya. On the other hand, hindi ako makatulog nang malaman ko na tatlong araw ako mag-stay do'n. It is just a celebration, kaya hindi ko ma-gets kung anong klaseng laro ang mayro'n sila. I have been thinking maybe it's like Survivor Philippines, then magugulat na lang ako nasa live television na ako.

It was around three in the afternoon when two guys came by. Sila yung nag-ayos sa mukha at buhok ko. Dinala rin nila ang dress na susuotin ko. Wala naman naging problema pero may ipinagtataka lang ako. I tried talking to them, but no one wanted to answer me orally. Tango at iling lang ang ginawa nila. Hindi ko alam if part 'yon ng trabaho nila pero hinayaan ko na lang. The important was they were good and gentle to me.

And I also think this is stupid. Three days of not working equals no pay. If 'di ako mananalo tapos walang consolation prize, ako talaga ang talo. Sayang ang tatlong araw. I don't have rest days since my job is just a piece of cake. Nasasayangan ako sa isang araw na walang ginagawa, yet here I am wasting time. On the other hand, everything seems suspicious. I tried convincing myself that it was fine, but the truth was that it was not. Is it too late to back out?

"Mauuna na po kami," the guy with red hair says politely.

"Wait lang," habol kong sabi habang tinitingnan ang sarili sa salamin. I grab a box of cookies on the counter and hand it to them. Akala ko nga ay 'di nila tatanggapin kaya mas lumawak ang ngiti ko nang kinuha nila ang binibigay ko. "Thank you pala sa pag-ayos sa 'kin. Pwede ba ako magbigay ng tip? And ano pala mga names niyo?"

They both shake their heads before the other guy who has a cold face speaks. "No need. Sobra na ang binayad sa amin. Regarding sa mga pangalan namin, it's confidential. Thanks."

Nauna siya lumakad palabas ng shop habang naiwan ang kasama niya. Tiningnan ko siya at mukhang nahihiya sa inasal ng isa.

"Pasensiya na po. By the way, thank you po dito," he lifts the box and smiles back at me. "You look stunning. I hope you enjoy the night po."

"Thank you too, for making me beautiful."

After that interaction, I run to the standing mirror and recheck myself. I look around before screaming at the top of my lungs. Ang ganda ko, what the hell? Iba talaga ang nagagawa ng make-up. The dress is so gorgeous too! It's a black maxi dress. Hindi gaano kababa ang v-line, just enough to support my boobs. It also has a slit on the right side, which makes it a bit daring. Nakalugay lang ang buhok ko pero ginawa nilang medyo wavy ang dulo. And I'm wearing cute and thin black clips for my baby hair.

I position my phone on the window to attempt a body shot when the chimes make noise. Tumingin ako sa entrance at nakita ang lalaking kausap ko noong isang araw. He leans on the corner of table, almost sitting, and looks straight in my eyes. Babatiin ko sana siya nang mapansin na binibigyan niya ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. Bigla akong nahiya kaya tinalikuran ko siya at umakto na inaayos ang mga kalat sa lamesa.