Dandelions in the Wind

12

Nanatiling malakas ang buhos ng ulan, maging ang ihip ng hangin ay hindi nagpatalo sa hagupit ng bagyo, at makikita ang lakas ng ulan sa labas ng bintana. Maaliwalas ang loob ng cabin. Mistulang maliit na apartment kung ikukumpara ngunit kumpleto ito sa gamit at may maliit na kuwadra sa likod. Tipikal na wooden cabin ang disenyo sa panlabas. May sala, kusina, isang kuwarto, at banyo na may jacuzzi. Napagpasiyahan na lang nina Charlotte na pansamantalang mamalagi sa cabin habang hindi pa tumitigil ang ulan. Nakapagpalit na rin sila ng damit at bumisita rin si Clarissa sakay ng jeep para maghatid ng pagkain.

"Yep. Obviously, he's gay," walang anumang turan ni Charlotte habang nanonood ng telebisyon. Pareho silang nakaupo ni Dionne sa mahabang sofa at pinapanood ang balita tungkol sa isang sikat na male celebrity na napabalitang kinasal at nag-file ng divorce pagkatapos ng tatlong buwan.

"How did you know? He's married. Why would he end up gay?" takang tanong ni Dionne habang umiinom ng red wine at kumakain ng potato chips.

"Well, he's struggling to mention the pronoun. He married in secret and he revealed it after the divorce. Listen to the words he used: person, civilian, and private citizen. Why is it so hard for him to use ex-wife or wife?" paliwanag ni Charlotte habang umiinom din ng red wine. "Do you want to change the channel?" Kinuha niya ang remote at inilapag sa tabi ni Dionne.

"Can you change it, please? I feel like I can't breathe watching this entertainment show. They're too shallow," napasandal si Dionne sa sofa. "So, if a person is in the closet, they really have a thing about pronouns?" interesadong tanong niya at lumingon kay Charlotte.

"Yes. When they give answers, it's usually vague," nakangiting turan ni Charlotte habang inilagay sa menu ang screen ng telebisyon. "Ever heard about gaydar?"

Umiling si Dionne. "I'm sort of straight? I don't know how it works."

Hinaplos ni Charlotte ang kaniyang buhok at uminom ng red wine. "It's really hard to explain, it's more on intuition, Dee."

"Do you have a gaydar?" tanong ni Dionne.

Napataas ang kilay ni Charlotte at mahinang tumawa. "I guess so?"

"Do you use dating apps?" patuloy na tanong ni Dionne.

"No, I don't have dating apps. I don't even have social media accounts. I value privacy," tugon ni Charlotte.

Napakunot ang noo ni Dionne sa naisip at hindi maiwasang magtanong, "How do you date women? I mean, how will they know you're gay and ask you for a date?"

"Same as straight dating, it starts with flirting. You look for body language and gauge the interest," paliwanag ni Charlotte habang inayos ang pagkakaupo at sumandal. "If a girl likes you a lot, she'll ask you out on a date."

Mas lalo pang naguluhan si Dionne. Lumingon siya kay Charlotte at umusog hanggang naging malapit sila sa isa't isa. "Isn't it that girls like to hang out? How will I know if it's a friendly date? Besides, girls like to admire other girls, it's common. Men don't usually compliment each other but girls do. We say how we like their clothes, makeup, and other things," nakakunot-noo na pahayag niya.

Inakbayan ni Charlotte ang sandalan ng sofa, lumingon kay Dionne at komportableng tinukod ang ulo. "Or they can be direct and tell you they really like you. Honestly, it's not really that complicated. Why do you want to know?"

Itinukod din ni Dionne ang kaniyang ulo at tumingin kay Charlotte. "Men are easy to read. I just ask them out. But girls can be confusing."

"What do you mean?" tanong ni Charlotte.

"Men don't usually give compliments to any girl unless they really like her. Girls easily give compliments to other girls. So, how will I know if a girl giving compliments is just being friendly or she's flirting?" Pinaikot ni Dionne ang suot na singsing sa hintuturo habang nagsasalita, saglit na tumingin kay Charlotte at kumunot ang noo. "I don't really do small talk with a lot of people, so it's hard to gauge their motives."