The Diplomat

Chapter 4

Life is really playing tricks on me.

Bakit nakita ko pa ulit ang babae na to? But then i feel bad thinking about it dahil sya pala ang Mommy ni Sadie. 

Si Sadie na ayaw kumawala sakin. Napaka clingy ng batang to — napaka sweet. "Let's play Charlie."

I chuckle as i brushes the lose hair off her cute little face. "I wish i can Sadie."

"But why?" Nakayakap sya ng mahigpit sakin, she wouldn't let go of me. 

May lumapit samin, yong matandang babae na nagbigay sakin ng 100 Euro kagabi.

I get surprised though. Why she's here? Kasama din pala sya ni Sadie pati ng babaeng bruha?

The old woman grab Sadie's forearm gently . "Come on Sadie, you need to eat." 

"No.." Sadie stubbornly said. 

"Sadie." It's the girl na hindi ako pinautang. Boses palang ng Mommy nya ay bumitaw agad si Sadie sakin. "Go eat your lunch."

Without breaking her eyes on me, Sadie sadly wave me goodbye. "Bye Charlie." 

I also wave her goodbye. My heart ache for her —— grabe ang attachment ko Sadie. 

Kung makaemote ako parang ako ang ina. Dyosmiyo. 

At aalis narin sana ang masungit na babae. 

"Wait." Pag-awat ko. She stops on her tracks though but didn't say anything. "Can i ask?" 

The girl slowly turn to me, cold eyes and dead expression. "I don't have money." 

I really want to roll my eyes but i decided not to. "No, it's not money." 

"What about it this time?" She questioned. 

Pinasantabi ko nalang muna ang inis ko sa babae na to, but since mukhang may katungkulan sya dito sa Embassy ay kinapalan ko nalang ang mukha ko. 

I badly need help. 

"My passport got stolen yesterday when i went to visit Seville Cathedral." I started off. "I just want to ask for assistance." 

"Sure the Embassy will do everything to help you." I hate it when her voice tickling my stomach. "But like any other Filipinos, you need to wait. Vip is not allowed here." 

And i feel defensive. "That's not what i mean —" 

"Oh really?" Taas kilay nyang tanong sakin. "Wag ka kasi tatanga tanga para hindi ka nawawalan ng passport, alam mong nasa ibang bansa ka, you should know na ang daming magnanakaw at mandurukot dito sa Spain."

Nabigla ako sa sinabi nya. I couldn't believe it. "Wha.. What did you just call me?" 

"Gusto mong ulitin ko?" Hamon nya sakin. 

"Just please help her." Sumingit na si Jessica para maawat kaming dalawa or else sasabunutan ko talaga ang babaeng to. "Maiiwanan kasi sya dito while waiting for her passport and Visa."

The girl didn't pay attention to Jessica dahil na sakin parin ang mga mata nya. "We have protocols but we will do our best." 

Ganon lang ang sasabihin. 

Hindi yong tatawagin pa akong tanga. 

Agh....

May lalaki na mukhang kagalang galang na lumapit sa bwiset na babae. "Ms. Ambassador, they are waiting for you."

Tumango ang babae pero nakatingin parin sakin. "Any questions girls?" 

"Question your face." Bulong ko.