Pinagsoltada

82

FEBRUARY 16, 2010. Joan was dressing up for an exit interview. Ang tungkol sa kaniyang exit interview ang ibinalita sa kaniya ni Vidal kahapon at iyon din ang ikinagagalit nito. Ilang beses pa siya pinagbantaan ng lalaki na huwag niyang susubukang gamitin ang exit interview para utakan ito.

She could not understand Vidal's obsession to have Ernesto work for him, specifically to stand as his proxy in rooster fights. Marami namang magagaling na sabungero. Puwede rin namang pag-aralan ni Vidal ang pagsasabong at mag-assign ng isa sa mga tauhan nito na magpanggap na sabungero habang ang mga desisyon nito ang tanging sinusunod. Not completely knowing how Vidal's mind or plan works made her more cautious.

Nagsuot si Joan ng dilaw na spaghetti-strap dress. It had a leg-length skirt that hugged her figure and opened a bit wider at the bottom because of its petal-like ruffles. She paired it with blue colored high heels with ankle straps. Ang kaniyang kulot na buhok ay sinadya niyang ilugay para madaling takpan ang kaniyang mukha kapag kinailangan. Because no matter how hard she tried to prepare for this interview, she wasn't sure if she could keep a straight face. Ernesto made her surrender even her most vulnerable version to him—her virginity, her fear of flames and people's judgment, and her craving for a companion—that's why she was afraid she might break down in front of him when she ends all of this. When she loses everything that made her feel not alone, vulnerable yet acceptable . . . fearless.

Joan brought a very small arm bag with her made of blue-dyed leather textured by its tiny square embossing. She put on a pair of dangly, blue hoop earrings because for her, dressing up impeccably could help her hide her turmoil at what's doomed to happen next. Also, there were other people in that mansion. She had to look her usual self before their eyes.

Paglabas niya mula sa guest room ng villa ng mga Arguelle ay naalerto ang mga guwardiya na nakatayo sa magkabilang panig ng pinto. Mabilis siyang binuntutan ng mga ito nang dumere-deretso lang siya ng lakad hanggang sa makalabas sa mansiyon. Tumakbo na ang isa sa mga ito para pagbuksan siya ng pinto ng kotse na nakaabang sa kaniya sa courtyard. She settled on the back seat while one of the guards took the opposite side of the seat to maintain a respectable distance from her. The second guard seated beside the driver.

***

ERNESTO grunted lightly as he carried Tomaso like how Simba was carried by Rafiki in The Lion King. His smile was so big, as bright as the freshly risen sun behind the child that acted unaffected. The trusting little baby just babbled while its round brown eyes looked straight at the view over his head.

Natatarantang tumabi sa kaniya si Feliciano at umakmang aagawin ang bata. Mabilis na inilag niya ito bago ibinaba at niyakap sa kaniyang mga bisig.

"Kaunting ingat naman!" singhal ni Feliciano sa kaniya.

Ibinaba na niya ang bata pero gusot na gusot pa rin ang mukha ng kaniyang kapatid.

Wala siyang isinagot sa pagsaway nito sa kaniya. Mahina lang siyang natawa habang sinusuklay ng mga daliri ang makapal na buhok sa likod ng ulo ni Tomaso.

"Ganito rin kaliit noon si Alwyn," ngiti niya sa apat na buwang sanggol habang marahang inuugoy ito. "Mabuti at may oras ka pa para makasama si Tomaso habang ganito pa siya kaliit. Mami-miss mo 'to kapag lumaki na siya, Feliciano, sinasabi ko sa 'yo."

"Talagang mami-miss ko kapag hindi mo siya ibinigay sa 'kin!" ungot nito at sinubukan na namang kunin si Tomaso mula sa kaniya.

Biglang sumingit si Genaro sa kaniyang kanan. "O, kay Tito Genaro naman!"

Bahagya niyang tinalikuran si Feliciano para iabot si Tomaso kay Genaro. The transfer was done very carefully but quick. Nang ilipat ni Feliciano ang tingin kay Genaro, nanlaki ang mga mata nito.