The Letter

Chapter 5

“Haven’t you met a girl yet?”

“I did hon, I met her yesterday and the night before that”

“Is she pretty?”

“Not as pretty as you.”

“Well then you have to let her in. I’m happy now Elmo you should be happy too.”

“But it’s not the same without you.”

“It’s not the same because you’re thinking that it’ll not be the same. Why don’t you try?”

“I won’t try because I still love you.”

“I still love you too Elmo but our relationship will not work”

“Why not?”

“You know why.”

“So you want me to be with her?”

“I want you to try Elmo, for me, for our kids,”

“I don’t know what to say, I’ll sleep.”

“How’re the kids?”

“They’re sleeping. Goodnight honey.”

“Goodnight Elmo.”

And then he shut his eyes.

***

Maayos ang gising ni Elmo kinabukasan. As usual wala na ang mga anak niya, naasikaso na sila ng stay-out  niyang maid at nasundo na ang mga ito ng school service.  He was browsing through his wallet when he suddenly see Julie’s calling card.

“Should I call her?” Nag-isip saglit si Elmo, maya-maya pa ay kinuha na niya ang kanyang cellphone para idial ang numero ni Julie. Kaagad namang sinagot ng dalaga ang tawag niya.

“Hi, uh can we meet today?”

“Today? Yeah sure. Where?”

“Same place at twelve noon.”

“Okay I’ll be there.”

“Great. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Ibinaba na ni Elmo ang  telepono niya at nagsimula ng magbihis. Wala siyang pasok ngayon kaya sinamantala na niya ang pagkakataong iyon para i-grab ang offer ni Julie, naniniwala parin siya na darating ang oras na babalik sa kanya ang kanyang asawa.

Napatingin siya sa relo, half an hour nalang twelve noon na. Bigla niya tuloy naalala si Julie, he knows it’s rude to ask a girl to prepare for a short span of time.

“It’s not a date Elmo, it’s a business deal.” He kept on telling himself while he was driving.

He arrived at exactly twelve noon.  Nagulat siya ng makita niya si Julie pagpasok niya sa bar, nakadress ito at doll shoes, she’s simple, elegantly simple.

“What time did you arrive here?” Umupo siya sa harap ni Julie.

“Mga five minutes before twelve.”

“Okay. So what do you want to eat?”

“May makakain ba dito? For all I know drinks lang ang sineserve nila dito.”

“Gusto mo ba ng finger foods?”

She giggled. “Yes please.”

“Sorry kung dito kita dinala, ito lang kasi ang alam ko na malapit sa bahay at nagbubukas ng maaga.”

“Okay lang, anyway bakit nga pala hindi ka na nagpahatid sakin last time?”

“Because I can manage.”

“Right. Sorry for asking.”

“It’s okay, dala mo ba ngayon ang contract?”

“Yes.” Inabot ni Julie ang folder. “Nandyan na lahat, pwede ang holding hands, akbay basta no intimate physical contact like kissing and you know.” Hindi nagreact si Elmo. “Hindi ba magre-react man lang?”

Isinara ni Elmo ang folder matapos niyang pumirma. “No. I’m good with your conditions.”

Tiningnan niya si Elmo ng buong pagdududa habang tumatango-tango rito. “Confirmed.”

“Confirmed what?” He said with no facial expression,

“Na iniwan ka ng asawa mo because you’re gay.. silahis? Bading? Shoke?”

“Can you please stop that?” He moved closer to Julie para walang makarinig sa kanilang iba. “Hindi ako bakla. Stop humiliating me in public. It’s not funny as you think.”

“So bading ka nga?” Tumawa siya ng malakas sa harap ni Elmo.

“Hindi-ako-bading.”

“Kung hindi ka bading bakit wala kang reaksyon nung sinabi kong bawal mo akong halikan? Don’t you find me attractive?”

“Kakasabi mo lang na bawal kang halikan. Look Julie, malaki ang respeto ko sa mga babae kaya kung ayaw mo edi ayaw mo wala na akong magagawa dun.”

Inilapit ni Julie ang sarili niya kay Elmo. It’s like she’s offering herself to him. Seducing him. “So kapag sinabi kong halikan mo ako, hahalikan mo ako?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I still love my wife and we have kids.”

“Good.” Lumayo na siya kay Elmo. “Mabuti naman at nagkakaintindihan tayo. I like that. Talagang trabaho lang ang lahat ng ‘to.”

“Yes. At kapag nabalik mo sakin ang asawa ko, dodoblehin ko ang bayad ko sayo.”

“Iba na talaga ang mayayaman no? Pera-pera lang ang labanan.”

“Hindi ako mayaman, I work hard to earn for a living. Besides, my wife is worth the money I’m spending. Wala akong pakialam kung magkano ang magagastos ko basta give her back to me.”

“I will pero bago yan-” Lumapit siya kay Elmo para ayusin ang nakayuping kwelyo nito. “may gagawin muna tayo.” Hindi makaimik si Elmo sa ginagawa ni Julie sa kanya, aminin niya man o hindi he finds her attractive at dahil narin sa sobrang lapit nila sa isa’t isa. “Wag kang kabahan, wala tayong masamang gagawin. I will just help you to find yourself. Mahihirapan lang tayo sa umpisa pero eventually magiging okay din ang lahat.” Napalunok na si Elmo ng laway ng papalapit ng papalapit na si Julie si Elmo sa kanya. “You will have her back.” She smiled. “I promise.”

To be continued…