The Bitter Queen

Chapter 5: Taste and Tell

I can't help but shook my head in disbelief as I recall last night's encounter with the strange man.

Pagkagising ko sa playground ay wala na siya.Hindi ko na maalala kung ano Ang sumunod na nangyare pagkatapos Kong mawalan ng Malay pero alam Kong Kilala Niya Ako that's why I have to find a way to unfold this mystery ...then, I remember the man awhile ago ....

I walked out of him before I could say anything that would make him more upset than he already was.Masyado siyang childish kung ikokompara sa edad Niya.Sa Tantiya ko'y Di nalalayo Ang edad Namin.Isa rin siguro siya sa mga rich brat...tsk.

Naglalakad Ako ngayon at Di alam kung saan pupunta.Wala na akong bahay at pamilya...nagkaroon ba Ako noon?  I smiled---  a bitter one...  I can't help it.I can only keep those memories I had with my real family. The family I once believed to be perfect is now a picture of chaos.

At the moment, I have to find a way to support myself. Napadpad ang utak ko sa mga nakaraang gawain ko upang kumita ng pera subalit ayoko nang balikan ang mga iyon. Hindi ko maaring ilabas ang mga bagay na alam kong makakasira ng iba , katulad niya. Sa mga kamay ko siya nawala at hindi ko hahayaang mangyari ulit iyon.

Sa kawalan ako humanap ng kalinga upang malampasan ang suliraning ito. I can't still fathom the fact that   my own flesh and blood refused to save me from this dilemma. He chose to leave me for his comfort. Hindi ko siya ama. He doesn't even deserve the title.

Pinagmasdan ko ang hangin at ang malamig na haplos nito sa aking balat. Mabuti pa ang hangin malaya at napapadpad sa pinaroroonan. Samatalang ako humihinga at gumagalaw subalit hindi buhay ang kaluluwa. I am a shallow soul walking in a world full of monsters ready to devour a single tinge of life in your body. If you're not cautious, matutulad ka din sa akin. Sirang-sira. I was ruined beyond repair.

Sa aking pagmumuni-muni ay isang piraso ng papel ang dumaan sa paningin ko. Something whispered to me to come and get it so I followed 'til I was standing in front of an establishment. Taste 'n Tell (Tn'T) resto-bar. Inagaw ng isang pirasong papel na nakadikit sa glass wall ang aking atensiyon. Wanted : Waitress .Siguro ito nga ang kailangan ko.

Pumasok ako at bumungad sa akin ang isang classic wooden themed resto-bar. Grey Leather seats are arranged in a rectangular shape with wooden classy tables. The lights are hanging in every table to emanate elegance which also creates cozy atmosphere for the people who are planning to dine in. It's not hard to miss the bar at the middle of the group of leather seats. It was surrounded with high stools.The different brands of wines and alcohols are displayed for people who are willing to enjoy the night with something to drink. From a distance, I think these are expensive drinks exclusive to deep-pocketed people in the society.

"Excuse me, where can I apply for waitress?"  ani ko nang may dumaan na waitress. Nakasuot siya ng maikling palda at hapit na white shirt sa pantaas. Mayroon rin siyang cute mickey mouse head band sa ulo niya.She cocked her eyebrow and looked at me from top to toe. What's with people and their measuring eyes. I rolled mine para maiba.

"Those eyes are used for you to see not to measure whatever you see in people. May ruler naman, try mo? baka di mo alam gamitin , turuan kita gusto mo?" pinagkrus ko ang aking mga braso at pinakita sa kanya ang blangko kong mukha. 

"Ka-sunget neto bhe? Marunong ka naman pala magtagalog , nag-Ingles pa. " the creases between her eyebrows left her face and replaced by an amused expression. HIndi ko alam pero bigla na lang kumurba ang mga labi ko. She's not that bad at all.

"Come her and I well put you in my boss." Bigla niyang hinaklit ang braso ko at kinaladkad ako papunta sa isang wooden door. Kumatok siya rito at ilang minuto ang nakalipas ay lumabas ang isang matabang pandak na lalaki. Makakapal ang mga labi niyang sumisipsip sa tabako niya habang binubunga ng ilong ang mainit na usok mula rito. Ano siya pugon? Aren't you suffocated with the smoke?  I want to ask but I kept it to myself. 

Naputol ang pangingilatis ko sa taong nasa harapan ko nang magsalita ang katabi ko.

"Ser, Shee wants to apply por wetress."  ika nito habang tinuturo ako. Humarap naman ako sa magiging future boss ko at nag-abang ng sasabihin niya.

"Okay then, get in."  he said with his words muffled by the tobacco in his mouth. Kung kanina'y naiirita ako sa usok ngayon nama'y sa hininga niya. Hindi ba uso sa kanya ang toothbrush or mouthwash? Bentahan ko na lang kaya siya? Baka yumaman ako sa dami ng kailangan niya. Ilang bottle ng Listerine ang kailangan niya to lessen the smell. The thought of his tooth made me cringe in disgust. The bad breath could mean only one thing. If I want to survive, I need to get use to it.

As we go inside, I was met with a wide-spaced room with grey expensive-looking tiles . There are nude paintings of women on the grey walls. They look expensive and realistic---yeah, just like how men treat women like toys , decorations. I couldn't help the anger to surface but I needed to control it if I want to do this.Mayroon ding Flat screen at the corner with a mini room inside it. In the corner of my eyes, I can see the unmade bed and someone sleeping there. Typical horny old man.

I stopped roaming my eyes around the room before I regret what I have to see. I knew for a fact that this man is not different to that man I've grown to love.  Gayunpaman, kailangan ko munang magtiis dito hanggang sa makahanap ako ng mas maayos na trabaho.

"So...you want to apply?"  ika nito habang pinaglalandas ang mga mata sa katawan ko. Gusto kong tusukin ang malikot niyang mga mata nang sa gayon ay matutong tumingin ng diretso. Paa ang naglalakbay hindi ang mga mata.

"Apparently , Sir." I silently cringed at the coldness of my voice. This is not the way how to impress your future boss Ruth.

"Kaya mo ba ang trabaho dito? You look young and feisty , nag-aaral ka ba?"  he sounded so sure. I can read between the lines. He's hinting something with his eyes and choice of words.

"I am , Sir but I believe I'm strong enough to do tedious jobs if you let me try." my voice oozed with confidence and conviction. I've always wanted  people to be intimidated with my presence. This way I have control over situations that I don't want them to be in---not even in my life.

"Alright, we're  in need of some help outside. Marami ang nag-resign..."  I know the reason.

"So...you may start now."  he stated with finality.

"Yes, Sir. "  I'm not one to say thank you. I simply nodded and went straight to the waitress who led me to his office for some guides and instructions.

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