The Bitter Queen

Chapter 6: The Blue Dragon's Head Tattoo

                 Pagkatapos ng engkwentro namin ni Piper ( A/N Siya po yung Boss niyang may tobacco piper) ay dumiretso ako sa employee's locker room. Maliit lang ito na espasyo ng resto-bar. Tatlo o apat na tao lamang ang maaring magkasya doon upang magpahinga o magbihis. The dirty white paint of the walls are peeling which made it unappealing to the eyes. Tsk. Kay ganda ng opisina halos mapagkamalang high-end resto-bar but the right of employees to have good environment isn't satisfied.

               May note sa isang locker na nagsasabing "VACANT" kung kaya'y binuksan ko ito at nakita ang unipormeng katulad ng waitress na nakausap ko kanina. Isinuot ko ang maikling palda at ang hapit na puting T-Shirt. Tinignan ko ang sarili sa isang maliit na vanity mirror. Kitang kita ang hubog ng katawan ko na kaytagal kong tinago  mula sa mga loose T-Shirts and sweaters that conceal a woman's treasure. I can't help but cringe to the sight before my eyes. I look like a slut.

                When you think about it, waitresses should be decent-looking since they are the ones who deliver good service. Why do I feel like waitresses are served to be the appetizer of the pervert costumers' hungry eyes? It doesn't sit well to me knowing that our escort-like uniform is part of the marketing strategy of our boss yet he doesn't give that much of a value to his employees. Kaya siya iniiwan eh. Tsk.

                 Dumiretso ako sa labas upang tumulong sa babaeng nakausap ko kanina. The thick smoke from cigarettes and the smell of alcohol reached my nostrils. Inilibot ko ang aking mga mata at napansin na ang karamihan sa mga costumer ay galing sa aking eskwelahan---Pristine University. Karamihan sa mga estudyante doon  ay mayayaman---mga anak ng politiko, businessmen, artista and other people who belongs to the upper class. Now you know why I was there.

                 The name of the University doesn't speak as to how the students behave. Pristine means in good condition. Anyone who has eyes may doubt the credibility of the school in establishing moral to their students. Who knows? Well, the name of the school will always be dragged along the actions of the students whether they like it or not. Sad truth, I know.

                   "Hillo my prend, tanggap ka na anes? " biglang sulpot ng waitress kong kasama kanina while I was busy observing the place. I just nodded to confirm her assumption.

                   " Dito ang lagayan ng rubber trays. Kung gusto mo naman anes ng peyper and pen miron dito sa counterr. Gawin mo ang kaya dahil kulang talaga sa tao kaya good duck!" sabi niya sabay taas ng kanang kamay. I think she's supposed to give my high five but I just stared at it with my blank expression. Tumaas ang isang kilay nito ngunit kinuha pa rin niya ang kaliwang kamay ko upang ipagdaop ang mga palad namin. She's funny with her pronunciation and all pero mapagtiyatiyagaan na rin siguro. I have no choice. Remind me when did I have a choice?

                     Ginawa ko ang sinabi niya. Maraming umorder ng inumin . Kasama na siguro sa duty ko ang pagtiisan ang mababahong bunganga ng mga lasing na costumer o mahawakan ng mga sweaty drunkards. I don't know why but I'm starting to doubt whether they're informed about the existence  of  tawas or deodorant products. I can't help but gag at the mixture of smell. Masasanay din ako.

                       Nakilala ko si Barney na bartender sa resto-bar. He helped me familiarize myself with the orders of the costumers while I serve them. Learning while serving kuno. I didn't have that much of a problem in my shift except my struggles over weariness. Ganito pala kahirap ang maging waitress. Nothing prepared me of the reality behind the words "mahirap". My definition of mahirap seems to improve as time passes by.

                        Ten to twelve na nang matapos ang shift ko sa resto-bar. Hindi ako nagpaalam sa mga kasama ko. I just walked pass them with a little nod. At least, I recognized their existence. Most of the time, I don't. Afraid of getting them involved? Damn, I am! This is for good. I need not attach myself from other people. Affection will put you to situations you would never dream of. Sometimes, it's easier to run away and forget. It's just that I didn't have the right to.

                       I was walking when I thought about the events of today. Wala na pala akong bahay. Where should I go?  Where do you go when you're thrown out of your own house? A few lines etched in my forehead as I thought of some solution to my dilemma. I don't know where to go.

                     While I was deep in thought, I saw a silhouette at the corner of my eye. My senses became alert of who might be the intruder of my own little thoughts. I calmed myself and walked casually. I'm used to it---Faking. For some reasons, I can't fake pain. Maybe because it's a natural thing. It comes in a rush and you can't  do  anything  about it rather than accept and live with it.

                      I turned to a sharp corner  of the street until I was out of his sight. I concealed myself behind a post. I saw him looking around  to find out where did I go. When he was about to turn on my direction, I twisted his arm behind and kicked his abdomen thrice. I have to make sure he won't get away from me until I extract something interesting out of him. I made him look at me and saw terror in his eyes. I marked his features in my head and took note of a blue dragon head tattoo on the right side of his neck

"Speak." I spit out with venom. I'm a woman but it doesn't mean I can't make my voice any deeper and firm. This is one of the reasons why nobody talks to me that much. I'd probably snap at them with venom or sarcasm. They'd always prefer the latter. It's safer for them.

"Wala kang makukuha sa akin." ika nito habang pumapalag sa pagkakahawak ko. I let my hold loose a little. What's a good fight without a little challenge, right? 

Nagwa niyang makaalis sa pagkakahawak ko at sumubok ng isang suntok subalit nasagi ko lamang ito.

"Yan lang ba kaya mo?" gumuhit ang inis sa kanyang mukha. Men and their ego . Tsk. Sumubok ulit siya ng isa , pangalawa , pangatlo hanggang sa pang-anim. Every punch he directed on my face was all for nothing. Iniwasan ko lamang ang mga suntok niya hanggang sa humingal siya. 

The silent night paved way to his heavy breathing caused by weariness. I knew he's getting tired of fighting so I walked towards him slowly. I can almost taste his fear. I like being feared. When I was just 4 foot away, he begun to tremble and positioned himself into a protective stunt. He knew me.  Only a few knew what I can possibly do.

I lifted my hand and he covered his face using his arms protectively. Five seconds passed and no punch came in contact with his face. He took a peek between his crossed arms.

I showed him a picture. 

"Hmmm...Interesting? They look so innocent. How old is this little girl?"  I muttered almost to myself. At the corner of my eye, I saw his fear doubled and then , a look of defeat crossed his face.

"Wag mo silang sasaktan please. Nagmamakaawa ako. Papatayin nila pamilya ko pakiusap." Dumaloy ang mga luha niya. Men don't cry. No, men cry  at the midst of a cruel battle between his loved ones and his duty. No one wants to be in their position. Not even me.

I almost give in. Almost. Defiance of human condition which includes emotion will help you survive. Otherwise, you'll be crashed into pieces together with the people you protect.

I looked at him with my poker face. A smirk appeared in my lips as I showed him the look which anyone who knows me too well can recognize even a distance from where I was standing---A look of evil. 

"Am I suppose to care?" I said calmly almost as if it's the most normal thing to say.

"It's either you tell me or I kill them. Got it?" I cupped his jaw tightly and made him look at me. He looked at my eyes as if he saw death; and he did.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I'm so sorry guys for updating so late. I was just really busy with school and work all at the same time. Please bear with me. I promise to write as soon as I have time. Thanks!