Mak
I watched Tala with the Lolo she was currently feeding.
"Very good! Ayan, kakain na yan. See? Hindi na po masakit tiyan niyo kasi may pagkain na," she cooed.
We were assigned to this ward today, where a lot of elderly people were confined but rarely got visitors. We were happy to see other volunteers in the area but there were not that many. Because the rooms were due to be cleaned, we took the patients out to the mini garden to get some sun.
"Ilang taon na kayong kasal?"
I turned to Lola Carmen, who was assigned to me. "Wala pa pong isang buwan, Lola."
"Kaya pala malagkit pa ang tingin mo sa kanya eh."
"Napakagandang bata ng asawa mo. Marami ka bang kaagaw?"
I looked at Tala. "Opo. Buti pinakasalan ako. Pero minsan po hindi ko po alam kung mahal na talaga ako o napilitan lang."
Just then, Tala and the Lolo looked at us and waved. When I turned back to Lola Carmen, she smiled knowingly. "Mahal ka naman niyan. Baka hindi pa lang niya alam."
"Ano po ang dapat kong gawin?"
"Ang asawa ko hindi tumigil sa panliligaw kahit matagal na kaming magkasama. At parati akong pinatatawa. Basta kailangan sasabihin at ipapakita mo."
Tala walked over and tapped me. "Mak, kailangan na natin ibalik sila loob."
*
That night, we shared our first meal. We do not really need to eat food on Earth but we sometimes do so to appreciate what it is like and know what we are talking about if and when a topic on it comes up.
"This pasta is good," I commented to her.
She picked the restaurant where we dined. "Masarap din. A bit spicy."
I noticed her eyeing the group of girls a couple of tables to my left. "What's wrong?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Kanina pa tingin ng tingin sa'yo eh."
I turned my head at that direction and sure enough the girls giggled and waved. I gave them a small smile. Then, looked at Tala, leaned over and kissed her near her lips.
To the girls, I mouthed, "Ito lang gusto ko. Sorry."
"You didn't have to."
"I know. Selosa ka ba talaga?"
Tala nodded. "When I... when I was with that guy long ago, meron ding may gusto sa kanya. Tinawag pa akong baboy."
"Ha? Anong ginawa mo?"
"Eh di siya yung nilagyan ko ng buntot."
I guffawed at that. "No?! Really?"
"Yes. Nakakainis eh. Pero ayun. Pinatawag ako ni Bathala. Pinarusahan. Pero yun yung dahilan bakit nalaman nila na may kapangyarihan ako."
"And they burned you," I added morosely.
"They tried. But yes."
"Teka, eh bakit ka nagseselos ngayon?" I pried.
"Ha? Ah... uhm... ikaw lang naman nagsabi na nagseselos ako eh. Hindi naman eh. Nakakainis lang na akala nila gwapo ka."
"Hindi ako gwapo?"
"Hindi."
"Mawalan man ng ilaw lahat ng bituin mo?"
Her eyes widened. "Change topic."
