Plate number
"You're filing a lawsuit? To whom?"
"A taxi driver."
"What happened?"
"Don't mind me, Mom. I'm old enough to handle this."
"You sure, dear?"
"Yeah, Mom. Thanks, anyway."
"Okay, bye anak. I love you, you know that."
"I know, Mom. Love you too."
Eryll's stepmom called her. Ang tsismoso talaga ng kuya niya. Ito lang ang nag-iisang taong sinabihan niya ng nangyari. Malamang ay naikwento na nito sa mama niya. Salamat na lang at hindi nito isinama ang dahilan. After the phone call, she dialed the taxi operator's number. She memorized its plate number that's why she found out who he was, well... not really the 'who' but the taxi driver's company.
"Hello, Mr. Taxi Company! Do you have any question or reservation, Maam/Sir?" masiglang bati ng lalaki sa kabilang linya.
"Anong reservation? Restaurant ba kayo?" mataray na sagot niya.
"Ah, eh... Sorry po mam, ano po kailangan nila?"
"Gusto ko makausap ang manager."
"Bakit po mam?"
"Ikaw ba yung manager?"
"Hindi po."
"THEN GIVE THE DAMNED PHONE TO YOUR MANAGER!"
-
Dhax saw Jojo winced. Tumingin sa gawi niya ang pobre na parang nanghihingi ng tulong. He mouthed, "Problem?"
Tinakpan nito ang mouthpiece at sumagot sa kanya. "Costumer, Sir. May nagloko ho yatang driver natin. Naghi-hysteria po eh. Ini-english ako. Hinahanap po yung manager."
Someone popped in his mind.
Funny, he thought.
"Yes, Maam? How may I help you?"
"Are you the manager?"
"Yes mam."
"I am complaining about your maniac driver."
"You know his name, maam?"
*
Seriously? Tatanga-tanga ba tong manager nila? Isip ni Eryll.
"Will I bother knowing his name when I am already bursting with anger? If I were you, would you? Good thing I saw his plate number and your company name. Oh and by the way, I'm filing a lawsuit."
"Pwede po ba nating pag-usapan ito, Maam?" She sensed sarcasm in his voice but didn't mind it. Ang macho ng boses, lalaking lalaki. Yung boses na napakasarap pakinggan lalo na pagkagising mo sa umaga.
"Isasama ko bukas ang abogado ko d'yan, and please send me a copy ng mga picture ng mga driver niyo or better yet, i-ready niyo nalang bukas so I could point a finger easily." Tinapos niya ang tawag nang hindi man lang hinintay sumagot ang lalaki.
Humanda kang manyak ka! I'll make your life a living hell! Bwahahahahahahaha.
Kulang nalang ng sound effects ng kulog at kidlat at isa na siyang witch.
*
"Ano pong nangyari, Sir?" tanong ni Jojo.
"Magpapadala daw ng abogado bukas. Magsasampa ng kaso. I-ready mo lahat ng picture ng mga driver natin." Nakangiting sagot niya.
"Why are you smiling, Ser? 'Di ba dapat ngayon pa lang eh pinapahanap niyo na yung maniac nating driver?" nagtatakang sagot ni Jojo. Lalong lumapad ang ngiti ni Dhax. "Okay lang, Jo. Ako na bahala dun." Tatalikod na sana siya nang mayroon siyang naalala. "Oo nga pala, Jo!"
"Huh? Bakit, Ser?"
"Sana pala lagi kang napapagalitan sa telepono para palagi kang nag i-english, ano?"
Napangiti na rin lamang ito at napakamot sa ulo.
