The Queen of Shields

Part Eleven: The Second Fall

PUMIKSI si Mac nang makitang napasubsob si Armie sa sahig.

"Let her be. She needs to learn how to get up gracefully," his Ate Farah told him, her one hand on his arm. Tumango siya. Hinintay nilang tatlong tumayo si Armie, habang si Piper naman ay kagat-kagat ang kuko sa may bandang likuran.

Maya-maya nga ay tumayo na si Armie, nakangiti pa rin na parang walang nangyari, at naglakad papunta sa direksyon nila. Natatandaan pa niya ang unang beses na nakita niya ito with only her underwear, and his books helping her cover them—

Nag-pose si Armie sa harap nila. Her confidence has greatly improved. He could not help but look at her "assets"; they looked a lot bigger than what he remembered.

"Brother dear, we judge based on on over-all presentation, not just cup size, FYI," his Ate Farah whispered to him.

"I know that."

"Then why are you not writing down anything on your score sheet?"

Naglakad na pabalik si Armie. He couldn't help but stare at her...back side. Nag-iwas siya ng tingin at sa halip ay nagsulat na lamang ng score ni Armie sa papel na nasa harapan niya.

"I'm giving her seventy-five sa catwalk." Miguel, his eldest sister's best gay friend, said while looking at their direction. "She's just okay; neither good nor great. She's not swinging her arms in a relaxed manner. She looks so tensed! Not winner material in my book, pang-thank you girl lang for now. What do you think, Farah?"

"I think my not-so-little little brother is smitten, Miggy dear."

Nilingon niya ang kapatid. "I am not."

"Yes you are."

"You have no strong evidence to prove such feeling exists."

"I have woman's instituition."

"Not acceptable in court, your honor."

Miguel sighed loudly. "Kids, kids. Can we focus on the task at hand, please?"

"Eighty-two on the walk, and I hate red lipstick on her. Mas bagay sa kanya nude lipstick, smokey eye make up," his Ate Farah spoke with conviction and certainty.

Napatingin siya sa scoresheet niya. He gave Armie ninety-three percent. Masyado ba siyang mabait?

Sinilip ng Ate Farah niya ang papel na nasa harap niya. "Wow, that's a VERY high schore you're giving, brother dear."

He shrugged. "Virile agitur. I appreciate women in all shapes and sizes."

Ngumiti lang ang ate niya bago ito bumaling muli sa katabing si Miguel. "Tell Piper the girl needs work on her poses. They're too weak and forgettable."

"She should have a peg, 'no? I still think Shamcey Gersbach is the woman of the century."

"If you ask me, Charlene Tugonon is the best one to emulate. Hey, she's wearing red for evening gown?"

Napaangat ng tingin si Mac para makita ang tinutukoy ng ate niya. Hindi kagaya kaninang naka-swimsuit si Armie, mas mabagal ngayon ang paglakad nito, that reminded of him of a bride walking down the church aisle; only that the bride is wearing a red gown.

"Long-sleeved gown with overly plunging neckline? Well, it showcases her boobs and her long neck, though," He overheard Miguel say.

"Personally, I don't think red is bagay to her. Although I have to admit, that gown's quite classy." Bumaling ang Ate Farah niya sa kanya. "Mukhang hindi mo tinipid ang budget sa mga damit niya, ah."

"Of course. I know what to prioritize. Why do you think I had to let her stay in my condo unit?"

When Armie did her final pose and was about to go back to the locker room, Miguel stopped her.

"Patricia," he called her. "'Wag ka na magpalit ng damit. Come over here again and let's do the Q and A."

He saw her nod and bit her lip. She walked towards them again, her poise and grace obviously lost. Mukha itong kinakabahan, na hindi nakaligtas sa mapanuring mata ng ate niya at ng kaibigan nito.

"Hey, don't worry, girl, we won't eat you," Miguel said. "At least not me, and Madam Farah here. Not sure about that guy over there—" Mac shot him a what-the-fuck-are-you-saying look and Miguel kept his mouth shut.

"What Miggy here is saying is that Mac will be the first one to ask you a question," bawi ng Ate Farah niya sa mukhang naguguluhang si Armie. Inabot nito sa kanya ang isang tissue box na may lamang mga nakatiklop na papel. Bumuntunghininga muna siya bago dumukot doon ng isa.

He knotted his forehead upon reading the question written on the piece of paper. He looked up at Armie who was looking expectantly at him.

"If you have the power to travel back in time, what era in Philippine history would you like to go back to and why?"

Nakita niya na nakahinga ito ng maluwag sa narinig na tanong. Mas naging relaxed ang ngiti nito. "Thank you for your question, sir. If I have the power to travel back in time, I will go back to... The time of Andres Bonifacio. I want to be a member of the KKK, or the Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan... And... And be able to fight, and even die, for the freedom of my country. That's all. Thank you."

"That... is a good answer," ani Miguel na tumatango-tango pa.

"In all fairness, it is," his Ate Farah seconded.

Armie's smile widened. Mac smirked and crumpled the piece of paper that had a different, more difficult question written on it.