The Frotteurist (Paraphilia Series, 2)

Kabanata 12

Kabanata 12

I hate Saturday nights in general.

It felt like an evil creeping up on my spine sa tuwing didilim na, and all I could think to do is shut up and push myself to take some sleep.

I just hate Saturday nights like it’s the root of all evils instead of money.

“Why do you hate Saturdays?” I could hear Dr. Cielo ask, like it was only a while ago, going back to her office.

“I hate it.” I would shrug at her. She would shift on her chair and would look me in the eye. Tipid pa akong magsalita noon. May nginig pa ang boses.

“Come on, now, Lussi. What’s wrong with Saturdays?” she would ask and would tap on her notepad with her pen.

“Stop.” I would say and cover my ears. She would reach out to grip my hand and would smile at me. “I hate that kind of sound.”

“The important things are hard to speak. I know that, no words could amount the level of pain or pleasure we felt that very moment, but we should learn how to communicate, Lussi. Language is the most convenient means of communication. How would we understand each if we don’t communicate?”

“Why do you hate that sound, Lu?”

“Because it hurts my ears. And I remember the devil.”

“Whose the devil, Lussi?”

“The one who made that terrifying sound.”

“Tito Glen will visit.” sambit ni Nel nang buksan ko ang pinto ng kuwarto ko, Saturday morning.

Binigyan ko ng isang tingin si Nel. Wala akong pakialam kung sino ang bisita namin ngayon. Isa pa’t hindi ko na rin naman na maalala ang mukha ng mga tiyuhin at tiyahin namin. Sa tinagal-tagal ba naman ng panahon. Miski si Betty Mae hindi ko na rin maalala ang mukha.

Dumiretso na ako sa kitchen upang kumuha ng kape. Tanaw ko ang usok mula sa maliit na takure ni Nel. Alam kong kagagawa lamang niya ng kape.

“Hindi mo ba ako tatanungin kung sino sa kanila si Tito Glen?” asked Nel.

Nilingon ko siya at saka inikutan ng mga mata bago ko pa man maabot ang takure sa counter, “Do I look like I care, Nel?” I snapped.

Napangiwi agad siya sa akin, “He’s the first one to provide a roof over our heads, Lussi. Be nice.” aniya sa nairita nang boses.

Napaikot kong muli ang mga mata ko at saka ay tuluyan nang inabot ang takure. May dalawang cup nang nakataob sa tray, naghihintay na malagyan ng mainit na kape. Kinuha ko ang isa at sinalinan.

“Ah,” sambit ko kay Nel, “Siya ba ‘yong may asawang pinaalis tayo at galit na galit sa atin?”

Nangunot ang noo ni Nel nang lingunin ko siya. Bitbit ko na ang kape at naglalakad na patungo sa kaniya. Nakaupo siya sa sofa.

Inangat ni Nel ang dalawang binti sa sofa at saka iyon niyakap. May tsaa sa sala sa tapat niya. Hindi na malamig.

“Nagsayang ka pa ng tsaa.” kumento ko, “Hindi ka naman umiinom niyan.”

She shrugged, “Not mine.” sagot siya sabay iling.

My mouth went dry when I realized whose tea it belong to.

Russell’s.

Agad lumipad ang tingin ko patungo sa bukas na pinto ng kuwarto ni Nel. Trying to see kung may tao doon. Wala. I wanted to know if he’s still here.