Phoenix vs Janna

Chapter 13

Janna was in the slum area of Tondo this Saturday. Together with most of her org-mates, they were there for their monthly feeding program.

While some of her fellow org members were preparing the food for distribution, some of the med student members were busy examining the children and checking their weight.

Janna sat among the younger kids and read stories to them from a book she brought. She didn't mind the squalid environment nor the smell that emanated from everywhere. Janna's heart was happy to be among these kids and knew that she was making a difference.

After an hour, the children pointed at something at Janna's back, giggling. When she turned, she saw Phoenix.

Her org-mates were used to seeing Phoenix around Janna in and around the campus. They knew they were a "couple". Only Lucy knew the truth but she was sworn to secrecy.

But everyone was as surprised as Janna to see him here. He was in jeans and a plain white shirt, so he should have blended in. But somehow his height and demeanor made him standout and look strangely out of place in this poor slums.

"Rich boy, Anong ginagawa mo dito?" She whispered agitatedly at him.

"I was... in the vicinity."

"Liar! Paano ka nasa vicinity, eh, hindi sosyalan ang lugar na to!"

Phoenix shrugged.

"Anyway... are we still on tomorrow?"

"Oo sabi! Di ba bawal na bawal akong hindi maglinis ng kotse mo?" She asked bitterly. "Ako lang yata ang girlfriend kuno na naglilinis ng kotse ng boyfriend ko kuno!"

"Ang labo kasi ng text mo, and we hardly saw each other the whole week!"

"Exams week nga, di ba? Rich boy, ganyan ka ba ka-clingy sa ex mo? Kaya ka yata iniwanan eh!"

"Hindi ako clingy! We were supposed to attend an event together last Thursday! Kasama sa deal ang event attendance, di ba?"

"Oo na! Oo na! Sorry na! Kaya nga bukas magkikita na tayo!"

"If I knew you'd be skipping your end of our deal often, Hellcat, sana nagbayad ka na lang in cash, kesa sa ganito!" He complained.

Phoenix was looking around the place when some kids surrounded them. They tugged at his pants.

"Kuya! Kuya! Artista ka ba? Artista ka ba?"

"Hindi." Phoenix smiled.

"Mukha kang artista, Kuya. Kamukha mo si...sino ba yun?"

"Si Kathniel!" A little girl answered.

Phoenix laughed. He then turned to Janna. "Sino si Kathniel?"

Janna stared at him. "Ngayon ko lang na-realize..."

"Realize what?"

"Na kahit parehong hangin ang nilalanghap natin, hindi tayo pareho ng planeta. Ibang nilalang ka kung hindi mo kilala ang Kathniel!"

"Sino kasi yun!"

"Ay ewan ko sa 'yo, rich boy! Nakakainis ka!" Janna turned away to help with the food distribution. Phoenix followed her.

"Ba't ka ba naiinis?"

Janna handled him a ladle. "Kasi nagmumukha ka talagang mayaman sa lugar na 'to! Hindi ka bagay dito kahit anong gawin mo!"

"Is it my fault I look like an artista to this people?" Phoenix looked offended. He looked like an aggrieved litte boy and he was damn cute, damn him!

"Hindi yun! Mukha ka kasing haciendero na... ini-inspeksiyon ang hacienda na pagmamay-ari mo! At... balak ibenta ang lupa at palayasin ang mga laborer mo!"

Phoenix laughed. He reached out and ruffled her hair. "Writer ka nga, Hellcat! Ang taba ng utak mo!"

"Pakainin mo na lang sila, pwede ba?" Janna gave up, pointing to the kids lining up for food.

Janna grudgingly admitted an hour later that despite Phoenix' seemingly out-of-place appearance, he was a real trooper with great social skills. He joked and chatted comfortably with the residents. He didn't complain and even seemed oblivious to the dirt and squalor of the surroundings.

Much later, she grudgingly thanked him for helping out.

"Kahit rich boy ka, salamat!"

"Sobra kang judgemental, Hellcat. Maliit pa lang kaming magkakapatid, pinalaki na kami ng parents namin sa tinatawag na social responsibility. Oo, alam ko ang word na yun!"

Janna was silent. Then she sighed.

"What's your problem now?"

"Wala!" He didn't need to know that she was having a hard time figuring him out. That he was not your run-of-the-mill rich kid.

Phoenix insisted on driving her home after the feeding program. She asked to be dropped a few meters from the bakeshop, concerned that her parents might see them together and ask questions.

She was chatting with her Nanay Miling, who was manning the cash register, when Phoenix stepped inside the bakery and began shopping for a cake to bring to his mom.

"Rich boy, nananadya ka ba talaga?"

"I was just curious about your place and also wanted to buy a cake. Really. My mom has a sweet tooth!"

Naturally, Nanay Miling was curious about the handsome boy whom Janna was chatting with. With warning looks at him, Janna introduced him as a school mate.

Phoenix was all smiles and charm as he chatted respectfully with her Nanay. Then her father also came out, and after critically assessing him, warmed up to him as well!

Janna could have strangled Phoenix right there and then for putting her through this.  But in fairness he was nice, friendly, and most of all, careful with his answers, that Janna couldn't fault him for anything.

When he was gone, her parents probed her about Phoenix. They admitted they were suspecting that he may be interested in her. They launched into a sermon on choosing a boyfriend well, of being still too young to have a boyfriend, and to study now and have a boyfriend later after graduation.

Then, when that time comes, someone like Phoenix, who was respectful, charming and handsome, would be a good boyfriend material!

Janna nearly choked at that.

Phoenix became a regular at the cake shop. Janna grumbled that this wasn't part of the deal, but Phoenix claimed that his mom and sister liked the cakes and kept asking him to buy.

It seemed legit because even at times when Phoenix couldn't drop by, his bodyguard would come in and buy the cakes.

One night, Janna came home after school. She hardly saw Phoenix the whole week because of their busy schedules.

When she opened the gate, she saw him and her father playing a game of chess in the terrace. Her Nanay was serving food and drinks. They were all laughing comfortably with each other.

She realized she missed the sight of him all week.

An alarm bell sounded within her, so loud she was afraid everyone else heard it. It's the sound of Janna falling.