ED 6: Lumiere

"Let my kisses be the words of love that I don't say."-www. imo-kemo. tumblr. com

"quemes baisers soient les mots d'amour que je ne tedispas" - French version of the above Quote

Gumapang na naman ang kilabot sa katauhan ni Jaizz nang mapagtanto niyang nasa ibang silid na naman siya. Nasa isang simple silid lang siya na may kasikipan kumpara sa naghuhumiyaw na karangyaan ng naunang silid. Agad siyang sumilip sa bintana’t nabuhay ang dugo sa kanyang mga ugat nang makitang may mga kapitbahay na sila na maari niyang mahingian ng tulong.

Mabilis pa sa hangin na tinungo niya ang pintuan. Nakahinga siya nang maluwag nang mapagtantong hindi ito nakakandado. Tumambad sa kanya sa salas ang nakabukas na telebisyon at may isang lalaking nakaupo sa sopa’t prenteng nanonood. Agad niyang napukaw ang atensyon nito. Ini-off nito ang telebisyon. Umangat ang mga labi nito’t pumaskil ang isang matamis na ngiti mula roon.

Siya ba si RJ?

Her eyes scrutinized the man who’s walking towards her. He’s towering her by probably half a foot. Though, he wore a royal blue dress shirt—folded up to his elbow—his broad shoulder waves it’s masculinity. A black dress pants and a black pair of protocol shoes, added to his jaw-dropping image.

Is he a model or a Hollywood actor?

His perfectly painted eyebrows are not so thick but matched perfectly in his hazel brown eyes, which are deep yet, seems as peaceful as still river. He got a pointy nose, a smooth face that seems to be newly shaved, and the reddish lips that seems to be so soft to kiss at. His dark brown hair that’s a bit wavy is up to his shoulder.

He’s not RJ. I remembered him clean-cut.

She felt a bit of disappointment. Her naughty mind silently wished that he should be the one who devirginized her. His lips were the ones kissing hers and her whole body. His arms enveloped his tiny body protecting it like a fragile crystal, and his eyes adores her wholeness.

“Bonjour, Mademoiselle CJ,” the man greeted her.

She’s flabbergasted as she didn’t notice that he’s in front of her now. She was ashamed of how she was staring at him, as if it’s her first time to see a very handsome man.

“Who are you?” she asked in a snobbish tone to hide her embarrassment. She understood the basic French greeting, but nothing more.

No more French language, please. Only French kiss is allowed.

Now, her naughty subconscious whispered to her senses. She felt her cheeks turn red on the naughtiness of her mind.

If he’s the one who raped me, I would probably happy to be impregnated him. Surely, our kids would be beautiful.

“Don’t call me CJ.” Her eyebrows met at the top of her nose bridge as she gave him a deadly glare. When she turned 16 years old, she didn’t want to be called CJ anymore. Her nickname for his family and very close friend is Jaizz, and Cherillyne for her classmates or non-closed friends.

“Monsieur RJ told me to call you CJ. Je suis desole.”

Napuna niyang medyo mariin itong magsalita ng English pero hindi British accent, kung ‘di French accent talaga. Hindi niya naintindihan ang huli nitong sinabi.

Is he cursing me?

“I’m Lumiere Chevalier, Mademoiselle and you are?” he asked, whilst a sweet smile still plastered on his handsome face.

“Call me Jaizz!” she said. Her facial expression as sour as vinegar.

“Enchante, Mademoiselle Jaizz.” He held her hand and kissed it. She felt the softness of lips at the back of her hand, voltage of energy runs through her veins that woke-up the butterflies in her tummy. She felt that her cheeks turn into red tomatoes.

“Puwede bang magsalita ka ng English? Hindi kita naiintindihan, eh!” she said in Tagalog. She didn’t care if he won’t understand her or if they don’t understand each other. Language barriers sucks anyway!

“What did you just say, Mademoiselle Jaizz?” he asked in English.

She rolled her eyes and mocked him in her mind. Oh, eh ‘di ngayon, hindi mo rin ako ma-gets!

“I said, speak in English because I couldn’t understand you. If I use my native language too, you won’t understand me either. Am I correct or am I right?” she asked sarcastically in an impatient tone.

Ang sarap mong murahin kahit guwapo ka pa! Gigil mo ako!

“You are absolutely right. Je suis desole, Mademoiselle.”

Jeez! Puwede bang sapakin ko na ito?

“Oh, I said, I’m sorry, Miss. It’s just that I usually talk to Monsieur RJ in French and I thought, as his fiancée, you can understand me as well,” he explained.

Ano raw? Fiancée ako ni RJ?

“No. No. You’re mistaken! I’m not his fiancée. He kidnapped me. Maybe you can help me? Can I borrow your phone, please? I just need to call my father to help me. Please, Lumiere, please!” she pleaded, as she wished that he has a big-heart. She wanted to try though; she knew that his loyalty might be with RJ.

His lips lifted for a mischievous grin. “No, miss. He told me that you are going to say that you’ve been kidnapped or abducted by him because you are not in the midst of your mind right now. He even gave me your medical record, to show to the authorities—just in case, you’ll make a scene here or somewhere else.”

Huh? Pinalabas ni RJ na nababaliw ako?

“No. No. I’m not crazy, okay! He really abducted me from the airport,” she tried to explain to him

“I couldn’t imagine how painful it is for an expectant mother to lose a child. I’m truly sorry, Ms. Jaizz.” His expression and his tone were very sympathetic. Jaizz dropped her jaw once again.

Anak ng tokwa! Nakagawa na agad ng kuwento ang mokong na iyon? Ginawa na nga akong baliw at namatayan pa ng anak!

Lumiere continued as Jaizz lost her thoughts, “Monsieur RJ, hired me to show you around here in UK and in Paris. I will be your bodyguard driver, pilot, and cook.”

All around talaga? Hindi ba puwedeng boyfriend na rin?

She didn’t say a word so, he sustained her with information, “He thinks that it might lighten your feelings a bit. It’s with your doctor’s permission as well. He wants to join you personally but he said that you were blaming him for your loss. Not to worry, Miss, I will show you around so, you’ll forget your painful experience. But first, we’re going to eat before we go.” He leaded her to the dining table with take-out food in the disposable styrofoam.

Akala ko ba ipagluluto niya ako? Eh, nag-order lang siya, ah. Paano ko kaya makukumbinsi ang Frances na ito na hindi ako baliw at totoong kinidnap lang ako? Kung landiin ko kaya? Bibigay kaya siya sa charm ko? Jeez! Ni hindi nga ako marunong lumandi. Pagsusuplada lang ang alam ko sa talambuhay ko! Pero siguro susubukan ko. Who knows, baka siya ang makatulong sa 'kin?

Lumiere just ordered some Chinese foods like chow mien, friend rice, beef broccoli, and pepper squid. Jaizz had been scrutinizing the man who’s eating in front of him. In doubt, if the man was just wearing a wig. Then, she noticed his tattoos on his forearms.

“What does your tattoo mean?” she asked. She even read it out-loud not even minding if she pronounced it correctly, “Que me baisers soient les mots d’amour que je ne te dispas.”

He laughed heartedly, then, he told her the correct pronunciation in French accent. She just pouted.

Ang hirap naman kasing bigkasin ng salita nila. Napipilipit ang dila ko.

“It means, let my kisses be the words of love that I don’t say.” Jaizz got goosebumps as their eyes were locked at each other. It seemed that he meant every word to be known by her soul. Jaizz unconsciously lowered her gaze to his reddish lips.

Mas masarap kaya siyang humalik kaysa kay RJ? Pinagalitan niya ang sarili sa kalandiang naisip.

Bumaba rin ang tingin ng lalaki sa mga labi ng dalaga at muling nagtama ang kanilang paningin. Dumukwang ang binata at unti-unting inilapit ang mukha sa dalaga. Parang may magneto ang mga mata ng binata at hindi maibaba ng dalaga ang paningin kahit pa tumatambol na ang kanyang puso sa kaba.

“You’re a messy eater, Miss.” Pinunasan ng binasa ang ketsup sa gilid ng mga labi ng dalaga, gamit ang napkin. Naramdaman ng dalaga ang pag-init ng kanyang mga pisngi.

Ano ba ang nangyayari sa akin? Bakit gusto ko siyang halikan? Nakatikhim lang ako ng halik, parang na-addict pa ako. Hindi ba dapat ma-trauma? Tulad ng mga nangyayari sa mga rape victim? Nagiging manhater pa? Pero bakit naaakit ako sa lalaking ito?

“Eat faster, Mademoiselle. So, we have a longer time to see the Stone Hedge. Are we going to bring your equipment?” he asked in a serious tone now, then he continued to eat.

“Really? Do you have them with you?” Her heart jumped in joyfulness. Being an artist was her first love. She ignored being into a romantic relationship because she’s focused on her career. Most of her time was dedicated in her Art Studio in their Hacienda or when she was out-of-the-country to paint the legendary and famous tourist’s spots.

Para sa dalaga, kung may nobyo siya, hindi siya malayang pumunta kung saan niya gusto. Kakailanganin pa niyang magpaalam lagi. Mabuti kung payagan siya o kung masasamahan siya nito sa mga kailangan niyang puntahan. Mula pagkabata ay hilig na talaga niya ang pagpipinta. Kahit noong nag-aaral siya ay lumalaban na siya sa iba’t ibang arts competition. May mga sining na rin siyang nabenta tulad na nga lamang ng Morning Hope na nasa mansyon ni RJ. Ito ang pinakamahal na naibenta niya at dahil doon ay lalo siyang naging pursigido sa napiling propesyon. Dahil din doon ay nakilala na ang kanyang pangalan sa larangan ng pagpipinta. Nagkaroon na rin siya ng sarili niyang Arts Gallery sa Maynila.

KAHIT SIMPLENG araw ay marami pa rin ang mga turistang namamangha sa ganda ng Stone Hedge. Hindi na ipina-set up ng dalaga ang kanyang kagamitan. Ibinigay ni Lumiere ang kanyang kamera. Nag-aral din kasi siya ng photography para makunan niya ang iba’t ibang anggulo ng napiling niyang paksa ng ipipinta.

Kahit saan siya pumunta ay nakasunod sa kanya ang binata. Naghahanap naman ng tiyempo ang dalagang makatakas.

“Puwede kayang umakyat sa ibabaw ng bato at doon mo ako kunan?” May kalakasang sabi ng isang babae.

Agad hinagilap ng mga mata ni Jaizz ang nagsalita. Nakita niya ang tatlong babaeng Pinay. Nabuhayan siya ng loob. May mahihingan siya ng tulong.

Nilapitan ng dalaga ang tatlong babae. “Mga kabayan, kamusta po?” pagbati niya sa kanila. Gumanti nang palakaibigang ngiti ang mga babae.

Nakabuntot naman agad si Lumiere sa dalaga at ang tatlong babae’y nalaglagan ng panga nang makita ang binata. Hindi pinansin ni Jaizz ang pagsunod ng lalaki sa kanya dahil alam niyang hindi naman ito nakaiintindi ng Tagalog.

“Mga binibini, maaari ba akong makahingi ng tulong sa inyo?” umpisa ni Jaizz.

“Oo, Miss. Ano ‘yon?” tanong ng isang babaeng di-kataasan pero masayahin ang mukha.

“Miss, boyfriend mo ba iyang poging nasa likod mo?” tanong ng isang medyo payat na may mahabang buhok. Isang malawak na ngiti ang ibinigay nito sa lalaki at gumanti rin ng ngiti ang binata.

What a flirty guy! Inis na sabi ng dalaga sa kanyang isipan.

“Hindi po. Dinukot po nila ako ng amo niya kaya sana po tulungan n’yo po ako. Kailangan ko lang pong matawagan ang tatay ko sa Pinas baka puwede pong pakitawagan ang tatay ko,” mahabang sabi ni Jaizz sa mga babae.

Iniabot niya ang isang papel kung saan nakasulat ang pangalan at numero ng kanyang ama. Sadyang ihinanda niya iyon bago umalis. Isinulat niya sa isang toilet paper gamit ang lipstick. “Huwag po kayong magpahalata sa mokong na ito, pakiusap,” dagdag pa niya. Kahit na rumaradudong ang kanyang dibdib ay pinilit niyang kumalma. Nginitian pa niya ang binata para hindi siya mahalata.

Nagkatinginan naman sa isa’t isa ang mga babae, bakas sa itsura nito ang di-makapaniwala. Gumanti ng may pagmamakaawa ang mga mata ni Jaizz.

“Ma cherie, let’s go. It’s getting late,” singit ni Lumiere sa kanila, “I’m so sorry, belles filles, if my wife confuses you.” Pinagdaop pa ng binata ang palad nila ni Jaizz na nagdulot ng kakaibang sensasyong sa dalaga. “She’s been very depressed lately and she’s saying some things in her imagination.” Hiningi ng lalaki ang papel na inabot ni Jaizz sa kanila at itinago sa kanyang bulsa. Inakbayan na siya ng binata para mailagay doon.

“No. He’s not my husband!” Nagpumiglas ang dalaga sa pagkahahawak ni Lumiere. “You. Liar!” Pinaghahampas ng dalaga ang lalaki sa dibdib. Nakaagaw tuloy nila ang atensiyon ng ibang mga turista rooon.

“Please, help me! He abducted me!” she shouted. Pleaded to the tourist around.

Lumiere hugged her and gave her kisses on her forehead to calm her down. Jaizz continued to plead to the tourist, trying to convince them. Asking for their help. Lumiere on the other hand, asked their patience and told them about the invested story that he prepared. That their son was lost and Jaizz was depressed. That he thought that going out to other places might help his wife. He even shown them a doctor’s clearance.

Wisit na RJ iyan! Pinaghandaan niya talaga ang lahat ng ito. At pati ang mokong na ito’y idinamay pa sa kasinungalingan niya. Kasama ba sa trabaho niya ang magkunwaring asawa ko?

“Kawawa naman siya, kaya pala halos mabaliw na,” saad ng isang babae. Bakas sa mukha ng mga ito ang pagkaawa sa kanya. Nagsilayuan na rin ang ibang turista. Naniwala siya sa sinabi ng lalaki.

“Suwerte pa rin siya, dahil guwapo’t mukhang mabait ang asawa niya.”

“Oo, nga. Mukhang mahal na mahal siya.”

“Hush, ma cherie, hush.” Patuloy na hinahagod ng binata ang likod nang umiiyak na dalaga habang hinahalik-halikan pa rin niya ang ulo niya. “Let’s go home now.”

Walang patid pa rin ang pagtangis niya habang nakaakbay ang binata sa kanya papunta sa Rolls Royce na sasakyang gamit nila. Durog ang puso niyang nang mapagtantong mas paniniwalaan nila ang banyagang lalaki kaya sa kanya kahit pa magwala siya rito. Aminado siyang matalino si RJ, pinaghandaan nito ang lahat. Kung paano ay hindi niya alam.

“You!” Pagduro niya kay Lumiere nang makabalik na sila sa kanilang tinutuluyang apartment. “I hate you! Nakapasinungaling mo! Napakawalanghiya! Ano ba ang kasalanan ko sa ‘yo at ginawa mo sa akin ito? Wala naman, ‘di ba? Wala ka bang puso? Kasing sama ka ba ng amo mo? Magsama kayo sa impiyerno! Parehas kayong demonyo!”

Isang malakas ng sampal ang pinadapo niya sa pisngi ng lalaki at saka siya tumakbo sa kanyang silid. Wala siyang pakialam kung naintindihan o hindi ng lalaki ang mga pinagsasabi niya. Galit siya kay Lumiere dahil kinukunsinti nito ang amo at mas galit siya kay RJ dahil ito ang nag-umpisa ng lahat ng kasawiang-palad na dinaranas niya ngayon.

Nang kumalma siya at nakapag-isip nang mabuti ay hindi niya maipaliwanag ang naramdaman niya sa halik at hawak ni Lumiere.

Bakit pakiramdam ko’y siya rin si RJ?