Year 2017…

IKA-7 NG OKTUBRE. Lumapag ang eroplanong sinasakyan ni Lily sa Antwerp International Airport ng alas-singko ng hapon. To be specific, around 5:53 P.M. Lingid kay Lily na maaga ng dalawang minuto kaysa sa scheduled ang arrival time niya sa paliparan. Kung hindi pa nga siya tinapik ng isa sa mga flight stewardess, hindi pa niya huhubarin ang itim na sleep mask at sisilipin ang katabing bintana. Nang makita ang pagpatak ng mahinang ulan mula sa labas, naalerto siya.

Lily immediately collected her shoulder bag. Sa pagmamadali, binalunbon na lang niya ang gray na travel blanket at nagmistulang bow tie niya ang sleep mask na naiwang nakasabit sa leeg. Bahala nang magulo ang kanyang lagpas-balikat na red-orange hair. Nang marating ang pinto, pinandong niya sa sarili ang travel blanket. She stepped down the wet, metal stairs with her black knee-high velvet boots. Muntikan pang madulas sa pagmamadali. Buti at nakahawak siya agad sa railing.

This wasn’t that gorgeous grand entrance to a new country that she was envisioning hours ago, way back from London. Doon kasi siya nanggaling bago nag-book ng flight papuntang Antwerp, Belgium. And about the grand entrance, what the heck. For Lily, there’s nothing grand with a wrinkled white band shirt and a loose pair of black striped straight pants.

She was worried about her baggage, that’s the cause of her rush. Pero nakuha man niya ang dalawang maliit na maleta, nagkukumahog pa rin siya sa ladies’ room. Doon siya nag-retouch ng make-up, nagpalit ng damit at nagtali ng buhok. She reappeared outside, still in her black boots because of the sprinkle of rain and dark skies she observed earlier. Naka-low ponytail ang red-orange niyang buhok na nakalitaw sa ilalim ng suot niyang itim na beanie. Nakapatong sa kanyang damit ang itim at makintab na fur-lined parka na sa London pa niya nabili. Nakababa ang hood niyon.

Ang una niyang agenda ay makahanap ng tutuluyang hotel. Dahil hindi niya planado ang pagpunta sa Belgium, wala siyang anumang reservations na nagawa. As soon as Lily got inside a taxi, she peeked at the driver in front.

“Can you take me to the nearest hotel from here?”

Kita sa salamin sa ibabaw ng dashboard ang pag-aalangan ng middle-aged driver bago binuhay ang sasakyan.

“Yes, Ma’am. Certainly.”

“Thanks,” she sighed in relief before leaning against the seat’s backrest. Sinilip niya ang wallet mula aa kandong na shoulder bag.

May gusto lang akong makita rito. At kung magustuhan ko ang environment dito, I might stay a while.

Tsinek niya kung magkano ang perang natitira sa wallet bago nag-angat ng tingin sa driver.

“How much would it be?”

“The meter will tell. Later, I will tell you how much.”

Ay. Okay. Same lang sa taxi sa Pinas, nahihiyang yuko niya para isara ulit ang wallet at bag.
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THE TIPS OF JARED’S JET BLACK HAIR TOUCHED HIS SHOULDERS. Nakailang suklay paitaas sa alon-alon at mahabang buhok ang mga daliri niya bago tinakpan ng sinuot na itim na beanie. Lumabas siya mula sa flat na naka-denim jeans, ankle boots na itim at puting turtleneck sweater. It was thicker and fluffier around the neck. Tamang-tamang pangontra sa lamig na dulot ng pag-ulan kanina.

Bitbit ni Jared ang itim na Jaegher bike sa ilalim ng kanyang balikat. Binaba niya iyon at pinosisyon sa gilid ng kalsada, sa tapat ng tinutuluyang gusali kung nasaan ang kanyang flat. The building was squeezed in the middle of a line of buildings. Contemporary and vintage brick architectures clashed between each building, making them mostly in brick brownish-red, dirty white or black painted. Some had zagged pyramidal roofs, some are flat like common buildings. Bukod sa dikit-dikit, parehong mga rental spaces iyon. Nakalinya sa tabi ng sidewalk ang sasakyan ng mga residente roon, kaya naman nakatabi sa loob mismo ng kanyang flat, nakasabit sa pader malapit sa pinto, ang kanyang bike.

He straddled the bike and began pedaling, wheels rolling and pushing against the brick grounds wet by the after rain. Hanggang sa narating na niya ang town square kung saan magkakatabi ang mga pamilihan at kainan. Matapos mamili, sinabit niya sa bike ang plastic bag at nag-pedal muli.

Ganito ang buhay ni Jared sa Belgium— simple. He developed a routine he followed so cosistently it became as easy as doing things with his eyes closed and still getting the same result. The skies have been gray all day, and as the blue hour approaches, the darker it gets. Paisa-isang kumislap ang mga ilaw mula sa magkakahanay na mga bahay, mga café, tindahan at poste ng ilaw. He reached Stadswaag. Abot-tanaw na niya ang daan na napapagitnaan ng hanay ng mga wooden bench at puno. This chill in the evening air and the autumn leaves gently falling made him want to close his eyes a bit.

Nang masiguradong walang nakaharang sa madadaanan. Saglit siyang pumikit. He just took a deep breath then opened his eyes. Humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa handle ng bike nang may sumulpot na babae. She was a dash of red and orange— like the color of the leaves from the trees that surrounded them— crossing on his path. Sa bilis ng pangyayari, nakatawid ito bago pa niya mabangga. Sumunod ang mga mata niya rito at muntikan pang masemplang kung hindi maagap na tumukod ang isa niyang paa. Sabay preno.

He twisted the top of his body to face her direction. Halos tumalikod na siya dahil nalagpasan na nila ng kanyang bike ang pwesto ng mga bench. His eyes followed the woman’s every move. Pagod itong umupo sa isa sa mga bench. Halatang medyo basa pa ang bench, pero hindi iyon inalintana ng babae dahil sa haba ng itim na parka na suot nito. Bumuka ang mga labi ng dalaga. Sa palagay niya’y napabuntong-hininga ito. Inabot nito ang mga maleta para ilapit sa gilid ng bench.

Hindi niya mapigilang humanga. Her red-orange hair matched the color of the leaves on the trees and those that fell on the ground. She also wore a black beanie like him! Her black parka made her hair color stand-out, the overall look made the woman fit the scenery. There was something cold, yet sad in those clear brown eyes, and a touch of pumpkin on her lips. Jared has never met a person who made him feel that everything is falling into place. Taglagas na sa Belgium, kaya parang ang perpekto ng pagkakataon na ganoon ang hitsura ng babae nung una niyang makita.

Or did she really intend to look like that to fit the atmosphere here in Antwerp?

Bumaba agad si Jared mula sa bike. He immediately approached her.

As he got closer, that’s when his eyes dropped their gaze on her feet. His heart pounded fast as he read the familiar brand of the thick blue rubber slippers she was wearing.

The woman shot him a look and raised an eyebrow.

“Rambbo…” Jared murmured before his questioning eyes met her stare.

“Now I know you can read,” mataray nitong irap bago niyuko ang mga paa nitong may tilamsik ng tubig ulan. She tsked upon checking her feet before fumbling on her black shoulder bag. Kumuha ito ng tissue para punasan ang mga paa.

“Nagpo-produce pa rin pala sila ng tsinelas. Matitibay ang tsinelas nila.”

Natigilan ang babae sa pagpupunas ng paa. Nang mag-angat ito muli ng ulo, napalitan ang inis sa mukha nito. Napalitan iyon ng pag-asa na nagpaliwanag sa mukha nito. She immediately looked innocent and sweeter. Specially those orangey lips parted slightly… they looked sweeter.

Jared gulped. Why am I having these thoughts on a person I just met?

“Pilipino ka?” paninigurado nito.

“Now I know you can hear,” nakangising ganti niya rito.

Ginantihan lang niya ang babae, pero imbes mapagtanto nito ang inakto kanina, nakuha pa nitong magalit. The scowl on her face told Jared that he should just leave her alone. Mukhang problemado naman ito kaya nilapitan niya, pero parang hindi naman nito kailangan ng tulong.

He was about to turn away, pushing his bike around when she spoke.

“Wait. I… I need someone to talk to,” hindi nito malaman kung ano ang gagawin o kung paano siya pipigilan. Paano kasi, kahit narinig ito ni Jared, tinuloy niya ang pagtalikod dito.

The woman immediately sprang on her feet and jumped off her seat. Bigla itong humablot sa kanyang mga braso. Nagulat tuloy si Jared.

“My knight in… in…” she noticed his bike, “in shining bike!” Bumalik ang tingin nito sa kanyang mga mata. “Tulungan mo naman ako.”

Halos magsalubong ang mga kilay niya. “Let me guess. Wala kang matuluyan.”

Napasinghap ito. “Gan’on ka-obvious?”

“Well,” silip niya sa likuran nito, “dala mo ang mga maleta mo.”

“Ah, yes,” nahihiyang sulyap niya sa mga gamit bago bumalik sa kanua. “Can you please help out a damsel on distress?”

“You’re a woman but that doesn’t mean you’re already a damsel in distress when you need a little help,” maingat na alis niya sa mga kamay nitong nakahigpit pa rin sa kanyang mga braso.

That’s when she realized she was being touchy.

“S-Sorry!” alanganing tawa nito. Nagkusa itong bumitaw at lumayo sa kanya. “Ilang oras na akong palakad-lakad until I got here. I don’t know kung saan pwede mag-rent dito. Apparently, wala pa akong nakikitang mga signage or something na for rent sila.”

“Didn’t you make any reservations?” pihit niya ulit sa bike para humarap ulit sa babae at sa direksyon ng bench na inupuan nito kanina. “That’s how it works here in Antwerp. Majority, pinopost na online kung may pa-rentahan sila.”

She looked down and smiled sheepishly. “Actually, wala talaga akong plano pumunta rito sa Belgium…”

“So, this is unplanned?” he eyed on her. “Kaya rin ang lakas ng loob mong magsuot ng Rambbo sa ganitong panahon?”

“You see,” she reasoned seriously, “basa ang kalsada dito. I was wearing my velvet boots earlier pagkalabas ng airport. Kasi nagpahatid naman ako sa pinakamalapit na hotel mula sa airport. But when I got there, there’s this problem… So, I kept walking around and natatalsikan ang boots ko, so nag-slippers ako.”

“Mas pinili mong matalsikan ng tubig ang paa mo, kaysa magsuot ng boots?”

“Yeah, because I bought those boots in London,” panlalaki ng mga mata nito. “They’re Stuart Weitzman velvet boots!”

“Then, why buy those boots if you can’t use them?” gusot ng kanyang mukha.

She gave him a bored look. “Are you going to help me or not?”

“With an attitude like that, I’m not sure.”

“What attitude?”

“Ganyan. Ang sungit mo magsalita.” And you have a face so sweet-looking. We can’t really judge a book by its cover…

“Kasi, kung saan-saan na tayo napunta na topic. Parang dina-dissect mo na agad ang pagkatao ko.”

I am? Gulat na titig ni Jared sa dalaga. Am I really that excited to get to know her?

“All I just want is for you to help me find a place I can rent. Or a hotel.”

“You should have surfed the internet. I bet you have a smartphone.”

“I have. Pero ang bagal ng free wifi d’on sa public place na nadaanan ko kanina at… mahal pala ang wifi promos dito and..”

Now, Jared was growing suspicious. 2017 na. How could someone make a very, very unplanned travel when there’s already smartphones? Kung kailan marami nang available na travel agencies, travel package promos at madali na magbook ng reservations online?

“Buti na lang at marunong mag-English ang mga tao rito. Or else, you’re doomed.”

“Salamat, ha? Tutulong na lang may sermon pa muna. Typical Pinoy.”

Kokontrahin niya sana ito, sasabihang huwag mang-stereotype pero naunahan na siya ng pagtalikod ng dalaga. Sinimulan na nitong kolektahin ang mga gamit.

“You can stay over at my place. Malakas ang wifi connection ko d’on. Use it to browse for rentals online.”

Humarap agad ang babae sa kanya. “Your place?”

Kita niya ang pagdududa sa mga mata nito. “Baka mang-stereotype ka na naman. Hindi por que lalaki ako at niyaya kita sa tinitirahan ko may kung ano na akong balak.”

Lalong naningkit ang mga mata nito, tinitingnan pa rin siya ng masama.

“Bahala ka. Sino ba ang may kailangan ng tulong? And it looks like you don’t have any money on you already.”

“Paano…” maang nito.

“Your clothes are new, except for your Rambbos  May Stuart Weitzman boots ka pa. Most probably, you went on a shopping spree in London. Imagine how big UK pounds are when converted to peso. Imagine all the money you spent there—”

“Am I really required to endure your panenermons para lang tulungan mo ako?” sukbit nito sa shoulder bag bago hinila ang mga maleta.

“Actually, it’s obvious you don’t have money now kasi hirap ka maghanap ng matutuluyan.”

“That’s actually the reason why I had a problem nung nakarating ako sa hotel. Kulang ang dala kong Euros. I need to find a money changer.”

Naglakad na sila.

“Sa ganitong oras, wala nang bukas na money changer.”

“I know.”

“Bukas. Ituturo ko kung saan meron n’on dito.”

Magkatabing nilakad nila ang kalsada kung saan kaliwa’t kanan ang magkahanay at magkakadikit na mga bahay. Jared would occasionally steal glances at the red-orange haired woman. Nangingiti siya dahil halatang-halata ang sobrang pagkamangha sa maganda nitong mukha. Her eyes admired the clash of old and new architectural style of the Belgian houses that are mostly two to three storeys high.

Lumiko pa sila nang mapansin ni Jared ang pagbagal ng lakad nito. He saw her legs shake a bit.

“Mahina ka pala sa lakaran.”

“You don’t know how far I walked.”

“How far then?”

The woman sighed. “I don’t know. Hindi ko na tanda lahat ng dinaanan ko. Ang hihirap pa basahin nong pangalan ng mga street dito.”

“Ang lakas din ng loob mo pumunta sa isang lugar nang walang plano-plano,” iling niya bago hininto ang bike. “Sumakay ka rito sa bike.”

“Sir, pagod na ang legs ko. Ayoko na magpedal.”

“I know,” pinahawak niya sa babae ang bike para kunin ang isa nitong maleta.

“Hoy!” Aagawin pa sana nito ang maleta pero binaba na ni Jared ang hawakan niyon. Pinihit niya ang maleta para ilabas ang nakasuksok sa likuran niyon na sukbitan.

“What are you…”

Sinukbit na niya ang maleta sa kanyang likod bago kinuha ang isa pa. “Sumakay ka na sa bike.”

“’Yong gamit ko—”

“Sakay,” mariin niyang saad.

“Oo na. Sasakay na.” Labi nito bago sinakyan ang bike. Maingat na hinila ng babae sa harapan ang shoulder bag nito bago humawak sa mga handle.

“No need to pedal,” alalay ni Jared sa bike bago pinakandong sa babae ang isa pa nitong maleta. Maliliit naman ang mga maleta nito kaya kita pa rin ang mukha ng babae kahit kandong na iyon.

She hugged the bag. Siyang hawak ni Jared sa isa sa mga handle ng bike. He carefully pulled the bike alongside him to move it forward. Habang naglalakad, dama niya ang titig ng babae. It took her minutes to break the silence.

“Are you naturally this kind?”

“Obviously, no,” walang lingon niyang sagot.

“Then why do this much for me?”

Mataman niya itong tinitigan. “Ang tao talaga, galit kapag hindi tinulungan. Kapag naman tinulungan mo, kukwestiyunin ang intensyon mo sa pagtulong.” Binalik ni Jared sa harap ang tingin, siyang andar ng bike. “At kung tutulong na rin lang tayo, lubus-lubusin na natin dapat, ‘di ba?”

“I am not mad or anything,” nasa harap na rin ang tingin ng babae. “It’s just that…” her eyes were starting to be lost in thoughts. More appropriate to say, lost and travelled back to her past memories. “No one has done something like this for me.”

Napatingin siya rito, pero parang hindi iyon napansin ng babae.

“I don’t know why. Maybe, it’s because people always think I am strong. O never ako nagkaroon ng problema. No one takes my problems seriously. No one even thinks I need a little help too. They always thought I can manage everything on my own.”

Jared felt a clench in his heart, an aching for her. He could not understand why he was easily so affected by her. Other people have their own sob stories too, pero bakit apektadong-apektado siya agad sa babaeng ito?

It doesn’t feel right to be affected so easily by someone he just met. But if others feel like that with people they haven’t met personally and only online, why be bothered?

Maybe, I am feeling this way because… I know how it feels. ‘Yong mga sinabi niya… alam ko ang pakiramdam ng nasa ganoong sitwasyon…

He just decided to throw his overthinking and overanalyzing out of the window this once.

After all, he never really liked being a psychologist so why kept acting like one?

Dahil wala siyang nasagot agad, napalingon ang babae sa kanya. Nasalo niya agad ang titig ng nagtatanong nitong mga mata.

Those brown eyes, so clear and light. So beautiful. Her red-orange hair seemed to flame against the lights that came from the houses they were walking by.

“What’s your name?” he asked, breathless.

“Lily,” mahina nitong usal, hindi maalis-alis ang mga mata sa pakikipagtitigan sa kanya.

Dahil sa titig nito, may gustong itanong si Jared.

Do you feel what I am feeling too? What I am feeling while looking at you… and into your eyes?

“Ikaw?”

“Ako?”

“Your name?” mas naging malumanay ang boses nito. Dahil doon parang ang tamis-tamis pakinggan ang dalaga.

“Jared.”

“Jared,” she echoed softly it sounded so right.

Kinagabihan, nadatnan ni Jared si Lily sa salas. Nakadapa ito sa carpet, katabi ng mesita. Nakataas sa likuran ng babae ang mga binti nito  He watched her feet and legs rub and criss-cross while she was busy with her cellphone. Nakakonekta na ito sa wifi niya kaya ilang oras nang abala sa internet.

Her body arched in a beautiful bend. Nakatukod ang mga braso nito. She held her phone high. Nalatingala tuloy doon ang dalaga. Nakaladlad na rin ang red-orange nitong buhok. Each hair strand laid flat on her back and shoulders. Hinubad na ni Lily ang itim na parka, pero suot pa rin ang itim nitong long-sleeved turtleneck shirt at pleated skirt na beige.

“Luto na ang pagkain,” lapit niya rito. Jared stopped his feet beside her left elbow.

Nakatingala sa kanya ang babae nang lingunin nito.

“Did you cook Filipino food?” ngisi nito.

“Nakapamili na ako bago kita nakita, kaya wala akong sapat na ingredients para sa Filipino food na hinahanap mo.”

“So, it’s something Belgian,” she grinned getting up.

Nagdalawang-isip si Jared kung aalalayan pa ito. Naunahan na tuloy ang paglahad niya ng kamay ng pagtayo ni Lily.

She smiled at him. “So, what did you cook?”

“Take a look yourself,” giya niya rito sa dining table.

Lily peered over the food on the round table. She was welcomed by the sight of smoking brown steaks with glistening juice, and a big bunch of lively yellow unsalted fries. Akala ni Jared, mag-isa lang siyang maghahapunan kaya isang buong steak ang binili niya. Dahil makakasalo si Lily ngayon, hinati niya iyon sa kalahati para may tig-isa sila.

“Steak frites” pinaghila ni Jared ng upuan ang babae.

“This is Belgian?” mulagat nito sa kanya.

“Yeah.”

“But—” balik ng tingin nito sa mesa.

“Sorry to ruin your expectations. I bet you already know how a steak and how fries taste like.”

Nang bumalik sa kanya ang mga mata ng babae, tumango siya ng isang beses. Iyon ay para ituro ang upuang pinaghila niya para rito.

Napipilitang inokupa iyon ni Lily. Jared gave it a push closer to the table.

“Sorry din kung hindi ko luto ang sawsawan. Tinatamad ako ngayon magluto ng sauce. So, I bought that,” tukoy niya sa bote ng Heinz’ Andalouse Sauce na nasa mesa rin.

“Kailangan talaga ipaghihila mo ako ng chair?” natatawang puna nito.

“No wonder no one thinks you need help and you can manage things by yourself. You discourage them,” tabi niya rito.

“Eh, ang simpleng bagay lang naman ng pag-upo. Why would I need someone to assist me with that?” dampot ni Lily sa mga kubyertos.

“Sometimes it is not about your capacity,” abot ni Jared sa malamig na in-can ng beer. “May inaalok sa’yo ‘yong tao, pwede mo naman tanggapin kung ano ang kaya niyang ibigay.”

Nilingon siya ng babae. Pumorma ang tila nanghuhuling ngisi sa mga labi nito. She insisted on catching his eyes. So, as soon as Jared was done opening his beer can, he locked gazes with her.

“What?”

“Bored? Lonely?”

“What?” he was confused.

“Kaya ba, naisip mong tulungan ako? So you’ll have someone to talk to? Because you’re bored? You’re lonely?”

Ang bilis namang mag-change topic ng babaeng ‘to.

“You said you needed someone to talk to.” Fuck. He sounded so defensive. Dinampot na lang niya ang isa pang de-lata na beer. ‘Yong hindi pa bukas at para talaga sa kanyang bisita.

“Oo. Kasi, I need help. Eh, ikaw? Did you help me because you need someone to talk to?”

“I was biking earlier,” aniya habang inaalok ng in-can na beer si Lily gamit ang body language. Lily shortly glanced at the beer and shook her head so he set it back on the table unopened, “and I realized how life has been so simple here in Belgium. I follow a routine here so perfectly. I closed my eyes a bit and thought I am enjoying it. Then, I saw you.”

“And you suddenly realized that you needed a plot twist?” pigil nito ang matawa.

Paano ba niya ito sasagutin? Should he tell her he was just drawn by how she looked made everything and that place feel so right the moment he saw her there? It felt so right, he could not help going near her?

That he could not help wanting to get to know her more.

Too bad she took his stunned silence as a yes.

“You really are bored,” naghiwa ng karne si Lily. As she sliced the steak, a thread of aromatic smoke lifted in the air, and delicious, shiny juices squeezed out in between the fibers of the meat.

"Lagyan mo nito," pisil niya sa bote ng sauce sa gilid ng pinggan ni Lily.

Lily forked the piece of meat and dipped it in the rich and creamy pale orange Andalouse sauce.

Walang anu-anong sinubo nito ang karne. Her right cheek puffed as she chewed. Namilog ang mga mata nito. Nagningning. Palagay ni Jared, kumalat na sa panlasa ng dalaga ang linamnam ng karne at ang atake ng tamis at sarap ng pinaghalong kamatis, paminta at mayonnaise ng sauce.

Sapat na iyon para maluwag na mapangiti si Jared.

“Masarap?”

Hinarap siya nito. “Are you kidding? Hindi mo ba tinikman ‘to bago mo niluto? Syempre masarap—” napasinghap ito at tinakpan agad ang bibig pero huli na. May tumalsik nang piraso ng karne palabas ng bibig nito.

Jared could not help laughing. Pinanlakihan siya ng mga mata ni Lily. Pero habang pinapanood ng dalaga kung gaano kagalak siya sa pagtawa, lumambot na rin ang anyo nito. Nang ibaba na nito ang kamay, tikom na ang mga labi nito. They formed in a shy, little smile. Napapailing na hinarap na lang nito ang pagkain.