Chapter 8

Little Baby Clothes

Napamura si Rigo nang dumulas ang drawing tablet niya mula sa pagkakatayo nito sa desk niya. “Putangina.” He was already rushing to finish this project that’s due tomorrow and little stuff like this rattles him more than it should.

Napalingon sa kanya si Abe na nagbabasa ng nakabuklat nitong libro na halos kasing kapal na ng pagmumukha niya. May nakadikit din na sticky tabs sa braso nito. Habang si Jachin naman na nakahiga sa kama niya ay parang walang narinig. Busy lang maglaro sa cellphone niya palibhasa tapos na sa project na ‘to.

Napag-usapan nilang tumambay muna sa bahay ni Rigo dahil may kailangan itong gawin, at si Abe naman kailangan ding mag-aral. But they want to come mainly because Rigo’s mom always cooks lunch for them, at kadalasan marami ito kaya palagi silang busog.

“Bakit ba kasi na-late ka sa paggawa?” Jachin asked, his eyes still glued to the screen.

“Ginabi na nga ako sa talyer kagabi,” Rigo puffed out a sigh and wiped the sweat coming off from his hand. “Dami rin kasing trabaho. Tapos dalawang kasama ni Papa ‘yong absent dahil may sakit. Kaya nag SOS din siya kagabi.”

“‘Di nagalit si Tito?”

Umiling si Rigo. “‘Di naman niya alam na late ako magpapasa.”

“Kasi magagalit ‘yon ‘pag nalaman niya,” Jachin chuckled a little. “Bakit ba kasi nagduduty ka na ulit? Tapusin mo muna hanggang June. Pagkatapos ng graduation.”

“Nag-iipon lang. At tsaka ‘pag graduate baka mas lalong wala na akong oras. Magbo-boards na tayo.”

From the corner of his eye, Rigo saw that Jachin nodded in understanding. They both knew they needed to focus when that time comes. No distractions. So Rigo was taking advantage of what little time he had to work for the time being.

“Nag-iipon para saan? Are you buying a new car?” Abe asked, flipping the pages of his book. Akala mo seryoso itong nag-aaral, pero nakikinig pa rin pala sa kanila ni Jachin.

Rigo chewed his bottom lip and swivelled his chair to face both of them. Lumipat ang tingin ni Jachin at Abe sa kanya. “Hindi para sa bagong sasakyan.”

Napabangon si Jachin. “Then para saan? Para kang maiihi sa kaba.”

Rigo had been thinking of this for weeks now. Ayaw niya rin namang ipaalam sa iba hangga’t hindi siya sigurado na kaya niyang gawin. “I want to help Fatima.”

The two froze from whatever they were doing. Jachin’s mouth went agape, but he was the first one to speak. “Tulungan saan?”

“With her finances.” Rigo cleared his throat. He knew they would react this way, mainly because they wouldn’t really expect it from him, but also because it’s a huge thing. Rigo wasn’t rich, he just had enough to get by. Noong nagkatrabaho siya saglit, most of the money had to go to his parents, and some for him. “Pagkatapos niya, hindi na rin siya pwedeng mag stay sa dorm niya. So hahanap siya ng matutuluyan. And she can only rent for the time being.”

“Malay mo naman babalik sa kanila? Sa mama niya.”

Umiling si Rigo sa suhestiyon ni Jachin. “Alam mo naman relasyon niya sa mama niya. Baka last resort na niya ‘yon.”

“So you’re going to help her. Why?” Abe interjected. Hindi ito madalas nagsasalita pero may mga oras na matindi itong magtanong. His eyes bore into his whole being like he knew that he wasn’t being entirely truthful.

“I mean, kaibigan natin siya. . . “ Rigo trailed off, avoiding his eyes. “And she needs it.”

Abe kept his eyes on him. “It’s a big thing though. Sure, pwede mo siyang pahiramin, but to continuously support her. . . that’s a huge leap.” Hindi naman ito mali. Even he had to think about it a hundred times before finally settling.

“Susubukan ko lang naman.” Rigo gave them both a shaky smile. In truth, he didn’t know if he even could.

But he was going to try for her.

Why he was desperately trying to do this, doing right by her, he didn’t know.

☂

Nanlalagkit na si Fatima nang makarating siya sa mall kung saan nagrerenta ng pwesto ang pinsan niya para sa business nitong jewelry store. May kalakihan ang space at medyo kilala naman ang brand ng pinsan niya kaya stable naman ang income nito. She was mostly catering clients who wore designer pieces, creating jewellery that was still anchored to timeless pieces, while also incorporating modern twists.

Habang naghihintay siya ay tinignan niya muna ang ibang pieces na nakadisplay. They were really gorgeous and expensive. Fatima wasn’t much of a wearer. Kadalasan bracelet lang at hikaw ang suot niya. But she did appreciate a beautiful piece when she saw one.

A necklace with a rose gold chain and a pendant shaped like an opened umbrella with the same color dangling on it. The handle was encrusted with diamonds and looked heavy from the outside, but the sales assistant told her it was easy to wear.

“Ms. Riarte?” One of the sales assistants called for her.

Fatima pulled her white long sleeve blouse down, removing any wrinkles it may have. Even though this was her cousin’s store, she still wanted to come across as someone professional. They needed to know that she was going to do her job like everyone else.

Nang mapadaan siya sa quarters kung saan may ilang SA na nakatayo, she smiled at them politely. Ngumiti naman pabalik ang iba, but she didn’t feel the warmth in it. And before she could even enter the adjacent room, where she would be interviewed, she froze when she heard what they said.

“Bago pa lang pero magmamaternity leave na ‘yan.”

Fatima felt her jaw clench. It stung. It hurt to know that maybe her baby can hear what they said. Maybe her baby can hear what everyone was saying because it had no choice. And that part made her both sad and angry.

If it was someone else, they would’ve let it go. They would’ve avoided causing a scene. But that was not her.

Nilingon niya ang mga ito, her fist gripping the strap of her bag. “Don’t worry, may ilang months pa ako bago ako mag-leave. And then pwede n’yo na akong pag-usapan.”

Their eyes widened in disbelief, perhaps not anticipating that she was going to say something back. She knew it was a privilege to be taken here to get a job just because she knew the owner, but she didn’t ask for any special treatment. They could reject her application or they could fire her before she gave birth to avoid paid leaves and it wouldn’t make a difference.

But she wouldn’t let them comment on her baby. She wouldn't let them ostracize her just because she was pregnant.

By the time she was done with her interview, she was exhausted. Wala pa siyang kain dahil hindi na niya matagalan ang amoy ng niluto niyang curry kagabi, and she didn’t want to cook another dish before she left this afternoon.

She was running on very little sleep, an empty stomach, and aching muscles. Kaya hindi na niya nagawang balikan ang mga SA kanina para sana pagsabihan pa ang mga ito.

Her feet headed straight to the foodcourt of the mall to eat. The choices overwhelmed her, but she ultimately chose a bowl of bibimbap. She was about to order a soft drink because she couldn’t stand the heat anymore, but she settled on getting a bottled water. Pinipigilan na niya uminom o kumain ng artificial sugar, otherwise Abe would talk her ear off again.

Nang makaupo siya ay agad niyang kinuha ang phone niya para tawagan si Rigo. Their deal still stands anyway, and she really wanted to go home right about now. She would appreciate a lift so she wouldn’t have to take the bus back to her place.

“Hello?” Rigo answered on the second ring. “Tapos ka na?”

Inilapit ni Fatima ang telepono niya sa tenga niya dahil maingay sa loob ng foodcourt. “Yeah, katatapos lang. Kakain lang ako saglit.”

“Okay. Sabihin mo lang ‘pag tapos ka na kumain. Bababa na ‘ko.”

Kumunot ang noo ni Fatima habang hinahalo ang pagkain niya. “Bababa? Nandito ka na ba sa mall?”

“Ah, uh, oo.” Narinig ni Fatima ang ingay sa background. “Nasa department store lang.”

“Anong ginawa mo d’yan? May binili ka?”

“Mm-hmm,” he absentmindedly responded. “Basta sabihin mo ‘pag tapos ka nang kumain. Susunod na ako d’yan.”

He sounded suspicious, but Fatima let it go. She was hungry and wanted to eat her food already. Bahala na kung anong ginagawa nito sa dept. store. It was not her business anyway if he was buying something for someone.

“Okay,” Fatima grumbled and ended the call. “Whatever.” She said as soon as the line ended, and then shoved a spoonful of bibimbap in her mouth. She almost teared up when the flavors hit her mouth kahit na dati ayaw niya sa bibimbap. It was probably her pregnant cravings.

Nang matapos siya ay tinawagan na niya ito para bumaba sa food court. Fatima bought him a pineapple fruit shake just in case he wanted something. Hilig kasi nito ang mga fruit shake at fruit juice. If he could drink just that for the rest of his life, he probably would. Pero madalas pinaaalalahan ito ni Abe na uminom ng tubig. He even gave Rigo an expensive flask for him to put water, pero madalas kapag nakikiinom si Fatima ay juice ang laman nito.

Rigo came in walking and holding a paper bag. He wore a white washed jeans and a black tee that hugged his frame very well. “Tara na. Sa malapit lang ako nagpark para ‘di malayo lalakarin natin.”

“Anong binili mo?” Fatima tried to take a peek inside the paper bag pero agad na inilayo ito ni Rigo at inilipat sa kabilang kamay niya.

“Excited ka naman. Mamaya na sa sasakyan.”

“Damot,” Fatima grumbled, and then handed him a shake. “Tignan mo ako binibili kita kahit ‘di mo sinasabi na gusto mo.”

Bahagyang ito natawa at tinanggap ang shake. “E bawal nga sa ‘yo ‘yong street food. Hindi natin alam anong bacteria nando’n.” Alam nitong nagtatampo pa rin si Fatima dahil sa nangyari kahapon. He just didn’t want her to contract any virus that could harm her and the little one inside her.

“Kahit na. It’s the thought that counts.”

Rigo laughed and flashed her a grin that instantly made her stomach flutter. “Sorry na nga, eh. Gagawa na lang akong kwek kwek para sa ‘yo. Homemade para alam kong mas safe.”

Agad na napalingon sa kanya si Fatima, eyes sparkling in delight. “Really? Thank you!”

“Halika ka nga rito,” Rigo reached for her arm to pull her in. Umakbay ito sa kanya, letting his arm rest comfortably on her shoulders.

His display of physical touch wasn’t unusual between the two of them. Even before they happened, she was comfortable whenever he’d touch her arm, or engulf her in a friendly hug.

But this time, his touch was different—it was searing. It was intense in a way that made her pulse jump, soft in a way that nursed her bruised heart, and intimate in a way that she felt the intention in his grasp.

Rigo must have felt it too because he gently lifted his arm, but before he could fully remove it, Fatima pulled his hand back. “No, it’s—it’s okay.”

Tumango ito pero inilipat ang hawak sa braso niya at bahagyang tinapik ito. A friendly gesture from the outside. And then after a while, his touch slipped away all together.

They were back to being the Rigo and Fatima before they happened.

When they arrived at the parking lot, Rigo followed her to open the door for her, like he always did for her and Mila tuwing sumasakay sila sa sasakyan niya.

As soon as Rigo was inside, Fatima reached for the paper that he was holding. “Ano nga ‘to? Ang secretive mo.”

He let her open the bag and what she saw inside made her stop. The medium-sized paper bag was full of small clothes—baby clothes. May onesies, swaddles, bonnets, and socks. All in neutral colors and patterns.

Fatima’s hand were stucked inside the bag as she stared at the man in front of her—her long time friend, her baby’s godfather, and the one showing the most love to her child. “Rigo. . .”

“Gusto ko lang ako unang mag-regalo sa kanya,” Rigo grinned and reached for the socks he bought. He places it on his palm. It was plain white in color, but had teddy bears printed on it. “Cute nito. Naiimagine ko na ganito lang kaliit paa niya.”

Fatima felt an overwhelming sensation creeping in her stomach, and she realized that it was all her gratitude—stacked upon one another like bricks, threatening to tip over and fall.

And this time, she let it.

She grasped Rigo’s shirt to pull him in for a hug. Mahigpit niyang niyakap ito habang paulit-ulit na nagpapasalamat.

Nagpapasalamat para sa lahat ng ibinibigay nito kahit hindi niya pa hinihingi.

#smdysnwp