Chapter 1: For Magic

JAJA

Ibinagsak ko ang mga plato nang makitang halos dinaanan ng bagyo ang kusina. Nagkalat ang mga platong pinagkainan, mga pack ng pagkain na tiyak kong kagabi pa, mga bote ng alak and of course foils and other paraphernalia.

I picked up the foil and stared at it with tired eyes. "Jules, nangako ka sa akin na titigil ka na sa bisyo mo."

I heard him giggled as he stared at nowhere. Alam kong walang silbing kausapin ko siya ngayon. He's high as kite kaya hindi niya rin maisasaulo ang sasabihin ko. I'm tired of this. I'm sick of this life. Kung hindi ko lang siya mahal ay matagal ko na siyang iniwan.

But he knew me well. Whenever I feel like giving up, he would hug me from behind and tell me I am an amazing woman at mahal niya ako. And that's it. I am sure I will never let him go.

Nakilala ko siya noong high school pa lamag ako. Malayong-malayo siya sa patpating Jules ngayon. It's understatement to call him a hearthrob. Halos lahat ng nag-aaral sa paaralang iyon ay may gusto sa kanya, and I am one of them.

But he would date only the best girls in school. Beauty queens, smart girls and such and I happened to be none of those. Nagkakasya na ako sa pasulyap-sulyap ko sa kanya mula sa malayo. When we graduated, I forgot about him at nagfocus na lamang ako sa pagtulong sa pamilya.

My dad is a magician for hire. I was born with penchant for magic at palagi akong mapag-usisa kay tatay tungkol sa mga tricks niya. I remembered having my greatest dream as a world class magician. At you age, naging apprentice ako ni tatay. I would go inside the box as he cut it in two, or he would put me inside a cage, all tied up and I would do my escape trick.

But six years ago, my father was shot dead by unknown people.

There were speculations who did. Well, not really speculations because my brother heard it from my father himself. On his dying moment, he mentioned Vander Mafia. That was the time my brother wanted nothing but to go after this Vander Mafia.

It was a suicide mission but since Brad Rustia, my brother has strong sense of justice, he pursued his dream of becoming an officer of justice.

Ipinilig ko ang ulo at lumapit kay Jules na ngayon ay nakalambitin ang ulo sa sofa. I pulled him by the hand at inayos ang kanyang pagkahiga.

It's been a year mula nang maging kami. Nang ni-raid ng mga pulis ang lugar nila, he escaped through my help. That's when my teenage fantasies of him became true. Naging magkasintahan kami, actually we're more than that. I practically live on his house, ako ang bumubuhay sa kanya at kasal na lamang ang kulang sa amin.

"Hey babe," he greeted me at hinila ako sa tabi niya. Napaupo ako at bumangon naman siya. He smelled of booze and cigarette. He started trailing kisses on my cheek, pababa sa leeg ko. "Na-miss kita."

I closed my eyes at dinama ang init ng kanyang mga halik. Hinawakan niya ang mukha ko at hinarap sa kanya. He captured my lips and I began to lose in his touch. He let himself feel me and I can sense the growing bulge below. Naging mapusok ang kanyang mga kamay at bumaba sa dibdib ko. He squeezed one of my breast at bumaba ang isa niyang kamay sa laylayan ng damit ko.

He used his hand to feel my flat tummy. Bumaba na rin ang kanyang mga halik sa leeg ko ngunit agad akong natigilan nang umakyat ang kanyang kamay mula sa hita ko pataas. I caught his hand immediately.

"Jules, no," tanggi ko sa kanya.

He looked annoyed. "Yeah yeah you would insist on marriage first," he said, letting himself fall on the couch again.

Right, this is why I don't want us to get intimate. When I remind him of the boundaries, he would sulk and ignore me for hours.

"Jules," sinubukan kong abutin ang kanyang kamay ngunit mabilis niya akong tinabig.

"Gusto kong matulog," sagot niya sa pagtawag ko.

"You didn't tell me there were drugs on it," sabi ko. "Galing ako sa presinto dahil nahuli ako. I told you not to make me bring those things right?" Inutusan lang naman niya akong dahil ang isang bag sa isang kaibigan niya sa isang party. Galing ako sa raket ko, I worked as a part time assistant ng isa sa mga kaibigan ni tatay na mga mahikero. In the morning I call as an office staff sa isang distribution company.

"At anong gusto mo, ako ang magdala? Edi hindi ako makakalabas, you know your brother hates me," medyo inis nasagot niya.

He hates you dahil mali ang mga ginagawa mo.

"Pero hindi naman ibig sabihin niyon, ako na ang ipapain mo. Paano kung wala si Kuya, edi nabulok na ako sa presinto?" sagot ko sa kanya.

He just ignored me and close his eyes. It's hard to talk to him lalo na kung ganitong high siya.

But tonight is actually fun. I mean, I met one of the Vanders, ang pumatay sa tatay ko. He didn't look like someone who would actually kill pero dahil isa siyang Vander, I also hate him. Nasa presinto rin siya, which means he also ran into trouble himself. Mula sa narinig ko kanina, suspek siya sa pagpatay ng isang negosyante. Nasa crime scene siya, may baril at may sugat.

My brothers hatred to the name would have also been awaken nang makausap niya si Cooler Vander. Pero hindi gaya ko, hindi mapagtanim ng galit si Brad. He just wants fairness and justice. He wants to tear down Vander mafia hindi dahil pinatay nila si Tatay kundi dahil illegal ang ginagawa nila.

Muli kong tiningnan si Jules. Alam kong mamaya ko pa siya makakausap kaya nagpasya na lamang ako na maligo at magbihis. I stayed all night at the precinct dahil matagal akong naabswelto.

Naghubad ako ng damit at ibinalabal ang tuwalya sa katawan. Nang pumasok ako sa banyo ay tinitigan ko ang sarili sa salamin.

They say I have a body like a mannequin pero ngayon ay masasabing pumayat ako. I have some bruises on my body, na malamang ay mula kay Jules. He would throw me things- unintentionally or otherwise. Sometimes he would grip me hard that t would bruise for weeks. There were also red spots on my chest- hickeys that he made before I could remind him of the boundaries.

Tinanggal ko ang tuwalya sa katawan at itinakip iyon sa salamin, wanting not to see some marks of domestic violence. Mahal naman ako ni Jules but then he's just out of control when he's high.

Pagkatapos maligo ay agad akong nagbihis at lumabas ng banyo. When I checked my phone, there was one message.

Unknown number:
Hi 😉

Gusto ko sanang ignorahin iyon ngunit nanaig ang kagustuhan kong malaman kung sino ang nagtext.

You:
Hu u?

Unknown number:
You're so old school

Is that why you spelled your as ur when you left your calling card?

Ah this must be Cooler Vander. Ayaw kong isipin niyang natatandaan ko siya kaya nagkunwari akong walang alam.

You:

Hndi kita kilala
Hu r u?

Unknown number:
Ugh I hate the way you text
I'm Cooler, remember?

You:

Cooler hu?

It's nice to annoy people at some point.

Unknown number:
I know you're just
pretending not to remember me
Nice strategy Rainbow

Tinawag niya akong rainbow? Ah oo nga pala, I used spray dye last night para kulayan ang buhok ko. It wears off after washing with a special chemical.

Unknown number:
I'll give you a hint
Pizza remember?

Okay, tama na iyon.

You:

Ah, sa presn2 kagabi!

Unknown number:
Presinto, not presn2

You:

Parehas lang yan

Unknown number:
What's up?

You:
Not much. Kalalabas ko lng

Unknown number:
What? You stayed over the night there?

You:
Yeah

Unknown number:
Malamok doon

You:
they lend me a fan

Unknown number:
Your brother didn't help you?

You:
Alam mong kapatid ko yun?

Unknown number:
He told me himself
Ah okay

But why would Brad tell him? Ano kayang pinag-usapan nila?

Unknown number:
So what's up?
You know some magic tricks

You:
Yeah. I wrk as part time assistant

Y?

Unknown number:
Stop saying y, it's why

Uh this OC guy!

You:
Why?
Happy?! 🙄

Unknown number:
Better.
Just asking.
I knew some tricks too

You:
Cool

Unknown number:
Well, I'm COOLer, remember?

Napangiwi lang ako at hindi na nagreply. Inilapag ko ang cellphone sa mesa at nagsuklay. Moments later, nagvibrate iyon at nagmessage ulit siya.

Unknown Number:
Still there?
I bet you didn't save my number yet

Yes, hindi. Patuloy kong inignora ang kanyang mga text messages at sa halip ay naglinis na lamang ng kwarto. Gaya ng ibang bahagi ng bahay ay napakagulo niyon. Halos hindi na nga ako roon nakatira ngunit ako ang nagsusunod sa kalat nina Jules at kung sino mang mga kaibigan niyang pumupunta dito sa bahay.

My phone vibrated again.

Unknown Number:
Hey Ja?

Inayos ko ang mga nagkalat na damit at labahin sa sahig. Ang bedsheet ay napakadumi kaya tinanggal ko iyon at pinalitan ng bago. Niligpit ko ang mga pinagkainan na nasa kwarto at ilang mga bote ng inumin. Nagwalis ako sa buong kwarto ngunit bigla akong natigilan nang may makitang lipstick sa ilalim ng kama. Agad ko iyong pinulot at tinitigan.

I have a lot of those na ginagamit ko kapag may raket ako pero sigurado akong hindi iyon sa akin. At bakit magkakaraon ng lipstick na hindi sa akin dito sa kwarto namin ni Jules?

I have a wild guess in mind pero binalewala ko na lamang iyon. Tumayo ako at kinuha na lamang ang mga basa ngunit natigilan din nang may lipstick mark sa bibig ng baso.

I'm sure it wasn't mine! Hindi ko maalalang uminom ako ng alak sa kwarto namin!

Natampal ko ang noo at pilit kinumbinsi ang sarili na mali ang iniisip ko. Of course, Jules would not cheat on me right? Mahal niya ako, sabi niya mahal niya ako kaya hindi siya mambababae. Gayunpaman, hindi ko mapigilang mainis.

I sat on the bed and my thoughts were interrupted by a ringing of my phone.

Calling...
Unknown Number

Naiinis na sinagot ko ang tawag upang idistract ang sarili ko sa mga bagay na naiisip ko.

"Hello."

"Hey it's Cooler," bati niya.

"Anong kailangan mo?"

"Are you upset right now?" hula niya and he got it right.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. "Do I sound that upset?"

"Not really," sagot niya sa akin. "Just a wild guess."

"Bakit ka napatawag?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Hmm, you owe me some amount right?" tanong niya.

I owe, ah, the five hundred pesos that I used to pay the pizza? Gutom lang talaga ako at nakita ang flyer na nroon kaya naisipan kong umorder. I mean why not? 24-hours naman na bukas ang pizza parlor na iyon.

At bakit siya tumawag dahil doon? "Akala ko ba ayaw mo ng pabayaran iyon?"

Narinig kong mahinang tumawa siya mula sa kabilang linya. "Yes, I said that but I change my mind. Isa pa, I am a business man and money is money so you gotta pay that."

I rolled my eyes. Ang kuripot!

"Fine, give me the details and I'll send the money-"

"I am a busy man, do you think I would waste time on giving you my details for that? Paano kung l-leak mo ang mga detalye ko-"

Pinutol ko ang sasabihin niya. "Alam mo ang labo mo."

"Meet me now and pay personally," sabi niya.

Napabuga ako nang hangin. No work today, kung magigising man mayamaya si Jules ay parang mag-isa lang din ako rito dahil hindi pa rin niya kakausapin so I'd rather use time wisely. "Fine, saan?"

Nagsabi siya ng pangalan ng isang coffee shop bago ibinaba ang tawag. Pero sandali, akala ko ba busy siya? Why would he waste time on meeting me just so he could collect my five hundred pesos debt?

Napailing na lamang ako at iwinaglit iyon sa isipan. Sometimes we have no idea what rich people have in mind anyway.

***

COOLER

Okay, I've been here for like ten minutes already but still no sign of the rainbow girl around. I didn't peg her to be someone who comes late but I'm growing impatient right now. Panay ang tingin ko sa pinto ng coffee shop, hoping for the rainbow girl to waltz in any second now but still no sign of her.

Halos nangalahati na ako sa kape ko, still she's nowhere to be seen. Mayamaya ay narinig ko ang tunog ng bell na nakasabit sa pinto, a sign that someone opened the door. Agad akong napalingon, only to get disappointed that it wasn't rainbow girl. Instead it was a small woman in a bunny slipper, shorts na halos hanggang tuhod at kupasing pink na hoodie jacket.

Inalis niya ang hood sa ulo, showing her raven hair that hang over her shoulders. The girl was petite and pale, with a bare face and wide eyes. Her eyes were pretty, I can tell from this distance. Sakto ang kapal ng kilay niya. No hint of any makeup in her pale face.

Damn, waiting for the rainbow girl caused me to assess almost everyone who enters the shop. Ibinalik ko na lamang sa binabasang magazine ang paningin ngunit mayamaya ay nakaramdam ako ng presensya sa harap ko.

It was that tiny woman. Up close, we wasn't that tiny. She just looked petite and thin.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," biglang sabi niya na ikinagulat ko.

She's that rainbow girl?!

Napanganga ako nang makita siya sa malapitan. Malayong-malayo sa babaeng nakita ko kagabi. Gone were the rainbow-colored hair that I figured out could be a wig or some spray. Gone was the sexy Harley Quinn outfit, no torn fishnet stocking, no thick make up. Kahit nga lipstick ay wala siya. Honestly she looked like some prostitute last night pero ngayon, mukha siyang estudyanteng kakatuntong lamang ng kolehiyo.

What, hindi naman siguro siya bata diba?

"Have a seat," yaya ko. Napatingin muna siya sa bakanteng upuan bago umupo at binunot ang kanyang coin purse. Coin purse but she got a folded 500-peso bill, ibinuklat iyon at iniabot sa akin.

"Oh eto," sabi niya sabay abot sa pera.

I prevented my chuckle but failed at tila kinainisan naman niya iyon. "Sorry, hindi ko lang mapigilan na matawa. You look so different."

Napatingin siya sa kanyang katawan bago ibinalik ang tingin sa akin. "Hindi na ako nag-abalang mag-ayos pa. Sorry if it didn't meet you expectation," nakangiwing sabi niya.

"Actually, I'm kind of surprised, you actually looked good without all the stuff all over your face," sinserong sabi ko.

This didn't make her flatter like girls normally does. Sa halip ay napangiwi pa siya at tila tinuring na insulto ang sinabi ko. I immediately felt the need to explain. "I really mean it, I swear. Last night you look like a prostitute--" Napatigil ako nang nagtaas siya ng isang kilay. I get it. I just made the situation worst.

Napabuntong-hininga lamang siya at tumayo naman ako. "Let me order you some drink--"

"Huwag na, salamat na lang. Wala akong pera para sa mamahaling mga inumin dito."

Napangisi ako sa kanya at kumindat. "It's on me. Let me guess you like something sweet, how about chocolate chip frappe?"

"Tapos sisingilin mo na naman ako?" she asked, sounding suspicious.

"It was my excuse," sagot ko na tila mas lalo lamang nagpasuspetsya sa kanya. Oh no, maybe I made her think I'm interested in her. "I mean, I don't mean like what you're thinking. Wala akong gusto sayo--"

She made a face. "Hindi ko iyan iniisip. I was thinking you're into human trafficking. Please don't," she said, raising both palms to me. "I have faulty organs."

That made me burst in laughter. She just stared at me until I recovered from laughing. Umayos ako ng upo at inayos ang pagkakatupi ng suot na pulo bago nagtawag ng crew upang um-order ng inumin para sa kanya.

I stared at her like she's some weird object and just like what she probably felt a while ago, she's still doubting my intention. Again, I felt the need to explain my self.

"The reason I want to meet you is..." I hope she doesn't find me weird. Huminga ako nang malalim at humugot ng lakas ng loob. "Teach me magic."

Now it's her turn to burst into laughter.

Damn, the way she laughs made me want to put her in a box prick her with swords!...

...for magic.

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