The Gold-digging Mastermind

Kabanata 17

It was my first time out of the country.

I was so nervous. Baka harangin ako sa airport.

Thankfully, it didn’t happen. Ligtas naman kaming nakarating ni Daxiel sa patutunguhan. We went to the hotel Daxiel booked in advance — it was an eighteen minute away from the Eiffel tower.

The hotel room was luxurious.

We had an executive suite with private access to jacuzzi and sauna. Ilang araw din kaming mamamalagi sa lugar, milyones yata ang magagastos ni Daxiel Gustav Jr. para sa ilang araw naming stay sa Paris, France.

Sinubukan ko namang maging sosyal, pero hindi ko maiwasang hindi mamangha sa mga bagong bagay na nakikita ko sa paligid. Unang beses kong nakalabas ng bansa, thanks to my new sugar daddy.

Yumakap ako sa kanyang likuran, dinama ko ang kanyang matigas at mapintog na abs. S’yempre, kasama na iyon sa pagyakap ko.

“Thank you, baby cakes…” I whispered against his ear.

Napalitan ng kasiyahan ang kaba ko.

I was a bit worried if he was planning to dump me in the other side of the world I had no idea with, but he even offered to take Maricel or Jemaima with us.

They declined his offer, they were the ones to take care of our furbaby. When I checked my messages earlier, Maricel already sent a video of Gustav the Third playing around. Alagang – alaga siya ng dalawa naming kasamahan sa bahay.

“Are you tired? I still have time to stroll now.”

“Hindi ako pagod ‘no! Kahit binyagan pa natin itong kama pagkatapos nating lumibot.” I even told him.

Medyo busy siya sa bukas sa mga meetings at conferences. Ayokong sumama sa kanya sa ganoong pagtitipon.

I wouldn’t understand a thing. Baka ma-bore pa ako, siguro maglilibot na lang akong muli sa kalapit na tourist destination sa hotel. Kaya mas maganda kung ililibot niya ako ngayong araw.

Kumalas naman ako ng yakap sa kanya. I went to check my make up on the vanity mirror. Nag-retouch lang ako ng konti. I just had my scarves with me. Bahagyang malamig sa labas, pero pareho naman kaming hot ni Daxiel.

Naglakad – lakad kaming dalawa ni Daxiel sa streets ng Paris. Mahigpit ang hawak ko sa magkahugpo naming kamay.

Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwalang ibang hangin na ang nalalanghap ko. Kasama rin yata sa atraksyon ang mga naglalakihang daga.

In fairness, they are well-fed.

We went to see the Eiffel tower first. I couldn’t even contain my excitement. Dati lang naman sa mga litrato ko iyon nakikita noon, at sa estado ng buhay ko, walang posibilidad na makita ko iyon ng personal.

Ni hindi ko pinangarap na makapagbakasyon sa ibang bansa, siguro iyong pagtratrabaho pa. Kinakailangan din ng malaking halaga bago makaalis ng bansa.

I was experiencing those things for free… or maybe, not.

Kung ano man ang kabayaran ng mga natatamasa ko ngayon, iisipin ko na lang sa susunod na araw. I want to enjoy my first out of the country.

Agad akong nagpa-picture kay Daxiel nang marating namin ang sikat na tower. Marami ding turista roon kagaya namin. Napakalaki ng ngiti ko sa litrato. Hindi ko na rin namalayang napaluha ako.

Daxiel looked at me with a worried expression.

“What’s wrong, Millaray?” nag-aalalang tanong niya.

Umiling naman ako bilang sagot. “Naluluha lang ako dahil masaya ako…” I smiled at him. “Thank you for bringing me here, Daxiel. It was a dream come true.”

Hinawakan niya ang aking pisngi. Marahan niyang dinampian ng halik ang aking mga matang may bakas pa ng pag-iyak.

“I was worried for a second. I’m glad you’re happy. Your excitement is contagious.” He kissed my forehead.

“First time mo ba rito?” tanong ko kahit alam ko namang hindi ang sagot.

Sigurado akong maraming bansa na ang kanyang nabisita. Hindi lang tuwing may conference, p’wedeng p’wede siyang magbakasyon kahit kailan niya gusto. He’s wealthy.

“No, it’s not my first time being here in Paris. But it’s my first time bringing someone special in the city of love,” sagot niyang ikinapula ng aking pisngi.

“Daxiel, ‘wag kang malandi masyado, baka bigyan kita ng anak…”

Humalakhak siya. “Who’s afraid of getting pregnant, Millaray? You’re all talk with no action.” Pinisil niya ang aking pisngi. “Let’s have a baby when we’re both ready.”

“Hindi na rin tayo bumabata, Daxiel. Baka abutan tayo ng menopause bago maging handa.” Pinagmasdan ko ang ekspresyon ng kanyang mukha.

“I wouldn’t force you to bear my children, Millaray. We can enjoy our relationship with just the two of us…” Ngumiti siya.

I pouted.

But I really want to have children… Isa iyon sa pangarap ko, ang maging isang ina. I want to be a better mom than my mother could ever be. I want to be a mother that I needed when I was young.

Hindi naman sa pagiging handa ang kinatatakot ko, mas natatakot ako sa buhay na kagigisnan ng aking supling. Gusto kong maranasan nilang lumaki sa magulang na nagmamahalan.

I wasn’t sure if that was attainable. Parehas lang naman naming ginagamit ang isa’t isa.

Right now, I put the idea to rest.

We took more pictures together. After some time, we went to a nice cafe to have some coffee and croissant. Hinayaan kong um-order si Daxiel, hindi ko yatang kumausap ng ibang lahi. Nahihiya ang bako kong English.

Namangha akong pinanood si Daxiel habang nagsasalita sa ibang lengguwahe. Mas lalong nadagdagan ang kaguwapuhan niya sa paningin ko. He sounded so fancy speaking in French.

Pati yata ang waiter na nag-serve sa amin, kinilig din sa baon niyang mga salita.

“Hm, why are you looking at me like that?” Tumaas ang kanyang kilay.

I was biting my lower lip. “Ano pang ibang lengguwahe ang alam mo?”

“I’m not fluent… but I make sure to understand a bit of what they are saying in every country I’m visiting. So, I could grasp the dominant language of the countries I visited.” He answered my question. “Does speaking another language win your heart?”

Parang ganoon na nga, s’yempre, ang gusto ko sa lalaki… matalino. Wala kasi ako noon.

“Ilang bansa na ba ang napuntahan mo?”

“Half of the countries listed in the world map,” kaswal niyang sagot.

Napanganga ako. That was such a goal.

“You know what my goal now?” I shook my head. “To travel the remaining ones with you, also to revisit the other countries I visited with you.”

***

We had an early breakfast at the hotel buffet.

Maaga rin si Daxiel sa conference na gaganapin sa ibang hotel. Paulit – ulit niya akong tinanong sa plano ko ngayong araw. Hindi naman niya ako pinilit na sumama sa kanya. But he was hesitant to leave me alone in the hotel.

Hindi naman ako bata. Isa pa, p’wede naman akong tumawag sa kanya.

I had my phone with me, the black card, and some cash. Balak kong maglibot at bumili ng mga pasalubong. He gave me a map of the vicinity within the hotel range.

After breakfast, I headed to our room again to get more sleep. Sikat na ang araw nang naisipan kong bumangong muli at maghanda para sa paglalakad – lakad ko. I was only planning to walk to enjoy the beauty of the city.

Itinuro din sa akin ni Daxiel ang luxury brand shops na hindi gaanong malayo sa hotel namin. Talagang binigyan niya ako ng ideyang magwaldas ng pera.

Bumili ako ng mga pasalubong sa mga kasamahan namin sa bahay pati sa aming anak.

Gusto ko sanang tumawad, pero may language barrier kami ng mga shop vendor.

I also went to the luxury brand shops, I wanted to buy something for Daxiel. It’s my thought to buy him something, but it’s his money I’ll be using. They gave me a complimentary drink as they were showing me the products I wanted.

Everything I paid will be delivered in our hotel later, it wouldn’t inconvenience my stroll.

Sinubukan ko ring um-order ng coffee sa isang cafe para maibsan ang kaba kong makihalubilo. Duh, ako si Millaray, walang mas kakapal ang mukha sa akin. I was grinning from ear to ear as I successfully ordered.

I sent the picture of my tea with macarons paired with a cute selfie to Daxiel, just so he knew I was doing fine on my own.

But it was short-lived.

Hindi ko na nahanap ang pabalik ng hotel kahit anong tingin ko sa mapa. Halos napatalon naman ako ng mayroong humablot sa aking bag, agad iyong nakuha mula sa akin.

Oh my gosh! Hindi lang pala sa Quiapo nagkalat ang snatcher pati rin pala sa Paris!

With my heels on, I ran after the woman who snatched my bag. It’s my talent aside from dancing. Kaya kong tumakbo sa heels.

I almost grabbed her hair when someone tripped me intentionally.

Nabitiwan ko ang hawak kong phone. Tuluyan nang nakalayo ang bag na hinablot sa akin. Agad naman akong tumayo, naramdaman kong mahapdi ang aking tuhod kahit sa suot kong fleece-lined leggings.

Everyone was too busy to even offer a helping hand.

Kinuha ko naman ang phone ko. Basag na ang screen at hindi ko na mapindot ang functions.

I bit my lower lip and looked around. Basta ko na lang sinundan ang snatcher ng aking bag, mas lalong nawala ako sa siyudad na wala akong alam. Even the map was snatched from me.

Sinubukan kong tawagan si Daxiel pero hindi nakisama ang aking phone.

I tried to ask the locals for direction, but with language barrier, I didn’t really get much of what I needed. I even asked for a favor to use their phone to contact someone, they were dismissive.

Ilang oras akong nagpaikot – ikot sa lugar pero hindi ko mahanap ang mga palatandaan ko patungo sa hotel. Pakiramdam ko mas lalo akong lumalayo sa pinanggalingan ko.

My nightmare became a reality.

Daxiel doesn’t even know I’m missing. He’s still in the conference.

I jolted when my phone rang.

Nabasa ko ang pangalan ni Daxiel mula sa basag na screen, hindi ko magawang pindutin ang screen upang sagutin ang kanyang tawag. My frustration became tears, I was feeling hopeless.

Paano kung hindi niya ako mahanap? Paano kung akalain niyang tinakasan ko na siya?

The call stopped. It rang once again. Talagang hindi ko napindot ang answer button.

Sa lahat ng hindi ko napaghandaan, snatchers pala. Actually, handa naman ako, nahabol ko pa at muntik nang maabutan kung walang pumatid sa aking paa. Hay, pati tuhod ko nanakit.

Siguro… siguro ito na ang katapusan ng lahat…

I would be left in Paris as an illegal, and undocumented beggar. Makakahanap ako ng lalaking tatanggap at magmamahal sa akin na madaling mamatay, babalik ako ng Pilipinas upang maghiganti sa ginawang pang-iiwan ni Daxiel Gustav Jr. sa Paris.

As I take my revenge, hindi ko alam na nahuhulog na pala ako sa lalaki. Ano ba ‘yan? Kay Daxiel pa rin ang bagsak ko.

Ah, siguro dapat magpa-deport na lang ako.

Bago ko masimulan ang revenge, kailangan ko munang humanap ng lalaking p’wede kong utuin. Hindi naman ako marunong ng ibang lengguwahe.

My eyes kept looking around.

Wala akong ideya kung mananatili sa puwesto ko o maglalakad at magbakasakaling dalhin ako ng aking paa sa hotel naming inookupa. Mas lalo yata akong lumalayo sa bawat hakbang ng aking paa.

Minsan napapadaan ako sa mga cafe at restaurant, kapag tuluyan akong nawala, paano ako kakain? Maybe, I should try looking for some leftovers if needed. Naupo naman ako sa labas ng restaurant.

Pagod na ang aking paa sa heels kong suot, kanina pa akong umiikot ng walang tigil. It had been two hours, I cried for solid thirty minutes earlier.

My phone died.

Hindi ko pa naman saulado ang numero ni Daxiel. It was getting hopeless even more.

Sinubukan ko na lang aliwin ang sarili ko sa panonood sa paligid. The waiter already approached me earlier to ask what I wanted, sinabi ko namang mayroon akong hinihintay na dumating.

He was getting impatient with me. Siguro alam niyang palusot ko lang iyon at wala naman talaga akong balak kumain sa restaurant nila.

I just need a bit of rest to rethink my plans. I couldn’t exhaust myself. Sayang ang enerhiya ko, kailangan kong mag-isip ng intelihenteng plano, hindi iyong pang-telenobela.

“Ma’am, you need to leave…”

I didn’t even argue, so I sighed and left the place.

Hindi ko alam kung saan ako dadalhin ng aking paa pero nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad.

It was a beautiful place with beautiful infrastructure all around, but I was lost.

Huminga ako nang malalim. Pinahid ko ang luha sa aking pisngi.

“Millaray…” I heard a faint voice, then it became loud, loud enough to hear. “Millaray!”

It stopped the chats from the people in the street. Lumingon naman ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses.

My tears fell when I saw Daxiel in the midst of the crowd. His height, broad, muscular shoulders and good-looking face was easy to spot in the middle of the sea of people.

Agad niyang tinakbo ang pagitan naming dalawa, sinalubong ko siya ng halik. Patuloy ang pagluha ko.

Matapos ang ilang oras na walang kasiguruhan, umuwi pa rin ako sa kanyang bisig. I was so afraid earlier, but I was now comforted by his presence.

Umiyak ako nang umiyak. Kinabig naman niya ako payakap sa kanya.

“Shh, I’m here, baby,” marahan niyang saad. “I’m sorry it took me a long time.”

Hinaplos niya ang likod ko. Napalitan ng kapayapaan ang takot at kaba ko kanina. I didn’t realize we were still hugging each other in the middle of the street with people looking at our direction.

Bumalik kaming dalawa ni Daxiel sa hotel. Ikinuwento ko sa kanya ang kabuuan ng pangyayari. I lost the black card and the extra cash on my bag. He assured me he would take care of it for me.

The important thing for him is I’m safe.

Ginamot niya ang aking sugat. Nagalit siya ng bahagya sa kaisipang hinabol ko pa ang snatcher.

“How did you know I was in trouble?” tanong ko sa kanya.

“You didn’t answer my calls.”

“Paano ang conference mo?” Ngumuso ako. “P’wede ka pa namang bumalik. Hindi na ako gagala ng solo.” “Your safety is my priority, Millaray.”

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