Every day for ten days, from April 3, Jennifer got some kind of chocolate. The
black chocolate bars were imported from Holland. The American-made ones were
sculptured Godivas flavored with milk, mint, caramel, praline or some other
sinful flavors. Jennifer's and Neri June's favorite were the handmade truffles
which were specially flown in from a Zurich confectioner. The shelf life is
only five days for this delicate Swiss wonder. The boxes came in baby-blue
wrappers, always with a card and a note, "To Jennifer, from an Admirer." The
entire family enjoyed the chocolate and everyone was intrigued by the note. At
first Jennifer suspected the candies came from Sir Izquierda but Neri June
reminded her that they must have cost a fortune and he could really not afford
it on a teacher's salary.
"Then they must be coming from that doctor."
"No. I am sure it is not from him." Neri June interjected and immediately
regretted she made the comment.
Looking at her friend suspiciously, Jennifer asked. "How do you know that? How
are you so sure he's not the one?"
"I, aah, I...never mind. Forget about it. I was just thinking. I think that old
man would be more direct."
"Why do you say that?"
"I just think so. Anyway, just forget about it, okay?" Neri June was getting
defensive.
Jennifer could tell that her friend was getting upset.
She has known her for a long time and she could tell that she was guilty about
something and was hiding it from her. She decided not to pursue the matter for
the time being.
After the chocolates came the flowers. Every day for ten days, the Varona
family got some kind of flower. The last ones were long stemmed roses, red,
yellow and gorgeous peach.
Maria was not complaining. "My house is beginning to look like a flower shop."
Jaime was complaining. "Yeah, and it's beginning to smell like a funeral home,
too. Did our cat die? I hope we're not going to get any wreaths."
"Papa, that's not funny," complained Jennifer. The others voiced the same
sentiment.
"Well, you know I'm superstitious. Guys, can't you take a joke?"
"Now, this is more like it!!" Jaime exclaimed the following day when they
received two queso de bolas and an enormous Jamon Iberico still covered in its
original wrapper. It was an import from the town of Huelva, Spain.
This time the package came with a note -
"Jennifer, my name is Tony Fidel Manco Lee. I would like to know you better. I
bought my Motorazr from you a while back. Since that time, I have not stopped
thinking about you. May I pick you up at your work tomorrow night, Monday,
April 25? My cell phone number is 9166499468. Please text or call me to
confirm."
"Golly! I know this guy. I remember him. He is the clutch!"
Jaime did not know what to say. He knew of the Lee family. "Jennifer, they are
a powerful and influential family. You need to be careful with this one." Jaime
sounded jealous. He just could not let his baby swim in deep waters alone and
on her own. But he also knew that someday someone will come knocking on his
door, taking his daughter away.
"I don't like rich people. I know they become rich because they do all kinds of
things." Maria did not have any education beyond high school and she had never
been articulate but there had always been an innate wisdom in her simplicity.
"But some rich people are nice, like Dr. de la Verdad. Right, Ner?" Jen was
testing her best friend for any kind of tell-tale reaction.
"I don't know. How should I know? Why do you think I should know?" It seemed to
Jennifer that the denial was too vigorous.
The two girls glared at each other.
Maria broke the silence, "Well, are you going to call him?"
Before their daughter could answer, Jaime joined the conversation. "I think you
should. I think he'll never stop pestering you unless you do. It would be
better for you to deal with the situation now so you can decide if you like him
or not, before things get too complicated. I'll not influence you on your final
decision but I need to warn you, before you get to commit yourself, that I have
heard rumors about that family, stories involving violence. These are only
rumors, nevertheless, just be careful."
Jennifer was surprised to hear her father speak so forcefully. He usually just
kept quiet, or at most, answered in monotones. This was the longest Jennifer
had ever heard him say anything about anything at any one time.
"I don't trust rich people." Maria repeated herself but did not come out
directly prohibiting her daughter from a meeting Tony.
"I remember he was respectful. He was kind of nervous though. But he was nice
and cute." Said Jennifer.
"Anak, everybody is nice to you."
"Yeah, maybe. I guess, to me, they are. I think I'll text him but I'll only
meet him if you will come with me," addressing Neri June.
"I agree, men are especially nice to you. You just flutter your long black
eyelashes and they start scurrying around like headless fighting cocks. Of
course I'll go with you. I would have been very upset if you did not ask me to
go with you. After all, I'm still your best friend." Neri pretended to pinch
Jennifer's arm.
Tony had very little facial hair but he meticulously shaved with a brand new
razor blade and only after applying copious amounts of shaving cream. He doused
himself with Hilfiger aftershave lotion and made sure he trimmed the hair from
his nostrils and ears. Earlier that day he had called for a manicure and a
pedicure.
"Langga, take another shower and get rid of that ridiculous after-shave lotion.
I can smell you from the swimming pool. The whole house is beginning to stink
like a barber shop. Nice girls like simple odors. Don't use colognes and never
use perfume on your person."
"What are you talking about? What lotion? What girls?"
"Never mind. You are my son and I know you. To tell you the truth, I am glad
you are taking serious interest in someone. It's about time. Who is she? Is she
pretty? I hope she's one of our own kind," Jin smiled at her only child.
"Did Sergeant Loloy say anything to you?" Tony was getting upset and
embarrassed.
"Of course not. Sergeant Loloy? He would never betray your confidence. Not even
to me. But a mother can always tell. Mmm, I hope my competition is prettier."
Jin was fixing his hair.
Tony felt relieved. Loloy was more than a bodyguard. After all these years he
had become like a second father to him and he would have really felt bad if
Loloy revealed anything, even to his parents.
"And wear dark slacks, a jacket, and your black leather shoes, not your blue
jeans or that old pair of tennis shoes. You always look elegant in a jacket. "
"Yes, mother, but please stop fussing with me and please leave me alone. I'm
almost thirty and you're still treating me like a child."
"No matter what, you're still my baby. And don't forget to eat before you
leave."
"I'm not hungry."
"Just eat."
"Yes, mother." For as long as he could remember, it had always been "yes,
mother." Tony thought that soon he would like to move out and rent an apartment
of his own. Or perhaps he could build a dozen adjacent townhouses, put them up
for rent except the end units, one for him and the other one for Sergeant
Loloy. Maybe he could also have Jennifer's family occupy one of them. He would
just charge them a nominal amount so they would not be offended by thinking it
was a dole out.
His father would be happy if he did it. He was always proud whenever he showed
any interest in business or anytime he manifested financial initiatives. He
loved his mother but he could no longer stand the doting. He had no privacy.
She would come barging into his room without knocking. He had made a habit of
locking the door to his room when he was away. He had to hide his girlie
magazines under the middle of the mattress which he thought was a unique and
original idea. The maids had been cautioned not to change the linen unless he
was around.
Jennifer and Neri June saw him standing near the mall's north side entrance,
waiting eagerly under the covered walkway, hands stuck inside each pocket,
looking like a lost little boy.
"He's big!" was Neri's first comment as they waited at the concrete steps.
"U-huh, but isn't he cute? He looks like a big cuddly Teddy bear."
Tony came hesitatingly forward to meet them. He was unsure whether to extend
his hand out but then decided against it. "I'm Tony, remember me?"
"Yes, the Motorazr."
"Uh, yeah, that's right," awkwardly, touching his forehead, towering over her.
He was a foot taller. He was stooping some, trying not to make the height
difference too obvious.
"Oh, this is my best friend, Neri June."
"Hi." Tony shook hands with Neri June.
"You don't mind if she comes along, do you?"
"No, not at all. Have you had dinner yet?"
"Yeah."
"Shall we go for halo-halo at Dottie's then?"
"Okay."
Tony had his white Nissan Pathfinder washed and waxed earlier that day.
Sergeant Loloy made sure that the floor mattings were vacuumed and all the junk
in the back were cleaned out. The inside of the SUV smelled a subtle fresh
lemon.
They all sat in the front seats with Neri June between them. Neri June was the
first to notice the stack of thousand peso bills on the dashboard.
"What's that?"
Tony wanted to hit himself on the forehead, "I'm really an idiot." He could not
imagine how he could have neglected to remove the money earlier. Jennifer was
not to be like the others. She was special. "Oh, I forgot. That is supposed to
be the salary of a couple of our helpers. Somehow it slipped my mind." Tony
reached over, got the money and placed it in the glove compartment,
accidentally brushing hard against Neri June's prominent bosom with his right
elbow. His faced instantly turned beet red when he realized what he had done
but Neri June was smiling with amusement. Tony was at a loss for words. He did
not know if he should apologize or pretend that it just did not happen.
"A real clutch!" Neri June thought. Jennifer was not aware of the incident. She
was preoccupied with the swinging object that was hanging on the rearview
mirror and reflecting light from the oncoming cars.
"And what's that?" Jennifer pointed to the knife.
"It's a knife that my grandfather gave me right before he died. I'll tell you
about it later. His life makes for a great story."
"May I hold it?"
"Yeah, sure."
Jennifer took the tanto knife and was examining the scabbard.
"Be careful, it's real shar.."
"Aray!" Tony's warning came too late. Jennifer had pulled the knife out and cut
her finger. The cut was not deep but it was enough to draw a trickle of blood.
Jennifer immediately sucked the cut and reinserted the knife into its sheath.
Tony carefully took the knife away from her hand.
"It's okay. It's just a tiny scratch. I'll live." Jennifer smiled. But Tony was
aghast and insisted on applying a band-aid on the cut. They stopped at the side
of the road. He had a little emergency kit stowed at the back of the driver's
seat.
The girls were mesmerized by his story about his father and grandfather. Neri
June asked a million questions while Jennifer was, for the most part, just
listening. Tony had been observing Jennifer all the while. He had always been a
sucker for the quiet ones. But, as God was his witness, this was not just a
passing fascination. This was true love. For the first time. Ever. She was so
beautiful. There was not a single blemish on her face and he could just imagine
the taste and softness of her lips. He had to force himself to turn his face
away from her, to keep from staring lest he scare her off.
They completely forgot about the time until the waiter reminded them that the
restaurant was closing for the night. "Tony, I had a wonderful time. By the
way, thanks for the candies and the flowers. My father and my brother just love
the cheese and especially the ham."
"Don't mention it. I'm glad. May I pick you up again tomorrow?" Tony tried to
make it sound extemporaneous although he had rehearsed the question a dozen
times while he was in the shower that afternoon.
"Yes, same time."
"Not me, I have other things to do. I can't work tomorrow, either."
"Why not?" Jennifer glared at her. She could tell something was going on
although she could not put a finger on it.
"I have to go to Buenavista to see Tia Canuta. She's ill."
"Well, all right." Jennifer did not believe her but in a way she was glad
because she wanted to be alone with Tony. Her friend had a tendency to dominate
any conversation whenever she was around. She found Tony interesting not
because he was wealthy or because he was handsome but because he smiled with
sincerity.
Maria and Jaime were still up, waiting for her to come home. "How was he? Did
you go anywhere?"
"He was wonderful! He took us to Dottie's Hotel."
"He what?!" Jaime yelped.
"No, silly. We just went to the restaurant and had halo-halo. And he told us
about his father and grandfather. He showed us a picture of his mother.
Oh, she is so beautiful! He wanted me to meet her sometime next month."
"Uhm, that sounds serious. Maybe he isn't so bad after all."
Maria ordered her, "Go to bed. And I still don't trust rich people. When are
you seeing him again?"
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? Isn't that too soon? Maybe you should play hard to get a little bit.
The greater the challenge.."
"Oh yeah? You did not do that to me, if I remember right." Jaime was grinning.
"No, I did not. You were different. You were poor."
"Ha! I still am."
"And even after all these years of 'tamban and guinamos', I still love you."
Jennifer looked at her parents. How she envied them. Like young lovers, they
still held hands when they went to the movies. When she finally finds her soul
mate, will they be as loving after twenty years of married life? She was sure
her parents would like Tony Lee in spite of him being Chinese. The days of
discrimination ended a generation ago. The young people of today have never
seen a poor Chinaman slurping 'lugaw' with chopsticks. The young people of
today have never seen a poor Chinaman, period. No such thing as a poor Chinese.
And a lot of the society people eating in Chinese restaurants use chopsticks
now, showing off, as if to declare that they have been to Hongkong, Japan,
Korea, or China.
Chinese husbands tend to be jealous and possessive, sometimes not allowing
their wives to be seen by other men, confining them in the homes as if they
were under house arrest. Tony Lee, Jennifer hoped, would not be like them.
Jennifer laughed quietly at these thoughts. "Here I am, thinking about husbands
and wives. For all I know Tony's interest might just wane after a few weeks.
But then, he seems so sincere. I'll find out soon enough."
Jin Lee was in the entertainment room, feet propped up on a red soft velour
covered ottoman, watching "Let's Make A Deal" on a 46-inch plasma screen
Japanese-made television. Her features were still perfect and her profile was
that of someone thirty years her junior and Kris Aquino's assistants would
have all looked like fat old hags compared to her.
"Why are you still up?"
"Waiting for you, baby"
Tony was just too happy to complain. "Ma, she is the most beautiful, wonderful,
kindest girl I have ever known! I want you to meet her. Can I invite her here?
Next month? Next week? Can I?"
"Of course, but tell me first. What's her name? Tell me about her. Is she
prettier than me?"
"Jennifer Varona. She is the most beautiful, most wonderful, kindest girl I
have ever known. The most beautiful, most wonderful,..." he pronounced the name
syllable by syllable, reverently, with a far away look in his eyes.
"Okay, okay. Enough already. I believe you." Jin smiled at her son. She was
glad for Tony because he was lucky to find his first love on his own, lucky to
feel that explosive, possessive, inexplicable, indescribable spontaneous
combustion that comes with the discovery, so much unlike her own planned,
learned "affection." Pure and innocent, so much unlike her own lust-tainted,
adulterous adventures.
Her son was babbling in superlatives. "I guess I can't stop you from telling me
all about this Jennifer of yours, can I?" she teased him as she regretted she
could no longer cradle him on her lap. "Oh, my little baby is no longer a baby.
Please Lord, spare him the pain."
Alone in his room, he locked his door. Although he had some doubts, he could
almost be sure that Jennifer liked him. Why else would she see him again? Or is
she just being nice because she is naturally nice and that he was a nobody,
nobody special? He was alternately floating in a paradise of certainty or
wallowing in a muck of doubt. He lay down on his bed without taking his shoes
and clothes off and gradually dozed off into a deep slumber. But his dreams
were dark visions of Greek gods who were jealous of him, envious that he was
enjoying more than his fair share of happiness. "Fly now, pay later," they
smiled malevolently.
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Next - Chapter 13
