Neri June's vulva was no longer swollen and sore and the hickies on the insides
of her thighs and on her neck had almost completely faded away. It had been a
while since she and Manny were together. "Am I a nympho?" She had begun to
entertain questions about her own sexuality but she was one of those lucky ones
who are endowed by nature with a genetic predisposition for ignorance that
exempt them from accountability for any deviation from the accepted parameters
of morality.
She actually fainted and was unconscious for a minute or so the second time she
had sex because her orgasm was so absolutely uninhibited. She made a conclusion
that sexual intercourse was a hundred times more satisfying than simply rubbing
herself while watching those porn flicks on the internet. She accepted the fact
that she found the experience thrilling, like being on a secret and forbidden
adventure, exciting and addicting. And of course, the money, although this was
now considered simply as a side issue, an additional incentive. She received
seven thousand pesos the first time. The second time around, Manny gave her
twenty one thousand pesos and a cell phone load worth five hundred. "I'll give
you even more if you can convince your friend to join us," he promised her. She
made a rough calculation and concluded that in only two days of bliss she had
earned what her mother would have earned in more than two months. Her mother
was a "casual" which is an encompassing term that defies conventional
definition, a street cleaner, and it was rumored, surely without any basis,
that she was loaned out to someone as a secretarial assistant whose principal
duties were cooking and cleaning in someone's private residence. She was
considered one of the lucky ones though because she did not have to wake up at
four in the morning to start sweeping the roads using crude coconut midrib
brooms, picking up trash and then separating them in different containers
according to categories - plastic, glass, paper, aluminum cans, and others. The
rest of the "camineras", a left-over nomenclature from the
Spanish era, had to work extra hard lately because it was almost fiesta time
in Butuan and the complaining "cleaner-than-thou" balikbayans have begun to
trickle in and were beginning their predictable annual whine.
Neri June was concerned about her best friend. Could she convince Jennifer to
participate? She sure could use the money and with her looks, she probably
would get a lot of "referrals." Will she go for it? Probably not. She is such a
prude. Always trying to be the perfect daughter. Always playing it safe. Neri
June is street wise and she knows that nobody succeeds unless he takes chances.
And what she plans to do is definitely easier and safer than selling drugs of
which she is absolutely terrified. Her own cousin, Annette, got busted once for
selling shabu and had to come up with close to fifty thousand pesos to pay off
the arresting officer and avoid going to prison. She had to be careful though
because most of the PNP were honest and incorruptible. She could have been
jailed for attempted bribery. Then she would have had to bribe the judge which
is almost impossible to do in Butuan. And she would have been incarcerated for
an extended period of time and she had seen that the city or provincial jails
were far from being a Hilton hotel.
Neri June's main concerns were the health risks. She had heard reassuring
stories that a woman could prevent pregnancy and venereal diseases by douching
immediately after, using room temperature (chilled ones don't work) Coca Cola,
the classic version and not the diet one. Being realistic, she knew that this
could be problematic because she found out that it would take superhuman
strength to get up after a rigorous session, just to go and wash one's self.
After every climax she had felt so totally spent she could hardly lift a
finger. She had also heard rumors that the US and Japanese made Trojan condoms,
not those imported from China, could prevent AIDS and pregnancy. What's more,
the American imports tasted better and had interesting colors and flavors and
are sophisticatedly ribbed for special effects.
She had been approached by security guards of the different colleges if she was
interested in entertaining and she had always rebuffed them. "Freshmen college
students" of either sex were the preferred items by those who choose to satisfy
their carnal cravings thru the process of procurement. But since her last
rendezvous with Manny she had started to reconsider. Her outlook in life had
completely changed and she had already given her cell phone number out to three
of the guards. Like legitimate businessmen, they were asking for twenty percent
finder's fee. After all, they said, they were not really full-time pimps. Neri
June had already convinced herself that for her, this was business and
pleasure, weighing heavily more on the latter. There had been no referrals so
far.
Neri June was also hoping, like in some of the Cinderella stories she had
heard about, that perhaps one day in the future, a rich Korean or Japanese
tourist would fall in love with her and find her suitable for marriage and
decide to take her back to their own country. Anywhere away from this
corrupt-ridden-god-forsaken place. She was willing to go with a black man to
America from whom she planned to immediately obtain a divorce once she got hold
of a green card. Anyway, she was also eager to know how men of different races
performed in bed, being aware of the considerable variations in human anatomy.
Immediately after graduating from high school, she joined the
FilipinaHeart.com, an International Filipino dating site. Jennifer did not care
to join but frequently inquired about the emails that Neri June received. She
had a major make-over, put on her most provocative dress which displayed her
cleavage to a maximum, had a professional photographer take her portrait and
submitted her picture to the internet site.
She called herself Mary April and provided tantalizing personal information.
Gender - female
Age - 17
Marital Status - Single and "never been married"
Has children - Never
Lives in - Butuan City, Philippines
Appearance - Very attractive
Complexion - Fair and exotic
Measurements - 35-29-35
Height - 155 cm. (5'1")
Weight - 44 kg
Hair - Wavy and black
Eyes - Dark brown
Religion - Catholic, "flexible"
Star Sign - Gemini
Education - H.S.
Language - English, Pilipino, Visayan
Smoking - No
Drinking - Rarely
Relocate - Definitely
Seeking - Caucasian male, understanding, loving, professional, responsible,
honest, single (not married) age 28-50
For - meaningful and lasting relationship but will consider employment. No
manual labor, please.
She received almost two hundred responses from Japan, the United States,
Germany, and the Netherlands but got discouraged when the most promising
prospects refused to send her any money and several were asking her to disrobe
in front of the computer camera. After a while she discontinued correspondence
as she could no longer afford to go to the internet cafes.
She knew that a lot of male and female doctors had taken up nursing just to be
able to leave the country and work in North America or Europe or the Middle
East. The nurses' take home pay there was almost ten times what they would earn
as staff doctors in the Philippines. Like them, she would put false pride
aside. Survival and a prospect for a better future are honorable
justifications. She was planning to save enough for school. She would really
want to attend the Butuan Doctor's School of Nursing. She knew that that school
had some of the best instructors in town. Besides, she liked the checkered
black and white uniforms. They would really show off her figure. "I wonder if
they allow high heels in nursing school."
Before her introduction to Manny, life had become stagnant for Neri June. She
would get up in the morning, go to work, eat lunch, go back to work, and go
home, most of the time, too tired doing nothing to do anything else. Were it
not for Jennifer, she would have gone crazy already. She hated her assignment.
She and the other employees just stood around near the counters, looking out
into space three feet in front of their eyes, boredom evident on their facial
expressions, occasionally pretending to be busy by rearranging the plates and
glasses or wiping the imaginary dust from the glass counters, and constantly
checking and replenishing their make-ups. She had learned the art of dodging
inquiring customers, leaving the trainees to deal with them. Some of the
customers were so stupid. She could spot the real dumb ones. They were the ones
who look uncomfortable and awkward wearing shoes. "Sir, the plates are supposed
to be where all the plates are supposed to be, over there, di ba?" pointing
with her puckered mouth like porcine snout. "No, ma'am, you don't haggle here.
Go to Langihan."
Dr. de la Verdad made an impression, though. He was something else. He seemed
so different from the first time she met him at the Sonadam practice session.
He seemed like a gentleman then. But during their two encounters, he seemed so
Neanderthal, so powerful and dominating and he cursed like an stevedore. He
made her tremble with fear and anticipation. Not that she was complaining
because the threat of physical abuse only heightened the sensations. And she
hoped that all her future customers would be as generous. She sells, he buys,
no regrets, no strings attached. Everybody is happy.
With the money she got from Manny, she got herself two new pairs of shoes, a
new dress and a new make-up kit. She did not know how to explain her absence to
Wenwen and to Jennifer. She had told them Tia Canuta was sick and she'll have
to think of another reason she was not around the whole day Wednesday. Would it
be best if she told her the truth? She could not afford to break up with her
friend. They had been friends since they were in elementary school. She loved
her like a sister. She was just hoping that Jennifer would understand and agree
with her. She could tell that she was suspecting something. They knew each
other so well. What will she do if Jennifer not approve or even, heaven forbid,
not tolerate her new enterprise? Had the time come for them to part?
Neri June decided to risk everything and tell Jennifer the truth. She would
find out anyway. It was just a matter of time. She would have to choose the
right setting. Maybe she would tell her after they have had a couple of Red
Horse beer, their favorite beverage with a kick. She knew Jennifer had an
intolerance for alcohol and would be easier to deal with after the first
bottle.
Neri June decided to go back to work on Thursday. She put on her uniform and
passed by Jennifer's house to pick her up and they would go to work together.
"Don't talk to me,"Jennifer snubbed her.
Omigosh! She knows! But how could she have known? Nobody saw her go to the
motel to rendezvous with Manny. She was extra careful. She rode in a taxi with
dark tinted windows and she did not get out until after the garage door had
come down. The taxi driver did not know her and neither did the boy at the
motel, although both gave her an approving head to toe scrutiny.
"Why not? What's the matter with you?"
"I'm mad at you. You did not attend the practice, you did not go to work, and
you were not with your Tia Canuta. You did not even call me."
"Na lobat ko." In this futuristic age of modern communication technology this
is the usual excuse offered when there is no real excuse. The phrase means my
battery ran out or I ran out of load or I was doing something else and I could
not answer you or I just don't want to talk you.
Jennifer was still upset and continued to ignore her.
"All right. Okay. Just don't be angry. I have something real important to tell
you. Not now, though. Not yet."
Jennifer looked at Neri June hard. She suspected something fishy was going on.
She thought she knew what her friend was hiding from her. "I'm really upset
with you. We used to never have any secrets between us. Now I am having some
doubts about you."
"Later, I'll tell you later. Trust me. I swear I'll tell you everything."
"When?"
"This weekend."
"When this weekend?" It was Thursday, April 28.
"I'll tell you on Sunday. We're still going to the dance on Sunday, aren't we?"
"What dance are you talking about?"
"See, that's the problem with you, you know. You have been going out every
night with that Chinese friend of yours, you can no longer find time for me
anymore."
"Now don't you turn things around. You're the one neglecting me."
"No, it's you who's neglecting me. You want to be alone with your Mr. Wakanga
Hototay all the time."
"Don't call him names."
"Oh yeah? What, Hototay? Sure, okay, Miss Mami Siopao."
"Oy, look who's talking - Miss Kinabol!"
They were both giggling and laughing now, trying to pinch each other. All is
forgiven.
"Hey, let's go. We're late for work. Let's get a tricycle this time. I'm tired
of having to walk to work."
"That's only fifteen minutes from here." Jennifer was trying to be frugal.
"No, it's hot and the roads are muddy. And I don't want my new shoes to get
soiled. I'll pay for both of us."
"New shoes?" Jennifer looked at Neri June's shoes. They were brown suede, one
and a half inch heel, with a gold buckle. "Hmm, fancy! How much did you buy
that for?"
"Cheap. It was on sale. Anyway, I'll tell you later. I bought another pair. For
that dance on Sunday. Remember? We're going to the fiesta dance in Obrero. You
promised we'll go."
"Oh, that dance. Yeah, of course we'll go. You know, I completely forgot about
that. I wonder who I can ask to take me, Tony or Manny?" Jennifer was teasing
and waiting for Neri June's reaction.
"Do we have to have either of them there? Can't we just go by ourselves? Wait a
minute, are you on a first name basis with the doctor now?"
"Somewhat. Why, are you jealous?"
"Nooo! Why should I be?"
"I don't know. You sound jealous."
"I'm not. I don't want to talk about that now. Later."
They got on a tricycle and were on their way to the mall. "Ner, about that
doctor? I'm not quite sure about him. I can't put my finger on it but he's
somewhat different...aaa, strange."
"What do you mean?" Neri answered, at the same time feigning disinterest while
avoiding Jennifer's gaze.
"It's probably nothing but let me tell you about last night." Jennifer told
Neri June about what happened the night before.
"We're here." Neri did not volunteer any comment. She kept her mouth shut as
she got out of the tricycle.
"How about lunch later?"
"Yeah, sure. It will be my treat. Let's go to True Brew."
"Neri, did you win in the jueteng or something?"
"Unsa? No, no. We'll talk about that later."
"Now you really got my attention. Why the mystery? Why so many laters. But
okay, I'll be patient." Jennifer got on the escalator to go to the second floor
while Neri June deliberately walked down the stairs to the basement admiring
the clicking sounds the heels of her new shoes made on the synthetic marble
staircase.
"Very soon I'll not have to work down here anymore," Neri June tried to console
herself.
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Next - Chapter 15
