Juan Thing Remains

Noong una’y ‘di niya mawari kung bakit hindi siya pinasasabak ng kanyang ate sa aksyon. Lagi na lamang sa tuwing sumusubok siyang pumailanlang, sumilip at makisali, titigil sila at itataboy siyang tila hayop. Bilin sa kanya’y huwag pumasok sa itim na silid. Hindi maaari. Ngunit tatlong taon ang binilang at matutupad na rin. “Dapat ako na lang.” Sumunod sa nakakatanda. ‘Yan ang naaalala niyang aral. Isang gabi lang naman ng aliw ang hinangad ni Ida. Hanap niya ay karanasan. Isang bagay na hindi niya makuha-kuha. “Salamat, Ate.” Maganda si Ida. Maibabalandra na niya sa harap ng nagkikislapan at mausok na entablado ang kanyang produkto. Mukhang pinaputi ng pulbos, mga matang pinintahan ng itim upang mapadali ang pang-aakit, mapupusyaw na labi – pinatingkad ng lipstik na eybon, naarbor niya sa kanyang ateng si Lupe. Tuwing gabi’y para silang mga dyosang naliligo sa kolorete at sa dilim ng gabi ikinubli ang mga pekas ng hita’t mukha. Kapital nila’y mga muk

It was obviously a ridiculous thing that putting a scotch tape on me is the beginning of the end. It was two long years of service. You’re the boss, I’m the servant. It was slightly favourable. I like the thought of it - giving you the pleasure you desire as the main purpose of why I existed here. Every beating of your hands against your knee satisfies me. It tells me how you enjoy it. You pushed and pulled me several times through that electric realm, making me scream audible pleasure. I can feel your tremendous yearning to bring me anywhere you want to. I can’t help but to obey you. I promised myself to accept the fact that I’m your slave - a replaceable servant that has an obscure significant role in every tick of the travel clock. Remember how we used to sing our hearts out and being nonchalant to the surrounding distressed faces inside the train? It left me a lasting sensation of euphoria. When I was (literally) hanging around with you, I can feel your heart po