How Secret Lives can take Lives but still keep It a Secret

Its just one of those regular scenes.

Inside a wide room, where clouds are suspended and other paradoxes secretly happen, Leron took his usual spot. No longer a noob when it comes to this but definitely a first after a very long time. 

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"Sometimes I just hope they could expand this side of the spa."

Both of them smiled but inside, Leron knew its the queue.

After a series of small talk exchanges, they have decided to go out and spent some time over a couple of bottles; waiting for the day to break. Leron was in the mood of being too generous and offered a ride.

Inside, both of them were silent, still waiting for who will make the first move. Leron decided to put his focus on the road while the passenger was busy checking his phone. The trip going to a destination has always been the most awkward part for Leron. Its a usual scene of no one wants to take the lead; scared of making a mistake that would either lead to a bad impression or ruined everything they've mutually invested. Both were bounded with rule is the lesser, the safer. 

Eventually the passenger decided to break the directionless drive.

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"Do you want to go to the hotel I am checked in instead?"

Leron abide, relieved that they have already a definite place to go. He taught, he was no longer used to this. 

Surprisingly, they parked in front of another hotel, three blocks away from what he thought they were heading. Leron started doubting if it was really the name of the hotel the passenger said. He might be hearing different things already since he has been awake for more than 24 hours, straight from days work. So Leron just convinced himself that its probably part of a common drill.

Bravely, they ventured along piles and piles of dark alleys and forgotten scents until they have reached a makeshift castle, where the forsaken have probably owned it as their paradise.

Leron was caught out of his expectations. Hesitations started pumping in. Leron started to feel an internal struggle to pursue this or not. However, he thought that the act has already been decided and it should be done.

The passenger took the lead as paths of thousand turns reveal like a labrynth of lost souls. Leron thought they could have already done it there but the howls of yesteryear's repressions were too distracting behind those moisten walls.

At the end, they have reached what Leron thought to be a dungeon, a small and humid box that looks like the package box of the bed in the middle. Dismayed, he just wanted it to be done and over with before he loses his determination. But when he was just about to close the door, two men brute fully broke in. 

"Did you know that you are with a minor?"

Leron was just too surprised to spur a remark. It was as if words dried out from his throat.

"Did you know that we can file a complaint against you for this?"

Suddenly, images of people he loves started flashing; faces he have kept his secrets from just because he did not want them to get hurt.

"Do you want us to tell this to the authorities or perhaps we can bring this out in the public?"

"NO!"

Familiar voices, similar prejudices, he was convinced he is not yet prepared to face this.

"I can settle this! this is just a simple misunder..."

"P10,000.00 then! pay us P10,000 and we will let this pass!"

"But I do not have that much."

"He is lying," finally the act was revealed, "I saw his wallet inside the car. He pretty much have that amount. If not, he has cards too.'

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"Give us your pin number. We (but refering to other guy) will withdraw the amount for you. Just make sure that you are telling us the truth or else."

Leron was now in full remorse. He cannot believe that he was dragged into this scheme. All he could think of was to knocked the heads out of these people. But before he could land his fist to the person nearest to him, the three immediately violently tackled him down. One strongly held both of his arms. The other grabbed his legs while the passenger started pulling his pants off. Leron never felt so helpless.

When the passenger successfully pulled his pants off, he immediately took his wallet, Iphone5 and car keys. Leron told himself, he cannot let this pass. He just cannot forgive himself for letting these people do this to him. In an instant, he heard himself screaming for help. He knew that the other occupants are already aware of whats happening inside.

But suddenly he felt a wide and rough fabric around his neck. The man who was holding his arms before, wrapped a military belt around and started strangling him. Leron immediately held it, convincing himself he cannot die there. He needed to fight back. But the other guy who was previously holding his legs threw strong punches on his chest and face. He was starting to lose count. Everything was beginning to blacken out.

He tried to look for the passenger, thinking of having a last look of the person who dragged him there. Probably thinking, he would look for him on the other side.  But the passenger was no longer inside the room, probably headed to his car, where most of his belongings are also in.

But when he was about to accept his fate, the buckle of the belt broke. He never felt so much appreciation to the air that started filling his lungs. He immediately kicked the guy in front while the guy at his back was relooping his belt. Eventually, the owner of the apartelle, along with other faces (Leron can no longer remember), came in and started shouting at the brutes. The two immediately fled.

Still trying to gain his strength, a pants and shirtless Leron tried chasing them--- alone. No one inside dared to go with him. Outside, he saw two shadows running toward the directions of where his car was parked. He shouted--- screamed for help. But again, no one dared to respond.

When he reached the parking space, the picture of his car still there was a relief. He immediately went to it and checked for anything that could clear his suspicions. The car was still locked; his other phone and cardholder were no longer there. 

He immediately ran toward the guard of the hotel in front of him, begging to call for police.

"What happened?," the guard on duty asked.

"I got robbed! Call the police!"

"By who?"

"By three men. Please call the police."

"Are they the three guys who pass by here just now."

"Yes! Now, call the cops!"

"But isn't one of them the same guy, you are with when you parked the car in front?"

"Manong, can I just explain it later. Please call the cops!"

"Unfortunately, I don't have their numbers."

It was unbelievable. All he could think of was what he have done to deserve all this. Fortunately, one of the front desk staff, who was silently listening to the conversation, approached them and said,

"The cops are already on their way."

When the cops arrived, Leron was asked with the standard questions. Based from the manner of asking, he felt like they already know what happened. Later on, it was revealed that a similar case happened two weeks ago in the same area.

"So what is the update?"

"We are still investigating it. We have leads but they need to be validated further since the victim refused to give clear statements. Can you tell me how you meet this guy?

Silence. Everything just happened so fast that Leron have not yet prepared himself from these questions. He knows that if he says the truth, this will be put on the police record with his real name on it. What if his parents requested and learned about it? What if this will be used in the court and read while his loved ones are there? What if his loved ones find out?

But if he don't, these guys will still be on the loose and another person may be robbed, beaten or worst dead. Hence, Leron decided to push through the case. Unfortunately, he needed to fabricate some parts of the events just for his secret not to be compromised.

At the end, he is just grateful that he is still alive and praying that no one will endure the same experience he had.

***

Writer's Note:

I took the liberty of writing Leron's story to at least expose these existing and growing modus operandi. He might not have told the complete truth to the authorities but at least by sharing his story, a life may be saved.

Currently, Leron is still recovering from the bruises and trauma he have endured. But in general, he is trying to be fine and will definitely take this as a major life lesson.

These scenes are not new to most of us since crime can happen to anyone. We have heard similar stories of people getting killed or robbed out of a supposed to be one night stands and home service massages.

Despite these, I believe that there are still best practices we could observe to avoid such situation. Many may not agree with it but at least for some people I know, these have helped them in mitigating these situations from happening.

·         White stalking

Waiting for the fruit to get ripe is sweeter than not waiting at all. For some, they would usually allot a specific time before inviting someone over. This period are usually allotted in doing some due diligence or in layman's term, stalking. Yes, just like lying, there is such term as white stalking. Maximize social media. Check his friends (or your mutual friends). The places he go. The things he does. These enable one to check the identity and profile of a person.

• Dress NEVER for the kill

It is more advisable to go out in low profile. Bring only a simple talk and text phone. If possible, just bring one card, which could finance you all throughout your itinerary. Distribute your money and not just in one pocket or wallet.

• Safer Impressions

More than how you look, conversations usually take the bigger part of the impression pie. Also, for many individuals who are planning something bad against you, it is what you say that confirm whether you are a right target or not. Hence, talk about things that interest you and not what you have inside your closet. Challenge what the other thinks and discuss more about the person more than yourself.      

• Private in Public

It is always recommended to do it in a neutral zone. Neutral zones are basically hotels or motels, where it is easier to seek assistance or help just in case an untoward incident happens. It is more advisable not to invite anyone inside your house neither entertain an invitation to go to theirs.

• In the event you only have a smartphone, maximize your mobile apps

There are a lot of mobile apps nowadays that can be put into a more specific but practical use beyond what they are intended to do.

Mobile App Trackers – There are a number of mobile apps that you could use nowadays to at least protect your smart phones. Most of these apps allow you to track your stolen phone. Take a picture of whoever is trying to break in to your account and even remotely wipe out files and data from your device to protect your information. Some of these are the following: iCloud’s Find my Iphone, Samsung’s Locate my Mobile, Cerberus, GotYa!

Cloud storage apps – Intended to store and access same files in different devices, These apps can be later used as a good applications to identify a possible suspect. Just make sure that it is linked with another device. So in the event, someone stole your phone and decided to take a selfie of himself, these mobile apps will automatically upload and share it to the cloud and other devices linked to it.  

Social Media Check-ins – Let your friends and families RANDOMLY know where you are, especially if you are going somewhere by yourself. Just in case, this give them good leads.

At the end, I believe that no one can judge anyone because of the decisions s/he makes and the situations s/he subject him/herself into. All of us have our reasons, which many may not understand. However, in each of these situations, we are still responsible for the decisions we make and we ought it to ourselves, our families and love ones to be at the very least safe. 

salamat, pare

*an attempt to write a coming of age short story for a writing class many years ago.

Sure na ako, Rod.

Saan?

Bakla si kuya.

Ang totoo, naloka talaga ako sa sinabing yun ni Jake nang minsang tawagan ko siya. Bigla akong nagdalawang isip kung itutuloy ko pa ang balak ko.

Kababalik ko lang nun fresh from the city of pines para sa halos isang buwang sem break. At siyempre, isa siya sa mga agad ko’ng tinawagan para tagpuin. Hindi na nga kami nagkabosesan. Matagal-tagal na din kasi ng huli kaming nag-usap. Alam mo na, busy sa college life, adjustments and all that. Lalo na sa mga pagbabagong narealize ko duon. Ang tanda ko na nga, may mga realizations nang nagaganap.

Nagulat ako nang makita ko si Jake. Bigla akong naniwalang may pag-asa pa ang world peace. Ang laki ng pinagbago niya. Hiyang-hiya ang Doc Martens, na suot-suot ko at mainit-init pa galing UK-UK, sa gara ng kanyang boy next door look, nang magkita kami. Ipagyayabang ko pa sanang bente pesos ko lang nabili ang suot ko.

Bumukol ang matipunong pangangatawan ni Jake sa suot niyang puting shirt. Kapansin-pansin ang gamunggo niyang mga utong sa likod nito; and I confess father, may biglang pumitik sa loob ng brief ko. Pero malice aside, hindi mapagkakailang lumabas ang tikas at likas na kagwapuhan niya ngayon. Malayo na sa gusgusin at pilyong bata na mahilig umakyat at pumapak ng hilaw na aratilis. Hindi na nga mapagkakailang lahi talaga sila ng mga modelo’t artista. Nasan ba kasi ang nanay ko nung single pa ang tatay niya? Ewan ko ba.

Kuya?

Oo, Kuya ko, si Kuya Mark.

Anim na taon ang tanda sa amin ni Mark. Pero technically, mas matanda kami sa kanya dahil leap year siya pinanganak. May minsan din na pinagdudahan namin na baka special child siya.

Pero habang lumalaki kami, madalang namin siyang makasama ni Jake. Tahimik at reserved kasi siya. Kundi nagpapawis sa basketball ay nagkukulong lang siya sa kwarto. Kaya hindi na ako magugulat kung pagkakamalan siyang may sariling facebook ng mga imaginary friends. Teka, nasabi ko na bang leap year siya pinanganak?

Pero in a serious note, noong namatay ang tatay nila isang taon matapos makapasa ni Mark sa engineering board, siya ang sumalo sa pamilya. Winner siya sa pagiging Gawad ulirang kapatid. Sabay niya kaming tinuturuan ni Jake sa mga assignments at review college entrance exams namin. At kahit ngayong patapos na kami sa kolehiyo, siya pa din ang nagiging takbuhan namin kapag may mahihirap kaming mga proyekto.

Paano mo naman nasabi?

Basta parang may nagbago kay kuya. Napansin ko lang, pare parang pasikip ng pasikip ang damit niya,

Huh?! bakit ikaw?

Rocker ako. E, Siya wala namang banda.

            Siguro ngayon alam niyo na kung bakit kami magkaibigan, he never fails to surprise me. Kung may sariling mundo si Mark, may sarili namang perception sa mga bagay-bagay itong si Jake.

At ang choice of colors, ang sakit-sakit sa mata, daig pa ang reflector ng jeep.

Ayaw mo nun hindi siya masasagasaan kapag gabi.

Tapos puro branded pa. Paborito niyang brand yung… yung folded and twang,

Folded and hung.

Ang brand na galit ata sa mga big-boned at obese dahil daig pa ang baby Guess at Osh Kosh Bigosh sa fit.

Oo yun! saka… saka yung people is people.

Hindi na lang ako kumibo. Basta ang alam ko magaling si Jake sa Math.

At meron pa minsan nakita ko tshirt niya, Kamiseta. Di ba brand pambabae yun?

Baka naman metrosexual lang si Mark. Magkaiba ang pagiging fashionable sa pagiging bakla no.

Sabihin mo metrosexual, isang metro na lang homosexual na.

Oo na, daig ko pa ang supot sa pagiging transparent at halata sa itsura ni Jake na hindi siya kumbinsido sa mga sinabi ko. Naisip ko tuloy, papaano ko na lang sasabihin sa kanya ang totoo?

Yun nga din ang naisip ko. Pero ito, pare, madalas kapag gabi, tuwing pinipick up ko yung extension ng telepono sa taas. Nahuhuli ko siyang laging may kausap na lalake.

Lalo akong kinabahan. Mukhang aagawin pa ata ni Mark ang moment ko. 

Baka naman best friend niya.

E, Babae ang best friend niya.

Oo nga pala si Shiela.

Akala ko nga girlfriend niya yun dati. Hindi pala. Ang weird pa nun, babae ang best friend niya. Hindi ka ba nagtataka? Madalang na may pinakikila si kuya na lalaking kaibigan pwera na lang sa mga teammates niya noon.

Bigla kong naisip ang basket ball team ni Mark. Kung sineryoso ko lang sana ang basketball noong tinuturuan kami ng tatay nila, e di sana may I join the varsity na din ako ngayon. Aba, libre kaya ang tuition fee ng mga varsity sa amin. May libreng tanghalian pa.

Hindi naman basehan yun.

Kunsabagay. Pero yun nga lang din, pare. Iniisip ko paano na lang kung magladlad si Kuya? Kanino na ako manghihiram ng damit kapag naka bestida't make up na siya? Sino na ang magiging kalaro ko ng basketball kapag lumamya na kilos niya? Imagine, ang rookie of the year at MVP ng school ay isa palang manash?!

            My God! 1990s pa ng huling narining ko ang salitang Manash. Naawa ako bigla kay Jake. Naturingan na best friend ko siya but he is so out dated with the latest lingo. Pero may I shift ang topic ng bigla kong napansin ang takot sa mga mata ni Jake.

Ang kaparehong takot na nakita ko sa mga mata ni mama noong hinatid nila ako sa bus terminal patungong Baguio, noong gabing nakipaghiwalay sa akin ang una kong girlfriend at noong inamin ko sa mga kabahay ko ang tunay kong pagkatao.

Bakit lahat ba ng lalaki tubero o karpentero? Lahat ba ng babae housewife? At kung magkaganunman, ano naman ang masama dun?

Tahimik na napatingin lang sa malayo si Jake. Doon ko na nafigure out, na ito na nga ata ang tinatawag nilang drama.

Naalala mo si Sir Arceo, yung paborito nating teacher sa Chemistry. Di ba inamin niya sa atin noong graduation na bakla siya. Tingin mo ba malalaman nating bakla siya kundi niya sinabi? At wala namang nagbago. Siya pa rin ang paborito nating teacher nun, ‘di ba?

Hindi pa din umimik si Jake. Na-isnab ang ganda ng Lola Arceo ko. 

E, si tito Mike, yung engineer na kasama nila papa sa firm. Si Dr. Uy yung doctor ng papa mo noon. Di ba bakla din---.

            Natigil ang eksenadorang speech ko nang nakita kong nakatingin na lang sa akin si Jake. Mas intense na ang mga mata niya. Mas deep, dark and mapang-usig. Yeeeess! mapang-usig.

Pamilyar ang mga titig na yun. Kung hindi lang Jolina Magdangal sabihin parang natutunaw ako sa mga titig niya, siguro bumigay na ako. But don’t get me wrong, tama na ang isang press release for the day. Dahil sa ngayon, mas kailangan ako ng kaibigan ko.

Madaling sabihin yan kapag ibang tao, Rod, pero ibang kaso na kapag malapit sa iyo ang pinag-uusapan.

Jake, ang gusto ko lang naman sabihin, hindi  lahat ng bakla parlorista. At hindi din naman masama maging parlorista. Ang mahalaga wala kang inaapakang iba. Respeto lang yan para irespeto din tayo.

Maya-maya’y nakaramdam ako ng bahagyang pagkailang ng unti-unti linapit ni Jake ang mukha niya. In that distance, halos mabilang ko na ang hibla ng kanyang makapal na pilik mata, ang mga linya sa kanyang mapulang labi at maging ang biglang pagbago ng ekspresyon ng kanyang malamlam na mata. Then I realized, na gusto ko na lang tumambling sa pagiging matalinghaga ko.

Nakkkksss, ang lalim.

Sira! Sabay kotong sa kanyang bumbunan.

Arayyy… Actually, pare. Okay lang naman kung bakla si kuya. Walang kaso dun, promise! Ang ayoko lang e yung  pagtatawanan o gagaguhin siya ng ibang tao dahil bakla siya.

Napatahimik ako sa sinabi ni Jake. Bigla ko’ng naisip ang mga kapatid ko. Ganun din kaya sila sa akin?

Mahal ko si kuya at alam mo kung ano ang pinagdaanan niya nung mamatay si papa.  Kaya nga kung tatanungin ako kung sinong tao ang pinaka deserving lumigaya, para sa akin, si kuya yun. Ayoko siyang makitang malungkot o umiiyak. Ayoko siyang kinukutya o pinagsasamantalahan. Makakapatay ako, pare. Pero ang mas kinakatakot ko ay ayoko din makitang tumanda siyang malungkot at nag-iisa.

Alam mo, Jake. May nagsabi sa akin dati, na ang pag-iisa ay hindi kapalaran ninuman. Ang kapalaran natin ay produkto ng sarili nating mga desisyon at ginawa sa buhay. At sa tingin ko sa lahat ng mga ginagawa ng kuya mo ngayon, hindi siya kailanman tatanda mag-isa. Dahil kung sakali man na wala siyang makikitang mapapangasawa o makakasama sa buhay, nandiyan ka, mga kaibigan niya at ang pamilya niyo para samahan siya.

Biglang may tumulong luha sa pisngi ni Jake. Ang totoo nagulat talaga ako nang makita ko siyang tuloy-tuloy nang umiyak. Yun ang unang beses na nakita ko siyang nagkaganun. Kinuha ko agad ang panyo ko sa bulsa at inabot sa kanya, habang pinagdadasal na hindi niya mapansing hindi R ang initial na nakaburda doon. I know, minsan my pagka-old school din ako.

Seryoso, tol. Siguro kung naririnig ka ng kuya mo ngayon, for sure sobrang proud yun sa iyo. Maswerte siya dahil kapatid ka niya.

Ulul! Mas maswerte ka dahil kaibigan mo ako at ikaw lang ang nakakakitang umiiyak ako. Halika nga dito.

Biglang inabot ni Jake ang kanyang braso sa akin. Yes, may ilangan factor noong una, pero inakap ko na din. Doon ko napagtantong, tumatanda na nga talaga kami. Marahil dahil sa tagal naming magkaibigan, virgin pa kami sa yakap ng isa’t isa. Pero ang totoo, natuwa ako at naiiyak na din.

Pare, Salamat! Sana dito ka na lang nag-aral para may nakakausap ako ng ganito. Hindi mo alam kung gaano ko katagal tinago ito. Gago ka! Ikaw lang pala ang makapaglalabas nito.  

Tumuloy-tuloy na ang pag-iyak ko nang narinig ko yun. Marahil namiss ko lang talaga ng husto si Jake.

Dahil din dun, mas lalo kong naramdaman ang importansiya namin sa isa’t isa. Malungkot isipin na hindi na kami tulad ng dati, wala na yung mga batang paglalaro lang ang iniisip, kung ano ang uso at kung saan village dadayo.  Pero kung ako ang tatanungin, mas masaya ako sa ganito dahil napag-uusapan namin ang mga bagay na di naming kayang sabihin noon.

            Malapit na, tol. Malapit na, bulong ko kay Jake habang yakap ko siya, at huwag kang mag-alala, dahil di ko kayang lokohin si Mark dahil mahal na mahal ko siya.

Hindi ko alam ang magiging reaksyon ni Jake pero sa wakas, nasabi ko na din ang gusto kong sabihin. Subalit imbes bumitaw, naramdaman ko ang lalong paghigpit ng yakap niya sa akin sabay sabing,

Salamat ulit, pare.  

ten interesting things that makes me smile

how you would try stopping yourself from stopping me in experimenting or putting too much in everything i cook

how you would always discreetly watch, wait and catch me as i slowly sneak in my bed after a heavy meal then nag me the entire day

how you will wait for me the whole day and surprise me with a festive dinner (but also makes me sad because you are such a great cook!)

how you would always move away and just wait outside a grocery store just because you are too embarrass to buy "that"

how you would look at me while i am sleeping; completely having no idea that i am actually staring back at you

how you would be masungit when i am sweet and sweet when i am masungit: and realizing that being on the same state makes us a disaster to each other

how you could be as paranoid as i am about possibly overdoing so many things about us

how you would stop me from locking the door whenever i use the bathroom

how you will giggle whenever you recall the etymology of “kums” and “wabs”

and lastly, how you will probably smile after reading this 

*** 

thank you for staying and showing the strength in what others had given up to