The Magnificent Women of Rafael Silvestre

Lie #5: Otoha Bartolome

"COFFEE SHOP? MUKHANG MAPAPADALAS AKO RITO."

Yes, naririto ako ngayon sa coffee shop na pag-aari ni Oto. And she was right here in front of me with a tray filled with a cup of coffee and a slice of cake. I must say, she's the most hospitable, most refined woman unlike the first one I've met earlier.

"Walang lason 'yan," she mentioned.

"Have a seat. Or baka sobrang busy mo, hindi ko ma-afford ang time mo. How much are you getting here daily? Twenty thousand? Thirty? Fifty? Name the price, and I'll buy you thrice." I sipped on the Café Americano she just served me. "Ang sarap!"

"Thanks. Special recipe namin 'yan. Kahit Starbucks or Tim Hortons, hindi kaya 'yan. May halo kasing dog urine 'yan, especially for you."

I almost vomited, pero nanatili akong composed.

"Kinabahan ka ba?" sarkastikong tanong ni Oto.

I just snickered. "Dear, if you ever try to kill me in broad daylight, be my guest. Ang kaso lang, mag-ready ka na rin to face the music after. There are people who knew that I am here, kaya kung may mangyari sa akin, ikaw ang mananagot."

Tumawa lang si Oto. "Kinabahan ka nga. Don't worry, walang halong dog urine 'yan. Rat piss lang."

Mukhang lalabas ang inner Sienna ko rito, ah. "Oto naman, 'wag mo naman sirain ang image mo dahil sa kalokohan mo. I see how your staff respected you here."

"And they remain loyal to me, Lolita. Wala ka sa teritoryo mo, kaya you don't have to act so strong. Anyone here can kill you instantly and no one would give a damn thing about it." Kinuha niya ang isang tinidor at humiwa ng cake, saka isinubo iyon. "But you're safe. Walang lason ang cake na ito."

"Ooh, let me grab a photo." Nilabas ko ang cellphone ko at kinuhanan ko ng picture ang cake. Flat-lay style pa. "Okay, done. Now, shall I start eating? Or... how about you try the other side first?"

She winced. "What a smart bitch."

I winked. "You're welcome. Alam kong walang lason ang kapeng ito. And your dog urine or rat piss is so lame, I wouldn't even have a sweat about it. I used to be a barista in New York for a year. The only difference in this Café Americano is the espresso you used." I slid the cake saucer to her. "And kung papatayin mo ako gamit ang cake na ito, please, hindi naman ako tanga para hindi mapansing panis na ang cake. Inaamag na ang ilalim. I didn't even have to smell it."

"Again, smart bitch. So, why are you here?" Sumeryoso na ang mukha ni Oto.

"I am impressed. Alam mong dumiskarte sa mga hindi inaasahang pagkakataong maghaharap tayo. Anyway, I'm not gonna beat around the bush. Bakit ka pumayag na maging kabit ni Rafael?" I intentionally made the last sentence louder dahil may dumaang waiter sa katabing table na nag-serve ng kape sa isang customer.

"Please do not create a scandal here. Kilala naman ng staff ko si Rafael. Lagi siya rito eh."

"Scandal? Mas iskandalosa ang cake na ito, Oto. Wait until I post this in Instagram. Ito ba ang sine-serve ng Royal Empire Coffee and Cakes?" Kunwa'y napailing ako. "That's bad publicity."

"Well, it's still publicity. Noong medyo hindi pa napag-uusapan ang café, ginawa ko rin 'yan. I created a fake account and posted it on social media. Imagine, maraming nagpauto na may rodent infestation ang café namin. Surprisingly, sumikat kami lalo kasi maraming nagpatotoo na malinis at de-kalidad ang café, kaya go ahead. Post it on your IG."

I squinted my eyes. "I'm surprised na marunong ka pa pala mag-Instagram. Sa tanda mong 'yan?"

Humalakhak nang malakas si Oto. "I'm always surprised din na inaatake mo ako sa age ko. How immature. I'm very lucky and proud to have reached this age. Ikaw, baka hanggang diyan ka na lang. We'll never know."

"So, bakit nga? Ano ang nagpapayag sa 'yo na makipagrelasyon kay Rafael?"

"Actually, I don't really know he has a wife. Unfortunately. Besides, we don't have a relationship. Fuck buddies? I don't know. We only did it a couple of times. Siguro, sports buddies, I would say. Rafael likes competitions. Ayaw niya ng natatalo. That's why I have him on the palm of my hand. Lagi ko siyang natatalo. Lagi rin naman siyang nagpupursiging manalo. Hindi siya nag-gi-give up sa akin. And that made me fell in love with him. I adore his passion to persevere, his courage to compete, his desire to dominate. Which only tells me, na hindi niya iyon nakukuha sa 'yo. I wonder how boring you are. Mukha ka namang matalino. I'm sure you have mind games of your own," mahabang tugon nito.

Nagkibit-balikat na lang ako. "I'm not the Mel C-type of woman. Ayan, I used an older reference, ha."

"Well, because that's me. Sporty. And I guess you're Posh? Sosyalin, I'll give you that. Kasi you can't have Baby... Oops. Excuse the pun." At tinira pa nito ang pagiging baog ko. "And Ginger doesn't fit a brunette like you, though."

"Exactly, because I'm more Mel B," seryosong sabi ko.

"Ooh, Scary," kunwa'y natakot pang turan ni Oto.

"You should be scared. You don't know what I can do. But for the time being, I'll let you breathe. Mahirap na, baka mauna ka pang mamatay sa sobrang tense. Hindi man lang kita napatay. And I don't want to lose that opportunity. Hinga ka muna nang malalim, sis. That might be your last." Padukot na ako ng one-thousand bill pero pinigilan ako nito.

"You don't have to pay. It's on the house. Besides, I've had enough entertainment today. Puwede kang mag-artista, you know? 'Yong mga katulad sa teleserye na mga asawang pinupuntahan ang mga kabit para eskandaluhin ito about the husband."

"Yet," I uttered. "I'm not even warming up. Till next time, querida."

"Baog," bulong nito sa aking pagtayo.

"Flawless na baog," I mentioned upon walking through the doorway.