VALIDATION
TITLE: VALIDATION
TAMBUCHO TALE #: 43
DESTINATION: PROJ. 4, KALANTIAW
TRT: ABOUT 10 MINS
I dislike how uninspired the woman in the mirror looks like for the past weeks. Past months, to be accurate. The top of my hair shows its natural curls while the bottom half presents evidence of rebonding past. It is an absolute shoo-in as BEFORE photo for Brazilian Blowout advertisements. My face is an unevenly bronzed canvass where cystic zits decided to make re-appearing acts on. My eyebrows are crying for threading, my legs and the nether regions for waxing, my nails for manicure and pedicure and my whole body for a four-hour massage. Who would have imagined I'll attract somebody's attention?
I was about to go home to my rented space from Cubao when this frail guy politely asked if he can take refuge under my umbrella.
El-la el-la eh eh eh. Under my umbrella. I agreed and let him squeeze in close as we headed together to the jeep terminal. I informed him I was off to Kalantiaw, expecting him to state his destination, too. Instead, he initiated a small talk and shared he used to live in Project 4. He even probed where in Kalantiaw I'm residing. Strike 1.
His inquiry fell on deaf ears. He didn't seem to protest when his temporary canopy was taking him somewhere beneficial to me alone. So I asked again to which point I should escort him. After all, he can't read my mind why I stated I was off to Kalantiaw, can he? He ignored my question again and I noticed how his eyes darted from my little white dress (often dubbed as
pangtulog by some officemates for its flowy feel) down to my legs. This sideway glance made me imagine his accomplice/s behind me, waiting for their cue to attack me and rip off my pussy red bag into tiny shreds upon finding my empty wallet. Strike 2!
Before I got the chance to ask again for his destination, he was already asking for my beautiful name. That was the last straw. Without even meeting his eyes, I almost sprinted to terminate our conversation. Should I take the Kalantiaw jeep or mislead him? When the Kalantiaw jeep finally left the terminal after an agonizing long wait, I launched a heavy sigh of relief.
But it wasn't a smooth ride for me. I felt pangs of guilt for leaving a poor guy under the rain. A part of me assures me he's a big bo now and his adrenalin can aid him dash to the nearest shed anyway.
A female student interrupted this mental tug-of-war and asked me for the fare. I confirmed it's still P8.00. She asked how much it would be for students like her. Was it P6.00 or P7.00? I shrugged in response.
Then my lips curved into a small smile. To her, I might look like a street-smart lady. To my suddenly-inflated ego, I just look like a college student who face similar budget concerns. Ha!
Labels: jeepney, rain, strangers
CROTCH
TITLE: CROTCH
TAMBUCHO TALE #: 38
DESTINATION: SAN NICOLAS
TRT: 15 MINS
I was down to my last jeepney ride after OT that morning. I was already seated in the
estribo and engaged in a chat with an officemate seated across me. All of a sudden, my short attention span directed me to meet the eyes of a passing baby bus (yup, the ones in Cavite) conductor outside. He yelled, "
Sakay na!" while motioning to his crotch. And... I must admit my reflex made my eyes follow his hands. Then I felt disgust spread all over my exhausted body.
Why am I so
bastusin?!
Labels: bacoor, jeepney
DISTANCE
TITLE: DISTANCE
TAMBUCHO TALE #: 25
DESTINATION: ZAPOTE/TALABA
TRT: 15 MINS.
So we're just 500 meters away from the final stop. The jeepney driver called the attention of the 3 teenage girls seated next to me, requiring them to pay more. Turns out they only paid the minimum fare of P7.00 each for a very distant ride from SM Molino to Zapote Kalinisan. Which was stupid as my fare from the mentioned mall to San Nicolas, my own
baranggay, already amounts to P10.00.
If that were not amusing enough, wait till you hear how they reacted. Little Miss Bully repeatedly asked Little Miss
Kitikitxt to settle the deficit. "
Bayaran mo na!" The latter was too occupied to take heed. Little Miss Henchman initially aired excuses then echoed Little Miss Bully's line in a more encouraging tone. Little Miss
Kitikitxt momentarily removed the mobile phone out of her face to stare daggers at Little Miss Bully then fished for her wallet.
Little Miss
Kitikitxt approached the jeepney driver and clearly stated she's only paying for herself. Since they've already reached their stop, both girls reached for their pockets and, I, the riveted
chismosa, had the perfect view of the bills they had in store. Lovely!
At least the seemingly rift was over as soon as they alighted.
***
The same evening at work, I overheard the tenured specialists' discussion on how to
wa-tu-tri (spell check please) successfully. The best trick, according to them, would be to sit behind the driver (NOT beside him, all right? I've tried that before and it was beyond stupid!) and hand him other passenger's pay and NEVER say "
Bayad daw po!". Make sure to display ownership by saying "
Bayad po!" instead. For a bad actress with weak knees like me, I won't give this a try.
As a finisher, they say it is best to say, "
Para po! Thank you!". In my commuting experience, I am yet to hear passengers who enthusiastically express their gratitude for reaching their destination. Hence, I find this suggested spiel a hint to the driver and fellow passengers that you just enjoyed a free ride. But what do I know? I'm not an expert.
How about you? Have you tried faking it? Isn't it still better to just pay the fare?
Labels: jeepney
PILLOWS
TITLE: PILLOWS
TAMBUCHO TALE #: 23
DESTINATION: SUCAT
TRT: 20 MINS.
Imagine this: From Bacoor to Sucat to Quezon City to Baclaran to Cavite City to Bacoor. That was my itinerary for the day. It was all business, except for my last stop: a high school friend's birthday dinner in Bacoor.
Before I got to ascend the jeepney bound to Sucat, I recognized the long-haired passenger seated on the right side of the vehicle. I deliberately took the vacant spot across her. [Some people prefer to sit next to their friends but I find it easier to communicate when you are sitting face to face.] I saw her caught sight of me while I remove my laptop back on my back, making me thrilled for the major gabfest that was about to take place.
When I turned my head back to greet her, I found her slightly shifted to the opposite direction. Her arm slightly concealed her face and her eyes were suddenly squeezed shut. She was pretending to be asleep!
It was unbelievable! We've been good friends for the longest time. I'd say we haven't spoken let alone exchange text messages for almost a decade! What went wrong?
I fought the urge to toss the laptop bag before me to wake her up. But then again,
mahirap manggising ng isang taong nagtutulug-tulugan. If she did not want to catch up with me, then I wouldn't force her.
I saw her open her eyes a couple of minutes later. Still, she avoided my gaze. By that time, I already gave up.
Kung ayaw mo, edi wag!
I watched her alight from the jeepney and move towards the entrance of SM Sucat. I bet she did not even look back to make sure if I were watching.
Labels: jeepney
