The Red Light Kiss

18

18

Hindi ko nakasabay pag-uwi si Ma'am Sheryl dahil magkasama kami ni Mayor Hassen ngayon. Alam ko namang hindi siya galit, pero nakakahiya pa rin dahil um-oo na ako sa kaniya at nagkasundo kaming magkasabay uuwi.

''We can go back after we talk... Isasabay ko kayo ni Sheryl.''

''Huwag na. Hihingi na lang ako ng tawad sa kaniya.''

''I'll apologize, too...'' he said in a low tone.

Tinignan ko siya. Umihip ang hangin at agad no'ng hinangin ang buhok niya. Agad akong binalot ng kakaibang pakiramdam.

It was an ecstatic, unsettling feeling. It was a great paradox. Parang may paru-paro sa tiyan ko habang tinignan siyang diretso ang tingin, payapa at tiwala walang iniisip, pero kasabay rin nito ang matinding pangamba.

This is the first time we went out in public. Maraming beses na kaming nagkasama na kaming dalawa lang pero karamihan no'n ay noong inaayos pa namin ang trabaho sa Sanggunian at ang maka-ilang beses na insidente kung saan hinatid niya ako pauwi. It's always closed doors, not an open area.

Other than that, wala na. It was strange and scary, but something about him brings so much comfort. Nasa bench kami ng plaza katapat ng simbahan. Hindi naman ganoon kalayo sa village nina Konsehala pero mas malapit na ito sa amin.

Magkakatapat ngunit malalaki ang espasyo ng benches dito sa plaza. Sa gilid ay may mga halaman at maka-ilan din puno kaya't mahangin. Idagdag pa na malalim na ang gabi kaya't malamig.

This is our first time here. Or I must say... first time in public.

Madilim. Bukas ang streetlights at naabutan naman kami ng liwanag. It's just that it's dim and really, really dark. Although I could say... being outside here with him isn't scary... I know he has his bodyguards around. Hindi ko lang nakikita.

Ang nakakatakot ay ang ma-picture-an kami at maging laman ng chismis kinabuksan. It's a public place after all.

''I really hate how citizens consider public servants as artists.'' I scoffed. ''Do you like being in the limelight?''

Tinignan ko siya. Nilingon niya ako habang hinahangin ang buhok niya.

''Limelight?'' he asked, confused.

''Oo... Like, ikaw... Pulitiko ka, pero para ka ring artista. Palagi kang nasa balita, 'di ba? You have been very exceptional but people are more interested asking about the status of your lovelife than your achievements in leading the city. 'Di ka ba naiirita?''

''Parte na siya ng trabaho ko.''

''So tatanggapin mo na lang?''

I felt his dissent.

''I know what informations to share and not. Besides, politics is evolving. You have to level up. If there's propaganda, you need to counter it with charm.''

''Counter with... charm?''

''Yes. You have to power through. Kailangang maging madiskarte.''

I looked at him, confused. ''Hindi kita ma-gets.''

''Social media is the medium of news, entertainment, and connection now, Joshien. You have to use it. Fake news are everywhere. Madaling kumuha ng litrato at maglagay ng kaonting detalye at agad na maniniwala ang bayan sa 'yo. What you have to do is play the cards. Entertain the people. Share your life. Even just a piece of it.''

''Is that politics?'' I arched my brow. ''Limelight, propagandas, and all that?''

He nodded.

''Then I don't like it...''