"Hindi ko alam kung maiinsulto ako na baka mukha akong lumang museum artifact, o mapa-flatter dahil mas madalas mo akong tingnan kaysa sa mga naka-display dito "
Nanatiling nakatingin lang si Stefan kay JC, na tutok ang mga mata sa 3D exhibit ng isa sa mga mahahalagang pangyayari sa pakikibaka ng mga African-Americans para sa pamntay na karapatan bilang mamamayan.
"More of the latter. Dalawang beses ko na itong naikot, para ma-distract at mag-unwind. First time kong may makasama dito at sa pagpasyal sa kahit saan dito sa Memphis " he laid a hand on her back and gently led her to the next display.
An hour and a half ago, he showed up on her doorstep, with a promise to be her tour guide and a lunch treat. Part of him was ready to be rejected and he'd understand. Sa madaming beses na sinusubukan niyang magbago ang isip ni JC sa pananatili sa Memphis ay tiyak na naiirita na ang babae.
Pero hindi niya msiwasang mag-alala at matakot. Higit sa concern ay dala na rin iyon ng tumitinding nararamdaman niya para dito. Hindi niya naisip man lang na posible, o naihanda ang sarili para ksy JC. He was attracted and charmed, alright but he had slways found a lot of women beautiful.
He has even flirted, got an invite to several beds even in the midst of toxic cases before, but he never stayed around, ever. Nang lisanin niya ang Pilipinas ay iniwasan na rin niya ang snumang involvement kahit ilang beses na ang mga babae na ang lumalapit.
His life was too fucked up for a relationship, but since he met JC, it was like seeing the light. Parang ayaw na niyang lumayo ang ilaw na iyon sa kanya.
"A visit to the National Civil Rights Museum was not something I ever thought of doing on a Sunday morning. Medyo nakaka-depress, lalo at hindi natin masasabing wala nang discrimination kahit saan," she sighed as they kept walking, her eyes scanning old photos and blown up newspaper articles, before turning to him.
"Hindi ko in-expect na nakaka-distract nga ito. Nakaka-relax at feeling ko normal lang ang buhay ko," pinisil ni JC ang kamay niya, "natin." Ngumiti ito. "Thank you. I didn't know I needed this.'
He blinked. "S-sure. You're welcome."
Tatlumpung minuto pa silang nanatili sa nuseun, at tiningnan ang mga photo galleries, ilang lectures at video screenings. The exhibits travel through history beginning with the days of slavery right up through 20th century fights for equality.
Maging ang kinalalagyan ng museum ay naging saksi sa civil rights history, dahil ang building na iyon ay ang dating Lorraine Motel kung saan in-assassinate si Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"Anything you want for lunch?" tanong niya nang makalabas na sila ng museum pasado alas doce. Sinalubong sila ng abalang kalye ng downtown Memphis, kung saan naglipana ang mga pamilya, barkada, grupo ng nga turista at mga parehang gaya nila. Kinailangan niyang ipaikot ang braso kay JC upang hindi ito madala ng human traffic.
"Hindi ko pa nagawang lumabas ng Linggo na ganito."
"This is weird. I actually feel like I belong in this city now, or at least in this crowd."
Halos sabay nila iyong sinabi habang iginigiya ang babae sa isang kalye. Nagkatinginan sila, parehong napakurap at hindi alam kung ano ang sasabihin lalo at sabay din nilang nspagtanto kung gaano kalapit ang mukha sa isa't isa.
"You first." marahang inilayo ni JC ang katawan.
Gusto niya itong hilahin pabalik sa janyang bisig, pero nakuntento na siya sa paghawak sa kamay ng babae. "Ito din ang unang beses na napadpad ako sa downtown na may kasama, on a Sunday, and not necessarily trying to forget what I do." alanganin ang ngiti niya. "Also the first Sunday that I went out with anyone in years since..." nakagat niya ang dila.
Shit, I'm about to say since law school, since UIN! "since a long time ago."
Nangunot ang noo nito. "And... are you okay with this? Yung nag-a-unwind na may kasama?"
He sighed. "Hell yes, JC. Definitely." matapat na sagot niya. "Nakakapanibago. Pero hindi masama, I mean I like it,", napalunok siya. "I like being with you."
Parang gusto niyang pagsisihan ang sinabi nang matahimik si JC. Hindi na ito muling kumibo at hindi na rin siya nagsalita hanggang marating ang isang hindi gaanong pansining building sa kanto.
A few steps away and they can already smell the sweet smoke billowing out of its roof. He can already see and feel the greasy, sticky tables. Cozy Corner ang pangalan ng lugar at pinapanood niya ang reaksyon ni JC nang pumasok sila.
The joint is pretty nondescript with its plain building and common furnishings but it's clean and the food is anything but average.
"Am I going to have some proper Memphis barbecue here?" basag nito sa hindi na niya kinakayang katahimikan sa pagitan nila.
Lumipat ang tingin niya sa katabi mula sa pagtingin sa menu board. JC smiled at him, as her right brow arched in question, or compromise -- he doesn't know exactly. But it was clear she was willing to continue with this day despite his earlier admission.
"More than proper. Their ribs are out of this world." he smiled back.
"At treat mo talaga 'to?" iginala nito sng tingin sa paligid. Half of the patrons are already wolfing down their barbecue platters, the other half eagerly awaiting their orders as they watched them being cooked to perfection in the Chicago style grill from a clear glass enclosure in one side of the room.
"I invited you didn't I?' he grinned, relieved now.
Tumangu-tango si JC. "Alright. Pero ako ang bahala sa ice cream mamaya then we'll split dinner."
Ilang segundong nakamasid lang siya sa babae, hindi makapaniwala. "Sure. Sure, JC. That will be perfect."
YOU ARE READING
The Secrets We Keep (Completed)
General FictionJendra's Menphis mission maybe dangerous, but her job was simple enough. Bilang si JC ay kailangan niyang makipaglapit, protektahan at iligtas mula sa lalo pang kapahamakan ang rogue agent na si Srefan, a.k.a. Paul. Mas delikado pa sa mission niya...
