THE GOOD EQUAL | #TGEC33
IRIS
"Nakahanda na mga gamit niyo?"
My forehead creased. They sound alike like my sister already. Ganyan na ganyan lagi ang tanong ni ate sa akin pati ang tono.
"You should be aware that you sound exactly like my sister, and its bad news..." I replied while switching the camera to the back. "Ito na oh! Malaking maleta na 'yan. Yan lang ang dadalhin namin, okay ka na?" tanong ko sa kanya.
"Okay very good! Now, umalis ka dyan sa screen at ipakita mo sa akin ang anak mo," utos ni Kaia and I rolled my eyes. Lumabas ako ng kwarto at pumunta sa sala. Nasa sala kasi sina Jacques dahil nandito sina Ate sa apartment namin. Hindi raw k
THE GOOD EQUAL | #TGEC34IRISIsang studio type sa isang residential area sa Makati ang tutuluyan namin ni Jacques. Si Kaia ang pumili nito para sa amin at siya na rin ang nag-ayos ng lahat. Pagkarating namin ay natuwa ako dahil kumpleto na ang mga gamit. May isang maliit na couch sa dulo ng kama, may maliit na mesa at upuan, mini ref, at pati mga groceries ay meron na rin. White lang din ang pintura ng walls at mas lalong lumaki ang ngiti ko nang may makita akong mga laruan."Thanks Kaia..." naluluhang sabi ko. "Pero diba sabi ko pag-uwi na lang namin tayo bumili ng mga gamit?"Binaba ni Kaia si Jacques sa kama at doon niya ito nilaro bago tumingin sa akin."Ayoko nang mapagod kayong mag-ina kaya inasikaso ko na lahat. Besides, order din 'to ni Ate Irca."Tumango-tango ako, "Okay, thank you..." pasasalamat ko ulit. She has done enough for me and Jacques. That sometimes I feel like saying thank you wasn't en
THE GOOD EQUAL | #TGEC35IRIS"Asan ka? Bakit wala ka dito sa hallway?" I asked Kaia when she picked up the call."Nasa canteen ako," sagot niya."Bakit nandyan ka na? Kala ko hihintayin mo ako?""I know! Kaso nataranta ako nang makita ko si Joaquin na naglalakad! Madadaanan niya ako, Ris! Sa sobrang taranta ko lumabas ako!" natatawang kwento niya.Natawa rin ako, "Nagulat din ako sa pagpasok niya sa office ni Dean. Pero mamaya ko na i-kkwento. Nasan ka nga ulit?""Canteen.""Which one?"
THE GOOD EQUAL | #TGEC36IRIS"Kurt and Mags?" Kaia exclaimed, sporting the same reaction I wore yesterday.I nodded, "You didn't know?"Hindi ko kasi nasabi sa kanya ito kahapon dahil hindi kami sabay umuwi. Nakalimutan ko rin sabihin sa kanya kaninang umaga dahil nawala rin sa isip ko. Ngayon ko lang natandaan no'ng paglabas namin.I was gone for one year, this kind of issue was out of my reach. Hindi rin naman ako nagtatanong. Wala akong paki-alam. But knowing Kaia, she probably scoops some details because well, she's here—breathing the same air with them. But the way Kaia seemed taken aback about my question, I already concluded that she di
THE GOOD EQUAL | #TGEC37IRISKaia's investment between Joaquin and I's relationship was heightened over time. Akala ko ngayong may kalandian na siya ay titigilan na niya ako sa katatanong tungkol kay Joaquin. I was pissed at first, reasoning that my plan is still the plan—nothing changes. But the encounter last night with him awoke the sleeping curiosity of Kaia."Gaga! Para sa anak niyo naman tong dalawa!"Natigil ako sa tangkang pag-sagot. Kapag nasasama talaga si Jacques sa mga ganitong usapan ay napipipi ako. Bigla akong natatanga kapag anak ko na ang pinag-uusapan."Basta, Kaia. Ayun pa rin ang plano. I'll buy Joaquin and I time, then unt
THE GOOD EQUAL | #TGEC38IRISAs much as I want to spend time cuddling with Jacques all day—which became impossible due to my responsibility as a student, weekdays are my only saving grace.But school is really out there murdering my only chance to be with my son.May meeting lahat ng graduating students ngayon para sa darating na Immersion. At napili pa talaga nilang itapat sa sabado ang meeting. Hindi ko alam kung talaga bang malas ang program namin dahil Comm lang ang nag-iisang sabado ang assembly for immersion. Dawalang araw na nga lang ang oras ko para kay Jacques nakuha pa nilang kunin. Hindi naman ako pwede magrason na may anak ako dahil malaking issue 'yon.
THE GOOD EQUAL | #TGEC39IRISMabilis kong tinanggal ang kamay niyang nasa pisngi ko at umatras."What-what are you saying?" I asked in disbelief."Jacques is my son, Iris..." he stated.Natutop ko ang bibig ko at isa-isa nang nagbagsakan ang mga luha ko. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwalang tumitig sa kanya."Ano bang pinagsasasabi mo—""Iris please..." nagulat ako nang makitang umiiyak na rin si Joaquin.Oh my god."It's been one year, Iris. I
THE GOOD EQUAL | #TGEC40IRIS"Mom stop crying, for the love of god!""Can't I just be proud, Kaia Laurence?" her mom rebutted."No of course not, Mom, but you've been crying since morning. Hindi pa ako rumarampa oh?!""Oh okay, alright, I'll stop for a while. Later na lang," her mom responded. Kaia looked at me and rolled her eyes to the fullest.Nasa labas kami ngayon ng PICC. Today is our graduation day! That's why I couldn't blame Kaia's mom for crying out loud because it was the moment we were all waiting for. Considering that Kaia and I stopped for one year. Tita Kristine must be so proud beca
THE GOOD EQUAL | #TGEC41JOAQUIN"Pres, pinapatawag ka ni Dean," Angela peaked at the door."Office?" I asked and she simply nodded.I stood up from my seat and closed my laptop. I exited my office and I saw my officer's busy doing something on their laptops. And then I call out Matt."Who's attending the ID?""Sina Akin, Pres," Matt answered. "Umalis na ako kasi hindi naman ako pinapansin ni Akin kasi dumating 'yung mga magagandang SA. Kaya umalis na lang ako," he dramatically narrated.
“Miss Wilson, you may start with your introduction.” Our Prof said. Maingat kong pinasadahan ng kamay ko ang script na hawak ko for this debate. Naglalaman ito ng mga rebuttals ko tungkol sa film na Dancer in the dark. “This counter-argument will be divided into three sections: 1. Psychological aspect; 2. Culture and Economy; 3. Gender Perspective. These are the missing points I sought and heard while I was listening to your argument. I hope you’ll respect my counterpoints as much I respected yours,” was my starting point. I looked at Jacques, tamad siyang nakatingin sa akin. ‘Yung tipong sinasabi na ng mata niya na siya ang mananalo sa debate namin na ito.
THE GOOD EQUAL | #TGESC#3JOAQUIN – Iris’ birthday.“Joaquin…”Damn, if there’s one thing I want to hear for the rest of my life, it would be Iris’ voice. It is just so soft and tender and enchanting.“Yeah?”But she didn’t answer.“My love…”“I’m scared, Joaquin…”I looked down at her face only to see her teary-eyed eyes. She’s already looking at me.“Scared of what?”I a
THE GOOD EQUAL | #TGESC#2IRIS – Revelation day. When Joaquin sleepover at Iris’s apartment.It’s so quiet.I feel like I’m inside a theater and I’m watching a horror film and everyone is silent because the scene is about to scare the shit out of us.That’s me and Joaquin right now. With Jacques in the middle, sleeping quietly.“Hey–”“You know what…”Yes, we open our mouths to talk at the same time. Cheesy as fuck, right?“Talk first,” I initiated.
THE GOOD EQUAL | #TGESC#1JOAQUIN – Finals. Last day. The day Iris flew to Paris.“Pres, pinapatawag na raw kayo ni Dean sa office niya,” Matt informed me after I entered the SC office.I nodded at him.When I reached my office, I immediately call Iris because we decided to go to Dean’s office together. And she still not texting me.“The number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later.”My forehead creased. Iris would never shut off her phone just like that. Especially today that is very important for her.&
THE GOOD EQUAL | TGEEPILOGUEPART3KAIAFlashback“Alam niyo, may na-realize ako dito sa trabaho ko.”“Which one?” Iris asked.“Creative writer. Ano pa ba?!”“Diba tatlo work mo?”“Yup!”“That’s why I asked which one. Baliw!”“Ugh, Iris, hater. Buti pa si Mags nakikinig lang at hindi nangi-interrupt.”Mags laughed.
THE GOOD EQUAL | TGEEPILOGUEPART2IRIS"Hello, Joaquin?" I mumbled when I picked up the phone without looking at the caller."Anong Joaquin? Si Kaia 'to!"I instantly looked back at my phone to confirm it. Shit, I freaking thought it was Joaquin."Oh, bakit?""Wow! Ganyan na tono mo porket hindi ako si Joaquin? Grabe Iris, magkasama na kayo't lahat sa iisang bahay atat ka pa rin sa tawag niya?"I took a deep breath. Jusko talaga 'tong babaeng 'to!"Shut up! Sinabihan ko kasi siya na tawagan ako kapag may emergency—""Edi si Joaquin lang talaga katawagan mo? Kasi for sure hindi Joaqu
THE GOOD EQUAL | TGEEPILOGUEPART1JOAQUIN"Jacques, where's my kiss?" Iris called out our son. She's about to leave for work but Jacques is keeping her stilled in her spot. Iris then gave me a look."Where's Jacques?" she mouthed.I shrugged, which made her roll her eyes."Pakikuha na siya please, mala-late na ako," she pleaded. I crooked a smile before I rose from the couch and fetch our son from his room.It was already a routine. Iris always had a hard time going to her work early because our son is keeping her late. I wouldn't blame my son though, I would rather have Iris give me a look forever but at least I can see her every day and have her around with me and Jacques than see her for 5 hours a day.
THE GOOD EQUAL | #TGEC42JOAQUINI'm already certain about my life: my dreams, my career, my needs, my wants, everything. It's already listed and all I have to do is to execute them. But Iris turned my world upside down. She crumpled my list and throws it in the nearest garbage.She's such a plan pooper."Pres nasa hall na," Clarence informed me."Ilan sila?""Tatlo, Pres. Pero isang band pa lang ang nasa hall. May klase pa 'yung iba e," she clarified and I nodded.I requested my org mates to hunt do
THE GOOD EQUAL | #TGEC41JOAQUIN"Pres, pinapatawag ka ni Dean," Angela peaked at the door."Office?" I asked and she simply nodded.I stood up from my seat and closed my laptop. I exited my office and I saw my officer's busy doing something on their laptops. And then I call out Matt."Who's attending the ID?""Sina Akin, Pres," Matt answered. "Umalis na ako kasi hindi naman ako pinapansin ni Akin kasi dumating 'yung mga magagandang SA. Kaya umalis na lang ako," he dramatically narrated.