Chapter II

 

She was once a cheerleader back in high school and naturally among the head-turners. But something switched on inside her while in college. So, she went from dancing with pompoms to carrying screaming placards. It was a kind of rebirth for Tess once she became a member of the radical minds in her otherwise conservative university.

In effect Tess couldn’t manage to finish her four-year course in Sociology even if that’s a piece of cake for her, being a bookworm of stuff about politics and human behavior herself. She’s also the daughter of an academician married to a military man. Her parents separated when she’s still a toddler.

Her problem had nothing to do with academic incompetence. It’s her struggle with basic compliance like attendance and punctuality. She’s too busy filling her head with -isms. Being hated by her professors appeared revolutionary.

But all that is water under the bridge as she entered a room with several students anticipating her arrival that morning. It’s more or less 20 years since she last attended a class as a student. She had become a professor herself. Times had changed; her pathway to respectability seemed all right after all.

The students, a mix of boys and girls in their late teens, stood straight and greeted her with the popular salute as she walked into the room, head up high, not smiling and looking like a disciplinarian in an exclusive school. She possessed a pretty face that could have turned her into a hottie teacher if only she exuded a pleasing, outwardly flirty personality that should make her the ultimate wet dream for the awkwardly young men in the class.

Tess did the Laude salute in front of her students in response. It’s the most beloved hand gesture in the reborn society of Androva, a peninsula rich both in culture and corruption, but now seemingly ran like a well-oiled machine by a most revered leader. The salute was a sign of allegiance to the authority of Chairman Laude and his ideals. Tess raised her right hand with her three longest fingers pointing upward.

“Lord Laude!” she exclaimed in her raised voice. The students answered back in a chorus of emotionally charged declarations, “Lord Laude!”

The members of her class were in essence the better half of a group. The other half, for some reason, were deemed less worthy of becoming certified Laude Youth.

“It is to my satisfaction that I am facing all you survivors, you who are the future of our land,” Tess told her students before letting them sit.

She formally began a three-hour stretch of espousing the wonders of the current Androva governed by an esteemed political party that had won the support of the people. Androvans' inferiority complex had been remodeled to something to be envied by other neighboring nations for its solidarity and high esteem. That, in just a few years under the Laude regime where Tess had been playing a key position.  

The orientation should signal the start of months-long re-education bound to strengthen the faith and confidence of a promising youth sector of Androva.

Tess may be feared for her clout and the immense power vested upon her. But she had been a model citizen in the mind of many for her devotion to her cause. Her deep-set eyes, pouty lips trace back to her cheer-leading days. But for all intents and purposes, it all looked like she did make the right decision from graduating to teenage flirting and immersing herself to political theories that obviously led her to who she had become.

 

***

 

A May-December affair is a freak of nature for “good old-fashione” Hugh. People were born in the same era for a reason. Perhaps so they could grow up together experiencing the world around them as their bodies and minds develop. And they could end up falling in love and looking comfortably compatible in their pictures.

To begin with, Hugh’s parents were born in the same year while that of his fiancée’s were just a couple of years apart. It’s just natural that you go head over heels over someone your age. It’s no wonder that batchmates fell for each other and they didn’t make a fuzz that in spite of their claim of differences, they were all likely born under the same Chinese zodiac sign. It’s the way of the world.

The girl-shy 40 years old, no-longer-virgin-but-never-married did feel strange by the time he couldn’t resist staring at his way, way younger publicist. It wasn’t spark at first sight as he only took her as just another of those pretty ones in their early twenties who’d rather call him “sir” instead of his first name. 

There was something odd in the feeling, yet it was the same thrill in his fingertips when he first laid his eyes on what would turn out to be his ultimate crush back in high school.

Hugh, for the record, never had a girlfriend in the past who’s way below or beyond his age. That’s saying he couldn’t get involved in a romantic way with someone who didn’t grow up with him and saw the changing times unfolding before their eyes.

At first Rachel Rosales’s colleagues in the image-building company felt awkward that one of their clients was sending flowers to her. But Hugh, a late-blooming painting artist in the scene, was persistent and wouldn’t mind letting everybody know, even to Rachel’s friends addressing him “sir,” that his feelings were true. As soon as the flowers stopped arriving, it meant that Hugh and Rachel got themselves engaged.

Everybody was happy, including Rachel’s ex-boyfriend who was a good-for-nothing young man, who took satisfaction when drinking mates would label him as a fuck boy.

“How about the two of us getting married, Rachel?” Hugh inserted into the conversation while Rachel was pouring white wine into her small mouth after picking a slice of tuna sashimi.

The lady in crimson, her favorite color, slowly placed back her wine glass with her signature grin. “Is that your way of proposing, Mr. artist?”

The couple often delighted themselves by cracking jokes to each other in the form of questions. “Would you like me to do it in the middle of a heavy traffic on a Friday afternoon? Or with some policemen arresting me for a crime I’d pretend I did not commit and then once you’re already in tears they’d show me a cardboard or something and place it in my hands for you to see ‘Will you marry me?’ in bold letters, and then everybody claps and yells?”

Rachel was already laughing even before Hugh could finish describing such scenarios. She declared, “Of course not! I mean, every woman wants the world to know that someone seriously thought about spending the rest of his life with her. But personally, I’d prefer to have it privately.”

“What if the answer is no?” She pointed out, “Could I break a man’s heart in front of the public? Sure, other girls have done it and saw themselves in the difficult position of turning down a guy in front of witnesses? Or what if I’m not wearing my favorite dress on such a surprise occasion?”

The first time they’d been in the same restaurant, they knew they would be frequent guests of the place. After all it’s where Rachel gave Hugh her sweet yes. This particular evening, with her wearing one of her favorite dresses, the man, for the second time in his life, popped up the question. 

 

***

 

Most in the batch saw this coming, what with a number of them making it big in their adult lives. A big reunion was an event bound to happen for at least those who flourished in their chosen fields.

A couple of them were legitimate popular personalities owing to their public position and exposure. There’s Mayor Baltazar, who naturally became one because his father held the position for three consecutive terms, and he ran for the election with an opponent that looked like a nuisance candidate, in and out. Atty. Villegas had become sort of a celebrity after he handled some cases involving alleged rapists and murderers from prominent families and had them acquitted of the charges.

Then there’s Margie Alonzo, who became a known movie actress after she took her theater acting skills from school to a movie director, who plucked her for a role that netted her a Best Actress award. In the film she had nude scenes that made her the toast of young men all over the peninsula. After a while, new actresses emerged, and she was relegated to mother roles. In fairness, she didn’t find her way into the trash bins of has-beens, as her acting ability ensured her of meaty roles while her reputation as a hot momma with unsteady relationships made her a recurring subject in periodicals.

Even among her batchmates, Tess Mondragon earned a serious figure persona that gravitated respect and fear. She’s the type you’d rather not mess up with. There were also stories circulating that she had the key to Chairman Laude’s heart and so by default she had immeasurable access to political power.  She’d been known for her anti-government stance in the past and it was as if she’d spend the rest of her life criticizing whoever’s seated in the Androva Fortress, the name given to the seat of government where the incumbent chairman resides. Once she became a member of the cabinet, handling the Enhanced Education Sector (EES), her friends in militant groups began shying away from her. She was no longer one of them.

The 25th anniversary of the so-called Felicity Batch was almost in full force that evening at one of the city’s premier hotels. The reunion organizer, Timmy, dubbed it in honor of a mate who died a couple of years back allegedly by killing herself, or so they were told. The authorities never confirmed how she died.  

As always, there would be a handful who chose not to attend. Either some of these absentees didn’t have the face to show as they were leading modest lives or simply don’t see the point of reunions or reacquainting with people you’d rather leave in your past.

“Timmy, you seemed to have done a good job inviting these people,” Tess praised her seatmate who had obviously been the busiest person of the night.

“I guess I should say you’re welcome, madame,” Timmy responded with a friendly tap.

While Tess behaved like a tiger in front of her students at the Empowerment Center or around her EES colleagues, tonight she was definitely tamer. It’s like she took off some chip inside her skin to change her personality as fit for the occasion. Yet, any doubt that Tess was far from being the disciplinarian that she had become evaporated once Hugh entered the ballroom and started greeting old friends.

Tess looked in the direction where a group of men had high fives among themselves, signaled by Hugh’s arrival. Lightning struck that moment. She hadn’t seen the guy for a long time. She had always regretted turning him down when he expressed admiration for her. She was a cheerleader and he looked like a fly on the wall.

The years that went by changed Tess, and so did Hugh as far as how she’s seeing the man at the moment. Hugh noticed her looking at him.            

 

***

 

Church weddings are moments of a lifetime for women believing in the sanctity of matrimony; those who feel they deserve that one occasion in their lives when they’re the main star and the prettiest. No woman ever hopes for a second take and wishes it kicks off her days of "happily ever after." Unlike a debut, a wedding is a ticket to settling down, not a door to a wild world out there.

Rachel looked gorgeously titillating in her gown designed by her gay friend who has carved a name for himself. It’s an elegant dress where her cute cleavage gently peeps through. It’s one of her physical assets complementing her pointed nose and smiling eyes.

An observer should clearly notice that the guests were almost halfway divided into young women and mature men. The air blew the message that age doesn’t matter in the name of love. The best man was recently promoted as Assistant Vice President of a tech company; Sarah the maid of honor became the wife of an expat who has a grown-up son from a previous marriage. She had a hand in Rachel agreeing to have a date with Hugh when the latter asked her out.

“Here we go, my friend, you are about to become a subordinate to a woman in her 20s,” Anton joked, trying to keep Hugh relaxed as the ceremony would begin in a few minutes.

Hugh was doing his best to appear calm, although he could feel some muscle strain down his legs. He had been used to being the center of attraction but not in this manner wherein being celebrated is not his talent, but her deepest sense of chivalry. He also had never felt comfortable being around Rachel’s friends partly because they’re mostly a lot younger than him.

“Remember when you were starting at our company, and you learned that our middle-aged lady boss had a crush on you, and you began banging her, and her aura changed for the better? That’s how I feel right now, butthead!” Hugh mused. Anton couldn’t help but laugh. He may have gotten promotions from time to time because of his technical skills. But he always found himself bowing to Hugh’s wittiness. The two of them were opposites – he was very technical, hates drama, and into technology; Hugh, the artistic and emotional. The latter had to resign himself once he managed to earn a living by painting portraits, mostly haunting images.

Anton’s counterpart in Rachel’s side somehow echoed his ice-breaker and she seemed confident over Rachel. “What did Hugh tell you the last time you were together? Could he really handle you?”

Rachel calmly answered her friend, her way of prepping up for the big aisle walk, “You know what, Sarah, I could say that. Since Hugh and I got together, his view of us people from the younger generation changed so much. He now understands how we feel. In fact, it made him even kinder.”

The wedding ceremony started on time and everything went smoothly save for a couple of groomsmen who came late and weren’t around during the entourage entrance. Rachel’s moment was breathtaking as she walked through to the tune of her favorite love song sang live by Hugh’s wedding singer cousin.

You could sense that some of Hugh’s friends who saw Rachel for the first time felt envious that he would be in bed with such a pretty woman come resting time. 

The couple flew to a white sand beach for their few days’ honeymoon. It certainly looked that Hugh had pocketed a money worth a lifetime, as he began a life waking up each morning beside a babe, very much in her prime. Their 17-year age gap is a privilege Hugh’s eyes would rather enjoy for long. 

 

***

 

The moment their eyes locked in that class reunion night, Tess and Hugh felt a tension they couldn’t have expected. Besides, they attended the occasion for the mere purpose of rekindling old friendships. You don’t go to a reunion gathering hoping you’d flirt with an old flame or some familiar face who had become hotter-looking by the passage of time. That’s what everyone tends to think, though it hardly happens all the time. Some of those who didn’t bother to talk to each other back in school days may find themselves opening the possibility of dating after seeing each other again.

The thin-as-paper Hugh of San Jose High School developed a big crush on Tess when they became classmates in their junior year. They were defined characters – Hugh the brooding artist who draws a lot and gets the girls’ attention when a drawing of his got passed around. He just needed a sharpened pencil and a scratch paper. Tess, on the other hand, was among the It girls, often choreographing steps for intramurals cheering competition. Their class won that year and it further cemented Hugh’s infatuation over her.

The boys loved the class cheerleader and she actually enjoyed the attention given her. In her thought Hugh was just among them boys.

Time turned Tess into someone far different from being that tall and curvaceous campus crush. She may still have those curves but her face had become serious-looking, less salacious.

The improvement in Hugh’s physique was evident. He had gained well-toned muscles and his face now had the confidence lacking back in the day. His beard added to his masculinity which he intently grew to lessen his effeminate gleam.

“I’ve heard quite a lot from you, that you had become this and that,” Hugh ticklishly told Tess a few seconds after he finally got to sit next to her.

“Seeing you in person proved there’s more to what I heard about you.”

Tess reacted, “I wonder what you’ve heard about me? I’m not someone to go around spilling my beans.”

Hugh had always boasted to his now-wife Rachel that since they became a couple, he never felt the need to turn his head when he sees an obviously attractive woman. That was not lip service. He was too besotted with her to even move his neck.

So, when this mature version of Tess began talking to him, he was hearing her voice without the appeal of a cheerleader. In fact, something in the way she spoke and carried herself made him feel intimidated. He had to be on his toes.

As it turned out it was Tess who was struggling to keep her composure. Something within her was awakened when he saw Hugh for the first time since high school. Years of displaying a tough shell proved no match to the charm of a man whom she didn’t accord much attention herself. For the first time in a long while, she felt vulnerable.

Then, without blinking she asked, “Hugh, are you married?”

He stumbled for a second but his quick wit regained his footing, “You know my wife had been complaining that men get her wrong when they ask her if she’s married, and would respond, ‘Well, I am married to Hugh.’”

 

***

 

One might think, upon knowing the truth, that Hugh and Rachel were time-travelers from the past or just a plain crazy couple. Who would think that a modern young woman as beautiful as her is a virgin until her wedding day! She may have given way for torrid kissing and even allowed Hugh to fondle her nicely shaped breasts every once in a while. But never giving everything away.

Once they were alone and the hotel’s room lamps went dimmer, Hugh’s hands somehow began shaking. It’s how his body reacts when feeling excited. Rachel was even more glowing on this particular night especially that just a couple of hours earlier, a man promised to be with her through sickness and health.

“Why are you shaking my dear?”

“I couldn’t believe we’d come to this, Rachel,” uttered Hugh’s modulated voice. His lips were so near to his bride’s right ear he only needed to whisper.  “I should admit I’d get frustrated each time you’d stop me from going all the way and say I have to wait till this wedding night.”

Rachel winked, “It was my ultimate test and you endured it. I don’t care if my friends say I’m a liar when I’m telling them I’m a virgin. I know what’s the truth.”

“You’re the prettiest virgin, I should claim.”

Hugh lost his early on from a hooker. That portion of the avenue 20 minutes away from his family’s old home had been known as a “Slut’s slot.” One night, walking in the area coming from a drinking session among college buddies, he bumped into one who asked money from him in exchange for a quick sex. He only had a student’s allowance but it was enough. He was shivering and couldn’t recall if he truly enjoyed it. The whore, as he suspected, was faking it. She’d be accused of flapping if they’re playing in a professional basketball game.  

Nothing in the feeling of having his lips and tongue inside Rachel’s womanhood entry point was fake. It was real, or better off said, surreal. Hugh was tasting heaven in his mouth. When love and lust collide, the night sky opens wide and the stars appear twinkling in pretty choreography, like they were singing in a childishly angelic voice.

First cut is the deepest and Rachel’s left eye emitted a droplet of tear as Hugh pumped himself in, sweating with eyes closed. He would have wanted Rachel to enjoy the moment. But what can a virgin do on the very second her virginity is torn away.

“I love you, Rachel.”

“I love you, too.

That’s a common interchange between the two. But on this night, with Rachel misty-eyed and Hugh perspiring in savoring his conquest, it was a wet dream hitting home and dry.      

After the sex to remember, the groom took it upon himself to bring his girl into his arms, and whispered, “That’s the only time I would hurt you.”

Stunningly naked Rachel, her eyes staring back at her man, felt so assured she smiled and ran her smooth fingers into Hugh’s face.

 

***

 

There was something in Tess that the young Hugh really found mesmerizing: her voice. Hers was not the typical high pitched that qualifies for a sex kitten in adult films. But its timbre had the authority and pull to get someone’s attention. It’s raspy and Hugh loved hearing it again and again. Tess possessed a voice that belied the aura of a muse she would establish in the class even without having to say anything.

The initial times they spoke, Tess knew that Hugh was acting fidgety in her presence. There was trembling in his voice and his eyes were unfocused, almost always trying to avoid a direct contact with that of her eyes.

One February then, Hugh decided to buy a Valentine card and a rose from a flower seller whose face looked familiar for she had earned a living selling various items to students, depending what’s on the latest fad or what the season was. On that particular red-letter day where Hugh was wearing, of all color, red, he made the decision to approach Tess and give her a rose. He trusted his impulse that day. It betrayed him.

“Hi Tess, I’m sorry,” he told his surprised girl crush.

Their classmates who were around to witness the moment erupted in cheers. Yeehee! That reverberated in Hugh’s ears for long.

Tess accepted the rose with a smile, but not wide enough to be counted as flattered. One could tell she was more than upset about it.

In the days that followed, what started as a seemingly brewing friendship became an awkward co-existence between them. They just couldn’t speak to each other. Days before that they would make an effort to nod or say hello or even spend some minutes talking about the coming intramurals or some historical figure in art that Hugh had read. After the flower scene, an invisible barrier arose between them. 

Some of the boys felt sorry for Hugh. It was generally perceived that Tess wasn’t reciprocating his admiration of her.

One time in the canteen Hugh had found the courage to talk to Tess who was by her lonesome having a late snack.

“You seemed to be avoiding me since…”

“Stop it Hugh!” the young Tess erupted, “You put me in an awkward situation. I didn’t like that any bit. You should have warned me at least.”

Hugh’s heartbeat was racing. “I can’t stop thinking about you Tess. I can’t concentrate in class knowing you’re just some seats away.”

It was the first time that the boy felt such a level of infatuation over someone. It began as glances when Tess wasn’t looking. One time though he was caught as Tess was combing her long, straight hair. Tess may have felt a hint about it but she was used to being stared upon even by boys she would pretend to believe were treating her as purely friend.

Hugh went home from school with Tess that afternoon and even escorted the girl to her home’s gate. It was a request. He knew it wouldn’t happen again.