"Mom," mumbled Bradley in disagreement as he held his mom back, leading her into the dining area, realizing what arrangement it was this time. This had happened many times before.
His mom, in good collaboration with his consensual father—who loved his mother enough to indulge her every whim and wish—kept arranging him with their friends' daughters. Indeed, every female in their circle was set up with him, and it undeniably tired the hell out of him.
Yet, to please his parents after his brother was gone, he had politely met up with them. And all of those ended up there. Nothing more.
However, this had become his mom's habit, which worsened the moment he announced his plans after graduating in Business Administration three years ago. It was his dream. His dream to serve the Lord.
For every day in three months, various ladies visited their home. And who else was the culprit but his mom?
He thought she had given up after he stood for what he wanted and entered seminary. But it seemed like he underestimated his mom's persistence. Because now, just a day after he came back home, she had appeared in his room with a big smile, pulling him into the dining area.
He was too late to stop her since the room's door had already opened, and all eyes were on them. This included his father and two unfamiliar ladies, probably mother and daughter.
"Bradley, you're finally here!" His father was the one who broke the awkwardness after the visitors witnessed how he obviously disliked the idea of this setting.
"Dad," he greeted, flashing a slight smile and approaching the table where they sat. His mom behind him, tailing with a smile of victory.
Both ladies stood too, smiling at him, which he reciprocated. After all, it wasn't their fault they were lured by his mom's silly plans.
"This is the son of mine I've told you about, Freya. Isn't he handsome?" proudly proclaimed the woman, who tapped his back, making the back of his neck heat up in embarrassment.
"Mom," he mumbled but only received a warning pinch from her. Only his father witnessed it and suppressed a smile.
"I can't agree more, Ebby," countered the other old lady, who gave him a meaningful look and pulled her daughter forward. Though it was of no use since her daughter was more than willing to meet this gorgeous man. Even just his plain sky-blue polo and black slacks alone were enough to drive her heart crazy.
"This is my gorgeous daughter, Maya. She told me you've met before," said Mrs. Blood, which caught Bradley's attention. With this, he finally let his eyes move to the lady's face named Maya, who at the moment almost felt like limping.
Maya was indeed a beautiful woman—tall, petite, slightly tanned, and her eyes were bright blue. As Bradley looked at her, her eyes eventually met his with an attempt to please and allure him.
She wouldn't let this opportunity pass. Bradley Akonya was one of the most popular bachelors in the city with the best background. Not to mention how he easily allured numerous girls with just his deep set of black eyes.
Bradley extended his hand to her, and she gladly accepted, shaking it gleefully and longer than normal.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Maya. But where did we meet, if you do not mind my asking?" he politely said, almost making the lady disappointed. Yet she flashed him the most beautiful smile she could manage to not lose face.
"We were partners in our junior prom in high school! I think you were my first dance." Maya's cheeks were red—not because she blushed, but because of the makeup layered on her face.
"Oh," Bradley uttered, though he had only a vague impression of that event, even if his mind was sharp at remembering things—things that held his interest.
"You don't remember?" asked the lady again, surprising him and leaving his jaw hanging for a moment, unable to utter a word—until his mom butted in to save him. Though he immediately regretted it, wishing he had answered instead.
"It doesn't matter if he remembers, darling. At least there's a foundation to start on." Mrs. Ebby Akonya winked at Maya, and this time, the lady blushed, covering her giggles behind her hand.
"Let's be seated then, ladies," Mr. Akonya indicated, signaling the start of the little gathering.
Bradley sat too, not needing his mom's pinch again.
If only he had a choice to run away.
One of the happiest seasons in Migingo City, except for summer, was Christmas. The city was bursting with happiness, with Christmas lights twinkling like stars in the night. And during the day, songs indicating the season were loudly played in every building. Decorations were never absent in the colors of green, white, blue, and red.
Christmas trees were built outside homes instead of inside. And now, on the 25th of December, children and even adults were dancing and singing around them. The party that started last evening still hadn't ended. The city was full of life.
But not the lady who stood waiting for a jeepney under the striking heat of the sun.
Yvette attempted to look straight at the bright sun, but it only blinded her. Wincing a little after feeling nauseated, she watched the few cars passing by the street. It was a wonder for her why there weren't any jeepneys or even taxis when supposedly they should be here, competing to pick up passengers.
This special day for many people in the city was but a mere ordinary day for her. She could not understand why these people wasted their money and time on this temporary pleasure. It was because she either never tried to, or probably, she just forgot how it felt.
Her black miniskirt followed the breeze's course caused by the car that had just passed by. She didn't care even if it was blown too hard, showing much of her leg's skin. Even the man who had just walked past her couldn't let the moment go to waste and stared at her slender, fair-skinned limbs. Instead, she brushed the dirt off her oversized shirt tucked into her skirt.
She combed her long black hair using her fingers. And when she looked at the road once again, she heaved a sigh of relief when, finally, a jeepney was peeking its green head from the intersection. She waved her hand when it was near. It stopped, and she hurriedly went inside.
However, she hesitated for a second, seeing it was almost full even though one place was vacated for her. It was just too little.
"Whatever. I might be late if I wait another couple of minutes," she thought and went inside, sitting between two men.
Inside, the air was suffocating. She even felt beads of sweat forming on her temple within minutes.
Jeepneys were one of the oldest Filipino-made vehicles—long, with side-by-side seats facing each other, such that no barriers prevented passengers from touching one another. Though convenient, there were too many disadvantages and discomforts in riding them.
"And this is one," cursed Yvette inside her head, feeling something warm and worm-like crawling to touch her leg. It was the man on her left—old, yet still had the guts to do such hypocrisy.
Her body tensed.
She looked around inside the jeepney, seeking some witness or rescue, and that was when she met the eyes of a woman seated across from her. Yet instead of helping, the woman's eyes moved away, obviously unwilling to be involved.
Thus, she grunted inside, losing hope, and adjusted her seat to the right even if it meant crushing the other man beside her. She checked where they were, but Sinoko Avenue was still fifteen minutes away.
And did that mean she needed to bear with this old man's molestation?
She felt her body cringe, and it worsened the moment the man's hand brazenly moved even more. All her body hair rose. How dare he!
Gathering her bag, she used it to protect her leg from the man. Yet it didn't do enough to shield her from such wickedness. When she glanced at him, he even had his eyes closed as if sleeping—someone not doing evil!
He wants to take me, was the thought that made her body go cold.
A minute later, it resumed its evil course, and even though Yvette wanted to stop it, she couldn't move her body. Memories flooded her head.
Those memories she ran away from. But they were chasing her. They were beside her…
"Yvette. I own you…" echoed the voice inside her.
"Yvette."
"I want you… You can't do anything. You're just a bitch!"
"No…" she hadn't realized she uttered. She was pleading. But no one inside the jeepney could hear it. No one could ever see that the man's molestation was more than that—demeaning and frightening right now.
She felt her body trembling. Her eyes were closed, but it was seeing things she couldn't run from.
The man's fingers… slowly… on her leg…
He… He…
"Let's exchange seats."