“I’ll sue you! I will make sure you will rot in jail. Men like you shouldn’t have walked on earth in the first place. I hope that they grind you at the propeller of this ship. Or better yet, feed you to the sharks!”
Arizona was shouting like crazy. She was fit to be tied. Kung mahahawakan niya ang lalaki na namboso sa kanya, malamang ay luray-luray na pati ang kaluluwa nito. Kinailangan pa ng ilang crew na pigilan siya sa pagwawala.
“Miss Calderon, we’ll deal with this properly,” anang si Miss Evans. Ito ang ang namamagitan sa pag-aaway nila. “We can’t accomplish that with your state.”
“It’s not what you think, Miss,” her harasser said imploringly. His name was Nikolos Theron. The bastard Nikolos Theron.
“Yes, he is right,” salo ng kasama nito. It was the guy blue-gray eyes and chestnut brown hair.
“Are you his lawyer?” Agad itong umiling. “Maybe his accomplice then. Perhaps I should file a complaint against you as well,” mataray niyang sabi.
“Let them discuss this on their own,” anang lalaki na tsinito. Hula naman niya ay may pagka-Japanese ito. “Nikos can handle this.”
Mariin niyang pinagdikit ang labi. Kapag talaga ganitong gulo, babae ang madalas na dehado dahil sa pagkakampihan ng mga pesteng lalaki. Sinusuheto ang mga kalokohan ng mga kaibigan nito. Masarap tuloy pag-umpug-umpugin!
“It is not as bad as it looks.”
Bigla siyang lumingon kay Miss Evans. “Excuse me?”
“You see there is really no harm done. Guys do that to other girls in this ship for fun. It is a pretty normal sight. You are the first one who filed a complaint. Do you know that it means that a guy finds you sexy? It’s a sexy way of getting your attention. You should be flattered.”
Lalo siyang nanggigil. Nakiki-abogado na rin ito sa lalaki. Na-imagine na niyang isasama niya ang babaeng ito kapag ipinakain niya sa pating si Nikolos Theron at ang mga kaibigan nito. Pare-pareho ng kulay ng hasang.
“Flattered? I felt harassed and I should be flattered?” She clenched her teeth. “For you maybe, it looks fun.” Sino ba ang hindi mapa-flattered kapag kasing-guwapo ni Nikolos Theron ang nagbigay ng atensiyon dito? Siya lang ang hindi maa-apektuhan. “But for me, it is a damn big deal! Not every woman in this ship will feel flattered. And besides, you have no legal authority over this matter.”
Magrereklamo talaga siya sa management ng cruise liner. Napaka-incompetent ng tauhan. Pareho na nga silang babae, di man lang siya kampihan nito. Sa halip na mamagitan, pumanig pa ito sa manyakis na Nikolos na iyon. Halata naman sa mga ngiti at malalagkit na tingin nito sa lalaki na gusto nitong buhusan din ito ng wine habang nagsa-sunbathe.
Namutla si Miss Evans. Mukhang tinamaan ito sa sinabi niya. Pilit itong ngumiti. “What I mean is we have to go back to the mainland first before you can file a case. We have no authority to detain Mr. Theron. He did nothing criminal.”
Parang nasa jurisdiction ng United States ang buong barkong iyon. At kung anuman ang problema, ang pormal na kaso ay isasampa pagbalik nila sa Florida.
“Harassment is not a crime?” she asked in a high voice.
Tumikhim si Miss Evans. “What I mean is there is no real damage. It was not an all-out harassment. So why don’t you enjoy the rest of the trip.”
“How can I enjoy the rest of the trip with this maniac?” Tuwing makikita si Nikolos, pakiramdam niya at lagi nitong nakikita ang dibdib niya nang walang damit.
“The ship is big enough for the two of us,” answered Nikolos.
“He is right!” Miss Evans seconded. “Or you can grab the opportunity to get to know each other more. Who knows? Maybe Mr. Theron is a lovable guy after all.”
Bigla siyang tumayo. “No thanks! I’d rather make friends with a rattlesnake.”
“It’s up to you if you still want to file the case, Miss Calderon,” Miss Evans said in a kinder voice. “But you can always change your mind.”
“Heartless bitch!” mahina niyang usal matapos magpaalam ng lumabas ng opisinang iyon. “Magsama kayo ng lalaking iyan. Tingnan ko lang kung makapagpa-cute ka pa sa kanya kapag inireklamo ko kayo. Mga walang modo!”
Hindi dahil karamihan ng customer nito sa cruise liner na iyon ay okay lang na pumarada nang hubad, hindi ibig sabihin ay ganoon din siya. Kailangan bang siya ang mag-adjust? May karapatan din siyang dapat ipaglaban.
O dahil guwapo at mayaman si Nikolos kaya ito ang pinapaboran? Pareho lang naman silang customer sa barkong iyon. Bakit hindi maging patas ang laban? Pakiramdam tuloy niya ay aping-api siya. Wala siyang matatakbuhan. Parang lahat na lang ay umiikot sa Nikolos na iyon.
“Miss Calderon, wait!” Naramdaman niyang nasa tabi niya si Nikolos.
“What do you want?” bulyaw niya. Niyakap agad niya ang sarili. She felt bare under her dress. Samantalang makapal na long sleeved turtle neck blouse at slacks ang suot niya. Subukan lang nitong lumapit sa kanya, sasapakin niya ito.