X.

Paloma and Tantan reached an up and down apartment painted in a solid tangerine color. Breathless from running, they quickly opened the gate and they are welcomed by a plethora of plants. The ground on both sideways is also teeming with Bermuda grass. Orchids are dangling placed in coca-cola bottles turned into vases.

Tantan ang Paloma walked with ease, tired from running. Tantan is still thinking why they are here. It's been a year since he set foot in this place. Although the corridor is still the same. Not much have changed, the shard glasses are still intact on the ground providing a sense of grand entrance going to the wooden door.

This is the house of Mama Cherry. She is their fairy godmother. When Tantan moved here in Quezon City he was able to adjust quickly because of the woman. Sinali siya ni Paloma at Justine sa grupo nila. Back then Tantan would help design costumes for them when senior members of the group compete in gay pageants in and out of the metro.

Sikat si Mama Cherry sa baraggay nila and she is the ultimate queen. Mauutangan, malalapitan at tagapag-payo sa kahit anong problema. She even won as their Baranggay chairwoman a couple of years ago but did not seek re-election. Upon reaching the door Paloma knocks ''Ma. Nandito na kami''

''Umuwi na pala si Mama Cherry bhe?'' Tantan asks. ''Oo chingu-yah kahapon lang. Maghahakot lang siya ng gamit tapos babalik ulit sa Romblon sa New Year. Eh nag text siya sa'kin kanina sabi niya may papasko daw siya satin nina Justine. Si bakla nauna na dito sabi ni Mama Cherry bilisan daw natin ang punta kasi nga naglasing si pota. Eh di ba heart-broken yun?''

The door opens. A woman with slightly large boobs wearing a green sparkly dress is revealed. Her big eyes painted by different shades of eye shadow and a thick eyeliner glistened upon seeing the two. ''Bongga Merry Christmas mga anak. Si Justine iyak ng iyak buti mabilis kayong nakarating.'' Kukuritin niya sa pisngi ang dalawa. ''Na-miss ko kayo. Kakaloka. Dali welcome to my humble abode.''

Pagpasok, the area is almost cleared except sa sala set na naka-takip na ng puting tela. The walls are still the same, mayroong mga digitally printed photos of Mama Cherry and the group from different era's wearing sparkly gowns, big hairs, crowns, and sash. These mementos take you on a trip down memory lane at a time wherein this house was full of colors. The vibrant scenes are now but a mere history preserved on the wall.

As they walk Tantan noticed Mama Cherry's figure. Her boobs are bigger and her hips too. Mama Cherry looks at him and notices him looking at her. ''Ganda ng katawan ko noh? Nagpadagdag ako ng balakang noong isang buwan pero itong dede same pa din. Ano lang yan may extra kutson yung bra''

In the kitchen they are greeted by a few members who were once pageant girls under the wing of Mama Cherry. Inalalayan nila si Justine to sit on the chairs dahil he is already knocked out by alcohol which is not really something new in Tantan's eyes.

Sa tuwing magbe-break sila ni Kevin dati kumukupit si Justine sa tindahan nila tapos nagpapa-inom. They just come to the rescue. The members greeted Paloma and Tantan and went out to smoke leaving the four of them on the table.

Mama Cherry then places the spaghetti, lechon and salad. Then she prepared utensils for Tantan and Paloma. ''Hayaan niyo muna mahimasmasan yang best friend ninyo. Maaga daw natulog si Lolo at Lola niya kaya dito ko na pinapunta sakto bumisita din ang mga bakla eh nagka-yayaan juminom tapos ilang shot pa lang ayan na nag-iiyak na''

Sisikuhin ni Tantan si Paloma habang paupo sila ''Aray''. ''Sabi ko sayo Paloma agahan mo yan tuloy nag-amok na yung isa'' ''Potahamnida ka sabi ko nga sayo hindi ako maka-alis kasi dumating sina Tita saka yung mga pinsan ko sa bahay''

''Psshh. Wag na mag-away'' Pinagsandok sila ni Mama Cherry and shortly afterwards they ate their hearts out. ''Kain lang. Ito Coke o Juice gusto niyo?'' Justine is still resting his head on the table, bagsak ang diwa niya.

''Sabi ni Justine nami-miss na daw niya sa Kevin. Nakita daw niya sa facebook may girlfriend na''. Uusok ang ilong ni Tantan. He rants habang ngumunguya ng pagkain. ''Hindi lang ako nag-sasalita Mama Cherry pero kasi matagal ko na'yan gustong sabihin sa kaniya. Syempre hindi siya nun papanindigan hindi nga ladlad yun eh''

''Ubusin mo muna nak yang asa bibig mo. Eh hayaan mo na. Hindi naman kasalanan ni Kevin bakit hirap pa siyang maglad-lad. Saka ganiyang talaga ang love. Bakit ikaw ba?''

Sasabat si Paloma. ''Naku Eomma, meaning mama. Pa-virgin yan. Yung mga crush kasi niyan puro artista. Cannot be reached kaya hindi niya tayo mage-gets. Garampingat.''

''I-try mo ding ma in-love anak. Mas mag go-grow ka as a beautiful woman kapag maaga ka namulaklak''. Mama Cherry caresses Tantan's hair. The boy looks at Justine. ''Tapos magiging ganyan lang ako kay Justine? Wag na uy. Mag-aaral na lang ako mabuti.''

''Eh parte yan ng pag-laki. Paano ka magiging ganap na bakla kung hindi ka magkakagusto sa iba?''

''Ganun po ba yun?''

''Oo nak, requirement ma-inlove. Noong ka-edaran mo nga ako tatlo tatlo boyfriend ko pinapa-ikot ko lahat sila sa palad ko...... Ay ano pala pagbalik ko ng Romblon pwede kayo dumaan-daan dito. Si Matutina naman ang nag-aalaga dito sa bahay. Pwede kayo tumambay, mag-jinom, mag-dala ng lalaki basta wag pa-pabuntis ha. Magbabakasyon-bakasyon na lang ako dito. Ibabahay na kasi ako nung dyowa ko eh. Oh bongga ng Mama niyo ganap na housewife na.''

''Masaya ako para sayo Eomma. Sana madami kayong maging babies'' Paloma sounds positive.

Tantan just smiles. Mama Cherry gave up everything here in the city for true love. Her career, her growing family, and this beautiful house. Love makes you do crazy things. It makes you give up some of those you hold dear and this scares the hell out of him lalo't alam niya sa sarili na something is growing deep within his tiny heart. A feeling that might lead to something unknown.