‘Gusto mo ba ng trip?’

On the street was a middle-aged lady seemingly upset. She was sitting on the sidewalk, retouching her lips while waiting to chance upon a guy to hit her quota. Having been used to this 5 a.m. setup in the vicinity, I did not mind her. I walked by, but she ran after me so desperately.

“Gusto mo ba ng trip? Anakan mo ako sa place mo kahit hindi ka na magbayad.”

I felt the muscle in my throat contract upon hearing her words.

The woman I had encountered for less than a minute on Quezon Avenue was asking me to be the father of her child?

She must have felt desperate. Pity, disbelief, worldly thoughts all swirled inside my head. I had to escape the scene.

“Sorry. Hindi ako nakikipag-trip, Miss.”

It would be unfair not to acknowledge that she was quite attractive. I wondered how many men she had made the same offer to. The girl needed serious help, but I was no savior.

After I gave her my quick response, I hurriedly positioned myself in front of a well-lit establishment nearby. Who knew if I was being trapped?

She approached me again, and this time she was even more insistent.

I searched my pocket and found P100; I handed it to her without hesitation. She gave me a sheepish look and thanked me for ending her day with a profit. I could at last go home freely without worrying about fatherhood in nine months’ time.

A few days after the incident, I saw the lady again along the same avenue. She was peeking into the window of an old man’s car. I noticed her haggling gestures, until she was allowed to get in.

* * *

Jake Salvosa, 28, wants to have a child at 35.