Taste of Life

21

"No not the blue one, the green one since that contains Aloe Vera." I rolled my eyes. Magkaface time kami ni Eli. Nagshoshopping ako ng mga pasalubong at nasa kalahati palang ako ng listahan niya.

"If ikaw naman ang magttavel tapos wala kang uwi sakin, magtatampo ako sayo nang sobra." I said noong naupo ako sa pagod kakalakad.

"Sus. Bilan pa kita bahay at lupa kita mo." Pagyayabang niya. I just rolled my eyes. I wanted to tell Eli about seminary but I don't have a heart for what she'll react. Why do I feel like kapag pinigilan niya ko I'll consider not doing it?

"Eleanor."

Nabigla siya at inantay ako magpatuloy. I don't usally call her that. But I paused.

"Ano?" Kinakabahang tanong niya. Hindi ko maintindihan, sinasabi ko naman kay Eli lahat pero nahirapan akong sabihin ngayon. Una, yung puso ko tapos yung seminaryo pa. Ang dami kong hindi nakkwento sakanya.

"Sunduin mo naman ako pag-uwi ko." I made a face.

"Sus. Yun lang pala. Sunday naman yon diba? Sige. No problem. Gusto mo magpabanda pa ko eh." Pagloloko niya.

"Bakit ang bait mo sakin?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"Syempre nasayo ang skin care ko." Natatawang sagot niya. Kainis 'to.

I already bought Atchi, Annie and my future pamangkin pasalubong as well. I even bought chocolates for Father Jeff. We've been emailing a lot lately.

Maybe it's better sabihin kay Eli kapag enrolled na ko. Sabi nila, malalaman mo daw if gusto mo talaga kapag enrollment na eh. Kapag you have the guts to enroll.

Eli's talking nonstop about a subject she continues to "fail", her word not mine. Hindi talaga actually bagsak yung scores niya pero for her, mababa yon. Bagsak sa standard niya na sinet niya para sa sarili niya. Eli's always like that. 9/10 pero bagsak? Psh.

"Ikaw, naipon mo na ba mga certificate mo from NYU? Sabi ko sayo ipaframe natin yan." She's been telling me that. Hindi naman talaga ko ggraduate sa NYU, i just took some classes so certificate lang ang meron ako. Sinabi ko na yun kay Eli pero gusto niya pa rin ipaframe ko.

"Binilan mo na ba pasalubong crush mo?" She suddenly brought up. Napakunot ang noo ko. Sino nanaman pinagsasabi nito?

"Huh? Sinong crush? Ako, wala akong crush wag mo kong bigyan." Naiirita kong sabi sakanya.

"Buang. Si Annie kasi."

"Annie and I are just friends. Para ko na nga yung little sister."

"Lahat nalang ginawa mong kapatid. Bahala ka dyan." Pagirap niya sakin. Natawa naman ako.

"But yeah, I bought her a bag."

"Anong bag? Tingen!!" She excitedly said. I actually bought Eli too pero sa birthday niya ko pa ibibigay. Malapit na rin naman. Maghintay siya. Plus, ang dami dami nitong skin care na pinabili niya.

I showed her the paperbag at nanlaki ang mata niya.

"Hindi mo pa siya crush niyan? Sana pala nagpabili pa ko ng maraming skin care." She rolled her eyes. Kaya natawa ako. I only bought Annie a Coach crossbody clutch. I remember her posting this bag kasi. It's also a nice grad gift for her since she'll graduate soon syempre I told my parents to chip in with me. Inaanak kaya nila si Annie.

"Do you need more skin care?" I seriously asked. Andito na rin naman ako baka may nalimutan pa siyang ipabili.

"Wag na 'di mo naman ako crush, tangina ka."
I laughed at her. Is this jealousy?

"Akala ko ba nakamoved on ka na sakin bakit parang selos ang nararamdaman mo ngayon?" Pangaasar ko.

"Inggit ang nararamdaman ko. Gusto ko rin ng bag." Pagtataray niya. Ano bang iniiyak niya eh I bought her Gucci bag for her birthday. My mom even chose the color pa kasi she thinks Eli would prefer that color. Mom even bought her a gucci fucking shoes. Sa totoo lang, mas mahal pa ata siya ng nanay ko kesa sakin.

"Oh Eleanor, why do you want it all?" I was laughing habang pinapanuod siyang magtaray.

I need to see her reaction sa birthday niya.

"Joke lang. I can afford that bag. I don't need a man to buy me a bag I want." She even flips her hair. Actually, mas mayaman ata 'to sakin si Eli. Kaya niya nga ata bilin ang The Grid.

"That's my girl!" I cheered habang natawa sakanya.

Eli changed the topic she told me about a friend of ours na nagshift from med related couse to a different course. Sabi niya she's afraid na ganon rin daw siya. Feeling niya raw isang bagsak nalang hindi niya na kakayanin. I just assured her and told her na it's okay to fail sometimes.

Noong nakita ko siyang humikab,

"You should sleep na. May pasok ka pa bukas. See you on Sunday, my Eleanor." I smiled and she just made a weak smile bago pumikit. I laughed a little because that means I have to end the call. So I did. After shopping, I called the driver and waited in one of the coffee shops.

Diary Entry #38
Do I really want to leave?