Nagmamahal, Paraluman (Completed)

NP 02

I roamed myself around the bookstore just to find books I wanted. The whole place is neat. It has shiny floors, clean shelves, well air-conditioned, and just fit for fifteen costumer. It isn't as big as National Bookstore, but it has books and pens like the said store has.

As soon as I got what I wanted, I lined up to the queue and wait for my chance to pay. It's already late and I guess, maayos naman siguro kung maglalakad talaga akong mag-isa.

Not a minute passed, cashier greeted me with her genuine smile.

Nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong pagmasdan siya. She's short, wearing a sky blue blouse that has a logo of their bookstore. She's also wearing makeup that's why she's more beautiful. Ang hindi naman niyang kahabaang buhok ay nakapuyod.

Nang abutin ng tingin ang kaniyang mga palad, napataas ako ng kilay nang makitang manicured ang mga ito. Doon, napatingin ako bigla sa akin at nahihiyang itinago sa bulsa ng hoodie.

"Hello po! Overall, it's Php 650.00 po. Cash po ba o card?" magalang niyang ani habang inilalagay ang tatlong libro at dalawang itim na ballpen na may disenyong pusa.

Supposedly, I wasn't going to buy that pen. Pero nang makita ang disenyo nito, parang mahika ni Adie ang sa akin ay nag-possess. Nabili ko tuloy.

"Via card, miss."

I smiled back at her before opening the wallet I just grabbed from the pocket of my white hoodie. I looked at my wallet and proudly gave her an ATM. Good thing my parents allowed me to bring all of my ATM cards— which mom gave me.

She returned my card along with a paper bag containing the things I bought.

"Thank you," I claimed before going out of the said store.

As I looked up at the sky, I noticed how the dark the sky was. Mukhang uulan pa yata. I put the hood of my hoodie and continue walking.

Palinga-linga pa ako sa daang tinatahak, nagbabakasakaling walang asong biglang tumahol sa aking paglalakad.

Lumingon rin ako sa likod at nang masiguradong walang sasakyang daraan, pumagitna ako at pangiti-ngiting naglakad. Lamppost were not that even bright to see the pathway that's why I used my phone as a source of light.

Normal bang malalayo ang agwat ng mga poste ng ilaw dito sa Manila? Ang iba pa ay nakapatay imbis na nakabuhay. Hayst.

I checked my phone and even yawned when I saw it's already late at evening. Himala rin dahil ganitong oras ay mahimbing na ang tulog ko ngunit ngayo'y sige pa rin ang galaw ko. I was just like a normal teenager, unafraid of being scolded when came home late.

I wonder if the things in that condominium are as fixed as what uncle's office is.

Malinis kasi si uncle. Bihira mo iyong makikitang puro kalat ang opisina. Siya rin palagi ang naglilinis ng mga kalat ko noong panahong nilalagyan ko pa ng design ang kuwarto ko sa ospital.

I was two corners away from the main building of uncle's condo when suddenly, heavy rain started falling down.

Mabilis akong nagtungo sa pinakamalapit na masisilungan at umupo na. Sinamahan na rin kasi ng kulog at kidlat ang ulang kanina'y bumagsak na lang bigla.

"Climate change nga naman, oh!"

Isang buntonghininga ang aking pinakawalan at higit na sinisisi ang mga taong sinasaktan ang kalikasan. Now the ozone layer thinned, climate change started to colonize the whole earth.

Geez. Para ko na ring sinabi na mayroon akong anger issues.

With all of frustration and irritation, I opened my phone para magpasundo na lamang sa driver. But as I tried to dial them, hindi mga boses nila ang narinig ko. Kung hindi ay 'yong system na palaging nagsasalita kapag walang signal o wala ka ng load.