Past The Storm Clouds

Chapter 19

Stores inside a mall have always been intriguing to me. They vary in the essentials, necessities, and satisfaction they could give to the consumers. Minsan, pinipili, at minsan, hindi. As we went farther near the food court, chants and applause became louder. Kumapit ako sa braso ni Tasia at tinanaw ang nakatayo sa pageant wagon.

"She's pretty, 'di ba?" ani Tasia.

"Like me," I said and she only looked at me dismally. "Mukha siyang barbie doll."

"Kilala siya ni Ljard."

I nodded slowly, remembering that she also became a representative like Ljard. Sa ganda niya, baka mahulog na sa kanya si Ljard? I'm too pretty to worry about that.

Namamangha pa akong nakatitig sa matangkad na babae. Pettit and a model type of body. Nakikita ko siya minsan sa campus ng La Salle. Tasia was still admiring her while I shifted my gaze on the other side. Right there, I recognized Cosimo and Alejandro. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong umasa na kasama nila si Ljard kahit na alam kong kasama niya ay sina Trevor.

"Dapat tayo na lang ang date. Tutal, tayo naman ang magkasama ulit," pang-iinis ni Tasia.

I scoffed and ignored what she said. "Magche-check ako ng mga pera and I'll start looking for a location I can lease."

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. "Seriously, Fara? Baka ilang bank loans na ang ma-take out mo para riyan."

"I have money to cover the costs. May business plan na rin ako," I smiled at her, assuringly.

"You still have to assess your finances because you'll never know what you're putting yourself into," sambit niya, mas natatakot pa sa akin. "God, Farizah, ingatan mo ang pera mo."

Marahan akong tumango sa kanya at ni-review ang notes ko. I finally have my business plan and I did research about all these just to be safe. Kaya nawalan ako ng oras para kay Ljard ng ilang araw o linggo pa nga. I didn't hear one complain from him, though. He knew a long time ago that I wanted to build my own company. What he doesn't know is when I'm planning on taking action.

The early steps I did back in Senior high are now becoming effective. Ngunit maliit pa rin ang contribution no'n dahil mahaba at masyadong marami pa ang kailangan kong aralin at daanan. Nasabi ni Tasia na tutulungan niya ako sa pag-intindi ng mga legal requirements para magkaroon ako ng protection. All these stressed me out for the rest of my life. Hindi ko inakala na mas mahirap pa ang pagsisimula. I was aware before, mentally, and now I'm under the situation, I don't know what to feel anymore.

Sobrang saya ko sa mga unang hakbang hanggang sa paulit ulit na akong natutumba.

"Ciao," I smiled happily and hugged Ljard for a brief moment. Kakalas na sana ako pero mas niyakap niya lang ako. I heaved a sigh of relief, feeling better than I had been the last weeks.

"Are you stressed?" he asked, softly, before letting me go. "You hugged me..."

Umiling ako at ngumiti. "Do you know how to calm me down?"

"Hmm, of course, I do," he smirked.

Umiling din siya at nilapag ang kanyang bag sa tabi ng akin. Konti lang ang tao sa paligid namin. Clean grass, fresh air, palm trees dancing to the melody of our hearts, and the ocean faraway where the sun almost kisses its tranquil surface. I sat there with him as we witnessed the sun setting. Kapag kasama ko siya, mas nagiging magaan ang loob ko. I feel very much at peace and that frightens me.