Her Stormy Seasons (Vitality Series #1) | ✓

33

"What brand do you want?"

"What do you prefer me to have?" I asked back.

"Me," he joked.

"Kailan ka ba naging brand ng phone?"

Tumawa na lang naman siya at sinamahan akong mamili ng phone. Nagpalipat-lipat kami ng stores dahil hindi ko alam kung ano ba talaga ang gusto ko. Sa huli ay siya na lang din ang pumili.

I was holding the paper bag while he was holding my new phone. Sinusubukan niya ang camera nito.

"Doon ka nga," he commanded. He pointed infront. Pumwesto naman ako roon, sa gilid ng hagdanan. Sa baba noon ay may malaking Christmas tree at madaming nga Christmas lights. White Christmas pa nga ang tawag nila roon.

"Smile," he said. I obliged. Ngumiti lamang ako nang matipid dahil hindi ko alam kung anong klaseng anggulo na naman ang ginagawa niya. Parang sinisipat niya pa talaga ang pwesto ko.

He raised his thumbs up. Agad naman akong lumapit sa kaniya at tinignan ang kuha niya. Isang picture lang iyon pero ang tagal niya.

I hit his arm when I saw the picture. Talagang sinadya niya pang magmukhang nasa taas ako ng malaking christmas tree.

"Aray!" he reacted. "Ikaw nga kasi ang star ng pasko."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin, tiningnan niya lang naman ako kaya hinampas ko ulit ang braso niya.

We spent the whole day together. Uuwi na rin naman siya sa Pilipinas next week kaya I chose to make time for him. I just want to pay him back for being staying here with me, kahit sa ganoong paraan lang.

"Hindi ka na ba talaga uuwi ng Ph?" he asked.

"Ph care?" I joked.

Lumingon lang naman siya sa akin at mukhang natigilan siya sa sinabi ko. I blinked twice. Bakit? May mali ba akong nasabi? I just tried to to joke.

"Woah!" he reacted. "Joker ka na rin ngayon, ah!" He messed up with my hair. Agad ko naman iyong tinulak.

"Yes, that's a joke so why you didn't laugh?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Medyo corny?" he laughed. "Joke!" habol niya pa.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah?" I said boringly. "Should I laugh because that's a joke?"

Nakaramdam ako nang lungkot noong hinatid ko siya sa airport. Hanggang doon ay tinatawanan niya pa rin ako dahil joker na raw ako.

I told him not to come back here if his only reason is to accompany me. Nandito naman sina Mama at Papa at kaya ko naman din ang sarili ko. Madami pa siyang kailangan ayusin sa Pilipinas lalo na at teacher siya. He was just lucky because he's teaching in an international school, they were offering online classes there, kaya naman nakakapagpabalik-balik siya rito.

Besides, I am not his obligation—Not anyone's obligation.

Days have passed. Sinasamahan kong bumisita sa iba't-ibang lugar sina Mama at Papa tuwing day off ko. Ayaw ko namang makulong lang sila rito. Madaming mga pasyalan dito na pwede nilang puntahan anytime. And, this is the life that I always wanted them to experience. To travel and enjoy the beauty of nature.

"Sino 'yong lalaking naghatid sa iyo kagabi?" Napatigil ako sa paglalakad nang magtanong si papa.

I just woke up when I saw him holding a cup of coffee in the balcony.

Lumapit ako sa kaniya. "Good morning, Pa," I greeted. "He's mister Gallego, the CEO of the company."

He insisted to take me home when he saw me waiting for a taxi. I booked one, pero hindi nakadating kahit pa ilang oras na akong naghihintay. He's just really kind and thoughtful to women.