SEIRI GRAGNE
"My parents wants me to go on a vacation tomorrow. Gusto sana kitang isama pero alone daw."
Kausap ko sa phone ang kaibigan kong si Aster. She's also a Filipina but she grew up here in Canada. Nasa iisang apartment building lang kami nakatira pero minsan lang magkita dahil sa sariling schedule. She owns a Filipino restaurant and a dog cafe.
"It's actually okay. Marami kasing kailangan asikasuhin sa restaurant ngayon, halos 'di ko na ma-check 'yung cafe," she said. I can actually hear the sizzling of foods from the other side.
"I hope you also don't overwork yourself," sabi ko.
"Of course. Meanwhile, you should definitely take the week off and enjoy yourself. YOLO, you know?" I giggled when she said YOLO 'cause it's so unusual.
"But, asan mo planong pumunta at anong gagawin mo?" Tanong niya. I once again scanned my laptop, I was actually searching for places to visit near here.
"I'm eyeing Jasper. I can go to Banff and Lake Louise. May camping site din doon so maybe I'll camp instead of checking in a hotel," sabi ko.
It's actually a 4 hours drive from here pero okay lang. Kaya ko naman sigurong mag-drive ng apat na oras.
"I heard it's great there. Gusto ko sanang pumunta doon but sadly, I'm too busy," sabi niya. "Pupuntahan na lang kita mamaya sa apartment mo, I'll help you pack."
"Sige, I'll cook dinner na rin," sabi ko then ended the call since orders came rushing in the restaurant.
I checked my schedule and there's no more appointments kaya tumayo na ako para mag grocery. I made sure that the studio was locked before going to my car.
Pumunta ako sa grocery na pinaka malapit sa apartment namin, halos sa katabi lang ng apartment building. Kumuha ako ng isang cart at nagsimulang maglibot.
Mga snacks lang ang pinili kong dalhin sa Jasper. Maybe I can go to some restaurants there naman for meals. I also picked drinks.
Pagkatapos kong pumili ng dadalhin ay ang pang-dinner naman namin mamaya ang sinunod kong bilhin.
I went to the meat section and picked porkchops. Masarap ito kapag i-grill at isawsaw sa toyo, mabuti na lang at nakahanap ako ng nagbebenta ng kalamansi noong isang araw.
Pumunta na din ako sa fruit section. I bought apples and strawberries. Tinignan ko ang cart ko at nag-isip pa ng kulang. I roamed my eyes and the cereals caught my attention.
Dinaanan ko muna ang isang box ng gatas bago dumiretso sa hilera ng cereals. I usually eat this without milk pero masarap din kapag meron.
I tried to reach it pero nasa pinakamataas na bahagi siya ng rack. Hihingi sana ako ng tulong sa staff pero ako lang ang nandito sa aisle.
I tried jumping and on the third try ay biglang tumama ang paa ko sa cart. Napapikit ako at hinintay ang impact ng sahig but an arm caught me instead.
"I caught you."
I opened my eye and a pair of amber eyes met my gaze. Dali-dali akong umayos ng tayo at umatras para may distansya kami.
"I'm sorry," sabi ko sakaniya at yumuko bago bumulong sa sarili. "Ano bang kahihiyan 'to, Seiri?"
"You're a Filipino?" Napa-angat ako ng tingin sa lalaking tumulong sa'kin. Tumango naman ako.
"Oh, me too. It's nice to meet a Filipino on my first day here," sabi niya.
"Pinoy ka ba talaga? Parang 'di naman," sabi ko.
"It's because of my features, isn't it? Madami ding nagtatanong sa'kin ng ganiyan but I'm a pure Filipino. Maganda lang siguro ang lahi namin," he said then chuckled. Luh, ang gwapo pakinggan.
"I guess your name is Seiri?" Tanong niya so I extended my hands at tinanggap naman n'ya 'yon. "I'm Seiri Gragne."
"And I'm Calix Cortez, it's nice to meet you," he shook my hand.
"It's also nice to meet you, see you around?" Sabi ko at nginitian siya.
"Yup, I'd be glad to," sabi niya. He then reached for the box of cereals I wanted. "I believe, you wanted this."
"Oo, salamat talaga. Hanggang sa muli," pagpapaalam ko.
He waved his hand so I waved back before turning around. Dumiretso na ako sa cashier at nagbayad ng mga pinamili. I also bought a box of chocolate ice cream on the way back home.
My apartment's on the 4th floor kaya pahirapan ang pagtaas-baba sa hagdan. They should seriously install an elevator. After I entered my apartment, I went to the veranda to grill the meat. Bawal kasi ang usok sa loob dahil baka tumunog ang fire alarm.
Pagkatapos mag-saing ay nilabas ko ang cupcakes na binake kagabi. This will go perfectly with the ice cream. I set the table up and a few moments later ay may kumatok na sa pinto ko.
"Aster!" Tawag ko sakaniya pagka-bukas ko ng pinto. She entered my apartment like it was hers.
"I'm so tired," sabi niya at naupo sa sofa pagkatapos buksan ang TV.
"Tayo na, let's eat dinner," yaya ko sakaniya. Wala naman division ang dining table at sala kaya hinayaan namin ang TV na nakabukas.
"So, anong nangyari sa'yo ngayong araw?" Tanong ko.
"Nothing new, orders were rushing in left and right. Nagiging sikat na ata ang restaurant and some came because of your recommendations," sabi niya habang tumatango. "Which I want to thank you for."
"Okay lang, some of your customers comes to my studio too," sagot ko.
"Eh, ikaw? Wala ka bang chika diyan?" Tanong niya.
"Actually, meron," sagot ko at pinunasan ng table napkin ang bibig. "Habang bumibili ako kanina, I kind of became clumsy while reaching for the box of cereals. Muntik na akong mahiga sa sahig pero may sumalo sa'kin."
"Omg, gwapo ba?" Tanong niya and I nodded causing her to shriek. "Baka eto na ang lalaking hinihiling nila Tita," she said referring to my Mom.
"He's actually a Filipino but he has amber eyes," sabi ko. "His features are well-defined as well as his body."
"Ikaw, Seiri ah? 'Di ka naman pumapansin ng mga lalaki noong nag-aaral tayo ta's ngayon, parang memorize mo na ang mukha ng lalaking iyon kahit ilang minuto lang kayong nagka-harap," tukso niya.
"I mean, who wouldn't? Kung nakita mo lang kung paano ang itsura niya baka tuluyan kang nahimatay," sabi ko.
"Is this love?" She asked while staring at the air dreamily.
"I don't believe in love at first sight," I dismissed her. "Maybe, crush?"
"Omg, Lord, asan na po amg totoong Seiri? Alien ata ang kasama ko ngayon. 'Di nagkaka-crush si Seiri!" She overreacted.
"It's unlikely to see him again, though," sabi ko at pinagpatuloy ang pagkain.
"Disappointed ka?" Tanong niya.
"No," but my mind is screaming yes.
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4EVER
Romance"It was summer when I first met you. Fall when I officially owned you. Winter when I took my first step away from you and spring when I found you again. You're forever my summer, fall, winter, spring."
