Boss Lady #3: Gold's Impurity

XVII. I Like The Way This Is Going

VAUGHN kept his word and took her to the town market when she woke up from her nap. The swelling on her cheek has lessened so Gold was more comfortable showing her face to others. It was already late in the afternoon when they decided to go to the town market. She had no choice but to wear her outfit again—a tank top and skinny jeans—the same outfit she wore when she dropped by at the company.

Noong umalis sila ay saka lang nakita ni Gold ang harap na parte ng buong property ni Vaughn, at doon ay nakakita siya ng gazebo at swimming pool. The entire front area is surrounded by white concrete walls with a huge white gate.

Nang makarating sa town market ay tumungo sila sa pwesto ng mga tindahan ng damit, footwear, at kung ano ano pa. Gold looked around to see which ones she wants to purchase. Hindi naman siya mahihirapang pumili ng damit dahil fit ang katawan niya kaya makakahanap siya agad ng sakto sa size niya.

"Magkano ho rito?" tanong niya sa tindera sabay turo ng isang damit. Isang short yellow flowy dress 'yon na abot hanggang sa tuhod.

"Tatlong daan lang 'yan, neng. 280 last price," sagot bg tindera.

"Itong mga damit ho?" Hinawakan naman ni Gold ang mga crop tops at high waist shorts.

"Isang daan sa crop top, dalawang daan sa shorts."

Gold took out her wallet. "Sige ho, isa nitong yellow na bestida po at dalawang crop top at dalawang shorts."

"Pili ka na dyan ng kulay na gusto mo," wika sa kanya ng tindera. Gold picked the crop top in tan and pink, and her shorts were black and white.

Inabutan niya ng isang libo ang tindera nang iabot nito ang mga binili niya. Gold and Vaughn moved to another store when she received her change. This time, she wants to buy her underwear and swimsuits.

Gold purchased two sets of bikinis—one in red, one in yellow. Bumili rin siya ng isang pack ng panties na may limang piraso sa loob at dalawang bra. The last thing she purchased was a pair of slippers from another store.

"May bibilhin ka pa?" tanong sa kanya ni Vaughn. Nakatayo na lamang sila sa labasan ng town market.

"Gusto ko bumili nun," sagot niya sabay turo sa mga nagbebenta ng kwek kwek at fishball.

Lumakad sila ng binata papunta roon. Gold paid for six pieces of kwek kwek and ten pieces of kikiam and fishball. Si Vaughn naman ay hindi bumili dahil busog pa raw ito.

"Kumakain ka ba nito?" tanong ng dalaga.

Vaughn nodded. "Definitely. My mother used to cook those at home. Minsan naman ay bumibili siya sa mga tusok tusok tulad nito."

"Oh, that's so nice!" she smiled. "My parents wouldn't allow us to eat street food because they said na marumi raw. Well, I obviously didn't follow them so one time back in college, I brought home a cup filled with kwek kwek and fishball tapos meron pa akong isaw na kinakain. My Mom and Dad were so mad."

"Masarap naman ang mga ito," komento ni Vaughn. "I actually don't care if marumi ang mga ito. I've eaten these for years and nothing bad has happened to my tummy."

"Right?! 'Yung mga kumakain ng ganito, matitibay 'yung sikmura kasi nasanay 'yung katawan sa bacteria," biro ni Gold na ikinatawa naman ng binata. When she finished eating everything, she purchased a cup of sago't gulaman and told Vaughn that they should go home.

Nang makauwi sila ay dapithapon na at kitang kita mula sa beach house ni Vaughn ang paglubog ng araw. Agad na tumungo si Gold sa balkonahe at sumandal doon para tignan ang magandang tanawin. She loves watching sunsets so much, and seeing it happen up close is surreal for Gold.