Article XXVIII

Prologue

One Monday afternoon, I was on my way home after my student council duty in preparation for the first day of school tomorrow when I saw a familiar figure looking at one of the convenience store refrigerators to buy his favorite coffee drink.

Magpupuyat na naman 'to, for sure.

I stopped walking and stared at the guy for a few minutes who was really contemplating what brand of coffee he would buy for his 'gaming' tonight.

I started stomping my feet on the ground, thinking hard if I was going inside to disturb him or just proceed to go home.

In the end, hindi ko rin natiis at pumasok ako sa convenience store at nilapitan siya.

"Nescafé, Chad. It makes you awake at night, right?" I blurted out as soon as I came near him.

"I want to try a new brand, Rina. Nauumay na ako sa Nescafé." he responded without even looking at me.

I shrugged and looked for something to drink from the other refrigerators. The moment I roam my eyes around, doon ko naramdaman ang pagod sa mga ginawa ko sa buong araw.

I was elected as the student council's secretary last school year, and until we vote for a new one for the new school year, I am still the secretary. Well, I am planning to run for the position of president din naman this year, so wala pa rin magbabago. Pagod pa rin ako.

I continued searching for a drink until I saw the Bear Brand sterilized milk. I immediately moved to another refrigerator and got one. I smiled a little.

When was the last time I drink one of this? Matagal na ata kaya siguro bigla ko na lang din kinuha.

I was still smiling when I looked back to Chad, only to see his unimpressed face. He looked at me, then to the milk I was holding, and back to me again.

"What?" I asked.

"You're drinking that?" his unbelief is obvious in his voice.

"Why? Am I not allowed to drink milk?"

"No, nagulat lang ako. You do not like to drink—"

"I don't like juices, Chad, not milk." I cut him off and walked away from him.

Dumiretso ako at nagbayad sa counter. Hindi ko na nilingon pa si Chad kung sumunod ba siya para magbayad na rin o hindi. Pagkatapos magbayad ay lumabas na ako ng convenience store at naglakad pauwi.

I started drinking the milk habang pinagmamasdan ang lugar namin. The kids are still playing kahit na malapit na magdilim, their parents are still talking about life, some people are eating from small stores na nasa sidewalk. May mga ilang tricycle din na dumadaan.

A picture of a simple life.

I was about to turn to our street when someone pulled my bag from behind. Lumingon ako at nakita ko si Chad na hawak ang bag ko gamit ang kanang kamay at nakaabot naman sa'kin ang kaliwang kamay na bitbit ang isang pakete ng salonpas.

"What's that for? Magpapalagay ka?" I asked, completely clueless about what he was trying to do.

"It's for you, silly. I saw how much physical work you did earlier. Ang daming niyong binuhat 'di ba?" He finally let go of my bag and forcefully handed me the relieving patches as if I am not  taking it. "Malamang magrereklamo ka na naman sakin mamaya sa call."

"I can't do a call later," I responded as I kept the relieving patches in my bag. "Masyado na akong pagod. Besides, I will do the housework din today. I don't think uuwi si mommy nang maaga." I pouted.

I noticed his little smile. He stared at me for a while, and when I was about to talk, he immediately placed his hand on my head.

I frowned. "What is it now, Chad? I am okay."