Break Fresh Ground

26: TOGETHER

"Scarlett, no," Artemis' voice is so firm making my head turn to face her.

I chuckled. "What now?"

Hindi siya nagsalita, trying to process what I am doing.

Andito kami sa isang spa & salon sa loob ng mall and I am availing all of their services for Tita Esme and Tita Letitia. From face treatments and facial, nail treatments, hair treatments, to massage, name them all. Artemis is not quite happy that I am availing all of their service.

"Gagastos ka ng malaki para lang sa isang--"

"Ma'am, she's availing for a lifetime po," the staff spoke. "So, kahit ilang beses at kahit kailan po ay pwede kayong pumunta," she said, voice accommodating.

Artemis sighed, calming down. "I got it. Thank you." She leaned in towards me. "And for a lifetime?" She whispered, shocked.

I nod, happily like a kid. "What's the problem with that?" Pumikit ito at lumayo, hindi sinagot ang tanong ko.

After we ate, saka niya lang ako kinausap nang dumating kami dito. She did not tell me what's her reason for suddenly being quiet, but I try to understand her. Sometimes, our mood suddenly just goes down without any reason. So, I back away for some minute to let her process her mood.

When the staff finishes the process, dumiretso kami sa isang health and beauty store para bumili ng mga necessities sa facial routine ko.

Nilingon ko si Artemis na tahimik na sumusunod sa akin. "Okay ka lang?" I asked.

She nodded and gave me a smile. "Yes."

Tumango ako. I don't know if I am going to ask her what she wants for Christmas, or I just give her something I want to give her. Ang kaso baka kapag pinili kong bigyan siya ng regalong gusto kong ibigay sa kaniya ay magalit siya. But I just decided to choose the latter. I texted someone to do it for me.

"Miss?" A man in his twenties approached me. I waited for him to talk. "Anong mas maganda?" Tinaas niya ang dalawang kamay niya. Sa kaliwa ay ang vanilla body lotion, at sa kanan naman ay ang cocoa butter body lotion.

"I... honestly, don't know," I slowly utter, unsure how to answer him.

The man frowned. "I'm sorry ha? Actually, don't mind those products. Ang ganda mo. What's your name?" He smiled, waiting for me to answer.

I looked at him weirdly. I was about to answer when I felt someone's hand wrap on my shoulders. Who else could it be? "Why are you asking?" Artemis asked, calm.

"Baka pwedeng humabol sa mainit na Pasko."

Artemis brows furrowed. "What does that mean?"

"Uh, 'yong may kayakap mamaya kapag nag-twelve na."

Artemis arched an eyebrow and gave a sly smile, which immediately sparked an intense attraction within me. My mind couldn't help but think, "Wow, she's really attractive." I was surprised at how easily she had captured my attention with just a simple gesture. I scolded myself for being so easily swayed.

But then, she uttered those words that stopped me dead in my tracks, "Well, she's doing that with me later. So." To tell that all of my being stopped functioning and all I can think is what she said is understatement.

The man nodded, understandingly. "Nagbabakasakali lang naman. Go, girls! Spread love!" Masayang sabi nito bago naglakad palayo.

"Nakuha mo na ba lahat ng bibilhin mo?" Artemis asked when the man disappeared from our sights. Tulala akong tumango. "Are you okay?"

"Y-yeah! I am totally fine. Let's go." Hinila ko siya sa cashier para magbayad. Saktong andoon 'yong lalaki kanina. Nginitian niya kami ng matamis at nagfinger heart.