Ticket of Love

chapter 2

"Ba't parang kanina ka pang problemadong-problemado diyan, Reese?"

I looked at my mom, startled because of what she said. Was it halata? Hindi ko naman pinahalata ah. "Ah... wala lang, mommy. Shocks, almost forgot the drinks. Ito pala tita, tito. I bought you two coffee kaso I didn't know what you guys liked." I opened the paper bag when I noticed a small note inside. It hit me that it was probably the poging barista that put it. Naramdaman ko ang pag init ng pisngi ko. Kilig ba iyun o hiya? Inabot ko na kayla tita at tito yung drinks at tinago ang note.

"Bakit ang dami kong papel nakuha ngayon." I whispered hoping no one could hear it. Mahirap na at baka tanungin ako kung may nag hit up sa akin and binigay ang number nila. My parents were busy talking with our relatives so it was fine. I carefully opened the note while glancing my surroundings dahil naglalakad na kami papuntang sasakyan.

for your curiosity, yes I am single haha :) - m

This time I knew I was turning red, naramdaman ko na uminit na naman ang aking pisngi. But at least I have assurance na he was single and maybe I could try my shot. Well, only if I knew about his socials. Sayang. It's not like we can see each other often too. He works at the airport and it'll be creepy if I go there knowing na wala naman ako isusundo or pupuntahan. Nag buntong hininga na lang ako at sumakay na sa kotse.

The ride was so loud, I couldn't sleep at all. Sinuot ko na ang earphones ko, but I could still hear their chismis. Kanina it was about this one kapitbahay stealing their orders from Amazon, now it was about this family friend na nakulong because of using drugs. Their stories were crazy to the point I didn't believe what they're saying. I was silent throughout the ride until we arrived home. We had an extra room for them to stay in. They'll only be here for today dahil pupuntahan pa nila si lola sa Bulacan bukas ng umaga.

I helped them buhat the bagahe out of the car at dahil mukhang pagod na din si daddy sa pag drive. My mom told me to show them their room, which I did. Iniwan ko muna sila for privacy and to wash my dishes. Kaunti lang naman so I finished early. Pumunta agad ako sa kwarto thinking about what should I do. Pumasok sa isipan ko na kunin ang note at hanapin ang socials nung guy. I looked everywhere for his account but nothing showed up. I knew his name started with M pero sa dinami dami ng schools and letter M na name, wala akong pagasa mahanap siya.

My dad shouted my name telling me to go buy something sa may 7/11. Bumaba agad ako para kunin ang bayad pambili sa yelo. I was confused why doon pa bibili ng yelo when our kapitbahay sells it, but apparently the ice wasn't frozen pa. Naglakad nalang ako papunta tutal it was only a short walk. Our village was secluded so it was safe to walk around. Even though it was only the afternoon, you never know what could happen. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Noong dumating na ako, I saw a familiar figure sa may window. Pareho kaming nagkatitigan sa isa't isa ng gulat. It was Kit, my best friend. I didn't know she came here para magbakasyon. Although we see each other often, nagulat pa din akong makita siya here. Kumaripas ako ng lakad at pumasok sa loob. "Gago hindi mo naman sinabi na uuwi ka rin dito."

"Surprise?"

"Ina mo surprise. Bakit nga nandito dali? Kahit naman dati bihira ka umuwi."

"Wedding ni ate. Intimate lang kaya hindi maraming tao ang pupunta." I forgot her sister was engaged. Well, we're not really close ng ate niya kaya nakalimutan ko na agad about that. "Next week pa naman ang kasal, but she wanted to have family gatherings and dinners bago 'yun kaya pinauwi ako sa bahay. Eh ikaw anong ginagawa mo rito?"

"I don't know. It's boring to stay lang sa condo kaya I went home. My tito also came back kaya I guess dagdag din yun. If you're asking bakit asa 7/11 ako, pinabili ako ng yelo. 'Di pa daw matigas yung sa kapitbahay."