I Am a Woman

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

That thing goes on for a week and a half. All those times, ako ang nag-assist dito. Halos lahat na yata ng item sa shop ay nairecommend ko na sa kanya, even all the cosmetics we had.

Tapos sa lahat ng ipinakita ko, ang pinaka-una pa rin ang napili niyang bilhin. Imagine that? I assisted her for how many days, yet she still bought the one that I recommended on the first day! Bakit pinatagal pa niya?

Pero ngayong araw ay wala na talaga akong balak magpakita pa sa kanya. I told the staff to tell her that I was not in the shop if ever man na pumunta ulit ito. That's true, tho. I met Monica downstairs on the 2nd floor to eat an early lunch with her. Niyaya kasi ako nito at hindi ko matanggihan.

Right now, we just finished our lunch, and Monica is beside me as we walk back to the third floor of the mall. May sadya din daw kasi itong kausapin na client sa floor na ito.

We were talking casually when suddenly we heard someone clearing her throat.

Sabay kaming napabaling sa unahan at nakita ang isang babaeng nakatayo mismo sa harapan namin.

It's Verra wearing a straight face. I couldn't help but feel nervous with the way she was looking at us. By the looks of her, alam ko na hindi ito natutuwa na makita kami. Why is she still here anyway?

"I'll get going, Cee. I'll just text you." Monica whispered and kissed my cheek. Napansin ko na tuluyan nang nagsalubong ang kilay ng isa. Gusto ko sana itong pigilan dahil ayaw ko na maiwan mag-isa kasama ang babaeng nasa harap namin, pero ibang way na pala ang pupuntahan niya.

Hindi rin nakaligtaan ni Monica na batiin ito, pero tango lang ang isinagot nito sa kanya.

It was my turn to clear my throat when we were left alone on a certain pathway in the mall.

"Yes, Miss Verra? How can I help you?" Pilit ngiti na tanong ko sa kanya. I know she won't be here if she doesn't need something from me.

"Where have you been?" Sa halip na tanong nito na ikinakunot ng noo ko.

"Didn't any of the staff in the shop tell you? I went out for an early lunch." Saka muling tinahak ang daan pabalik sa shop. Napansin ko na sumunod siya sa akin pero halatang masama pa rin ang timpla.

"You know what? I'm going to write a bad review. You should be prioritizing your customers. But you chose to flirt instead!" May galit na saad nito. Mabilis akong nagbaling ng tingin sa kanya. What is she saying? I'm not flirting with anyone!

Tumigil ako sa paglakad at ganoon din siya. I inhaled and exhaled to relax myself.

"I am not flirting." Tipid pero may diin na sagot ko sa kanya.

"You are! I am your customer, and you set me aside—just to flirt with that Monica!"

Gusto kong mapahilamos dahil sa pinupunto nito. Pilit ko na kinakalma ang sarili dahil baka masabayan ko ang ugali nito na hindi ko maintindihan.

"Tell me, did you really sleep together?"

My eyes met her brown eyes when she said that. Her voice isn't as loud as earlier, but she somehow sounds like she's accusing me.

Gosh. Where is that attitude coming from? Bakit nasama ang bagay na 'yon? That was almost two weeks ago pa! And no, we didn't sleep together. Hinatid ko lang si Monica, and I took a taxi on my way back to Satarrah's unit.

Kaya nga ito nagyaya na kumain kami ng lunch ay ngayon lang ulit ito nagkaroon ng time para makipagkita. She apologizes for troubling me that time kasi nalasing siya nang husto.