Missed Connections

5 : Dress by Taylor Swift

Today is the day. Foundation Day na. Maaga akong umalis sa bahay kanina, it was just Six in the morning. Mommy even told me to have some breakfast but I refused. Need pa kasi namin buksan ’yung booth namin.

“Mayora, we only have three flavor variation para sa fries” Gia informed me. “Ayos na ’yan. Yung mga burger at hotdog buns ba?” I asked while still eyeing my laptop. Ako ang in-charge sa pag encode ng sales namin. “Ayos na din. Ready na ibenta” Maze answered. Tumango ako na hindi pa din tinatanggal ang tingin sa laptop.

I am sitting by the cashier, may seat na inilaan sila for me. It is currently Seven-Thirty, the event starts at Eight pa.

I ignored the sound of my growling tummy. Kailangan ko kasi tapusin ang format. Gia sat beside me and browse through her phone.

Minutes after, I heard Gia talking to someone. “Ay Kuya, sarado pa po kami. 7:45 pa lang po, 8:00 po ’yung start ng event e” she said. I typed the last thing I need to and shifted my eyes onto them.

“Ay, I am here for your Mayora” his voice sent shivers down to my spine. He smiled when his eyes met mine. I saw how Gia lose her professional poise and chuckled. “Mayora, ikaw pala hanap e” ani niya. Ngumisi ako at tumayo sa kinauupuan ko.

“What brings you here, Kuya Yeshua?” ani ko. “Breakfast?” he said. And just so I remembered, I never ate breakfast yet. “I’ll eat nalang later, they need me here” I shifted my eyes on Gia. She gave me a look. “Naku, mas mabuti kung kakain ka muna, Mayora. Kami munang bahala nila Draven sa pag open?” ani niya at ngumiti. “Really? How about the first sales? I need to record it pa—” she held my hand. “Ako nang bahala ron, teh. Di ka ba naaawa sa bebe mo? Hinihintay ka oh” my eyes widened with what she said. She called Yeshua my what? Bebe? Sooner. Ayhala, igat Jaycel.

“Tama na kakahithit, teh. Bebe amp, parang kuya ko na si Kuya Yeshua. Diba po?” my eyes shifted once again onto him. I saw how his eyes went from being delightful to normal. Is he hurt?

“H-ha? Oo naman” he answered cooly. Kapatid pala tingin mo sa’kin ha, sige, gawin kitang kuya ko.

“Layas ka na, Mayora. Kami na ang bahala dine” ani niya at bahagya pa akong tinulak. “Ay ewan ko sayo” ani ko at tumawa. Kuya Yeshua and I started to walk away from our booth. I noticed he is not bringing any paper bags with him. “Saan tayo kakain?” I asked breaking the silence.

“Sa room namin” he answered shortly. Tipid mo naman makasagot sa’kin, Love. “Huh? Sa room niyo? E madaming blockmates mo don” I said. Nakakahiya naman kung don pa kami lalamon e. “It’s okay. I told them to vacate the room for just an hour so you couldeat in peace” ani niya.

Tangina, konti nalang mahuhulog na ako sayo lalo, Yeshua.

I gulped before nodding my head. We finally entered their Department and headed to the third floor, where their room is located. Naglakad kami sa hallway nang kaunti at tumigil sa ikaapat na room. He opened the door and made me go in first.

Naghanap ako nang mauupuan. When I noticed that Yeshua isn’t beside me, my eyes searched for him. I saw him opening the door very wide. Pati ang mga bintana ay binuksan niya. Nang maaliwalas na ang loob ng room, he went to a chair. I surmised that it is his.

I saw him took out only one lunchbox and utensils that are wrapped in a tissue. He finally went near me and grabbed his own chair. Nilagay niya ang lunchbox sa harap ko. I silently watched him as he wiped the utensils. Nang makontento siya ay ibinigay niya ito sa’kin. He opened the lunchbox so I could eat.

“Kain ka na. Eatwell” he smiled. “Ikaw ba, Kuya Yeshua?” ani ko. He shook his head before replying. “I already ate mine. Alam kong di ka nag breakfast for sure, so I cooked some before going here” ani niya. Agad akong nagsimulang kumain. He packed me some rice, mini chicken hotdogs, at fried egg. “Would you like some ketchup with that?” he offered.