The Oleander Woman [Free Space Series #1]

CHAPTER 58: Tita Kelly

I am inside my condo, drawing Alison's bridal gown for her forthcoming wedding with my brother. It's been a week and a half since I returned to the Philippines, but Bryle and I haven't seen each other because he's still on a business trip outside the country.

I put down my pencil and stood up as I walked towards my room to change my clothes into a turtleneck since obviously, the marks on my neck are still there. 

I grab my hair tie to put my hair into a bun before leaving the condominium. Dumiretso at kumatok ako sa pinto ni Damian dahil isasama ko siya ngayon mag grocery. I'm planning to cook something for dinner since I already missed cooking homemade food.

"Drive me to the nearby grocery store here. I'm going to cook for dinner," I said right after he opened his door. 

"Really?!"

I nod my head.

"Hurry up, I hate slow people." At saka nagsimulang maglakad paalis. Mabilis naman siyang nakahabol sa'kin, hindi na nag-ayos pa ng sarili at nagsuot lang ng plain white t-shirt at black jeans. He's wearing his glasses. 

Mabilis ang naging byahe namin papunta sa grocery store. Pagdating doon, hinintay ko siyang pagbuksan ako ng pinto bago lumabas ng sasakyan.

"Do you know how to cook kare-kare?"

Kumuha ako ng pushcart at sinimulan itong itulak. Ano bang sinasabi nito? When I say homemade food, what I mean is prinitong hatdog, itlog, gano'n.

"Chuckie!" Excited siyang nagtungo rito at kumuha ng tatlong pack bago sunod-sunod na inilagay sa pushcart.

"Put that back, hindi ikaw nag g-grocery."

"I'm going to pay for this!"

"Then go get your own pushcart," inirapan ko siya, kunwari nagtataray. Nang bumagsak ang mga balikat niya, mabilis akong tumawa. "Just kidding. Go get whatever you want and stop acting like a baby."

He smirked before going somewhere—I don't know where. Pinabayaan ko nalang dahil may target atang bilhin ang isang yun kaya sumama. Feel ko talaga hindi yung luto ko inaabangan niya. 

"Amhara?" I stopped from walking when someone called my name.

Pagtingin ko rito, nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "Tita Kelly?"

"Iha! Ikaw nga!" She hurriedly let go of her pushcart to run towards me and give me a big hug. "Jusko! Ang bango-bango! Ang ganda mo lalo! Sabi ko na't pamilyar ang babaeng kaharap ko. Muntik pa kitang hindi makilala! Saan ka ba nagpunta, iha?! At ang tagal-tagal mong nawala!" 

"I flew to another country-"

"Nabalitaan ko nga!" Hinawakan niya ako sa pisngi kaya nginitian ko siya. "Lalo kang gumanda! Ang ganda-ganda mo iha, wala akong masabi literal. Nakaka-speechless ang ganda mo, parang hindi ako makahinga ngayon habang tinititigan ka."

"You're also still as beautiful as ever, tita. Para ho kayong 'di tumatanda." 

"Huy!"

I chuckled as I watched her put a piece of her hair on the back of her left ear.

"I'm glad that you're okay, Tita. You look so healthy and happy."

"E Ikaw ba? Kamusta ka naman ba? Ang tagal nating hindi nagkita. Alam mo ba? Sinubukan kitang hanapin sa google para tignan kung saang lupalot ka na nga ba napadpad. Naku! Nagulat naman ako nung may lumabas nga na tungkol sa'yo! Hindi mo naman sinabing fashion designer ka pala iha! At hindi lang basta fashion designer! Sikat na fashion designer sa Paris! Narinig ko ring ikaw ang gumawa ng gown ng Miss Universe natin. Kakaiba talaga!"