As Jocelyn stood at the checkout counter, her patience waned with every item CK placed down. Focused on the boy, she was oblivious to the curious, intent gaze of the young man behind the counter.
She was wearing a red, flowy, button-down dress with long sleeves, paired with black high boots. The outfit was styled with a couple of gold jewelry pieces such as a choker and long necklaces around her neck, a pair of glinting hoops on her ears, and a ring adorning her right hand. Her long, silky hair gently cascaded over her shoulders, and the meticulously applied makeup that highlighted her features contributed a profound touch to her appearance. She had been maintaining her skin and body healthily, evident at just one glance at her youthful appearance.
As he continued to scan the items, he observed the subtle clues that revealed her identity. Perhaps it was her naturally deep voice or the certain contours of her face that gave off a distinct energy. In occassional encounters like this, he was reminded that beauty transcends conventional boundaries. Enthralled by her look, he couldn't resist staring at her with a faint blush on his face.
CK's deliberate slowness, accompanied by his gaze holding a mix of amusement and provocation, grated on Jocelyn's nerves. As the items began to pile up on the counter, she couldn't help but frown at the absurd assortment CK had selected—mostly chips and a couple of beverages that he didn't even like to drink, along with random items like tissues and sanitary pads that seemed out of place. A grimace tugged at her lips at the boy's rascality. Jocelyn could feel her annoyance building, yet she maintained her composure, refusing to let CK's antics get to her.
"Kaya mo bang ubusin 'yan?" As CK finally finished unloading his cart, Jocelyn plastered a strained smile across her face. The rhythmic beeping of the barcode scanner filled the air as the cashier began scanning the items on the counter.
"Kukuhanin ko ba kung hinde?" CK responded sarcastically and gruffly, causing Jocelyn's smile to fade.
"Eh, halos pang-isang buwan 'yan? Maglalayas ka ba? H'wag mo nang pangarapin. Ang buhay ay hindi biro."
"Hindi ako maglalayas."He defended.
"CK," with her hand resting against her waist, Jocelyn gently dragged CK to a spot away from the counter. There, in the muted ambiance, she spoke to him in a low voice, her tone serious and firm. "Hindi mo ba alam na ang dami-daming nagugutom dyan sa paligid? Tapos ikaw, mag-aaksaya ka lang ng pera sa mga walang katuturan?"
CK felt the weight of the moment settle upon him, realizing the gravity of Jocelyn's words. "Hindi ko naman aaksayahin. Kakainin ko 'yan lahat." He explained, his voice becoming low.
"Puro chichirya? Sige, sasabihin ko kay Mimi na h'wag ka nang ipagluto ng pagkain kasi marami ka namang chichirya na kakainin!"
"Tsk! Iuuwi ko 'yan sa Bicol! Bakit ba nagagalit ka? Card naman ni Mom ang gagamitin para dyan!" Nainis na rin si CK.
Jocelyn was taken aback by his impolite choice of words. She parted her lips and was about to respond when the cashier's voice caught her attention. "4, 367.50 pesos po." She froze for a brief moment and stared at the guy's face with furrowed brows, still processing the number she had heard, until she noticed a wide grin forming on CK's face.
Jocelyn rolled her eyes at CK before walking to the counter again. "Do you accept card ba?" She asked, pulling a debit card from her wallet, but her hand stopped mid-air as she heard the guy's answer.
"Nako, cash lang po ang tinatanggap namin ngayon." Marahang umiling ang binata.
"Huh?" Bumagsak agad ang ekspresyon ni CK sa pagkadismaya.
