Celebrate
I was happy to hear the news of Rhi's graduation. We were looking forward to it. Our school announced our ranks yesterday after 3 hours of the announcement from Rhi's school. I am glad I'm magna too. It really pays off. My family was happy although I knew they expected.
We decided to have a double celebration and make it simple. Rhi suggests we have chips. That's why I'm here today, at the convenience store to buy some snacks while Rhi is baking pizza and cookies.
My basket was full of chips and I bought some canned drinks too. It was heavy for me since I'm not used to doing so, that's why I decided to just put it on the floor near the counter and just get some beer for us.
Nakapili na ako ng beer na iinumin namin at naglakad na papuntang counter. Tumigil ako sa puwestong pinaglagyan ko ng cart ko. Nawawala iyon. Luminga linga ako sa paligid, umaasa na makikita ko iyon.
"Nandito lang yun ah?" Ako at tinuro ang sahig.
Nilibot ko ang paningin sa paligid, "Nasaan na?"
"It's already on the counter, Miss bumper."
A sexy manly voice came. The man passed by my side and a manly scent welcomed my nose. Pumunta siyang counter at nagsimulang i-punch ang mga naroon sa aking cart. Inisa isa niya iyon.
Tinignan ko siya. His fair white skin complemented his dark black thick eyebrows. Hindi ko matingnan masyado ang kanyang mata pero matangos ang kanyang ilong. His lips are pinkish.
Tinignan niya ako at ang beer. "You won't pay for that? I'm almost done."
"Huh?" Tinignan ko ang nasa kamay ko. "Ah, oo."
Naglakad ako papuntang cashier at linapag iyon malapit sa cart ko.
He has the most beautiful blue eyes. The way he looks at me makes me shiver.
I scanned his body figure. He seems familiar. I think I saw him before. My eyes turned to slit trying to remember something. I know him. That's what my mind say.
"Ahh!" A memory flashed. "You're the one who I bumped into just recently, right?" I said, as I looked at him.
He nodded, "Yes, Miss bumper. Took you long enough to recognize me huh?" He looked at me.
Those beautiful eyes. My brain repeatedly said.
I smiled, "Memory loss,"
"That's okay," he smiled at me. "That would be 557 peso in total, Miss bumper."
I looked at him, damn those dimples on both side of his cheeks. He looks cute. I smiled and nodded at him. Kinuha ko ang wallet sa aking bulsa at kumuha ng pera roon. Inabot ko iyon agad sakanya. Napansin kong tapos na niya ipasok sa eco bag ang mga pinamili ko.
"I received 600 pesos, your change is 43." Aniya sabay bukas sa kaha.
Kinuha ko naman ang eco bag at hinawakan iyon.
Kumuha siya ng panukli at inabot iyon sa akin. "Here's your 43 pesos change, Miss bumper."
"Thank you!" Ako at tatalikod na sana. Nilingon ko siya at tinaas ang dala "Kailangan bang bayaran ang eco bag?" Turo ko dito.
He chuckled, "No, it's for free." He smiled.
My mouth fell open, really? Wow, just wow. Natawa ako. I composed myself in front of him. Tumango nalang ako at tumalikod na.
Nakalabas na ako ng store at nakita ang malaking ngisi ng kapatid ko. Hindi ko sinabi sakanya na bibili ako dito. Ang plano ko ay maglakad papunta rito, bumili at maglakad rin pauwi pero itong lalaking ito ayaw ata akong mag-exercise, lagi nalang akong sinusundo eh.
Kumaway ako sakanya at lumapit na, pinatong ko muna iyong mga pinamili ko sa may upuan ng motor. Inayos niya naman ang tayo ng motor at sumampa na ako. I was smiling widely.
"Daming oras ng engineer ko ah?"
Tumawa siya, "Ayaw ata magpasundo ng kamahalan? Sabagay, galing sa landi."
Mahina ko siyang hinampas sa likod, "Anong landi? Uy ikaw ah, you say what you apply."
"Anong apply, di pa'ko graduate teh." Pabirong anas niya.
Inirapan ko naman siya kahit hindi niya ako nakikita at hindi na nagsalita. Patuloy naman siya sa pagdadrive papuntang bahay namin. Malapit lang naman iyon kaya nakarating agad kami. Bumaba na ako at hinawakan naman ni Chan ang mga pinamili ko.
"Ako na dito, pasok kana dun bro."
Weirdo.
"Sige lods," ako at pumasok na sa bahay.
Tamang tama naman ang dating ko dahil tapos na si Rhi magbake. Gusto ko sana tumulong o ako nalang ang magbake kaso ayaw niya. Weirdo rin.
Natawa ako sa pinaggagawa ni Rhi dito sa lugar kung saan kami nagpicnic. Malapit lang iyon sa dagat at bundok. Hindi mainit kasi maraming puno. They usually call this near the white house.
Nakahiga siya sa picnic mat namin kaso gusto niyang kumain. Tinry kong subuan siya kaso ayaw niya naman ang ending hindi siya kumain kaya ito ngayon nagtatantrums na. Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin. Sabi niya mageenjoy daw kami, mukhang hindi naman.
"Wag ka ngang tumawa, nakakainis."
I faked my serious face, "Got it."
"Got it, tang de puta~" She started singing but with such bad words.
I rolled my eyes and just continued drinking the beer I got. Kinuha ko naman iyong book na binabasa ko once in a while. I scanned it and eventually started reading it. Habang siya walang magawa.
We stayed quiet. Or should I say, we just want peace that's why we're quiet. Loud waves, brushing leaves, quiet people. That's what we define peace. Together we seek our own peace. And I think we have it here.
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Unedited
