Pronouns

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 20 (𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐀 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍?)

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒔 (𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘)

"I LEFT my wallet."

Napatigil ako sa pagkagat nang binuksan kong ice cream sandwich dahil sa sinabi ni Ms. Ortega.

"Ma'am, hindi pa ito bayad..." Pinagmasdan ko yung kinuha kong ice cream na may marka ng ngipin ko at napatingin sa kanya.

Kala ko ba kung sino yung nag-aya siya yung magbabayad? Naiba na ba?

"I have no money on me, which is why I'm telling you. Why are you consuming something you haven't paid for yet? Just stay here and I will-"

"Ako na po, may laman pa naman gcash ko kahit papano." Kinuha ko yung phone sa bulsa ng pajama ko at pasimpleng tumingin kay ma'am. "HAYSTTTT" Sinadya kong palakasin yung buntong hininga ko at napangisi nalang nang makita kong napakagat labi ito.

Actually, it doesn't matter if I pay for it. I just missed bothering the woman beside me. We're actually at a Korean convenience shop right in front of the condominium, so it only took us a few minutes to get in here. It is currently 12:30 a.m., and there have not been many customers since we came.

"I know..." she whispers, her voice barely audible. "I'll pay for you just like I said." She repeated her words again, but I simply shook my head and took a big bite on my ice cream sandwich.

"Nuh uh, shush, hush, you don't like sweets kaya and look ako lang kumuha ng ice cream so I should pay for it."

"Gosh, you're so stubborn." Natawa naman ako habang may hinanap na flavor sa cooler.

"Your presence is enough, Ms. Ortega." Inabot ko yung kakapili ko lang na ice cream sa kanya pero tinaasan lang ako nito ng kilay. "It says 'low-sugar vanilla ice cream'. Try mo lang po."

"Doesn't mean that it's not sweet anymore, Dela Haye." Inirapan ako nito pero inabot din niya yung binigay ko sa kanya. Ganyan yan siya, magtataray muna aabutin din pala.

We also purchased a variety of snacks and beverages before paying at the desk. We're currently walking back to her condominium unit, and I'm the one carrying the items we bought only a few minutes before.

The night is still young for me. I love the feeling of fresh air on my face, and the wind blowing through Ms. Ortega's hair is truly a beautiful sight to watch. Her scent-a blend of fresh flowers and a sweet evening breeze-entered me, making me forget everything except for this moment.

It is far into the heavens, way past the moon, and her beauty is a colorful hue. She could make many cold hearts flutter, looking like she could cast spells that could heal many sad, tearful souls. She is breathtaking scenery...just right there in front of me.

She stopped walking, and so did I. Ms. Ortega asked me to-No, I mean, commanded me to open the ice cream that I chose for her.

"Are you sure that this is not sweet?"

Ms. Ortega asked me again for the fifth time while examining the popsicle, like it was some kind of poison. A blush creeps up on my cheeks, followed by a soft smile tugging on my lips.

Cute...

"Don't you trust me, ma'am?" Malumanay kong tanong dito habang nilalagay yung pinagbalatan ng ice cream sa plastic bag na hawak ko.

"Hmm, nope." Dire-diretso nitong sagot saka nagtungo sa elevator. Agad naman akong napabusangot habang sinusundan siya.

"Edi daurn't." Bulong ko habang pinipindot yung floor kung nasaan ang condo unit ni Ms. Ortega.