When the Sun hides

Twenty five

Nagising ako dahil sa sunod sunod na pagtunog ng cellphone ko. Dahan dahan kong binuksan ang mga mata ko at tiningnan ang pangalan ng tumatawag.

It was Vincent

I slid the green button to answer his calls.

"Good morning, Cat." He greeted with full of energy. I looked at the time, it was already 6 in the morning.

"Good morning, Vincent. Sorry, kakagising ko lang." sagot ko.

"Nagaayos pa lang naman ako. Ano pala ang itenirary natin today?" I closed my eyes first and mentally sighed. Ang hirap humindi kapag punong puno siya ng excitement. Last night, I was thinking to cancel our plans today dahil sa napagusapan namin ni Ken. I will stay with him this weekend.

'Ang kulit mo, Catarina! Ano'ng nangyari sa pakikipaghiwalay mo sa kanya?' Sermon ng sarili ko sa akin.

"Hmm. Are you fond of animals like dogs?" tanong ko at tumayo na mula sa pagkakahiga.

"Yes! I love dogs. I have a corgi and golden retriever at my parents' house."

"Ah. Really? Kasi, I'm planning to visit one of the shelters that I am supporting. I will bring foods and vitamins para sa mga cats and dogs." Pumunta na ako sa kusina at uminom ng isang baso ng tubig.

"Wow! Sama ako! Wait, magbihis lang ako then puntahan na kita." Parang mas lalo siyang naging excited na kahit ako ay napapangiti na.

"Sige. I'm getting ready na rin." I responded.

"Ano pala ang gusto mong breakfast? Bibili na rin ako."

"Pancake sandwich and hot chocolate nalang. Kahit yung sa Jollibee nalang."

"Okay. Wait for me. "

"Ingat ka, Vincent."

"See you." And I hanged up the call. Mabilis na rin ako na nagayos. I blow dried my hair and did my skin care. I also put light makeup para naman magkabuhay ang mukha ko. I wore a white shirt, brown shorts and partnered it with white sneakers. After an one, I was ready and waiting for Vincent.

A few minutes more and the door bell rang. I stood and got my bag and my cap.

He greeted me with a smile.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, Vincent." He was wearing a white shirt, jeans, white sneakers, and a black cap.

"You look good." He complimented. He never forgets to do that. Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya. "Let's go?" I nodded.

"May dadaanan pa pala tayo, okay lang ba? I need to pick up the sacks of dog food that I ordered." I said while inside his car.

"Sure. Saan ba?" He gave me his phone to type the location on his waze app. Napansin ko ang wallpaper niya. Isang babae na nakaupo at nakatingin sa kalikasan. Medyo pamilyar ang lugar.

"I brought our breakfast. Kumain ka na." Malumanay niyang sabi habang nakangiti. I saw a bag of Jollibee.

"Thank you, Vincent. Magkano pala ito? Transfer ko nalang sa Gcash mo."

"Wag na. Okay na 'yan. " Sagot niya. Palagi siyang ganyan.

"Sure ka? Lagi mo nalang ako nililibre."

"Lagi mo naman kasi akong napapasaya." Bulong niya na sobrang hina. Napatingin ako sa kanya pagka kagat sa pancake sandwich.

"hmm?" I asked.

" Wala. Hahaha. Kain ka lang diyan. Na-type mo na 'yung store?

"Yup. Malapit lang naman. Nabayaran ko naman na iyon, kailangan nalang i-pick up." Sabi ko.