"You know what? It seems like you have a lot of personalities. Different ones for different situations."
"Share mo lang?" pambabara ko sa kaniya.
"I'm just telling the truth," sabi niya pa bago niya ininom 'yung kape niya.
Umirap ako. "You judge a person after meeting them once... or twice? Asshole."
Narinig ko ang pagtawa niya. Umiwas ako ng tingin at pinanood na lang ang mga taong naglalabas pasok sa coffee shop. Nasa Sweet Escape kami. The main branch of this was owned by my friend's family. Sadly, he had already passed away.
"So... we've already finished our drinks. Are you going home after this?" he asked.
Pinatong ko ang baso kong wala ng laman sa table at kinuha ang phone ko. I checked the time. It was already one o'clock in the afternoon. Hindi ako nakapag-lunch, but it was fine since I had eaten bread and coffee.
"Yeah," I answered. I gathered my things and stood up. "See you... never."
He chuckled. "You might actually miss my presence after this. See you when I see you, miss."
In-emphasize pa niya ang miss, kaya napairap ako. Para-paraan pa ang kumag na 'to. Obviously, gusto niya lang malaman ang pangalan ko... Or am I just assuming?
I rolled my eyes again. "It's Crisandy."
"Weird way to introduce myself, but I'm Benjamin." The corner of his lips lifted. "You can call me Benj."
"Whatever."
I started walking ahead of him to leave first, but he still caught up with me. As we reached the exit, he opened the door for me. Inirapan ko ulit siya dahil parang nang-aasar ang ngiti niya sa 'kin. Nang makarating sa labas ay umuna ulit ako para makasakay agad ng jeep. Hindi niya ako nahabol dahil nakaalis na agad ang sinasakyan ko.
Kinuha ko ang wallet ko para kumuha ng pera. I was about to hand the fare to the driver when I noticed a sticky note on the side of my bag. I looked at it and saw Benjamin's name.
Smile.
You look good with it. :)
- Benj
Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi ko para pigilan ang pagngiti. That jerk, really! I folded the note and placed it in my phone case. I kept it not because of his message, pero dahil I'm a sentimental type of person. I like keeping letters or kaya mga gifts that someone gives me.
I finally arrived home after almost twenty minutes. Just as I planned, pinalitan ko 'yung mga curtains. Thankfully, the size I chose was perfect. They looked good throughout the house, especially in Tito's room.
I felt sad as I stood there, hugging his favorite pillow.
"I miss you every day, Tito," I whispered.
Days passed until it was finally Phoebe's birthday. Since Phoebe has a large circle of friends and her parents are quite wealthy, they held her debut at a resort.
Most of my classmates are turning 18 this year. Halos lahat pa ay invited ako. Hindi naman sa ayaw ko, pero pakiramdam ko kasi ay obligado akong magbigay ng regalo. Mabigat 'yon sa bulsa dahil hindi naman ako mayaman.
"Ang ganda mo, Phoebe!" I said as I hugged her. We were in a room, and she had just finished getting her hair and makeup done. She was wearing a blue gown, which looked great on her fair skin. "Happy birthday."
"Thank you, love!"
"Tangina mo, wag kang iiyak kasi sayang ang make-up!" I told her. 'Yung mga mata niya, halatang paiyak na, gosh! "Sinasabi ko talaga sa 'yo, Phoebe, isa."
