Fidelity

59th

Hintayin na kita

"I've been meaning to ask this since last night.." wika ko habang nagsusuot ng seatbelt. "What's with your car seats? They feel.. different,"

"They're leather-free.." aniya habang inaadjust ang rearview mirror. "It's hard to find completely vegan cars right now so we're trying to develop leather-free interiors,"

Nalaglag ang panga ko. "You're kidding!"

Nanlalaki ang matang pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang kabuuan ng sasakyan. Even the mat was made of the same material! Hinaplos ko ang divider sa pagitan ng upuan namin upang damhin ang pakiramdam nito sa balat. I can't believe these are leather-free!

"This is so hip!" I beamed with pure fascination in my eyes. "The colors are hip! The quality is hip! Everything about this is unbelievably hip!"

He looked away and bit his lip when it broke into a smile.

"It's nothing remarkable.." tikhim niya. "Marami nang naunang maglabas ng ganito sa ibang bansa.."

His arm extended in front of me to bring down the sun visor. Hindi ko pa maunawaan nung una kung bat niya pa ibinaba iyon ngunit nang paandarin niya ang sasakyan at agad tumama  samin ang papalubog na araw pagkalagpas pa lamang sa garahe ay nakuha ko na.

I learned that Davion's automotive company manufactures components and systems like power trains and actual car engines. They supply big automakers such as Toyota and Ford.

Right now, they're venturing into customizing interiors too. Aniya ay inaayos na lang nila ang patent application bago ilabas sa merkado. Bagama't hindi pa available sa market ay may mga sample at finished products na raw sila ng vegan interiors.

"You can go check out the samples some time..." he glanced at me before returning his eyes in front. ".. if you're interested,"

We were able to talk more this time. Kumpara kagabi na ako lang halos ang nagsasalita at masyadong tipid ang mga sagot niya.

Lahat ng mga pinapangarap ko lang pag-usapan dati ay siyang topic na namin ngayon! He told me where he gets his essentials when I asked him and I even made him promise to send me the link of the shop so I can check it out.

Kaya lang ay huli na nang mapagtanto ko kinagabihan na hindi ko naman nabigay sa kanya ang bagong contact details ko. I changed my number a couple of months ago so he probably won't be able to send me the link.

Umupo ako sa kama matapos magpatuyo ng buhok. I reached for my phone to search for Davion's number. I was just about to send him a text when I received a message request on Instagram.

太陽:
https://ecoshoppeph.com

Kumunot ang noo ko sa posibleng spam message. I checked the profile of the sender and it was private. Nakafollow ito sa akin dahil followback na ang sumalubong sa akin. The display picture was a close-up photo of a cat who looks so tiny with a white towel wrapped around it.

Bago ko pa man maireport at block ang account ay nasundan iyon ng panibagong mensahe.

太陽:
thats the shop link

太陽:
this is davion btw

Nanlaki ang mata ko at agad nagpasalamat. I didn't know he has another account! Nagsend na rin ako ng follow request sa kanya bago binisita ang shop na nirekomenda niya gamit ang natanggap na link.

The reviews on the products were really good. Nag-add ako ng body wash at shower gel sa cart. Sinamahan ko na rin ng scented candles at ilang cosmetics para masubukan. Chineck out ko na rin pagkatapos.

Approved na ang follow request ko kay Davion pagbalik ko sa Instagram. I clicked on his profile to check it out. Napansin kong binago niya na rin ang privacy ng account niya into public.

Bihira siyang magpost at may tatlong grupo lamang ng highlights— isa para sa baking, sa pusa niyang si Lacey, at sa veganism. I checked the third one and was in awe to see how often he shares videos and articles. He was really keen in spreading awareness about it.

I also checked his feed and saw some posts about being plant-based. I clicked on a photo of a magazine with a bowl of vegan dish beside it. Wala siyang caption doon kundi tanging shared link lamang ng article sa magazine.

There were comments from some people I know and some people I don't.

alissontjn: good read
einavj: <3
notcalrevano: wow
adeapatrice: si healthy

Mayroon din siyang post mula sa isang farm. There were videos and photos of animals.

太陽: Putting an end to animal abuse can be achieved primarily through veganism. By refusing to purchase animal products, you can ensure that fewer animals are raised for their misery and eventual death on farms and in slaughterhouses by lowering the demand for them.

notcalrevano: may pinopormahan to
ellabarbara: cute cow
seyuuuh: nyare dito @notcalrevano
seyuuuh: @太陽 sino pinopormahan mo ya
alissontjn: brb going vegan
notcalrevano: @seyuuuh namumuhunan yan

There was also a photo of a plant-based dish na mukhang siya mismo ang nagluto.

justmisty: looks yum!
alissontjn: can i get a taste?
notcalrevano: pano nya makikita yan idol
notcalrevano: public kung matapang

Nakatuklas din ako ng plant-based wine dahil sa feed niya. Naisip kong umorder noon para sa bridal shower ni Raya. Wala pa kasi kaming naisip na pang-giveaway para sa girls. Wine would be a good choice.

I sent Davion a direct message about it the next day. Bago lang pala ang wine brand na iyon at kakilala niya ang founder. May contact siya sa supplier at siya na ang nakipag-transact para sakin.

He even brought the wines himself to the venue of the shower the following week. Sakto ang dating niya para sa pagdidistribute ng giveaway.

"Oh ba't may naligaw na lalaki rito?" wika ni Raya na may tama na nang ipatong ni Davion ang tray ng wines sa table. "Akala ko ba sa Taguig yung kay Cal?"

"Tapos na.." ani Davion bago tumulong sa pamimigay ng wine. "Inaantay ka na nga sa labas.."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Raya at pagewang-gewang na nagtungo sa exit para silipin kung totoo. She came back with a drunk smile and hugged me goodbye. Isa-isa niya na ring pinasalamatan ang iba.

"D, hindi na pala ako sasabay." lapit ni Einj. "Nandyan na sundo ko,"

Tumango si Davion. "Si Dea?"

"Nauna na, tinawagan kanina ng coach. Tetext ka na lang daw niya," ani Einj bago sinagot ang tumutunog na telepono.

"Yes, yes, palabas na wait.." anito sa kabilang linya bago bumaling sakin. "Sol, okay na 'no? Yung invoice na lang?"

"Yes, ako na bahala dito." I assured her. "Hintayin ko na lang yung staff,"

She gave me a hug and started saying goodbye to everyone else. Isa isa na ring nag-alisan ang iba pagkatanggap ng wine.

I found myself left with Davion. Tumulong pa itong ligpitin ang mga natirang sash sa table pati na ang props sa photo booth.

"Hey, it's fine.. The crew told us not to clean up, sila na raw ang magtetake down ng decors." wika ko. "Pupuntahan ko lang yung staff para sa invoice.. Una ka na,"

He didn't say anything. Tinignan niya ang oras mula sa suot niyang relo.

"It's pretty late for you to take a cab.." he said. "Hintayin na kita,"

Bago ko pa maibuka ang bibig ay pumihit na siya at nagpatuloy sa pagliligpit.