𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐦

Chapter 48

Trigger Warning: Animal death

“Kumain muna tayo, apo.”

I awkwardly glanced at my grandmother. We're not yet that close, because this is the first time we meet each other. I was intimidated the first time I saw her since her face looked strict, but when she smiled at me and even asked for a hug. That was when I knew she's a type of grandmother who's soft and lovable.

We were both walking to somewhere I don't know. Hindi ako pamilyar sa lugar na ito, kaya naman nakasunod lamang ako sa kaniya. This is the first time I came here. Goodness, sobrang mainit pala talaga rito. And the people? They were quite noisy. Pero nakikita ko sa mga mukha nila na parang genuine silang tao. Some were looking at me… Kulang na lang ay lalakad sila palapit sa akin para makita ang mukha ko nang maigi.

“Dito, apo.” Grandma held my arm just to guide me inside the carinderia.

After we settled down, I got my phone and started scrolling on a Webtoon I've already done reading. I just simply do this because I don't want to communicate. Baka utusan ako ni Lola na ako mismo ang makipag-usap  sa kakainin namin. Although I know how to speak Tagalog, still, I don't want to talk.

“Good afternoon po. Ano po ang order ninyo?”

I suddenly froze hearing the voice from the girl. Her voice is like my little sister's voice, but a little bit mature. My eyes were in peripheral vision, trying to see what this girl looks like. She's tall, so the only part that leveled my eyes was her… chest… I looked back on my phone again.

I could feel my heart beating fast. This is actually the first time I felt embarrassed and nervous to a girl.

“Thank you po!”

Doon na umangat ang tingin ko nang lumakad na siya pabalik sa counter. I felt frustrated because I still couldn't catch a look at her face. Tumalikod na kasi siya, kaya ang likurang bahagi lamang ang nakita ko.

I thought she wouldn't turn around but she did… She was surprised by what she did. Our eyes locked at each other.

Ang akala ko hindi niya makikita ang mga mata ko nang maigi dahil sa suot kong cap. I was amused when she really did see mine… Her sight is clearer than ice.

What amused me the most was when her face has slightly the same features as my sister. Her eyes are just small while my sister are actually doe like the deer's eyes. Ang sa kaniya more like a cat. Maliit ang mukha niya… and her hair? Looks weird but it actually look good on her.

“Ito na po order ninyo…”

I hid my hands under the table because they were shaking. I don't know why, but this girl has this charismatic features and personality… that suddenly made me feel uneasy. She's also very polite and smiley. She's like my sister but different… I don't know how to differentiate.

“Thank you, hija,” Grandma spoke.

“You're welcome po!”

I breathed hard as I looked down at the foods placed on our table. I was a bit hesitant at first in removing my mask, but I actually did. Nagugutom na rin ako, kaya pagkatapos magdasal ni Lola ay kumain na kami.

“Masarap, apo?”

I nodded at Grandma. My mother didn't cook Filipino food because Dad didn't like it. This is the first time to actually eat these foods… and it tasted good.

I only ate a little because I still don't have a good appetite. Hindi ako mahilig kumain, pero mas naging lalo no'ng nawala si Hana. Everytime I think of her, I suddenly become emotional. All I had to do was to lock myself in my room and cry. Minsan din napapatulala na lamang ako, nakatitig ng blangko roon sa pader.