Elle
Days in Manolo
"So iyan lang ang pinunta mo dito ang mag transfer ng land title?" We were in the coffee shop right now along the highway. I was sipping on my matcha latte while looking afar- at the huge field where football players were playing.
The weather in Manolo wasn't humid, it had a balance temperature of hot and cold. The blow of the wind was cold even the weather was hot so I couldn't feel the humidity after all. I wore a white long sleeve paired with a black satin skirt and my new purchased stilettos na dalawang swelduhan ko na ang sweldo.
I was thinking deeply so I couldn't pay attention well on what Maureen was saying- she was my best friend who was a nurse here in Manolo. She was married already pero wala pa syang anak. All she cared was her pets- cats and dogs.
"At ginupit mo pa talaga buhok mo no? Sobrang haba na kaya non. Ano bang nakain mo at bakit nagpa bob cut ka?" She asked. I sighed deeply before composing a response. After I took a huge sip, I put the latte's cup down.
"Ewan ko." I shrugged my shoulders off.
"Ilang araw ka dito?"
"Apat. I'll just pay the tax sa lupa tapos babalik na rin ako sa Manila. Then I'll just be back here again after the process of the transfer of land title. May naiwan pa kasi akong mga kaso, sobrang dami ko na ngang backlogs."
"Nagkita na kayo?" I was intimidated a little when she asked that, I knew this was gonna come out of her mouth. I knew exactly what she meant.
"Nagkita ni sino?" I replied then I looked away to focus back on the football players.
"Ni ex mo..." There was a teasing smile formed on her lips which made me roll my eyes also causing me to drink on my matcha latte.
"Why? Kailangan ba naming magkita? For what? We had no business with each other at all, Mau." In a nonchalant tone I replied. I couldn't get why she was happy teasing me. "Besides, it's been seven years since I had no news about him."
I had no news about him because I chose not to hear anything about him. It hurts my ego to actually know what he was doing in his life- and that's something I couldn't explain to myself why.
"May jowa na sya. Mukhang magpapakasal na nga sila ngayong taon-"
"Ano?! Ba't hindi ko alam 'yan?" I reacted surprisingly. I almost choke my own drink because of that news. I mean... seriously? I had no idea why I was feeling like I was protesting.
I calmed down the moment I realized Mau was laughing because I knew she was just trying to get my reaction. "Oy si reaction queen pala 'to, e. Hindi mo alam? Ano bang alam mo?"
I exhaled. "I mean if that's the case that he's married or whatever his status is and being single is not part of it then good for him. Ilang taon na din naman sya, he's actually thirty-three already so good to go na 'yan." My response was in a chill tone.
"Sus! Eh wagas ka nga ru-meact eh." She couldn't stop teasing me. I was a little offended by that.
"Wala na rin naman akong pake sa kanya, it's been 7 years ang nakalipas. Nagulat lang ako. Besides, hindi naman sya ang pinunta ko dito, e."
"Wala rin naman kasi sya dito. Nasa Cebu sya, umuuwi lang sya dito pag pasko or harvest ng pinyahan. Sya na kasi may-ari ng Del Pine,"
Upon hearing that news, I was suddenly taken aback. I am amazed! What was the cause of it? Well, ultimately, it's not my concern. "Well, good for him. Saan ba pwede kumain ng dinner? Gusto ko 'yong ihaw-ihaw."
