BEHIND THE CROWD

CHAPTER 2

Everything turns so well for the first month of my stay here in the Philippines, I was getting used of the places and environment. Although I don't really make friends, I was able to have fun alone through reading books.

It was Saturday today and my mother keeps on reminding me of that "oh so important event" for her. Ang aga niya manira ng araw sa totoo lang ngunit wala akong magagawa kapag siya na ang nagsabi, I need to follow her.

It's still 8 am and I don't know where I can pull some strength to leave this comfy bed of mine when in fact magandang matulog kapag ganito ang panahon. It's rainy season, I don't know kung may bagyo ba or talagang may mga buwan lang talagang maulan dito.

Kahit gustohin ko pang manatili nalang dito sa loob ng kwarto ay mukhang di na kakayanin ng tiyan ko. I need to feed my tummy.

I force to get up from my bed and went straight to my bathroom to do my morning rituals. Dumeretso kaagad ako sa kusina pagkatapos ko at kung minamalas ka nga naman, wala na pala akong stocks sa pantry ko. Perks of not going anywhere, just school then home.

I sighed because I know I don't have anyone to ask to buy me goods, I don't know anyone here even though I was living here for a month. I ended up walking to the nearest convenience store outside this building. Dala-dala ang payong at wallet. Malapit lang iyon kaya hindi ako natagalan.

Upon entering, I was greeted by a cold atmosphere, sinong hindi lalamigin kung galing ka sa ulanan sa labas tapos papasok ka sa airconditioned na lugar. I think, after this I might catch a cold, mahina pa naman ako sa lamig and I don't know what got me today that I was so dumb not to wear a jacket or sweater. I was literally freezing cold, nangangatal ang mga kamay ko.

Being in this situation, wala na akong hinintay pa at kaagad nang kumuha ng makakain. I was craving for a ramen which is good sa panahon ngayon na sobrang lamig.

Sa pag-ikot, hindi ko mahanap ang ramen na hinahanap ko. I want this specific flavor yung beef tapos spicy. Nagmamadali na nga pero nagawa ko pang mag-inarte sa kung anong kakainin ko.

I just don't want the regular ramen na hindi maanghang para kasing mas nakakagana kapag may spice yung kinakain mo. I know na it was not good to eat noodles for your first meal of the day but in this situation na ang lamig walang makakapigil sa akin.

And at last, after I don't know when. Nahanap ko na ang hinahanap ko, hindi ko siya napansin kanina when I was roaming at this deck. Nasa taas pala siya, nag-iisa nalang.

Akmang kukunin ko na ito nang may kasabay akong makakuha nito, his manly hand on top of my hand, we were both holding the cup. I immediately turn my head on my side to meet his gaze and I will be honest; his face was like those men in the magazine. He coldly stared at me and I do the same, it feels like he was mirroring my expression but he wears it better.

Tumikhim ito na nakapagpabalik sa akin sa reyalidad. He was eyeing our hands in the cup and my face, vice-versa. He was pointing out something that I truly understand. I raised a brow and keep calm even though my hands were still trembling because of the weather. He noticed it which make him smirk.

"I understand that you were speechless for me being here in front of you, but I got this first miss." he coldly said with his smug face, talking about the ramen.

"Huh?" confuse on his first statement.

Maloko siyang tumingin sa akin, biting his lower lip. "I can't blame you, it was quite unusual for me to be here.....I just want that ramen, don't worry I'll give you an autograph or you can have a picture with me..... just give me this" I was truly surprise on how confident he was having that serious yet cold voice, is he for real?