Million Dollar Marriage

one

I am busy putting some lip gloss over my chapped lips while doing my hair, we were supposed to be at the mall kanina pang umaga. But to hell with Nathalia! She's been taking ages to fix herself up, kanina ang dahilan naman ay nag aayos pa raw siya ng mukha at ngayon naman ay walang maisuot! I am silently praying for God to please let me pass this challenge of him, for I know He's just testing my patience. 

I inhaled a huge amount of fresh air as much as possible before talking, "Nathalia, ang usapan ay eleven o'clock in the morning tayo aalis at pupunta sa mall at mag go-grocery. Now, if you'll just hurry because I am fucking famished to bones!"

Kumalabog ang ilang cabinet sa loob ng room niya. I inwardly smiled and tapped myself in success, because that means she's at least making an effort to move. I looked at my wristwatch at inorasan ang paglabas niya sa loob ng silid niya. I counted up to three seconds, and then, here she goes. She walked out of her room with a still wet hair, a top and a faded maong shorts, and her face all dolled up. And this, right here, is why she's taking hours to prepare. 

"My hair is still wet pa kaya," Two years of being back in the Philippines and she's still conyo. Lahat na yata ng kaartehan ay nasa katawan na ni Nathalia. Though I know she's still adjusting to the life here, but then who am I to put my judgements on her?

I quickly got a hold of my car keys and waist bag before heading out of the condo unit. Behind me is Nathalia, still fixing her hair, and when she took a glimpse of how I am lousily carrying the bag she gave me her eyes widened, "Oh my! You shouldn't carry a precious baby like that, Milana. Do you even know how hard I got this Chanel 19 Waist Bag of yours, then you'll just carry it like some basurahan?"

Kaartehan talaga.

"I'll wear it later. Fix your damn tongue, Nathalia! English kung english, hindi 'yung paghahaluin mo." I told her habang pababa ang lift. 

She just nodded at me and continued on combing her blonde straight her. Nang makapasok sa kotse ay agad namang umupo sa shotgun seat si Nathalia at iwinasiwas ang bag sa likod na upuan. Pinitik ko naman ang noo nito at itinuro ang bag na napunta sa lapag, "Is that a proper way to put down things?"

I kept on reminding my self that God doesn't want sinners, more so murderers in heaven. That is why hanggang ngayon ay buhay pa si Nathalia at nahinga pa, bonus pa na katabi ko siya! She gave me her annoyed face bu then when she looked at me and saw how much restraint I am doing, she smiled at me playfully.

"The things I'd do for you. Hehe." Ang tanging nasambit niya bago kunin sa likuran ang bag at umayos ng pagkakaupo.

It's saturday kaya naman jampacked ang parking ng mall, sa third floor pa ako nakapag park. We gathered our things before heading out, Nathalia is bringing her own tote bag para raw ay doon nalamang ilagay ang nabili mamaya. At least she's functioning sometimes. We went directly to the fruits and vegetables section, I trusted her on that one. Hindi naman kami masyadong nagkakanin kaya mas dinamihan namin ang pagbili ng prutas, lalo na ang greens for our salad. Maybe old habits really dies hard. We were used on eating just salads, burgers, chicken wings, and fruits noong nasa States pa. 

Ako naman ang tumingin for our meat, chicken, and beef. Hindi naman sumama saakin si Nathalia sa pagpili dahil mabaho 'raw ang amoy, kaya naman she stayed meters behind me typing on her phone away. Pina-cut ko na 'yung manok at para lilinisin nalang sa condo, and I also bought a sliced pieces of beef and meat just enough for a week.

"Milan, Tito Raf's been asking if you already said 'yes' sa event ni Tita Paris next week." 

I just shrugged my shoulders off, "I'm still thinking about it kasi naka pangako ako kay Ari for the opening of her show. It's also scheduled on Tuesday next week."