Sweet Beginnings

First

MIKA

"Daks please? Please please please...", Ara pleaded.

"No."

My bestfriend seldom do it but now she had that puppy dog look on her face.

Ganun ba ka-importante yon?

"Hindi ka ba kasi pwedeng mag-sara ng shop kahit isang araw lang?

Kunwari, birthday mo, ganon. Saka take a break ka muna sa pagpapasaya ng ibang couples bilang may sarili kang lovelife.", sabi ko.

We're currently inside my condo, and Ara's asking me to man her flower shop for a day because it'll be her boyfriend's birthday. My best friend planned something special for Thomas.

"Daks, hindi naman ako katulad mo na nireregaluhan ng one-week leave.

Your company will still run without you because of your employees and your parents.

Eh ito, pinundar ko 'to bes.

Alam mo namang pangarap kong maging flower girl diba?"

"Yun lang pala, edi wala na lang akong maid of honor. Gagawin kitang flower girl sa kasal ko.", I answered.

"Gaga! Wala ka ngang boyfriend eh.

Anong mapapala mo dyan sa padate-date mo? Eh dinadaan mo lang naman sa kain yung mga yun."

"Oy grabe ka! Porket may lovelife?!

Nakikinig naman ako sa mga kwento nila ah.", I responded before taking a bite from my chocolate cake.

"Right, but you don't give away anything about yourself. Pa-mysterious?"

Uminom muna ako ng iced tea bago sumagot ulit.

"Hindi ah. Wala lang akong ma-kwentong interesting about me.

Pinanganak, naglaro, nag-aral at ngayon nagta-trabaho sa kumpanya ng mga magulang niya.

San banda doon yung may appeal?"

Ara heaved a sigh and stared straight at me.

"If these guys only knew how hardworking and sweet you are, I'm sure they'll pursue you. Ang ganda mo kaya!", she exclaimed.

I raised my eyebrow at her.

"Sinasabi mo ba yan for me to say yes to your favor?"

"What?! Hindi ah!

Totoo yun, friendship aside.

But going back, pumayag ka na kasi. Isang araw lang talaga. Bukas lang. Wednesday.

Isipin mo na lang, may good deed kang nagawa sa isang linggong bakasyon mo."

"Paano 'to magiging good deed eh sinuhulan mo na nga ako ng chocolate cake? Nauna na yung bribe.", I said with a serious face though I was joking.

Papayag naman na talaga ako eh. Si Ara pa ba. Lakas nito sakin.

"Ano ka ba! You'll be able to help the ones in need of flowers!", she exclaimed, but I gave her an unconvinced look.

"Alam ko nasa isip mong hindi nakakain ang bulaklak.", Ara said, heaving another sigh.

Basang-basa talaga ako nito.

"But you'll be amazed at what they mean to some people. Flowers convey messages man is not able to put into words.", she continued.

Grabe marketing skills nitong bestfriend ko. No wonder her business has prospered even though it's young.

"Sige na, sige na. Payag na ako.", I finally told her.

Ara squealed in delight and squeezed me into a hug.

"Thank you, daks!!! I owe you!"

Good luck to me.

JERON

"She said she wanted a flower that will define her for me.

Paano ko naman malalaman yun? I don't speak flowers.", I told my cousin helplessly.

He thought for a moment then his face suddenly lit up.

"I know the best place, Kuya.", Drei said.

"Where?"

"Sa Bloomerang."

"Saan?", I had to ask again dahil ang weird nung name na sinabi niya.

"Bloomerang. It's a newly opened flower shop but it's highly recommended. Marami kasing varieties dun. And malapit lang yun dito sa atin.", he continued.

"Sigurado ka ba diyan?"

"Yes Kuya! That's where I bought the tulips I gave TinTin during her birthday. She loved it! The owner knows a lot about flowers and people, so I'm sure she can help you."

"Sige na nga. Wala rin naman akong alam na iba eh."

I asked for the shop's address and noted a reminder on my phone to drop by tomorrow after work.