Change of Heart

Chapter 14

Tristan

As I was sitting on the cold damp floor, I was shivering. I rubbed my hands together and put it on my cheeks. They seemed to work at first, but they weren’t enough. I’ve never felt this desperate.

“Sir Pogi,” I looked up and the saleslady smiled timidly at me. Her co-worker still wouldn’t face me after being embarrassed awhile ago. “We’re closing the store now.” She said contritely.

I nodded my head and stood up.

“Will you be okay?”

“Don’t worry, my ride is coming.” I assured her, even though, I myself was quite doubtful. Erica would probably not arrive. I’d wronged her and I hadn’t apologized, so I couldn’t just expect her to turn up.

“Here, Mr. Pogi.” The saleslady handed me a cup of coffee. “Just to keep you warm while waiting. Compliments from Sherlene.” Sherlene was the ‘assuming’ saleslady. She peeked behind her hands. I nodded at her and she looked away.

I sip my coffee while the two ladies closed down the bakery. The baker, who was first to leave, nodded his goodbye to the two and salesladies wished him a safe trip home. When they finished locking up, they nodded at me and waved.

I tried to thank them. And I did mutter a soft thank you, but they had already crossed the street and because of the rain, my words were inaudible. With the bakeshop close, there was only a small canopy where I can stand for shade, but it did no good because the wind was blowing towards my direction. In the end, I still got wet, so I stopped minding about trying to find a dry place. I wrapped my hands around my shoulders, because it was getting really cold.

Shit! This was really a great and wonderful day. I’ll never forget this experience.

Suddenly, it stopped raining down on me. It was as if the canopy of the bakery had miraculously extended, but when I looked up, there was an umbrella over me and she was smiling at me with pitiful eyes.

“E-e-r-rica?” My voice uncontrollably shook. It was the chilliness. “Y-you c-c-came.”

“I’m sorry we’re late. We got lost along the way.”

“Th-that’sss o-o-kkkay.”

“You’re cold! Let’s get you dry. You might get sick.” Erica extended her hand and I gladly accepted it.

A cab was waiting for us. And as soon as we got in the taxi, a jovial man nodded and smiled at me.

“Manong Driver, to Alabang.”

“Umm, Tristan.” Erica said. “This is my dad. Dad, this is Tristan.”

I felt the blood rush to my face. I was cold, but my cheeks turned hot. “I’m sorry! I didn’t know. I thought you were a taxi driver.”

Erica’s father laughed and Erica joined him.

“I am a taxi driver and I’m proud of it.” Said his cheerful and amused voice.

I don’t know how to react. I had never imagined Erica being raised by a taxi driver. I thought she would be better off than that.