Kwento ni Jannelle Romana Santana (Alternative Ending)

Chapter Three

Chapter Three: 

“Anong ginagawa mo dito?” Jann nervously blurted out to the man standing before her. Hindi nya mawari ang biglang pag init ng buong paligid nya.

“You’re really funny…” Ipinatong nya ang magkabila nyang kamay sa counter at inilapit ang mukha papalapit kay Jann sabay tingin sa name plate na nakaattach sa damit nito. “Jannelle na service crew. Nasa loob tayo ng isang fast food chain, why do you think I’m here?” His statement was almost believable kung hindi lang sya kilala nito like the back of her hand. Besides, knowing his little antics and background bilang anak ni Dr. Dennis Calleja na isang businessman at may ari ng ilang ospital at mga lupain, let’s just say na ang isang katulad nila ay hindi tatapak sa pang publikong restaurant kung walang reasonableng rason or marahil kailangan.

Because it’s Zach Calleja after all. And Zach Calleja has it all, pwera nalang sa magandang pag-uugali. But Jann doesn’t think that way, para sa kanya ay isang makulit na estudyante lang ito sa parehong college na kasalukuyang pinagaaralan nila. For her, Zack is the exact same guy who would never fail to make her uneasy and nervous kahit pa nung nasa highschool sila.

Hindi nya nalang pinansin ang kalokohan nitong pagkukunwari na hindi sya kilala nito at bumuntong hininga ng malalim. “Ano pong order nyo sir?”

“I don’t understand you. You’ve got Anderson as your financial back up yet you still work here. Tell me, nagpapakakuripot nanaman ba yang syota mo?”He didn't bother hiding the disgust in his voice. By Anderson, he meant Hunter. The two have met nang minsang sunduin ni Hunter si Jann mula sa university nito.

“Ano pong order nyo?” Monotone na pagtatanong ulit ni Jann kay Zach. The guy just wouldn’t stop kahit ilang beses nya nang sabihin dito na hindi nya huhuthutan ng pera si Hunter. With her sight failing her, alam nyang hindi yon rason para kumapit kay Hunter at humilata nalang para hintayin na bigyan sya ng pera nito.

Suddenly, nag iba ang tono ng lalaking kausap ni Jann. Kung kanina ay nagmamalaki sya ay bigla itong humina. “Jann, nandito naman ako. Hindi mo na kailangang magtrabaho dito para lang-‘’ natigilan sya nang biglang pumasok sa eksena si Mang Noel na manager nang McDonald.

“Hijo, kahit may itsura ka at nakakatulong ka sa pagpaparami ng customer namin ngayong araw na to’, hindi naman ako papayag na ginugulo mo yung cashier namin dito.” Halos matawa si Jann sa mukha ni Mang Noel na sinusubukang maintimidate si Zach. Matapos sabihin ng dalaga na sya na ang bahala kay Zach ay umalis na ang matanda.

“Zach, thank you. Pero okay lang talaga ako ngayon.” Para ipakita ang sincere appreciation nya ay hinawakan nya ang kamay ni Zach. She gave it a little squeeze at nang akmang babawiin nya na sana ang kamay nya ay hinigpitan naman nang binata ang grip dito.

“Fine. I won’t meddle about that anymore but I know what’s going on with your eyes again and-“

“Stop.” Kinagat ni Jann ang kanyang labi at tuluyan nang nilayo ang kamay nya. “For once and for all, I am deciding for myself. Okay? I hope you respect that.”

“But-“She completely cut him off wanting to hear no more.

“Just go.” Zach was ready to argue but with just one look at Jann’s troubled face, he knew better than to upset her more..

Huminga nang malalim si Jann at Zach’s retreating figure. She was nervous of him hindi dahil sa mga rude remarks at pangungulit nya dito but rather, he continues to aimlessly join himself in her business. Whenever he does, lagi lang syang may binabalik kay Jann na matagal na nyang isinantabi.