Yuan
It had been a few days since that first meeting with Missy. We had a few message exchanges here and there but I didn't want to seem like a creep bothering her.
After a long busy day at work, I decided to unwind by going to see another movie.
That was where I saw Missy again.
She was already inside tinkering with her phone as she took a seat. The theater wasn't full so when the lights dimmed, I headed over to sit beside her and dipped my hand in her popcorn tub.
"Hey, what the —"
I cut her off with a big smile. "Hi."
"Yuan! Jusko! Akala ko kung sino na!" She said, rolling her eyes.
"Sorry! I thought it would be cute. Hehe. So how've you been?"
"Good. Wait, you're seated there?"
"Ummm," I looked at her sheepishly. "No eh. I saw you and thought I'd say hi. But dun ako sa dulo ng row sa likod nito."
"Oh okay."
When the movie was starting, I bid her goodbye. "Sige, aalis na ako. Baka dumating yung may-ari nito."
As I moved to stand, she stopped me. "Stay there if you want. I bought that."
"Huh?"
She told me later she bought both seats to either side of her. "Para sana walang istorbo... then came you!"
We laughed at that and then ended up having coffee to discuss the movie.
"It was nice. I mean, there was obviously chemistry between the leads... but... hindi ba parang ang daming sub-plots that they didn't tie up in the end?"
I nodded at her observation. "The effects are nice... they tied it well with the story. Did you notice how it was always cloudy when the lead female was with that evil guy?"
"Oo nga no?! Now I have to rewatch this so I can see the locations better."
Just as I was about to say something, a voice cut through my thoughts. "APO! Date ba 'yan?!?!"
I turned to see my lola in a neon pink track suit, slowly making her way to me. Rushing up to escort her to the table, I said, "Inay! Bakit kayo nandito? Dapat ho nagpapahinga kayo!"
She rolled her eyes. "I will not miss to tonight's zumba? Si Bruno Mars yung aming tugtog."
Yes, my grandmother is THE biggest Bruno Mars fan and dances to his music as often as she can.
"Hello, hija! Date ka ba ng apo ko?"
"'nay naman..."
Missy chuckled.
"Anong inay naman. Hoy, yung mga rose ko ang pinagpipitas mo noon para sa unang girlfriend mo. Pwede kong interbyuhin ang mga date mo para malaman ko kung delikado na naman lagay ng mga halaman ko," Lola berated me.
"Magkaibigan lang ho kami," Missy said. "At saka, hindi po kasi ako mahilig sa bulaklak. Mas gusto ko po prutas."
Lola nodded. "Ayan. Ganyan dapat. Gusto ko siya, Juan. Pakasalan mo na."
"Inay! Kasal agad?"
"Ayaw po yata niya?" Missy laughed and I knew I liked her already. She didn't make it awkward for me and she was indulging my lola.
We ended up spending more time with my grandmother, feeding her and making sure she took her meds. When it got late, Missy offered to take a cab so that my lola won't be left alone.
I agreed only when she swore to inform me when she got in at her house.
As I bid my grandmother good night, she asked, "Nakauwi na siya, apo?"
"Yes po."
"Mabuti. Gusto ko siya Juan."
I nodded. "Bagay nga kayo, Nay."
She threw a slipper at me. "Bastos kang bata ka."
"Joke lang, Inay!"
As she settled in bed again, she murmured, "Mahilig daw siya sa prutas. Bigyan natin siya nung mga aratilis sa likod."
I chuckled as she drifted off. "Sige po, Inay. Tutulungan ko kayo manligaw."
"Lecheng bata ka. Ikaw kaya ang itanim ko."
