Once There Was A Twist

MCG 8

CHAPTER 8: GROCERY STORE

"WHICH is healthier. This oil or that olive oil?"

Medyo naririndi na ako sa mga sinasabi niya. Halos lahat na lang kasi ay itatanong niya kung ano ba ang mas  makakabuti sa katawan namin.

I can't even buy my favourite chocolates and junkfoods. Nahiya naman kasi ako sa mga pinipili niya.

After all, it was his treat and he won't take no for an answer. 'Yon nga lang, ang mamahal ng mga binibili niya.

"Wala akong dalang libro at listahan ng mga healthy foods."

Nakasimangot ako habang sinasabi iyon sa kanya.

"That's because you are fond of instant foods." He looked at me but I just sticked my tongue out as a response.

"Acting like a child." It was my turn to stare at him using my serious face but he didn't mind at all.

"Saan ba ang milk section dito." It was just faint. Parang mas kinaka-usap pa niya ang sarili niya. Kung pagmamasdan mo nga siya ngayon ay daig pa niya ang inang may cancer ang anak.

All the foods in the basket are organics! Kulang na lang mag-vegetarian ako sa ginagawa niya.

"Milk? Come on! I'm not a toddler!" I protested. Ano ba naman 'yan. Wala akong hilig sa gatas and I've been drinking coffee ever since I was born! Kasi nga, unang-una, ipinanganak akong  mahirap. Pangalawa, wala akong mga magulang na bibilhan ako ng pagkaing masustansya. At pangatlo, ayoko  lang talaga ng gatas.

"We will buy coffee later but we have to buy milk also. Para balanse ang tinatanggap ng katawan mo. Baka hindi na dugo ang dumadaloy diyan sa mga ugat mo kundi kape na." Here we again with his sermons. I chose not to argue with him because at the first place he was right.

"Dito na," sabi ko sa kanya nang marating na namin kung saan naka-display ang mga gatas.

"Ano ba gusto mo?" he asked. Wala. Wala akong gusto sa mga 'yan.

"How about you?" balik-tanong ko.

"Mayroon akong gusto pero hindi for sale," sinabayan niya iyon ng tawa. I just rolled my eyes at him.

"Anlene?" he asked afterwards. I thought for a moment and shaked my head 'no'.

"I feel like I'm so old if I'd buy that one," I reasoned out.

He begun mentioning all the brands he could see but my answers were all the same.

Till he ended up scratching his head in disbelief. Now we're fair.

I looked around and pretend to be choosing the best milk for me.

But I can't focus much kasi kanina ko pa nakikitang pasulyap-sulyap ang merchandiser na nasa gilid lang namin.

"Ahm sir, ito pong gatas na ito okey 'yan kay misis." At hindi na nga ito nakatiis. He went near Vaughnn and offered the product he thought was better.

What did he say? Misis? Do we look like we are married?

"Talaga ba? Marami ba 'yang nutrients?" Isa pa 'to. Was that necessary? Nagmumukha kaming mga first time mamili ng gatas.

Hindi man lang niya napansin na tinawag akong misis ng kausap niya.

Oh wait, did he ever go to a grocery store? Or this might be his first time?

"Buntis po ba si misis? Ay ito ang makakabuti sa kanya." Did I hear him right? Was he accusing me of being pregnant. I looked at myself. Mukha na ba akong nanay?