The Photographer & The Jolly Neighbor

12--

Jennie]

"So Jennie, this is my childhood buddy, Jisoo. Don't worry you're in good hands. Wag ka Lang papabola jan" I wisphered the last sentence that made them chuckled.

"Sira ka talaga Lisa. So Jennie? Ready ka na ba magwork today? Wala na yung isa kong cashier e Kung kaya mo naman na" Jisoo asked at nakita ko kung pano na'enlightened ang mukha ni Jennie and smiled at her.

"Wala na yung isa? Ang bilis naman yata?" Tanong ko.

"Hay nakoo Lisa yun yung halos hubaran ka sa tingin nung nagkita ulit tayo dito" My eyes widen and gulp at napatingin ako Kay Jennie. She frowned a bit pero I don't want to give myself a false hope.

"ayoko sana i'terminate kaso I caught her and my security guard doing shits inside the stock room while madaming nakapila dito sa isang cashier so I ended up firing them both and hired a new one". Sabi ni Jisoo na halatang naiirita.

"By the way" Jisoo added and she called the new security guard and the old cashier.

"Ahmm. Jennie silang dalawa yung makakasama mo dito. This is Dahyun yung Isa natin cashier and Kai our security guard.. guys this is Jennie bago naten cashier, and Lisa my childhood friend guardian siya ni Jennie" we all exchange shake hands but I noticed the guy Kai who is intently stating at Jennie. I find it weird but I let it slide. But Jennie is smiling and laughing at the same time while listening to Jisoo.

"It's a 12-hour duty everyday. It's not tiring naman kasi we have 2 other boys here. They will be here by lunch time para ayusin ang stocks. They only scheduled doing 8 hour duty. Pero don't worry, naghahanap ako ng another cashier's pa para maging 6 hours duty na lng kayo." Paliwanag ni Jisoo.

"Wait I know you po.. di ba ikaw yung--" panimula ni Dahyun and Jisoo quickly noticed my uneasyness. She knows that I don't want anyone to know me as my father's heiress.

"You can go back na sa place nyo baka masalisihan tayo" Jisoo quickly understood the situation and I mouthed "thank you" at her.

I saw Jennie frowned again but this time she's confused by looking at her gaze.

"So maiwan ko muna kayong dalawa ah? Jennie I'll meet you later again para may background ka" Jisoo winked at me and they all gone in a minute.

I turn my body to face Jennie.

"Hey. You can do this okay?" Her eyes changed from being curious into being tense instantly. I hold her both shoulders and lowered my body to.meet her height.

"Kaya mo to. I will pick you up later wait for me okay?" I asked her and she form a smile. She pinched my both cheeks and it somehow gives me butterflies again.

"Hindi muna kailangan gawin yun Alam ko naman daan pauwi. Malapit Lang naman dito" she answered while punching me.

"Ouch. Masakit naman e!" Sabi ko and she chuckled. Ang ganda niya talaga.

"Dito din naman daan ko Kaya I will pick you up. No buts." I said in a commanding tone.

"Takot na ko niyan?" She teased making me pinched her nose.

"Kulit mo talaga Basta after work ko, sunduin kita ha? Don't skip meals. I put some cash on your bag kanina Alam ko Wala ka pang pera" I wisphered para di siya mapahiya. She lowered her head in embarrassment but I pull her head up by her chin.

"Lista mo na Lang pag sahod mo libre mo na Lang ako" I said making her gummy smiles showed up again and nods.

"Nakakakilig para tayong mag-asawa. Dati sinusulyapan ko Lang crush ko ngayon hinahatid-sundo na ko" she said making me laugh.

"Oh nagba'blush ka Hala!" Dagdag niya at tinuro yung mukha kong kulay kamatis na.

"Baliw ka talaga. Sige na magwork ka na. Don't skip meals palakas ka and tawagan mo ko pag may emergency okay?" I said and was about to walk out the store.

"Asawa ko?" Jennie called then laugh after.

"Bakit misis ko?" Pang aasar ko para di ako talo.

"Oh di ba ikaw nag'blush sa kalokohan mo?" Dagdag ko at lumapit ulit.

"Ano Yun Jennie?" Tanong ko.

"Thank you" she said and liquids are now forming in her eyes.

"Hey stop. Don't ever cry okay? Be strong nandito Lang ako palagi" paga'assure ko. She tug my shirt and pulled me closer to her and gave me a hug.

"Shhh. Tama na. Okay Lang Yan tulungan Tayo" Sabi ko at hinimas ang likod niya.

"Sige na magoopen na kayo baka abutan ka Ng mga customer na panget ka" I said and she slapped me on my shoulder.

"Ingat ka ah?" She said making me feel my heart skipped a beat.

"Opo misis ko" pang aasar ko and turn my back at her again.

"Ingat mister ko!" She shouted and I know mapula na naman Ang mukha ko.

Jennie is the typical young lady na kulang sa pagmamahal ng magulang. That's why her genuine being is so obvious kahit kaninong tao. Kahit Sino mapapalapit Ang loob sa kanya. She's so innocent na kahit gaano ka kasamang Tao, she will find a something good inside you. Kahit anong negative situation meron, she will look for the positive. Kung ano Ang kinulang sa kanya, Yun naman ang sobrang ibinibigay niya sa tao. Hindi siya mahirap mahalin. She is the most genuine person I know. Pero I'm still not sure if I like her in a romantic way or I just want to help her because ako lang ang may alam Ng totoong sitwasyon meron siya. Pero Kung ano man ang nararamdaman ko para sa kanya, one thing is for sure. I will protect her in all cost. And if my life will put at risk just by protecting her, I don't mind giving my life for her.

Do I love her na ba? I'm still not really sure about that.