East

Chapter 18

"What is...this?"

I'm holding up a picture of a working place. Office to be exact—oh, with no idea what is this for.

And just so you know, were at the mall right now, specifically sa Wooden's because we decided to order coffee. Kasama ko ang bestfriend kong magaling, nagulat nga ako dahil nandito 'yan ngayon, pabalik-balik dito sa East, palibasa hindi na on-hold ang credits niya. Na-miss din siguro ako, ayaw pa umamin, tch.

"I'm not looking for a job, Lui," I say, observing the photo. Napangiwi ako, the interior is amazing but...

"Plain?" I heard her say.

I tear my eyes off of the picture just to glance her way. Nagtataka sa tanong niya.

Paanong—"You're looking at it with furrowed brows, meaning hindi ka satisfied or feeling mo may mali sa picture."

I smiled and...blush a little. Iba kaya 'yung dating kapag napapansin ng tao 'yung maliliit na bagay na ginagawa o nagagawa mo. 

Napailing ako. "You notice everything, creep."

She gave me a toothy smile.

"I love observing you." Then looks away but quicky face me again, umirap pa as she clear her throat. "So mom would like to ask your suggestions," Lui started again, tapping the photo twice. "She will move to her new office soon and mom hates how plain and lifeless it looks."

Truly, the office looks like... all white and tidy, close to what hospital room have except for the office table and swivel chair—a chair that cost a condo if I may add. Parang hospital talaga! Ano ba 'yan nakaka-uta naman magtrabaho du'n!

My brain starts concentrating to come up with a good idea but fail. Nakatitig lang ako sa larawan, trying to picture everything in my mind.

Seryoso, nag-iisip talaga ako, it wasn't enough still I couldn't help but to notice the swivel chair. Wala akong mapiga, kinukulang na 'ata ako sa aral tapos mukang mamahalin pa 'yung upuan! Ugh! Napapansin ko talaga 'yun, so distracting!

"How much is this swivel chair?" Turo ko nang hindi ko na mapigilan. Halata naman ang pagtataka sa muka ni Luisia.

"What? Girl I don't freaking know a single thing about business finances, stop that."

"Business what—tinatanong ko lang kung magkano ang upuan. It doesn't do anything about business finances! OA mo, ha."

"I'mma kill one of my friend right now, and also! I've seen your IG post what the heck bro are you for real?"

I laugh. Remembering my caption.

"Cute mo nga du'n, eh."

"And? That will cost you...too ballsy huh? Bahala ka, ano na nga kasi? Tapusin na natin 'to."

I smiled knowingly at her.

We spend our time brainstorming ideas about designing her mom's office, we did agree on designs we like and I shared my thoughts in detailed manner because I'd like it to be perfect, I just love her mom, anak ako no'n, eh, ampon lang 'ata si Luisia.

"Where is your date by the way?"

"Date?" I ask curtly, turning her question down, mang-aasar nanaman 'yan.

"I thought Ahiera invited you for a dinner?"

Mataray kong itinaas ang isang kilay ko. "Exactly, she invites me to eat dinner not date."

"Date nga?"

"Lui, just drop it sasabihin ko sa'yo pag may nararamadaman ako, you know that." Tinapik ko ang kamay niya. I hide literally nothing from her—but this. Hindi pa ako ready umamin! Thought I think she had noticed. "Please, Lui."