Forever Live & Die

Chapter 8: The Shift

Summer in Calgary is short and unpredictable.

There was one time it rained so hard feeling ko, nadaya ako.

Maikli na nga, mas marami pang araw na maulan kesa maaraw.

But this summer is different.

Bukod kasi sa mainit, I have Emerald to spend it with.

After spending the night sa bahay, we exchanged phone numbers.

Malimit kaming lumabas for coffee or to watch movies.

Pati si Vanessa, napansin na lagi akong nakangiti at masaya kapag dumarating sa trabaho.

Kahit medyo nagtampo siya sakin dahil sa ginawa kong pagtakas during the bachelorette party, happy naman daw siya na makita na masaya ako.

She asked if I was dating someone.

I said no.

"No?" Nasa clinic kaming dalawa.

Naputol ang usapan namin dahil may dumating na pasyente at kailangan niyang icheck-in.

"We're just hanging out." Matalinhagang sagot ko.

"You don't look like you're just hanging out. Eh ilang linggo ng nakaplaster ang ngiti diyan sa mukha mo eh. Isa pa, lagi mo akong dinadalhan ng muffins and cupcakes. I know for sure you don't bake. Isa pa, hindi lasang store-bought ang mga muffins na iyon."

"May pagkakaiba ba ang lasa ng homemade sa store-bought muffins?" Kinuha ko sa printer ang prescription request ng isang pasyente.

"You're changing the subject."

"Basta. Let's just say I'm in a good place right now. Huwag ka ng makulit dahil baka maudlot pa."

I think I spoke too soon when I told Vanessa na huwag niya akong kulitin.

Nasa office ako one afternoon ng mag-ring ang cellphone ko.

I saw the word green at mabilis na sinagot ang tawag habang nagtatago papasok sa maliit na room sa likod ng reception.

Bawal ang personal calls during work.

For some reason, I felt like I had to answer this one.

"Hi." Mabilis na bati ko kay Emerald.

"Hello!" High-pitched ang boses niya.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah. I just want to ask if you're free after work. I'm here at Chinook Mall. Do you want to see a movie or shop or how about dinner? Dinner sounds good. I feel like having a steak. There's a restaurant here called State & Main. Have you heard of it? We can go there. Oh! There's also a sale going on at Lululemon. You know that shop right? They sell workout clothes and shit like that. It's very popular at the gym. But I hear it's pricey." Mabilis ang pagsasalita niya at hindi ako agad makasunod sa kanyang train of thought.

The warning bells in my head went off.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. I told you I'm okay. Why do you keep asking? So, do you want to have dinner with me? If you don't want steak, we can have Japanese? Do you like sushi?"

Highly excitable and irritable din si Emerald.

Not a good sign.

"I'll be off in half an hour. How about I meet you there and decide after?"

"Sure. No problem. Oh! I think there's something going on at The Apple Store. There's a long line of people waiting for something. Text me when you get here. I'll let you know where I am."