Artificial Love | SB19 Justin ✓

4

Matapos kumain ni Ayi, nagpaalam na sila ni Justin kila Sejun at Stell. But instead of going straight home, Ayi decided to drop by the grocery first.

Napansin yata ni Justin ang iba ang rutang tinahak nila.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" Tanong nito.

"Sa mama mo," Ayi joked. "Ibabalik na kita."

She laughed at her own joke. Siyempre, hindi tumawa yung robot. Kill joy naman nito, Ayi thought. Hindi ba nai-install ang sense of humor?

"Sa grocery tayo pupunta," Ayi finally said in all seriousness. "Sabi ko kanina maggo-grocery tayo diba?"

"Ah. Oo nga," the robot replied. Nagtanong din ito, "Do you want me to laugh at your jokes?"

Aray. Nakaka-offend yata na para bang oobligahin pa niya yung robot tumawa, isip ni Ayi.

"No," sagot nalang niya. Nakakahiya naman sa robot. She rolled her eyes.

"I will note that I need the sense of humor upgrade," Justin said nonetheless.

—

Justin took the cart when they got inside the grocery.

Since it has been a long time since Ayi has actually gotten herself decent groceries, she just kept putting random things she saw that piqued her interest.

Ten minutes into shopping, their cart had a jar of cheese balls, Nutella, a scented candle, new bed sheets, and a couple more things that just don't add up.

"I think you're doing it wrong," kumento ni Justin di kalaunan.

"Damn. You think?" Ayi said, cringing at herself.

To her surprise, Justin took the initative to return Ayi's weird purchases. Binalik niya ito isa-isa nang di umiimik.

Aba, Ayi thought as she followed Justin. For a robot, this seems to have a heart.

Her thoughts were soon interrupted the noise made by a group of girls who appeared beside Justin, who was now a couple of steps ahead of her.

Biglang nataranta si Ayi. Paano kung malaman ng mga ito na robot si Justin? "Hoy!"

"Hoy po. Bakit po?" Justin responded, looking startled, as he looked back at Ayi.

"Ay, may jowa na si kuya," sabi ng isa sa mga batang babae na mukhang nasa high school pa lang.

"Sayang. Ang pogi. Parang artista," sabi pa ng isa.

Bakit ba kasi ginawa nila Sejun at Stell ito na sobrang gwapo? Ayi thought.

"Hi. Ano meron?" Tanong ni Ayi sa mga bata, trying to be polite.

"Ate, pwede magpapicture sa boyfriend nyo?" the first girl bravely asked.

"Hindi pwede eh. Baka madiscover siya," sagot ni Ayi. Hindi pwedeng malitratuhan si Justin. It might put him, Sejun, and Stell at risk.

"Sungit," sabi ng bata, sabay irap kay Ayi bago umalis.

"Attitude ka, ghorl?" sabi nalang ni Ayi nang nakalayo na sila. She faced Justin. "Jah, next time, please stick with me?"

"Delikado sayo yung mag-isa," paalala niya rito.

"I'm a robot. I can handle myself," sagot lang nito.

'Shh! Baka marinig ka nila!" Ayi said in panic, looking around them. She explained to the robot, "Let's say you look and act normal, pero baka may kumuha sayo. We can't risk it."

"Okay. Sorry," Justin nodded, looking sad. "Hindi ko na yun gagawin ulit."

Ayi had to keep her heart stable. How could a robot look sad? Na para bang nagalit siya sa walang muwang na bata?