A Little Bit Of Something (On-Going)

#70

(Cace)

That year's October was essential for Jonnie's fangirlhood. For the first time, she'd be experiencing her ultimate boy group's concert. I didn't tell her I bought tickets for us in a VVIP seat, I wanted to see her surprised reaction, bet she'd be cute.

     "Naka-leave ka raw ngayon'g Miyerkules at Huwebes, bakit? May mahalaga'ng okasyon ba?" I was having lunch with Gary at the cafeteria.

     "Sasamahan ko si Jonnie sa concert ng Korean boy group na gusto niya."

     "Sasama ka? Ah, you mean, ihahatid at susunduin mo sa venue?"

     "Manunuod ako kasama niya."

     "Mag-e-enjoy ka ba ron? Gusto mo ba'ng makinig sa mga kanta na hindi mo naiintindihan?"

     "Ano ba'ng klase ng mga kanta ang pinapakinggan mo?"

     "Western. Gusto ko 'yun'g kanta ng Blues." Canadian soloist ang ni-mention niya.

     "Why do you like his music?"

     "Kasi it makes me feel alive."

     "Now that answers your question. Nakikinig ako sa kanta ng GoGoBoys, hindi ko man masyado'ng alam ang lengwahe nila pero just by listening to it, it gives me healing and satisfaction."

     "Pero no offense, Chief, ha? Hindi ba pambata lang 'yan'g mga Korean-Korean na 'yan? Magli-leave ka talaga sa trabaho para lang diyan?"

     "And you think you're not offending anyone with that way of thinking?" I looked at him coldly.

     "Opinion ko lang naman, Chief."

     "You should have keep it to yourself."

   Hindi ito sumagot pa.

     "I already warned you to stop putting your nose in somebody's business. Tino-tolerate lang kita dahil maayos ka'ng magtrabaho, but if I could, I don't want to work with someone who has the same personality as you."

     "C..Chief—"

     "Why not reflect on yourself? Hindi ito ang una'ng beses na nakikialam ka sa mga disesyon ko sa personal ko'ng buhay. It's good that you are free-spirited, but please, learn to know your boundaries as well."

     "Sorry, Chief."

   It always ends like this. He always apologize, but doesn't change.

     "Ubusin mo na 'yan'g pagkain mo, let's not talk further."

   Before I got off from work that day, Jonnie notified that she'd be coming to meet me at the lobby.

   She was bright as usual.

     "Bakit ganyan ka makatitig?" pagtataka niya.

     "Paano ba ako makatitig?"

     "Parang nabunutan ka ng tinik nang makita mo 'ko."

   Napangiti ako.

     "I really am happy to see you."

     "Nagkita lang tayo nung isa'ng araw."

     "That was more than 24 hours ago."

     "Luuhh, malandi."

   Ngumisi ako at napaakbay na sa kanya, nagsimula na rin kami'ng maglakad papunta'ng basement kung saan nakapark ang sasakyan ko.

     "What brings you here?" tanong ko.

     "Sa sasakyan ko na sasabihin."

   Tinitigan ko siya, we were already waiting for the lift's door to open.