He Broke Me First

Chapter 17

"Make sure to buy a lot of ready to eat food," I told Joaquin as he pushed the cart.

I was just beside him. It's holiday so we decided to go grocery shopping. Kakalipat niya lang kasi last week sa condo niya at wala pang gaanong laman iyong refrigerator niya.

Inabot niya sa' kin ang maliit na papel na binigay sa kanya ni Mama kanina noong sinundo niya ako sa bahay. Nabanggit ko kasi na tutulungan ko si Joaquin sa pag-gogrocery and my mother being herself, talagang gumawa pa ng listahan ng mga kakailanganing groceries ni Joaquin.

"Hindi naman healthy," pambabara niya.

"Just in case you don't feel to cook, okay?" I said.

"Ah, kapag tinatamad?"

"Yes."

He tapped my shoulder. "Talino naman."

I shrugged. "Don't state the obvious."

I took a look at the list. Nakita kong may mga frozen food doon kaya inaya ko siya kung nasaan ang section no'n. Kumuha ako ng ilang hams, hotdogs and meats pagkatapos ay iniwan siya saglit kasama ng cart para kumuha ng ilang bottled water.

Kumunot ang noo niya pagkabalik ko. Kinuha niya sa' kin ang ilang dala ko at siya na ang naglagay ng mga 'yon sa cart.

"Are you planning to have a water station?" he asked with furrowed brows.

I rolled my eyes. "Talagang sinadya kong damihan. Stay hydrated, baka mamaya alak ang gawin mong tubig," I told him because the last time that I visited his condo, puro in can beer ang nandoon sa fridge niya!

He clasped his hands then bowed a little. "Arigathanks," he playfully replied.

I instantly slapped his arm. "Alam mo may tama ka na."

"E, kung sa'yo matagal na."

I sighed. "When will I get used to this cheesy pick up lines?" I talked to myself.

Madramang sinapo ni Joaquin ang noo niya. "Bakit ba hindi mo ma-appreciate mga effort ko para sa relasyong 'to? Grabe na ginagawa mo sa' kin, Kiela. Sobra na." Umiling-iling pa siya.

"What the hell, Joaquin."

"Hindi ko na kaya. Ang sakit na ng mga sinasabi mo," he continued.

"Fine. I'll just go home." I turned around but he grabbed my arms immediately.

"Hindi ka naman mabiro. Joke lang, e."

Umirap ako. "Joke lang, e," I mimicked him.

He laughed before pushing the cart again. Naglakad na kami papuntang counter. Pangatlo pa kami sa pila, baka tumagal dahil ang dami ring pinamili ng mga nasa harap namin. Hindi naman kami pwedeng lumipat sa iba. This is the only counter that has the shortest line.

I felt Joaquin plant a kiss on my forehead. I got used to it. Bigla na lang niyang gagawin 'yon kahit walang dahilan. I was about to talk when someone called my name.

"Kiela?"

Mabilis akong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ng boses. Kumunot pa ang noo ko noong lingunin ko 'yon.

"Uh, yes? Who are you?" I asked politely.

The man chuckled. "Grabe, hindi mo na 'ko naaalala?"

I tilted my head to the side. Was he my classmate? I couldn't remember. "Have we talked before?"

He shook his head. He then took a small picture out of his wallet to show it to me. My eyes widened when I saw an old picture of me with a boy beside me.