Kronack Crown

Chapter 6

KALISZ HEELS and legs hurt after a long walk around the mall and several shops. Gusto pa nga siyang dalhin ni Auri sa resort pero tumanggi na siya. Buong araw ba naman silang naglakad at nagpalipat-lipat ng tindahan.

Matapos silang ihatid ni Kronack kaninang umaga ay hindi pa sila umuuwi. Dito na rin silang dalawa kumain ng lunch. It's already after sunset and now they're waiting in front of a coffee shop for Auri's brother to pick them up.

"I'm tired and my heels hurt." Reklamo niya kay Auri.

Tumawa ito. "Normal lang yan. Hindi ka kasi sanay."

"Mm-hmm."

Auri glanced at her curiously. "By the way... Nakalimutan kitang tanungin. Ano pinag-usapan niyo kanina ni kuya Kronack?"

Tumigil si Kalisz sa paghigop ng vanilla latte niya.

"Wala naman," aniya.

"Nothing? Nakaupo lang kayo do'n habang naghihintay sa akin?" Nakataas ang kilay na tanong nito. 

Kalisz stared at the water fountain not far from where they stood, reflecting on her conversation with Kronack from that morning.

"He wonders about my fashion and my reasons for my fashion."

"And?"

"I told him why," Kalisz replied and sipped what was left in her cup.

She couldn't understand why she had chatted with him that morning. Though it was a short conversation, it was unusual for her to explain herself to someone she barely knew, especially when it involved personal matters. However, she felt comfortable after the talk and was thankful he didn't mention anything about that embarrassing night.

Well, it is better forgotten.

"I'm glad you tried to talk to someone else." Nakangiting saad ni Auri.

Kalisz just smiled and said nothing.

"Tulad ng sabi ko, mababait 'yan sila hindi lang halata. Babaero lang ang iba, aside from that they are good people. Lalong-lalo na si kuya Kron at syempre si kuya ko," anito. "Makulit at nakakaputi ng buhok nga lang minsan." Natatawang dagdag pa ng kaibigan.

"I'll try, Au." Tanging nasabi na lang ni Kalisz.

Hindi pa talaga niya alam. Saka wala naman siyang balak magtagal sa bahay na 'yon, kaya't hindi niya mahanap ang rason kung bakit pa niya kailangan makilala ang mga 'to.

Hindi rin nagtagal ay dumating na si Prius. Sa tapat ng coffee shop ito huminto. Nakaagaw agad ito ng atensyon dahil sa gara ng sasakyan nito. Another car from the famous automaker company- the Crown.

Come to think about it... Crown din ang pangalan ng isla, she wonders if somehow there is a connection between the two.

Binaba nito ang bintana ng sasakyan at sumilip sa kanila. 

"Hey ladies, come!" Nakangiting tawag nito sa kanila ni Auri.

Tumayo na sila ni Auri at nagmamadaling sumakay ng kotse. Sa likod siya pumuwesto samantalang sa harap- katabi ng kapatid nito si Auri umupo.

"Where have you been kuya? Ang tagal mo." Agad na reklamo ni Auri sa kapatid.

Liningon ng lalaki ang kapatid at ngumiti. "Sorry ladies, I had to finish the dessert I made for us for dinner," sagot nito at sinulyapan siya saglit bago nito ibinalik ang atensyon sa pagmamaneho.

Tumango-tango naman si Auri dito at hindi na nagtanong pa.

Nang makarating ng Villa, agad silang pumasok ng bahay ni Auri dala ang pinamili nila.