Chapter 23
Julie's eyes widened after I said those words. She looked at me and I just smiled at her.
"Neknek mo!" she yelled and walked to where Maqui was standing.
"Ate ha? Sabi ko sayo 150 pieces nung tumawag ako kahapon. Binigyan mo pa kaya ako ng discount! Sabi mo Php100 na lang each. Madaya ka ha." I heard Maqui talking to the woman at the souvenir stall.
"Hey. Sabi mo wag hihiwalay sayo. You're leaving me naman." I told Julie.
"Eh iha, hindi naman ako ang kausap mo kahapon. Wala pa dito yung anak ko. Baka siya yung nagbigay ng discount. Basta Php150 each pa din yan."
"Hay nako Elmo. Manahimik ka nga muna." Julie said, brushing my arm away.
"What did I do now? Sabi mo saken eh..." I trailed off.
"Eh ate ganun na din yun eh. Kung anak mo nagbigay ng discount edi dapat ibigay mo na din saken." Maqui said to the old woman.
"Hindi. Php150 pa din yan." the old woman said.
"Julie..." I called.
"Elmo, wag kang magulo." Julie said.
"Ate naman kasi. Php100 each na lang. Tamo 150 pieces naman bibilhin ko sayo. Lugi ka pa ba sa lagay na yun?"
"Hey. Julie talk to me naman."
"Ayoko makipag-usap sayo." the old lady said. We all looked at her and she stopped and looked back at the three of us. "Sino ba kasi yang dalawang yan na ang ingay-ingay?! Nadadamay negosyo ko!"
"Bes, layo muna kayo ni Elmo." Maq said. Julie nodded and dragged me away from the stall. We walked in silence until we reached the escalators. She let go of my hand and looked away.
"Julie..." I called again.
"Wag kang maingay. Ang kulit-kulit mo ayan tuloy nayari pa tayo dun sa matanda kanina. Ang taray-taray pa naman din." she said.
"Bakit kasi nag walk out ka?" I asked.
"Wow naman Elmo ha? Nag walk out talaga? Madrama lang ako ganun?" she said, sarcastically.
"Eh kasi..."
"Alam mo, hindi kasi sa lahat ng bagay dapat bumabanat ka ng ganun. Yes, Moe. Nanliligaw ka. And yes, you may be thinking about spending your future na ako ang kasama. Pero diba sinabi ko naman sayo? Nilinaw ko naman na hindi pa ako sigurado sa nararamdaman ko. Naguguluhan pa ko ganun." she explained.
"I-I understand. It's just that... You're giving me mixed signals kaya hindi ko din alam where to put myself in your life." I said.
She smiled, that sweet Julie smile and held my hand. See? She's at it again!
"Just stay where you are. Kasi aaminin ko namang may lugar ka na dito." she said and even pointed to where her heart is. "Pero naguguluhan pa siya. Natatakot kasi siyang sumugal dahil sa nakaraan niya diba? Alam mo yun diba?"
"Yes... I'm sorry." I apologized.
"Wala yun. Ako dapat ang magsorry kasi nagkakaganyan ka." she said.
"Bes!" we both looked at where the voice is coming from and saw Maqui waving at us with a huge plastic bag on one hand. "Pesteng matanda yun. Ang arte magbigay ng discount tapos sa huli papayag din pala. Hinintay pa kong magtatalak ng Kapampangan bago umoo. Leche siya." she said when she stopped at where Julie and I are standing.
"Nakuha mo lahat?" Julie asked.
"Oo. Bale magpapaprint na lang ako ng tags para dito tapos titingin ako nung flower crowns para sa mga flower girls at abay. Tapos hahanap pa pala tayo ng supplier ng flowers sa Dangwa bes. Kasi nagvolunteer yung bestfriend nung hipag ko na siya na daw mag-aarrange ng bouquet para sa mga ninang at abay."
