THE DATE BEFORE THE STORM
After some time the car stopped. I looked outside and we're at a convenience store. Lumabas na si Joaquin, I thought he'll just go buy something so I didn't bother to go out.
Nagulat na lang ako ng umikot siya patungo sa akin at pinagbuksan ako ng pintuan. Such a gentleman.
"Thank you." I utter and smiled. Ngumiti lang din naman siya.
"Let's go." He said with excitement in his voice. Pinagmasdan ko naman ang paligid. I don't know exactly where we are but It looks like a small town.
It seems like there is an event. May naririnig kasi akong mga ingay sa hindi kalayuan at mukhang nagsasaya ang mga tao roon. Nagsimula na kaming maglakad at nagtungo sa gitna ng bayan.
My jaw dropped as we got nearer. There is a local band singing a song on a small platform. There are also a lot of street foods. Maraming mga tao. Maingay pero masaya.
Kids are running around and teenagers are giggling. Tinitigan ko si Joaquin and there is this twinkle in his eyes as he roams his sight around. He really is full of surprises.
Tiningnan niya ako. His eyes are smiling.
"You like it?" He's asking nervously. Tinatanong pa ba 'yun? Hindi pa ba halata mukha ko? I just nudged him and he just laughed. Ewan ko bang kung nang aasar lang siya o ano eh.
May nakita akong tindahan na dinudumog ng mga tao. Napa kunot ang noo ko. Ano kaya ang meron doon?
"What's in there?" I asked curiously. Because of my curiosity I pull Joaquin towards that store. Oh! I laughed. It's a candy bar and gummies stand. They are also making cotton candy with different designs. Namangha ako dahil kaya nilang i sculp ang mukha mo. Perks of having magic.
"You want one?" Tanong ng kasama ko. I was contemplating. I don't like sweets, but because I want to get cotton candy with the sculpture of my face on it I nodded my head. He bought one and I can't get my eyes out on it. This is so cool.
Naglakad na kami para maghanap ng mauupuan ng may lumapit na bata sa amin. What a cuttie. Nakasuot siya ng cloak and it's so cute on him.
"Hey there cutie." I said and slightly pinched his chick. He smiled and slightly giggled. Aww.
"Ale you hel boyfliend." Ask the little boy suddenly. Umakto namang nag iisip si Joaquin. He squatted to level his face on the cute boy.
"What if I am?" Tignan mo 'to. Pakilig. Sinipa ko naman siya ng mahina. He looks at me and mouthed 'what?' I also squatted para magpantay kami ng bata.
"He's not my boyfriend." Sagot ko sa bata. His eyes started to water and I panicked. I glanced at Joaquin and he looked amused. What's to be amused for?
Pumalahaw ng iyak ng bata kaya nagtinginan ang ibang mga tao sa amin. I looked at Joaquin hinting him to help me but he just sat there. Unbelievable.
"Hey, stop crying." Pag aalo ko sa bata. Hinagod ko ang likuran niya at unti unti na siyang kumalma.
"Why did you cry?" Tanong ni Joaquin sa bata. The boy is having hiccups so I left them to buy water.
Pagbalik ko ay masaya na silang nag uusap. The cute little boy is sitting on Joaquins lap. Just like that? One moment he's crying for no good reason and now he's laughing?
Nilapitan ko sila at pinainom ng tubig 'yung bata. Agad niya namang nakalahati ang laman ng bote.
"Why did you cry earlier?" Tanong ko. Tumingin muna siya sa kasama ko at wari'y humihingi ng paalam. Joaquin lightly nod as if giving his permission.
BINABASA MO ANG
Unforgotten Tale
FantasíaCheska Aurora Lim is a book lover. She explore different genre of stories. A typical teenage book lover. But, what if because of her obsession she'll land inside of a book. Not just an ordinary book, but lies a story of not so ordinary people. Where...
