Chapter 53
"Do you want me to stop the car?" he asked halfway. Dama ko na malamlam na ang aking mga mata. Siguro ay dahil sa pagod, stress at sa sobrang pag-iisip. The least that I want to do right now is think. But how could I? Why can't my mind suck at being mind this time? Why can't it cooperate?
I didn't say anything but he still stopped the car. He parked the car in front of Glamour Kills. Most of the stores are already closed except Midnight Madness on the other street. They sell a lot of cheap but of good quality goods there. Palibhasa ay magpa-Pasko na nga.
I was ever shut until he opened the door on the passenger's seat. "Would you give me an hour or half?" Nakasandal siya sa bukas na pintuan habang nakangiti siya sa akin. Nakasimangot lang ako at hindi sumasagot. "Come on. Need I to lift you?" he teased. Umakto siya na tila ba bubuhatin ako.
"Tatayo na ako," wika ko. Inangat ko ang sarili ko at umiwas ako ng tayo para hindi kami magkauntugan. I walked past by him and went to Midnight Madness. Every Christmas season lang mayroon nito. Halos kalahati ay puro mga bazaars. They also have some small tents where friends can hang out.
Pumasok ako sa The Frankensteins! where they serve cuisines which have a Japanese-Russian kick. It's a shame that this store only opens during Christmas season.
"Um-order ka na," wika ni Cyrus. He was adjacent to me. Mainly because of the limited space. It's like the ordinary outside eatery we see in movies.
"Busog pa naman ako. So, light meal will do. I'll settle for sake and sushi," I say, glancing at the menu.
"Are those matryoshka dolls available for purchase?" he asked with his serious face. Nakaturo siya sa mga displays sa likod ng cashier.
"What?!" I grimaced.
"Ever heard of a joke?" He snorted. "Cut your beard and get out of the cage, will you?"
I rolled my eyes. He talks too much. Good heavens! "Are you done?" I demanded. "Now, can we get back?"
He cleared his throat and replied, "I'll have rotisserie chicken, plov and kvas."
Nganga. What the heck is wrong with him? His accent was screaming adoration. Why in the world does he know how to pronounce those words so freaking well? I suddenly craved for justice more than anything else. Hindi ko nga ma-order 'yun dahil hindi ko alam kung paano sabihin. And there he was, uttering them like those were just ordinary words he often says. Geez.
"How in the?" I trailed. Inulit niya ang mga orders namin sa babaeng nasa cashier. This time a little plague. Why is he so annoying? Why is he so adorable when he becomes one? How can I hate him like I should?
"You can worship me later. For the meantime, let's take our seats," he declared while laughing. Oh, God, how can I even have the strength to let go? I can't even last a day without these stupid, nonsensical conversations.
Marahan akong umupo. "You're such a conceited thicko," I hissed beside him.
"Oh, how interesting. Tell me more about that." He winked and sat. Wouldn't it be a shame to admit that someone just had me whipped?
"Ang cool dito, 'di ba?" I said out of the blue. "Sana mag-extend naman sila kahit after Christmas. For sure naman nakita nila last year na mabenta pa rin sa public kahit after New Year."
"Not really," he differed. "People don't pay attention to things they often see. High tendency of being ignored is much expected if we make everything perpetually available. Truth be told, most of the times, we hate clichés or anything mainstream which doesn't give us any fervor. But if you will prolong their agony and excitement, for sure it would be a great catch. The hustle of the wait never fails, you know," he said a matter-of-factly.
