Soft touch

Chapter 8

Early in the morning my phone’s ringing, I don’t have a choice to pick it up or else it will not stop ringing.

“What?” I asked trying to get up while holding my head, it hurts.

“Anong what? Asan ka?” I heard Chantal’s voice so I take a look at my phone and it’s really Chantal.

“Why?” I asked, still half asleep

“You promised na sasabayan mo’ko mag shopping!” she whined that I have to put my phone away para hindi masakit sa ears.

“I did?” tanong ko dahil wala akong maalala na sinabi ko yon.

“Yes, in my dreams so change now. I’m coming to your condo, bye!” She said then hanged up. That bitch wala naman akong maalala na nag promise akong sasamahan ko siya and for the love of god I’m tired and sleepy.

Nag half bath lang ako and then skincare tapos nag bihis, hindi naman nag tagal dumating si Chantal “Call your driver, I won’t drive” I said while putting my shoes nakita ko naman siyang tinaas ang isang car key

“Nakuha mo na car mo?” I said and she nodded excitedly

“Yup! Kahapon lang, that’s why I want to shop but then Stephanie is busy so ikaw nalang” sabi niya kaya tumango naman ako, kinuha ng dad niya yung car niya dahil muntik siyang maaksidente 3 months ago because of I don’t know, hindi naman siya lasing or naka inom, hindi din siya inaantok nung time na yun kasi nakita pa sa vid sa dashcam niya na kumakanta siya sadyang tanga lang talaga.

Nag punta kami sa mall malapit lang sa condo dahil ayaw niya naman daw mag drive ng malayo, tamad talaga. I should be resting now kasi may pasok na bukas but then I’m in a mall taking this kid to shopping.


Para pampalubag loob while she’s shopping I also shop para naman may sense yung pag sama ko sakanya dito hindi yung nakabuntot lang ako sakanya na parang chaperone niya.


“I’m hungry, Chantal” I said while she’s busy looking sa sandals na naka display “Responsibilidad mo to kaya pakainin mo’ko” sabi ko pa kaya natawa siya.



“Maka responsibilidad naman to oa” sabi niya at humarap sakin bago hinawakan ang braso ko “Tara, san mo ba gustong kumain?” she asked that’s why hinila ko siya at dinala sa sa food court.



“Seriously Amara? Manglilibre ako tapos sa food court mo gustong kumain?” natatawang tanong niya pero hindi ko siya pinansin at naghanap nalang ng mauupuan “Are you serious?” she asked pero sumunod naman sakin papunta sa upuan na nahanap ko.


“I want to eat here” I said then excitedly sat down sa chairs “Are you even allowed to eat here?” My smile faded because of what she asked, I then look at her. “That’s why I’m eating with you” I said then lean to her “Hindi mo naman ako isusumbong diba?” I asked then flashed my cutest smile, tinulak niya ang mukha ko at tumawa “Kadiri, wag mo na ipapakita sakin yang ngiting yan ha!” natatawang sabi niya kaya inirapan ko siya.


“Syempre hindi, pero paano yung mga tao?” she asked tapos tumingin sa paligid, napatingin din tuloy ako at marami talagang nakatingin samin. Bigla naman akong nalungkot.

Napansin ata yon ni Chantal kaya hinawakan niya ang mukha ko at hinarap sakanya “Ako ang nagdala sa’yo dito. Ako ang may kasalan, dahil ako ang nagdala sa’yo okay?” sabi niya kaya ngumiti ako at tumango.


“Mag order na tayo, ano ba gusto mo? Maraming stalls dito ikot nalang tayo tapos bilhin nalang natin lahat na magustuhan natin” She said then pull me up iniwan naman namin lahat ng shopping bags sa table dahil baka daw may kumuha ng table namin.


Dala ang wallet namin nag ikot-ikot kami sa mga stalls, though I don’t need to bring my wallet since it’s Chantal treat pero ba’ka may ibang gusto ako maliban sa order niya nakakahiya naman kung siya pabayarin ko don.


Pagbalik sa table may dala kaming tig-isang tray at may nakasunod pa sa amin sa likod na may dala ding isay tray, we bought 6 kinds of ulam, it’s not that much since maliit lang ang serving like isang maliit na plate lang. Then we bought three different desserts leche flan, mango float, and fruit salad. Tapos tig dalawang kanin since no diet for today.


“Thank you, sir.” We said in unison when the man gave us the tray. Pag alis niya agad naman kaming umupo ni Chantal at inayos ang mga pinamili namin.


“Let’s pray..” Sabay naming sabi ni Chantal kaya tumawa kami at agad naman natigil dahil may mga nakatingjn parin samin.


Si Chantal na ang nag pray pagkatapos nag picture muna kami dahil nagtatanong si Stephanie kung nasan kami kaya nag send kami ng pic sakanya and sabi niya lang naman is mag ingat kami at mag enjoy.


Tahimik kaming kumain ni Chantal gaya ng nakasanayan, minsan naman nag uusap pero hindi na namin pinapatagal ang usapan dahil pareho naming alam na ayaw namin na nag uusap pag kumakain.


Some people is shamelessly staring at us, na para bang hindi namin deserve ng privacy. Yung iba pa nga nangunguha ng litrato palihim na para bang mga artista kami, they really don’t know the word respect.  I don’t know if ano yung makukuha nila sa pag-gaganyan nila, recognition? From mg parents and grandmother? Lame.


I am just enjoying my food trying not to mind those people whose looking at us, even Chantal is smiling while eating so I’m trying my very best to not mind them and just enjoy my time since may pasok na bukas.


Kinabukasan I’m in school with Chantal and Stephanie, we’re busy the whole day since we need to finish all our requirements na due this day. I’m having my snacks sa cafeteria with Chantal and Stephanie, busy si Stephanie sa ginagawa niyang assignments si Chantal naman naka tingin lang sa kung saan. She’s really tired, I mean all of whole day kaming naglalakad para hanapin yung ibang teachers para ma pass yung mga requirements, I don’t know if sinasadya ba nilang umalis sa mga spots nila or coincidence lang.



“Namiss ko na uminom..” biglang sabi ni Chantal kaya napatingin kami sakanya ni Steph.



“Tanga, uminom kayo kahapon diba?” Sabi naman ni Steph kaya tumawa ako at tumango ng tumingin siya sakin.

Right, uminon kami ni Chantal kahapon but were just chill kaso we both know may pasok pa, maaga din naman kaming umuwi since may pasok nga and we have a lot of things to arrange pa lalo na yung mga pinamili namin.