Buying Love (Published Under UMPRINTABLES!)

Forty Four

Tumingin siya sa mukha nito. "Ganoon kawalang kuwenta? Ibig sabihin, eh, wala pa rin talagang kuwenta?"

A guilty smile formed on her lips. "Konti lang naman."

"Ah, ganoon, ha?" Bumangon siya at saka kiniliti ito.

Napuno ng tawa ni Hana ang kuwarto habang nagpupumiglas ito upang makawala sa kanya.

"Uy, ano 'to?" anito noong nasa parking area na sila't pasakay na ito sa passenger's seat ng kanyang kotse. Yes, she had finally conviced him to go home to San Gabriel. But no, he's not convinced that there's still a possibility of him changing the perception of everyone in San Gabriel about him. Not a bit. He was doing this for Hana's favor, actually. Alam niyang nami-miss na din nito ang Nanay nito. Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit siya napapayag na umuwi ng San Gabriel at hindi para makipagplastikan sa mga naroroon, not even to his own family.

He didn't answer her question. Sa halip ay binuhay niya ang makina ng kotse.

She picked up the box from her seat and make herself comfortable before opening it. He was already maneuvering the car out of the parking area when she was what's inside.

"Cell phone? Kanino 'to?" anito noong makita ang laman ng box.

From his peripheral vision, he could see the confusion on her face. He fought the urge na lingunin ito. He, instead, concentrated on his driving.

Pero kahit 'di niya ito tinitingnan ng deretso, alam niyang nakapaskil na sa mukha nito ang abot tengang ngiti. And he perfectly knew what made her smile that way. No, not the phone itself but the note he made as home screen wallpaper on the Samsung Galaxy S4 he just gave her. He was wondering how a simple "Happy 3rd Monthsary, Hana!" could bring out the sweetest smile on her face. Yes, today's their 3rd "monthsary" and he's buying her a new phone as a gift. 

He glanced her way and caught her teary-eyed. He felt a sudden tightening on his chest which he instantly dismissed.

"I am still not into flowers and chocolates and stupid teddy bears so don't expect more," he said to divert his attention from that unfamiliar feeling.

"Okay lang," anito sa gumagaralgal na boses. Nakatitig pa din ito sa kanya, he could see it from his peripheral vision.  "Ang importante ay naalala mo this time," she added.

He didn't tell her that he saved it on his phone five days in advance. He didn't want to forget this time.

"Ang totoo kasi, nakalimutan ko," ang dagdag pa nito.

Napabaling siya dito. "Seriously?"

Natatawa ito habang tumatango. "Oo, eh."

"No freaking way!" ang natatawa na din niyang wika habang nakatutok na ang mga mata sa kalsada.

"Kasi naman, eh. Parang natanggap na ng sistema kong 'di sini-celebrate ang mga ganoong bagay. Parang kusa na siyang nag-adjust."

He, again, chuckled. He just couldn't believe it.

"At saka, na-occupy na din ang aking utak nang pag-uwi natin sa San Gabriel kaya ayun, nakalimutan ko. Sori."

He glanced her way and say the puppy eyes she had on. Nailing nalang siya habang natatawa pa din.

"Bakit nga pala cell phone?" anito.

"Because that's more practical than flowers."

Ito naman ang natawa.

Katahimikan.

"Are you sure you don't wanna go somewhere else? You know, to celebrate," aniya pagkuwan.

"Tempting. Pero "no" ang sagot ko. Kailangan mo silang harapin, Ram. Once in a while ay kailangan mong magpakita ng San Gabriel."

And he knew that what she said was true. Well, at least, she's with him now. Pakiramdam niya'y bigla siyang nagkaroon ng kakampi.