Scurrilous Affair

Familiar Issue

"Millicent, can you check your phone for any message from Dad or Jyra?"

Maarte niyang hinarap ang kanyang cell phone. One swiped then her chink eyes squinted. "Shawn gave me a missed call."

I panicked. "Call him back."

She gave me a serious glare. Too slow, obviously hesitant until Shawn called again. She swiped it and answered, "Yes, lover boy? Alright." Ibinigay niya sa akin ang cell phone. "Ikaw ang gustong makausap."

Kinuha ko iyon. "Shawn?"

"I've been calling you, but your phone is out of coverage area. What happen?"

I suddenly imagine him in the middle of his work— busy and stressful, but his mind was in me. He is holding his phone, the sleeves of his white button down were folded into three forth. His free hand on his waist and those thick eyebrow that sometimes tease me were a deadly knot.

God! I can stay all day watching him work.

"I broke your phone so we are heading now to buy a new one." I said 'what' to Millicent when she gave me a weird look. I am behind her and I didn't notice the tattoo on her legs. Kailan nangyari 'yon?

Mabigat ang bawat paghinga niya. "Is that what really happened?"

Sinulyapan ko si Alec. Malawak at malayo ang tanaw nito. Kaya siguro biglang lumapit sa akin ay dahil kay Shawn.

"May nakabangga sa akin at nalaglag ang phone, kaya nasira. Not a big deal, Shawn."

"Hmm. Huwag ka ng bumili. Ako nalang ang bibili."

Sumunod ako kay Millicent ng pumasok siya sa Apple Store. "Too late. We are here. Ako ang nakasira kaya ako ang bibili."

Millicent is reading something on her second phone. Bumalik siya sa tabi ko. "You know, Charlie? Thaysky's best friend? She's living around here and she is inviting us, though," sabi niya ng hindi tumitingin sa akin.

I motioned her okay, before I spoke, "I think we are going to Charlie after this."

"Are you going to be late? Shall I pick up you there?"

Inagaw ni Millicent ang cell phone ng mapansing nahihirapan akong magpatuloy. "Loverboy, we will be going to be late. Don't worry, we'll follow. Besides, our cousin Jyra is there we'll stay in touch."

"Give me back the phone, you oldie brat!" Marahas kong inagaw ang cell phone sa kanya. "I'm sorry. Millicent is overreacting, but I think she's right."

She is laughing when she approached the handsome employee guy. "Can you show us your latest iPhone?"

"Hmm... gaano ka-late? Puwede ko naman kayo sunduin."

"Shawn, it's your party. Have your good time with your friends. Don't worry, we'll not be super later." Halos hinaan ko na ang boses ko 'wag lang marinig ni Millicent. Pero papansin talaga dahil lalo itong tumawa at tinama ang last two words ko. "Go away, Milli." I pushed her away using the paper bag on my hands.

Tumawa si Shawn. "I miss you. Don't be late and don't wear a skimpy dress. I love you."

"I love you too." Napapikit ako. Mukhang hindi ko masusunod ang pangalawang request niya.

Hindi kami gaanong nagtagal sa pagbili ng cell phone. Tinatawagan na kasi ni Charlie si Millicent. We put first all our shopping stuff inside the car before we sat on the coffee shop where we told her we will wait. Limang minuto bago ito dumating. Laking gulat ko pa dahil kasama nito si Denver Fuego.

Dahil malapit lang ang tower ng condo niya sa mall ay nilakad lang namin. Sobrang awkward namin ni Millicent kay Denver ng ipakilala kami ni Charlie sa kanya. She seemed innocent and thank goodness that Denver pretended we just meet too, but the whole conversation is awkward.