The Greatest Opponent

26

"Hi, ma'am and sir. Good morning. We just like to ask a favor, but if you're busy, it's fine," I approached to a married couple.

"Oh. Are you a student? What is that?" Ma'am said.

Ngumiti ako at tumingin sakanila.

"Survey for an important matter. It's a project that was given to us, we are from the Philippines," Ngumiti ako habang binibigay ang papel.

"Oh. Filipino!" Masaya na sabi nilang dalawa. I nodded and entertained them more.

Napasagot ko sakanila ng maayos ang survey. I smiled wider when I got a very detailed answer.

"What's that, miss?" Napalingon ako sa lalaking tiga dito sa hong kong.

Binigay ko sakaniya ang papel. Luckily, he was very interested about our survey. We also had a little talk about some happenings of the topic. Tumingin ako sa kamay ko na wala nang bitbit na mga papel.

"Frank!" I shouted so that he can hear me.

Masyadong maraming tao dito sa pinuntahan namin. Hindi ko alam kung bakit madaming tao sa ganitong mainit at tirik na tirik ang araw. My sweats are already falling down my face.

"Oh," Napalingon ako kung saan galing 'yon.

"Pucha naman! Akala ko kung nasaan ka nasa likod lang pala, shuta," Natatawa ko na sabi.

I looked at him and saw him chill. Wala na rin siyang mga papel. Feeling ko nga nauna pa siya sa akin na nakaubos!

I pouted, "Gutom na ako."

He chuckled because of that. I felt his hand on mine. Sa sobrang init at gutom na nararamdaman ko hindi ko na inintindi iyon.

"Saan mo gustong kumain?" He asked. Napansin niya na naiinitan na ako kaya isinuot niya sa akin ang cap niya.

Gusto ko kumain ng kanin dahil gutom na talaga ako. But then I saw a street food from somewhere. Ano kaya ang mga street food nila rito? I'm curious!

"Look!" Tinuro ko iyon.

Walang alinlangan ako na pumunta roon. Wala naman siyang nagawa dahil hila hila ko siya. I was amazed that there are different sections of street foods.

"Mabubusog ka ba diyan?" Tanong ni Frank. I looked at him and pouted.

I heard him sighed and nodded.

"Yay!" Para kong bata na sabi.

Dumiretso kami sa mga nakahilerang street foods. Pumunta kami sa isa at naghanap ng makakain. When something catched my eyes, tinuro ko kaagad iyon.

Binigay sa akin ni Frank ang gusto ko. I quickly grabbed that and took a bit. My eyes widened.

"Sarap!" Tawa ko.

I saw him smiled so I offered him. Sinubuan ko siya ng isa para matikman niya iyon.

"Sarap, diba?" Masigla na tanong ko. I saw him stare at me and watching my every reaction.

"Sarap nga," Pagtango niya. I chuckled and then took another bit.

I wiped my sweat. Napalingon naman ako nang biglang may nagpunas ng pawis ko. I faced Frank more so that he can wipe all of my sweat. I swear, pagkauwi namin maliligo na ako. Sobrang init kaya!