Something That Glitters

5 // There's Nothing I'm Not Ready For

That was such a cool reflection, pero I think kailangan ko pa rin ng jowa. Meh.

In the morning, because I woke up earlier than usual, I saw Julio picked up Auntie Tonette as I looked outside my window. I yawned.

My hair was still a mess, naka-pajama pa rin ako. Scratching my arms, I forced myself to walk to the bathroom to take a shower.

It was unusual of me to sing in the shower while sleepy, but I did. Grabe, excited na talaga ako sa bike! Also, kay ano.

I giggled.

Today, I didn't wear my leather boots, instead, I'd gone for black velvet knee-high boots. Maikli kasi itong suot kong dress, iyong tipong p'wede na siyang maging dress ng bata. It's what I wore it so it's still balanced. Not too showy, only a pakipot-sa-eyes lang. Then, I covered my arms and shoulders with a leather jacket.

Now that I was lookin' like the rock daughter of formidable darkness, I put on a thin diamond-studded hairband. Pinaulanan ko rin ang kinulot kong buhok ng eco-friendly na silver and rose gold hair glitters, pero subtle lang and just enough for someone to notice Snooki, me, while in black.

Manhattan, get ready to love me!

Nag-cab ako papunta sa Daily Bloom. Akala ko this was going to be my lucky day. But my heart sank after I saw a bike parked at the shop's entrance.

"Auntie?" tawag ko kaagad pagkapasok ko. My lips and eyes were both curved downwards. "Nanggaling na po si Archer dito?"

"Nagmamadali siya kanina, Snooki. May meeting daw siya ngayong umaga kaya't inagapan niya ang pagdala noong bike."

I glanced outside. The bike was really there. I was speechless for a second. I didn't want to think that all my efforts of dressing nicely today were put to waste because I liked dressing up, anyway.

I sighed. I'm a bit sad lang kasi gusto kong makasilay.

Oh, well.

"Malungkot ka ba, Snooki?" Auntie asked, worried. Noong tumingin ako ay ibinaba niya ang hawak niyang maliit na paso at mas lumapit sa akin.

Umiling-iling ako kaagad at nahihiyang tumawa. "Auntie, 'di po! It's okay, the person's busy. I understand."

Pinansin ng mata ni Auntie ang kabuuan ng suot ko ngayon. Pinaglaruan ko ang kamay ko dahil sa kaunting hiya. A little bit lang.

"Mukhang pinaghandaan mo talaga ito, ah?" Humalakhak si Auntie. I pouted and looked away. "'Wag ka nang malungkot. Bumabalik naman ang batang iyon dito madalas. Asikasuhin mo muna ngayon ang bike mo, suriin mo kung maayos mong magagamit."

I smiled lopsidedly. "Yes, Auntie."

Lumakad ako palabas ng flower shop. I erased my frown and just lamely smiled. I thought, there's always a next time. It just felt weird that I was a bit sad about something today. And the reason was a guy pa! Like, that's not Snooki gaming, at all.

But it's fine. At least now I'm really convinced that I am not a monster with a heart that doesn't know how to love.

Hindi ko pa naman love si Archer. Pa.

Hanggang lunch hour ay tahimik ako. Slight. I also think na nag-aalala sa 'kin si Cornelia but I just repeatedly assured her that I was fine.

"Snooki, pakiayos ang listahan ng customers na may for pick-up na bulaklak. Kailangan ko ang oras at araw, isama mo na rin kung ano ang bulaklak na kailangan."

I gave Auntie a salute and worked my way on the shop's computer. Nakapangalumbaba ako sa desk habang nag-i-spreadsheet.

Kahit na busy ako ay naramdaman kong may pumasok na customer sa shop dahil sa bell ng entrance door. Itinayo ko ang mabigat kong katawan at nagpumilit ngumiti bago dumungaw sa shop mula sa office area.