Winning Hurricane

III - Clonidine

"What, no one's trying to court you?" Lola asked, disbelief in her eyes. It's Sunday, I was supposed to study but she called asking for a date. Now, we're roaming around the mall and my feet totally beg for a rest.

"No one and I like it that way po," I answered politely. Her arms were locked in mine.

"Wala ng mga bayag mga lalaki ngayon." She said shaking her head. Agad akong napalinga linga baka kasi may nakarinig sa kanya! She even said it in Tagalog! Omg!

"Lola, please your language.." I whispered. Tinawanan lang niya ako bago ako hinila papasok sa isang botique. Ugh.

Inisa isa niyang isukat sakin lahat ng mga dress na matipuhan niya. I'm not really into this kind of thing kaya pakiramdam kong pagod na pagod na agad ako but I didn't voice out my complain. Minsan nalang kami lumabas ni Lola ever since I entered medical school.

After she was satisfied with every dress she bought hinila na ulit niya ako palabas para mag-hanap ng ipapasalubong daw niya for Charlie, my youngest sister.

"I should set a date for you,"

"No, no. Lola, please." Idea palang ng blind dating sumasakit na yong ulo ko.

"What? Ayoko na magaya ka sa ate mo! May planong tumanda ng dalaga, malungkot mag-isa. Hindi kayo mayayakap ng stethoscope niyo."

Geez. Who said I need someone to hug at night? I prefer being inside the hospital, doing rounds, going home to rest or read a book then sleep than dating. The whole idea of dating tires me more than shopping. Really.

"Bed is better than boys, Lola."

"Iba ang pahinga ng tulog sa pahinga sa taong mahal mo."

"Corny, Lola."

Sometimes I wonder if sila ba ni Ansel ang totoong mag-Lola since parehas sila ng thoughts and words of wisdom. Kaya sobrang close niya kay Ansel, e.

"Is that Hurricane?"

Agad akong napatingin sa tinitignan ni Lola. And there kakalabas lang ng Hugo Boss store is Hurricane Tantoco. Wearing gray polo shirt and black shorts. He.. okay he looks good. Why am I complimenting him anyway?

"Oh, Hurricane!"

Agad siyang napalingon sa direksyon namin. Nag-tama agad ang mata namin bago siya mapa-tingin kay Lola. I am quite amazed na kilalang kilala siya ni Lola, sobrang tagal na kasi nong last. He smiled bago lumapit samin.

"Lola," he greeted bago nag-mano, "Kumusta po?"

Lola, unfortunately, giggled. She looks at him like he's Lolo reincarnated. Geez.

"Feeling younger, hijo." She answered. Omg. Nahihiya ako lalo.

"I see, you look younger than Chandy." He said as he glanced at me. There's a playful smile on his lips.

Tinignan ko lang siya. Ang kapal din ng mukha e.

"Oh! Stop it," jusko. Kinikilig ba talaga ang Lola ko? May pag-palo pa siya sa braso ni Hurricane. I can't believe this!

"Anyway, we're about to eat." No, we're not. "Come, join us. Please. My treat."

I saw hesitation in his eyes.. Please, say no. Say no. I don't think I have the appetite to eat with him.

"Oh, stop thinking. Come on, where do you want to eat?"

Biglang inalis ni Lola ang pagkaka-kapit niya sakin at lumipat kay Hurricane. What the hell?! Sino bang apo dito? I can't believe my grandma!