A Whiff of Forever
"Tonette, buti pa iyong mga halaman mo sagana sa dilig, ikaw hindi."
Wala ako sa sarili habang pinapanood ko siyang magdilig ng mga bagong-lagay na halaman dito sa rooftop.
"Ikaw bata ka!"
Humihip ang hangin at lalo lang akong inantok. Humikab ako habang nakatingin sa malalayong buildings, tapos nagtanong pa ako ng isa kay Auntie.
"Auntie, minsan ka na po bang nalungkot na mas angat pa iyong mga halaman dito kaysa sa bulaklak po ng pagkatao n'yo?"
Hihikab pa sana ako ulit, pero nakita kong hahagarin na ako ni Auntie habang may hawak na gardening scissors. What?! The last time I checked, she was holding a watering pot!
My eyes widened as I prepped to run. I should remind myself again later not to mess with an old maiden whose flower was close to being withered.
Ginawa kong panangga ang braso ko nang maabutan ako ni Auntie. Damn, for an old lady she sure ran fast!
"Joke lang po! Syempre sasagana na 'yan sa dilig, nandyan na po si Uncle Be—aw!"
Kinurot ni Auntie ang singit ko, napatalon tuloy ako. "Gusto ko pang magkaanak with Archer, Auntie!" I bawled. Buti hindi iyong gunting ang ginamit!
"Eh, gusto ba niyang magkaanak sa iyo?" balik na tanong ni Auntie. Ah, ganyan, magsasakitan tayo, Tonette?
Pumangibabaw ang power at confidence sa 'kin kaya't ginantihan ko ng kurot sa singit si Auntie. Pero very subtle lang, kasi may hawak pa rin siyang gunting.
Napatalon nang paatras si Auntie at 'di ko na napigilan ang tawa ko. "Pick someone your age, man!"
Umismid lang si Auntie at saka bumalik sa pagdidilig ng halaman. I walked beside her after a while, when I was sure she won't bite me anymore. I fixed her messed-up hair caused by a strong puff of wind.
Apparently bored, we're here because Tonette figured she wanted to water her rooftop plants while we waited for Archer. Siya kasi ang maghahatid kay Auntie sa zumba, e maagang nakapag-ready si Auntie kaya ngayon ay naghihintay na lang kami. Sasama ako sa paghatid, so that after we dropped Auntie off at the studio, I'd be alone with Archer. See, naisip ko 'yan kasi lalandi ako. Char!
Nakarinig ako ng busina, kaya in-assume ko na si Archer na 'yon. Dumungaw ako sa railings para tingnan. Nandoon nga siya sa baba. Nakasandal sa itim na sasakyan habang nakatungo sa phone niya.
I squealed and jumped a little as I turned to my motherflower boss.
"Let's go, Auntie! Nasa baba na po ang aking makisig na tagahanga," I said, then I flipped my hair with my eyes closed and my lips formed into a smirk.
"Snooki, ako ang ihahatid ni Archer. Ako ang sadya niya rito," pambabasag ni motherflower. Gusto yata talaga ni Auntie na magkasakitan kami ng feelings!
My shoulders reflexively slumped. Nakangiwi ako at tinatamad na nagmulat. Tapos ginaya ko ang sinabi niya, "Ako ang sadya niya rito. Nye nye nye."
Umiling si Auntie. Nagtanggal na siya ng apron at saka kinuha ang bag niya. Humabol ako sa kanya bago siya makapasok sa loob ng building. I hooked my arms on hers, then I inclined my head on her shoulder.
Ngumuso ako at nagreklamo, "Wala naman po sanang sapawan, Antonette. Sa 'yo na nga po 'yong tiyuhin, e."
Hindi napigilan ni Auntie na mangiti kasabay ang irap. Hinampas niya ang puwet ko habang bumababa kami sa hagdan. Hindi tuloy nawala ang mahaba kong nguso. Kasi bakit ako napalo, e umiibig lang naman ang aking puso?
After what felt like a year, we finally reached the ground. When we got out to the street, Archer was still busy on his phone that he didn't notice us right away.
Tumalon ako sa harapan niya. His eyes slammed shut as he slightly jolted. Humagikhik ako. "Hi, blooming morning!"
I just loved it when he closed his eyes in intense amazement because of yours truly moi. Chills! I had to do a quick hair flip before he opened his eyes. I just really had to because I felt like I earned it.
"Why are you still sleepy?" biro ko habang malapad na nakangiti.
"Good morning to you, too, Snooki," he just said after he gained his composure back. "And Auntie."
I pouted for the umpteenth time. Akala ko naman special na ako!
Tumango si Auntie bago pumasok sa backseat ng sasakyan. I shrugged. Well, at least, I got to sit in front.
I didn't know exactly where the fitness gym we're off to, all I knew was that it's in Bronx. I wondered what Archer and I could do there while we wait for Auntie.
As we were stuck in traffic, Auntie received a call. She answered it, and on the other line was the beautiful fine wine, Mrs. Boyers.
"Yes... I can close the shop on weekends. Actually, we are closed today." Auntie chuckled.
Yup, today's a Saturday, and Daily Bloom took a break—for Auntie's zumba! 'Cause I guess, priorities? And in my honest opinion, the answer to that was a gleaming yes. I mean, I didn't know Zumba, but anything that would bag you a good booty was totes a priority! Any opposing notion won't be up for discussion. Periodt!
"Next week is fine. Yes, Mrs. Boyers, I will be in contact with you prior the trip."
I peeked at Auntie through the rearview mirror. While my eyes exhibited confusion, I was also hopeful because I thought I already knew what it was about. When Auntie caught me looking, I mouthed, "Sama po ako?" to which she nodded to as an answer.
Roooad trip!!!
After a braving the bumper-to-bumper traffic, Archer finally pulled over in front of a fitness studio. Dapat ay bababa rin ako ng sasakyan para ihatid si Auntie pero pinigilan niya ako.
"What time will we go back for you, then?" I asked my flower boss instead.
"'Di na, 'di na! Matanda na ako, kaya ko na 'to." Auntie waved her hand dismissively. Nagtanggal siya ng seatbelt at tsaka hirap na hirap bumaba ng sasakyan. Naku, Auntie, good luck talaga sa Zumba mo.
"Yes, you're old, alright," I jested. At syempre, inasikan ako ni Auntie kaya ngumiti ako nang pagkatamis-tamis para pambawi. Nahuli ko namang napangiti si Archer sa gilid ko. Syempre, maganda kasi ang katabi niya.
Kumembot ang puwet ni Auntie nang talikuran ako at lumakad papasok sa studio. O, baka 'di kumembot, hindi ko sure. Pero alam kong mana sa 'kin iyon kaya alam kong kembot 'yon!
"Hindi natin susunduin si Auntie mamaya?" tanong ni Archer nang makaalis kami.
We're hitting the urban road to I-didn't-know-where. But maybe we were already driving home. Alam ko naman 'tong si Archer, e, sobrang slow boy! Kaya ako na talaga ang nagpe-pave ng way para hindi na siya mahirapan sa 'kin. Char! Ang assuming ko talaga, I love it!
"I guess not? Sabi niya 'di ba, na big girl na siya? So, baka she's not lying naman na kaya na niya 'yon. Also, saan tayo pupunta?"
"Uhm... home?" His face flushed a faint red. Nahihiya siya!
I laughed and sat comfortably while I watched the street. "Sure. Let's go home. But I'm changing my mind, sunduin na pala natin si Auntie mamaya."
Oh, 'di ba, paving the way!
"Do you maybe want to... uh... nah. Forget it." He shook his head as if his idea was outrageous he'd want to dismiss instead.
"Yeah, I want to." I shrugged. "Basta ikaw, oo palagi ang sagot."
"Really?" He suppressed a smile. "Then, is it okay if we go to an early lunch?"
Niligon ko siya tapos ngumuso ako. "Patatabain mo ba ako? 'Wag, ha? I wanna maintain my curves. Unless you don't want it?"
Gumilid ang tingin niya, siguro ay para silipin ako. Kaya inayos ko ang katawan ko tapos nag-inhale pa ako. I purposely stopped breathing so I could back up what I just said. Baka mamaya ay may fats na pala ako, e 'di pahiya na ako no'n!
Kasabay ng pag-iwas ni Archer ng tingin ang siyang pamumula ng pisngi niya. Oh my gosh, he's still so shy! If I could have him as a keychain, I'd bring him with me anywhere all the time!
"It's your body, Snooki. You are the sole master of it," he said, his distracted eyes were still trying to focus on the road. "And I like it however you wanted it to be."
Agad akong napapikit at sumandal sa upuan dahil sa panghihina. If I was a pet dog, this could ultimately be seen as playing dead. Bakit? He confessed! Archer just told what his heart wanted. Char!
Pagkamulat ay huminga ako nang malakas at malalim. Kunwari ay hindi ako affected. Kunwari chill lang ako. Kunwari ay hindi ako naglilista sa isip kung sino-sino ang mga imbitado sa kasal. Again, chill lang! No biggie! Sus.
"Let's eat burger, then."
It was a random request, but also kinda not, because I'd always wanted to try to eat one in front of a food truck. I mean, for sure, it's a let-go of experience if I left America without doing it, right?
Finding parking spaces in the city was not only difficult but also expensive. To save time, Archer parked the car at the hotel where he worked at. He had a designated parking space—it's a manager thing. Then, from the hotel, we traveled by foot to find the nearest food truck from Wall Street. Archer said there weren't much of it in the vicinity.
The crowd situation never gets better during the day. There's foot traffic from day to night, and the only time this situation comes in handy was when you wanted zero distance between you and your crush as you walked side-by-side.
But the street of the Financial District was not as busy as the Time Square after the latter became some sort of Disneyland. Hence, my harmless wish was routed flawlessly down the drain. It's such a shame, honestly.
Nilibang ko na lang tuloy ang sarili ko sa buildings na nakikita. While the place was more for business, they still had a couple of clothing stores that I drooled over.
We were walking on the sidewalk, but because I was distracted and not looking straight ahead, I crashed into a magazine stand. Magazines fell from the wooden shelf sequentially, and I even tried to save some of it but to no avail.
"I'm really, really sorry!" I looked at the vendor as he joined me in picking up the zines to organize it again.
Hinanap ng mata ko si Archer. Saktong lumingon siya para naman hanapin ako. Napangiwi na lang ako nang makita niya ako. I was embarrassed but there's no way I could fix this situation quickly for him not to notice.
Tuloy pa rin ako sa pag-aayos, and I had my lips formed into a frown while I was at it. When Archer arrived, most zines were neatly organized again.
"I am so sorry," sabi ko ulit doon sa vendor. He only smiled a bit and nodded. Bilhin ko na kaya ang lahat ng tinda niya?
"You alright?" Nakakunot ang noo ni Archer. Binigyan ko naman ng mabilis na tango ang vendor bago kami naglakad muli ni Archer
"Yeah. Na-distract lang kaya nabunggo." I looked behind to peek at the vendor one last time, but he seemed to have moved on with his life that fast.
Magkatabi na kaming naglalakad ni Archer. Ganito kasi dapat, nang 'di kung ano-ano ang nangyayari sa 'kin.
"Where were you distracted?" he asked, looking down at me because of our height difference.
Should I come closer and tip-toe? So that those that are meant to touch, finally will?
"Ah, wala lang—"
"Snooki!" he yelled and pulled me onto him by quickly grabbing my shoulder.
"—huh?" I looked up to him, this time with confusing eyes. Habang nakakukot ang noo ay nakalingon siya sa pinanggalingan namin, at kung anong tinitingnan niya ay wala akong pakialam. Niyayakap niya ako, omg! I mean, technically. So, counted na rin.
"Archer, ano 'yon?"
Nilipat niya ang tingin sa 'kin, at hindi pa rin niya tinatanggal ang pagkaka-akbay. Shet.
"You almost walked right into the scaffolding back there. Are you okay?"
What?! Bakit 'di ko nakita iyon? And why did I keep on crashing onto stuff? Okay na okay naman ako, ah!
"Sorry. Okay lang ako," I assured him with an embarrassed smile.
When we reached a pedestrian crossing, ako na mismo sana ang magkukusang humiwalay kay Archer kasi nakaakbay pa rin siya. Nang tatawid na kami ay hinigpitan niya ang hawak sa balikat ko habang binabantayan ng tingin ang mga sasakyan.
Tiningala ko siya, at pigil na pigil talaga akong maging distracted na naman! Seryoso ang tingin niya sa mga sasakyan, na parang ayaw niya talagang may mangyari sa kanyang reyna. Char! But not really, because he's actually serious.
After walking to the other side of the road, our walking situation remained the same. His arm still hung over my shoulders. Tinatago ko ang ngiti ko, pero parang 'di ko na kaya! I was so sure he knew what he was doing. We've been walking like this for about some time now. He liked it, too!
I poked his side while grinning silly. "Uy, nakaakbay pa rin siya sa 'kin!"
The color of his already-red face saturated. I guffawed, and my head sunk on his chest because of uncontrolled giddiness.
"Uh, are you uncomfortable?"
He still could never speak straight when being so shy. Sabi ko naman kasi sa kanya, e, kiss ko na iyang lips na iyan!
"Why? Tatanggalin mo ba if yes?" I smirked and let him see it.
"But are you?" His brows furrowed. I liked his blush! He's nervous and bold at the same time.
"Of course, not—"
"Alright, then."
Namumula pa rin ang pisngi niya pero itinuwid na niya ang tingin. Muli niyang hinigpitan ang pagkakaakbay sa akin, as if latching me into place where it felt really nice—where I really liked it.
I was biting my lower lip so I could stop myself from squealing. Sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko. Hindi na ako makangiti dahil kinakabisado ko ang pakiramdam nang ganito. It was a first time for me, at gusto ko 'to! Gustong-gusto! Shet.
Gusto ko rin sanang sabihan na mag-ingat iyong mga naglalakad sa likuran namin, baka kasi matapakan nila ang buhok ko.
Ngayon ako hindi nakaramdam ng pagod sa paglalakad. Actually, hinihiling ko na sana malayo pa kami. Yet as if on cue, I saw the food truck and Archer even pointed at it.
Grabe, 'di man lang tumagal nang one hour itong moment namin. Ang damot, ha! But alright, I was feeling hungry na rin naman.
"Nakakain ka na ba dito?" I asked him while we're both looking at the menu.
"A couple of times. It's good." He nodded.
"Would you like to order for me?" I grinned. "Or... wait, nevermind! I'll just have what you're having. Para couple food tayo."
He closed his eyes and shook his head. His lips even had a suppressed smile. "Sure, Snooki."
Pinaghintay niya ako sa gilid habang siya naman ay um-order. Pinanood ko siya, binabantayan, baka mawala pa, e.
Archer was a good guy. I couldn't say I've never met someone as kind as him, but I could say he's the only one who made me go full-blown giddy. My family and friends said I was crazy, but he made me crazier! It's crazy!
Nag-abot siya ng bayad at tipid na ngumiti sa kausap. He's very respectful, kind, and I liked his relationship with Auntie Tonette and Uncle Benj. He's also tamed, and maybe that's what I liked most about him. We're balanced together.
Pero gwapo rin kasi talaga siya, for me! Like, nginig-tuhod kinda gwapo, and a rewind on first time I saw him could attest to that. Hngg~
Archer got our burgers when he got back to me. Na-miss ko siya, to be honest.
"Thank you, sir," I said with a royal curtsy because I felt extra. He handed me my burger and I peeked at what he got for himself to check if we matched. Natawa siya nang ma-realize kung anong ginawa ko. I raised both of my brows and innocently asked, "What?"
Nakangiting umiling lang siya at nagsimula nang kumain. The pastrami burger was good that I wanted to eat it gracelessly. If I was happy with a food like this, I always aimed for a big bite. But I needed to be cute in front of Archer, so... bummer!
"Saan ka usually nagpupunta for lunch when you have work?" I asked him before taking a bite of my burger.
"Noon, kay Auntie. Lately, just at food trucks like this on my way to Daily Bloom."
"Bakit 'di ka na nagla-lunch sa shop?" Ngumiwi ako nang kaunti. "Was it because of me? Nagkaroon ka ba ng kaagaw sa packed lunch ni Auntie?"
If I was the reason, then I'd feel really sorry. No kidding!
Ginilid niya ang mata para mabilis akong tingnan. Natawa siya at bumalik sa pagkain niya.
"Uy, ano nga?" I cried and tugged his shirt.
"Just trying out something new. That's all, Snooks." He smirked. Smirked!
"Snooks na naman!" I rolled my eyes. Kakainis naman. "I still feel like I'm being turned down every time you call me that."
"Anong gusto mo na itawag ko sa 'yo?"
"Bhosx mapagmahal veintiocho!" I snickered but he confusingly smiled. Napatigil agad ako at umiling sa sarili. "'Di nga pala 'to laking-Pinas. Ah, basta, call me baby boo na lang, then I'm good."
"Does your birthday fall on a twenty-eight?" he asked instead. Ito talaga ang napansin niya, ha.
"Yip!"
He nodded, then, I noticed a cheese on the cupid's bow of his lips.
"Archer," I called him. Tinuro ko iyong parte na 'yon sa sarili kong labi. Nakuha naman niya ang pinaparating ko.
Kumuha ako ng tissue sa counter ng food truck tapos siya naman ay naglabas ng puting handkerchief. Nagkasabay kami, pero agad siyang umiwas ng tingin na parang walang nangyari at pasimpleng ibinalik ang hanky sa bulsa niya.
I felt the butterflies in my stomach danced in chaos! I had to force myself not to smile, otherwise, Archer might feel awkward. At ayoko noon, kasi baka hindi niya papunasan ang labi niya sa 'kin.
"Hey, thanks," he said. Akmang kukunin niya ang tissue mula sa 'kin pero alam ko namang palabas niya lang 'yon. Gusto niya naman talaga na ako ang magpunas, e.
I kiddingly scoffed. "Can you look down a bit?"
And Archer did. I wiped his lips clean with a tissue, and I felt him watch me as I did. Hindi ko masalubong ang tingin niya. My knees were wobbly as they already were! Paano pa kung magkakatitigan kami?
Parang hindi ko gusto na rito ang first kiss namin. Hmm.
"I think you got it all, Snooki." Archer chuckled, and once again, I was an embarrassed Snooki!
Lumayo ako at umirap. "I'm just making sure! For everyone's information, I am an advocate of good and proper hygiene!"
Naningkit nang kaunti ang mata niya. He's so amused now! Nangingiti-ngiti niyang itinuro ang gilid ng sariling labi.
Tumaas ang kilay ko. "Really, now?"
Hindi ko kasi sure kung meron din ba talaga akong dumi sa labi, o ginagaya niya lang ako. Naiinis ako na kinikilig. Nakakaasar!
"I'm not kidding," he defended with a laugh. Umirap lang ulit ako. Nilabas niya ulit ang hanky niya.
Napanguso ako at kunot-noong umiwas ng tingin. Nang malapit na sa labi ko 'yong kamay niya ay pinigilan ko siya agad.
"Ayaw ko niyan. 'Wag 'yan!"
"Oh, tissue, then?" Mabilis niyang nilingon ang counter ng food truck. Agad kong pinigilan ang braso niya.
"Hindiii!" I sang. Ngumuso ako para ituro sana ang labi niya. "Iyan gusto ko."
Lumingon siya ulit, nagtataka kung ano ang tinuturo ko. Natawa ako. This was a hindi-nga-pala-siya-lumaki-sa-Pinas part two! Hindi siya nasanay na labi ang pinantuturo.
"I don't get—"
"Iyan nga ang gusto ko." Ngumuso ulit ako, tapos tumingin na naman siya sa likod. Malakas na akong tumatawa habang nagtataka pa rin siya.
"Snooki," he playfully warned. I stuck my tongue out.
"I want you to use your lips to wipe it off of me." I wiggled my brows.
And guess what? Namula na naman siya! Like, he was so intensely red! Tawang-tawa na naman ako. Actually, ang dami kong tawa today, mga ninety-nine.
Archer shut his eyes and bit his lip like he always did when he's suppressing a smile. Napatigil naman ako nang ipantay niya ang mukha niya sa akin at lumapit nang kaunti. I kid you not, naglaho ang ngiti ko dahil sa kaba!
Pero kahit kinakabahan ay ngumuso ulit ako, ready pa rin!
Then, he teasingly smiled and wiped my lips with the tissue. Mabilis nalaglag ang magkabilang balikat ko. He laughed when he understood my disappointment. Iniwan niyang nakadikit sa labi ko iyong tissue at natatawa pa ring tinalikuran ako para sagutin ang tawag sa phone niya.
"I'll just answer this, Snooki."
Nakangiwi kong kinuha ang tissue, binilog 'tsaka hinagis sa malapit na trash bin.
Bumuga ako ng hangin at ginaya ko ang sinabi niya. "I'll just answer th—ugh! Paasa!"
Nasa malayo siya nang kaunti at hindi ko alam kung sino ang kausap niya. Pero nangingiti pa rin siya habang nasa tainga ang phone.
Pinapanood ko siya, at nang magkasalubong ang tingin namin ay umirap ako. I heard his laugh from a distance.
Mabilis lang iyong tawag. Pagkatapos ay bumalik agad siya sa 'kin. Walang nagbago sa labi niya, lumilitaw pa rin ang mapang-asar na ngiti.
"You are evil, sir," I sneered. "Evil!"
He shook his head. Kinuha niya ako sa aking balikat at dinala sa gilid niya para maglakad. Nakaakbay na naman siya! At nanginginig na naman ang kalamnan ko. 'Di ko sinasabing gusto ko, kasi gustong-gusto ko talaga. Kekeke!
"It's Uncle Benj who called. Pinapasundo sa atin si Auntie, nag-walkout daw."
I grimaced. "Huh? Why daw?"
"I didn't ask. I couldn't focus on the call, not when someone's fiercely staring at me as if she wanted to eat me alive." He laughed.
Hinampas ko ang dibdib niya. Mas lalo lang siyang tumawa. Humihip naman ang hangin at naamoy ko ang pabango niya.
Siniksik ko sandali ang mukha ko sa dibdib niya bago tumingala. Then, I pouted and said, "Woah, you're really mabango."
"Am I, hmm?"
"Uu."
"Anong amoy?" He chuckled.
"Amoy forever." I grinned. "Char!"
Napailing siya pero nangiti naman. "Let's get you water. You need it. I have some in the car cooler."
I hissed. Kainis! Pero konting inis lang pala, kasi nasa dibdib niya pa rin ako. Kekeke!
Gusto ko, sa susunod, nasa puso na. Sure 'yon! Sure na sure!