Kabanata 7
1220 Words
Khalid
"Worcester—what?" salubong ang mga kilay kong tanong kay Anie. My arms are leaning against the cart's handle as I pushed it lazily.
She went through a whole section of condiments and other cooking ingredients. Maya-maya ay may dinampot na bote'ng parisukat ang hugis. "This. Worcestershire sauce. I need this."
Napakamot na lang ako ng sintido. She really wouldn't go home to an incomplete kitchen, huh? I don't mind anyway. As long as she's using my card to shop, she can buy the whole damn store.
Inayos ko ang mga nakalagay sa cart. "What else do you wanna buy? We've got like what? Hundred k more to spend."
Sinimangutan niya ako. "Masama yata ang loob mo na marami akong binibili, eh!"
"What?" I scoffed. Oh, she got it wrong. That wasn't a joke.
"Baby, you know I'd spend millions on you."
She rolled her eyes. "I need to find some pickled garlic. Do they have it here?" she asked.
"Never heard of that before," I said lazily.
"Hindi ka kasi nagluluto kaya hindi mo alam," asik niya.
I pursed my lips, trying my best not to show how I enjoy seeing her throw a tantrum. Ah, my cute mi flor. Look at those narrowed eyes? Parang katipunerang gustong magdeklara ng gyera pero halatang hindi rin papatulan dahil sobrang ganda.
"Nandiyan ka naman. You'll cook for me. I have more reasons to come home now," I said.
She looked away as if she's trying to hide her face from me. "Well, I'm your personal bodyguard now. I will always be around you to protect you."
Umismid ako. Akala mo naman talaga ay papayagan kong makipagpatayan para sa akin. Baka kung magkaingkwentro ay ipanangga ko pa ang sarili ko huwag lang siyang mapuruhan.
Sinundan ko na lamang noong nagpunta sa kabilang section para bumili ng shampoo. She grabbed a small bottle then put it in the cart. Dinampot ko naman iyon at tiningnan ang label. I then looked for the largest bottle and replaced the one she picked.
Napatingin siya sa akin. "Daddy, the smaller one is enough. Pwede namang mag-weekly grocery."
"We can buy another large bottle next week." I pointed the conditioner section. "Go grab the biggest one, too."
She sighed and just took the large bottle of conditioner. Dumampot din ng sanitary pads at body scrub.
I busied myself scanning the baby bath section. Nang makita niya ako ay tinaasan kaagad ako ng kilay.
"I'm not a baby anymore. Stop checking out the baby baths!"
I smirked and pinched the tip of her nose. "Well, you're still my baby."
Sumimangot siya't umirap bago ako tinalikuran para kumuha ng feminine wash. Napahimas tuloy ako ng batok. Sometimes I still can't accept that she's all grown up now. Parang noon diapers pa lang ang binibili ko. Ngayon ay sanitary pads na. Damn, I feel old.
We went through the rest of her grocery list then paid for everything. Nagpresinta pa na magbuhat ng pinamili namin ngunit hindi ko pinayagan. Yes, she's fit but there is no way I'll let her carry these bags. Baka siya pa ang buhatin ko kung magpumilit.
"Let's go buy your clothes," I said while maneuvering the car out of the parking lot.
"Okay," sagot niya habang abala sa cellphone.
I tried to peek but Anie immediately hid the screen. "What? You can go through every app in my phone while I'm not allowed to see yours, hmm? You're being unfair."
"Eh, sa'yo naman baka may mag-chat na babae. Malay ko kung may bago ka palang girlfriend tapos hindi mo lang sinasabi sa'kin?"
I sighed. "Mi flor, kung meron, sa'yo ko unang ipapakilala dahil siguradong kung hindi mo na naman gusto, hindi mo na naman ako kakausapin. You do realize that getting blocked by you is torture, right?"
She lowered her head trying to hide her face as she cleared her throat. "Ah, basta. I don't want to see you flirting with anyone."
"Don't entertain boys and you will have my word." I massaged my jaw. "Saka na kapag patay na ko nang hindi ko mahabol ng itak ang magiging boyfriend mo."
Sinipat niya ako sa braso. Mahina na lamang akong tumawa bago ko siya kinabig para patakan ng halik sa noo. Sumandal naman siya sa aking braso pagtapos saka niya binuksan ang stereo. We sang along to a few songs while on our way to Chaya's. Nang makarating ay bumaba ako at pinagbuksan siya ng pinto.
"Khalid! It's been a while!" bungad ni Chaya nang makita kaming pumasok. Bumeso pa sa akin kaya humalukipkip kaagad ang magaling na si Anie. She even pouted her lips while narrowing her eyes on me as if demanding for explanation.
Bumaling ako kay Anie saka ko siya inakbayan. "You remember my sweet girl? She's all grown up now."
"Of course. Makakalimutan ko ba si Anie eh binitbit mo siya rito noon at pilit hinanapan ng baby clothes?" She laughed softly. "Ngayon hindi mo na ako kailangang kulitin na maglagay ng baby clothes sa collections ko. I bet most of our clothes here will fit on her perfectly."
"Good. Bigyan mo nga ng may manggas tapos hanggang sahig na palda—aw." Umikyad ako nang kinurot ni Anie sa tagiliran. "What?"
Anie's eyes narrowed at me. "I don't wanna look like an old maid!"
Natawa nang mahina si Chaya. "Halika, Anie. I'm gonna show you my favorites. I bet you'll love them."
"Hey, no backless clothes. Kapag 'yan nagka-pneumonia, Chaya," I warned.
Hindi na nila ako pinansin. They checked out some clothes while I was escorted inside the fitting area where a large French couch was in. They even served me some champagne while letting me choose a few jewelries for mi flor.
"Give me that one. Pwede niyang gawing everyday jewelry. Also this one," I said, pointing at the simple earrings with diamond studs. The other one was an authentic black pearl.
Tumango ang staff. Maya-maya ay pumasok sina Anie at Chaya kasama ang isa pang staff na may dala sa mga damit na napili ng dalawa. Anie tried each, at sa tuwing lumalabas siya sa may makapal na kurtinang silid ay gusto kong kuhanan ng larawan.
Damn, isn't my baby ethereal? Napabuntonghininga ako. Hindi talaga ako pwedeng mamatay nang maaga. Ang ganda-ganda ng kailangang bantayan.
She tried the last piece. A simple floral dress with a slit on the side. It's a little daring but Anie carried it with class. Sandali tuloy akong natulala, at kung hindi pa ako kinausap ni Chaya ay hindi ako matatauhan.
"Suits her well, right?" Chaya asked.
I inhaled a sharp breath then smiled. "Yeah." Dinampot ko sa lalagyan ang pearl necklace saka ako lumapit kay Anie. She stood in front of the large mirror while I put on the necklace around her neck. We then smiled at each other through the mirror before I hugged her on her shoulders.
"Happy with your new clothes?" I asked, still staring at her through the mirror.
"Yes. I just need a few more. Undergarments na lang naman."
I kissed the top of her head. "Chaya, undergarments. Bring it all here."
Tumango si Chaya bago inutusan ang staff niya, ngunit nang makita ko ang rack na tulak ng staff ay parang umakyat lahat ng dugo sa aking ulo.
"I said underwears, Chaya not sexy lingeries!"
- Writer
