Basket of Keen

Chapter 9

Someone’s POV:

“How is she?” Saad ng isang baritong lalaki na nakaupo sa isang upuan.

“She’s doing great sir, the same as always.” Sagot ko sa kanya.

How long he will break their contract with each other?

“Good to hear, just keep your eye on her. Ilang buwan na rin at matatapos an ang kontrata namin.” Saad niya sa akin.

Nakatingin malang ako sa kanya. Nakita ko ang pag lagay niya ng alak sa baso at inilahad sa akin, agad ko naman iyong tinangap. We cheers in each other’s glass and drink it.

When will this man get tired of his actions?

Zyreah’s POV:

“Granny, it’s been a while since the last time I visited you.” Saad ko habang nililinis ang kanyang puntod.

It’s been months since the last time I got on her grave. I do really miss her; I miss her smile and her laugh while cooking on her kitchen.

“Granny, I met this teenager few days ago. She gave me a valenciana but it seems to be different because it has the same taste of yours and tito lolo’s valenciana.” I start telling her stories. “Granny, Paisley is already married with Wills months ago, they had a beautiful wedding. Paisley is a beautiful bride like you always said before, she really is a goddess in her wedding dress.” I said to her and I felt my tears rushing to my cheeks. I wipe it out and got curious.

“Granny, is this what they called heartache? Why does my tears coming from my eyes? Why do I felt this? The last time I felt this emotion is when you leave me alone.” I said and my tears slowly falling from my eyes.

“Granny, I miss your hug and comfort. I still have to learn more from you, why did you leave me all a sudden? Why did I turn like this granny? I need explanations. I need your words of wisdom, I need you by my side granny.” I cry in sadness while looking at her grave.

My vision gone blur as my tears covering my sight, if I could go back in time and spend my time again and again with her, I will do it. I do really miss her.

“Did you just come here to cry?”

Napatigil ako nang may marinig akong boses. Agad akong napapunas sa aking mga mata at napatingala, nakita ko siyang nakatayo sa gilid ko habang inilalahad ang kanyang panyo.

“I don’t need that.” I said to him.

Nakita kong kinuha niya ang aking kamay at inilapat roon ang kanyang panyo kasabay ang pagtingin sa puntod ni lola. Lumapit siya roon at nagtirik ng kandila roon.

“Granny did Zy cried again on your grave?” I heard him asking granny and release a gasp.

I just look at his handkerchief and wipe my tears off. What is he doing here? Is he following me? Haven’t we talked before?

“Are you following me kuya Zriel?” I ask him and he turn towards me while wearing a grin on his face.

“Why would I? Am I not allowed to visit granny? Don’t be selfish with granny, Zy. I am also his grandchild in the first place. I didn’t expect you to see here.” he said but I only sigh at him.

He never change within this years, he still has the features of mother’s eyes and facial shape just like father. He is my eldest brother Azriel Clyod Pingoy, the Chemist of the family. He used to be my best friend among them but later on I just realized that I am just nothing in his eyes.

“Come to your mind, you still have days to go to attend the party.’ He said while putting his hand on his pocket.

“What for? I’m still not part of your majestic family. I told you just send my greetings to him or just fetch a bouquet on my shop the day of his birthday as a sign of gift.” I coldly said to him.

He sigh and face me, I just glare at him. Hindi niya ba naiintindihan na ayaw kong pumunta sa party na iyon? Mapapahiyaan lamang ako roon at saka kailan pa ba ako naging parte ng pamilyang iyon? Isa lang naman akong black sheep sa mata nila.

“Can’t you understand he want to see you. Pero kung ayaw mo, just do it for mom. Mom really miss you.” He tries to convince be but I smirk at him.

Mom miss me? Did he even reaserch his words well?

“Mom miss me? How come will mom miss me if we always see each other?” saad ko sa kanya at nakita kong bahagya siyang nagulat. “Kuya try to research sometime, ok? Kung gagawa ka ng alibi yung kapanipaniwala ha?” saad ko sa kanya.

Kinuha ko ang kanyang kamay at ibinalik ang kanyang panyo. Tiningnan ko siya mata sa mata, bago ako nagsalita.

“Thank you for the handkerchief, I’ll be heading now. Have a safe trip.” Saad ko sa kanya at naglakad na ako pabalik sa aking sasakyan.

Habang naglalakad pabalik sa aking sasakyan ay napakagat labi ako sa inis. Akala ko pa man din ay makakapag-isa ako rito pero bigla siyang dumating.

How annoying.

Agad akong nagmaneho pabalik sa bahay namin. Ilang buwan na rin pala parang ang bilis naman ata ng walong taon. Kung pwede lamang bumalik sa unang taon ng kalayaan ko ginawa ko na para makasama ko pa ng matagal ang mga kaibigan ko. Ngayon dalawa na lamang kami ni Shane ang nakatira sa bahay na ito. Namiss ko tuloy ang mga kalokkohang mayroon kaming apat rito, namiss ko ang iyakan at kababalaghang nangyari rito.

I smile while remembering those golden time I had with them. I miss how Shane and Viyara teased each other and how stress we are the both of them. But life really is a blank sheet of paper that being marked by your journey and lessons each day of your life.

Nang makarating na ako sa loob ng bahay ay wala akong may nadatnan sa loob, mukhang nasa eskwelahan ata ang kambal. Kung kaya’t napakatahimik ng bahay na ito. Agad akong umakyat sa aking kwarto at pinagmasdan ang mga action figures ko nang makapasok ako roon.

Iginala ko ang aking mata sa buong silid ng aking kwarto at naisipan kong napakarami ko palang gamit rito sa walong taong pananatili rito. Siguro matatagalan rin ako kung hindi ko sisimulan ngayon ang pagiimpake ko.

Maybe I should give some of my action figures to the twins and to Dex.

Magsisimula na sana akong galawin ang mga action figures ko nang biglang may tumawag sa akin. Agad ko namang kinuha ang cell phone ko sa aking bulsa at nakita kong si Dex ang tumatawag kung kaya’t agad kong sinagot.

“Hello Dex, bakit may problema bas a shop?” tanong ko sa kanya.

“Wala naman, dumating na kasi ang stocks baka gusto mong tingnan.” Saad niya sa akin

Ah right the stocks.

“Sige baba na rin ako, kararating ko lang rin.” Saad ko sa kanya at saka ibinaba ang tawag.

Agad akong bumaba at pumunta sa shop. Nang makapasok na ako sa shop ay nakita ko ngang kakarating lang ng stocks namin na flowers. Agad naman akong napansin ni Dex at agad na lumapit sa akin.

“50 thousand lahat ng orders, and wala raw stock ng Crisantumum.” Saad niyas sa akin at napakunot noo naman ako.

“Bakit wala nung tumawag ako ang sabi nila meron.” Pakikipagdebate ko sa kanya.

Agad naman akong lumapit sa mga workers na nagdedeliver ng bulaklak namin.

“Excuse me, bakit walang Crisantumum? Sa pagkakaalala ko eh nung tumawag ako ang sabi niyo meron pero bakit wala? The booking is closed by 50 thousand with Crisnatimum at ngayon 50 thousand the same price but there is no Crisantimum? Are we playing here?” inis kong tanong sa kanila.

Nakita ko namang nagulat ang nagdedeliver ng flowers sa akin. Nakita kong hindi siya mapakali sa kanyag kinatatayuan kung kaya’t nagsalita akong muli.

“Where is your supervisor?” I ask him and he point the man outside the shop talking on the phone.

Inis akong lumapit sa kanya at nang makita ako ay agad niyang ibinaba ang kanyang tawag.

“Maam Zyreah, long time no see.” Masayang bati niya sa akin pero tiningnan ko lamang siya ng seryoso.

“Funny Micheal, 50 thousand at kulang ang order ko? hindi ba tama naman ang order ko sa main office pero bakit ngayon kulang? Seryoso ka ba?” inis kong saad sa kanya.

“Naku sorry Zyreah, ihahabol na lang namin ang kulang.” Pakikipagusap niya kung kaya napairap ako sa kanya.

“Then down payment muna ngayon hanga’t hindi kumpleto pag nadeliver niyo na ang kulang magbabayad ako ng buo.” Saad ko sa kanya at natawa naman siya na tila ba nadismaya sa sianbi ko.

“Hindi naman ata pwede iyon.” Saad niya sa akin

“Edi ayusin niyo ang trabaho niyo.” I scold at him. “Dex akin na ang cheke.” Saad k okay Dex na agad namang lumapit sa akin.

I immediately write 45 thousand and signed it, I want a sure transaction. I give the check to him and he was so happy about it until he receives the check and sees that it was only 45 thousand.

“As I said give me my Crisantimum, then you can have the remaining 5 thousand.” I said to him and turn my back to him.

I’m heading back to the shop when I notice someone standing from a far and facing towards me.

Why is she here again?