**2 years later** Tanaw na tanaw ko ang ilang ektaryang lupain. I inhaled the fresh smell of air, closing my eyes and embraced the probinsya life. "Gusto mo ng merienda, apo?" Lola Nanding said to me. I smiled at her and politely shook my head no. She nodded and went back to cleaning. Nakakatuwa na malakas pa rin hanggang ngayon si Lola Nanding though minsan inaatake ng athritis nya, kaya nya pa rin naman. Naglaba nalang ako at sinampay ang mga damit. Napatingin ako sa puno ng mangga na nakatanim sa bakod. I went to it and got a stick to reach the mangoes. Hindi ko maabot kaya kumuha ako ng upuan at tumayo rito. Nang makakuha ako ng sampu ay bumaba na ako at nakita si Phoenixna nakatingin lang sakin ng masama. "What are you doing?" "Pumipitas ng mangga?" "Get down this instant." I wouldn't obey him if it wasnt for his glare at me today. Binababa ko ang mga manggang hawak ko. "Nakakain kana? Kamusta ang trabaho?" Pag-iiba ko pa. "Don't change the topic. Come here." I obliged and
"What's the deal with you?" hindi ko maiwasang tanungin siya habang nakatingin sa kanyang mapupungay na mga mata, "Hindi naman tayo, Eion.” Bigla siyang napahinto sa aking mga binitawang salita, na parang hindi makapaniwala. Oh his eyes. Alam niyang kahinaan ko ang kanyang berdeng mga mata kaya’t ganyan sya makatingin. Mistulang umiilaw ito kahit na sa dilim. “Kung tayo man.." he paused, his jaw clenched,"then am I allowed to be angry?" “No way, Eion. I told you, meron na akong iba. He treats me nice….” I said to him, wanting to add, "at mas mabait pa sya sayo ," but my voice wouldn't let me. "Then say you love me as well," tumikhim sya habang sumandal ng konti sa akin upang parehas na kami ng tangkad. The air feels different as the tension circulates throughout the room, engulfing and suffocating me.His deep voice was commanding, but there was a hint of weakness in it as if he was begging me to listen. He clasped both of his hands around my neck, upang pigilan ako sa pag alis.
"Alis na ako, Snow," Emma said dahil tapos na ang kanyang shift and it's now my turn, "Wag sana mainis sayo ang mga costumer natin.” Pabiro nya pang sabi. I made a peace sign with my hand in reply, "I can’t promise you that." Tumawa nalang siya sa sagot ko habang jumaway saakin paalis. Ayaw kong magsinungaling pero I tend to irritate people here and there, but only because they irritate me. Wag ko kong masamain ah, pero mabait naman akong tao. I simply follow my guiding principle of 'Treat me right and you'll be fine, but treat me wrong and you'll cry.' Mabenta naman ang ice cream shop ngayon kahit papaano. Mayroong grupo ng mga binata sa isang sulok. Kanina pa sila rito pero walang ni isa sa kanila ang mayroong balak na umalis dahil nag-eenjoy yata sila tungkol sa kanilang pinag-uusapan. My eyes flickered shut as I watched for a customer to show up. Nakatayo lang ako habang pinipilit na gisingin ang aking sarili. Fighting the urge to sleep had been a splendid battle with myself
With the tone he used to speak down to me in this shop, Hindi ko maiwasang mainis. Okay, kailangan ko ng mahabang pasensya. Snow, You need to be patient. "Thank you for your time this afternoon, sir. What exactly do you want?" Tinanong ko ulit gamit ang mas masayang tono, trying to hide my rage. "Strawberry ice cream," he demanded. He squared his shoulders as he crossed his arms as if he despised the idea of having to speak at all. Iniwasan kong mapairap. Customers who are impatient are a real pain in the neck. And he requested strawberry, which is unusual for a guy to like... Guess may iba’t ibang tipo talaga ang tao. Hinayaan ko nalamang to at nagsimula nang gawin ang kanyang order. "Do you want it topped with anything? Any add-ons?" I inquired and realized I had forgotten to ask in a polite manner. "Uhm, Sir," I clarified. He scowled as he shook his head no. "Just the plain one."
“Oo nak!” she yelled in excitement, almost bouncing her head from too much nodding. Mom's contagious smile infected me at this point. Sa pagkaka alala ko, si Tita Maggie ang bestfriend ni mama evr since kinder pa ako. Napangiti nalang si mama "She deserves to be happy after such a long time since her husband's death. And what makes it even happier is that " She trailed off, creating a suspense atmosphere. "Is that? What mom? Tuloy mo lang ma!” I said, eager to know it. I was desperate for an answer because I didn't want to wait any longer. "She has asked you to be her bridesmaid, Si Nathan bilang ringbearer at ako daw ang kanyang maid of honor!" She was ecstatic. Oh..I've never been a bridesmaid before, so this will be my first experience. "Wow! That sounds amazing!" I exclaimed, knowing how important it must be for my Aunt. "Kailan daw ang kasal ma?” Tanong ko pa.” "Next month na, nak.”
SNOW’S POV "Ito na ang listahan, Snow," my mother said in the morning, handing me a couple of dollars and a note while smiling apologetically. Kakauwi nya palag galing sa night shift. "Please double-check that you have everything, okay? Ayokong bumalik balik ka dahil lang may nakalimutan ako." Tumango ako, assuring her as being the obedient daughter I am. "I've got you, mom, don't worry.” She sighed and murmured, "Kung may oras lang ako para mag grocery shopping..." I grinned at her, "It's fine, mom; don't worry, ako nang bahala dito," Hopping on my motorcycle, sinuot ko na ang helmet ko bago nagdrive paalis. The sky was clear outside, as the hot sun blazed from above, glaring down on anyone who dared to step outside and get roasted by the heat.buti nalang at nakalong sleeves ako para di makasunburn. I double-checked the list my mother had given me. Itlog. Chicke, gulay, prutas, and a few snacks are on the m
Tumakbo ako papalapit sa kanya, pushing past a few people who appear to have bathed in cologne. He had his hands in his pockets and his face was expressionless at hinawakan ko ang kamay nya.Nabigla sya sa ginawa ko, "What are you-" he exclaimed, surprised.I instanlty leaned in at bumulong sa kanya,"Please don’t act weirdly. Pretend to be my boyfriend," Strawberry guy, as I call him, stares at me blankly, at tinginanan ang mga lalaking nakatayo sa likod ko. Napansin ata ng mga lalaki na hindi ako kilala ni strawbery guy at sinabing, “Hindi, miss, mukhang hindi ka nga kilala ng lalaking to-" the second guy began, but was cut off. "Do you have a problem with my girlfriend?" Strawberry guy raised his eyebrows, cutting his sentence off. Nabigla ako dun kaya I masked it bago pa man nila ako mabuking. Thank goodness ang bilis nyang maintindihan ako!“Sure ka? Girlfriend mo sya?” They kept mocking us. I looked at Strawberry Guy and told him to do somet
Ako lang ba to o biglang lumamig ang paligid? With that glare, I feel like I'm going to freeze to death! Oh, no. If I could only match that glare… "Yes, I am Snow. It’s already written on my nametag. At bakit mo naman natanong?" I retorted. Napangisi na sya. "The name isn't right for you; it should be something like Stupid." My eyes widened at that comment. 'You-' "What's your favorite here?" he interrupted me before I could even say anything else. "What?" Tiningnan ko nalang sya nang hindi makapaniwala. Nang hindi ako makasalita, napasinghap sya. "I thought you were just stupid, turns out bingi ka rin pala." He scoffed. "Stupid, I'm asking which flavor you think is the best." Tinanong niya ulit. I clenched my fists and smiled my phony smile. I have to endure it. He came here as a customer after all. Hindi ko nalang pansinsin anong sinabi nya. I replied, "Chocolate chip ice c