Fragmented Rhapsody

Fragment 32

32
Missing again

Hawak-hawak lang ni Octavian ang kamay ko kahit nang makapasok kami sa loob ng mall. The traffic was light on our way, so we didn't take that much time to drive here. It's still 3 in the afternoon kaya kaunti pa lang ang tao sa loob ng mall – it actually becomes full when it's nearing 6 in the evening.

We already passed through the security when he suddenly halted kaya naman napatingala ako sa kaniya. Kinuha niya ang kaniyang suot na beige ball cap at isinuot ito sa aking ulo.

"Wear this," he mumbled, seriously fixing my hair after putting the cap. "Baka may makakilala sa'yo."

I silently smiled at that. Muntik ko na rin makalimutan na sobrang public place pala ng mall dahil sa saya ko na kasama ko siya ngayon. Of course, we didn't see each other for a week because of his internship.

"Thank you..."

Kinuha niya ulit ang aking kamay at mahigpit itong hinawakan. I also did the same and I saw him grinning, trying not to look at me. Kinikilig ba ito?

"Grocery muna or kain?" he asked when we reached the intersection.

Napanguso ako. "Grocery muna tayo. Marami ng tao mamaya sa grocery area...baka sobrang humaba ang pila."

"Okay, Ma'am," he smirked.

We walked inside the supermarket and Octavian immediately took out a cart. Marami rin kaming bibilhin dahil para kay Octavian ito. He said he ran out of goods and foods at his pad so we're going to shop what he needs.

"Do you cook now? At home?" I asked while looking into the vegetable section. Nakasunod lamang siya sa likod ko at tinutulak ang pushcart.

"Lately, yeah, I got time...wala rin ako choice, I need to save up some funds."

"Okay...then let's go to the other side," pag-aaya ko at hinila ang cart.

"We're not going to buy gulay at prutas?" nagtataka niyang tanong.

Humarap ako sa kaniya at umiling. "Sa market na lang tayo sa Magsaysay. I asked Nanay Flores yesterday and she said prices are cheaper there."

That's what we did. Umikot lang kami sa supermarket para bumili ng ibang supply like sugar and all. Nakangisi lamang siyang pinapanood akong pumulot ng tingin kong kailangan sa kusina at sa bahay niya. I don't really do the grocery at home because we have our helpers to do that but it doesn't mean I'm not completely aware of it.

Nagtatanong-tanong din ako kay Nanay Flores minsan dahil alam kong darating ang araw na kailangan kong mabuhay at tumayo sa sariling paa – which is just a matter of when.

"Wait," he said when we're about to pass by the lady's section. Agad namang kumunot ang noo ko at tinignan ulit kung sa lady's section ba talaga siya pupunta. Panandalian ko ring inayos ang ball cap na suot.

When he got back, I immediately saw the same shampoo I am using – the lavender one!

"Bakit ka kumuha niyan?" turo ko sa hawak niya.

"This is your shampoo, right?" he innocently asked, "Or did you change already?"

"Huh?" I'm not getting it.

"Remember when I asked you what's your perfume and shampoo because I found them really addicting?" he grinned, "Shampoo mo na lang binibili ko since gusto ko pa rin naman 'yung pabango ko."

I rolled my eyes at him before smiling secretly. Octavian's really weird sometimes but it gives me the nice feelings of love and affection. Everything he does is mild and gentle – which is the total opposite of his personality, but in a good way.