ONLINE CLASS SERIES #1: LOVE ON ZOOM

CHAPTER SEVEN

It is another day to go to the grocery store. But now, hindi ako kasama. Hinatid lang ako ni Mom. She will ran some errands for Talia's school. I don't know what it is. Basta pinapunta na lang siya sa school.

I am just wearing a simple green long dress that I bought from Shoppee. With a simple white sandals. And my black Chanel Le Boy bag.

Now, I am here at the grocery store, stuck with the guards. They won't believe me that I'm 18 years old! Ganoon ba talaga ako ka-liit? Gusto ba nila mag-dala ako lagi ng  birth certificate?! I am not 18 years old, alright. But two months from now, I will be!

"Kuya, I am 18 years old po! I am a grade 12 student!" Kulang na lang sumigaw ako dito. Ayaw nila akong papasukin.

"Nasaan ba ang magulang mo? Bakit ikaw inuutusan? Bawal lumabas bata ah." The guard said.

I am so offended! They won't believe me! "Fine! don't believe me, then." I was about to walked out, when a man held my arm.

"Don't touch me! It's bawal." Mabilis akong nag-pumiglas sa hawak niya sa'kin at nag-alcohol agad.

"It's you again, Den." My eyes widened when I saw Alonzo infront of me! Everytime I am here, I always see him. Does he own this grocery store? 

"Guard, bakit hindi niyo siya pinapasok? For goodness sake! She's 18!" Pinapagalitan niya ang guard. Maybe he really owns this store. Kilala niya ang mga tauhan.

"Sir, sorry po. Ma'am, sorry." The guard appologized to me and to Alonzo.

Naglakad na ako papunta sa mga bibilhan ko. Mom gave me a list of the things that I will buy.

"Denise!" Alonzo followed me from behind. "Ano mga kailangan mo? I'll help you bring your push cart." He said.

"No need. I can do it." I said. Bakit ko naman kailangan ng tulong niya? Kung kaya ko naman? "Anyways, I want to ask you a question. Do you own this store? Bakit 'sir ' tawag nila sayo?" I asked, looking at him.

"No, I don't own this store. My Tita owns this store."

"Oh? E bakit wala siya dito?"

"She's in abroad. Hindi siya nakauwi dahil sa pandemic."

"Wala ba siyang anak? Bakit ikaw namamahala dito?"

"Meron." He said while getting the Oreo. "Actually, namamahala rin siya dito. Paminsan minsan nga lang. Salitan kami. Para matuto daw sa business. But, it looks like that my cousin doesn't want to take up business. So, yeah."

Nag-patuloy ako sa pag-kuha ng mga na sa listahan ni Mom. I told Alonzo to get the rice. I can't carry it, because it's heavy.

"8,030 pesos po, Ms." The cashier lady said.

Nang nakapag-bayad ako, I called my Mom to fetch me. But after a few minutes, she's not answering. "Hatid kita." Alonzo said.

"No, I'll just wait for my Mom."

"Mukang matatagalan. Hatid na kita." Pag-pupumilit niya.

I tried to call my Mom again, but there are no response. Wala akong nagawa kung hindi pumayag sa gusto ni Alonzo. "Wala ba kayong gawain?" He asked, while driving.

"Meron." I said. Ang dami na agad gawain. Pero hindi ko pa ginagawa. Mom asked me a favor to buy some groceries kasi. "Kayo ba?"

"Meron na rin. Ang hirap nga ng Business Math e." He said, chuckling. "Anyways, my cousin always complains dahil sa dami ng gawain."

"Oh? your cousin? 'Yung anak ng Tita mo na may ari ng store?"

He nodded. "Yup. Some other time, pakikilala kita sa'kaniya." He said while smilling.

I disinfected first the groceries that I bought. I took a bath and ate merienda. Kasabay ko si Talia na kumain.

"Ate, is he your boyfriend?" Talia asked.

"Huh? Who?"

"Yung hinatid ka?" Oh god! Si Alonzo?!

"No, Talia. He's just...." Hindi ko na maituloy dahil wala akong masabi.

The next day, I tried to be productive. Maraming oras na nawala sa'kin kahapon. Kaya naman, I am here infront of my laptop, doing 5 essays. Asynchronous kami ngayon. It means we have something to do but we're not meeting on Zoom.

I finished some tasks for today. Para hindi na ako matambakan.

Miguel and I haven't chatted yet for a week now. Until now, I am still wondering kung saan ko siya papayagan? I haven't ask him that. And I also haven' thanked him for what he gave me! Should I chat him? Or no?

Nakakailang construct na ako kung ano sasabihin ko, wala pa rin akong na-send.

I was shocked when my phone rang!

Miguel Willson wants to have a video call with you.

I panicked! Bigla kong napindot 'yung accept!

"H-hi. Bakit ka tumawag?" Iniisip ko na baka napindot lang. "Napindot?"

He's wearing a white sando. And I guess he's  doing some school works.

He shooked his head. "Thank God! I see you again! I missed you." He said, smiling. "Did you receive the books?" He asked.

I nodded. "Yea, thanks. By the way, ano 'yung sinasabi mo na 'sana payagan kita?'" I asked, sounding confused.

"Uhmmm. I can't tell you right now. G-g-gusto ko personal." He said, stuttering.

"Now na! I'm getting curious!"

He shooked his head. "No. I can't. Pag nagkita tayo."

"When is that? Matagal pa!"

"Cute."

"H-huh?"

"Goodnight."

He ended the call just like that. Bigla akong napahawak sa dibdib ko. Bakit ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko?

"Iplano na natin ang debut mo, Den." Mom said while we're eating dinner.

"Mom, I don't want to have a debut. Let's just save the money. It's not important for me to have a debut. What's most important is the needs than the wants po." I said. I don't want to have a grand debut! I don't have that much friends to invite. And also, It's the time of pandemic, it is not advisible for us to have gatherings such as like this.

"Once in a lifetime lang 'yon, Den!" Dad shouted at me. Dad went home today to plan for my debut which is next week.

"Dad, Mom, unahin muna po natin ang needs. Please. And besides, there is a pandemic! All of us should just stay in our house!" I defended myself. "I've got an idea po!"

"What is it?" Mom asked.

"What if we'll give some foods sa mga taong na sa lansangan? Nakakaawa po kasi e. Lalo na ngayong pandemic." I said, proud of my idea.

"Okay, if that's what you want. You have a point." My dad said, smiling. "I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks, dad." I hugged him.

NOTE: thank you so much for the 100 reads! ❤️ mas lalo akong ginaganahan mag-sulat! hope you'll read this story until the end! 🤍 who's up for vote to vote & read to read? hehe. let's support each other! 🖤