Something That Glitters

6 // In Choosing The Lips You Wanna Kiss

In Choosing The Lips You Wanna Kiss

"Tss."

"Tsss."

"Tssss."

If you were wondering what was that. That was me and an old man across the street hissing at each other. I didn't know that I could make patol to an elderly. But meh.

"Hmpf!" I made my last reaction and turned my back at him. Nang silipin ko siya sandali ay pinagpag niya ang nakabukas na dyaryong binabasa niya. Ipinatong pa niya ang paa sa kabilang tuhod habang feel na feel ang pag-upo sa lounger niya.

Humabol ng isang kembot ang pwet ko bago ako pumasok ng flower shop.

Nagsumbong ako kay Auntie. "Bakit po ba ang grumpy noong matanda sa tapat natin? Repository po ba siya ng kasungitan ng tao sa mundo at siya ang supplier?"

"Ah, si Jerry. Oo, pagpasensyahan mo na ang matandang 'yon."

"Auntie, you know him?" I stupidly asked.

"Siya ang may-ari ng Jovial Tavern doon sa tapat natin." Ipinanturo pa ni Auntie ang hawak niyang salmon-colored Transvaal Daisy doon sa kabilang street. See, I'm learning our flowers now or something. "Gano'n lang talaga iyon pero mabait naman. Talagang tumatanda na."

"He's an establishment owner, why can't he smile and be nice?" I whimpered. Ayoko lang kasi na lagi niya akong sinisimangutan! Alam mo 'yon, nakakahawa!

"He's an old man, Snooki," sabi ni Auntie na humahalakhak. "But he's nice. Give him a chance. Talk to him sometime."

I clicked my tongue and exhaled. "Fine! Magtutuos kami tomorrow."

When it comes to floristry, I still had a long way to go before I could say that I knew my way around these flowers even for a bit. Ngayon ko lang kaya nalaman na may certification ang floristry, and that you can take certain courses you can major in like Floristry Design or Garden Design.

Not sure how I expect my life here in Daily Bloom of Manhattan to pan out, but I'm already above the clouds. Kahit ngayon na ang kaya ko pa lang gawin ay mag-arrange ng floral materials and art supplies, kumausap ng clients, at pakainin si Cornelia.

Pagdating naman sa mga bulaklak ay ang kaya ko pa lang gawin ay ang maggupit ng flower stems—at an angle, I won't forget because that's like the most important direction I was given my entire life. Duh?

During lunch hour, we put up a sign at the door that says Lunch Break, But The Beautiful You Are Still Welcome. Sabay kaming kumain ni Auntie sa office area ng niluto niyang pagkain. Next time, I'll cook for us naman.

"Auntie, what's your favorite flower?" I asked while munching an elastic beef loudly in my mouth.

"I love every flower."

I gazed at her in disbelief. "Luh? Pa-showbiz si Auntie. Dali na, ano? Like, in the whole wide world, what is your favorite? Iyong kung malulunod lahat ng bulaklak sa mundo at 'di sila marunong lumangoy, ano ang una mong sasagipin?"

"Hindi talaga marunong lumangoy ang mga bulaklak, Snooki," said Auntie, busy pa rin sa pagkain ng beef niya.

"I mean, duh, Auntie? Nawawala ba ang imagination 'pag tumatanda na?" I mumbled. "I sure don't wanna age now. Gee!"

"Narinig ko 'yan, Snooki," masungit na sabi ni Auntie.

"Juk lang, Auntie!"

"What's your favorite flower, then?" balik niya ng tanong ko sa sakin.