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."

Tumango nalamanag ako at nang matapos na akong gawin ito, ibinigay ko na to sa kanya.

He slammed his money down on the counter rather forcefully, as if the thought of handing me money was too irritating to bear.

Nung ibibigay ko na sana ang kanyang sukli, nagulat nalang ako ng wala na sya; I looked around and saw no one.

Pero meron akong nasulyapang anino sa labas.

Napatinin nalang ako sa sukli, iniisip kung ibabalik ko pa ba to o hindi.

Napasinghap nalnag ako ng bigla kong maalala si papa. Hindi niya akong pinalaki bilang masamang tao no.

Nang nakadesiyon na ako kung ano ang aking susunod na gawin, the boy was probably quite far away, but close enough for me to pursue him. Through the glass wall, his figure began to fade from my sight.

I groaned in annoyance and marched to the door, hawak hawak ang pera sa aking kamay. I took one last look around the shop to make sure everything was okay. Mr. Tim is going to kill me if he finds out I left the shop unattended. ‌ ‌

Medyo kinakabahan akong iwan tong ice crea shop dahil wala kaming security guard. Only security camera…

Anyways, kailangan kong bilisan. At hindi rin naman akong magtatagal sa labas. Bigla nalnag akong pinawisan the moment na lumabas ako. Gosh, hindi ko inexpected na gaito kainit ngayong summer kahit na alas kwatro naman ng hapon.. Kinuha ko ang aking panyo at pinunasan ang aking pawis, muntik nang ahulog ang aking kalo. My eyes squinted in response to his towering stature. His long legs were moving quickly, and he seemed to be moving forward with each step. With each step he took, his pace quickened.

Bigla kong binilasa para maabutan pa sya pero dahil hindi ko na kayang tumakbo pa, huminga muna ako bago isigaw ang kanyang pangalan.

As soon as it occurred to me that I had no idea what to call him, my mouth snapped shut. I cursed out of frustration.

His steps slowed as if he sensed someone was following him, just as I was about to lose all patience and give up. He came to a halt in his stride and slowly turned around to face me.

"Ikaw nanaman? Are you following me?"‌ ‌tinanong nya,‌ ‌as‌ ‌I‌ ‌locked‌ ‌my‌ ‌eyes‌ ‌on‌ ‌his.‌ ‌ ‌

I came to a halt in front of him as we walked the distance between us. "I'm not following you... sinundan kita dahil yung sukli nyo po, sir," I said, holding a crumpled three-dollar bill in my hands. He remained motionless, his gaze fixed on me and the money.

Ano bang hinihintay ng lalaking to? Wala akong oras para magitigan lang! Kailangan ko nang bumalik sa shop as soon as possible! When he was still standing there, his face slightly annoyed, I realized he wouldn't even do anything, kaya’t kinuha ko nalnag ang kanyang kamay at nilagay ang kanyang sukli.

Is wear, the moment na hinawakan ko sya, para bang may spark akong naramdaman kay bigla kong inalis ang kamay ko.

Naramdaman nya kaya ito? Tingingnan ko ang kanyang mukha pero waal an lang syang emosyon.

Siguro guni guni ko lang yun…

"Sukli mo," I explained quickly, turning around to return to the shop. Pero bago pa man ako makaalis ay hinawakan nya ang aking kamay para mapahinto.

“Teka lang.” He spat as he handed it back to me, but I refused to take it. His brow furrowed, clearly irritated at this point. "Are you really that stupid? I'm giving it to you in order for you to learn a lesson.”

Ano bang problema ng lalaki to? May saltik ba sya?

Or baka…tip niya to sakin? Judging how he acts, I don’t think so…

“May galit ka ba sakin, sir?" I feel compelled to inquire. Why is this such a big deal for him?

"No, don’t feel special. I simply despise people like you. Mga tamad na kagaya mo."

Bigla na akong nainis at hindi o na ito tinago pa, but I realized that this guy's problem isn't with me; it's with his attitude. I sighed angrily.

"Don't worry, I don't like guys like you either. And I don't accept money from strangers, especially money I didn't earn and didn't have to work hard for." I fired back.

"Oh, and by the way, have a wonderful day, sir." I said sarcastically, dali daling umalis na at bumalik sa shop, leaving him with his mouth wide open, his strawberry ice cream now melted and fell on the ground.

I sighed, hoping not to run into him again, noting his features so I wouldn't run into him again. Oh my goodness. Kung alam ko lang anong mangyayari…

Pagkatpos nun, may ibang mga costumers pa ang dumating and by 5:30 p.m, naglilinis na ako ng buong lamesa. It was 30 minutes before my shift was over. It's always like this, from Mondays to Fridays, and it's become my routine.

Napatingin nalnag ako sa bughaw na kalangitan habang nagppaalit ito ng kulay. The sun is setting. The blue sky turning orange and blending with a shade of pink. ‌ ‌

Going to the staff closet, nagbihis na ako at kinuha ang aking bag palabas. I slid my neatly folded work clothes into my locker before walking to the key cabinet, excited nang makauwi.

After securing the parlor, I shut it down for the day. Bigla nalang ako nalamigan ng pagtapak ko sa labas.

Buti nalang, suot ko ang aking jacket. What a smart move, self.

A few cars honked as they passed through the streets, and the streetlights shone a dim orange light. I put on my helmet, started my motorcycle engine, at nag drive na paalis.

Nang makarating ako sa labas, napansin ko si mama, Evelyn Waterstrings, na nagluluto sa kusina. "I’m home, Ma." I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. ‌ Inamoy ko pa ang kanyang luto, “hmmm….ang bango ma…”

"Kamusta ang trabaho, nak?" Her brow furrowed. Her forehead wrinkles creased, making her appear much older than she is, despite the fact that she is only in her early forties. There was never a day when she didn't put her hair into her usual high bun on her head, her nurse uniform indicating that she had just gotten off work.

Despite this, I couldn't help but notice how the corners of her eyes crinkled when the motherly smile appeared on her lips. ‌ ‌"Gosh, grabe, minsan lang ako makaexperience ng rude costumer ma pero kanina, ibang iba.”

She raises her eyebrows at that, “Ooh, a rude customer?"

She makes an educated guess. I snorted, telling her everything, including the arrogant guy who'd been cold and harsh. Napatawa na lamang si mama sa kwento ko.

"San si Nathan ma?" I inquired. Just then, a little curly-haired fur ball came running into me.

"Snowy!" Nathan, my younger brother, was beaming at the sight of me, his cute dimples showing on his cheeks, and I reached out to pinch it.

‌For a seven-year-old, he's been through a lot... But he's still the kind who'd be happy with small things. Give him a chocolate and he'll love you.

"Laro tayo , ate Snowyy!" he exclaimed, eager to see me but mom interjected. "Honey, pagod ang ate mo, pagpahingain mo muna sya." Mom explained.

Nathan pouted at me, showing me his puppy eyes, alam na ama niya ang kahinaan ko at hinding hindi talaga akong makahindi sa kanya kpaag ganyan siya kacute. I ruffled his black curly hair, "Then how about we play after you finish your dinner?"

"Sure! Yehey!" he exclaimed excitedly, grinning at me before dashing into the living room. I shook my head as I looked at my adorable little brother. I really wonder where do little kids get that kind of energy every day.

Sanaol ganyan kaenergetic sa buhay.

Ako kasi parang pagod na pagod na.

Napaupo nalnag ako sa dining table, I observed Mom as she cooked our dinner at naalis bigla ang pagod ko.

When she was finished cooking, she placed it on a plate and invited Nathan to eat. I drooled at the sight of food and smiled gratefully at her. "Ooh, sarap naman tingnan nito ma!” I complimented her. It was chicken with honey garlic sauce. The rich aroma of honey engulfed the room, tempting me to dig in right away.

"Bon appetit," she said with a smile. Nagsimula na kaming kainin lahat.

Mom, as usual, never failed to surprise me. ‌ Her cooking abilities were incredible, and I was confident she could outperform those professional chefs if she tried. Ang sarap talaga ng luto nya. Siguro lahat ng mga nanay natin, ganito at nasasarapan tayo sa luto nila.

Well, not exaggerating it but that’s how I see it.

"Wow, san mo to natutunan, ma?" I took another bite hurriedly, too preoccupied to formulate complete questions.

"Be careful, Snow, baka mabilaunan ka," she warned, her voice tired. I could only give her a sheepish smile.

"Yes, nag experiemtn lang ako kanina, sarap ba? " She looked crestfallen all of a sudden.

With my mouth half full, I commented "Yes! Sarap ma! Thanks for the dinner!" She chuckled at my response and handed me a glass of water as I swallowed the last bite. ‌

The cold water ran down my throat, making me shiver slightly as I walked to the sink and began to wash the dishes.

Nang matapos na ako, nakipaglaro na ako kay Nathan sa sala.

I noticed Mom talking on the phone, and when it was over, she looked at me with a Cheshire cat's smile.

"Snow, guess what?" she asks, a grin on her face. I've never seen her so happy except on their wedding anniversaries or when dad surprises her... ‌ ‌

"What?" I inquired, my interest piqued. Ano kayang tong magandang balita?

"Ikakasal na sya!" she exclaimed joyfully, interrupting my thoughts.

"Uhm, sinong ikakasal ma?" I blinked, asking who she’s referring to. We’re still new here so I guess it’s not our neighbors, is it?

"My best friend, Maggie!" She jumped in front of me in delight, clearly overjoyed at the moment.

"Maggie?” I was yawning when I said this, thinking of who the hell is Maggie. Mom only had a few friends before we moved in here…When I remembered who that person was, I realized who he or she was. "Wait, do you mean Aunt Maggie?" I bigla akong napatalon sa saya.