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 menu. When I walked into the mall, I was greeted by a blast of cold air. ‌ ‌Gosh, ang lamig!

Binilsan kong pumunta sa grocery store, grabbed a basket, and walked towards the vegetable stall, where I grabbed everything on my list, paid at the cashier, and bought myself some treats. I was sitting on the bench of a stall, enjoying my gummy bears when I noticed something….it was a heat of stare.

Nang tumigin ako sa likod ko, mayroong tatlong lalaki palang nakatitig sakin. I gulped, my hands trembling in sudden fear.

I bit the insides of my cheeks in nervousness. Binilisan kong kumain at ubusin bago tumayo na pero bigla nila akong nilapitan.

My eyes widened, and my whole body shuddered nervously. The creepy smile they gave me sent me rushing out the door as quickly as I could without breaking into a run.

The closer they got to me, the more the colors on my face faded.

"Hey, babe, mag-isa ka lang ba?" One of the guys started to speak up, wiggling his eyebrows.

Iniwasan ko lang sila at nagdiretso ng maglakad pero pinigilan nila ako.

"Wait, ayaw mo ba samin?" the same guy said, blocking my path with his towering presence. He had nose piercings and tattoos all over his arms. I could smell their vile beer stench.

Lasing ba to sila? Papaano to nakapasok sa mall? at manggulo ng ibang tao? Nasaan na ang security guard?

Some people passing by were staring at us strangely. Gustong gusot ko sumigaw at humngi ng tulong. When the other guy noticed it, he told the other two, "Puntahin natin sya sa labas, nakatingin na kasi ang mga tao satin."

"Wala akong pake sa kanila. Wala naman tayong ginagawang masama ah?”

The same guy who was in my way said, smirking at me. My heart was pounding so hard in nervousness, and my hands trembled in fear, that I was literally stopped in my tracks. Kailangan ko ng umalis dito!

“Gusto mo bang may mangyari satin?” He inquired.

Nakakasuka tong mga lalaking to. Ang kakapal ng mukha! I swear, kung wala lang akong bitbit na grocery bags, baka nasapak ko na to!

While the two guys were looking at me, the other one, who was wearing an orange bonnet and a black coat, was rummaging through my grocery bag. What the hell is happening? I was screaming at myself in my mind to move and stop them, but I couldn’t.

That's it for now. Hindi na to pwede! Hindi ko kayang hayaang may umapi lang sakin! lalaban ako if I have to!

Kung gusot nila ng pera sakin, patay ako kay mama. That is my mother's hard-earned cash! I mustered the courage to confront them and yelled, "Ano bang gusto nyo? Uma,is na nga kayo, darating na ang boyfriend ko!”

I realized that was too lousy but I didn't care. All I could think of right now was to get away from them. Napatingin ako sa gilid kung may nakakakita pa ba. Kung bigla nila akong bastusin ay walang witness!

The man in an orange bonnet who was rummaging through my bag turned to face me, "San ba tong boyfriend na sinasabi mo? Imagination?"

Yes, Snow, saan nga ba sya? I palmed myself mentally. I should have gotten a boyfriend so I wouldn't have to worry about things like this!

Never mind, I'm a strong and independent woman, and when things get this bad, there's only one solution…

Magsinungaling sa kanila. Masamang magsinungaling pero it’s a good lie naman. alang alang sa buhay ko.

I mean, I know lying is wrong, but if it means saving myself from situations like this, I'll do it. "Malapit na sya," I said, holding my head high.


I snatched my shopping bag from the guy rummaging through it and hugged it tightly against my chest, glaring at the three grown men sneering at me.

Marunong naman akong makipaglaban but when compared to these 6-meter giants, all I could do was yell at them.

When the second went by, tinawanan lang nila ako na para bang ako ang may saltik. I gulped and looked behind me, where the mall was still packed with people.
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I was contemplating an escape strategy when I noticed a familiar figure dressed in a black hoodie.

It’s him. It’s the obnoxious rude Customer! Straberry guy! Baka matulungan nya pa ako!

But….There is NO WAY I'm going to ask him for help.

Pero sya lang ang pag asa ko ngayon!