The Lovely Neighbor

Habang nagkukusot ng mata ay inaantok akong naglakad patungo sa pinto ng apartment ko. Kumukuskos sa sahig ang suot kong cotton slipper dahil sa bigat ko na nahulog lahat sa ibabang parte ng katawan.

Sa kabila kong kamay, I was clutching a trash bag filled with my day's worth of garbage. I needed to put it in the centralized trash container, or else I'd stink.

I was still by my front door when I restrained a mid-yawn. Sa isang iglap ay nawala ang lahat ng antok ko sa katawan! Itinikom ko nang mabilis ang bibig ko.

"Archer?" I squinted. Not even sure if I asked him that or if it was directed to me.

Was I really seeing him by the door of the apartment in front of mine, or was I still dreaming? I knew I was half-asleep when I got up minutes ago, but this was not a funny dream! Not at all!

"Hey, good morning?"

Hindi siya makatingin-tingin sa akin na bumati. And because he answered, and I felt his voice was as real as ever.

Nabitiwan ko ang hawak kong trash bag at wala sa sariling pumasok muli sa apartment ko, slamming my door behind me.

Why? Why did he even need to see me this ugly in the morning?! I haven't even combed my hair and it was chaos, not cute! I wasn't into a nicer outfit, I was only in my yellow M&M's hoodie and a baggy pajama bottom. Ang unfair ng fate!

Pagkatingin ko sa sarili ko sa salamin ay nagsimula na akong ngumawa. I was really a mess! Paano kung na-turn off siya sa akin? 'Di ko kaya!

And although I looked like a mess myself, I was still solid on the idea of keeping my apartment clean. So here I easily decided, I needed to go out to the combat zone. Yes, I was still overreacting and I won't ever be sorry for it.

It's a battle not being pretty while your crush is there! Duh?

Pagkabukas ko ng pinto ay naabutan ko si Archer na tila naghihintay pa rin sa ilalim ng doorframe niya. Mabagal at nag-aalangan siyang lumingon sa akin. He was wearing a plain white shirt and a black shorts. It was simple, yet I was still damn too attracted!

"I'm taking out my trash. Isabay ko na ang iyo," he offered, and rather shy about it.

"Ah! Hindi na! Kaya ko na 'to! Hehe."

Kinagat niya ang labi niya at tumango habang nakatungo. Namula ang kanyang tainga at hindi na siya sumagot.

Hindi ko na talaga kayang mag-stay sa harap niya nang ganito ang hitsura! Kaya ang ginawa ko ay hinablot ko nang mabilis ang trash bag ko at tsaka tumakbo pababa ng building.

Habang natatagtag ang katawan ko sa pagbaba ng hagdan ay lumilingon-lingon ako para tingnan kung nasa likuran ko na ba siya. He was only untroubled while trailing behind me. Kaya mas binilisan ko! Sir Archer, habulin mo ako. Kekeke!

Nagtataka pa si Auntie nang makita ako. Nakataas ang dalawa niyang kilay at tila hindi maintindihan kung bakit nagmamadali akong bumaba. I just grinned.

"Madapa kang bata ka!"

I just cackled. "Yes, good morning to you, too, Antonette, my sweet pea! Also, you owe me an explanation. I won't forget it."

Binilisan kong ayusin ang basura ko sa dapat nitong paglagyan dahil malapit na si Archer. Gustuhin ko mang maglapat ang mga kamay namin habang nag-aayos tapos ay titigil ang mundo at magsisimula ang isang romantikong musika, eh ayoko namang mangyari iyon sa ibabaw ng basurahan, ano! It might be a bad omen.

Tapos na ako sa pag-aayos nang dumating si Archer. Ngayon, hindi na niya ako tinatapunan ng pansin. Sabi ko na, eh! Na-turn off nga siya?

What if... subukan kayang umarteng nadapa sa hagdan para daluhan niya ako at sagipin?

Brilliant idea, huh? And to even think our family said that my cousin, Viennica, was the genius out of all of us girls.

Nasa tabi ko na siya at sinimulan ang errand niya nang hindi ako pinapansin. Tampo siguro ang baby boy ko dahil tinanggihan ko siya kanina. Hayaan mo, Archer, when we get our own house, I'll let you treat me like a queen. Every day, like how you wanted it.

Going back to my plan, I dramatically and recklessly ran up the stairs. But I just couldn't easily fall down or get hurt! And even when I tried, my reflexes only showed off!

Kaya ang ginawa ko ay umupo na lang ako sa isang step at saka umungol. "Oh, no. I fell. Hard. Recklessly. It's masakit. Oh, no..."

Pumikit ako at nilagay ang kamay sa tuhod. Nang wala akong marinig na paparating ay iminulat ko ang isang mata para sumilip. At wala talaga!

"Somebody, help? 911, the queen is down! I repeat, the queen is down!"

And still, radio silence. I stood up na lang tuloy and stomped my feet to go back upstairs, grunting and making faces. I hoped he heard my angry footsteps!

"Ugh! I hate him and his stupid, beautiful, ravishing, soft face!" I rolled my eyes as I swung my apartment door close after me.

I sighed dreamily. "A beautiful face that puts the beauty of the flowers to shame! Ugh."

Umiyak ako maghapon dahil sa karupukan ko. Nah, kidding. I only knew myself as tough, not to mention majestic.

And so by midday, I embarked on an important mission. A mission to shop. That's right! I will finally shop for fashion for the first time in forever! Besides, I'll only shop little bitty.

Do. Not. Give. Me. That. Look!

I'll only shop this once, okay? And it's for my future! Because I needed to redeem the repute of my aesthetic to Archer. Yeah, it's really important, don't argue.

So, for today, it's taxi day. I couldn't exactly drive my bike to Fifth Avenue to shop. Well, I could. But I won't, as I was already seeing myself with boxes and paperbags.

I mean, a box and a paperbag.

"Tonette, I'm going out!" I yelled right before exiting to our front door. Wala naman akong narinig na sigaw pabalik, so I thought maybe she was out to a meeting she brought up last night.

I exhaled, beaming. Today's going to be a sunny sunny day!

I hailed the passing cab, got in, and greeted, "Hi, good afternoon! ToSaks Fifth Ave, please."

I didn't know why I was going there when I was supposed to be shopping on a budget! But maybe, tingin lang naman. Tingin lang, sus! Baka wala rin akong magustuhan.

Hindi naman sa pinagkakaitan o tinitipid ko ang sarili ko, pero—ay, oo, parang ganoon na nga. I aimed to practice self-control this year. Kay Sir Archer lang ang exception kasi... 'di ko talaga kaya! He's a shy guy, at pakiramdam ko na isa akong diwata na siyang gigising sa lahat ngemosyon niyang natutulog o itinatago.

Ayon, parang ganoon.

So, I was dropped off at Fifth Ave in front of one of the luxurious department stores here in the city. I entered one entrance door of Saks, and guess what? There was another one.

It's a double entrance. And one might ask why, in luxurious places, do they always have two? And I'd answer, because duh, they're rich and established. Of course, they would always have two of everything! Nah, kidding. It's for ventilation and security purposes. We also have it in our hotels. Kekeke!

I passed the long white hallway after the entrance. Hindi siya tulad ng clothing area sa malls sa Pinas na makakakita ka kaagad ng mga damit, no. I had to walk deep inside before I saw some brands.

As I was walking, na-miss ko ang mga pinsan ko. When it's shopping or anything glamour, we all go to Saige and Ate Carina. Even my brothers and Kuya Mason go to them for advice.

So it's brand after brands, but my goal here was to find something that's actually cute. Sometimes, I just really get weirded out by elite fashion. Like, some of it were just... extraterrestrial that, frankly, I wouldn't wear any of it even for a sec! I'm sorry, but it's true.

I had all the time in the world, but I won't trust myself to be out thewhole day. Especially that I had planned to pamper my skin later tonight. Parafresh-looking on Monday morning!

In my cart, I got a lace dress, a silk tube top that I will pair with a whitejeans, and then another dress, only this time it's a yellow ruffle puff-sleevedress. Hmm. What else?

Ah yes, for footwear, I only got a Rockstud Espadrille from Valentino Garavani in ivory, and it would already complete all the looks I had in mind. See, people, that's budgeting right there!

But after I saw my bill, I was suddenly in a rush to go back to my apartment. The total was only about five thousand dollars. Well, I'd be damned.

Nakangiwi ako habang papasok sa pinto ng apartment complex. I swear, all of what I got were on sale! I mean, not the shoes, but!!!

Naku, Archer! Kung hindi malalaglag ang panga mo sa oras na makita mo akong suot itong mga binili ko, then what's even the point of our lives? Of the world? Of the flowers, and galaxies? What?

I whined to no one, "Kukwestyunin ko talaga ang mundo, Archer, akala mo!"

Nagkagulatan pa kami ni Auntie, dahil pagkapasok ko ay siya namang labas niya sa pinto niya.

"Ano ba't nakasimangot ka?" tanong niya.

"Wala po. Ay meron pala!" I quickly retracted after I remembered something. "Auntie, nagtaksil at naglihim ka sa akin. Hinding-hindi ko ito makakalimutan, habambuhay ko itong dala hanggang sa grave ko."

I kinda forgot what the Tagalog word for grave was, so...

Ma-drama kong itinuro si Auntie at humagulgol na walang luha habang tumataas sa hagdan. Then, my pointy finger was anchored to her until I couldn't see her no more.

"Hay naku, Snooki," narinig ko pang sabi niya.

Tinakbo ko ang floor ko at maingat na pumasok sa apartment ko dahil baka marinig ako ni Archer. I want him to see me tomorrow, not now!

To prepare, I did pamper my skin. Gumamit ako ng emergency facial sheet mask na mahal habang nagre-relax sa bathtub with a wine glass on my delicate hand. Wine glass siya, pero ang laman ay soda.

It was such a Sunday self-love and self-reflection. I thank my God everyday, but it's always different during the start of the week, where I was at most divine.

Yes, I could rock an angel skin. And to those who wished to protest, please fill out a protest form first at Killjoy Avenue, thanks much.

Next thing I knew, I was already feeling pretty and looking amazing inside Daily Bloom, as if everyday I did bloom like how I was supposed to. Hiyang, if I may say so.

"Nagkulot pa ng buhok ang bata. Kaya pala nahuli sa trabaho." Umiling si Auntie.

I flipped my hair. Yes, nakakulot ang hair ko today, and I also have on my head a maroon turban hairband para I'd look like fresh talaga.

"Grabe, Auntie! Parang five minutes lang!" Ngumuso ako. "Pero ang gandako 'no? 'Di ba po ayaw mo nang naka-black ako? Then, do you like my lacy dressin salmon pink?"

Binaba niya ang salamin niya sa tungki ng ilong at ineksamin ako. Ngumiwi siya at itinaas ang magkabila niya kilay. "Eh, you're clean."

I faked a scoff, but I was hiding a smile. "Tonette, you're a mean mean girl!"

Nagkibit siya ng balikat. Binalik niya sa ayos ang salamin niya at ngumuso sa likuran ko. "Archer's here."

"What? Already?" Kumunot ang noo ko. I spun flawlessly and there he really was. My word was once again in slow motion.

Kinagat ko ang labi ko habang pinapanood siyang mabagal na pumasok sa shop. Seryoso ang mukha niya habang nakatingin sa mga naka-display na bulaklak sa gilid.

"Hi!" I finally greeted. Hindi ko na kaya ang suspense.

"Hey, Snooki." He gave me a nod and a meek smile.

Aww, he said my name. Pero wait, hindi nalaglag ang panga niya! Bakit?!

"Auntie, kumusta?" magalang at masigla niyang bati kay flower boss. Hmpf! Tapos 'pag sa akin...

Ngumuso na naman ako at tinalikuran siya. I'll try again tomorrow with a different look! If he thought I was stopping here already, then he must be outta his mind. Hah!

"Hindi ka ba lalamigin d'yan sa suot mo, Snooki?" asked Auntie the next day.

"Naka-jeans naman ako, Auntie! It's white, so I know that you love it. And besides, I love the cold," I said with a wink. "It never bothered me anyway."

Ang suot ko kasi ngayon ay silk tube top. Ang buhok ko naman ay nakakulot pa rin, only today I wore a tiny tiara over my head. Ang ibang parte ng buhok ko ay nakatakip sa harap ng magkabila kong balikat at ang natira naman ay nasa likod.

"Archer!" Halakhak ni Auntie. "Nagustuhan ba ng bisita niyo iyong ipinadala ko kahapon?"

"Yes, she loved it," nahihiyang sagot ni Archer.

She? So, babae?

Napakat na naman ako ng labi, this time not to be cute. Naniningkit pa ang mata ko habang tinatanggalan ng tinik ang tangkay ng hawak kong rosas. Iba ang manhid ng damdamin ko ngayon, iyong tipong masugatan man ako sa tinik ay hindi ko mararamdaman! Naku naku naku!

"She did? Heto, padalhan mo ulit ng bulaklak, galing sa akin," galak na sabi ni Auntie.

I groaned. Napatingin sila sa akin. "Auntie, if you keep giving people flowers for free, malulugi tayo niyan."

"Snooki," warned Auntie. Tumikhim at umiwas ng tingin si cheater Archer. See, it rhymes din!

"What? I'm just saying," I mumbled. Umirap ako nang hindi nakatingin sa kanila.

Tumango si Archer. His face flushed due to, in my opinion, my sudden dismissal.

"Snooki is right. I agree with her. Masyado kang mabait, Auntie. You have to take care of the numbers. Know when to give and not to give complimentary flowers," he said professionally.

Napanood ko siyang sabihin iyon. Nanghina ang tuhod ko, ang talukap ko ay mabagal na kumukurap dahil sa pagkabigat nito. Aww, I got soft. He really agreed with me? My eyes sparkled with happy suspended tears.

"Kayo naman!" Umismid si Auntie. "Hindi kailanman kawalan ang magbigay. Hayaan niyo na ako. O, Archer, ibigay mo na ito!"

She heedlessly pressed a bouquet on Archer's chest. Nawala yata sa sarili si Archer dahil sa pagkagulat kaya't wala na rin siyang nagawa kundi saluhin iyon.

"Dalhin mo iyan, ha? Sabihin mo ay galing sa Daily Bloom," paalala pa ni Auntie. Iginiya na niya si Archer palabas ng shop. And Archer being a wallflower that he was, he just acquiesced and left.

"Grabe ka naman, Auntie," I commented when she came back.

"Hmm?" pagmamaangan ni Tonette.

"Pinaalis mo agad iyong tao, oh. Eh, hindi niya pa nga napapansin ang look ko for today," I sobbed.

"Babalik naman iyon bukas."

I just sighed. I was getting discouraged day by day. I only had one more up my sleeve, but I thought that if these two didn't even budge him, then how confident was I that the third one would differ.

I still cleaned up nicely the next day, though. It made me feel good to dress like this. It's all for me, tapos tiny bit lang talaga para kay Archer. So today, I won't expect like before. Chill lang.

"Wala si Auntie ngayon, sinundo ni Uncle Benj. They're out for lunch," sabi ko na kaagad. Si Auntie lang naman kasi ang una niyang laging hanap dito.

Tumango lang siya athindi na rin ako nagsalita pa. Chill lang talaga. Whatever.

Masungit ang kilay ko habang pinapakain si Cornelia. Magaling na ako sa chore na ito. Because I was Snooki Henilza, your resident chameleonologist.

"What happened to your neutral clothes?" he asked.

He. Finally. Asked!

Habang nakatalikod ay hinayaan ko nang malukot ang mukha ko dahil sa intense feelings! Boy, oh, boy! It's certainly true what they said, that the third time was a charm!

I spun gracefully. I felt a swoosh of air brushed under my skirt and kissed my long legs. Man, I do a lot of spinning these days.

"Gusto mo ba ang nakikita mo, Archer?" I asked in a saccharine voice. Napalunok siya at tumingin sa gilid.

"No, I just noticed—"

I cut him off as I orchestrated a sophisticated giggle with a palm on my chest. "Oh, luv! You're flattering me! I can be edgy or sweet whenever I want to."

Dahil maputi ang kanyang kutis, madaling mapansin ang kalmadong pagkapula ng labi niya.

Humakbang ako palapit sa kanya. Sa pamumula ng kanyang mukha na abot hanggang tainga ay kulang na lang ay umatras siya. But he's still trying to be a soldier, one who's solid on his ground.

Then, I beamed, "But I can also be yours because I know you want to."

I kinda messed up the last part, because I was trying to be sultry or something. But I definitely looked like a kid right there! Pero okay lang, I was still giddy! Eeep!

My eyes traveled down to his Adam's apple. I saw it bobbed as he cleared his throat while I could only hide a smirk.

He might not have gaped at all, but he swallowed a lump on his throat. A lump that formed because of me!

Ladies and gentlemen, this was Snooki Henilza, maganda.