Encounter (part 3)

'We're here (In Filipino)', the driver said.

The ride costs 150 pesos and it feels like I used all my pocket money.

'Wake up', I said as I tap her shoulders.

I heard her groan without opening her eyes

'Wake up, we're here', I said once again.

She open her eyes.

Okay….

I got nervous all of the sudden.

'Excuse me sir, can you open the door for her?', I requested to the driver. He did not make a fuss out of it and went out of the driver's seat.

I put the lady's bag in my left shoulder and my bag on my right. The driver holds the lady's hand and help her stand.

And as soon as I got out, I gave a bitter looking face and glared at the driver.

'I'll take it here. Thank you', I said blankly as I pull the lady away from him.

My right hand is holding the petite woman's arm.

The driver look at me with annoyed face before turning away.

'tss', I muttered

'Can you walk?', I ask her

She looks really sick and no strength at all. She was holding my jacket on her chest.

Is she still cold?

'Wait'

I removed the bag hanged on my right shoulder and moved it to the other side.

Without saying something, the girl seemed to know what my intention was and lean on me as i wrap my arm on her waist.

I could feel the coldness of her body closed to me but i started to walk towards the store front.

8-8 Convenience Store, says the sign on the entrance.

Laundry Inside, colored in blue is written on the transparent fascade.

So why here.

But i think this is the address.

'Hey, open your eyes. Is this the place?', I ask the lady but she just nod without looking at it.

Before we continue to walk, a middle aged woman came out from the store.

She look at me and then look at her.

'Venice?!', sounded shock and came to us.

'Hmm', Venice uttered

I got nervous for a sudden, not sure of what's happening.

She stop in front of us and said something in Filipino sounded like a worried mother.

She gestured to help, extending her right arm but im not sure if i understood what she said, but i guess she means 'let me help' . So i gave her our bagpacks hanging on my left shoulder as she lead inside the store.

The convenience store was not the typical 24 hours convenience store because it has 3 convenient functions: grocery, laundry, and lounge. The 3 divisions of the store has a small space probably as the visitors or waiting area but there's an electric massage chair behind the sofa for 3 or 4 people and a television upfront; another is a laundry area that look like the backwall of the store because of aligned laundromats on one side, and the biggest space with few stalls and shelves for basic goods.

There are no costumers- my first impression as we entered.

Country songs being played.

And the flowery smell from the laundry area gives a brief reminisce of my last spring season at my father's homeland. ha.ha.ha i guess i miss dad .

NO!

The store owner helped me put Venice down the sofa .

The woman who helped tries to touch Venice after we lay her down but on a split second, Venice used her arm to block the woman's hand.

The woman was flustered, so was i.

'Aunt Claire, can I have some cold coffee (In Filipino)', Venice said softly

'Oh.. Sige (okay)', the woman answered as she moves backward after being blocked from her act of confusion and concern towards the ill young lady.

I could still sense how offending and rude it must be for the woman who is just concerned.

Im also a bit disappointed by the attitude of the helpless young lady whom we just helped. But from another view, her action seemed more like coincidence because her eyes were closed.

'Look after her', the woman said to me and walk out the area.

I put down our bags on the tiled floor.

A massage chair.

Thinking of it wants me to try, my body's tired too from carrying her.

I shook my head for the thought and just look away to search for other available chairs.

Oh. Found ya!

I was about to walk towards the corner where piled mono blocks are place when i heard her whisper:

'Can you come closer please'

I turned around to hear what she wants, i twitched from the sight of her lying down.

I gulped, still not used at looking at her pale skin, not paler than mine though, but the feeling and thought that she looks lifeless at all.

'Don't let them touch me', she said

Huh?

'They'll be worried, just tell them I feel dizzy. And... don't call anyone too', she said in soft voice. She sounds normal, not a dying voice but a soft voice asking for a favor.

'o-okay', I stuttered.

'I'll take some nap, wake me up after 30 minutes. And take the coffee, your temperature keeps rising', she said which made me raise my brows for her bossy tone.

'O-okay', I responded like an idiot.

The fudge! I don't even know how to respond properly.

I cleared my throat, I feel awkward by myself, I don't EVEN have any idea why I'm here.

Fudge.

Is this really happening?

I questioned myself wishing i could turn back the time and not meeting her.

I shook my head for my selfish thought while looking at her.

'What happened to her? (In Filipino)', i heard someone say averting my attention towards the open entrance of this small room.

The woman from a while back.

I recognize, but I did not understand what she said which give me pause and smiled awkwardly.

'What happened?', she said in english noticing the language barrier.

'Ah… She's feeling dizzy after our P.E', I lied.

Oh my ghad

I can't believe im quick witted to make lies. Oh really

Great Liam

Great

'Oh', she respond, looking at Venice unsure and unpersuaded.

'We actually take her at the school clinic. She rested for few minutes but woke up and insisted to go home.', I lied AGAIN, I don't know if that's enough to make her understand the situation.

I feel bad for lying you know. *Self-disappointment

But my mouth wanted to blabber more.

'Oh, I'm Liam by the way. Im her friend, uhm, she used to be my tour guide when I transferred at Andamerian Uni' , i added to sound more reasonable why im with her.

She gave me a smile, then handed me the cold coffee.

'I guess this is for you', she said

'My name is Claire, Venice calls me Tita Claire. She's my regular here at the store', she added

I see

'Nice to meet you… Uhm how should I suppose to call you, ma'am?', I asked…

Im not use to people so I find this really challenging on my part but im doing my best as a normal human being.

I never have long talked to other Filipino adults except our neighbour Mr.Campus in the village, and the store owner in the town. But i guess, im challenge to talk few more words at this moment.

'Tita Claire or Aunt Claire,', she said.

She's indeed a cheerful person. She's friendly.

'Did you call her brother?', she asks

Huh

'She has younger brother, a first year college', she explained.

(They'll be worried, just tell them I feel a little bit dizzy. Don't call anyone too)

'Oh y-yes. Yes, Venice. I informed him'

I lied once more after remembering the favor of the stranger at rest.

'Venice must be tired nowadays', the woman said as she looks at the sleeping lady.

...

'T.V, if your bored ', she said and pointed at the closed television in front us .

'Thank you', I said

Whoo….

She did not say a word and went to get a mono block i saw at the corner a while back.

I moved from my stance and went to carry the mono block.

'Make yourself comfortable, at least', she said with a smile as i take the mono block from her.

I nod as a response feeling discomfort like a junior high schooler presenting his science project in front of his classmates.

Not later after....

I was left alone with the looking like corpse sleeping on the sofa.

I hold my breath and exhaled my moment of blank spacing.

Whooo…

I took a sip from the cold coffee.

'Nice', I complimented.

I stretched my legs and then my worned out arm. It's not aching but it has been a long time since i carried something heavy.

(30 minutes, it is. Okay fine, I'll wake you up after 30 minutes.) I said at the back of my mind as I took another sip from the cold coffee, waiting patiently for her to wake up.

Why am i even doing this?

AHmm.. maybe because she's cute?? *smirk