Chapter 4

The Bliss

Eren is a great woman and a wonderful mother to her children. She's also quite a talker so I wasn't surprised when I sort of regretted not going with them to wherever they're going. She dropped me off in the nearest Supermarket. I told her not to bother yet she insisted so I could only say thanks happily. It's great to have a new friend in a new place.

The moment I went in the Supermarket, my eyes scanned for the usually large bold letters of the word...NOODLES. I immediately spotted my favorite section, my haven, and pushed a shopping cart towards it. My stomach kept rumbling like thunder as I eyed the stack of my favorite noodles. I saw some fellow noodle-persons put their choices in their carts. Some didn't even look at the flavors as they dumped them inside.

Yes, this is all for the love of noodles, instant noodles. This is heaven to people like me who usually pull all-nighters, too lazy to cook, and now lives alone. I don't have Rondel in my house so I won't have to worry about what to cook anymore. My boyfriend is a health-conscious guy. He had to have specific calories or a balanced diet  a day and a specific time for workout so he could maintain his muscles. I, on the other hand, am gifted with fast metabolism so my figure never became my problem. It's a problem for others though. Haha.

Binilisan ko ang paglagay ng mga extra spicy at spicy noodles sa shopping cart. They came from different companies but that's not a big deal. As long as they're noodles, spicy or not, I'll eat it all. Though, I prefer spicy ones.

After putting about 50 pieces, I maneuvered the cart towards the meat section. May nabili kasi akong automatic barbecue cooker kaya kailangan ko 'yong i-test mamaya.

I looked for some already cut pork and got a kilo. I'm not really sure if it's legit but if the device works then I'll just buy some meat again. After getting pork, I proceeded towards the vegetable section. I scanned it with my hawk-like vision and saw what I was looking for.

My sparkling green and juicy cabbage!

My hand was about to grab the king of all the cabbages there when a slim slender well-manicured hand touched it. Sandali pa akong natanga dahil sa ganda ng kamay bago nagmaktol.

"Hey, I saw it first!" I hissed and looked at the owner of the ridiculously beautiful hand. "Girl, if you wanna—" I was lost for words as I stared at the supposed to be woman and gasped in shock. "Q?! Ikaw ang may-ari ng kamay na 'yan?!" I blurted out like an idiot. I then blinked a few times as I realized what I said. "I-I mean, well. Ehem. Fancy meeting you here, pretty boy."

"Hello," he said after a long pause. Bumitiw ang kamay niya sa cabbage kaya kumislap ang mga mata ko. "You can have it," he calmly declared.

"Thanks!" masaya kong sabi at kinuha na ang pinakamamahal kong cabbage. For the love of cabbage, I'll even fight to the death. I looked at Q again and scanned him from head to foot. He wore an elegant all white outfit that composed of a white button-down shirt, dirty white cardigan that reached his thighs, a pair of white semi-fit slacks, and finally, a pair of white rubber shoes. An angel with a blonde hair. That's what he looks like today. I was right when I said that he would look great with anything. "You look dashing as ever! What are you here for, by the way?" He didn't respond so I was shocked. "Q? Is there a problem?"

"Oh Q! Here you are! I thought I lost you!" anang isang boses at napalingon ako sa aking likuran. I saw a good-natured middle-aged man approach us while effortlessly carrying two sacks of rice with his arms. He was smiling as he put the sacks in the cart. "I got you 2 sacks. It will last for four months knowing your appetite."

"Thanks, Belmond," simpleng ani Q. Hindi ko alam kung alam ba niyang nandito pa ako dahil hindi siya lumingon sa direksyon ko ulit. Kakaiba ang pakikitungo niya. Ni hindi man lang siya nagulat nang marinig niya ang boses ko.

He obviously remembered my name yet he just casually spoke as if it's within his expectations to meet me here. He even felt so cold while blatantly ignoring me. Ah! I don't even know why I'm overthinking things. We barely know each other so he can't act as if he just met a long lost friend, now can he?

To be "polite", I spoke again.

"See you later, Q," I said and then stormed off. I heard the middle-aged man ask about me but Q didn't say anything.

Tsk.

The first time I met him I thought he was a pervert. When he told me he was blind, I felt sympathy. When he laughed with me, I thought he was funny. When he half-ignored me during the game in the party, I thought he was just trying to be polite. And now, I found him...rude. I don't know why but I have a feeling that Q doesn't like me at all! It's weird. I didn't even do anything to him. For heck's sake, we just met yesterday! Yet I could feel that his blind soulless eyes are judging me.

I shook my head to erase my thoughts.

Well, I can't really make all the people in the world love me so this is pretty normal. I shifted my attention towards grocery shopping and thinking about my meal later. My stomach kept rumbling because of the latter.

Before I knew it, I was already out of the supermarket. Nagsimula na akong maghanap ng jeep, tricycle, o taxi na masasakyan pero punuan ang mga ito. Buti na lang at dalawang malalaking eco-bag lang ang dala ko, kundi ay humandusay na ako sa parehong hirap at gutom. I shifted my weight from left to right while pleading for the heavens for luck but the vehicles just passed by. The scorching heat from the sun didn't help me alleviate my growing anger.

"Why the heck are there so many people commuting these days?! Wala na akong masakyan!" I shouted in frustration then bit my lips when I saw a few people look at me as if I was crazy. "I'm hungry," I grumbled.

Kung nasa akin pa sana ang phone ko ngayon, baka naka-book na ako ng Grab. Hah. My fault.

Honk. Honk.

The loud sound from a car rang in the air. Napatalon ako sa gulat nang makitang may isang itim na Mazda na pumarada sa gilid ng daan. Tumaas ang kilay ko dahil humarang talaga ito sa kalye.

Bumaba ang bintana at nakita ko ang driver. Nagitla ako nang mapagtantong 'yon yung lalaking kasama ni Q kanina.

"Get in. Sumabay ka na sa amin ni Q. I heard you're from the same subdivision," nakangiti nitong sabi.

Nagkasalubong ang kilay ko dahil doon. Is he serious? He's inviting me to ride with them when I'm just an acquaintance. Seriously, people should be wary of those people who they do not know that much.

"No, thanks," I deadpanned and ignored his startled eyes.

"I insist," he muttered. "I know there's lot of people—"

I looked at him and said, "Look. I don't want to be rude—"

"Hoy! Mga gago! Huwag kayong humarang sa daan!" I heard someone curse while shouting.

"Tangina! Nagmamadali kami!" another screeched.

Unti-unti akong napatingin sa gilid at nakita ang mga galit na driver ng mga sasakyang naharangan ng kotseng sinasakyan nina Q. Nanlilisik na ang mga mata ng mga ito sa amin. Parang mangangain na ang mga ito ng tao dahil sa galit. Napapahiya na lang akong umiwas ng tingin.

"Just get in, Wynfrost." Q's smooth voice sounded from inside the car so I frowned. "I need to talk to you."

Tumaas ang kilay ko ng sobra dahil sa sinabi niya. Need to talk daw. Ano namang pag-uusapan namin? Iyon bang premyo kong wishes? Sineryoso niya 'yon? And who is he even kidding? He coldly ignored me in the supermarket then this?

I groaned in annoyance when the other cars began honking. I then marched indignantly towards the backseat door. I didn't have to wait a second because it opened and revealed Q's expressionless face.

I hurriedly entered as he backed away. A sweet yet minty fragrance of perfume wafted in my nose but I just decided not to comment about how girlish it smelled.

"I'm just doing this because I'm dying to go home," I only mumbled and slammed the door shut once I settled in. Humarap ako sa kanya kahit alam ko namang hindi niya ako nakikita. He stared back at me though, as if he's actually seeing me. "What do you want to talk about?"

Pinaandar na ng driver ang kotse kaya nakahinga ako nang maluwag. Naalala ko na naman ang mga mura ng mga driver kanina. Hayst. I can't believe people would turn nuts because of traffic.

"I wanted to talk to you about your six wishes. Your first wish is getting unlimited access on visiting me in my house, unannounced. I need you to tell me about the rest. You see, if people have some unresolved issues they get to bump into each other accidentally." Nagkasalubong ang kilay ko. "I also want you to stay away from me after granting your wishes."

"Excuse me?" I can't help but feel irritated by how he phrased the last sentence.

"I know Lan bought your service to approach me. I'm just telling you that this wouldn't go anywhere," walang emosyon niyang dagdag.

"What?" I asked incredulously. "You think Lan is paying me to what? Like seduce you or something?"

"Yes."

Malamya akong natawa dahil sa mga pinagsasabi niya. I can't believe this guy. He thought I'm getting paid. So that's why he's acting strange. At kung makapagsalita, akala mo kung sinong perpekto. Just a few coincidences between us made him think that I'm purposely trying to get close to him.

I smirked at his conclusion. Me and him? Come on, he's not even my type.

"I'm sorry to tell you but I'm not getting paid by Lan for this "service" you spoke of. As a matter of fact, aren't your imaginations a little too wild? I won't stoop that low just to get cash," I said while chuckling. "And I already have a boyfriend. Plus, I don't like skinny men like you. You look too feminine." Nakita ko ang pagkagulat sa mukha niya nang sinabi ko 'yon. What? First time masabihan ng ganito? "I prefer bulky guys. Rough and hard, just how I like it."

Napaubo ang driver nang sinabi ko 'yon pero hindi ko na ito nilingon. Tinuon ko ang mga mata ko sa nakabusangot na mukha ni Q. Hindi ko alam na kaya pala nitong mainis nang ganito.

"Whatever you say, I won't believe you."

I rolled my eyes. He's too hard-headed.

"Whatever then. Just believe what you want to believe in. We're not even friends so I don't care about what you think," I said while wincing at what he said. "And about my wishes, you can keep them for all I care."

His face turned emotionless and spoke again.

"I have to grant you the wishes," he said in utter seriousness so I laughed. "I'm serious."

"What? Are you like a fairy godmother with a quota or something?" natatawa kong sabi. "Wala akong pakialam diyan sa mga wishes na 'yan."

"Stop joking. Lan will chase after us if we—"

"Fine," I said in defeat and leaned on the seat. "I have five wishes remaining so I'll just wish for just anything."

"Good," he muttered so I gave him a frown. Well, it's not as if he could see my expressions.

"First, be my model in painting."

"I can't—" he cut me off.

"I don't care. A wish is a wish. I told you I don't want these wishes but you insisted so listen up." Natahimik ito at nakinig na. "Second, help me fix my relationship with my boyfriend—"

"I'm a blind man, if you didn't notice," he sarcastically said. "Wala akong maitutulong sa'yo sa relasyon na 'yan."

"You don't get a say in this," I deadpanned so he closed his mouth again. "Third, provide me with fabulously beautiful fresh cabbages once a week, for a month."

"What is it with you and cabbages?" he asked with a hint of interest.

"It goes well with my ramen," sagot ko at napahalukipkip. Bakit ba lagi na lang 'tong may komento sa mga hiling ko? Inirapan ko na lang siya at nagpatuloy. "Okay. About my fourth wish, give me a supply of art materials of my own choice that's worth a hundred thousand pesos." Hindi ito nakaimik kaya napangiti ako.  Ni hindi man lang siya kumurap pagkasabi ko sa pera. Sabi na nga bang big time ang lalaking 'to. "And my final wish is for you to give me a gift after fulfilling all my wishes. Any gift will do."

"Anything?" nagtataka niyang sabi. "That's too vague."

"Bahala ka. Ikaw naman ang wish granter," sabi ko habang nakanguso at bumaling na sa driver. "Mr. Driver, ikaw ang witness namin ha?"

Natawa ang driver at nagsalita na.

"Yes, Ma'am."

Narinig kong napabuga ng hangin si Q kaya tumingin ako rito.

"How many times do I have to be a model for you in painting?"

Oh? He's too meticulous.

"Once will do," I said. "Ayoko namang lagi kang makasalamuha ano. Baka ma-inlove ka pa sa akin."

"Never gonna happen," he said coldly.

I made a face and jokingly mimicked his words. "Never gonna happen~" Tumaas ang kilay niya pero wala naman siyang sinabi kaya napaismid na lang ako. "Big deal ba talaga ang mga wishes na 'to? Ipapakulong ba tayo ni Lan kung hindi natin susundin?"

"He could do worse," he answered mysteriously. "He'll do everything to give us hell."

Napailing-iling ako. Baliw nga talaga ang isang 'yon. Mga mayayaman nga naman-kapag walang paggagamitan ang pera, kung anu-ano na lang ang pagdidiskitahan.

"By the way," I said to change the topic. "What's your occupation?"

"I'm a columnist in a magazine," he said.

"A columnist?" I asked curiously. Naalala ko ang magarbo niyang bahay at ang mga gamit dito. Kaya ba ng may trabahong 'yon bumili ng mga ganoong kamahal na mga bagay? "Did you buy that house? I assume that's worth millions."

"My family bought it for me," simple niyang sabi kaya nakuha ko agad.

"Wait, wait, so ang pamilya mo lang ang mayaman?" tanong ko rito. Napalingon siya sa akin at nakita ko sa mukha niya ang pagtataka. "Do you have some other sources for cash?"

Napaamang siya at napalabi, tila may magkahalong pagkabigla at pagkainis sa kanyang ekspresyon.

"Are you sizing up my wallet?" tila hindi makapaniwala niyang sabi. "Don't even think—"

"Dude, chill. Don't get me wrong. I asked for a hundred pesos-worth of art supplies so I was wondering if you could actually give it to me." He gaped so I continued, "I can adjust the amount if it's too big."

He stared at me like I'm some kind of alien and for a second there, I forgot again that he was blind.

"Hindi iyon problema," he said after a while. "I have some shares in some companies. A blind man like me could secure my money that much."

"Oh." Kaya pala. He's depressed but he could still make money. What a guy. "Okay then."

"Let's talk about the wish regarding helping you fix your relationship."

Wow. He introduced another topic.

"What about it?" I asked him. Surely, he wanted to clarify things.

"How could I help you?" tanong nito. Halata namang wala talaga siyang ideya sa gagawin kaya sinagot ko na lang.

"Dispatsahin mo yung kabit niya."

"D-Dispatsahin?" he repeated. "Did I hear that right? And your boyfriend cheated on you?"

"Yep."

"Wait, wait," he said and leaned towards me. He blinked a few times and I had a clear view of his bright brown eyes as he went nearer so I awkwardly scooted backwards. "He cheated on you but you just want to get rid of the other girl? Won't you do something about him?"

"I love him that much," sagot ko rito at napangisi. "Isa pa, we can just have a mind-blowing make-up sex."

Napaubo ulit ang driver habang nanlaki naman ang mga mata ni Q.

"That's your plan?"

"Ah-huh." His lips twitched. "I'll forgive him. We make mistakes and that's it."

"We mistakes, yes," Q said and face-palmed. "But you can't do just that. What if he already has feelings for the girl?" Napakurap ako at hindi agad nakapagsalita. "So he does have feelings for—"

"I'm not sure okay? Baka naman kasi libog lang 'yon!"

Napaubo ulit ang driver kaya sinamaan ko ito ng tingin. Bahagya lang itong natawa kaya tumingin ulit ako kay Q. This time, he's scratching his nose as if he's thinking about something frustrating.

"Did you talk with him?"

"Ah, nope."

"Hindi kayo nag-usap? Kailan ba kayo huling nagkita?"

"I can't remember. It was before I moved in my new house. Ah. I also haven't told him where I am now." Dahil doon, naalala ko bigla ang phone ko. Nagliwanag ang mukha ko at sinabihan na si Q. "Naiwan yata sa bahay mo ang phone ko."

"What?" Klarong nabigla siya roon at napailing. "And you didn't even get it? We're neighbors!" histerikal nitong sigaw.

"You don't have to shout. You're surprisingly exaggerating," I muttered and snorted.

"Because you're surprisingly crazy," he said with a frown. "I can't believe you ran away from your boyfriend. I won't be surprised he already disowned you."

Napahampas ako sa upuan at sumigaw.

"He won't fucking do that!" I can't believe I also shouted. Then I blinked as I realized that Q might be right. "Right?"

"Beats me," he deadpanned. "Maybe you're only flying solo in your supposed to be relationship now."

Napasabunot ako sa buhok na parang baliw.

"He can't do that to me!"

"Just ask him when you already got your phone." I wailed like a madman so Q added, "And stop screaming. My ears ring when I hear loud noises."

"O-Oh." I pouted as I shifted my attention towards other things. I might just lose my mind if I think about Rondel again.

Growl~

Napahawak ako sa tiyan kong ngumangawa na at napatingin kay Q. Nakakunot na ang kanyang noo.

"Is that...you?" tanong niya. Hindi ako umimik dahil sa hiya. "Wynfrost, that's you alright."

I groaned and said, "Whatever. It's natural. It's not like I farted."

Tumikhim siya at nagtanong ulit.

"You didn't eat breakfast, did you? That's why you bought goods in the supermarket."

Detective ka na niyan?

"Fine, fine. You're right. Happy?" mapait kong sabi sa kanya habang pinipigilan ang pagtunog sa tiyan ko gamit ang paghinga nang malalim. What? It works sometimes!

"Belmond, let's stop by a restaurant for a while."

"Wait, what?! You don't have to do that!" nahihiya kong sabi. "I can just eat at home!"

"I'm hungry too," he plainly said and faced my direction. "What? You're not thinking that I'm concerned of a stranger's well-being now, are you?"

Umirap ako sa kanya sabay sabing, "May sinabi ba ako? May narinig ka?"

"Bulag lang ako, hindi bingi."

Fuck this guy. We could've been friends if he's not such an asshole.