Fall and Chase (ML, #4)

Kabanata 16

Kabanata 16

Come back

I was going to step backward when I heard Cyrus' voice. "Hey!" I stopped and I felt like I was not breathing normal. "Hey! Hey! Stop!" Napakagat ako ng panloob kong pisngi. Biglang nanginig ang tuhod ko! Bakit?

Unti-unti akong lumingon sa bukas na pinto kung saan nandoon si Cyrus at, uh, si Conrad. I look at Cyrus who's giving me a sour look. Napalunok ako. "Oh?" all I could say. I couldn't manage to stay calm when I saw Conrad's smug look. His jaw is all set. His sleeveless black making a way for me to see his tense arms. I need to gulp. Agad akong sumilip sa loob ng kwarto—sa gym kung saan nakakita ako ng ilang bench at dumbbells sa tabi nito. Mayrooon ring treadmill, weight stack, at iyong iba, hindi ko na alam. The color is in a combination of light gray and black. It is properly arranged.

"What are you looking for?" Conrad asked. His brows furrowed.

I need to look at him, I guess.

"Uhm..." I trailed off.

"What?" Conrad said, irritated.

"Creepy!" Cyrus shouted. Tinuro-turo niya 'ko. Nanlaki ang aking mga mata sa sinabi niya.

"No! Actually..." Hindi ko muli nasundan ang sasabihin ko nang maramdaman ang tingin ni Conrad sa akin.

"Creepy! Creepy!" pag-uulit ni Cyrus.

I think my jaw dropped because they are all looking suspicious to me. No! No! I'm not like that! Hindi naman ako ganoong tao!

"Actually—"Someone stopped me.

"Baby?" Ms. Lea's voice. "Oh you're with kuya?" It is her soft and fragile voice.

"Mommy!" Nagtatakbo naman si Cyrus papuntang Mommy niya. Dinaanan niya 'ko na tila hindi niya pansin. "Mommy! Happy Birthday! Mommy!" Cyrus said, chanting. Tumawa naman ng marahan si Ms. Lea. Tinignan ko ang mag-ina na nagyayakapan sa isa't isa. Hindi ko mawari ang ligayang mayroon si Ms. Lea ngayon. Pero noong tumingin na siya sa direksyon ni Conrad, na tinignan ko rin, Conrad was not looking. Papatalikod na ito sa amin at papasok na sa loob ng mini-gym. His back and arm are tensed. I looked at Ms. Lea. And she only gave me a small smile.

No, this won't ruin her day.

I heaved a sigh.

**

I received a gift from Ms. Lea. Hindi ko naman birthday ngunit ako pa ang nakatanggap sa kanya. Tapos ako, wala man lang regalong maibibigay. I felt guilty. Really. Siguro kapag nakalabas at may shoot na kami, I probably buy her a gift.

Ms. Lea gave me a clothes to wear this night. And right now, I am wearing a blue jeans and a dirty white sleeveless top. And also, a pair of sandals. Tinali ko na lang aking buhok. Iyong ang naging dahilan para lalong maging makapansin-pansin ang taas ko. I looked at myself in the mirror. I gulp looking at my image.

"They are here!" Nina knocked at my door. "Tita Demi, Tito Ben, and Ate Maggie!" She cheerfully said when she opened my door. "Let's go, ate! You finally gonna meet Ate Maggie!" Nagmamadaling pumunta si Nina sa aking pwesto. Kinuha niya ang aking kamay at hinila palabas ng aking kwarto. Sumunod na lamang ako sa kanya. Nina's really happy. Hindi mawala iyong ngiti niyang abot sa tenga.

Mabilis ngunit maingat kaming bumaba mula sa hagdan hanggang sa makarating sa dining area. Nakaayos na kaagad ang mahabang mesa ng Velez na puno ng mga pagkain. All are properly arranged.