Purro: Your not so Ordinary Love Story

ix

CHAPTER NINE
~♦~

Isang linggo nang nakikituloy si Julien sa amin every after school hours at super close na sila nila nanay at tatay. Very surprising pa nga kasi madalas na din sa bahay si kuya para lang makipaglaro sa bata.

Okay na din si Asher sa pamilya ko, after kasi nung gabi na medyo dinamay ko sila sa inis ko ay biglang umayos ang pakikitungo nila sa tao nung pumunta siya sa bahay para sunduin si Julien.

"Binanggit ba sa'yo ni auntie na hindi ako makakauwi for two weeks?" Tanong sa akin ni Asher. He insisted to drop me off at school today. And yes, auntie na ang pinangtatawag niya kay nanay.

"Kagabi, pero sabi niya hindi mo pa daw sure." I responded, wala naman sa amin kung hindi siya makakauwi, masaya kaya kapag nasa bahay si Julien.

"I need an inspiration for the new show. More on travelling kaya I need to look for a place na enchanting pero hindi pa masyadong kilala."

"Marami dito sa Pilipinas." Suggestion ko. He tilted his head then took a deep breath.

"Gusto nila abroad eh. Okay nga sana dito sa Pilipinas because I don't want to leave Julien pero ang demanding nung exec prod." Minsan ganito ang dialogue ni Asher, lalo na kapag maraming pending na gawain yung higher-ups and no choice sila but to finish everything.

"Producer ka na kamo."

"I wish I can do that pero baka matanggal naman ako sa trabaho." He laughed pero half-hearted lang. I know he's really troubled and conflicted kasi as far as the life experiences he shared, ngayon lang medyo mapapatagal na hihiwalay si Julien sa kanya.

"Meron namang Skype." I said, without thinking na 2002 nga pala 'to.

"What's that Skype?" Biglang nawala sa pagiging stressed si Asher. He was consumed by his curiosity.

"Ah wala, para siyang brand ng phone. I've heard it over the radio last time." Pagpapalusot ko. Super bilib ako dahil hindi ako nag-stutter, smooth lie. Medyo nagiging dalubhasa na ako sa pagsisinungaling. Grabe na ako.

"Ah, I've never heard of it. Tignan mo, I'm working in the media pero mga latest brand ng phones ay hindi ko alam." I felt guilty right after Asher said that. I mean, I didn't intend to make him feel that way over something that only existed in the future.

"Ano ka ba. It's okay not to know everything. Di ba nga mas masakit kapag alam mo lahat." I tried for a hugot line to comfort him. Successful naman siya...slight.

We reached the school grounds but I failed to make Asher happy before going abroad. Last day niya ngayon kasi later na ang flight niya.

"Hoy, wag ka ngang malungkot diyan. At least you can travel and enjoy a bit kapag nasa abroad ka. You don't need to worry about Julien, he's with us." Sabi ko sa kanya before akong bumaba.