His eyes narrowed, as if he's trying to recognize where I am.
After he descried my surroundings, he asked, "Nasa kotse ka, neighbor?"
Linayo niya ang mukha mula sa camera. Pagkatapos ay linapit naman niya si Sav upang siya ay aking makita. Ngunit malikot ito at hindi naman nakatingin sa akin.
I replied with a stingy head nod.
"If I may ask . . . where did you go?" he asked while struggling to get a hold of my cat.
"Park."
"Taking a breather?"
I cleared my throat. "Yes."
"Ah." He nodded his head. "But why is your voice like that? Paos ka?"
That question made me clear my throat once again. My voice has become raspy and there's a strain in my larynx. All thanks to the slice of cake I coerced myself to finish—despite knowing full-well that this will happen to me.
"Yes."
"Kagabi ayos pa boses mo, ah. Ano'ng nangyari at bigla kang napaos? Sure akong hindi 'yan dahil nagdaldal ka." He chuckled softly.
I briefly closed my eyes. He's being annoying again.
But honestly, after the discordance that happened this morning, I'd rather have this than go back to that wretched house.
"I had some cake."
"Kaya pala. Na-kuwento mo dati na madaling sumakit ang lalamunan mo kapag kumakain ka ng matamis o umiinom ka ng malamig. Bili kang strepsils, neighbor. O kaya mag-honey lemon juice ka ulit. Mabisa 'yun pang-alis ng sore throat," he quickly suggested.
"I'm fine. It'll go away later," I said, trying to veer away from the conversation about me. "How's Sav? Did he give you a hard time?"
"A little," he honestly answered, chuckling softly. "Mahilig siya magpunta sa balcony, 'no? Kasi paggising niya kanina, 'yun agad ang hinanap niya. Noong na-bore naman siya sa labas, pumasok na ulit siya sa loob at nagtatakbo. Tapos pinagdiskitahan niya 'yung gitara. Sinipa niya habang nakatingin ako sa kaniya. Sobrang benta! Attitude siya, eh!" He cackled while looking at Sav.
My eyes widened because of what he said. "Oh, no," I gasped. "Did he break it? I'm really, really sorry."
Panic was evident in my voice. I am not oblivious to the fact that Savage is really capable of doing that. Not only because he can, but also because he wants to. He likes showing people his obnoxious and ferocious side sometimes.
"Hindi naman. Muntik lang pumitik 'yung string."
I bit my lower lip in guilt.
"Oh, dear," I uttered, embarrassed because of my feline pet's doing. "Can I pay for the string he almost broke?"
"Naku, hindi na!" mariing tanggi niya. Umiling pa ito. "Huwag mo na alalahanin. Walang kaso sa'kin, promise. Si Bree nga, 'yung anak ni Mitch, binato niya dati 'yung Ipad ko habang tumatakbo siya. Ayon, nabasag ang screen." He laughed. "But I let it go. Ito pa kayang string lang?" He smiled at me. "Promise, okay lang talaga."
"But you and Mitch are friends. And Bree's your goddaughter."
He gave me a cheeky smile before replying, "Friends na rin naman tayo."
"We're not—"
He didn't give me the chance to finish my sentence. He immediately cut me off.
"I refuse to believe you." Then, he burst into laughter.
