Helveryst Series #2 : The Cassanova and The Hater

Chapter 11 - Bright Side Vs. Dark Side

Umiling lang si lolo at nagpunas ng kamay."Hindi na ako masyadong nahihilo, mga apo. Baka dahil lang 'yon sa ilang linggo na akong hindi nakakain. Kayo? Kumain na ba kayo? Halika, pagsaluhan natin ang dala niyo."

Alina was about to answer when I pulled her hand under the table."Nah. Kumain na po kami kanina bago kami pumunta rito, lolo. Sa inyo na lang po 'yan, ubusin niyo po ah."

"Ayos Zeriel, ah. It's very nice to see your angelic side even if I know you're going to transform into a demon later," she commented that made me throw her a deadly look.

After eating, we helped Lolo to settle the things inside the house because it wasn't arranged properly last night. Gabi na rin kase at kailangan ko ring magpahinga para ma-maintain ang physical health ko. We bid goodbye to him after that and sent Ali on their house before I went back home to visit mom. When I opened the door, a smell of my favorite dish welcomed me that's why I rushed to the kitchen immediately.

"Did I smell my favorite food, mom? You cooked it for me?" I asked and came closer to her to see her cooking.

She smiled at me and nodded."Of course, why wouldn't I? Gusto kong sumaya ang baby girl ko kaya pinagluto kita. Here, it's done. Umupo ka muna at ipaghahanda kita."

I didn't say anything and just followed what she said. Tutal, nagutom din naman ulit ako dahil sa naamoy ko ang paborito kong pagkain kaya kakain ulit ako. Gosh! I was supposed to eat two times a day but I already ate four times this day.... and it's going to be the fifth time!

"I don't want to be fat, mom. My manager would probably scold me if she knew that I didn't maintain my healthy diet," nakabugsangot kong sambit habang tinitingnan siyang naglalagay ng pagkain sa plato ko.

She just laughed and put some rice on my plate, teasing me."I made some efforts to cook that for you so you should eat all of this. Besides, it's Monday and you're photoshoots will always be on Sunday. Hindi naman kayo palaging magkikita ng manager mo kaya okay lang. Ngayon lang din naman 'to."

Hindi ako makahindi kay mommy dahil bukod sa pinaghirapan niyang gawin 'to ay paborito ko rin 'to simula no'ng bata pa ako. My mom always cook 'Ginataang sitaw na may kalabasa at alimasag' so it's my favorite. Before, I also eat 'Tinolang manok na may malunggay' because it was cooked by my dad---nevermind. Hindi ko naman paborito 'yon ngayon at hindi ko na rin kinakain.

"Tama na, mom. I couldn't eat all of this. Kanina pa ako kain nang kain, hindi nga ako halos makatayo eh. Just keep it, I'm going to eat this tomorrow." Tinulak ko ang pagkain papunta sa kanya at pinunasan ang gilid ng labi ko.

Darn it. Busog na busog ako at saka pagod na rin. I want to rest right now.

"I'm going to ask you one thing, anak."Napatingin ako sa kanya na nakakunot ang noo."Naging blooming ka ata ngayon, ah. Did something happened? Tell me, anak." Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko sa ibabaw ng mesa.

My brows furrowed, thinking about what she'd said."I don't think so. Wala naman akong naalalang may magandang nangyari sa araw na 'to. Except for helping Lolo earlier to fini---"

"What? Did I heard it right? You helped---Oh my god! Sign na ba 'to para bumalik ka sa dating ugali mo?" Tinakpan niya ang bibig niya na para bang gulat siya sa narinig niya.

I shook my head because she's overreacting."Don't be so paranoid, mom. I just helped him because I'm worried...a bit. It's just permanent though because he doesn't know where to go and what to eat."

"Kahit na, naaawa ka pa rin sa kanya. You still helped him, don't you? Hindi na ako ako magtataka kung bakit ganyan ka dahil noon pa lang ugali mo na 'yan," sabi niya pa at napailing na lang.