September: Beneath The Hoodie She Wears

CHAPTER TEN: TITA KANA // CAKE

ODETTE

"You're here too huh? And here I thought you weren't the socializing type," sambit ni Khalil habang nakatingin kami sa dagat 

We're just simply admiring the calm waves and the twinkling stars.

"I don't like socializing but mama said I should go." Hindi ko alam bakit ko siya kinakausap.

I've been ignoring him for weeks, I didn't even say thank you for the snacks and sweets he gave me because I didn't want to initiate a conversation. Nevertheless, I felt like something changed.

Maybe because he's the first one to know but didn't pity me.

Well, kung iisipin dalawa lang naman sila ni Mon ang nakaalam...

Seeing how Mon reacted I expected the worse from others. Hindi naman ako hinusgahan ni Mon, pero nakita ko kung paano nagiba ang pakikitungo niya sa akin. He became more caring and all.

Kaya ko naman ang sarili ko e.

"As I expected, masunurin ka nga," natatawang sabi ni Khalil kaya napaharap ako sa kaniya ng nakakunot ang noo.

Is he mocking me?

"And what's wrong with that?" Nakakunot ang noong tanong ko kaya napalingon siya sa akin at natawa ulit.

"Nothing! I just hope you don't push yourself to your limits just because people told you to do so, you should push your limits for yourself." Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya.

Push my limits for myself?

All this time I've been pushing myself beyond my limits to exceed their expectations for me. To be someone they could be proud of.

Lahat ba ng ginagawa ko sa mga nakalipas na taon ay mali? Kaya ba hindi ko maramdaman yung fulfillment na akala ko mararamdaman ko pagkatapos lahat ng paghiirap?

"Khalil? Can you not disappear on me?" Napalingon kami pareho ni Khalil ng may tumawag sa kaniya.

A woman wearing a long blue dress called Khalil. She looked sad and tired but her elegant aura overshadowed that. 

Siguro sanay lang ako na nakikita sa salamin ang mga malulungkot at pagod na mata kaya napansin ko agad iyon.

 I also saw some familiar features on her face. Features that I first saw in Khalil's face

"Mom, uhh. This is Odette, the girl I told you about." Napalingon ako kay Khalil ng marinig ang sinabi niya.

Kinukuwento niya ako sa mom niya? Bakit?

"Oh! Nice to meet you hija, I'm Kana Hermosa. Khalil's mom," pakilala nito kaya naman nilahad ko ang kamay ko at napatingin siya doon bago natatawang nakipagkamay.

What? Hindi naman kami close para makipagbeso. 

"Nice to meet you din po ma'am," nahihiyang sabi ko.

Hindi ko alam bakit pero nahihiya ako sa kaniya e hindi nga ako nahihiya sa mga nakausap namin kanina ni papa.

"Just call me Tita Kana hija. Hmm, if I'm not mistaken you went to the party with the Ajeros? Are you perhaps the eldest daughter of Charlotte and Andros Ajero?" Tumango naman ako sa sinabi ni Tita Kana.

"Mrs. Hermosa, looks like you're acquainted with our daughter?" Napalingon naman kami nila Khalil at Tita Kana ng lumapit sa amin sila papa, mama, at Annika.

I saw how Annika looked at Khalil. 

"Mr. Ajero. Actually, kakakilala ko pa lang sa inyong napakagandang anak. A fine lady you have raised if you ask me. It's actually my son who is well acquainted with your daughter." Nakita kong maningkit ang mata ni papa at siniko naman siya ni mama.