Bits of Chemistry | ✓

Kabanata 36

Kabanata 36

The moment Leverett opened his eyes was the moment I knew I still had unfinished business with someone in the past. His gray eyes felt like snow in the middle of my summer. An oasis for my hell. Leverett cutely yawned in my arms. His bloated cheeks and small features made me want to hug him more. Ganda ng lahi ni Etienne Soteiro pero kukunin ko ang credits kung bakit cute si Leverett kasi hindi na ako emosyonal ngayon at p'wedeng-p'wede na akong mainis sa kan'ya.

"Paano mo 'yan matatago 'te, kulay gray mga mata?" puna sa akin ni Euan. Nakahalukipkip habang pinapanood si Leverett na karga-karga ko.

"Contact lens is the key."

"Gaga ka talaga." Euan rolled his eyes. "Selfie ka na lang tapos i-post mo sa instagram tapos tag mo si Etienne sabay caption na 'tanga, tatay ka na'."

Ngumuso naman ako. "Alam naman n'ya e. Wala lang talaga siyang pakialam."

I told him already but he only tossed the letter. Pero susubukan ko pa rin sa personal. Kapag ayaw n'ya, edi huwag. Kaya ko naman palakihin mag-isa si Leverett.

"Sure ka ba 'te? Kasi wala sa katauhan ni Etienne ang takbuhan ang responsibilidad n'ya. He might not be the best person when it comes to morality but he does know how to take responsibility for his own faults —not that I'm saying Leverett is a mistake."

Umiling ako. "Tinapon n'ya e. . ."

Nanatiling kunot ang noo ni Euan. In his light blue shirt and khaki pants, I was able to attest to his simple nature. Hindi lang nakatakas sa paningin ko ang branded na bodybag n'ya pero ito na ang pinaka-simpling outfit na nakita ko mula sa kan'ya.

"Gaga, baka sinabotahe lang 'yon o baka di n'ya napansin? Pero kung totoo nga, sasabunutan ko siya with video para sa 'yo. Igaganti ko ang ganda mo." Euan said, determined. Eyes glowing with vendetta.

Humalakhak lang ako. I was taken aback when Leverett was cupping my chest. His small hands were traveling to find something. Hindi ko alam kung ginagalaw n'ya lang talaga ang kamay n'ya o gutom na siya.

Napakagat naman ako ng labi ko. P'wede ko naman siya i-formula milk pero iba raw talaga kapag laking breastmilk 'yong bata. Ayon pa kay Kaiaria, na-kwento sa kan'ya noon ng mama n'ya na mas malapit daw o mas clingy kapag sa breastmilk lumaki 'yong anak. I'm not sure of that yet but I can't really imagine it myself.

"What's his name?" tanong ni Euan habang nakatitig kay Leverett.

Sakto namang pumasok si Snyder na may dalang mandarin food. I beamed upon seeing the chinese take out because I've been wanting to eat salted egg shrimps! Nagulat din ako dahil may malunggay juice siyang dala.

"Para saan ang matcha?" tanong ni Euan, nakatingin sa juice na dala ni Snyder.

"It's malunggay." I said.

"What's malunggay?"

I looked upwards to ransack some words to describe it. "'Yong circle circle sa tinola."

Kumunot ang noo ni Euan. "Bakit? Para saan 'yon?"

Snyder grimaced as he put the food on the available table. "For breastfeeding."

My face blanched. Lumingon ako kay Leverett na nakatingin na rin sa akin at parang hinihintay na lang akong maghubad.

"Ikaw na lang kaya, Euan. . ." my arm impinge towards him.

"Ang lakas mo naman 'te. . ." Euan's lips move downwards, forming a quick scowl. "Sana ayos ka lang?"

I bit my lower lip. "Feeling ko kasi masakit e. . ."