When the Cold Fire Burns

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Jimson

A small smile plastered on my face when I took all the groceries I bought from the back seat. The box was heavy but I didn't mind it. I placed it on the kitchen.

"Ano iyan, hijo?" Nanay Elsa, our main yaya in the house asked.

"Groceries."

"Bakit ikaw ang bumili? Sana pala ay sinabi mo na lang sa mga driver."

She took a scissor to open it and started to arrange it as I sat on the high chair while watching her.

"No need. I also want to buy it for myself."

Her eyebrows furrowed. "Ang dami kong gustong itanong pero hahayaan na lang kita."

I just chuckled.

Our parents were not in town, so I could freely move in the house. It is a good week actually. I could study in the balcony or in the living room for a change.

I can afford to rent a place but I know it is not necessary. Tutal, palagi rin namang wala ang mga magulang namin. The house is also big but empty.

"Magluluto ba ako ng baon?" tanong niya.

"Yes, please."

"Dalawa?"

I nodded. "Opo."

She was curious but I just laughed.

"Good morning," Joseph asked when he went inside the kitchen.

"You just woke up?" I looked at my watch. "It's already 10."

"Wala kaming pasok ngayon."

"Kumain ka na, Joseph. Mainit pa 'yung pagkain mo," Nanay Elsa said.

"Thanks." He frowned when he noticed the box. "Ikaw ba bumili nito?"

Tumango ako. "Yeah."

"For what?"

"For lunch."

"Two lunchboxes, huh?"

Pati si Nanay Elsa ay napangiti na rin. I just ignored them and took out some bread because I never had breakfast. When I woke up, I just had this feeling that I need to buy food. So I went to the mall and buy groceries.

"Stop looking at me like that," suway ko sa kapatid.

"Like what?"

"Like that."

Tumawa siya. "You are just being defensive. Wala nga akong ginagawa, eh."

Nanay Elsa giggled. "Hayaan mo na lang. Baka nahihiya."

I rolled my eyes. Joseph laughed and sat on the high chair beside me. Dinala niya sa nook ang pagkain niya. I also got hungry so I took some food from his plate.

Joseph is kind enough to let me share even if I can just take a plate and get my own food. My other cousins would push me away if they were in my brother's place.

"Do you still have money?" ani Joseph.

"Yeah, I have."

Tumango-tango siya. "I was just wondering kung bakit ka nagbabaon kung kaya mo namang kumain sa labas."

"Nagtitipid," dahilan ko.

Nanay Elsa just laughed. Joseph was curiously looking at me but I ignored the both of them.

Upon arriving at the university hospital, I immediately looked for the hamster.

"Bro, 'di ba wala kang sched ngayong umaga?" a blockmate asked.