Poor Affection

03

"Ilang taon na po kayo?" I asked them, I just want to know because some of them just look like teenagers.

"Thirty-six, ako ang pinaka-matanda sakanila. Si Ishan naman ang pinaka-bata, nineteen." Kuya Rowan answered, I was so bitten on the inside of my cheek because I heard the name Ishan again.

Nineteen years old, but he is already working. Tumango ako bago mag patuloy sa pagkain. I now need to train myself to always see or hear the named Ishan while I am here in the province.

I looked at Jaja as she secretly poked my side. Umiling lang siya habang naka-ngisi. Baliw din itong pinsan kong ito, eh.

"Ikaw, ilang taon kana? Ngayon lang kita nakita dito."

I glanced at him then smiled a bit. "Eighteen years old po, I just came here for vacation."

Our whole snack, we were the only ones talking. I glanced at Ishan but he was just busy eating while playing with the mango leaf. Hindi man lang ako binigyan ng isang sulyap!

Is his gaze expensive? I asked myself.

Jaja and I went inside the house to wash the used jug. Naka-simangot akong umupo habang tinatawanan ako ng pinsan ko. "Okay lang iyan, ate." She said before laughing out loud, teasingly. "Bawi ka nalang next life."

I rolled my eyes at her before sighing, next time he will definitely notice me. Itataga ko sa bato na mas gagalingan ko pa ang gagawin kong pag papapansin sakaniya.

Be really ready, boy.

"Ang tahimik mo sobra, Talia." Pansin ni Tita sakin. I'm thinking of a way for Ishan to notice me.

Oh shoot! Ishan na naman!

Mahinang natawa si Jaja na katabi ko lang. "Hindi kasi pinansin ni pogi kanina," she whispered.

"Ano iyon, Ja? May sinasabi ka ba, 'nak?" Aunt Jane asked her daughter with a frown.

Shit!

Jaja was about to speak when I quickly stepped on her foot under the table. "Ahhh!--"

"Amen. Amen." Ngumiti ako bago tumingin kay Tita, "nag dadasal po siya kanina, hehe." Hilaw akong tumawa dahil sa kaba. Tarantadong Jaja, mabilis akong mabubuking nito, eh. Kung malalaman nila Tita sana naman iyung araw na jowa ko na ang lalaki.

Buong isang linggo ay wala akong ibang ginawa kung hindi ang mag papansin sa lalaki. Masasabi kong nag i-improve naman dahil nahuhuli kong tumitingin na siya minsan sakin.

I have a hard time courting Ishan, too elusive.

"Ishan, samahan mo si Talia. Hindi niya mabibitbit ang walong milktea." Kuya Nelson said before smiling at me. Alam kong nahahalata na nila ako dahil sa ginagawa kong pag papapansin sa lalaki.

"Ah, sige po... sasamahan ko po siya." He said looking still compelled.

Habang nag lalakad patungo sa shop ay nag dalawang isip pa ako kung kakausapin ko ba siya. "Ang introvert mong tao." I said, full of courage.

Of all of them, he was the only one I could not talk to. Parang wala lang sakaniya ang mga ginagawa kong pag papapansin, masyadong manhid!

I don't know if he doesn't want to talk to me so he avoids me or what. Maybe he has a girlfriend so he avoids women. Pero kung umiiwas siya sa mga babae, bakit ako lang? Bakit ang pinsan ko pinapansin niya?