Missing Puzzle Piece

24: Forgetting You

ASHER

Iminulat ko ang aking mga mata nang marinig ang marahang mga katok na nagmumula sa aking pinto. Maybe I’m a bit late for class. Ni hindi na rin ako nakapag-alarm pa.

“Who’s there?” I asked while yawning. Kinusot ko ang aking mga mata at saglit na iniunat ang aking mga braso. Matapos no’n ay tuluyan na akong tumayo at binuksan ang pinto. It’s my sunshine, early in the morning.

“Good morning, Ash,” she greeted me with her sweetest smile. I kissed her good morning.

“Good morning, mi lady,” I greeted her back. Ngumiti ito sa akin at akmang yayakap nang biglang makita ko kung paano nagbago ang reaksyon niya nang mapatingin sa ibabang parte ng katawan ko. I just realized that I’m not wearing my boxers and shorts which made me hide my lower part at the back of my door.

Magsasalita pa lang sana ako nang dali-dali s’yang tumalikod at nagsimulang tumakbo pababa ng hagdan, and there, I started teasing her.

“You already saw the future, Kylie! That’s cheating,” I shouted while laughing. She didn’t bother to reply kaya naupo na akong muli sa aking kama at gumayak, so I could take my bath.

When I came in the comfort room, I turned the shower on and washed my body while listening to a music. Matapos kong mapagmasdang mabuti ang aking katawan ay doon ko lang naalala na naaksidente nga pala ako. Sa ngayon ay medyo naigagalaw ko na ng maayos ang aking balikat. Bruises are still visible, but long sleeves will do. Ang iniisip ko na lang as of this moment ay kung paano ang mangyayari sa sasakyan ko. I’m pretty sure dad will strangle me if he hears the news. But now, he’s the least of my concern since we could talk about that later.

Natapos ako sa paliligo at nagsuot ng long sleeves, shorts, and my favorite watch from my grandfather. I decided na hindi na lang ako papasok, or maybe after lunch kapag sinipag.

Tumayo na ako at lumabas ng kwarto. I immediately went to the kitchen where Yaya Merly and Kylie awaited me. Nang makababa ako ay ang magandang ngiti niya ang agad bumungad sa ‘kin habang si yaya naman ay patuloy lang sa pagluluto na parang walang napapansin, which is very unusual for me since she always greets me when she see me.

Bigla kong naalala ang naging pag-uusap namin kagabi, which turned out bad. So maybe, all she needs right now is the time to process everything. I would not rush things, though I’m really hoping for her forgiveness to be fast. Ibinalik ko na lang ang aking tingin kay Kylie.

“I hate you,” she said while pouring me a cup of coffee.

“Well, thank you. That was the most lovely ‘I hate you’ I have ever heard,” I said while chuckling. She just shook her head and sighed.

Binigay niya sa ‘kin ang kape at napansin kong naghahain na rin si yaya ng pagkain. Our eyes met, and I just smiled at her timidly because I didn’t have the guts to thank her, knowing that the reason behind her cold treatment is because of my ex-best friend. To be honest, ‘di ako sanay sa ganitong set-up, but it was my fault, and I’m holding myself accountable for it.

Matapos no’n ay dumiretso na siya papunta sa kan’yang kwarto kaya kinuha ko na ang pinggan ni Kylie at nilagyan ng luto niya. Kahit naman ‘di n’ya ako pinapansin, iba pa rin ang sarap ng luto no’n, and I want Kylie to taste it and remember that.

“Don’t put too much, Ash.”

“It’s not too much, though,” sagot ko rito saka ibinigay sa kan’ya ang plato.

“Hindi ba sasabay si yaya?” she asked me suddenly. Hindi naman ako nakasagot agad knowing na hindi rin s’ya sasabay kahit anong pilit pa ang gawin ko. Umiling na lang ako.