10 years older than her

Chapter 9

"Lucio..."

Napatingin ako sa dalagang katabi ko. Para akong nabingi sa lakas ng tibok ng puso ko ng abutan nya ako ng box of cookies. Hindi ako nakapagpasalamat man lang dahil deretcho nitong inalis ang seatbelt nya at lumabas ng kotse.

Sa kusina ako pumunta para magluto ng tanghalian. Naabutan ko naman si Manang Esther na mag hahain na sana sa hapag.

"Sir Lucio may niluto na ako. Kakain ka ba?"

"I'll cook something, Manang. But I will appreciate it if you can ready the table."

"Para sainyo lang po ba?"

"Me and Jia."

Napangiti naman ang matanda at dali daling inayos ang lamesa. Nang matapos ito ay tumabi ito sakin habang ako ay nagluluto.

"Maganda si Jia ano?"

I nodded.

"Mabait na bata at may paninindigan."

I nodded once more.

"Hindi nakakapagtaka na nagugustuhan mo na sya."

"Fuck!" I burnt myself because of what Manang said.

"Ayos ka lang ba nak?"

"I'm fine, Manang. And no, I don't like Jia."

"Pero hindi iyon ang pinapakita mo. Nasa wastong gulang naman na si Jia kahit pa nga sampung taon ang pagitan nyo. Matalino at may pangarap sa buhay. Hindi niya sinamantala ang kabutihan nyong magkapatid sa kanya kahit na noon ay palagi mo syang pinagagalitan. Siguro sa ngayon ay ayaw mo pang tanggapin na nagugustuhan mo na sya pero kapag lalo mong pinigilan ang nararamdaman mo, mas gugustuhin pa nyan kumawala." Nawala ang atensyon sakin ni Manang ng bumaling sya sa kawali at nakitang nasusunog ang niluluto ko. "Ay hala! Nasusunog ang niluluto mo."

I immediately pour it in the sink. "Dammit."

"Ako na riyan. Mag bihis ka na at bumaba dito pag tapos. Ipapatawag ko nalang si Jia."

"Thank you, Manang. I'm really grateful that you stayed with us."

Nag palit ako ng damit pero bago bumaba ay nag text ako kay Jia.

Let's eat.

Nandito na ko sa lamesa no. Ang tagal mo.

I smiled when I read that. It seems that she's herself again. I'm glad. I will give my feelings a couple of days before I decide if I really like her and if I want to pursue her. I will talk to Tammy and see what he says about this.

For the first time in two years, I can say that I'm finally living again. I feel excited and happy and all sorts of emotions. I don't feel like a burden anymore.

Maybe, this is because I get the closure I needed when I knew how the hell I survived that fire. I stop questioning myself about the death of my parents because someone is happy that I lived. Someone had risk her life just to save me and is grateful when I am saved.

I rush downstairs and there's Jia waiting for me.

"Akala ko kailangan ko pang kumuha ng tray at iakyat ang mga ito sa kwarto mo." natatawang biro nya.

I laughed. "Hey. I was here first. Manang Esther wants me to change clothes and I obliged."

"Good boy."

"Stop messing with me, Jia."

Natawa na lamang ito. Habang kumakain kami ay nagkukwentuhan lang kami sa kung ano ang nangyari sa buong araw nya sa university. I also shared some of my favorite memories of my parents to her and when I was working.

"Bakit hindi ka mag work ulit? You should consider going back to work."

"You think so?"

Tumango naman ito. "Yes. Then, I will resign to sir Tammy. Tapos sayo ako mag aapply."

"Well now you said that, I actually wants to work."

"Yep! Para kung sakali na gusto mo akong mag resign or forced evict, may rights ka na dahil ikaw ang employer ko."

"I will talk to Tammy later."

Pinanlakihan nya ko ng mata. "Wait. Are you sure? Wag mo kong ipo-forced evict!"

Tumawa ako ng malakas. "No. Seriously, I will start working again. So you better get ready your resignation with Tammy and send me your resume right after."

She looks very cute when she pouted. "Sige. I will demand a higher pay in that case. Napaka bossy mo pa naman at super moody."

"I will draft a contract then."

Madami pa kaming pinag usapan ni Jia but someone rushed to the dining area and caught our attention.

"Sharksfin! I missed you, baby!" hinalikan nya ako sa pisngi.

I distant myself swiftly and wiped my cheeks using the back of my palms.

"Greta? What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean, baby? I'm your girlfriend. I have all the rights to be here."

"Who lets you in? Get out of here!"

Greta wants to kiss me but I refuse. Nabaling kay Jia ang mata ko. She stared at Greta fuming but she never said anything. She walks out of the dining and bring our plates to the kitchen.

"Jia, wait--" I tried to stop her but Greta is blocking my way.

"Can you leave?"

"Baby, what's wrong with you?" Inilingkis nito ang mga kamay sa leeg ko ngunit agad ko din itong inalis.

"Can you stop?!" Napa atras naman ito ng bigla akong sumigaw.
"You are not my girlfriend! You will never be. Umalis ka na dito bago pa kita kaladkarin palabas ng pamamahay ko!"

"I'm sorry, baby. I'm sorry I left."

"Get out, Greta!"

"I came here as soon as I heard that you are doing okay and this is how you'll greet me?!" She slapped me and left.

I immediately ask manang to let the village guards know to never let that woman enter ever again.

I found myself outside Jia's room. I'm not sure what to say but I can't get out of here too.

I tried knocking.

I texted her.

Are you okay?

She doesn't reply.

"Jia." I tried getting her attention.

"Open the door, Jia. Please. Let's talk?" I sounded defeated but never I imagined that Jia will open her door for me.

When I saw her, I did not even think. I just kiss her and I froze when she kissed me back.