The Rank - Series II

Chapter 9

Tumango ako. "Yes Mama." 

Then she go to Mommy and give her kisses on the lips. I noticed Mama whisper something to Mommy that make her roll her eyes. 

At pumanik na si Mama. 

Naiwanan nalang kaming dalawa ni Mommy sa living room. 

"Did you sleep?" Tanong sakin ni Mommy. 

Umiling ako. "I can't, parang naiisip ko parin yong ginawa ni Peeta kanina. Hindi lang ako makapaniwala."

"I will talk to him — "

"No Mom." Agad ko na naawat. "Baka lasing lang sya and didn't really mean what he said."

Huminga si Mommy. "He meant it Clover, Peeta likes you or maybe more than that." Hinawakan nya ang kamay ko. "So, if you don't like Peeta, maybe Olivia?" 

And the red crept all over my face is enough answer to her question but i still try to — "Mm no." 

"It's okay Clover." Pagkalma sakin ni Mommy. "No rushing. Take it easy, explore and enjoy." She squeezes my hand. "But guard your heart Anak, not all people has the same hearts as you."

And i take that advice to heart. "I will Mommy." 

Mommy caress the side of my cheek lovingly. "I still can't believe you grew up so fast, parang kelan lang school at bahay ka lang — but now, you are leaving without me, us." 

"I'm scared though." Pag-amin ko. "I'm scared going out from comfort zone." 

"Understandable." Mommy smiles at me. "It's scary to try new things, to meet new people, go to the place you aren't familiar with. But fear is always better than regrets."

"I needed that." Sabi ko sabay kalam ng sikmura ko. 

Natawa si Mommy. "Someone's hungry." At tumayo sya. "Heavy or just snack?" 

"Snack Mom." 

And she makes me milk and turkey sandwich. Actually nabusog ako. Dalawang sandwich ba naman ang binigay ni Mommy - I'm sure hindi ako magugutom sa byahe. 

Then my phone rings. It's Olivia. 

"She's here." Bulong ko bago tumayo at binitbit ang bag at paper ng pagkain. "I have to go Mom." 

"Use my card if you want to buy something alright?" Paalala ni Mommy sakin. 

Again, nagyakap kami. 

"I'll call you when we get there —" 

"No, call me every 3 hours." Mommy demanded. 

Natawa ako. "No problem Mom." At nagyakap ulit kami bago ako maglakad palayo. "Bye Mommy." Kumaway pa ako. "I love you!" 

"I love you." Nakangiti nyang sagot sakin sabay flying kiss. 

Malamig na hangin ang sumalubong sakin pagbukas ko ng pintuan. 

"Clover!" Boses ni Olivia na kumakaway mula sa sasakyang nakaparada sa labas ng gate namin. I think kotse ni Madison ang Mercedes, i saw her drive it. 

Kaya tumakbo na ako palabas. 

Pinagbuksan ako ng guard namin ng gate at nagmamadaling sumakay sa kotse - 

"Good morning." Kuntodo ngiti na pagbati ni Olivia sakin. 

And I get starstruck in her bare face - as in no make-up, no lipstick and anything but only her beauty. Grabe ang kinis ng mukha ni Olivia. 

"Hey." Pinipiktik ni Olivia ang daliri sa harap ng mukha ko to get my attention. "Clover to the moon." 

"Oh?" Kumurap kurap ako. "Ah yeah, good morning."