La Carlota 2: Behind the Raindrops

2 ~ BOYFRIEND

CHAPTER TWO

WHEN it's already seven in the evening, Soledad called me, asking me where am I. Sinabi ko sa kanya na nasa bahay ako ng kaklase ko dahil may activity kami. Kung wala si Soledad, sino ang makaka-isip na tawagan ako para kamustahin?

My father is always busy. If I didn't text him, he wouldn't text me. My mother is sick. I don't even know if she cares for me or maybe she forgot that she have a daughter. Nagtatampo ako ng husto sa aking magulang pero hindi ko magawang magalit.

May mabigat na dahilan sila pareho kaya parang nakakalimutan na nila ako. Gusto ko mang humingi ng atensyon, o ibalik ang pagmamahal na ibinigay nila sa akin noon, hindi ko na mahingi sa kanila ang importanteng bagay na 'yon.

Sarili ko nalang ang kakampi ko. Kailangan na alagaan ko ang sarili ko. I need to love myself and I need to make myself happy. So that I won't be eaten by sadness.

"Magpapahatid nalang ako. Huwag na po kayong mag abala na sunduin ako dito."

"Kumain ka na ba diyan, Reva?"

"I'm done eating here."

"Mag text or tumawag ka kapag pauwi ka na. Nagtatanong ang mommy mo kung nasaan ka."

I feel the warm palm that suddenly caressed my heart. I get easily emotional every time Soledad told me that mommy is asking about me and if she's worried for me whenever I am not home.

Mommy is getting weaker and weaker. I don't understand why she doesn't want to follow up with her doctor. Pakiramdam ko, walang kwenta ang maraming gamot na iniinom niya. Parang iyon pa ang nagpapahina sa katawan niya. Wala rin siyang ganang kumain kaya tuloy lalo nang nangayayat.

Natapos ang tawag at ibinaba ko ang cellphone sa lamesa sa gilid ko. I almost jumped on my feet when I saw Trevor near the door where I was sitting. He's standing there while looking at me.

"Why did you lie?" He asked me in a curious way.

He might heard my conversation with Soledad. Ibig sabihin, kanina pa siya naroon at hindi ko lang napansin.

"So they would easily understand why I'm gonna be late."

"That's not right, Chantria."

I leered. Ayoko na nakikialam siya sa akin. But I think maybe he's just worried because we are together. Kung may mangyari sa akin, siya ang malalagot. At hindi ang mga kaklase kong sinabi kong kasama ko.

"Ihahatid na kita sa inyo-"

"Ayoko pa ngang umuwi!"

He sighed.

"Gusto ko rin mag trabaho," nasabi ko bigla dahil naisip na wala akong gagawin sa Sabado at Linggo.

"Huwag mong gawing laro ang pagtatrabaho."

"I don't have anything to do during weekends. Unless, Yusef is not busy so we would see each other."

"See your boyfriend then."

I rolled my eyes. I almost forgot that I have a boyfriend. Mayroon pala? Si Nathan.

"Magkasama na nga kami during weekdays, pati ba naman weekends?" I dramatically sighed.

Trevor remained standing just near me... on my left side. We are both watching some tricycle that passing through in front of the rusty gate.

"Bakit ka nga pala nandito? Dito ka ba nakatira?"

"Minsan lang ako dito."

"Bakit nga? Ayaw mo rin sa inyo?"

Hindi siya nagsalita. Baka nga ayaw din niya sa kanila. See? Baka pareho pa silang bored sa mansion kaya naghahanap ng mapaglilibangan.