Between All The Almosts (Between Lines #6)

Chapter 6

Kitten

I was checking the fuel gauge of my helicopter, ready to fly back to Manila. May klase pa ako bukas—at kahit ginagago ko sarili ko sa ibang bagay, hindi ko kayang lokohin ang grades ko. I actually like studying. Especially Math. Numbers make sense. Emotions? People? Hindi.

Philosophy pa 'yung kinuha ko. Sino bang kumuha ng Phil kung ayaw ng complications? Apparently ako. Pero interesting naman, lalo na't alam kong after graduation, ipapasa ng parents ko sa'kin lahat—yung businesses, yung lupa, pati yung farm. Life plan is set. Ako na lang talaga yung hindi.

I was about to climb into the cockpit when—

"Rafael!"

Napapikit ako. Great. Mama. And beside her? Merlin, arms crossed, smirking like the little shit he is.

I sighed, fixing my jacket before facing them. "Ma... Merlin."

My mom walked straight to me, relief obvious on her face. "Anak, buti naman at bago ka umalis, nakausap pa kita."

Merlin snorted. "Laganap na sa Facebook yung video mo kagabi, couz. But this time, hindi ka masama. Hero ka daw." He gave me a playful elbow. "Pati ako natanong ng kapitbahay kung ikaw ba talaga yun."

I rolled my eyes. "Ayoko maging hero. Nakakapagod."

Mama slapped my arm lightly. "Kung ayaw mo palang maging hero, bakit ka sumusuong sa gulo? Buti nga ito ngayon, maganda ang sinasabi ng tao. Hindi tulad dati." She sighed deeply, but this time, her voice softened. "At salamat at tumulong ka, anak. Yung dalawang binata—Chico at Kiwi? They were looking for you earlier to say thank you again."

"Meron sila dinala," dagdag ni Merlin. "And nagpakalat na rin sila na ikaw ang tumulong. Kaya bumaba ang mga chismis na masasama about you."

Mama nodded, her eyes warm in a way I rarely saw. "Hindi ka na pinupuna ngayon sa barangay page. Ako ang unang natuwa, anak."

Wow. First time yata 'yun na proud si Mama sa'kin dahil hindi ako nagwala or nag-sex scandal sa internet.

I shrugged, trying to look casual kahit medyo... nakaka-awkward pala marinig na proud sila. "I just did what I had to do. Bobo kasi 'yung tatlong lalake."

Merlin laughed. "Ikaw din naman—sana sinuntok mo man lang pabalik."

"Coming from a cop ha? Tsaka sayang energy," I scoffed. "Tsaka bored ako."

Mama massaged her forehead. "Diyos ko po... Rafael, hindi ako matutuwa pag naputulan ka na ng ulo kaka-bored mo."

I grinned. "Ma naman. Cute ako kahit sira ulo."

"Cute ka raw sabi ni Shen?" Merlin suddenly said with a teasing grin.

Napahinto ako.

Mama's eyebrows shot up. "Sino namang Shen ito? 'Yung bar owner ba na nilandi mo?"

I cleared my throat, trying not to react. "Wala. Anak ng farmers natin. Masungit. Mataray. Pero cute rin minsan—"

MERLIN BURST OUT LAUGHING.

Mama gasped, hand over her chest. "Anak—'yan ba yung batang lagi mong inaasar noon nung high school ka?!"

I looked away. "...Hindi ko siya inaasar, Ma. I just wanna be friends with him back then. Iba yun."

Mas lalo silang tumawa.

Great. This is wonderful.

Mama stepped forward, cupped my cheek gently—right beside the bruise. "Mag-ingat ka sa Maynila, anak. And... laban lang. Hindi ko man maintindihan lahat ng choices mo sa buhay, pero... naniniwala akong mabuti kang bata."