That Boystown Girl [COMPLETE]

39

CHAPTER 39

Boys and Kisses

REN

"YOU SHOULD HAVE called me right away!" she pouted as she began removing the seal of the box that she carried with her upon entering. "Alam mo na palang may mga umaaligid sa'yo roon, bakit hindi ka pa nagsumbong sa akin?"

"Why did you come here, Mom?" singit ni Knight nang siya ay makatayo na habang nagpapampag ng pantalon.

Sa halip na sumagot si Ma'am Charlotte ay tila hindi nito pinapansin ang anak at sa akin lamang nagtuon ng pansin. "I have been so willing to keep you within my sight and territory so you won't be in danger. Anyway, here's for supper. Ako ang nagluto niyan," gayak nito sa akin.

Iniayos niya ang mga pagkaing hindi ko mapangalanan sa built-in foldable table ng kama. Nagdala rin ito ng isang maliit na thermos ng tsaang ipinipilit niyang ipaubos sa akin.

"Mom, talk to me."

"Ren, can I talk to you alone?"

Ako naman ay hindi na nag-isip sa sa ibig niyang iparating kay Knight. Walang nagawa ang huli kung hindi ang mapailing na lamang dala ang iritasyon at saka lumabas ng silid.

Tumawa ang kanyang ina at saka sinabing, "I went to PMA yesterday and I saw your name on the list of the entrance exam passers. What are you planning to do, Renaissance?"

The sound of my name from her lips sounded mellow and sweet I couldn't feel ever awkward of hearing it.

I tasted the soup first and I like it firsthand. I like thick soups.

"Ma'am, hindi naman na po siguro lihim sa inyong mahirap kami ng lolo ko. At kung hindi pa nasasabi ni Knight sa inyo, ako na po ang magsasabi," saad ko bago huminga nang malalim. "Kung naaalala pa po ninyo iyong panahong binawi na ninyo si Knight mula sa Boystown, ako po iyong batang gusto ninyong kupkupin."

The mere thought of telling her this actually captured what she expressed right now. She looks surprised.

"How could that be?" she awkwardly laughed so light. "That child is a boy and you're a girl."

Tumango ako at saka ipinaliwanag ang lahat upang maintindihan niya. Sa dulo ng aking kwento ay natahimik siya nang ilang sandali bago niya mapagpasyahang tumayo.

"That's now more of a reason why I should keep on treating you like my own daughter."

She looks so proud and sure of herself as she said it.

"But I guess my son was right back then. Hindi ko rin naisip ang mararamdaman ng lolo mo noong gusto kitang kunin. But that doesn't stop me from wanting you in my family. I like you. So if you don't mind me asking you about your plans for applying to PMA, may I know why you took an exam?"

"Ayon nga po. Gusto kong matulungan kaagad si lolo. Isa pa po, hindi naman makakasakit ang sumubok, di po ba?"

She looks hesitant before asking, "Alam mo ba ang pinapasok mo?"

Sa totoo lamang, hindi ko alam. Hindi rin ako sigurado kung kaya kong panindigan. Ni hindi ko nga inasahang makakapasa ako sa entrance exam na iyon.

"Do you plan to proceed to the Complete Physical and Medical Exam?"

I looked up and all I saw is a motherly concerned face.

"Hindi ko po alam."

I hate to admit that but I damn well have to be honest. The woman is in military, herself. She knows what she's talking about.