Paper Planes (Sandejas Siblings: Companion Book)

Kabanata 24

"What?" I asked sharply.

"Nothing," he chuckled and looked away, kita ko ang pagkagat niya ng labi niya at dumiretso sa fridge at naglabas ng fresh milk.

I went to the counter again and sat, naglagay naman siya ng baso sa harapan ko at nilagyan ng gatas.

"I will take a bath first and take you home," aniya nang matapos at naupo sa harapan ko.

"No need," I said and shook my head. "Kaya ko naman, isa pa, iniwan mo ang sasakyan mo sa bar."

Nakita kong natigilan siya at napahawak sa mukha niya.

"Right, damn..." he muttered.

"So, there is no need." I smiled at him. "I can ride a cab or something."

"Anyway, we have spare cars in the garage." He said and smirked, stopping me.

"Honestly, Jer, I can manage." I said, slowly eating the foods he prepared.

"No," laban niya. "You took care of me last night so let me take you home."

"You're busy," I pointed out. "And you have a lot of things to do, may trabaho ka pa."

"Madadaanan ang mansyon n'yo kapag pupunta akong trabaho—"

"Oh, really?" I raised my brow. "I saw you went back to other direction the last time."

He froze then nodded and bit the hotdog.

"Nagpagasolina ako," aniyang parang wala lang.

"See? Edi nakaabala nga ako." I said.

"No, full tank ako ngayon." Aniya at nang hindi na ako nakaimik ay nagtago siya ng ngiti at uminom ng gatas.

Nagpaalam siya sa aking maliligo pansamantala nang matapos kaming kumain kaya nag-stay ako sa kanilang garden para magpahangin at inaantay siya.

I looked haggard, wala pa akong ligo at suot ko pa rin ang dress ko kagabi! Mabuti na lang at nakapagsepilyo at hilamos ako pero ang pangit pa rin!

I was just looking at the flowers blooming in their garden, halatang sobrang inalagaan at inaayos palagi. Auntie must be so fond of flowers, I think.

I saw a red rose near me kaya pinakatitigan ko iyon at napangiti. It's beautiful yet the thorns can hurt you once you touched it. It may look ugly but it only protected the flower from being plucked and hurt. It's the defense.

"Where's Ejercito?" Nawala ang atensyon ko sa mga bulaklak nang makarinig ng boses.

I moved my gaze and saw Emily on her red knee-length dress, may hawak siyang envelope at iilang papeles. A handbag is clinging on her hand and she looks sophisticated in it.

"Ay, Ma'am Emily, magandang umaga po." The maid said.

Hindi umimik si Emily at napasulyap sa mansyon.

"Where is he, I said."

"Ay, Ma'am, pasensya na po at naliligo pa po ata si Sir," ani nito.

"What? Why?" She glanced at her watch. "It's kinda late, bakit ngayon lang?"

"Uh, nagluto pa po kasi ng agahan si Sir."

"Huh?" her forehead creased. "Why would he cook food early this morning? 'Di ba, it's your job to cook food for him? Porket ba wala si Auntie ay hindi na kayo magluluto?"

My forehead creased at her words.

So? Ejercito doesn't have the right to cook? And why is she scolding the helpers?