Something That Will Last

17 // Anything's a Wingman

Bago pa magkatama ang tingin namin, umiwas na ako kaagad. Ginalingan ko na lang sa paglalagay ng mga miscellaneous stuff sa kahon.

"Vie, after that you should help Pol clean the entrance door," sabi ni Tita Lar nang lumapit siya.

Napanguso ako. I looked at one crew who were already looking at me. Tumawa lang siya at sinabi na pinagsabihan na siya ni Tita Lar na ako ang paglinisin noon.

"I already know the lesson of this activity, teacher. Can't you just let me off the hook?" as if a whiny child, mahina ko itong bulong.

"Viennica..." warned Tita.

I sighed. "Yes po, Tita."

All of our cousins should be here, too! Out of all of us, I think Jules and I were the only ones being disciplined like this. They should be, too, in an equal level. Si Baby Juju rin, isama na. Chos.

"Jerrick," masayang bati ni Tita. "Mostaccio is closed. Baka marumihan ka, hijo."

Binalikan niya ng masaya ring bati ang Tita ko. Tapos ay umupo siya sa sahig katabi ko.

"It's fine, Tita. Workout na rin po ito."

"No, no. My niece is trained to do that herself. You can go back on Monday."

Luh si Tita? Wala naman kaming free cleaning training dito.

Anyway, nagpatuloy pa rin ako sa ginagawa ko. I'm still feeling quite low 'cause of lack of sleep. I need to recharge later.

Kung bakit ba naman kasi lately ay hindi ako makatulog kaagad! Even eerie's words don't have any effect on me now. It doesn't put me to sleep at all, like it used to.

"Café is still closed po tomorrow?" he asked, a bit concern.

I shook my head. Burgis. Hindi mapakali sa 3-in-1 na kape.

"Tomorrow will be the rest day of most staff. Bukas din ang dating ng mga stock na naubos noong nakaraan. That's why we'll do inventory tomorrow the whole day."

Isinara ko ang box na tapos ko nang ayusin. Tita Lar may have said that I'm trained to do this, pero really, wala akong idea! Hindi ko nga talaga sure kung ilalagay ba itong mga nilagay kong bagay sa box e. I acted through instinct. Wala namang sumita sa akin so kebs na.

"Ilalagay din ba 'to sa kahon?" Itinuro ni Jerrick ang mga natitirang art pieces sa sahig.

"Not sure, pero hindi ka rin naman pwedeng maglinis."

Kinuha ko sa kamay niya ang isang vintage teacup. Then I started to organize the stuff again inside the box.

Tumayo ulit siya. Baka uuwi na.

"Let me help," he said instead. "Please, Tita?"

"Ang batang 'to," napailing si Tita. "Okay, but you don't have to tire yourself. Stop whenever."

Tiningnan ko agad ang tiyahin ko. "Tita, what about me?"

I am your star niece, you should act like that to me.