Little Do We Know || slow update

Kabanata 4

My parents are both happy with their own lives now. Happy with their own family. Happy with their job. Happy with their children. Especially, happy without me.

It also comes through my mind that maybe I'm the hindrance to the both of them. Kung hindi ako nabuo ay baka mas maaga silang naging masaya.

It's easy for them to leave me alone cause living with me reminds them of their worst decision in life.

My heart sunk a little.

"Do you want anything?" Garret asked me, his stare remained at the picture he was holding.

Umiling ako. "Uhm, wala naman. Let's just wait for them."

His brows furrowed while placing the frame back at the side table. His glance shifted at me, nakahalukipkip na ito ngayon. I didn't looked back, though. Silence filled us. No one dared to talk.

I was starting to feel uncomfortable, again. Not because of his multiple glance he throws at me, but because of the realization that he's freaking rich! Actually, he doesn't show off his wealth. Ngunit sa tindig at pananalita pa lamang ay masasabing 'laki sa yaman.

I somehow felt intimidated. 

Growing up, money is the last thing I think about. It doesn't become a problem to me but I'm not rich, my parents are. I'm grateful for that. When I was young, they would ask me to come with them and attend some exclusive parties. Even though, I attended those events  and my young self were surrounded by rich and influential people. I can't still adapt on their lifestyle.

Nahihirapan na ako. Tanging pagkamangha at kahihiyan ang aking nadarama.
I just played with my fingers, hoping that my friends would end this agony. I should blame them for this! Ba't kasi ang bagal nila kumilos?! Now I understand you, Penelope.

I heard some footsteps kaya napatayo ako, Garret also stood up. At last, the long wait is over. Mga nakangiting kaibigan ang bumungad sa aming dalawa, tila ba lahat ay nasasabik magsaya. Enthusiasm also filled me to the brim!

"Ang bagal niyo," I said in a monotone voice.

"Blame them, Mags..."

Tinuro ni Penelope ang ibang kaibigan, kasama na rin pala nila si Quinno. Hindi ko alam if nagkataon lang. Padabog na lumapit si Penelope sa amin. She hugged us before throwing herself into the couch.
I faced my friends, showing them how disappointed I was. Binibiro ko lamang sila.

Nagsilapitan na sila sa amin. Cielo went to me first to kiss my cheeks at kinulit na si Penelope.

"Yow, Mags..." sabi ni Andy sabay yakap. We're always like this, kung makipag- kamustahan ay parang ang tagal 'di nagkita.

"Nabagot ka ba? I pity you, though. Ang sungit ng kasama mo," dugtong nito baho iniharap si Garret at nakipag- handshake. Garret smirked, I pouted my lips. Nakita ko ang pagtabi sa akin ni Nikko bago ako niyakap.

"Ang bagal niyo daw, 'yan tuloy ang sungit na ni Penelope..." sabi ko at nabitawan na ang yakap.

"Duhh, Mags. Nagsungit lang siya kasi di nabilhan ng fries kanina," sabi nito sabay tawa. Mukhang narinig ito ni Penelope kaya mas lalong nainis. "Excuse me, hindi no!"

Naramdaman ko ang pag- akbay ni Quinno sa akin. "I'm sorry, hindi kita nasundo."

"No need to say sorry, Quinns. Mas importante ang lakad niyo ni tita," I assured him that it's fine, I also lightly tapped his hand on my shoulder. I leaned myself into him. Nakita ko ang pag- ismid ni Garret sa posisyon namin dalawa. Problema 'non?

Lumapit na kami sa kaibigan, nakita ko rin ang pag- apir ni Quinno kay Garret habang naka- akbay pa rin sa akin. Patuloy na nakikipagkulitan ang iba nang magsalita si Garret.

"I think the dinner is ready, nagutom kami ni Mags sa paghintay," saad ni Garret na may konting bahid na pang- aasar.

"Oo nga, baka napanis na ang laway ni Mags dahil hindi sila nagsasalita ni Garret," I rolled my eyes to Andy. He just stucked his tongue out. Ang mature, kainis!

"Excuse me? we talked a little no..." trying to defend myself. Garret scowled kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya. Speak for me, bro. We're friends right?

"Well, she's quite talkative..."
tumungo ako na parang nagmamalaki, tinawanan ako ni Quinno. I also heard our friends chuckled.

"Improving, huh?" sabi nito sabay gulo ng buhok ko.

Garret led us the way through their dining, habang naglalakad ay inaasar nila ako. Andy and Niko decided to mess with my hair. Padabog ko ring tinaggal ang pagkaka- akbay ni Quinno sa akin. Pilit na inaayos ang nagulong buhok. Sa susunod ay magpapakalbo na talaga ako, I'm pretty sure, my hair looks like a bird nest!

Cielo offered me to comb my hair, napatigil kami tatlo nila Penelope sa paglalakad. The guys left us, nagtatawanan pa ang mga ito.
I groaned. Kainis!

"Ikaw naman ang naisipan nilang inisin," I heard Cielo sighed. Ako naman ang nakita nila, naawa naman ako bigla kay Cielo na kasama ang dalawa sa isang kotse. Siguradong puro pang- aasar ang inabot niya sa dalawa.

"You know them, teasing us will make them happy," Penelope said and I couldn't agree more! lagi nila kaming inaasar, maswerte na nga ako sa dalawa dahil si Quinno ang laging kasama ko.

Regardless of their annoying attitude, We can also feel their love and care. Kaya paminsan ay tinatawanan ko nalang rin ang kanilang pang- aasar. At the end, they're the reason why I'm not miserable.
I just hope, I did the same thing to them.

I let out a heavy sigh, I was shocked noong sabay- sabay naming ginawa iyon. Nagkatinginan kami sa isa't- isa ata natawa.

"Woah, choir?" Penelope said that makes us all giggle. Nagsimula na silang maglakad ngunit napako ako sa aking tinatayuan. Masaya kong pinagmamasdan ang paglayo nila sa akin.

Having someone in your life is a gift but to have some great friends is surely a blessing. Thank you God, for making our paths intertwined. I promise, I'll cherish every moments that we shared.

July 19, 2020