Lay A Glance On Me 1 (Lost and Retained #2)

Kabanata 3

Agad akong lumingon kay Kuya Ismael na sumisimsim sa kape niya. Naka simpleng pantalon lang siya at shirt. Papasok siguro. Wala silang uniform so.. that explains it. He's looking at me with his brow raised. Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata.

''What made you change your mind ha? Everyday mo na lang ako ihatid, please?'' ani ko at lumapit sa kanya. I poked his waist.

Lumayo siya at ngumiwi. ''Lasing ka raw kagabi sabi ni Roman. Hindi ka naman pumasok kahapon kaya hindi kita nahatid. Ngayon na lang,'' aniya at naglakad na palabas. Sungit.

''Sumunod ka na sa Kuya mo, hija,'' Daddy said. 

I smiled and nodded. ''May pasok ka today, Dad?'' I asked as I kissed his cheek goodbye.

He's one of the top architects in the firm where he is working. Investor din siya doon kaya't malaki ang kinikita ni Daddy. He involved himself with work since my Mom died that's why he did not have any relationship after her. Wala na akong narinig na babae na potential niyang mahalin simula no'n.

''Mamaya pa. May kikitain akong kliyente. You better go now or else your brother might change his mind.''

I laughed. Tumango ako at tumayo na nang maayos. May topak pa naman minsan si Kuya Ismael. Ayokong atakihin siya non at baka mag commute pa ako!

Lumabas na ako at nakita kong wala nang tao sa garahe at mukhang bukas na ang engine ng montero. I hopped in and went to the shotgun seat and placed my tote bag on may lap. Agad kong naramdaman ang lamig sa sasakyan. Siguro kanina pa binuksan ni Kuya.

''Kuya, daan tayo sa mcdo or kahit saan basta may coffee, please.''

''Give me your money,'' he said as he maneuvered the steering wheel.

I pouted. ''Libre mo na, Kuya. Minsan lang, e.''

He deeply sighed. ''Sino kasama mo uminom noong isang araw? You have to be careful with the friends you make in college. I'm sure some shouldn't be trusted.''

My eyebrows furrowed. Saan naman 'to nanggaling? I'm not that picky with friends but I know when to end things specially when I notice things to them negatively. Alam ko naman kung sino ang paniniwalaan ko.

''Blockmates ko lang. I'm just starting to make friends, you know. OA ka masyado,'' I said. Nilingon ko ang mga dinadaanan namin. 

''There's nothing wrong with a reminder. May pagka isip bata ka pa naman.''

Umirap ako. Ayan na naman. Hindi ko alam kung nakikita ba nila na lumalaki at tumatanda na ako. I'm capable of making decisions for myself. I may did stupid things before but I'm capable of learning. Tingin palagi sa akin bata.

''Oh. Coffee mo. Nakasimangot ka na naman. May fries 'yan,'' rinig kong banggit ni Kuya.

Sa sobrang pagkainis ay hindi ko namalayan na huminto pala kami sa drive thru ng mcdo. I looked at my Kuya with an intense glare but he only gave me an apologetic smile. He must have noticed my irritation.

''Thanks. Libre mo 'to ah. Kung hindi, isusumbong kita kay Daddy at sasabihin kong inaway mo ako,'' I rolled my eyes and held the paperbag. 

Tinignan ko iyon at nakita ang iced coffee at burger na may fries. What a healthy breakfast.

I heard him chuckle. Tinapat niya ang sasakyan sa may Kalaw. A few steps from here then I'll be entering the walkway. Mahirap kasi kung dadaan pa sa San Marcelino dahil one way lang iyon.

''Susunduin kita mamaya. Free cut huling klase ko,'' ani Kuya Ismael.

My eyes narrowed. ''Huh? Edi maaga mo ako susunduin? 'Wag na, Kuya!'' I asked, concerned because of how early he'll fetch me.