Trace Me (Jenbin)

Six

Sinamahan niya lang ako hanggang gate. He didn't say anything. He's so weird. Pangalawang beses na niyang ginagawa 'to. I am intrigued. Nauna siyang nakarating sa gate namin. Tahimik akong nakasunod sa kaniya, when he stopped, he handed me what I was holding earlier.

"Are you still going to ask me kung she's inside?" I asked while opening the gate.

He stared at my feet. "Hey, parehas tayong tsinelas." He said, distracted. It was a simple Adidas with three stripes on it. My face straightened.

"Robby's not here if you're looking for him, go home na." I convinced him but he was not even planning on going away. "Hello?" I called him. Tumingin siya sa akin ng may malapad na ngiti. He looks so innocent with that smile.

Napakurap ako when his face leaned towards mine. "Akala ko unicorn ang mga suotan mo e." He teased and laughed. Umiling ako sa sinabi niya. I may look that girly but I like black colors too.

"What's wrong with unicorns? They're cute," I muttered as I slide the lock. Inaayos ko ang paper bag na may lamang pagkain dahil unti-unting nahuhulog within my grip. Agad niyang sinalo gamit ang kanang kamay. His arms were slid between the metals of the gate. "Kaya ko 'tong hawakan—"

"You don't." He rolled his eyes at me. My face didn't hide annoyance.

I harshly took the paper bag dahilan para mapunit ito. His lips parted. "What do you want ba? I am not Ate Ehra to begin with." I blurted out making his face straightened. "Stop going here, she's not here." Alma ko.

He gulped and step back. "You are her cousin." He simply explained. But that wasn't a good reason. 

"You don't need to be nice to me. Okay?" I went inside and actually found my unicorn fluffy slipper, beside the cleopatra sofa. Agad kong sinuot 'yon. Papabukas na ako ng pinto when I heard him yell.

"Miss! 'Yung ginataang mais, initin mo!" Habol niya bago ako tuluyang pumasok ng bahay.

I found Dad in the dining. He was reading something in a folder. A pile of papers, gripping through his hands. "May ginataang mais sila?" He asked. I smiled a bit. Ibinaba niya ang hawak niya at tumayo.

"Yeah, mer'on. Initin ko muna." I said as I headed to our kitchen. Sumunod sa akin si Dad holding his mug, maybe going to refill his coffee.

"Tulungan na kita," Pansin kong he was still wearing his polo. "I will text you para maggrocery. If hindi man matuloy, sabihan ko si Robby na samahan ka," Tumango ako at tumungo na sa dining dala ang tray. Nakahanda na ang plate mats sa kabisera at sa gilid. HEe was behind me and helped me arrange his meal.  "Kuya said na lutuan na lang daw siya ng bacon. Bilhan mo na lang mamaya ha? Wala akong stock e."

I noted it mentally at inalala ano ang mga pagkaing gusto ko. "Is it okay if Robby drive?" I asked.

Dad was eating na, he lifted his head. "Yeah, he can. But only Yaya's car ha? Inuutusan ko kasi ibang drivers and they're designated with Mama and Kuya," He said. Tumango na lang ako. "Nandito pala si Ehra kanina? What is she doing here?" He asked as he sipped on his coffee.