Project LOKI ③

Chapter 48: Honor Thy Father III (A + B)

He's right. It's like a palate cleanser after tasting a food. Kapag maraming bumabagabag sa isip ko, nakatutulong ang paglilinis para sandali kong makalimutan ang mga problema ko. Madalas ko 'tong ginagawa kapag nai-stuck ako sa mga blog entry na isinusulat ko. Writer's block, I guess? I sometimes fail to find the right words to use to perfectly describe the situation.

What caught my interest in his response was one word. Distraction, huh? I guess this was one of his ways in coping with Maggie's death. He's keeping himself busy. He's trying other things so his mind would wander elsewhere. I'm not complaining though. Aside from it might help him feel better, mas mabuti nang matuto siyang maglinis para hindi lang ako ang kumikilos sa apartment.

"You seem surprised." He squinted his eyes at me. "You don't expect me to know how to clean? What am I, a first grader?"

"Kung alam mo pala paano maglinis, matagal mo na sana akong tinulungan," nakapamewang kong sagot. "Baka may talent ka rin sa pagluluto na hindi mo sine-share sa akin?"

"Let me correct your number one misconception about me," he said, raising his forefinger. Umalis na siya sa pagkakasandal niya sa pinto. "I know how to clean. I just don't act on it. There are so many things I have to accomplish. Cleaning is at the bottom of my list."

"Sana hindi mo makalimutan kung paano maglinis sa mga susunod na araw." Muli kong ibinitbit ang aking bag. Dumiretso na ako sa aking room at nagbihis ng damit pambahay.

He's acting strange recently, but so far, I'm liking it.

After changing my clothes, lumabas ako ng aking room at bumalik sa malinis naming sala. I felt like I had to emphasize the state of our living room in appreciation of his efforts. I found him there, comfortably seated on the couch. Nakataas ang pareho niyang paa at nakapatong sa tuhod ang kanyang laptop.

"Jamie insists that we hold a video call conference. With the four of us," he told me as soon as I settled down. "She wants to know what's the latest about your possible dad. She can't wait until tomorrow."

Maingat akong umupo sa tabi ni Freya na tahimik na natutulog sa couch. I scratched her chin gently, careful not to wake her up. She stretched her feet and bared her claws. Mukhang masarap ang tulog niya.

"Fine." I sighed. Itong si Jamie may pagkatsismosa rin minsan. Parang isang napakalaking bombshell kung malaman niya na totoong tatay ko si Sir Rich.

Ipinatong ni Loki sa center table ang kanyang laptop at may madiing cinlick na key. Nakapuwesto ako sa kabilang couch kaya kinailangan kong lumipat sa kinauupuan niya. On screen were three medium-sized frames where our faces could be seen. Loki and I shared the same frame. I thought of opening my phone and joining the call separately, but wouldn't that be weird? Nasa iisang kuwarto lang kami tapos hiwalay pa ang video call?

"HELLO, GUYS!" masiglang sigaw ni Jamie. Nakasando siya at nakaupo sa may sala. I recognized the frames on her background because I've been in their house. Kung personal niyang isinigaw ang kanyang pagbati sa amin, malamang nabingi na kami sa sobrang lakas. "Kumusta na kayo riyan? Padalhan ko kayo ng package mula rito sa abroad."

I snickered. What a lame joke, pero nagawa pa rin niya akong mapangiti.

"Parang hindi tayo nagkita-kita kanina, ah?" I said. Thanks to the fast internet connection, may lag sa video at may delay sa audio. Parang tanga kaming nagtitinginan at naghihintay na may magsalita.

"Teka lang, huwag muna tayong mag-i-start! Ire-record ko 'tong video call natin for the memories!" sabi niya sabay pindot sa isang button. I noticed her finger dramatically pressing a key. "Hayan! Pwede na tayong mag-chika-han! You know what? We should do this more often. We must take advantage of technology! Para saan pa ang internet connection natin, 'di ba?"