Always Here (Salve Series #1)

Kabanata 9: Really Trying

Kabanata 9: Really Trying

After we ate the food I made, umakyat na agad si L sa kwarto niya. Gusto niyang siya ang mag-urong pero sabi ko'y ayos lang kung ako ang gagawa. He didn't insist anymore.

Pagkatapos kong magligpit ay pagod akong umupo sa couch dito sa living room. Maybe L was intimidated by what I said. Gusto ko lang naman ipaalam sa kaniya na hindi ako bumabali ng pangako.

I didn't notice that I was slowly falling asleep.

Kinabukasan ay nagising ako na may kumot sa katawan at mga unan sa likuran. My forehead creased. As much as I can remember, wala akong dinala na ganto kagabi bago ako makatulog.

"Mornin'."

I slowly looked up. L was standing in front of me.

"M-Morning..." Sambit ko. He's sporting a white shirt and sweatpants. His other hand was holding a glass of milk.

"Are you hungry? Gusto mo bang kumain?" He asked as he sipped from the glass.

Umiling ako. "Anong oras na?" I gazed at the veranda near the living room. The sky looked softly warm.

"Quarter to seven," Aniya. "You look so tired. Dapat ako na ang pinagligpit mo kagabi."

I chuckled. "Ayos lang ako." Dahan-dahan akong tumayo at tiniklop ang kumot. Pinatong ko iyon sa unan na nasa couch.

L remained standing, inaantay yata ako. "Wala ka bang plano ngayon?" I asked him.

Umiling siya. "How about you? Work?"

"Wala muna," Sagot ko.

Tumango lang siya, hindi na sumagot.

"Why? Ano bang gusto mong gawin? Maybe I can help." Sambit ko.

"Can I look for a job?"

I frozed. What did he say? Malaki ang mata ko siyang tiningnan. He looked away. Mukhang nahihiya.

"Gusto mo talaga?"

"O-Oo..." Aniya.

"W-Well... I can help you look for one."

"Talaga?" His eyes glimmered. I nodded.

"Basta huwag mong banggitin na pabuhat ka tulad ng dati," I chuckled. He frowned. "Joke..."

Few minutes passed until he spoke again. "I'll get ready."

I nodded. "Hintayin mo ako,"

Unang umakyat si L at nag-ayos. Saglit pa akong kumain bago sumunod din sa itaas at naglinis bago bumaba ng nakaayos na rin. Sumalubong sa akin si L na tahimik na naghihintay sa sala. He was silently reading his Bible as he wait for me.

"Psst," I tried to get his attention.

He looked up and our eyes met. Nginitian ko siya. He cleared his throat and closed the Bible. Tumayo siya at bahagyang pinagpag ang damit na suot.

L was wearing a hoodie and sweatpants. I chuckled. Parang noong una ko lang siya na nakita. Naka-hoodie rin siya.

"Are you done?" Aniya at tiningnan ang kabuuan ko.

I nodded. "Tara,"

Nauna akong maglakad. Nang madaanan ko siya ay mabilis kong kinuha ang kaniyang kamay at isinabay sa lakad ko. He got shocked but he didn't complain.

"Where are we... I mean, where do I apply?" Tanong niya habang nagmamaneho ako.

Sandali akong nag-isip. I think I can ask Miss Meria to hire him?