The Presence of Yesterday

Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Hindi mawala wala ang matamis na ngiti sa aking mga labi magmula ng magmulat ako ng aking mga mata. Khalid was already gone in the room when I woke up but it does not make me happy less. I was even humming inside the bathroom and swaying while putting a tint in my lips.

"Good morning po, Lola!" I greeted her pleasantly as I reached the kitchen. I also approached the maids of the mansion who are preparing the breakfast.

"Good morning din, apo! Mukhang maganda ang gising mo, ah." I just smiled at her comment.

"Nasaan nga po pala si Kleign?" I asked after examining the place but my eyes couldn't find him.

"Maagang umalis kasama ang lolo Isko mo. Nagpunta sa plantasyon, titignan nila ang mga tanim na ubas." She answered while preparing the table.

"Pwede po ba rin ako bumisita roon?" Masigla kong tanong.

"Aba'y oo naman. Mamaya ay papasamahan kita kay Khalid para makapanguha rin kayo ng mga ubas."

I almost clapped my hands in excitement. I couldn't contain my happiness, feeling like everything was going according to my plan. Aside from our tour to the grape plantation, I was really excited to spend the day with Khalid. I should think of another tactics now, things that would make him comfortable with me again.

"Oh sya umupo ka na rin yan, mamaya ay padating na--" Lola wasn't able to finish what she was about to say when we heard heavy footsteps. Turning my head to see who they are, I saw that it was Khalid and Lolo Isko.

"Ayan na pala kayo. Maghugas na kayo ng kamay at nang tayo ay makapag- agahan na."

Before Khalid could even walk to the sink, I already threw my arms around his neck. My heart raced with how close our faces were to each other that I could almost smell his minty breath. I greeted him and forced him to do the same.

"Morning," He shortly replied.

"Smile, master. Umagang umaga, mukha kang galing sa gera." I whispered near his ear before letting him go. Right after Khalid washed his hands, he sat next to me.

While eating breakfast, his grandparents never stopped teasing the both of us. I don't mind though because they seemed happy about it.

"Ang tamis tamis ng ngiti ni Vivienne. Masarap siguro ang tulog mo." Puna ni Manang Celing na kasama namin na kumain sa hapag.

"Panigurado yan, masarap gumawa ng bata, eh." Biro ni Lolo Isko na aking ikinasamid. Good thing, Khalid was cooperative enough to offer me a glass of water.

"Ano ka ba naman, Isko! Nasa hapag tayo, kung ano ano ang pinagsasasabi mo diyan." Suway ni Lola at sinamaan siya ng tingin.

"Biro lang naman mahal. Masarap lang asarin ang mga batang ito, naaalala ko rin ang kabataan natin noon." Pang- aalo ni Lolo sa asawa.

My smile formed into huge one when I think of a very brilliant idea. Marahan kong sinipa ang paa ni Khalid sa ilalim ng lamesa dahilan upang mataam siyang mapatingin sa akin.

"Subuan mo 'ko." I said in a low tone, making his forehead creased. "Feed me, Khalid." I repeated when he went back to eating, not minding me.

"Wala ka bang kamay?" Halata ang iritasyon sa tono niya kaya napangiwi ako at napanguso. Lagi nalang siyang galit.

"They are watching us, lambingin mo naman ako kahit konti lang." I whispered while my eyes were focus on the old couples. Rinig na rinig ko ang marahas na pagbuga nito ng hangin.

I felt my heart skip a beat when he raised his spoon and moved it just close to my lips. I swallowed hard then opened my mouth to eat the food. Memories flashed, remembering that what we are doing now is the same thing we did years ago. Damn! Mukhang talo ata ako sa sarili kong pakulo.