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I'll Stay by Isabela Merced
"Finally! We're home!"
Analie let out a huge sigh and slammed herself on her bed. Inilapag ko naman ang backpack ko sa gilid at umupo sa kama ko. Nang tingnan ko siya'y nakapikit na ito kahit na kalahating katawan lang naman niya ang nakahiga.
"Analie," tawag ko sa kanya. I shook my head when she didn't answer and just laid on my bed instead—the same position as Analie's.
Kakauwi lang namin galing sa camp. Last night... it was very fun. There were games, others were cooking, pero 'yong pinakahihintay talaga nila ay jamming. Hinayaan lang kami ng mga coaches at may iba nga'y sumali pa lalong-lalo na si Sir Leo.
The Sports Major and some from the Academic joined us too. Since may dalang guitar ang mga taga-Instrumental, halos nag palakasan na ng boses ang lahat. Everybody was clapping their hands, some were dancing and Vocals were blending almost every song played.
Kasama rin namin si Alexis at Yael. Good thing they were not exchanging death glares anymore. Madaling araw na nung napagdesisyunan namin na matulog dahil ba-byahe pa kami. Habang nasa daan, tulog ang lahat. And it's Monday, but we don't have class, thank goodness.
"Analie," tawag kong muli.
"Just go to sleep, Quinn. I know you're tired." Her voice was lazy.
Bumangon ako para tingnan siya. She's now trying to position herself on her bed while grabbing the comforter then went back to sleep. Huminga ako ng malalim. Imbes na sundin ko ang sinabi ni Analie, tumayo ako at kinuha ang notebook na nasa closet pagkatapos ay umupo sa bintana.
I flipped the pages and then played with the ballpen on my hand, thinking of words I can write on the blank paper.
Hindi ako inaantok at mas lalong hindi ako pagod. I just got enough sleep at the bus. And yeah, hindi na ako nasuka. Buti na lang talaga at may gamot pala sa camp kaya pinilit ko silang Analie na humingi bago kami bumiyahe.
They somehow thought that I don't need it and I can just go with Yael and his friend again para raw sure pero hindi na ako pumayag. Aside sa nahihiya na ako, hindi na naman kailangang sumama sa kanya lalo na't may gamot nga.
I was mumbling words while writing on the paper, but later on, would erase it. I looked outside the window and heaved a sigh.
"I've blamed myself..." bulong ko habang sinusulat ito. "And if I'm honest, I've blamed... you..."
Natigilan ako at matagal na tumitig sa sinulat ko. There was a slight pang in my chest and suddenly, out of nowhere, I felt guilty... that I wrote it. Usually not what I think back then.
Sa ikalawang pagkakataon ay tumingin ako sa labas ng bintana bago dahan-dahang isinara ang notebook.
"Too..."
Tama nga siguro si Analie.
I... should really get some sleep.
Everything went back to normal. Ganun pa rin ang routine. Ihahatid kami ni Mr. Torres, papasok sa klase, practice ng vocal time namin, minsan mauuna akong uuwi kay Analie lalong-lalo na kapag sobrang busy niya. Everything's the usual.
Well... maybe, except Serene. Ever since nakabalik kami, hindi na niya ako masyadong ginugulo. I mean, she's still mean. She would glare at me, even sometimes giving me a middle finger, pero hindi na 'yung lagi niyang ginagawa. 'Yung pinagsasalitaan niya ako ng mga masasakit na salita.Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba 'to sa nangyari nung nasa camp kami o may iba pang dahilan.
But I guess it's better that way. Baka napagod na rin siguro siya. Sana nga lang ay titigil na talaga siya.
"Hey, Analie," Kiara called without lifting her gaze on the book she's reading. "Sebastian's birthday is coming, right?"
Nandito kami ngayon sa office ni Analie, hinihintay siya. May tatapusin daw pa raw kasi siya tapos nag-aya naman 'tong si Kiara ng McDo kaya sila nandito.
"Yeah. But I don't know if he wanted a birthday party," sagot naman ni Analie.
"Mahilig sa birthday party ang mga bata." Nakasalampak sa lamesa si Lisa habang nakatingin sa amin. "Kailangan bongga."
Kumurap ako at tumingin kay Analie na may sinusulat.
"Kailan birthday ni Sebastian?"
"Ngayong sabado," sagot naman niya.
Tumango ako. Hindi ko alam na birthday niya na pala ngayong Sabado. Apat na araw na lang. Should I give him a gift? Pero 'di ko naman alam kung anong gusto ni Sebastian o baka pag meron nga akong ibibigay, baka 'di niya magustuhan.
And I doubt he has something he wants when I think he already has a lot of things.Or maybe I could give him something I made?
"If you're thinking about gifts... tatanggapin niya kahit ano, Quinn." Analie laughed and looked at me. "Sebastian doesn't really care about what it is. He cares more about who gave it."
Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya. Being with him for almost two months, hindi siya 'yung batang napaka-spoiled. I always hear him saying thank you. To foods or even the smallest things, you do for him.
"But... you know, baka may gusto siya?" tanong ko.
"Mahilig siya sa figurines. 'Yung malaki ang ulo, tas maliit ang katawan— 'di ko alam anong pangalan nun pero makikita mo lang ata 'yan sa mall," sagot niya. Napa-'oh' naman ako. "Wag kang mag-alala, pupunta naman tayo sa mall ngayong Friday, pagkatapos ng klase natin. May inutos kasi si mama."
Mabilis akong tumango sa kanya.
"Nga pala, malapit na rin Foundation Day na'tin," sabi ni Kiara.
Nabaling ang tingin ko kay Kiara at hindi napigilan ang mapaisip. Hindi dahil hindi ito pamilyar sa akin kundi iniisip ko pa nga lang na magf-foundation ang eskwelahang 'to, nawiwindang na ako. Sa laki ba naman ng eskwelahan na 'to.
"Magiging busy na kami niyan. Sasakit na naman ulo ko neto." Hinawakan pa ni Analie ang ulo niya.
"Sino kaya ang iimbitahin nila na banda ngayon?"
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi ni Lisa. Banda? May tutugtog na banda dito?!
"May banda?!"
Tumango naman si Lisa at nilabas ang cellphone niya. Maya-maya ay may ipinakita siya sa akin.
"Oh, eto. Silent Sanctuary, This Band, Up Dharma Down, Eraserheads atsaka last year—teka lang." Sumenyas siya sa akin pagkatapos ay ipinakita ulit ang cellphone. "Ben&Ben at December Avenue."
Picture niya ito kasama ang mga banda. Nasa gitna siya sa lahat at sa picture pa lang, mukhang kuha ito sa backstage.
"Libre?" naiingit kong tanong.
"Libre..." Malapad ang ngiti ni Lisa nang sabihin niya 'yon.
Mayabang na sumandal si Lisa at ngumiti sa akin pero agad ding nawala nang hagisan siya ng scotchtape ni Nicole.
"Ang yabang! 'Di naman 'yan mangyayari kung 'di mo kaibigan 'yung dating SSG President!" sigaw Nicole. "Tirador ka ng SSG President."
"That is what we call connection." Tinaasan niya ng kilay si Nicole sabay nagkibit balikat. "Kaya swerte talaga tayo ngayon dahil may kaibigan tayong president."
Lisa wiggled her brows, looking at Analie, who didn't even glance at her. Nicole clapped her hands and dragged the swivel chair towards Analie. Ako naman ay kinuha ang cellphone ni Lisa at tiningnan ulit ang mga pictures. Sino na naman kaya ang iimbitahin nila ngayon?
"Internationals na ba ngayon?" tanong ni Nicole.
"Ewan," Analie shrugged. "Magme-meeting pa kami kasama mga teachers."
"Sana naman The Vamps o kaya'y kahit 'di banda."
"It's not internationals. Narinig ko baka locals daw kukunin nila." Isinara ni Kiara ang libro niya at nilagay ito sa loob ng kanyang bag. "Gustuhin man nilang piliin ang mga sikat na banda sa ibang bansa, masyadong mahal atsaka I doubt they will actually accept our request and come here. Hectic schedules."
"Sabagay," pagsasang-ayon naman ni Nicole.
Nakatingin pa rin ako sa litrato habang panay kwento naman si Lisa sa nangyari nung mga araw na 'yon. She actually got signatures from them. Pina-frame pa at sinabit sa kwarto niya.
"All thanks to my friend," natatawang sambit ni Lisa.
Maya-maya lang ay narinig namin ang pagsara ng record book ni Analie.
"Tapos na?" tanong ko at ibinalik ang cellphone kay Lisa.
"Oo. Tara?"
Tumango kaming lahat at tumayo. Inayos muna ni Analie ang table niya bago kami lumabas ng office at nagsimula nang maglakad palabas ng eskwelahan.
Dumating ang biyernes. Pagkatapos ng last subject namin, dumiretso kaagad kami sa mall ni Analie. The other girls couldn't come with us, but they did promise to attend Sebastian's birthday. Hindi ito party tulad nung sinabi ni Lisa. Although gusto ng mag-asawa na gawin 'yon, mismong si Sebastian na ang may sabing gusto niya lang 'yung simple. He invited a few of his friends and the girls for tomorrow.
Kaya ngayon, aside sa bibili ako ng regalo niya, inutusan din kami ni Mrs. Torres na bumili ng baking ingredients dahil siya na raw gagawa ng cake saka mga cupcakes. I didn't know she can bake. And also, things needed for her to cook a few foods for tomorrow night.
I already bought Sebastian's gift. It was a Marvel's Iron Man figurine. Ito ang pinili ko kasi lagi ko siyang nakikitang nanonood ng Marvels. Iron Man was also the first Marvel movie I saw together with him. Though 'di ko alam kung may ganun na ba siya or wala.
May regalo naman dapat ako sa kanya. The Iron Man figurine is just some sort of a PLAN B if Sebastian wouldn't like the first one. It's not made by me like what I planned to, but it's custom made. Sinuggest sa akin 'yon ni Kiara and I already bought and wrapped it, perfectly hidden in the closet.
Anyway, after buying the gift, here I am, pushing the big cart while following Analie. I offered to do this since she knew this place better.
"So... marunong palang magbake mama mo?" tanong ko habang tulak ang cart.
"Medyo?" hindi siguradong sagot niya habang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa listahang hawak niya. "Siya kasi minsan gumagawa ng cake sa birthday namin 'pag 'di siya busy pero tinutulungan ko. But there are times where she couldn't be with us in either one of our birthdays. Bumabawi lang siya."
"Day off niya bukas?"
Umiling si Analie. We took a quick stop when Analie grabbed a dozen eggs.
"Hindi. She asked for time off in exchange for staying late today. Baka madaling araw pa siya makakauwi," sagot niya.
Dahan-dahan akong tumango at bigla ko na lang naalala si mama. Minsan, uuwi siya ng madaling araw—for a week. Then, the next day, she'd be home early or even not go to work at all. That was the reason why we could always go out for picnics o 'di kaya nung kailangan umalis ni papa dahil ina-assign siya sa ibang lugar, maagang uuwi si mama. May bumabantay naman sa akin pero pinapauwi rin ni mama 'pagdating niya.
Ni isang beses ay hindi niya nagawang humingi ng tulong sa pamilya niya o sa pamilya ni papa para bantayan ako. Maybe she does those things, too, so she can stay with me.
"Quinn, okay ka lang?"
I blinked twice and raised my brows. Hindi ko napansin na kanina pa pala ako tinatawag ni Analie. Nagtatakang tiningnan niya ako at tinanong ulit kung okay lang ba talaga ako.
"May naalala lang. Okay na ba?" I asked, diverting the attention.
"Oo, tara na sa counter."
Tumango ako. Buti na lang at hindi na nagtanong pa si Analie at nagsimula nang maglakad kaya sumunod na ako sa kanya.
I had to wait for her at a bench just in front of the counter for half an hour before we walked back to the car while each of us was holding two paper bags. Nilagay namin ito sa likod pagkatapos ay pumasok na sa loob.
Later that night, after dinner, I excused myself back to my room.
Pagkasara ko sa pinto, dumiretso kaagad ako sa closet. I grabbed the figurine and the wrapper before walking towards my bed. I sat down and crossed both of my legs, then started wrapping it.
Ewan ko kung anong ibibigay ko. Ramdam ko kasi na baka mas magugustuhan ito ni Sebastian kesa 'yung isa pang regalo.
At alam kong hindi ko dapat ito pinoproblema dahil hindi namimili ng regalo si Sebastian tulad ng sinabi ni Analie, but I just really want him to be happy. It's the least thing I could do.
"Ito na lang siguro," bulong ko habang nakatitig sa regalo. Sa ibang okasyon ko na lang siguro ibibigay 'yung isa. After I finished wrapping the gift, I hid it under the bed and went off to sleep.
It was around 11 in the morning when I woke up. Nagulat pa ako dahil ang tagal ko pa lang nagising at hindi man lang ako ginising ni Analie.
Bumangon ko at dumiretso sa banyo para maghilamos pagkatapos ay lumabas sa kwarto. Pababa pa lang ako ay rinig na rinig ko ang mga tawanan galing sa kusina. I went inside the dining hall and snatched an apple before going to the kitchen.
"Analie! 'Yung cupcake! Baka makalimutan mo!"
"Oo ma!"
Tumigil kaagad ako sa mismong pintuan nang makita si Analie at Mrs. Torres. I scanned my eyes at the whole place and it was literally a mess. Flour was scattered on the counter, eggs, plastics— mess.
Napatigil silang dalawa nang makita ako at nagkatinginan.
"Hi!" masiglang bati ni Mrs. Torres.
"Uh... hi?" I awkwardly replied. "Anong nangyari dito?" Naglakad ako papalapit sa kanila habang pinupulot ang mga nagkalat na plastic sa sahig.
"Sorry sa kalat, Quinn," Analie said while whipping cream. "Eto kasi si mama masyadong nagmamadali, mamaya pa naman babalik si papa." Sumandal ako sa counter. Tumaas kaagad ang kilay ko sa sinabi ni Analie.
"Saan siya pupunta?" tanong ko.
"Sa mall," sagot naman ni Mrs. Torres. "Kasama niya si Sebastian. He's buying time so we could finish baking the cake."
I slowly nod my head. I was right. They are planning to surprise Sebastian. Mukhang may oras pa naman sila tutal mamayang gabi pa pala uuwi sila Mr. Torres.
"I was about to tell you about the plan, but you slept early yesterday." Analie put the bowl down and wiped her hands on her apron. "I didn't want to wake you up."
"Okay lang," sagot ko.
"Analie, where did you put the vanilla extract?"
"Ma, nandyan lang ata."
Mrs. Torres walked around the kitchen, trying to find the vanilla extract. She opened cupboards and even the refrigerator pero wala siyang nakita.
I was about to help her when something caught my eye, laying on the counter, covered in plastics. Dahan-dahan kong tinanggal ang mga plastic at bumungad sa akin ang vanilla extract na kanina pa hinahanap ni Mrs. Torres. A smile formed on my lips as I picked it up, shaking my head.
"Ito po ba?" tanong ko at nilingon si Mrs. Torres.
"Thank you, Quinn!" she exclaimed and took it from me.
Natawa naman ako at nilingon sila. Analie was very busy checking the oven while Mrs. Torres, I think, is preparing the cake already. Siguradong may madudulas dito.
"Do... you two need help?"
They looked at each other and then at the place before setting their eyes on me. I shrugged. Nagsimula ako sa pagpulot ng mga kalat sa sahig pagkatapos ay sa counter at nang makita nila ang mga ingredients. Inayos ko ito at binibigay kaagad sa kanila sa tuwing hinahanap na nila ito.
It was less messy than it was before, making them work faster and easier.
The cake batter was already on the two pans, layered evenly, and ready to put inside the oven. Frosting na lang ang kulang sa cupcake na ngayon nasa loob pa ng freezer. Analie said it needs to be cooled down so the frosting won't melt or something.
Nakatingin lang ako kay Analie na nagf-frosting sa cupcake. Si Mrs. Torres naman ay gumagawa ng design—Marvels.
"You want to try?" Analie asked.
Tumango ako at lumipat sa tabi niya. She gave me the plastic thing na tawag daw ay piping bag at binigyan ako ng isang cupcake.
"Design it whatever you want."
"Hindi Marvels? 'Di ba 'yan ang gusto ni Sebastian?"
"Sa cake na 'yan," sagot niya. Napa-'oh' ako at nagsimula nang maglagay ng frosting. I was trying to create a music note, but it flopped. Now, I don't even know what it is.
"Ano 'yan?" natatawang tanong ni Analie.
"Music note."
"That doesn't look like a music note to me," she teased.
Inikot ko ang mga mata ko at napatingin sa cupcake niya. Kita mo. Kung makapanglait e 'di ko nga alam kung anong design niya.
"Ano 'yan?" tanong ko rin at itinuro ang cupcake niya.
"Rose."
"Rose?" I asked and laugh out loud. "Rose? Akala ko ahas."
Analie gasped and glared at me, but I continued laughing.
"Ah ganun pala ah!"
Suddenly, she scooped a handful of frosting from the bowl and wiped it on my face. Napasigaw ako at hindi makapaniwalang tiningnan siya pero nilabas niya lang ang dila niya. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at mabilis na sumandok din ng frosting at pinahid ito sa mukha niya. Analie laughed and chase me.
We ran around the kitchen until we got tired. Kapwa napaupo kami sa sahig habang hinihingal.
"Ayan, takbo pa," sabi ni Mrs. Torres habang naiiling na nilagay ang kakatapos pa lang na cake sa loob ng freezer. "Mga bata talaga."
Nagkatinginan kami ni Analie.
"Naiisip mo ba ang naiisip ko?" tanong ni Analie.
"Uh-huh."
I bit my lower lip. Gusto ko nang matawa pero pinipigilan ko lang habang dahan-dahan kaming lumapit kay Mrs. Torres na nakatalikod. We scooped up the frosting—which we probably know we're wasting— and stopped in front of her.
"Ahem."
"Ma?" tawag ni Analie.
"Oh, ba—"
The moment Mrs. Torres turned around, mabilis na pinahiran namin siya ng frosting sa mukha at lumayo sa kanya. Her gasps were breaking and when she stopped, she immediately wiped the frosting off on her eyes to look at us.
"This means war."
Nanlaki kaagad ang mga mata namin at mabilis pa sa kidlat na tumakbo palabas ng kusina. Our laughs probably filled the entire house, but we didn't care. We were trying to get away from Mrs. Torres, who's chasing and threatening us. Para akong bumalik pagkabata.
Natigil lang kami nang huminto si Mrs. Torres at umupo sa sofa. Lumapit kami sa kanya at hindi na napigilang umupo rin.
"Ma, ang bilis mong tumakbo," hinihingal na sabi ni Analie. "Ilang taon ka na nga ulit?"
"17," she joked around and we all laughed.
Nang tingnan ko sila na tumatawa, parang mistulang bumagal ang oras at tanging tibok ng puso ko lang ang naririnig ko. Looking at them, I felt a rollercoaster of emotion, but the sadness wasn't there anymore. I suddenly felt so... alive.
I've never felt this for a very long time. Muntik ko nang makalimutan ganito pala ang pakiramdam. 'Yung tipong hindi mo magawang mapaliwanag ang nararamdaman mo at ang alam mo lang... masaya ka.
"Naku! Tumayo na kayo d'yan! Malapit ng umuwi ang dalawa!"
Tumawa ulit kami at tumayo na. Analie wiped another frosting on my cheek.
Matapos naming magdisenyo sa cake, tinulungan kaagad namin si Mrs. Torres sa pagluto ng pagkain. After I was done, lumipat kaagad ako sa lamesa sa dining at inihanda ang lahat ng kakailanganin. Inayos ko ang table at nilagyan ng mga baso, pinggan, kutsara at tinidor. I was basically running back and forth, putting all the food after they're finished.
Nang matapos ang lahat, may oras pa para maligo at makapagbihis at saktong pagkababa ay dumating na sila. When Sebastian saw his mom, he jumped out of joy. His friends were also here dahil sinundo ni Mr. Torres.
Analie also texted the girls and they're already on their way.
"Ma! I thought you're not gonna make it?" Sebastian asked while hugging Mrs. Torres.
"Hindi pwedeng mamiss ko ang birthday mo 'no!"
Sebastian giggled and ran to the kitchen. Nang makita niyang handa na ang lahat ay mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti niya.
"I'm going to get change!"
"Don't run, Sebastian!" paalala ni Mr. Torres.
"Yes, pa!"
The girls arrived and they were all bringing gifts for Sebastian. Nilagay ko muna ito sa isang table kung saan nakalagay lahat ng regalo ni Sebastian at bumalik sa kanila. Nakita ko sila sa sala na kinakausap si Sebastian.
"Happy birthday, Sebastian," Kiara greeted.
"Happy Birthday, bunso namin." Ngumiti naman si Nicole sa kanya.
"Ang tanda mo naaa!" dagdag ni Lisa sabay pisil sa magkabilang pisngi ni Sebastian. "Bawal muna jowa, okay? Bad 'yan. 'Pag 30, pwede na."
Sebastian made a weird face. "That's too old, Ate Lisa. Are you going to get a boyfriend at that age too? May wrinkles ka na n'yan."
"Boom, basag."
Humagalpak sa tawa ang tatlo at hindi naman maipinta ang mukha ni Lisa. Parang gusto na niyang katayin ng buhay si Sebastian. I tried to stifle a laugh but failed anyway.
"Tita oh! Si Sebastian!" sumbong ni Lisa.
"I didn't do anything to her, ma!"
Ngumiti muna si Sebastian kay Lisa bago tumakbo papalayo sa kanya at wala nang nagawa si Lisa nang tuluyan na itong makalabas sa sala.
"Ihahanda ko na talaga ang sarili ko sa susunod," bulong ni Lisa.
"Talo ka sa bata, Lisa," tukso ni Nicole.
"Ikaw tatalunin ko!"
We just rolled our eyes when they started bickering again. Kailan kaya titigil kakaaway ang dalawang 'to? Araw-araw na lang talaga. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang hindi maalala si Alexis at Yael na lagi ring nag-aaway. Sayang at wala sila dito. Busy kasi sa gig si Yael habang si Alexis naman ay may lakad. Babawi lang daw sila.
Makalipas ang ilang minuto, tinawag na kami ni Mrs. Torres. We went to the dining and we all surrounded the table.
"Bago tayo kakain, magp-pray na muna tayo," sabi ni Mrs. Torres. "Analie?"
Tumango si Analie at nagsign of the cross kaya sumunod naman sila.
"God, thank you for giving my little brother another birthday to celebrate. I pray that his coming year is full of fulfilled prayers, hopes, and dreams. That his relationship with You would deepen and flourish," Analie paused and inhaled. "Thank you for my family for lending each other a hand and making this possible. Thank you for the people who took their time to celebrate Sebastian's birthday."
Tiningnan ko sila isa-isa. I don't know what got into me, but out of nowhere, I suddenly stared at my hands and slowly clasped them together as I closed my eyes.
My mind was calm. And I was sure it wasn't before.
I wasn't saying anything. I was just... breathing. Hindi ko alam kung ba't 'di ko magawang magsalita at tanging nakapikit lang.
Ano bang dapat kong sasabihin? I don't know what to say. Natatakot ako na baka... baka may mali akong masabi. And if that happens... will He take this happiness back?
"God, we know you'll always be a pray away. Amen."
Nang buksan ko ang aking mga mata, napatitig ako sa kawalan. Huminga ako ng malalim at napailing. I don't think I did it right.
"Quinn, okay ka lang?" Lisa, on my right, asked, so I gave her a nod.
After that, she didn't say another thing when Analie called me— more like signaling me to get the cake. Nagpaalama ako kay Lisa at mabilis na tumakbo sa loob ng kusina para kunin ang cake sa ref. Sumunod naman si Analie at nilagyan ng kandila ang cake sabay sinindihan ito.
"Let's go."
Pagkalabas namin, they all sang the Happy Birthday song.
"Happy birthday, Seb. Make a wish!" I said to Sebastian.
Binuhat siya ni Mr. Torres para maabot niya ito. He closed his eyes and after a few minutes, he blew the candles. They clapped their hands and greeted Sebastian once more.
"Let's eat!"
"Hep, hep!"
Napatigil kami nang biglang nagsalita si Nicole na nilabas ang cellphone niya.
"Hindi dapat kinakalimutan ang family picture!" she said. "Okay, please stand at the center."
Napailing ako at tumalikod para ilagay ang cake sa isang table at nang hindi rin ako makaharang sa kanila. I was about to go get a glass of water when someone grabbed my hand. It was Sebastian.
"We're waiting for you, Ate Quinn!"
"Ako?"
Tinuro ko pa ang sarili ko para makasigurado. The couple nodded their heads. Nang tingnan ko ang iba, nakangiting nakatingin din sila sa akin, parang sinasabi nga ako nga kaya wala na akong nagawa kundi magpahila patungo sa gitna. Nasa gitna ang mag-asawa habang nasa harap nila si Sebastian. Nasa magkabilang gilid naman kami ni Analie. Katabi ko si Mrs. Torres.
"Smile!"
My lips slowly curved upwards. I don't know if it was awkward, but I didn't mind it anymore. We heard a few shutter sounds before Nicole put her phone down and gave us a thumbs up.
"Now... let's eat!"
Naging abala ang lahat. They were all laughing, taking pictures, greeting Sebastian, and asking him about almost anything. After dinner, Sebastian started opening his gifts and all of it made him happy. He started telling us he'll make sure to take good care of it.
When he opened mine, he ran and gave me a tight hug.
"Thank you, Ate Quinn."
"You are always welcome," I whispered.
When the clock stroke 9, one by one, the guests started bidding goodbyes. Of course, hindi nakalimutan ni Nicole ang bring-house niya. Nagawa pang humiram ng tatlong tupperware. Crisis daw sila ngayon ng pagkain. Nabatukan tuloy ni Lisa.
Kailangang namang umalis ni Mr. Torres dahil ihahatid niya pa ang mga bata at sumama si Sebastian sa kanya.
So, it was basically the three of us again.
Abala si Mrs. Torres sa paglipat sa ibang lalagyan ang mga natitirang pagkain. Si Analie naman ay naghuhugas ng pinggan habang ako ay nagwawalis.
I just finished cleaning the living room and we're almost done, including here at the dining.
"Ma, tapos na ako," narinig kong sabi ni Analie. "Matutulog na ako ha? Good night."
"Good night," Mrs. Torres replied.
Nag-good night din si Analie sa akin at sinabihan ako na umakyat na pagkatapos. Tumango lang ako sa kanya at nagpatuloy na sa paglinis.
Magkasunod na natapos kami ni Mrs. Torres. Pumasok ako sa kusina para ibalik ang walis at nang makita ako ay kaagad niya akong nginitian.
"You're going to sleep?" she asked.
"Opo."
"Oh, okay. Alam kong pagod ka na." She took her apron off and laid it on the counter.
I nodded my head and started walking my way out to the kitchen. Hindi pa man ako nakalabas ay tumigil ako sa tapat ng pinuan at nilingon siya.
"Good night po..." I smiled. "Tita."
I didn't wait for her reply and went to my room. Hindi ko alam kung anong naging reaction niya pero sana hindi ko siya nagulat. Hindi ko alam kung ba't ko 'yun sinabi. She's probably shocked since... well, I don't know, she's already used with the usual name I call her?
Ah bahala na. I just feel that I need to say it.
Umiling ako at nagbihis. Tulog na si Analie kaya maingat kong naglakad patungo sa kama ko at humiga. I checked my phone on the nightstand and saw that Nicole mentioned me in our group chat.
Nang pindutin ko ito, bumungad kaagad ang picture namin kanina. Agad akong napangiti. It seems... perfect.
Sinave ko ito at pumunta sa Instagram. Hindi ko na maalala kung kailan ko huling naisipang magpost dito. Konti lang din ang followers ko at may iba ngang hindi ko pa naf-follow back. Tamad ako, e.
I clicked on the upload button and chose the picture. It took me ten minutes to think of a caption I could use. I was trying not to make it look cheesy, weird, or awkward.
In the end, I only captioned a house icon.