CHAPTER 23
[SIPSIP KAY MISS DIANE]
Andrew: Kalande
Andrew: Naol
Andrew: @Jaeden naol no?
Abreu: Ano ba?
Andrew: La pabebe naman hahshsjaj
Jaeden: hahahahaha kayo na ba? @Abreu?
Andrew: hmmm
Abreu: No
Andrew: Ay paano kapag nanligaw? Sasagutin mo?
Abreu: Yea
Abreu: But not now... I mean... bata pa lang ako? Kami?
Jaeden: okay lang yun hahahahhaha
Andrew: @Abreu pero lab mo? Yieee
Abreu: Yeah...
Andrew: POTA
Andrew: @Jaeden dalaga na talaga siya! :<<
Abreu: hahaha
Andrew: Tawa ba 'yan, ab?
Jaeden: @Andrew, awts gegege
Andrew: Awit sayo Jaeden.
Zoe: BWAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH YAWA
Denise: Aruy
Andrew: Lutuan mo na lang mommy at daddy mo Tall
Jaeden: Gegege *crying intensifies*
Zoe: Naol daddy ako kasi papa lang
Andrew: Ako nga ate lang
Jaeden: Tall...
Andrew: Tall...
I smiled before turning my phone off. Gustong gusto ko talaga na binabasa 'yung convo nila kahit wala akong maintindihan. Nakakatawa lang.
After taking a half bath, I fell asleep.
On Saturday, I didn't actually did a lot of things. Nanood lang kami ng movies and ate. And of course, a talk with Gael. It may not be a long midnight talk, but we still talked... Kabisado na nga ng utak ko ang boses niya. 'Yung kahit hindi kami naguusap ay naririnig ko ang mga tawa niya sa utak ko.
It's so freaking corny when I hear these from my old friends and classmate. Pero ngayon...
So, I guess... This is love?
"Abreu?" I woke up when I heard Yaya knocking on the door. Kinusot ko ang mga mata ko bago ko pagbuksan ng pinto si Yaya. I smiled at her and she did the same thing.
I asked her to wake me up early para makatulong ako sa paghahanda para sa birthday ni Kuya. He decided that he'll just celebrate it here. Pupunta mga friends niya...
I'm kinda happy... and excited. Not just for his birthday, but for Gael's appearance.
Yaya usually don't make me cut vegetables because when I did, I also cut my skin... but she let me this time. I was like a happy kid cutting and peeling vegetables for the first time.
Nasa kalagitnaan kami ng ginagawa namin nang marinig ang pagbukas ng pinto. It was probably Mama. She went out to buy more ingredients. Ang arte, hindi naman debut ni Kuya.
"Abreu," she called.
I tried to look at her but my attention was on the hotdogs and knife. "Po?"
"Come here," she said.
Nangunot ang noo ko. Lumingon ako at umawang ang labi ng makita si Papa. He was looking at me before he gave me a tiny smile... or it was a melancholic smile? I was so confused that I felt a sting on my finger. I groaned.
"Ayan na nga ba ang sinasabi ko! Dapat talaga ay 'di na kita pinapahiwa! Ang lakilaki mo na pero nasusugatan ka pa rin!" Saway ni Yaya bago ako hinila papuntang lababo. I chuckled at her reaction. "Tawa tawa ka pa? Tatawan kita kapag daliri mo na 'yung nahiwa!"
Natawa pa ako.
After she cleaned my finger ay nilagyan niya ng bandaid. Pinatingin niya na lang sa akin kung kumukulo na ba 'yung tubig or hindi. Tapos siya na ang naghiwa. I pursed my lips when I saw my parents talking.
They were calm, not arguing. Pero kahit na ganoon... I don't see love. I don't see sparks. It was just like two people talking.
I guess... wala na talaga?
I sighed, smiling. I pursed my lips before keeping my eyes on the boiling water when Mama called me again.
"Po?" I asked. I can't look at Papa for some reason.
She smiled. "Tinawag na kita, 'di ba?"
My lips parted, her eyebrows raised. I smiled awkwardly bago ako lumapit sa kaniya. My father was literally infront of me. But I can't look at him. I was avoiding his presence.
She smiled. "Maguusap kayo ni Arnaldo."
My eyes widen. "What?" I asked she just nodded. I know I have to look at my father for confirmation but I just can't do it. Nalukot ang mukha ko at pasimpleng umiling habang nakatingin sa kaniya. I whispered, "Ma..."
Nangunot ang noo niya. What? Was she thinking that I'll jump out of excitement after I heard that he had doubts about me?
"Magusap na kayo," 'yun lang ang sabi niya bago niya kami iniwan ni Papa. I gulped before clearing my throat.
I looked at him and he gave me soft smile.
What is this? Guilt?
"Abreu," he called before holding my shoulders.
Nangunot ang noo ko at nagiwas ng tingin para tumingin kay Mama at Yaya. Mama was showing Yaya a paper. I couldn't hear them, but I'm sure I read Mama's lips saying, "DNA."
My lips parted before looking at him again.
I gulped. I whispered, "Po?"
He smiled apologetic. "I'm sorry..."
I pursed my lips before nodding. I whispered, "For being too harsh? It's okay po..."
His lips parted.
I forced a smile. "Uh... I d-didn't mean it to sound bitter—"
Bahagya siyang natigilan pero natawa rin na parang may biglang naalala. "It's okay..."
I flashed at tiny smile. "Ano po 'yung pag-uusapan?"
He sighed before smiling. "What do you want? Papa didn't have a birthday gift on your birthday..."
My lips parted.
He was smiling.
"I'm sorry for being an idiot—"
Tumango ako habang pinupunasan ang nagbabadyang mga luha. "It's okay..."
Natawa siya. "I just... hate that your Mom did everything for me to come back. I thought she used you..."
Tumango na lang ulit ako habang pinupunasan ang luha.
"I didn't noticed our resemblance..."
Umiiyak nanaman akong tumango. "You weren't paying attention..."
He pursed his lips. "I know... I'm sorry..."
Umiiyak akong tumango. "It's okay, Papa."
He chuckled with teary eyes. "Your brother was right. You cry like a baby..." he said before wiping my tears.
I chuckled.
"Is there anything I can do? To make it up to my daughter?"
I smiled and shook my head. "Just... don't run. And be a father..."
He smiled and nodded.
"I'm sorry, Ana—"
"Amoy spaghetti! Sana naman ay amoy macbook pro rin ngayong araw!"
I rolled my eyes. Kakagising niya lang. Ang gulo pa ng buhok niya at medyo naniningit pa ang mata niya. He was grinning when he saw us. His lips parted before he beamed.
After helping and getting tired I went back in my room to take a bath. I wore a high waist yellow short and a white square neck short sleeve crop top. It wasn't that bad. My belly buttons wasn't showing so I felt comfortable.
I brushed my shoulder length hair and let it dry infront of the electric fan. I used an oil control powder for my face, I also used a clear mascara and a little tint. Hinayan ko na lang na nakababa ang buhok ko dahil maikli pa rin 'to para itali.
I looked at the mirror and smiled at my reflection.
Nagpabango na rin ako.
Kapag naman may handa sa bahay ay nagaayos rin naman ako ng sarili kasi may pictures and stuffs. But not like this...
I rolled my eyes while smiling.
"Paano, pupunta si Gael..." I said to myself. My phone rang and read Gael's name on it that made me smile even more.
"Hello," he said, making the letter 'O' long. I was about to speak when I heard Kuya's voice in the background that made my eyes widen a little.
"Gael, tama na landian sa jowa mo," Kuya said that made me blushed.
I heard Gael's laugh. Narinig ko rin ang paglalakad niya palayo. "Hello?" Aniya na sinisigurado kong nakangiti nanaman. "Girlfriend daw kita..."
I smiled. Pero inalis ko din kaagad at nagkunwaring naiinis nanaman sa pangaasar siya. "Gael..."
He chuckled. "Just kidding! Can you go down na? I wan't to see you..."
Tumawa ako. "Okay. Remember to act natural."
Tumawa rin siya at sinabi na alam na niya ang gagawin. I looked at myself at the mirror again bago ako bumaba. They were already at the living room. Probably going to watch a movie.
Papa was sitting behind Kuya. Naguusap usap sila kasama si Papa. Hindi na muna ako pumunta roon at dumiretso sa kusina.
My eyes sparkled the moment I saw the cake. It was the rainbow milk cake from Cornelia. Hindi naman daw kasi mahilig si Kuya sa mga cakes, kaya 'kung ano na lang ang favorite ko ay 'yun na lang daw ang cake niya.
"Luh, dami! Masiyado namang pabida!" Sabi ni Kuya Andy. I gulped. Alam ko nandiyan na siya.
Nakatalikod ako sa kaniya ng maramdaman ko ang presensya niya sa likod ko. Paano, naririnig ko ang OA na pagsingot niya.
Tumawa siya. "Bango nung pagkain..."
"Aling pagkain ba?" Natatawang tanong ni Kuya Benedict.
Nangunot ang noo ni Kuya Thomas. "Tangina..." Bulong niya. "Gago, ang pangit pakinggan... ang berde..."
Nangunot ang noo ko.
"Gago!" Sabi ni Gael. Umalis siya sa likod ko at hinabol si Kuya Thomas sa kung saan. Nagkibit balikat na lang ako at naupo sa upuan.
Si Kuya at Kuya Nash ang katabi ko. Habang si Gael naman ay nasa harapan ko at nagpipigil ng ngiti. Napapangiti din tuloy ako. Kaya madalas ko siyang tignan ng masama, eh.
We ate and Papa was asking questions about Kuya ng hindi sinasadyang masabi ni Kuya John ang mga kalokohan ni Kuya dahilan para mas lalong dumami ang tanong ni Papa.
"Hindi naman totoo 'yun, eh. Bait bait ko, eh. Honors nga ako, eh."
Tinawanan siya ni Papa. "How about Abreu?"
Mahina akong natawa. As if may alam sila tungkol sa akin?
"Kay Ab?" Nakatingalang sabi ni Kuya Thomas.
Tumawa si Kuya Benedict. "Kay Abreu?"
Nangunot ang noo nina Kuya Andy at Kuya John sa naging reaction nung dalawa. I wanted to freaking cover my face!
"Maganda po, Tito!" Sabi ni Kuya Andy habang tumatawa. Napangiti ako.
I pursed my lips when Gael winced a little.
"Wala kang makukuhang sagot, hindi naman sila close, Pa..." sabi ni Kuya.
They talked about more stuffs while I was just eating, stealing glances at Gael. He was also doing the same thing. And everytime our eyes met, it's either we'll smile or we'll look away... then smile.
"Arat! Nood movie!" Sabi ni Kuya Andy.
"Child friendly, ha!" Kuya said, looking at me.
I rolled my eyes. "It's okay, Kuya. You guys can watch anything, roon na lang ako sa taas..."
I saw how Gael reacted. He was talking with the others, and when he heard me, tumingin kaagad siya sa akin.
Umiling si Kuya. "No."
I smiled. He doesn't want me to feel out of place...
"Doon na kayo! Kuha lang ako pagkain," sabi ni Kuya dahilan para magsipuntahan sila sa living room. Gael glanced at me before winking that made me laugh.
Tumingin si Kuya sa akin nang nakakunot ang noo.
I laughed. "Kuya, I'm fine... Alam ko naman na may gusto kayong panoorin na..." I trailed and ngumiwi ng kaonti. "Iba..."
He looked so convinced. Gosh, this clueless brother!
Tumango siya. "Okay..."
Papa and Yaya was cleaning the table before he came to us.
"Macbook..." Kuya said that made Papa laughed.
Tumango si Papa. "Oo na!" He said that made Kuya smirked. I rolled my eyes. Papa looked at me and asked, "How about you, Anak?"
Iiling na sana ako nang magsalita si Kuya. Pero nagpaalam din kaagad si Papa dahil tumunog ang cellphone niya.
"Iphone 11?" He asked, looking at me. Ngumiwi siya at umiling. "Hindi na 'no? May grade 11 ka na kasi..."
My lips parted. Bumilis 'yung tibok ng puso ko.
Ngumisi siya. That scary, arrogant look he uses to his enemies.
"Kuya..."
Ngumiwi siya. "Ga? Ga? Gago siya."
"Kuya..."
"Kailan pa?" Tanong niya. I kinda got a little scared because he looked so freaking serious! Like anytime, he would attack Gael!
I gulped. Nahihirapan rin akong huminga dahil sa kaba.
Sarkastiko siyang tumawa. "Tagal ko nang napapansin..."
I pursed my lips.
"Kuya..."
Okay, I'm scared... and I felt like I was about to cry. Not like cry so he'll pity me. But... literally cry because I was so freaking scared and anxious.
"Bata ka pa..."
Umiling ako. "We're not together..."
"Did he kissed you?" He asked, pabulong.
Umiling kaagad ako. "No. Hindi pa..."
"Pa?"
Ngumuso ako habang masama ang tingin sa kaniya.
Ngumiwi siya. "Nanliligaw?"
"No."
Tumango siya.
I thought it will be over... but he yelled, "Gael!"
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