Kapitulo 8

Kapitulo 8

Kapitulo 8

"Seah, kayo na ba?" si Ate.

Nasa livingroom kaming dalawa ngayon. Sabado kaya pareho kaming walang pasok. Alam kong si Klaus ang tinutukoy niya kaya hindi ko na kailangan pang itanong iyon.

"Hindi pa po," I answered.

"Kung ganoon, e, ano kayo?"

"We're still dating. I mean, hindi ko pa siya sinasagot." my cheeks flushed.

Nasundan pa ang date namin na iyon ni Klaus ng ilan pang beses. Siguro mga limang beses na. Mas lalo ko din siyang nakilala habang tumatagal. Kaya kung iisipin ko iyon, sigurado akong hindi ko na kaya pa 'tong patagalin. Baka masagot ko na siya.

"Se, si Lola tumatawag." with eyes dilated my sister informed me who's calling her.

"Si Lola?" I can't hide the excitement in my voice.

"Hi, Lola," sabay naming bungad sa kanya nang sagutin ni Ate ang tawag.

"Ang gaganda niyo na!" she chuckled.

Matanda na talaga si Lola. Halata na ang mga bakas ng kulubot sa kanyang mukha. Her grey colored hair added the evidence.

"Kamusta ka na po?" naunahan ako ni Ate nang itanong iyon sa kanya.

"Ayos lang naman, mga apo. Kayo diyan?"

"Ganoon pa din po..." I trailed off as the bitterness crept inside of me. "Tila may imaginary borderline na nagpapanatili sa distansya namin kay Daddy."

She sighed. "Sabi ko na nga ba. Dito na lang kasi kayo mag-aral."

"We can't leave him alone po." si Ate.

"Pero kaya niyang hindi kayo mabigyan ng oras bilang mga anak niya?" Lola scoffed. "May babae na ba ang ama niyo?"

Napakuarap ako sa tanong niya. Ni isang beses, hinding hindi sumagi sa isip ko na may pamalit na ang ama namin sa yumao na naming ina. Kaya hindi ako makasagot para doon.

"W-wala naman po... siguro," Ate said skeptically.

"Oo nga pala. Malapit na ang Christmas break niyo. May balak ba kayong bumisita dito?" she suddenly asked.

Nakatinginan kami ni Ate. That's a good idea. But leaving our father alone during Christmas has never been a good idea. Albeit if he doesn't have time for us, still he never failed to give us the things we needed... when it comes to finances. Albeit if he never celebrated Christmas, New years or other holidays with us since he preferred more staying in the hospital taking good care of the patients there. Yes, he never celebrated with us anymore since mom died.

I even think sometimes na kaya siguro ayaw niyang manatili dito sa bahay dahil naaalala niya si Mama. Sana nga iyon ang dahilan. At hindi ang ayaw niya kaming makasama. It always brought me a tear as my chest was overcrowded every time I think about it.

But in the end, I still thanked him in my mind for not leaving us. I'm still thankful that he's the one God chosen to be our father. I just hope that someday... he'll realize that we as his daughters, also needed time, care, and especially... to be loved.

"We'll think about it po, La," Ate answered as she glances at me.

A sad smile plastered on our Lola's lips.

"I miss you, young ladies," she said.

"We missed you more," I said.

"Si Lolo po?" si Ate nang napansing si Lola lang mag-isa ang nakipag VC sa amin.

"Tulog na kanina pa." she chuckled. "Matutulog na din siguro ako. Tinawagan ko lang kayo para kamustahin. Namiss ko din kayong dalawa. At para sana... tanungin kung dito kayo magpapasko."

I almost forgot that their time there was opposite to ours. It's daytime here and it's probably night time there. It's not good for her as an aged to sleep late. I suddenly felt worried.

"Are you alright there?" I asked.

She slowly nodded.

"I always am."

"Lola, you should sleep na po. I'm sure it's getting late there." sabi ni Ate.

Our VC with her ended after that. Mabuti naman at nakinig siya sa amin. Wala kaming ibang pinag-uusapan ni Ate kundi ang plano namin sa darating na pasko. October pa ngayon. May isang buwan pa kaming natitira para pag-isipan ang tungkol doon.

"Uuwi kaya si Daddy mamaya?" I asked her as if she has the answer.

"Alam mo naman iyon... halos ginawa nang bahay ang hospital." Ate sighed.

"Kung sa pasko... lilipad tayo papuntang states, maiiwan siya ditong mag-isa. Kung hindi naman tayo pupunta, siguradong magtatampo si Lola." I sighed heavily.

"Punta nalang kaya tayo kila Lola sa pasko? Tapos uuwi tayo sa new year? Ano sa tingin mo?"

Napabaling ako sa kanya. Puwede naman iyon.

Dumating na ang kabuwanan ng pasko. At gaya ng kasanayan. After ng Christmas party namin sa school, Christmas break will follow. Ate and I have already made up our decision. We'll fly to the states this twenty-three of December. Habang ang iilang days naman na nasa Pinas pa kami, we will spend it with our friends.

Si Ate at 'yung mga kaibigan niya may Christmas party na agad na naiplano. Sa bahay pa din namin ang venue. We already asked our father about it para din malaman niya kahit na wala naman sa kanyang problema iyon. Umuwi kasi siya last week. I can't forget the conversation we had with him while eating breakfast.

Pababa ako noon. Kakagising ko lang. Kukuha lang sana ako ng tubig para dalhin sa kuwarto ko. When Ate suddenly called me for a breakfast.

"Se, breakfast na." I hear him shouted from the dining room.

Dumiretso ako sa kusina bago siya sinagot.

"Sige po. Mauna ka nalang." I answered as I opened the refrigerator to get water.

"Kres, let's eat."

Natigilan ako saktong pagkarinig noon. I know who's voice is that. It's the voice I've been longing to hear since our mom's death. It's the voice I've been longing to hear every time it's time to eat. He's still here pa pala sa bahay?

I slowly walked to our dining room. My heart got pinched a bit when I saw him sitting in his usual seat before when mom's still alive. He's sitting at the head of the table. I took my seat adjacent to my sister.

"Good morning," I greeted them both when I realized I haven't yet.

"Let's start to eat." Dad urged us like he's in a hurry.

"Oh, uh... Dad?" Ate swallowed hard.

"Yes, Ylle?" he rose his brows.

"This coming Friday... my friends will be sleeping over here in our house. Tapos sa Sunday po. May party dito sa bahay. I just wanted to inform you about that to know if is it okay with you?" si Ate.

"Of course, it's fine with me. Tell me how much do you need for that party? Para naman may ma-i-ambag ako." he chuckled.

"We still haven't talked about the expenses pa po. It's fine naman po if you'll not sponsor it. We can do-"

"Ylle, that's the only thing I could do. I don't have that ample time your friends gave to you." he cuts off my Ate.

"Alright," Ate smiled.

"And... uh," I trailed off as my throat dried.

I haven't called him Dad for almost three years na.

"Dad, sa Christmas doon po kami kila Lola." I continued.

I saw him stop chewing and looks at me and Ate.

"Oh? She called?" he asks about Lola.

I nodded.

He said 'okay'. That's how our conversation with him ends. I sighed as I lied down in my bed. It's Thursday today. Bukas Friday na. Which means my sister's friends will be here.

My phone beep and Klaus's text pop.

From Shawn Nicklaus Dl'Grialbe:

Hi, are you going to sleep na?

Can I call?

I pulled my bottom lip as I read those. I can't help but smile even with just those texts. I just really like him.

Me:

Yup

And that replied of me answered for the two questions he texted. Hindi pa man nag-iisang minuto ay tumunog na ang phone ko dahil sa tawag niya. It's just a voice call. Kaya hindi ako na conscious sa itsura ko.

"Hi," he greeted.

"Hi,"

"Sorry I haven't called you this morning. I got busy making content for tomorrow," he explains.

Yes, if we don't see each other. He calls. Kanina nga lang ang hindi.

"No, it's fine." I smiled. "I understand."

"What's your plan for this coming Christmas?"

"We'll celebrate... I guess?"

He chuckled which makes me scowled.

"Silly, baby girl. Of course, we'll celebrate it." he chuckled.

My cheeks flushed.

"I mean... maybe we'll celebrate in our Lola's house."

"So wala ka na pala dito sa Pilipinas this Christmas?" the sadness in his voice is evident.

"Yup," I shortly answered. "How about you?"

"We'll fly to Cebu. We'll celebrate at our Granny's house. Uuwi din kasi si Kuya Maui and Kuya Harth for this holiday. Kaya it's like a get-together for us."

I nodded albeit if he can't see it.

"Seah," he calls me.

"Hmm?" I rose my brows.

"I missed you," he said huskily.

Our call ended after that. Gabi na rin kasi.

Nasa backyard ako ngayon kakaahon lang mula sa pag-si-swimming. I'm wearing my white two-piece bikini. I jumped again to the pool. Pag-ahon ko pagkatapos nito aakyat na ako pabalik sa kuwarto ko para mag bihis. I dive and swim. I swim and dive. I do it alternately hanggang sa mapagod ako.

Nasa pool pa ako ngayon. Nakatayo. I wiped the waters that are running in my face using my hand.

"Good morning," an annoying voice suddenly said from my back.

I took a deep breath and gritted my teeth. What is he doing here? I didn't take a time turning my head to him. I  went out of the pool and went to the lounger. I stiffened when I realized that I forgot to bring my towel here. I groaned.

"Do you need help?"

Galing! Lumapit pa nga!

"No, I don't," I answered. "But if you, staying away from me and not ruin my morning... I'll consider it as a big help." I smiled sweetly.

"Ang taray!" he murmured. "Wala namang towel," he added.

I roamed my eyes around. Trying to find one of our helpers that I can ask to get a towel for me. I stop roaming my eyes around when I heard his footsteps getting far. I turned my gaze to him.

Naglalakad na nga siya palayo sa kinatatayuan ko. He's wearing his dark blue t-shirt with his white shorts and flip flops. The fabric of his t-shirt hugs his torso tightly. Causing his broadened shoulders to not go unnoticed.

I took a deep breath while watching him go. I suddenly felt conscience for being rude to him today. I took my seat in the lounger. I checked my phone above the table beside the lounger. There are two new text messages. I opened it.

From Shawn Nicklaus Dl'Grialbe:

Good morning. You free tomorrow?

I replied:

I'll see if I am.

From Mycroftsia Nevaeh Jozsue:

Morning, Se. Nand'yan ba si Kuya sa inyo?

Me:

Morning. Oo.

I was about to ask her why, when a cloth from my back suddenly wrapped on me. I stiffened as I realized it was a towel. I slowly turned my head at the back.

He licked his lower lip and looks away.

"Get yourself change now," he said. "Go na. Baka dumating na 'yung iba pa naming mga kaibigang lalaki at pagpapantasyahan ka." he added.

It caught me off guard. Kaya hindi agad ako nakakilos.

"Jullianna, go na. Baka magkakasakit ka pa niyan. Malalamigan ka." he said glancing at me.

I nodded and stood up. I turned my back to him and took three steps when I realized something.

"Vico," I called him as I turned to him.

His eyes dilated, probably shocked that I unexpectedly called and turned to him. By looking at his red parted lips, I took it as an unsaid question.

"Thank you... Kuya," I smiled.

I wear my dolphin shorts and an oversized shirt. No crop top and high waisted pants muna for today. Bumaba na ako para kumain. Maingay na ang bahay namin lalo na't nagsi datingan na ang mga kaibigan ni Ate. Dumiretso na ako sa dining room. Paliko na ako nang may marinig akong nag-uusap.

"Are you cheating on me?" I heard a feminine shaky voice.

"We already talked about this, Icle." a familiar masculine voice responds.

"Do you like... h-her?"

I narrowed my eyes as I listened to them.

"I don't," he answered.

Umalis na lang ako sa dining at nagpahatid ng pagkain sa helper sa kuwarto ko. I ate breakfast there. But the conversation I heard earlier cannot get out of my mind.

Hapon na when I decided to get out of my room. I tied my hair into a messy bun before opening my door. Only for me to see Viscount with his fist. He's like about to knock on my door.

His ears... flushed? I blinked several times before asking.

"Oh, what are you doing here?" I roamed my eyes trying to see who's his company.

"I was about to check on you. You didn't go downstairs for breakfast and lunch," he said, taking steps backward.

"I already ate," I said to him. "Inside of my room." I pointed to my room using my thumb.

"Oh," his eyes dilated. "I'm sorry. I didn't know-"

He got cut off by his girlfriend who cupped his face and locks her lips with his. They... did that... in front... of me.

My eyes dilated. I closed my room door and immediately run downstairs.

What was that?

Mabuti nalang at nakasalubong ko si Leo. Nawala sa isip ko ang nangyari. He told me to go to our backyard. Nandoon daw si Ate.

Nandoon nga sila lahat. Maliban kay Vico at 'yung girlfriend niya na nasa itaas pa. Nasa backyard namin ang whiteboard ni Ate. Malaki iyon kaya kitang kita ko ang mga nakasulat.

CHRISTMAS PARTY

Decoration Committee:

•Grace

•Shally

•Icle

I stopped reading when my sister suddenly turned her head to me. Nasa backyard kami ngayon. Nasa circular tables sila nakaupo at parang kakatapos lang ng meeting nila.

"Se, are you hungry?" my sister asked. Probably also worried about me not being here downstairs to eat earlier.

"No, I'm fine." I smiled.

"Saan na naman kaya si Vico at Icle?" si Leo na kakabalik lang din dito sa backyard.

He took his seat beside Ate Shally who's busy typing on her phone. I scowled when I noticed something. I am not sure if their circles also notice it. They are all busy assumpting Vico with his girlfriend who is nowhere to be found.

"Alam mo naman si Vico. Hindi na 'yon nakakapaghintay pa na matapos itong meeting." they chuckled.

What do they mean? It sounds... green.

"Hoy," awat ni Leo.

"Panigurado pagod iyon pagbalik dito."

Natigil lang ang pakikinig ko sa mga pag-uusap nila nang magsalita ang kapatid ko.

"What do you want for dinner, Se?" Ate glance at Ate Shally before tapping the space beside her.

Lumapit ako at umupo sa tabi niya. I'm craving pizza tonight.

"Pizza," I answered.

Maingay sila sa backyard. Maraming mga inaalala na mga ala-ala nila noong high school pa sila. Lahat ng mga 'yon ay nakakatawa kaya palagi din ako natatawa. Natigil lang iyon nang makabalik na si Vico at si Icle. Namumugto at pula ang mga mata ni Icle nang umupo. Si Vico naman isang tingin mo pa lang, masasabi mo ng galit.

An awkward silence caged us. Ang tawanan kanina ay napalitan ng ingay ng mga kuliglig. Mabuti nalang at dumating ang mga helpers namin para tawagin kami para sa hapunan. Nag-ingay ulit sila papasok sa loob.

My phone suddenly fell to the ground when I stood up. Yumuko ako para kunin iyon.

"Vico," Icle's voice broke.

"Go away. Mauna ka na." Vico said emphatically.

Tumayo na ako pagkatapos kong mapulot ang phone ko. Kaming dalawa na lang pala ni Vico ang naiwan dito sa labas. I slowly rose my gaze to him. I almost jumped when I caught him looking at me with jaw tensed. Umiwas na ako ng tingin at nagsimula ng maglakad.

"Jullianna," he suddenly... called me.

"Hmm?" I said not looking back.

"I'm sorry about the kissing we made... in front of you," he said huskily.

"That's normal. You guys are in a relationship. And kissing is normal." I said before I continued walking.

I took my seat beside my sister. Lahat sila abala sa pagtatanong kay Icle kung bakit namumugto ang mga mata nito. I started eating. Tumigil din sila nang pumasok na si Viscount. He took his seat beside Leo kahit na may vacant naman sa tabi ng girlfriend niya. May isang vacant chair talaga. Kulang sila. Kung nandito siya walang vacant.

"Is Auliver not around?" hindi ko na napigilang mag tanong.

"Yeah," Ate answered.

"Bakit?"

"Uy, si Seah hinahanap si Auliver." they teased.

"Hindi naman. Nakakapanibago lang na kulang kayo." I answered.

"Si Vico kasi-" Leo stops talking when he realized who's sitting next to him. He pressed his lips together. Trying to stop himself from talking.

Ate Grace smirked after glancing at him. They are all looking at Vico like he's the answer. It makes me wonder tuloy. Did he do something wrong?

Naputol din ang pag-iisip ko nang makarinig kami ng doorbell. Pupuntahan sana ng kasambahay para tignan kung sino pero nagsalita si Ate.

"Se, puntahan mo nga. Baka pizza mo na 'yon."

I nodded. Tapos na din naman akong kumain kaya ako na ang pupunta. I opened our gate.

"Klaus?!" with eyes dilated I asked.

He's wearing his usual outfit. Black shirt and denim shorts. He's holding five boxes of pizza. Ibinaba niya muna iyon nang makita ang reaksyon ko.

"Ang guwapo ng pizza delivery boy mo, 'no?" he smirked at me before stepping forward, wrapping his arm on me.