Masked Glamour

Chapter Nine

Ferula

I woke up in the morning with a heavy head. The incident yesterday terrified me a lot that it gave me a nightmare twice just in a single night. I grimaced when I saw how messy my hair was when I looked at myself in the mirror. It looks like a bird's nest! It looks a lot messier because of my curly hair. Dark circles were visible under my eyes too and my lips are so pale. I cringed and get my toothbrush.

I looked horrible.

Matapos makapaligo at mag-ayos ng aking sarili ay lumabas na ako ng aking silid. Nagpunta ako sa kusina ngunit agad din napatigil ng maalalang wala nga pala akong makakain doon. Just to silence my rumbling stomach, I make myself a cup of hot chocolate. Matapos iyon ay nagpasya na akong magtungo na sa bayan para makabili ng makakain.

It took me more than two hours in the grocery store before having everything on my list. Holding the two medium size grocery bag in my left hand, I walked my way home. I was muching some chocolate bar while walking when I heard a beeping sounds.

Ang pamilyar na kulay abong sasakyan ay huminto sa aking gilid. I stopped on my track and faced the car. The car's window slide down revealing the smiling face of Mr. Kryion.

We just exchange some greetings before he closed the car's window and start the engine again. Pinagmasdan ko na lamang ang sasakayan niyang unti-unting lumalayo.

Muli akong nagpatuloy sa paglalakad pauwi habang inuubos din ang kinakain ko. I plan to make some soup when I got home. Ilang metro pa ang layo sa aking bahay ay kita ko na ang sasakyan nila Mystia na nakaparada sa tapat ng aking bahay.

I saw Thalis sitting on car's hood while Frius was standing in front, securing the child. Isinuksok ko sa dala kong grocery bag ang balat ng pinagkainan ko. It was Thalis who noticed me first and announced my arrival.

Thalis shriked in happiness while looking at me. Kaagad siyang nagpabuhat sa ama pababa.

“Ninang ko!” she shouted and ran towards me. I crouched and slightly pinched her chubby cheeks before I took her little hands then walked towards my house's door.

Mystia emerged from the car's open door. Ibinaba ko ang hawak na mga lalagyan. Binitawan ko rin ang kamay ni Thalis saka kinuha ang susi sa aking bulsa para magbukas ng pinto.

“Hindi kayo nagsabing pupunta kayo rito. Kanina pa ba kayo?” tanong ko saka itinulak ang pinto. Kinuha ko muli ang dalawang grocery bag saka sila hinarap.

“Dito tayo sa loob. Mabuti pala at maaga akong nagpunta sa bayan at nakabili na ng pagkain. E' di wala sanang pagkain si Thalis ngayon, hmm?” I looked down at my goddaughter.

“May baon po akong cheese cake, ninang! At juice po! At tubig pa!”

Napatawa ako sa kanyang sinabi. I looked back at my friend who has a scowl on her face. Her husband stood beside her with his arms wrapped on her waist.

“Anong pinaggagagawa mo?” Ngumiwi siya saka naglakad palapit sa akin. “You look horrible. Ang laki pa ng eyebags mo!” Kumibot ang kanyang mga labi.

Maging ako ay napangiwi rin sa kanyang sinabi. Pumasok ako ng bahay at kaagad naman silang sumunod. Si Thalis ay agad dumiretso sa sofa sa salas. Sumunod sa kanya ang ama. Sa kusina naman ang punta ko habang nasa likuran ang aking kaibigan.

“Nag-almusal na ba kayo?” Inilapag ko ang mga dala ko sa mesa. “I did not bring my phone so I did not know if you called me or sent me a text.”

“Ninang, manood ako TV po? Please? Pretty please?” Thalis asked from the living room.

I couldn't help but chuckled on her adorableness. “Sure, sweetie,” sagot ko sa inaanak. Inilabas ko ang mga pinamili ko mula sa grocery bag.

“Sabihin mo nga sa akin ang totoo, may boyfriend ka na ba?”

Umawang ang aking mga labi saka nanlaki ang mga mata. “W-What?” I asked dumbfounded.

She rolled her eyes and took a sit. “Seriously, I never saw you looking like this before. Ngayon lang, Ferry.” She narrowed her eyes on me. “So now, I assumed that you have a boyfriend that you are not telling me.” Nandilat ang kanyang mga mata.

I laughed and shook my head. “Gutom ka ba?”

Nangalumbaba siya habang nakatingin sa akin na inaayos ang mga pinamili ko. “I just don't have something to think of why you looked like shit.” She pursed her lips. “The last time I saw you like that was when your mother died and that was acceptable, and...” Sinadya niyang putulin ang sinasabi saka ako tinignan habang mapaglarong nagtaas-baba ang kilay.

My brows furrowed. “And?” I arraged the vegetables inside the fridge while waiting for her answer.

“...and you looked like shit too when you learned that your first ever crush was already taken.”

Umawang ang aking mga labi hanggang sa natawa na lang ako sa kanyang sinabi. Hinarap ko siya at nakitang inaabot niya iyong mansanas sa kanyang harapan.

“Can you wash this for me? Please?” She pleaded like a kid. I rolled my eyes but still grant her request.

Matapos kong hugasan iyong mansanas ay inihagis ko iyon sa kanya. Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata at tarantang sinalo iyon.

“Hey!” She catched the apple.

“Kumain ka na nga, baka gutom ka lang.”

She just made a face and took a large bite on the apple. “Whatever.” She munched on the fruit.

They spent half of the day in my house. Hapon na noong magpasya silang umalis. I did my laudry after they left. The cafe was actually under renovation so I do not have work for the entire week.

The guilt was eating me after they left. I am still not telling Mystia what happened to me at the cave. Nakokonsensya ako na hindi ko iyon sa kanya sinasabi pero ayaw ko na rin naman na siyang mag-alala pa. Wala rin namang malalang nangyari sa akin kaya tingin ko ay tama na kahit hindi ko na siguro sabihin sa kanya.

I just spent my afternoon reading my newly bought books while drinking hot chocolate. When the night came, I hit the bed early. Thankfully, I did not get another nightmare that night. It was a peaceful sleep.

Ang sumunod na araw ay ang nakatakda kong pagbisita sa Neville. I was able to catch the second train so I assumed that I'll reach the town before lunch. It's been a month since I made my last visit to Mrs. Grace. Hindi ko na siya inabisuhan pa sa aking pagbisita. Tiyak kong matutuwa siya sa muli kong pagdalaw.

Before ten o'clock, I am already standing in front of Mrs. Grace bakery. Smiling, I pushed the door and walked in. Sa counter ay nakangiti akong binati ng isang babae. Hindi siya pamilyar sa akin kaya alam akong bago siyang tauhan dito.

“Magandang umaga rin. Nandito ba si Mrs. Grace?” I asked her politely. But before she could answer me, the kitchen's door opened.

Awtomatikong napangiti ako ng makita si Mrs. Grace. I was about to call her when her eyes directed on me. Her eyes widen. But it's not because of suprise that I am standing in front of her. Her face turned pale too and fear was clearly visible on her eyes.