Ears and Rhymes

Kabanata 21

Kabanata 21: Panahon

Naglalakad-lakad ako sa labas and saw Mema from a distance, doon ko naisipang sundan siya nang palihim.

"Cruxi, I know it's you. Kaaga-aga may kalokohan kang ginagawa ha?"

"Maglalakad pa lang sana ako para magpahangin dito sa labas. Hindi 'yon kalokohan." Binatukan niya ako.

"Sasagot ka pa. Oh so ano ngang trip mo?" 

"Maglalakad-lakad nga lang..." Pangalawang beses kong sabi.

"Weh? Iche-check ko nga kung tugma ba sa expression mo 'yang palusot mo."

The... what? What's wrong with you, Mema? You're acting weird." At matalim akong tumitig sa kanya, nakakunot-noo.

"No! I mean nothing. Sige na, alis na 'ko." Paalam nito matapos dali-daling inayos ang nakalaylay nitong sling bag.

"She really acted weird right there, anong problema no'n? Sinusundan lang eh, hahaha." I ought to myself. 

"Nasan ka?" I got a call from Hestia, "Tell me where you are, pupuntahan kita." 

"No need. I'm just here outside our home."

I felt her footsteps getting near and by hearing her voice, I became soft for a moment.

"Ginagawa mo d'yan eh wala pa atang katao-tao d'yan eh, it's mainit pa."

"I just watched the sun rise. Nothing else. Punta tayong dagat..." I replied.

"Huh, why? You wanna go swimming ba?" Takang-taka nitong tanong.

"No, we don't have to. Just go with me."

"Okay, okay. Wait, I'm just going to get my hat and my sunglasses."

"Shall we go there now?" I asked.

"Yes mahal, tara na." Pagsang-ayon nito habang hawak ang kamay ko. Di matumbasan ang ngiti at saya sa kanyang mga labi. "By the way mahal, I'm curious. What do you like much about writing stuffs?"

"Alam mo naman na 'yon 'di ba? I started to love writing because of you... you were the subject of the poems written. It's you that I've always been emphasizing for."

I waited for her in a couple of minutes, pagbalik niya ay sinalubong naman ako ng yakap, "Oh, what's the matter?"

"Something whispering in my ears these past few days. I know that I couldn't hear too well, but they're bothering me, mahal."

"Shhh, guni-guni mo lang mga 'yon." As I posed that I don't care about it, but deep inside me I wanted to help her overcome those. "Gutom ka ba? Get inside, ipagluluto kita."

"Uh. Okay, okay. Ikakain ko nalang siguro 'to. Baka I'm hungry lang."

"Mas mabuti 'yon." I replied.

"Tara kain ka rin." Pag-aaya nito,

"Do you want some snacks? May chichirya dito sa ref." Pagturo ko sa kung anong nasa loob.

"Uhm, gusto ko sana magpadeliver nalang kaso it's late na rin eh." She replied, 

"Do you want me na magpadeliver ba?" Tanong ko ulit matapos sa naging sagot nito.

"Hala, mahal. No need na, gabi na rin kasi talaga. Next time will do, hehe I love you."

Oh okay, then. Di ko rin naman trip na mamilit. Finish that one up, I'm going to toast some bread for us. WIth a twist."

"Talaga, gagawa ka?" She replied, excited.