Before Reality Knocks (DLC Series #1)

Chapter 48

Chapter 48

"Shit," I cussed, massaging my temples. "Parang pinupukpok iyong ulo ko."

I closed my eyes and sighed.

Suddenly, a knock on the door resounded.

"Blair?" a voice called, a bit muffled behind the door. "Have you packed your things yet?"

My eyes immediately flew open. My head snapped to my side table, checking the time. Malakas akong napamura nang mapansin ang oras.

I can't believe I slept in. Tanghali na.

"Blair?" muli siyang kumatok. "Are you okay?"

Nahampas ko ang sariling bibig nang mapagtanto kong napalakas pala ang pag-mumura ko.

"I'm okay, Ma!" I struggled to say. "I'll be down in a while!"

Wala akong narinig na sagot mula sa kanya. Akala ko ay nakaalis na siya ngunit bigla na lamang bumukas ang pinto, revealing my mom on the other side.

She roamed her eyes around my room. I imitated her and I couldn't help but grimace seeing how messy my room was. 

"You haven't packed?" she asked.

I bit my lower lip. "Yeah... I got home late last night."

Akala ko ay pagagalitan niya ako ngunit ngumiti lang siya. "I'll help you pack."

I was about to protest but decided against it. Instead, I nodded and returned her smile. 

"Thank you."

Kalalagay ko lang ng huling box sa loob ng magiging kwarto ko sa condo nang tumunog ang phone ko. Hindi ko na sana iyon papansinin dahil busy pa ako pero nakaka-tatlong tawag na siya.

Inis kong kinuha ang cellphone ko at sinagot na iyon.

"What?!" 

Hindi niya pinansin ang iritado kong boses. "Where are you?"

I pressed the phone against my ear and shoulder, using my free hands to unpack the box I brought.

"Condo," I answered. "Nag-aayos ako ng gamit. 'Di ba nga nakwento ko na sa 'yo kagabi na ngayon ako lilipat?"

"Ano'ng oras na?"

Mas lalo lang akong nainis sa sinabi niya. I paused what I was doing and retrieved the phone from its current position. 

"Are you serious?" sarkastiko kong tugon. "Did you call me just to ask for the time? Wala ka bang relo d'yan?"

"It was a rhetorical question," aniya sa kabilang linya. "Remember our bet last night? Natalo ka 'di ba?"

"So?"

"So?" he sarcastically reiterated. "Asan ka na? It's already half-past six."

Agad namilog ang mga mata ko nang mapagtanto ang kanyang tinutukoy. 6PM nga pala ang simula ng party.

Pinagmasdan ko ang kapaligiran. There were boxes everywhere. Pati iyong iba pang furnitures, may plastic pa.

"Brant..." I sighed. "I don't think I can go, I have to unpack―"

"Seriously, Blair? We made a deal."

"Yeah, but I told you, I just moved," I said. "I need to unpack my things."

"Come on, Blair. Hindi naman tatakbo ang mga gamit mo pag hindi mo 'yan naayos ngayong araw." I could picture him shaking his head in disapproval. "You can unpack those tomorrow."