Dulo.

6: Crush

"You ready to go?" Tanong niya. I zipped my pack bag after putting the last few items I wanted to bring.

"Yup. You?" He replied with a nod before moving out of the penthouse.

It is 5:20 and we are on our way to school. Sa pagkakaalam ko, volunteers are eating at the org room dahil may nagsponsor ng breakfast. Kaya lang, nagluto ng breakfast si Archer. Napilitan akong kumain ng agahan dito.

"Why did you cook breakfast?" Naguguluhan kong tanong sa kanya kanina.

"Sit. Eat." Sagot niya pero hindi naman 'yun ang sagot sa tanong ko. He sat at his usual stool and waited for me to settle. Agad naman akong naupo, umaasa pa 'rin sa paliwanag niya, pero nanahimik lang siya at sinimulan ang pagkain.

"We were told that we have breakfast," Paalala ko.

"I know," He answered.

"Then why cook?" Hindi na siya kumibo at patuloy lang sa pagkain.

Nagloloko ba ito?

That conversation was very one-sided, but I refuse to seek its meaning for now. My mind is too excited for the visit!

Last night was all about finalization kaya medyo late na kami nakauwi. We were also briefed with the final program flow and activities. A different session was prepared for kids who cannot play active games because of conditions like mine. Dahil hindi 'rin naman ako nakakapaglaro ng mga larong takbuhan o kaya naman larong kalye, ako ang inatasang magfacilitate sa session nila.

Nakakaexcite! I just hope I get to connect immediately with the kids.

Archer parked his car just in front of the building. I immediately made my way off my seat before he was able to open my door.

I see him frown, but I just smiled and walked to the room ahead of him.

"Hi, Archer, Lumi!"

"Kain kayo, Lumi, Archer!"

Binati ko 'din ang mga volunteers na kumakain pa. Agad naman akong tinawag ni Eliana. Nakaupo sila sa isang mesa sa gilid.

"We ate ahead ah. Ang tagal niyo kasi!"

"Okay lang. Kumain-"

"Hulaan ko, nag-inarte no?" Mapangasar na tanong ni Isabelle. Napabuntong hininga na lang ako.

"Oo," Hindi ko na itinanggi. Nag-inarte nga. Hindi man lang nagpaliwanag.

"Sinosolo ka lang ni n'un. Buong araw ka magiging busy ngayon." Pang-aasar din ni Eliana.

Sinimangutan ko lang sila.

"Alam niya kasing hindi ka niya masosolo sa lunch at dinner dahil sabay-sabay tayong kakain mamaya, kaya ginawan na niya ng paraan sa breakfast!" Sa lakas ba naman ng boses ni Eliana, mukhang narinig 'yun ng ilan!

Ito pang si Eliana, kung makapang-asar, hindi na titinag ang bunganga.

Nagtawanan naman sila.

"Oh, bakit ka namumula?!" Napahawak ako sa sariling pisngi dahil naramdaman ko itong uminit.

"Ang dami mo kasing alam e."

"E, ano ngayon? Sasabihin mo namang hindi 'yun totoo," Panghahamon niya. "Unless sasabihin mong tama ako."

"Luh. Hindi kaya!"

"Tch." Rinig kong sabi niya at nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

"Uy, you look pretty today! I like the look!" Biglang puri ni Isabelle sa akin nang nakaupo na ako sa tabi nila.