SERIOUSLY, HE'S SERIOUS | ON HOLD

CHAPTER 17:

I closed the book I had been reading. I've been watching and studying it for a few hours but I don't even remember anything.  I don't want to fail the quiz once again because I've already failed it once.

Takot ako magkatres na nota. Hangga't maaari ay iniiwasan ko na magkagrado ng tres. Wala namang kaso yun kay mommy basta raw ginawa ko yung best ko, but for me? hindi talaga puwede.

"Hindi ka pa ba matutulog?" wika ni mommy.

I'm in her room because I told her what occurred during the days she wasn't here, and instead of being terrified, she shuddered because she said everything was OK and Rhael had arrived, therefore nothing awful had happened to me.

"Mom, gaano na ho tayo katagal sa lugar na ito?" biglaang tanong ko.

Mommy's eyes widened, as if she hadn't anticipated my question. I flashed back to a time when I was with Neon and he asked me the same question. I was taken aback at those times because he would suddenly bring up our stay in this location in discussion.

"Sinabi ko na sa iyo dati 'di ba?"

Okay, 6 months.

Six months na nga pala kami rito pero parang ang unti pa ng memories ko sa loob ng anim na buwan. Siguro masiyado lang akong nakafocus sa school and work kaya hindi ako masiyadong nagkakaroon ng experience.

"Kumusta ang work, mom?"

I wasn't affected by drowsiness yet, so I decided to talk to her first. I missed chatting to her as well. Actually, gusto ko lang talaga humingi ng advice. HAHA.

"Work pa rin. Ako? Hindi mo ba kukumustahin?"

She smiled. I just saw a smile again. It wasn't like the previous days, she had a better smile now.

"I smell something fishy because of your smile. What's the chika, mudra?"

Mula sa kaniyang pagkakahiga ay umayos siya ng upo sa kama. Inilapag niya rin ang librong hawak ko saka ako marahang iniharap sa kaniya.

"Minsan ay dumalaw ka sa company na pinagtatrabahuhan ko," panimula niya.

"Ano namang gagawin ko doon, aber?"

"May ipapakilala ako sa iyo."

My hearing was suddenly pricked, and I became curious about who it was.

I am confident that my mother is aware of the type of man I prefer. Duh! We're open to each other, ultimo pagtae ko ay alam niya. Kidding.

Matapos niyang sabihin yun ay hindi na nasundan pa ang aming pag-uusap.

I was ready to retire to my bed when my phone rang, indicating that someone had called.

I can only assume that having Kyrstel on the other end of the line makes me feel lost. I'm not upset at her, but I am irritated by her.

Without even checking at the caller's number, I took up my phone and answered. "Gabing-gabi na pero nambubulabog ka pa rin. Tulog na ako!" inis na wika ko sa kung sino man ang nasa kabilang linya.

"Wala akong pakialam, Portia Aemilius."

When I heard the voice on the other end of the line, I almost let go of my phone.

"Ma'am Arimadea? Joke lang po. Ano pong maipaglilingkod ko?"

Sa sobrang kaba ay halos ipanalangin ko nang sana'y bumuka itong kama at dalhin ako sa heaven.