Peace On My Chaos

Kabanata 7

How do you describe normal? How to act like you're still normal?

I guess I just need to abide from my name.

Serenity, peace, calmness.

"Serene? Are you done?" I heard Kiah's voice outside this comfort room.

I took a breathe and decided to wash my hands. I also fix my hair and look at my face a bit longer. Lumabas na ako at naabutan si Kiah na nakaupo sa kama. Nagpasama ako sa kanya dito sa kwartong gagamitin namin matapos kong lumapit sa table nila ni Brielle at Gerard.

After sir Vic introduced me to his colleagues, Kai made a simple move to tease me with Adriano.

"Okay ka lang?" Kiah asked as her expression seems liking my state right now. I tried to regain my composure and acted being my normal self.

I'm always caught in a surprising scenarios.

According to Gerard, Adriano's cousin is sir Vic's co-teacher na nandoon din kanina sa grupo. And since close din nilang dalawa ni Kai ay pina invite din si Adriano. That's why he's here.

I told Kiah na mauna na siyang bumalik sa labas dahil pupunta pa ako sa buffet table, sa may living area. The place was packed with kuya Vince circles. I saw ate Laira getting some foods in the table kaya nakisabay ako. I asked where tita and tito are, nandoon pala ang space nila kasama ang mga kaedad nila sa backyard.

I filled my plate with chicken wings and other menus. I only got few amount of rice. I was looking for a spot to take a seat while eating, although I think hindi ako bagay dito since grupo ito nila kuya Vince and my cousin would think of anything else kung hindi ako makikisali sa kanila.

As I walk my way out of the living room, my cousins where having their good time as they watch something in Gerard's phone. Silang tatlo pa rin dito kaya nakiupo na rin ako bago pa matawag sa kabilang table.

"Btw, Tapos ka na ba sa mga school works mo?"
I askes Kiah as I take a seat beside her.

"Group works na lang ang kulang namin, ihahabol na lang ng leader since tapos ko na ang part ko."

We're just talking some random things habang paminsan-minsang tinatawag sa kabilang table. I told them I'll just finish my food and I peacefully doing it.

I can hear the other table's voices but some of it aren't familiar to me. Only my cousins and ate Selene. I tried hard not to look at Adriano's side but I was curious of what he was doing. Hindi ko naririnig ang boses niya. 

Pasimple akong nag-angat ng tingin at bumaling saglit sa kabilang mesa. I can't see his face actually but sitting beside him is a woman, I think kasing  age ni ate. They look like they were talking kaya nag-iwas ako ng tingin.

Tumayo ako para bumalik sa loob para ilagay ang ginamit kong plato sa kusina at kumuha ng dessert. Medyo natagalan ako dahil nagkasulubong pa kami ni tita Beth.

Pagbalik ko sa veranda ay napansin kong dumami kaming mga nasa loob na. Sa bakanteng mesa sa tabi naming apat ay may bagong grupo na kanina ay sa labas nakapwesto. Some of them are relatives nila sir Vic, a group of teens but most were probably younger than me.

They already into inuman session pero baka  nagsisimula pa lang dahil konti pa lang ang  bawas ng bote.

The place was accompanied by chill songs and even those colleagues of sir Vic seems enjoying it. Nahagip ng mata ko si Kai na nakatayo at nakalingon dito sa banda namin habang kausap si Adriano.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at sinimulang kainin ang kinuha kong dessert. I can hear someone talking to Gerard and they were inviting us to join their session.