He Got Deja Vu

Twenty-six

Something's off.

Halos araw-araw na lang kami nagtatalo ni Jagger. Paano ba naman kasi, ni simpleng pag-aayos lang ng mga damit niya sa cabinet ay 'di pa maggawa.

Samantalang dati, hindi na siya kailangan pagsabihan ay mayroong pagkukusa.

And now, I woke up late. I turned my gaze to the person sleeping beside me. Geez, he didn't woke up early too!

Agad akong napabalikwas ng bangon at inalog ang kanyang katawan para magising.

He groaned.

"Jagger, male-late ka! Wake up!" I hissed.

I sighed in defeat when he just groaned again.

For Pete's sake! Just woke up!

I have no choice but to have a quick shower. Paglabas ko ng bathroom ay nakahiga pa rin siya.

I mentally cursed.

Stay calm, Erica, or else, mag-aaway na naman kayo.

I shake my head in dismayed.

He's used to woke up early and cook breakfast for us before working or atleast prepare everything.

He didn't even complained when he slept late and waking up early before.

Ngayon, siguro kahit may lindol o ano, wala pa rin siyang paki!

I went to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. I heaved a sigh once again. We didn't even have some bread or egg anymore.

Not even noodles or canned goods! Just, wow.

Everything's empty! Just... great!

Nag-order na lang ako online para sa breakfast ni Jagger at umalis na nang walang kinakain man lang. Kung aantayin, ay baka tuluyan na akong mahuli sa work.

Siguro naman gising na siya ng ganoong oras.

I arrived at school a bit late. I heard the loud noises from the classrooms before entering.

"Ma'am, you looked pale. Are you okay po?" One of my students asked.

I slowly nodded.

Luckily, I survived.

This isn't the first time that I'm late. In this job, I know I'm being irresponsible. Baka patawagin na naman ako.

Ganito ako kapag may away o 'di kami magkaayos ni Jagger. Para akong nasa ere dahil sa pagkalutang. Ni alarm ko, pinatay ko.

I haven't also received a kiss or greetings from Jagger.

Tapos, miss ko na ang mga luto niya. Pati na rin ang pag-aalaga niya sa 'kin.

Bumili na lang ako ng sopas sa canteen. Kasabay ko sila Meliza at Aileen na kumakain.

"Pumayat ka, Erica," untag ni Meliza.

I chuckled. "Maganda pa rin naman," I uttered.

Ailene sighed. "Just don't hesitate to tell us okay? Our ears are always open," she muttered softly.

I nodded and smiled at them.

They have their own problems too. Ayaw ko namang dumagdag doon.

I believe that Jagger and I can fix this.

I believe.

And I hope.

It was past 5 p.m. when I finished everything in school.

"Ingat, Ailene at Meliza!" I waved my right hand at them.

Pumasok na ako sa kotse at pinaandar ang makina. I switched on the aircon to cool my head. I checked my phone and there's no notification.

There's no even a single text from Jagger.

I groaned inwardly. I messaged him that I'll go home late to buy some stocks.

Hindi ako nakapag-breakfast pero nabawi ko naman sa lunch at meryende. Kaya lang, bahagya pa rin na sumasakit ang aking ulo.

I drove to the supermarket and bought a lot of foods. Mabuti at konti lang ang pila dahil malapit na silang magsara!

I went on Jagger's unit after. Pagbukas ko pa lang ng pinto ay tahimik.

No one greeted me.

Not a single shadow.

Walang Jagger na nagpakita.

Nilapag ko ang mga pinamili at napaupo sa sofa. Magluluto pa pala ako ng uulamin namin.

Pero, gusto ko muna magpahinga saglit. Saglit lang talaga.

I didn't expect that I'd dozed off like that! I was just sitting and closing my eyes!

My eyes widened when I saw the bedroom door opened!

I quickly ran there and I saw Jagger on the bed, sleeping.

I scoffed.

Hindi pa siya nagpapalit ng damit, natulog na agad. Pinasok pa talaga ang sapatos sa loob!

I closed my eyes hardly before letting out a sigh.

Binihisan ko siya at inilagay sa labas ang sapatos na suot.

While cooking, I smiled sadly.

'Di ko man lang namalayan na nariyan na pala siya. Na nakauwi na ang mahal ko.

Siguro... Sa sobrang pagod niya ay hindi na niya naisipang iligpit ang mga grocery. Baka nga hindi niya na ito napansin dahil hindi na siya nag-abalang alisin ang sapatos at ilagay ito sa shoe rack.

I just cooked noodles for myself. I wanted to wake him up for dinner, atleast, but he'd be disturbed on his sleep.

Also, I saw on his coat that there's a stain of sauce.

Sino naman kayang kasama niyang kumain?

Mga kasama sa work?

I bit my lower lip. I'm with him but I miss the old Jagger.

Nang mag-Sunday ay nag-general cleaning ako. Ang kalat at ayaw ko nang ganito ang tinitirhan.

Now, we're eating in silence.

Habang naghahanda kasi ng mga plato sa hapag ay nakita kong hindi ito nalinisan nang maigi kaya nainis na naman ako. Siya ang naghugas kagabi ng mga ito.

Konti lang ang aming plato at simpleng gawain lang naman 'yon kaya nataasan ko na naman ng boses.

Ang shorts niya pa sa banyo ay nakakalat lang at ang mga sapatos niya ay pinasok niya ulit kagabi.

I wonder where did he get those dirt on his shoes.

"Babe..." I called him softly.

"Hmm?" he utterd, chewing.

"'Yung mga putik sa sapatos mo..." I breathed. "Sa'n galing?" tanong ko.

"Birthday ng katrabaho ko at puro lupa ang paligid nila... umulan 'di ba?" I nodded. "Yeah, that's why..."

I gulped. "Sinong katrabaho 'yon?" alanganin kong tanong.

He chuckled. "Relax. It's just Tim," he responded.

I stared at him.

He knows that I hated dirt pero hinayaan niya lang na ganito. I exhaled inwardly.

"O-Okay." I swallowed hardly. I heard him talking someone on his phone last night.

But I don't know what's stopping me to ask him.

10/15/21