The Gravity Towards Him

Chapter 11

"Is it my turn?" Tanong ko kay Dad na kasalukuyang naka-upo sa sofa habang nanonood ng tv. Today was a weekend, Saturday. My father's friend owned a music shop at kami lagi ni Kuya ang kasama niyang tumutulong. It was something related to a promise they made when they were younger.

Dad pressed a button on the remote, making the tv shut down. He faced me and started to lay down, fixing the soft pillows. "Yes, anak. Your brother was in charge for two weekends.. ngayon ikaw na dapat." He warned me but eventually smiled.

Naging busy ako lately sa training and sa photography kaya pinakiusapan ko na lang si kuya last week and last last week. He didn't mind since we actually both like spending time with tito. Ako naman ay lagi akong nakikinig sa mga kwento niya nung bata pa sila. He was part of a band but he left early due to his personal reasons. He was already like a second father to me. Bukod sa mga kwento niya ay magaling din siya sa pagpapayo sa amin.

"Can you give this to Pa?" Kuya Justin stopped me when I was about to close the window of the car. Pinakita niya naman ang isang guitar case sa likod niya. 

I raised a brow. "Ba't 'di ka na lang sumama?" Napakunot ang noo ko nang makita ko siyang ngumiti ng nakakaasar. Without warning, he opened the passenger seat and carefully placed the guitar case on my front. Muntikan pa 'yon mahulog kaya kinailangan ko pang hawakan.

Tinignan ko siya ng masama nang sinarado na niya ang pinto. "Parang gago."

"Words.." Dad warned from the side. Ngumiti na lang ako ng sarkastiko sa kapatid ko bago tuluyang sinarado ang bintana.

"Hi Pa!"

I entered J & J Music Store without my Dad. Tito Julius was already at the main door and waved at us as I went out of the car. I was wearing the guitar case my brother wanted to fix. Kanina ay binaba ako ni Dad sa harap at nakipagkamustahan lang siya ng mabilisan with Tito Julius habang nasa loob pa rin ng sasakyan. 

"How's school, Airabella?" Hindi na ako nanibago sa nickname na tawag niya sa akin. It was my only nickname that was made by him. I tried using that nickname for everyone, pero sadyang naramdaman ko lang na mahaba masyado iyon kaya ginawa ko na lang na Aira.

Tito Julius helped me with the guitar. Sabay naming binaba ito sa isang suksok. I was currently wearning a black maong ripped jeans paired with a croptop jacket. Medyo maiksi sa akin yung pants kaya nagsuot na lang ako ng black slippers na open; I think this was from Birkenstock.

"Okay lang naman po. Nothing new." We started to start working on the shop just like our usual routine. Usually ay si Tito ang nasa cashier, kaso hindi ko kayang mag-accomodate ng mga customers lalo na't hindi ako gaanong maalam sa instruments. Tanging gitara lang ang alam ko kaya sa tuwing ako ang tumutulong dito, nagpapalit kami ng pwesto.

"Airabella!" I was in the middle of saying goodbye to a customer when I suddenly heard my name. 

Pinagbuksan ko ng pinto ang isang matandang babae at ang kanyang asawang hawak hawak ang isang balot ng guitar strings habang bitbit ang isang pair na drumsticks. Nginitian ko sila sa huling pagkakataon. "Thank you ma'am, sir... Yes po?"