Eighteen

Chapter 07

Currently, I was in Catherine's bathroom. I had forgotten to check my calendar; this was the day I was supposed to get my period. Kung hindi lang itim ang pantalon ko, baka nahalata na ang tagos. We had even planned to go for a swim in their pool, but I guess I was out of the fun now.

"Camille, are you here ba?" rinig kong tawag sa akin ni Catherine mula sa labas.

"Yes!" I volumed up a bit, busy with washing my stained underwear in the basin.

"We're going to eat na. Baba ka na lang," nagmula ang tunog sa keyhole ng pinto.

I hung the wrung out underwear on the clothes horse inside her bathroom. How convenient. Sasabihan ko na lang sina Catherine at Hide mamaya para hindi nila ikagulat ang nakasabit na panty roon. Tiningnan ko muna ang sarili ko sa salamin bago ako sumunod sa baba. Hide had arrived and was already at the dining table talking with Prince. Nasa paanan lang din niya ang duffel bag na dala, hindi pa naiaakyat sa taas.

"Hello!" bati ni Hide nang nakita ako.

"Hello."

"Ate Hide, Tria's your nickname, right? Ba't 'di mo pinapagamit?" tanong ni Prince.

I helped Catherine with the plates, and not long after, Anais joined in. I wore a mitt on my hand to transfer the viand into a bowl. Mabigat iyon kaya nahirapan ako lalo na at abala rin si Catherine sa pagtitimpla ng maiinom namin kaya wala akong kasangga. Mag-isa kong kinarga ang may kabigatang kaserola na naglalaman ng adobo. The cluster of chicken meat dangerously gathered at the edge of the casserole, making it harder to transfer it without making a mess. I was about to set down the casserole when a gentle press from a ladle pushed the heavy weight back, reducing the pressure at the edge and helping me transfer the soup first.

I was already acquainted with his hand, so I looked up, knowing he was tall. With nothing but my feet holding me to the ground, I was a few centimeters shy of his shoulders. Sa pagitan naming dalawa, naaamoy ko ang amoy ng ginamit niyang panligo sa basa niyang buhok. It was wet and haphazard on top of his head.

"Morning," he greeted gruffly.

"Morning, Anais. How was your sleep?" I asked, and then he laughed, which made me knot my forehead. Had I sounded too much like an old lady?

"'Twas fine. Yours?" he replied with a little mirth in his voice.

"Maayos din." Binaba ko ang kaserola at bubuhatin na sana ang babasaging mangkok na pinaglagyan namin ng adobo nang inunahan niya ako roon.

"Heard you're staying here for two days?" he asked. We were both walking toward the table now.

"Yes." Tumango ako at umikot papunta sa upuan ko.

"Pagpasensyahan mo na 'yang si Camille, Anais. Madamot 'yan sa salita," ani Hide habang nakaturo sa akin ang tinidor niya.

"Okay." I rolled my eyes and slid myself onto the chair beside her.

Sabay-sabay kaming kumain. Hide washed the dishes after, and we headed to the pool area. In my hands was a tray lined with parchment paper and cookies on top. For the record, Anais had baked these. Hindi ko pa natitikman kaya noong nakaupo na ako sa lounge, inabot ko ang isa.

"You don't drink tea, 'di ba? You want warm compress na lang? You always get puson-ache during your periods pa naman," si Catherine. She had always been the most caring out of the three of us.

"You can go swimming. If I feel any pain-" which was already creeping up, "-I will help myself." I smiled.

"Okay? You're sure ha? You know where the compress is, ah? I have one in my kwarto, sa nightstand. I charged it kanina." Tumango ako. Kumuha siya ng isang biskwit at umalis na.