Painting the Hueless Sky (La Carlota #4)

04

"I so fucking hate kids these days.. So bold and irritating."

Tinalikuran na ako ni Kyne at nagpatuloy sa paga-ayos ng bulaklak. I bit my lower lip 'til I feel it swelling. He won't stop calling me a kid! I'm not a kid, ilang beses ko bang sasabihin 'yon sa kaniya?! Is he a low-brainer? Utak munggo?! Hindi naman, 'di ba?!

"I'm not a kid n-"

"Then stop whining like one," he sighed. "Kung 'di ka bata then stop throwing me tantrums, Norine. Go home it's late your parents are looking for you."

He cut the end of the water lily and put it in the middle of the small pink bouquet.. He's so good at doing this. I never knew he's capable of arranging flowers. Ngumuso ako't pinanood ang malapad niyang kamay na ayusin ang maliit na bulaklak.

"Didn't you hear me? Go home! You're blocking the passage," he sounded irritated. Huminga ako nang malalim at pinanood ang mga taong pilit akong nilalagpasan. Oo nga, nakaharang nga ako.

"Don't boss me around as if I'm a kid!" buwelta ko. Umirap siya't suminghal. Pinanood ko siyang lagyan ng mga biodegradable wires 'yong ginagawa niya. His phone rang and immediately pinagpag niya ang kamay niya't kinuha 'yon mula sa bulsa ng pantalon.

I saw the name.. It's a girl's name.. Baka babae na naman niyang kinakalantari.

Athena

That's the name. Mabilis sa mabilis niya pa 'yong sinagot, as if he was anticipating the call.. I pursed my lips and stepped aside when another set of flowers were delivered inside. Saktong may nahulog na flyer kaya naman kinuha ko 'yon.

"Hello? You're still in Villa Catalina? That's great then.. Will pick you up once I'm done here.. Just checking the lake. Uh-huh, I already told Mamita that I'll have you over," he smiled and played with the flower. Ngumuso ako.

My heart twisted.. Bakit nakangiti siya ngayon sa phone niya? 'Pag sa 'kin palagi siyang nakanguso? He's always grumpy tapos ngayon he sounds mabait? Wow..

"Will pick you up tomorrow.. I'll drop the call now. Hmm, okay baby.. Take care," he smiled more. Nakita ko na naman ang dimples niya sa upper cheek. I sighed and looked away when his glare traveled to me.

"Why aren't you leaving yet? You're eavesdropping, aren't you?" masungit na naman niyang sabi.

"Your mood changed just like that," I puckered my lips. "Whatever. Treat me however you like but you won't and can't push me away, Kyne."

"Go away. Uwi ka na." His Filipino was so slang I wanted to laugh. He left when he was eight.. We used to horseback ride together and he never returned since then.. So I get it why he's so slang in our native language.

"Concerned ka, 'no?" I grinned. His brows knitted as his face interpreted disgust.

"The fuck? No. Stay if you like but don't hurdle the damn way!" anya. Mariin kong tiniim ang bibig ko't huminga nang malalim. Tinitignan na ako ng mga tao.. But it's my fault, kanina niya pa ako pinapa-alis matigas ang ulo ko..

"Stop shouting!"

He rolled his eyes at me and shook his head. Binalik niya ang pansin niya sa mga bulaklak na inaayos niya kanina. "If you don't want people shouting at you then you should listen and stop being hard headed." he reached for the urea and was about to spray it on the lilies.

"Aalis naman ako," I retorted. "Don't!" sigaw ko nang kakalabitin na niya ang spray. Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. Halatang 'di naman siya mahilig sa halaman.. He's just there to arrange it.

"What?! Don't pry in my business! Don't you have a life outside crushing on me?" he grunted. I pursed my lips. Muli na naman niyang sinubukang wisikan ng urea ang mga ramo de agua.