Falling Unexpectedly (Ongoing)

Chapter 36

tw: mention of death/suicide

"How's college life?" Dad asked in the middle of our lunch.

There were plenty of food at the table as if there was a feast. Si dad kasi ang nagluto, ang oa pa naman no'n.

"It's kinda hard but we're keeping up quite well." I answered.

I tried to reach for the pitcher to get water but it was a bit far away from me, so Nero reached it for me since he was closer to it. Siya na rin ang nagsalin ng tubig sa baso ko.

"Do you need something else?" Nero asked after putting down the pitcher.

Umiling ako. "Thanks."

We continued eating and when I looked up, Tito Wewel was looking at us. He was like observing me and Nero. He had his usual emotionless face and I could already tell that he was judging me– us.

He heaved a sigh and went back to eating, so I did, too.

I volunteered to wash the dishes right after eating. Kinailangan ko pang pilitin si Mama Nelia para hayaan akong maghugas ng pinggan. Sa huli ay napapayag ko naman siya.

"Let me help you." Nero went in the kitchen and stood beside me.

"No. Go to your room and rest." I was asleep the whole ride naman kaya hindi ako gano'n ka-pagod.

"You mean, our room."

Right. We're staying in the same room. It was more convenient for the both of us, since we'll just go to each other's room whenever we get bored. Kaya mas okay nang sa isang kwarto na lang kami.

"Yeah, whatever." I pushed him out of the kitchen. "Go and rest."

"You sure you don't need any help?" Pangungulit niya.

"Nero, washing the dishes is not kind of a heavy work." I rolled my eyes.

He faced me and crossed his arms. "Fine. After that, sumunod ka sa taas at magpahinga ka rin."

"Oo na." I answered and shooed him away.

I went back in the kitchen and started to wash the dishes. After a while, I heard footsteps coming to the kitchen. When I looked back, I saw Tito Wewel coming his way to my side.

I gave him a small smile and he just nodded at me. He went to the fridge and grabbed a pitcher of water. He got a glass and poured it half-full

He seemed like he wanted to say something to me and was just finding the right moment. I saw all of that in my peripheral vision while washing the dishes.

"How's Nero?" Finally, he spoke. The coldness was still in his voice.

I took a glance at him and also looked away immediately after meeting his emotionless eyes. "He's doing well on both his studies and... living his life."

He stared at nothing for seconds and nodded slowly. "Is he having his... hard times?"

Bahagya akong natigilan. "Lahat naman po siguro tayo nahihirapan paminsan-minsan."

"Is there someone... with him through those times?" He asked, still not looking at me.

His voice was like having a second thought. Like he's thinking if he should ask about it or not.

"Honestly po, I don't know when he's having a hard time. He haven't opened about that matter to me po."

He heaved a sigh before putting back the pitcher in the fridge.