That Summer Night of August

Kabanata 19

"Why are you so good at designing my condo's interior?" I asked Gabriel while looking around my new home.

"Oh, I was born for it." He just shrugged and continued taking out some of my books from the box.

"To think of it, I still don't know what course you are taking. And I still don't know your school!"

Narinig kong tumawa nang mahina si Gabriel saka tumayo mula sa couch at inilagay ang mga libro sa bago kong book shelf.

"You can't tell?" He asked.

"Definitely. Wala sa mukha mo ang pagiging mabait na estudyante."

"You're judgemental."

Agad ko namang itinanggi ang kanyang sinabi. "I am not. So, ano nga?"

He sighed before facing my direction. "I'm an architecture student. We good now?"

"Oh, so that explains all of this."

I looked around my new condo, it's been hours since we got here. Kuya Robert and Gabriel helped me out putting my stuffs. In fact, Gabriel was the one who picked the interior design of my new condo because I can't decide on my own. I really became dependent on his presence and I knew how dangerous it was. It even made me more worried because tomorrow will be my first day as a college student!

Bukas ay magsisimula na ang unang araw ko sa college. Kinakabahan ako, normal lang naman siguro iyon kapag unang araw mo pa lang sa kolehiyo. O siguro... ako lang ang kinakabahan? Sana magiging maayos ang unang araw ko. Ganoon pa rin ang aking gagawin tulad noong nasa senior high school pa lamang ako. Malayo sa mga tao. Mas magiging maayos ang takbo ng college days ko kung magstick ako sa ganoong routine. 

I didn't want to get involved with anyone. I didn't want them to get dragged into my dark place. I just couldn't bear the feeling that someone might get hurt when they are around me. 

"Sir, Dee," napatingin ako kay Kuya Roert nang magsalita ito galing sa kitchen. "Kailangan ko na pong bumalik sa mansion, tinatawagan na ako ni Sir Dames. Gusto ko pa po sana kayong tulungan sa pag-aayos pero pasensya na po."

Agad naman akong umiling kay Kuya Robert, "It's fine, Kuya. Kaya ko na po rito." Sabi ko saka siya nginitian.

 Matapos magpaalam ni Kuya Robert ay nagpatuloy kaming dalawa ni Gabriel sa pag-aayos ng mga gamit ko. Walang minuto na hindi ako iniinis nito, at malapit na maubos ang pasensya ko sa kanya. Matapos ang ilang oras na natapos na rin naming ayusin ang mga gamit. The walls were gray, while my couches were khaki, Dad also bought me a TV which was unnecessary because I had my laptop already. But still, I'm still thankful he bought me one. I've got two small bookshelves too, I just can't leave some of my books, which I still haven't read by the way, at the mansion. That was the living room. My bedroom was as just like my room at my Dad's mansion. Nothing new.

My condominium was just simple but it's pretty cozy. But I still wished that I have my brothers here though.

"God, so tired." Gabriel laid his back on the couch. I felt sorry for him because he really doesn't have to help me.

"I'm so sorry. I was such a nuisance. Ililibre nalang kita ng dinner, Zach."

"I am now prohibiting you to say the "s" word for every fucking time. There is nothing to apologize for, Aurelius. It's my own choice to help you out. And for fuck's sake, you were never a nuisance to me."

Gabriel's face was so pissed that I wanted to say sorry again but prevented myself from spilling it out. And I also don't know what to say so I just stood there silently. 

"What do you want for dinner? Magpapa-deliver nalang tayo. Wala pa akong groceries." 

"Anything."

Tumango ako sa kanya saka kinuha ang phone ko. "Is pizza good for you?"