Collide / [Park Jay]

35

It's a bit frustrating how I still managed to wake up earlier than my alarm even though I slept so late. It's like my body knows I've compromised my time to someone and I shouldn't make any excuses about it.

"I'm doing fine po, Miss Cha." I said after answering her video call. I just put my phone somewhere so I can still do my hair and stuff in front of my mirror while talking to her.

"Did your mom tell you anything yesterday?" She asked.

"Wala naman po. We just had a dinner because it's my sister's birthday po. And after that, umuwi rin naman po ako." Mahinahon kong sagot.

"Well, are you okay?" Tanong ulit niya. "I remember what you told me before that you don't like going on family dinners with your parents.." She then added. I'm quite surprised that she always pay attention to the little things I tell her.

"I'm fine po. Don't worry.." Nag-aalangan kong sabi at tipid na ngumiti.

There are times when both my mom and dad would casually invite me to join them during family dinners. When I was younger, I used to get excited everytime they come and pick me up to spend time with them. Pero habang tumatagal, doon ko pa lang unti-unting nararamdaman na nakakapagod pala iyon. It took me some time to realize that it's tiring and mentally-consuming to sit on a table, only to be labeled as "the first child" of my parents. And no matter how many times I try to understand the situation, things were really not the same as before.

"I'll just visit you next time so we can talk a bit longer, okay? Ingat ka sa school, Yerim." Paalam ni Miss Cha bago niya pinutol ang tawag.

I then sighed in relief. Thankfully, I still have one person I can share my thoughts to whenever I feel like exploding. I feel like I needed it once in a while.

I almost forgot that I have to leave early for school today because of my sudden reflections. Mabilis kong dinampot ang mga gamit ko at naghanda na sa pag-alis. Last night, I was able to finish my homeworks but I was too tired to even start my part in our task. Naisipan kong sa school na lang iyon gawin at agapan ko na lang para hindi ako ma-late sa klase. Siguro ay hindi rin natapos ni Jay 'yong sa kanya kaya sasabay na rin siya sa akin.

Well, I'm still twenty minutes earlier than our agreed time because I plan to stop by the store to eat something. Sa totoo lang, hindi nga rin ako sigurado kung seryoso si Jay sa sinabi niya. I was actually waiting for his text to tell me that he's not gonna make it. Pero hindi pa ako tuluyang nakakalabas ng building namin, nakita ko na agad siya na naghihintay sa sidewalk, drinking his morning frappe.

"Jay.." I called him. He seemed a bit flustered after seeing me.

"Oh, you're early?" Bungad niya.

"I was about to ask you the same thing." I said as I check my wrist watch. "Bakit ang aga mo?" Tanong ko.

"Ah... w-wala lang. Ikaw?" He asked in return.

"Dadaan pa kasi ako sa store. Kakain lang.." Marahan kong sagot.

"Okay, samahan na kita." Sabi niya at nauna pa sa akin sa paglakad. Napailing na lang ako sa biglaang inakto niya at sinundan na lang siya kalaunan.

Aside from stopping by the store to eat breakfast, I also want to personally say sorry to our manager for being absent yesterday. Biglaan lang talaga 'yon at sa text lang ako nakapagpaalam sa kanya.

"It's fine, Yerim. I know you're always conscious with time and work but I'm telling you, no need to feel so pressured. Okay lang 'yon.." He smiled.

"Thank you, Sir." Sagot ko bago bumalik sa table namin.

Jay is still standing in front of the microwave, waiting for his meal. Nakita kong sinundan niya ng tingin ang manager namin, tila kuryoso. Mayamaya ay lumapit na rin naman siya sa akin, dala ang pagkain niya.