When the Cold Fire Burns

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Jimson

I was shaking. Maybe I was super nervous. And time... it's a luxury that I can never afford. I don't know when will I talk to her again because Fierro is unexpected in a lot of ways.

She disappears, then she comes back. If I don't say it, I'll never know when will I get to tell her. Kahit na kasama niya ang nanay niya.

They were all shocked. Fierro was flustered. Her mother chuckled.

"Nakakagulat ka naman, hijo. Mas mabuti na pag-usapan natin 'to habang nag-a-almusal. Sumabay ka na sa 'min."

"Nay," rinig kong banta ni Fierro.

"Sige po," I agreed.

Fierro was annoyed and nervous at the same time. The confession I made when we were together a few hours ago was not helping too.

"Mayaman po 'yan, Nay, baka ayaw kumain dito," Winonah said when we arrived at a local carenderia.

"Ganun ba?"

I shook my head. "I am a humble person, Mrs. Fierro. This doesn't bother me."

"Ay sus. Baka masyadong unhygienic para sa 'yo."

"Winonah," her mother called, "maging mabait ka nga. Nililigawan ka ng tao o."

My cheeks flushed. My intestines twisted. I never courted a girl, so I don't know how this works. I should have called my cousins first before I attacked. Goddammit.

"Tsaka huwag mo na akong tawagin na Mrs. Fierro. Nanay na lang."

"Nay!" suway ni Winonah.

I couldn't stop my smile, so I let it be. "Thank you po, Nay."

Winonah Fierro's jaw dropped. Her whole face was so red. She coughed it all away and held her jacket closer to her body.

"O siya, mag-order na tayo," Nanay Fierro said.

I am familiar with local places. I agree that the hygiene of the area scares me, but Fierro is also aware of that since we are both studying in the same university. Still, I trust her.

Nanay Fierro is the opposite of her daughter. She is calm and gentle. Nanay Fierro also smiles a lot. Unlike her daughter who always looks like she's about to go to war. But I saw the similarities.

"Let me pay for it," I said to them.

"Naku, huwag na. Ako na. Minsan lang akong lumuwas sa siyudad kaya hayaan mo na," ani Nanay Fierro.

When we stepped outside, we walked back to the boarding house. It was just a few streets away.

"Anak, hindi na ako magtatagal."

Winonah Fierro's eyes were full of sadness when her mother said that. It was rare to see her like this. It makes me want to take care of her.

"Pero kararating mo lang, Nay."

Nanay Fierro smiled. "Oo nga. Nagmadali kasi ako masyado kasi gusto kitang makita. Pero sa susunod na linggo, luluwas kami ng kapatid mo rito at mananatili ng isang gabi."

Winonah smiled. "Talaga?"

Her mother nodded. "Kinumusta lang kita, anak. Masyado kasi akong nag-aalala."

"I can take you to the terminal," I politely offered.

"Huwag na, hijo. Tsaka hindi pa tayo nag-uusap tungkol sa panliligaw mo sa anak ko."

"Nanay," Fierro sounded so shy. She couldn't even look at me, and when she did, I thought she was going to kill me.

"No, I insist," I said.