Woven on Time (Student Series #3)

Chapter 39

Chapter 39

When the question boiled down to the family I grew up with, my words to answer were chosen carefully. I don't want to bare myself to people whom I just met, even if it includes my brother. I also had a hunch that they were advised not to speak about the accidents I went through. It was obvious how they diverted their question to another before it led to those days, especially that Ate Harley and Ate Izzy were doing it smoothly.

Umiikot ang baso nila na may alak habang nagtatanungan hanggang sa hindi na nakasentro sa akin ang bawat tanong. Ate Harley was teasing Kuya Aji who would drink Kuya Axe's supposed shots who was sitting next to him and enjoying the food instead. Ate Veron and Ate Harley were the ones who prepared my drink.

May pinaghalo-halo silang alak at juice. Pinaapuyan pa nila iyon gamit ang lighter ni Racer. When I asked for its purpose, Kuya Axe interjected to answer the scientific explanation for the chemical reaction.

Ate Izzy laughed on my side. "Nababawasan ang alcohol content ng spirits kapag naiinitan, depende kung gaano katagal. Kapag sobrang tagal nainitan, mawawala na ang lasa ng alcohol at effect nito."

Tumango ako, mas naintindihan ang simpleng paliwanag niya.

"That's what I said," Kuya Axe said, his lips slightly protruding.

"Oh, 'wag ka iiyak. Kumain ka na lang, bebe," ngisi ni Ate Izzy sabay abot ng hotdog na nasa stick. Kukunin na sana iyon ni Kuya Axe nang bawiin niya. "Opps! Huwag na hotdog. Mani na lang, gusto mo? Mahilig ka rin doon, 'di ba?"

Kuya Axe's eyes widened a fraction. And because the light here is so bright, his face turning red was so apparent. Kumunot ang noo ko at bumaling kay Ate Harley na kinalabit ako para ibigay ang isang stick ng barbecue.

Biglang tumayo si Ate Veron nang humupa ang kuwentuhan at tawanan.

"Banyo lang," aniya at sumulyap sa mga kaibigang tahimik at pumipikit-pikit na.

"Sama 'ko. Kanina pa ako naiihi!" Tumayo rin si Eris at gumewang nang kaunti.

"Ba't 'di ka pa umihi kanina?" May bahid ng iritasyon ang boses ni Ate Veron at naglakad na.

"E, siyempre, takot ako! Bakit parang galit ka, 'te?"

Nilingon ko ang nasa kabilang dulo ng couch. Kuya Ral and Ate Eden switched seats. Si Kuya Wai at Ate Asia, patuloy pa ring umiinom, nakangisi pareho at mapupungay ang mga mata. They are currently having a drinking competition. Kuya Ral was against it but he couldn't stop Ate Asia. Ate Eden looked worried for her friend, too, and resorted to trying to convince my cousin to waver but failed.

Abot nang abot sa akin si Ate Harley ng pagkain na malugod kong tinatanggap. She had me sitting in between her legs earlier, while Kuya Rain swapped with Ate Izzy's spot. Busy si Kuya sa phone niya tulad ni Kuya Aji sa harap namin. Habang ang dalawa nitong katabi na sina Ate Izzy at Kuya Axe ay nanonood ng kung ano sa kanilang phone.

"Psst..." Ate Harley chuckled against my ear. "Are you still mad at me, baby?"

Her arms slid around my waist, drawing me closer to her. Being in her arms was cozy and comfortable because I liked the feeling of being hugged from the back and it reminded me of someone. Palagi niya ring hinahalikan ang pisngi ko na kulang na lang ay kagatin niya ito.

"I'm not mad at you, Ate Harley," sagot ko habang umiiling.

She placed her chin on my shoulder and kissed my cheek loudly. Nilingon ko siya at naabutan ang mabibigat niyang tingin sa akin. I may not be able to smell her but I could feel the reek of alcohol through her breath fanning my face.