Warmth of Summer

Chapter 11

Libre

"What? What language is this?" I asked myself while reading his text message.

To: Favian

What are you talking about? I can't understand your message, Finn.

Umupo ako sa kama ko at mariing tinitigan ang phone ko. I tried my best to understand his text, but I couldn't and it's frustrating me. Like, bakit merong number two sa text niya? What's the purpose of it?

My phone made a sound because he replied. Agad ko itong inopen pero tila mas sumakit ang ulo ko nang mabasa ko ito.

From: Favian

Cnu kAh ba? B8 m0 al@m ang pAngaLan kOh?

"What the fuck?" wala sa sarili kong sabi.

Lumabas na ako ng room ko hawak ang phone ko. I was about to open Winter's room but it's locked. I knock on her door few times but she's not answering me. Masama ko munang tiningnan ang pinto niya bago ako pumunta sa katabi niyang room.

Pero napasimangot din ako nang nakalock din ito. Inis akong kumatok sa pinto ni Autumn at ilang segundo bago niya ako pinagbuksan.

"Why are you locking your door? It's not like you'll get robbed," inis kong sabi at pumasok sa kwarto niya nang walang pasabi at humiga sa kama niya.

"Because I know someone who doesn't know how to knock," sabi nito at pumunta sa study table niya.

Napaupo naman ako at sinilip ang ginagawa niya. I rolled my eyes when I saw her writing something on her paper. Pati ba naman sa bahay nag-aaral pa rin siya?

"Help me with this," sabi ko kaya napatingin siya sa'kin. Tinapon ko ang phone ko sakanya na agad niya naman na salo. "Translate that to me. I'm having a headache trying to understand that language," bagot kong sabi at pabagsak na humiga sa kama niya.

"Favian?" she murmured. "Is this kuya Finn?"

I peeked at her. "Yeah, but I'm not sure anymore," I whispered.

Agad naman akong napaupo nang lumipas na ang ilang minuto at wala pa rin siyang sinasabi. I saw her staring intently to my phone while her brows are furrowed.

"What? Can you understand it?" I asked.

Inikot niya ang swivel chair paharap sa'kin habang nakatitig pa rin sa phone ko.

"It's quite hard, but what I understand is that he's asking who are you and how did you know his name," sabi niya at tumingin sa'kin nang walang emosyon.

"You sure?" She nodded but I still looked at her like I'm doubting her.

"What language did he use? I know that he's smart at kayo-kayo lang namang matatalino ang nakakaintindihan," inis kong sabi.

She giggles. "He's still using Filipino language, Sammy."

Nagulat naman ako sa sinabi niya. How come he's using that if I can't understand it. I also have filipino blood and stayed in this country for a long time, kaya I should understand it kahit a little man lang.

"You're lying. How come I couldn't understand it if it's filipino language?" Tumawa naman ito habang napapailing.

"It's complicated, but he just used shortcuts sa mga tagalog words kaya mahirap basahin. Here look at this," sabi niya at umupo sa tabi ko.

"He texted sino 'to, ginawa niya lang letter c 'yung s-i kasi magkatunog lang naman sila, then 'yung n-o naman ay ginawa niyang n-u. Kaya naging c-n-u 'yung sino, gets mo ba?"

I showed her my downward smile while nodding. "How about the number two?"

"Two sounds like 'to."

"Damn, it's harder than math," I murmured and grabbed my phone from her.