Chapter 29
"Hindi pa rin ba kayo nag-uusap ni Ate?" tanong ni Rahim.
We are currently headed to the university. If he didn't mention the word Ate I probably dozed off to sleep due to tiredness on my u-like travel pillow.
"You two should make up you know. I don't like silence," dagdag niya pa.
"Don't kid with me, Rahim. I know you love silence and everything that involves peace and quiet," umirap ako.
"But this kind of quietness doesn't come with 'peace'. But more of like a cold war," umiling siya. "I have never seen or heard her raise her voice at anyone. Even at work.
"Then, I guess she can do unexpected things because of..." I paused to think about my words. "... her Hiñago."
"Kuya Javier." He gave me a reprimanding look by widening his eyes. "Pagod na akong makarinig na para kayong nang-aangkin ng lalaki. Loosen up will you? I'm tired to being surrounded with the family that has a natural resting bitch face."
I rolled my eyes. "Sa tingin mo ba mukha kang santo? Masungit ka ring tingnan..."
Hindi ko mapigilang umirap sa kanya.
As if naman na hindi niya yon ginawa noong nagka-girlfriend siya. I doubt. I really doubt.
Hindi naman sa ayokong magkabati kami ulit ni Ate pero kasi... sobrang hirap kumuha ng tiyempo para kausapin siya. She's always that woman who walks ahead and if you can't keep up with her pace you're going to be left behind.
We were headed home after school. Susunduin na rin namin si Lian katulad ng nakasanayan.
Pagdating ko sa bahay ay doon ko na nakita si Ate. Ilang araw lang siyang nawala tapos ay narito ulit siya. Hindi naman sa hindi ko siya gustong makita pero kasi... naninikip ang dibdib ko kapag nakikita ko siya.
"How's school? Rahim? Lian?" she smiled at them.
She used to greet me too and give me hugs. Give me smiles whenever I'm home and she's here in the living room. Pero ngayon ay parang hangin na lang ako.
I stepped back and faded quietly into the background. Tahimik kong iniwan ang bag ni Lian sa sala at umakyat sa taas. Nagkulong sa kwarto ko.
It was no time to break down... I have many schoolwork piled up on my desk and presentations that I need to master. I have to pull and keep it together dahil kaunti na lang... konti na lang.
May blood draw demonstration pa kami. Tapos hindi pa ako nakapagpractice.
I have to keep up with Rahim. I want to get praised by my Mom too... I want her to look at me like before. Kahit pa hindi niya ako paborito. Ayos lang... Basta tingnan niya lang ulit ako.
I want to feel like I am part of the family...again.
I want my sister to comb my hair again while we talk over nonsense things... Just like before.
I want Abuela to lift her disappointed look on me.
I want Papa to smile to me again. Siya na lang ang kakampi ko pero bakit parang nawawala rin siya sa akin?
Narinig ko ang pagpihit at siwang bumubukas kong pinto. Lumingon ako para tingnan kung sino. Si Rahim iyon. Umupo siya sa paanan sa gilid ng kama.
"What's wrong with you, Nowie?"
"Get out."
"Nowie..."
Naramdaman ko ang paglubog ng kutson sa gilid ko ng tumabi siya sa akin. Nakadagan siya sa isa kong unan at pilit na sinisilip ang mukha ko sa ilalim ng buhok. He tucked the strands of hair behind my ears.
BINABASA MO ANG
Cursed Kiss (Curse #1)
RomanceI have always been obedient. Morals, manners, etiquette, class, and intelligence. I've done it. I abided on it like it's a law. But you came, starting with a kiss. All of that didn't matter anymore. Then, there is this curse between us. A long hist...
