Kissed By The Wind

11

kabanata 11

Gift

Kairos handed me a small white envelope, while he sat on his office chair. Nakaupo ako sa kaniyang upuan nasa harapan. Naghahanda ako kanina sa susuotin ko para bukas, umakyat ako sa taas ng tinawag niya ako.

Napahawak ako sa white envelope at napaangat ang tingin sa kaniya.

Nakatingin lang siya sa'kin, nagtataka kung anong iniisip ko.

"S-salamat." Lumabas ang malaking ngiti ko.

Maibibigay ko na din ang ibang pera kay Mama at may idadagdag na ako sa perang iniipon ko. Ang sobra? Paano ang sobra? Idadagdag ko nalang rin ba sa perang iniipon ko? Hindi, hindi.

Hindi naman siguro ako mauubusan ng pera kung bibili muna ako ng para sa'kin. 

Kay tagal ko na din bumibili ng mga damit at pagkain na gusto ko. Gusto ko din bumili ng makeup... Nagbabakasali lang naman, matagal na kasi akong tinutulak bumili ni Evo ng mga ganoon. 

It wouldn't hurt if I make buy something for myself.

"That's your salary for taking care of this house." He said, then grinned. "I wouldn't say 'that's your salary for taking care of me'. Taking care of the house, would do."

"Well, where are you going tomorrow?"

Sinabi ko na sakaniya na may pupuntuhan ako bukas. I expected him to agree and let me have my rest day since I haven't really demanded a rest day at all and I also find it useless to demand a rest day and visit our old home since my mom wasn't there. I'd love to sit and relax on the tree outside our old house, but I figured there was no time to waste. I've got to work and find a cheap apartment for me and my mom.

"To the coffee shop." I said and gave him the poster.

Madami siyang paperworks kahit gabi na, ginagawa niya parin. Napansin ko ang kape na mainit na kabibigay ko lang sa kaniya, nasa gilid ng lamesa iyon, malayo sa papel at sa laptop niyang nakabukas. Nang tinawag niya ako upang umakyat, humihingi siya ng kapeng mainit. 

Binasa niya ang poster. He squinted his eyes and his eyes widened a bit when he saw something from the poster. He tilt his head and his neck clicked, while he closed his eyes. He then, sighed.

"Alright." He gave me a nod. "What time are you coming home?" He asked.

Magsasalita na sana ako nang itinaas niya ang kaniyang kamay pinapatigil ako sa pagsasalita.

"Don't tell me what time." 

He massaged his temples and got to his computer, while his eyes on it, he said. "Come back and don't make your Boss worry, Asteria. Babawiin ko ang sweldo mo."

Dapat ba akong matakot doon? I laughed. He glanced so quick at my face. 

"Don't worry, Boss. I will be here before eight in the evening strikes." I grinned. I waved the white envelope at him. "Thank you." I said and closed his door.

That's what happened yesterday night. I figured he doesn't really talk much or he just stops himself from asking too much. He's worried about me, but there's nothing to worry about, alright. 

I can't really blame him for worrying about me. Nakita niya siguro kung paano ako nag re-react sa mga taong binubully at pinag chi-chismisan ako. I act silent and deaf, of course. Wala naman akong masabi sakanila at kung may sasabihin pa ako mas lalo lang magkakagulo. 

Ikaw? Anong gagawin mo sa taong walang maniniwala sayo? Would you still be determined to prove yourself? Ikaw lang naman ang nakaalam sa sarili mo, do you think it's still worth to prove yourself to them? Anong maipapakita mo?