Look of Love

Chapter 04

"How's school going, Maxianne?"

Napahinto ako sa pagkain nang tawagin ako ni Mom. She's holding her hot tea, sipping like an elegant woman that she is. Charlotte Pascua is still aging fine like a wine at the age of forty three. Beside her was Dad, who's reading a newspaper. Tahimik lang ito sa tabi niya habang umiinom ng kaniyang kape.

"It was good, Mom," I said even though I can feel my lips twitching when I thought of my palakol scores on my quizzes.

"How about you, Maximilian?"

Napatingin naman ako sa katabi ko na ngumunguya pa ng tinolang manok. Nilunok niya iyon lahat ng isang beses bago nagsalita.

"Okay lang po," maikli niyang sagot.

"Your 18th birthday is coming soon. Any plans? Do you wanna throw a party?"

Nagkatinginan kami. Throwing a party means inviting high class people just to mingle with their sons and daughters. I can already imagine it being a night full of us socializing. I managed to have a straight face while Max shamelessly show his disapproval.

"Why? You don't want to?"

Napatingin kami kay Dad kasi siya na ang nagsalita. Naramdaman ko ang pagsiko sa 'kin ng kapatid ko sa tagiliran.

"Uh... please don't make it grand, Dad. Okay lang po kahit simple..."

They both nodded slowly.

"Throw a birthday party, it is."

"Maxianne..." ungot ni Max at talagang pinahaba pa ang dulo ng pangalan ko.

"Their way of partying is so boring. Chit chat dito, chit chat doon with fake laughs," he made an annoying forced laugh. "While hearing nonsense compliments! Iniisip ko pa lang, nababagot na ako."

I chuckled. Nilingon ko siya na nakahiga sa kama ko. Yakap yakap pa niya ang iilang plushies ko.

Kapag may libre siyang oras ay lagi siyang pumupunta sa kwarto ko. I tried to shoo him away once but he said that he likes the ambiance of my room. His room was decorated with gray and black theme while mine is white and rose gold. He told me that he feel refresh everytime he's hanging out here. He's not sure if it's because of my painting stuffs around the corner or I just simply radiates calmness and peace.

"Why? May iba ka pa bang ideya?"

Napanguso siya at tumulala sa kisame. I continued combing my hair. Napahinto ang kamay ko at mabilis na lumingon sa kaniya. He was already smirking as if he's planning the evilest decision he can think of in his life. Tumayo na siya at inayos ang kaniyang uniporme.

"Can we just sneak out and throw a birthday party on our version instead?"

Huh? We're gonna sneak out at the party just to have our own party?

Kinubot niya ang kaniyang kilay. "So? What do you think?"

"Bad influence ka," tukso na ikinatawa niya.

Sabay ulit kaming pumasok. Mas mauuna ang klase ko sa kaniya, at ang bait nga naman ng kupal dahil siya pa nagdala ng iilang plates ko.

"Akin na, kaya ko na dito."

Inabot naman niya sa'kin ang mga 'yon pagdating namin sa ground floor ng building ko. Tumango siya at kumaway naman ako bilang pamamaalam.

I cover my mouth and yawned. Walang professor sa pangalawang klase ko. I was planning to do advance reading here in the library, pero makakatulog pa yata ako ng wala sa oras dahil sa kaantukan.

Lumingon lingon ako para hanapin si Yona ngunit masyado yata siyang nasiyahan kakalibot. Iniwan niya ako dito kasi maghahanap rin daw siya ng mga libro para sa references para sa quiz nila, pero mukhang nakain na yata siya ng bookshelf.