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Chapter 04
"Rael? Please help me serve the food I prepared for all of you," 'yon agad ang bumungad sa pandinig ko nang lumabas ako ng kwarto. I changed into my casual clothes after Ahma and I had a small catch up.
Hanggang ngayon ay sumisilay pa rin ang ngiti sa mga labi ko. I went closer to Ahma and hugged her again. Tumigil siya sa kanyang ginagawa at ipinulupot din ang braso sa'kin.
"You are still clingy, hija," she chuckled. I got a whiff of her signature scent when my embrace got tighter around her. Guminhawa talaga ang pakiramdam ko nang bumisita siya. I don't think I would get used to not seeing my grandparents.
"I just really missed you, Ahma... and also Cebu."
"Don't worry. I am done booking you a plane ticket so you could come home during your break."
Humiwalay ako sa pagkakayakap sa kanya, confusion slowly registered on my face.
"It's too early to book me a ticket, Ahma."
"I know but I am excited to see you back in Cebu," tumawa muli siya. "Anyway, call Suriel. He should dine with us. I wouldn't take a no for an answer."
Madali ko lang ginawa ang inutos sa akin ni Ahma. Few knocks, Kuya Suriel opened the door of his room. He was still in his blue sweaters... the only noticeable difference that I saw would be the bold smell of ointment dabbed around his fresh bruises on his face.
Ngayon ko lang ulit napagmasdan nang maayos ang mukha niya. Kanina kasi ay natatakpan ng baseball cap niya.
Napansin ko rin na umiiwas siya kay Ahma. He would sometimes shift his weight or tilt his head, and he also avoided striking a conversation with her. Iniiwasan niyang makita ni Ahma ang mga sugat niya sa kabilang pisngi.
Kuya Rael was busy with his laptop. Thus, he wasn't fully immersed with us. Nang tumayo si Ahma para maghugas ng mga plato ay agad kong kinuha ang attention ni Kuya Suriel.
"Are you okay?" medyo nag-aalangan kong tanong.
Our gazes met. I kind of pitied him when I sensed the exhaustion in his eyes.
Bumuga siya ng malalim na hininga at umiling.
"I need a break," he whispered.
I straightened my back. "I'm sorry... do you want me to make an alibi so you could rest?"
Mayroon pa siyang ganang ngumisi kahit pagod na siya.
"I meant other things, little Teofila."
Nanliit ang mga mata ko. "Who did that to you? I always see you going home with bruises."
Mas lalong lumapad ang ngisi niya. Wala namang nakakatuwa sa sinabi ko.
He leaned forward to pinch my nose. I scrunched my face and moved my chair backward.
"Getting concerned now, hmm?" he teased.
"That's a natural human response."
He shrugged. Nilipat na lamang niya ang kanyang atensyon kay Kuya Rael at ilang sandali lang ay nagpaalam na siya para bumalik sa kwarto niya. Ahma didn't bother to ask why he suddenly disappeared. Maghapon kaming magkausap ni Ahma at paminsan-minsang sumasali si Kuya Rael sa usapan namin.
And when Ahma announced that she was leaving, Kuya Suriel once again went out of his room. Pero 'di yata nakatakas sa paningin ni Ahma ang sugat niya sa mukha.
Kuya Suriel got startled when she held his chin. Kunot ang noo ni Ahma habang sinusuri ang mga sugat niya.
"Hijo, you also had bruises on your face the last time I saw you back in Cebu. What's happening to you? Are you getting abused for something serious... perhaps in the hands of a fraternity? This is very alarming."
