Hold Me Into Fading

Kabanata 29

Kabanata 29

Ulan

I smiled while approaching Leon. Nakatalikod siya sa banda ko at may kausap sa phone. Tatawagin ko sana pero mukhang importante iyon kaya hindi ko na inabala.

"Hey..." aniya nang nalinginunan ako pagkatapos ibaba ang tawag.

"Hi. Who was that?"

Itinuloy ko ang paghawi ng pawis sa mukha at sa leeg. Hinarap ako ni Leon at sumulyap saglit sa phone bago iyon tuluyang pinatay.

"Your mother..."

My brows furrowed a little.

"Si Mama? Why would she call you at this hour?"

"Nagsumbong. Hindi mo raw sinasagot ang mga tawag niya."

He put his phone on the table. Kinuha ang towel ko at siya na ang nagtuloy ng pagpupunas ng mukha ko.

I sighed.

"Mama is still at it, huh?" I realized. "Hindi pa ba siya sanay? Tatlong taon ko nang hindi pinagbibigyan ang mga tawag nila."

One wipe of the towel on my forehead and Leon is done. His eyes wandered on my face that I flushed a bit.

"Sorry for dragging you into this, Leon. I-block mo na lang ang number ni Mama para hindi ka na matawagan ulit."

Ako na talaga ang nahihiya sa pinaggagagawa ng nanay ko. I didn't cut cords with them. We are in good terms and no issue is rusting our relationship as a family. Iniiwasan ko lang talagang makausap si Mama sa mga nagdaang taon dahil alam kong gusto niyang bumalik na ako ng Pilipinas para i-manage ang museum. At dahil hindi ako makontak, kay Leon na dumidiretso para ipasuyong makausap ako!

"It's fine. Hindi naman abala ang Mama mo," he said trying to hide a smile.

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko.

"And your smile is for what?"

Umiling siya, at nakagat na ang labi nang muntik na talagang mangiti.

"Where have you been?" hinagod niya ako ng tingin. "Oh, you went to the gym?"

Tumango ako.

"Yes. I couldn't sleep so I went to the gym. How about you? Why are you still up?"

"Nagising ako sa tawag ng Mama mo. Pinuntahan kita sa kwarto pero wala ka ro'n kaya lumabas ako."

"You need something?" I asked.

Leon smiled and shook his head.

"Nada, querida. Tsinek ko lang kung gising ka pa."

Tumango ako. "Won't you go back to sleep? It is still early, Leon. It's 2 AM."

"Matutulog ka na ba?" balik niya sa akin.

"I'll have a drink. A glass or two, I'm not quite certain."

"I shall join you, then."

Ngumiti ako. "Sure. I'll just freshen up then be back here after."

Pinanggigilan niya ang ilong ko.

"Hihintayin kita dito."

I smiled before I vanished to my room.

In those three years, Leon and I have established a good relationship. By relationship, I didn't mean it as a romantic or something that goes beyond that. We become real good friends. A good company to each other. A confidante of one another.

Tinanggal ko ang suot at pumasok sa banyo. I thought of things again under  the shower.

Isa rin siguro sa ikinaiintriga ni Mama kaya napapadalas ang pagtawag niya sa akin ngayong taon ay dahil sa kuryusidad nila tungkol sa amin ni Leon. Mama is frantic when it comes to me and my 'affair' with men. Kahit bihira lang naman akong napapalapit sa lalaki. Of course, Philip is streaked off the list since he is just really an associate. I need him to handle my exhibits and manage my art museum. Other than pure business, Philip is just a good friend to me.