Conquering Territories: Completed

29

"Here's a shirt, pants, and an underwear. I think that it would fit you just right," I said before handing him the things. Hindi na ako naghintay pa sa kanya at ako na mismo ang kusang nagsara ng pinto ng banyo.

I held a deep breath after that. Hindi ko napigilang mapasandal sa pader dahil sa bilis nang tibok ng puso ko. I could also feel bullets of sweats on my forehead. I looked like I just finished a triathlon.

"Khay, lumapit ka nga rito."

My thoughts were interrupted as I heard Kuya's voice. I immediately went towards his directions, and to my surprise, he looked like he was really waiting for me.

"Tapatin mo nga ako, Khaydel." I eyed him after that. Minsan lang magseryoso si Kuya, at masasabi ko na seryoso siya ngayon. He was looking at me, curious and worried at the same time.

"May gusto ka ba sa kasama mo?" he asked. Typical Kuya Leon. He doesn't want to do some twists and turns. Diretsahan na.

Napakagat na lang ako sa labi dahil sa sinabi niya. I think think I was caught off guard. Wala na rin namang silbi pa ang magsinungaling. Napayuko na lang ako at hindi na nagsalita pa.

After the day's spending with, I finally felt the peace I was yearning for. Naranasan ko rin yung pahinga na gusto kong maramdaman. His presence, his attitude, everything around him. It's just, everything feels right.

Seconds passed by until I felt his palm on my shoulder. I looked up and his gentle smile welcomed me, causing my nervousness to melt.

"Wala namang masama ang magkagusto. Hindi kita pipigilan," he said before he held my hand. "Ang sa akin lang, huwag kang masasaktan. Hindi gugustuhin ni Mama at ni Tito na makitang umiiyak ang bunso namin."

I decided not to speak and hugged him immediately. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko sasabihin sa kanya ang mga bagay na tumatakbo sa isip ko ngayon.

"Hindi naman ako kontrabida sa buhay mo na nagsasalita ng kung ano-ano. Basta sabihan mo lang ako kapag hindi mo na alam ang gagawin mo, 'ha? Nandito lang lagi si Kuya."

I know it was just simple words coming from him but, it was big for me.

"Am I interrupting something?"

I turned around and saw Irvin who was now standing behind us. Natawa na lang ako dahil hindi niya alam kung nakakaistorbo ba siya. Still the Irvin I'm used to.

"Silly, of course not," I said. "Come here, let's have dinner."

I motioned him towards the table before I helped Kuya Leon with the utensils. May balak pa sanang tumulong ni Irvin pero, pinigilan agad ko siyang pinigilan. He's a visitor, after all.

"Feel at home. Si Khaydel na bahala sa'yo sa taas mamaya," Kuya Leon said after our dinner. He said those words with a smile plastered on his lips, causing me to think otherwise. Kuya ko nga talaga ito. Hindi na rin nagsalita pa si Irvin. I bet he already got the gist of it.

"Let's go?" I asked Irvin. He nodded his head as an answer. Sabay kaming umakyat sa kwarto. I bet this would be a long night for the two of us.

I woke up with the sound of the alarm clock beside my bed. Mananatili pa sana ako sa higaan nang maalalang may pasok pa nga pala ako ngayon. I shouldn't be late for my first class. Mahirap na at baka mapagalitan pa ako.

Inilibot ko ang mga mata ko sa buong kwarto nang mapansin ang isang bagay. Irvin was nowhere to be found. As far as I remembered, he slept here last night because of the heavy rain.

A small smile was formed on my lips after remembering what happened last night. I thought it would an awkward night for the two of us but, it was an unexpectable one. I nearly saw another side of him.

I was about to go out of my room but, something caught my attention. The letters my penpal Vin wrote were now on my table. Hindi naman siya nakakalat pero, ang alam ko ay hindi naman ganito ang ayos nito kagabi. It was now placed properly by dates, which was kind of weird.

I just shrugged those thoughts away and continued my way downstairs. Kuya Leon was now preparing the breakfast for the two of us. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang magtanong sa kanya tungkol kay Irvin.

"Kuya, anong oras po umalis si Irvin kanina?"

Kuya turned around and faced me. "Maaga siyang umalis. Alas-kwarto pa lang yata ng madaling araw ay nagmamadali na siyang umalis. Mabuti na nga lang at nagpaalam pa siya sa akin."

Napatango na lang ako sa sinabi niya at nag-ayos na ng gamit ko. Kuya assisted me with my things before I went out to school. Napapangiti na lang tuloy ako dahil kahit malaki na ako ay ginagawa niya pa rin akong bata.

My morning classes went fast. Halos hindi ko na rin namalayan ang oras. Maybe because of the pre-midterm effect, halos lahat ng teacher namin ay puro pagawa na lang ng activities. Mabuti na rin 'yon para puro review na lang ang gagawin ko sa mga susunod na araw.

"Malapit na akong kunin ng liwanag. Wala na akong naiintindihan."

Malayo pa man ako sa mesa ng mga kaibigan ko, rinig na rinig ko na ang mga reklamo ni Aris. I couldn't help but to chuckle because of his face. Tuwing sasapit na lang talaga ang exams ay normal na ang ganitong eksena.

"Dapat kasi 'wag puro babae ang intindihin mo," I said as I reached our table. Aris stared at me while Blake and Clarisse chuckled.

"Yan, harot pa." Blake chuckled before he sipped on his drink.

"Ang kapal ng mukha mo, Blake. Para namang may naiintindihan ka dyan sa ginagawa mo," Aris retaliated. Siguradong hindi na naman titigil ang dalawang ito sa pag-aaway.

"Syempre, may naintindihan ako," Blake confidently answered. "Naiintindihan ko kung paano kumopya nang hindi nahuhuli."

I mentally facepalmed myself because of these two. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan kung paano ko ba naging kaibigan ang dalawang 'to.

"Si Khaydel lang talaga ang makakahinga sa atin ng maluwag sa midterms. Sana all may big brain." I turned at Clarisse who was who was now chuckling. Ako na naman ang nakita.

"Oo nga. Sana lahat easy lang ang gagawin sa papel," Aris commented. "Pahiram ako utak, Khay. Mag-bestfriend naman tayo 'di ba?"

"Kung kaya ko lang ipahiram, ibinigay ko na sa' yo dati pa." Our group chuckled because of that. Kahit naman magbiruan kami ah alam ko naman na seseryosohin nila ang pagsagot sa midterms nila. Takot na lang nila kumuha ng back subjects. Pare-pareho pa rin naman kaming grade conscious kahit kung ano-ano ang ginagawa namin.

"Excuse me. Khaydel?"