As Cold as the Night

Wakas

A moment of appreciation to all of you for the love you give to my girl Polka. I am just so happy that as much as I love her (sa way pabor pabor as we fondly say), you have learned to love her, too. Many thanks for reaching this point. Your time is the best thing you have given me.

Much love  ;)

WAKAS

Ayoko nang tinititigan ako.

But this girl—this girl is shameless—she stares at every chance she gets!

It irritates the hell out of me.

"Children." My mother called our attention, obviously for an announcement na wala naman na kaming masasabi dahil nakapagpasya na siya. My father spoils my mother too much, na kahit ano'ng sabihin o hilingin niya tumatango lang, of course, if it doesn't cause harm or damage. Most times, I wonder how things workout for them. Mama's demanding and a bit too much.

"So someone's gonna stay with us. She's going to study in Morris."

Unang sinabi pa lang niya napapakunot na ang noo ko. I don't like the idea of having someonef live with us na hindi lubos na kilala. Mama's thoughts and actions are sometimes haphazard. Yes, ipinagdadamot ko ang bahay namin, and that's because I want to protect the silence and privacy of our home. Pinagpatuloy ko ang pagkain as I wait for her to finish.

"Polka's one of the La Viñas. She's the daughter of Antonio and Pia," then she began introducing the girl further.

"'Yong may gusto kay Kuya?" Chiz said while laughing.

I turned to him with a sharp and annoyed gaze. Umigting ang panga ko.

"What did you say, Chiz?" baling ni Mama sa kanya.

"Nothing, Ma." Umiling si Chiz, nakadikit pa rin ang ngisi sa labi.

Dammit!

It was dinner time. Iyon ang araw na dumating siya sa mansyon.

"Ham, kausapin mo naman si Polka," Mama said. And now she wants me to entertain her guests. I love my mother but like I said she's demanding and it sometimes pisses me off.

"Chiz likes to talk. Silang dalawa na lang," sabi ko. I stared at her coldly.

What? Do you expect me to welcome you? Hindi ko pa nakakalimutan ang nangyari noon sa simbahan nang umuwi kami sa Bukidnon. The damned girl hangs a picture of me in her purse! If it isn't creepy, then I don't know anymore. Is she out of her mind?

"Son, don't be like that. Don't you want another friend? Dalawa lang yata ang kaibigan mo."

I see how uneasy she is under my gaze. Ganyan nga, be uncomfortable. Ganyan talaga kapag may ginagawang kababalaghan.

"What's your interest? Are you into Science and Technology?"

Let's test this one.

Iyon pa lang halata na ang pagkabagabag niya. Iiyak pa yata. Oh, this is starting to be entertaining, huh.

"Hindi naman kailangan na same interest, Son, to be friends. Try mo rin iyong kay Polka." My mother keeps on pushing her ideas.

"What's your interest then?" I challenged her. I don't even need her answer. Halata namang walang kuwenta. Most definitely a waste of time and energy.

"K-Kahit ano..."

Napataas ang kilay ko.

"That's enough," ani Mama, knowing she can't manipulate me.

Later that night, I caught her lurking around like some thief. I couldn't sleep or read, so I went to our music room. There I played two random pieces just so I can relax my mind. Partly, I was successful, pero hindi pa rin makaramdam ng antok.