The Last Rule

Chapter 5 - Books

"What else?" we are in the mall right now because I dragged Kuya Calli with me to buy books. At least may mababasa na akong bago.

"Try this."

"Err, no." I shook my head. That is not what I want. He is trying to hand me a book about How to Be Frugal. Like seriously? Is he trying to tell me something?

"Really, Queenie, I think you need this."

I ignored him and went straight to my favorite section, the science-fiction aisle. Mas peaceful dito. I started picking everything that caught my attention and now I have too many in my hands. It is fine because Kuya Calli promised to pay.

More than ten books. Okay maybe fifteen. But this should be enough. I know Papa will get mad again when he sees these. For sure sermon na naman ang aabutin ko.

But books are not unnecessary. Books are life. Books are my escape.

Still, I know myself. Even if I tell myself this is enough, I always end up gaslighting myself into grabbing more.

I found Kuya Calli in the educational section, and I almost dropped my books. He is talking to a girl.

She looks too happy, laughing and even playfully pushing his arm like he actually said something funny. Kuya Calli? Funny? That is hilarious.

This is crazy.

"I'm done," I announced as I approached them, not even sparing the girl a glance. He excused himself and we walked toward the cashier.

"Thanks for saving me."

I knew it.

"This is too much, Solana." His tone was serious, using my full name instead of one of his nicknames for me. That alone felt wrong.

"But you told me you'll pay."

"Fifteen pieces is too much. I will only pay for three."

"But I saved you from that woman!"

We argued until it was our turn at the counter. Obviously, I won. I am holding all my books now. Kuya cannot resist me anyway.

When we got home, I had to sneak the paper bags upstairs. If Papa sees them, disaster. Lagot ako!

"Bumili ka nanaman ng maraming libro?!" Astro's loud voice echoed and I froze.

"Shhh!" I glared at him, begging him to stay quiet.

"LIBRO NANAMAN!" This time he screamed louder. I heard Papa's heavy footsteps approaching. I tried to grab Astro but he ran away even before Papa reached us. I really hate him!

And that is how I ended up in Papa's office, listening to another long sermon. This room feels like a courtroom. I only ever come here when I am in trouble.

"Gusto mo bang ipadala kita sa isla? Tutal gusto mo namang magdagat diba?" Papa asked. I shook my head violently. Ayoko doon, as if magbabakasyon ang gagawin ko doon. Baka makasama ko pa si Lolo. And for what? As a punishment? No way. Never.

He gave me conditions instead. My shelf is full. Every time I buy new books, I must remove the same number from my shelf. Donate, sell, or whatever. Basta dapat sakto lang.

Goodbye personal library dream. My heart feels crushed.

Still kahit mabigat sa pakiramdam, I do not have a choice. So here I am, packing the books I barely read. Two boxes already. I decided to sell them to a reseller. At least I get money to buy other ones.

Carrying the heavy box to the terrace nearly killed my arms. I was about to set it down when I heard a voice.

"Oh, dami n'yan ah. Akin na."

I almost screamed when I saw him. The new guy. Dos. Out of all people. Why is he here? Why is he smiling? Why is he even allowed inside?

He dropped the box by the gate. "Dami naman neto," he said, still smiling like life is a comedy show.

Seriously, what is so funny about heavy boxes? And that smile again. Braces and squinty eyes that disappear whenever he grins, parang cartoon character. Nakakainis.

And worse, he talks too much. 

Ughh mas lalong sumasakit ang ulo ko.

"Donate mo? Mahilig ka pala sa libro?"

"Donate? I will sell it." I tried to keep my voice calm.

"Aanhin mo naman 'yong pera?"

"Everyone needs money." I rolled my eyes.

"Pero ang yaman niyo na. I-donate mo nalang."

At that moment, I swear I wanted to trip him with the tape on the floor. He just would not stop. Parang hindi niya kilala ang word na silence.

He even acted like I am scary. "Nakakatakot naman yang tingin mo," he said while hugging himself, still smiling. Does he think he is funny? He is not.

And then, as if my stress level was not already sky high, the tape I was trying to use stuck together. Perfect timing.

"You know, it's none of your business!" I snapped, throwing the useless tape across the terrace.

He looked guilty, but then he had the audacity to say, "Sorry, sinasabi ko lang kasi andaming batang hindi nakakakain. Ganyan ka ba lagi?"

Excuse me? Who is he to lecture me? And why do I feel attacked?

I acted like he doesn't exist now pero deep inside his words left something inside me.

My father is a councilor and he owns some stocks in my grandparents' company while Mama runs a restaurant. We are financially stable; they gave us everything that we need. Okay, honestly, we have more than what we need. But do I have too much?

Am I being a brat? 

"Ayan, okay na."

"I hate you." I whispered, made sure that he didn't heard me clearly.

"Huh?"

He got distracted when we heard a honk in the main gate. Before Papa could even step inside with his car, I ran inside my room. I did not even thank him. Instead, I closed my bedroom door and leaned on it, heart pounding.

Okay maybe that was mean. But he annoyed me. He annoyed me with his smile, his endless questions, his unsolicited lecture, his overconfidence.

That's kinda mean, Solana.

A simple thank you would not hurt, but no. Not today.

After a few minutes of thinking, I heard a knock on my bedroom door but I did not respond.

"Queenie, someone's looking for you outside," I heard Papa's voice from the other side. I opened the door and went out, thankful that the dude with a number for a name was gone.

"You sold them?" Kuya Calli asked. The buyer had just left, and now I was holding the money. He and Astro had just come home.

"Yeah, I got some premium collections there so it is really expensive." Surprisingly, I had a lot of money in my hands. Literally speaking. I did not know I could get this much just by selling my used books.

"Wow! Pa-Strabucks na yan!" It was Astro, umeepal nanaman.

It was really tempting. I wanted to go to Starbucks right away, especially since it was right next to National Bookstore. I could buy so much with this.

But then I suddenly remembered what he said. Sorry, sinasabi ko lang kasi andaming mga batang hindi nakakakain.

I unconsciously looked at the money.

And instead of facing Astro and telling him to start his car, I faced Papa.

"You have charities, right?"