Warming the Winter

Chapter 04

"Bibilhan kita ng sa 'yo. Ibalik mo 'yan sa kaniya."

Nanatili ang titig ko sa laptop na binigay ni Sir Sullivan kanina. I couldn't say no because he was so persistent.

"Birthday gift daw niya 'yan sa'kin, ma."

Tumigil siya sa paghuhugas ng pinggan para lingunin ako. Tumayo naman si Sean at binuksan iyong ref para kumuha ulit ng cake.

"Ganda 'yan, ate! Games tayo!" umirap naman si mama.

"Dapat hindi ka tumatanggap ng mga ganyan Syl, lalo na pag sa kaniya galing."

Yumuko na lang ako. Sa Casa pa lang ay hindi na siya sumang-ayon na iuwi ko iyong laptop sa bahay.

"Bukas mo isuli 'yan. Pwede mo ng kunin 'yong uniform mo dahil hindi ka na menor de edad."

Buong gabi kong pinag-isipan ang mga sasabihin ko sa kaniya bukas. I wonder if he will get upset. He looked genuine when he let me have his laptop. Baka isipin pa niya na masyado akong ungrateful.

"Uuwi ka na agad, Sylvie?" tanong ni Isaac.

I nodded after I fixed my things.

"Belated happy birthday pala," may ngiti sa labi niyang saad. Napakamot pa siya sa batok.

"Thanks."

"Oh my! Birthday mo, Vie?" Gayle exclaimed.

Kanina pa pala siyang nakatayo sa tabi ni Isaac. Suot na rin nito ang bag, handa ng umalis.

"Oo–"

"When?"

"No'ng Sabado–"

"O.M., sorry girl! I didn't know."

"Kaya nga, binigyan mo pa siya ng maraming gawain," saway ni Isaac. Napasimangot naman si Gayle.

"Hindi ko nga alam!" sambit nito.

Napangiti na lang ako sa bangayan ng dalawa. We've been classmates for three years straight. Kahit naman gano'n, hindi kami close ni Isaac, lalo na si Gayle. Nagkataon lang na kagrupo ko sila sa Research. But looking at them now talking to me makes me happy.

"Ayos lang, Gayle," I assured. She smiled at me and glared at Isaac after.

Ramdam ko ang kabog ng dibdib ko no'ng nasa loob na ako ng Casa. I saw Ate Arcie talking to an old man near the sofa. Iyong ibang babae ay nakaupo at tila may hinihintay.

Dumiretso ako sa kusina at hinanap si Ate Nilda. Mom asked for a day off to attend a general meeting for the upcoming family day at Sean's school.

"Nagbanyo pa ata 'yon," one of the maids here said. Tumango ako at piniling pumunta muna sa garden.

Napansin ko ang ilang guards at babae na napapatingin sa'kin na lumabas. I couldn't blame them. I'm still wearing my school uniform. I straight up went here to return the laptop.

Nilapag ko ang bag sa mesa bago umupo. I look around. The flowers are in full bloom. It makes me want to pluck some and put it on a vase.

Sa Casa, ang garden ang pinakapaborito kong puntahan. Naaaliw ako minsan dahil para akong nasa mundo ng mga diwata. This place looks like a whole new world to me. I didn't know such a thing could exist. 

"So you're the kid they're talking about."

Sumiklab ang kaba sa puso ko nang marinig ang boses niya. I immediately stood up and faced him.

My eyes landed on his burgundy suit. I almost wonder what's the occasion today, but I realize he's always like this. Kahit hindi naman siya lumalabas, palaging magara ang mga sinusuot niya.

"Good afternoon, Sir."

He raised an eyebrow after looking at me from head to toe. Bigla tuloy akong nailang.

"What are you doing here? I'm pretty sure your mom is not around."

I cleared my throat. Kalma lang. I just have to do what I practiced last night.

I pinched my fingers. "K-Kukunin ko na po 'yong uniform ko."

I caught him staring at the necktie of my school uniform.

"You're still a student."

"Sabi ni mama ay pwede akong tumulong kapag bakante 'yong oras ko sa weekends. I'll be helping more this summer," paliwanag ko. Ilang buwan na lang din naman ay summer na.

I gulped when he remained silent. I took that as a chance to unzip my bag and get the laptop.

"Ah... T-Thank you po sa laptop. It really helped me do my work. Isusuli ko na po."

Nakapamulsa na siya nang humarap ulit ako sa kaniya.

"That is supposed to be my gift to you," he stated.

Umiling ako. "Hindi na po. Thank you po. Sabi ni mama ay bibilhan niya ako. I can't have this. Baka gagamitin niyo po 'to."

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa laptop. "You can have that. Tell Myrtle that she doesn't have to buy another one. I won't use that anyway."

Sabi ko na nga ba. Mahihirapan talaga akong isuli 'to. Niyakap ko ng mahigpit ang laptop.

"Are you done with your research?"

"Oo," I mumbled. "Nasa chapter three na kami."

He nodded. "You keep that," pagtutukoy niya sa laptop. Tumango na lang ako at binalik 'yon sa bag.

There's no point in arguing or insisting with him. He will always have his way. Nevertheless, this will help us save money. Bakit hindi iyon naisip ni mama.

"Kukunin ko na po muna 'yong uniform ko," I spoke out.

I looked at him again. He's giving me a perplexed look.

"I think you should probably focus more on your study."

Suminghap ako at napatingin sa kawalan.

"Nakakapagfocus pa rin naman po ako," I mumbled. I pinched my fingers. Nagiging malamig na sila. Napatingin siya roon kaya tinigilan ko ang pagkurot.

"You're what? Eighteen? Work can wait."

Yumuko ako. Madali lang talaga sa mga mayaman na katulad niya na sabihin 'yon. Of course, work can wait but not for someone like me. Being a student is not a reason for me not to thrive harder.

I want to help my mom. I want us to sleep without having to worry about future expenses. Kahit mayordoma siya rito at nakatira na kami sa subdivision, hindi pa rin maipagkakaila na kailangan namin ng pera.

"Kaya ko naman."

I heard him chuckle. Gusto kong ikuyom ang mga kamao ko dahil nakaramdam na ako ng inis. Is he mocking me or what?

"Whatever you say. Next time, don't roam around the Casa wearing your uniform."

Nag-angat ako ng tingin. I gasp when he leans close to me.

"Are we clear... Doll?" he glances at the necktie of my uniform.

Doll?

I slowly nodded, still confused about what to feel.