Caged [RWS #1]

CHAPTER 23: CANCELLED DATE

Clio's POV

I immediately went inside the house as soon as I arrive. Una kong hinanap si mommy.

"Mom!" Tumakbo ako nang makita siya sa living room. She embraced me. "What happened? Are you okay? Where's dad and Riss?" Nag-aalalang tanong ko habang tinitingnan kung ayos lang siya.

Imbes na sagutin ang mga tanong ko ay ngumiti lang siya.

"We're all fine." She held my hand. "Let's go. I have a surprise for you." Hinila niya ako pero hindi ako nagpadala.

"What's the emergency, mom?" Tanong ko. She's acting weird. I was worried, and now, she's acting all fine.

"Here. I'll show you." Sabi niya saka ako muling hinila. Nagpatianod na lang ako, gulong-gulo. May emergency ba talaga o gusto lang akong pauwiin ni mommy?

Dinala ako ni mommy sa patio. Napatigil ako nang may matanaw doon. She's sitting on the chair, facing me. Her face lit up when she saw me.

"Clio!" She cheerfully greeted. Tumayo siya at mahigpit na yumakap sa'kin.

"I'll leave you guys here. I'll send some foods, okay?" Si mommy bago tuluyang umalis.

I didn't hug her back because I'm still confused. Kailan pa ito naging emergency? A childhood friend visiting my home is what my mom call an emergency?

"Why are you here?" Tanong ko. I don't want to sound rude but I'm really pissed right now. Hindi natuloy ang lakad namin ni Vianca dahil dito.

"Is that your way of greeting your childhood friend huh?" She teased. I sneered. "Look at you, already taller than me." She messes my hair. I shove her hand away.

Naupo ako sa sofa. I rested my back and closed my eyes. Of all the days she can come here, ngayon pa talaga? Walang kaso sa akin kahit sino pa ang pumunta rito, ayoko lang na nasasagasaan ang mga lakad ko dahil lang sa unplanned visits.

"Cora." I threatened because she keeps poking my cheeks.

I heard her playful chuckle. "You're dressed.. and stressed." Saka tumawa. "I told tita that she doesn't need to call you but she did anyway. It's not my fault ah." She said in defensive tone.

Whatever she say. Cancel na rin naman ang plano namin ni Vianca. I can't do anything about it. But I can call her. Siguradong nag-aalala na rin 'yon. Might as well tell her it's fine here.

"Do you need a ride home?" Tanong ko saka nagmulat ng mata.

"Hindi ba sinabi ni tita?" Tanong niya pabalik.

"Ang alin?" Umayos ako ng upo.

"I'll be staying here muna. I already transferred to your school, and guess what? We're blockmates!" She stated enthusiastically.

Natulala na naman ako. She's staying here. That's fine. But us, in the same school, and classroom? That's not good. Ano na lang ang magiging reaction ni Vianca once she found out?

Pagkatapos naming mag-dinner ni Cora ay kinausap ko agad si mommy.

"Mom, why did you tell me we have emergency kung wala naman pala? And why is Cora staying here? Where's her parents? Why did she transfer to my school?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ko habang nakaupo si mommy sa swivel chair sa loob ng opisina sa bahay.

"Anak, aren't you happy your childhood friend is here?" She asked instead. Hindi ako nakasagot. Well, I'm happy, but I'm also fine without her. "This is a favor to you. Makakapag-bond kayo while studying in the same school. She can also help you with your studies. Kaya mo naman siyang pakisamahan, 'di ba?"