LYALL'S OBSESSION

CHAPTER 12

My brow furrowed when I saw that I didn't have anyone beside me. I knew it wasn't just a dream last night. I even had a conversation with him. I rubbed my eyes before getting up and heading to the bathroom. I took a shower before going downstairs for breakfast. Kaagad kumulo ang tiyan ko nang maamoy ko ang mabangong niluluto sa kusina.

"Good morning, Ma'am Nathalie!" Masiglang bati nila sa akin nang makapasok ako

Ngumiti naman ako ng matamis sa kanila

"Good morning to all of you," I greeted them and took a seat. I glanced at the dishes they prepared on the table. "Join me, everyone!" I invited them.

They stopped what they were doing and looked at each other. It seemed like they were hesitant.

"No buts, or else..." I threatened them.

Kaagad naman silang tumalima.

"Call the others, please" utos ko sa isang kasambahay

"Masusunod po, Ma'am Nathalie" Magalang na sagot niya sa akin at bahagyang yumuko.

After she left, I turned to Nanay Fele, who was helping with the preparations.

"Nanay, have you seen Lyall?" I couldn't help but ask. I've been looking for him since earlier.

I am one hundred percent sure that I am not dreaming last night because his scent is still in our room.

Wait, what? Our room?

Napakurap-kurap naman ako nang kinapa ni Nanay ang noo ko.

"Wala ka namang lagnat, pero ba't namumula ang mukha mo, hija?" kunot noong tanong ni Nanay Fele sa akin at bakas din sa boses niya ang pag-alala sa akin.

Awkward naman akong ngumiti sa kanya. Kaagad niya talaga makikita ang pagblablush ko kasi may kaputlaan din ang balat ko.

"That's blush on, Nanay" Napakagat ako sa aking labi dahil sa pagsisinungaling ko

Sorry, Papa God.

Napatango naman siya at nilagyan ng bacon and hotdog ang plates ko. Lalagyan niya din sana ng rice nang magsalita ako.

"I don't eat rice in the morning, Nanay" nakangusong imporma ko sa kanya

Binitawan niya ang sandok at nameywang na ikinangiti ko ng palihim. Naalala ko tuloy si Nanay Lina sa kanya. Ganito din kasi 'yon, n'ong sinabi kong ayokong kumain ng rice sa morning. Nag changed na kasi ang way ng meals ko when I entered modeling. I need to maintain my body figure kasi importante talaga 'yon sa industry na pinasukan ko. Dito lang naman ako sa Pilipinas lumamon ng marami. It's like I've been fasting for a decade. I know my manager will lecture me again about this. Even though we're friends, he's still my manager, and he's just doing his job, so I understand him.

"Diyos ko por santo! Kaya pala ang payat-payat mo. Nako hija, masama 'yan sa kalusogan. Pwede ka namang kumain kahit konti lang" Mahinahon ngunit nag-alalang sabi ni Nanay sa akin

Napangiti naman ako ng mapait sa aking isipan nang maalala ko na naman ang late grandparents ko. Ganito din sila sa akin noon. Nawalan man ako ng Lola't Lolo, ay mayroon pa rin akong Nanay Lina, at ngayon ay meron na din akong Nanay Fele. Kung sino pa ang hindi ko kadugo, ay sila pa ang nagki-care sa akin. Ni minsan, ay hindi man lang ako kinumusta ng parents ni Dad. During my parents' burial, they didn't even acknowledge my presence. I needed someone to lean on at that time, but they just ignored me. I admit that I've already used their treatment towards me, but until now, I still hope that they would notice me. I can't help but feel jealous of Ciara because Lola loves her. I'm not mad at her. It's not her fault that Lola treated us this way.