heaven has gained an angel

18. Typical Answer

Chapter 18: Typical Answer

Prism

I heard some chuckles. Nang idinilat ko ang mga mata ko, una kong napagtantong wala na si Ayara sa sofa. Napabalikwas ako ng upo, inilibot ko ang aking paningin para hanapin siya.

Akala ko, umuwi na siya ngunit sa may bandang kusina ko pala naririnig ang kaunting tawanan, and she was right there, having a conversation with Mama, Tita Betty and Lola. Lola was currently cooking, Tita Betty helping her. They're preparing for lunch. Samantalang nanonood naman sina Mama at Ayara. They're sitting comfortably. From here, the smells of the food is seems familiar, alam na alam ng sikmura ko because that's my favorite. I couldn't be wrong, it was creamy Chicken Mushroom. It smells delicious as ever.

I stared at them for a while and suddenly, there was a thin smile appeared on my face. I'm glad seeing Ayara is not awkward. I appreciate the way how my family acknowledge her even though their interaction comes unplanned and I haven't yet introduce her to them formally. Saktong nandito si Lola at nakilala na rin niya. Panay ngiti si Ayara habang nagkukuwento na para bang matagal na niyang kakilala ang kapamilya ko. There's no even a trace of hangover over her. Ang daldal niya kahit mababa at magaan ang timbre ng boses.

I stretched my arms and cracked some bones. I finally got up to get their attention. Napalingon ko si Ayara, her expression gradually changed into regret, she took a deep breath then was hesitant to smile. Now, I could tell she is awkward.

Magaan akong ngumiti pabalik. "Kumusta?" I asked. Tumigil sa pag-uusap sina Mama at napatingin na rin sa akin.

"I'm fine." Hindi niya maitago ang pagkailang. She might be uncomfortable and feel repentant because of what happened earlier, dahilan kung bakit hindi kami nakapag-take ng exam. She may drunk, but I know she remembers everything.

"Have you got a good sleep?" I follow up. Mukhang tatlong oras lang siyang nakatulog at ako rin pero mabuti, she came back her normal composure immediately.

"Yes."

"Masakit ulo mo?" it's all evident through my voice that I was just concern about her. Hindi ko pinapansin ang nanunuksong tingin ng tatlong babaeng kasama namin. Nanonood lamang sila. Nanatili silang tahimik kahit obvious sa mga mata nilang nag-uusap-usap na sila.

"Nahihilo ako kanina pero napainom na rin ako ni Tita ng gamot." Ningitian ako ni Mama.

"Good. Uuwi ka na rin ba agad?"

"Of course not," pagsingit ni Lola. "I requested her to stay for a while. Pinapauwi mo na ba siya agad? In a week ay uuwi na rin ako, I want to know her more. Dito siya magtatanghalian at mamayang hapon pa siya uuwi."

"Hapon? Wala kang ibang lakad?" kunot-noo kong tanong kay Ayara na si Lola ulit ang sumagot.

"Wala. Right, Ayara?"

She nodded and smiled. "Opo."

"You can study together for the next set of exam though," pag-udyok ni Lola. Sa thursday na ulit ang next na exam namin, tatlong subject. But I'm planning to request for the exam we failed to take earlier. "Masayang mag-review kapag may kasama," she added. She gave me that goofy smile.

"Ayaw mo ba siyang makasamang mag-review?" Tita Betty asked me. Kasalukuyan siyang nagtitimpla ng blue lemonade juice sa isang glass jar.

"Gusto naman po," pag-amin ko nang walang paligoy-ligoy.

"'Yon naman pala, eh."

"Baka lang po may kailangan pa siyang gawin."

I shifted my gaze to Ayara. "Wala naman," pag-assure niya sa akin. "I also insisted that I want to meet your family, right?"