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Chapter 07
During the first week of living by myself, I felt very worn out. I did all the chores, sa puntong 'yon ko lang naramdaman na hindi ko pa kayang mag-isa.
I complained about it. Masyado akong sanay sa marangyang buhay kaya hirap na hirap ako ngunit sa tuwing tinatanong naman ako ni Ahia kung ayos lang ba ako, I immediately assure him that I am doing fine.
I got worried about my food intake. Sabi ko pa noong una ay gusto kong lutong bahay ang laging kakainin... but I was always left with no choice.
Minsan pa ngang tumunog ang smoke detector. I was so stressed out when it sprinkled water down to my valuable things. I cried in frustration because I didn't know what to do except from turning on the range hood.
I only know how to cook processed food. 'Yung pagpiprito naman ay medyo inaayawan ko dahil madalas akong mapaso.
Kuya Suriel is currently treating the blisters in my hands. His thick, angled brows were furrowed that caused small creases on his forehead.
Maingat ang pagdampi ng bulak sa mga sugat ko at ako naman ay halos mahiya na dahil sa nangyari.
Una akong tumawag kay Kuya Real ngunit hindi siya agad sumagot sa tawag. At nang si Kuya Suriel naman ang tinawagan ko ay nagkataon na may pinuntahan siyang kaibigan around España.
"You haven't eaten your dinner yet, right?"
"Yes," I said breathily, medyo mahapdi kasi ang pinapahid niyang ointment.
"At fried eggs lang ang dinner mo dapat?" He asked to confirm.
'Yung tingin niya sa'kin ay 'di ko masukat nang maayos. I wasn't so sure if he was worried or frustrated.
"Hindi pa ulit ako nakapagpalengke... kaya dalawang pirasong itlog lang at kamatis ang stock ko ngayon."
"Dahil 'di ka marunong mamalengke," atake niya pa sa akin.
I rolled my eyes at him.
"I know, pero may available online grocery app naman."
Inirapan niya din ako at idiniin ang bulak sa sugat ko. I yelped in sheer pain. I kicked his leg to express my irritation.
He did that on purpose!
"May pasok ka ba bukas?"
"Meron," masungit kong sambit.
He tilted his head. "Oh? Valentine's bukas, a?"
"Hindi naman holiday ang Valentine's," I said as a matter of fact. "Hindi ka ba pumapasok? Ba't parang ang luwag ng schedule mo at inakala mo pang holiday bukas?"
Bahagya siyang tumawa. "Sungit. Wala kang date bukas?"
I wanted to scrunch my nose as he asked me. Tinanong kasi ako ni Mikko kung libre ba ako after class... wala pa akong maayos na sagot sa kanya.
Tamang-tama lang yata ang pag-aya ni Kuya Suriel na mamalengke? Parang hindi ko alam kung anong iaakto pag nag-date nga kami ni Mikko.
"Wala naman..."
"Why do you sound so unsure, then?"
"Wala," pagkumpirma ko ulit. "How about you? For sure you have plans," baling ko naman sa kanya.
He only shrugged and didn't answer.
"Are you fine eating fast food for dinner? Hindi ko na kayang magluto at bumili pa ng ingredients ngayong gabi para sa'yo. Bukas, pupunta ako rito, mamimili tayo. Kung may date ka man, ihahatid kita. There's no need to keep it a secret to me, say it...at 'pag tapos na kayo, susunduin kita."
