lilies.

66

Kabanata 66

"How did you know?"

"Oh, that. Your grandma asked for our help. I think I was in high school at that time. Mr. Andrada was running for senatorial elections, I think? I can't remember what exact position he was applying for. She told Lolo that he was your father and her wife is trying to get back at them by using you."

"What help did you provide?"

"Lolo's the reason why he didn't win the election. Your grandma hated politics so...she asked for our help."

Nagpasya na kaming sumunod kay Gab sa baba. Nakipagbeso sa akin si Tita Mylene nang makita ako at nagpaalam na aalis siya. I bid her goodbye.

Gab solely focused on the food. Ihinain niya sa akin ang tinapay at pasta na dala ni Rai. Kasabay non ay naupo kami ni Rai sa upuan sa dining room.

"Ikaw?" tanong niya kay Rai.

Sinamaan siya ng tingin ni Rai at natawa naman ako, "Obviously, pre, I brought the food."

"Ay sayang akala ko makakadami ako ng kain."

Bumalik siya sa kusina para kumuha ng plato at kubyertos para kay Rai. Nilapag ni Gab sa pwesto ni Rai iyon at nagsimula nang sa kanya.

"Usap lang kayo," He said as he focused on preparing his food. Hindi talaga maiistorbo basta sa pagkain.

"Kailan mo nalaman?" tanong ni Rai. Hinawakan niya ang sandalan kung saan ako nakaupo at pinahinga niya ang braso niya roon. He stared at me like I'm the only important person in the world.

"I was 13."

"You were too young then," Rai said. I never talked about it to anyone, the reason I am not really comfortable telling him the details now. Hindi sa ayoko. I feel like he is the type of person I could confide in but...I do not know where to start.

"Yes," sabat ni Gab na para bang naririnig niya ang sinasabi ng isip ko, "And really immature. Lumayas siya nung nalaman niya."

"I guess, it's a natural reaction to that kind of revelation. You certainly want to need space," depensa ni Rai sa akin. Hinawakan niya ang gilid ng pinggan, "Eat."

"'Ayos lang lumayas, Rai, sa ganoong sitwasyon pero sana lumayas ng may pera."

Kunot ang noo ni Rai habang nakikinig sa sinasabi ni Gab. He knew my family to be rich, that's why he will never understand what Gab meant.

"I only have, I'm not really sure, 50 pesos? in my wallet that night."

"Credit card?" He asked.

Umiling lang ako.

"You were really silly, baby," Rai said and slowly tapped my head like he's petting a cat carefully.

Kinagat ko ang labi ko. This is the second time, Gab heard Rai called me 'baby' and it's making me blush from intense butterflies rummaging my stomach and also from embarrassment.

Gab didn't react again though like it is the most normal thing to hear in his daily life. Ganon ang reaksyon niya. Nagpapatuloy lang siya sa pagkain. Nagsalin pa siya ng tubig sa baso niya at uminom ng mabagal bago lumunok.

"Diba?"

Tumayo si Gab nang may tumawag sa kanya. Lumabas siya ng dining room papuntang living room. Sumigaw siya sa amin matapos ang ilang minuto.

"Labas lang ako saglit!" narinig ko ang kalansing ng mga susi niya, "Iaabot ko lang yung kinuha ko sa kaibigan ko sa BGC kanina sa mga kaklase ko. Nasa Graceland sila. Lily, paki takpan yung pagkain ko."