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The next morning, my mom called me and I predicted I would be damn screwed. Mabilis akong bumangon upang sagutin ang kanyang tawag. As expected, her voice raised through the phone.
"I just read your message. Bakit hindi mo agad sinabing naiwan ka ng bus?"
"Sorry mom, my phone ran out of battery. Late na akong nakapag-charge," palusot ko.
"Where did you stay for a night? Bumalik ka ba sa Coastal Paradise Hotel?"
"No, mom. I stayed at my friend's house."
"Friend?" she voiced. "The one that you told me?"
"Yes, mom. Pinatuloy niya muna ako dahil late hour na for check-in sa hotel."
"Okay. Did you book another ticket for today?"
Saglit akong natahimik, nag-iisip ng magandang dahilan para hindi niya ako pagalitan sa susunod kong sasabihin.
"Ahm... Mom, can I extend my stay here?" I asked. My heart and pulse beat urgently through my body.
"What?! Nakalimutan mo na bang may reunion tayo with your lolo?"
"I know mom, but I really want to stay here for a while. Ako na lang ang bahalang kumausap kay lolo. Alam kong hindi siya magagalit. Besides, he will stay here in the Philippines until next year so we still have a lot of time to catch up," I explained.
Halos hingalin ako sa haba ng aking sinabi. I never talked to Mom that way and that long before. Sa tuwing may sinasabi silang dalawa ni Dad ay sinisuguro kong hindi humaba ang usapan namin dahil hindi ako komportable na makipagusap sa kanila.
"Hindi nga magagalit sa'yo ang lolo mo, but how about your dad?"
My lips flattened for a while, and then I took another courage to speak. "Mom, can you please do the excuses to Dad? I really want to stay here."
Natahimik siya, kaya akala ko ay nawalan ng signal, ngunit maya-maya ay muli siyang nagsalita. "Anong nangyari sa'yo? You sounded like a different person."
"Nothing, mom. I just really want to extend my vacation here."
I heard her clearing her throat. "Okay, I'll try talking to your dad. Basta siguraduhin mong tatawagan mo ang lolo mo. You know he hates being disappointed, kaya ayusin mo ang pakikipag-usap mo sa kanya."
"Okay, mom. Thank you!"
I wanted to sound lively and excited to my response, but I managed to control my tone. Matapos naming mag-usap ni Mom ay dumating naman si Ringo dala ang isang paper bag.
"Good morning," he greeted.
I didn't answer him, but I gave him a gentle smile. I was too overwhelmed with his presence that left me speechless.
"Kamusta ang tulog mo?" tanong niya sabay lapag ng paper bag sa lamesa.
"Maayos naman," matipid kong sagot at nilapitan siya.
"Maayos pero mukhang kulang ka sa tulog," pabiro niyang sabi.
The hidden paintings with weird images flashed in my head. Actually, it's one of the reasons why I had a hard time sleeping last night. Napapaisip ako kung ano pa ba ang mga hindi ko nalalaman tungkol sa kanya.
"Ringo, is there any problem?" I randomly asked. Halos hindi ko na pinagisipan. Bigla na lang lumabas sa bibig ko.
He snapped me a look. "Problem? What do you mean?"
BINABASA MO ANG
WINSTON AND RINGO (Montana Series 3 | BXB)
RomanceTagalog-English BL - Winston never spoke to anyone about his struggles and feelings, but when Ringo came into picture, everything changed. He thought Ringo was helping him to overcome his misfortune, but little did he know, it's the other way around.
