Sleep, My Love

Chapter 7

Author's Note: For the full effect of this chapter, consider listening to the song while reading.

The incessant ringing of the doorbell and loud voices from outside jolted me awake. Naramdaman ko agad ang sakit ng ulo ko dahil naalimpungatan. Rubbing my eyes and still in my stitch pajamas, I stumbled out of bed, my hair was a tangled mess. Halos nakapikit pa ako habang naglalakad papunta sa pinto.

Sino ba nambubulabog nang ganito kaaga?

"Astria! Buksan mo! Kami 'to!" malakas ang boses ni Lila, kasabay ng pagpindot sa doorbell nang paulit-ulit. "Yo hoo, food delivery!"

"Ito na! Ito na!" I called out, though my voice was barely above a mumble.

I shuffled to the door, feeling annoyance and curiosity. As soon as I unlocked and opened it, Lila and Kairos practically tumbled into the apartment, their arms laden with bags of food.

"Finally!" Lila exclaimed, brushing past at me and heading straight for the kitchen. "Ang init sa labas! Akala namin hindi ka na magigising! Nakailang tawag at katok kami ah!"

Kairos followed, giving me a sheepish grin. "Cute ng pajamas mo ah? Good afternoon, sleepyhead. We brought lunch."

"Hoy, Kai, bakit puro spicy chips binili mo, hindi lahat gusto nito!" reklamo ni Lila nang ilabas niya ang mga laman ng bags.

Kairos rolled his eyes, dumping the other bags on the table. "Come on, Li, spicy chips are the best. Wala ka lang taste."

"Kaya mahilig ka sa spicy kasi ang anghang ng dila mo!"

"Bleh."

I blinked at them, still trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. "Guys, bakit kayo nandito at bakit ang ingay niyo?"

"Naisip naming magdala ng lunch at mag hang out tayo," Lila smiled widely. "Since bored kaming dalawa."

Ngumisi si Kairos. "Yeah, wake up, Astria. Tanghali na. Past 12 PM na."

I groaned. Humiga ako sa sofa at nagtakip ng mukha gamit ang unan. "Gusto ko pa matulog. Tulog lang dapat gagawin ko ngayon."

Ignoring me, Lila began unpacking the food, chattering loudly about something. "So, ito ang chismis. Nakasalubong namin si Rylan kanina sa store at sinabi niya sa amin na he's looking forward to seeing you at the restaurant!" tili niya. "Kinilig ako kahit hindi naman ako 'yung magtratrabaho doon! Ay, what if mag apply din ako 'no?"

Kairos snorted. "Maarte ka nga, magaapply ka pa. Atsaka excited si loko ah. Makikita na araw-araw si Astria."

Sumilip ako mula sa unan ko. "Pwede hinaan niyo mga boses niyo? Masyado kayong maingay, hindi pa gising diwa ko."

Lila giggled and walked over to the couch, flopping down next to me. "Sorry po mahal naming kaibigan, hindi namin gustong magising ka. But seriously, need mo kasi malaman 'yung latest gossip."

Kairos, now rummaging through my fridge, shouted from the kitchen. "May soda ka, Astria?"

"Ako rin kuhaan mo!" sigaw ni Lila pabalik.

Napabuntong hininga ako bago tinanggal ang unan sa mukha ko at umupo nang maayos. Napakamot ako sa ulo ko at iritang tinignan sila. "Top shelf, Kai. And could you two stop rummaging through my stuff?"

Pabiro tumaray si Lila. "Relax, para naman kaming bago dito."

Kairos emerged with two soda cans in hands, grinning. Binigay niya kay Lila 'yung isa at uminom silang dalawa. Nagtawanan pa sila nang makita ang inis kong mukha.

"Your place is so cozy, kaya masarap tumambay dito e," komento ni Kairos.

I shook my head, feeling a mix of amusement and frustration. "Ang gugulo niyo. Pwede ba hintayin niyo ako na makapagkape man lang?"