Loving This Bitch

CHAPTER 29

As planned after the finals, I stayed in my room and kept myself busy. After taking a shower, I immediately started painting. I didn't go downstairs right away because Mommy might still be there, eating. I didn't want to join her. The atmosphere is always awkward when we eat together. I painted the picture of the sun I had taken on my cell phone a week ago. I had forgotten about it, and if I hadn't seen it on my phone, it might have just stayed there and been forgotten. I applied different colors to make the painting look even better.

The colors blended beautifully, and I felt a sense of calm as I brought the sun to life on the canvas. I focused on the details, making sure each stroke added depth and vibrancy. The memory of that sunny day brought a small smile to my face.

Eventually, my stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since breakfast. Napagdesisyonan ko na ring tumigil muna at kumain. I hoped Mommy had finished eating by now.

I quietly opened my door and listened for any sounds from the dining area. Hearing nothing, I cautiously made my way down the stairs. As I reached the bottom, I sighed in relief—Mommy was nowhere in sight. I quickly made myself a sandwich and returned to my room.

Habang kumakain ay tumingin ako sa aking pinintang mukha. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi tumingin sa kaniya. Hindi ko alam kung bakit gustong-gusto kong titigan ang mukha niya.

Tinapos kong kumain at ibinaba ang pinagkainan. Babalik na sana ako sa aking kwarto nang biglang bumukas ang pinto ni Mommy at lumabas siya. Nagkatinginan kami hanggang sa bumaba ang tingin ko sa suot niya.

"You're going to work wearing that?" Kuryoso kong tanong.

Umiling siya at ngumiti. "No, pupunta akong mall dahil may bibilhin ako. You should come with me."

"You're going to the mall again?"

Parang araw-araw na lang siyang pumupunta sa mall.

"I...I just need to buy something." Aniya at umiwas ng tingin.

I nodded, "Nah, I'm okay. Ikaw na lang." sabi ko at tumalikod.

"May gusto ka bang ipabili?"

Napaharap ako sa kaniya nang tanungin niya iyon. That was unexpected, really.

Umiling ako. "Wala."

Buong araw akong nagkulong sa loob ng kwarto. Wala akong ginawa kundi ang magpinta, mag-cellphone, manood ng TV, at kumain. Bumaba rin ako para magswimming. Seven o'clock na si Mommy at saktong kumakain ako ng dinner kaya nang marinig ko ang tunog ng sasakyan sa labas ay binilisan ko ang pagkain ko. Kakaunti na lang naman. Napansin iyon ni Manang at umiling. Agad kong nilagay sa lababo ang pinagkainan at lumabas ng kusina.

Saktong papasok na si Mommy ng bahay nang dumaan ako. Ako ang una niyang nakita sabay ngiti.

"Nag-dinner ka na?" Tanong niya kaagad.

"Yes," sagot ko sabay tingin sa likod niya kung nasaan si Kuya Joberth na may dala-dalang paper bags. "Nagshopping ka?"

"Ah, yes." Sinundan niya si Kuya Joberth sa living room kaya napasunod na rin ako.

I'm just curious.

"Binilhan kita ng mga damit," aniya at binuksan ang mga paper bag na parang may hinahanap. "This," ipinakita niya sa akin ang isang dress na may hati sa bandang hita. Mahaba iyon, umabot hanggang paa at spaghetti strap. "I bought you this. You like black, right?"

I stilled. Actually, mas nagugustuhan ko na ang red. Hindi ko alam, basta bigla ko na lang itong nagustuhan.

"Before, yes. Pero red na ang gusto ko ngayon." Diretso kong sagot.