PGS05: In Fact, You Waited

IFYW05

When will I ever learn?

Because I ended last week on a good note, I was in high spirits. I started my day by feeding the chickens.

Tinuruan ako ni Kuya Paulo ng mga dapat gawin, kung gaano kadami ang ipapakain at kung paano 'wag takutin ang mga manok habang kinokolekta ang itlog nila.

I noticed Olsteen's absence, but I didn't ask where he was. Siguro busy siya hindi naman sa namimiss ko siya or ano man.

In the afternoon I decided to join my sisters and Minerva for lunch. It was an awkward lunch, to say the least. Walang nagsasalita at parang may hinihintay lang silang bumagsak. Panaka-nakang nakikita kong nagkakatinginan ang kambal habang si Minerva naman ay 'di nagawi ang atensiyon sa direksyon ko.

"So girls, have you bought new things for school? Magsisimula na ang klase next week."  Napansin kong katatapos lang nitong kumain.

"We're gonna go to the bayan later, Mom," sagot ni Aubrey habang metikolosong pinahid ang linen napkin sa bibig nito.

"Okay. Bring Manong Rodel with you. Be careful, girls." Dumako naman ang tingin nito sa'kin.

"I guess you could also buy what you need," she said almost dismissively bago tumayo at umalis.

An awkward silence replaced her presence at tatlo na lang kaming natira sa hapag. Habang si Aubrey ay prente lang na nakaupo, si Tanya ay tutok naman sa phone nito. To end the awkwardness I managed to fix my plate and started to rise from the seat as well.

"Umm..." Napukaw ang atensiyon ko nang magsasalita na sana ulit si Aubrey nang hinuli ni Tanya ang atensiyon nito habang umiiling na parang may pinapahiwatig.

I just sighed and exited the dining room. It is a hopeless case. I guess we'll never build something throughout my stay here. "Ma'am tapos na po ba kayo? Tapos ko na rin pong ihanda ang sasakyan," bungad ni Mang Rodel sa'kin nung papalabasa na 'ko.

"Po?" I asked confusedly dahil baka ang tinutukoy niya ay ang kambal.

"Sabi po ni Ma'am ay ihahatid ko po kayong tatlo sa bayan, "pagliliwanag nito.

Remembering Tanya's earlier reaction, I just declined the offer at sinabing may pupuntuhan akong iba. Inintindi naman nito ang sagot ko at pinagpatuloy lang ang paghintay sa kambal.

As much as I wanna bond with them, I don't want to make them feel uncomfortable. After all, I'm used to doing things alone. I'd rather have no company at all than have someone who's forced to be with me.

And there's no harm in shopping alone right? Especially if you're in a new place and you don't know how to do most things here. Easy peasy...

°°°
Famoust last words. I was lost yet again.

Pagkatapos kong makarating sa bayan sakay ng tricycle ay naglibot akong mag-isa. Deciding to face this bravely ay sinuyod kong mag-isa ang tumpok ng sari-saring tindahan.

Pasuko na sana ako nang may marinig akong pamilyar na boses sa likod ko.
"Morgan? Anong ginagawa mo rito? Sinong kasama mo?"

I saw Olsteen and he's carrying a plastic bag and there's a long kind of fish and its head is poking on the opening of the bag. I can feel its eyes staring into my soul.

"Morgan?" Naistorbo naman ang pakikipagtitigan ko sa isda at napadako ang tingin ko sa kaniya. Nakasimpleng longsleeves lang ito at maong na pants.