Bestow Your Affections On (Highschool Series #1)

Chapter 20

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It's Monday and I didn't expect much to happen for the outing we planned. As I expected, the group chat is quiet.
May mga bagay talaga na pinplano lang pero hindi naman ginagawa.

"Ang tumal ng bintahan ngayon," I heard Mang talking as she poured water into a glass. I wanted to ask why she came down since she usually only comes out when it's time to eat.

"Baka po sign na yun para magpahinga po muna kayo, Mang," I suggested as I kept on changing the channel on the TV. There was nothing good to watch.

Ininom niya muna yung tubig bago sumagot

"Sayang ang kikitain, isa o dalawang benta ay malaking bagay na," she responded

"Mahirap ba tayo, Mang?" I asked, not knowing where that came from. She looked at me. Her gaze lingered, and after a while, she looked down and sighed deeply.

That's it. Even if she didn't say it, I think I already guessed the answer.

"Wala ka bang gagawin ngayon?" she asked, trying to change the topic.

I lazily sprawled on the sofa and switched the TV to the National Geographic channel.

"Wala po," I said, yawning at the same time.

Mang came closer to me, positioned herself behind the sofa, and leaned her arms on the headboard.

"Palagi ka nalang nandito sa bahay. You should head out and hang out with your friends."

"Hmm..." Hindi na ako nakasagot pa. I felt really sleepy. Pilit kong pinanatiling bukas ang mga mata ko.

"Si JM nasa kabilang bahay, naglalaro. Eh ikaw? Kung hindi nagse-cellphone, natutulog o kumakain. Lumabas ka naman, magpa-araw ka kahit saglit lang."

"Mamaya po..." Unti-unting sumara ang mga mata ko.

"Oh, diba kakasabi ko lang tapos ngayon ay tutulugan mo ko. Hala, sige umakyat ka sa kuwarto mo at doon ka matulog dahil mamaya ay may bisita ako, iyong pumunta dito nakaraan..."

Hindi ko na narinig ang ilang mga sinabi ni Mang dahil tuluyan nang pumikit ang mga mata ko at nahimlay sa mahimbing na pagtulog.

I WOKE UP. Kinusot-kusot ko ang mga mata ko habang dahan-dahang bumangon.

"Nakatulog kaba ng mahimbing?"

"Oo...."

"You sleep like a log."

Napahinto ako sa pagkusot ng mga mata ko at gulat na napalingon sa pinanggalingan ng boses. He was comfortably sitting on the sofa in the left side of me habang diretsong nakatingin sakin. Si Jal.

Ganun nalang ang bilis ng pagsuklay ko ng buhok ko gamit ang kamay at pagpunas ng laway sa pisngi ko.

"A-anong ginagawa mo rito?" nahihiya kong tanong saka napaayos ng upo. Wait, okay lang ba 'yung suot ko? I simply checked my clothes. Shucks, naka plain black shirt at maroon shorts lang ako; mukha akong tambay. Habang siya, amoy na amoy ko ang expensive perfume niya.

"Mom liked the clothes she bought from her, so she asked me to buy a new one in a different color."

"Ah..." Wala akong mahanap na dapat sabihin. Halos himatayin ako sa kilig nung makita ko siya sa labas ng bahay, tapos ngayon ay nasa harap ko siya dito sa sala. This is too much.

"And other than that, I just wanted to see you," he said with his casual smile. Walang bahid ng pagbibiro. Did I hear it wrong?

"Ehem," I cleared my throat. "Bakit gusto mo akong makita?"