Always Have Been, Always Will Be | ✓

35

[ ◉¯]

Chapter 35

Gas

"Anong oras kayo aalis ni Grazen, Elize?" Phelomeno asked as he helped me pack my things.

I didn't bring that much—only the essentials, and clothes good enough for three days. I also had a few skincare products with me because ever since that period of time in eleventh grade where due to the lack of sleep and nutritious foods, I got breakouts and acne. Bumabalik naman ngayon sa dati ang skin ko dahil inaalagaan ko na ang sarili.

"Before lunch ata," sagot ko nang hindi siya tinitingnan dahil abala sa pagtupi ng aking damit.

"Saan siya mag-l-lunch?" Konsernong tanong ni Phelomeno.

Napaangat naman ako ng tingin sa kaniyang nakatayo, hawak ang isa kong hoodie. Nagkakasalubong ang kaniyang mga kilay, problemado para sa kaniyang kaibigan...

Nagkibit balikat ako. "Sasamahan ko na lang siya. Si Grazen din naman kasi nag-propose na bago tanghalian kami liliban."

Honestly, I couldn't believe that my three-day stay here already finished. It almost seemed like I just arrived here yesterday, all frantic and flustered. Pero kahit wala ako masyadong nagawa, ayos lang naman. Ang mahalaga ay nag-enjoy pa rin ako kahit papaano, at saka nakita ko rin ulit si Swyney.

On the other hand, the webinar in my club would be around three to four in the afternoon, and the drive there wouldn't probably take that long anyway. I hope. Babalik pa si Grazen dito dahil bukas pa sila aalis, mauuna lang talaga ako dahil may kailangang aasikasuhin.

"Plant the bomb na, Euclid! Ang bagal pota!" Lutong na mura ni Kaia habang in game sa pindot gaming sa kaniyang screen.

"Gaga, nasa 'yo ang bomba!"

"Patay na ako, girl!"

"Charot, kay Grazen pala!"

Kakatapos lang naming mag-almusal, at balik kaagad silang tatlo sa CODM. Gano'n ang routine nila sa kabuuan ng pagnanatili namin dito. Dumating na rin sa puntong ginagamit ko na lang ang kanilang sigawan bilang alarm dahil hindi tumatalab yung sa cellphone ko. Nasanay na rin kasi ako. Pati nga si Phelomeno ay natuto na rin atang magbasa kahit maingay ang paligid.

"Where's Thaianara and Swyney?" Tanong ni Phelomeno nang maabutan silang naglalaro sa sala pagkatapos niya akong tulungang mag-impake.

"Nag-morning jog ata," sagot ni Kaia nang hindi tinatanggal ang mga mata sa laro.

Morning jog? Wow, Thaianara must be so productive now, huh.

Ever since I moved in my own apartment just after our graduation, I have gotten less news from her and Tita Nara—not because we didn't communicate anymore, but rather, it was not the same unlike the the time that I still had my own room in their house where I got to witness their every move. Nandoon pa rin naman ang kuwarto ko, at umuuwi ako roon paminsan-minsan, lalo na kapag masyado akong lonely at gustong mayroong kasama. Tita Nara would always be available. Pinag-b-bake niya pa ako ng cake tuwing bumibisita ako.

"Sumama si Kuya Sauyer?" Tanong pa ni Phelomeno at umupo sa gilid ni Grazen, hawak ang kaniyang libro.

Grazen's brows shot up, realizing something, before he finally lifted up his gaze and turned his eyes on me.