Kabanata 6
Aiah
"Is he okay ,doc?" Natatarantang tanong ko.
"His wound isn't deep, but he still needs to avoid moving his arm to prevent further bleeding."
"Mabilis lang ba ito gumaling doc?" Sielo asked, his arm wrapped in a bandage.
"It will heal fast. Hindi ka naman napuruhan," the doctor replied.
Sabay kaming naglakad palabas ng hospital. I faced him.
"I'll drive you home," I said.
"No need. I might end up in heaven instead of just home," he replied.
I rolled my eyes at his comment. "You never know what will happen next. Besides, if the Lord wants to take you, you should accept your fate," I told him.
"Grabe ang pag-aalala mo saakin kanina. Ngayon bumalik na ang pagkataray mo."
I ignored him and headed straight to my parked car.
I stopped the car in front of him. "Get in."
"No, I’ll walk," he insisted.
He was so dramatic.
"Just get in. Huwag kang mag inarte," I said.
He approached the car and opened the passenger seat door.
Sasakay naman pala.
"Saan kita ihatid?" Tanong ko sa kaniya.
" Sa bahay namin." Sagot niya.
Tinignan ko siya ng masama. "Umayos ka." Banta ko.
He laughed. "You’re so serious. I live in La Villa."
Tahimik lang ang byahe. Walang nagsalita saamin. Nakahawak ito sa siko niyang may bandage. Nakaramdam tuloy ako ng konsensya sa nangyari. Tinarayan ko pa siya na ako naman ang may kasalanan.
"I'm sorry." I sincerely said.
"Huh?"
"I'm sorry for the injury and for being harsh with you," I said softly.
"Don’t worry about it."
Napahinto ang sasakyan sa harap ng mahabang bakal na nagsisilbing harang sa daan. Nakita ko may papalapit sa amin na dalawang guard.
Isa sa kanila ang kumatok sa bintana ng sasakyan. I immediately opened it.
"A-ahm ma'am your not allowed to enter here—" napahinto siya sa kaniyang dapat sasabihin ng makita ang kasama ko.
" Sir Sielo. Kayo pala." Tawag nito sa kasama ko. "Nobya niyo po?" Intrigang tanong niya sabay sulyap saakin.
What?
"No." Ako na ang sumagot.
Kalalaking tao napakatsismoso.
"Pwede padaanin niyo na po kami manong Pablo." Si Sielo. "Naiinip na po itong kasama ko." Dagdag niya pa.
Napatingin ako sa mga kabahayan na nadaraan namin.
"There," he pointed to a large house with an elegant design.
I stopped the car infront of his gate. Lumabas ako ng sasakyan to help him open. Napatingin kami pareho when someone opened the gate at bumungad saamin ang isang magandang babae. May pagkahawig ni sielo.
"Kuya anong nangyari sa iyo?" Nag aalalang tanong nito sabay lapit saamin.
Kapatid niya pala ang magandang dalagang to.
"Nakarma ka na ba kuya?" she asked, though there was a hint of teasing in her tone.
Hindi ko maiwasan na mapatawa sa sinabi nito sa kuya niya.
Nasa akin na ngayon ang atensyon niya. Sinusuri niya ako.
"Are you kuya Sielo’s girlfriend? You’re too pretty to be his girlfriend," she said.
"No, I’m not his girlfriend. I just drove him home," I replied.
"Buti naman kung ganun. Pangit kaya niya." she said. I laughed at her comment. I glanced at Sielo, who was giving his sister a stern look.
"I’m Solaiah Quinna, but you can call me Aiah," she introduced herself. "What’s your name?"
"I’m Rebecca Nys Vergara, or Canny for short." I extended my hand. She shook it warmly.
"Can I call you Ate Canny?"
I was surprised by her question.
I nodded. I felt comfortable with her. She was so bubbly. Nagulat pa ako ng hinawakan niya ang kamay ko.
" Pumasok ka mo na sa loob ate."
I shook my head. "I need to leave, Aiah."
She looked suddenly sad. I glanced at Sielo for help, but he just shrugged. I wanted to kick him in frustration. I raised an eyebrow at him.
Napakamot siya sa noo bago tumingin sa kapatid.
"Stop being so persistent, Aiah. Go inside," he ordered his sister. "And Canny is leaving."
She pouted. "Please, stay here, Ate."
Iwan ko ba sa sarili ko kung bakit di manlang ako naiinis sa kaniya na bago lang kami nagkita. Madali akong nagagalit at naiinis sa taong kinukulit ako. Pero sa kaniya ay hindi manlang ako nakaramdam ng inis.
Date finished: July 14, 2024
