Between the Lines

IKAWALO

L E A

I was busy cooking when I heard someone yawned, matatakot na sana ako noong mapagtanto ko na hindi lang pala ako ang mag-isa na nakatira dito sa condo.

"Good Morning, Tita" masiglang sambit ni Alexandria dahilan para mapalingon ako sa gawi niya.

"Good Morning, sweetheart. How was your sleep?" I managed to ask, as she went near to me to kiss my cheeks.

"It's good" she said but yawned again.

"Good? Eh bakit parang inaantok ka pa?" nakataas kilay na tanong ko. Halata kasi sa mapupungay nitong mga mata at paghikab nito na hindi ito nakatulog ng maayos.

Hininto ko ang ginagawa ko para tignan siya.

Napakamot ito sa kanyang ulo at napangiti "Ah, eh"

"Ih? Oh? Uh?" pagcocontinue ko dahilan para matawa siya pero kaagad din ito umayos ng tumikhim ako.

"I woke up in the middle of the night kasi Tita, tapos hindi na ako nakatulog ulit, namamahay siguro" maikiling paliwanag niya sa akin.

I just nod my head and went back to what I am doing, when I felt her presence near me, medyo lumayo kasi siya ng kunti kanina dahilan para matigil nanaman ako sa ginagawa ko para tignan siya.

"You need something?"

She shook her head and said "Baka po ikaw po, you need something po na ipagawa sa akin?"

I just shake my head and said "Why don't you go and sit down? Malapit na rin naman ako matapos dito"

"I'll prepare the table then" nakangiting sambit niya at ginawa ang gusto niyang gawin dahilan para magkibit-balikat na lang ako at tinapos ang ginagawa ko.

We were in the middle of eating when I remembered something "Alex, I have to go to work nga pala today"

"Po?" disappointment was evident on her face and she looked like she was about to complain, but she forced a smile and said, "Okay po."

Today is Sunday. That's why I understand her disappointment. She continued eating.

"Why don't you go with me?" nakangiting sambit ko dahilan para mapaangat siya ng tingin at tinignan ako.

"Talaga po?"

"It's Sunday. Obviously, you don't have to go to school today, kaya yes, you can go with me"

"Talaga Tita?" halata sa mukha niya ang pagkagalak.

I nod my head in response while I was still smiling "Talagang-talaga"

"Yes!" she exclaimed, standing up from her seat and approaching me. "Thank you, Tita," she said, hugging me, which surprised me. "I thought I would spend my Sunday alone again." she whispered but enough for me to hear it.

I smiled sadly as my heart felt like it was being crumpled by what I heard. I rubbed her back. "Of course, sweetheart," I replied, releasing my hug as she did the same. "After the shoot, we can go to the mall and shop whatever you want."

Ngumiti siya ng matipid at sinabing "Hindi naman po kailangan niyan Tita, just spend your time with me and I'm okay with it"

"Okay, ganito na lang, kung ano man ang gusto mong gawin sa loob ng mall, gagawin natin"

"Even if it sounds crazy?" she asked with a smile.

"I don't think I'd like that idea, but let's see," I replied, which made her smile.

"Hi guys!" I greeted my glam team as soon as I entered my dressing room "Hi, Ash"

"Magandang umaga, Coach" nakangiting bati sa akin ni Sarah as my glam team answered me with "Hello Madame"