School Playlist #1: Breakthrough [On-going]

Chapter 48: Party Trouble

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

- Lourence -

"DID YOU two enjoy the movie?!" Masaya kaming sinalubong ni Mommy pag-uwi naming dalawa ni Dominic galing sa panonood ng sine.

"Nah, it was boring." Nababagot kong tugon at naupo sa malambot na couch para saglit na ipahinga ang katawan ko.

I'm damn tired because of the little headway of the cars in a traffic jam a while ago. I want to rest right away but I can't sleep while I'm still full. This is a real struggle for someone who lost his energy from the errand.

"Ikaw, Dominic, did you enjoy the movie? Was it great?!" Ang kapatid ko naman ang tinanong ni Mom.

"Not really." Masungit nitong sagot at naupo rin sa couch para ipahinga ang katawan.

Lumapit sa amin si Mommy at nakanguso kaming pinagmasdan na dalawa. "Did you actually get tired when you just watched a movie? It's not that tiring."

"If you're stuck in traffic of course you'll also get tired." Nakapikit kong pasaring.

"Magpahinga na kayong dalawa sa room niyo dahil aalis pa kayo bukas."

"I don't remember I have an errand tomorrow."

"Ay, oo nga pala! I forgot to tell you na in-invite pala kayo ng friend ni Christine to her birthday!"

Nagmulat ako ng mata at nagtaka. "What?"

May kinuha siya sa center table at inabot 'yon sa akin kaya kinuha ko 'yon at binuksan.

Magarang invitation 'to para sa 19th birthday ni Zoey na kaibigan ni Christine.

"I won't be able to attend the party, Mom." Ibinalik ko 'yon sa kaniya habang magkalapat ang mga labi.

Nagtataka niya 'yong inabot. "Bakit naman, anak? I thought kaibigan niyo si Christine ah?"

"We're not friends with her friends."

"Kahit na, son. Ano ka ba naman? They are expecting you two to come, 'no! Malay niyo maging friends niyo sila bukas?"

Sumimangot ako. "No way, Mom. They're Zilthea's enemies and I can't be friends with them." Sabi ko nang maalala ang kahapong pangyayari. Pagkatapos no'n nagbago na ang tingin ko sa kanila, lalo na kay Christine.

Nagulat siya nang marinig 'yon. "Really? Why are they enemies, then?"

"It's a matter we boys will never understand," tugon ko. "So it's a no, Mom. We'll not attend the party."

Saglit siyang natigil at nang makita ang pagkasigurado ng tingin ko ay napanguso siya. "Alright, son. I'll tell Christine na lang na 'di kayo sasama. For sure she'll understand that."

"Mm." Tumango na lang ako at muling pumikit.

"Go upstairs and wash so you two can sleep already. H'wag na kayong matulog dito." Paalala niya at naramdaman ko na lang ang mga yabag niyang papaalis.

Hays, mabuti na lang hindi na niya kami pinilit papuntahin sa party. Wala rin ako sa mood umalis ng bahay bukas.

"I'm gonna attend the party tomorrow." Biglang nagsalita si Dominic kaya awtomatiko akong nagmulat ng mata at gulat siyang tiningnan.

"Seryoso ka? Dahil ba 'yan kay Christine?"

Saglit siyang hindi nakasagot. "Yeah." Cold niyang tugon na nakatitig sa unahan.

Nalukot ang noo ko sa pagtataka. "I thought you were mad at her because of the incident yesterday? Did she force you to come?"

"No. She doesn't know I'm gonna attend."