Double Take

Chapter 32

This might be my last update for the month of November since I will be focusing on my review. But I will still try to write whenever I have an extra time. Thank you!

p.s. i don't proofread. xoxo

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Waves

"I'm glad that your performance in school is getting better, Benjamin." Tumango ako sa nakangiting si Mommy. She was so pleased at the result of my finals that she really went home to praise me for it. "Having a tutor must've been a huge help, huh?"

Uminom ako ng tubig at tipid na ngumiti. "Opo, My. Magaling pong tutor si Rael..."

Sabado ngayon at himalang dito kumain ng agahan si Mommy sa bahay. Sanay kasi akong kapag ganitong araw ay kung hindi nasa Cebu ay nasa ibang bansa naman siya para magliwaliw kasama ng mga kumare niya.

"Any plans for college?"

Nabura ang kaunting ngiti ko. I sighed a bit. May isang semester pa naman kaya hindi ko pa napagtutuonan ng pansin ang tungkol doon. Even the course I am going to take is still a blur to me. I don't know why. Maybe because I wasn't pressured since I was a kid? At ngayong nabanggit ni Mommy ay saka ko lang naalala.

"Wala pa?" she probed lightly. "Don't tell me mag-aasawa ka na kaagad?"

Napasimangot ako.

Gano'n ba 'yon? Kapag wala pang plano ibig sabihin mag-aasawa na kaagad? I wanted to roll my eyes. Hindi ba pweding hindi pa ako makapili ng gusto kong kurso?

"I'm just kidding, Benj. I know that you still don't have a girlfriend..."

My eyes narrowed at her when she continued.

"Kaya nga ako umuwi rito. Mabilan sa natuwa ako sa resulta ng finals mo, balak ko ring ipakilala ka sa anak ng isa kong kaibigan. Palagi kasi kitang nakukwento kapag bumibisita ako sa kanila at isang beses ay naipakita ko na rin sa babaeng anak nito ang ilan sa mga pictures mo..."

Kung kanina ay maayos pa akong nakakakain, ngayon ay tuluyan na talaga akong nawalan ng gana. My brows knitted before I looked away and wiped my lips with the napkin.

Now I don't remember why I joined this breakfast with my mother when I could've had this meal with my boyfriend instead.

"And guess what? She likes you! And she has a huge crush on you already! These days I will surely invite her here so you two could meet and—"

"I'm not interested." Malamig kong putol sa kay Mommy. "Pakisabi rin na hindi ko siya magugustuhan kaya maghanap na lang siya ng iba."

Mommy frowned. Halatang nagulat ito sa pagtanggi ko pero wala na akong pakialam. Nakakainis. Is my mother really that bored that she's now starting to get nosy with my personal life? I mean, of course, she's my mother. But that doesn't make a free pass for her to just randomly start to introduce me to whoever she wants!

"Pero Benj, sayang, ang ganda-ganda pa naman ng anak ng kumare kong 'yon." Hirit pa nito na mas lalo lang ikinainit ng ulo ko.

I scoffed irritably. Pakialam ko do'n? Si Rael lang ang gusto ko. Kay Rael lang ako magiging interesado. Kung hindi si Rael, ayoko. Tapos ang usapan.

"You two will make a beautiful couple—"

"I said what I said, Mommy." I said dismissively.

"Hindi naman masama kung susubukan mo, Benj. Try mo lang. Baka magustuhan mo siya? She's a nice girl anyway. Baka next month papuntahin ko 'yon dito..." Mommy still tried to convince me.

Tang ina lang.

The urge to voice out my thoughts was so palpable but I kept my mouth shut. Napag-usapan na namin 'to ni Rael. I was getting impatient, lalo na kapag ganito, pero nirerespeto ko ang gusto niya. Para rin naman 'yon sa aming dalawa. I can't do anything right now but be patient and wait. Sana lang ay huwag akong sinusubok lagi ng masasamang espirito.