XVII
SUMILIP ako sa bintana at malakas pa rin 'yong ulan. Kinuha ko 'yong phone ko na nakapatong sa mesa. Hinanap ko 'yong pangalan ni Harold sa contacts.
Nagring 'yon at maya-maya'y may sumagot na. "Supar—"
"Kung sino ka mang babae ka, mamaya mo na tawagan 'tong malanding 'to! May ginagawa kami ngayon para sa activity ng school at mas mapapakinabangan siya rito, kaysa makipaglandian sa'yo!" At binaba niya na 'yong tawag.
Napatitig ako sa phone.
I'm sure, very sure...
That's Raena!
At nasa'n sila? Nasa school? Ba't hindi ko alam? Sakanila na lang sana 'ko sumabay!
What the hell?!
Inalis ko 'yong kunot ng noo ko nang umupo sa tapat kong couch si Tita Krei. "You're the second girl he introduced to us." Nakangiting sabi niya at nilapag 'yong hot chocolate sa mesa.
Second girl? "Gano'n po ba?" Nasabi ko na lang at uminom no'ng hot chocolate. "Aw!" Na napaso pa 'ko!
Natawa naman si Tita. "Yes. Una si Cheena. You know her, right? Childhood friend niya."
Tango lang naman ang nasagot ko at patuloy na ininom nang dahan-dahan 'yong hot chocolate.
"Do you know anything about him?" She asked while smiling.
A perfect mother, no doubt. So caring, so loving about his children. Mothers are really the best.
I smiled at the thought. "Wala po masyado. Ngayong araw ko lang po nalaman na friends pala kami." Napakamot ako. "Ang alam ko lang po President siya ng Journalism, mannerism niya po ang pag-ayos ng salamin..." Nakita kong napangiti siya ng malawak. "... childhood friend niya nga po si Cheena, he forbid curses..." Napasimangot ako ro'n na siyang ikinatawa niya. "... and may isa po siyang brother na hindi niya kasama? If tama po pagkakatanda ko."
Sumeryoso 'yong mukha niya pero ngumiti rin siya kaagad ng tipid. "That's true. Hindi namin kasama 'yong older brother niya."
Napatango-tango naman ako. "If you don't mind, may I ask why po?" I bit my lip when I saw her fist clenched. What a stupid question you got there, Joshan. "Nevermind na lang po, Tita—
"No, I'll tell you. It's okay. It seems like my son trusts you, and I also like you." She sighed."'Yong kuya niya, nasa re—"
"Mom." Napalingon kami kay Kriho na bagong ligo. "We'll talk about the articles they've written. Do'n muna kami sa kwarto ko. You may bake your favorite cookies, she might love it." Hinila niya 'ko at nakita kong excited 'yong Mom niyang nagpunta papuntang kusina.
I almost kicked Kriho because his mom couldn't finish what she was saying about his older brother!
So what, Joshan? What's the big deal?
I pouted at the silent voice creeping inside my head. I just want to know Kriho because he's my friend, that's all.
As we entered his room, I can't take my eyes off his face. Something's different. Is it because his hair is soaked because he just finished taking a bath? No.
Oh, I know—!
"Stop staring." I looked away when he noticed, but my eyes are stubborn because they landed on his face again!
Wala kasi siyang salamin! Hindi ako sanay!
Ang gulo pa ng buhok niya kasi hindi niya pa sinusuklay at tinutuyo niya pa lang.
