Sugarcoated Karma

Chapter 8

Race

Saturday went by too fast. At patapos na rin ang araw ng Linggo. Nagawa kong abalahin ang sarili ko sa panonood ng mga bagong released na pelikula kagabi kaya 'eto ako, tinanghali na naman ng gising ngayon. 

Titus was here yesterday and although he didn't really stay for too long, it felt as if my Saturday got spoiled and wasted by him. Dahil kahit paagkaalis niya kahapon, wala na rin akong ibang nagawa kung hindi ang isipin lahat ng mga sinabi niya.

I wonder if he's really serious with courting Yuli? I mean... she's my friend. Kahit pa hindi ko gusto ang mga huling sinabi niya sa 'kin. But I shouldn't interrupt. I care for her, yes. I don't trust Titus, yes. Pero siya pa rin naman ang magdedesisyon at hindi ko dapat panghimasukan 'yon lalo't mukhang interesado rin talaga siya kay Titus.

I can't believe I'm even thinking about these things! 

"Ma'am... may bisita ho kayo," isang kasambahay na naman ang kumakatok ngayon.

I am hoping that this time, isa na talaga sa mga kaibigan ko ang bumisita. Pero pagkabukas ko pa lang ng pintuan, nadismaya na ako kaagad.

"Ano na namang ginagawa mo rito?" 

Titus laughed at my reaction before he lifted his right hand that's holding a paperbag of food. And not just some ordinary food, galing na naman 'yon sa isang food place na singmahal ng huli niyang binigay sakin ang mga presyo.

"I brought snacks!" He cheerily said before shamelessly scanning my entirety.

I felt a bit uncomfortable at his gaze. Hapon na at nakaligo na naman ako, siesta ko na rin dapat kaya ang tanging suot ko lang ay itim na cotton slim shorts at tank top. Bagsak din ang mahaba kong buhok na sigurado akong gulo-gulo ngayon.

"I was about to have my siesta time," I rolled my eyes at him. 

Hindi ako makatagal doon kaya lumabas na ako ng kwarto. Nakasunod si Titus sakin at ang kasambahay na kumatok. Pinanlakihan ko 'yon ng mata nang makitang nakangising-aso sakin.

"I just dropped by too give you this anyway..." I stopped when we're already in the living area.

Isang beses akong humakbang paatras nang matantong masyado kaming naging malapit dahil sa ginawa ko. I wrinkled my nose at his now familiar scent.

"You can still have your siesta time," he gently said. Seryoso ang titig sakin at tila naninimbang.

I can sense how bothered he is because he thinks he's interrupting a routine of mine. I looked at the paperbag hanging by his hand at kinuha na 'yon. Lakas din mangguilty ng isang 'to, e!

"I changed my mind, nagugutom na ako. Ano ba 'to?" Kunwaring tanong ko at tumalikod na para pumunta sa kusina. Alam kong nakasunod at nakatingin siya sakin. It's making me restless!

"I don't know yet... what you like. So, I just ordered each of what they have on the menu."

Nalaglag ang panga ko sa sinabi niya. He could've just went to Starbucks kung gano'n pala ang plano niya! Isa pa, paniguradong hindi ko rin mauubos lahat ng dala niya kung binili niya pala ang lahat ng na sa menu!

Nang makabawi, agad kong tinignan ang laman ng paperbag at nakita ro'n ang sari-saring klase ng tinapay na tingin palang, mamahalin na. I knew it!

"Tell me what doesn't suit your taste, so next time I'll just buy the ones that do." He winked.

Hindi ko pinansin 'yon. Instead, I asked a question that's been bothering me since yesterday.  Naalala ko lang 'to nung nakaalis na siya kahapon. 

"About yesterday," I picked out the strawberry croissant from the bag, "You met my dad?"