Nasa gitna ako ng trabaho, tanghali ng sabado, nang nasagi ko ang siko ni Zia na may dalang tatlong baso sa tray "God! Im so sorry Zia! I wasn't even looking--Gosh! Muntik na akong makabasag ng baso! Im so so sorry!" paghihingi ko ng tawad sa kanya habang hinimas ang aking noo dahil sa pagkadismaya.
"No it's okay Michea, I think you may need to go home for a while and have a long rest. You've been working here since last night without sleeping, you already looked like-- uhh-- more like a zombie or something, and you're eyebags! Gosh Mich you must been very tired" wika sa'kin ni Zia at hinawakan ang dalawa kong balikat.
"No Zi, Im fine. I can handle myself and besides linggo naman bukas at day-off ko wala rin naman akong gagawin dun sa bahay at tsaka--" I wasn't able to finished my speech nang lumapit si Lavender, which is known as our Lady Butterfly here in cafe because of her voice na para kang lilipad dahil sa ganda ng kanyang boses, she looked at me directly in my eyes and raised her eyebrow.
I let out my defeated sigh and "Fine" yan nalang ang tanging lumabas sa bibig ko. Dahil kung si Lavender ang kausap mo talagang mauubusan ka ng laway sa kaka-argue sa kanya.
"And we noticed that you've been spacing out since yesterday, may problema ka ba Laine?" bigla namang singit ni Topher habang pinupunusan ang bagong hugas na pinggan.
"Guys! Will you stop worrying about me! Im fine okay? I don't have any problem, I just want to work and work and work"
"What about your school? I know ginagabi ka na ng umuwi sa bahay niyo at mag-aaral ka pa tapos--" aniya Lavender.
"I can handle myself"
"Your always saying that" singit ni Zia.
Inirapan ko nalang sila at isinabit ang bag sa kaliwang balikat ko "Guys are you sure about this? Baka maraming customers at mahihirapan kayo" As I gazed at them before leaving the cafe.
"Enough reasons Micheana, Now go. Shoo! shoo!" Lavender gestured her hands up and down to shoo me away.
"Kung makapag-alis kayo ng tao parang aso lang ah?*giggled*" I waved my right hand to them as I leaved and go home.
"Ma Im home!" sigaw ko pagbukas ko ng pinto but instead na si mama ang bumungad sa'kin, I saw a girl standing in front of me crossing her arm in her chest and a frowned expression appeared on her face.
Corra. Talk about the Protagonist's Bestfriend.
"Micheana De Jesus, may kasalanan ka"
"Tss. Manahimik ka nga Corra" nilagpasan ko lang sya at nilagay ang bag sa sofa "Where's Ma? Camille? Bakit walang tao dito bahay" tanong ko at pumunta sa kusina.
"Pumunta sila sa Market, so now--" sabi nya habang nakabuntot sa'kin and still crossing her arms.
I checked the time on my wristwatch and it's 7 early in the morning "Kanina pa ba sila umalis?"
"30 minutes ago, Mich--"
"Nakakain ka na ba?"
"Hindi pa, Hey--!"
Hinarap ko sya at naghalukipkip din "So anong ginagawa mo dito?"
"WILL YOU SHUT UP AND GIVE ME SOME EXPLANATIONS?!" Nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil sa biglaan at nakakabingi nyang pagsigaw. I covered my two ears.
"So dapat bang sumigaw?!"
"Eh sa hindi mo'ko pinapatapos magsalita! tanong ka dyan ng tanong eh!" Galit na galit nyang sigaw sa'kin.
"Fine! Ask me!" sumandal ako sa lababo na tila handang makinig sa mga itatanong nya sa'kin.
Ipinatong nya ang kanyang kanang kamay sa aming wooden table at nagpameywang gamit ang kanyang kaliwang kamay "Bakit hindi ka umuwi kagabi? You didn't even send us a message na hindi ka makakauwi!"
