My Handsome Katipunero

KABANATA 20

I looked at the brat standing in front of me. We looked like we're having a staring contest, well, more like a glaring contest.

"Could you please stop that?" Karlos snapped, averting his gaze from mine.

"I won't unless you give me money," pagmamatigas ko.

"How can a kid have money?"

I rolled my eyes heavenward, "You're no kid."

"I am."

"You're not. You're a thousand year old divinity in a body of a child. Now, give me money."

He clicked his gum, "What're you going to do with the money?"

I finally stopped throwing daggers at the kid. I was taken aback by his question.

I honestly don't know what I was doing. It's just giving someone a gift. I've done it before. So, why am I nervous? Siguro dahil ito ang unang pagkakataon na magbibigay ako ng regalo sa isang lalaki na 'di ko naman kaano-ano.

"Y-you don't need to know. Just give me already."

"Wow, such a brat," he scoffed. "I'm not giving you money. Anong tingin mo sakin? Bangko? Oras kaya kong ibigay, pero pera. Dream on."

"Karlos, c'mon! It's your fault-"

"Kasalanan ko pa."

"No, I mean. Biglaan naman kasi 'yong pagdala mo sakin dito. 'Di man lang ako naka-prepare! Naka-nigh-gown nga lang ako no'ng dinala mo ko dito. At least give me everything I need."

He rolled his eyes and slid both his hands in his pocket. "At ako rin ang dahilan kung bakit mo siya nakilala."

Instantly, I blushed. I looked down and started fidgeting my fingers.

"It's all about him, right?" He asked. I bit my lower lip, "He's the reason why you're asking money?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I looked at a different direction, avoiding his gaze.

On the 25th of December is Antonio's birthday. At meron na lang akong limang araw para ihanda ang ireregalo ko sa kanya.

Simula noong naging malungkot na ang pamilya namin dahil sa dinanas ni kuya, 'di ko na naranasan ang mabigyan ng regalo o ang magbigay ng regalo. Every christmas, even on important events in my life, my parents would be out working their butts off. And I spent those days in the dark corner of my room.

"I guessed right," Karlos said after taking a deep breath. "Sana sinabi mo nalang."

I looked at him. Inilabas niya ang isang kamay mula sa bulsa hawak-hawak ang isang kulay cream na tela. Then he gave it to me. I accepted it.

"Para sa'n 'to?"

" 'Yan ang ibigay mo sa kaarawan niya."

I gave him a confused look, "This? Tela?"

" 'Di naman kailangang mamahalin o maganda 'yung regalo. Ang importante 'yung effort and the love you put into it." He looked at Tandang Sora's house, "Saka, magpatulong ka kay Corazon. Embroidery." Then, he turned his back and started walking.

I nodded and was about to get inside but stopped when Karlos called my name. I turned to look at him.

"Pero 'wag mong isipin na kinokonsente kita. I'm still against you having feelings for the guy."

I smiled, "I know."

I started walking back to the house. Karlos warned me before, "Don't fall." It was an obvious warning. He knows what will happen in the end if I did. But, it was his fault. Hinayaan niya akong makilala ang isang Antonio Crisostomo. And now, I'm ready to take the risk.