SSS [III] (COMPLETED)

Part 22

I had another decent sleep. Wala man kaming session ni Prez, ay kumportable naman akong nakasiksik sa kanya. Though I'm not really sure kung nakatulog ba talaga siya dahil nagising naman ako ng maaga to turn the airconditioner off, tapos ay wala na siya sa tabi ko.

Babalik pa sana ako sa tulog, pero mas umusbong 'yong kagutuman ko. Ito talaga ang pinoproblema ko minsan. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, basta sa tuwing nasosobrahan ako ng kain for dinner ay mabilis akong nagugutom for breakfast the next day. That's why I like wasting hours at the gym. My appetite for food was my body's ultimate traitor, yet I don't like depriving myself.

Lumabas ako ng kwarto to see if Lola's started with cooking breakfast, at hindi naman ako nadisappoint. Gulat pa nga siya nong nakita ako, at agad na tiningnan ang orasan. I gave her a sleepy smile.

"You're awake early," pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang katawan ko. "At hindi ka man lang naghilamos bago ka lumabas ng kwarto?"

Umiling-iling na ako and went straight to the kitchen sink to wipe my eyes with water at magmumog. Naghanap naman ako kaagad ng coffee or any hot chocolate drink sa stove. Lola was busy with the bacon.

"I'm so hungry, Lola." utas ko habang naglalaway sa amoy. I was just sipping my Cuban coffee behind the kitchen aisle habang titig na titig sa pagluluto ni Lola. I was still so sleepy kaya hinayaan ko muna ang sarili kong maghimutok habang umiinom.

Lola and I had inconsistent morning jogs after her vaccines. Akala ko nga ay makakabuti 'yon dahil she would have more time to sleep in the morning, but she chose to allot her available time to cook heartier breakfasts for us instead. I already told her off about it, pero sinabihan niya lang ako na hindi na niya mababago pa ang kanyang body clock.

Nauna na kami kumain ni Lola ng breakfast, just us two. It was still too early kaya hindi pa ginising ni Lola si Yosef. I asked her about Prez, at sinabi naman niya sa akin na sa pag-gising niya ay wala na si Jeremiah sa sala, at nakabukas na yung deadbolt ng pintuan patungo sa garahe. Hindi na ako umimik pagkatapos noon. I smiled at her.

"Parang ang tagal na yata since the last time we ate together like this, 'La, ano?" I wiggled my eyebrows. Tinampal niya naman ako sa braso at umiling-iling.

"I've always wanted to have a big family..." malumanay na sabi ni Lola. "That's why we always have friends over almost everyday, and host garden parties ever since Eliza was young."

"Talaga, 'La? Akala ko kasi, 'La, hilig mo lang 'yong nagluluto ka." hagikhik ko.

I knew that. Gusto talaga nila Lola ng malaking pamilya, despite her and Lolo being only child's of my great grandparents. They love taking care of crowds. Pero sadyang maselan 'yong pagbubuntis ng lahi nila. That's why all the love they can give, they give to their friends who are also family to us.

Lola sighed.

"Kaya noong umalis ang mommy mo immediately after college to work abroad ay talagang nangulila kami sa kanya," she held my hand. "Buti nalang at pinauwi ka niya dito, my rowdy apo, we really missed you so much."

"Lola naman, e! Kakagising ko palang pinapaiyak mo na agad ako!" I playfully exclaimed at umupo na sa tabi niya to hug her. Hinimas-himas naman niya 'yong likod ko while she was giggling.

"Birthday na ng Lolo mo, apo..." she whispered. Our embrace tightened. "Let's visit Lolo na, apo...miss na miss ka na ni Lolo."

My heart clenched.

"Lola, eh!" ngawa ko.

Hindi naman ako informed na gigisingin pala ako ng iyak ngayong umaga. Grabe 'to si Lola! Tinawanan niya lang ako at tinulungan sa pagpupunas ng mga luha ko. Sa ganoong ayos kami naabutan ni Prez.