CREAM OF THE CROP

Chapter 31

Habang nasa biyahe pauwi, tahimik kami sa likod. It's like all the energy we had earlier was sucked out of our body and exhaustion took its place.

Bagamat pagod ay nagawa pa naming pag-usapan kung papasok ba o hindi bukas. Sa huli ay napagdesisyunan namin na magtetext nalang yung may balak na pumasok.

After sending my friends to their houses, bumaba ako mula sa likod ng Toyota Hilux at lumipat sa back seat. Dahil sa pinaghalong antok at pagod ay inukopa ko ang buong upuan at natulog. Wala na akong pake kung nakakahilo yung amoy ng sasakyan basta makatulog lang ako. I was too tired to even make a fuss about the smell.

Corbyn woke me when we reached home. Maybe he reckoned I was too tired so he bade goodbye faster. He softened my hair and said, "Get some sleep. See you tomorrow."

I just smiled and got inside. I went straight to my walk-in closet where the bathroom is located.

Nagbabad ako sa bathtub dahil pakiramdam ko ang lagkit ko na. Habang nakalubog ay nararamdaman ko ang pagbigat ng mata kaya kahit gustuhin ko mang magtagal pa ay umahon na ako dahil mahirap na baka ito pa ang sanhi ng pagkawala ko sa mundo. WOW.

Hindi ko pa alam kung papasok ako bukas. But I made a decision: if I wake up early, I'll go. But if not, then I won't go. School is important but sleep is even more important. Besides, may travel order naman ang school namin (the privilege to be absent the following morning after partaking an activity to represent the school).

With that, I put my robe on and put my pajamas then I went to bed to finally get a decent sleep.

Kinabukasan, nagising ako ng hindi alam kung anong oras na, kung may araw pa ba o gabi na. My muscles were aching. Damn. Every movement was torture.

My phone on my bedside table read 5 P.M. Can't believe I slept that long.

Naramdaman ko ang gutom kaya agad akong bumaba para maghanap ng makakain.

"Iho, just bring that in her room," I heard my mom saying while I walked in the middle of the staircase.

"No Tita, it's fine. I'll just wait here," may halong hiya yung tono ng sumagot, which I found out to be Corbyn. I guessed they're in the kitchen. What is he doing here? I checked if there are particles on my face.

My mom laughed. "It's okay. You can leave the door open if that makes you comfortable," she insisted.

"Ma, are you selling me?" I accused her.

Napunta sa akin ang atensiyon. "Oh, the princess is awake. Corbyn brought you something. Dalian mo baka lumamig. And oh, I'll leave now." Seriously?

When I could no longer hear her footsteps, I broke the silence. "Kanina ka pa?" I asked.

"Not really," he touched his eyebrow and ran his index finger on them. He's wearing a plain white long sleeves and it's folded at his elbows. Nice sight. "I was at Toffer's earlier. Kararating ko lang. Here, I brought you food. I know you're hungry."

I nodded and smiled. He started unpacking while I got plates. "Eat with me?" I asked.

"No. These are all for you."

I made a face. "Ang lungkot pag mag-isang kumain," I said but I proceeded to the dining table, sat on the chair beside him. I started to eat.

"You're eating alone most of the time but you seem fine," he said casually.

I put the spoon and fork down. "Stalker ka ba?"

Kumunot ang noo niya. "What?"

"Why do you know that?"