K A T A R I N A (•GXG•)

XVII.

K

I heard my mom and dad's car got parked outside. Bumuntong- hininga ako. Hindi nila naabutan si Andrea. They would be shocked on why did I bring someone that isn't Gen, Vero and Prim in our home. I never brought anyone else here. Only those three. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit dito ko siya dinala. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla kong pinatigil ang sasakyan upang kausapin siya. Hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit na-distract ako sa pagpapa- ulan niya.

Dapat hinayaan ko na lang siya. Yes, I shouldn't have bothered myself with her. But I had to. I know I had to and I had to end whatever this feeling of gratitude I have going for her. She saved me from Jason. Hindi 'yun mawala sa isip ko and I felt like I needed to do something para quits na kami!

I've done something.

She even thanked me for it.

So okay na diba? Wala ng feeling of guilt nor gratitude? Okay na! Kahit makita ko o makasalubong ko siya eh hindi ko na kailangan maalala 'yung gabi na niligtas niya ako kay Jason right? Okay na. We're quits. We're done. I'm done with my business which involves her.

Naka- upo lang ako sa sofa at hinihintay ang pagpasok nina mommy and daddy. Nang sumilip ako sa may bintana ay nag- uusap sila ng masinsinan. Masyadong seryoso ata 'yung pinag- uusapan nila. They were about to come inside so I closed the curtains and acted like nothing happened.

Like I didn't see them talking to each other like something's wrong.

Pumasok na sila at sinalubong ko sila ng mahigpit na yakap. How I missed my mommy and daddy! They're always busy with work, with our business in and out of the country. I know they do this for me. But sometimes I just want them to stay for like a year and rest and spend while enjoying their time with me.

"How's my favorite girl in the world?" It was daddy. Nakangiti siya ng tinanong niya iyon. "How's school honey?"

"The usual daddy." Si mommy ay dumiretso ng kusina upang uminom ng juice. "Kamusta po ang naging byahe niyo? Mukhang pagod kayo?"

Umiling si daddy. "No honey, we actually rushed into going back home because we wanted to see you already."

"We bought you your Kylie kit and Anelo bag that you wanted to have." Si mommy iyon. Ngumiti ako sakanya at nilapitan ko siya.

Niyakap ko rin siya ng mahigpit. "Thanks mommy! I missed you."

"Uhhh Katarina?" Lumingon ako kay daddy habang nakayakap pa rin kay mommy. "Did Junitz drive someone? I think I saw your car...?"

"Probably it's not my car daddy. Nasa quarters si Junitz at nasa garage naman 'yung car ko." Sagot ko nang hindi hinayaang mautal. They would know I'd be lying if I stuttered big time! Nagdagdag pa ako ng sweet na ngiti. "So, are you guys hungry or something?"

Umiling si daddy. "We ate at an Italian restaurant just before we came here. May pasok daw ba kayo sa Bridgett bukas? Umuulan nanaman."

Finally! Na- change na ang topic. I can't take it when I have to lie to my parents.

"I don't know daddy. Wala pa namang announcement sa page ng Bridgett. No one even texted me pa if there'll be classes or none. I think maya- maya pa malalaman."

"Well sana wala so you can have some rest. Are you stressing yourself out, sweetie?" Si mommy iyon. Nilalaro- laro niya pa ang buhok ko. "I hope you aren't. How about Genevieve and Vero and your cousin Primrose? I haven't seen them around recently."