Three Kinds of Love (COMPLETED)

KABANATA 9

 “Sayoko, stop!”

I pushed him then I ran away.

I know that he’s running after me.

“Aki, I’m sorry,” he grabbed my arms.

Iwinagsil ko ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa braso ko.

I slapped him.

“Sorry for what? For kissing me? Or making me feel like a fool? You don’t have to, it’s my choice anyway,” my voice was shaking. “Don’t worry, I know it was nothing. Let’s act like nothing happened. Magkaibigan tayo Sayoko, at ayokong masira yon. Good night.”

I went back to my room as tears are also running down from my eyes.

I wiped my tears. Nahiga ako sa kama. Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata. Hindi ko maiwasan ang mapahawak sa mga labi ko. I can still feel the softness of Sayoko’s lips.

It was my first kiss, a kiss I’ve always been dreaming of, a kiss shared by me and Sayoko.

But there’s a part of me that is incomplete. Siguro ay dahil alam ko ang katotohanang hindi naman ako ang mahal ng taong mahal ko.

The next day was Saturday. I need to act like nothing happened last night.

I went down to the dining area.

Nadatnan kong nagtatawanan sina Tito Greg and Tita Lucy.

“Good morning po,” bati ko.

“Good morning Aki,” Tito Greg answered.

“Have a seat,” Tita Lucy offered.

During my stay here, we used to eat breakfast all together every Saturdays and Sundays. But I think this would be the last I’d be eating with them because I’m leaving today.

“How’s your sleep Aki?” pangangamusta ni Tito Greg.

Tito Greg is sweet, just like Dad.

“Okay naman po,” simpleng sagot ko.

“By the way, your Dad called us. Aki, may problema ba?” mukhang nag-aalalang tanong ni Tito Greg.

“I’m sorry Tito, hindi ko agad nasabi sa inyo. There’s no problem Tito, Tita Lucy. Sobra na po yung naitulong niyo sa akin which I am very thankful of,” sagot ko agad.

“Aki, alam mo namang welcome na welcome ka sa bahay na ‘to,” singit ni Tita Lucy.

“Thank you so much Tita.”

“By the way, don’t get me wrong Aki. Kailan mo balak lumipat?” biglang tanong ulit ni Tito Greg.

“She’s leaving today.”

I looked back. It was Sayoko who answered.

“She already packed her things last night,” he added habang naglalakad pabalik ng dining table.

“Is it true?” – Tito Greg.

Sayoko sat beside me.

“Opo,” nakayukong sagot ko.

“Parang biglaan naman, hindi ba pwedeng ipagpaliban muna? At least for a week, I’ll call your Dad,” Tito Greg really wants me to stay, I guess.

 “Kung ayaw, wag pilitin. Ako nga tinanggihan, ikaw pa kaya?” bulong ni Sayoko, sapat lang para marinig ko dahil magkatabi lang kami.

Sinulyapan ko siya. Nakatingin lang siya sa kinakain niya. Pakiramdam ko ay galit siya sa akin.

“Are you saying something?” Tito Greg asked Sayoko.

“I’m just saying that maybe Aki needs some time alone.”

Hindi na tumutol pa si Tito Greg.

“Aki, magpahatid ka na dito kay Sayoko,” Tita Lucy insisted.

“No Tita, it’s okay. Magtataxi nalang po ako,” tanggi ko.

“No problem Mom, wala naman akong lakad ngayong araw.”

Hindi na ako nakaangal. Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ba akong pumayag siyang ihatid ako o malulungkot dahil sa cold na pakikitungo niya sa akin ngayon.

Pagkatapos naming kumain, maayos akong nagpaalam kay Tito Greg at Tita Lucy.

“I will miss you Aki,” said Tito Greg.

“Me too Aki, I already treated you like my daughter. Alam mo namang wala kaming anak na babae kaya kung ako lang ang masusunod, I won’t allow you to leave,” mahabang litanya ni Tita Lucy.

“Honey, pwede pa naman tayong gumawa,” as Tito Greg wiggled his eyebrows.

Pinandilatan siya ni Tita Lucy.

“Che! Manahimik ka nga,” Tita Lucy crossed her arms.

Then Tita Lucy walked towards me and hugged me.

“Aki, promise me you’ll visit here kapag hindi ka busy, never forget that you’re always welcome here, okay?” – Tita Lucy.

“Yes Tita, salamat po.”

“And one thing more Aki…”

“Sure Tita, ano po yun?”

“Wag mo na akong tawaging Tita.”

“Po?”

Gulat akong napabitaw sa pagkakayakap sa akin ni Tita Lucy.

But then she smiled at me, “Please call me Mommy.”

Nanlaki ang dalawang mata ko.

“Aki, okay ka lang?”

“Ah, eh, ih. O-opo Tita, este Mom-mommy,” nauutal na sagot ko.

Then she hugged me again.

“Ready? Let’s go!”

Sayoko? Mushroom lang? Bigla bigla nalang lumilitaw e.

“Thanks again… Mommy,” I whispered to Tita Lucy enough not to be heard by Sayoko.

“I’ll just get my things,” paalam ko.

“Nasa kotse na lahat ng gamit mo,” sagot ni Sayoko.

So ganun ba siya kaatat para paalisin ako? Honestly, I feel so offended.

“Ano, tara?”

Tumango lang ako at nauna na siyang maglakad palabas.

Pagkalabas ko ay nasa loob na siya ng kotse. I entered the car with no words. Kahit siya, ni ha, ni ho, wala.

Walang umiimik sa amin hanggang sa makarating na kami. Pagkarating namin ay sinamahan niya akong ipasok ang mga gamit ko sa loob ng bahay.

“Naibaba ko na lahat ng gamit mo, aalis na ako,” Sayoko said in a cold tone.

He’s not even looking at me. Nakatalikod siyang kinakausap ko habang naglalakad na palabas ng pinto.

“Wait!” he stopped.

“Thanks!” I shouted, but he never answered. Instead, he just waved his right hand and walked away.