Mary Grace

Thirteen

Thirteen

The first night Uncle Thomas stayed in the house was horrible. Natatakot akong bumaba nang madaling araw para uminom ng tubig dahil nasa baba silang dalawa natutulog ni Tito Alistair. I am also forced to join breakfast with them the next morning.

"Naalala mo pa ba ang lake house sa Davao Oriental, Mary Grace?" Tito Alistair asked cheerfully while he was digging into his meal, smiling widely at me.

Of course. How can I forget it?

I gave him a nod and a tight smile.

"Well, why don't you guys visit it again?" He suggested. My eyes widened in horror. Napatingin kaagad ako kay Uncle Thomas na nakangiti nang nakatingin sa akin. Kaagad akong nag-iwas ng tingin. This sick moron. "Namimiss ko nang makabonding kayo sa lake house, boring kasi palagi nalang kaming dalawa ni Thomas dun,"

"Great idea!" Mother beamed. Tiningnan niya si Dad. "What do you think?"

"I thought we're going to Tagaytay right after Annie's board exam?" Dad said, clearly not interested as to where this conversation was going. I practically begged inside of my head that Dad will oppose the idea of going back to that lake house. Ni ayaw ko ngang makita ang mga litrato namin doon.

"Yes, we are. You can crash at our place this coming summer vacation," Binalingan ni Tito Alistair si Ate Annie. "What do you think about it, dear? I'm sure kasal na kayo ni Harry niyan," biro niya.

"No one is marrying my daughter until she turns 25." Dad deadpanned. "Masyado pa silang bata,"

Ate Annie chuckled. "Nagbibiro lang po si Tito Alistair, Dad. And besides, marriage hasn't even crossed my mind right now. Masyado pa akong busy sa pagre-review."

"I'm sure Harry can wait," Mum butted in. "He's a good guy."

"Where'd you met him, anyway?" Uncle Thomas asked.

"He's a graduating student in our university. We shared art class and then became study buddies later on."

"That boy is not only genetically blessed but he's also talented! Have you seen his designs, babe? It's remarkable. Diba you're planning to build a resto in Davao Oriental? Why don't we hire him as our interior designer?" Tito Alistair beamed.

"That's a great opportunity for him."Dad agreed. Binalingan niya si Ate. "You should tell him that,"

"Of course," She smiled at them before she continued on eating.

"Excuse me," I pulled myself up. Napatingin na naman silang lahat sa akin. I glanced at my wristwatch. "I'm running late for my first period class,"I said silently.

I gave my parents a quick kiss before I headed out of the house. Bago ko pa tuluyang maisara ang pintuan, I even heard Tito Alistair asked my parents if something is wrong with me. Kesyo ang tahi-tahimik ko daw ngayon at halos hindi na daw ako makausap. Umalis na kaagad ako bago ko pa marinig ang sagot ni Mommy sa tanong niya.

I sighed. Why don't you ask your partner, Tito Alistair?

---

As per usual, nawalan na naman ako ng gana na pumasok sa klase ko. I'm sure Mr. Siang wouldn't appreciate my presence right now especially when I'm not in the mood to listen to any of his discussions. I plugged in my earphones and went straight into the abandoned CR of 1-B building. Napapadalas na ang pagtambay ko dito and I'm glad no one has ever seen me hanging out by myself in this place otherwise I will be surely sent to the guidance office.

"Ay, shit!"

Napa-atras ako nang makita kong may nakatambay na pala sa CR. Dalawa silang babae. They are both not wearing their upper uniform, just brallettes on. One of them, a petite girl with a bob cut hair quickly grabbed the foil on the sink and slip it into her pocket. While the other one is staring wide-eyed at me.