Returning the Favor

5 - Representing the School

My mother was surprised to see me arriving early on a Thursday. She wondered if I truly did my chore as the assistant librarian. I explained to her many times that I even did beyond what I usually do but I finished it faster because I had someone who helped me out.

She called bull on it because she knows that I only have Andrew as a friend. And knowing our research requirements, she concluded that it couldn't be Andrew who helped me today. Thus us complicating the discussion of who my new "friend" is, since only friends helped out each other these days. Because she reiterated that gone were the days that the spirit of bayanihan and helping one another is the commodity.

I am hesitant to introduce Ate Kristine as my new friend because Mama would surely ask around about her and would require me to let her meet Ate Kristine. My mother is that supportive of me. She wants to be friends with my friends too.

And if that happens, Ate Kristine would surely tell her of the incident near the school gate today. Never minding if it is either by a slip up or intentional.

And I don't want that to happen. My mother would surely worry too much and have me checked out by a doctor again. It's just a crazy phobia but my Mom always prioritizes health above all things.

"Ma, sabi na ngang may tumulong po sa akin, eh," I reasoned with her for the nth time but she still won't let the topic pass. "Ginagawa ko po ang mga responsibilities ko sa school, Mama."

"Sino nga ba kasi ang tumulong sa'yo, Andrea?" She insistently asked. "Kilala ko ba? Bakit ayaw mong ipakilala sa akin?"

"Mama naman eh! Kelangan pa ba talaga ipakilala?" I whined.

"Aba, aba! Baka kung sinu-sino na yang tumutulong sa'yo, Andrea! Tandaan mong bata ka pa at hindi ka pa pwedeng magboyfriend!"

"H-ho?!" I gasped, shocked sa paratang ni Mama. "Aba naman Ma! Ang pagtulong at boyfriend? Ang layo-layo naman po niyan bago kumonek!"

"'Wag mo akong pilosopohin, Andrea! Manang mana ka sa Tatay mo!" Sigaw ni Mama. "Binabalaan kita anak ha, bawal ka pa magboyfriend!"

"Wala naman akong plano mag ganyan Ma," I shot back. "Kinakapos na nga ang mga oras ko sa school works, dadagdagan ko pa po ng extra 9 units?" Marahas akong napabuntong hininga.

Extra 9 units daw kasi ang pagboboyfriend sabi ni Mama. Maraming oras ang kakainin at gastos na mawawaldas para sa mga date at kung anu-ano pang bagay na ginagawa ng magnobyo.

"Siguraduhin mo yan, Andrea. Dahil kung hindi ay kukurotin ko yang singit mo!"

"Si Mama talaga oh," biro ko. "Bakit pa ako magboboyfriend kung nandyan naman kayo para kumpletuhin ang buhay ko?"

Dudugtungan ko pa sana ang pag-alu kay Mama ngunit bigla niya nalang akong niyakap ng malakas. Kung hindi lang dumating ang mga kapatid ko na handa ng kumain, tiyak malalagutan na sana ako ng hininga sa higpit ng yakap ni Mama.

"Ate, anong niluto mo?" Tanong ni Marie.

"Ate, maalat na naman ba?" Dagdag ni Meimei.

"Sana naman nakuha mo na ang tamang timpla, Ate!" Sabat uli ni Marie.

"Hanggang wishful thinking lang ata yan Chubs! Alam mo namang palpak magluto yan si Ate Andrea eh!" Dugtong uli ni Meimei.

Dedepensahan ko na sana ang sarili ko ngunit naunahan ako ni bunso na gawin iyon.

"Mabuti nga si Ate Andrea, at least nagtatry magluto. Eh kayo kahit maghugas ng pinggan, kailangan pang pagalitan bago gawin."

Tumahimik naman ang kambal at bumungisngis. Dinilaan muna nila ng sabay si Terrence bago umupo sa designated nilang mga lugar tuwing kumakain kami. Si bunso naman ay nilapitan kami ni Mama sa katabing kitchenette at tinulungang maghain.