"Good morning," bati ko kay Mommy nang saluhan ko siya sa agahan. Aling Petra's serving her a juice. Nang magtama ang mata nami'y palihim niyang ininguso si Mommy. I nodded at her secretly, too.
"Matagal ka yatang nagising ngayon. Kailangan ka pang pukawin ni Petra para lang di ka ma-late sa klase mo."
Nagbaba ako ng tingin. Kapag may pasok, kusa naman akong nagigising nang maaga. Ngayon lang ako na-late dahil matagal kaming nagtext ni Covenant kagabi kaya matagal din akong nakatulog.
"Are you staying up late, Persephone?"
"N-no, Mom. Maaga akong natulog kagabi kaso nagising ako ng alas dos at matagal akong nakatulog ulit." My heart pounded. How many times have I lied this year? Hindi ko na mabilang.
Kumunot ang noo niya. Her brooding eyes lingered on me. I tried my best to make eye contact.
"Bakit palagi kang nagigising ng alas dos? Are you really taking care of yourself o baka naman napapabayaan mo na ang kalusugan mo? That has to mean something, Percy. You could be sick or what!"
"Hindi naman palagi. Minsan lang, Mom. Nagkataon lang. Don't worry. I'm perfectly fine," giit ko saka sinimulan nang lantakan ang pagkain. I shouldn't stutter.
"How was school?" she asked.
"Ayos lang po. I'm currently working on my project for the semi-finals."
"Good. Syanga pala." May kinuha siyang box mula sa katabing upuan at inilapag ito sa gilid ng plato ko. I stared at it quizzically.
"Nagkikita naman kayo ni Connor sa campus, hindi ba? Pakibigay sa kanya iyan. That's for her mother from Director Acapulco. Mercedita's out of town so he asked me to give it to her when she arrives back. Pakibigay na lang kay Connor."
Alanganin akong tumango. Hindi pa kami nagkauusap ulit ni Connor. I was glad that he's no longer bothering me but this task might ignite something again. Ayokong mangyari iyon pero hindi ko naman pwedeng tanggihan si Mommy. Gusto niyang tratuhin ko nang maayos si Connor.
"Ano ba iyang dala-dala mo?" tanong sa'kin ni Julie nang mapansin ang bitbit kong paper bag pagkapasok ko sa room.
"Nautusan ako ni Mommy," I said, placing the paper bag beside my Michaela saka umupo.
"Akala ko nakatanggap ka ng gift."
Umiling ako. Sino namang magbibigay sa'kin ng gift? She's assuming things again. Hindi na siya nag-usisa pa kaya't hinugot ko na lang ang cellphone ko mula sa bulsa ng aking bag.
When I swiped the screen open, mensahe ni Covenant ang bumungad sa'kin. I clicked it.
From: Covenant
May laro kami kalaban sina Johann mamaya.
To: Covenant
Good luck.
It's the 4th day of their Intramurals. So far, ang mahigpit nilang kalaban ay ang College of Engineering and Architecture where Johann belongs. Whoever wins later will be the champion.
To: Covenant
Win or lose, you're always the best, okay?
From: Covenant
Your cousin will cry if he reads this.
To: Covenant
Hey, don't you dare make him read this!
From: Covenant
But on a serious note, thank you. Your words definitely cheered me up, love. I love you.
To: Covenant
Break a leg! I love you too.
Tumambay ako sa gym pagkatapos ng klase. May isang oras ako na vacant at balak kong gamitin iyon para bantayan si Connor. Baka sakaling dumaan siya rito sa gym. May mga nagpa-practice na naman ng P.E. Pinanood ko sila habang nagpapalipas ng oras ngunit naubos na lang ang isang oras kong vacant ay hindi ko pa rin talaga namamataan si Connor. Kung kailan talaga kailangan, saka naman nagiging mailap.
BINABASA MO ANG
Loving Persephone
Roman pour AdolescentsPersephone Duavis is a quiet person. You leave her alone on a couch and she will remain there, her mouth closed for hours. She finds solace in solitude and in silence. She loves staying at home the most unlike her outgoing cousins who all love party...
