LIMERENCE | JUNGRI

08

REBEL CELESTINE

"Rebel, who was the guy who came yesterday?" nagulat naman ako sa pambungad na tanong sa'kin ni Mommy pagkababa na pagkababa ko. "I never got the chance to ask you because I slept early last night."

Sumingit naman ni Misty sa usapan. "Was it Thrasher? Mom, that was Rebel's boyfriend. Rebel has a boyfriend, Mom."

Nagulat si Mommy sa sinabi ni Misty. Talaga nga naman, ang kadaldalan. "You have a boyfriend? Tapos hindi ko man lang alam pero si Misty alam? I'd like to meet him soon."

I grabbed a glass and took out the carton of fresh milk from the refrigerator. Nagsalin din ako sa baso ni Misty dahil paubos na ito.

"Fine, I'll ask him when he's available." mukha namang satisfied ang nanay ko sa sagot ko dahil sa lapad ng ngiti nito. Pumalakpak ito ng dalawang beses bago tumayo.

I finished my glass of milk and headed to go out of the house. Pinatong ko lang ito sa table dahil sabi ni Mommy na siya ang maghuhugas.

"Wait," agap niya kaya napatigil ako sa paglalakad palabas ng bahay. "Thrasher? 'Yung dating naging kalaro mo diyan sa labas ng bahay? Naging kayo?!"

Napabuga ako ng isang malalim na hininga. "Yes, Mom."

"My, alam mo ba na si Thrasher ang laging naghahatid sa'min ni Rebel? He used his Audi the first time he took me to school. 'Yung mga sumunod na araw, isang SUV na ang gamit niya." sumbong ni Misty kay Mommy.

Bakit ba ang daldal ng kapatid ko? Can't she just shut up for a moment?

Interesado namang tumingin sa'kin si Mommy. Naka-'O' pa ang bibig nito bago bumaling ulit kay Misty. "Tell me more, Mystica."

May kakaibang ngiti naman na nakalagay sa mukha ng bruhildang si Misty. Aagawan pa ata ako ng boyfriend nito. Sorry, Misty, boyfriend ko crush mo.

"They have been dating for almost two weeks now. I can't believe she didn't tell you that, Mom. Thrasher is really nice! I want him for Rebel."

Umalis na ako ng bahay habang busy silang dalawa sa pag-uusap. Hindi ata nila napansin na nakaalis na ako ng bahay.

Puro daldal kaso ginawa nila ni Mommy.

Thrasher came later than expected. I get it, he's not the perfect boyfriend. I give him the credit for trying. Thrasher is Thrasher, masasanay din ako sa susunod.

"Gusto kang makilala ni Mommy," pambungad ko kay Thrasher nang kakasakay ko pa lang sa kotse niya.

He eyed me for three seconds before started driving. "Weird, that's just what I was going to say."

I never expected him to keep us a secret, especially to his family. Ang dami naming nilolokong tao but this is for the best, I think.

We were friends, we were even playmates since his house is near mine. For the long time I've known him, I never personally met his Mom. I doubt she even knows me as someone Thrasher used to play with.

"My Mom wants to meet you tonight. Are you free?" kinakabahan akong tumango.

I'm going to meet her. I'm going to meet the mother of the person I'm lying with. Makakayanan ko bang magsinungaling sa harapan niya?

"Okay. I'll drop you off earlier than what I'd planned. Maghanda ka. Simple clothes will do, you look better in them."

Sasamahan ko si Thrasher ngayon na pumunta sa grocery. Akala ko naman kung saan kami pupunta. May pinapabili sa kanya ang Mommy niya, mostly mga ingredients para raw sa lulutuin mamaya.