I fell in love

Chapter 9

"Gumising ka na..." malambing na ulit ni Althea.

Hindi ko alam kung pang ilang beses niya nang sinabi 'yon dahil kanina ko pa naririnig ang boses niya.

"Please, Althea. Sandali na lang. Ten minutes. Promise." Malat na sambit ko. Hindi ko rin alam kung pang ilan na saglit ko na 'to.

Naramdaman ko ang muling pag alis niya sa kwarto.

I had been drifting somewhere between sleep and waking for what felt like forever, stuck in that hazy state where everything feels real and unreal at once.

My eyes opened just slightly, catching the soft movement of Althea slipping into the room again, probably for the third or fourth time.

I felt a heavy cloud within my brain and slowly, I fell asleep again.

Nagising ako sa naririnig na mumunting galaw sa aking paligid.

Nasulyapan ko si Althea na nakatayo sa akin gilid, may kung anong ginagawa.

I heard her shuffle something near the desk, maybe trying to get my attention, maybe just waiting for me to say something.

But I couldn’t.

Not because I was still asleep, not really. I was just too lazy to move.

Dahan-dahan kong iminulat ang aking mga mata.

Nawala paunti-unti ang mahinang ingay na ginagawa ni Althea sa gilid.

And even if I was curious, I did not try to look at her.

I knew she was there, I knew she was waiting, but I stayed still anyway, staring at the ceiling like it might give me a reason to get up.

"Bahala ka nga! Ako na lang mag isa!" She hissed.

"Alright. Babangon na!" Agad na sagot ko.

For the first time, she didn't sound light. It was as if she is trying so hard keep her emotions in. But right now, she seem to not be able to do so.

"Hindi ka naman mabiro!" Pasaring ko nang umirap siya.

Nakabusangot na mukha niya ang bumungad sakin. I can't help but laugh. She's so cute!

"Goodmorning, too, Althea!" Biro ko bago pisilin yung magkabilaang pisngi niya.

"I will be taking a bath. I already packed my clothes and I'm just waiting for you to wake up so I can start getting ready." She stated.

I remained silent, still half asleep, tinignan ko siya habang nakikinig.

"Make sure to be ready by the time that I'm done. Pack your things so you can take a bath immediately once done." Kumikilos siya habang sinasabi 'yon.

"Ang dami mo naman pong utos sakin." Mahinang sambit ko.

Sabay na umikot ang magkabilaan niyang mata.

"Come here... kulang ka lang sa lambing." Malambing na saad ko bago ko hinaplos yung pisngi niya.

Lumapit siya sa akin at tumabi sa gilid ko.

I hugged her tightly.

"Maliligo na ako, Mariz. Hindi tayo pwedeng abutan ng traffic sa daan." Marahan niyang sagot sa akin.

Sumimangot ako nang kalasin niya yung yakap ko sa kanya.

"Baby, please, I want to hug you..." pinilit kong palungkutin yung boses ko.

I sat quietly, feeling a little ridiculous with how much I needed her in that moment.

I didn’t say anything more. I just waited.