My Strange Girl

chapter 12

"Personal space, huh?"

He was smirking, mukhang may pinaplano sya, kakaiba ang ngiti nya. Nakakaasar lang ha. Sinalubong ko ang tingin nyo. He looks playful, he looks happy. Kakaiba sa usual aura na nakikita ko kay Keith. Nakakagaan pala ng feeling pag yung crush mo parang ang saya dahil sa yo. Lalo nat lalong gumagwapo ang lalaking ito. Haha, take that!

"Ganda ko noh." I tried to lighten our mood. Kinakabahan kasi ako masyado sa mga tingin nya.

"Yes. Very." He whispered.

The F!!!  I was joking! Bakit parang lalong naging heavy ng atmosphere. Pero infairness ha, yung points ni Keith sa akin, tumaas, ng super taas!

I met his gaze. O.M.G. Wrong move. Iba kasi tingin nya. Ang hirap iexplain. There was something. Passion? No!! Erase, erase. Ilang taon lang kami, imposible. Fudge, it is as if he wants to kiss me. That didnt sound right, right? Am I going to have my kiss again, here, sa labas ng bahay. Kung saan pwede kami makita ni mommy.  Lightbulb. Baka makita kami ni mommy!

Natulak ko sya. Pero alam ko pulang pula pa din ako. At the back of my mind, aaminin ko nageexpect pa din ako ng kiss. At hindi yun tama.  Ayokong magpadala sa hormones.

"Time's up. Uwi ka na Keith. Ba bye!" Nagwave pa ako sa kanya. At umalis na ako sa pwesto ko kanina. Mahirap na.

"Say that again."

"Ba bye?" yung ba yung pinauulit nya.

"Silly, not that, my name." He looks hopeful. Parang naghihingi lang ng kendi. Ang cute, no scratch that, ang wafu! 

"Pink Panther?" I joked. He pouted. Wow, Keith pouted, haha, boy, I love this moment!

"Keith."

He smiled. Hinigit nya ako at niyakap ng mahigpit. " You are making me fall hard. Hard, Rayne, hard and fast!"

KEITH

Nakangiti pa ako habang papasok sa bahay. Magisa lang ako dito. My parents are separated. My ibang asawa na si Daddy, yet the both want to manipulate my life. Si Lola ko lang ang naging kakampi ko, but she was gone. I miss her. Ngayon lang ulit ako sumasaya. Sana magtuloy tuloy to. 

"Your smiling." 

Napatigil ako sa paghakbang. I am just thinking about them, and yet they are here. Am I dreaming, kasi imposible naman magkasama sila, and yet they are here.

"Is my boy inlove?" Si Dad. In all his glory. When was the last time I saw him, two years, at walang pagbabago sa kanya. matipuno pa din.  Most of them say na si Dad ang kamukha ko. But I got my Mom's lips and complexion.

"So what if I'm smiling, is that bad?"

Ang panget pala talaga pag sobrang saya mo. Tiyak, may masamang kasunod to. 

"Not at all baby." My mom. And boy she is smiling. Fuck. This is not good. You should be afraid if my mom is smiling. That could only mean two things, one has done something terrible, or two, she's still plotting it. And it terrifies me.  Because that might affect Rayne. Not Rayne, not my sunshine.

Between my parents, I can tolerate my father more.  When I was growing up, I have some faint memories about us, talking, playing. I even remembered crying, about something that my mother had done. I know he tried to resolve their marriage, but my mother was very firm then. Until now, I do not know why they separated.

My mother, from the very start, is ruthless. I don't think she can feel any emotion. My Lola actually hated her, but still try to defend her side on me. She never showed me love. She, Antonia de Lara Powell, is an epitome of a powerful lady, a dictator. When she wants something, she's making sure she will have it. She tried to use me against my father, and my father was doing the same.  And it was surprising that they are both here, on the same room. It scares me.

"What are you doing here?"

"No hugs and kisses baby?"

"Why, are we close. As far as I know, you only gave birth to me." I snapped at here.  Whatever game they are playing, I need to know it, fast.

"You're hurting me baby!" She pretended that she was hurt. Why, she is a good actress, but I know her. 

" Drop the act Mom, why are you here. You too, Dad. Why are you together?"

Dad looked at me. Like he was trying to convey something. But he did not speak. Mom, on the other hand hugged me.

"I missed you baby. So, Im staying for a month."

"You're not serious. This isnt a five star hotel." My mom, always wants the best. My house, although is good enough for me, isnt at par with her standards. Also, I do not have stay in maid. She only comes once a week, to do the laundry.

" Get a hotel Antonia."  my father butted in,

"And who are you to tell me what to do. Franco, when I said I'll be staying here, I will. I do not care about your opinions. Why are you here anyway. I just told you I'll be coming here in case you have some message with Keith.  Next thing I know, you met me at the airport.  Go back to your bitch." she retorted.

"She is not a bitch, and she has a name. Watch your mouth Antonia."

"I'll say what I want, and I say she is a bitch!"

"Enough!" I roared. I really cant take them. Sinisira lang nila ang tahimik kong buhay dito.

"I want you to leave, both of you. My house, my rules."

"I don't like what you said Keith, but  I can tell Im proud of you Keith. You're growing up, you know now how to stand up." mom said. "anyhow, Im staying here, whether you like it or not."