Shattered Jar (Fiorello Series #1)

18

18

Nakanguso ako habang pinagmamasdan si Barachiel na umiinom na naman ng yakult. He's addicted to it and I have no say on that. It's healthy and good for the stomach but he's taking it from time to time. Let's say, 4 to 5 bottles a day? He's in love with it.

Nang makita niyang nakatingin ako sa kaniya ay ngumisi lang siya at inalok ako ng yakult. I shook my head slowly.

"Ayoko niyan..."

"Why? It's my favorite!" sabi niya na parang bata.

"Wala lang,"

Tinotoo niya talaga 'yong sinabi niyang manliligaw siya sa akin. Kahit naman humindi ako ay mukhang hindi naman siya papayag kaya itutuloy niya pa rin, ilang araw na nga ang lumipas simula no'n, e. Matigas ang ulo nitong si Barachiel kaya mahirap pasunurin. Minsan naman ay nakikinig siya sa akin pero ngungusuan niya ako at kukunotan ng noo na para bang labag sa loob niya. Para talaga siyang bata.

"Tomorrow is noche buena, where are you going to celebrate it?" he asked while tapping his fingers on the table in front of us.

He went here in my house to give me a copy of our research paper because we will be having a defense on January. Walang eksaktong araw pero sinabihan na kaming maghanda para kung biglaan kaming tawagin ay nakahanda na kami.

"Dito lang sa bahay."

Dito lang talaga ako sa bahay bukas dahil wala naman akong ibang kamaganak na kakilala. Hindi pa rin umuuwi si Mama at hindi ko na rin siya nakakausap. Madalas lang siyang magpadala sa akin pero kahit isang salita mula sa kaniya ay wala na akong narinig. The only thing that I believe right now is she's okay. She's still sending me my allowance so I really think she's doing fine on her own. Her number is no longer working and I don't have any ways to communicate with her. Nagugulat na lang ako na may nagpapadala sa akin ng pera at galing ito sa pangalan niya.

"You can celebrate with us, you know?" he said as he showed me his sweetest smile. "Wala ang parents namin kasi may business trip sila sa Hongkong, so tatlo lang kami sa bahay."

Napatango ako sa sinabi niya. Malungkot din pala ang magiging December ni Barachiel pero kung ako ang tatanungin ay ayos na 'yon. At least he has siblings to celebrate Noche Buena with, they can even do some video call for their parents. That's still a complete family for me. I know, it's not right to be jealous or insecure for the things that you cannot have but I just couldn't help it. Hindi ko maiwasang mainggit lalo na ngayong wala pa si Mama sa tabi ko, mas lalo lang akong nainggit.

"Come on, Air? Kuya will be very happy if you will come and celebrate with us!" dagdag niya pa at kinurot ang pisngi ko.

"Paano 'yong kapatid mong isa?" tanong ko sabay hawi ng kamay niya na dumiretso lang sa buhok ko. Iyon naman ang pinaglaruan niya.

"Raziel won't mind. He's just a kid and medyo kind?" nagkibit balikat pa siya sa akin at inayos pa ang aking buhok. Ang ilang hibla ang inilalagay niya sa likuran ng aking tainga at hinahawi niya ang mga buhok na lalandas sa aking mukha.

"Sige..." tipid kong sagot.

"Really? Oh great! What's your favorite food? I'll ask our maid to cook it for you!" masayang sabi niya at pumalakpak pa.

"Wala, kahit ano naman ay kinakain ko." which is true because my mother taught me to eat whatever's on the table. If she cooked something, I should eat it without any hesitations. It's not like mom will put drugs or poison on my food so why would I hesitate? And besides, eating healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits won't kill you. It's a healthy living that we should maintain.