Morning Blushes

chapter six

Dala dala ko ang paper bag na binigay ni Manang na naglalaman ng Carbonara. I am currently walking down the streets nung maalala kong hindi ko pala alam ang bahay no'n. I remembered him saying that he's just living four or five blocks away from me. So, I started checking each house. This is really inconvenient. Now, how am I supposed to know where he lives? These houses are barricaded and I have no idea which of these is his. 

"Avyanna?"

Napalingon ako. The freerunner came out from the red gate next to the house I'm peeking into. May hawak pa siyang Rubik's cube. He's just wearing a white tee and his black shorts. I don't know but I admire his simplicity. Or maybe that's how a freerunner dress. I've seen it in videos.

"Done checking me out?" He wiggled his brows.

"Yes. Just checking if it's really you," I reasoned out.

He walked towards me that made me take a step back a little.

"Are you looking for me?" 

"Yeah, actually."

"So, what's up?" 

"Pinapabigay ni Manang." I gave him the paper bag. 

"What for?" He asked and took a glance inside the paper bag. "This smells good. Thank you."

"She said you helped or saved her life daw. Whatever. Alis na ako."

"Wait, Avyanna." That made me stop. I waited for him to say something but he didn't.

"Avy is fine," I repeated.

He just shrugged. "What if you pass the audition?"

I shook my head. "I won't pass."

I turned my back and started walking away. He shouted another thank you but I just continued walking as if I didn't hear a thing. I don't want to look behind either. Pagbalik ko, I am surprised to see my brother here.

"Where have you been?" he asked as soon as I stepped across him.

"House nearby. May inabot lang."

"What? Where? Why? For whom?" 

"Just ask Manang."

I grabbed my things in my room and go straight to the rooftop. I sat in front of my plants, recalling the last time I spoke to my brother or had even just a little chat.

This is what we are, aren't we? Living in distance. I used to be close to my brother. When we were kids, I was really fond of him. He's teaching me things, and he's the person who will stand beside me in any struggles of my life. He's the only best friend I had since then. But, just as how life works, we grew up. And it's just not the same anymore. 

Diretso lang akong nakatingin sa langit. I can't stop thinking and thinking about things. I don't want to care at all, but the problem is my mind wouldn't want to stop. It won't stop wandering around, getting lost, until I'm gonna find it and gradually lose myself in the process.

I heard a little noise. It's the same thud of shoes that shook the entire floor. Well, someone just jumped off. Obviously. I didn't bother to look at this freerunner. Seeing him stand on the edge makes me unsettled. It's a surprise I haven't thought of when he'll stop bothering me. It just becomes neutral. Napagod na rin ako e. 

"Thoughts are not that bad to share, miss." I can already imagine his peculiar dark eyes. 

Nilingon ko siya. Hawak niya pa rin yung Rubik's cube niya. Bumaba siya doon sa tinatayuan niya at nilapitan ako. I assume he's really that bored with his life. Hindi ko na tinanong kung anong ginagawa niya dito because that won't make him stop from going here.