Borrowed Time (completed)

39. discoveries

Meng rushed down the stairs and went straight to the kitchen when she saw Yaya Beth and Nanay Teresa. She forced a smile as she greeted them.

"Good morning po"

"Ah...good morning. Maupo ka na...paano mo gusto ang coffee mo?" Yaya Beth asked.

"Black lang po...no sugar..."

"Ah sige. Initin lang ni Nanay yung sinangag at magluluto sya ng scrambled eggs para isabay dyan sa tocino. Maghahanda lang ako ng sawsawang suka...."

"Thank you po. Meron po ba kayong sili?"

"Oo, madami. Sandali, kukuha lang ako."

"Yaya, can I have coffee din..."

Meng shot Rj a dagger look that made him even more confused. "...please..." he added after a long pause.

"...you should try the tocino, Nanay Teresa makes the best pork tocino!"

Meng quietly ate, adding her spiced vinegar to the meat.

Rj got curious of Meng's dipping sauce that he tried some too and found it too spicy.

"Ack! Boo! How can you even eat that stuff?!"

"Sumubo ka ng kanin lang dali...eto saging..." Yaya Beth said, giggling. She had observed how Meng was not as conversant with Rj as she was in previous times.

"Thank you po. Maliligo lang muna ako..." Meng said as she stood up from the table and went back upstairs.

"Anong ginawa mo?"

"Ako? Wala..."

"Sino pa? Kayong dalawa lang ang nasa taas. Napagalang nya nung bumaba dito. Pero, nung dumating ka, tumahimik na. Di pa nga kayo kasal, nag-aaway na kayo."

"What should I do?"

"Kausapin mo. Suyuin mo." Yaya Beth told Rj.

Rj went back up to the bedroom and heard the shower running as he entered the bathroom.

"Boo...why are you making tampo? What did I do? Whatever it was, I'm sorry...." Rj apologized.

Meng didn't respond and just went about her business. As soon as Rj stepped into the shower, Meng packed her bags and went downstairs.

"Nag-usap na kayo ni Rj?" Yaya Beth asked. Meng went about exploring the other spaces on the lower level as she had planned. Yaya Beth accompanied her. Soon, they were out of the cottage, walking along the river.