Before Anything Else (Absinthe Series 2)

Kabanata 14

Kabanata 14

Before Anything Else

It was the banging of the door that made me jolt up from my bed. Nasapo ko ang aking ulo habang naririg pa rin ang malakas na pagkatok sa aking pinto. I gazed at my small alarm clock.

I realized I overslept.

God, I've never overslept! Anong oras ba akong nakatulog kagabi? I have lots of school works to do. Hindi ko na natapos ang iba dahil sa antok.

I sluggishly walked towards the door while yawning. Naluluha ang aking mga mata at nasa kalagitnaan ng isa pang paghikab nang buksan ko ang pinto.

I immediately regretted doing such monkey movement when I saw who was standing in front of me. Nixon was already on his white polo shirt and crisp pants. Dala niya ang tray na may lamang pagkain habang laglag ang pangang nakatitig sa akin.

I gasp. " What are you doing here?" naging singhal ang aking pagkakasabi dahil sa gulat.

He startled. Kumurap sandali bago ako pinasadahan ng tingin. " Mind if you fix yourself first, baby?" aniya at iniwas ang tingin.

Sa aking singkit na mata ay pinasadahan ko ang sarili. Suminghap akong lalo dahil sa aking suot.

Damn, stupid Forah!

I should've warned myself about wearing such clothes when sleeping. Hindi ko alam na manipis na nightgown ang aking suot. I ran out of pairs of pyjamas last night that it left me but to wear my sheer nightgown!

Sinarado ko ang pinto at agad na kinuha ang aking roba. I combed my hair using my fingers and went to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth.

I whispered profanities under my breath when I hurried to the door. Iniwan ko pa doon si Nixon na nakatayo.

" I'm sorry!" I told him when I opened up the door. I was glad he was still there with the tray. Kumunot ang aking noo dahil doon.

He noticed. " I cooked you breakfast."

" Uh, I am actually late for school?" I told him.

Mahina siyang tumawa. " Babe, your call time's  nine. It's Wednesday."

And that's it. Sinampal ko ang aking noo at umungol. I instantly felt so stupid about forgetting things lately. Nakakahiya tuloy kay Eion na talagang naghintay pa sa akin.

" Don't you have class? Naka-uniform ka so that means you have." Sumandal ako sa doorframe habang tinitingnan siya mula ulo hanggang paa.

" Yeah, I was waiting for you. Can't I just have a little thanks coming from you?" aniya at tinitigan ako.

Ngumuso ako at sinulyapan ang pagkain. May pancakes doon na may kaunting sunog sa gilid, hotdogs and toasted bread. Medyo may nangingitim but I think it was edible.

" Sorry, a bit burnt. I was running some small errands while cooking." aniya.

Ngumiti ako at lumabas sa aking kwarto.Agad ko siyang inaya sa dining para doon kumain dahil sobrang gulo ng aking kwarto. Some papers were scattered on the floor and I haven't fixed my bed from last night.  I don't want to add some more embarrassment.

We ate together that morning. Everly was already at school so Eion was able to use his two-seater car. Tahimik lang naman ang biyahe namin hanggang sa magpaalam ako sa kaniya.

Eion and I don't really have the proper label. Hindi ko natatandaan na sinabihan niyang gusto niya ako. But it felt like he wants me as I want him too. The attraction was strong, I couldn't even untangle myself from him. Kahit anong pigil, alam kong mahina ako. Eion had pulled me out from my comfort zone. He was a breather after years of suffocation.