Morning Blushes

chapter twenty-six

Pagkagising na pagkagising ng diwa ko, I'm feeling super strange. Memories of last night rushed through my mind. I was talking to Navi and I suddenly fell asleep. Hindi ko na alam yung nangyari sa kinekwento niya. 

I basically slept most of this day. As far as I know, maaga naman akong nakatulog while talking to Navi on the phone. Gosh, I already missed watering the plants, reading on my Kindle, even going out for a walk. But I don't even want to do any of that. I just want to stay in bed and sleep more. I feel so tired. 

I did my routine before heading downstairs. The food is already on the table. Siguro kumain muna si Kuya Adriane bago umalis. I searched for Manang and I figured out she's cleaning. I don't feel like doing anything today. Kumain na lang ako at hinugasan ang pinagkainan ko since Manang is nowhere to be found.

I took a cold shower and get dressed to go to the salon. I already have plans in mind. That, at least, will keep me moving. I turned on my phone to check the time. Instead, I saw two notifications. Messages from my brother and Navi. Navi greeted me good morning while Kuya Adriane... mahaba e. Tsk.

Good morning, Yanna! Hindi na kita ginising bago ako umalis. I left your allowance in the living room. It's on the centerpiece. I knew from Manang hindi ka pa binibigyan ni Mommy. Don't worry, that money is from my allowance from Mommy. You work really hard, don't you? Keep up the hard work. I'm so proud of you. 

It seems a bit strange to get a long message from my brother all of a sudden. But anyway, I replied na lang.

Thanks. I'll get it later. I'm proud of you too.

I turned my phone off and clutched it.

"Manang?" I called her paglabas ko.

Kanina pa nawawala 'to si Manang ah. I searched for her in every room. Natagpuan ko siya sa kwarto ni Mommy. She's looking at a picture frame.

"Manang..." I called. 

She turned to me. "Hija, ikaw pala." She smiled. "Saan ang punta mo?"

"Magpapa-haircut lang po, Manang."

"Oh, s'ya, kumain ka na ba?"

"Opo." I checked the time. Pwede na akong umalis. "Alis na po ako."

"Ingat ka."

Bumaba na ako. Palabas na sana ako nang maalala ko ang binigay na pera ni Kuya Adriane. Centerpiece daw. Oo nga, nakasiksik sa gitna ng faux flower. I guess I'm just gonna save this for a while. 

Wala ako sa sariling akong umalis. I dedicated my time to thinking during my commute. Bigla kong naalala na nag-good morning si Navi. Agad agad kong kinuha ang phone ko. He sent a message again.

Still asleep? Didn't see you watering your plants.

I feel like my veins are gonna pop, thinking how to respond to that. God, I don't even know if he really slept last night. 

I replied: Good morning

That is so lame, I swear. Should I add something? Tell him I just woke up? But I woke up kanina pa. Should I say sorry for replying late? Gosh, whatever.

Right now, I'm still thinking about the date later this evening. I have no idea what should I wear. I should also ask Navi where exactly he'll bring me so I could check the menu on the internet in advance so I know what I will have. I am freaking out about it. It's not even a real date date! It's just an invitation from the supposedly birthday dinner that he planned.

I had my haircut in less than an hour. Umalis na rin agad ako after having my hair chopped. I'm seriously craving cupcakes. As in right now. I've never had cupcakes for soooo long. Hindi ko alam kung saan makakahanap ng ganun e parang halos homemade na lahat ng cupcakes. Hindi naman ako marunong and I don't really trust myself in baking goods.