Wretched Choices

Chapter 17

#WretchedChoicesWP

Chapter 17
Mask

Pool of tears suppressed inside my eyes when I smiled back at my grandmother. I couldn't get myself to come close as I was still chanting 'I won't cry' inside my head. I still needed to collect my emotions and put them in a jar. Hopefully, I'd be able to seal it properly this time.

I didn't want to cry in front of her. I knew it would affect her badly if she would see me crying. If only I could go out for a bit because looking at her smiling brought me another set of pain. Pakiramdam ko'y sa gitna ng kanyang magandang ngiti ay nahihirapan na siya. It was a smile of a person who already accepted his/her fate.

"Magandang hapon po."

Walang kahirap-hirap na naagaw ni Archer ang atensyon ni lola. Agad siyang nilingon nito. Noong una'y bakas sa mukha ni lola ang pagtataka ngunit kalaunan ay sumilay muli ang ngiti nito.

"Hijo! Nagbalik ka nga!" Punong-puno ng galak si lola at nakakagulat man, pero mukhang natandaan niya ang pangakong binitawan ni Archer noong nakaraang linggo.

Because of Archer's unexpected presence, my grandmother took her time talking to him. She even motioned Archer to come closer and so, he did. Ninakaw ko na ang sandaling iyon para tumalikod at pakawalan ang luhang nakaabang. Mabilis ko rin iyong pinunasan. I made sure that there weren't any trace of tears on my face. Saka lamang ako humarap muli nang makasigurado.

Lola was still enthusiastic while having a conversation with Archer who was doing his best to communicate and entertain her. I was kind of relieved because she was enjoying Archer's company.

Kita kong mabilis na nagnakaw ng sulyap sa akin si Archer habang kausaup si lola. He slowly tried to pull himself away and avoided dragging their conversation because it's my time now to bond with my grandmother.

Napaisip tuloy ako. Maybe he had a feeling that I was having a hard time to gather all my feelings inside a bottle so, he decided to keep my grandmother busy with his presence. Nang dahil doon ay nawala sa akin ang atensyon ni lola kahit papaano.

I hated admitting this to myself, but I was actually thankful that he'd buy me time until my feelings were all settled. Kung hindi niya ginawa 'yon ay baka bumigay na ako ng tuluyan.

"Kumain na po ba kayo, lola?" malambing kong tanong sa kanya matapos ang maikling kumustahan.

"Kumain na kami ng mommy mo kanina..." nakangiti niyang sagot. "Pero... gusto ko ng prutas."

Tumango ako at agad na tumayo para tumungo sa lamesa kung saan nakalagay ang isang basket ng iba't ibang klase ng prutas.

"Ano po ang gusto ninyo, la?"

"Gusto ko ng mansanas!" masigla niyang sagot. "Ikaw, hijo? Ano ang gusto mong prutas?"

I stopped halfway from slicing the apples and pouted when I heard her ask Archer. Kaysa tanungin ang apo niya ay inuna niya pa talaga si Archer.

"Mahilig po ako sa ubas."

I almost rolled my eyes. Gaya-gaya siya! Paborito ko rin ang ubas.

"Parehas pala kayo ng paboritong prutas ng apo ko!"

I've never seen her this energetic since she got admitted. It might be because of Archer's presence, but I still didn't know why she was so fond of Archer. Anyway, I didn't dwell on that thought too much. Napangiti na lang ako dahil natatandaan niya pa rin ang paborito kong prutas. Siguro'y iyon ang dahilan kung bakit si Archer lang ang kanyang tinanong kanina.

"Natutuwa talaga ako na bumisita ka ulit. Sana ay lagi mong samahan ang apo ko rito," pasimpleng paghiling ni lola.

I wanted to object with her idea right away, but I didn't want to dampen her mood and energy.