Morning Blushes

chapter thirty-nine

Here comes Friday. Hindi ko alam kung anong pakana ngayon ni Jace. I know he planned out a revenge party for me for my broken promises to be with them each Friday. But now, I feel like I completely sank in bed. My will to get up exerts more effort.

"Manang," tawag ko.

"Oh, good morning, Yanna." She smiled. "Anong meron?"

"Late po ako uuwi mamaya. Kasama ko naman po sina Jace."

"Gagabihin ka ba?"

"Hindi naman po siguro."

"Oh sige, hihintayin na lang kita."

I just nodded. Aalis na sana ako nang maalala ko si Mommy. There's a low chance she's gonna visit me but I don't want her to go home mad at me again. I don't want her to come here worrying about me again. Ayoko na lang mag-exist para sa kanya, as if I'm doing her a favor.

"Manang... baka dumating po si Mommy." 

"Ako nang bahala doon." She smiled to reassure me. "Enjoy ka roon ha?"

"Sige po, una na po ako."

When I started walking outside, the sun is golden. I haven't stayed on the rooftop for a while. I've been deciding where to study in college though I don't know what course to take. Honestly, I'm not into being a doctor like my brother nor a lawyer like my mother. I want to be someone I would enjoy living with. Saan ba ako magaling? Sure, I can study well. And my mother would probably think I wouldn't make a living if I study Botany. 

I disregarded my thoughts instead. Pagdating ko sa school, I started to look around and judge what people do. Someone rushing an assignment on her laptop, someone is talking over the phone, someone is chatting with a friend or what. Behind those things, there is something going on inside their mind. 

Maybe a typical office work will do for me. But... no. I don't know.

Sinubukan kong tanggalin lahat ng iniisip ko at dumeretso na lang sa classroom. My classmates are already there, doing their own thing. I sat at my desk and take the time to memorize the song lyrics I'll be singing. It's a song that Sir Melvin composed. He's really great. He reminds me of my father. Napatigil na lang ako nang dumating si Lily at sinimulan na akong daldalin.

"Hey, how's the rehearsal going?"

"It's fine," tipid kong sagot. 

She is too proud of me for singing in the event. 

"What are you going to sing?"

I shook my head. "That's a secret."

"Dali na! Promise ako lang makakaalam."

"You don't know it. It's useless. Abangan mo na lang. Besides, it's an original composition of Sir Melvin."

Pagdating ni Jace at Calvin, nakisali na rin silang dalawa sa'min ni Lily.

"I heard we will be having a party at the music room since ginagamit nila yung rehearsal room." Jace started.

"Chismoso ka talaga 'no?" Lily hissed.

"That's called information, Lily." Jace shook his head and tsk-ed. 

"Oh, should I say thank you?"

Here we go again. 

"'Wag kang mag-alala, Avy. You're not gonna enter a club, trust me."

"Siguraduhin mo lang, Calvin." I shoot him with piercing eyes.

"What?" He raised his hands while laughing. "I'm serious. We've been telling you that for a long time now."

"Sure ka?"