Morning Blushes

chapter forty-four

The dining table is filled with dishes. This is totally unbelievable. My mouth is watering now as hell. Big thanks to Navi's mother. I feel like I want to just reside with her so I would have this every day. 

Everything just can't sink in. I got home, and there's already a celebration. Maybe I just feel extra special right now. But everybody seems to connect like they are good old friends. Lahat sila. 

"Pahinging water, Jace. Gosh, nakakapagod tumakbo ng one hundred meters," sabi ni Lily.

"Oh, ba't ako?" reklamo ni Jace.

"Ako rin, Jace," Calvin said.

Wala nang nagawa si Jace. I just want to smile at them and watch them all. They look so fun to watch.

"The food is all ready! Lumapit na kayo dito at maupo," sabi ni Mommy.

"We're just nine here. 'Wag nang mahiya," Navi's mother said after taking off her apron and gave it to Navi. 

I slightly smiled at that as if Navi already knows all her procedures. 

"Tara na, tara na," yaya ni Kuya Adi. I almost forgot he's the one who drove all the way here.

We all took our seats. Katabi ko sa right si Kuya Adriane and si Lily sa left. Sa harap ko pa nakaupo si Navi beside Jace and Calvin. Si Mommy, Navi's mother, and Manang are having their little world at the farther end. Mga kutsara't tinidor na lang ang naririnig ko hanggang sa magsalita si Lily.

"Avy, are you up for the play? I mean, special guest?"

I thought about it. I mean, this is the last time I'm gonna be there. So, why not? I'm still afraid of what they might think when they see me there on stage. I don't know. And I'm just gonna be a guest there. I guess no pressure, right?

"Yeah, sure."

"G ba? I'll inform Sir Maro," Calvin clarified. 

"Anong play? Kakanta ulit si Yanna sa stage?" tanong ni Manang.

"Opo, Manang. Special guest po. Sikat na nga po 'yan e," dagdag ni Jace. 

"Kailan 'yan? Anong oras?" my mother asked.

"Saturday. Mga after lunch po," sagot ni Jace.

I learned from Kuya Adriane that Mommy left her work and transferred to a better one. I think that's also a brave choice. Look at her now. She looks more healthy and youthful. 

"Sige. Manonood kaming lahat n'yan," Mommy said. Manang and Navi's mother approved.

Everyone is enjoying their food. There are showers of compliments to Navi's mother, especially Lily. My mother, Navi's mother, and Manang are talking to each other like good old friends. What the hell... But I'm slightly glad to see my mother laugh and smile. They seem to be close before. I don't freaking know what's happening now. 

Patapos na sana ako nang lagyan ulit ako ni Kuya Adriane ng pagkain sa plato ko. I slightly glared at him.

"Eat more, Yanna. You know nothing but cupcakes."

Cupcakes. Right. Luckily, we live beside a bakery. I can get cupcakes. Right after my session, I'm gonna get a box and eat them. It makes me feel good. I just knew how important a small reward system is. Navi taught me that with his undying love for ice cream. 

Pinagmasdan ko si Navi. He's just staring at his food, placing it in circles. He seemed to be in a state of deep thinking. 

"How's Medina?" I asked Lily.

Honestly, I kept on thinking about her. Hindi ko alam kung bakit. Maybe because of our last encounter. I didn't see her after that again, obvously. I feel like there's this conversation hanging open.