Wretched Choices

Chapter 26

Sorry if I took long enough to update again. I suffered from pain on my carpal tunnel which made it hard for me to type and use my right hand so, I took a rest and natural treatment over the past few weeks. I'll try to update once a week. Thank you for waiting.

#WretchedChoicesWP

Chapter 26
Right Choice

My emotions had calmed down and my steps felt light and airy on the way home like I was floating in the air. There was this numb feeling, once again, lingering on me. Even my mind was drifting somewhere far that I couldn't focus on one thought to ponder on. My thoughts were all over the place, and I didn't know how to gather them all to think properly.

But maybe, it was better this way. I'd rather not be haunted by these lethal thoughts. It was best to detach myself from it and won't care at all.

"Oh... Nandyan ka na pala."

Napatayo ako nang maayos mula sa pagkakasandal sa aming pintuan nang lumabas si Mommy mula sa kusina. She was wearing an apron. She must had heard when I closed the door and checked if I came home already.

"Kumain ka na ba?" tanong niya. "Niluluto ko na ngayong gabi ang iilang putahe na ihahanda bukas sa pag-uwi ng lola mo. Dadating ang mga Tito't Tita mo bukas para makita si Mama."

Tumango naman ako at tipid na ngumiti. "Kumain na po ako bago umuwi," sagot ko. "I'll just to go to my room and change. Tulungan ko po kayo pagkatapos."

Dumiretso na ako patungo sa hagdanan nang muling nagsalita si Mommy.

"Saan kayo kumain ni Archer?"

I stopped midway because I wasn't expecting her question. Confused and curious, I turned to her. She was wearing an innocent smile.

Why would she think that I was with Archer?

"Hindi po si Archer ang kasama kong kumain sa labas," paglilinaw ko. "Si Jerome po. Iyong kaibigan ko."

She looked slightly surprised. "Oh!" she exclaimed out of shock. "H-Hindi kayo nagkita ni Archer ngayong gabi, o hindi pa kayo magkikita?"

With my forehead creased, I hesitantly shook my head. Kung bakit niya ngayon tinatanong sa akin 'to ay hindi ko alam. Mayroon akong hinuha pero hindi naman siguro.

"Ganoon ba?" Mukhang dismayado siya na hindi ko malaman. Napalitan din naman agad ng ngiti sa kanyang labi ang lungkot mula sa kanyang mga mata. "Oh, sige na't umakyat ka na. Hintayin kita rito sa baba."

Bumalik na siya sa kusina pagkatapos guluhin ang aking isipan. Kung lutang ako kanina ay mas lalo lamang akong naging lutang habang papunta sa aking kuwarto. I absentmindedly took a quick shower and changed my clothes before I went down to help my Mom.

Mayroon na siyang natapos na isang putaheng nilalagay sa tupperware upang mailagay nang maayos sa ref. Putting dishes in tupperwares was the best way to properly store foods inside the fridge. It wouldn't occupy much space if you'd organize it well. Nakita ko naman sa counter na mayroon pang mga gulay na hindi pa nahihiwa. I moved closer to attend to it and help cooking that way.

"Ako na ang maghihiwa, 'mmy," sabi ko sa kanya nang magsimula na ako sa pagbabalat ng patatas. "Is this for chicken afritada?"

"Oo," simpleng sagot niya. "Just slice it into bite pieces para hindi mahirapan ang lola mo sa pagnguya."

"Sige po."

Tahimik akong naghihiwa ng mga iba't ibang rekados na kailangan para sa lulutuin pang ulam bukas. Mom would only cook pork and chicken adobo and diniguan tonight. Iyon kasi ang ilan lang sa mga ulam na hindi mabilis mapanis. Tomorrow she'd cook menudo and afritada with the help of our househelps.