Next Door

Chapter five

I was busy preparing the ingredients on the kitchen when my phone lights up.

Maddie calling...

"Hi mads, how are you? Napatawag ka?"

"Hi bie. I just want to remind you lang na babalik na ako ng Baguio bukas."

"That's good! Uuwi na rin si kuys bukas."

"Ahh... Okay, that's good to hear. Pero gusto ko sana ikaw ang susundo sa akin bukas. Okay lang ba?"

Napahinto ako saglit.

Gusto ko sanang yayain si jho na mamasyal bukas. Gusto ko kasi sana na masundan itong pagsasama namin ngayon.

Baka pag sa susunod na araw ko pa siya yayain, di na siya pumayag.

Di ko pa siya nasabihan pero buo ang loob ko na sasama yon. Pipilitin ko parin naman siya kung ayaw niya.

"Anong oras ka darating bukas?"

"2:00 pm bie. Yon kasi nalagay sa arrival time ko."

"Okay, cgi. I'll text you nalang or better yet, ikaw magtext sa akin."

"Okay bie. Thank you. l love you!"

"I love you!"

Pagkatapos tumawag ni Maddie, nagpatuloy na ako sa aking gagawin.

Gusto kong sarapan ang niluto ko para ganahan si jho kumain. Medyo late na, kaya for sure gutom na yon.

When I totally done sitting the table I went to the balcony to call jhoana.

She's standing near at the edge of the balcony while watching the view outside. Her arms leaning on the steel railings while having her deep thought.

I wonder what would it be.

I want to ask but for sure she wouldn't mind to tell.

She is a kind of a girl that full of secrets.

Very interesting.

I want to know everything about her. I want to get close to her. I want to be the only person she could run. Sorry! I'm just full of imagination. 

Maybe this is the right way to gain her trust.

I walked slowly closer to her behind.

"Hey, let's eat?" She gasped and smile when she noticed me. She nods and I extended my hand to make alalay sana sa kanya but she refused to take it. 

"Okay lang. I can walk." She walked passed me by and I disappointed standing her behind.

Nagkibit balikat nalang ako at sumunod sa kanya.

When we reached the dining table I grabbed a chair and offered it to her. She said thank you at umupo pagkatapos.

While she's eating I took some glimpsed at her side. Lakas pala niya kumain. Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng babaeing ganito kumain. Walang kaarte-arte.

"Do you want melon shake?" I offered cause I'm doubt if she swallowing her food carefully. I just laughed inside of my head. Tumango lang siya at muling kumain.

I headed the refrigerator where my melon shakes keep and poured the glass and give it to jhoana.

After 30 minutes of eating we finally done. She asked me to help washing the dishes but I insisted not to since she's my visitor. Di rin siya nagpumilit pa at bumalik sa balcony.

Matapos kong maglinis sumunod agad ako sa kanya. Nadatnan ko siyang nakaupo habang tinatanaw ang bintana ng kanyang tinitirhan. 

"Miss mo na bahay mo?" Nakangiti kong tanong. Lumingon siya sa akin at ngumiti din.

"Di naman masyado." Natatawa niyang sagot.

Ang ganda niya lalo pag tumatawa. Yung tawang hindi pilit. Yong kusa at abot tinga.

"Gumaganda ka lalo pag tumawa." I seriously said habang nakatitig sa kanya. She blushed upon hearing what I said.

"Nambola ka pa." She rolled her eyes at tumingin ulit sa bintana ng kanyang tinitirhan.

I spend a moment staring at her when  question came up on my mine.

"Mag isa ka lang bang nakatira jan?" Tumingin ako sa direction ng bahay niya ganon din ang paglipat ng tingin niya sakin.

While waiting her answer I took the chance to read her reaction. She's not the type of a girl na mahilig tumawa. She always wear her sad look wherever she go. I don't know why but for sure there's always a reason behind those things. She just nod na para bang wala sa sarili. 

"Your parents?" Alam kong di ako mauubusan ng tanong kaya unti-untiin ko nalang.

Instead of answering my question she just turned back her head to the window where she was staring.

And sighed deeply.

"Mag isa nalang ako. Wag muna itanong kung bakit kasi wala akong balak mag kwento." Derikta niyang sagot.

"I'm willing--- to listen." I show her my sincerity but she just rolled her eyes. 

"Useless! Ito na siguro ang huling pagkikita natin kaya wala nang patutungohan kung mag kwento pa ako." She smile forcefully and stood up.

"I have to go. It's getting late." She walked. After of how many steps she made she turn back around.

"Salamat sa pagsama sa akin at sa pagpapakain. Tatanawin kong utang na loob ang lahat ng mga iyon." She finally made her steps til she fade away. I left stupidly. I blinked my eyes and laugh out loud.

I can't believe it. I am so challenge by her. That girl made my day unbelievable. 

Ano bang dapat kong ipakita para pagkatiwalaan niya ako? Hindi pa ba sapat ang mga ito?

Bakit ba ang hirap niyang paamohin? Bakit ba ang hirap kunin ang loob niya?

Ganyan ba siya katigas?

Matapos kong maibalik ang limang senses ko tumayo agad ako at tumakbo palabas. I run fast para maabotan ko siya.

She's walking her way straight to her house when I saw her back. I paused for a moment and called her name.

"Jhoana?!"

"Jhoana!"

I shouted twice and finally she heard me. She turn around raising her eyebrows. 

I don't know what to act. I don't know what to say. All I know is that I want to be with her.

I don't know why but something pushes my back to followed her. Parang may nag pu-push sa akin na wag ko siyang hayaang lumayo and that's killing me inside.