Dreadful silence.
I became oblivious for an instance, na parang sa sobrang OA ko at sobrang weird ng sinabi nya, tumigil ang pag ikot ng mundo.
Salamat sa cellphone kong biglang tumunog, na himalang hindi naka silent ngayon, at naging dahilan para makawala ako sa pagkakahawak ni Ulap sakin. Had the stare and his awkward grip on my hands been any longer, swear I will pass out.
I took the phone out of my pocket at first time ko yatang titignan ang caller’s ID. It’s Kuya Gab! Salamat sa pagtawag Gabbin Neon Lamzon! It’s the first time that I feel euphoric towards a phone call.
“Kuya!” I exclaimed habang hinahabol ko ang hininga ko papalabas ng kitchen. Nung sinabi nya yung linya nya kanina ay parang tumigil ang hininga ko sa pinaghalong kaba at saya. What? Saya? At san ko naman daw nakuha ‘yun?!
“Ives, nandyan pa din ba ang bisita mo?” Tunog kuya sya at halos halikan ko na yung cellphone ko sa saya dahil nakawala ako sa isang sobrang awkward na sitwasyon.
“Salamat kuya, really!” Sagot ko na hindi pinansin ang tanong nya kanina.
“Salamat para saan Ives? Wag mo kong dinadaan sa ganyan, pauwiin mo na yang bisita mo. It’s nearly four in the morning at napasarap naman yata kayo sa kwentuhan”
“Naku tama ka kuya. Mabuti at pinaalala mo, at least I would have a reason to kick him out of my house now!” Parang nakahinga ako ng maluwag sa idea.
“What? Magtapat ka ngang bata ka, may ginawa ba sayong masama ang lalaking yan?” Panic was so evident on his tone and I rolled my eyes.
“Maka bata ka naman kuya, wala syang ginawa. I just can’t push him away with no valid reason that’s why I’m thanking you for reminding me that it’s nearly twilight”
“At kung hindi pa pala ako tumawag ay aabutin kayo ng siyam–siyam? Anong feeling mo Ives, ikaw si Bella at sya si Edward at sabay nyong sasalubungin ang breaking dawn? Wag ganun kapatid!” Napahagalpak ako ng tawa sa sinabi nya at tumawa rin sya sa kabilang linya. He’s just making me smile, I know.
“Hindi rin kuya. He’s not sparkling after all. Sige na, goodnight o goodmorning kuya! I’ll just kick Edward out of my house at baka masinagan ng araw at masunog bigla, kasalanan ko pa!” I kidded and he doubled his laughter.
“I love you Ives, bye.”
Napangisi ako. “I love you too,” I answered after pressing the end button as someone cleared his throat.
“I’m sorry for staying too long. I’m leaving now, thanks for the food. Merry Christmas again, Avril.” Habang sinasabi nya yun ay hindi sya makatingin sakin, hands on his pocket.
“Pasensya na at naiwan kita, tumawag kasi si—“
