Want
"You found the right guy to marry?" si Tito Walter, nang inimbitahan niya ako sa bahay for a dinner.
"Yes..."
"Who? What's his background?"
"I'll bring him to the upcoming party, po..."
Every November, they throw big parties to celebrate the anniversary of the company. Hindi naman ako pinapakilalang parte ng Narciso, but I always blend well.
"Are you sure about this? Baka malaman ko nalang na-ghost mo na ulit," Tito Walter chuckled when he remembered what I did to the other boys he introduced to me.
Si Airelle na kakagaling lang sa school, ay napangiti nang makita ako.
"You're here, Laurianna," she smiled while walking to his father and kissed his cheek. "Sorry for being late, Dad."
"It's fine, Airelle. Join us. Your cousin has good news," ngisi ni Tito Walter sa akin ng makahulugan.
"Really? You found a boy perfect for marriage?" hula niya habang umuupo na.
"Exactly," halakhak ni Tito Walter.
I smiled a little while Airelle's eyes widened at me. Sumulpot ang katulong at nagsalin ng juice sa kanyang baso habang namimilog pa rin ang mga mata niya sa akin.
"Please don't tell me it's your manager," she chuckled.
"No... it's uh... a college student. Same as you."
"Oh! Then three years older than you?" hula niya habang interesado na rin ang tingin ni Tito Walter sa akin na ginagalaw rin ang pagkain.
"Yup. Westernized. Maganda ang background sa kinabibilangang angkan. Family-oriented, and we vibe."
"That's new. You're starting to like a boy. You're less interested in boys." angat ng kilay ni Airelle at nangingiti habang sumusubo.
"Bring him to the party."
Tumango ako kay Tito Walter. It's already September. Two more months.
Doon umikot ang topic namin. Nagtatanong pa rin sila tungkol sa trabaho ko at sa online class ko na maayos naman. Noong natapos na ang dinner at nagpapaalam na akong umuwi lalo na't halos alas dyez na rin pala, hindi agad ako makaalis.
"Just sleep here, Laurianna. Wala naman akong pasok tomorrow morning. Isang subject lang din at sa gabi pa."
"Hindi na..." iling ko at tiningnan ang screen ng aking phone habang nakikita ang nakabalandrang texts ni Caden.
Unknown:
Feeling better?
Unknown:
Tell me if you want to go out. I can drive you.
"Dito kana magpagabi, Kesley. Pagbigyan mo na si Airelle. Minsan lang kayo magbond," si Tito Walter na naka roba na at mukhang paakyat na sa kuwarto.
Airelle smiled at me, pulled my pulse, and we walked to her room.
"Sometimes I'm worried for you. You are so distant," aniya habang binubuksan ang pinto.
Tahimik akong pumasok sa kanyang kuwarto. The last time I was here was when I was seven. Puno kasi lagi ng toys ang kuwarto niya noon kaya masarap tumambay.
"May extra pajamas naman ako. You can wear it. We'll watch a movie?"
Tumango ako sa kanya at ngumiti ng tipid. She chuckled and shook her head.
"Do you have friends? At wala ka pa rin bang balak gumawa ng social media?" tanong niya habang pumapasok sa walk-in.
Iginala ko ang tingin at naglakad lakad din sa kanyang kuwarto. I looked at the small frames on the bedside table. Hinaplos ko ang isang picture kung saan naroon din ako. Naka piggyback ako kay Kuya Wesley, malaki ang ngiti, habang hawak niya ang kamay ni Airelle na may hawak na bunny sa kabilang kamay at nakangiting tinitingala ako.
