Grow with the Flow (Published under Bliss Books)

Kabanata 36

All that matters

Maganda ang gising ko nang sumunod na araw. I don't remember being this energized as soon as I wake up before. Ngayon pa lang yata.

Agad kong kinapa ang ilalim ng unan para sa cellphone. Awtomatikong umarko para sa isang ngiti ang labi ko nang makita roon ang pangalan na inaasahan ko.

Colton Jace:
good morning

Napanguso ako sa bumungad na mensahe. Tipid at walang maraming hanash. Bukod sa hindi na siya nagseselos nang wala sa lugar ay pansin kong bahagya na ring nagbago ang paraan ng pagte-text niya. Ang dating Colton ay palaging maraming tanong at paalala sa umaga. 'Di tulad ngayon, isang linya at maikli lamang. Kahit gano'n ay may mga kulisap pa rin sa sikmura ko.

Colton Jace:
what r u up to for today

I smiled cheekily at the new message while noticing how some of his habits in texting are still the same, no punctuations and smileys. His shortcuts and poor capitalization may be an eye sore to others but I still like it. At least, some things have not changed, huh? Some things stay as they are.

Nayeli Reese:
Good morning :) I'll just be fitting clothes from a sponsored brand with Rafa.

I was about to send it when I heard the doorbell rang. My brows furrowed while thinking who could it be. It's still early so it might just be Rafa from next door. We know each other's passcodes but for the sake of privacy, as if we have something to hide from each other, we'd still ring the doorbell before coming in.

I got up only to find out that it really was Rafa.

"What? You want to have breakfast together?" I teased. She made a face. "As if we don't do that almost everyday."

She slumped on my couch. "Nari, don't hate me," she suddenly said.

I looked at her suspiciously. "What is it?"

"I can't come with you to the boutique."

"What? Why?" It wasn't much of a big deal but I couldn't help but be shocked because it's so sudden.

She sighed. "Nag-away na naman sina Mama at Papa."

"Oh no," I said and came to hug her.

Tuwing nag-aaway ang mga magulang ni Rafa ay lumalayas ang papa nito sa kanila, habang ang mama naman niya ay nagkukulong buong araw sa kuwarto. Ang lagay ay walang nag-aasikaso sa mga batang kapatid niya dahil may pasok sa school ang iba.

"Ugh, mas namomroblema ako sa fact na madadagdagan na naman yata kami," stressed na sabi niya. Natawa naman ako at hinampas siya.

Pagbalik kasi ng Papa niya pagkatapos ng away ay makeup sex daw ang coping mechanism ng dalawa.

Kumain muna kami ng almusal at 'di nagtagal ay nagpaalam na rin siya. Hapon pa naman ang fitting pero minabuti ko na ring kumilos nang maaga dahil mabagal akong kumilos.

Binoblow dry ko na ang buhok nang may pumasok na text mula kay Rafa.

Rafaella Laurene:
May surprise ako sa 'yo. You're welcome.

Napakunot ang noo ko.

Nayeli Reese:
ANO 'YAN?

Rafaella Laurene:
Surprise nga, eh. 

I groaned. Well, what do I expect from the ever sarcastic Rafa?

Nagpatuloy na lang ako sa paghahanda. Nang matapos at magsasapatos na lang ay tumunog na naman ang doorbell. My forehead creased. Who could it be this time?