"Dinner time!" Sabi ni Mom habang tinuturn off ko na yung TV. Wow. Nakaabot din ako ng Season 4 sa Game Of Thrones kasi ang tagal kong nanuod. Happy I am today kasi Weekend na. A long weekend.
Sa wakas at makakasama ko na si Mom.
Nasa dining table na kami ngayon, she made me an extreme dinner na parang hindi namin kayang ubusin. She even bough Ice cold beer.
"So, how was it?" Sabi niya habang nagsisimula na kaming kumain.
Napataas ang kilay ko after my second bite.
"Uhm, lonely." Sabi ko.
Napangiti siya.
"Well, for me I think need mo na mag-work. Tapos, mag-date ka na. Try some new stuff." Sabi ni Mom.
Napangiti naman ako.
"Gusto mo na ako magka-jowa? Years ago, you'd tell me not to go on a date that's why I end up single my whole life." Sabi ko pero sa nakakatawang paraan. Actually, not dating while studying is a good thing. Hindi kasi madidivide ang attention mo.
"Oh my, you dont have a boyfriend since birth, sweetie?" Sabi niya at saka tumawa. She had a drink kaya ganito siya ka outgoing. Hindi ko naman siya gustong pagbabawalan na mag stress-out since busy siya sa work niya and all I wanted is for her to at least unwind.
"Busy din kasi ako."
"Me too, anak." Sabi niya.
Napatingin ako sa kanya.
"Really? You should get a new husband. I dont really mind." Sabi ko naman. "I just want you to be happy."
The next thing I knew, she cried. Like super. She even sobs.
"Are you seriously not going out with any man?" Sabi niya.
Umiling nalang ako.
"Basta ako, gusto ko nang apo. 'Wag ka sanang madamot haa. You should get married. Infact tapos ka na sa school. You can apply job anywhere. I'll be a good good grandmother, I assure you."
Napatawa na lang din ako.
"Okay. I'll definitely tell you kung pakiramdam ko may magiging boyfriend na ako." Sabi ko.
She smiled so wife and cry again.
I took her to her bedroom ng tapos na siya sa pag kain niya. Pero actuallly, puro inom lang nagawa ni Mom tonight. She needed to rest.
Nakatulog siya kaagad matapos ko siyang pinapahiga.
After ko naman magligpit sa mga dishes and leftovers, I took a walk outside for fresh air. May malapit kasing river. Nakita ko nung nakaraang araw na naglalakad ako from Cafe to here.
Nang naglalakad na ako ay bigla akong nagregret na hindi ako ng dala ng jacket.
It's still 9PM in the evening. I'm sure Mom wouldnt notice na wala ako sa room ko. She needed a long heavy weekend for herself.
Napatingin ako sa paligid at hindi mapigilan ang mapangiti nalang. Parang mayroong kanta sa isipan ko at sumasabay ito sa hangin. Marami naman kasing streetlights sa area. Tapos may mga tao ding naglalakad at nag-date sa gabi. Ganito ba palagi dito? Yung gabi na parang morning lang sa ibang tao.
Napadpad ako sa open basketball court.
I saw someone playing kahit madilim.
I was going to ignore it and walk back home but someone called me.
"Angel?"
That voice.
It's very familiar. I have this interesting gut na nagsasabi na it's Mentius.
And yes it was him.
"Men—" I was about to call him with his second name but There's a part of me na gustong tawagin siya with his first name.
"Van..." I said and went inside the court.
"I noticed you walking and I think I could be a good company." He said.
I smiled.
Woah. Didnt think that having a conversation with a man is this easy. Maybe because I am trying to become more open? Aside from Varys na super duper open nga lang masyado. Too good na may mabait siyang cousin. Which is Van.
Umupo ako sa court.
"That's pretty cool, didnt think you could be so—" He said while shooting hoops.
"What?" I asked out of amusement.
"So simple and hindi maarte." Sabi niya.
I chuckled.
So, he is being observant right now huh? Well I guess having a friend who saved me from all the bad boys is a good company. Will keep it.
"It's pretty cold outside at night time." He even noticed I am cold. Is it because we got smoke everytime we talk or is it so obvious kasi nagsusuot lang ako ng shirt and leggings. Well, pretty obvious.
Pinapanuod ko lang siyang maglaro ng basketball. He knows how to enjoy his own self.
"You know how to enjoy yourself, that's impressive." Van commented after the long silence. Yup, we thought of the same comment to each other.
"Why did you take a walk by the way?" Sabi niya and dribbled the ball while staring at me. I mean, I admit that Van is attractive. He looks like a play boy next door but he seems... nice.
"Uhm, just looking for a breath of fresh air."
"Varys cant stop whining about you rejecting that hang out sessions with him." Sabi niya. Napatawa nalang ako.
"I heard you just moved in. What makes you leave Philippines?" Sabi niya at saka tumabi sa akin. Settling the ball between his foot.
It seems weird na ganito kami ka-close. I mean, him sitting beside me seems so close. So close that I could see how his eyes sparkle.
Why am I thinking like this suddenly?
What am I even talking about?
"Uhm, I just moved here with Mom." Sabi ko. I beamed when he smiled. "No other reasons actually. You?"
His smile suddenly fades away.
His sight suddenly went out of nowhere. Para siyang natulala after thinking about something.
"Uhm... I just had to. But it's been years since I moved here. My family's here but they're all gone. I didnt want to spend my life miserable alone at home so I am messing with Varys, the only cousin who can cook me food." He said.
"I am sorry about your family."
"It's been years so— yeah its fine." Sabi niya. Assuring me instead.
Suddenly, he took his jacket off at nilagay niya sa akin.
I didnt go up against his idea. I just let him. I mean, how he be so nice?
"Dont worry, I got used to this cold weather. Nasanay na." Sabi pa niya.
Napangiti nalang ako.
"Thank you." Sabi ko sa kanya.
He played with the basketball ball with his fingers and I could just listen to the song in my head while looking at him.
"Just tell me when you'll go back, I'll walk you there." He said.
Gentleman.
Another, "Thank you, Van."
BINABASA MO ANG
Van Mentius Lim: My Pain (Completed)
Romance"My Pain is you, Van Mentius." - Angel Horfelia The story of "My Pain" revolves around Van Mentius Lim and his journey to finding love and acceptance. Van, tired of playing games and having ill-fated relationships, finally meets a girl who changes...
