Intimidation

five

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Chapter Five
breakfast

Gumising ako the next day. Chineck ko 'yung phone ko para makita ang orasan. 6 am.

   Well, sanay kasi akong magising ng maaga kaya hindi na ako nakatulog nun. Tumingin ako kay Benj na naka-borlog sa couch. Mukhang mamaya pa siya magigising.

  Classes start at 8:30 am kaya sigueo by 7 ay magigising na siya. Ayoko namang mangealam ng gamit niya kasi baka mamaya gumising siya at magalit.

  I started scrolling on my social media, looking at my friends' posts and stories.

  "Salacia?" A sleepy voice called out. Napatingin ako kay Benj na tumayo sa couch. He was rubbing his eyes and ang gulo ng buhok niya.

  "Morning." Sabi ko lang.

  "Anong oras na?"

  "6 pa lang."

  Hindi siya nakinig saakin at kinuha niya 'yung phone niya para i-check 'yung oras.

  "I'll bring breakfast here." He said without looking at me. He then left the room.

  Ang awkward naman pag magdadala ng breakfast sa sariling kwarto? Ang suspicious naman kung magdala siya ng breakfast dito.

  He came back with one plate na punong-puno ng pagkain. He set the plate on the coffee table. "Eat."

  "Teka, paano ka?" Tanong ko.

  "It would be suspicious to bring up two plates." Sabi niya.

  "Ano 'yun? Hindi ka kakain?"

  "Oo."

  "Aba, hindi pwede! Maghati nalang tayo.. hindi maganda na 'di ka kumakain n–"

  "I'm okay." He interrupted. "Hindi naman ako gutom sa umaga."

  "Well, don't you eat with your family for breakfast? Baka magtaka sila na wala ka 'dun."

  He shook his head and sat down beside me. We were a little close and I could feel his warmth. "I don't eat with my family for breakfast."

  Okay, weird. Baka 'di talaga siya close with his parents. 'Di ko na siya tinanong tungkol 'dun kasi baka mamaya mapadpad ako sa touchy na subject.

  I finished eating pero nagtira ako ng two slices of bacon at isang egg sa side ng plate. Inurong ko 'yung plate palapit sakanya.

  "I'm really fine."

  "Bawal. Kumain ka." I urged him. Hindi kasi maganda na mag-skip ng breakfast.

  Napabuntong-hininga siya at sinimulang kumain. Ang bagal niya naman kumain. Tinignan niya ako at sinabing, "Take a bath. I'll drive you to school."

  I followed his instructions at naligo nalang. Nagbigay siya ng extra clothes na pwede kong isuot. Hoodie niya nanaman at pants na ninakaw niya sa kwarto ni Ate Jill, 'yung kapatid niyang babae.