Unleashed in February (Behind The Month #1)

5

5,   Think

It was Saturday night when Kuya Oxenn and his wife visited our house. Dapat ay linggo pa nang umaga ang dating nila pero dahil malayo ang byahe ay ganoon na ang ginawa nila. They will stay until tomorrow to join us for the Sunday mass then after that we'll have our lunch at a nearby restaurant.

"Ay nako..." I can't help but utter when I remembered an event tomorrow as well.

Kagat ko ang isang daliri nang magtipa ng mensahe para kay Hope. I lied down on my bed and covered my feet with the comforter.

To: Hope

Anong oras ang binyag bukas?

I waited for his reply but it didn't come. I rolled my eyes before tapping the call button.

Matagal bago niya nasagot ang tawag. The background is what got me at first. It was kind of loud at mukhang maraming tao, nagtatawanan pa. I also heard the booming sound of music.

Hope was still recovering from his laugh when he talked. "Hello?"

"Ano ba 'yan ba't ang ingay diyan? Sa'n ka ba?"

"Nandito ako, umiibig sa'yo." barumbado niyang sagot habang naririnig ko ang paglayo niya mula sa ingay.

"Wow. Oh, ano oras binyag bukas? Hindi ka nagrereply. May lakad yata kami–"

"Hoy, ano 'yan, 'di ka pupunta?" he scowled.

"Huy, JP! Yelo ah! Dagdagan mo bilis!"

I heard a man shouted that and I think I know now what's up with Hope and the people he's with.

"Si Randell ang utusan niyo at babalik na lang ako!"

"Ay olats! May kausap na bebe 'yon! Dali na!"

I'm sure I heard how Hope heaved a breath to say something but I haven't heard anything after. Taka kong inilayo ang phone para tignan iyon. It's okay, I didn't pressed the mute button, but whatever.

Bumangon ako sa pagkakahiga at niyakap ang tuhod. Nasa bahay si Hope ngayon at ang isa sa mga narinig kong boses sa mga kasama niya ay ang kuya niya. I sighed.

"Pupunta ako, tanga. Ano ngang oras para malaman ko kung kakayanin ko pang sumama kayna mama."

"Palusot ka pa. Gusto mo lang marinig ang boses ko, e. Meron bang binyag sa gabi?" he snorted.

I massaged my temples. "Iyong handaan. Sumasakit ulo ko sa'yo."

"Same." humalakhak siya.

I don't know where he is right now but it's unbelievably quiet. Kabisado ko na ang bahay nina Hope at alam kong sa laki ng pamilya nila, ay magiging maingay talaga kaya ewan ko kung saan ito nagsusuot ngayon.

"Ewan ko sa'yo. Tanghalian ba o meryenda?" sabi ko. "Ayusin mo! Baka sabihin mo almusal."

His laughter died down smoothly. "Tanghalian pero syempre hanggang gabi na 'yun. Bahala ka kung anong oras ka pupunta basta magsabi ka." aniya. "'Tsaka... wala bang nakalagay na oras sa invitation? Pambihira."

He's right. I think I failed to check the invitation well. I rubbed my eyes, not wanting to mind it anymore.

"Oo nga 'no? Hindi ko tinignan masyado..." Napahikab ako.

He chuckled silently. "Oh, sige na. Inaantok ka na. Ba-bye, inom muna 'ko, baby."

Napairap ako. "Corny mo."

He let out a bark of laughter before ending the call. Inis kong hinilamos ang palad sa mukha bago pabagsak na nahiga. I might as well just doze myself to sleep rather than think about that stupid friend of mine. And why would I even think of him?