Sevilla's Home

Chapter 8

Special

"What are your plans this coming Sunday?"

"Huh?"

"Busy ka ba sa Linggo?" Homer asked, he's closely watching my every move kaya nailang ako sa ginagawang pagnguya ng burger na nasa loob ng bibig ko.

I looked away while slowly swallowing it in and reached for my soft drink. I chugged a little to clear my mouth before talking.

"Hmmm... " I acted as if I was thinking of the plans I have in mind kahit na alam na alam ko na kung ano ang mga gagawin ko sa darating na Linggo-- gigising ng maaga para magsimba, tatambay saglit sa parke sa harap ng simbahan, mag-iikot-ikot kapag marami na ang mga panindang nakalatag at dadaan kina Moira, makiki-tambay hanggang sa dumilim.

I need to let my mother rest from seeing once in a while. "Magsisimba."

"And?"

"Baka pupunta ako kila Moira."

He looked at me for good couple of seconds like he's about to tell me something but he's hesitant.

"Bakit?" Hindi makatiis na tanong ko, there he smiled.

"Birthday kasi ng kasi ni Lolo sa Sunday and I would like to invite you...sana."

"Ayaw ko." Mabilis akong tumanggi, I saw how disappointed he suddenly looked dahil sa pagtanggi ko.

"Ahmm.. Sorry ha, nahihiya kasi ako e. Alam kong hindi ako magiging komportable roon kaya--"

"We'll invite Moira too para hindi ka mahihiya."

It was me who's looking at him this time, binabasa ko kung anong nasa isip niya.

"Come on, mababait naman ang pamilya ko... You'll enjoy it."

"Pag-iisipan ko muna. Nahihiya kasi talaga ako e."

"Sana pumayag ka. I just want you to meet my family, mababait ang mga pinsan ko. Some are of your age kaya hindi ka maa-out of place doon." I know most of his cousins, kilala sila sa buong San Gabriel dahil friendly sila, they reach out even to those who are poor.

"Bakit?"

"Bakit, what?

"Bakit mo ako iniimbitahan sa birthday ng Lolo mo?" Kabadong tanong ko though I felt comfortable asking dahil nakangiti lang naman sa akin si Homer. "Importanteng okasyon iyon."

"That's it, importanteng okasyon that's why I want you to be there too." I felt my cheeks blushed kaya umiwas ako ng tingin, I heard him chuckled lowly.

"We're...friends now, right?" He asked, amusement's all over his face. Lalo lang tuloy akong nahiya!

"O-Oo naman!"

He chuckled again at my nervousness.

"My Lolo Roman is one of the most important people in my life. I am very thankful that he's still aging with us, his family. We feel so much blessed because he's still alive and strong and we want to celebrate it with the special people in our lives."

Nakatunganga lang ako sa kanya habang nagsasalita. He looks cool ad handsome while talking about his family with tenderness. I can say that he's a family-oriented man, halata sa mga kwento niya tungkol sa pamilya niya. There's this spark in his eyes whenever he talks about them-- I feel a little jealous.

"And you're an important person in my life now kaya gusto kong kasama ka rin while we celebrate."

Nawala ang nakaguhit na ngiti sa mga labi ko. I felt like I was punched on my chest! Bakit ba ang lakas ng dating ng mga sinasabi nito sa akin? We're friends right?