If I have Nothing (Absinthe Series 5)

Kabanata 19

Kabanata 19

If I Have Nothing

"Syden," my mother called, "Your Tita Aleah's looking for you. Ang sabi niya'y tuturuan ka niyang magluto ngayon."

Nilingon ko si Mommy na nasa hamba ng aking kwarto. I was busy folding my clothes, lalo na't in-arrange ko ulit dahil nagulo na naman. I was done with some of them. Ang mga madalas kong naisusuot ay inihiwalay ko na.

"Sige, 'my. I'll go downstairs, later. Tatapusin ko lang po ito."

Tumango si Mommy at ngumiti sa akin. At this month, they weren't that busy with business. Si Daddy madalas ang pag-uwi ng late pero si Mommy naman ay sinusubukang maagang umuwi para maasikaso naman ako. It's not necessary to take care of me now. Malaki na ako at kaya ko naman ang sarili ko. I told my parents that but Mommy said that she wanted to take care of me before I get married to Rhett. Naalala ko pa ang pag-uusap namin noon.

"You're not our baby anymore, kaya habang may mga oras pang mananatili ka rito sa bahay ay susulitin ko na."

At first, I didn't get what she's saying. Mukhang napansin niya ang pagkalitong nakapaskil sa aking mukha. She smiled gently.

"Syden, when you're married to Rhett, you'll be living together. Mag-asawa na kayo kaya marapat lang iyon para mas makilala niyo ang isa't-isa. I know you're still young for this change of environment but it's not good to see newlyweds away from each other."

"Also, you need to learn hoise chores. Oo nga't hindi ka namin masyadong pinagt-trabaho sa bahay pero kailangan mong matutunan ulit iyon ngayon."

That's why they planned on giving me time to learn those chores. Kahapon ay tinuruan ako sa paglalaba ni Yaya Ising, she even told me that not all the time a washing machine is useful so I need to use my hands to wash my clothes, especially undergarments if ever laundryshops aren't available. Ang paglilinis ng bahay naman ay gamay ko na rin dahil natutunan ko naman iyon sa orphanage. In fact, it was the first lesson I had there. Una sa kwarto pagkagising tapos ay sa sarili. Then after that, it's time to clean everything in the house especially the kitchen because it is where the food is prepared.

After I was done folding my clothes, I put it inside the lower drawer of my closet. Kumuha ako ng panibagong damit, naghilamos at nagbihis.

Nagpaalam ako kay Mommy nang bumaba ng hagdan. It was already ten in the morning. Si Kuya ay nasa receiving room na at nanunuod ng tv. Arms slumped at both sides of the one-seater couch. Nagpaalam din ako kay Kuya bago ako lumabas ng bahay.

I walked towards the house of the Vasilievs. Apat na bahay pa ang pagitan ng mga bahay namin at malalawak ang lawn ng bahay pagitan kaya medyo malayo ang lalakarin. I had my umbrella with me so it's fine to walk. Hindi naman ako masyadong nakakagala kaya a few walks would be a good exercise.

I rang the doorbell of their house. Tiningala ko ang malaki nilang bahay. It was bigger than ours considering they are a bigger family than us. Mas marami ang kwarto sa kanilang bahay at maganda ang pagkakagawa, the perks if one of the owners is an architect. Si Tita Aleah naman ay magaling sa pagdidisenyo kaya maganda ang kinalabasan ng kanilang bahay.

The small gate at the side of the big one opened. It revealed Rhett in his white tank shirt and khaki shorts.

"H-hi," I greeted with a stutter. I was a but distracted of his arms flexing in front of me. Lalo na't hubad iyon dahil sa kaniyang suot.

He widened the opening of the gate to let me in. Nagkukumahog naman na pumasok ako.

"Mom called you?" sa malamig na boses ay itinanong niya iyon sa akin. I curtly nodded before walking behind him. Mas nauna na siyang pumasok sa kanilang bahay.