Grant's Revenge

Chapter 45

Grant

We are all staring at Candice's food. Mukhang gustong-gusto naman nito iyon.

Who eats boiled potatoes? And cheese? Plus fresh milk.

Gosh! Naghihirap na ba kami ngayon?

"Who cooked that!?" Hindi ko maiwasan ang hindi magtaas ng boses.

Takang tiningnan naman ako ni Samantha. "Why? Ako nagluto."

"What do you think of Candice? A pauper?"

"She specifically asked me if she can have boiled potatoes."

"Why would she ask for that? Who eats boiled potatoes?!"

Natatakot na nag-angat ng tingin sakin si Candice. Nagulat yata sa sinabi ko.

"Were you mad, Uh-teee?"

"What?" Anong Uh-tee?

Nagtawanan naman yung mga nandoon. Ibinaba naman ni Candice yung small spoon nito. Mukhang napahiya. Tapos nagyuko ito ng ulo.

"She's trying to call you ate." Paliwanag naman ni Jen na hinaplos pa yung braso ko. "Don't frown. You're humiliating your sister for trying to be polite."

Tumingin ako kay Candice. "I'm sorry. I didn't get it."

"It's ok—"

"Just me call me, Grant." I cut her abruptly. "But on a second thought, call us all, Ate."

Mahirap na. Baka magkagusto pa ito sa mga kaibigan ko o kaya naman ay pagtripan ito nila Van at Terry. Atleast those two will be reminded that they are older than Candice so they should act more mature than her.

"Ate?"

"Great." I commend her. "Who taught you that?"

Itinuro ni Candice yung antok na antok na si Hariette. Nakapikit pa ito habang ngumunguya ng kinakain nito.

What's wrong with her? She's the first one who tucked herself into bed last night. Tapos sya pa yung puyat?

Damn, I don't like to think of any nasty thoughts. Hariette won't do such things to a minor. More so, sa babae.

"She told me it's rude to stare at her. And that she's an Ate to me. I asked her what's that. She just say it's a Filipino term for an older sister. Since she's your friend, I should treat her like a big sis too."

Napaangat naman yung kilay ko sa sinabi nito.

"And why are you staring at her?" itinuro ko pa si Hariette.

Don't tell me crush nya iyon? Hindi pwede! Wala pa sya sa legal age! Saka ang tanda ni Hariette. Saka maldita iyon. Baka bigla na lang talaga syang lasunin nung isa. Jusko!

Nagkibit-balikat lang si Candice. "It is normal for us to assess people. So staring for us isn't rude. It's just awareness. I didn't know her. And she's giving me a death glare whenever she thinks I am not look—"

"Yeah. Be aware. I want to strangle you. You shouldn't be able to sleep last night." Naiiritang sagot dito ni Hariette.

"I slept soundly because you told me that you'll strangle me to death. So I thought, you won't be sleeping just to look after me. It seems you care for others too much. That's so sweet. Thank you."

"Stupid. I mean it literally." bulong pa ni Hariette na sumandal na talaga sa balikat ni Alliston. Saka pumikit ulit.

"But I'm still alive. So it proves that I am right."Seryosong sagot ni Candice na inayos pa yung eyeglass nito. "You can sleep soundly later. I'll look after you to return the favor."