Perfect Couple 3: The Kid and I

Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

-GWEN-

"When did you start living alone?"

Nilingon ko si Vann na prenteng nakaupo sa sofa at nanonood ng TV.

He has been crashing at my place for days now. Madalas tatambay lang siya, manonood ng TV, maglalaro ng games, o kaya matutulog.

But this was the first time he asked something kind of personal.

"Fourth year high school," sagot ko habang inilalapag sa mesa yung binili niyang buffalo wings at malamig na canned beers.

"Woah. Ang aga mo palang naging independent. Where are your parents?" curious na tanong niya habang nakatingin sa akin.

I opened one can of beer and sat beside him before answering his question.

"My mom died while giving birth to me while my dad is in Australia, together with his family."

Natigil siya sa pagpapak ng manok at tila nagsisisi sa pagtatanong niya.

"I'm sorry," hinging paumanhin niya.

I smiled faintly.

"Nah, it's fine," sabi ko at kumuha ng isang piraso ng manok habang naghahanap ng mapapanood sa cable.

"That's why your features are different. Half-half ka pala."

"Pardon?"

"Sabi ko kaya pala maganda ka kasi Half Filipina, Half Aussome ka," nakangising sabi niya at kumindat pa.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang segundo akong napatanga sa kanya. Did he just crack a lame joke?

At nang mapagtanto kong nag-joke talaga siya by changing Aussie to Aussome, hindi ko napigilan ang matawa nang malakas.

His joke was lame, but the way he looked proud while making the joke was hilarious.

He was drinking his beer when he looked back at me.

"Tch. Slow," aniya na lalong ikinatawa ko.

I haven't laughed like this in so long.

"Don't try to pull the same joke with other girls, okay? You seriously suck," natatawang sabi ko.

"Whatever, Gwen. At least you're laughing now."

I smiled to myself. He was always thoughtful.

I think simula noong makita niya akong miserable nung gabing nalasing ako, ginawa na niyang misyon sa buhay ang patawanin ako kahit pa magmukha na siyang engot.

And I want to do the same for him.

He may be laughing, but I can see the loneliness in his eyes.

It was like looking at my own reflection.

"Are you having problems at home, Zen?" diretsang tanong ko.

Nabitin sa ere ang pag-inom niya at kunot ang noong tumingin sa akin.

"None that I know of. Where'd you get the idea?"

"One, you have been coming to campus really early even though your first class starts at 10am. Two, you've been crashing here a lot for the past days. Three, your mind seems to be occupied by a lot of things," pag-enumerate ko sa mga napansin ko sakanya.

He looked surprised that I noticed the way he's been acting.

"You're just reading too much into it. I'm fine. Gusto lang kitang mabwisit nang mas matagal."