Just Like The Clouds

Kabanata 1

"Sabi ko naman kasi sayo, diba? I can't make it tonight. Next time nga kasi."

My phone beeped again for God knows how many times. Binabaan na naman ako ng tawag. I'm certain that they're already drunk. Ilang salita ko lang ata, bababaan ako tapos tatawag ulit. Mga baliw ampotek.

[Ano?! Sinabi mo 'yon? Kailan?!] he shouted.

Agad kong naibaba ang phone mula sa aking tainga. Mapapahamak pati eardrums ko sa pakikipag-usap sa mga 'to, e.

"Nung pinanganak ka ng baliktad. Ewan ko sayo. Pati utak mo naliligaw na kung saan-saan," I hang up and put my phone on the table.

Kinuha ko ulit ang basket at pinagpatuloy ang pagsasampay ng mga damit. I still have things to do but they keep inviting me to a birthday party. Buti sana kung sila maglilinis ng kwarto ko.

Muling tumunog ang cellphone ko pero hindi ko na pinansin at bumaba para ibalik ang basket. Baka mapagalitan pa ako ng may-ari ng bahay dito.

"Heav, where were you?"

"Sa taas lang, bakit?" I asked before walking to the kitchen and look for something to eat. Sigurado akong walang makakain dito dahil pareho kaming abala ni kuya para bumili man lang ng pagkain. Oo, ganoon ka-busy.

Kuya looked at me while buttoning his polo and folding the sleeves.

"Paalis ka?" I asked again.

"Oo. Duty calls," he answered. He took the car keys and threw a glance at me. He sure is thinking that I’m gonna do something stupid that would not only bother him, but also his job. Pinaningkitan ako nito ng mata kaya't napataas ang aking kilay.

"Kumain ka na. Sky is sleeping in my room, stay with her. Lock all the doors and windows before going upstairs," he picked up his suitcase and looked at me, hopefully for the last time.

"No late-night parties. I heard you ha," pagturo nito sa akin saka isinarado ang pintuan. I heaved a lungful sigh and sat on the kitchen counter.

"As if may balak ako," I whispered. Why is he always acting up like that? Doctor siya pero mahigpit pa sa sundalo kong tito. Saka isa pa, wala rin akong balak na sumama sa kanila no. I can drink alcohol here alone, bakit kailangan ay sa club pa? My alcohol tolerance is not even that high to manage myself drunk in a public place.

I opened the fridge and took out a box of cookies and milk. Hindi naman ako gutom, medyo lang. I ate too much for lunch, like there's no tomorrow.

Galing lang ako sa flight school kanina kaya wala akong masyadong ginawa. I forgot about River's birthday so he ended up screaming through the phone. Ano ba naman kasing alam ko? Ni walang invitation man lang. They honestly thought that I have that huge friend group that I would be notified of all birthday parties. I could have go there but I didn't. Nirereto ba naman kasi ako sa macho dancer.

I went back to my room after locking the doors. It's still raining cats and dogs outside, may bagyo rin kasi e. Dahan-dahan akong naglakad paakyat at pumasok sa kwarto ni Kuya. I saw Sky sleeping tightly. She's comfortable staying in here than her own room.

I went back in my room to pick up my phone. Ampota- I have 16 missed call!

"Hello?" I answered after their 17th attempt of calling.

[Hi! Gosh, where were you-]

"Nagdidilim paningin ko sa inyo," pagsabad ko bago hilutin ang aking sintido.