Love in Bangketa

18

"Nagtatampo na ako sa'yo ngayon, Xynnah! For fucking... four or five months?! You didn't even tell me even a single thing! Now, I'm really mad at you!" Early in the morning and Elisa is shouting at me through the phone. I rolled my eyes. She already knew that I was living in Tito Gerard's house.

"I will tell you soon naman, Elisa. Nalaman mo lang agad. Wait, who spoiled you?"

"You will tell me soon? And when is that "soon", Xynnah? I heard it from your Dad!"

I should've informed Dad not to tell everyone about this, too, but it was too late. Ano pa nga bang magagawa ko? I just really hope that no one knows aside from Elisa!

"Hey, are you with someone right now?" I carefully asked.

"I am with Kuya Damian," Walang preno niyang sagot.

"What the fucking... fuck? Elisa?!"

"You're now on a loudspeaker and he can hear you right now! You think, I won't know your tactics, huh? After you lied to me!"

Napakamot na lang ako sa ulo ko because of stress! "I can explain, okay? Huwag mong i-loudspeaker," I tried my best not to shout at her now that she is in front of her brother. Masama na nga siguro ang tingin sa'kin ni Kuya Damian, now, I think, he even thinks that I'm a rebel!

"No way,"

"Fine!" I told her at pinatay ko ang call. Hay nako!

"Xynnah, what's taking you so long? Bumaba ka na rito at aalis na tayo," Auntie Roan knocked on my door. Oh, before I could forget, magpi-picnic nga pala kami. Elisa has slightly ruined and distracted my morning, kaya nakalimutan ko!

I did my routines at kaagad na nagbihis ng preskong damit. I have no idea of the place that we're going to. The last thing I wore was my converse shoes. Lumabas na ako, at ganoon din si Aezy na nakabihis na.

"Seriously, Xynnah? Pulang-pula na lipstick?" Napahalakhak si Aezy.

"I look cooler and prettier when I wear red lipstick, Aezy,"

Sumakay na kami sa van nila. This is the first time that I went to a picnic with them. For my five months of stay here, I still feel a little uncomfortable. Good thing, I have Aezy with me, who can accompany me.

"Where are we going?" Tanong ko kay Aezy. Nakatutok ito sa kaniyang phone ngayon.

"Picnic ground. Maganda roon. We usually go there during weekends," Ngiti niya. Tumango na lang ako. I let my eyes roam on the scenery outside the window. Nabo-bored na ako sa bahay nila Tito Gerard. I badly want to go home now, and spend my teenage life just like how I used to.

Tumigil ang van sa isang malawak at madamong lugar. It really suits for a picnic kind of... err date? No, not really. Basta, pang picnic lang. Bumaba na ako, wearing my Rayban, sumunod naman si Aezy.

"I missed this place," Aniya. Tumingin naman ako rito. Are we on a mountain ba? It looks like we're elevated!

"Be careful, Xynnah. The ground is way steep," Auntie Roan reminded me.

"Aezy, we're on a mountain, right?"

"Yes, but medyo nasa paanan pa lang naman ng bundok," She smiled and helped her Dad to get the foods they prepared.

Tumingin-tingin ako sa lugar. I could see houses from where I am currently standing. Nagmukhang mga maliliit na bahay ang mga iyon. Little branches were also scattered on the ground.

"Xynnah, ilatag mo nga itong mat,"

Kinuha ko ang mat kay Tito Gerard at ako ang naglatag. Up until now, I could feel that I am not welcome in their house. I don't know, but I really feel alone kapag nasa loob ako ng bahay nila. That's why I spend most of my time na lang locking inside the room.

Nilapag na rin nila ang Carbonara at Fried Chicken nilang dala, plus the softdrinks. Umupo ako sa mat kasama sila, when Aezy called us.

"Picture picture!"

I smiled awkwardly, habang sila Tito at Auntie ay ngiting-ngiti. Aezy took many pictures at saka pa lang kami kumain.

"Does the carbonara taste good?" Tanong ni Auntie. Nag thumbs up ako sa kaniya.

We were eating peacefully when suddenly Tito Gerard cleared his throat. "Xynnah, I don't know what's your problem with Max, but I think your attitude now has to stop,"

Napatigil ako sa pagkain. Don't tell me he's gonna reprimand me again... about that guy. About my attitude towards him?

"Bakit? Anong nangyari?" Kuryosong tanong ni Auntie Roan.

Tito Gerard inhaled a large amount of oxygen. "Where and how did you meet Max at ganoon ka makitungo sa kaniya?" He asked.

Do I have to explain? Kailangan ko bang sabihin what happened the first day I saw him? I will try. Baka hindi niya na ako pagalitan when he knows the truth.

"When... Aezy and I went to bangketa... Someone stole my wallet. Hinabol ko po yung bata and it turned out that... Max was grabbing the kid's collar. But, not in a way na hinuhuli, pero parang friends at casual ang turingan. And so, I thought... that guy was a snatcher, I punched him. And I still think that he really is,"

Napailing na lang si Tito Gerard, while Aezy gave me a shocked expression. "Bago ka pa lang dito, Xynnah, but I guess, your Dad was right. Kung ako siya, I would really try my best to discipline you. Hindi ko alam kung paano ka nila pinalaki, pero hindi ko nagugustuhan kung paano ka pinalaking judgmental,"

He said those words as straight forward as possible. Straight forward that the words became knife to stab my heart indirectly. Yeah right, maybe I am judgmental, pero hindi ko rin gustong marinig 'yon sa kaniya! He hasn't been there when my Dad raised me.

"I only did that as a self-defense, Tito. The thing when I punched him. If you were in my place--"

"If I were in your place, Giovannah, I won't judge a person that fast and give him a punch for helping me. 'Yan ang problema sa'yo, imbis maging mapagkumbaba ka, you still don't own your mistakes," He gnashed his teeth and left us, sumama naman si Auntie Roan. Napayuko na lang ako. Nararamdaman kong nangingilid ang luha ko. But, no... Not now...

Aezy tapped my shoulder. "Xynnah, I am sorry for what my father has said..."

Pinilit kong kalmahin ang sarili ko. Just like the usual... I induced a fake smile.

"No. It's fine,"