Just Like The Clouds

Kabanata 2

"Very good, Sky. Bless na tayo kay Father?"

She nodded and took my hand. Siya na mismo ang humila sa akin papunta sa harapan ng simbahan. Nagtipon din ang ilan pang bata at matanda doon para magpa-bless sa pari.

The priest looked down on Sky and smiled as he put his hand on her head. Yumuko din ako para magpa-bless. Umalis din kami pagkatapos noon at lumabas na ng simbahan. We're attending mass every week just as what my Mom wanted. Gusto niyang hindi namin malimutan na magpasalamat sa nasa taas, considering all the blessings we received.

"You want some ice cream?" I asked her.

"Opo, tita!" She giggled in excitement. Nagmamadali itong pumasok sa sasakyan at hinintay din ako. I drove to the mall and since it's Sunday, puno na naman ng tao.

Mahigpit ang hawak sa akin ni Sky habang itinuturo halos lahat ng magustuhan niyang flavor. I'm just acting cool but I'm broke right now, hehe. Hindi pa 'ko nakakapag-withdraw since last month, tinatamad lang ako.

"Hm, blueberry? Chocolate? Vanilla? Oh! Strawberry, tita!" Excited na excited siya habang hindi padin ako makapili. I don't like chocolate and sweets are not my cup of tea. Wala bang atis dyan?

"One strawberry and vanilla, please."

Naupo na kaming dalawa sa pinakadulong parte kung saan kitang-kita kung gaano kadami ang tao sa labas. Buti nalang hindi traffic 'nung papunta kami dito.

"Is this seat taken?" A lady asked with full grace and elegance. I looked up and shrugged.

She just chuckled and sat beside my niece. Tuwang-tuwa naman si Sky na makita ulit si Frances kaya mabilis itong gumalaw para magmano sa kaniya. I can still remember how happy she was when ate Quinn revealed her pregnancy. Nag-volunteer agad maging ninang.

"Bakit ka nandito?" pag-uusisa ko.

"I don't know either. I've been busy this past few weeks so I want to hang out alone," pagkikibit-balikat nito kaya hindi na rin ako nagtanong pa. Bakit wala si Fourth? Nag-away ba sila? Anyways, I don't want to meddle with their love problems.

Dumating ang order namin nang sabay kaya nauna na agad si Sky na kumain.

"Where were you the other night? It was so crazy! River keeps talking about you and your lazy ass. Puro ka na naman daw excuse, sa birthday niya pa."

Hinilot ko nalang ang aking sintido dahil bumalik na naman ang mga sigaw ni River sa utak ko. Alam 'kong lasing ang baklang 'yon pero grabe, hindi talaga naawa sa tainga ko. Kahit sa phone, puro sermon.

"It's not an excuse, it's a fact. Nasa night shift din si kuya Echo 'non. I can't leave Sky alone." Sa dami nilang nagtanong, siya lang siguro ang sinagot ko nang matino.

"The whole volleyball team were there. Sayang, wala ka saka si Coach," Pasulyap-sulyap ito sa akin na halata namang may gustong iparating. "What are you trying to say?"

"Come on, Heaven. We both knew why and mentioning it isn't that necessary. You refused our invitations so many times and you're being too obvious. Kung ako sayo, stop avoiding him."

Nag-taas ang aking kilay habang pinapakinggan siya. It's not that...I'm not avoiding anyone, or maybe in some part, yes.

"Actually..."

"Yup?"

"Tinext ako 'nung macho dancer 'dun. Ewan ko kung sinong batang ungas ang nagbigay ng number ko," pabulong kong saad para hindi ako masyadong marinig ni Sky. She's just enjoying the food so maybe she didn't hear anything.