That's What They Told Me

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Treat

 

"Hello..." I greeted stupidly.

His eyes shifted to where I came from before pouring me his whole attention.

He's still wearing the dark blue dress shirt with sleeves folded until his forearms, maong pants, and timberland boots that he wore from school. Alam ko iyon dahil kahit hindi man kami nagkita kanina sa eskuwela, nakapagpaalam pa siya sa akin bago pumasok.

"Kinausap ka ni Tito?"

I snapped out from my reverie. I must've been staring too much!

"Oo. Uh... n-nangamusta lang," I stuttered. "Ang aga niyo po ngayon..."

Tinawa ko ang kaba. Sana lang hindi niya mahalata ang kagustuhan kong ilihis ang topic.

He nodded gently, but his eyes told me otherwise. It looked like he's still in deep thoughts just like what I saw earlier when he's alone here.

"Something came up, so I need to be here."

"Oh. Ahm... may kailangan po kayo?" tanong ko nang naalala ang naabutan ko kanina.

Still sporting a serious mood, Zaro craned his neck and slightly damped his lips using his tongue.

"How's school?" Binuksan niya ang pinto ng kwarto ko.

Kapuwa nalipat ang tingin namin doon. Hindi pa nakatulong ang munting tunog tanda ng kalumaan ng pinto nito.

Senyorito threw a glance at somewhere before arching his eyebrow at me, questioning why was I still there.

Ngumuso ako at kahit lito roon, pumasok na rin sa aking kuwarto. Medyo nataranta pa ako dahil saka ko lang naalala na magulo nga pala ang tukador dahil sa paghalughog ko roon kanina!

"A-Ayos naman... at... masasaya ang activities kanina," I answered in between my business with the ransacked dresser.

Sinilip ko muna si Senyorito na kasalukuyang sinasarado ang pinto bago ko palihim na tinago ang pulseras sa pinakasuluk-sulukan ng tukador. My heart skittered in pressure.

"How about your classmates?" he probed.

Humarap na ako sa direksiyon niya. Samantalang siya, nanatili lang sa may pintuan, animo'y may nakakahawa akong sakit kaya ayaw lapitan.

Inisip ko ang mga kaklase pati na rin ang trato sa akin ng iba pang estudyante. Na kahit nasa ibang baitang o klase man, mainit ang pagtanggap sa akin.

"Mababait sila lahat..." simpleng tugon ko.

He nodded. But his eyes didn't leave mine.

"What about the other kids?"

Bahagyang kumunot ang noo ko sa pagkalito. Gayunpaman, nagkibit ako ng balikat at ngumiti.

"Sobrang buti po nila sa akin! Taliwas sa... sa iniisip ko..." I paused, worrying if it's fine to add something. "Ang totoo, medyo natakot po ako noong una. Kasi walang humpay na pinapaalala sa akin ni Nana kung gaano kalupit at kaganid ang mga tao sa labas. P-Pero napatunayan kong hindi naman po siguro lahat..."

I took a peek at him. For a second, I thought my vision was playing games on me because I traced a hint of delight in his face. But when I blinked again, his face was back to its rigid mode. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung namamalik-mata lang ako.

"That's nice to hear. It's good to finally see you getting along..." He craned his neck and his adam's apple bobbed. "But don't let your guard down, Lumi. Always be careful and cautious around. I don't want you to play with fire."