The Burning of Summer

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

I don't know how I fell asleep last night. Basta nakatulog na lang ako bigla kakatitig sa mga pictures ni Reid. I know, I shouldn't have done that. But I couldn't help it.

Now I'm on my way to the dining room to have breakfast with my sisters and abuela. And why am I even surprised to see Reid sitting beside the vacant seat where I usually sit katabi si Ate Autumn.

"Good morning!" bati ko saka lumapit kay abuela at humalik sa pisngi nito.

"Good morning mija!" masaya ding bati niya. "Sit down and eat now Summer." tipid akong ngumiti at napipilitang umupo sa upuan na para sa akin.

I took a piece of pancake then poured some honey on it. I was about to take my first bite and Reid decided to whisper something.

"Ayan lang ang kakainin mo?" masungit na sabi nito.

Here we go again. Anong problema niya sa pagkain ko?

"Just let me eat in peace Reid."

"Dagdagan mo pa." maawtoridad na sabi nito. Pumikit ako ng mariin.

"Don't push it."

Pero dahil nga hindi naman nito pinapakinggan ang sinasabi ko ay naglagay ito ng dalawa pang pancake sa plato ko at mabilis na nilagyan din iyon ng honey.

Umawang ang bibig ko sa ginawa niya.

Just unbelievable!

"Will you please just mind your own business?!" lumakas ng bahagya ang boses kaya naman nakuha na namin ang atensyon ng mga nandoon.

"Is everything okay?" tanong ni abuela.

Nakita ko agad ang matalim na tingin ni Ate Winter at ang mapang-asar na ngiti ni Rain.

"Everything's fine abuela. No worries." I gave her a forced smile.

"Minor misunderstanding Señora." sagot naman ni Reid.

Nilingon ko ito upang bigyan ng masamang tingin.

"What's with you and my food?"

"You need more food, I already told you you're too thin."

"You need to have your eyes check then."

"What are you two whispering about?" sabay kaming napalingon kay Rain na nagsalita.

Umayos ako ng pagkaka-upo at taas noong humarap dito. She raised an eyebrow at me.

Umangat ang labi ko upang magsalita nang unahan ako ni Reid.

"I was just asking her if she would like to come with me, sa bayan." sagot nito sa tanong.

I took a glass of water to take a sip before saying something because I felt my throat went suddenly dry but abuela said something.

"Well, it looks like you two are getting along!" masayang sabi ni abuela at hindi napigilan ang masamid habang umiinom ng tubig. "That's good news!"

Mabilis ma kumuha ng table napkin si Reid at pinunasan ang paligid ng bibig ko nabasa ng tubig. I tried to take it away from him but he wouldn't bulge.

"Okay ka lang Ate?" tumango tango ako kay Rain.

"Mija may problema ba sa sinabi ko?" takang tanong ni abuela kaya mabilis akong umiling.

"Nasamid lang ako abuela."

"So you will go with Reid?" ngumiti ako at walang nagawang tumango. "That's good, nagpa-alam sa akin si Reid na pupunta nga raw ng bayan at isasama ka. Mabuti at payag ka."