Adoring Your Soul

Kabanata 26

Kabanata 26

Love

It became hard to sleep that night. I am sure she started hating me when I let Archer bathe in the rain. At mas lalo pang lumala iyon nang malaman niya ang nangyari sa Anilao. The way Winnie smirked at me says it all. Siya ang nagsabi kay Tita Alicia, and even if she doesn't give me hints, I'd still know because they are close.

Archer was upset with Winnie and his mother. Hindi namin natapos ang hapunan dahil sa mga naging kumento niya sa kay Tita Alicia. He insisted on giving me another dinner, but I refused. Matapos ang mainit na usapan at taasan ng boses, wala na akong gana kumain. She even spoke Spanish, and Winnie laughed. Ikinagulat ko iyon dahil alam niyang makaintindi ng Espanyol. Hindi ko man naintindihan ang sinabi ni Tita Alicia, sigurado akong pang-iinsulto iyon.

"You never told me you knew how to speak Spanish," I said to lighten the mood.

Kunot pa rin ang noo niya ngunit bumaling sa akin, kagat ang labi. "I never wanted to tell you. I always think you like boys your age, and you'll think I'm weird or kind of a nerd."

Medyo nagulat ako roon. Hindi ko naman siya huhusgahan kung alam niya magsalita ng ilang lengguwahe. Actually, it is quite impressive.

Doon natapos ang usapan at nang mag-isa na uli, doon na nakapag-isip-isip. Tita Alicia's reason for hating me is reasonable. Archer is her son, at naiintindihan kong ikinagalit niya ang ginawa ko noon kay Archer. He must've bathed under the rain along with bacteria, at nagkasakit siya no'n dahil nalamigan. It is my fault that I can't take back her trust. Pagkatapos ng pangyayari na 'yon, she was always out and started ignoring me. People are hard to please, especially if they don't want to. Ngayon, lumala lang ang nangyari.

Sure, I can badmouth Winnie and her bitch-like-face, but Tita Alicia is Archer's mother. I hold her in great regard and would never mistreat her. Kaya kahit na anong ibato niya sa akin, hinahayaan o tinatanggap ko na lang.

For the nth time, I tried calling Miraes. I sent her tons of text messages, but still nothing. Naubos na nga ang load dahil sa rami ng mensahe ko sa kanya.

I put down my cell phone and wore swimwear. Simula nang makarating ako rito sa Nasugbu, hindi ko pa nasusubukang mag-swimming.

First, I put on a lightweight gown. I'm not going to wear this swimsuit in the mansion. I'm not trying to draw attention to myself. I decided to go alone as well. Hindi ko alam pero dahilan siguro nang nangyari no'ng gabi. I want some fresh air. Being in that room-mansion suffocates me.

Bumaba na ako dala-dala ang towel. Perlita insisted that she would come with me, but I said no. She only wants to hold the towel for me, and I don't like that. Kaya ko namang dalhin ang towel na 'to.

When I went down the stairs, Archer stared at my dress and walked toward me immediately. He was eating, but had to stop when he saw me. I rolled my eyes somewhere else. I knew it. Mag-o-overreact na naman at kung anu-ano ang sasabihin tungkol sa dress ko. Matanda na talaga.

"When did you buy this?"

"Way back in Manila," I mumbled. The truth is, this is one of Tita Alicia's collections of dresses, which she gave me. Hindi ko lang sinusuot dahil hindi naman puwedeng pantulog. Ngayon lang ang tamang tyempo para sa dress na ito.

"You never wear this . . . ."

"And I am wearing it now."

Tinitigan niya ako na para bang maling isinuot ko ito ngayon. I groaned when he just stared at me. Tumataas na ang araw at hindi na ako makakapag-swimming dahil sa init kung tatagal pa ito.

"I'll just take a quick dip and head back here briefly."

I started walking away when I heard him shouting. He'll come with me.