HIDDEN REIGN

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 10: 𝕭𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖍

Morning comes, and I feel much better than yesterday. I tried not to think about yesterday's happening. I tried, but it sometimes slips into me. I bet the bags under my eyes are swelling, I cried non-stop. I think it was until dawn. Konti nga lang din ang tulog ko, dahil na din sa takot na baka nga biglang sumulpot na lang siya sa tabi ko.

Wala akong naabutang Blue sa sala. Kadalasan kasi ay nandoon siya at nonood ng tv. I think he needed to go to school early, or is it just me who woke up so late. Nang pumunta ako sa kusina para sana mag-hanap ng makakain ay may nakita akong note sa ref.

"There's food inside. I have urgent business. Eat by yourself."

That's what was written in the note. This is actually sweet of him. Minsan lang kasi 'yon mag-effort ng ganito. I remember one episode where I overslept. Wala noon sila mama, kaya kaming dalawa ang naiwan. Dahil likas na wala akong talent sa pagluluto, si kuya ang naghahain. He didn't bother to put a note that there's a food. Tumawag pa ako noon kay Dylan upang manghingi ng pagkain. And it turns out, that Dylan and Blue were together. Si Dylan, na takot din kay kuya, aay sinermunan ito. I was so shocked when Dylan did that. Napagalitan din naman ako ni kuya pagka-uwi niya.

"Knock knock! Tao po~ may tao ba ditong nangangalang Kianna?"

I was startled when someone shouted. Muntik ko pa ngang mahulog ang pagkain. Katok pa din ito ng katok, kaya wala akong nagawa kundi ang puntahan na agad ito. Hawak ko pa din ang pagkain nang buksan ko ang pinto. Tumambad ang nakangiting mukha ni Calvin. I think he was about to knock again when I open the door. Nakataas pa kasi ang kamay niya.

"What're you doing here?" I asked and I feel my eyebrow raised naturally.

"Sinusundo ka. I ask Blue for your location, and he told me that you're still sleeping. And here I am."

He said when he barged inside. Yes, he forced his whole being inside. Wala naman akong nagawa, nasa loob na siya e. He trails his eyes in the wholeness of our dorm. Dumapo ang kaniyang mga mata sa hawak ko. His stomach suddenly growls. Napailing na lang ako ng makita siyang ngumingiti nanaman.

"You came here without eating breakfast. And now, you'll gonna share in my portion. You're a pain in the ass, Cal." Litanya ko sakaniya habang iniinit ko ang pagkain.

"Let's eat in the cafeteria. Just bring your food." Sabi niya sabay salampak sa sofa. Wait, is he sulking? Annoyed? Really? Napatingin ako sa direksyon niya, at prenteng nakaupo lamang siya doon. Napansin niya ata ang titig ko sakaniya dahil bigla siyang tumingin sa direksyon ko. He was asking 'what'.

"Are you, perhaps, pissed? You know I was just joking."

Seryoso kong sabi sakaniya. Hindi ko malaman kung ano ang nasa isip niya, he had this straight face in him. Mag-ssorry n asana ako skaniya, nang bigla siyang tumawa. Nababaliw na ba 'to? Kailangan na ba siyang dalhin sa ospital?

"Why would you think that? Malelate na ho kasi tayo, kaya doon na tayo kumain."

That was unexpected. I then checked the time and was surprise. Malelate na nga kami kapag dito pa kami kumain. Agad-agad akong nagbihis, nakaligo naman na kasi ako bago bumaba. I just pull out some jeans and a long sleeve polo, I don't even know whose polo is this. Basta kakasya saakin, okay lang.

Everything was settled. My food was done, we're ready to go when I come down. Nang makita niya ako ay sinuri niya ang suot ko. Wala naman sigurong masama sa suot ko diba? I mean, I'm just wearing a plain polo and jeans.

"Kaninong polo 'yan?"

That was the first thing he said, more like asked me. Well, ayon din ang tanong ko. I'm wearing it because it's in my cabinet. Hindi naman ito madumi kaya sinuot ko na din.