Impervious Treasure (Azcona Cousins #2)

06

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Chapter 06

"Where will I put this, Emrie?" Ramsis is carrying a huge and tall box full of toys. Marami naman siyang pwedeng pagtanungan kung saan ilalapag ang kahon na dala niya pero sadyang ako ang ginugulo niya. Minu-minuto yata ay kinukulit niya ako sa kung anuman ang ginagawa niya. 

He had so many questions that could be entertained by someone who wasn't me.

We have volunteers from different grades and sections, and Ramsis is the only one among his peers who volunteered here. 

"You can ask James about that box."

"Ikaw na ang kausap ko."

Dumiin ang pagsusulat ko sa hawak kong record book. I glared at him and exhaled violently. Ngumiti siya. The sweat on his forehead is trickling down his neck. I don't know if he purposely pulled up his activity shirt to flex his baby biceps because those are painfully attracting and distracting the girls here. I silently gave my handkerchief to him. Noong una pa ay nagtataka kung bakit ko binibigay sa kanya ang puti kong panyo. Pinalagyan ko 'yon ng simpleng burda para may kaunti pa ring disenyo at di magmukhang plain.

"Why?"

"Wipe your sweat and fix your activity shirt, Ram. Hindi ganyan ang tamang pagsuot ng activity shirt."

His lips curled to stifle a cheeky smile at dahil mabilis siya mamula ay 'di nakatakas sa'kin ang kanyang pisngi. I, on the other hand, was just watching him boringly. 

"Labhan mo 'yan."

He gave me a throaty laugh. "Of course, Emrie."

"Ate Clair, Ram."

Rumolyo ang kanyang mata para sa isang matinding irap. "Cut it, Emrie."

"But you called me Ate last night. Hindi naman mahirap idugtong sa pangalan ko, 'di ba? Matuto kang rumespeto sa nakakatanda sa'yo."

He tsked. 

"It's no big deal. Social construct lang 'yon dito."

"You're not in the States to address people who are older than you the same way you're addressing your friends commonly. There's an imposed culture here. Apply it."

"Hindi lahat mapapasunod mo, Emrie," he smiled mockingly. "I understand your culture sentiments but... come on, modern era means modern approach and culture."

Halos matutop ko ang aking labi dahil hindi ko matitibag ang matatag niyang paniniwala at prinsipyo sa buhay. "Ang kulit mo," gigil kong wika.

He smiled again. "Hindi ka pa ba sanay sa'kin, Emrie?" he folded my handkerchief and used it as his hairband. Ramsis is effortlessly dashing with my handkerchief. Nagkataon pang sa gilid ng tupi ng panyo ang burda ng pangalan ko at may bulaklak 'yon sa tabi.

I sensed that someone was looking at us kaya naman lumingon ako. Diretso ang tingin sa akin ng babae at tingin ko pa ay kasing edad lang rin ni Ramsis. The girl's arms were crossed over her chest. She stared darkly and irritatingly at me before prancing away.

The hell? What was that?

Ramsis has charmed girls the next day... still wearing the infamous and boring handkerchief. 'Pag nagagawi siya sa working area ko ay sinasabihan ko siyang tanggalin na 'yon at itago na. But what should I expect? Hindi naman siya susunod sa gusto kong mangyari. So instead of feeling viscous about it, I chose not to give a damn. Naririnig ko man lahat ng mga tanong o mga sinasabi niya sa malapit ay pinagkaitan ko siya ng tingin.