It’s a good thing that we all continued to study without actually playing and disturbing each other. Kitang kita mo na sa mukha nila ang pag seryoso at ibang pinipilit gisingin ang sarili nila sa antok.
“Wait for me, I’ll make something for you all.” Brice stood up at inayos ang damit niya.
We all nodded.
Iris stood up suddenly.”I’ll help you.”
“Ako rin.” Tumayo si Ella at dumiretso sa tabi ni Brice.
Sabay sabay kong narinig ang mga malalalim na hinga ng mga kaklase ko. Ginhawang hininga na sa wakas ay tapos na.
“Is someone allergic to sweets or its ingredients?” He asked again and fixed his glasses with his middle finger.
Umiling kami at pinanood lamang ang tatlo lumabas ng kwarto.
Malakas na tawa ni Ely at Claud ang bumalot ng kwarto. Tinatawanan ni Ely si Ivo na nakaturo sa pintong nakasara ngayon. Si Claud naman ay tinatawanan si Aldo na nakanganga habang nakatingin din sa pinto.
Sabay na lang kaming umiling ni Asra.
“Bakit ka nakikitawa?” Tanong ni Ely kay Claud nang huminto siya sa tawa.
Claud looked at her. “Huh? Problema mo? Nauna ako tumawa. Ikaw ang gaya gaya!”
“Diba Deborah ako yun?” Sinali pa ni Ely si Deborah na nag phophone ngayon.
Tumango kaagad si Deborah. “Oo si Ely. Grabe ka Claud tawa lang eh.”
“At sumali pa siya.” Graig mumbled.
Napailing na lang uli ako habang pinapanood sila mag asaran ngayon.
“What do you think Brice will make?” Twilla asked when she sat beside me.
I sipped on my drink. “Dunno but I’m sure it’s a sweet snack. You can tell him if you have something you want to eat.”
She shook her head. “Nahh, I don’t want to talk to him.” She humped then crossed her arms.
“Graig! Dali na kasi patingin nga ako ng notes mo.” Rinig ko na naman ang pangungulit ni Deborah kay Graig na hindi siya pinapansin ngayon.
Graig covered his ears and pretended to mumble something. Hinawakan ni Deborah ang braso ni Graig na nakatakip sa tenga at tuloy sa pangungulit.
“Where’s Asra?” Tanong sa’kin ni Blanca pagkatapos niyang makipaglaro kay Ayer ng tic tac toe sa notebook.
NIlibot ko ang paningin sa kwarto at wala nga si Asra dito.
“Wala rin si Fabian.” Ivo added and leaned closer.
“Lumabas, lalaro daw sila ng mga game machine.” Aldo answered our question while standing with Keith in front of us.
“Ahh oo, lagi don nakatambay si Fabian pag andito kami eh.” Singit sa’min ni Ayer pagkatapos ligpitin ang gamit sa table nila ni Blanca.
I looked at Keith. “Saan pwede mag cr?” I saw him already looking at me.
“I’ll accompany you.”
Agad akong umiling. “Hindi na, si Blanca na.” Blanca nodded.
“No need, Ayer will miss Blanca.” Keith answered straightforwardly and glanced at Ayer who’s silently watching us.
“A-Ahh oo, alam niyo na ayaw ko mawalay sa kanya.” Ayer keeps nodding like he understood what Keith’s glance meant.
“Okay.” That’s what I only answered and stood up.
Lumakad ako sa tabi ni Keith at sabay kaming lumabas ng kwarto. I looked back before closing the door and saw Ely and Claud that are now playing bato bato pick at ang talo ay hahampasin. Deborah is still destroying Graig walls.
Rave and Earl na nagbubulungan sa tabi. Ayer na pasimpleng lumalapit kay Blanca. Aldo at Ivo na pinaghihiwalay ang mga magkakatabi. Si Twilla na nagtatampo sa mga babae.
“What do you need? A full body shower? Bath tub? Jacuzzi? Or ……just a simple toilet?” Keith asked while we’re walking in their hallway.
I looked at him, perplexed by his question. “Bakit mo naman naisip na maliligo ako? Just a toilet Keith.”
He cleared his throat. “Oh sorry.” Lumiko kami at binuksan ang bakanteng comfort room. He gestured for me to go inside and I followed what he meant.
I went in and immediately locked the door. A makeup section is the first thing I saw and a big mirror. Napatingin ako sa right side ko and I saw a big bathtub. I looked at my left side and saw a glass door and a shower inside.
My eyes went to a door and I opened it. There, I saw a toilet bowl and bidet. Oh my, ilang ikot pa ang mangyayare bago ako maka gamit. Malaki naman din ang amin pero hindi ganto kalaki ang for guest.
“Do you want me to show you around?” He asked me nang lumabas ako sa comfort room.
I nodded. “If okay lang sa’yo, I would love to.”
Binaba niya ang tingin niya para magtagpo ang aming mata. “It’s more than okay.” His eyes lowered to the hand he slightly raised.
I know what he wants.
I built up all my courage then held his hand. Binaba niya ito at pinagsiklop ang aming mga daliri.
“Let’s go.” Nakita ko pa ang pasimpleng ngiti niya na tinatago niya sa’kin.
I nodded then we walked.
He first showed me his room but I didn’t go in. It’s a combination of navy blue and light gray. Pinakita niya rin sa’kin ang main veranda ng mansion and it revealed the well maintained garden.
Pinakita rin niya sa’kin ang billiards, darts, table tennis and bowling room at connected iyon sa movie room na business class seats ang meron. Natuwa ako dahil Karaoke at Billiards lang ang nasa bahay but we also have movie room that has a large one bed inside–wall to wall–that can be used by everyone.
I also saw their swimming pool at ang rooftop na pwedeng pwede for barbeque night. There’s also stairs in their rooftop for another level and it has grass ground. You can set up a tent or bed for stargazing.
I pouted because of jealousy. We don’t have a rooftop ‘cause our rooftop is a helipad.
“If you’re thinking that this is the Alinston mansion then I’m sorry to disappoint you but it’s not.” Keith suddenly talked habang pababa kami ng rooftop.
“But.. I heard from the news that this is the Alinston’s mansion.”
He shook his head and assisted me to the last step. “No, pinakita lang namin to sa lahat. We’re actually living next to your subdivision. Parang villa namin ‘to, where my parents can go to unwind or my friends to visit. Kapag mga house party or celebration ay dito rin.”
My mouth parted as I nodded to his explanation.
“Your house and ours are the same size, though the structure is different.” He looked at me. “And I know you also have a bigger mansion than your house right now.”
I smiled. “Yeah, it’s on the top of a mountain and another one is a beach house. Lahat walang rooftop dahil ginawang helipad.” My lips formed a straight line.
He chuckled.”It will be very useful, trust me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh please, don’t tell me that my maids will just knock on my door and tell me that your chopper will land.” My cheeks flushed when his grip on my hand tightened.
He chuckled more loudly. “Spoiler.”
I only pouted and we stopped so Keith could open the door in front of us. The door opened and saw Fabian and Asra playing in the game machine. Ilang pang aasar ang binabato nila sa isa’t isa, they’re competing again.
Parehas kaming nagkatinginan ni Keith at sinarado na lang muli ang pinto.
We went to the kitchen and I saw Brice back, he’s looking at the oven and Iris is giggling playing with the dough while Ella is watching her while stiring a chocolate.
“Aiby!” Iris shouted my name and flashed a smile. Kita ko pa ang harina sa pinsge at braso niya.
Sabay na lumingon sa’kin si Ella at Brice.
“We made Churros!” Iris raised her hand full of dough. Ella nodded and Brice fixed his glasses.
“Madami?” I asked nang makalapit ako sa table.
“Yeah, everyone eats a lot.” Brice answered me and looked at the oven. Napatingin ako sa kabilang side ng counter at kitang may luto na. Sakto na para saming lahat but for sure mabibitin rin.
Brice looked at Keith. “I asked your staff for rice and tapa. I think the boys will prefer eating tapa with rice first before sweets.”
Keith nodded.
Wow, how thoughtful. Kahit ako ay gusto ko muna ng tapa before eating desserts.