Halos maiyak na ako at humandusay sa semento bago ako matauhan sa pagtawa ni Tim. Lakas-loob kong dinamba ang malaking gagambang 'yon sa binti ko. Hindi maipinta ang mukha ko nang mahawakan 'yon lalo na nang mapagtantong laruan lang 'yon.
Nanlisik ang mga mata ko, ang bagay na hawak ko ay halos madurog sa mga kamay ko. Naramdaman ko ang pasabog ng kalamnan ko. Lumibot ang mga mata ko at mas lalong namula ang mukha at tainga ko, hindi lang dahil sa galit kundi pati sa pagkapahiya.
Nasa highway kami, maraming vehicles na dumaraan at may mga tao rin kaming kasabay sa sidewalk. Wala talagang pinipiling oras at lugar itong lalaking to, nakakagigil. Gusto ko na lang lumubog, gusto kong makasakit pero pinili kong ayusin ang sarili ko na parang walang nangyari.
I breath multiple times to calm myself, I gave him a glare and throw his toy exactly on his face but I almost forgot that he is expert in catching things kaya lalong pumutok ang bulkan. “Nakakainis ka,” I mouthed with my deadly eyes.
“HAHAHAHAHA!” Sige tawa pa, humanda ka sa 'kin, buwiset ka. Sa dinami-raming lugar dito niya pa ko pagtri-tripan, sa public, at talagang gagamba pa ang ginamit niya eh alam niyang ayan ang pinakakinatatakutan kong insekto. Ang mga galamay niyon, nakakapanindig balahibo. Plantahan niya na ako ng ahas, huwag lang gagamba.
For the last time, I took another deep breath and fixed my curly hair, my uniform and my sling bag, and walk away without looking back. I can hear him stepping behind me, obviously, and the sound of his soft laugh just adds more irritation and fire in me.
“I have mocha cupcakes for you. I love you, Maryanelle,” he said, still in the middle of laughing. What happened is not funny, buwiset ka. “Ako nag-bake nito, tikman mo na dali.” In my peripheral vision, I saw him taking off the cup covered in my favorite flavor of cupcake.
Kung sa tingin niya mauuto niya ako sa ganiyan... hindi. At isa pa, wala akong tiwala sa gawa niya. Walang alam 'yan sa pagba-bake, bida-bida. Mamaya saktan pa ko ng tiyan d'yan.
I chooses to ignore him, mainit ang ulo ko. Any minutes from now, kapag hindi siya tumigil, masasapak ko siya. Wala na akong pakialam kung may taong makakita, buwset siya. Kulang pa 'yon sa ginawa niya sa 'kin.
“Ito naman, hindi ka naman mabiro. Sorry na—” Instead of listening, I covered my ears with my hands. My brows crossed and my legs steps faster and bigger. I ended up running when I reached the subdivision gate. Hindi ako mabilis tumakbo pero sa isang iglap narating ko agad ang gate ng bahay namin.
Nagulat ako sa pagbungad ni Mom sa front door. She is leaning in the door with her arms crossed and raising her thin brows. Alam na alam ko kung saan ako nagmana ng gestures but in terms of manner, no comment. “Mom?”
“How's your day?” she asked.
“You're home?” I answered. I was not expecting her to be here, she should be at her office or in a meeting or at whatever like she always used to.
A wide smile painted on her red lips. “For my baby, because why not?” She gave me hugs and kisses.
Napangiwi na lang ako habang hinahayaan siyang gawin ang gusto niya. “I'm not a baby, so stop calling me that way. Excuse me.” I just kissed her on cheek and walk through the stairs but I was stunned to hear what my mom said.
“Oh, Tim. Halika, dito ka na mag-dinner.”
Dali-dali akong bumaba mula sa pagkaka-akyat at tinulak ang mga braso niya palabas. “Hindi p'wede, alis!”
“Mary, ano ka ba? Nag-asaran na naman ba kayo at napikon ka na naman? — Why pa nga ba ako nagtatanong.” She laughed.
“Mom, kung alam mo lang kung anong ginawa sa 'kin niyan... Alis, umuwi ka sa inyo, bawal makikain dito,” pagtataboy ko sa kaniya pero tumawa lang ang dalawa. Kita mo na, nagkampihan pa.
“Baby,” awat ni Mom.
“I'm not a baby.”
“Looking and acting like a baby,” he said. My jaw clenched. Keep doing Tim, you never failed.
“Shut up.” I walked out and run through the stairs, their laughs echoed in the corners of the house.
Nakakainis, I'm a teenager already, 1 year na lang debut ko na then they will just call me like that? So they're saying that I'm kinda immature, ganoon ba? I'm just annoyed, what's wrong with that? What's funny? As far as I know, normal lang ang mainis kung kainis-inis ang mga taong nasa harapan mo. Ugh!
“Baba ka agad, I prepared dinner for us. Your dad is already on his way,” habol niya bago ako makapasok sa kuwarto ko. Tsk, so nandito rin si Dad. This is not the first time but this is unusual.
Parang alam ko na kung bakit, I mean of course bahay nila 'to. What I mean is, they will spend time with me because? Because magpapaalam na naman sila. Alam ko na ang style nila, hindi na bago.
I threw my bag on my bed and took a quick shower. I rested for a couple of minutes to calm my boiling head over my soft comforter at tumayo na rin to join them for dinner.
Naabutan ko si Tim na nakaupo na sa dining table together with my parents. Nandito na naman 'yan, palamunin, parang walang bahay, mas masarap pa siya kaysa sa mga nakahanda sa lamesa... mas masarap ibalibag.
Sinadya kong huwag umupo sa upuan ko dahil sa tabi niyon nakaupo si Tim pero sumunod naman. Ang galing talaga. I didn't bother to reply when he said sorry by whispering on my side. I can't see him, I can't hear him, he is invisible today.
We silently started our dinner after I led the prayer. “Where's Kuya?” Hindi ko pa siya nakikita since I went home.
“May gig daw, pinayagan ko na, wala naman kaming lakad.”
I just nodded with her answer and ask my hidden question, “Why?”
“We have 3 days break,” She wiped her mouth before she continue, “and we have a flight next week.” I chuckled. I knew it, ano pa bang aasahan ko?
They are giving me a little amount of time before they leave, for a long time, again. It's their way para makabawi. Sanay naman ako kaya okay lang, wala rin naman akong magagawa and I'm aware with the fact that they're doing all of these for my future's sake. I just need to appreciate those little things — atleast they find ways for me even though I know that their schedules are full.
“How's your day?” she asked.
I chewed my food before I answer, “Fine, but exhausted.”
She smiles at me, while Dad is just observing. “You two, we have a cute proposal for the both of you.” My mom giggled.
My brows crossed. Ano na naman 'yon? Sa mga ganiyang ngitian ni mommy, wala akong tiwala. “It seems like, I am not interested,” I verified by myself.
“What is it, Tita?” singit ni Tim.
“Would you like us to arrange your marriage? Though, we're already fixing it,” she almost screamed while there are stars could be seen covered in her eyes compared to mine na halos malaglag na sa sobrang pagkagulat.