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After classes, nangungulit pa rin si Agatha kung ano ang nangyari at bakit hindi natuloy. Inigo, on the other hand, was busy on his phone.
"He just said that something came up kaya hindi siya pwede," I explained. "It's fine. Don't make up scenarios in your head."
"Oh... Baka nga importante para i-cancel niya. Anyway Gi, I'm sure babawi rin siya. Don't get too sad," she said.
"I'm not sad," protesta ko.
"Sure, babe. Tell that to yourself."
"Really..." giit ko pero hindi na nakinig si Agatha.
Okay. I think I really am just telling that to myself.
Pagkarating namin sa baba ng building ay nagul
Donate"Ang saya mo naman," salubong sa akin ni Kuya Van sa isang supladong tono. "Lapad ng ngiti mo."Nakaupo siya sa couch at nakapatong ang mga paa sa coffee table. Saka ko lang din napansin na nakangiti pala ako nang banggitin iyon ni Kuya."Let's talk."I heard the tone of authority kaya pumayag ako at umupo sa katapat niyang couch. Ang seryoso ng mukha ni Kuya. Nakakatakot."Just let me talk first, okay?"I nodded. It's times like this when I don't want to do anything against what he wanted. Kuya Van may be fun and all but when he's serious, he's serious. He's just like Dad. Hindi kasi ganito si Kuya Theo. Seryoso man siya'y nakukuha pa rin niyang haluan ng biro ang mga sinasa
Fun"Gi, where's your luggage? Dalhin ko na pababa."Kuya Van appeared on my door, hawak sa kaliwang kamay ang isang maleta. Tinuro ko naman iyon sa kanya at nagpatuloy sa pagsisintas ng sapatos na suot ko.Today is our flight. Kaming buong pamilya ay aalis para sa maikling bakasyon. My Lola, who is in China, asked us to be there for her birthday. Which won't be just a one-day celebration because she'll host two parties for it. The remaining days of the trip, she wants to spend with us. It's autumn now in China so I'm thrilled.I asked Inigo last Sunday to pick up the paintings that I'm going to give out for the exhibit. It was my paintings back when I was in my previous university. Medyo gini-guilt trip niya pa ako sa pagtakas
Inspiration The first party held is for Lola's business associates and colleagues, Chinese and Filipinos alike. It's a formal event and it's so unfortunate that I got sick the same day. I've got colds and a dry throat. Gusto nina Mom na maiwan na lang ako sa bahay at 'wag nang sumama pero nagpumilit ako. I don't want to disrespect Lola. Pero sa gabing ito ay wala rin akong silbi kasi umupo lang ako buong party. My brothers and cousins are busy socializing because that's what our parents want. Si Kuya Van at Tyler bumabalik lang maya't-maya para kumustahin at samahan ako. Deep down, I'm thankful na nagkasakit ako kasi hindi ko gusto ang mga ganito. Socializing. Si Aspen ay ganoon din kaya sumusunod lang siya sa kung saan pumupunta at nakikipag-usap si Esther. Austin Javier Uvero: Why don't you just go home and rest?
FixedPinagpiyestahan nina Kuya Van iyong rebelasyon ni Dad. I have so many questions in my head! How, where and when did Austin talk to my parents?!I finished my food and quickly excused myself. I went to the pool and submerged my feet in the water. I was having my own peace when Aspen followed and sat beside me."You're anxious," he said after a few silent moments.That wasn't a question. Hindi ako nagsalita. Honestly, my thoughts went into a whirl. I mean, Austin's back in the Philippines, probably taking an exam and yet he has this effect on me! I was never the one to think about the future because it's an uncertain dimension but now I'm starting to. Because of what Dad said."He seems like an okay guy, you know."
Like We're back. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang lahat ng pagod sa nagdaang mga araw. I had so much fun in Shanghai but the tiredness that came along with it is no joke. Kaya naman, nang makauwi sa bahay ay diretso agad ako sa kwarto. Sina Tito Richard ay nag-stay muna sa hotel na malapit sa airport kasi bukas pa ang flight nila pabalik ng Davao. Mabuti rin at wala masyadong formal classes sa amin kaya wala ako masyadong nakaligtaan na lectures. Si Kuya Van iyong maraming kailangan habulin pero sabi niya inaral naman na niya lahat in advance kaya kaunting refresh na lang. I might have spent the remaining hours of Sunday sleeping dahil nang magising ako ay alas singko na sa umaga. Sinubukan kong matulog ulit pero hindi na ako muling dinalaw ng antok. Ramdam ko na rin ang matin
Let Me"I missed you!" was Agatha's first words when she saw me. Ang higpit higpit ng yakap niya sa'kin. "I love your photos! Ang fresh mo, kainis!"I hugged her back. Namiss ko rin 'yong ingay niya. "Missed you, too.""Your cousins look so handsome roon sa pictures. Pa-share naman ng genes!"I laughed. This girl and the weird words that come out of her mouth!"Sorry, they're off limits. Tyler's committed and Spencer's still a baby," I said.Nagsimula nang dumating ang mga kaklase ko at mga seniors namin. For today, portraits ang naka-display. The council decided to assign one year level per day. Bukas pa iyong sa amin. Hindi pa naman pala kami abala para sa araw na ito pero kailangan nam
AttachedIt's so awkward.Sinusubuan niya ako ng pagkain at pati pag-inom ng tubig ay hawak pa niya 'yong tumbler. My other hand is functional but he's very serious when he said that I should let him do it. Mas lalo akong nahihiya kasi panay ang tingin sa amin noong dalawang nurse."Thank you," sabi ko. Nanatiling seryoso ang kanyang ekspresyon. Kanina pa 'to. I just don't know why. "Ano pala ang sabi ng nurse?""You need to rest that hand for two to three days. As much as possible no lifting and other movements para hindi na lumala ang sprain," aniya habang inaayos ang pinaglagyan ng kinain ko.I nodded. That would be hard. Lalo pa't abala kami bukas. Kakayanin ko ba na magawa iyong trabaho ko sa booth?
ExperienceTrue to what he said, Austin accompanied me the next day. Sinundo niya ulit ako sa bahay. Sabi naman niya hindi siya abala kasi Monday and Friday night lang ang events nila. Ang kulit nga niya kagabi kasi panay ang tawag sa akin kahit may party."You can't text so let's talk over call," he said."You should just enjoy the opening party and stop talking to me. Hindi ka ba nagsasawa sa boses ko?""I don't think I ever will."Typical Austin and his antics."Should I just bring food kina Inigo or sabay na lang tayong apat kumain?" I asked. Papunta kami ngayon sa Chanston. It's almost lunch time. Hindi na ako pumunta ng maaga kasi hindi rin naman ako papayagan nina Agatha na gumalaw