Kabanata 9
Ang Mahablot
"Soph! Ikaw ba iyan?"
Sabay kaming napatingin ng kasama ko sa aking likuran, kung saan nakabukas ang gate at kitang-kita ang pintuan ng bahay.
Mommy is standing there in her apron at nang makitang ako nga ang tinawag niya ay lumapit siya sa amin.
I looked back at the person I am with. He only regarded me seriously.
Tumingin siya sa Mommy ko at seryosong tumikhim. Hinalikan ko si Mommy sa pisngi bago magsimulang magpaliwanag.
"M-Mom, this is–" tukoy ko sa kasama pero pinutol niya ako. "Yeah, yeah, pasok na kayo dali," walang pag-aalinlangan niyang sabi.
Caught off guard that my Mom knew who I am with, my eyes widened. Sinulyapan ko si Kyle na walang reaksyon sa inasta ni Mommy.
Maybe they already saw each other these past few days kaya naman ganito?
Am I overreacting?
Agad akong pumasok sa gate at sumunod si Kyle. "You have grown so much, hijo!" Mom exclaimed.
Mas lalo akong nagulat nang yakapin siya ni Mommy at halikan sa pisngi. Bahagyang ngumiti si Kyle kay Mommy. Walang imik siyang lumingon sa akin, pinanood ang reaksyon ko. I watched them in confusion and if it shows then so be it.
Nauna na silang makapasok sa bahay kaysa sa akin. Litong-lito akong nahinto dahil sa pagkagulantang.
"I will just change clothes," pagpaalam niya kay Mommy pagkapasok ko. Sinulyapan niya ako at inangat ang paperbag na dala-dala. Mom looked expectantly at me.
I scrunched my nose and then pointed at the far-left door because the common restroom is there. Dumiretso siya agad doon.
Pumunta si Mommy sa kusina kaya naman sinundan ko siya. Napasilip siya sa akin at nag-iwas siya ng tingin. Now, I know something is really up.
"You have... known him before, 'My?" alanganin kong tanong. I bit at my nails due to uncertainty.
Lumapit sa counter si Mommy ay humawak doon. She tapped her fingers on the surface before answering, "Iyong bestfriend ko mula high school ang Mama niya."
Dahan-dahan akong tumango. She bit her lower lip then turned her back to me.
Anak si Kyle Forest ni Tita Gwen? Iyong laging kinikwento ni Mommy sa akin? Madalas daw iyon dumalaw dati pero hindi ko matandaan ang itsura. That means the house beside ours is their's now?
Huh.
"Sweetie, do you mind making cookies for our guests?" nakatalikod niyang tanong. Kumuha siya ng baso at sinalinan ito ng tubig. Uminom siya bago ulit ako hinarap.
"Wala pa naman ang parents niya kaya may oras ka pa," ngiti niya.
I nodded suspiciously, but I did not inquire anymore about the topic.
I took out the ingredients and decided to make chocolate chip & macadamian cookies. Si Mommy naman ay tinatapos ang niluluto kasama si Manang Elissa. When the stoves were turned off, saktong pumasok si Kyle sa kusina.
"They'll be here in 20 minutes," anunsyo niya sa amin. He is now wearing a navy button down shirt and black pants. Tumingin siya sa akin at sa ginagawa ko. Iniwas ko agad ang sarili dahil ayaw kong isipin niyang hinihintay ko siya.
Umupo siya sa stool ng countertop na nasa mismong tapat ko. Hindi ako nag-angat ng tingin at nagpatuloy sa paglagay na chocolate chips sa mixture. He does not seem bothered at all, being here in my house without his parents yet. Tahimik lang siyang naupo at pinanood kami.
"Si Aiden pala, anak?" tanong ni Mommy habang tinatanggal ang apron. She was still in her work clothes. Sigurado akong magbibihis siya bago maghapunan. Ako rin ay hindi pa nakakapagpalit gaya niya.
"Tryout ng soccer, 'My. Busy siya ngayon," pagpapaliwanag ko kung bakit hindi ko kasama.
I was just about to cover the bowl of cookie dough with cling film when just had to ask the question I was trying to avoid. "Paano ka nakauwi?"
I peered in front of me. Kyle was watching our exchange. Bigla siyang nagsalita bago pa ako mautal sa harap ni Mommy. Dumiretso ako sa paglagay ng bowl sa freezer kahit na nanginginig ang mga hita.
"I brought her home, Tita."
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Mommy at pinagpag ang mga kamay sa palda.
"H-How?" litong pagtatanong niya.
"We're classmates, 'My," inunahan ko nang sagot. "It's not a big deal," dugtong ko nang napaawang ang bibig ni Mommy.
Tinapunan niya si Kyle ng isang makahulugang tingin. Napailing na lang ako. Nagpasya akong lumabas muna sa kusina. Tumayo bigla si Kyle at lumapit kay Mommy. I wanted to hear what they were talking about pero saktong kakapasok lang ni Daddy sa sala.
I kissed him on the cheek pero ang atensyon niya ay wala na sa akin kung hindi nasa kusina. I looked back only to see Kyle walking through the door frame.
"Hijo!" Dad lifted his hand up. "How long has it been, huh?" salubong niya sa kanya.
Kumunot ulit ang noo ko.
If my parents know Kyle, how come I have never met him before? Bakit hindi nila siya nabanggit? I have only heard of my parents' best friends but not their son.
Nanatiling seryoso si Kyle. If I knew him better, I would think uncertainty was starting to show on his face. But why would he even feel that way? His lips were now in a tight line.
Bumaling siya kay Daddy at binati ito. May binulong siya na hindi ko narinig. Sumang-ayon si Dad sa sinabi niya. Tumingin silang dalawa sa akin bago sabay na naglakad palayo. I sighed and shook my head. They have decided to talk privately.
Umakyat na muna ako para makapagbihis. Mukhang naistorbo ko ang tulog ni Maya nang buksan ko ang pinto. She stretched out on the covers and jumped down para paikot-ikotan ako. She looks so cute spinning around.
"Ligo lang ako, ha," I said while petting her.
I changed into a navy midi skirt and matched it with a plain pink shirt. I tucked the shirt in para magmukhang malinis and then wore a strapped wedged heels na hindi ganoon kataas. I sat down on the bed to brush my hair.
The painting of the window that I did a few days ago was still on my easel. I wonder now if it is Kyle's room that is opposite mine. I still cannot believe he is here in my house and my parents know him.
I thought he is a soccer player. I am assuming he did not go to the tryouts to join the school because he did not want to, or he chose to go here instead of doing that.
When I heard the gate open, I knew it was time for dinner. That must be Kyle's parents.
I suddenly feel overdressed as I went down the stairs. Maya followed me. Hindi pa siya gaanong sanay sa pagbaba ng hagdan kaya kalaunan, binuhat ko na lang siya sa mga braso ko. There were just a few steps left when I felt the skin on my nape tingle. Someone was looking at me.
Napatingin ako sa sala and I was right. Kyle was staring at me. His face void of emotions. I did not know how to react to him, so I made my expression blank.
My parents were already by the door, welcoming the newly arrived guests. Nagmamadali akong lumapit kay Manang Elissa at inabot si Maya para siya muna ang magbantayan dito.
"Be a good girl," bilin ko bago lumapit sa mga magulang ko at mga bisita namin.
Kyle joined his parents. Mommy gestured for me to join come closer kaya pumunta agad ako sa tabi niya. A woman that looked like the same age as her, greeted me with a smile on her face. She looked so sophisticated and gentle as she stood there like an elvish queen.
Beside her, is a man who I assume is her husband and the father of Kyle Forest Romero. The uncanny resemblance he and his Dad has is evident. Tanging ang mga mata niya lang ang naiba. Namana niya sa Mommy niya.
An idea of a painting popped in my head kaya nangiti na rin ako sa pagbati sa kanila.
I was about to take Tita Gwen's hand para magmano sa kanya pero nauna niya na akong yakapin at besohan.
"G-Good evening po," nahihiya kong bati.
"It is nice to see you again, Sophia," mahina niya namang bulong sa mismong tainga ko.
Ang Daddy naman ni Kyle ay tanging handshake lang ang iginawad sa akin.
Nagkatinginan ang Mommy ko at Mommy ni Kyle bago kami iginawi ni Daddy papuntang dining room. Our fathers immediately started talking about business, meetings, and plans.
How am I supposed to react? I was not prepared for this. Ngayon ko lang nalaman na kilalang-kilala ng mga magulang ko iyong bago naming kapit-bahay. I was not even informed. They know each other. They know me.
But... I do not know them.
I tried my best to remember if I have seen them before because of how they are treating me dahil imposible namang hindi kaso wala talaga akong maalala.
Naupo kaming lahat sa dining table. I ended up seating in front of Kyle. Our parents were immersed in conversation. Kami naman ni Kyle ay tahimik lang na kumakain. I can feel him staring at me every now and then kaya hindi ko tuloy magawang kumain masyado. I just listened to our parents catch up.
I found out that Daddy and Tito Keihl are bestfriends while Mommy and Tita Gwen are too. Matagal ko na rin namang alam pero hindi ko alam ang kwento. Unang nagkakilala si Tita Gwen at si Tito. Ipinakilala naman ni Tita si Mommy sa boyfriend niya noong college at sakto nga namang kasama ni Tito sa mga oras na iyon si Daddy. Nireto ni Tita Gwen si Daddy para kay Mommy at iyon.
Bigla akong nilapitan ni Manang Elissa sa la mesa. She looked worried when she went to me. "Excuse me lang, Sophia," pagbulong niya sa akin. "Ang alaga mo panay ang iyak. Ayaw kumain."
Ibinaba ko ang mga kubyertos at hinanap ang paningin ni Mommy. "'My, puntahan ko lang si Maya," pagpapaalam ko.
Lahat sila ay napatingin sa akin. Tatayo pa lang sana ako nang biglang tinawag ni Mommy si Kyle, "Can you join Sophia for a while? You are not scared of dogs, right?"
Kyle politely smiled at her, "No, Tita."
He immediately stood up leaving his not yet finished food. Tinignan ko ang plato niya bago nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya. Hinintay niya akong tumayo kaya naman nagmadali akong kumilos.
Dumiretso ako sa kusina kung nasaan si Maya. She was sitting in front of her food bowl but was not touching it. Mula sa hamba, rinig ang pag-iyak niya gaya ng sabi ni Manang.
Nauna akong pumasok kay Forest and she must have sensed me enter. Maya suddenly turned her head to look at us and then walked towards me with her curled tail wagging the best it could. She stopped to stare at the person with me. Then, proceeded in spinning around the two of us.
I am pretty sure dogs should bark at strangers.
Dumiretso ako sa food bowl ni Maya nang hindi tumitingin kay Kyle. I kneeled on the floor beside it and patted my thigh, "Maya, come here."
Nagse-staring contest ang dalawa bago binaling ng aso ko ang atensyon sa akin. She looks so small compared to the man in front of her. Tumakbo siya papunta sa akin at diretsong nilantakan ang pagkain niya.
"Iyon naman pala. Kakain ka rin," natatawang sabi ko sa kanya at aambang tatayo na. Biglang inilahad ni Kyle ang kamay niya sa harapan ko para tulungan. Napalunok ako at dahan-dahan iyong kinuha.
Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko kaya naman nakayuko akong tumayo. Dumiretso ako sa ref namin para ilabas ang cookie dough na nagawa ko kanina.
Nilingon ko siya. "Uhm, pwede ka na bumalik doon. Ayos na si Maya," sabi ko habang itinatago ang mukha sa pintuan ng ref.
"What will you do?" marahan niyang tanong.
Kinilabutan ako ng maramdaman ang presensya niya sa likuran ko. Inabot ko ang bowl na may cookie dough at inilabas iyon. Kinalma ko muna ang aking sarili bago siya hinarap at naglakad papunta sa countertop.
"Bake my cookies," matipid kong sagot. Siya naman ay sumunod sa akin kaysa bumalik sa dining room. He stood at the other side of the counter sa mismong harap ko ulit gaya kanina.
"Is there anything I can help you with?" he smoothly asked.
I put a stray strand of my hair behind my ear and started tying up my hair. I glanced up and saw that he was staring intently at me, his hazel eyes showing how brooding he can be. Medyo nahirapan tuloy ako sa pagtali.
"Y-You can help with scooping the dough," suhestiyon ko.
Naglakad ako papunta sa isang cabinet at kinuha ang dalawang tray at baking sheet. Pabalik sa counter at binuksan ko ang isang drawer at kumuha ng pang-scoop.
I lined them all on the countertop afterwards. Inabot ko ang scoop kay Kyle. Siya naman ay walang pag-aalinlangang kinuha iyon. I tried my best to not touch his hands as he got it from me. He transferred himself to my side, waiting for my instructions.
"Scoop them and then place them on this tray," tinuro ko ang isang tray. "I will roll them into a ball as you do that." Tumango agad siya sa instruksyon ko.
Tahimik kaming nagtrabaho. When we finished the first tray, pinasok ko kaagad iyon sa oven at sinet ang timer nito.
We were about to finish filling up the second tray when something cold touched my cheek. Inilayo ko ang mukha at hinawakan kung ano iyon.
It was cookie dough!
Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Kyle. Bigla siyang sumipol na parang wala siyang ginawa.
This cold brute has a playful side, huh?
Naglagay siya ng bagong scoop ng cookie dough sa tray at pinulot ko iyon. I pretended to not care about what he did and rolled the dough. I saw him trying to stop himself from smirking. Dinala ko bigla ang kamay kong may bola ng cookie dough sa mukha niya at idiniin iyon doon.
Nailayo niya nang kaunti ang sarili pero nalapat ko na ang dough sa pisngi niya. Nagulat siya sa nangyari kaya naman napapikit siya. His whole face scrunched up. His left cheek was covered with dough. I chuckled in victory.
It may have been a waste of dough but at least I got revenge.
When he opened his eyes, it was full of mischief. Nanghahamon niya akong tinignan. Umatras agad ako bago niya pa ako mahablot. He groaned at my move and stepped forward.
Tumakbo kaagad ako pakabilang side ng countertop na may tawa sa labi. I stuck my tongue out at lumayo pa lalo kaso na-distract ako nang biglang naramdaman si Maya sa paanan ko. Tumingin ako sa baba at nakitang iniikutan niya ako.
Tumahol si Maya sa tuwa at bago ko pa ma-realize, ang malaking kamay ni Kyle ay nakahawak na sa pulsuhan ko.
"Got you," I shivered from his words.
Hinablot niya ako papalapit at tumama ako sa dibdib niya. Natigil ako sa paghinga dahil sa sobrang lapit namin. Hindi ako nakagalaw dahil sa gulat.
Tahimik ang aming paligid at maging si Maya ay walang ginawang ingay. Inangat ko ang tingin ko sa mukha ni Kyle. Pumungay ang mga mata niya na nasundan ng pag-igting ng panga niya.
Biglang tumunog ang timer sa oven, breaking whatever moment we were in. He chuckled awkwardly and let go of me gently. Dumiretso siya sa oven at dinampot ang mittens malapit doon. Nilabas niya ang mga bagong lutong cookies.
Napahawak ako sa pulso ko nang mawala ang init ng kamay niya roon. Pakiramdam ko lalabas ang puso ko mula sa pagkakakulong sa dibdib ko. That is the first time I got so close to a boy that is not Aiden.
Bumuga ako ng nanginginig na hininga at nagpasyang kumuha na lang ng cooling rack at tuwalya.
Isang metro ang layo namin nang inilahad ko ang aking kamay para iabot ang towel sa kanya. Relief washed over me nang kuhain niya iyon nang hindi lumalapit. Sinimulan niya nang punasan ang pisngi niya samantalang inumpisahan ko nang ilipit ang mga cookies sa rack.
I was on the verge of placing a cookie on the rack when I stopped moving. Tumabi siya sa akin at nagsalita. "Hold still."
Napasinghap ako. My cheeks heated up as he suddenly grabbed my chin and made me face him. Seryoso niyang pinunasan ang pisngi ko na nilagyan niya ng cookie dough kanina. Sa kisame ako napatingin para lang maiwasang titigan ang mukha niyang napalapit dahil sa ginagawa niya.
Ibinaba niya ang towel pero nanatili pa rin ang hawak niya sa baba ko.
"There," bulong niya. He was too close for my liking kaya naman dahan-dahan kong tinulak ang dibdib niya palayo.
I removed my face from his hold at itinuon na ang pansin sa ginagawa.
"B-Balik ka na doon. Ako na maghatid nito."
Wala siyang sinabi. Instead, he put the towel on the countertop. Kaysa sundin ako, lumuhod siya para hawakan si Maya. I looked at them for a moment and could not help but smile.
Kalaunan, umikot-ikot si Maya sa harap ni Kyle. Huminto rin ang aso at napatingin sa kanya. Sa akin sunod na pinukaw ni Maya ang mga mata niya. Sinundan ni Kyle ng tingin ang tinitignan ni Maya. Agad kong nilihis ang mga mata ko bago niya pa mahuli na nakatingin ako sa kanilang dalawa.
While I was waiting for the treats to cool down, lumabas siya sa kusina. Kyle was not on the table when I brought the plate of cookies to the dining table. Saktong kakatapos lang ng parents namin kumain at puro trabaho na talaga ang usapan nila ngayon.
"Ito na ang mga cookies ni Sophia, Gwen. Sobrang sarap mag-bake nitong anak ko," pagmamalaki ni Mommy nang makita niya ako.
Nginitian ko si Tita Gwen at inilapag ko na ang dessert namin. Umupo ako sa pwesto ko kanina at hinintay na makakuha silang apat bago ako kumuha ng para sa akin.
Wala pang isang minuto ay nakabalik na si Kyle na may dala-dalang camera. When his Mom saw him, pinapaupo siya agad.
"Oh, taste these," si Tita na ang kumuha para sa kanya. Gulat na kinuha iyon ni Forest mula sa Mommy niya.
"Dali!" natawa ang ibang matatanda sa ginawa ni Tita Gwen. Kinabahan ako nang tinitigan muna ni Kyle ang hawak niyang cookie. He even got the largest piece.
He rubbed his nape nervously. He sat down properly as if bracing himself for whatever is to come. Natigilan ako sa paghinga nang isubo niya na iyon at kinagatan. Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi ko. I cannot help but remember the same way I held my breath earlier when he was so close to me.
Biglang nanlambot ang mukha niya tulad ng panlalambot ng mukha ng magulang naming dalawa.
"This is so good," he said while chewing. "Can I take some home?"
Kumagat ulit siya kahit hindi pa ubos ang nasa bibig niya. I released my lip from biting it. Dahan-dahang kumalma ang dibdib ko at napangiti.
I nodded at pinagpatuloy na rin ang pagkain ng akin. Biglang naghagikgikan sila Mommy at Tita Gwen while our dads groaned in unison. Sabay kaming napatingin ni Kyle sa gawi nila. Saktong tumayo si Daddy.
"Tapusin niyo na iyan," ngumisi siya sa amin. "I am gonna tour you around the house."
Ang tour around the house ni Daddy ay naging exhibit ng mga paintings ko sa bahay. Nasa likod lang nila ako the whole time. Si Kyle naman ay panay ang picture sa kada-sulok. Hinahayaan lang naman siya.
I could not look at him straight anymore since I keep remembering the scene in the kitchen. Aiden was the only guy I ever got to be around with. Being around Kyle made me feel light and warm as if the burden inside my head was lifted for a moment. He also makes very nervous and conscious of myself at the same time.
Natigil ako sa paglalakad nang tumama ako sa likod niya. Dahil sa pagmuni-muni ng utak ko, hindi ko siya nakitang huminto sa harap ko.
"S-Sorry," sabi ko pero mukhang hindi niya narinig. He was looking at one of my paintings on our left. The whole wall is almost covered by it. He slowly turned to face it and then pointed at it.
"What is this one called?" he asked with pure curiosity in his voice. I looked at his face and then the painting, figuring out what might have caught his attention.
It was the forest in my dream. I painted this a year ago when I tried to imagine what it would be like if I did not have nightmares. It is something that I wish was real inside me. The only difference is that this one is full of different shades of spring and greens instead of being surrounded by darkness.
In the middle, a girl has her arms spread out beside her, her back facing us. There was a certain glow to her body and her surroundings that made everything look magical–ethereal.
"Dream," I said, my voice catching in my throat.
"Dream," pag-uulit ni Kyle sa aking tabi.
Iniangat niya ang kanyang camera at kinuhaan iyon ng picture. When he faced me, I caught my breath. His eyes looked like a reflection of my painting, with me in the middle as he looked at me.
"Forest," I blurted out without thinking. I have never called him that before except in my mind but the feeling of saying it seems right.
A flicker of sadness passed in his eyes. Kumunot ang noo ko sa reaksyon niya. Tumalikod ko siya bigla sa akin.
"Call me that from now on," his tone was cold, but warmth spread all over me.
I got stuck in my place as he walked away to follow our parents.
Ilang beses akong napakurap bago ibinalik ang tingin sa tinitignan namin kanina. Huminga ako nang malalim at inayos ang sarili bago naglakad patungo sa kung nasaan sila.
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