Paper Stars

Kabanata 32

KABANATA 32

"It's just four days, Aya. I understand na masyadong napagod ang katawan mo mula noong dumating ka galing America. Sa daming nangyari, hindi ka man lang nakapagpahinga nang maayos. Take this opportunity to rest and recuperate. When you're ready, ipagpapatuloy natin ang mga lessons niyo, okay?" Sabi nito bago marahang hinaplos ang aking ulo.

"Makinig ka kay Yuujin, Ayana. Makakabuti sa iyo ang pahinga. Bibisitahin ka na lang namin ni Kyo sa main house kung gusto mo," makahulugang pahayag ni Kira.

Gusto ko siyang simangutan pero pinigilan ko para hindi mapansin ni Gene ang tensyon sa pagitan namin ng kanyang pinsan.

Wait.

"Main house?" Gulat kong tanong sa aking katabi.

Malungkot naman itong tumango.

"But Gene—"

"I hope you understand, Aya. Mas maaalagaan ka nila roon. Wala kasing tao sa bahay sa umaga. Walang makakaasikaso sa iyo ngayong may sakit ka—"

"I can take care of myself, Gene. Kahit doon na lang ako sa bahay. Please? Mas makakapagpahinga ako roon kaysa sa main house," mabilis kong sabi, hoping he'd agree with me.

"Aya..."

"Please? Please? Ganoon din naman doon, eh. Magkukulong lang rin naman ako sa aking silid doon. May mga butlers nga to bring me my food and medicines pero madali lang naman iyon gawin kahit ako lang ang mag-isa sa bahay. Iwanan niyo lang ako ng makakain at gamot, I'll be fine," pagbibigay ko sa kanya ng suhestiyon.

Malungkot niya muna akong pinagmasdan bago humugot ng hininga.

"Alright."

"Yes!"

"Now I'm not saying that I like the idea that you're by yourself, but if that's what it takes for you to be well, then I'm willing to give it a try. I'll tell the elders that you'll be staying with us until you regain your health."

Masaya akong tumango rito. Just the thought that I'd be extending my stay in their house for four whole days makes me excited!

"You hate staying at the main house that much?"

Sabay naming nilingon ni Gene ang may-ari ng boses. He uneasily shifted when he saw his beta's glare.

"I'm sorry, Yuujin. I w-was just curious," mabilis na sabi nito bago ako binalingan, "It's a stupid question, Ayana. No need for you to answer."

I actually saw fear in his eyes. Hindi ko lang matantya if it's genuine or if it's just for show katulad ng kanyang mga ngiti. I showed him a smile bago ko siya sinagot.

"Hindi naman 'hate', Kira. Hate is a strong word. I'd rather say I'm uncomfortable living there. Iniisip ko pa lang na nasa iisang bubong lang kami ng headmaster, it's quite unnerving already."

I saw the side of his lips twitch at my statement.

"And besides, I don't want to trouble the people living there just because of a fever. Kaya ko namang alagaan ang sarili ko."

"Aww... Daddy's so proud of you, my beautiful daughter," biglang sabi ng katabi ko bago ako hinapit para akapin.

Hindi naman nakawala sa aking paningin ang pagkuyom ng kamao ng kanyang pinsan.

"We could check on her if you like."

Muling napalingon si Gene sa kanyang pinsan at lumiwanag ang mukha nito.

"You'd do that? Hindi ba't may tournament kang pinaghahandaan?"

"I only have morning practices. I could take a break in the afternoon to check on her."

I eyed him suspiciously as he glanced towards my direction.

"And then I could ask Kyo to do the same in the morning—"

"No, he doesn't have to!" Mabilis kong sabi.

I think that I said them a little too fast when I saw a hint of a triumphant smirk on his treacherous face. Kaagad ding napatingin sa akin si Gene nang nakakunot ang noo.

"H-he mentioned he's not a morning person. I don't want him to go out of his way just to check on me. And besides, I'd only be sleeping the entire morning so—"

Gene eyed me suspiciously. Si Kira naman ay pinipigilan ang sariling matawa sa aking mga dinahilan.

Ilang sandali pa bago bumuga ng hininga ang aking katabi.

"Hanggang ngayon ba naman tamad pa ring gumising ang kuya mo, Kira?"

"Kailan pa iyon sinipag sa umaga? I'm quite surprised myself nang tanggapin niya iyong schedule for the gun lessons," sagot nito bago bumaling sa akin, "You don't have to worry, Ayana. He's scheduled to give you lessons tomorrow kaya hindi ka makakaabala sa kanya. He'd just have to treat it like a normal schedule without the actual lessons."

"So that settles it then! Kyo will look after you in the morning, Kira in the afternoon... I could ask Yuuhan if he could spare time on Friday para makapagpahinga rin naman ang magkapatid..."

"No, no... Gene... okay lang talaga kahit ako lang mag-isa. You don't have to trouble them for my sake."

"Ayaw mo ba sa amin, Ayana?"

Damn!

Pagod ko siyang pinagmasdan. He's looking like a wounded puppy right now when underneath he's actually a full grown wolf.

"Pagbigyan mo na sila, Aya. Sila na iyong nag-offer. Mabuti na rin iyon para naman ay mapanatag kami ng mommy mo kahit wala kami sa bahay para alagaan ka," bahagyang lumapit si Gene sa aking tainga para bumulong, "And besides, this is a good opportunity for you to bond with them," anito bago bahagyang lumayo at kinindatan ako.

Pinagmasdan ko siya as I carefully considered his words. Panandalian ko munang sinulyapan iyong pinsan niyang alam kong kalkulado na ang mga pangyayari. I turned to Gene's expectant look bago ako sumagot.

"Fine."