Swayed on the Waves

Chapter Six:

My brows furrowed as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, gripping my toothbrush so tightly it felt like it might snap.

"Akala ko may nakita kang ipis kaya ka sumigaw e," he said from outside.

Hindi ko magawang matawa sa sinabi nya kaya umirap nalang ako at nagmumog. Ilang minuto pa ang hinintay ko hanggang sa natuyo na ako. Hindi ko alam kung naka alis na ba si Russel kaya hindi agad ako makalabas.

Maloko pa naman ang isang 'yon.

I cracked the door open and peeked out to check if he was still there. Tahimik at mukhang umalis na.

Lalabas na sana ako nang marinig ko ang pag ring ng cellphone. That wasn’t mine.

Which means…he’s still here!

"Oh, bakit?" Russel greeted.

I sighed. Kung magtatagal naman ako dito ay lalamigin lang ako. Nasa sala na sya at nakatalikod saakin paharap sa glass wall sa sala.

"Psst.." I called him.

"Hindi muna. May gagawin ako...ah ganon ba? Sige sige.." He said.

"Psst! Russel!" I called him again.

He glanced over his shoulder at me, lips pressing into a thin line before mouthing, “Bakit?”

"Paabot ng towel ko sa kwarto," I said.

He scratched his head, phone still pressed to his left ear. Then he looked away quickly, letting out a small sigh I could totally see from where I stood.

Pumasok sya sa kwarto ko at ilang segundo bago sya lumabas at naglakad na sa gawi ko. My cheeks were burning as I took the towel from him—he still wasn’t looking directly at me when he handed it over.

I quickly wrapped the towel around myself and stepped out of the bathroom. I looked at him sitting on the sofa, but he instantly looked away again. I just let out a sigh.

–

"Saan ba talaga tayo pupunta?" I asked him as I walked ahead, stepping out of the condominium building.

He just followed behind me. I had asked him that question a million times, but he still had not answered. Alas dyis na at hindi ako nakapagluto ng umagahan dahil naubusan na pala ako ng stock kaya mamaya ay mamimili ako!

Huminto ako at hinarap siya habang salubong ang kilay ko. Kanina pa kumakalam ang sikmura ko.

"Hoy, saan ba tayo pupunta talaga? Kikidnapin mo ba ako?" I asked, clearly annoyed.

He pressed his lips together while his eyes gleamed with amusement. He was obviously trying not to laugh. Inirapan ko siya bago nagmamadaling lumiko para sa basement parking.

"Pupunta tayo sainyo," he finally said after shutting the car door behind him.

I had just fastened my seatbelt when I turned to him, confused. I blinked at him, not quite believing what he just said.

"Huh?" I asked, arching my left brow.

Ano na naman ba ang plano netong kalokohan at bakit naisipang pumunta saamin?

I quickly pulled out my phone to check the date.

"Don't tell me…gusto mo ng maagang pamasko kay Mama kaya pupunta tayo doon?"

He burst out laughing—loud enough to echo inside his car. Masyado naman 'tong tuwang tuwa saakin.

When he noticed I was glaring at him, he stopped—but the mischief was still twinkling in his eyes. He shook his head with a grin as he looked down.

"Grabe ka naman saakin. Ang tanda tanda ko na para manghingi ng pamasko kay

Tita," he said as he started the car.

I rolled my eyes. "Edi para saan pala ang pagpunta natin doon? Alam mo, iba ang pakiramdam ko dito e”

"Hindi ko na sasabihin ang balak ko syempre, baka magulat ka pa" he said with a chuckle.

I just shook my head and sighed before picking up my phone and replying to a few messages. Nang makita ang message ni Jackson saakin ay napahinto ako sa pag scroll.

From: Jackson

I'm sorry, Silene.

I scoffed before turning off my phone. Umayos nalang ako ng upo at humalukipkip na tumingin sa labas ng kalsada. He's sorry!? I don't need his apology! I need loyalty!

Nakita ko ang ilang beses na pagtingin saakin ni Russel. We both stayed silent until we arrived outside the house.

Tumingala ako dahil napansin ko ang ilang pagbabago sa bahay. The old brick walls had been replaced with black marble tiles.

Agad kaming binati ng hindi pamilyar na nagbabantay. I just smiled politely while my eyes stayed on the house’s exterior. I almost felt like a stranger scrutinizing a home I supposedly lived in.

Bago pa kami maka akyat sa steps patungong main door ay pinigilan ko si Russel sa pamamagitan ng paghawak sa palapulsuhan nya para makasilip muna ako sa backyard, titignan ko lang kung may nagbago rin ba.

When I saw everything still looked the same, I glanced at Russel, who was already grinning. We continued up the steps.

Inalis ko ang hawak ko kay Russel para pihitin ang pinto. Day off ng ilang mga kasambahay ngayon at baka out of the country ang magulang ko kaya baka naka lock.

But the door opened easily, and we walked straight into the living room. It was just as quiet as ever, especially since my sibling moved in with Auntie.

Napatingala agad ako sa hagdanan nang marinig ang yabag at nakita ko si Mama na nagulat pa na napatingin saakin. She was not wearing her usual office attire, which meant she had the day off.

"Silene.." she greeted before pulling me into a hug.

"Kasama mo pala si Russel," she added with a smile, hugging him too.

"Si Daddy?" I asked.

Mama was about to say something when Daddy entered the scene, just finished drying his hands. Like Mama, he was clearly surprised to see us—his eyes landed on Russel almost immediately.

His brows furrowed while looking at him, but Russel seemed not to notice. He was too caught up in chatting with Mama to sense the tension.

"'Dy.." I said, walking over to give him a hug.

"May lakad kayo? Bihis na bihis kayo parehas.." Daddy said, glancing at Russel again.

I knew it—Dad still wasn’t fond of him. Unlike Mama.

Napatingin naman agad ako sa suot ko. I had on a white long sleeve top tucked into a denim skirt, cinched with a belt, and paired with white sneakers. My black baguette bag was slung over my right shoulder.

Umawang lang ang bibig ko dahil hindi ko rin alam ang isasagot. Lumapit si Russel kay Daddy para magmano. Mama moved to stand beside Daddy, and her eyes twinkled as she watched us.

She looked at us like we were a couple—like she was watching her favorite love team in real life.

"Your daughter is growing up way too fast, Sen" she said, even pretending to wipe away tears.

Russel chuckled, but I elbowed his side, making him flinch and rub his side.

"Kumain na ba kayo? Kung hindi pa, sabay sabay na tayong mag umagahan," Mama offered.

Tumango nalang ako at sumunod sa kanila. Kinurot ko pa si Russel sa tagiliran kaya agad syang napangiwi na tumingin saakin.

"Ano bang binabalak mo? Kokotongan kita kapag may ginawa kang kagaguhan sa harap ng magulang ko," I whispered through clenched teeth.

"Shh, you really have such a sharp tongue" he whispered back, clearly entertained by my warning. His eyes sparkled with mischief again.

"f**k you. I'm warning you.." I said.

He pouted a bit. "You're the one who asked for this last night. Sumusunod lang ako,"

Literal akong natigilan sa sinabi nya. He grinned and walked ahead while I was still stuck processing what he just said. He said what!?

Nagmamadali akong sumunod sa kanya at naabutan ko agad sya. Uupo na sana sya pero agad kong tinisod ang paa nya. He nearly fell forward but managed to keep his balance. Natatawa pa siyang tumingin saakin bago ako naupo.

Daddy cleared his throat as he adjusted the newspaper he was holding. Si Mama naman ay pumasok sa kusina para kunin ang pagkain. Dahil hindi ko makayanang kasama si Russel ay tumulong na rin ako.

She was already plating the food when I walked in. She didn’t even look surprised to see me.

"Akala ko ba hindi ka payag sa gusto ko? Anong nangyari?" she asked.

My brows furrowed. "Ma, he's not my boyfriend or friend. We just know each other!" I said, a bit frustrated.

She smirked knowingly. "Sus!"

Napairap ako sa kawalan bago sumunod kay Mama na may bitbit ng tray para sa pagkain habang ako ay hawak hawak ang tray ng inumin. Parehas nakatingin saamin ang naiwang lalaki na nakaupo na sa kanilang upuan. When our eyes met, he was pouting like he was holding back a laugh. I shot him a sharp look.

Nagsimula na kaming kumain. Tahimik lang akong kumakain, paminsan minsan ay humihinto dahil sa pagiging tulala.

"Silene, may problema ka ba?" Mama asked worriedly.

"Huh.." I blinked, snapping out of my thoughts at the sound of her voice.

Daddy was looking at me now, serious and observant. Naramdaman ko pa ang pagpatong ng palad ni Russel sa palad ko kaya napatigil ako.

I froze, every hair on my body standing on end at the simple gesture.

"Malapit na po kasi midterms, Tita.." he said smoothly, lying through his teeth.

I immediately looked at him, confused. What do you mean?

He leaned in slightly, whispering just for me to hear. "Gusto mo bang malaman nila ang pinagdadaanan mo, hmm?"

I swallowed hard while looking at him.

–

"You know what, bakit hindi mo nalang sabihin kung ano ba ang nasabi ko sa'yo kagabi, huh? I'm not functioning well when I'm drunk," I said, my tone already annoyed while I walked straight to the car.

Russel laughed a little while opening the door for me. I shot him a glare before getting in and quickly buckled my seatbelt. Agad kong kinuha ang cellphone ko para tawagan si Vera.

He started the engine, and in seconds, we were already out of the subdivision. Kanina ko pa iniisip kung ano ba ang nangyari kagabi at bakit ganito ang inaakto ni Russel.

Wala naman akong nasabing hindi dapat sabihin sa kanya 'di ba?

Ugh!

"Masakit pa rin ba ulo mo?" he asked.

Iritado kong binaba ang cellphone ko dahil ayaw sagutin ni Vera ang tawag ko. I ran my fingers through my hair and leaned back against the seat.

"A bit," I said.

"Hindi mo ba talaga maalala?" he asked, trying not to smile.

I clicked my tounge. "Kung nang aasar ka lang naman, e itigil mo na 'yan"

He rolled his eyes. "Inom pa.."

"Bakit, ilang taon ka ba nung simula kang uminom, huh?" I asked.

He looked at me, offended by what I asked.

I pouted, a bit guilty about my tone.

"18," he said.

–

"Late ka yata.." Vera said, grinning the moment she saw me walk in the classroom.

I stopped, still catching my breath before heading to my seat. Midterms na namin ngayon at napag usapan na agahan ang pagpasok dahil ayon ang gusto nila.

"May dinaanan pa ako," I replied, wiping my sweaty forehead with some tissue.

She arched an eyebrow. "Oh, don't tell me nakikipag kita ka pa rin kay Jackson pagkatapos ng nangyari?"

Ngumiwi ako at umiling. Even from a distance, I could already hear Dahlia’s loud laugh from whatever nonsense they were talking about.

"Ano ka ba, ilang buwan na ang nakakalipas" I said, rolling my eyes.

"Oy oy oy. Ano chika natin for today?" Dahlia asked.

Tinignan ko sya mula ulo hanggang paa bago ako natawa. Nagtataka pa syang napatingin saakin. She was now sitting on top of a table, while Helene on the doorframe, snorting at something on her phone.

Ako naman ay nakasandal sa teacher's table habang nasa magkabilang gilid ang kamay.

"Mukha kang spoiled brat na kinulang sa padede ng ina ngayon!" I teased.

Halos sumakit ang tiyan ko sa kakatawa. Si Vera ay ganun rin pero si Dahlia ay binato kami ng ballpen na tumama agad sa noo ko kaya napangiwi ako.

Like seriously–yellow snap clips on the side of her hair, and she had a freaking lollipop in her mouth.

Hinimas ko ang noo ko bago natatarantang umalis sa pagkakasandal sa lamesa dahil ang dami nang nagsisipasukan na kaklase namin.

"Jackson!" She said repeatedly before sticking her tongue out.

I raised my middle finger at her.

–

Natapos ang exam at sa wakas ay makaka chill na kami ngayon. Nag aaya agad sila na gumala kung saan saan.

"Doon na naman!? Nakaka sawa!" Helene let out a groan.

Nag aaya na naman kasi si Vera na pumunta sa Makati para mag night game.

"Na naman? Isang beses palang 'no!" Vera said, cringing.

"Ayaw n'yo lang ata ng rematch sa bowling e," Singit ni Dahlia.

I laughed while following them out. Helene was frowning at her phone again. I walked beside her and peeked at the screen.

Halos itulak nya ako sa sobrang gulat kaya natatawa akong tinuro sya dahil sa reaksyon nya na halos makapatay na ngayon sa sobrang sama ng tingin.

"Sino si schoolmate?" I teased, grinning.

I only saw the name of her chatmate.

"Eto...porket malaya na, e kami na pagtitripan mo, mali 'yon" she muttered, rolling her eyes.

I laughed harder. "Ha, anong connect?"

"Yung totoo, natubigan ka ba at ganyan ang epekto sa'yo?"

I nearly choked on my own saliva. At mas lalo akong natawa. "Excuse me. F-Y-I lang ha? Saating magkakaibigan, ako ang walang alaga satin"

Napalingon agad ang dalawang nasa unahan. Parang awtomatikong nagsilakihan ang tenga nilang dalawa.

"Kahit friends with benefits wala ka?" Helene asked, teasing me.

"Kailangan ba? Atsaka I'm only 17 years old. Kayo kasi ilang buwan nalang ay legal na,"

Dahlia was older than us, next was Helene before Vera and I was their innocent baby! Buwan lang ang pagitan namin pero ako ang pinaka bata.

We stopped by the mall first, then found a spot to eat. While waiting for our food, we started talking about college.

"Naks! Magiging parehas na silang College ng bebe nya!" Dahlia teased, nodding at Vera who almost spit out her water.