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Kabanata 13

Kabanata 13

The household that I lived in is actually engrossed with lookism, a term used to describe the social prejudice against those who are not deemed attractive enough in the eyes of society. It is when those who are attractive are treated with rewards while those who are not attractive enough are disregarded.

Nakakapanlumo dahil kabilang ako sa ganitong klaseng pamamahay at ito ang ikot ng mundo. Bawat hibla ng buhok ay kinikilatis at kahit ang pinakamaliit na pimple ay pinupuna. The way everything is centralized on how someone should look in this world makes me feel sick.

I decided to snapped out of it. Tahimik akong naglilinis ng sala nang dumating si Mila na halatang pagod galing sa kan'yang taping. She looked worn out but still pretty. Para bang hindi man lang dumapo ang hangin at alikabok sa kan'yang mukha. She still looked fresh and radiant despite being tired. Hindi 'yata siya nagiging haggard.

Tapos ako ay nandito lang naman sa loob ng bahay pero parang nakipag-away ako sa mga spartans.

"Mila, tubig ka ba?" tanong ko.

Napalingon siya dahil sa akin. Hinawi n'ya pa ang kan'yang buhok dahil naging sagabal ito upang makita ako.

"Hindi?" Mila frowned at what I've said and looked at me with confusion. Natawa naman ako at agad na umiling para itanggi ang kan'yang naisip.

"Ano, ibig kong sabihin ay kung gusto mo ba ng tubig?" ulit ko at binaba ang walis sa gilid ng hagdan.

"Okay na ako, Paulene." Her lips formed a small smile, I can't help but notice how naturally pink her lips were and it was plump too. Para talaga siyang bida sa isang teleserye. Parating maganda kahit 'yata bugbugin ay maganda pa rin.

"You should rest too," ani Mila nang mapansin na pawisan ako. Inabot n'ya sa akin ang face towel n'ya na galing sa kan'yang handbag. Agad ko naman itong pinangmunas at nalanghap ang mamahaling amoy ng isang pabango. It smells like petals of roses.

I took a glimpse of her flawless hand. Kahit 'yata ang mga ugat nito ay parang nilapag nang hindi ito mukhang inuugat. The veins on her hand wasn't that visible despite having fair skin. Her hand was small and smooth to hold too. Sa akin ay medyo magaspang dahil sa paglalaba at sa paghuhugas ng mga pinggan. I know she also does these chores but her hand is much alike the skin of a baby.

"May handcream ka ba na ginagamit?"

"Wala, Paulene." sagot n'ya habang nagtatanggal ng sandals. Umangat ang tingin n'ya sa akin.

My shoulders squared. Right. Lahat naman sa kan'ya ay natural. She was just pretty without any effort. Ngumiti lang ako at babalik na sana sa paglilinis nang tumikhim siya. Agad na bumalik ang tingin ko sa kan'ya. She looked like she wanted to ask something but the hesitation on her eyes tells me that I won't like to hear it.

"Bakit, Mila?"

"Uh, nangliligaw ba sa 'yo si Jeremy?" tanong n'ya. Napansin ko ang pamumula ng kan'yang mga pisngi. Oh.

Gusto n'ya 'yata si Jeremy.

My heart clenched as I try to form my answer. I was expecting this. No, of course not! Akala ko ay hindi n'ya magiging tipo si Jeremy dahil hindi naman sya nagbibigay ng interes sa kahit sino. Even the more good looking ones! They're not on par with her.

"Hindi."

"Ah, okay." She dismissed, lalong nagkaroon ng guhit sa kan'yang noo.

"E 'yong. . ." she halted her words. She bit her lip as she looked away. "Kasama mo?"

My stomach churned at what she was trying to impart. I can feel my adrenaline being spiked because of what she asked. Bakit gano'n? Hindi ko masagot ang simple n'yang tanong.