Corrupted Lungs (Complete)

Chapter Nine

"Good morning, honey!" nakangiti't masiglang bati sa akin ni Tita pagkabukas na pagkabukas ng pinto ng kanilang bahay.

Ngumiti ako. "Good morning, Tita! Si Arkie po?"

Tuluyan nitong ibinukas ang pinto't nagsenyas na pumasok ako. "Nasa kwarto. Probably playing games. May lakad ba kayo?"

"None," pag-iling ko. "I just need him to tutor me for a bit."

"Hmm, I'll just get you guys a snacks."

Tumango lang ako saka inakyat ang hagdan ng bahay nila. Diretso sa kwarto na nasa pinakadulo. Kumatok pa ako ng ilang beses pero walang sumagot. Kaya pinihit ko na lamang ang doorknob at itinulak pabukas ang pinto.

And just like what his mother said, Arkie was really playing video games. Nakasalampak ito sa sahig sa tapat ng malaking TV, nakasuot ng headphone at abalang-abala sa ginagawa. Ni hindi nga nito napansin na dumating na ako.

Nagbubuntonghininga akong pumasok at ibinaba ang dalang bag sa kama niya. Tumayo ako likod niya't sandaling tinitigan ang nilalaro. Then walang pag-aalinlangan kong hinablot ang suot niyang headphone.

"What the hell!?" bulalas niya't mabilis pa sa segundo nang tumingin sa likuran niya. Ngumisi naman ako nang magtama ang mata namin.

"Hello," mapang-asar na bati ko na sinagot niya ng masamang tingin.

"Do you even know how to knock?"

"I did. But you were so invested on the game. So, I just came in."

Hindi na ito sumagot. Pinatay lang niya ang TV at niligpit ang controler. He even pulled the folding table from his bed and settled it where he was sitting earlier. He opened the curtains which was closed when I arrived, giving the room a more brighter ambiance.

"So, what subject should I teach my dumbass friend?" he mumbled, grabbing his own bag.

I gave him a meek smile. "Everything. . ."

"Yeah, figured." walang ganang tugon nito't itinuro ang pwesto sa lapag katabi niya.

We started our weekend study session quietly. Like always. Him teaching me the stuffs I don't get in a more easy way. Commenting when I get the things right, and glaring at me when I didn't. When I started to complain, he'll smack the back of my head lightly telling me to stop slacking.

These are one of the things we grew up with. Eating lunch together in a secluded place. Going shopping together. Going to school together. Coming home together. And, a study session every sunday. No one knows, between the two of us how this things started. We just realized that, yeah, we've been doing things together since we can remember.

And, no one dared to even stop. Probably because of the familiarity or it just became a habit. Or probably a routine. Either way, it became quite normal.

I let out a sigh as I stretch my arm. Leaning on the end of his bed on my back. Staring at the ceiling blanky.

"It's finally done." komento ko at muling nagbuntonghininga.

Nadinig ko naman itong humagikhik kaya sinipat ko siya. "Good job. Mas maaga tayong natapos kesa sa dati," aniya't ngumisi. Tumayo din ito't pinakita ang sariling wallet. "Let's go. I remember I owe you a frapp the other day."

Kaagad nagliwanag ang mukha ko sa sinabi niya. Mabilis ko ding dinampot ang mga gamit ko't isinilid sa sariling bag. Pagkaraan ay umalis na din kami ng bahay at nagtungo sa isang park kung saan may nakatayong maliit na cafe.

Arkie, as promised bought me a frapp while he settle on a sundae. After getting the cold snack, we decided to take a walk by the park. The wind was cold and the leaves was rustling. We were both silent, just enjoing the peaceful moment.