The Ravages of Time

Kabanata 02

Kabanata 02

Ida and Ori

"So anong trabaho ng parents mo?"

I rolled my eyes while twitching my hair.

Keevah keeps asking Tariq about her parent's occupation. He looks like a criminal now being interrogated by the police. Really? Anong pakialam niya roon?

"Ang ingay mo, Keevah!" reklamo ko sa kanya.

I glanced at Kuya who was sitting all alone at a table not so far from us. He was eating alone and not bothering anyone. I bet he's probably imagining himself eating at that table with Oren. But look at him, people throw a pitiful glance at him.

We invited him to eat lunch with us, but he refused. I looked away and tried to smile at anyone. Instead of Owen, they just invited the new student, Tariq, to join us.

"What was the school you last attended?" Reign asked also.

I looked at Tariq who was hesitating to answer but his smile remained. I was waiting for his response, but I already expected that he will not lie.

"Se—"

"By the way, Keevah. How was your vacation? Kuwento mo naman!" Kahit na ayaw at wala akong pakialam sa bakasyon ni Keevah isinisiwalat ko na lang.

I have no choice but to change the topic. Tariq will surely answer honestly. Then what will happen? He'll suffer from these people just like what Oren had suffered.

"Sonnet, kanina ko pa kinuwento sa lahat ang bakasyon ko sa Aklan. Pero kung gusto mo talagang makinig, e 'di sige!"

As if. Kahit sa North Pole ka pa magbakasyon, wala akong pakialam.

I smiled at her. "Go on," I assured.

"So, 'yon na nga. Ang ganda ro'n! Ang puti-puti ng beaches nila! Nag-island hopping din kami. Mom and I tried surfing," pagkukuwento niya.

"Boracay?" tanong ni Jushen.

"No, we've been in Boracay a hundred times. So, Mom and I tried different beaches in that province. Marami ring gwapo ro'n... mga island boys is so pogi!" Napangiwi ako sa tili ni Keevah.

Magyayabang lang naman 'yan at ikukuwento na kasama niya ang mga gwapo roon. Well, we already knew she was just lying. She may enjoy the view there, but those handsome island boys surely did not even come close to her.

I averted my gaze from Keevah and looked at him.

If anyone here knows that Tariq is just the son of a maid living in the maid's quarter in our house, he'll surely be bullied.

"Nakikinig ka ba, Sonnet?"

Napatingin ako ulit kay Keevah. I smiled and nodded at her.

I looked away again and stared at him. He was just busy finishing his food while still smiling and acting like he was fascinated with Keevah's story vacation.

"Tariq," I began.

They all stopped what they were doing and looked at me.

"Let's go somewhere."

I didn't care if he was about to take a spoonful of his food. I quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him.

"Anong kailangan mo, Ma'am Sonnet? Parang ayaw niyo po akong padapuan sa langaw," bulalas niya nang binitawan ko ang kamay niya pagkalabas namin ng cafeteria.

Padapuan sa langaw?

"Hindi ka naman tae para dapuan ng langaw," I answered.

My forehead creased more after he chuckled.