The Ravages of Time

Kabanata 09

Kabanata 09

The Attic

"You should hide!"

I didn't know what to do because I was already panicking. My mind went blank as I didn't know what to do or what to think.

"Bakit?" he innocently asked.

"My friends are here! C'mon, just stay in your room. Ako na ang magdidilig!" I panicked. Muli akong napatingin sa baba at nakitang papasok na ng pintuan ang mga kaibigan ko.

Bumaling kay Tariq na nanlalaki ang mga mata. Mabilis siyang kumaripas ng takbo at naglaho sa harapan ko.

Mabibigat ang paghinga ko habang hawak-hawak ang water sprinkler. I tried to stay calm and act casually.

I heard footsteps who were surely walking upstairs.

One.

Two.

Three.

"Sonnet!" they all greeted. Napalingon ako sa kanila.

I settled the sprinkler on the floor as I walked closer to them.

"What are you all doing here? I don't remember inviting you here," I uttered as I crossed my arm.

"Bakit? Noon naman biglaan din kaming pumupunta sa bahay niyo ah?" Keevah answered.

"Yeah, this is not the first time," Jushen added.

"Why? Are you busy today, Sonnet?" Reighn asked.

"Busy? Gawin na lang natin assignment sa Statistics," Connor commented.

"Supposedly, busy ako today, I have to water the plants, I haven't eaten my breakfast yet, and I'll do my assignment tomorrow," I answered.

Their forehead creased in unison.

"Huh? Since when did you start watering the plants?" Jushen asked.

"You hate watering plants, right?" Keevah uttered as she looked at me from head to toe.

"I just tried it today, it was fun pala," I answered. I gulped when they all looked at me with suspicion in their eyes.

"Okay, sleepover na rin tayo!"

My smile faded as Keevah suggested.

"Mom wouldn't—"

"Why? Is she going to go home today?" Reighn asked. I shrugged my shoulders.

"I don't know, who knows, baka uuwi rin 'yon mamaya," I answered.

I already know mom won't go home tonight. Every Saturday hindi 'yan umuuwi at nagpapakalunod lang sa trabaho buong magdamag. Sunday pa ang uwi niyan.

"E, ano naman? Sure, akong papayagan tayo niyan," pagpupumilit pa ni Connor.

"Yeah, Tita would understand, and besides, may assignment naman tayong gagawin," Jushen added.

Jusko, how can I turn their stomach upside down? Parang uhaw sa sleepover. Pwede naman silang mag-sleepover kina Keevah.

"Then how about, Kuya? As if papayag 'yon, as if kakausapin kayo no'n." Their shoulders dropped because of what I said.

"Right, magiging awkward 'yon," ani Keevah.

"Right, imagine, you guys are laughing out of your lungs, but he suddenly went out of his room. He then looked at each of us, so everyone stopped laughing. Then silence will eat us. That would be... awkward." I swallowed hard.