The Ravages of Time

Kabanata 13

Kabanata 13

Iniibig Kita

"Chester?"

My forehead wrinkled as I glanced at Chester who was sitting comfortably in our living room. He was wearing beach shorts and just a polo shirt. I walked closer to him with confusion in my eyes.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him while raising my left eyebrow.

I glanced at the wall clock in our living room. It was already past 8 AM, at ngayon lang ako nakauwi. Instead of going for a jog, I went to a fast-food chain and ate my breakfast.

"Wala, bibisatahin ka lang, bakit? Busy ka ba? Kung busy ka, pwede naman akong umuwi," he answered and smiled.

"No, I'm not. Have you eaten your breakfast already?" I asked him. I sat next to him.

Chester knows my mom, and Mom knows him too, it is because Chester's parents are close to Mom.

"Hindi pa," sagot naman niya.

Napabuntong-hininga naman ako at itinuro na lang ang dining room.

"Eat there if you want," I murmured.

"Nakakain ka na ba? Saan ka pala galing?" he asked.

I gulped and cleared my throat.

"I ate outside," I simply answered.

"Ah, gano'n ba, samahan mo na lang akong kumain," he suggested, I sighed and nodded with a bored face.

I let him sit in the dining. Breakfast was already served and I sat next to Chester but I have no plans to eat again.

I roamed my eyes, looking for someone... but he wasn't around.

"Sinong nagluluto ng pagkain niyo? Don't tell me mayro'n talaga kayong family chef—"

I cut him off, "Only the maids."

I don't want to have guests in the house because I'm too lazy to entertain them. Things are just going to be awkward and I'm not good at interacting with people.

I grabbed an apple that was on the table and ate it quietly. I roamed my eyes around for the second time and a person accidentally caught my eye. I looked at him then our eyes met. I rolled my eyes at him and then looked away.

Suddenly an idea came up from nowhere, I looked at Chester who was just eating silently.

"Chester," I began.

"Hmm?"

"After you eat, let's go to the garden!" I said while smiling a mile wide. He stopped suddenly and blinked twice.

"Tayo?" tila ba hindi makapaniwala na tanong niya pa.

I saw how his eyes sparkled.

"Yes, let's water the plants together, let's have a picnic there! If you want, I'll call my friends," I added. I secretly glanced at Tariq who I caught staring at me.

He was probably surprised when I was the one who insisted on inviting my friend here. Now, let's see kung magtatago ba siya.

After what he said to me, I lost my interest in and care for him. I won't give a damn about him anymore. I won't chase him. I won't waste my time chasing a person who doesn't even care for me. I'd rather love myself than waste a person like him.

"Sige ba!"

***

"Wow, himala at in-invite mo kami, Sonnet."