The Ravages of Time

Kabanata 34

Kabanata 34

Eerie Night

My forehead creased as I slowly turned my view to him. He was just smiling a little as he looked directly into my eyes.

"Anong ginagawa mo?" may bahid na inis na tanong ko.

He was wearing a plain black shirt paired with maong pants. The smell of his strong perfume passed through my nose.

"Kumain ka na ba?" sagot niya na mas lalo kong ipinagtaka.

"Ano naman sa 'yo kung hindi pa?" banat ko.

Mahina siyang tumawa dahil do'n. Napatingin ako sa likuran niya at ang mukha ni Lei ang tumambad doon. Blanko ang mukha niyang nakatingin sa amin.

"Bakit ka nakatingin do'n, may artista ba ro'n?" pag-iiba niya ng usapan at sumilip sa kung saan ako nakatingin kanina.

I rolled my eyes. "Wala," sagot ko at hindi na nag-atubili pang maglakad paalis sa kanila.

Naramdaman ko ang paghabol niya sa akin at inabot ulit ang brown na paper bag. Napahinto ako at binigyan siya nang matalas na tingin.

"Ano bang kailangan mo?" matigas na tanong ko.

Malawak siyang ngumiti. "Ang attitude mo naman. Ito nga, sa 'yo nalang..." Inabot niya muli sa akin ang paper bag na iyon sabay napakamot siya sa kanyang batok.

Napalunok ako at padabog na tinanggap ang paper bag na iyon. My lips parted while my forehead wrinkled. "What's this?"

He faked a cough. "Hindi mo ba alam kung anong tawag diyan?"

Napa-irap ako. "Anong gagawin ko rito?" inis na tanong ko habang itinuturo ang maliit na cake na ibinigay niya sa akin.

Mabilis na kumunot ang noo niya habang nakapameywang pa.

"Itapon mo."

My jaw dropped. "Nanggago ka ba?"

Ipinasok ko ulit sa loob ng paper bag ang cake na nasa maliit na kahon. I held his hand and returned what he gave me. The disappointment was painted in his eyes.

"I don't need that, and I don't know why you gave me a cake. We're not friends," I uttered.

He hung his head low and slightly pouted his mouth. "Birthday mo kasi bukas... at nakita kita kaninang tumitingin sa mga cake. Kaya binilhan kita."

My brow furrowed. "What? Hindi ko birthday 'no—"

Napahinto ako saglit nang biglang pumasok sa ala-ala ko kung anong petsa na ba ngayon. My lips parted when I realized today is the tenth of August and he's right, tomorrow is my birthday that I didn't even knew.

I faked a cough and averted my gaze. "I don't like sweets."

Iyon na lang ang sinabi ko bago naglakad ulit paalis sa kanya. Narinig ko pa ang pagbuntong-hininga niya bago ako makalayo. I stopped walking after I left the mall. I grabbed my phone from my pocket and checked today's date.

It is really August 10.

Even though I don't consider my birthday a special day. I still can't help but feel sad.

When I was a kid, I was used to extravagant kiddie parties but as years passed by, starting with the date that our family shattered, I was used to not celebrating my birthdays anymore.

I hailed a cab and went inside as soon as possible because I could no longer hold the extreme warmth of the weather today.

***