Bits of Chemistry | ✓

Kabanata 35

Kabanata 35

"Okay lang ba?" I bit my lower lip after asking him for a favor. "Snyder. . ."

"Sure," sagot n'ya sa kabilang linya. "I never thought you'd ask."

Nagpapasama ako sa mga Reverio ngayon. Honestly, in the past few days — I've been trying to lift up my mood. Hindi pa rin nag-si-sink in sa akin ang lahat. I wanted to make myself look like a jolly person because I have to be happy. Hindi p'wedeng magpadala ako sa lungkot ngayon. Lalo na't may kasama na akong bata.

I was trembling when Snyder came. Mabilis akong nagpalit sa condo ko ng damit bago humarap kina Alfos. I wore another white maxi dress and covered myself with a black coat. Balak ko sana mag-heels pero naalala ko na baka hindi ko kayanin kaya nag-doll shoes na lang ako.

Snyder was presentable too. He was wearing a maroon shirt with a white polo underneath it and partnered it with black slacks. Ang buhok n'yang madalas magulo ay nakababa ngayon, making him look soft. Bagong ligo pa yata dahil amoy na amoy ko ang shower gel n'yang amoy vanilla.

I didn't expect him to smell sweetly. Mukha kasi siyang palaging wala sa mood at madalas na nagsusungit.

Sa shotgun seat sana ako uupo pero napansin ko na may tao sa likod. Her chinky eyes and delicate posture made me tilt my head to get a closer look.

"Sakay," utos sa akin ni Chloette. "Kasama ako ni Snyder."

"Chloe," I smiled at her. Pero hindi n'ya binalik ang ngiti o pagbati ko. Ang susungit nilang magkapatid.

"Sandali lang ba tayo roon? May family meeting tayo, Snyder." ani Chloe habang nakayuko at nakapikit. Parang kumukuha ng tulog.

"I'll ditch."

"We'll get punished if you do."

"Wala naman silang magagawa kung hindi ako sisipot."

"Using the heir privilege, huh?" Chloette crossed her arms and planted a small smirk on her face. "You're getting braver, Snyder."

It baffles me that Chloette can call Snyder as Snyder. Wala man lang kuya? Kahit hindi kami close ni Kuya Adren, I sometimes still address him as the older one. But Chloe is adopted, baka magkasing edad lang sila?

Napailing na lang ako. Both of them are a mystery to me. Hindi rin naman sila nagpapabuklat kaya hindi ko rin talaga sila mabasa nang masinsinan.

Nakarating kami sa gate ng mga Reverio. My stomach churned upon seeing the dying plants and the gloomy atmosphere. Ang lamig ng hangin ay nangangamoy lantang dahon at patay na bulaklak. There were vines growing in the steel of the gates. Para na itong isang abandonadong bahay. Adren is not always at home because he has his own pad and Lolo is always at the hospital. Si Dayarana na lang at si Mareena ang madalas na nandito.

I covered my nose as I took a step out from the car. Inabutan naman ako ng panyo ni Chloe nang makababa siya.

"Thank you," I acknowledge. She only shrugged as if it was no big deal.

Nakita ko ang isang pamilyar na katiwala. She was crying and she was carrying a suitcase. Agad naman na nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko.

"Are you okay?" bungad ko sa kan'ya. Nilingon ako ng katiwala at agad akong niyakap.

"Ma'am Solstice! Huwag na po kayo babalik dito," she cried out. "Umalis na po kayo!"

"T-teka, bakit naman?" tanong ko habang unti-unting pinapadalos ang aking kamay sa kan'yang likod. Hindi ko naman balak magtagal dito pero dinig na dinig ko ang takot sa kan'yang tinig.