Head in the Sand (Erudite Series #3)

Kapitulo 13

The next time that Graham taught me was a Friday evening, this time, I was more attentive. 'Yong card ko, sa bag ko na lang din nilagay para hindi na mawala. Oddly, Graham was more accommodating to my questions today. He seemed quite livelier than usual. Not that he was lively, but today just seemed like he was in a good mood.

Baka dahil do'n sa girl na kinita niya no'ng Monday. Girlfriend niya siguro 'yon. Schoolmate ko pala ang nobya niya.

Or maybe I was overthinking this. After all, I'd been with him only once.

"May tanong ka ba?" baling niya sa akin no'ng naghihintay kami ng MRT. Umiling ako at pinagmasdan ang mga guard na nagbabantay ng mga pasaherong lumalabas mula sa tren.

Bukas, susubukan ko nang pumunta kay Lara mag-isa, para naman ma-test ko na ang inaral ko ng dalawang beses. Alam ko naman na, e. Twice a practice is enough. 'Yong pag-uwi sa Pedro Gil ay madali na sa akin kapag commute dahil pabalik lang siya. Itong pagpunta ko ngayon ay nagpa-refresh sa memory ko kung paano pumunta sa Magallanes at bumalik sa Faura.

I held my backpack tightly as I waited. I brought my laptop with me because I planned on staying in Lara's for a while. Magpapasundo ako kay kuya Ed mamaya, nagpaalam ako kagabi.

"By the way, Graham," the guy looked up at me, "hindi ako sasabay pauwi, ha. May susundo sa akin. Una ka na."

Tumango siya at binalingan muli ang harap.

Pagdating namin sa bahay ni Lara, my friend's parents were at home, so bumati ako.

"Good afternoon, Tita, Tito," ngumiti si Tita sa akin habang si Tito ay tumango lang bago tignan si Graham.

"Why are you here?" Tito asked as Lara went to me. "Sinamahan ko lang po si Eloise, nagpapaturo po mag-commute."

Tumaas ang kilay ni Tita kay Graham bago ako tignan. "Bakit ka sa kaniya nagpapaturo, Eloise?"

Hindi ako nakasagot agad dahil sa tono ng pananalita ni Tita kay Graham. She had a subtle dislike for what Graham said on her face, kahit si Tito. Para bang nandidiri sila kay Graham na ngayo'y nasa pamamahay nila at nakikihalubilo sa anak nila.

"Hindi po kasi ako naturuan ng father ko, so I asked for Graham to teach me."

Tumango si Tita at sinabihan akong may hinanda siyang pagkain para sa pagdating ko.

"But I didn't realize may kasama ka," ani Tita bago niya tignan saglit si Graham.

Nilapitan ko si Graham. "Actually, Tita, we ate before going here, so okay lang po ako."

Iwas na iwas ang tingin ni Graham sa tiyahin niya at tiyuhin ngayon dahil sa pinakikitang disgusto ng dalawa sa kaniya. Lara also stood beside Graham, talking to him as her parents made small talk with me.

When her parents left, Lara went to her room to get the things she'll need to study with me. Graham was still here because Lara told him that he should at least rest before going home. I agreed and asked him to stay for a bit too.

Now, the lively demeanor he had vanished.

I felt... bad about the whole situation for some reason.

"Graham," tawag ko sa binatang nakatitig lang sa telepono niya. He turned to me. "Thanks for teaching me."

Ilang beses siyang napapikit ng mata bago ako tanguan at iwasan ng tingin.

I think gratitude was enough for now. I couldn't bear to ask him something personal when an embarrassing incident had just happened to him.

Maybe, next time...

Fuck, I am being extra good.

If this was William, baka wala naman akong naramdamang awa. Baka inisip ko lang na normal 'yon dahil may mga kamag-anak talaga na hindi gusto ang kapuwa kamag-anak.