Between the Rainbow (Strawberries and Cigarettes Series #1)

Chapter 8

Girlfriend

"Ano ba kasing ginagawa mo, Brent?" Mommy leered at me as soon as I answered his video call.

I twisted my tongue to stop myself from laughing. Tumikhim ako at pilit na nagseryoso habang payuko yuko.

"Ang sabi ko, pakisamahan mo. Pakitunguhan mo."

"That's what I'm doin—"

"Eh ano 'yung sumbong niya? Pakialamero ka raw," my mom hissed.

I pursed my lips. Naalala ko ang mga dumadaang araw kung saan lagi ko siyang pinapasok sa kuwarto niya at madalas siyang maasar.

His room smells nice. I liked how smooth his bed was compared to mine. And I'm kind of used to the smell of strawberries lately. Isa pa, ayaw niya namang sumama mag gym. At kumukuha pa ulit ako ng tyempo na ipakilala siya sa iba kong circles.

"I won't increase your allowance. Nakakahiya sa Tita Solene mo pag nalaman niyang hindi maganda ang pakikitungo mo kay Shiloh."

Man... This is too much. Sarili kong ina, pinagdadamutan ako dahil sinisiraan ako ni Shiloh. And what's wrong if we bond? What's wrong if... I invade his personal space? If I wanted to fit in?

The last word made my brows knit, so I cleared my throat and licked my lower lip.

"I have my own fund, mom—"

"Let me remind you that you bought your last fund with your car, young boy. You're broke." She looked at me confidently.

"And where's my savings, Ma'am?" I asked tauntingly.

I saw the sudden change in her expression from confident to nervous. Parang magkakasumbatan na naman yata rito ng mga gastos niya simula palang noong nasa sinapupunan ako. I could smell it coming out of her mouth.

"Oh.. I haven't told you yet. Ginamit ko muna ang funds mo. Babayaran ko naman. And stop complaining, Brent. Sino bang nagf-fund sa ibang luho mo bago ka nagka sariling pera?"

I rolled my eyes with a smile on my lips. Makikipagtalo pa ba ako sa ganyang usapin?

"Malalagot ka talaga sa akin, Brent. Kung hindi kayo magkakasundo mapipilitan talaga akong ilipat ka," banta ni mommy.

At mapapalayas pa yata ako sa sarili kong condo unit.

"You should be a good example to him! Hindi kitang pinalaking ganyan, Brent..."

At itatakwil pa yata ako ng sarili kong ina.

Ngumuso ako at nagpigil na may masabi. She's always extra emotional over petty things, while Dad was the unbothered one. Minsan si mommy, problemado na at akala mo nakapatay na ako sa sobrang stress kahit minor cases lang naman. O kahit ganitong problema lang naman.

"Treat him like a baby, Brent! He's fragile!"

"What? Should I cradle him in my arms while singing a lullaby?" I chuckled.

Mommy leered at me. "Do you think I'm joking, Brent?"

I bowed my head more as I laughed a bit and ran my finger through my hair.

"And please, samahan mo siyang magpa-enroll! Sabay na kayo pumunta lagi sa school total may kotse ka naman."

Ginawa pa akong driver.

"Baka si Shiloh pala ang anak mo, mom?" Ngisi ko nang umahon ang aking ulo.

"Arts daw ang kukunin no'n!" patuloy niya sa lintanya at hindi na pinansin ang opinyon ko.

Woah...

"Really? He's good at arts?" Napaayos ako ng upo at interesadong titingnan si mommy.

"Hindi mo ba nakita ang mga paintings no'n?"