Paper Memories

Chapter 22-II

Chapter 22-II

          My eyes were instantly fixated on him when I saw him in the university's parking lot. He's spinning his car keys with his finger, and his cardigan is visibly crinkled. Parang nababagot siya sa paghihintay, kaya bumubagsak ang buhok niyang may blue highlights sa mukha niya." Ah, nandyan ka na pala. Why weren't you saying anything? Tonight...Just the two of us. It's a date, then? "

"Dinner with our families, Ralph.Biglaan lang."

"Damn...How about we hit up the bookstore instead? Or a library date?"

"Date ka jan? Baka nga maging debate mamaya." Saway ko sa kanya sa pag-gamit ng term na yun. It's just that my parents called me for a dinner with Ralph's family. They manage a human resource company, matagal na sa industriya at patuloy pa rin lumalago dahil sa generational developments. Habang ang Quizon Family, ang pamilya ni Ralph may koneksyon sa korte at pulitika." Our parents know each others for so long, but all they would talk about is bussines politics."

Ralph grunted as he opened the car's door." I'd hate to be there."

Natulala ako kahit sa maliit na gesture na pagbukas niyang ng pinto. I nodded as thanks, and just kept my head down. I'm sure I'd look red if I look up." Ang ate mo ba hindi makakapunta? I heard you're little sister is there."

"Sa susunod na buwan pa uuwi si Ate. Anyway, don't expect a military woman to always be available except whining about me. Napapahawak na si Ralph sa sentido sa inis nang makaupo siya sa driver's seat Tinigal na din niya ang suot-suot niyang mga piercings." I'm glad your family and mine still have great connection but this is too sudden, nawiwirduhan nga ako kaya parang ayaw ko na pumunta."

I tried to laugh it off." Ralph, gosh. Joke lang yung mahdedebate kayo."

Ralph raised his brow."Kapag tayo hindi pinauwi nun."

"It's just a dinner come on, hindi ka naman biglang tatanungin ng legal questions. Kumalma ka lang.We're in college now it's not like you're the naughty elementary boy they knew back then!"

"But you like that naughty boy who hates school, am I right?"

My hands covered my face. Minsan nagiging komportable na lang si Ralph magbibiro ng ganto. Kasi tingin niya nandyan si Percival para sa akin. Hindi sana ako masasaktan kung hindi lang peke ang boyfriend ko ngayon." I don't know about that, what are you talking about? Feelingero ka pala, Ralph?"

We both bursted into laughter after that.

The time while we're having our family dinner just flew by. I mostly kept to myself and just answered if needed. While Ralph gets to endure most of the long conversations we have. His parents are in the legal field. While my own father is the heir of the company and my mother is a professor,.

Minsan nga napapatingin na lang siya sa akin na parang nagmamaktol. Gustong-gusto niya talaga umuwi na lang o gumala kami. I can understand him; me and Ralph pretty much became the black sheep of the family after choosing what we wanted. He chose to drop out of his first course to pursue something he previously rejected, and I chose the arts over reality.

Napaoverthink lang kami sa gabing to--- maybe we need Ellie.

"No alcohol! No junkfood! Kwentuhan lang!" Pinagkrus ni Ellie ang mga kamay niya habang nagbabawal siya sa amin. Sa bahay niya kami dumiretso ni Ralph pagkatapos ng family dinner namin. We're on their balcony enjoying the breeze." Baka may masabi na naman mga kapatid ko Kesyo rami kong pinagbabawal ko sa kanila, pero ako daw ginagawa ko!"

Napatawa na lang si Ralph ng inilapag niya ginawang niyang light snacks at inumin. Now off his parent's eyes, his piercings is back in place." Anong bad habit ang maipipintas sayo ng mga kapatid mo, aber?"

I chuckled, seconding him." El is the pinnacle of discipline."

"Aba ewan ko! Hindi ako perfect pero palagi may maisasagot pabalik yung dalawang yun! I don't why they can't grow up like Ezra! Ayos naman ang kuya nila." Ellie grunted as she plop to her seat. Nakalugay ang buhok niya kaya ngayon hinihangin yun ng malamig na hangin." Mom and I are actually taking it easy on them, they're just growing kids---pero nakakainis. Sila pinagsasabihan pero sila galit."

"21 ka lang naman ha, El. Bata ka lang rin naman." I drank on my juice as I comment, but for some reason I felt like what I'm sharing to my bestfriend is things I should say to myself. Or it's just some annoying midninght thoughts." Kaya baka naiinis sila na pinagsasabihan mo. Teenagers are just a handful."

"Ay sorry wala ako madadgdag." Ralph butted in." Mga perfect kapatid ko."

Napangisi na lang si Ellie, ginulo-gulo niya pa ang buhok ni Ralph sa inis." Panira 'to, hoy ikaw kasi yung di nagtino. Tama na nga 'to! Stress pa kayo sa family dinner niyo tapos mag-v-vent pa ako. Anong topic na lang? Ah! Yung debate mo, Ralph!"

Ralph scrunched his forehead." Pinaalala mo pa!"

Napailing na lang ako." Mag-prepare ka pa kasi, manood kami, ha?"

"I would, I would. You're welcome to watch. Pero bukas, gusto niyo gumala tayo?" Salaysay ni Ralph habang kumakawala siya sa pangungulo ni Ellie sa buhok niya. When he did, he just took a deep sigh and ruffled his messy hair that's now all over the place." Baka magpagupit na rin ako bago ba bunutin ni Ellie lahat ng buhok ko. What do you think, Sheena? Anong bagay?"

"Bagay kalbuhin." Biro ni Ellie.

"Huh? I-I think anything would look good on you."I'm not lying he's handsome no matter what hairstyle he have. Pero ang pinaka gusto ko ay formal look niya na paminsan-minsan ko lang nakikita." Tanungin mo na lang mom ni El or si Ezra? Fine Arts students ako, okay? Hindi hairtstylist."

Ralph scoff at us." Sige, surprise na lang."

Ellie just grimace, lumibot siya para lang yakapin ako at magkampi. Sobrang gigil niya kulang ang space ng balcony nila sa hyperactiveness niya." Bahala ka kapag binagsak ka ng prof mo sa itsura mo ha! Baka magmukha kang clown sa iniisip mong ayos!"

"Magiging clown ako pag ikaw ang hairstylist." Banat ni Ralph.

"Si Ezra na lang tanungin mo bukas, wala pa si Mom eh." Ellie pouted as she try her best to respond properly this time. Nakapulupot pa din ang braso niya sa leeg ko at patuloy akong niyayakap." Siya lang din naman nag-ayos ng buhok ni Sheena dati. Complementary colors kayo!"

"Hindi ah, nag-iimbento ka ng sariling mong color wheel." Angal ni Ralph sa narinig niyang komento. At the corner of my eye I even saw him pulling out his phone. Gusto kong makisali ulit sa usapan pero pesteng mga metahpors ang nabubuo sa utak ko." Nag-iimbento ka na naman ng sariling mo batas!"

Kaso, may napansin ako sa garden nila Ellie." May papaalis..."

Ellie cupped my cheeks."Huh? Ano yun, Shin?"

I glance downwards again. Hindi agad makabuo ng salita ang bibig habang pinagmamasdan ang binatilyo sa na umakyat sa bakod ng bahay. Halos masira na din niya ang mga halaman ni Tita. "Hindi kapatid mo yun? Saan pa siya pupunta?"