Paper Memories

Chapter 31-II

Chapter 31-II

"Ron? Is that you? Pasok na."

"Ito na yung pinapakuha mong pictures, Ate. Pero saan mo gagamitin?" Ronald said as he peek through the attic's door, he seems hesistant to enter. Bitbit na naman niya ang luma niyang handheld camera, at ang busangot niyang expressions." May makukuha ka naman sa internet at ibang lugar. Bakit yung akin pa?"

"Gusto ko gamiting reference yung lugar natin."

Ronald just shrug, finally stepping inside the room." Marunong ka rin namn gumamit ng camera."

I smiled to as place down the bottle of beverages I'm holding as he hand me his camera, hihiramin ko lang naman yung SD Card niya saglit para maprint ko yung mga landscape pictures niya. I really like the indie feels of his works." Mas gusto ko yung composition ng outputs mo, ayos na 'to. But if you want I can give you my DSLR camera. Pinaglumaan ko naman din yun."

"Hindi na po, gumagana pa naman yung sakin."

"Anyway, nagdinner ka na? Well, I already did but I was about to open some snacks. Stay for a while, could you? O gusto mo labas tayo?"

"Kumain na ako kanina, tutulungan na lang kita kung may ipapagawa ka pa.Dito na lang tayo, Ate." Ronald softly replied as he look around the room, we already finish all the props for the theater arts, he might have miss doing it already. If not, I'd be glad if he just wants to hangout." Kung kelan ka wala nang driver saka mo pa mas nahiligan lumabas, pero pag hinahanap ka ng boyfriend mo wala ka."

"Eto naman, okay, okay. Dito lang tayo."

"Sabi ko nga, Ate."

"Let's watch some movies and eat. Anong gusto mo panoorin?" I chuckled because of his sour mood. Nang nilapag ko yung SD Card sa lamesa sa gitna ng kwarto ko, ay kinuha ko na rin yung snacks na binili ko kanina. I opened a bottle of iced tea and gave Ronald his share." And here you go. Have some. It's one of the new flavors in the store."

He oddly stared at it as he accept it." Salamat..."

I smiled, and had a sip of mine. I jokingly took a big gulp of my iced tea to lighten the mood. He doesn't need to be too shy when he accepts things from me. He needs to loosen up sometimes." No beers allowed, iced tea lang. Sorry."

"Mapait..."

"Kasi iced tea? Bawal nga beer sayo!"

"Wala ako sinabi ha? Nag-iimbento ka na naman."Ronald grunted and drank it again, but it almost made him spit. He must not really like the taste, but he gulp it anyway in front of me. I don't want him to go back to his drinking habit when he's this young." Ano akala mo sakin lassengero katulad ng driver mo?"

I raised my brow." Speaking of Gregory, tingin mo nagawa niya talaga yun?"

Napahigpit ang hawak ni Ron sa inumin niya saka siya nag-iwas ng tingin. That must be a touchy subject in general, he was so worried for me that night." Eh diba nahuli na nga siya? Ano pa ang gusto mo malaman? Pero, diba ikaw yung huli niyang nakausap---dapat ikaw yung may alam."

"Sabi niya nagpagbintangan lang siya, na naset-up lang siya." I explained to Ron, as I swirl my bottle of iced tea. I tried to be honest as much as I could." May naglagay lang sa bahay niya at ng mga kaibigan niya ng droga, hindi raw kanila yun. Kaso naman, mas mahirap paniwalaan yun diba?"

"Yan yung sabi sayo ni Gregory? O ng pulis?"

"Who knows? Basta yun yung kwento."

He nodded, he was eyes were squinting and he seems barely coherent. Baka napagod na naman siya kakatrabaho. He was about to drink a little more but he stop." Sariling bahay niya hindi niya alam ang laman? Dapat nakita niya k-kung may iba ng nakalagay dun..."