Mary Grace

Eleven

Eleven

I went home that night tired and weary. That was the first serious fight we've had with Mariah. Usually kasi kapag nag-aaway kami, nagkakabati kaagad at the end of the day. But this time around, all three of us went home with a broken heart. Masama ang loob ko sa kanya and I'm sure she feels the same way for me too.

I walked slowly towards our house, paying attention to the chipped painting of an old bakery two blocks from our house, the old couple living on the corner of the street, and the young mothers carrying their children while talking to other women in the neighborhood. Hindi ako ang tipo ng taong papansin ng mga kapitbahay sa tuwing dumadaan ako. My world revolved onlywith my best friends, boyfriend, and acquaintances in school. Other than that, wala na akong ibang kilala sa labas ng school bukod kay Karlo at kay Harry.

Papasok pa lang ako sa bahay ay dinig na dinig ko na ang sigaw ni Ate Annie. When I stepped into the house, she was screaming something at Harry and she looks frustrated. Nagtagpo ang mga mata namin ni Harry. Ako ang unang umiwas. He lowered his gaze on the ground. I was standing by the doorway, staring at them for a good few minutes before I realized how awkward the situation is. Kaagad na akong umakyat sa kwarto.

I connected my phone to a bluetooth speaker and turned on the music to drown their voices downstairs. Maya-maya pa ay nagsimula nang umulan. I swiped the curtains to both sides and watched the raindrops raced down the glass windows. I grabbed a notebook and started writing. I didn't know how long I have been writing because eventually, I fell asleep in the process.

Sumasakit ang leeg ko nang magising ako. I looked around the surroundings. Nakaupo pa rin ako sa desk. The pen left a mark on my forehead. I changed into a pair of thin boxer shorts and oversized band shirt before going downstairs. Mum left some food on the table but I didn't feel like eating. I glanced at the closed door, wondering what happened between Harry and Ate Annie. I walked towards the door, expecting to see Harry just like before. I slowly twisted the doorknob to unlock the door and my heart almost leaped out of my chest when he was really there. Nakaupo na naman siya sa balustrade ng terrace. He lifted his head up, locking his gaze on mine.

"Hi." I said, waving a little. I glanced back into the house and into Ate Annie's closed bedroom. Then I returned my gaze at him.

"Hi." Harry lifted himself up. His upper body is soaked. Kahit na nasa porch na siya ng bahay namin, sobrang lakas ng ulan dahilan para mabasa siya.

"Gusto mong pumasok?"

He shook his head. "Wag na."

I nodded, not bothering to ask him what happened even if I am dying to know. Isinarado ko ang pintuan at naupo sa tapat niya.

Harry sighed. His sharp features is glowing with sadness. I focused my eyes on the beautiful curves of his eyeslashes for a few seconds without looking like a creep. After a good few minutes, I asked, "Gusto mong magkape?"

---

Morning came and I didn't have the heart to attend any of my class. Mag-aalas tres na nang umaga umalis si Harry sa bahay. Hinintay niya pa na tumila ang ulan bago siya naglakad papalabas sa subdivision namin. We talked about almost everything except for his fight with my sister. Hindi na rin ako nagtanong pa dahil alam kong hindi rin naman gustong pag-usapan ni Harry ang bagay na iyon.

Pinagmasdan ko si Harry habang naglalakad papalayo. My eyes are suddenly heavy. I yawned and planned to have at least two hours of sleep before I prepare for school.

"Iba ka rin, ano?" came a voice from the distance. I turned around and saw the storming look on Ate Annie's face. Nakatayo na siya sa likuran ko. It seems reasonable to say na kanina pa siya nakamasid sa aming dalawa ni Harry. "Nag-away lang kami sandali ng boyfriend ko, nilalandi mo na agad."

I pursed my lips. This is why I hate talking to my sister. Minsan lang siyang magsalita sa akin, puro assumptions at pang-iinsulto pa.

"Kinakausap ko lang ang tao, basang-basa na nga sa ulan." I said flatly. "Ayaw mo siyang papasukin diba?"

"Syempre naman." She crossed her arms over her chest. "Hiyang-hiya naman ako sa iyo, Mary Grace. You thought I didn't know that you were secretly talking to Harry while I am not around?"

Nagsisimula nang uminit ang ulo ko sa inaasta niya. "What the fuck are you talking about? Hindi iyon secretly talking, Ate Annie. Nagkataon lang na nakita ko ang tao sa coffee shop at nagkuwentuhan kami. Wala kaming masamang ginagawa ni Harry, ikaw lang tong binibigyan ng malisya ang pag-uusap namin,"

"Huwag mo akong gawing tanga, Mary Grace." Mariin na sabi ni Ate Annie sa akin. I can tell that she's holding back her voice dahil ayaw niyang magising sina Mommy at Daddy sa pag-aaway namin nang madaling araw. "I saw how you look at Harry. You are undeniably attracted to my boyfriend. Hindi ka ba talaga marunong mahiya? Now, you're trying to flirt, eh? Bakit sa loob ng tatlong taon eh ngayon ka pa nagka-interes sa kanya. Nakakapagtaka naman."

I clenched my fists. Ayaw kong makipagsagutan sa kanya. I'm tired of everything and Ate Annie's drama is the last thing I'd want to deal with right now. I walked past her, deciding to head into my bedroom and take a rest. All these bullshits are sucking the life out of me.

"Oh, saan ka pupunta? Did I hit a nerve?" She called on my back. I hate how her tone sounded so accusing as if she is sure of every venom she spits from her mouth. "Huwag ka kasing lalandi-landi, Mary Grace. Matuto kang lumugar."

That's when I lost it.

Humarap ako ulit sa kanya at lumapit. My face are only a few inches away from her. "Alam mo, kung mayroong malandi sa ating dalawa, ikaw yun eh. Nagmana ka sa nanay mong malandi, diba?" I laughed mockingly. "Sabi nga nila, like mother like daughter—"

I haven't even finished talking when I felt Ate Annie's hands hit across my face.

"Huwag mong dinadamay ang nanay ko!" She screamed, tears rapidly falling from her eyes.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa gulat at sakit. I heard footsteps hurrying downstairs.

"What happened?" My mother grabbed my arms and spun me around. Nakatulala lang akong nakatingin sa kanya. She must've noticed the red pulsating mark on my cheeks from my sister's slap. Binalingan niya si Ate Annie. "Anong nangyari dito, Annie?"

"Itanong mo sa magaling mong anak," She said through gritted teeth, still crying angrily. "Hindi na nahiya!" then she stomped into her bedroom and slam the door shut. Nagising din si Daddy sa commotion na nangyayari. He gave me a questioning look. I just lowered my head and raced into my bedroom before tears started streaming down my face too.

I let the anger get the worst out of me. I know there would come a day I would regret saying those words to her but right now, all I could ever feel is hatred and loath to my older sister.