The ray of sunlight piercing through the window greeted me as I pried my eyes open. I tried to shake the sleepiness out of my head and groped for my phone on the bedside table to check for the time.
It's 6:45 am.
For someone who slept after midnight, my body clock obviously had no consideration. I want to sleep again but seeing message notifications on top of the screen of my phone made me remember my mother.
I checked my inbox and saw her messages.
From: Mommy
Yes, he told me. Why do you have to celebrate at midnight? Pwede namang isabay na lang bukas. I really don't understand your cousins sometimes.
From: Mommy
Do you even want to spend the night there? Herberto told me kayo-kayo lang. Is it true?
From: Mommy
Ano bang ginagawa mo? Bakit hindi ka nagre-reply? Umiinom ka ba?
From: Mommy
Go home early in the morning.
Napabuntong-hininga ako. I need to get up and go home. Glancing at my side, I saw Ronna sleeping peacefully. Paano ako aalis kung natutulog pa sila? I need to wash my face first. Marahan akong bumangon at nagtungo sa bathroom. I saw my reflection in the mirror. Halatang puyat ako. It was my first time to stay up that late. My eyes looked droopy. I don't look good.
Naghilamos ako't nagsuklay ng buhok. I was still wearing my clothes from yesterday. Hindi ako nakapagpalit kahapon dahil hindi ako nakapagdala ng damit. Sabihin man ni Ronna na pwede akong manghiram ng damit niya, mas gugustuhin ko pa rin na umuwi sa bahay at doon na magpalit. Ano na lang ang sasabihin ni Mommy kung hindi ako uuwi kahit man lang saglit lalo pa't hindi ako nakapagpaalam nang maayos, diba? I feel bad.
I need to go home.
Nang makitang maayos na ang aking itsura, naglakad ako palabas ng kwarto patungo sa sala dala ang aking mga gamit. Walang tao roon. How am I going to go home? Nag-iisip ako nang biglang may nagsalita.
"Good morning."
Mabilis akong napaikot sa pinanggalingan ng boses. I saw Jimelle emerging from the kitchen with a cup of coffee on his right hand. Magulo ang buhok niya't halatang kagigising lang din.
"Gising ka na rin pala." Kumpara sa'kin mas matagal silang natulog kagabi dahil nag-inuman pa kaya nakapagtatakang narito siya ngayon sa harapan ko.
"I had a phone call with Charlotte." He yawned, motioning towards the couch. Sumunod ako pero nanatili lang akong nakatayo. "Hindi niya alam ang tungkol kagabi kaya gumising na lang ako nang maaga dahil alam kong tatawag siya."
Sweet. Maswerte si Charlotte dahil seryoso sa babae itong si Jimelle. Sa pagkakaalam ko'y dalawa pa lang ang nagiging girlfriend niya--the first was his high school sweetheart and now, Charlotte--both having long relationship span. Minsan ko lang nakita iyong ex niya't hindi ko rin alam ang dahilan kung bakit sila naghiwalay. But I can see he's happy with Charlotte now. Iyon naman ang importante.
"Happy Birthday ulit!" I greeted for the second time since midnight.
He smiled, sipping his coffee. "Thank you." Nilapag niya ang cup sa lamesa at nag-angat ng tingin sa'kin, his dark brown eyes bored on me. "I'm glad you're here to celebrate it with me. Meron pa mamaya, sana'y natulog ka na lang muna. Aren't you sleepy?"
Umiling ako. "No, I actually need to go home para makaligo ako at makapagbihis na rin."
"You can borrow Ronna's clothes-"
"H-hindi na. Uuwi na lang ako, Jimelle. Malapit lang naman ang bahay. I'll just ride a taxi."
Nagtaas siya ng kilay. "Do you think I will let you ride a taxi at this early hour? Ihahatid kita, Percy."
BINABASA MO ANG
Loving Persephone
Teen FictionPersephone Duavis is a quiet person. You leave her alone on a couch and she will remain there, her mouth closed for hours. She finds solace in solitude and in silence. She loves staying at home the most unlike her outgoing cousins who all love party...
