INCUBUS

CHAPTER XXIII

CHAPTER XXIII

ISANG linggo na rin simula nang maging independent siya. It was Saturday kaya naglaba muna siya ng mga damit bago umuwi sa mansion. Well, she promised to spend her weekend at their house and she doesn't want her father to find reasons that could brought her back to the mansion.

Nagsasampay na siyang mga damit at pantalon nang mapansin niyang may papel sa bulsa ng pantalon niya. Agad niya itong kinapa at nangunot noo nang mabasa ang halos napupunit nang papel dahil sa tubig.

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Ah! It was the paper the Professor gave her. Halos nakalimutan na niya ang tungkol do'n. Ni hindi niya maalala kung saan niya huling nilagay ang libro. Basta sigurado siyang hindi niya iyon dinala rito sa bago niyang tirahan.

Bago mag-tanghali ay bumiyahe siya papuntang mansion ng mga Felices. She drive her car rather than commuting because she plans on bringing her other stuffs when she gets back. May mga naiwan pa siyang damit at mga sapatos sa dati niyang silid at gusto na iyong dalhin.

Nang makarating sa mansion ay agad siyang sinalubong ng kapatid na halatang kanina pa inaasahan ang pagdating niya. Karga nito si baby Euki.

"Baby Euki! Na-miss mo ba si tita Ara?" nakangiti niyang sabi nang makalapit.

The little girl's reply was giggle that made her smile.

"Well, your brother misses you, too. And really hopes that you come home permanently," Mason said that made her sigh.

"Kuya. 'Di ba napag-usapan na natin 'to?"

"I know, I know. Nagbibiro lang ang kapatid mo," sabi nito 'saka ngumiti. "So how was your week so far?"

"Okay naman, Kuya. I really felt so mature. Kanina lang bago ako umalis naglaba na ako. I did all the chores, and I cook a very nice meal for myself."

"That's good to hear. Pero siguro hindi ka naman masyadong nagpapagabi, ano?"

"Hindi," mabilis niyang sagot.

There is no way in hell that she would tell him that she went on a bar last Monday.

"Halika na sa loob. Nagluto si Lola ng paborito mong ulam,"

"Ginataang kalabasa with Alimango?" she said excitedly.

"At prinitong sinaing na galunggong,"

Pakiramdam niya ay bigla siyang nagutom. Na para bang hindi sapat ang agahan na kinain niya kanina.

Pumasok siya sa loob kasabay ang kapatid at pamangkin. Naabutan niya ang kaniyang Lola na naglalagay ng plato sa lamesa. Mabilis na lumapad ang ngiti ng matanda nang makita siya.

"Apo, 'buti at dumating ka na. Susunduin ka na sana ni Mason kanina," nakangiti nitong sabi.

"Uuwi naman po ako. Inuna ko lang po kasi ang labahan sa bahay," sabi niya nang makalapit sabay na nagmano.

"Mabuti na rin na magsarili ka na, Apo, para matuto ka sa mga gawaing bahay. Mas magiging independent ka kung mag-isa ka lang,"

"Kaya nga po," she agreed grinning at her borther who obviously does not share same sentiments with their grandmother.

Tanghali at sabay-sabay silang kumain ng kumpleto. Ara was animatedly sharing her first week of experience being alone as her mother, auntie, and grandmother were sharing tips for her when in comes to household hacks.

She's even delighted that her father, somehow, is joining the conversation without any disapproval of her living away from the family. He even volunteered on giving her vegetables and fruits from the farm.