A Drop Of Black

Chapter 17: I'm Fine

It's been a week since inilibing si mom. Si Dad, kinakayang magtrabaho. Like what mom said, iintindihin ko nalang si dad. Si Niya, she's always inside her room. Dun ko muna siya pinastay. Ako nalang ulit sa couch. Pasalamat siya sabi ni mom alagaan ko sila. Iyak lang siya ng iyak dun. Dinadalhan lang siya ng nga katulong ng pagkain. As for me, siyempre ayokong pumasok sa nakakabwisit na school na yun ng ako lang. Might as well rest here habang nagluluksa pa kaming lahat.

Naisip ko tuloy, what should I do with those three bitches who tried to ruin me? Mom didn't say I should be good to others. She only told me to focus on my studies and take good care of dad and Niya. My plan is still gonna continue.

I went upstairs to give Niya her lunch. Of course the helpers cooked this for her. I'm not into cooking stuff, I mean, not like before. I am so done with cooking when the fvcking oil hit my skin while cooking my dinner.

"Niya, nandito na yung lunch mo." Kumatok ako tapos binuksan ko yung pinto. "How are you?" I put the tray of food on the side table and sat on the bed.

"Eto, miss na miss si mom." Bumangon siya tapos kinuha niya yung tray. "Miss ko din yung luto niya. Siya nagturo sa akin kung paano magluto eh." I wish mom was there when I was cooking that shitty dinner of mine. The oil wouldn't have hit me. "Ikaw na nagluto?" She filled the spoon with rice and got a piece of meat.

"Nope. Si yaya. I don't cook."

Sinubo niya yung pagkain niya. "What? Why? Pagnakamove on na ako, tuturuan kitang magluto. Antay antay ka lang."

"You don't have to. Marunong akong magluto, ayoko lang magluto." Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin. "What? It was the oil."

"Takon ka sa mantika? Alam mo, napagdaanan ko din yan. Sinong chef ba ang hindi natatamaan ng mantika? Normal lang naman na matamaan ka nun eh. Siyempre nagluluto ka."

"You can't change my decision." I stood up. "Bababa na ako. I still need to sleep." She nodded. "Tawagin mo nalang ako kung tapos ka nang kumain." I went downstairs. I think she's getting over the pain. Mabuti narin yan kesa sa magmukmok siya sa kwarto. Pag ako hindi magkaroon ng medal, I'll blame it on my twin.

After several weeks, inaya kami ni Niya na lumabas. Sinama din niya yung alalay ko. Para mabilis daw siyang makarecover. No choice naman ako. "Saan mo ba balak pumunta?" Asked Orange who is accompanying Niya. "Okay ka na ba?"

"I'm almost fine. Kailangan ko lang lumabas para tuluyan na akong maging okay. Napapagod din kasi ako kakaiyak. Naisipan kong kailangan ko ding tumawa."

"Mom's not gonna like it if you're always crying because of her. Hindi nga niya pinaalam ang sakit niya sayo para hindi ka na magalala. Ayaw niya na nagaalala ka o nasasaktan. Good thing you thought of that."

Pumunta kami sa isang amusement park. I am not a fan of rides and I hate populous places. I see a lot of dating couples, yuck. "I'll be in the car. I'm sick of this."

"Sandali nga." Orange blocked my way to the car. "Hindi ka pwedeng umalis. Kailangan ka pa ni J. Akala ko ba gusto mo siyang tulungan?"

"Look. I am not comfortable here. Kung gusto ko man tulungan si Niya, sa bahay lang yun. And besides, she's with you. You're her best friend. I don't want to see shitty couples doing public display of affections."

"And you're her sister. Kakambal pa. She needs you more than me. Mas importante ba pa yang 'Ayaw mo makakakita ng PDA' kesa sa kakambal mo?"

"I'll beat the hell out of you it wasn't for my gut telling me not to." I walked back to Niya who is now waiting in line to buy ticket for a roller coaster ride. "Why two? Diba dapat tatlo?"