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A X L
"How is it, Axl?" malambing na tanong sa akin ni Tita Miriam.
Like Pat, she is also very easy to get along with. She and her daughter both have warm personalities that I can't help but respect and admire.
Kumuha ako ng kutsara at hinigop ang sabaw ng niluto niyang sinigang. I struggled to put on a smile as soon as the soup hit my tongue.
"Tastes just like my mom's," I said. It does taste just like my mom's and I honestly don't know how to feel about it.
Nakita kong umawang ang labi ni Tita Miriam at tila nalungkot sa sinabi ko. "Aww. I'm sorry, Axl. You don't have to eat that. Pat will cook something else," nag-aalalang sabi niya, at saka madaling kinuha ang bowl mula sa harapan ko.
"No, Tita. It's fine. Kakainin ko po," I insisted. Siyempre, nagpapa-good shot nga ako, tapos hindi ko kakainin 'yong luto niya? Ano na lang iisipin nila?
"No, hijo. Huwag pasaway. I've been there," she said sternly, "Anak, cook for your friend," utos niya kay Pat na nakaupo sa harapan ko.
Pat stared at me with a concerned look in her eyes just as her mom left and headed back to the kitchen. I was expecting her to be pissed dahil nautusan pa siya, but she genuinely looked like she cared. "You want anything?" she asked softly, looking attentively at me.
"Ikaw?" tanong ko.
Nasaksikhan ko ang mabilis na pagpula ng magkabilang mga pisngi niya. "A-Ako?" nahihiyang tanong niya.
I almost laughed at the look on her face. Ang cute niya, lalo pa ngayon na ang simple lang ng ayos niya.
"Haha. Ibig kong sabihin, ikaw? Kung may gusto kang kainin?" paglilinaw ko.
Her mouth dropped open in understanding, but her lips quickly rose to one side at the thought of food. "Burger," she answered in an instant, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Magluluto ka?" tanong ko.
"Hmm. Puwede sana, pero kulang ng ingredients, eh. Wala kaming ground beef," sagot niya. "Bili na lang tayo ng luto na." She stood up from her chair and started cleaning up the table.
"Saan?" tanong ko.
"Do'n sa nagbenta sa school no'ng fair." She smiled, meeting my eyes.
I couldn't help but smile back. If there's a better way for us to continue where we left off, ito na 'yon. Hopefully, we can both start over tonight. No more miscommunications. No more misunderstandings. No more walking-outs.
"Papayagan ka ba? Gabi na," I asked, worried that her mom won't let her out.
"Kasama naman kita," sagot niya, bago madaling naglakad papunta sa kusina para yata magpaalam.
Makalipas ang halos kalahating minuto ay bumalik na si Pat kasama si Tita Miriam na basa ang parehong kamay at tila yata naghuhugas ng pinggan.
That's when I realized that Pat is simple—in the best way—because her mom is, too. Malaki ang bahay nila. They have about three cars parked outside. It's obvious that they have the financial means to hire a helper to wash the dishes, cook, and clean for them. Pero kanina pa 'ko rito at wala naman akong nakita ni isang kasambahay.
