After Her Last Straw (Dream Series #1)

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Brightest
Zanashi

"Thank you."

"For being your concerned schoolmate? Yeah, no problem."

"Concerned schoolmate or whatsoever, I didn't thank you for that. Nagpapasalamat ako sa ginawa mo noong saturday, de Lopezes."

He gawked at me jokingly. He partly close his right eye while moving his forefinger back and forth. Sa paraan ng pagkakatingin niya, para niya akong isusumbong sa kung sinoman.

"Is this.. really? Pantorilla's actually showing some gratitude to de Lopezes?"

I was slightly offended because of what he said. I know he's kidding but I couldn't help myself from taking it as a serious note. Yes, I hate this man in front of me pero 'di ibig sabihin no'n ay hindi na ako magpapasalamat kung may ginawa siyang kabutihan.

Ganito lang ako pero marunong naman akong magpasalamat. I'm just blunt but I know the most basic of all the basic things to do.

Kung alam ko sa sarili kong nagkamali ako, then I'll apologize. Kung alam kong ginawaan ako nang mabuti, then I'll show some gratitude.

"Yes, what's so shocking about that?" hindi ko naitago ang pait sa tono ng boses ko. "Marunong akong magpasalamat, de Lopezes."

He was taken aback. Maybe because of the bitter tone on my voice or the offended look on my face.

"Yeah.. I didn't mean it like that, Pantorilla. It's just that.."

"Whatever. Anyway, salamat nga sa ginawa mo pero ayaw ko nang mangyari pa ulit iyon, de Lopezes. I don't want you inside my house ever again."

He laughed once again. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng takot kung paano bigla-bigla na lang nag-iiba ang ekspresyon niya. Is he normal?

"Grabe, ang sincere mo namang magpasalamat."

"Seryoso ako, de Lopezes."

True enough, I'm really sincere with what I said. Talagang nagpapasalamat ako pero ayaw ko siyang gawin pa ulit iyon.

"Well.." he tapped his right foot on the floor. Sinundot-sundot niya ang ibabang bahagi ng tenga. "Hindi ko maipapangakong 'di ko na ulit gagawin iyon."

"Pardon?"

"Maipapangako ko lang basta ipangako mong 'di ka na ulit mahihimatay sa kung saan saan lang, Pantorilla."

Habang patagal nang patagal ay pataas nang pataas ang inis na nararamdaman ko sa kanya. Ba't ba ganito siya makipag-usap? What's wrong with him? Pwede namang sabihin na agad ang gusto kong marinig para hindi na humaba pa ang usapan!

"You're excuse that saturday because it was the first time, de Lopezes. Ngayon, sasabihin ko nang hindi ko gustong tumapak ka sa bahay namin kaya mahimatay man ako sa harap mo ngayon, sa clinic mo na lang ako dalhin."

Muli siyang tumawa. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. Talaga bang katawa-tawa sa kanya ang lahat ng sinasabi ko?

"Noted, Pantorilla."

Magsasalita pa lang sana ako nang biglang dumaan si Professor Amilagir. Pareho namin siyang binati ng magandang umaga ni Sulivan.

"Tamang-tama. I was meaning to talk to you two just now. Interschool's nearly approaching so I want you to start studying today, okay?"

"We will, Professor," Sulivan answered.

"Great. I also made practice questions for you but bringing it outside the university's not really pleasing to hear. So, is it okay if you'll stay and just study in the library tomorrow?"