Along the way ( Province #1 )

Kabanata 4

I was still sleeping peacefully, nang may narinig ako na malakas na kalabog mula sa pinto. It never ends. I took the pillow and covered my head with it. The noise stopped for a moment. Finally! I was back to my dreamland when I felt strong force trying to removed the pillow from my head.

A sudden irritation filled inside of me. Binuksan ko ng kaunti ang mata ko at nag-unat. There's a bit mixture of darkness and light in the sky, I yawned and look at the man standing arrogantly with his large physique near my book shelves.

The one and only, my stupid prick cousin of mine.

I yawned. "What? I'm still sleepy..."

He smiled annoyingly, his hand land in my blanket and pulled it harshly. He keeps doing that as I pulled it more closer to me. Anong problema ng isa ito? ang aga- aga istorbo! I growled and get up.

"Ano ba!? ang aga-aga istorbo ka!"

He crossed his arms in front of me, iniling nito ang ulo at naglakad papalapit sa akin, para pitikin ako sa noo. "Pick yourself up! Tanghali na,"

What? Tanghali na? Ako lang ba o sadyang nabibingi lang ako? I look at the sky again and it's still look the same. The sky was now filled with light. Wala pa namang sikat ng araw. And he called it tanghali na?

"It's still early, let me sleep some more,"

Bumalik ako sa kama at nilagay ang ulo sa unan, now this is more comfortable...

But not a moment later, he pulled my my foot with force. My but landed on the tile floor, I think I broke my bones. Nawala ang antok ko at tumayo para batukan siya.

"Masakit! ano ba kasi? Maaga pa!"

"It's 5 in the morning couz, maraming gagawin, you're not an exception. Lahat kikilos,"

My brows crossed, because of what I've heard. "Anong gagawin? Can't it wait?"

He scoffed and pinch my cheeks. "House chores, feed the ducks and chickens, and nope... It can't wait, so get up and fix yourself,"

After Christian left, I decided to take a bath to freshen up. I wore my gray cotton shorts and tucked in my large white t-shirt.

Hinayaan ko na lang bagsak ang buhok, kasi basa pa. I bring my small calculator with me as I go downstairs.

I still don't understand, why do I need to wake up early? house chores? Wala ba si 'Nang Flora? If I'm still in Manila, I was still probably sleeping. I usually get up by 8 in the morning and do my morning routines. Then now 5 in the morning? You've got to be kidding me!

I heard different voices at the kitchen. The voices was massive, especially when it coincidentally concured. Lumakad pa ako para tuluyang makita kung sino- sino ang nagmamay-ari ng malalaking boses na iyon.

Nang tuluyan na akong makapasok, I saw the men yesterday. Ngayon ko lang sila napag masdan ng mabuti, I was shy and intimidated, on which I had to look down and pretend busy on something. The house was big. But with this huge men sitting and eating with their large physique, making every corner of the house smaller.

All their skin was tanned, probably too much working at the farm. The sun perfectly shade their skin, I used to admire men with their fair and white skin like mine. I didn't know that it will be more manlier looking at the man having this kind of bronze skin.

"Nandiyan ka na pala, tara kain,"

The guy next to Christian noticed me. He raised his hand stir inwards, sending me in. They're now looking at me, with all smiles. Except for that  one person, his brows are always clashed. Mukhang hindi niya ko gusto. Hindi na ako magtataka, mas doble ang tanda ng mukha niya kumpara sa mga kaibigan niya.

I sit, and the guy sitting next to me offered me a plate. I said my thanks and took out my small calculator in my pocket. Tinignan ko ang mga nakahain sa lamesa, okay... There's Eggs, Banana's and some fish.

I started computing the calories that it has. The table seems quite, compared earlier. Tumigil ako sa pag compute at tinignan sila ng naguguluhan.

I raised my eyebrows, ginala ko ang tingin ko sa lamesa at tumigil ito sa lalaking, alam kong walang pakialam sa akin. Why? He's still busy eating, while his companion, holds a clueless expression in their eyes.

"Ba't kayo tumahimik? Go on... I'm not done calculating the calories,"

Ngumuso ako at sinumulan ulit magcompute. The guy beside me, bent down and whispered.

"Hindi ka kakain? pwedeng mamaya na 'yan, masamang pinaghihintay ang grasya,"

He's talking to me like a probinsyano as he is, what would I expect? They're all responsible and maintain everything around them, they know the value of everything. A simple food shouldn't be wasted. it's still food.

"It's okay, hindi para sa akin. Ako ang grasya,"

He looked at me confused. Umangat ang makapal nitong kilay, while still munching the food inside his mouth.

I smiled and offered my hand. "Gracia..."

He let go of the spoon on his right hand and gave me his chickboy smile. He seems nice, those black eyes, and bronze skin, perfect set of white teeth will make someone feel more welcome.

"Joshua," sabay kindat nito.

He's playful, I can see that...

The man sitting at my left chucked my arms, lumingon ako dito. His face looks younger compared the others, ito siguro ang pinakabata sa kanilang lahat.

"Ate, ano bang ginagawa mo?"

I was taken aback because of what I've heard. Ate, I feel my face heated up. Hindi ako sanay na tinatawag akong Ate, It's always my name.

Besides, I'm the only child. Kaya hindi ko alam kung ano bang pakiramdam kapag tinatawag ng ganoon, and I must say that It's uncomfortable for me. I am not used to it.

"A-hmm, Calorie deficit,"

We heard an exaggerated laugh. Bumaling lahat ang tingin namin sa lalaking katabi ni... I don't know his name, ngumuso ako, basta ang alam ko lalaking suplado. The guy beside him keeps laughing, like it's the first time he had seen someone computing the calories in their foods.

"Calorie, deficit daw pre!" he uttered laughing.

Siniko niya ang katabi niyang tahimik at seryosong abala sa pagkain. He hissed at the man beside him, putting away the spoon and fork. He then leaned against the chair.

His broad shoulder became larger as he crossed his arms. Lumikot ang tingin ko ng napunta sa akin ang nakaka intimida niyang mga tingin.

"Let her be, siya naman ang magugutom,"

His baritone voice filled the silent room, hindi ko alam kung bakit ganito ang pakikitungo niya sa akin. I rolled my eyes and continue what I was doing. suplado talaga! mabilaukan ka sana! kumuha ako ng saging sa lamesa at nilantakan ito ng buo. Dahil sa ginawa ko, ako ang nasamid.

Inabutan kaagad ako ni Joshua ng tubig. Mabilisan ko itong ininom. Ang iba ay natawa sa ginawa ko. When my cousin spoke.

"Couz, you'll feed the ducks and chickens after eating,"

Bumaling ang tingin ko sa kanya. "Ako? B-but, I don't know ho--"

He cut me off and looked to suplado man. "You'll guide her right?"

Napatigil ito sa pagsubo at tumingin sa akin, tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. He just shooked his head and smirked.

"I will,"

Parang gusto ko na lang matulog, kaysa makasama ang isang ito. Hindi kaya ako mapanisan ng laway kapag kasama ko ang isang ito? I guess, I have to endure being with him for the meantime.

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