Along the way ( Province #1 )

Kabanata 7

Buong gabi akong hindi nakatulog ng maayos kakaisip sa sinabi ng pinsan ko. It's just a simple goodluck, but thousands of what if's and why's runs on my mind. Hindi ako masyadong pinatulog ng salitang iyon.

When I woke up, it's just 4:36 my cousin beside my was still sleeping, samantalang ako. Idlip lang ang naitulog ko. It's useless sleeping now. Kalahating oras na lang babangon na rin naman. I take a shower and fix myself before going downstairs.

Pagpasok ko sa kusina, nasalubong ko si 'Nang Flora na nagbabanlaw ng bigas. Oh! she's preparing our foods. Lumapit ako sa kanya at binati siya.

"Ang aga mo ata ngayon Hija?" she smiled at me.

"Oo nga po eh, gusto niyo po ng tulong?"

I offered some help, para kahit papaano mawala ang antok ko. Doing thing will make me stay awake.

"Sige hija, ikaw na ang magsaing rito."

Binigay niya sa akin ang malaking kaldero na naglalaman ng bigas, para banlawan ulit. Good thing that I know some things in the kitchen, except cooking. I have troubled in cooking. I remember cooking sinigang way back in Manila, It's smells so good, but when Our housemaid tasted it, her denture pop off because of too much sourness. At hindi na ako umulit.

I was about to put in the stove when she stopped me. Why? May mali ba?

"Naku Hija, hindi diyan ang saingan. Halika't papakita ko sayo kung saan maganda magsaing,"

I followed her as she goes to another door, It's my first time seeing this door. Saan kaya ito papunta? When she opened it. I saw different utensils with lots of large pan. It's outside of the house.

The cold breeze sticks to my skin, the crickets creating a sound makes the surroundings alive. The smoke of burnt leaves, mix with the cold air, sign that, our neighborhood's already awake. doing their morning routines. The chickens croak, as it always does, to wake some people.

'Nang Flora turn on the lights and I saw a wood stove. Nakalagay ito malapit sa malalaking sandok na nakasabit sa dingding. It will be my first time using this. I know how to cooked rice, but not in this kind of stove.

I look at 'Nang Flora, giving her are you serious look? She just smiled at me and took, the pan to me and put it in the stove.

"Madali lang gamitin 'to hija, mas masarap kasi ang bigas kapag sa ganito niluluto,"

Kumuha siya ng malalaking kahoy at nilagay sa ilalim nito, she taught me the process of using it. It's not actually hard. Mangangamoy usok ka lang talaga, at mahapdi sa mata tuwing hindi masisindihan ang kahoy.

'Nang Flora left me and told me that she'll just cooked some foods for us. I just nodded while continuing putting some woods on the wood stove.

I coughed and got teary eyed when It's still not firing up. The smoke was coming on my direction, I sneeze and coughed.

I probably smell smoke right now. Tumalikod ako para hindi ko masalubong ang usok, pero tumama ako kung saan. My eyes was still hurts and teary eyed, which I couldn't see who it was.

I just said my sorry and was about to walked out because I couldn't breath properly. I sneeze and coughed again, but this, I don't know who? Pulled me and drag me on the outside.

"Hey, I'm not done yet. Hindi pa nag aapoy ang kahoy."

Pinunasan ko ang mata ko para makita ng maayos kung sino ang nanghila sa akin. Pero hindi ko na sana ginawa. Hindi naman ako magtataka kung makita ko siya sa bahay na ito. Pero bakit ngayon pa? Pwede namang mamaya na lang. Amoy usok ako tapos makikita niya akong ganito? It's embarrassing!

He crossed his large arms in front of me, while his brows are crossed. His eyes, was making my knees wobble. Ano bang ginagawa sa akin ng lalaking ito? simula ng tanggihan niya ako ng araw na iyon, hindi na ako mapalagay, hindi na ako matigil kakaisip sa kanya.

"Are you avoiding me?" He uttered.

I was taken aback, because of what he said. Lumikot ang mga mata ko at nilagay ang mga kamay sa likod ko para paglaruan ang mga daliri dahil sa kaba.

"H-hindi ah..." pag tanggi ko.

"You are," pagpupumilit niya.

Nawala ang hiya ko at napalitan ng inis. I crossed my arms and walk towards him and squat so I could reach him.

I touch his broad shoulders for supported and whispered to his ears. Look what you did to me Abel, you're making me do things I wasn't even aware off.

"Silly, don't assumed, you're not even my type,"

I walked out and walked inside our house. It's not always about you Abel, learned to limit yourself. I admit that I like you, but don't be so overconfident. Things change. So does feelings. Alam kong hindi magtatagal itong sa akin. I know that my feelings for you will be gone soon.

Nang makapasok sa loob, sinabi ko na lang kay 'Nang Flora na ituloy ang pagsaing, dahil sumasakit ang mata ko dahil sa usok. I decided to take a shower again. After taking a bath. I hurriedly go downstairs to eat.

Ayokong makasabay ang Suplado na iyon. I'd rather eat alone then be with the man who hates me to bits. when I entered the kitchen I just got dissapointed.

He's already there, eating. Turning around carefully, 'Nang Flora saw me. Bad timing! She put the plates and asked me to eat and sit with Abel. Hindi na ako tumanggi at umupo na lang.

Forgetting my Calorie deficit, I eat fast then unusual. I don't want to breath the same air with him. Nasasakal ako, nalulunod ako!

Having him near me makes me more uncomfortable. Ayoko ng patagalin ang nararamdaman ko sa kanya. Baka sakaling pag umiwas ako dito, tuluyan nang maglaho ang kaunting nararamdaman ko para rito. Kung patatagalin ko lang mas lalo akong mababaliw sa bawat araw na lilipas. 

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