Apricity (Published under PSICOM)

12th

Quench

"You want me to help you get close with Alister?"

Iyon ang nabuo kong kongklusyon matapos siyang pakinggan. Bumagsak ang tingin ni Milli sa lamesa nang lumapit ang maid namin para maglapag ng juice.

Inimbitahan ko sya sa loob ng bahay nang sabihin niyang may nais siyang ipakiusap sa akin. We're currently at the veranda and she just finished talking about what she has been meaning to tell me.

Umangat lang muli ang tingin niya upang silipin kung nakalayo na ang maid at nang makumpirma ito ay bumalik sakin ang tingin niya.

"Yes, ate.. You seem pretty close to Ali so.."

Hilaw akong napangisi. "I'm not really sure about that.."

She smiled sadly. "Ang totoo nyan, mailap talaga sa iba si Ali.. Lalo na sa mga babae.." aniya. "A lot had tried to befriend him already but.. he was always vocal in saying he doesn't want to,"

Bahagya akong natigilan. Suddenly getting overwhelmed by these new waves of information. Hindi ko maiwasang mamangha na alam ni Millicent ang mga detalyeng ito tungkol kay Ali. She seems really invested in him.

"And.. why is that? Bakit hindi nya gustong makipaglapit sa mga babae?"

Ang parehong kamay niyang nakapatong sa lamesa ay hinaplos ang paligid ng baso.

"Hindi ako sigurado.. But maybe it has something to do with what happened to his parents." she sighed. "Growing up.. he may have witnessed how the two of them fell apart,"

Natutop ko ang labi. Hindi inaasahan ang narinig. Sa unang tingin kay Ali ay hindi mo aakalaing may ganong bahagi sa kanya. Something unsound and dubious.

"Kaya namamangha rin akong makita kang kasama sya. I don't normally see him with girls so.." she shrugged lightly. "I guess he's pretty much comfortable around you,"

"You think so?" baling ko sa kanya. "He doesn't talk that much around me either though. Hindi ako sigurado kung kumportable nga ba sya sakin."

She bit her lower lip.

"But... you'll help me, right? You'll help me get close to him?" puno ng pag-asa ang mga mata niya. "Right? Please, ate Einj hmm?"

Napakurap-kurap ako.

"S-sure.. I'll see what I can do,"

Her face instantly lit up. Inabot niya ang kamay kong nasa lamesa at kinulong ito sa mga palad niya. She pressed it tightly.

"Thank you, ate Einj!" her eyes shone. "I'll treat you anything you want!"

Tumagal ang titig ko sa kanya habang nananatili pa rin ang kurba sa sariling labi. May unti-unting napagtanto.

"You like him?" ngiti ko.

Nabitin ang kasiyahan nya at napalitan ng paninigas sa kinauupuan. Bumagsak ang mata niya kasabay ng pamumula ng pisngi.

Bago pa man sya tumango ay nakumpirma ko na. Sapat na ang reaksyon nya.

It's my first time seeing Milli that thrilled for something. It was as if she never really wanted anything so bad before as much as she wanted what she asked me for. 

"Please don't tell Ali I like him, Ate. Gusto ko lang namang mapalapit sa kanya.."