Chapter 4

Nakalimutan ko ang ukulele kay Agatha! Na-busy na rin ang isang 'yon kaya hindi na rin naalalang ibigay sa akin. Hiniram ko lang panaman 'yon sa kapitbahay namin dito. I should probably go to Agatha's place and get it from her before Orion finds out.

Binaon ko ang mukha ko sa unan ko. I made muffled groans and hit my cushiony bed. I must admit... napagod na ako para ngayong araw. I could feel my eyelids giving up on me, I don't know--but drifting to neverland seemed like the most satisfying thing that could ever happen at the moment. Well not that it was possible.

"Ano..." I was half asleep when I answered my phone. Nilagay ko satapat ng bibig ko ang palad ko para sana amuyin ang hininga ko, I sure smelled like I had a fun time sleeping. Ang ganda nga ng panaginip ko eh.

"Asa'n ka na ba?! I've been calling you since this eight!"

Biglang nakuryente ang buong katawan ko. Suddenly, I wasn't feeling so drowsy anymore.

"S-Saglit lang! P-Pababa na ako!" Dali-dali akong tumayo galing sa kama. I didn't even wear my slippers and just rushed downstairs.

Napadaan ako sa wall clock dito sa hagdanan. I couldn't but feel dissapointed at myself when I saw what time it is. Lampas twelve na!

Muntik ko pang mabunggo ang ulo ko sa pinto dahil sa pagtakbo ko. I halted and stood firmly, I inhaled aggresively before turning the knob. An awkward creaking sound welcomed me with Astraeus menacing look.

"You got your hair cut..." mahina ang pagkakasabi ko noon, ni hindi nga ako sigurado kung narinig niya ba ako.

"Nasa sasakyan si Elly. Maligo ka na, hihintayin nalang kita sa sala," he said in a monochromatic tone. His voice was raspy and seemed tired. Kakagising niya lang din ba?

I tilted my head and looked at him. Kita ko ang dark circles sa ilalim ng mata na.

"Ano?" He seemed annoyed.

Napalunok ako ng laway ko. Hindi ko napansing napatagal na pala ang titig ko sa kanya. Dahan-dahan akong umiling sa kan'ya at unti-unting isinara ang pinto. I could hear that despicable sound the door made again, kailangan na sigurong langisan ang pinto namin.

I didn't waste a second. Madali akong naligo, nakailang padaan lang ako ng sabon sa singit ko at nagbanlaw agad ng katawan. I was in a hurry that I wasn't able to choose what I was to wear--it was partly my fault. Tanging itim na cycling shorts at isang oversized na sweater lang ang suot ko, I bought my draw string backpack with me and shoved my phone and wallet inside it as fast as I could.

Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng hagdan ng mapatigil ako. Napamura nalang ako sa pagiging makakalimutin ko. I lifted my shirt and reached for my armpit, napangiwi ako ng matantong hindi pa nga ako nakakapag deodorant.

Bumaba ako agad nang nakapaglagay na ako ng deodorant. I was thirsty, but I didn't run to the kitchen since I was concerned about those two who were waiting for me. Hindi pa naman avid fan ng paghihintay ng dalawang 'yon. Nung makita ko 'yung madilim na kislap sa mata ni Astraeus kanina parang gusto ko nalang hindi maligo at umalis agad. But I can't let that happen, right?

"Oh wow you're alive." Napaangat ng tingin sa akin si Elly. She was squatting on the side walk and was fiddling with her wallet's keychain.

"Pasensya na ah, nakalimutan ko kasing mag-alarm." Sinadya kong iparinig kay Astraeus ang huling sinabi ko. I thought I told him to wake me up around eight?! He himself looked like he was dragged to be here.

"Sakay na." Hindi niya ako pinansin. Umalis siya sa pagkakasandal sa sasakyan niya at umikot para pumasok na sa sasakyan. 

Inabot ko kay Elly ang kamay ko para naman mas madali siyang makatayo, it was also my way of  making amends since I was late. She didn't seem to like it though, tinanggap nga niya ang kamay ko pero may kasama namang irap. I had to hold myself down to not scoff at her.

"Uy, Mariella." Just as soon as I was about to open the front seat's door, may demonyong tumawag sa akin. I turned to that person half-heartedly, I probably looked constipated with the smile that I was wearing.

"Orion," bati ko rito.

"'Yung ukulele ko?" He raised his brows. I bit the insides of my cheeks and scratched my earlobe.

"Nasa loob eh. P'wede bukas nalang? Na-lock ko na eh, na kay Mama 'yung susi." Sana gumana 'yung palusot ko. Fingers crossed.

"Ay ganoon, hindi p'wede eh." Seryoso ang pagkakasabi niya. Parang bigla akong mababasa sa pawis, hindi naman ako galing ng marathon run pero hinahabol ko ang hininga ko.

"H-Huh," I stuttered. Napasulyap ako sa loob ng sasakyan, parehong nakatingin sa akin si Elly at Astraeus, inaabangan na pumasok ako.

"Echos, sis." Biglang ngumiti sa akin si Orion. Hinampas niya ng pabiro ang baso ko at ngumiti. I nervously chuckled. Sa isip-isip ko ay nmukhang kailangan ko na talagang makuha ang ukulele kay Agatha mamaya, it's either she's at school or sa bahay lang naman--I hope.

"A-Ah s-sige, Orion. Una n-na'ko ah." Tinura ko sa kan'ya ang sasakyan. He was wearing his blinding smile at naka-angat pa ang mga kilay na sinundan and hintuturo ko, his eyes went back at me and nodded.

I never felt so relieved in my life when I went inside the car, katabi ni Astraeus sa front seat. I relased a heavy sign. My relief didn't last quite long, pagsilip ko sa labas nakangiti pa ring nakadungay sa akin si Orion.

"Punyeta. Sino ba 'yan Mariella. Sagasaan mo na nga 'yan, Astraeus," iritang saad ni Elly. She too, seemed creeped out by Orion. "Ugh. I want to punch that smug look on his face. Tignan natin kung makakngiti pa 'yan."

The smiling Orion had no idea that Elly was torturing him inside Elly's messed-up head.

"Pst, Kuya. May kailangan ka ba? Nakaharang ka kasi sa daanan." Kinabahan ako nang irolyo ni Astreus ang bintana ko at sinita si Orion. Astraeus was so near to me that I could smell his mint deodorant. Organic ba 'yan?

Nakangiting lumingon si Orion sa kay Astraeus. Sawakas, it felt like my insides were turning because of Orion's creepy gawks. Honestly, can't we just drive off already? Kahit sagasaan nalang 'yang hayop na 'yan para hindi ko na intindihin ang ukulele mamaya.

"Wala naman, Pare. Chicks 'yang kasama mo 'no? Sige ngat-i nalang keyo." Siraulo. Kung hindi ko lang siya pinsan baka isipin kong manyak siya.

Astraeus was looking like nag-aamok siya ng away. These two did not know that Orion is my cousin, 'wag nalang din nila alamin. He and his sister moved in the neighborhood a few months ago. He doesn't even go to my school, although ka-batch ko yata 'yan. Malay ko. Wala naman akong pake sa totoo lang.

"Just ignore him Astraeus." Matalim ang titig sa akin ni Astraeus. He was looking at me with a you're-seriously-letting-this-guy-off-the-hook look.

Oh trust me. Kung hindi ko lang pinsan 'yan matagal na'kong nagpa-blotter sa barangay. Creep.

Eventually I convinced Astraeus let the whole situation slide. I eventually had to explain that Mr. Creep was actually a cousin who just lived around the neighborhood. Everything was such a drag.

"The actual heck? Pinsan mo 'yon? Sabagay, the apple doesn't fall that far from the tree." Ano bang almusal nito? Why does she sound so salty?

"Manahimik ka na nga. Ang sama sama ng mood. What's gotten in to you?"

"If I know hindi naman ako 'yung babaeng walang ambag," buwelta nito, tinarayan ako at humarap sa bintana. All I could to was sigh while looking at her from the rear view mirror.

"Astraeus can we stop at the cafe? Kukuha lang ako ng baked goods for desserts later, I promise you this'll be quick," I practically begged him. 

"Alright." He nodded. I shrieked and couldn't help but clap my hands since he agreed. 

Si Elly ay walang imik pa rin. I think the sweets would lighten her up for a little bit, she has a sweet tooth, I'm just sure that this'll cheer her up. If it won't, I'm afraid the other cheering method was a bit too impossible, bringing Austin would be when pigs fly--which I doubt would happen anytime soon.

Nang makatigil na ang sasakyan ni Astraeus sa harap ni cafe ay tahimik lang akong lumabas. I sighed and shut the car's door close. It was indeed, past lunch time, naramdaman ko ang init at ang pagtagaktak ng pawis sa ilalim ng damit ko. Kung bakit ko rin man kasi naisipang mag longsleeves, an oversized one even.

"Good afternoon po," bati ko sa mga staff ni Mama. I felt a bit embarrased since everyone was looking at me, natigil pa sila ate Mary sa pagmo-mop para lang batiin ako.

Nahihiya akong ngumiti habang papalapit kay ate Mary. She said her greetings with a jolly smile. 

"Si Mama po?" I asked. Wala kasi siya sa may counter.

"Ah nasa opisina. Punta ka lang don, Mariella." Tumango siya. 

"Sige po. Thank you," I excused myself. I really needed to hurry since I had those to waiting for me--again.

I walked pass the counter, naabutan ko si Mama na papasok sa opisina niya. She was about to open her door when her eyes landed on me, bago pa ako makapagsalita ay nilapitan niya na ako.

"Oh, Mariella. What brings you here? Shouldn't you be with Elly?" Inusisa niya ako. I smiled and nodded at her.

"She's outside. I was just wondering if I could get a couple sweets, para po kayla Elly," paalam ko rito. 

She raised her brows at me. "Really? Tinatanong pa ba 'yan? Kumuha ka na sana roon, you don't have to ask for my permission, kumuha ka nalang sana para hindi ka na nag-aaksaya ng oras." I bit the insides of my cheek. Talagang nasermonan pa ako ah.

Nagkamot ulo ako. I said nothing and walked pass her. Kumuha ako ng plastic container sa kusina at nagsimulang pumili ng dadalhin. I just grabbed whatever seemed appetizing, kumuha ako ng ilang velvet crinkle, cinnamon rolls, and macaroons.

"Took you long enough," bungad sa akin ni Elly pagkapasok ko ng sasakyan. "Patingin nga ng dala mo," pabebe niyang hinablot and paperbag na dala ko, hindi nalang ako nakipagtalo.

I was a bit curious. Hindi naman namin napag-usapan kung sino ang magdadala ng ano. Basta-basta nalang kasing nagset ng picnic and isang 'to. I just hope we have food to eat, I'm starving.

Astraeus didn't mutter a word and just drove off. By the looks of it, he was already hungry too. Lalong nagsusuplado 'pag gutom ah. Bakit nga ba ako walang kaibigang matino?

"Tutuloy pa ba tayo? Mukhang mainit ah," aniya ko. Elly looked at me like why was I asking such a dumb question. Si Astraeus naman ay lumabas na ng sasakyan para kunin sa trunk ang mga gamit.

"Ang init," reklamo ko, the second I stepped outside the car. I can't seem to realize if I'm glad that I was wearing longsleeves dahil hindi sumasakit ang balat ko dahil sa araw, or maiirita dahil basa na ako sa pawis.

"Mariella, come help me with this." Nabaling ang atensyon ko kay Elly. She was struggling, holding an umbrella by her neck and picking up two baskets with her small hands.

Dal-dali naman akong umalo sa kanya. Kinuha ko ang payong at pinayungan siya, I even held one of the baskets that she was struggling to get a grip of. Seriously, I think she brought to many. Nasulyapan ko si Astraeus na nakayuko at mukhang may kinukuha sa passenger's seat.

"Oh, bakit dalawa 'yan?" Tinaasan ng kilay ni Elly si Astraeus. I noticed the slight irritation etched on her face, napairap siya habang pinawisan ang tumatagaktak na pawis sa noo niya gamit ang likod ng kamay niya.

"Astraeus, can you get my sling bag sa frontseat? May portable fan ako ron." Pati ako irita na sa init.

The park was big enough. I couldn't see much people outside. It was in no condition to have a picnic, pero mapilit si Elly at wala na kaming magagawa. Saka may pagkain na, it would be a waste to just cancel all of this. May dalawa namang payong dito kaya ayos na rin siguro.