CHAPTER 2

"Manang si kuya kasi kung anu-anong trip sa buhay." Palusot ko at ngumiti. Sinimangutan naman ako ni kuya.

"Sana hindi ka na lang sumama." Sabi n'ya. Napairap nalang ako.

"Oh sya sige na, matulog na kayo at gabi na." Sabi ni manang sa amin at sa iba. Agad naman kaming tumayo at nagpunta sa kan'ya-kanyang silid.

Mabilis din akong nakatulog dahil na rin siguro sa pagod. Kung saan-saan pa kasi pumupunta.

Nandito ako ngayon nakatambay sa may basketball court may mga naglalaro kasi gusto kong manood. Pero dahil astig ako nandito ako nakahiga habang nanonood. Muntik na nga akong matamaan kanina ng bola e.

"Sigurado ka bang siya 'yon? Tingnan mo naman kung paano manamit 'saka parang hindi kaya naliligo." Rinig kong saad ng isang babae na dumaan kasama nung isa.

"Siya 'yon sigurado ako, pumasok siya sa Mansion ng Albrecht." Sagot naman nung isa.

"Baka naman nang hingi lang ng pagkain o namalimos." Banat pa nung isa.

"Sige ipaliwanag mo nga kung bakit s'ya kasama ni Caleb sa kotse non."

"Baka naman naawa lang kaya pinasakay. Edi sana kung anak siya alam at kilala na natin s'ya noon pa." Patuloy naman nung isa. Sige lang mag-usap lang kayo. Hindi ko naman naririnig.

Sila nasa likod ko nagu-usap usap habang ako nandito nakahiga sa harap nila.

Umupo naman ako at humarap sa kanila saka ngumiti. Nagulat naman sila.

"Kung tinatanong niyo na lang ako hindi na kayo magi-isip. Nagpapakahirap pa kayo sa buhay niyo e." Sarkastikong saad ko. Napairap naman 'yung isa.

"May chismosa ba na tinatanong doon sa mismong pinag chi-chismisan kung anong kwento o nangyari." Maarteng saad niya.

Agad namang siniko siya nung isa na kasama niya. Napairap na rin lang ako.

"Depende kung tanga ka." Pangbabara ko.

"Oo anak ako nina Mr and Mrs Albrecht. At kapatid ko rin si Caleb." Pagmamayabang ko dahilan para mapalaki ang mga mata nila.

"Bakit hindi niyo ako kilala? Mga hunghang kasi kayo." Dagdag ko pa.

"Joke lang syempre ehe, ganito na nga. Sa ibang bansa kasi muna ako tumira kaya shatap na." Pangtataray ko at saka umalis. Iniwan ko sila na nakatulala roon.

Habang naglalakad ako pauwi nakita ko na may naghahanap daw ng kasambahay at dahil nga boring ang aking buhay e mag a-apply ako at agad pinuntahan ang lugar na nakalagay. Sa kabilang kanto lang naman 'yun kaya okay na okay lang.

"Mag a-apply ako." Bungad ko roon sa lalaki na nagbukas ng gate.

"Mag a-apply ka?" Tanong nung lalaki na gulo-gulo ang buhok. Tumango naman ako. Agad niya rin akong pinapasok.

"Ilang taon?" Walang emosyong tanong niya. Halatang kakagising lang.

"25." Sagot ko.

"Pangalan?"

"Bella."

"Surname?"

"Sandigo."

"May experience?"

"Wala."

"Bakit ka mag a-apply bilang kasambahay?"

"Wala, gusto ko lang." Sagot ko dahilan para kunot noo siyang mapatingin sa akin.

"Paanong gusto mo lang? Naka inom ka ba ng gamot?" Tanong niya. Ako naman ang napakunot ng noo.

"Ano ako baliw? May sakit?"

"Depende sa 'yo. Malay mo diba." Pangbabara niya. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako.

"May Brgy Clearance ka?" Tanong niya ulit umiling naman ako.

"Bio-data?" Tanong niya, umiling naman ulit ako.

"Labas." Mahinahong saad niya at tumayo 'saka pilit din akong itinatayo.

"Ayaw ko nga, wala akong magawa sa buhay kaya tanggapin mo na ako!" Pagpupumilit ko. Siya naman ang napabuntong hininga.

"Paano kita tatanggapin e wala ka ngang kadala-dala!" Sigaw niya. Napasandal naman ako sa upuan.

"Bakit kailangan ba? Hindi ko naman alam, nabasa ko lang na kailangan daw ng kasambahay kaya dumiretso na ako rito hindi ko na rin binasa ang mga requirements." Kalmadong saad ko. Napahilamos naman siya sa mukha niya.

"Pera meron akong dala gusto mo? Ako pa magpasahod sa 'yo." Mayabang na saad ko. Tiningnan n'ya naman ako ng masama. Pogi na sana masungit lang.

"Hey, am i the one who need to cook?" I ask and pointed myself.

"You cook. You can do it. Not me." I curmudgeonly added. He can't do nothing against me so he stand up and cook for our lunch.

Of course he don't have any entitlement to errand me. Yes, I'm maid here but. Duh? He's so lucky to have me because I'm always here to be with him so he won't be lonely.

"You can now eat. Don't be shy. You don't have that. Kidding." He said while he's putting our food in the table. He's making fun of me again. I just smile and sat at the chair here at the dining room.

"Well, I don't care. Atleast i can now eat without doing nothing." I proudly said. He just laugh and sat beside me.

"Who are you? I mean the real you like, where are you from and what is the reason why you applied here?" He ask(ed) while scooping the rice.

"Me? I already told you who i am right? Uhm, where i came from? Maybe from earth? And why did i applied here? Nothing. I'm just bored and also. Broke asf."

"Uh huh? Ah. You looks like rich. For real." He said. I laugh because of what he just said.

"Me? You think I am rich? Nah, bro. Are you kidding me? If i am rich i don't need to work here."

"Ow, yeah! You have a point. Well, even when we first met i thought you're crazy." I immediately slap him at his arm. But he just laughed.

"How dare you! Can you see this face huh?!" I said. But he was just like acting like he was looking for something.

"Huh? Face? Where?" He asked. Slapped his arm again.

"See this! Look. I'm so beautiful! And then that was your first impression to me? How could y--" i stopped because he cover my mouth.

"Shiiii, it's very rude if we're eating and then we are having an argument. Just continue eating."

"You started!" I said. But he just laughed at me . I just continue eating.

"But, if you are not really rich and then why you didn't want to have your wage then?" He curiously ask.

"I just want to. And beside I don't now where i can spend it." I shortly answered.

"Family, to your family. Why you did not just give it to them?"

"They have their own money because they also have a work."

"Then, you don't really need to work here."

"Wow, can you make me leave here?" I ask while looking into his eyes but he just evaded his eyes. And fake a cough.

"After you're done washing go upstairs. You need to clean my room." Zachary said. He was about to leave when i suddenly grabbed his wrist.

"Where are you going? Come here. Help me to wash this dishes." I said. And gave the sponge to him.

"What? Just for the two glass, two spoon and fork, two small plates and plates. You need someone to help you?" He ask. I smiled at him and nodded. His reaction was just like done to his life.

"Then? Go, clean that all."

"Hey, I thought you gonna help me?"

"Yeah. I'm the one who will rinse those." I replied.

"You're the one who will clean my room." He said. I raise my eyebrows. "What? Don't you know that your room is so messy?"

"It's not."

"Well, you say so. So you can clean it by yourself." I said and smile. He look at me madly.

"Just kidding. You don't even know what is the joke huh."

"Why you worked here if you don't even obey your boss." He complained.

"My question is, are you giving me my wage?"

"My question is...... Are you accepting your wages?"

"Uh, no. But i said you just keep it for now!"

"Okay. Okay. I'm keeping it. Don't worry." He said and raise his both hands. Like he was surrendering.

"Just make sure. If it's lack i will kick you here. Even it's your house." I threatened.

"Wow. You are so scary." He said and wash his hands. 'coz he's already done washing the dishes.

"Come here. Help me to clean my room."

"Okay boss." I said and follow him.

"You can now start cleaning." I behest. He raised his eyebrows.

"Wow, you're really bizarre. I don't really know who is the boss here." He sarcastically said. He also smirk.

"Aisssssh, you're saying too much. Just start cleaning your room."

"Okay, let's be serious. I want to ask you some questions." Zachary said. I just nodded and sat at his bed.

"Go on."

"Do you have a boyfriend? Or you already had a boyfriend?"

"Ah, well honestly. I don't have one. And also I don't have an ex boyfriend too." I answered.

He just nodded "But do you have suitors?"

"Yeah. A lot."

"Weh? You sure? Maybe you're just day dreaming." He joked. I throw a pillow into him.

"Ouch! It's hurt. You're hurting me! I'm just asking." He pouted.

"It's really true, idiot!"

"Okay, okay. Just don't hurt me." He sadly said.

"It doesn't fit on you. You look like an idiot who's trying to be cute." I said.

"Ouch. Chill chill baby." He said. I show a disgusting look.

"Oh, before you react. That was my expression, reaction. Something like that. And also. It's just for the girl who's really beautiful. So shut up."

"Ah, so you're saying that I'm ugly, huh?" I irritably ask. And take the shoe beside me.

"No, that's not what I meant to say. Uh........"

"Haaaay. Let just stop this and just clean this room you know. You are right. It's so messy here."

"Good morning! If you want some food for free just come here! I'll give you!" I shouted at the rooftop. Some of the people who's walking looked at me. I just smiled at them and do the piece sign. Before i go downstairs i brush my teeth and gargle first. I also comb my hair. Well honestly i just do comb my hair sometimes.

I was about to go downstairs when i saw Zachary at the hallway.

"Oh, glad. You woke up so early today. What a miracle. I thought i was the one who's gonna cook our breakfast today." I said.

"Ow really? Yeah you always wake up so early but the question is. Are you really cooking?" He sarcastically asked. I just smile and continue going downstairs. I forgot that I don't really know how to cook.

I went straight into our pantry and look for the goods i can give to our neighbors before i go outside.

"There are some snacks here. I also open our refrigerator and saw some fruits and chocolates.

"Zach! Can i have these chocolates and fruits?" I shouted. And he just replied 'yes' so i pack it all and go outside.

"There you go. I'm sorry it's just a little bit 'cause we're not yet buying some groceries." I said to them. But they were very thankful.

"No, it's okay. This is too much." Aling Tess said. "Yeah. This is a big help." Aling Anny added. I am really close to them. I feels like we know each other for a long time.

"Uh, where's the kids?" I asked them. They have a children. "Still asleep." Aling Tess answered.

"Yeah, they wake up late when they don't have school." Aling Anny also answered. I nooded and smile. We just have some conversation before i go inside.

"Hey, Zach do you want to have a girlfriend?" I ask Zachary. He's cooking right now.

"No, I don't have time for that. Besides i already inlove with someone else." He replied.

"Oh, who's that girl?" I curiously ask. "Secret. You don't need to know."

"You are so selfish! Hey! I'm your friend right? Come on, don't be shy. Tell me!"

"No. You're so stickler. Just eat. I know you're hungry. After that we need to go to groceries and buy some foods. 'cause the foods left are just for lunch." He said. And put the foods in the table. He cooked fried rice, hotdog, egg, bacon and he also get bread and milk.

He also handed me a one glass of milk. "Thank you."

"Zach? I have a question." I said. After i finished eating.

"What it is? Go ahead." He answered. He's still eating.

"Why you live here? I mean why don't you just live in the condo? You are the only one living in this house right?"

"I just want to. And also, what do you mean by i am the only one who's living here?" He confusedly ask.

"Huh?"

"I'm not the only one who lives here. I'm with my grand mother." He seriously said. "Grand mother? I didn't even see her since the day i started working here. And also you said your grandma is already dead? She died because of a car accident when you're a kid?"

"What do you mean by you didn't see her? Look at your back. There she is." He said. I also look at the my back but i see nothing. I crease my forehead and look at him again.

"Are you kidding me?" I said but he's still serious. "I'm not. She's really here." He answered. It's suddenly send a shivers into me.

"Hey! Don't fool me! I'm kinda scared! Stop that joke. It's not funny!"

"No. I'm not joking. She's really here."

"Zach! Hey! Wtf!"

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." He laughed so loud and his face was red. I throw the spoon on him but he avoid it. Wtf. I'm scared as fvck.

"You look so scared. Haaay. Bella." I grabbed his hair and pull it really hard but he's still laughing. What's funny.