Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Sunshine

 

The next day, rays of sunlight woke me up. I had to get up quickly because I had to go to university today. After I finished my morning routine in the bathroom, I went to the balcony and did my morning stretching. But as I stretched my shoulder, I noticed someone inside my yard. Pinaliit ko ang aking mga mata dahil hindi ko maaninag ang taong iyon sa sobrang tindi ng sikat ng araw.

 

Si Skye! 

 

"Hi! Maayong buntag!" she yelled, waving her hands while swinging on an old tyre hung from a narra tree. "Come out! Please push me! I'm with your baby!"

 

Pinaliit kong muli ang mga mata ko habang nakalagay ang kamay ko sa noo ko. She's wearing a facemask; my cat is on her lap; and he's wearing a...

 

A facemask?!

 

What the hell!

 

"Can you fucking take off his facemask?" Galit na sigaw ko. Ang aga-aga, hina-highblood niya ako. Mabigat ang mga hakbang kong bumaba sa spiral staircase na nakakonekta dito sa taas at sa malawak na bakuran. Nag-iinit ang ulo ko habang lumalapit ako sa kanya.

 

As I approached her, the sunrays hit her white flowy dress, causing her to shine brightly like the sun. Nanaginip ba ako? Bakit kumikinang siya sa sikat ng araw?

 

Naglakad ako palapit sa kanya.

 

Salubong ang kilay kong inagaw mula sa kanya ang aking pusa at inalis. "What do you need this time? Ang aga-aga narito ka na naman!"

 

"I'm swinging," she laughed, saddling up from the floor and swinging the old tyre.

 

"Umuwi ka na nga! Ang sakit mo sa mata!"

 

"Napakadamot mo naman. Nakikiswing lang, e!

 

I turned my back on her, and she quickly followed me until I entered my own house.

 

Napaatras siya nang muli ko siyang harapin. Napahawak siya sa dibdib niya habang malaki ang mga matang nakatingin sa akin. "Sinisira mo ang araw ko, sa totoo lang." Inis akong tumalikod muli. Inilapag ko si Skye sa kaniyang kama at nilagyan ng bagong tubig at canned tuna ang dalawang feeding bowls niya.

 

"I got him a toy," she said, pointing at the sofa. It's a cat toy fishing pole. "I heard from a friend that cats like to play with that, just in case he wants to play while you're busy with something else."

 

Tiningnan ko lang iyon. I didn't say anything.

 

Kahit noong pumunta ako sa kusina ay sumunod pa rin siya. "What exactly do you want?" I snarled at her.

 

"Wala. Nakikikapitbahay lang," she smiled cutely.

 

Napailing na lang ako. I poured myself a glass of warm milk and drank it right away. Inilabas ko rin ang karne ng baboy para i-thaw ko for my lunch. Ang inihanda ko naman para sa breakfast ay itlog at vegetable salad. I don't eat rice in the morning.

 

"What?!" I yelled at her again, stopping myself from chewing the lettuce. Tahimik niya kasi akong pinapanood habang kumakain ako, and it makes me uncomfortable.

 

Seryoso siyang nangalumbaba sa harap ko gamit ang dalawa niyang kamay. "Alam mo ba—"

 

"Ayaw kong malaman," putol ko.

 

She laughed, and those little giggles tickled my ear. Muli ko siyang kinunotan ng noo. 

 

"Sige na kasi. Nagkukuwento ako, e!" She pouted, which made her adorable. I churned out that concept. She's not cute; she's an annoyance!

 

Tumahimik ako at ipinagpatuloy ang pagkuha ng fresh tomatoes sa salad ko.

 

"Alam mo ba? I used to come here when I was younger, mga grade school ganun."

 

My brow rose.

 

"Dati may matandang lalakeng nakatira rito. I used to sleep pa nga noon here, e. Then I would swing over there!" Maliwanag ang mukha niyang itinuro ang kinaroroonan ng duyan. "Tapos kapag pinagagalitan ako ni mommy, I would run over here. Then kapag nakatulog na ako, lolo would carry me home, sleeping in his shoulder. Kaso bigla siyang nawala. Ni hindi nagpaalam sa akin," she pouted. Pero ngumiti ulit. "Kaya alam ko kung saan tinatago ni Lolo ang susi ng bahay na 'to. Kaya ako nakapasok kanina," pagmamalaki pa niya.

 

"Did you know I could sue you for trespassing?"

 

Siya naman ang nagtaas ng kilay. "Okay. Sue me." Tila nanghahamon niyang sabi.

 

Ipinikit ko ang aking mga mata ng ilang segundo at huminga ng malalim, calming my inner self. "That old man you're talking about died in the States, and he's my grandfather."

 

Her eyes were slightly sad. "When I was young, mommy also told me that he died na nga. Kaya pala magkahawig kayo, pareho ding blue ang mga mata ninyo." She leaned in close, putting her hands on the table, exposing her cleavage, and damn! She had nice, round melons.

 

Pumikit ako. "Please go home," I said coldly to her. Baka kapag hindi ko ito sinungitan, buong araw niya akong bubulabugin.

 

"Hmp! Parehas kayo ni lolo noong unang dating niya dito. Masungit din pero napaamo ko." Tumayo siya at itinulak papasok sa mesa ang inupuan niya. "Babalik ako rito... Bleeh!" she said, sticking her tongue out to mock me and storming away.

 

Eighteen na siya niyan?

 

After eating my lunch, I took a shower, changed into my business suit, and drove all the way to the University around two o'clock in the afternoon.

 

"We're delighted to have you here, Professor McConaughey. Let's go this way; I'll introduce you to the faculty members." Mr. Liberato, the Interim President of the University, assisted me. We then went to the Faculty of Business Administration.

 

Ipinakilala niya ako sa kanila, and I shake hands with each of them. I am very aware of my good looks and well-built physique, so I am already accustomed to the stares that they are giving me.

 

Then we went on a campus tour. He showed me the cafeteria, laboratory, auditorium, recreation area, and library.

 

"So, I'll see you on Monday?"

 

"I'm looking forward to it, sir," I respectfully stated before we parted ways.

 

When I got home, I prepared some lectures for my students a day and a week ahead of time. This will make me feel more prepared and in control as I embark on my new adventure in Santander.