CHAPTER 3

Meeri's POV

Naalimpungatan ako nang maramdaman ang pangangati at panunuyo ng aking lalamunan. This must be the consequence of my travel from Japan since almost everyday I was outside going everywhere then got home wherein the weather totally dropped by.

Inalis ko ang kumot sa aking katawan at bumangon. Inayos ko rin ang aking buhok at lumabas na ng aking kwarto. Madilim at tahimik na ang paligid dahil hating gabi na rin. Isa pa, tatlong gabi na rin silang nagpa-party para sa pagbabalik ko. I hope this will be the last.

Pagkarating sa kusina ay kumuha ako ng maligamgam na tubig at uminom pero sa tingin ko ay wala iyong epekto. Kaya naman bago pa lumala ay uminom na ako ng gamot. Ayoko rin namang magkasakit since nakapag-apply na ako ng trabaho at tinanggap agad ako ng school kung saan ako huling nagturo. Magsisimula na ako on Monday, tomorrow to be exact.

I'm a teacher by the way. I graduated Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Math. Yeah math. I love math. Everyone about math is connected to the world and it was so beautiful and fun to learn, I guess.

"You can't sleep?"

Napatalon ako sa gulat nang marinig ang malalim na boses galing sa aking likuran at napabuntong-hininga. It was just Uncle Ilay.

"Nah, I think I'm having a sore throat," I answered with almost a cracked voice.

Natigil naman si Uncle Ilay at isinarado ang refrigerator pero may hawak itong tupperware, paniguradong ang graham na naman iyon. He really loves graham, especially if it was made by Mom. Ipagdadamot niya pa 'yan, kala mo aagawan.

"Is it because of the lavender—"

"Probably not," agaran kong sagot at naupo sa isang silya. Right, that lavender reminds me that night. Matapos ang pangyayaring iyon ay hindi na kami halos nagkausap ni Uncle Ilay. Well, I was busy hanging out with Rosie, then my application for work. He's busy too taking care some family business, and locking himself inside his room and didn't join us in the party even for once.

"If you're not planning to go back to your room, then let me prepare a tea for you."

Hindi naman ako umangal at nangalumbaba lang sa aking pwesto habang pinapanood siya. Binuksan nito ang ilaw at saka ko na lang napansin ang suot nito. He's wearing a gray sleeveless shirt and black track pants. Now I can see his bare muscles. He has tan skin even though their family were all white, well, I've onced mentioned that he's working some business but it's just a family business that he works if he's in a vacation or something.

'Cos Caesar Gresham, or Uncle Ilay, is a Captain in Navy. He loves working under the sun above the sea, sailing and traveling. So, no one can blame him for having a tan skin. Though, his skin tone still suits him well.

"By the way, Meeri," pagbubukas nito ng usapan at hinarap ako habang nakasandal ang pang-ibaba niyang katawan sa sink. "I know you're still struggling coping up about everything. So, if you feel sad or if you feel lonely, please do tell. I'm always here to hear your rants and problems."

Tumango-tango lang ako kahit na hindi masyadong nagproseso ang sinabi nito sa isip ko. I was busy admiring the view by looking at him. For Pete's sake, why did they brought me an Uncle that is hot like this?

"Uncle Ilay," pagtatawag ko naman sa kaniya na ikinataas ng kilay nito. "Aren't you going to find a girlfriend or a wife? Or maybe a mother to your kids. Well, I'm already 26 so if calculate it... you're already in your 40's—"

"I'm just 38 years old," pagtatama nito sa seryosong boses kaya naman mahina akong natawa. Mukha siyang naiinis dahil sa sinabi ko.

"Yeah? But I can't see any difference. You're almost 40."

"I just got 38 this year," pagtatama niya at bumuntong-hininga. "Don't make it sounds like I'm too old."

"'Cos you are, uncle."

Humalukipkip ito at tinalikuran ako kaya naman natawa na lang ako. Hindi nagtagal ay nagserve na ito ng tea na mainit-init pa kaya naman hinipan ko ang aking tasa bago sumimsim doon. To be honest, I hate tea. It taste... awful, smells gross, and everything. But not if it was made by Uncle Ilay. He's good at making it. It taste sweet, and smells good. By drinking this I guess I'll be okay tomorrow.

"By the way, you haven't given it to me yet," hayag ni Uncle Ilay kaya naman sinulyapan ko siya at kinunotan ng noo.

"Given what?"

"Pasalubong ko?"

Maibuga ko ang aking iniinom nang marinig ang sinabi nito. Humingi naman ako ng tawad dahil natalsikan siya at pinunasan ang aking bibig.

"I didn't bought you anything," pag-aamin ko at bumakas naman ang pagkadismaya sa kaniyang mukha. "Well, I didn't know you'll ask for that. I thought you don't need anything since you can afford everything you want. And also, you've been traveling around the world. You saw and buy a lot of beautiful stuff rather than I am. I just came from Japan." Pinilit kong magtunog na reasonable kahit na ang tanging sagot lang doon ay wala akong pasalubong para sa kaniya.

"Yeah?" Nakataas ang kanang kilay nito habang nakatingin sa akin. "But I want everything if it comes from you. You should just gave to me that bottled water. I'll keep that until I die."

I burst into laugh. "That's the creepiest thing you'll do to your niece's gift."

Hindi na ito umimik pero halata pa rin sa kaniyang mukha ang pagkadismaya. Nang maubos ko na ang tea sa aking baso ay pinalagyan ko ulit iyon sa kaniya na agaran niyang ginawa. Pagkaabot niya ng baso ay binitbit ko na iyon at tumayo.

"I didn't buy anything for you but I buyed a lot of stuff. You can come and take a look."

Pinatay muna nito ang ilaw bago kami naglakad paakyat ng hagdan hanggang sa makarating sa aking kwarto. Inilapag ko muna ang baso sa study table ko at nilapitan ang maleta ko. Binuksan ko iyon at tumambad agad ang sandamakmak na gamit at pagkain. Well, I kept this all for myself. I'm so addicted to their food and cutie stuff, but this was delivered in a box since hindi kasya sa bag ko.

"Mamili ka na lang riyan at 'yon na ang pasalubong ko. Dibale, marami naman akong binili. If you hate cute stuff then choose these tasty foods," turan ko pero hindi lang siya umimik at tumingin-tingin doon.

Hinayaan ko naman siyang kalkalin iyon habang nagtungo ako sa aking study table. Naupo ako sa silya at inuubos ang tea. Hindi nagtagal ay tumayo na si Uncle Ilay kaya naman bumalik sa kaniyang direksyon ang aking atensyon.

"May napili ka na?" untag ko pero pagkaharap nito ay wala siyang hawak na kahit na ano.

"I just inspected it and noticed that you just buyed a lot of unnecessary and unhealthy stuff," anito kaya naman sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. Minsan din talaga ay hindi ko gusto ang mga lumalabas sa bibig niya.

He talk like he's my father.

No.

He's been acting like my father ever since I was a kid even though we just have a 12 years gap in age. Dad wasn't a good father before and he just came back to us in my 14th birthday. But still, he protected me and guide me like he was my real father in his young age.

"At least they're cute," pagrarason ko at huminga ng malalim bago tumayo upang harapin siya. "Now, if you hate 'em all I don't give a f*ck. You may take your leave—"

I was stunned because of what he did next.

"That will do," sambit nito sa mahinang boses, pagtutukoy sa pasalubong, bago siya naglakad paalis ng aking kwarto.

Napakurap-kurap naman ako at nilingon ang pinto. Sarado na iyon at wala na ang kaniyang bakas, pero... what the hell is that?

I touched my lips.

He... he kissed me directly on my lips.