Chapter 5

"Hija, sumalo ka rine sa amin," Grandma offered when I walked downstairs.

My mother was busy feeding Sofia while Grandma ate on her own. Doesn't Grandma need more help than Sofia?

I rolled my eyes and walked to Grandma. "I'll help you eat."

Naupo ako sa tabi niya at kinuha ang kutsara na nasa kamay niya.

"Hindi na, apo. Matatapos na rin ako rine. Mag-umagahan ka na."

I raised a brow. "Okay."

Tahimik akong kumuha ng hotdog at banana sa harap ko.

"Leave the hotdogs for Sofia. Eat the bananas and bacon, Claudia," my mother interfered.

Ibinagsak ko ang kutsara ko. It made a noise on the table that made her mad.

"Of course, you forgot. I hate bacon as much as I hate you."

"Kayo talagang mag-ina, magka-ugaling magka-ugali kayo, kaya iyan...lagi na lang kayong nagbababag," Grandma voiced out.

I lowered my head and laughed so loud it made me cry. I lifted my chin and gave my mother a sullen stare.

"I hate that it's true. Sana kay Dad na lang ako nagmana," I despised.

"Claudia Francesca Villareal. Huwag na huwag kang magsasalita ng ganiyan sa harap ko."

I folded my arms and scoffed. I turned at Grandma.

"I hate my mother," I mocked.

Hindi ko na hinintay pa ang susunod na sasabihin nila at dumeretso na ulit sa kwarto ko. I got my phone and ran downstairs.

"Claudia, you have online classes later. You have to go back before lunch."

"Fine!" I answered back.

The sun hit my face right after I went outside. Bumama ako sa porch patungo sa likod ng bahay. I walked meters away until I saw the sand. I removed my slippers and held on to them until I'm in the water. I splashed my feet and screamed when the waves hit my legs. I laughed.

"Ganda mo pala kapag nakangiti, e!"

Napatingin ako sa lalaking lumapit sa akin. It's the pakialamero guy again. Tinarayan ko siya at nagpatuloy sa pagtampisaw sa dagat.

"Buti hindi ka pa umaalis dito."

I turned to him. "Can you shut up?"

"Ayaw ko, e," he blurted out with a laugh.

Napailing na lang ako. I covered my face from the sun and continued playing in the water.

"Kumusta si Lola Penya? Nagsusulat pa rin ba?"

"Why don't you just ask Grandma? And how did you know her?"

Humarap ako sa kanya at binigyan siya ng isang makabuluhang tingin.

"'Di ga tinutulungan ko si Lola Penya sa pagbubuhat ng mga magbibigat na bagay do'n. Hindi ba ako ikinukuwento ni Lola?"

I nibbled on my bottom lip.

"I'm not interested in your story, anyway."

"Mukha nga. Lamig mo, e. Nabasa mo na ba ang mga isinusulat ni Lola?"

Those are stories?

"No. I don't like reading."

Tumango-tango siya at mas lumapit pa. Sumama siya sa pagtatampisaw ko sa tubig.

"Nakapagtataka. Hindi ka magmana sa mama mo? Ang sabi ni Lola, mahilig daw magbasa ang mama mo no'ng dalaga pa siya."

I grew cold on what he said. Why does everything have to do with her?

"Then I'll swear I'm not going to read a book in my life."

"Bakit?"

I put my hands on my hips and gazed at Jason. He looked curious and bothered by my stare.

"Can we not talk about her? Please?"

"Sa isang kondisyon."

I rolled my eyes and raised my hands in defeat.

"Liligawan kita."

My eyes dilated. Does he like me? I blinked repeatedly and cleared my throat. That's unexpected.

"Pagkatapos mo 'kong asarin, sa tingin mo hahayaan kitang maging suitor ko?"

I watched him shrugged and looked cool after I rejected him.

"Sige. Kaibigan na lang?"

I squinted my eyes and didn't reply. Napatingin ako sa hawak kong phone. Tristan is calling me. Why would he? I didn't answer it.

"Tell you what, can you pretend to be my boyfriend in front of Mom?"

"Anong makukuha ko?"

Hmm...I don't like this guy though. I don't want to be in a relationship either. I wanted Mom to go nuts and let me go.

"Fine. I'll let you court me."

Sa huli ay pumayag siya sa favor ko. I planned with him what we'll do later.

"When we're in front of her, you'll say goodbye and kiss me."

He nodded with enthusiasm.

"Sa labi ba? Hindi ba magagalit ang mama mo?"

Umiling ako agad. "That's the point. Gusto ko siyang magalit at who knows? Maybe I'll leave this place in an instant."

"Sutil."

I giggled. I can't wait.

Later at lunch, I decided to go to the house.

"Hawakan mo ako sa likod," utos ko kay Jason.

Tumingin siya sa akin.

"Go."

When we're on the porch, Jason sneaked his arms on my waist. I can't deny that I felt excited and nervous at the same time. Jason is a stranger even we're childhood playmates back then. I don't care about that now. I just want to go home to Dad.

We both entered the house. My eyes darted to my mother and Sofia. Tinapik ko si Jason bilang signal na mag-uumpisa na kami.

I faced him.

"Una na ako, Claui," he began.

I somewhat feel that he's serious about this plan. So, I held his face and let him inched forward. One...

"Claudia! What are you doing?" my mother interrupted.

Hindi na natuloy ang plinano namin. That's a good thing. It was easy to get on her nerves. Inalis ko sa mukha ni Jason ang kamay ko pati na rin ang kanyang bisig sa baywang ko.

"Thank you, Jason."

Tumango siya at mabilis na umalis. Pagharap ko kay Mom ay natanggap ko agad ang malakas na sampal galing sa kanya. She towered over me and her eyes were fuming mad. I'm enjoying this.

I caressed my cheek and faced her again. My heart is cold which made my body numb from it. A slap isn't a big deal.

"Ganito ba ang itinuro namin sa iyo ng ama mo? How could you do this to me?! This an embarrassment!"

I snorted. It made her face red.

"Hindi ko alam kung bakit mo ito ginagawa sa akin, Claudia? Did you hate me this much? I'm your mother!"

"I hate you so much that I'm doing this to be out of here! I hate it here!"

She groaned. I watched her lower her head and massaged her forehead.

"I don't want to fight with you. You're a teenager. You have the right to hate me. Pack your bag. I'll send you to your father."

I watched her turned her back on me. I felt the bitterness and the pain this situation is giving me. I sighed in defeat but actually, I won.

I saw the door was opened to the attic. Grandma must be in there again. Instead of packing my bag, I went to the attic to talk to her. I think I like talking with my grandmother rather than Mom.

I saw her sitting in her chair in front of the table.

"Writing again?" I started.

Binalingan niya ako. "Nag-away na naman ba kayong mag-ina?"

Irony. I giggled and walked beside her.

"What are you writing? Is that worth it? No one reads your books or whatever."

"Iyan din ang sinasabi sa akin ni Josefina noon. Wari ko'y tumigil din nang mabasa 'tong sinusulat ko. Baka gusto mong subukan, apo?"

"I don't want to talk about Mom. Can we talk about your first love?"

I heard her laugh. She stopped writing in her notebook and looked at me. I could see her wrinkles while she smiled at me, there's a mole just an inch from her left eye. Her eyes were black like the ink of her pencil.

"Nakilala ko si Boston nang magbakasyon kami rito ng aking pamilya sa Nasugbu. Mahilig siyang maglangoy roon sa dagat samantalang ako'y aayaw. Ngunit wala akong kalaro noon kaya't napipilitan akong sumama sa kaniya. Buntot niya ako, ika nga."

"Buntot? What does that mean? So, you have a crush on Grandpa the first time?"

We laughed together.

"Ganoon na nga. Hindi iyon nawala hanggang sa naging dalaga at binata na kaming dalawa ng lolo mo. Naalala ko pa noon, ang hilig nami'y magbasa ng mga libro ng ama niya rito. Nagbabasa kami, nagpapahinga sa dalampasigan, at nagkukulitan. Walang makapipigil sa aming kasiyahan noon."

"Who liked who first?"

"Siguro'y siya. Nang mag-aral ako rito ng hayskul, hindi na kami gaanong nag-uusap ni Boston. Ang kasama ko noo'y mga babae at siya naman ay mga lalaki. Nagkakahiyaan na rin sapagkat nagdalaga at nagbinata na. Ngunit nang mayroong magtanong sa akin upang manligaw ay bigla na lang siyang sumulpot na parang kabute. Aniya'y kaniya lamang daw ako."

"Oh, my gosh!"

I could see in Grandma's eyes that she's enjoying her reminisce. I bet she missed him so much.

"Si Boston ang una at huling lalaki na aking minahal..."

She smiled with sad eyes. I could feel her loneliness. I went to her and wrapped my body around my grandma.

"Wherever Grandpa was, I'm sure he's happy watching you reminisce your moments together. Thank you for sharing this with me, Grandma."

I felt her squeezed my arms as we hugged each other.

"Masaya ako't hiniling kong pumarito ka. Alam kong ikaw ang sagot sa mga dalangin ko, Claudia. Nagpapasalamat na ako sa 'yo agad. Maraming salamat, apo."

I may not know what she's saying, I do feel we have a deep connection between us. I accepted her gratitude.

"You're welcome, Grandma."