Play Pretend

Chapter 18

#OLAPlayPretend

Chapter 18
Gown

Another day, another play pretend.

Mabilis akong napalabas sa kwarto nang matanggap ko ang text ni Xaiver. He said he was five minutes away from our house. Kahit medyo may kalayuan pa siya, lalabas na ako para agad kaming makaalis at hindi na niya kailangang maghintay.

I was afraid that my mother would find out even before we broke the news to her. Baka magtaka siya kung bakit may mamahaling sasakyan na sumundo sa akin. I was already lucky that she didn't get to see Xaiver driving me home last night. Hindi pa ako handa sa magiging pag-uusap namin.

"Aalis ka?"

Napatalon ako nang biglang madinig si Mama. Kalalabas niya lang ng banyo at bagong ligo. She was supposed to be taking siesta at this time of the day, pero mukhang huli na ata siya sa schedule niyang routine. Nataon pa talaga kung kailan ako aalis.

"Opo. May pupuntahan lang," nag-aalangan kong sagot. "Huwag ninyo na po akong ipagluto ng hapunan. Sa labas na rin ako kakain."

Xaiver told me we were eating outside after our visit to Manière. Ayaw ko namang masayang lang ang lulutuin ni Mama.

"Gagabihin ka?"

"Uh, opo..."

Bahagyang naningkit ang mga mata niya. "Nakahanap ka na ba ng trabaho?"

Napalunok ako. I didn't expect her to ask me about that. Siguro ay nahahalata niya nang hindi na ako abala samantalang halos baliktarin ko na ang mundo nitong mga nagdaang buwan para lang makahanap ng trabaho.

"Hindi pa po, uhm—" Natigil ako nang tumunog ang cellphone ko. My eyes widened slightly, and I was horrified to see Xaiver's name on the screen.

He's here!

"Uh, Ma, mamaya na po tayo mag-usap. Kailangan ko na pong umalis." Nagmadali ako sa paglapit upang yakapin at halikan siya sa gilid ng ulo. "Tawagan ninyo na lang po ako kapag nagkaproblema rito sa bahay."

After flashing a smile, I briskly walked out of our house. Wala sa mismong tapat ng bahay namin ang sasakyan ni Xaiver. I found him waiting next door. Medyo nakahinga ako nang maluwag dahil doon. Alam na alam niya talaga kung ano ang dapat gawin at hindi mo na siya kailangan pang sabihan.

Madaling-madali ako sa pagpasok sa kanyang sasakyan para lang hindi makita ni Mama. I felt like a teenager hiding a relationship with her boyfriend from her parents. Nagtatago dahil bawal pang magka-boyfriend. Nagtatago dahil baka mapagalitan.

"How's your day?" bungad na tanong ni Xaiver nang makaayos ako sa sasakyan.

"Uhm... Ayos lang," sagot ko habang nagsusuot ng seatbelt.

"Have you eaten already?"

"Kaninang lunch..."

"Good."

My eyes narrowed in confusion. I found it weird that he was asking me basic questions. Hanggang doon lang din ang tinagal ng pag-uusap namin. Xaiver grew quiet, and so did I.

Our lips were shut until we reached Manière. The skies had turned orange and violet, hinting at the darkness about to take over and rule the night. I just kept my eyes on the side of the road and witnessed how time flew without doing anything. I calmly sat quietly on my seat while Xaiver drove us to our destination. He had the wheel, and I was just his passenger.

"Are you ready?" tanong ni Xaiver nang mai-park ang sasakyan sa tapat ng Manière.

Tumango ako at ngumiti. I forced a smile because I had to start acting bago ko pa makalimutan ulit. I learned my lessons yesterday. Xaiver warned me to perform better. Hindi puwedeng makahalata si Diego dahil kaibigan siya ni Mrs. Dela Vega. I had to keep my expressions in check the whole time.