Marry Me, Mary

Kabanata XXII: A Very Weird Friendship

A very weird question but I answered anyway, "yes,"

"Really?" hindi makapaniwala niyang banggit. "Tears of joy?" I laugh at that.

"Maybe," kibit-balikat kong sagot. "We've created a very weird friendship today, won't you agree?" nangingiti kong sabi. Munti pa 'kong napalundag dahil haplos haplos niya ngayon ang maliit niyang kutsilyo.

"I agree. The moment when you said you like the Thoughtless series, I knew we can be friends, but you have Zac, and he's mine, I hate that you're making me jealous. My child likes you as well which makes me hates you even more. I really wanted to kill you."

"Your honesty really surprises me, Honey."

"I'll take that as a compliment," tumingin siya sa kalangitan. "How do you want to die, Mary?"

I gulp. Is she now planning to kill me right now? Or if not now, later?

"Don't be silly. I am just asking," she said as if reading my thoughts.

"Oh," I said in relief. "Sleep and never woke up."

"That kind of death they say is only for good people. Are you one of those good people?"

"Yes. No. Maybe." Kibit-balikat kong sabi.

"If you don't cry when I died, I'll be your nightmare. It's a promise."

"Please don't say that, Honey," sinsero kong sabi.

Ngumiti siya, patuloy pa ring nakatingin sa kalangitan, "You're worried. I hate you. Why you still care for me? Why you are so...kind?"

"Because it's me and I like you and it's weird."

"Yeah, you think that we're a friend which makes it weirder."

"Don't deny that you also see me as a friend now," balik ko sa kanya. Muli niyang inilabas ang kutsilyo niya, muli na namang nangatog ang tuhod ko.

"I still have my demons, Mary. I am still sick. Still crazy," tumayo na siya mula sa kinauupuan niya. "But it was nice to finally make your acquaintance."

"Now that is so old Eng – hey, don't tell me you like English historical romance as well? I mean, yes, you're from England but –"

"Damn," nailing niyang banggit habang amuse na nakatingin sa'kin. "I hate it when we have something similar, Mary Christmas." Humakbang na siya palayo at sa'kin ngunit lumingon din makalipas ng ilang segundo.

"Julia Quinn!" sigaw niya bago tuluyang pumasok sa loob. Hindi ko na nasabing nabasa ko na rin halos lahat ng nobela niya.

Wew! This evening is so weird but cool and...memorable.

***

Alas nuebe na ng gabi. Marami pa ring mga tao, ang mga bata ay nagsiuwian na kasama ng kanilang mga magulang. Si Kellan ay nasa kwarto nila Mama, doon muna pinatulog. Napagod din sa kalalaro kasama ng mga new found friends niya – ang dami na rin niyang admirers take note. Magsama silang dalawa ni Zac. Hmpf.

Ang huli naming pag-uusap ni Zac kanina ay noong nasa harapan si Mama para sa speech niya, sa harap ng pagkainan kasama ng mga magulang namin. Matapos noon ay wala na, dahil naging abala na siya sa pag-alaga kay Kellan. Wala rin naman akong sa mood kumausap ng ibang tao, nakita ko si Honey na mag-isa kaya sinamahan ko kanina.

Nagpaalam na pala siyang umuwi kaila Mama't Papa matapos naming mag-usap. Galing ako sa kusina upang kumuha ng graham at bumalik sa pwesto namin ni Honey upang doon tahimik na kumain. Kung gusto mo lang magmasid para sa mga kaganapan sa loob ay perfect spot 'to.