Monasterio Series #3: One More Night

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

"No work?" si Kuya Tobias na kakapasok lang sa pool area.

Umiling ako habang ang mga mata ay nakatuon sa tirik na araw. I can stare directly to it because of my sunglasses. Tahimik akong nagbuga ng hangin.

"I'm not feeling well, kuya."

"Hmm, you're not feeling well so you're soaking yourself under the sun?"

"Yeah, I badly need this."

Naupo si Kuya Tobias sa sun lounger sa tabi ko. From my peripheral vision, I saw him pick some potato chips on the table and placed it inside his mouth before leaning his back against the chair.

"What exactly are you feeling today?" he asked.

"Just a little bit of head ache and body pain."

"Have yourself checked. You might caught the virus."

Nilingon ko siya at sinamaan ng tingin. He's looking at the pool area, face void of any humorous emotion. He's just wearing a casual clothers today — denim jeans and white plain shirt. Mukhang hindi rin magtatrabaho ang isang ito.

"I am not infected. Nakikipag social distancing ako, ano!"

He chuckled. "The Monasterio Virus, have you finally learned how to distance yourself from him?"

Inirapan ko siya. "Panira ka ng araw, kuya. Bakit ba nadadalas ka dito sa atin? Wala ka na naman sigurong mabiktimang babae."

"You know I never played with girls, princess. That's not my forte."

"Asus! Siyempre sila na ang kusang lumalapit sa'yo. Palusot nito," asik ko. "O, e bakit ka nga narito?"

I heard him release a sigh. "Just wanna check you. Heard from mother that you're acting strange these past few days."

Wala sa sarili akong napakamot sa aking noo.

"She's just exaggerating. Alam mo naman 'yon."

Silence stretched for a little while. Alam kong hanggang ngayon ay iniisip pa rin ni Mommy na ginugulo pa rin ni Zadriel ang isipan ko. She may be right. That asshole is still running inside my head until now. Kahit pa paunti-unti ko naman nang tinatanggap sa sarili ko na hindi talaga kami puwede.

Gusto kong magpaka-bitchesa at sunggaban na lang si Zadriel pero paano naman si Diarrhea? I don't want to ruin anybody's life just because of my surging emotions. Alam kong lilipas rin naman ito, mawawala at hindi na babalik pa kagaya ng nararamdaman ko para kay Cade. Ganoon rin si Zadriel. He's gonna make it. We just have to buy time... patiently.

"I heard that he's about to settle down with his girlfriend." Kuya snapped me out of my thoughts.

"I heard, too."

"Is that the reason why you're suddenly feeling unwell?"

Natawa ako. "What made you think of that? Sumama lang talaga ang pakiramdam ko. I had a drink last night. Hang over lang ito. Huwag kang oa diyan!"

"Kuya mo ako, magkapatid tayo. Alam ko ang bawat likaw ng bituka mo..." puno ng awtoridad na sabi niya, ganoon pa man ay ramdam ko ang pagaalala. "Just know that I'm always here for you, Tate. I would fucking ditch anything just in case you need me."

I smirked and glanced at him. "Kahit pa sakaling may ka-sex ka?"

He laughed and slowly shook his head. "Yeah, even that."

Somehow, the presence of Kuya Tobias helped me not to think too much about Zadriel. Dahil abala sa kanya-kanyang trabaho ay minsan lang rin kami nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon na magusap. Nga lang, dahil sa sitwasyon na kinasangkutan ko ay napapadalas na siya dito. He must be really worried about me. He's just not that showy... just like me.