Kabanata 10
Panyo
I eat shyly because of Ravi's gazed. Napapairap na lang ako habang kumakain. Luella cleared her throat.
The sun shines brightly but the fresh wind of Nueva Ecija neutralize the heat.
"Ravi, gusto mo pa ba? Marami pang pagkain sa loob."
"Salamat, Luella. Kukuha na lang ako kung gusto ko pa." tumango si Luella at ipinagpatuloy niya ang pag-inom sa juice na hawak niya.
Mabuti na lang at narito siya. I feel so uncomfortable of Ravi's presence.
"Uh.. anong oras ka uuwi, Rowan?" Luella asked.
"Kahit anong oras, wala naman akong gagawin ngayon." she nodded.
Pinagmasdan ko ang kilos niya at mukhang naiirita na siya. I want to ask her why but I didn't voice it out.
"Marami ka bang gagawin, Ravi? I mean mga projects.. meetings," Ravi stopped chewing his food. He licked his lips before talking.
"Oo. Abala ako, gusto ko na sulitin ang pagiging Mayor bago may pumalit sakin."
I riased my brows, unconciously.
"Bakit? Hindi kana tatakbo ulit?"
"Nope. I want to continue my profession."
"Ha? Oo nga pala. Pasado ka nga pala sa board. Magkaibigan nga kayo ni Otis." napalingon ako kay Luella. "Kilala mo si Otis diba, Rowan?"
"Tolliver Ciervo? Iyong gwapo?" I asked.
"Oo, gwapo talaga iyon! Pinagkakaguluhan nga ng mga dalaga iyon, e. Alam mo ba, nang nalaman nilang nag top-2 sa board si Otis? Pinilahan ng mga babae sa bahay nila para i-congratulate!" medyo namangha ako.
"Top 2? Wow," hindi ko alam ang sasabihin. Kita ko ang pag-ngisi ni Ravi.
"Oo!" she sxclaimed. "Pero alam mo ba kung sino ang number 1?" she smiled widely. Umiling ako. "Syempre, no other than our poging Mayor Ravi!" she bargain.
Ravi chuckled. He looks like he loved to be the center of attraction. He looked at me with a smirked on his face.
I smiled nasally.
"Mukhang 'yan topnotcher? Baka nangopya ka kay Tolliver?" natawa ako sa sinabi. Sa huli ay humalakhak ako.
"Hindi naman, Rowan. Matalino talaga si Ravi."
"Whatever, Luella. Sige kampihan mo siya."
"Hindi naman, Rowan. Ipinagtatanggol ko lang si Mayor!" she giggled.
Ngumuso ako.
I don't know why she is so into him. I just noticed it today. It looks like she has something for Ravi or maybe because she just respect him as a Mayor? But why she's calling him in his name? The last time, she always addressed him as mayor but now, it feels so odd. Sabagay, magkapitbahay naman sila.
Nagkibit-balikat na lang ako at nagpatuloy sa pagkain. I am just not sure if I am eating the food or just swallowing them.
I just stayed for more than one hour to catch up with my friend, Luella.
May mga dumating na kaibigan ni Luella. They are kind and approachable. Si Ravi naman ay nakita kong nagpaalam na kalahating oras bago ako umalis.
"Bye, Rowan." they said in unison.
Kumaway ako at ngumiti. Maingay at makukulit ang mga kaibigan ni Luella. They are fun to be with.
When I was about to go inside my car, I saw Ravi with a man. The man turned his head at me, because Ravi was looking at me. He punched Ravis arm playfully. I can see how they smile.
