Stranger Next Door

CHAPTER 5

"Keith! You're here!" Ate Khaytelyn smiled awkwardly when she saw Keith standing beside me.

"Ate, I invited him for dinner. He also said that he's willing to cook for us. That's amazing, don't you think? Hindi tayo kakain ng instant noodles ngayon!" I almost jumped because of excitement.

Ate Khaytelyn's face become dull.

"Ganyan ka na ba talaga kasawa sa noodles ha, Bella?" napailing iling na lang siya. "O siya! Pumasok na tayo, madilim na dito sa labas."

After we entered the house, Keith asked us what dish would we like him to cook. Nag-away pa kami ni Ate kung chopseuy o Carbonara but in the end, I won.

Palagi na nga kaming naka-noodles tapos magka-carbonara pa?

"Can you teach me how to cook, Keith?" I asked him while he's too busy slicing the cabbage.

"Syempre naman! Para naman hindi na kayo araw-araw naka-noodles o kaya fastfood." pang-aasar niya. "Kailan mo gustong turuan?"

"It's up to you." I answered. "We can do it anytime. We're just living on the same subdivision."

He just smiled.

Everytime he's smiling, he looks like an innocent person. Kapag naman nagseseryoso siya, parang bad boy. Well, that's my type, 'yong may pagka-badboy thingy.

"I almost forgot, bukas na pala ang first day natin. Did you already buy school supplies?" he asked.

"Oh, shoot! I forgot." napatapik na lang ako sa noo.

"No worries. Kanina, bumili na ako. Dennis told me." Ate Khaytelyn showed us the school supplies she bought.

"Naks naman, ate. Always ready." pang-aasar ni Keith sa kanya.

Hinayaan ko ng magluto si Keith sa kusina. Tinulungan ko naman si Ate Khaytelyn sa pag-aayos ng gamit namin bukas. She also bought new bags for us. How sweet.

"By the way, how's your date with Kuya Dennis?"

"I told you, it's not a date." she seems serious but I just laughed.

"Oh, c'mon. Spill the tea." pangungulit ko. "Did you enjoyed that much to the point that you want to hide what happened?"

"No, I didn't enjoy." tipid niyang sabi.

Base on how she speak, there's something bad happened. She's too silent right now. That's not the Ate Khaytelyn I used to know.

"You know, you can tell me what happened. I'll listen." I hold her hands and she smiled bitterly.

"I just want to ask you something, Bella." she said.

I raised both of my eyebrows, telling her to continue speaking.

"Is it possible to fall inlove with a person even you didn't know him well? Like, love at first sight? Do you think, love at first sight is real?" I was a bit uncomfy of her question.

Noon pa man kasi, naniniwala akong hindi totoo ang 'Love at First Sight.'

How can you fall inlove base on that person's physical appearance? That's bullsht. Love takes time, love grows, and you can't say that you love a person in just a snap of a finger.

"Right. Hindi ka nga pala naniniwala." she sounded disappointed.

"Why? Are you inlove with Kuya Dennis?" I questioned her and she sighed.

No need for her answer. I guess it's a yes.

"How about ghosts? Do you believe in them?" my eyebrows met.

Bakit ba ang random ng mga tanungan niya ngayon?

Well, I believe in ghosts. Kaya nga everytime na may nararamdaman akong iba, pakiramdam ko laging may multo.

Though I'm afraid of ghosts, I am fond in watching paranormal activities, and horror movies. I'm really curious if ghosts do exist.

And if they really exist, what do we need to do for their soul to be at peace?

"I forgot. You like watching horror movies." wala sa sarili niyang sabi.

"Can you just tell me what you want to say, Ate?" kunot noo kong tanong. "No matter what it is, promise. I'll listen, I won't judge you nor Kuya Dennis."

She breathed heavily before continuing to speak. Ang lalim ng iniisip niya ngayon.

"Actually, hindi ko alam kung gusto ko siya pero alam mo 'yon, no'ng sinabi niya sa'kin na may nagugustuhan siya, masakit dito." She pointed at her heart, "It feels like someone stab me."

I became speechless. I'm just listening to her.

"What makes the situation more complicated is, he's inlove with a ghost. He keeps on telling me that the soul of his dead girlfriend is still here, talking to him and following him wherever he goes. Do you think it's creepy?" kahit ako, nabahala rin sa sinabi ni Ate.

Natigil kami sa pag-uusap ng tinawag kami ni Keith. He's done making the chopseuy. Ang bilis niyang magluto. Parang kanina lang, naghihiwa pa siya ng mga gulay.

We helped him organize the table and eat silently. The silence broke when Ate Khaytelyn suddenly speak.

"Keith. I have a question for you."

"Go on, Ate. What is it?" tanong ni Keith sa kanya habang hinihiwa yung steak.

"Habang nagluluto ka kanina, may napag usapan kami ni Bella."

"About what?" tumaas ang parehong kilay niya, "Love at first sight?"

"How did you know?" Ate Khaytelyn sounded curious.

"I heard the two of you talking about it." he laughed. "Kung balak mong tanungin ako kung naniniwala ako, oo ang sagot ko."

"Why? Why do you think love at first sight is possible?" ako ang nagtanong dala ng kuryosidad.

"At bakit naman hindi magiging posible? Admit it or not, there's always a scenario where you find that person attractive for the first sight. Am I right?" he seems mocking me.

Alam niya yatang hindi ako naniniwala diyan.

"But that doesn't mean you are inlove. Being attracted to someone and being in love is a different thing." Inismiran ko na lang siya saka nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

"What's the difference? Pwede mo namang kilalanin 'yung tao at 'yung attraction na nararamdaman mo, habang tumatagal nagiging love na." nginitian niya ako pero umiling iling lang ako.

"Exactly! That's why 'Love at first sight' isn't real. You know what it's called? Attracted at first sight. That's the right term." asar kong sabi.

They both laughed.

"Alam mo, Bella? Ang dami mong pinaglalaban." natatawang sabi naman ni Ate Khaytelyn.

"Whatever." 'yon na lang ang tanging sinabi ko para hindi na humaba pa ang usapan.

After eating, he already said goodbye. Mag-aayos din kasi siya ng gamit para bukas.

Hindi ko alam kung guni-guni ko lang ba 'yon pero pagkaalis niya, may naramdaman akong malamig na hangin na parang yumayakap sa' kin. Shocks, I have goosebumps again. Napakamatatakutin ko pa namang tao.

I decided to sleep at Ate Khaytelyn's room. Kapag naaalala ko 'yong anino sa may shower curtain at 'yong mukha ng babaeng walang mata, gosh!

Natatakot ako, sobra.

I'm thinking of moving out but we don't have enough money. Magtutuition pa kami kaya kailangang magtipid. Sa savings na lang ako ni Daddy umaasa kaya kahit paano, nakakagaan-gaan kami.

First day awaits on the next day.

I'm nervous since I don't know a lot of people there except Harris, Keith and my new classmate, Andrei.

Pagdating ko sa school, sinalubong ako ni Andrei para raw sabay na kami maghanap ng room.

A lot of people are staring at me right now. Some are murmuring. Some whispers something on their friends. Some says 'Hi' and asked me which country I came from. Parang instant celebrity ang ganap ko dito.

A lot of students want me to be their friend.

"Masanay ka na sa ganito, Bella. Mukhang ganito ang magiging scenario natin araw araw." Andrei laughed at me.

He stopped some people who tries to talk to me.

"Pero, bakit nila ako kinakausap saka tinitingnan?" ilang kong tanong.

"Because you are pretty." he smiled. "Ikaw kasi yung babaeng kapag dumaan, matic na mapapalingon kaagad."

Is he serious about that? Sa States nga, halos walang nakakapansin sa'kin. I'm completely an average person there.

"Saka, ganyan talaga sila kapag galing ibang bansa." he added.

Napatango na lang ako saka dire-diretsong naglakad sa hallway.

Sa buong klase, sobrang raming nagpapapansin sa'kin. I'm not used at this kind of treatment where I can get everyone's attention.

They are asking for my number, but I don't want to give it. I'm not interested to them. I came here to study not to look for a fling.

Buti na lang meron akong babaeng nakaclose dito, si Yani.

She's the school muse here, pero dahil raw nandito na ako e ako na raw ang papalit sa kanya. She's more talkative than Ate Khaytelyn. She's fun to be with and she has an angellic face. Ang cute niya at ang bait pa.

"Just don't mind them, Bella. Kapag sinumbong ko yan sa boyfriend kong SSG President, tiklop yang mga 'yan." Yani winked at me and I became confused.

Hindi ba, si Harris ang SSG President?

"Harris is the SSG President, right? He's your boyfriend?" I asked her and she instantly nodded.

I can't believe this. I thought he's just too busy with his studies. How come na may girlfriend pala siya?

"Boyfriend ko siya pero ako lang ang may alam kaya quiet ka lang." she laughed.

Nalutang ako ng ilang seconds pero nakuha ko rin ang ibig niyang sabihin, so that means—

"You have a crush on our SSG President?" muntik na akong mapasigaw but Yani told me to minimize my voice.

"Yes! Alam mo bang no'ng highschool ko pa crush si Harris? Kaso mukhang hindi mahilig sa babae, kaya ayon hanggang sulyap lang ang role ko." she giggled.

What a small world.

"By the way, can we visit your subdivision next time? Surprise ka namin ni Andrei." she said.

Tumango lang ako. Gusto ko na lang talagang magrecess. Nakakagutom na puro introduce yourself ang ganap.

No'ng nagrecess na, magkasama kaming tatlo na nagpunta sa canteen. Kapag dadaan kami, napapatingin sa'min ang lahat.

Gosh, when will they stop? That only makes me uncomfortable.

"Huwag kang mag-alala, nandito naman kami ni Andrei. Hindi ka magugulo ng mga abangers na 'yan." Yani patted my head.

Nakahanap kami kaagad ng mauupuan. Thanks to some guys who offered their seats to us.

"Naks. Mukhang magkakaroon na talaga tayo ng panibagong muse." sabi ni Andrei ng makaupo na kami sa canteen.

Si Andrei na rin ang nag-order samin ng makakain. Habang nakapila siya, tinanong naman ako ng tinanong ni Yani.

"By the way, hindi ba taga USA ka? Maganda ba do'n?" tanong niya bigla kaya naman natawa na lang ako.

"Well, it's just the same like what you see in the movies."

"Omg, talaga? Edi maganda nga!" she excitedly said. "Edi dapat turuan mo ako ako kung paano magkaroon ng accent sa pagsasalita ng English kasi hindi ako fluent sa pagsasalita ng ganyan."

"But you are good in Math." I sighed. "You know, I love words but I hate numbers."

"Edi ganito na lang. Tutulungan kita sa Math tapos tutulungan mo naman ako sa English, okay ba 'yon?" she raised both of her eyebrows and I just nod. "Saka dapat, matuto ka na rin na mas magsalita ng tagalog kasi alam mo na, nakakanosebleed."

Tinawanan ko lang siya sa sinabi niya.

"Pero bakit ka mo nga pala naisipan na lumipat dito sa Pilipinas? Tingin ko naman wala kang lahing Pilipino." nangalumbaba ako sa mesa matapos kong marinig ang sinabi niya.

"I'm a Filipino. Half Filipino, Half American." wala sa sarili kong sabi.

You can see how shocked she is.

"Talaga? Hindi halata."

"Yeah. That's what they told me." I gave her a quick smile.

"But, do you mind if you tell what's the reason why you're here?" she seems curious.

I became speechless for a few seconds but I still manage to speak.

"My father died. After he died, my mom forgot to take care about me. She's always at the Casino and our company experienced bankruptcy. Mom spend her time in the casino. I don't want to stop studying that's why I decided to live on my own. My cousin helped me, and with the use of my father's savings, we are able to find a cheap subdivision." I'm trying myself not to cry.

Yani is staring at me right now, but I don't know why she seems clueless of what I said.

"Ayoko sanang isipin mo na hindi kita siniseryoso pero, wala kasi akong naintindihan sa sinabi mo." she said, and I almost fell in my chair.

Umatras ang luha ko at wala na, natawa na ako sa sinabi niya.

"Namatay ang Papa ko. Nang mamatay siya, nabankcrupt 'yung kompanya namin dahil masyadong na addict ang mama ko sa Casino." pag uulit ko ng mga sinabi ko kanina.

Gosh, dapat pala nagtagalog na lang ako kanina. Nakakapagod magsalita ng magsalita.

"Ayokong tumigil sa pag aaral kaya naman nagdesisyon akong mamuhay ng malayo sa Mama ko. Buti na lang at sinamahan ako ng pinsan ko. Ginamit namin 'yung natitirang ipon ni Papa para makahanap ng murang subdivision." pagpapaliwanag ko.

She nodded her head. I hope this time she understands.

"E kumusta naman don sa subdivision na nahanap niyo? Wala naman bang nagpaparamdam?" she asked. "Sabi kasi nila, kapag mura daw yung ipinagbibiling subdivision, merong issue. Kung hindi sa mga gamit, sa mismong bahay."

I suddenly felt nervous. Naalala ko na naman yung mga pagpaparamdam samin no'n.

"Well, actually, I don't know." tipid kong sabi, "Minsan kasi, takot na lang rin naman ang dahilan kaya tingin natin may nagpaparamdam kahit wala naman like, hallucinations, you know?"

She agreed to my statement.

Sakto naman, nakita kong parating na si Andrei dala ang order namin.

"Mukhang interesting ang pinag-uusapan niyo, ah. Tungkol saan ba 'yan?" pang-iintriga naman ni Andrei.

"About Bella's subdivision. I asked her if may mga nagpaparamdam do'n pero good to know na wala naman daw." nakita kong nagtinginan sila, "Alam mo, may mga kaibigan tong mga espiritista. Kung gusto mo, sa susunod bibisita kami sa bahay mo para malaman talaga natin kung meron ngang nagpaparamdam."

"No need, it's okay. Thank you." I smiled and started eating.

Nagawi naman ng tingin ko si Keith ng makita ko silang naglalakad papasok ng canteen. He's with Harris.

"Bella!" as usual, he's wearing his big smile.

I thought, he's just going to greet me but they seat with us. Si Yani naman, tulalang nakatingin kay Harris. Naalala ko, matagal na nga pala siyang may crush dito.

"Akala ko ba kapag recess, hindi tayo magsasama-sama?" pabiro kong sabi.

"But I saw you, and I couldn't help myself to get near with you. Isa pa do'n, gusto ko namang makilala ang mga kaibigan mo." pagpapaliwanag ni Keith.

"Yani. Ito naman si Andrei. Ikaw si Keith, diba? Yung MVP sa basketball last year?" I saw how Yani's voice changed.

Parang nagpapacute na ewan.

"Oo, ako 'yon." Keith shyly said and he shaked hands with Yani.

Gano'n din kay Andrei. Nakipagkamay rin siya.

"Hi, Harris." pagbati rin ni Yani kay Harris pero tinanguan lang siya nito.

Harris is acting cold to everyone but when he's with us, he seems a soft guy.

"Pasensiya ka na diyan, talagang tahimik lang 'yan na tao." pasimpleng ngumiti si Keith kay Yani.

While we are all eating, a loud noise caught our attention. May isang babaeng nakabangga sa grupo ng mga babae na ang pupula ng tuka.

I thought, bitches can only be seen in the US but I never imagine that they also have one in the Philippines.

"Hindi mo ba alam ang salitang tabi o sadyang tanga ka lang?" sigaw sa kanya ng babae matapos matapunan ang damit.

"Ayan na naman si Claire. Nag-oover react na naman na porke natapunan e akala mo napakamahal ng damit." Yani rolled her eyes.

"So-sorry." the girl said.

Claire slapped the girl who bumped her, and her two slaves laughed. Hindi ko kaya ang mga nakikita ko.

Patayo na sana ako but Keith hold my arms.

"Don't." he said.