Stranger Next Door

CHAPTER 4

I woke up early the next day.

I checked my phone and it's almost three o'clock in the morning. Some people says that if you woke up on that time, there's a possibility that someone is staring at you. I had some goosebumps so I tried to sleep again pero kahit anong pilit ko, kahit nagtatalukbong na ako ng kumot, hindi na talaga ako nakatulog.

Ate Khaytelyn is sleeping beside me. I want to wake her up but she's sleeping soundly.

Naupo na lang ako sa kama at kinuha ang phone ko. Pilitin ko mang maglibang pero nangingibabaw ang takot na nararamdaman ko.

Am I being too paranoid? Why do I have this feeling that someone is staring at me right now?

Breathe in, Bella. Breathe out.

Breath in. Breath out.

"Shocks! I can't help it!" inis kong sabi sa sarili, saka ko niyugyog si Ate Khaytelyn na himbing na himbing sa pagtulog.

"Ano ba, Bella. Natutulog 'yong tao." Ate Khaytelyn covered herself with a blanket.

There was a chill in the breeze now. It even gave me more goosebumps.

"Ate, I'm scared." mas lalo pang dumagdag ang takot ko ng may makita akong anino, malapit sa kurtina ng bintana.

It's a shadow of a girl. Masasabi kong babae, dahil masyadong slim ang katawan. Hinahangin ang buhok niya na tingin ko, mahaba.

I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself. Baka guni guni lang 'yon. I feel relieved when the shadow disappeared after I opened my eyes.

Sumilip ako sa terrace at kaagad na nawala ang takot ko ng makita ko si Keith.

It's 3am but he's still awake. Natutulog pa ba siya?

Gaya ng dati, nakapikit ang mata niya. Parang pinapakiramdaman ang hangin.

"Keith!" I tried to call his name and I succeeded.

He heard me.

He opened his eyes. Gaya ng dati, parang nagtataka siya na makita ako. Parang hindi niya ako kilala.

"Bakit gising ka pa?" tanong niya.

The way he act is so cold. Hindi siya 'yung Keith na palatawa ngayon. Masyado siyang seryoso.

"Natulog ako. Kakagising ko lang, ikaw?" I tried to smile at him but he's still serious.

"I can't sleep." he replied.

I simply nodded because I don't even know what I'm going to say. How can he look so fresh even he had no proper sleep?

"Did I scare you?" he asked again, and I shook my head.

"Bakit ka nga pala mahilig tumambay dito?" tanong ko.

"This is my favorite spot. Wala naman akong ibang mapuntahan kaya dito na lang. At least dito, hindi ako nakakaramdam ng problema." he smiled at me.

Bigla akong kinilabutan ng ngumiti siya. Actually, hindi naman nakakakilabot ang ngiti niya. It's cute.

Ang ikinakatakot ko, hindi siya sa'kin nakatingin.

He's looking beside me. Swear, he's being creepy right now.

"Sinong tinitingnan mo?" I tried to look beside me but there's no one.

Hindi kaya may third eye si Keith?

"I'm going to sleep. It's nice talking to you, Bella." again, he smiled at me.

"Matutulog ka na?"

"Yes. Pinapatulog niya na ako." he left me dumbfounded.

I know I didn't heard it wrong. He told me, "niya". Sinong "niya"?

"Who?" I asked but he didn't respond.

Naglakad na siya papasok kaya naglakad na rin ako pabalik ng kwarto.

My mind is out of focus. A part of me is still scared because he is actung weird. I decided to sleep again. Buti na lang at inantok na ako.

Bandang alas-diyes ng umaga ako nagising. I look at Ate Khaytelyn but she's not here. Gising na siguro.

I walk directly in the kitchen and I saw her cooking instant noodles, as always. I'm sick of eating noodles, but we can't do nothing. We both don't know how to cook. I guess, we need Keith's help.

"Oh, you're finally awake. Nagpuyat ka kagabi, noh?" Ate Khaytelyn is laughing at me right now.

"No. I actually woke up early. Three o'clock." wala sa sarili kong sabi, "I slept again since It was too dark, and I'm scared."

"Matatakutin ka naman na talaga. Wala ng bago do'n." pang aasar ni Ate, saka ako pinaghain sa plato ng noodles.

Pinagmasdan ko lang ang noodles. If I eat it again this time, maybe I'm going to vomit. Umay na umay na ako.

"Ate, do you want to eat outside? You know, I want to eat something different. Nakakasawang kumain ng noodles araw-araw. Pakiramdam ko, hindi ako natutunawan." I sounded dreary, though I did nothing but to sleep and eat, and sleep again and eat.

"Sige, magsashower lang ako. Ubusin mo na muna 'yan." Ate Khaytelyn left me, and run towards the bathroom.

Hindi ko ginalaw 'yong pagkain. I lose my appetite to eat, so I decided to go outside.

Sakto namang nakita ko si Keith na palabas rin ng bahay niya.

"Oh, Bella. Good Morning." he greeted.

"Good Morning, how's your sleep?" tanong ko pabalik.

"It's fine. Ang himbing ng tulog ko."

"How is that possible? 'Diba sabi mo, hindi ka makatulog?" kunot-noong tanong ko.

"Ha?" he asked like he's confused.

"Nothing. Good to know that you sleep tightly."

"How about you?" he asked, "Mukhang kakagising mo lang, ah?"

I just smiled at him. Ibang iba ang awra niya ngayon kumpara kagabi. Last night, he's serious. His voice is monotonous. Now, he's alive. He's the usual Keith that I see. He's smiling right at me.

"Uh, where are you going?" I tried changing the topic.

"Kina Harris. Sama ka?" pag-aaya niya pero humindi ako.

Nginitian niya na lang ako bago umalis saka bumalik sa loob.

Hindi pa rin tapos magshower si Ate Khaytelyn. Ang tagal niya.

Naupo na lang ako sa sala saka naghintay. I opened the tv to watch something pero ang pangit ng palabas. Ate Khaytelyn is just like me, mabagal din kumilos.

If I watch a movie right now, for sure I can finish it.

"What the hell are you doing, Bella?!" inis na lumabas si Ate Khaytelyn sa banyo ng nakatapis lang.

I look confused. What is she talking about?

"I said, wait for me and eat your noodles. Hindi mo kailangang kumatok ng kumatok. Hindi ka ba makapaghintay?!" swear, if you can see her reaction right now, her cheeks are getting red.

"What? I didn't knock on your door." taka kong sabi.

We both didn't talk. Silence is everywhere. Wala kaming ibang nararamdaman kundi takot.

"Are you sure, you didn't knock at my door?" she's looking at me intently and I shooked my head.

"Swear, it's not me." nagkatitigan pa kami.

"Oh, nevermind. Maybe I'm having hallucinations again." wala sa sarili niyang sabi saka siya bumalik sa banyo.

Kapapanood niya yan ng movies. Kahit noong nasa states pa kami, kung ano-anong naiisip niya sa sobrang panonood.

After she took a shower, nagdecide akong magbihis na rin. Sa fast food kami kumain since doon ang pinakamalapit.

My mind is still out of focus. Ate Khaytelyn poked me when she realized that I'm pre-occupied.

"Are you okay? Mas lutang ka pa kaysa sa akin. If there's anything bothering you, you can tell me, okay? I'll listen." Ate Khaytelyn is reassuring me but I just smiled.

Tinanguan ko lang siya. I don't want to tell her na naho-homesick ako. I badly want to go back to States but I chose it. Kailangan ko 'tong panindigan.

"After this, let's visit Harris. Keith told me that he will go there." Ate smiled awkwardly because of what I said.

"Well, I'm not sure if I can come with you. Dennis asked me to watch movie with him, and of course I can't say no. Malay mo, 'diba? Maging kami." ngingiti-ngiting sabi ni Ate Khaytelyn habang kumakain ng fries, "If you want, you can come with us."

"Para ano? Para maging third wheel niyo?" I just rolled my eyes up, "No, thanks. Pupunta na lang ako mag-isa kina Harris, or maybe I will just stay in the house."

"Sus! Bitter!" pang aasar niya, pero nagfocus na lang ako sa pagkain.

After we ate, Dennis fetched her. Talagang may pa-bulaklak pa. He seems interested to Ate Khaytelyn.

"Oh, so you are Bella? Khaytelyn's cousin?" Kuya Dennis asked and I just nod.

Nagpaalam na rin naman sila pagkatapos no'n. I don't want to go to Harris' house alone so I decided to stay at home.

As usual, nandoon na naman ako sa terrace. I like it here and I guess, it is now my favorite spot, just like Keith.

"Keith!" I shouted his name when I also saw him in the terrace.

His eyes are closed, as always. Palagi niya na lang pinapakiramdaman ang hangin. He heard me that's why he turned his gaze into mine.

I tried to smile at him but his reaction didn't changed. He's still serious.

"Nakauwi ka na galing kina Harris?" tanong ko.

He just nodded.

Ayan na naman siya sa pagiging seryoso niya. I don't understand why he treats me differently. Sometimes he's nice, but sometimes he's acting cold.

"Maaga ka bang matutulog mamayang gabi?" I was shocked because of his question, but I immediately answered "no."

"Why?" tanong ko sa kanya, since I didn't know why he's acting weird these past few days.

"I want to see you again here." he's answer makes me confused.

"Dito? Sa terrace?"

He just nodded.

"I'll wait for you tonight." he smiled.

Pagkatapos no'n, pumasok na rin siya sa kanila. Nagtataka naman ako sa sinabi niya pero binalewala ko na lang 'yon. Nagpunta na lang ako sa sala para manood ng kung ano. It took me five hours of waiting.

Hindi na yata basta-basta panonood lang ng movie ang ginawa ni Ate Khaytelyn at Kuya Dennis, more on dating na.

Lucky for her. I wish I can find mine, too but it's too impossible. Yung tipo ko, mas mahal ang pag-aaral kaysa sa'kin.

"But.. he kissed me." wala sa sarili kong sabi saka ako napahawak sa labi ko.

Maybe that's the reason why I can't go to Harris' house right now. It's too awkward. Masyadong mabilis ang pangyayari. Hindi pa namin gano'n kakilala ang isa't-isa and then we have this urge to make out? Nakakahiya.

If ever I see him again, I don't know if I'm going to say 'Hi' or what. That's embarrassing, swear.

My phone vibrated. I immediately picked it up, hoping that's it's Ate Khaytelyn but sad to say it's not.

It's Harris.

I didn't answer. I let it ring several times. Nakailang tawag na rin kaya kahit ayokong sagutin, sinagot ko pa rin.

"Bella?"

"K-keith?" My face twisted when i realized that it is not Harris. "Why are using Harris' phone? Where is he?"

"Nandito siya. Kasama ko. I told him to call you para sana papuntahin kayo dito ni Ate Khaytelyn kaso sabi niya, ako na lang daw ang kumausap sa'yo."

"Okay. Ate Khaytelyn's not here. She's with her classmate. Nandito ako sa bahay ngayon." I answered, "Akala ko nakauwi ka na?"

"Hindi pa. Bakit?"

Bigla akong kinilabutan ng malaman kong hindi pa siya nakakauwi. Is he pranking me?

"Nothing. Susunod ako diyan. Wait for me." I hanged up the call.

Bumalik pa ako sa terrace para tingnan kung nandoon si Keith. He's not there.

Or maybe he decided to leave again? Gosh, I'm getting paranoid. Lately kasi, kung ano-anong naiisip ko.

I pressed the doorbell when I reached Harris' house. Keith opened the door and let me in. The whole hour that I am here, Harris didn't talk to me.

So, he's mad?

"Hindi ko alam kung iniisip ko lang ba 'to pero, nag-away ba kayo?" napatingin kami sa isa't isa ni Harris ng magsalita si Keith, pero agad rin kaming nag iwasan ng tingin. "Kanina pa kayo hindi nagpapansinan. Is there any problem?"

"Nothing." nagkasabay pa kami kaya nag-iba ang reaksyon ni Keith.

"Guys, we're friends. Hindi ka man namin ganoon katagal na kilala ni Harris pero, magkaibigan na tayo. So you know, you can tell me if there's a problem between the two of you." Keith was explaining while I am here, sitting in the couch and not speaking.

"Huwag kang mag alala, pre. Wala namang problema. Wala lang talaga ako sa mood mag-ingay ngayon. Kanina kasi, tumawag si Mama. Namimilit na naman na sumunod daw ako sa kanya." Keith nodded his head, mukha namang naniwala siya sa palusot ni Harris.

"Good to know. Nag-order nga pala ako ng pizza. Okay lang ba na 'yon na lang ang meryenda natin?" Keith turn his gaze into my direction, "How about you, Bella? Do you want something?"

"Huh? Kahit ano na lang. I ate before I leave so, it's all right." I gave him a quick smile.

Nagtagal pa kami ng ilang oras. I'm just looking at my phone the whole time, waiting for Ate Khaytelyn to call me so I have a reason to leave. Ang awkward naman kung bigla akong aalis ng walang paalam. Baka mas lalong makahalata si Keith.

That's humiliating.

It's not US anymore, na pwede mong halikan ng basta basta ang tao. At isa pa don, hindi ko pa masyadong kilala si Harris.

I am attracted, yes but that's not enough reason to kiss him right away. Masyado akong nagpapadala sa tukso.

"By the way, Ate Khaytelyn seems enjoying her date. Hindi ba kanina pa yon ng umalis sabi mo?" tanong ni Keith, at tumango lang naman ako.

"Wait! Ate is calling!" excited kong sabi saka ako lumayo ng konti sa kanila para sagutin ang tawag. "Ate?"

"Where are you?"

"I told you, I'm here at Harris' house. We're just hanging out, since you left me alone and I got so bored."

"Anong oras ka uuwi?"

"I don't know?" patanong kong sabi. "Hindi ako makahanap ng tyempo, nakakahiyang magpaalam."

"M-matagal ka pa ba diyan?"

I suddenly laughed because she seems scared.

"Why? Are you scared, Ate?" I asked sarcastically.

"Me? Scared?" tumawa siya pero halata namang kabado. "Of course, not."

"Okay then. Dito na lang din ako magdidinner."

"Hey!"

"What?" pang-aasar ko.

"Just go home!"

"Admit first that you're scared." I can't stop laughing.

If only I could see her reaction, that would be fun!

"Okay fine! Just please! Bilisan mo, umuwi ka na. Pagabi na."

"Okay, ate. Tell me what happened on your date with Dennis, ha?"

"That's not a date." the way she speak is so serious.

"So, what do you call with that? A friendly date?"

"Just stop asking, Bella. I'll wait. Umuwi ka na." I'm not done talking but she suddenly hanged up the call.

Ang attitude! Minsan naiisip ko kung paano kami nagkasundo sa kabila ng pagiging bitchessa niya.

"What did Ate Khaytelyn said?" Keith is the first person who asked, as always.

"She want me to go home, since it's getting dark and she's scared of being alone. So would you mind if I go home right now, guys?" nag-aabang ako ng sasabihin nila pero agad na tumayo si Keith mula sa pagkakaupo.

"Uuwi na rin ako, pre. Pagabi na rin kasi. Magluluto pa ako ng hapunan."

"You're going to cook dinner?!" I gasped, "You can eat dinner with us if you don't mind."

He quickly nodded his head. Para ngang pabor pa sa kanya ang pag-aya ko.

"Oo naman, pwede ko kayong lutuan. Ako ang maluluto ng dinner sainyo."

"That's a pleasure, Keith! I'm sick eating instant noodles everyday." I complained.