Who Knows I’ll Be Keeping You

Chapter 40: Gift

“Did you send the gift?” I asked Mira.

“I already did.” sagot naman niya.

Nag-uusap kaming dalawa ngayon ni Mira matapos ang dalawang oras na paghihintay ko sa kanya. She told me that she will handle everything and I guess okay na pala ang lahat.

“Pinapunta mo ba si Marco sa inyo?” tanong ko sa kanya.

“Malamang girl! Ako pa ba ang maghahatid sa gift sa bahay nila?!” she shouted.

“Pwede rin.”

“Oh, shut up!”

“Asher?” rinig ko naman mula sa pintuan ko ang tawag ni mom.

“Call you later.” and then I hanged up.

“Mom?” I stood up from my bed. Binuksan ko ang pintuan at nakita si mom na may dala-dalang box.

“I think this one is address for you?” patanong niyang sabi habang nakatitig sa maliit ba papel na nakadikit. I also looked at it and I immediately grabbed it from her hand because I was shocked to see the bold letters written on that piece of paper.

“This is mine.” umatras ako at akmang isasara ang pintuan. “Thanks.” and then I closed the door.

Inilagay ko sa higaan ang box na ibinigay ni mommy sa akin at napakunot ang noo ko sa galit ng makita ang dalawang salita ba nakasulat sa papel.

BLOODY MARY

Those are the words written on the paper outside the box. Isa lang naman ang tumatawag sa akin ng ganun at si Connor iyon. Did he receive the gift already?

I opened the box and I was confused to see that it was only filled with white wooden beads. Kung titingnan, para siyang pearls dahil sobrang puti nito pero kung hahawakan, agad ding malalaman na gawa sa kahoy ang beads na ito.

“Why would he send me wooden beads?” tanong ko sa sarili.

I felt my cramps again so I lay down on my bed and folded up my legs. I looked like an unborn chick waiting for my egg to get cracked.

“Sis. . .” the door swung open and my brother, who was supposed to say something, got shocked by my position?

“Are you possess by a chicken demon? Or a snake ghost?” instead of helping me, he asked questions that will surely irritate me.

“Hindi mo ba ako tutulungan?” tanong ko at last matapos ang mahabang pagpipigil ko ng hininga.

“I don’t even know what you are up to.” walang malay niyang sabi at tinitigan lang ako.

Nang mawala ang sakit, agad akong umupo sa higaan at inayos ang sarili ko. My brother, who was just observing me got confused with my mixed actions.

“Are you really possessed?” tanong niya sa akin.

“Get out.” I angrily said at him ang pointed out the door.

“No.” matigas niyang sabi. Imbes na lumabas siya ng kwarto ko, umupo siya sa single couch at ngumiti sa akin.

“Ano ba ang kailangan mo?” naiirita kong tanong sa kanya.

“Watching you.”

“For?”

“Checking up if you are still breathing.”

“Alam mo?” I stood up at binuksan ang pintuan para sa kanya. “Hindi ka nakakatulong sa akin, noh? Mas mabuti siguro na umalis ka na sa kwarto ko.”

“Don’t you want to know why I am here?”

“I asked you twice already.”

“What if those are not really my answers?”

“Get out.”

“Tch.” tumayo siya at humarap sa akin.

“Someone is waiting for you outside.” walang gana niyang sabi at lumabas na ng kwarto ko.

And who would it be?

I immediately went outside my room to see if what my brother said is true. And indeed, a man was perfectly sitted on the couch of our living room. Hindi pa niya namamalayan na lumabas na ako sa kwarto ko kaya kitang-kita ko na hindi siya mapakali. He’s twitching his lips and his hands are clasped together. Bakit siya nandito sa bahay namin?

“Marco. . .” I called his name as I went near him. Tumayo siya matapos marinig ang tawag ko at ngumiti sa akin.

“Hi.” he shyly greeted and slightly bowed his head on me.

“Nakalimutan mo ba ang daan papunta sa bahay nina Mira?” umupo ako sa kaharap na upuan kung saan siya nakaupo kanina. Nang makitang nakaupo na ako, umupo din si Marco bago sinagot ang tanong ko.

“I’m here to seek for your help.”

“Help?” ano naman ang maitutulong ko sa relasyon nilang dalawa ni Mira? Ni hindi ko nga alam kung sila ba talaga o kung ano nga ba ang namamagitan sa kanilang dalawa.

“Yes.”

“Bakit naman ako ang naisipan mong tutulong sa’yo?”

“Because you know Mira very well.” tumingin siya sa mga mata ko pero hindi ko pa rin maintindihan ang sinasabi niya.

“And?”

He sighed after hearing my answer and he scratched his head.

“Mira and I had a fight yesterday.” deretso niyang sabi sa akin. So may namamagitan nga sa kanilang dalawa?

“How would I understand each statement kung hindi ko alam kung ano kayo? Are you courting her or are you in a relationship already?” I bluntly asked.

I wasn’t suppose to ask those questions from him but since Mira did not gave me a clue or even just a word about Marco — which is what I also respect — might as well ask this one from the second party. Hindi naman siguro magagalit si Mira sa akin kasi si Marco mismo ang humingi ng tulong sa akin ngayon.

“I. . .” nagdadalawang isip na sabi ni Marco.

“You are?” I asked because I am not that patient when it comes to things like this.

“I am courting her.” mahinang sabi niya. Hindi ko alam na mahihiya pala si Marco kapag sinabi niya sa akin ang tungkol sa kanilang dalawa ni Mira. I mean, just like Mira, he also has this gullible attitude and he’s somewhat a go-with-the-flow person— just like Mira.

“Is Mira trying to hide this thing from me?”

“No.” agad niyang sagot at iniling-iling pa ang kanyang ulo. “It’s not even that long since I got her permission.”

“At bakit naman kayo nag-away? Hindi pa nga kayo pero may away nang nagaganap. Sure ka bang nililigawan mo lang talaga siya?” I looked at Marco and he slightly laughed because of what I said. “I know Mira for years and she’s somehow OA, you know? To anything.” tumango si Marco sa sinabi ko kaya ako nagpatuloy. “I guess I can help you if you really are serious with her, Mira.”

“I just want to ask you things.”

“Like?” tanong ko.

“Do we fought last night over money.” my forehead creased as my brows almost met each other. “It’s not what you mean. I am not asking money from her and she’s not asking money from me as well. Wala din naman siyang makukuha mula sa akin.”

“Do you think Mira will care if you are rich or not?”

“I know she’s not like that.”

“Then next time, don’t say that she can’t get money or anything from you.”

“I’m sorry.” mahina niyang sabi matapos siguro ma realize na mali ang sinabi niya kanina.

“What should I do to help you?”

“I don’t know how to soothe her heart. We fought about my family.”

“Your family?” tanong ko.

“She wanted to help me with my grandmother’s expenses.”

“And?”

“I slipped.”

“What did you said to her?”

“I told her that I don’t want her to use the money that she owns for me or even for my family. She asked me if what I will do if I am in her place and I answered her saying that I will also do the same. So she still send me money on my account. I confronted her yesterday saying that she can’t control me and she’s a brat.” mahabang paliwanag ni Marco sa akin.

Imbes na malungkot ako sa kuwento niya, sinagot ko siya ng napakalakas na halakhak. That was epic! Their love story is worth looking forward to!

“Did I said something that made you laugh so hard?” Marco asked and confusion is visible on his face.

I stood up and went to the kitchen. Bigla na namang sumakit ang puson ko kaya napahawak ako sa sink ng mahigpit. When the pain was gone, kumuha ako ng maiinom at snack para sa aming dalawa ni Marco. I placed the tray at the table and Marco thanked me.

“What you said was really funny. Except for me, no oneever dared said those things to that girl. Brat? What a nice way for you to greet me today!” I said clapping my hands.

“I’m here to ask about what I can do to make it up to her. You see, I still have my christmas gift for her because I don’t want to give this if she’s mad at me.” ramdam ko mula kay Marco na nag-aalala talaga siya sa pag-aaway nilang dalawa ni Mira. Hindi naman kasi talaga madaling pakitunguhan ang babaeng iyon. Tsk.

I stood up and asked Marco to wait for me. May kukunin muna ako sa kwarto na pwede niyang gamitin para magkabati silang dalawa ni Mira. I went back and handed him the ticket. Yes, the ticket for the Japan trip.

“Why are you giving this one to me?”

“You asked for my help so there. That’s what I can help you for now.” nakangiti kong sabi as I sat down on the single couch.

Kitang-kita sa mukha ni Marco na naguluhan siya sa ginawa at sinasabi ko ngayon. He might be asking, “why the hell did she gave me this one and how would this be the solution to my problem”?

“I know Mira very well than you. A simple thank you will do.” I confidently said as I stared at him who still has the confused look.

“I don’t think I have time for a trip. I don’t have money and I have work.” saad ni Marco.

Natahimik naman ako ng malaman na nagta-trabaho pala si Marco. He may look like he is from a very wealthy family but now, after what he just said, he may be from an average family. He’s just like me.

“It’s 26. I don’t think you have a work today.”

“I even have one yesterday.” parang wala lang na sinabi niya iyon sa akin.

“WHAT?!” gulat kong tanong sa kanya. Bakit naman siya nagtrabaho sa araw ng pasko? Dapat nga ay kasama niya ang pamilya niya sa araw na iyon because that is the essence of it. To be with the family and spend time with them. Tsk.

“I have to.”

“Don’t you care about your family?” I asked and I guess that made him stop for a moment.

“Iyan din ang pinag-awayan naming dalawa ni Mira. She knew that my grandmother needs to have her maintenance medication. She has vitamins as well.”

“Knowing Mira, she will surely help you or even lend you a small amount of money for your grandmother.” bumalik ako sa pagkakaupo at nakatitig lang kay Marco. I wanted to see his reactions every time we will be talking about Mira. Gusto ko kasing makita kung seryoso ba talaga siya sa kaibigan ko.

“Kaya kami nag-away.”

“That’s why I am giving you my ticket.” I said and pointed out the ticket.

“But I don’t have money to pay you.” he said and as he was about to give the ticket back to me, I already refused.

“I don’t need you to pay me. Si Mira din naman ang bumili ng ticket.”

“I’m really sorry bu—“

“All of the expenses that we will be using there is paid already. You don’t have to worry about it Marco.”

“Why are you giving this to me?”

“That’s my christmas gift for you and as a thank you gift as well for giving my gift to Connor.” I said smiling at him.

Ngunit pagkalito na naman niya ang tumambad sa akin. Did I said something wrong or something that made him confuse?

“You’re the one who gave that gift to Connor?!” he shouted and stood up pointing at me.

F*ck! Hindi niya pala alam? I slipped! What the f*ck!

“What? What gift?”

“I heard you. Don’t act as if you did not said something just now.”

“Palagi akong may sinasabi.”

“The part where you are thanking me for the gift. You’re the one who gave it right?” hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Marco sa akin.

As I kept my mouth shut, Marco, with his widened mouth and intriguing eyes, sat down on the chair with a surprise look on his face.

“You can leave now.” I said and stood up.

Akmang maglalakad na ako paalis nang tawagin ni Marco ang pangalan ko.

“Thank you.” he said and I know he’s sincere. I can feel it the way he said those words.

“Mira and I are inseparable. We enjoyed most of the things together but this time, I guess giving you that opportunity is not a bad option. Swerte ka at may dysmenorrhea ako ngayon.” I jokingly said.

“I wanted to return the favor as well.” I raised my brows and my forehead creased. Return the favor?

“You don’t have to. I am not asking for an exchange.”

“Then can you do me another favor then?” Marco asked bluntly. Nabigla ako dahil sa dire-diretso niyang mga marka ngayon. Hindi ako handa na magkikita kami ngayong araw at hindi ako handa sa mga salitang lumalabas sa bibig niya.

“Another favor?” he nodded. Hmm?

“Connor did not went out of his room since yesterday. I went there to fetch him since my family wanted him to join us during the noche buena. But he did not even dare answer my calls.” pagpapaliwanag ni Marco sa akin.

Why would he do that? At wala ba siyang mga magulang para samahan siya sa pasko? Kung paniniwalaan ko ang sinabi ni Marco, then simula kahapon ay hindi siya kumakain dahil hindi siya lumabas ng silid? Tama?

“What do you want me to do then? Because to tell you directly, Connor and I aren’t friends. We’re just. . . block mates.” ani ko ngunit ngiti lang ang tanging sagot ni Marco sa akin.

“I will text you his address and then you can meet him. I won’t believe that you are just block mates.” read the word “just” because Marco gave it to much emphasis. “You gave each other a gift, block mates pa rin ba kayo sa lagay na iyan?” Marco the. smiled at me as he walked his way out of our house. But before he fully went outside, he stopped halfway and looked back at me.

“Bring sweets for him or some unhealthy foods. He loves that.” he said and found his way out.

I rolled my eyes in annoyance after hearing all of those words fro Marco. Hindi ko inaasahan na ang pagkikita namin ngayong dalawa ay magiging dahilan ng maraming pagbabago. Change for Mira’s acquaintance on her trip to Japan and me going to Connor’s house, for the first time. Kung sana hindi ko inalok kay Marco ang ticket, I won’t be in this confuse state right now.

Tsk. Bakit pa kasi sila nag-away?