Winter

I woke up at the sound of a car horn. Minsan talaga di alam ng mga tao ang mga salitang “it’s too early to be noisy”

Napatingin ako sa side table ko. I immediately noticed my phone. Nakasaksak pa sya. Nakalimutan ko na naman bunutin kagabi sa saksakan. Drained na sya pagdating ko kahapon.

 Speaking of kahapon, may nangyaring kakaiba? Oo tinatanong ko, di ko din Kasi alam kung kakaiba sya. I mean, may kumausap lang naman sa akin. Out of the blue! Okay, not out of the blue, pero at least sa part ko di ko sya inaasahan.

The person who approached me is new. I mean, someone new sa university na pinapasukan ko. Maybe the primary reason why she approached me. She doesn’t know my reputation sa school. How I actually am with people.

When she first entered our class, I straight away knew she wasn’t in any of my class before. You see, I am very good in remembering people I encountered, and I know I haven’t seen her before. Well, I always tell myself to be a good observant sa mga bagay bagay at mga tao around me. Yung tipong, kahit wala pang sinasabi yung tao, kailangan ko na malaman ang intention nya. Para sakin kasi, kung ganun ako, I can chase away unpleasant people. Pero feeling ko minsan, it backfired. Para kasing nag-enjoy ako masyado sa “chasing away unpleasant people” to the point na ako na ata ang na-chase away. More like naging castaway.

“Minjeeeeeong! Wake up already. You’re gonna be late for school! Di ka na naman makakapag breakfast nyan!” sigaw ni mommy mula sa first floor ng bahay.

Ay may pasok pa nga pala. Medyo napatagal na naman ang daydreaming ko. Best time of the day kasi kapag bagong gising ka. Nasa gitna ka ng being conscious at unconscious.

“Winter!” napamulagat ako sa sigaw ni mommy. Feeling ko nasa harapan ko na sya. “I swear! Wag mong antayin na akyatin pa kita dyan sa room mo!” dagdag pa nya.

Di na ako sumagot , bumangon na ako mula sa kama at patakbong bumaba ng hagdan. Pagkababa ko, naabutan ko si mommy na naglalagay na ng mga lutong pancakes sa plato. Kunot noo syang humarap sa akin.

“Honey, how many times do I have to tell you to set your alarm? Alam mo namang sira pa ung kotse kaya magcocommute ka pa going to school.”

Umupo na ako sa stall sa harap nya. I absentmindedly took a small plate and placed a piece of pancake dito. No syrup. I like my pancakes this way, no drama.

“ I’m sorry, Mom. I totally forgot about the whole commuting thing. I’ll make sure to set it tomorrow.” I calmly said, only noticing now that my mom’s not ready for work yet.

“Why are you still here anyway? Nasan po si manang?” I asked

“Nasa labas may inutos lang ako saglit. And why can’t I be here? Ayaw ba ng baby girl ko na ako ang mag-handa ng breakfast nya? Hmmm?” palambing na sabi ni mommy, kinurot pa nya ang pisngi ko. Ouch. Tinanggal naman nya agad ang pagkakahawak nya nang makita nya ang nangasim kong mukha

“Alright! Alright. Napakasungit talaga ng dalaga ko. I won’t go to work. I’m just going to take care of something. A colleague will drive me. Are you sure you’re okay commuting?” worried na tanong nya.

“ It’s fine. Magga-grab naman ako. Di naman po hassle.” Magaan kong sagot. Okay lang naman talaga sakin, mas gusto ko pa yun kesa daldalin na naman nya ako all throughout the ride to school. Piece of mind ang pag-Grab. I love my mom, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes she can be a handful.

“ Okay, if you say so.” She went to my side of the table