CHAPTER 16

                                    

                                          
"Anak, kamusta ka habang wala ako? Hindi ka ba minaltrato?" tanong ni Mama. Nasa kusina kami ngayon, kumakain ng umagahan. Umiling ako.
"Hindi, Mama. Mabait naman sila sa akin. Trinato nila ako ng maayos, lalo na si Tita Majika," katuwiran ko. Tumango siya sa sinagot ko. 
Ayaw ko namang sabihin na sinaktan ako ni Mateo. Mahirap na, ibang way pa naman yung pananakit niya sa akin.
"E, si Mateo? Hindi ka ba sinaktan, nung sinubukan mong tumakas?" Umiling ako. Hindi naman niya ako nasaktan physically.
Masasabi kong nataasan niya ako nang boses ngunit ang pagbuhatan ako ng kamay ay hindi.
"Hindi po, pero nasigawan niya ako. Pero nag-sorry naman po siya," tumango tango ulit siya at sumubo. Inubos muna niya ang nasa bibig at uminom ng tubig.
Iniisip ko pa lang siya ay gusto ko nang maiyak.
"Mapapatawad mo ba siya, sa pagsisinungaling niya sa 'yo?" Sa totoo lang, hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko. 
Kaya ko nga ba siyang patawarin?
"Siguro, oo, Ma, pero hindi ngayon," I mumbled, nodding. We continued eating, but I suddenly stopped, overwhelmed by a foul stench. It made me feel nauseous, and I instinctively covered my mouth, trying to hold back the urge to vomit. Mom must have noticed my struggle, because she asked with concern.
"Anong... Okay ka lang, anak?"
I didn't answer, rushing to the sink and letting loose a torrent of vomit. I felt a hand on my back, and Mom's worried voice filled the air.
I could see Ma'am Mica and Francisco watching with concern as well.
"Hindi, Ma. May naamoy lang akong mabaho, like spoiled food," I said, wiping my mouth. Mom looked confused and sniffed the air, trying to identify the source of the smell.
Kahit si Ma'am Mica at Francisco ay nagtataka.
"Wala naman, anak. Did you smell spoiled food?" Mom asked Ma'am Mica, who shook her head.
Kahit ako ay nagtataka kung saan nanggagaling ang masangsang na amoy na 'yon.
"No, dear. Where did you smell it?" Ma'am Mica asked me. I walked towards the table, trying to pinpoint the source of the awful smell. Then, my eyes fell on the grilled cheese, and the stench hit me again. I was about to throw up. I pointed at it, and Mom rushed over to sniff it.
Halos maiyak ako dahil sa pagpipigil masuka.
"It doesn't smell bad. Maybe-" She stopped mid-sentence, staring at me blankly. I was confused. "Buntis ka ba?"
Halos maibuga ko ang tubig na iniinom dahil sa sinabi ni Mama.
She then turned to Ma'am Mica, who was grinning from ear to ear.
"Did something happen between you and Mateo?" Mom asked, her question making my cheeks flush. I blushed and nodded, looking down in embarrassment.
Bakit naman kasi itatanong 'yan ngayon at dito pa talaga.
"So, I'm going to be a grandma?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief.
Hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko at hindi pa rin nag sisink in sa akin na buntis ako.
I cleared my throat, "You're not mad, Ma?" I asked nervously. She just shook her head and gave me a small smile.
Umiling siya at umakbay sa akin, "Malaki kana kaya mo na mag desisyon para sa sarili mo" she said, smiling.