When Things Fall Apart

chapter 3

"Ate, you know, you should try to entertain some guys.." sabi sa akin ng nakababata kong kapatid.

My brows arched and looked at her boredly.

"You know, Iris. I am just seventeen and I don't know if I can entertain guys.." she laughed at what I've said.

She combed her hair and pouted her lips. This young lady is very different to me and I understand that. Our parents wasn't that strict when it comes to guys who wants to court us as long as they have good intentions. Hindi ko alam, siguro ayoko lang talaga.

"You should have fun, Ate. You are always focusing on your studies. Kahit si Mamà ay nagtatanong kung mayroon daw bang nanliligaw sa'yo..." she smiled hilariously.

"And what did you say?" taas kilay kong tanong sa kanya. She smiled wider and showed her phone to me.

Tinitigan ko ng mabuti ang ipinapakita niya, it was me and Stan.

"I didn't say anything, Ate. I just accidentally showed this picture last night and maybe they concluded something.." she said sheepishly.

Napakamot na lang ako sa ulo dahil sa kanyang sinabi. Napailing na lang ako at uminom ng tubig. Iris looked worried at me.

"Galit ka ba, Ate?" she asked lowly and worried.

I immediately shook my head and chuckled to ease her worriness.

"Ano ka ba, bakit ako magagalit sa bagay na hindi mo naman sinasadya?" sabi ko sa kanya at ngumiti.

Mukhang nakahinga siya ng malauwag at tuloy tuloy kaming nag usap habang kumakain ng breakfast. She told me so many things, she's talkative and can't shut her mouth.

Naikwento niya na nakuha niya ang picture namin ni Stan noong nakaraan sa may field. Syempre, saan pa ba galing ang mga 'yon kundi sa mga nagkakagusto kay Stan. Wala lang naman sa'kin ang mga ganon, hindi naman kasi totoo.

"Ma, papasok na po kami.." paalam ni Iris kay Mamà na nasa sala, inaantay si Papà para sabay silang pumasok sa kanilang trabaho.

Ngumiti si Mamà at humalik sa amin ni Iris. She smiled at me meaningfully.

"Goodluck to your classes, my dear angels. Have a nice day.." Mamà sweetly said as she bid her goodbye to us.

My parents never been rough on us. They never yelled or be mad at us for a long time. I can say that it was our choice for what we will be today and tomorrow but our family background really affects our whole life.

Mamà never raised a voice on us whenever we did something wrong, she will talk to us seriously and with patience. Papà let us be whatever we wanted to be, he never force us to be what he wants. And I guess, their guidance and wisdom leads us, their daughters, to be a better and sophisticated ladies.

"See you later, Ate. Take care." Iris kissed my cheeks before waving her hands at me. Kumaway ako at naglakad na papasok ng unibersidad.

Mainit ang sinag ng araw ngunit maraming halaman at puno ang GNU kaya ay mahangin. Ang mainit na araw at preskong hangin ay kinasanayan ko na sa paglalakad ko sa pathways araw araw.

Ganito ang takbo ng buhay ko rito sa eskwelahan, kung hindi mag isa ay for sure kasama ko si Jesy. Ayos naman sa'kin ang mag isa, tahimik at payapa. Pero syempre, ayos din ang may kasama.

"Good morning, Mavis!" bati sa akin ni Alfred pagkapasok ko sa klase.

"Morning," nakangiting bati ko rin sa kanya at naglakad na papunta sa upuan ko.