Hiding Behind the Lenses (Arte del Amor #3)

Chapter 5

"Is that all you can do? After telling me that you want to rest over the break?" Pagkasakay pa lang namin sa kotse ay nagsimula na ang bunganga ni Mommy. Nasa gitna ako ng mga kuya ko sa backseat habang tinatanggap ang mga masasakit na salitang binibitawan niya.

Kuya Gael grabbed the side of my head and let me rest it on his shoulder. Sa puntong ito ay labis na ang pagkislot ng aking labi dahil sa pagpipigil ng hikbi. Nakakasama naman ng loob. "You could've done so much better!"

That's true. Baka nga kulang pa lahat ng ginawa ko. Noong una'y nagagalit ako kay Mommy dahil ginawa ko naman ang lahat... pero ngayong patuloy siya sa pagsumbat sa akin ay unti-unting naitatatak sa isip ko na nasa akin ang kulang. Na ako ang mali. Na dapat ay mas ginalingan ko pa.

If only I did... she would have been so happy right now, far from what is currently happening.

"How weak are you not to beat Sydney? She's not even that good, and to think that she's above you -- my goodness..." she sighed in disappointment while massaging her temples.

Look, Gemini. Look how you grew  up to be a massive disappointment to your mother.

"Ma naman," Kuya Gael finally spoke but his voice still calm in fear of disrespecting Mommy.

"Did I lie, Gael?" Mommy looked at him through the rearview mirror. Daddy, the one driving, glanced at them too.

Si Kuya Gavin ang sumagot, "Hindi kasalanan ni Gemini, Mommy."

"Then who else's fault is it? If not hers?"

Mariin kong pinikit ang mga mata ko sa sagutan nila. Kuya Gavin's voice slightly raised, "It's no one's fault! Gabi-gabi naming nakikita si Gemini na nag-aaral!"

"Well, I don't see it." Mommy answered in a mocking voice.

"Because you do not try hard enough!"

"Because all you care about is result but never the process!"

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sabay na sagot ni Kuya Gael at Kuya Gavin. It's the first time they raised their voice like this and engaged in a heated argument with Mommy. Sa mga araw na sinesermonan sila ni Mommy ay nananahimik lang sila palagi.

"Gavin! Gael!" Daddy's voice roared in the entire car. Halos mapatalon ako sa sigaw na iyon. Daddy continued driving but his breathing became ragged, "Kayo ha, pinagbibigyan ko kayo sa lahat ng gusto niyo, pati si Mommy niyo! So, don't go disrespecting your parents like that!"

Both of my brothers' eyebrows are furrowed and are almost meeting. Nakadungaw sila sa bintana sa gilid nila habang patuloy silang pinapagalitan ni Daddy. "And you, Gemini? Just do what your mother says."

Of course, she always wins. She has to.

As a punishment for talking back to Mommy, my brothers were forced to join us in Cebu. "Better be downstairs in five!" dinig kong sigaw ni Mommy mula sa first floor ng bahay.

Sa hallway ay nagkasalubong pa kami nila kuya dahil halos sabay-sabay lang kaming lumabas ng kanya-kanya naming mga kwarto. "Aren't you overdressed?" Kuya Gael asked.

"Dude, she calls it airport fashion."

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nakakatawa para humalakhak nang sobrang lakas si Kuya Gael! Lahat na lang talaga, tinatawanan niya! "Stop it!" iritado kong bulyaw sa kaniya habang pababa kami sa hagdan.

Ang suot ko kasi ay black na turtleneck at mahabang coat na kulay puti. It's simple na nga lang eh! They're both wearing sweatpants and plain t-shirts, and they have the guts to call me overdressed.