The Living Fictions

Chapter 1

Chapter One

I shouldn't be sad like this. C'mon, it's my birthday and everyone in the family is happy for me adding a year to my life. I can see my cousins especially Arin and Ashklein enjoying the foods at the table that is being served to everyone in the house.

“Mi, hindi ba talaga makakaabot si Daddy?”

Patuloy lang sa pagdurog ang puso ko nang umiling siya. “I'm sorry, Aye but your Dad's busy. There are a lot of appointments.”

“Ayaw niya ba akong makasama sa araw na'to?”

“No, hindi sa ganoon, Aye. You know your dad loves you so much and he always cares for you. It's just that, sobrang busy niya lang pero don't worry, he'll come home later. I'm sure.”

Tumango ako na para bang naniniwala ako sa sinabi ni mommy na para bang sapat na iyon para maibsan ang lungkot na aking nararamdaman. Even though she keeps on lifting my hopes up, I just couldn't expect Dad to come and show up on my birthday. Nung sinabi kong hindi ako dapat malungkot, ibig sabihin hindi na ako dapat makaramdam ng ganito na parang bago na itong lahat sa akin. Sanay na dapat ako eh. Ever since who knows when, hindi ko matandaan na kasama ko si daddy sa mismong birthday ko. Minsan nakakarating nga siya pero gabi na at tapos na ang selebrasyon. Dapat ay nasasanay na ako ngunit sa bawat taon na lumipas, sa labingwalong taon ng aking buhay, nakulong pa rin ako sa dati kong nararamdaman na umaasang darating ang isang paboritong tao at batiin ako sa mahalagang araw ko.

“Aye, lika muna. Try mo'tong binake ni kuya Vourne na brownies para sa'yo.” My cousin Arianna run to me enthusiastically while having a piece of brownie in her hand. Nang dumating si Arin, saka naman umalis si Mommy at pumunta roon sa kinaroroonan ng iba pang parte ng pamilya. Doon kina lolo.

“Mmmh! Ang sarap nito ah, kailan ba siya nagsimulang magbake ng brownies?” Si Vourne ay nakakatandang kapatid ni Arin and they have two-years gap from each other which makes Vourne as an eighteen year old guy. Sa aming magpipinsan, sila palang dalawa ni Ate Khian ang nasa legal age na kasi the rest, magka-edad lang o di kaya'y mas bata rin. And yes, at the age of eighteen, he's already good at various things. He's just so skillful.

Narito kami ngayon sa mansion ng mga Acosta. Though, we doesn't live here. Ang tanging natira rito sa bahay na'to ay si Lolo at ang bunsong kapatid nila dad na si Auntie Cadence pati na rin ang mga maids na para bang invisible kasi minsanan ko lang nakikita na umaaligid. All of Lolo's sons have live in separate houses—though, we live in the same village. Ang La Valle. Hindi naman ito kalayuan sa La Valle pero ang mansion na ito ay hindi located sa loob ng village. Though, it's still safe out here because it has been bombarded with a lot of guards.

“Arin, pahingi naman!” Ashton, also one of our cousins, interrupted us.

Tinaasan siya ni Arin ng kilay. “Kumuha ka roon ng sa'yo. Aagawan mo pa talaga si Aye, ha.”

“Kaya mo naman sigurong kumuha ng para sa'kin, diba?”

“Yes, I can but I wouldn't so I shan't.”

I can hear Ashton mutters something pero dahil abala si Arin sa pagnanamnam ng kaniyang kinakain na brownie ay hindi niya na pa ito pinagbigyan ng atensyon. She doesn't give a damn to hear it.

“Gusto mo, Ash? Ako nalang kukuha ng para sa'yo.”

“Hindi, h'wag na. Basta sa susunod na gagawa ulit ako ng pancakes, siguraduhin mo lang na hindi present iyang si Arin. Nakakasira ng mood!”

“Just talk shit about me because no one cares!” Arin exclaimed but not looking at Ashklein but I'm pretty sure that was meant for him. I just sighed. They were never good to each other. I mean, they keep on nagging to each other as if the world has been soooo damn bad the both of them. Cousins but mortal enemies, that's what they are.