The Living Fictions

Chapter 5

Chapter Five

The rest of the days of the summer truly flew so fast. Parang sa isang iglap lang ay balik-eskwela na kaagad.  I yawned lazily as I stretched my body after I woke up from the deafening alarm from my cell phone. It was still six in the morning and I feel like sleeping again. First day pa naman kaya hindi required na maaga lahat ng estudyante. 

I stayed in bed for a few minutes or so, checking Instagram. Minsan lang ako nagu-upload roon. Most of the time, I post memorable quotes that I've taken from books, kasama na rin ang mga pictures ng mga annotated books ko. At dahil mas maraming photos about books ko roon, I also refer it as a Bookstagram. I wouldn't do it if I had no reason to, of course. There are many people who follow my account because they like the way I highlight and color some parts of the book. Come to think of it, para akong nagpo-promote ng produkto na walang kapalit.

Nang mapagtanto kong twenty minutes na ang dumaan, I decided to get ready already. I grabbed my towel from the closet and went straight to the CR to go shower. Medyo inaantok pa ako pero alam kong kailangan kong pagisingin ang diwa ko para naman hindi ako ma-mental block mamaya sa klase. Though dahil first day pa naman,  it's more likely to have a lot of orientations than classes. Siguro'y bukas pag magsisimula ang klase at kapag tapos na ang orientations. And by tomorrow, I should stop being lazy.

I immediately blow-dried my hair after finishing my shower and feeling satisfied. Medyo nakaka-disappoint lang na wala man lang kurba sa aking dibdib kahit na fitted cardigan naman ang suot ko. It was color white. My hands were in my chest as if umaasa ng isang himala na biglang magkaroon ng pagbabago roon at napangiwi ako sa aking sarili nang tingnan ko ang aking repleksyon sa salamin. I wish I have a cleavage.

I wore it with white sneakers and ragged, faded jeans. After that, I also applied some basic makeup; liptint, check tint and a bit of eye shadow. Despite sa white skin color ko, I still wish that I was morena. Wala lang, I just find morena women so beautiful and seems so unique.

When I was finally feeling satisfied with how I looked as I looked at my own reflection in the mirror, I grabbed my faded pink shoulder bag and went down the stairs. Rinig na rinig ang bawat yapak ko sa staircase at iyon marahil ang dahilan kung bakit napaangat ng tingin si Mommy galing sa dining area dito sa kinaroroonan ko.

“Good morning, Aye.”

“Good morning, mom.” I simply kissed her on the cheek and she does the same. She's already wearing a business suit and I guess, she'll go together with dad at work. She's currently preparing for a lunch box. For her and Dad.

I almost taken aback when I saw dad sitting there and eating breakfast. Our dining table is a long rectangular shape as if there are a lot of members of this family (minsan kasi, kapag hindi sa mansion ay may mga tendency na dito nag-gather ang buong pamilya for random get together. Minsan din ay dito namin magpipinsan mas prefer mag bond lalo na kapag wala si Auntie Cadence or si Lolo sa mansion).

Dad was on the head table and when his gaze darted at me, I awkwardly smile. Like c'mon, I think it was a week ago since I'd last seen him spent a meal with us.

“Are you going now?” Dad asked me as I pulled the seat just beside him.

Tumango ako. “Yes, dad. After ko mag-breakfast.”

“Are things fine now? How about your allowance?”

“There's still a lot left in my card.”

“Good. Sabihan mo lang ako kung ubos na ang allowance mo. I don't want you to go to your school without money, Aye.”

That's the good thing about him. I know it's a bit materialistic but who am I to decline? Responsibilidad niya naman ako at wala pa akong ibang sourge of income kundi ang mga magulang ko. And perhaps that is his way to fill the void he always draws between us. I am not contented but still, I smiled. “Thanks a lot, Dad.”