Dive #Wattys2021

Thirty-sixth Dive

Meriedeth Salazar

I was confined at the hospital for three days. Hindi ko na rin na saksihan ang closing ceremony. I'm currently sitting at the shotgun seat at my brother's car. We are going home and we are caught in a heavy traffic in the afternoon. For sure gabi na kami makarating sa bahay.

"Kamusta pakiramdam mo, Meriedeth?"

"Kuya, ilang beses mo ba 'yan itatanong? Bakit hindi ka nalang naging nurse?"

He asked me that question for 10 times already!

"I'm just making sure, baka biglang bumalik lagnat mo or what. I'm just concern."

"Tss."

We listened to the radio habang nasa traffic kami at tama nga ako, hapon na ng makarating na kami sa bahay, as in padilim na. Baba na sana ako pero sinabi ni Kuya na siya magbubukas ng pinto para sa akin.

Its not like I have any fracture. Tss.

Bumaba na ako at tinaasan ng kilay si Kuya, he just smiled.

"Mauna ka na, I'll get the bags."

Hinayaan ko na siya. Napakunot ang noo ko dahil hindi nakabukas ang ilaw sa loob.

"Kuya, wala ba sila Mama?"

Mas lalong napakunot ang noo ko dahil wala na doon si Kuya sa may sasakyan. Horror ba 'to? Nahh. Argh! Bakit ba siya biglang nawala?!

"Kuya?" tawag ko at tiningnan ang sasakyan pero wala.

"Kuya Marcus!" tawag ko ulit pero walang nagresponse.

Natutulog pa kaya ako sa hospital at panaginip lang ba 'to?

Tiningnan ko ang pinto ng main door. Masama pakiramdam ko, umikot ako patungo sa likurang bahagi ng bahay, nandoon ang laundry area namin. I was about to open the door but it was locked.

"Kuya Marcus! Wag niyo ako iwan dito sa labas!" inis kong sabi pero lock pa rin ang pinto.

Napabuntong-hininga ako at umikot patungo sa main door. Kinuha ko yung payong na nandoon sa garahe at binuksan ko ang pinto ng main door. I saw a shadow moved! Hahampasin ko na sana pero biglang bumukas ang ilaw at parang naestatwa ako.

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!"

I heard Kuya singing. Ibinaba ko yung payong na dala ko. Eryx is the one holding the cake with candles that are lit up. Shelanie and Rovic are happily singing along with Kuya. They are wearing party hats.

Ano ba 'yan.

Teka..

Anong araw ba ngayon?

Ah, January 31. Birthday ko nga. Argh.

"Happy birthday Baby Meriedeth, Happy birthday to you! Yeyy!" at nagpalakpakan sila.

Wala ba sila Mama at Papa? Aunty Rebecca came out from the kitchen and sing along with them.

"Teka, bakit baby? I'm not a baby anymore!" sabi ko kay Kuya.

"You're always going to be the baby of the family, Deth-deth. I'm sorry for being harsh to you, sana mapatawad mo na ang pinakagwapo mong Kuya," sabi ni Kuya Marcus at pinisil ang pisngi ko.

Nahawaan ba siya ni Rovic?!

"Blow the candles na Salazar!" excited na sabi ni Shelanie.

Napatingin ako sa cake na dala ni Eryx. It was a rectangular chocolate cake na may nakalagay na greetings with a number 1 and 7.

Damn, I'm 17.