I Am You (BoyxBoy) (BoyxGirl)

Chapter V - Favorite Child

Sabay sabay kaming kumakain ng almusal ngayon bago kami pumasok sa school at si Mama sa office. Nung mga bata kami naalala ko lagi sinasabi ni Baba na dapat lagi kami magkakasabay kumain because he believes that "A family that eats together, stays together" pero dahil wala na si Baba there will be those days na hindi na kami nagkakasabay kumain. Minsan dahil sa business trip ni mama or kapag busy si Jio. Wala naman din kasing gana kumain si Mama kapag hindi kasama si Jio.

"Ma, napag-usapan pala namin na we will celebrate our 20th birthday sa beach with our few close friends. I remember kasi you have told us na you will be out of the country dahil sa business trip mo so you'll not be here on our birthday kaya naisip namin na we will just celebrate it at the beach" pagpapaalam ni Jio kay Mama.

"I see. But, I am planning to not go, son because I am thinking for your birthday na to have a big party here at our house. For a changed na din kasi usually we go out of town to celebrate your birthday" my mom explained while slicing her steak.

As usual si Jio lang naman ang iniisip ni Mama at ako saling pusa lang sa celebration na 'yun kahit birthday ko din.

"I think you should just go Ma kasi we already planned and talked with our friends about this" Jio answered back

My mom stopped eating and then looked at me "Baka naman sinusulsulan mo etong kakambal mo Jieyang kaya he is insisting this birthday celebration plan" paninisi ni Mama sa akin.

I swallowed hard and wanted to retort it but my twin brother talked. "What? Ma hindi totoo yan. I also want to celebrate my birthday outside with..." di na natapos ni Jio ang sinasabi niya ng magsalita ulit si Mama "I have heard enough and my answer is NO. I already made up my mind. I will cancel my trip just to be here on your birthday. I also talked with my secretary about the birthday party that will be held here at our house. She already called an event organizer to fix the party."

Ngumisi si Jio at umiling iling. "So you have already planned it out without even asking us kung may other plans ba kami sa birthday namin." ramdam ko 'yung tensyon na kahit hindi ako nagsasalita pero parang kasalanan ko.

Minsan lang sumagot si Jio kay Mama kasi mahaba 'yung pasensya niya talaga. At 'yung minsan na 'yun kapag kasama ako sa topic.

"I don't need to ask any permission from you or from anyone" parang nasa board meeting si Mama sa tono ng boses niya.

"This is supposed to be a surprise party but I already spoiled it because there might be a conflict dahil nga sa plan niyo. So, I hope you understand and appreciate what I have for you on your birthday, anak" hinawakan ni Mama ang kamay ni Jio at para bang ina-amo amo niya ang aking kakambal.

Tumango tango lang si Jio at tumingin sa akin. "We always appreciate you, Mama and for the record it is not only my birthday but also Jia's birthday as she is my twin sister" he said at tumingin siya kay Mama.

Tumango lang si Mama. After the intense argument between Mama and Jio. It escalated to the topic na supposed to be a surprise birthday party ni Jio feat. ako and things about sa school activities ng kakambal ko.

Yes, it is always about Jio. For Mama, Jio is the favorite child. Well, Jio is basically the only child in Mama's life.

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We are on the way sa school. Si Jio lagi ang nag da-drive kahit na sinasabi ni Mama na si Mang Dong na lang or kumuha kami ng personal driver namin para hindi daw mapagod si Jio sa pag drive papunta sa school kaso ayaw ni Jio dahil daw bonding na din namin 'yung papunta sa school.

I am still thinking sa nangyare a while ago sa bahay. Ayoko talaga ng ganitong feeling. 'Yung pakiramdam ko galit si Mama sa akin.

"No matter what happens. Life goes on and on. So baby, please smiiiile"