Kabanata 3
Still
He's a mentee of my father. Dalawa sila ni Kuya Eulyses. I couldn't read between the lines because he seemed contradicting. Why did he choose my father who's a bit unstable and managed a whole different business than his? Dahil lang magkaibigan sila ng Kuya ko?
I watched Kuya Euly, Dad, and Rience talk in the lanai. I actually thought it will be just me. Nasanay na akong ganoon. But they're here talking and I have no plans to get in their way. Tahimik akong magbabasa at magmumuni-muni kasama ang sarili ko.
"Oh, I remember!"
Nagulat ako sa biglang paghiyaw ni Daddy. Nasa malayong upuan ako pero dahil kalinya ng kanilang anggulo, malinaw kong nakikita ang tuwa sa kaniya. Umangat ang kilay ko. I've never seen him this energetic for so long!
"Papa, Crescent's reading," tumatawang lingon sa akin ni Kuya Euly.
Sinara ko ang aking libro. Rience glanced at me but immediately changed his gaze after. Malapit na sana akong mabigyan ng paniniwalang pagsusuplado iyon kung hindi lang siya mukhang hindi makabasag-pinggan.
I realized my sentiment of him again. Wow, Crescent. Gumamit ka naman ng idiom ngayon. You're being wordy, huh.
They looked like cowboys with their outfits. Dahil na rin sa sombrero. Dad wore white while my brother and Rience chose dark colors of brown and black. Their boots hid their long legs. I bet I'm gonna need to lift my head high when they're in front of me.
"Are we disturbing you, Princess?" may pag-aalala sa boses ni Daddy.
Mabilis akong umiling. "No, Dad. You can continue."
"See? She's not! Malaki na talaga ang kapatid mo..." Bumuntonghininga si Daddy nang may panghihinayang.
"Uh... Rience, show Dad your progress later. O kaya ngayon na? Handa ba?"
Kuya Euly changed the subject so Dad won't have to contemplate about it. Amazing.
"It's ready, Tito. You'll be the first one to see, but I sent pictures to Papa. He hasn't replied yet."
"He's busy. The schedule must be hectic. Hayaan mo't ako ang aapruba kung hindi niya magagawa."
Masunuring tumango si Rience. I'm starting to get jealous about the attention my father is giving him. I am here? Hindi na ako napansin ng Daddy ko simula nang maipakilala na siya sa akin. He's become a replacement to Kuya Ram.
Speaking of my other brother, he left without any notice again. I let him. I'm worried but I'll just ask him when he arrives. Sasagot naman iyon kung maganda ang timpla.
"Crescent, come here!" Kuya Euly called.
"Why?" tanong ko agad.
Ngumiti siya at niyaya ako sa pamamagitan ng pagsenyas. I shrugged my shoulders. Binitiwan ko muna ang bitbit kong libro para makalapit na sa kanila.
"Kuya?"
They're forming a circle and standing in the middle of it felt more like of a hot seat. Nilakasan ko ang loob dahil ano naman, hindi ba? They are boys but I can jive with them.
"We're going to the tree house. Hindi mo pa ulit nabibisita, tama?"
Unti-unti akong tumango. I got a glimpse of last night. Right at its window. It couldn't be a ghost, right? I don't believe in paranormal stuff but what other explanations can I get?
"By the way, Dad had it arranged for Rience."
"Oh," reaksiyon ko.
Nakalimutan na ba nilang sa akin iyon? They built it for me. Sa sobrang luma, inayos pala nila ulit pero hindi para sa akin?
