Solace Escape

Kabanata 1

Kabanata 1

"Ngingiti na 'yan! Ngingiti na 'yan!" the three chanted while I was seated on our couch and Mom's sitting beside me, watching them.

I remained staring at them, not wearing any smiles at all.

"Come on, pretty ghourl, sorry na!" my Dad pouted, tumango-tango naman si Zirena at Kuya Zy doon sa gilid niya na parang mga puppet.

"For what?" I asked, folding my arms on my chest, staring at them.

"Kasi..." he blinked, siniko pa si Kuya Zy na tulala.

"What?" Kuya asked.

"Bakit daw tayo nagso-sorry—"

"Zeijan Ruais..." Mom warned kaya tumikhim si Dad, pasimpleng tinulak sa pwesto ko si Zire na may kagat na chocolates.

"What?" she asked, confused, glancing at Dad who nodded at her and pointed me with his lips.

"Oh!" Zire's blue eyes widened, sumusulyap sa akin. "Masarap itong chocolates mo, Ate! Salamat ng super dami!"

Nasapo bigla ni Kuya at Dad ang noo.

"H'wag ka na pala magsalita, ganda." Dad said, gently pulling Zirena back, still munching on her chocolates.

"Sorry na talaga, pretty ghourl..." Dad pouted, "ganda kasi ng tugtog, nadala lang ako ng damdamin."

Kuya Zy laughed, nang nilingon siya ni Daddy at sinamaan ng tingin ay nanahimik ito at tumikhim bago nagseryoso.

"Oo nga, pretty ghourl. Sorry na, nadala lang kami sa damdamin, alam mo 'yon kapag may tugtog automatic na gumagalaw 'yong balakang namin?"

Suddenly, a song played on the stereo again. Napansin naming wala na si Zire sa gilid nila at nandoon na sa tapat ng player at may pinapakialaman habang nilalantakan ang pagkain.

If you wanna run away with me, I know a galaxy

And I can take you for a ride

I had a premonition that we fell into a rhythm

Where the music don't stop for life

Kuya Zy and Dad suddenly clapped.

"Shit, kagaya niyan!" Dad exclaimed at bigla gumalaw ang balakang nila ni Kuya Zy at pumalakpak, nagsisimula na namang sumayaw.

"Sorry, Sibyl. Nasa dugo na nating hindi mapipigil ang sayaw kapag may tugtog!" Kuya exclaimed, pinigil pa si Dad kunwari pero todo-bigay na sa pagsayaw nila.

You want me, I want you, baby

My sugarboo, I'm levitating

The Milky Way, we're renegading!

I heard Zire singing, habang pabalik sa harapan namin ni Mommy ay kumekembot habang inaangat sa ere ang pagkain.

"Hindi na namin kaya pigilan 'to, Ate!" she exclaimed and twerked.

"Tara, pretty! Sayaw!" Dad exclaimed, walang pakialam sa sayawan nila sa dance studio-slash-practice room ko.

Bumusangot ako, lumakas ang tawa ni Mommy sa tabi ko at inabot ang braso ko.

"Pagpasensyahan mo na ang triplets, anak." Mom whispered, chuckling at nang lingunin ko siya ay nakita ang saya sa mata niya. "They're enjoying making fun of you."

"Why?" ngumuso na ako.

"Because you rarely smile," Mom then touched my cheek, "come on, princess, smile."