Flickers

Chapter 13

Although this isn’t a wide beach
Although we don’t live in a pretty house
In this moment that I’m with you, dad
It’s awkward but really fun and interesting.

- Take care of my dad, IU

I feel conflicted, as if I was about to drown in an imaginary ocean, my senses tingled with something unpleasant and I couldn't sense it.

The feeling of unpleasantness grew, it was comparable to a nail being scratched on a blackboard, worse it was like something I've never felt before, something dark.

I tried to diminish the overwhelming presence hidden in everyone's sight and continued to make Shanghai rolls for today's feasts.

It's the first day of January, the first month of new mornings, and the first year of a new but hopefully better year for everyone.

"Have you jumped?" I turn to see the teasing smirk of my second brother, Ronnel as I glared at him and huffed.

(AN: Jumping at New year means you can get an inch (?) talker)

"I don't need it anymore" I said, almost bitterly and pushed his arm after hearing his boisterous laughter.

"Maybe you should wish for a girlfriend this year- oh wait, maybe it should be a boyfriend for it to be true!" I shouted at him then run to my mother and hid on her back after seeing a ballistic-looking Ronnel.

"What's the matter with the two of you!" Mom swatted the two of us and with a hand on her hip, she cocked her brows waiting for an answer.

I could almost hear the gritting of my brother's teeth and mocked him by making funny faces without our mother's eyes on me.

"Kuya was just too angry that he'll never have a boy-"

"Ehem!"

"I mean girlfriend this year" I grew satisfied at the annoyance reflected into his eyes and smiled victoriously while mom shakes her head as if she's done with our silly fight.

The next thing I knew, I was screaming like a banshee after getting my head choked by my dear brother, Ronnel, who told our brothers that were just having fun. Fun my ass! The others also had their eyes glinting in teasing and I knew if I didn't get out I would for sure get my head choked by this stupid older brother of mine.

I elbowed him in the ribs and he released me, he was about to catch me when I caught sight of our father.

"Papa! Kuya ronnel is hitting me!" I shouted and almost flew to his side, I knew my brothers wouldn't be able to touch me with our father's protection.

Besides, I'm the only girl here and I should be spoiled rotten by my father.

"Hey, stop that, it's your sister" he quickly released his dominance over the rebellious newborn calf.

I snickered at the sight of them quivering like wet kittens and showed my tongue playfully. Thankfully before it skyrocketed, mom came in dressed in festive red.

"Pare! Come drink with us!" We heard the shout of papa's kumpare and see his face beet red, no doubt he wanted to get papa drunk again.

"Eh no more! I'm changing you see!" I heard papa reply and found myself smiling. He truly is changing, I knew he might sometimes give in to his cravings but he would never let himself succumb to that desire again.

"Come on now, close the door and we will eat" papa's friends teased him for being under the saya but he just laughed it off before giving a smooch on his mother's cheeks.

(AN: Under the saya is a slang Filipinos use to describe men who fear women especially those closely related to them, like their mothers or spouses)

"You!" We all laughed seeing mother's embarrassed face, the hoots from papa's friends lessened as he closed the door.

"So, are we going to have another sibling again?" Richard, the eldest teased their mother making her slap him in the back.

"You! Go and eat, now!"

We ate silently after the loud ruckus that happened earlier. The comfortable silence diminishes my sudden anxiety and made me look at my whole family. They were here with me, welcoming the new year, complete and changing for the better.

I just hope it stays.

***
Chapter 13 is up!

New Year will always represent another new change in our lives, cherish it, people. 

Have a great day everyone! Stay safe and happy!

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