Chasing Rogue

Epilogue

Epilogue:
Mission complete

"Mom! Gamit na naman ni Kuya yung watch ko!"  I heard my youngest shriek habang palakas ng palakas ang yabag nito palapit sa kina-uupuan ko.

"Cat, stop! Ibabalik ko naman agad! Can we argue later? I need to go."

"Crimson! Cathalina! What's going on?" Galit na tanong ko sa dalawa kong anak.

"Mom, Kuya Crim stole my wristwatch again!" Pag re-reklamo ng bunso ko.

For Christmas last year, their dad had 'the best' idea and that was gifting them their own Patek Philippe. It was the worst idea that my husband has ever thought of. Clearly hindi nila alam kung paano paha-halagahan ang mga ma-mahaling bagay at their age. But Rogue insisted that they deserved it because of their good grades.

"Crimson, hand it over. Di'ba mayroon ka namang sarili mo? Where's yours? Bakit kailangan mong kuhanin ang sa kapatid mo?" Nag ta-takang tanong ko sa anak ko.

"Ma, sorry pero I lost it. Can't I just borrow hers? Please? I'm really late for my date, Madelaine is waiting for me already." Madaling-madali na sabi nito.

I was trying my best to stay calm. Mukhang isa na namang bote ng wine ang ma-uubos ko tonight.

"You're going without a watch, para saan ba ito ha? Hindi naman mapapansin ng date mo kung may suot ka na mamahalin na relos o wala." Tinapunan ko ng masamang tingin ag anak ko. He's being petty.

"Ma, naman." Crimson whined, manang-mana talaga sa ama.

"That's not gonna work on me anymore, Crimson Angelo, you're not seven years old anymore." I shook my head in dissaproval. "Cathalina, take your watch and go to your room, parehas kayong grounded. This is your fifth time fighting this week, do you guys not get tired? Dalawa na nga lang kayong mag-kapatid paano pa kaya yung mas marami kayo?" Sermon ko.

"Do they want more siblings?" Basag boses ng asawa ko sa living room. He usually knows how to break off the two from fighting like cats and dogs, it actually seems like they only listen to their Dad.

"Dad!" Mabilis na tumakbo si Cat sa daddy niya, para mag sumbong for sure, but it's not gonna work, baka parehas ko pa sila paluin ng Daddy niya.

"Dad, Mom just grounded me, eh si Kuya naman ang may kasalanan." She pouted, rushing over to hug her kunsintidor Dad. Cathalina is such a daddy's girl.

Rogue was hesitant to speak up, I glared at him the moment he tried to open his mouth.

Makuha ka sa tingin, Rogue! I thought.

"Baby you guys have been fighting nonstop this week, it's only understandable that you're both grounded." My husband explained as I was giving him a murderous look.

He has this habit of spoiling our children and giving in whenever they act all pouty and cute, which ends up with me and him arguing.

"Pero, Dad.." Cat tried to butt in.

"Walang pero-pero, Cathalina Stafylia!" I couldn't help but raise my voice, "Umakyat ka na, ikaw rin Crimson. I'm sure Madelaine will understand if you tell her that you're grounded because you haven't matured." I told the both of them and they ran to their own rooms with heavy footsteps.

I felt my husband's arm snake around my waist and I deeply sighed. "Ikaw naman, love. Take it easy. Ayokong ma-stress ka sa dalawa. Hindi na rin sila bata." Malambing na sabi ni Rogue.