Till the Last Game Do Us Part

Chapter 37

Atherelle's POV

Past Tragedy

Parang pagod na pagod ako pagkagising at kung hindi lang dahil sa gutom na naramdaman ay hindi pa ako bumangon. I groaned in pain when I accidentally parted my legs the moment I went off the bed.

I went to the bathroom to wash my face before going out. Batang babae ang una kong nakita pagkalabas. Well, not literally a kid but a teenage girl wearing a high school uniform. She's getting a book that was placed above the center table. When she looked up, that's when I realize who she is.

Hazel was taller than I expected. We're almost the same height. She's I guess fourteen years old but she already got a height like this. If she isn't wearing a high school uniform, I can't tell that she's still a teenager.

"A-ate, Atherelle?" gulat niyang utas nang makita ako.

I was about to answer her when she yelled and jumped hysterically.

"Ikaw nga!" sigaw niyang muli sabay takbo at yakap sa 'kin. "Oh my God, ate! Miss kita!" she continued her screams.

I hugged her back and when she let me off, I finally see a clearer view of her face. She's so pretty, like a girl version of Gaviel.

"Mas lalo ka pong gumanda, ate." aniya, malaki pa rin ang ngiti.

"Ikaw din, ang ganda mo na."

"Oy, kinilig ako." she giggled which made me laugh.

She's grown up being so jolly. Ever since she's been like this but I didn't expect it would turn this way. She's so unlikely to her brother. Ang akala ko magbabago dahil seryosong seryoso si Gaviel.

"Wait, hanap mo si kuya? Nasa kitchen, tara!" she said and held my hand to bring me to the kitchen.

I followed her while she was holding my hand. Naghanda na ng pagkain si Gaviel sa lamesa pagkapasok namin. I felt an extreme hunger the moment I smelled the foods. Anong oras na ba at parang gutom na gutom ako?

"Kuya!" Hazel yelled, "You didn't tell me ate Atherelle is here."

Nag-angat ng tingin si Gaviel at deritso itong tumama sa akin. Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin bago ngumiti at bumaling sa kapatid.

"Kasi manggugulo ka lang." he answered to his sister.

"Hindi, ah." nakangusong sagot ni Hazel at umupo na.

Gaviel come near me and on cue, he gently hold me by my waist as he kissed me on my cheek. Agad ko naman siyang tinulak ng bahagya dahil nasa harap kami ng kapatid niya. I took a sit in front of Hazel and Gaviel followed beside me.

"Good noon," he uttered.

With that, my eyes widened, and looked at him.

"Ano? A-anong oras na ba?" gulat kong tanong.

"NOON."

I told Mr. Dale I will fly back to U.S. early in the morning, but hell, I woke up late. Hindi tuloy ako makakabalik sa trabaho bukas.

"You slept too much, ate," Hazel said, putting rice on her plate.

"Puyat," Gaviel answered like it was just nothing.

Agad ko siyang siniko pero parang wala lang siya na kumukuha ng ulam at nilalagay sa plato ko. Hazel looked up and nodded innocently.

"Oh, yeah. The event lasted midnight nga pala." aniya at nagpatuloy ulit sa pagkain.

I want to slap my face out of embarrassment. I thought too much. Masyado ko ata iniisip ang nangyari kaninang madaling araw.

"We're years didn't see each other, ate. Marami sana akong gustong e-share sa 'yo." Hazel said.