It's Official! (Oh Is It?)

1

Snooze of the the six a.m. alarm clock gets into my ear as the sun's rays strike directly into my eyes, making me wake up from bed. I stretch my arm as soon as I get up and yawn. Dumiretso na ako sa bathroom for my morning rituals and preparing for school.

Okay, today is Monday and another day to begin school weeks. Panibagong challenges na naman as the first semester finals begin. Katatapos lang ng midterms last week, and it was so challenging yet fun naman. Kahit gaano man iyan kahirap, let's make it light by having some fun. I mean, it shouldn't be perceived as a bad thing. Most students, kasi ay gano'n ang iniisip. That was what I've learned and my mindset during my college journey, and now I'm a graduating student. One more semester, graduate na ako.

"Himalang nagkasabay tayo, Kianna." Kian chuckled nang isara ang pinto. Pagkalabas na pagkalabas ko sa kwarto ay siyang paglabas rin niya. Magkatabi kasi ang room namin. At kung bakit? Dahil pareho kaming nakatira sa bahay na ito.

"Himalang maaga kang nagising." I chuckled, nagkibit balikat lang naman ito. Nakagayak na rin siya tulad ko papunta sa school, nakasukbit ang bag sa balikat. Naka-tuck in pa ng maayos ang kanyang damit. Ako naman, maayos na nakasuot ang blue blouse and pants ko. Nakalugay ang buhok kong hanggang balikat.

Habang bumaba kami, papuntang kusina ay kinukwento ko sa kanya pati panaginip kong wala namang sense. Mabuti na lang at nakikinig lang siya, iyon nga lang ay hindi masyadong nagsasalita. Mabuti na lang din at hindi siya nagsasawang makinig. Aba at dapat lang din dahil nasa iisang bahay lang kami.

Kian and I were born on the same day, conceived in the same womb, had the same baptism, and went to the same grade school, but he's five minutes ahead of me.

Parehas kaming napatingin sa isa't isa, surprised, nang makita kung sino ang nasa dining table at hinihintay kaming bumaba.

"Dad! Mom!" Isang ngiti at yakap ang isinalubong sa aming dalawa.  Wala kaming idea pareho na darating pala ang parents namin na akala ay next week pa ang dating from their business trips.

Naupo na kami pareho sa upuan at sumabay na sa breakfast. They asked us about our studies, though they already knew what was happening to us. Alam nila dahil mino-monitor nila. Halos lahat naman inaalam nila para at least parang kasama nila kami lagi every time na wala sila sa bahay.

Napapangiti lang ako sa tuwing nagkukuwento si Kian kay dad ng boy's thing. Kian is my dad's mini-me. Almond-shaped eyes, pointed nose, may kakapalan ang kilay, cherry lips, at bilugang mukha. Pati nga haircut, iba nga lang ang hairstyle.

I am my mom's 19-year-old version with fair skin color, curvy lips, almond-shaped eyes, a pointed nose, and a narrow face. One thing I got from Dad is his eye color, which is dark brown.

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"Ingat sa pagda-drive, alright, Angelo? Look after your sister." Nag-salute lang si Kian kay mom. Napabuntong hininga lang ako dahil turing pa rin sa akin ay batang paslit.

"Your promise, our princess." Bilin ni dad sa akin. I just smiled and nodded. How could I forget my promise when my dad kept reminding me? Of course, I'll fulfill it.

"Are you okay? Nanahimik ka bigla nang ipaalala na naman sa'yo ni dad ang promise mo." Tanong niya habang ang nasa steering wheel ang mga kamay niya. Ngumiti lang ako. May naalala lang kasi ako.

"May practice game pala kami mamaya baka hindi na tayo magkasabay umuwi." Sabi pa. Tumango lang ako. "Pero, pwede ko namang sabihan si Kiel na ihatid ka niya pauwi." He chuckled.

"You're kidding!" I told him, pouting. Tumawa lang naman siya.

"Ayaw mo ba? Bakit? Kumusta na ba kayo?"