That Summer Night of August

Kabanata 7

"Go get your brothers upstairs." Utos sa akin ni tita.

Tumango ako sa kanya at agad na tumungo sa kwarto ko. Nakahiga si Timothy sa kama ko habang nakatutok sa screen ng kanyang bagong camera. Napatingin ito sa akin saka ngumiti. Gising na rin si Terry at nakahiga lamang ito katabi ng kanyang Kuya Timo.

"Kakain na raw."

Umupo ako sa edge ng kama ko habang nakatingin sa bintana ng kwarto. Isang buwan pa bago ko malalaman kung nakapasa ba ako sa entrance exam. College, huh? It was really funny that I was not even sure of my decision. But it doesn't matter.

Umupo si Terry saka niyakap ako. Antok na antok pa rin ang mukha nito dahil nakapikit pa ang kanyang mga mata habang ginagawa iyon.

"Is mom here, kuya?"

Tumango ako sa kanya. Some kids would be excited to see their mom after many days of not being together, but my brothers were too different. They were just used to it. I won't blame them for being like that. I won't blame anyone.

"Let's go down na. She's waiting for us." Nginitian ko ang bunso naming kapatid.

Antok na antok naman itong umalis sa kama saka naglakad papunta sa pinto ng aking kwarto, hinihintay ako. I poked Tim's leg.

"Tara. I know this is hard for you, Tim. Hear her out this time."

I heard him sigh before putting his camera on my study table. I smiled at him to make him feel better. This was so sudden to me, and this was hard for me too but the one who has a difficult situation right now is Tim.

Nang makababa kami ay matamis na ngumiti sa amin si tita. Agad itong lumapit kay Terry at binigyan ito ng mahigpit na yakap. Si Tim naman ay dumiretso sa kanyang upuan, agad naman akong sumunod sa kanya habang si tita ay binuhat si Terry papunta sa upuan na katabi niya.

We prayed before eating. Maraming niluto si tita kaya't nakita kong napangiti si Terry. May bacon, hotdogs, waffles, eggs, smashed potatoes and smoothies. Terry always loved food so I wasn't surprised anymore.

"You're moving out when the class starts, Dee?" Biglang tanong ni tita.

Napatingin ako sa dalawa kong kapatid nang biglang ibinaba ni Tim ang kanyang tinidor. Fuck. I know how badly he needed me. As well as, Terry. Kailangan ko ba talagang umalis dito at iwanan ang dalawa kong kapatid?

"I've changed my mind, tita. I'm not moving out."

I saw Tim simply smiled. Was it a right decision?

"I see you're friends with Zachary. How did you two meet? His father is the head architect of the new project that your dad took. Howells are families of doctors and architects."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa tanong ni tita. Sino ba 'yon? Zachary? Wala akong maalala na may kaibigan akong may pangalan na ganyan dahil wala naman akong kaibigan kahit isa.

"Sino po?"

She sighed. "I have read the news article. You were at the mall. Sorry for taking the three of you to the spotlight. I know it bothers you a lot, lalo na kayo Timothy at Dee." Tita Tiffany sounded so sorry.

Hindi na ako nagulat pa na may articles na naman tungkol sa amin. Minsan gusto kong maging normal, malayo sa mga kilalang tao sa industriya ng pagiging inhinyero at sa malalagong kumpanya. Pero alam kong hindi ko na ito mababago pa. Dinagdagan pa na marami rin palang nakakakilala roon sa lalaking nakakita kay Terry.

"I already contacted my lawyer to take it down though." She smiled at me.

I know she's trying everything to make it all up to us. I can feel how genuine she is.