Where It All Started (SOW #1)

17.

"Ate, pahingi po ako nung liempo," I smiled at my brother and get what he asked. Hiniwa ko na din ang liempo na inihaw nila kanina saka inilagay sa plato ni Louie. He smiled at me and continue to eat. Nabaling naman ang tingin ko kay V na kumakain. I leaned to him and whispered.

"Gusto mo pa ba ng tilapia?" He stopped eating and nodded. Kinuha ko ang isang pirasong tilapia at ipinaghimay siya. He whispered thanks and continue eating. Nag-angat naman ako ng tingin at nakita ang mga reaksyon nila.

Kuya Jin, who's munching chicken, is raising his brows with a hint of amusement in his eyes. Erich, who's smiling widely. Jeon, who's whistling while drinking his Delight. Parker, who's eating spaghetti, stares at us with wide eyes. Ralph is shaking his head while looking at us with amusement in his eyes. Kobi, who's completely confused and lastly, Yuri, who's crossing his arms and leaning in the chair, smirking.

Nag init naman ang pisngi ko dahil sa atensyon nila kaya ibinaba ko ang paningin ko at nagsimulang kumain. They continued eating also pero bakas pa rin sa mukha ang pang aasar.

"It's already 11 AM, gusto nyo bang mag-swimming or matulog muna?" Kuya Jin asked while cleaning the table. Tumulong ako sa pagligpit ng mga pinagkainan habang ang kapatid ko ay nasa kwarto sa itaas kasama si Parker at Kobi.

"I'm full from eating. Magpapahinga lang ako then, I'll see if I'm in the mood to swim," Erich answered. Itinapon ko ang mga plastic sa basurahan at naghugas ng kamay. I look around to find V but, he's not here. Nilapitan ko si Jeon na naghuhugas din ng kamay.

"Jeon, did you saw Victorious?" Tanong ko sa kanya. Natigil siya at nagpunas ng kamay bago luminga sa paligid.

"Nope. Nakaupo lang siya doon kanina sa gilid pero nawala. Baka nasa kwarto, check mo." Tumango ako sa kanya at nagpasalamat bago ako pumunta sa kwarto sa ibaba at sumilip. I checked the rooms but V is not there.

"Sheen, may problema ba?" Nakasalubong ko si Kuya Jin pagbalik ko sa cottage.

"Kuya, nakita mo si V?" Tanong ko at nagsisimula na akong kabahan pero binabalewala ko iyon. Hindi dapat ako kabahan. Walang dapat ikakakaba.

"Hmm, parang nakita kong kasama kanina nila Parker. Na-check mo na ba 'yung room upstairs? Baka nando'n." Napatango naman ako kaagad at nagpasalamat sa kanya saka tumungo sa itaas. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang makita ang bahagyang nakabukas na pintuan at mula doon ay rinig ang tawanan ng mga nasa loob.

I walked towards it and peeked inside. There, I saw Victorious with a smile on his lips. Naroon kasama niya si Parker, Kobi at si Louie.

"Really? Leisheen did that?" Napasimangot naman ako dahil sa sinabi ni Parker. So, ako ang pinag-uusapan nila?

"Oo! Naalala ko pa nga na may picture siya noon eh. She tried to bake a cake for Ralph's 8th birthday but, it's actually made from clay. Ralph almost eat that cake and gladly, he did not," Kobi said, making them laugh. Maiinis na sana ako pero nadako ang paningin ko kay V na tumatawa. I suddenly stopped and it feels weird because something in my stomach is moving. Nakakakiliti ang pakiramdam.

"Then, I remember before when she was still in elementary. Ever since grade 1 siya, palagi siyang gumagawa ng card for her parents or for Mama and for us. Kada okasyon like Valentine's, Mother's Day or Father's Day, birthdays, Christmas Days and New Year, walang palya siya kung gumawa ng cards and letters for all of us." I heard Kobi sighed and I felt a heavy weight on my chest. I know what he's about to say.

"But, it all stopped when their parents died." Natahimik sila doon pati na rin ako.

I'm not mad at Kobi for telling that to them. Hindi ko isinisikreto sa tao ang nakaraan ko. Why would I? My family is involved with it, so why would I hide it? After all, it's a precious memory.

"Leisheen has been a great cousin and Ate for Louie," Kobi said again and glace at my brother who's sleeping on the bed. Napatitig din ako sa kapatid ko at naalala lahat ng pinagdaanan niya mula nang mamatay sila Mama at Papa.

At a young age, he lost our parents. He almost stopped studying dahil wala kaming pambayad noon but, Aunt Jean helped us. I know how sad and broken Louie is when our parents die and it hurts, knowing that in his young age, he lost someone he loves. But, I didn't give up. Despite Aunt Jean helping us, I work for Louie and aim to give him a better life. I work for his education. He's an achiever kaya mas lalo akong napupursiging magtrabaho at magsumikap.

He's worth every pain and fatigue. Every time he smiles, all my worries, doubts, disappointments, fears, pain, tiredness, all of it disappears. Simpleng thank you niya lang, nabu-boost ang determination ko.

I love and cherish my brother so much. Masaya ako na binigay siya sa amin at pangako ko na gagawin ko ang lahat maging maayos lang ang buhay niya. I'll guide him and will never leave him.

"I know, Louie is proud of her sister. Also, Tito and Tita is surely proud of her," Kobi said, making me tear up.

Naitulak ko ang pintuan at tuluyang pumasok. Napatingin sila sa akin pero dumiretso ako sa kapatid ko. I kissed his forehead and caress his hair.

"I'll do everything for you, hmm? Remember that Ate is always here for you. I love you," bulong ko bago halikan muli ang noo nya. Bumaling ako kay Kobi na nakangiti sa akin. Walang pagdadalawang isip ko siyang nilapitan at niyakap.

Kobi is my ball of sunshine. He makes our mood lighter and brighter by his smiles. I love my cousin so much and I cherish them.

"Thank you, Kobi," bulong ko at humalik sa pisngi niya.

"You're welcome, my dear cousin," he replied and pats my head.

Someone cleared his throat. "Tsismosa pala itong si Leisheen, 'no?" Parker said kaya sinamaan ko siya ng tingin pero tinawanan niya lang ako at nginuso ang side ni Victorious.

"May naghihintay ng yakap do'n sa gedli, baka naman daw." Parker said kaya napangiti ako at bumaling kay V na nakangiti din at bakas ang tuwa sa mukha.

I walk towards him and sit in front of him. He smiled widely when he felt my presence then he hold my hand. Mas lalo akong napangiti nang iangat niya ang kamay ko at pinatakan ng halik.

"I'm really proud of you," he said before pulling me into a hug. The two behind us cheered but V only tightened his hug.

"Tamis! Pero label muna, pwede?" Parker exclaimed but, my focus is on V's embrace. I close my eyes and hug him back.

Shit. I like him.