Where It All Started (SOW #1)

30.

The day of my birthday starts with me and Louie, going to a church. Nakagawian na kasi namin na magsimba tuwing kaarawan namin. Nasakto pa na Linggo ang birthday ko kaya tamang tama.

Wearing a red blouse and a white under knee skirt and sandals, lumabas ako ng kwarto at dumiretso sa tapat ng kwarto ng kapatid ko. I knocked on his door.

"Bukas 'yan, Ate!" I heard him say. Binuksan ko ang pintuan at nakita siyang nagsasapatos. I lean on his door frame and watch him.

Ang laki na ng kapatid ko. Binata na.

My brother is wearing a white polo and slacks, together with his belt. My brother grew up handsome kaya hindi ako nagtaka nang umuwi s'ya at sinabing may umamin sa kanyang kaklase. Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi magugustuhan ang kapatid ko? He has a good looks kahit teenager pa lang, his intelligence, his personality. Lahat 'yon kahanga hanga.

"Ate," I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at him. He went to his drawer and got something, then he walked towards me.

"For you," he said and I gasped when he showed me a hand-made bracelet which has an initials of LSA, my whole name.

"Thank you, ate ko. For all your hard work and sacrifices just to make sure that I'm living a good life. You became my ate, mama and papa and I'm very much thankful for that. I always wanted you to be happy and I always wanted to tell you that you are beautiful, ate. Your pure soul and kindness is what's making you beautiful. I'm sure that's why Kuya Victorious is in love with you," he said and held my hand. Isinuot niya sa akin ang bracelet na halatang handmade at sa katotohanang handmade 'yon, mas lalo akong naiyak at yumakap sa kanya.

"Be happy, ate. This time, 'yung sarili mo naman ang intindihin mo. You've done enough for me and you deserve to grab your happiness now. When Kuya Victorious comes back, you two deserve to be happy because you two survive a tough fight," he said.

"Happy birthday, Ate Sheen," he whispered and kissed my forehead.

Nagsimba kami ni Louie gaya ng nakasanayan. We attended the mass and it feels great hearing the priest's words. Ang buong atensyon ko ay nasa salita ng pari. Walang ibang laman ang isip ko kundi ang bawat salitang binibitawan n'ya.

When the mass ended, Louie and I stayed to pray more. I prayed for good health and I thanked Him for giving me another year and chapter of my life. I thanked Him for always guiding us. Humiling din ako na sana bumalik na s'ya.

Namasyal kami ng kapatid ko pagkalabas ng simbahan. I smiled when I saw some teenage girls giggle while looking at my brother.

"Gwapo mo," sabi ko. Nangunot naman ang noo n'ya at tumingin sa akin. Pasimple kong nginuso ang mga babae sa paligid pero hindi n'ya tiningnan.

"Maglakad ka na lang, ate. Hayaan mo sila, hindi ko naman sila kilala," he said. Sungit naman.

Exactly 11 AM when we went home. Pagpasok sa bahay ay nagulat ako nang tumambad ang mga tao na palakad lakad at may kanya-kanyang ginagawa.

Si Jeon na nagwawalis sa sahig. Si Parker na nakatungtong sa upuan at nagpupunas ng bintana. Si Lorrie na nagpapalit ng punda ng unan sa sofa. Si Yanah at Ralph na inaayos ang mga nakasabit na frame. I look around more and saw Yuri and Kobi in the kitchen, mukhang nagluluto.

"Guys?" I called them. It's like a scripted play when they all stop at the same time. Sabay sabay din silang tumingin sa 'kin at nanlaki ang mata.

"Louie, pare! Bakit nandito na agad kayo?" Parker exclaimed. My brows raised and I look at him while crossing my arms.

"Bakit? Ayaw mo ba kami dito?" Tanong ko. His eyes widened.

"Hindi sa ganon! Kasi..." Napakamot na lang s'ya at pinagpatuloy ang pagpupunas ng bintana.