Flames and Vengeance (South Series # 1) COMPLETED- To be published

Chapter 49

Sobrang delayed ng flight namin ni Jandrei, nakarating kami ng bahay namin sa Alabang around 11 pm na, tapos nag-ready pa kami. When we arrived at Ate Trish's house almost everyone was eating already.

"Damn, you're so gorgeous!" Salubong sa akin ni Ate Trish. Jandrei was beside me as my family welcomed me. "Bakit nag-heels ka, oo na model ka na. Shocks, ang liit ng face mo, ang sexy mo!"

I laughed and hugged her. "Ang OA mo. Maganda ka rin naman."

Kuya Trevor opened his arm. "Welcome home, baby!"

My parents also gave me a warm hug. My mom cried, even dad was suppressing a tear. I was about to greet Kuya Marco when a familiar face appeared. Bakit nandito siya? Right, best friend nga pala siya ng asawa ng kapatid ko.

"Hi, baby!" Kuya Marco hugged me. "Long time no see. Was it six years already? Ang ganda mo," sabi niya. "Hiyang sa boyfriend 'yan?" Pang-aasar niya. It was so loud, I know everyone heard him.

"Hi, super model!" Kuya Josh went to me and looked at Jandrei. "Cutie ng boyfriend mo, ah."

I didn't correct them, all I could answer with their inquiries were smiles.

"Hi, baby," Kuya Paulo smiled. "Marco, may nababaliw na ba diyan?"

Kuya Marco laughed. Alam kong aasarin nila kami nang ganito, imbes na mailang ngumi-ngiti pa rin ako.

"Tss, sabi na wala lumpia," bulong ni Drei. "Ito lang inuwi natin, eh."

I laughed, napatingin tuloy sila sa amin hababng kumukuha kami ng pagkain. "Sira, papagawan kita sa bahay bukas."

"Tss. Hindi naman handang pinoy 'to," komento pa niya. "Pagkaing New York din 'to!"

Lalo akong natawa, hinila ko siya papasok ng kusina. I asked one maid if we can cook a Filipino dish for us, okay lang daw. Pumasok ako sa pantry nila Ate.

"Wala naman ata tayong maluluto dito na mabilis," sabi ko. "Lucky me noodles, pinoy 'yon."

He chuckled. "Ako na nga. May dangit sila, pero baka mangamoy?"

"Hindi 'yan. Mag-exhaust tayo."

We cooked a Filipino breakfast while people outside were busy with party games. Tumatawa kami habang kumakain, kung ganito lang pala gagawin namin, dapat sa bahay na kami kumain.

"Saan kayo galing?" Tanong ni Ate noong umupo kami kasama nila.

"Nagluto. Kumain."

My sister's forehead creased. "Ng?"

"Filipino breakfast," sagot ko. "Hindi kami nagkalat."

Kuya Marco looked at me. "Breakfast? Naglilihi ka ba?"

Calix was intently watching me, mula noong umupo ako ay hindi niya inalis ang tingin niya sa akin. I even heard Kuya Miggy said, "Kalmahan mo lang, gago."

"Naglilihi sa sama ng loob, okay na, Kuya?"

He laughed with Kuya Paulo. "Namiss mo Pinoy?"

"Food," I clarified. "Wala man lang shanghai, Ate," baling ko sa kapatid.

"Stay here so you can eat your Filipino cravings," Ate Trish commented. "Baligtad, ako nagpapadala sa iyo ng mga kailangan mo. Sino ba kumakain ng pancit canton sa inyo? Eh, diba hindi ka mahilig?"