Found You

finding... 18.5

My eyes automatically drifted away from its gaze when it met my father’s. I can feel each of their burning stares on me. But, just like them, I have no idea what was going on.

I lowered my gaze in my lap where both of my hands were sweating from playing with each other.

We were already seated in the dining hall of their main house. Fortunately, it can accomodate the whole group that Ron brought with us being here too.

“Good morning, Ma!” Ron exclaimed when Tita Ceana and Tito Franz came out.

Nahuli silang makarating dahil may inayos pa yata sila. I think it has something to do with the festival that Eya was talking about.

Ron stood up from his seat and greeted his parents with a few kisses.

“Akala ko wala kang balak bumalik rito, e,” panimula ni Tito Franz sa anak.

“Ha? Anong walang balak?” tugon ni Ron. “Miss niyo lang siguro ako!”

“Muntik ko na ngang makalimutan na may lalaki akong anak,” balik ni Tito Franz kay Ron. Ngayon ay mahahalata na kung saan nakuha ng magkapatid ang ugali nila.

Malakas na nagtawanan ang mga kaibigan ni Ron habang pinanlisikan niya lang ang mga ito ng tingin.

“Maupo na kayo at tayo’y kumain na,” singit ni Tita Ceana.

All of us settled down and started to eat.

“Are you alright?”

Napatingala ako kay Kuya Xylo na katabi ko lamang nang magtanong ito.

I gave him a small smile before nodding my head. “Why wouldn’t I be?” A tiny chuckle followed my seemingly obvious question.

“You look pale.”

“It’s my skin color.”

“You look terrible with it right now.”

My face became bitter. “How dare you judge how I look. I look gorgeous, for your information.”

“If you say so,” he shrugged.

I just rolled my eyes and continued to eat.

“Mabuti naman at naisipan mong dalhin ang mga kaibigan mo rito, Aaron?” I heard Tita Ceana focused on her son after ending a little one with my mom.

“Kaya nga kami rito nag-agahan para ipakilala sa inyo lahat ‘yan, e,” sagot ni Ron pagkatapos lunukin ang nginunguya nito.

“Sinungaling,” Eya commented while her face showed disgust.

“Atribida ka na naman,” ganti ni Ron sa kapatid.

“Kung hindi ko lang nasabi sa ‘yo na rito kami kami mag-aagahan, hindi naman kayo pupunta rito.”

“Tumahimik ka nga. Hindi ka ba nahihiya sa bisita?” sagot ng kapatid na inirapan lang ng isa.

“You seem to have a lot of friends.”

Napataas ang aking kilay nang marinig si Dad na magsalita. Relax, Xyra. He’s not trying to do something that will shame you.

“A, opo!” ngumiti ng malaki si Ron kay Dad. “Sa totoo lang po ay hindi pa po nakakarating ang iba.”

With that, a big question mark is written on our faces. Not that I am in doubt of him having friends, but it is very confusing and unbelievable. 

How do one make so much friends? Mine can only be counted with my fingers. Mas marami pa ang mga founders na kausap ko.