Chasing Cars (GxG)

Chapter 5 - Glimpse of the Past

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It's been four days since classes started. It's Friday now, and I'd say we're surviving, but it's been a whirlwind. The three idiots are buried in academics, and I'm just as swamped. Anno, on the other hand, has made it her mission to torment me at every turn. I haven't stopped trying to talk to her since that encounter, which probably makes me seem like the persistent pest she assumes I am. Honestly, it's not like me to chase after someone who clearly can't stand me. But somehow, here I am, bothering her daily. I don't even understand why—I'm usually the last person to chase after anyone, especially someone with her attitude.

Despite the fact that I could still use a few more hours of sleep, I forced myself out of bed. I didn't want a repeat of yesterday's chaos, where I'd ended up late yet again. Being late is so not me, but recently, it seems like I'm perpetually rushing.

After a refreshing shower, I slipped into a simple white hoodie and black wide pants, finishing off with my white Converse Chuck 70 Lows. One final check in the mirror, and I was out the door, heading for the dining room.

I was greeted by the cheerful voices of my family, engaged in lively conversation, though Morph was missing—he'd just returned late last night from a business trip to Cuba. We'd all stayed up chatting until midnight; I hadn't realized how much time had passed until Arki started dozing off. Moments like these are our way of bonding, no fancy outings or extravagant trips, just genuine, laid-back storytelling sessions that always feel like home.

"Good morning, baby," nakangiting bati sakin ni Dad nang makita niya ako napangiti naman ako dahil ang gwapo ng tatay ko ngayon at sakanya daw ako nagmana girl version nga daw niya ako e syempre payag ako 'no.

Busangot akong humalik sa pisngi nilang dalawa ni Mommy bago bumati. "Good morning too, lovers. And I'm not baby anymore, Dad. May baby na nga ako oh," turo ko pa kay Arki.

"Good morning, my handsome baby," Nakangiting bati ko sa anak ko and gave him a peck on his forehead na ikinabungisngis niya ang cute talaga manag mana sa ina. Umupo ako sa tabi niya at sinimulang asikasuhin ang pagkain niya.

"Good morning too, mommy." Sabay pugpog ng halik sa mukha ko. Arki really knows how to make me smile.

"Don't eat too much frozen foods, Arki." paalala ko sakanya tumango lang ito sabay subo sa hotdog. Sinalinan ko ng milk ang glass naming dalawa hindi kasi ako nagcocoffee dahil sa acid reflux ko.

"You're still our baby, Daci. Even though we have our new baby Arki. Right, Hon?" si Dad sabay baling kay Mommy na naghihintay ng pagsang-ayon napailing nalang ako sa kakulitan ni Dad saamin lang naman siya ganyan kaya nakakatuwa rin.

"Your dad is right, baby Daci." nangaasar na sang-ayon ni Mom. Really mom pati ikaw.

"Then buy this for your baby, Dad." nakangisi kong sagot sabay abot ng magazine sakanya. "Btw, where's Morph?" takang tanong ko dahil wala siya sa hapag kainan.

"He left early for work, anak. Tulog ka pa kaya 'di mo naabutan ang kuya mo," tumango lang ako sa sagot ni Mom habang si Dad.

Nagtaas ang kilay nito parang inaaral ang nakikita kagat ko ang ibabang labi dahil nagbabadya na ang ngiting kanina ko pa pinipigilan.

"Is this for Arki?" maang na tanong ni Dad pero natutugan ang pangaasar. Alam kong alam niya kung para kanino 'yon gusto niya lang talagang asarin ako. "You want this, young man?" Tanong pa ni Dad kay Arki habang pinapakita ang picture ng bagong labas na Scrambler Ducati 1100 Tribute PRO na nasa magazine na binili ko nung isang araw.

"It looks—wow po but I don't like it, Granddad. I saw that magazine in mommy's room earlier maybe she's the one who likes it po," magalang na paliwanag ni Arki kay Dad.