That Thing Called Love (Cambridge Academy Series 1)

Chapter 36: Refresh

Chapter 36:

Refresh

Kylie's.

Nakatitig lamang ako sa labas ng bintana habang tahimik na nagmamaneho si mommy. Looking back to all the months and moments had passed, masasabi kong ang bilis talaga ng araw. Parang kahapon lang noong iniiyakan ko pa ang ganitong senaryo na makasama ang mama ko, but I am now living the moment.

All of those moments that I had to go through had brought me here and I can say that they’re worth it.

I am proud of myself from staying strong. There are times where I could have given up, but I didn’t. May mga bagay man akong nagawa at nasabi, nawala man sa ‘kin si Mitchie, alam kong lahat iyon ay nagdulot ng aral sa buhay ko. I’ll learn from my mistake and live with it.

I looked at my mom at the driver's seat and she smiled at me.

"May kasabay tayong uuwi ng Australia. Ipapakilala ko rin siya sa'yo mamaya."

"I'm curious," I stated honestly.

My mom chuckled. "Gusto ka niya na rin makilala."

I don't know if my mom married someone, but if she did, I'll respect it.

Iniwan ni mommy ang kotse sa Park 'n Fly at dumiretso na kami sa airport sakay ng van.

When we arrived at the airport, someone was sitting in the waiting area and he walked towards us. Tinulungan niya kami sa mga gamit na bitbit sa cart at biglang niyakap si Mommy.

Nang magawi ang tingin niya sa 'kin, doon namilog ang mga mata ko. He is the guy who asked me in the principal’s office before and it turned out na si Mommy ang naabutan ko doon. Siya rin iyong sinundan namin ni Mitchie papunta doon.

"Hello, little sis." He showed me his wide smile with complete set of white teeth.

Wait. Little sis? May kapatid ako? May Kuya ako?

I looked at my mom with a questioning look on my face since I didn't know what to respond.

Kanina lang iniisip ko kung may asawa kaya si Mommy tapos anak pala?

She chuckled at my reaction and pat the guy's back. "This is Kyle, your brother. He's 20 years old so you should call him Kuya."

It's obvious.

Binalik ko ang ngiti ng lalaking pinakilala ni Mommy na kapatid ko. "I'm sorry, I didn't know I had a brother." 

"No. I'm sorry, Kylie. I didn't tell you sooner dahil gusto ko ang personal na maipakilala si Kyle sa'yo," singit ni Mommy.

The guy continued to smile at me and somehow, it made me warm up a bit. "Ang tagal ka naming hinintay ni mommy. Finally, kumpleto na rin tayo." 

Naluha ako bigla dahil pakiramdam ko agad na welcome ako sa kanila. Siya ang nagsundo sa'kin sa school para ihatid sa office ni mommy. Nang mga panahon pala na 'yon ay gusto na niya akong makilala pero hindi muna siya nagpakilala. 

Lumapit si Kuya sa 'kin at nilawakan ang buka ng braso niya. "Can I hug you?"

I teared up a bit. "Of course."

I wrapped my arms around his waist and he gave me a comforting embrace.

Hindi ko alam na sa mga panahong naghihintay ako kay Mommy, ganoon din pala sila sa 'kin. There, I realized, that I was not alone in my struggles.

"It's nice to see you two in that position," Mom commented.

"Come on, Mom. Kasali ka rin dito." Hinila ni Kuya si Mommy kaya magkayakap na kaming tatlo habang tumatawa.