Solace Escape

Kabanata 22

Kabanata 22

"Ayaw ko Zion! Bad!" hindi ko na kailangang tignan sino ang nagsalita. Umayos ako ng upo sa sofa at nakita kaagad ang pagsimangot ni Twinkle habang papalabas sa kusina.

She is smart for her age, medyo nabubulol pa rin pero dahil ata sa ingay sa bahay at madadaldal ang mga kasama niya-pwera sa akin s'yempre ay mas gumanda at luminaw ang vocabulary.

"What is it this time, baby?" tanong ko, ibinababa ang magazine na fresh from the printer pa para sa latest feature ko.

"Bad siya, Ate!" ngumuso siya, "agaw lumpia ko... bad..."

Napatawa na ako. She has this fascination with lumpia, same with my brother. Well, ako rin naman occasionally, you really can't deny how delicious it is so... it's normal.

"Come here," tinapik ko ang hita ko kaya nagtatatakbo siya sa akin.

She's in her pigtails, wearing her usual Hello Kitty terno shorts and top.

She crawled towards me kaya para 'di mahirapan ang kapatid ay binuhat ko na siya paupo sa hita ko at hinalikan sa pisngi. She giggled. I saw how her pretty eyes danced when I did that. The prettiest shade I'd ever seen.

"Ate ko," hearing those words is still amusing. I really love how well-spoken this little girl is, reminds me of the young Zirena.

"Yes, Twinkle?" bulong ko at kinuha ang tissue para punasan ang gilid ng labi niyang may crumbs pa galing sa lumpia.

"Love mo kow po?" she asked.

"Opo..." I nodded, "super duper love, do you love Ate, too?"

"Yesh!" she chirped, "many many love! Twinkle like Mommy and Ate Sib! Very pwetty and shungit!"

Napatawa na ako ng malakas bago siya pinugpog ng halik sa pisngi, mas niyayakap ang kanyang baywang habang nakaupo siya sa hita ko.

It's always making me smile whenever she tells me I am her idol. Sabi nga niya'y paglaki niya ay gusto niyang maging kagaya ko paglaki niya. gusto niya raw maging "mowdel" her words and mag-picture-picture daw.

I wasn't that good with kids, too-evidence will always be the frenemies, Queen and Dette-but luckily, I'm bonded so well with Twinkle. Madalas kasi siyang sumasama sa akin sa kapag nasa ibang bansa, minsan nga ay iniiwan na lang sa akin ay ayos lang sa kanya. She isn't the cry baby type. She's cute but behave when needed, she's extra focus about things and observant.

She might've sense I don't like loud kids kaya kapag magkasama kami ay super behave niya. She knows when to talk and whine, that's when I'm in good mood. Kapag alam niyang iritado ako dadalhan niya ako ng pagkain at ngingitian. All my anxieties and exhaustion would fade everytime.

"Hello, mga gorgeous kong sisters!" my eyes shifted to Zire when I heard her voice.

"Zire..."

"Ate Ganda!" Twinkle sang and bounced, running towards her sister for a hug. Zire carried her, chuckling and went closer to me for a kiss.

"Hi, Ate Sib," she smiled prettily, sitting beside me with Twinkle on her lap.

"Hello, Zire. How's work?" I inquired.

"Great! We went to a shelter last time and we're in the talks of participating in our annual medical mission," sagot niya. "We're coming with Kuya Dei and some physicians, dentist din."

I smiled, proud of my sister. I can't believe she matured this fast, parang dati lang baby ko lang ito, oh?

"You know I'm proud of you, right?" I asked. Her eyes twinkled, nodding.