He Was My Umbrella

08

"Hi, Raine! Do you still remember me?" I smiled sweetly at her from the front seat. 

"Yes, Ate! Are you Kuya Re-Ren's girlfriend?!" She asked, jumping on her seat.

"Rai, your Ate Adi is just 12 years old." He said calmly. I pursed my lips, accepting the bitter truth. Chos. "And I am already 21." he added.

He started driving while I was still looking at Raine. She was so big na, I can't believe it. She's just a cute toddler when I last saw her. But now, she really grew up. Now, when I compare their faces, I can see the resemblance. Especially with Raine and Kuya Renzo. They are undeniably siblings. A few seconds after looking at Rai, I fixed my vision back to the front. I noticed how Kuya Renzo managed to drive slowly compared of how he drived earlier. I guess it's for Rai's safety and mine too. Oh, assuming na ule ang bruha.

"Is Ate France there, Ate Adi?" Raine innocently asked.

"Yes, she is. Also Ate Icah," I smiled at her through the rearview mirror.

Nang makarating kami sa gymnasium, madami-dami na ang tao kaya naman medyo napuno ang parking.

"Go ahead, baba na kayo. Maghahanap pa ako ng parking space," Kuya Ren ordered us. I took off my seatbelt and went out to get Raine. I held her hand and guided her inside.

As soon as I opened the door,

"RAI!" Heto na si Frances. Tumakbo siya papunta sa amin at binuhat si Raine.

"Ate France! Miss na kita!" She wouldn't let go of Frances.

"Hi, Rai!" Here comes Icah.

"Ate Shenny!" Niyakap niya sa leeg si Icah.

Shenny? Ano 'yun? Ah, galing siguro sa first ni Icah na Darshen. Edi kayo na may nickname. Pero ako talaga ang mas naka miss kay Rai. Siya kasi ang kalaro ko dati pag nagkikita sina Daddy at Tita Sally. 3 years ang gap namin.

"Rai, let's go to your Mom na." As much as I want her to talk to the two girls, sumenyas na kasi si Tita Sally na pumunta na kami doon kaya pupunta na kami.

"Hi, anak." Tita Sally kissed Rai's forehead. "Do you still remember your Ate Adi?"

"Yes, Mama. I remember her very well. I even thought that he was Kuya Re-ren's girlfriend, but I found out that she was just 12 years old,"

Tita Sally laughed at Raine's facial expression. She was cute, though. Siguro sadyang suki lang 'to ng asar sa bahay.

"Adi!" Sumigaw si Kuya Ren. Sumenyas siya na lapitan ko siya so ayun nga ang ginawa ko. Hawak na niya ang bola at may sasabihin sa 'kin. "Kayo daw first performance. Tapos tayo daw magho-host,"

"Huh?! Ba't ako kasama?!" I stomped my feet like a child.

"Kasi hindi ko kaya ng ako lang mag-isa. Kaya natin' yan! Madami kana kasing kilala kahit mas dati pa ako nandito kaya kailangan kita,"

Ba't hindi mo rin sana mahalin? Chos.

"Ayusin mo ha," napa buntong-hininga ako.

"Yes, Attorney. I will not fail you." He dramatically said.

I mentally and physically prepared myself before taking the microphone and handing the other one to Kuya Ren. I saw him nod as a sign that's he's ready. I took a really deep breath and started talking.

"Alright, good afternoon, everyone! I hope everybody has already started their afternoon with a blast! Hi, I am Adi and I'm gonna host this event together with,"

"Hello! I am Renzo! I will accompany Adi with hosting this event!" He introduced himself with a slight enthusiasm.

Ba't hindi mo rin i-accompany sa buhay?