Held Voluntarily

5

Mapang-asar akong ngumiti nang muling matalo si Xenro sa chess. I whistled and stood up to stretch my arms.

"Why didn't you use your time practicing chess when you cut classes?" ani ko, dahilan para mapaasik ito.

Mabilis na nagsalubong ang kilay nito. It's weekend, we have a lot of free time today that's why we decided to play board games. Isa pa, nandirito lagi si Laniah tuwing biyernes hanggang linggo.

"I'm not cutting anymore," he stated and glance at Laniah and Zollana playing snake and ladder. "I've been punished of babysitting a child, I don't dare to repeat."

I chuckled. That's kind of true. Everyone likes Laniah. Some of my cousins come here and greet her genuinely. Maski si lolo ay tinuturing siyang apo dahil bukod sa ang mga pinakabata naming pinsan ay wala dito sa bansa, he's an effective good influence to Xenro.

He called it punishment because he's forced to be a good boy.

"Ako panalo, ate!" Laniah laughed like a little angel.

Zollana pouted at her, but joined her laugh. Tumayo si Laniah at akmang tatakbo nang pigilan siya ng kaharap ko.

"The floor is still wet," Xenro boringly stated. "Kaka-mop lang, bawal tumakbo."

Mabilis kaming nagkatinginan ni Zollana. Hindi namin naalala iyon. Sira nga pala ang vacuum kaya nagsabi ang helper kanina na ngayon sila nagmop.

Being the youngest in our family alone and previously in this mansion, we're used to be the one being cared of. Kung kami lang ang kasama ni Laniah, baka nadapa na siya.

Thank goodness, Xenro has natural brother instincts because of his younger siblings.

Laniah cutely smiled and nodded. Umupo siya uli, she swayed her little legs and gazes at the direction of the kitchen. Her sister is baking her favorite cookies, dapat tutulong kami pero 'wag na raw e.

Bumuntong-hininga si Xenro. Nagtataka ko siyang binalingan nang tumayo ito at tumingin kay Laniah.

"Pupunta ka kay ate Lalianah?" tanong nito.

I can't help but laugh secretly. Ilang buwan na ba siyang in-charge sa anak nila tito, I mean sister-in law at kabisado niya na ito.

Tumango naman ng maliit ito, medyo nahihiya. She's really cute. Lalianah is so fortunate to have a behave and charming daughter. I mean, sister. Lol.

"Tara," ako na ang nag-aya.

Sabay-sabay kaming tumayo. Zollana holds her hand because the floor is still a bit slippery.

Habang naglalakad ay may biglang tumunog na selpon. I curiously looked back at the sofa when I realize it's mine. Bumalik ako at agad iyong kinuha.

Bumungad sa akin ang mensahe ni Duncan. Well, who else?

"We already postponed the gun shooting last month, let's just go horseback riding after your class this week."

Nag-isip ako kung busy ba ako sa paparating na linggo. For unknown reason, I can't afford to say no. Ilang beses na kaming muntik umalis at biglang hindi natutuloy.

Blame me, I don't want to be seen with him. Hindi ko na kasalanan na bigla kaming may kakilala sa pupuntahan. Just thinking of how my family would react is shivering.

Hindi pa man ako nakakaisip ng sagot, tumunog na ito muli—tumatawag. I sighed and peek at the side, nang makitang dumeretso ang tatlo sa kusina ay lumabas ako papunta sa hardin saka ko sinagot ang tawag.

"I'm not sure," I answered quickly as soon as I answered.

Tanging paghinga niya lang ang sumagot sa akin. I remain silent, biting my lip when I suddenly felt uneasy.