Break Fresh Ground

23: OPENING OLD WOUNDS

⚠️TW: PANIC ATTACK⚠️

"I want to help," my brows are slightly furrowed because Artemis won't let me help her do the laundry. Matigas itong umiling habang naghihiwalay ng puti sa mga de kolor. "Why won't you let me? May damit din naman ako diyan."

"Oo nga, pero ako ang nakatoka maglaba ngayon kaya ako ang maglalaba." Nagsimula siyang ilagay ang mga puting damit at underwear sa isang batya na may tubig. I think, she's pre-rinsing the clothes. I don't know. I have never done laundry before.

Tita Esme woke up Artemis at six to do the laundry, the latter did complain a little, but she need to do it anyways. After we ate breakfast, the routine of the day starts. I helped Sierra to wash some plates after eating. I just did all the rinsing, and Sierra did the rest; Sapphire helped Tita to feed their animals; and Artemis doing the laundry. The only person who's still sleeping right now is Sergio.

I watched her do all the thing she need to do until she's done putting some laundry soap and started to wrinkle the clothes. Without a word, naupo ako sa tabi niya at nagkusot din, ginagaya ang ginagawa niya. Sa gulat ay napahinto siya sa pagkusot at tumingin sa akin.

I gave her my sweetest smile as I met her orbs. "I want to help," is all I said and continue doing the laundry. I saw her sigh, the side of her lips upturning.

"Mabuti pa itong si Scarlett, marunong magkusang tumulong. Hindi kagaya ng iba diyan..." Parinig ni Tita Esme kila Sapphire at Sierra na parehas nakaupo sa papag at kumakain ng manga with shrimp paste.

Tita is harvesting some of their vegetable plant in their wide backyard. Her eyes are teasing Sapphire and Sierra, but every time she's meeting my orbs, she's giving me a soft look and a gentle smile. That's what makes me missed Mama Adelaide because she always looks at me with that kind of eyes too.

The two furrowed their eyebrows and gave their mother a pout, making Tita laugh. "Ma, naghugas naman kami ng mga ginamit kahapon sa birthday ni Ate kaya!"

"Oo nga!" Segunda ni Sapphire kay Sierra. "Ako pa nga nagkuskos ng mga pinaglutuan. 'Kita mo 'tong mga magaganda kong kuko, Ma?" she showed us her hands, making us focus on her nails. "Nangitim, Ma, dahil sa kahoy kayo nagluto nila Ate."

"Nagbibiro lang naman ako," kalmado ngunit tumatawang sagot ni Tita. "Natutuwa nga ako at tumulong kayo kahapon."

"Sila din naman kasi ang nakadami, Ma." Artemis chimed in, tukoy nito sa handa kahapon.

"Kung hindi niyo naman kasi sinarapan ang luto, hindi kami kakain ng marami," Sapphire rolls her eyes.

"Nakita kita kahapon, nagtago ka ng isang plato ng shanghai, may mga bisita pang dadating," Artemis rebutted.

"Kasalanan nito," tinuro nito ang katabi.

Umirap si Sierra bago pabirong inambahan ang ate niya na babatuhin ng manga. "Maglaba ka na nga lang diyan, Ate. Inggit ka lang kasi tapos na ang trabaho namin eh." Hindi na nagsalita si Artemis at nagsimula ng maglaba kaya nagsimula na din ako.

Nasa kalagitnaan na kami ng paglalaba nang biglang sumingit sa pagitan namin si Sergio. Gising na pala ang isang ito. He dipped his hands under the water and wiggle his hands making so much bubble.

"Sergio." Artemis sterned voice does not stop him and continue messing around. "Sergio, isa." But the little boy just giggle. "Dalawa." He stopped and decided to sit beside me.

With a tilt of his head and a twinkle in his eye, Sergio looked up at me with the most adorable puppy-like expression I had ever seen. His soft smile tugged at my heartstrings, and before I knew it, I was reaching out to gently pinch his rosy cheeks with both of my hands. But in my excitement, I forgot that my hands were still soapy, and as I made contact, Sergio let out a playful pout and a cute little shriek.